Hero’s Redo ~ A Hero That Once Saved the World Reborn as a Girl ~

- Karin point of view

When we realized it, we were being put to sleep in a room we didn't know. There's nothing like furniture, and I don't have a bed, so I'm only sleeping on the ground, but it looks like they put me to sleep for once. My head is bonked and my whole body hurts. When I shook my head as I woke up unable to remember what the hell had happened, my memory came back with pain.

"-! That's right! Lapis!"

I panicked and looked around, searched for a weapon but couldn't find it. On closer inspection, we were not dressed in the same armor and were forced to change into something that looked like white and cheap work clothes. Weapons and armor are gathered in the corners of the room, like coarse garbage or something.

"Ciel! Rubias! Dieria! Everybody wake up!

"Ugh..."

"This is... where?

"Headache......"

"Did you wake up?

It was Serene who knocked us out in an instant when he opened the door and woke everyone who was asleep. She holds a small tray with both hands and dresses like a maid. Without the two horns I grew on my head, I'd likely believe I was a real maid. On top of her tray are four cups emitting strange odors. It was just prepared for our number.

"This is... no, what about Lapis?!?

"Take it easy. She's her, and she should be fighting Master Tiamato by now. Focus on healing your wounds."

There was pressure on Serene's words not to say yes or no. In fact, the four of us have been defeated in no time. As far as feelings were concerned, I wanted to go find Lapis right now, but I understood with my body that that wasn't an acceptable situation. Regrettably...... but now I just have to ask for a chance.

"It's all happening, and let's start by explaining the situation. Needless to say, you have come to the Dragon's Nest of your own free will. To be strong.... That's definitely it, right?

Everyone nods silently. You took that as consent, Serene continues the conversation.

"While you guys were passing out, I had a lot of research on this one. What position are you in and why Brave looks like a girl?"

"How can that be... in such a short time too..."

"We have eyes, just as you people use spies."

Serene answered Rubias' grunting question like it was nothing. The Dragon's Eye... Even the Dragon race has powerful powers, so maybe we're using methods that we can't even imagine.

"I'll get back to it. And Brave...... now she seems to call herself Lapis, but she has come all the way to the Dragon's Nest to make you guys stronger"

Yes. We just came here to be strong. No way is that where Lapis'... I never thought her identity would be revealed.

"So you will be trained in this dragon's nest until my permission is given. If I'm not satisfied, I can't go home forever. Even after decades. If you don't like dying over your lifespan, you just get stronger."

Decades...... till death? I thought you were joking and I looked at Serene's face, and those eyes weren't laughing at all.... I mean it. She's not seriously going to get us out of here unless our powers reach more than a certain level. If it's true, I'd like to argue with you here, but there's something else that bothers me right now. It's Lapis. We've hurt that girl. I can't help but wonder where she is and what she is doing now.

"Did you get the status quo? Any questions?

"Lapis'! Let me know about her!

Reflectively raising her hand and asking that question, Serene slowly turned her gaze to this one after doing a slightly more contemplative trick.

"About Lapis...? You're asking too vague a question. What does that mean?

"Ah..."

"It's the past. I want you to let us know what happened to your master in the past and what he is now."

Rubias keeps the word going so he can take over after me at last. Yes. Brave's - Lapis' past is riddled with mysteries, but the biggest mystery of them all was why she became a girl. When I met Master Solciere, I generally heard and knew what Lapis had seen. But I haven't heard anything about turning into a girl. The part Lapis wanted to keep secret. The past we didn't want to hear about. I feel like I need to know that in order to be a true companion to that girl.

"Right...... I have heard from Solciere about that for once. You won't have a problem talking about it because you haven't even been stopped."

Someone rattled his throat with Gokuri. I was nervous without knowing, too, slowly pulling my strength out of a powerful grip.

"She - after Brave saved the world, it's just the realm where people live when he says the world...... but he restored a certain amount of peace. He and his companions were welcomed by the people to celebrate the spring of the world, as it was told in the heritage of men."

I think it was a welcome I couldn't imagine because I defeated the Demon King and saved people from the bottom of despair. No race or gender affiliation, that's what all of us should have honored for Brave's feat. She's treated like a city hero even if she just defeated Rich. It should be quite something when that becomes global.

"But it didn't last long either. Over time, people became oblivious to him and moved to eliminate him. From the powerful, his presence is nothing but a disturber, and from the powerless, he has been the object of an attack."

"Um... has Lapis been in the castle the whole time? For example, I could have given you a proper territory and let you spend the rest of your life...?

Before Serene answered what Dieria had said, Rubias shook his head with a difficult face.

"Thinking in the same royal position, I find that difficult. Firstly, one reason why the territory to be given can be quite extensive is because the achievements of the brave are so great. If it is too small, the brave will be dissatisfied, and if it is too big, other nobles will rebel. And if there is a great territory ruled by a man as powerful as a brave man, it is like another nation in the kingdom can be made. Even if it takes the form of a minister, it will be difficult to recognize him as a king."

"So even if you were bitter, you were keeping it in the castle and killing it?

"I think so. It's only a prediction."

"That's a guess."

That's what Serene said as impressed. Praised Rubias doesn't look happy at all. Of course. I'd like it to come off one way or another.

"Eventually, he was able to turn to assassins from those whose presence would stand in his way, such as royalty and nobility. Naturally, it wasn't his enemy where there were a bunch of assassins, but it was enough to wear out his spirit."

