A knight was kneeling in front of the altar. It was already night and only dim light of the moon illuminated surroundings. One could think, that the warrior is deeply lost in his prayers, the truth was slightly different.

Hero Michael was boring himself to death. There were two reasons why he did that extremely irritating action – one, he has a semi-passive skill called [Paladin’s Meditation] which slightly boosted his stats for a specific duration on time, the effects were the better the more time he had spent performing the skill. For praying for an hour a day he had 23 hours colossal boost to his stats that he could abuse on his mission and such, there was a trick though, he had to use something as [Focus] – a church, a chapel, an altar or relic and such, unlike [meditation of mages] that could be done regardless of place.

Tomorrow, in the capital of the Holy Kingdom there was a national duel tournament having a place, best of the best were about to clash their blades. For money. For fame. For honor.

And as much as he wanted all the following, he had bit different reason to participate. Amelia Scarlet – winner of last six tournaments in a row was supposed to participate as well. The same paladin bitch that refused to train him. That beautiful, strong woman which would make a perfection addition to his harem! He had to have this woman. Just to erase that disgust off her eyes.

Damn! They met few times, and each time, even though he was acting like a real hero – strong, yet delicate and tactful, proud, yet full of humility, showing his strength left and right yet admitting he still has long way to go, that he would prefer avoiding fighting and finding peaceful solution if possible…

… she kept having this look on her face. As if she was looking at the worm.

He has to win with her and win her. Break her. Conquer her. As a warrior, as a female and even as a noble and person if it has to be done! She will acknowledge him! This is why he was kneeling on this damn altar since evening, and that’s why he would be kneeling here till damn sunrise! He will get in there, packed with so many blessings, that he would evaporate the whole arena with a single swing if needed!!!

“H-Hero? You are still here?” a shy voice sounded from the side.

Ah, and here was his second reason. Inga. The titty-monster. Healer in his party. It was the time to push their relationship on the next level. In the end, nights were so very cold and lonely here.

“Oh, Inga? And don’t call me hero! We are teammates! Comrades! Friends! Call me by my name… especially when we are alone…” his voice kept on becoming more and more quiet as he was speaking. “F-fine, in that case, M-michael?” “Mike.” “I could never address you so casually! E-especially that you were named after great arch-angel elected to the rank of a Seraph! Lord of Celestial Army, the Vanquisher Michael Seraphiel!” “… you are right. Sorry. I keep on forgetting. I am only a hero.”

His voice sounded so… tired, so lifeless.

“M-Michael?” “I am sorry! I am so selfish, to bother you with my problems, I am really sorry… but it’s your fault too, you know? You are just too kind, always helping everyone around, you are being person you can rely on, so I thought… that maybe I also could…” he quickly slapped his cheeks “… No, never mind, forget about this shameful side of me, I beg you.”

He gave her his most faked sad-smile. He wanted to make her think that he wants to act strong even while being depressed, on the edge of breaking.

“M-Micha... Mike…” she said with a soft voice. Good, his plan was working “… I doubt that I am capable of being your support, but if there is anything I can help you with or if there is anything you want to talk about…” she hesitated and didn’t finish her sentence.

He remained there, silent, in front of the altar, in possibly even worse mood as he lowered his face praying, avoiding looking in anyone’s eyes. This awkward silence lasted for minute or two, till priestess said:

“W-well, I will no longer disturb your focus, don’t overwork yourself, He… Micha… Mike… I will be on my wa…” “Stay… Please… just a minute longer” his voice, so heart-breaking!

She hesitated but eventually kneeled by his side joining him in his prayers.

“Tomorrow…” he started saying just few words at the time, as if hesitating if he should open up at all “… there will be a great tournament. Of course I will participate, I have to… the thing is that there will be many great duelists there… and Amelia Scarlet. I have heard how strong she is and yet… I have to win. There is no other way. The… The people will be watching me with expectations! If I would lose but once, their hope in me will perish, I am but a symbol. Of hope. If I would fail, if I would but stumble… Everything I have been working on… everything I would want to achieve… It’s no longer fight with monster, no longer conquering a dungeon, where I come with a plan, where I could retreat, regroup and try again! Here, I will have but a one try! I will duel ten or even hundred times if needed, but I only need to fail one to… to…”

He started shaking, dropped the helmet that he up until now he was holding with one hand by his side, grabbed his head and started inhaling and exhaling air loudly.

“I can’t do that, I won’t do that. It’s impossible! Even more! I will be fighting against humans! Good, noble people! Soldiers and paladins! There is no way I could fight with everything I have! I would never forgive myself wounding them!... Oh, mother of light, noble protector of humanity… Please, give me your strength, give me your courage… so I could keep being your worthy symbol! I… beg you!”

Very quickly he felt a tight embrace around his neck.

