Your service has been fulfilled, Mr. Ren Tachibana. Thank you for clearing the path for the heroes.
Those were the king's words as Ren returned from a life-threatening mission to clear a high-ranked demon. Seven years on the battlefield since being summoned to this world—and now, he was cast aside.
Ren leaned against the castle balcony, heavy thoughts weighing down his mind. He stared up at the starry night sky, pondering everything he had done. All those years spent just clearing the way for others—the "real" heroes.
Bloodshed, tears, and every ounce of strength Ren poured out—all seemingly wasted. His loyalty to the kingdom and its people. His comrades, friends forged through hardship—what did they mean now? Lives lost for a kingdom that no longer needed him.
He sighed deeply, closing his eyes as memories flooded back. Summoned. Labeled. The harder he thought about it, the harder it was to hold back tears. He protected others because he was called a "hero," but at what cost? Only to be cast away.
Being a hero was hard for someone like him. His body, constantly pushed beyond its limits to be the kingdom's shield. Countless injuries and wounds suffered to protect the people. But was this the path meant for him? Or was he just fooling himself? Was there anyone out there who could give him the answer he desperately sought?
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In the castle, the celebration for the new heroes was in full swing. Ren had his own party—quiet, alone, tucked away at the back. Just a few simple dishes, barely enough for a meal.
"So this is it… the end of my journey?" he murmured, eyes drifting to the pale moon hanging in the night sky.
Lost in thought, he didn't notice someone watching him from behind a nearby window—eyes full of pity and concern.
"Ren..." the soft voice called out, but the person was quickly summoned away.
After the festivities in the main hall, the king stood before the gathered crowd—including Ren—to make an announcement.
"My people!" the king's voice boomed with authority. "For years, our kingdom was protected by the holy knight and former hero, Ren Tachibana! But why 'former'? Because he was only the standby for our true heroes!"
The king gestured proudly toward a group of five individuals.
Ren's lips curled into a bitter smile. "So, they are the heroes..." he muttered, unsurprised.
The nobles erupted into applause, welcoming the heroes with adoration and high regard. The treatment Ren received was starkly different—expectations piled on him, insults thinly veiled as criticisms, and cold shoulders from those who once fought beside him.
What hurt most was the truth he couldn't deny: the heroes had gained skills and blessings from the gods—gifts Ren could never have. Only natives of this world could receive such blessings, not someone summoned like him.
Then, the princesses appeared—three radiant figures of beauty, elegance, and charm. Aelia, Sofia, and Amelia—the Trinity Sisters, blessed respectively by the gods of health, wisdom, and happiness.
At first, Ren had been eager to serve them, but as he learned more of their world, his enthusiasm faded into detached duty.
Then came the king's next declaration: the engagement of the princesses to the heroes. A perfect match—three men, two women. The princes and princesses paired off like a calculated game of alliances.
Once again, Ren felt the sting of unfairness, but he said nothing. It was simply the way things were.
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After the party ended and the nobles had returned home, the grand hall fell silent. Only Ren remained, kneeling before the throne for what would be his final audience.
"Ren," the king began, his voice casual and unaware. "How did you find the celebration?"
Ren remained kneeling, his head bowed. "You held a fine party, Your Majesty. I'm honored to have attended."
"Is that so? Hah! That's good to hear." The king chuckled softly, then leaned back on his throne. "So... what do you think of the engagements? A perfect timing, wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes... It is," Ren replied, his voice low.
A long silence settled between them, the atmosphere thick with unspoken truths.
The king spoke again, this time quieter. "Ren… are you mad at me? Do you resent what I've done?"
The words struck Ren's heart like shards of glass. Painful. Unexpected. Yet he could not let it show.
"No, Your Majesty," he answered, steady and composed. "It was a wise decision. The heroes will protect this kingdom better than I ever could."
Before the king could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hall.
"Father, wait!"
The heavy doors swung open, and Princess Aelia rushed in, breathless and sweating.
"Aelia? What are you doing here at this hour?"
"Princess Aelia?" Ren turned his gaze up, surprised to see her.