Maybe the nobles sent in assassins because they thought they would succeed. Because if you narrow it down to harassment, I think it's effective to be raided again and again. You can't sue me without proof, and I'm assuming you sued me, and I don't have any allies. It's our fault that it didn't happen. How sorry Lapis would have been at the time?

"And he left the castle and moved to the city. Far from the center of power, said Wang Capital, and moved to a small city, he seemed to have been at peace for a while, but this time he was eliminated from the people even there."

"That's... why?

"It's easy. The primary reason is fear. People won't fear and try to get involved if they have a presence near them that far outweighs humans and demons."

I feel like I know somehow. Lapis was feared by some adventurers when he crusaded Rich. That's not a tease mix, like right now, it's a real fear. But seriously, she worked hard every day to earn the trust around her, so now no one is afraid of her. But what if that's the brave guy? Respect is hard to come close to, even if it is. If you get a little upset, I don't know what you're going to see. We know Lapis isn't such a bad person, but if you don't know him at all, you can't help but be scared. Even my bad head can tell. You'll never accept it.

"For a second reason, it's a rush. The nobles who troubled him seem to have given him the mansion to live in and a certain amount of money. That's the forehead you can play and live your whole life. I say forget the heat if you're past your throat, but eventually people forget the demonic threat as well, and they start to neglect him for living like that forever. Other people are human resources, but people are unsolicited."

No one could argue with Serene, who said so in disgust. 'Cause we hurt her just now too.

"It seems that after the city we moved to the village, but we saw the same thing there, and we chose to live alone near the village. Since then, he has disappeared from the surface stage."

How the hell did Lapis feel then? I'm pretty sure it hurt. I'm sure he had a grudge. Yet she silently disappeared from front of the people without appealing to her power. Don't bother anyone.

"After he began to live alone, Solciere visited him. Bring a book of magic."

When I got here, I generally expected it. Maybe Master Solciere tried to do something magically.

"The magic book that the Demon King possessed seemed to have written some magic. The magic of changing the subject's appearance and reborn him as a completely new person. You've already noticed, but that's the magic that made him who he is. Sorciere seemed to think he would be acceptable to people if he changed his appearance, but he no longer seemed to intend to meet people then to engage. He also moved away from the village, completely invisible behind the mountain - that is, he built a cabin at the foot of the mountain where this dragon's nest is located, and began to live alone"

Just when the conversation is over, Serene leaves a cup in front of us with a strange smell. But we're not that close. Because if that's the end of the story, it's gonna be a hell of a deal.

"That was... 300 years ago? What... Lapis has always been alone and lived in the mountains!?

"Three hundred years in the middle of nowhere... alone..."

"I don't... treat you like a sinner!

Ciel or Dieria rarely roughs up their voices. I am shocked and I have no voice. There's a place of peace that Lapis has always wanted. I can't believe what I got until I saved the world was just one little mountain hut! Not much of this!

"The past doesn't change where I'm angry"

"Yes, but! But I can't help but be angry!

Even though I knew it was a hit of eight, I couldn't help but say so. This anger was directed not only at the people of the past, but also at themselves. To quote, who was forced to pull her out like that, to those of us who turned the same eyes to Lapis who was trying. What a thoughtless, self-absorbed imitation. I can't regret it.

"I'm... stupid. When I found out who my master was a former brave man, I thought for a moment that if my master had gone alone, I would have been able to solve the current situation. My master guessed how I felt like that, so yeah, I guess he got away with it.... letting others risk their lives while staying in the safe zone, etc! I swore I wouldn't be a nobleman like that!

That's what Rubias said and slapped his fist against the wall. The wall cracks slightly with the dull sound and blood seeps out of her fist.

"Rubias isn't the only one. Me, too. If the brave once lived, I wondered if I wouldn't have to work hard to figure it out. And Lapis noticed. There's something sharp about that girl."

Ciel doesn't have the usual calm. She lifted her hair and felt like she wasn't here.

"All of you! The bad news is all of us! We all did the same thing back then. If only Lapis could work hard, I wouldn't have to risk my life! I usually looked at my friends and thought about such cowardice!

Dieria was in tears. Yes, she's right. We've all hurt Lapis deeply. That's why you can't keep quiet like this. Because you're definitely going to apologize to her and do it again as a friend!

"Mr. Serene. Why can't I let you run into Lapis? I don't want to escape training. I just can't leave her alone who's hurt. I have to apologize. Please. Let me run into you, Lapis! After that, I will endure and show you any hard training!

"Do me a favor too!

"Me too! I just need to talk a little bit. Because this is the right way!

"I want to help my friends! Please!"

Not only me, but Rubias, Ciel, and Dieria bowed their heads deeply. I don't know how much human emotion is understood by a species called the Dragon. I thought we might get clams dismissed this time, but we didn't have any other way to think of bowing our heads. But...

No, sir.

I lifted my head unexpectedly to the cold response I came back. I still can't convince you. Then I'll challenge you to battle again and again - it was us who thought so, but Serene was distorting his mouth funny.

"However, let's put out the terms. If you can hurt my body at all, I'll allow you to see Lapis. What do you say? Do you want to try?

"I will!

"I'll do it! Hey guys!?

"Of course."

"You bet! There's no way we're getting away with this!

Everyone has one heart. I may be desperate, but I saw only a little hope. Wait for me, Lapis. I'll be right there!