“There-there… You are such a marvelous man, that it’s so easy to forget that you are also a mortal. You are carrying such a heavy burden, expectation of so many people, and you were bearing with it for so long without complaining, that I really started believing you are an incarnation of an angel.” Gentle pats and petting full of affection, with power to cure everyone who was depressed. But Mike? For him, that was just a pleasurable skinship “Me? An angel? Don’t make fun out of me, please! That’s cruel! There is no way that someone like myself could be anywhere close to a saint, not to mention an angel!” “You are far better than you want to admit? You think we don’t know about your night-time escapes from the castle? You put on dirty cloak and hand food to hungry people in slums! Or even heal people in chapels and small villages…”

Of course he did that, and each time he was [sneakily leaving] he made sure at least guards saw him. Of course, when you see a hero that you know is doing good deeds left and right trying to remain [stealth], you just let him. And then tell a tale in inns or during patrols. This way his deeds would be known and even scoring him twice as many social-points.

“T-that’s it… I am also doing it because of egocentric needs! Y-You see, in my previous world I was but an orphan living on the street too…” bullshit. He was a single son of an upper-middle-class family. He got pretty much everything he asked for, with delay, sometimes not exactly what he wanted, but still. Having a huge-ass room with Pc, all consoles and even his own little fridge for keeping booze and beer, or a ping-pong table, barely counted as being a poor orphan “… So, in all these kids I see myself, that wanted help and… Ah, as you can see, I am but a selfish, arrogant, spoiled brat that is throwing money that is not his left and right… All this money I got from the church and…” “Do you really think that this part of you is evil? Are you serious? You are even greater treasure than I thought, despite living such a harsh life you didn’t lose your gentle side and still try helping others instead of just focusing on yourself… Seeing such a noble person desperate breaks my heart!” “So… in the end I just made you sad… I am, truly, truly so…”

He was silenced with a kiss. Gentle one, yet passionate, the one that could calm your nerves right on the spot. After one or two blissful moments, priestess noticed what she was doing.

“I-I-I-I am s-s-sorry! I have n-n-no idea why did I do it! I s-s-shouldn’t have! A-a-and…” “Thank you.” He said quietly “… I know about your vows, and I am sorry that because of me you put them aside… I should feel terrible from depriving you off it… but, to be honest, I am happy, so happy that I want to dance, happier than I ever was.”

A single tear fell off his face, yes, after years of acting he could even force himself to cry out of blue.

Something cracked in Inga’s heart. On the one hand, she had her vows, on the other one, the person who could impact the way that the whole country said something so sweet to her… It would be outrageous if it was anyone else, but as long as it’s hero, even more, almost a living saint!, she knew that her vows could be suspended. She just had to talk about it with mother-prioress. But for now…

She wiped the single tear from hero’s face with her thumb.

“I-I may not be worth it, not worthy of you, but if you are fine with someone as low as younger apprentice, I will keep on cheering you on! I will be your confessor, so please, don’t carry all your burdens alone!” “INGA!” he yelled while grabbing her tightly burrowing his face in the nape of her neck, [accidently] and [innocently] rest of his body rested on rather specific (and colossal) aspect of priestess body “It’s ok. You are not alone, and never again you will. I will be at your side, forever… my hero.”

He would eventually move bit away, without breaking a hug, facing her as she was emitting so much of calm, selfless love and affection.

“I-inga, I know it’s horrible, but could I.. K…K..s..u?” “You could what?” “K…” He was pretending to be more than troubled with this matter “I am sorry, I am just teasing you, I know I shouldn’t, but seeing you like this, I just can’t stop myself. Yes, Mike, my beloved hero.”

And so he kissed her. In most clumsy and innocent way he could muster.

That was but a first step to his plan. To make his own heaven on this world.

And Mike always got what he wanted.

The next day the tournament started. Over 500 warriors, best of the best, were about to fight an elimination battle. He, was given number one – his battle was the one opening the whole event. Amelia, was number 512. At the very opposite side of the “fight pyramid”, which meant he could only fight with her during finale – if both of them would last this long, that is.

Right now, Mike was preparing in one of the rooms under the arena, they were somewhat small and cramped, but served their role very well.

“Nervous?” Inga asked helping him adjust another piece of armor “You have no idea.” “It will be fine. You are strong, I bet you will be at the top 8 at very least!” “I won’t if I was to face someone from top four in one of first few battles.” “You don’t have to be afraid about that. The administration staff more or less knows the power of fighters, and tend to locate them in such manner, that they wouldn’t fight at the beginning. In the end, the grand finale – the battle of two mightiest fighters - is supposed to be at the very end!” “… which means…” “Yes, you were placed in completely different corner than Amelia which defends her title, because you are believed to be second strongest in the country! Or maybe even the best?” “…t-that’s bit too much pressure!” “It’s ok. It will be fine. I believe in you...” She said with a soft tone “… just go out there and show your usual, magnificent side!” “You are right. It will be fine.” “Hah? I am happy to hear that you got your confidence back, but you were rather easy to convince this time.” “It’s because you believe in me, and I believe in you - in your judgment. Would it be fine if… um… Usually, I fight for everyone… but… this time… I want to fight just for you, so please, look at me! I will do my very best.”

Priestess's heart almost melted seeing her leader vanishing behind the door when the announcer called Mike’s name.

“Goddess, oh goddess, is this really fine for me to take such a magnificent man just for myself? I gave my life to you and your believers years ago… so, this time, this one time, could I get a little bit selfish?”