Chapter 56: What Is A Hero In This World?

Daniel, Eva, and Vorak slowly made their way back toward the village. The other Fallen Ones had returned to Daniel’s Spiritual Sea in silence after the battle ended.

When the first eyes landed on them, a wave of excitement surged through the village.

"Eva!"

Garol rushed toward the girl. Beside him, Mira had tears welling in her eyes.

They each took one of Eva’s hands and immediately pulled her into a hug.

"My girl! You’re safe... you’re safe!"

"You really scared us, sweetheart... we thought we’d never see you again..."

Eva hugged them back. Laughter and tears filled her face at the same time. In that moment, all the exhaustion and wounds seemed to fade.

After her family was slaughtered, it was these two—the old man and woman—who raised her. To her, they were no different from a real family.

"Hero... I can never repay you. You saved my daughter’s life. No amount of thanks is enough." A few minutes later, Garol turned to Daniel, voice strong but thick with emotion.

"I didn’t do anything special. Besides... I already got paid," Daniel said with a faint smile, shrugging.

He stepped back a little, giving Eva time to spend with the villagers. Warm smiles, nods, and grateful glances met him from every side.

But a few minutes later, Eva quietly approached Daniel again. Her expression had grown more serious.

"If you don’t mind... can we talk somewhere more private?" she asked in a serious tone.

Daniel nodded.

Inside one of the stone houses. Sunlight passed through the small windows, casting calm shadows across the wooden table.

Daniel and Eva sat facing each other.

"First, let me thank you for saving me... I really owe you." Eva gave a slight bow.

"No problem. You fought in your own way too." Daniel gave a soft smile.

"You’re... an Otherworldly Climber, right?" Eva finally asked.

"Yeah?" Daniel confirmed. He really had no reason to hide it.

"I’m not actually... just a village girl. I was once the young lady of the Irenwald family. One of the most powerful and wealthiest houses on the continent of Aronthir." Eva hesitated for a moment, but took a deep breath and continued.

"So? What happened to your family? Did the Church do something? But why?" Daniel furrowed his brows.

Eva lowered her head. Her hands were clasped tightly together. Her eyes were filled with hesitation.

She didn’t want to tell the full truth—not yet. She still couldn’t completely trust this boy.

"My family... the Irenwalds, were once the guardians of the Hero title. The last person to earn that title was one of my ancestors. The Church feared that."

"They were afraid that another Hero would rise from our bloodline and threaten their power. So... under the excuse of treason, they attacked our estate at night. They slaughtered everyone." Tears began to flow from her eyes.

She wasn’t telling the full truth, but nothing she said was a lie either.

"My mother... my brother... even the servants... no one survived." Her hands trembled.

"But the Church of Fate... why would they do something like that? Just out of fear of a single Hero?" Daniel muttered, brows knit.

From what that bishop said, the Church didn’t seem like the type to fear a minor Hero. Did this girl think he was an idiot? But he didn’t judge too quickly. He didn’t know enough yet.

Eva gave a bitter smile.

"They officially claimed we were involved in a conspiracy with corrupted beasts. A lie they knew people would easily believe. But the truth was simple—they just didn’t want to lose power."

She looked directly at Daniel. In her eyes, a silent plea shimmered.

"Now that the bishop is dead... the Church will send others soon. I can’t stay here. I need to go to the Central Plains."

—

Daniel leaned back against the chair. He laced his fingers together. Watching. Thinking.

"What is a Hero? I mean, what does it mean in this world?" Daniel asked with curiosity.

"The Hero title isn’t just a name. Anyone who completes the ’Continental Purification Rite’ and passes through the Hero Circle earns the title. But here’s the thing... the Church controls that circle. They decide who’s worthy to be a Hero... and who’s not." Eva gave a faint smile.

"But my ancestor managed to become one without their permission—and that’s what scared them."

"Hm... interesting, I guess."

"Can I... come with you to the Central Plains?" A short silence followed. Then Eva asked with hesitation.

"No." Daniel didn’t even hesitate for a second.

"Why?" Eva stared at him, mouth half open, eyes wide.

"Because I don’t know you. And honestly... I’m not looking for more trouble right now." Daniel shrugged.

"But I can help you. I know the way to the Central Plains. And more importantly... you’ll need to pass through the Broken Ravine to get there." Eva’s lips trembled a bit. She hadn’t expected that answer. But she quickly composed herself and said:

"The ravine? You mean that one in the forest—the place we were just at half an hour ago?" Daniel leaned forward a bit.

"Exactly. That’s the entrance to the Broken Ravine. It used to be the main trade route between continents. But after the corruption beasts attacked... it got completely destroyed. Now it’s a den of creatures no one wants to go near."

"But... I know a path that’ll let us through without having to fight them."

Daniel closed his eyes for a moment. Her offer was tempting—it could save him a lot of time.

"Alright... we leave in an hour. If you’re coming, be ready."

"Thank you... really." Eva let out a sigh, this time of relief.

"Oh, right... is there lunch or anything to eat around here? Because I’m seriously starving." Daniel suddenly clutched his stomach with a mischievous look.

He hadn’t eaten lunch or dinner yesterday—of course he was still hungry.

For the first time, a real smile appeared on Eva’s face. A smile with a childlike warmth.

"I’m pretty sure the villagers are already preparing for a celebration. They survived the orc attack, after all. I bet they’re cooking a ton of food..."

"Long live the village folks. This is exactly why I love rural people." Daniel gave a satisfied grin and stood up.