Sentenced to Be a Hero (勇者刑に処す 懲罰勇者9004隊刑務記録)

It's no use!

We're doomed!

Forward!

Save my people!

I-Incredible.

This should finish it!

I see you are in good health.

Rest easy, my people.

Together, we shall leave this mine behind and you will be rewarded for your service.

Sentenced to Be a Hero

Sentenced to Be a Hero

I'd given up all hope on help arriving.

Yeah, well. We had orders from the Holy Knights.

I want you all to take up arms.

King Norgalle here is a sacred seal specialist.

"King"?

Down here, with no sunlight to power them, sacred seals consume energy quickly.

As the luminescence stored in an object is finite,

the sacred seal will have a limited number of uses.

But when carved by my hand,

a seal's energy consumption is vastly lower compared to the mass-produced kind,

while its effectiveness is vastly improved.

This is testament to my status as the true king of this realm.

Xylo. How long can we keep fighting?

Good question.

What's that clasp for?

What?

Ah, my apologies. I was curious.

It gauges the amount of luminescence in my body.

The light grows dimmer as it runs out.

You have many times the luminescence of an ordinary man.

As befits one of my elite guard.

You honor me with your recognition.

But I'd say we can't last much longer.

The call to withdraw got to us too late.

It's always the workers who are the last to be informed.

Thank you for the water.

Keep it.

Thank you for everything.

Are you the only survivors?

I expected more.

There were 50 of us to start with.

Then out of nowhere, one man mentioned hearing voices.

Voices?

Yes.

While we all slept, he wandered off somewhere,

and when he returned, he'd become a monster.

So we did it together.

We had no choice.

Does everyone have a weapon?

Are you ready, my people?

Tatsuya shall lead the way.

Xylo, you—

I know.

Ensuring this retreat remains orderly will be disgustingly difficult.

I'll follow on behind and guard the rear.

Gentlemen, watch each other's backs.

I refuse to leave a single man behind.

Xylo, once we've returned safe, I shall confer upon you the title of commander-in-chief.

Honor and glory await you.

Thanks. I can't wait.

What's that?

What the...

We haven't even set off yet.

Get up!

You need to protect yourselves!

Change of plan.

We'll hold the line here.

Let's take 'em out!

Th-There's no way.

There's too many.

Damn.

Now this really feels like a punishment.

Let's decide the order of our deaths.

You'll die first, Xylo.

Glad to hear it.

I'll die next.

Then it'll be Tatsuya.

Our lives are meaningless compared to these loyal servants of the kingdom.

You're one hell of a king.

That's all. Return to your post.

Yes, ma'am.

She's been acting like that since her pacted hero left her.

She's clearly no use as a weapon.

The moment we're ready, we'll set out.

That Demon Lord will fall.

Patch up anyone who's bleeding. One sip of water each.

Look alive, people.

The moment you're ready, I want you back on your feet.

I-I can't move.

My legs hurt.

This is impossible.

I can't do this anymore.

What the hell are you doing? You want them to eat you?

Gentlemen.

You have long risked your lives tearing down walls,

serving as this kingdom's lifeblood.

Such valiant men have no need to fear.

Now, rise and fight.

If you both think we can, we'll try.

His speech worked better than mine?

That seal on your neck.

You're heroes, aren't you?

Oh. You knew the whole time?

And I guess you've heard that heroes are the world's vilest criminals.

Whatever evil deeds you've done, you still came here to save us.

You didn't write us off as expendable.

So I think it's worth seeking out a less ignoble way to die.

Screw that. You're not dying that easily.

Indeed.

Your devotion to this kingdom. Your years caked in mud and sweat.

I consider them priceless.

And I won't let them be stolen.

Damn.

If we had a probe seal, we'd at least know how many there are.

Let's do this.

I ain't dying yet.

Get ready! Here they come!

To the left! Hold them off!

Good! Keep it up!

Go, my people!

Your Majesty!

Die!

Damn.

Foreman!

Forgive my delayed arrival.

The Goddess of Swords, Teoritta...

stands before you once more.

Now, gentlemen.

Go ahead and indulge your desire to shower me with praise.

Goddess, I see you have come to bless our endeavors.

You have my utmost gratitude.

Think nothing of it, Norgalle.

Between my knight and myself, your victory is now assured.

Men, we'll make a fence.

I'll engrave the swords with sacred seals. When I'm done, plant them in the ground.

Yes, sir!

What do you think you're doing here?

What happened to the Holy Knights?

I gave them the slip.

Their watchful eyes were no match for my greatness.

Now, Xylo, praise me at once.

Hell no.

Why not? Is it because I arrived so belatedly?

That was only because you left me behind in the first place.

This treatment is unbearable. You must never—

Like I keep telling you, I don't have any plans to use you.

So then what...

What do you wish of me?

Just stop trying to die.

Don't die for other people or for some weird idea of glory.