As expected, I am the protagonist

"What's wrong, Hermes?" 

While Hestia was helpless, she couldn't help but ask this question since she could see the crowd Hermes had gathered.

Still, Isao hid behind Hestia since he didn't want to get involved with this god. 

"Wait over there and hear me, okay?" 

As Hermes said so, he winked at Isao, which caused him to shudder before he laughed and stood on the stage as he faced everyone. 

"Listen if you stand far. Watch out if you stand close. Call out your name if you think you've got what it takes! Now! Which intrepid hero will pull this spear free!" 

Within the stage, Hermes stood before a gorgeous spear that was stuck within a crystal-like material. 

While Isao was disgusted with Hermes, he had to bear it, thinking that this guy had a strange taste, but regardless, Hermes was a unique element of this world.

This guy wasn't bad, and there was no doubt that Hermes wished for the best, especially when he was entrusted by Zeus to search for a hero who was capable of defeating the last enemy of humanity, The Eyed Black Dragon. 

More importantly, everyone had their own hobbies, and he really couldn't bear to say that he was better than Hermes, especially when he often destroyed a family or two after playing with a housewife. 

Lastly, even if Hermes was like that, he knew what to do and not to do, so Isao wouldn't do anything since he wasn't such a cold-blooded bastard who would kill anyone. 

At the same time, he wasn't sure whether he could kill Hermes either, as he hadn't found a way to completely erase Dionysus, so instead of making more enemies, he just bore it for a moment. 

Regardless, Hestia quickly reacted and stood in front of Isao. 

"I will protect Isao," Aiz said and stood close to Isao. 

"....." 

Lefiya was speechless and asked in doubt, "What's wrong? What's happening?" 

Daphne appeared awkward, but she couldn't bear to watch Lefiya remain clueless, so she explained in a low voice, "Hermes-sama has a bit similar hobby to Apollo-sama." 

"Ah!" 

Lefiya was dumbfounded and looked at Isao sympathetically. Others might have looked up to him and worshipped him as a hero, yet what they didn't know was that Isao faced a battle, an invisible battle that often made him stressed, which made her feel sorry for him.

However, there was no doubt that all of them wondered what kind of play Hermes wanted to do, especially when he made such a commotion. 

"What's is up to?" 

Yet Hermes was still engrossed in his act, telling everyone how amazing the spear before him was. "This legendary spear can only be freed by the chosen one, who will be blessed by the Goddess of Purity!" 

"Hmm... purity? That spear suits me well."

Isao decided to make a joke, but those words caused everyone's eyes to be on him, and their gazes were hurt! 

"Not only that!" 

Still, Hermes didn't even care about them and continued with his explanation, taking out a paper from his pocket breasts and shouting excitedly, "He or she will be invited to a grand trip around the world! A trip officially approved by the guild!" 

"OOOOOOOOOOHHHH!" 

Hearing that, everyone became excited since it was so hard to gain permission to leave Orario. The moment everyone entered this city, while they gained glory, power, and wealth, they were also restricted and weren't allowed to go out as they wished to. 

"A legendary spear?" Daphne became curious, and Cassandra looked at Isao. "What do you think, Isao-kun?" 

"Since we're here, let's just join the fun anyway." 

Isao felt that there was no harm in joining the fun, and he could also tell that the spear stuck in the crystal-like material was unique.

Frankly, the world of "Danmachi" was deep, and he felt that there were many things that he hadn't learned from it. The deities and the dungeon aside, those weapons crafted in this world were also impressive, especially with many legendary metals used to craft them, along with various unique magics or abilities. 

As he had Hephaestus's DNA, he could tell that the spear was special, so he wanted to learn more about it. 

Hearing his decision, everyone agreed since they were also quite interested in this game. 

More importantly, the trip around the world was too delicious for them to skip! 

Especially when it was free! 

They might have money, but if they could get something for free, why should they refuse? 

Soon, the event started, and one by one, adventurers that were present came toward the stage, trying to pull the spear from the crystal-like materials.

"GUWWAAAAAAAHHH!" 

