Chapter 36: Work of a Hero

After departing from Bracada again, three days later, Asa finally spotted the shadow of a bipedal dragon. He shouted and waved to get its attention.

After circling above him for a while, the beast finally decided to descend and see this human who dared to greet it from below. Asa talked with the half-orc scout for a while before finally boarding the bipedal dragon again and returning to Orford.

He went to the town hall and found Theodorus. Asa threw the peace treaty from the emperor at him and sighed, "I don't know why they say 'only I can do this' for something anyone can do. They even prepared a whole entourage for me; it took a lot of effort to refuse them. Otherwise, I'd have to plod along with them in the wasteland. It's such a hassle."

Theodorus smiled and opened the treaty, glancing at it. "Actually, this major affair should have been signed by your emperor himself. But he's just a child, and even the decision to sign the treaty is discussed by those ministers, so there was no need for him to come and perform this formality. That's why I instructed the envoy to say he needn't come personally; sending a messenger would suffice. This can be seen as a special opportunity for you, a significant task that allows you to easily gain a large amount of political capital, which Bishop Ronis will naturally drop in your lap."

Asa scoffed; for others, this was probably a dream opportunity. Perhaps Bishop Ronis intended to bestow a great reward upon him, but unfortunately, he had no interest in it.

Theodorus carefully signed the treaty, sighing in satisfaction. Now that this last step was complete, the wrinkles on his face seemed to lessen as he exclaimed, "Alright, from now on, we shall enter an era of peace. A new page in history will unfold; the era of coexistence between orcs and humans, the era of development, begins today..."

Asa suddenly remembered a question and asked, "Did the orcs from the Wild Highlands used to eat humans?"

"Yes. When humans are hungry, don't they eat chickens, pigs, and cows?" Theodorus replied in a calm tone, as if this behavior was completely justified, as natural as eating vegetables. "But now, most of the orcs are those I rescued as cubs, allowing them to grow up and live with humans, completely losing their original customs and culture. Essentially, they are no different from humans. You must have seen it; humans and orcs coexist well in Orford."

"What I'm saying is… is the hatred between humans and orcs so easily resolved? What about those whose relatives were killed by orcs, like those soldiers you killed a few days ago, or the general…?"

Theodorus smiled lightly and said, "I believe the trade with Orford will bring benefits to various countries, along with the gifts for those ministers. It will also make people forget these old grievances. The shiny gold coins in front of them hold far more value than the blood they remember. They will also help us solve these issues. You saw those soldiers that we had to kill a few days ago? Did the imperial court just ignore it? In fact, even if I hadn't killed them, do you think they'd have a good ending after returning? The imperial court has already established a treaty with me and understands the common interests of our long-term cooperation; they will certainly eliminate anyone who might be detrimental to us for violating military orders."

"…But that's five thousand lives..." Asa thought for a moment and gave a wry smile. The horrific scene of charred corpses and the screams of five thousand dying men had made it hard for him to sleep peacefully during this time.

Theodorus replied indifferently, "As a leader, one must consider the overall interests of the nation. What are five thousand lives? If necessary, it could just as easily be fifty thousand." He fixed his piercing gaze on Asa. "To accomplish great things, one must not sweat the small stuff, must not choose methods based on feelings, must not get attached. It seems your compassion is still too heavy; you'll have to practice shedding it slowly."

Asa could only smile bitterly and waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it. Once I finish my business here, I'm going traveling. I'm not cut out for these big affairs and never thought of doing them."

"Traveling?" Theodorus looked at him as if he had never heard the word before, with a curious expression. "You still want to travel?"

"Yes," Asa nodded.

Theodorus's look remained strange. "I originally didn't know what Ronis was planning, but seeing that you delivered the peace treaty, I realized he intends to make you a hero admired by thousands, to achieve something grand. Why are you still thinking about traveling?"

A hero admired by thousands, achieving great deeds. This was an incredibly grandiose title, shining brightly, seemingly appealing only to those with something wrong in their heads if they were uninterested.

However, Asa was indeed uninterested in this title—not because something was wrong with his head, but simply because it didn't appeal to him. "Had I known, I would have refused his goodwill. I'm really not interested in this."

Hero. The title was indeed beautiful. But Asa had already experienced the political machinations, schemes, intrigue, assassination, and insincerity behind this spotlighted term while accompanying Rodhart in the royal capital. Duke Murak's gentle smile had been so friendly, and he had once sincerely shared his thoughts with him, but the dagger that had come from behind in the night had been fatal. To be honest, even now he could not harbor any enmity towards the duke; he just felt a profound aversion to the royal capital.

