Heroes are the epitome of courage, virtue and strength of the Light Dwellers, chosen by the Gods themselves to fight for them. While they will obey their God, their main goal is to save and protect the innocent while defeating the most evil beings in Ghendrel, like monster, dark mages and even demons themselves. Every hero is an incredibly skilled fighter and an even more outstanding person, so much that just being one gives you as much power and authority as a king. Everyone aspires to be one but only a selected few are able to ascend to the status of Hero

The Book of Heroes, Prologue

"NOPENOPENOPE! THIS'S BAAAAD! IT'S FROM A WEEK AGO!"

*beeeeeeeep*

"Dammit!"

The magic circle on the pervert's wrist began glowing and beeping, signaling that he was receiving an actual call.

"Hiiiiiiiii, Belua, baby, how are you doin?"

"I'm doing fine, thank you. Now, why didn't you answer the message?"

"I didn't s-see it, i was soooo occupied"

"Oh, really? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Now, to what i wanted to know from you"

"And that is....?"

"You thought you could try to get laid with my Pope and think i wouldn't know?"

"Whaaaaaaat? Noooo, there must have been a misunderstanding! I would never dare!"

"Yes, of course, you're always innocent. She said you kept saying dirty things to her while having no consideration for how uncomfortable she was"

"Now, that's just an exaggeration!"

"So you actually did it"

".....Yeeeeees, but it wasn't nearly as bad as she made it look!"

"I see.... by the way, where are you?"

"Well, i'm in- Wait, why do you want to know that?"

"Oh, i was just curious... So, where are you?"

"BELUA, OPENING A MIASMA LEAK IS NOT THE ANSWER TO ALL OF YOUR PROBLEMS!"

"But it's my answer to the problem known as you, now, be good and tell me your location"

"NONONONO, LET'S CALM DOWN!"

"Fiiiiine......What are you doing anyway?"

"I'm just having fun with a boy! DAMN THAT SOUNDED WRONG!"

"Yes, yes it did. So, what's the deal with this guy?"

"He's just a dark mage. He's also very funny"

".....He's Murgin's new champion, isn't he?"

"WHAT? Noooooo, he's jus-"

"Listen, i've been your friend for a long time, so don't try to bullshit your way out of this.... Stop meeting him, it doesn't matter what you do, he's gonna end up like the last one, even Murgin accepted that fact"

"NO, I CAN HELP HIM! I MEAN, HE'S PERFECTLY FINE!"

"Stop hurting yourself"

"..........See you later Belua"

"HEY WA-"

???? ended the communication with Belua, his heart slowly filling with anguish and regret.

"I know, dammit, i know...... But hope's the only thing i have left...."

The pervert sighed heavily and began walking aimlessly, till he found the next place to rest, or the next girl to satisfy.

Slums, the next morning

Andrew was finally getting out of the slums, and since he had nothing better to do, he thought it would have been a good idea to visit Edresia and the others, though he wasn't sure if it was a good choice. When he reached the center of the city he noticed that the usual river of people stopped and was looking at something. He passed through every person till he reached the first row. In the middle of the road, which was now basically empty, was walking a group of people in white armor, who he initially though were normal templars but quickly realized that their armors looked much more expansive and that their holy energy was much more intense. Leading the group was a young man with dark blue eyes and hair, which was long, sleek and bound in a ponytail. His face was very handsome, almost girly, his skin the color of ivory and his body thin but trained. His armor was different from that of the others, because it tended more towards light blue than white. He also had a silver sword at his belt.

"EEEEEEEEK! HERO JUPIR! SO HANDSOME!"

"THE GREATEST HERO!"

"PLEASE TAKE ME NOW!"

"HUSBAND, WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?!?"

"ALL HAIL THE HERO!"

"THE PROTECTOR OF THE CHURCH!"

Every single man, woman and child was shouting and acclaiming the "hero" that was now passing through.

"Hero?"

"You're not from here, are you?"

One of the people beside Andrew heard him and began talking with a satisfied face.

"Uhm....no"

"Of course you aren't, if not, you would know about our great hero Jupir, chosen personally by Lux to defeat and purify evil. He's defeated all kinds of monstrosities, saved someone in every corner of the kingdom and once even defeated an Orc Warlord. He's so incredible, there's a rumor that he'll marry the Arch-Cardinal, Lady Edresia Sanctum herself"

Andrew opened his mouth in shock.

"Sorry, who did you say the Arch-Cardinal was?"

"Edresia Sanctum, the most noble and beautiful woman in the world!"

"I see. Thank you conveniently knowledgeable and helpful sir"

"Just doing my job"

"So, that's a hero, uh? Haven't seen one in a looooooong time"

Andrew heard Murgin's voice in his head, much more menacing and angry than usual.