As one adventurer pulled the spear with all of his might, all of those present tried to cheek on him. 

"Go for it!" 

"Do your best!" 

"Your strength isn't enough!" 

In a world where there was a serious lack of entertainment, it was normal for people to have fun just watching a plain event where someone pulled something off. 

Yet, as Isao thought so, he couldn't help but think that he should make a festival. 

A festival might be underestimated, but he knew that it could make a lot of money and boost the economic situation of the city or a country that held such an event. 

The best example would be the World Cup or Olympics, as the economy of a country that became the host was boosted by hosting such an event. 

Well, some had a loss, though. 

However, hosting such an event was far better than letting all the money sit idle since money had a meaning when it was used. 

"Now, who is the next challenger?! Come up! 

As he thought so, the event continued, and one by one, they all failed without any suspense and were unable to pull the spear even if they used all of their strengths. 

"Oh, it's the Sword Princess! Can one of the Level 6 adventurers in Orario pull this spear?!

When Aiz came forward, Hermes and everyone were filled with excitement. Not only was it due to her beauty, but her strength was also unmatched, and somehow, no one thought she would fail. 

After all, she was a Level 6 adventurer! 

If she couldn't pull that spear, then who could? 

Yet, unexpectedly—

"Huh? Fail?" 

"The Sword Princess can't pull the spear?" 

"No way!" 

Everyone was shocked, but Lefiya was the shockest. "W-What?! Even if Aiz-san failed, then who could pull that spear?!" 

Yet, Aiz, who was on the stage, frowned, wondering what was wrong with this spear. She had pulled it with all of her might, yet it stuck firmly, and not even moving slightly as if...

'Magic? Curse?' 

Either way, Aiz felt that there was a certain condition to pull this spear. 

Still, while she thought so, Hermes appeared so helpless. 

Whether it was Daphne, Cassandra, or Lefiya, they also showed the same result, but then, when it was the turn of Isao...

"Come on, Isao-kun! Let's get that trip around the world for free! No, we have to get it!" 

Hestia had already imagined that she would enjoy her honeymoon with Isao! 

'By then...' 

Hestia's perverted expression left Isao speechless. "Let me remind you that even if I can pull it off, we can't go." 

"Huh? Why?!" 

"Did you forget that we have promised Loki that we would join their expedition?" 

"No way...." 

Hestia wanted to cry, thinking that she was unable to go on a trip with Isao around the world, but she also knew that he wanted to improve his strength, so he had to join this expedition. 

"It isn't like we can't go later. We will be together for a long time, after all."

"Yeah, you are right!" 

Hestia nodded, thinking that they had a lot of time together, so why should they be in a hurry? 

Still, as Aiz thought about the next expedition, her face flushed red, thinking about how she should bully Isao. 

"..." 

Isao took a deep breath and decided to step forward on the stage. 

"Oh! Finally! He is coming! Come here, Isao-kun!" 

As expected, when Isao came forward, Hermes was full of excitement. 

Everyone also made way for him, creating a path like the Red Sea that was divided, giving a path for Moses and his followers. 

No one knew him, or they wished to get to know him better, following him and joining his Familia! 

After all, everyone knew that as long as they joined Hestia Familia, they would gain glory!

Unfortunately, Hestia Familia never accepted any new members, which made everyone depressed. 

Still—

"Come on, Isao-kun! I beg of you! Please pull this spear!" Even if Hermes was a deity, he prayed that Isao could pull this spear. At the same time, he also didn't do his usual antics and acted like a proper god, as he truly hoped Isao would be able to pull this spear! 

"Even if you say that..." 

Isao felt that their expectations started to get heavy since it wasn't like he could be chosen, especially when he noticed Bell Cranel in the crowd, which surprised him. 

Yet—

"Eh?" 

Everyone could see that it was something so natural; the moment Isao put his hand on the handle of the spear, it just came out with a plop as if it were a puppy who saw its owner return happily, wagging its tail. 

"..." Everyone. 

Holding the magical spear in his hand, Isao fell in silence, wondering what kind of trouble awaited him.