Moreover, he had never thought of accomplishing great deeds even as a child. Furthermore, the few lessons from the duke and Theodorus had made him immensely averse to anything termed "great deeds."

"Refuse?" Theodorus's expression grew even more peculiar. It was as if he had not only heard this word for the first time but had also heard a rather ridiculous joke. "Can you really refuse? Don't you realize you must take on the role of this hero, that you must achieve something great?"

Whether you wanted to or not, you had to become a hero and accomplish something significant. This sounded like a ridiculous joke, but there was not the slightest hint of humor on the speaker's face.

Asa could sense that there was something amiss behind this unfunny joke. He solemnly and clearly expressed his attitude, saying, "In my dictionary, apart from eating, drinking, sleeping, and taking care of bodily needs, there has never been a word 'must'."

Theodorus looked at Asa and nodded thoughtfully. "So he hasn't told you yet..."

Seeing the ambiguous expression on this old man's face, Asa inexplicably felt a bit uneasy.

"I can't say too much about it; you should go back and ask him," Theodorus waved his hand, seemingly unwilling to say anything more.

After quickly handling the affairs in Orford, Asa returned to the royal capital and to the Magic Academy.

Every building in the academy was grand and magnificent, perfectly expressing nobility and sanctity. The most prominent was the towering cathedral in the center of the academy, which dwarfed anyone standing in front of it, radiating an aura that made them feel insignificantly small.

Asa stood in front of the door, gazing up at the cathedral; this sacred and towering building seemed to be even more uncomfortable than before. He had to muster his courage before stepping into the door that resembled the mouth of a monster.

Bishop Ronis was quite surprised by Asa's sudden appearance; he was preparing to discuss with the emperor about holding a grand award ceremony for the priest returning with honors.

After hearing Asa's words, Bishop Ronis smiled and asked, "Don't you want to be a hero? Don't you want to be admired? This is something many people dream of."

Asa firmly shook his head, "Whether I'm a hero or whether others admire me has nothing to do with me. It doesn't add any extra meat to my body; I still have three meals a day."

Bishop Ronis smiled and nodded. "But I hope you can do these things..."

Asa reiterated, "I'm sorry, Your Excellency. I'm back to tell you that I won't engage in these nonsensical tasks."

"You must do this." Bishop Ronis's voice was soft, but his words carried significant weight. "You have no choice. Regardless of your feelings, the task upon your shoulders is one given by the times—a task for the peace of the entire continent."

"I certainly have a choice. What I want to do is my freedom," Asa responded firmly. And indeed, this was a justified stance.

He took out the appointment letter and token and tossed them onto the table. He had always respected this elder who had saved him several times, but now he felt a bit of resentment. "I don't know what this 'era' is, nor have I received any tasks from it. All I know is that I don't like doing this. I've never thought anything was something that had to be done. Well, I'm returning that priest's position to you now."

The bishop regarded the only person brave enough to speak to him in such a tone with a gentle gaze, as if he were merely looking at a willful child. In a tone tinged with strange resignation, he said, "You must do this. Even I have no choice—how could you? You know, the elves have already sent a wanted notice for you. The envoy has also told me everything that has happened. Can you still go traveling like this?"

Asa snorted. "I know they are looking for me. I'm not afraid. I have my own ways of dealing with it."

"Do you realize that I should also help them by putting a wanted notice out in the name of the Church? I might even discuss with His Majesty the Emperor about dispatching the Paladins to hunt you down?" Bishop Ronis's tone remained calm.

Asa's mouth fell open, unable to close.

"If I speak up, almost all the countries on the continent would be hunting you down. And for me, I should indeed do this, you know?"

"...I don't know," Asa replied mechanically, shaking his head.

"Indeed, from a national perspective, the elves are a strange and inconsequential people, and their myths are nothing more than absurd tales. After all, it is the army, economy, and politics that maintain a nation; history is written by these tangible concepts. Therefore, politicians do not care about concepts of light and darkness; many in the Church do not care about this either." The bishop extended a withered finger and lightly tapped himself. "They don't believe, but I do."

"You... believe in what...?" Asa asked cautiously.

Bishop Ronis replied lightly, "I believe that the Sun Well and the Leaves of the World Tree are indeed symbols of the power of light, and that only light can resist darkness."

Suddenly, Asa recalled a story he had almost forgotten, a story he found quite annoying, which he dismissed as nonsense.

Bishop Ronis looked at Asa and sighed deeply. "The elves must have told you their legendary stories, right?"