"Seems like it. Something's wrong?"

"You DO remember what i told you about heroes, don't you? It's quite the important part in our work"

"I do. Why are you son angry with them anyway?"

"You don't need to know about that. Just know that everything they say about them is bullshit. I'm going to go now, if not i'll go rampage"

"I understand, just, please calm down"

"I'll try. Good luck and remember.... don't trust heroes"

Murgin left and Andrew decided that it would have been a good idea to live and go to Edresia, to check if it wasn't just a dumb misunderstanding, like when he discovered that maybe the guards in Searim didn't actually get shot in the knee, but it could have been an old nordic slang for getting married. Which makes more sense, when he thinks about it. He tried to get out of the crowd, but was rudely pushed forward in the middle of the road by someone, probably because he was blocking the view, and then everyone looked shockingly at him.

"He dares pass the road before Jupir's is done going!"

"How insulting!"

"Who does he think he is?!?"

"Jesus, what's wrong with these people?!? They're like teenage girls at a pop star concert!" He whispered to himself.

He tried to get to the other side of the road but he only received lethal glares and pushes.

"Hey! What's wrong with you?!?"

"You think you can disrespect our hero like that and just go along"

"Ehm.. yes! Because i don't see how passing through the road can be insulting!"

"This boy thinks he's hot stuff"

"Yeah, shame on you!"

Everyone was on the verge of booing him, when Jupir himself walked out to him. Andrew noticed that he was smiling in the most annoying way possible.

"Now, now, people, what's going on? Is something wrong with this boy?"

"Lord Jupir! This brat thought he could pass before you"

"Yeah! So insolent!"

The hero closed up on Andrew, putting his hand on his shoulder.

"And you treat him like this just because he had to pass through? I'm no God, everyone has the right to pass when i'm around, actually you should stop making space for me every time "

"My lord, you're so merciful!"

"So kind!"

"You better thank him kid"

Andrew turned his head to look at him. He still had that annoying smile, but his eyes weren't smiling at all, they were clearly full of rage and disdain. While a normal person wouldn't notice anything, he had dealt with the worst scum on Earth, so he learned how to recognize bastards.

"Thank you Lord Jupir"

"No problem, now just go and do your business"

"As you wish"

Jupir let go of him and went away, while Andrew sneaked past the crowd, trying to avoid the attention of the people around him, although mostly in vain. He walked for about twenty minutes, losing himself multiple times before finally reaching the church. He saw Dles taking care of the plants, whistling happily.

"Hey, Dles! How are you doing?"

"Oh, Andrew! Haven't seen you in while! So, did you get some interesting artifacts in the end?"

"Nah, there wasn't really anything of interest, just a bunch of creepy stuff"

"Well, it's good you didn't buy anything. That stuff is almost always cursed"

"It's a possibility...... Anyway, where are the others?"

"Trask went away on a mission for the Guild and Leind went to a village to cure a plague. Edresia's praying inside"

"I'll go say hi then"

"That's good but be fast, we're going to have an annoying guest in a while"

"I guess that i won't waste time then. Enjoy your flowers!"

"Thanks, i will. Enjoy your flirting" She whispered the last part.

Andrew entered the Church through the front door this time, and he was welcomed by a mystical and enchanting light, accompanied by the voice of an angel singing the most peaceful and beautiful song he ever heard. He stopped there, bewitched by the spectacle in front of him, he never thought something so divine could exist in the mortal world, but it did. Then the song stopped, leaving only an even more fascinating silence behind. Andrew could not help but compliment the singer:

"Your voice is beautiful, you know?"

Edresia flinched and turned back, blushing slightly.

"Oh, Andrew, you surprised me. Thank you, i'm honored that you like it"

"Also, those cross-like pupils are quite charming"

She blushed a little bit more, while trying to cover her face.

"Uh, eh, usually i try to hide them in front of people , but i guess you got me.. eheheheh"

"You seem sad about it, why?"

"Well, there's no particular reason....."

"Are they perhaps a sign that you're the Arch-Cardinal?"

This time she straight up jumped for the shock.

"YO-YO-YOU KNOW?!?"

"I discovered it literally half an hour ago"

"Then i guess that now you'll...."

"Treat you exactly as i did before"

"What?"

"You seemed to not have any problem with me treating you normally, so i'll keep doing it unless you don't want me to"

"NO! Ehm.... by all means, please keep talking to me normally"

"Then i'll do it. I hope we get along Edresia"

"So do i Andrew.....ehm, how about we sit on a bench?"

"Fine by me"

They sat on one of the many benches of the church, both staying silent for a while. Surprisingly, it was Edresia that broke that silence.

"So, uhm, found any interesting artifact?"