She ignored her father and looked directly at Ren. Her eyes searched his expression, filled with frustration and sorrow. Then, without hesitation, she walked over and knelt beside him, reaching out to help him stand.
"Ren, why… Why didn't you say anything? Why are you always keeping it all inside?"
Ren gently pushed her hand away. "I'm not sure what you mean, Princess Aelia. There's nothing to say."
He stood on his own, turning to leave—but Aelia caught his hand, holding it tightly.
"Then answer me this—are you really okay with my engagement?"
Ren paused. His hand trembled slightly in hers.
"…Yes. Congratulations, Princess Aelia."
Aelia exhaled sharply, then let go of his hand. She turned away, voice trembling.
"…I see. Then go."
She took a step back, her tone suddenly bitter. "Idiot…"
Ren said nothing. He turned his back and walked away, each step echoing louder in the empty hall.
He left everything behind—his title, his comrades, the kingdom… and her.
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The morning sun rose gently over the kingdom, casting golden light over the streets below. Ren stepped out of the palace gates, his footsteps slow but steady. Today, he would leave for good.
As he wandered through the city for one last time, the familiar sights greeted him—children laughing and playing, merchants shouting over prices, townsfolk chatting with cheerful faces. The bustling noise somehow eased his mind.
He paused, watching them.
"So this is what I protected…"He smiled faintly. "At least their lives can go on in peace."
Then, in the corner of his eye, he spotted a Holy Knight passing by. Recognition hit him—and suddenly, memories rushed in like a tide.
"You're the rookie, huh? Not bad! I'll train you up!""You're a hero now?! That's unfair to us Holy Knights—but damn it, we're proud of you, brat.""Hero Ren, leave this to us! You've got a mission to finish!"
Each moment—every joke, every battle, every bruise they shared—flashed in Ren's mind. They were simple memories, but deeply meaningful.
He kept walking, step by step, until he reached the city's front gate.
Then—he heard it.
"Ren!"
"Brother Ren!"
"Ren, you brat!"
He turned around, startled.
Behind him, a crowd had gathered. Dozens of townspeople—young and old—stood there with soft smiles and shimmering eyes. Some held baskets of food and water, others simple tools or handmade trinkets. A few had drawn his portrait—rough, but heartfelt.
Ren was speechless.
Then someone squeezed past the crowd. "Princess Aelia?!"
Aelia, slightly breathless, smirked as she stood beside him. "Surprised, huh?"
She held out a small pouch and a parchment sketch. "I told them about your departure. And about you—about what you've done. They didn't hesitate. They said it was the least they could do."
She took a breath and looked straight into his eyes. "Thank you, Ren. For protecting me… no—for protecting all of us, even when no one gave you the credit."
Ren's legs trembled. His vision blurred. The weight in his chest finally cracked.
He dropped to his knees, head bowed, as tears streamed down his cheeks.
"Thank you… thank you, all of you…"
The people rushed to him, some hugging him tightly, others wiping their own tears.
"We should be the ones saying that, you stupid hero!!" someone shouted, choked with emotion.
Laughter broke out among the tears—healing, honest laughter.
After a while, the crowd stepped back, giving Ren and Aelia some space.
"But… why are you here too, Princess?"
Aelia didn't answer right away. Instead, she stepped forward, grabbed his collar—
—and kissed him.
Gasps echoed through the crowd. Some covered the children's eyes. A few whistles rang out.
After a moment, Aelia pulled away, a smug and satisfied smile on her blushing face.
"That's my answer," she said softly. "I already rejected the new heroes' proposals. Because the only hero I ever truly admired… is you, Ren Tachibana."
Then, realizing what she'd done, her eyes widened. "W-Well! That was my gift! Idiot! Go already!"
She spun around and ran off in a flustered dash.
The crowd burst into laughter and cheers.
"It should've been me!!"
"Lucky bastard!!"
"You stupid hero!!"
The noise, the teasing, the affection—it was overwhelming. But for the first time in years, Ren felt something lift from his chest.
He smiled.
This... this was enough.