Asa couldn't help but smirk. It was that nonsensical story again, but if it were spoken so earnestly by the esteemed bishop, surely no one would dare dismiss it as nonsense.

"The 'evil' they speak of is actually the sacred artifact of the Necromancer Guild—a sword called the Black Star," Bishop Ronis's voice drifted through the small room, carrying a unique historical depth. "Five hundred years ago, the most powerful magician in history, Akibard, entered the never-before-visited Dehya Valley and discovered that symbol of darkness and death—the Black Star. He was enchanted by its immense power and established the Necromancer Guild, an organization that worships darkness and death. Even the magician who claimed to be closest to God could not pull out the Black Star. However, he ultimately left a last will: whoever can pull out this sword shall become the Lord of the Undead, cleansing the entire world with death and darkness. But he also vaguely mentioned two other sacred artifacts of light and life, the Sun Well and the Leaves of the World Tree, which the elves guard. This corroborates the ancient legends of the elves. The conclusion is clear: to combat darkness, one must harness the powers of light and life."

"Wait, wait... if that's the case, has the Church done nothing over the years?" Asa suddenly recalled something that didn't add up. The power of the Light Church on the continent was greater than that of any single country. Not only the Empire, but the vast majority of countries on the continent also believed in the God of Light. And the Church had always positioned itself as the embodiment of light and justice; it made no sense for it to turn a blind eye to the massive shadow of the Necromancer Guild.

The light in Bishop Ronis's eyes was filled with a blend of frustration and worry for the first time. He didn't explain, only smiled wryly. "The reason for that, you will know later..." His gaze flickered and returned to the topic. "If the Necromancer Guild learns about the two powers you bear, they certainly won't let you go. Therefore, our safest and most secure option is to confine you in an absolutely secure and confidential location, slowly finding a way to extract the powers within your body. However..." The bishop's imposing demeanor and noble status could not mask the tenderness in his eyes. "When I heard that you were willing to use the Leaves of the World Tree to save others, I knew your heart was undoubtedly filled with light. So I changed my mind. I won't passively capture and protect you; I want you to become a hero of light, ultimately to eradicate that source of evil."

After hearing this, Asa felt as if his head had swollen to at least several times its normal size, feeling heavy and dizzy.

He didn't know how much effort it took to organize his thoughts just a bit and struggled to express himself: "...That was just because her injuries were caused by me. I saved her just to feel better about myself... I don't know anything about this 'light' nonsense..."

"That is true justice," the bishop insisted, his eyes retaining their gentle warmth, once again affirming his noble sentiment. "There is no pure and unsullied morality or justice that transcends all evil. To live for ourselves, do we not consume other lives? Yet, in this inescapable original sin, maintaining a glimmer of kindness, compassion, and love in one's heart—that is the only true light in a person's soul."

Asa felt his head might explode. Facing such an elder who seemed to be patiently guiding him yet was indeed difficult to communicate with, his head felt unavoidably large, heavy, and dizzy.

He couldn't care less whether the damned Sun Well and the Leaves of the World Tree were truly that important, or whether there even was a distinction between light and darkness. What he cared about was that it seemed he had no choice but to become this hero.

Elderly people are usually very stubborn, and persuading a bishop who firmly believes in these legends to abandon those beliefs would probably be a hundred times harder than convincing himself to genuinely believe in those ethereal ghost stories. And as long as Bishop Ronis truly believed in this way, he would have no choice but to consider it that way.

Rather than a path of heroism, it felt more like a job to avoid being tightly confined and protected as a vessel.

The Church's high status in the Empire was almost entirely due to Bishop Ronis's efforts. Over thirty years ago, the continent east of the rugged highlands, centered around the Empire of Einfast, was embroiled in years of war, leading to suffering among the people. It was Bishop Ronis who led the then relatively small Church forces on the eastern continent, mediating, negotiating, and participating in battles among various nations, ultimately not only ending the wars but also elevating the Church's status in the Empire to unprecedented heights. Thus, his high prestige and extraordinary status within the Holy See could not be matched by other bishops. It is said that had he not insisted on staying here to oversee the Magic Academy, he would have held the position of the current Pope. To pursue a wanted person with his status would mean that not only the Empire and other nations following the Light Church but even other pagan nations would be compelled by diplomatic pressure to hunt down this fugitive. He would have nowhere to stand on the entire continent.

Looking into Bishop Ronis's eyes, Asa understood one thing most clearly: at least for now, he could no longer refuse.