"...No, not really. Just strange things"

"Good,uh, i mean not good, like, good because those things are usually cursed, not because-"

Andrew put instinctively a finger on her mouth.

"I understand what you mean, there's no need to be nervous, ok?"

She blushed again then quickly turned her head to the opposite direction.

"You really shouldn't touch a lady so suddenly"

"Oh, sorry..."

"No, no, it's fine..... just, warn me the next time..."

"Ok...... we didn't talk much the day we went at the market did we?"

"You're right... everyone was so concentrated on buying their things and Trask kept challenging you to another drinking contest"

"OH, GOD, NO!"

"Hahahaha... About Gods, do you worship one?"

He kept shut for a while, thinking. He didn't really have an answer, after all the relation between him and Murgin was more like partners in crime or friends than anything else.

"No... not really"

"....Don't you think it's good to have someone or something that you can always put your faith into?"

"It depends on what kind of person you are... in my case i don't need it at all"

Andrew didn't need any God or divine being to protect him, after all, the God of his world never helped him when he prayed for it, and so he just put him in the class of either a myth or just a lazy bastard. After all, what kind of God would let all of his creatures kill their brethren so easily? Or let people like him suffer so much? He really couldn't understand, he even asked some priests when he was a kid but they either ignored him if they knew who he was or just said that it's all part of his great plan for humanity. Just say you don't know, he always thought to himself.

"I think it's beautiful though.... always having something to give you hope..."

"I guess it is... still, as i said, i don't need it"

"You must be quite independent.... your parents must have raised you well"

"I don't have parents, at least, i don't consider those greedy workaholic as such"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, they were some kind of merchants.... always cared only about their money, and their damn caretakers didn't help at all. I basically had to raise myself"

"Oh, i'm so sorry!"

"No, it doesn't matter, i'm over it.... I gotta admit though that i did have some kind of parental figure: my grandpa. Even if i met him only for short periods i still liked him"

"How was he like?"

"He wasn't your average grandpa, that's for sure... he was a war veteran, an alcoholic and maybe a bit crazy. But he always treated me kindly, or at least decently"

"He seems... relatively nice"

"He is, he is..... ahah...ahahaha..ahahahahahah"

"Wait, why are you laughing?!?"

"Because it's hilarious! I mean, we met like two or three days ago, and yet here we are talking about such important things like we knew each other for years!"

"You're right...ahahahaha, it is funny if you think about it, ahahahah"

"Ahaha... it must be because we're loners"

"Hey, why do you think I'M a loner?!?"

"Well, you have a pretty prestigious job, so i guess most people don't get close to you or just try use you"

She stopped smiling and lowered her head.

"Oh, uh, i'm sorry, i didn't mean to-"

"No, you're right, at least you're honest about your thoughts about me.... most people exaggerate or just lie.... the only people i can trust are my family and.... you"

She blushed a little.

"Wait, wait, wait, aren't we going a little too fast?!? We barely know each other! I could be lying!"

"And from the fact that you said that i can already understand how trustworthy you are. Also, i kinda have a sixth sense for these kind of things, you know, because i'm a direct servant of the Goddess of Light and i can see the light in people's hearts.... more or less"

*Oh, that's so ironic... i feel a bit like an asshole now...* He thought to himself.

"Uhm.... thank you very much Edresia"

"That's just the truth"

"GUYS STOP FLIRTING! ANDREW HIDE, QUICKLY!"

Dles busted in, ignoring their obvious embarrassment and grabbed Andrew, throwing him inside a chest usually used for keeping holy water bottles but currently empty. Edresia tried to follow her movements, confused by what was going on.

"DLES, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?"

"JUPIR'S HERE! IF HE SEES HIM WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL THAT BASTARD DO TO HIM!"

"WHAT?!? So he's back, oh no"

She barely frowned, then calmed down after hearing the main door open. The same handsome man from the main street appeared abruptly, just like before guiding a group of knights.

"Lady Sanctum! It is such a pleasure to see you. I hope you've been well"

Edresia out on her best fake smile and walked towards him.

"Oh, Hero Jupir, to what i owe the pleasure of this meeting?"

She was thinking more on the line of what curse but she had to be diplomatic.

"Well, after defeating an entire cult of demon lovers and seeing such horrifying rituals, i had to rest my soul and gaze upon the purest flower on this land"

"Oh, you flatter me too much"

She was thinking on how to impale him on the closest statue.

"Also, i've heard of what happened to Gorwyn, such a tragedy, and how many problems it gave you"

"Indeed, it was quite a hassle but i'm currently doing my best to solve the situation"

"It seems that you're also enjoying a reunion with your family"

"Well, i didn't meet them in a long time and i am quite stressed too"

"It's perfectly understandable, after all, you're the pillar of the Church in Kieris"

*Where are the knives?* She was trying her hardest to repress her murderous instincts

"So, is there anything else Hero Jupir?"

