The grand hall was silent.
Not because of shock—but because no one was surprised.
When the King declared, "Ryton, you have been chosen as a party member for the hero's party that will slay the awakened Demon King," the nobles remained still. There was no protest, no jealousy, no murmurs of dissatisfaction.
Because everyone already knew the truth.
This wasn't some divine fate. This was a performance.
---
The Truth Behind the Oracle
The Holy Kingdom had announced a new Oracle from the gods, just like in the days of the legendary First Hero's Party.
According to the proclamation, the gods had spoken: A new Hero must rise. A chosen group must form, just like the first warriors who once defeated the Demon King.
To honor this prophecy, all major ruling families were "requested" to send a representative to form the new Hero's Party.
But in reality, no kingdom had a choice. The Holy Kingdom's influence was too great.
The temples controlled faith. A ruler who refused could lose the support of their own people.
The Holy Kingdom controlled divine blessings. Without their approval, armies might suffer misfortunes in battle.
The threat of religious war always loomed over defiance.
And so, every kingdom sent their heirs to represent them.
Even though they all knew the truth—
There was no war. No Demon King threat.
The demon race was at peace.
The real problem plaguing the world was Demonic Monsters—beasts that attacked both humans and demons alike. Yet the Holy Kingdom twisted this into proof of an "awakening Demon King."
And the King of this land?
He wouldn't risk his true heirs for a fake prophecy.
So he sent the forgotten prince.
A boy who had no allies, no political worth, and no future.
The nobles in the hall didn't celebrate Ryton's selection.
They didn't argue against it.
They simply watched.
Because to them, he was already as good as dead.
---
A Farewell Without a Crowd
That night, long after the assembly had ended, Ryton packed his belongings in silence.
A single bag. A book at his side.
His father hadn't even assigned him knights. Unlike the other noble heirs, who would travel with full royal escorts, he would leave alone.
As he folded the last of his clothing, his door creaked open.
An elderly woman stepped inside—his former maid, the only person who had ever truly cared for him.
She moved slowly, her back slightly bent from years of labor. When her tired eyes met his, they were filled with something no one else had shown him that day.
Genuine worry.
"...You shouldn't go," she said softly, her voice trembling.
Ryton looked up. "I don't have a choice."
Tears welled in the old maid's eyes. "I know… But it's too dangerous. No matter what they say, this journey will be long and cruel. You won't have anyone to protect you. You're still a child."
Ryton stayed silent.
He knew that.
But he also knew there was nothing he could do to change it.
The old maid reached forward, taking his hands in hers.
"If nothing else… keep this with you."
She pressed a small charm into his palm. Woven thread, old and slightly frayed, but still intact.
"I made this for you a long time ago," she whispered. "So that you wouldn't forget… that someone in this world prays for your safe return."
Ryton stared at the charm.
For a moment, he forgot about the Oracle, the abandoned hero's party, and the cruel fate he had been given.
For a moment, he was just a child, being told he was loved.
The old maid wiped her eyes quickly and stepped back. "That's all I wanted to say. I won't stop you. Just… don't die out there."
Then, she left.
And Ryton, for the first time in years, held something that truly felt like a treasure.
---
A Meeting Before Departure
The next morning, as Ryton prepared to leave, a familiar figure was waiting.
His swordmaster.
The man had just returned from hunting Demonic Monsters before winter arrived. He looked exhausted, yet he had come just to see Ryton off.
"...You've changed," the swordmaster murmured, studying him carefully.
Ryton gave a small smile. "I had a lot of time to think."
The man exhaled. "And how did you survive all that time alone?"
"Books," Ryton answered. "I read a lot of books."
The swordmaster raised an eyebrow. Then, he sighed in relief.
"Then it's true. You didn't just grow stronger—you grew wiser."
But that didn't mean he wasn't still worried.
---
The Journey Ahead
"This journey," the swordmaster said, his voice quiet, "it will be long. Harder than you think."
"I know," Ryton replied.
"You don't." The man shook his head. "Even if the hero's quest is fake, the dangers are real. The terrain is brutal. The monsters are relentless. And once you leave, no one will protect you. Not even I."
Unlike the other noble heirs, Ryton had no one.
The swordmaster clenched his fists. He wanted to protect Ryton. But his duty was to the kingdom. He had to return to hunting Demonic Monsters before winter came.
"I understand," Ryton said. Instead of asking for protection, he simply smiled and said, "Then at least leave me with a farewell gift."
The swordmaster raised an eyebrow. "What do you want?"
"Some herbs. Ones I won't be able to find on the road."
The man blinked, then let out a chuckle. "Even in parting, you're practical."
He handed over a small pouch of rare herbs—ones that could treat wounds, ward off infections, and ease exhaustion. A survival kit, simple yet invaluable.
Then, he added one more thing. A dagger.
"Take this, too," he said. "You may not always have time to read a book before trouble finds you."
---
A Promise for the Future
The swordmaster exhaled. Five years.
That's how long it would take to reach the Demon King's castle.
Would Ryton survive? Would he ever return?
Ryton, seeing the man's hesitation, grabbed his hand.
"When I come back, Master," he smirked, "you better have a lot of kids."
The swordmaster blinked. "What?"
"So I can train them and make them suffer like you did to me."
For the first time in a long time, the man laughed.
He embraced Ryton tightly. "You've grown beautifully, boy. And you will grow even more."
Then, stepping back, he nodded. "Go. Before I change my mind and throw you over my shoulder like a child."
Ryton smirked. "You'd lose if you tried."
---
The Road to the Unknown
At the castle gates, only three people stood to see him off.
The old maid.
The swordmaster.
And one other quiet observer.
No fanfare. No noble crowd. Just people who truly cared.
Ryton turned and stepped forward.
For the first time in his life, he left the castle.