Nameless Hero," You Need Not Face an Unbeatable Monster Alone
Night didn't have time to explain.
In the heat of battle, every second counted.
All he needed was for the soldiers to believe that he was Hector.
At this moment, tyranny was more fitting than nobility.
When Night turned, his gaze filled with an oppressive force, locking onto the soldiers.
Unaware of how much his life force had surpassed that of ordinary people, he didn't realize the extent of his intimidating presence, which was enhanced by his many kills of Greek soldiers.
The moment he turned, the soldiers behind him shuddered.
For an instant, it seemed as if the figure before them truly overlapped with the legendary Greek hero, the first warrior of Troy, whom they revered.
The overwhelming aura he emitted and his bloodstained face left the soldiers with no room for resistance; their bodies instinctively yielded.
The soldiers stammered, "No... no problem at all...
Since Lord Hector has entrusted you to lead us, we will follow you completely. Whatever you say is as good as done!"
In their eyes, whether it was Hector or Night, both were revered as legendary 'heroes'.
Having witnessed their immense strength and formidable presence on the battlefield, the soldiers were genuinely respectful and awed.
Night commanded, "Very well, from now on, you will address me as Lord Hector! Inform the remaining soldiers we gather to do the same!"
After giving his instructions, Night rode ahead, rescuing Theban remnants or ordinary citizens who were caught in skirmishes with the Greeks.
For a time, the sight of a figure on horseback, wielding a golden spear amidst the flames, left a lasting impression on many who survived the battlefield.
It was as if a shooting star had streaked through the inferno, bringing a glimmer of hope to those in despair.
"Who is that lord...?!"
Among the fleeing refugees of Thebes, a young girl, as beautiful as the moon goddess Artemis, couldn't help but speak.
At the critical moment when Greek soldiers were about to drag her away, Night, holding his divine spear, charged forward like a falling star, carving a path through the enemies.
After ensuring their safety and instructing them to wait for his soldiers to rescue them, he swiftly moved on to the next battlefield.
From despair to the blooming flower of hope, the girl's terror gave way to a calm admiration, her eyes reflecting a deep sense of awe for the departing figure.
Later, when the soldiers arrived to secure the area, the girl and the grateful citizens learned the name of their savior—Hector.
However—
"Impossible! Though that spear indeed belongs to Lord Hector..." the girl exclaimed in shock.
She had seen Hector before and knew that the prince of Troy did not look like the figure she saw.
But why would these soldiers lie?!
Seeing someone who recognized Hector, the soldiers hesitated.
The surrounding civilians, aware of the girl's identity as the high priest's daughter and future priestess, believed her words.
Faced with the girl's recognition, the soldiers had no choice but to admit that it was a direct order from the hero to be called Lord Hector.
They claimed ignorance about why this identity needed to be assumed.
"I see—if it's an order from the hero, then we shall respect his wishes," the girl agreed.
The hero must have a deep reason for doing this.
Since it was what he wished, even to repay the debt of gratitude, they would never expose the hero's disguise.
"Everyone—we were saved by Lord Hector! Understand?"
"Yes, yes, it was Lord Hector who saved us!"
The group nodded fervently, immediately grasping the situation.
Of course—
In ancient Greece, people loved to sing of heroes' stories.
Though they managed to restrain themselves now, whether they could keep the secret once they were safe off the battlefield was uncertain.
Human tendencies to gossip wouldn't easily disappear.
Fortunately, Night only needed the disguise temporarily—
'Almost there!'
After sweeping through the enemies on his path and rescuing those he encountered, he finally regrouped with the soldiers he had saved.
This sweep had gathered a force of seventy soldiers.
With more stragglers joining, the numbers could double.
If Hector's side was similar, combining their forces with those brought from Troy, they could muster a five hundred strong army.
However—
Night noticed the intense sounds of battle from the city center.
He said, "There's no time to wait any longer… I must go to the central battlefield to provide support.
If anyone feels fear, stay here to protect the civilians and await reinforcements.
The enemy is the invulnerable demigod Achilles.
Your swords and spears won't harm him, even if they strike true. If you retreat here, I won't mock your fear. Humans don't need to face unbeatable monsters."
"But what about you, my lord…?" The soldiers, recalling the terrifying image of Achilles who shattered the city gates and led the enemy to conquer Thebes overnight, felt a deep-seated fear.
Yet, swallowing their dread, one soldier gripped his weapon tightly and anxiously asked the 'nameless hero' before them.
Everyone knew he wasn't truly Hector, and they didn't even know his real name.
'—Humans don't need to face unbeatable monsters,'
But what about this nameless hero himself?
Even though Night had displayed overwhelming power while rescuing them, the soldiers who had witnessed Achilles' terror had no confidence that their hero could defeat the demigod.
Some, grateful for being saved by him, wanted to shout out, "You don't have to face such an invincible monster yourself!"
Monsters should be left to other monsters to deal with!
Or rather—
The gods themselves!
Other demigod heroes!
In the midst of this inferno, as Night looked into the worried faces and shining eyes reflected by the flames, he fell silent.
In that moment, he felt a slight touch of emotion in his heart.
He had never thought that simply doing what he could, saving some innocent civilians and soldiers on the battlefield, would earn him such genuine concern and worry.
Just a day ago, they had been complete strangers.
....