Chapter 15: Brave

“There will always be a way.”

Jon’s mind was in turmoil, unable to settle.

But his gaze remained firm, his resolve to save anyone unwavering.

“There’s nothing to be done, child, you’re still young and lack experience. Some things, when you encounter them, you just have to accept them. If there’s no way, then there’s no way.

In this world, everyone has their own fate. If you keep worrying about every person you meet, eventually… you’ll drag yourself down with them.”

The village chief, speaking as if to a junior, took on a serious demeanor, trying to persuade Jon earnestly.

But he underestimated the stubbornness of a hero.

Jon pondered, his eyes growing brighter.

“If I can persuade the troops stationed in the city to lend us a few transport carts and giant-horned oxen, we could move everyone into the city.”

The village chief saw the hope in Jon’s eyes. As someone who had been through much, he could only sigh inwardly for this boy.

He could only pour cold water.

“Even if you could borrow them, once in the city, where would you live? What would you eat? If people could find work in the city, they would have gone long ago—why suffer outside?”

“You’re the Nobles of Rossi City’s subjects nearby. You’ve suffered disaster. Can the Nobles of Rossi City really ignore you?”

Jon was shocked.

“Child, you’re thinking too simply. Of all the difficulties, money is the hardest. Even if there’s a place to settle, food, firewood, dry clothes—all cost money. If you ask everyone to spend money to save strangers, that’s like cutting their own flesh!”

After speaking, the village chief suddenly stood, trembling, and grabbed Jon’s hand, his cloudy eyes deadly serious.

“Listen to your grandpa’s advice. Go back now. Rejoin your unit. Take your reward. Enjoy the feast. In the future, marry a pretty wife, buy dozens of acres of land, and raise a bunch of plump children.”

“We’re just a splash of water before you, but the rain must still fall. Your life is long, full of things to enjoy, full of beauty that belongs to you… Child, forget us.”

Jon stared at the old man who urged him to be “selfish.”

After a long while, he let go of the village chief’s hand and smiled.

“Grandpa, actually, I’m from Northland. My father was a soldier who died in battle. My mother fled to the village and died in childbirth after giving birth to me.”

“The old village chief thought I was pitiful and begged Aunt Bai Jia to raise me. Later, he died of illness, and his son continued caring for us orphans.”

“The widows of the village made new clothes for me. The Hunters shared their meat and wine. During the Festival of Winter Sacrifice, the village chief invited us to share the table, eating, laughing, enjoying ourselves. As a child, I played with the other children, never feeling different from them.”

“Back then, there wasn’t a single unhappy day.”

“From childhood to now, no one ever gave up on me, so I never learned to give up on others.”

“Child, you…”

The village chief was both moved and hesitant, wanting to say more.

But in the end, he swallowed his words, simply patting Jon’s shoulder.

He said nothing more.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

The village chief left this final advice, tears mingling with the pouring rain.

The rain grew heavier.

The clatter of hooves rang out, dense as drumbeats.

On the road back to the city, Jon gripped the reins tightly.

For some reason, he suddenly recalled a conversation from when he was twelve—the first time he heard the word “hero”—with Uncle Ban.

[Uncle Ban, are you a hero?]

[Me? Puhaha~~ Of course not.]

[Why? You’re so good at hunting, you can shoot a bear in the eye from a hundred paces. If that’s not a hero, I can’t imagine how strong a hero must be.]

[You think that’s impressive?]

[Isn’t it?]

[You brat, one day you’ll be stronger than your uncle. But you’ll also meet many people who are stronger or smarter than you.]

[Then are they heroes?]

[Not necessarily.]

[Huh? Then what is a hero?]

[Let me think… A hero… is someone who charges forward bravely, no matter how difficult, no matter how little others believe, biting down and pressing on for their beliefs and ideals to the end.]

[Still, I think you’re the most like a hero, Uncle Ban.]

[You’re overestimating me, kid. I’m no hero, just a man trapped by the past for decades.]

[Can the past trap someone?]

[Yes. Very much.]

[…]

It had been six years since that night.

To this day, Jon still didn’t understand what it meant to be “trapped by the past.”

But now, he vaguely understood what Uncle Ban meant by “hero.”

In this world, only love and passion need no reason.

If he had to justify his stubbornness, let it be “love.”