"To be perfectly honest, there is. I hoped you could accompany me to the Royal Ball next week"

*WHERE ARE THE KNIVES?!?*

"It's such an honor that you ask me this, but i'll have to think about it"

"As you wish then. Now, i must take my leave, i wait impatiently for your answer"

"Have a good day Hero Jupir"

*Please, fall into a hole full of spears*

"So do you lady Sanctum"

Jupir and his men left the building, finally leaving Edresia alone.

When they were on the streets on of the men began talking to Jupir.

"My lord, it seems everything's going as planned. She has no excuse to not accept your invite"

"I wouldn't be so sure"

"What do you mean?"

"She detests me with a passion, she may be able to make a believable excuse"

"How could that be possible? You're the perfect man! And she seemed happy to see you"

"And that's why you are not in politics. You may be a perfect assassin but you're an imbecile regarding what people really think"

"...I'm sorry for my lack of understanding, my lord"

"It doesn't matter, that's not why you're useful. What you're useful for is for killing and information. Now, regarding that, did you talk with our friends?"

"Yes, my men have already contacted powerful members of the Church and they have decided to support you. Most of them are not... enthusiastic about lady Sanctum's rule"

"Of course they aren't, those greedy old men want everything for themselves... so predictable and easy to manipulate. If i manage to bring lady Sanctum to the ball, the rumors of our marriage will basically become official, and i'll be able to control both her and those idiots. The whole Church in Kieris will fall under my control"

"Yes, my lord, but i already know, why are you explaining it again?"

"Well, the new guys need to know, don't they? Don't you?"

"Yes, sir. Thank you for the explanation" They said in chorus.

"No problem, after all what would you do if i didn't tell you everything? Also, if you tell anyone about this i'll turn you into dog's food"

"Y-yes, sir" They said once again in chorus.

"Good. Now, anything new happened while we weren't around?"

"....Ehm, one of my spies saw lady Sanctum going around the market with her family..."

"That's... completely useless.."

"...Along with an unknown black haired man. He entered the city just before that"

"What?!? Wait, blackhaired? A foreigner?!? Did he have red eyes?!?"

"The report said it does, actually"

"BY LUX YOU FUCKING IDIOT! WE MET HIM LIKE AN HOUR AGO!"

The people in the street, who were already watching the hero, began looking to each other, confused. Jupir calmed down, so as to not attract more attention.

"My lord, you're telling me it was the insolent boy? I wasn't really looking"

"You retarded fuck! What does your spy know about him? Did he follow him?"

".... He didn't... really think it was necessary.... he was just an unknown man, no chances of ruining your plan..."

"It's the smallest insects that kill the biggest beasts you idiot! Uh.. whatever, find him"

"Should we take care of him?"

"No, just find him, i'll take care of it... this could turn into a mess... dammit. Anyways, call my hairdresser when we're home, my hair is a disaster after all that demon fighting, i'm surprised i wasn't laughed at"

"My lord, i don't think you should, there are rumors going around that you are a bit too girly"

"LIST-Listen you imbecile this fantastic hair is not going to fix itself, just as the past successes of that man of yours won't stop me from stabbing him in the crotch before decapitating him. Understood?"

"Yes.... my lord"

"Good, now let's go"

His face was red with anger.

"I'll teach that boy what happens when you mess with me. Word of Jupir Jalos"

Hellooooooo guys! Liked the chapter? Because we finally have a freaking villain! How amazing is that? Do you hate him already? Hope you do! I made him with that intention in mind, to piss you off, while still being smart enough to even think of a way to deal with Andrew apart from hitting him with a sword! Hope you detest him greatly, and if you don't, don't worry, i'll make you! On a side note i watched the poll and i must say..... realllllly guys, do so many people want another reincarnation story? I mean, i did put that option and i like it a lot too but c'mon, aren't there already enough, i mean, i put a bunch load of options, like steampunk, that people seem to like and cool sci-fi! Also, i think the only reason supernatural fantasy is the 2nd best is because i wrote Gravity Falls besides it, like, half of the people saw that and just clicked on it without reading. Not even joking. Apart from that, something amazing happened! I managed to preorder the limited edition of FIRE EMBLEM MOFOCKING FATES! Yes, 99% of you won't care or doesn't know what i'm talking about but the 1% that does, knows just how freaking amazing of an event it is. I mean, people are selling it on ebay for like 400 dollars!

And that is all my rambling for today, which was.... awkwardly empty of mysterious perverts....?????????! ?????????! Where are you? Duuuuuuuuuuude! Welp, he/she's gone, hope he/she's not dead.... Anyway, byeeeeeeee guys!