Blank eyes stared as he lay in bed with his hands clutched around his knees.
Memories constantly replayed themselves in his mind. There were not many, but each was more impactful than the last, though he did not know her for long, she made the most lasting impact in this shallow life of his.
"I'm weak,"
Muttering aloud, this was the only flaw he could find within himself. When he was first summoned into this realm, it was simply too much for him to comprehend, like a dream, he just couldn't believe it, nor accept or perceive it as a reality.
However, recounting that bloody mess was enough to shake him from his delusions, snapping him back to truth. This was reality. He wasn't a Hero. And he was ashamed that he ever thought of himself as one.
*Knock* *Knock*
"Sir Hero, if you do not mind, I would like to have a chat with you,"
Entering his room the knight commander who was accompanying the Hero, spoke up. Derrick was his name, and he was here mainly to console the Hero and aid him in moving forth.
"Sir Hero?"
However, despite calling out for the Hero, Yamada didn't make a move, simply staring. If Derrick was any simple knight, he might've believed that the young boy in front of him may be deceased.
"I know losing people can be hard, but it's something that happens in life.
"People come, then they go, you can't change that,
"However, I don't think she would've wanted you to be in this shite state, after all, she did, out of her own will, save your sorry arse,"
Pausing his short monologue, Derrick looks to the Hero expectantly. He stirred. Striking the iron whilst it was hot, Derrick continued,
"You may think it's your fault, however, understand, that kind of thinking only mocks her actions.
"Did you think that what she did was shameful? Contemptible perhaps? "
The Hero's blank eyes start to tear up.
Looking at the lump in the bed, he could hear a faint mumbling, intermittent with soft sobs.
"It's-it's all, my fault,"
Self blame. Derrick had seen this symptom in many soldiers, in all his years of service regardless of background, and it seemed the kid was no different. To Derrick, it only proved the guy was human, even though he was summoned from another realm.
Afterwards, the Hero started to bawl his eyes out, spilling out cries of self deprecation and self hate.
Derrick, of course, listened to it all, without a word of complaint.
…
"You good, buddy?"
Handing him a cup of water, Derrick examines the young Hero. Before when he was in bed, he couldn't get a good look at the Hero, but seeing him now, was truly like looking at two different people.
He couldn't help but layer the image of the bright energetic Hero, with this sad sack. He must've really had a true bond with her, huh?
That would be the only explanation as to his current state. But then again, how did he even have the time to get that close with the elf? Perhaps, he was more connected with beings of nature? That seemed plausible.
"My friend, are you ready to start moving again?"
"I-I don't think so," The Hero voiced out, with great unconfidence.
"Why do you think that?"
"It's just, I just don't want to see anyone hurt again,"
"If that's the case then why are you letting that Heretic roam free?"
At this, a bewildered expression flashed on the Hero's face.
"What do you mean?"
"That night, you may not remember, but the accomplice of the one of who killed your, 'friend' was never found,
"If left free to roam, do you not think that he would cause even greater harm than his unprovoked attack in the city square?"
Like being struck by a bolt of lightning, the Hero gasped, quickly taking in the situation as he slowly processed the facts presented before him.
Derrick had dealt with many of such cases before, he might as well be an expert, university graduated psychologist by now. Restoring the mental state of a seasoned veteran was easy for him, not to mention that of an immature teenager.
Letting the Hero simmer in his thoughts for a minute, Derrick voiced another question.
"So, are you ready to start moving again?"
The Hero was met with a brief hesitation, which soon after turn into a solid conviction.
"Yes, I am,"
"That's what I like to hear!"
Patting the Hero's shoulder, Derrick continued his pep talk, before eventually making his way out of the room, having just accomplished his mission.
Leaving the room, Derrick's cheerful attitude seemed to quickly substitute itself. Opting for a stern expression. Staring at the courier stationed outside, he put on his business face as he reported to the courier. It was in essence reporting to his majesty, the King himself. In fact, he was indeed talking to the King.
In the hands of the courier held an angular glass ball, a rather expensive and rare communication device, signature of the Moonshine Kingdom.
"Your majesty!" Greeting his liege, Derrick immediately knelt down, showing his pride and loyalty as a knight of the Kingdom.
"You may rise,"
"By your will!" Standing up, Derrick transitioned to a salute.
"Now, commander, report on your current assignment,"
"Understood!"
Standing before the projection of his majesty, Knight commander Derrick reported the whole encounter with Hero, making sure to not miss even the slightest detail. Announcing their entire conversation, without misplacing so much as a word.
"Good job, you've done well,"
"I cannot take such praise, your majesty, I was only fulfilling my duty,"
"Hmm," King Astar was rather annoyed by such a remark, but assented nonetheless, "You are dismissed, commander,"
At that, the connection between the glass ball and the King cut off.
Staring at the glass ball for a few more moments, Derrick broke his gaze, before nodding to the courier, dismissing him for the time being.
It would take a bit more to truly patch up the Hero, but this will just have to do for the time being.
He glanced back at the room once more, before he made his leave. There was some cleaning up required in the next city over.