He might as well give it a try. So many people were willing to undertake great tasks and become heroes; perhaps this really could be a good thing. With no way out, Asa could only think this way. He finally lowered his head in resignation, furrowing his brow as he sighed, like a student accepting a heap of homework for the holidays, and said, "I understand."

After a long sigh, Bishop Ronis smiled, genuinely pleased. It seemed he was very happy and satisfied.

"But I still have a question," Asa suddenly looked up at Bishop Ronis and asked, "Why didn't you take the opportunity when I was half dead in Orford to hand me back to the elves to take back to the Whispering Forest, truly treating me as a vessel to be kept? Wouldn't that have been much simpler? I suppose you wouldn't be thinking of the duke's plans, would you? Why would you waste a Leaves of the World Tree, which is so important to you?"

The expression on the bishop's face shifted to a strange and complex one, a wave of emotions lingering there for a while before slowly retreating back into his authoritative and deep demeanor. He didn't answer directly; the glimmer in his eyes flickered as if recalling many memories, making his words somewhat vague. "I didn't used to believe in fate, but I see it in you. Saving you is part of that fate... Perhaps there is indeed something predestined in this world. That's why I once felt lost… I was afraid of those things that might become real, wondering if all my efforts over the years would be in vain, and whether my future actions would also be futile... But after our last conversation, I finally made up my mind. No matter the outcome, I must do my best to fulfill my responsibilities. I have to lead you towards the path of light and justice… There was once someone like you, very talented, very kind, very pure, who was also drawn into this vortex against his will, and in the end, he fell into darkness…" The fire in his eyes burned passionately, not driven by a sense of responsibility, but a pure expression of personal emotion. This intense feeling, arising in someone who should have transcended emotions, felt extraordinary. He looked at Asa, as if wanting to illuminate this young man before him with his gaze and feelings, saying earnestly, "I saved you because of fate, and also to resist fate."

Asa didn't fully understand, but he vaguely felt that perhaps it was better not to understand.

By the time Asa left the magic academy, it was already dusk. The streets of the royal capital were preparing a stage for the impending decadent nightlife. Carriages carrying noblewomen began to pass by, while cheap prostitutes and some not-so-cheap ones from the nearby houses started to call out from the sidewalks.

Bishop Ronis had already begun a series of tedious preparations, consulting with several high-ranking officials and issuing announcements to the court. Asa didn't want to get involved; he had no idea how to get involved. For now, he just needed to go back and wait for the grand award ceremony the next day, step by step towards the starry path that Bishop Ronis had prepared for him.

Asa walked along the street, his mind numb. I'm going to be a hero, a hero, a hero... Asa couldn't blend this strange title with himself in his mind or in concept. It felt as if he were suddenly transforming into some bizarre animal he had never seen before—unable to adapt to this strange identity and unsure of what to do.

"Damn it!" Asa felt extremely frustrated and suddenly cursed aloud. What the hell is light? What the hell is being a hero? I don't want to deal with this. But now, can't I even run away?

Passersby looked at this seemingly crazy person with curiosity.

"This familiar-looking young man seems a bit troubled. Would you like some company?" A pale, delicate hand boldly pinched Asa's arm.

Asa turned to see a somewhat familiar face. It was the prostitute who had placed a bet on Rodhart during the tournament and had performed on stage. She was still revealing her shoulders and part of her chest, with makeup that seemed unnecessary for her already charming face.

Since childhood, Asa had often mingled with miners and prostitutes in taverns. Now, under the pressure of some world-saving mission, seeing such a familiar figure in a foreign place brought him an unexpected sense of warmth.

A bizarre thought suddenly emerged in his mind. At first, he found it somewhat absurd, but this thought soon brought him a malicious pleasure akin to the joy of desecrating a sacred statue, a feeling of blasphemy and revenge. Asa grasped the delicate hand and asked fiercely, "Do you have time now?"

"Well, it depends on how much money you have. As for discounts, we can discuss that later when we're better acquainted." The prostitute spoke directly.

Asa took out a gold coin and waved it in his hand. "How much free time can this buy?" This was what Bishop Ronis had given him, a reminder to tidy up his appearance to match his soon-to-arrive noble identity.

The spark in the prostitute's eyes rivaled that of the gold coin, and she replied, her excitement evident, "A lot of free time!"

"Good." Asa shouted again with some malice. He hoped Bishop Ronis would somehow know about his current actions.

Asa would never forget this day; it was too strange. First, he was forced to become a hero, preparing to walk a great path of brightness. Then he immediately did something even stranger: sleep with a prostitute.