Ex-Hero, Now Freeloader

1 – The Morning of a Freeloader

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For the sake of humanity, for peace, for the world…

Endure intense training, go through gruesome battlefields, then sleep like a log.

The next time I opened my eyes, everything I hated was over.

One day, I was looking out the window and decided that I, too, will attain a normal life of living every day, smiling like a child.

I’ve looked back on that unattainable dream countless times.

When the normal life I so desired became hazy and hard to grasp, it happened.

◇

「Yawn… It’s morning?」

I stare blankly at the sunlight seeping through the cracks of the curtains, yawning.

『They are called the Six Saviors.
The Sage of magic, the Saint of healing, the Swordmaster, the Mystical Archer, the resourceful War God, and… the all-powerful Hero.』

I can hear a voice calling me, but I ignore it as I rub my eyes.

「So sleepy…」

『Time has passed since demons came flooding out of the Demon Realm that was connected to the Human Realm.
In every age, six special humans will be born.
Among the ages, the six in this age are said to be the strongest in history.
The Hero, in particular, was trained by the other five Saviors and is so superior that it is said that no stronger being, past or present, would ever be born.
Everyone expected the Hero to save humanity from the threat of the demons, so why-』

I shift my gaze to the double-edged sword leaning against the wall.

「I think I’ll take another nap.
Hey holy sword, think you can quiet down a little?」

A holy sword with a mind of its own, I’ve had it for ten years, ever since I was five years old.

This thing’s the one that’s been muttering this whole time.

I don’t really know if swords have genders, but it kinda talks in a determined female voice.

『Why… Why did the Hero…become a Demon King Army freeloader…!!』

I don’t know how many time’s she’s said it, but she’s been complaining about the same thing lately.

Which is why I give her the same old reply I always do.

「I mean…they treat me better over here.」

I think that’s a very important thing.

◇

Recently, my life has completely changed.

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First off, I wake up in the morning atop a fluffy bed.

It has a canopy attached to it, for reasons that I am unaware of.

For someone like me who traveled across the world and often slept outdoors, being able to sleep here every day is nothing short of a miracle.
It’s obvious but, the sleeping snugness is worlds apart.

「Are you awake, master Hero?」

My consciousness, which was almost lulled back into sleep by the sandman, was pulled back to reality.

「……Yeah, I’m up.」

As I say that, the door opens modestly and a black-haired maid enters.

She looks about the same age as me.

It would seem that she was chosen due to having the same hair color as the Hero, so as not to cause discomfort while serving.

Of course, among demons, there are many that have shapes and hair color not seen among humans.

Other than the two horns growing out of the sides of her head, the maid looks human, which was probably why she was thought to be the most suitable to take care of the Hero.

Those like her are called Majins.

…Not that I’m bothered by it.

Nonetheless, I am not dissatisfied with the current maid, so I accepted it.

She has glossy long black hair, a stern face yet her smile doesn’t seem cold, she’s thin but powerful, and she does her work exceedingly fast.

You could also say she’s gorgeous.

Even to a Hero who has been trained to avoid interacting with others as much as possible, I can appreciate aesthetic beauty.

「Good morning, Ferris.」

I rub my sleepy eyes, yawning.

「Good morning to you too, master Hero.
To you as well, holy sword mistress Mika.」

The maid known as Ferris responds with a compassionate smile.

Mika appears to be the nickname favored by the will dwelling within the holy sword.
I never knew that until I came here because I always called her holy sword.

The holy sword simply responded with a 『Hmph.』, as if exhaling sharply from her nose.

Not that she has one.
Nor a mouth.

Now, Ferris is an exceptional maid, but there is one thing that she can never fix.

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「Could you at least drop the whole master thing?」

When I say that, she always gives an awkward laugh.

「Breakast is ready.
Today’s meal is what you’ve wished for, master Hero.
Pancakes.」

「What? Really?!」

I leap out of bed, eyes gleaming.

Smiling at the sight before her, Ferris nods.

「Yes.
Five pancakes stacked together, made from fluffy batter, dripping with an ample amount of honey, and topped with two scoops of ice cream of different flavors.
Around it is an assortment of sour-tasting fruits.」

My mouth starts to salivate.

As soon as the crest of the Hero appeared on the back of my right hand when I was five years old, I was taken out of the orphanage and given severe training by the other five Saviors.

This also includes battles against demons set to harm humanity, and there were more than a few subjugation missions.

In order to be the strongest Hero that surpasses the other five, I was intensely trained.

With a life that didn’t resemble that of a childhood in the slightest, I have never tasted sweets.

But here, in the Demon King Castle, they will basically prepare whatev