Everyone had loved him so warmly—how could he not love them just as fiercely?

With this resolve, Jon rushed back to the border and dove straight into the infantry camp, requesting a cart and pack beasts.

But unexpectedly, he encountered trouble at the first step.

The Transport Officer in charge of the supply convoy had just woken from a hangover and, still dizzy, didn’t recognize the soaked, disheveled man before him as a hero.

After listening to Jon’s request, he hesitated, then refused in a measured tone.

“Borrow a cart to transport disaster victims? Hmm… In principle, that’s not allowed.”

Jon couldn’t understand.

“The army is resting. The carts and pack beasts aren’t in use. Lending them out could save a life.”

“Sounds nice, but what if the cart breaks down on the road? What if a pack beast gets sick? Who’s responsible? If you run off, I become the scapegoat. Unless…”

The Transport Officer set down his pen and quickly rubbed his thumb and fingers together with a subtle smile.

“Unless what?”

Jon was confused.

“I said, in principle, it’s not allowed.”

The Transport Officer had to hint again.

“So unless what, exactly?”

Jon still didn’t get it.

“Aiyou, damn it, just get out—never seen someone so slow.”

The Transport Officer lost all patience.

Even after being chased out, Jon was still bewildered.

“So what is it? Unless what? Why can’t you just say it clearly?”

Sitting at the logistics camp gate, Jon pondered hard.

After much thought, he finally grasped a clue.

Could it be…

This colleague didn’t trust him—like lending money, he needed some “collateral” before agreeing to lend?

It made sense.

Just saying “I’ll be responsible” wasn’t enough—how would you guarantee that?

Jon could only return to the inn to fetch the carefully treasured “Letter of Nobility,” planning to pledge it and retrieve it later.

But as soon as he opened the door, he saw Leah awake, riding Yampupu around the room, holding a cactus needle and pretending to “charge into battle.”

Jon couldn’t help but laugh.

“Puhaha”

Leah, caught indulging in her “Demon King” fantasies in the hero’s absence, immediately blushed.

She dismounted in embarrassment, sneaking nervous glances at the hero.

“Since you’re awake, come along. Otherwise, Miss Elida might prank you again.”

Jon gently picked up Leah, tucking her into his arms.

For Yampupu, the rain outside was perfect weather.

Perhaps it was the only good thing about today.

And so, Jon took Leah and returned to the transport camp.

“Why are you back again?”

The Transport Officer groaned at the sight of Jon, waving him off impatiently.

“Go, go, go—learn the army rules for two years before coming back.”

Jon quickly handed over his Letter of Nobility, speaking politely.

“I’ve thought it through. I’ll pledge this here. Once I return the cart and beasts intact, you give it back.”

“What is this? You think I’m a loan shark?”

The Transport Officer twitched at the mouth, speechless.

He glanced down, saw the royal seal and the gold-embossed words “Letter of Nobility,” and suddenly stood up, snapping to attention.

Then he realized it was a “Duke’s” Letter of Nobility, and was stunned for a long while.

Finally, he collapsed on the table, clutching his sides with laughter.

“I really… What camp are you from? Damn, what a talent. If you’re going to forge a title, at least pick something normal—why a Duke?”

“What? Did you also kill the Demon King Leah?”

Jon immediately explained.

“No, Demon King Leah is unique. I killed her twice.”

“Oh, come on, I can’t take it. If you were my soldier, I’d make you a cavalry captain at least.”

The Transport Officer shook with laughter.

After a while, he stood and lightly patted Jon’s arm, winking.

“Brother, I can’t say more, but if you really don’t get it, find someone to guide you. There’s a succubus shop in the city. The succubi work as brokers there. They can tell you how to borrow a cart.”

Jon was even more confused.

“Why do I, a soldier, have to go through a succubus to borrow army supplies?”

“ε=(´ο｀*) Sigh…”

The Transport Officer sighed, ignoring Jon’s stupidity.

He walked outside, gazing at the dark, rainy sky.

A gust of wind blew, and suddenly the last of his hangover faded.

The Transport Officer’s eyes widened.

Wait… killed Demon King Leah twice?

How would a low-ranking soldier know the hero killed Demon King Leah twice?

He turned stiffly, mouth twitching.

“Brother, the business about killing Demon King Leah… You were just bullshitting, right…?”