The Story of Hero Among Heroes ~The Founding Chronicles of Arestia Chapter 2

Bonus Chapter.
My appreciation for all of your comments and supports.

Enjoy~

Chapter 2 – Romaria Territory

After completing the magic beast subjugation mission, Ares triumphantly returned to the city of Romaria.

Waiting for the returning party were the cheers from the townsfolk.

[Thank you! Now we can continue trading with confidence!]

[Now I can bring medicine back for my father in the neighboring village!]

[The crops won't be destroyed anymore! Now we can sleep peacefully!]

[Ares-sama might be young but he's the real deal!]

[That's right!The position of the Schwarzer family is secured!!]

[All hail Ares-sama!]

[All hail the young lord!]

At first the cheers was directed at the knight brigade. But when it was gradually turning to him, Ares had a slightly frustrated face.

[It wasn't only me who deserve the credit…..]

Sigurd replied among the noises of the crowds.

[Now the fact that everyone always looks up to a hero had never changed. It's also a fact that Ares-sama was the one who led the subjugation forces. It was also Ares-sama who thought up the measures to complete the mission. It's Ares-sama, too, who personally raised his sword and defeated more bandits and magic beasts than anyone.]

[Even so, it's also the same for those who fought with their lives on the line. They are the real heroes.]

Looking at Ares' composed face while saying so made Sigurd smile a little.

[Perhaps so…Ares-sama. Why don't you give a word or two to everyone here? They are probably waiting for a speech from their real hero who has subjugated the magic beast. And… you can also use the chance to make them see who the real hero was…. If the young lord thinks they deserve the acknowledgement, that is.]

A lot of people stared at Ares as they praised and honored him. Ares saw this situation, looked back at the men behind him and sighed. He then gently raised his hand.

With that gesture, the crowds who were fussing about before quickly calmed down as they put their focus on the boy.

That area was covered in silence.

[Everyone, I thank you for coming all the way here. I'm honored to have you here. But I couldn't possibly complete this mission on my own. It shouldn't be only me; everyone here should be praised too. It's not me, but all the knights here….were the real heroes who defeated the magic beasts.]

The street that was calm just a moment ago began to be filled with muttering and whispering among the townsfolk. However.

Clap clap clap

Applauses could be heard from here and ther, and soon turned into a booming sound. And in the end, it turned into a loud enthusiastic cheering; this time directed to the knight brigade.

Ares looked back and saw that the knights and soldiers were smiling and laughing hard. Their face was full of pride.

Laughing in satisfaction after seeing that scene, Ares left the hustle along with Sigurd.

Romaria is the main city of the Schwarzer territory.

It's said that it was decided from back when Gerald Schwarzer became the first generation archduke of the Schwarzers.

The [Archduke Clans] are the families that were founded by the 4 closest retainers of the 1st emperor. The emperor married his daughters to the 4 houses and through that, it gave the [Archdukes Clans] the greatest influence/authority.

And as one of [The Four Archduke Clans], the Schwarzers, developed through many generations after Gerald's, made Romaria one of the major cities in the Holy Arcadia Empire, if not the whole continent.

The Schwarzer territory, no, mostly the town of Romaria, is well known for its active agriculture and commerce as well as being the most peaceful town in Arcadia. But more than Romaria itself, the whole Schwarzer territory was famous for one thing.

That there is no prejudice or discrimination between various races such as humans, long-eared elves, beastmen and many others

Originally, the demi-human races such as beastmen, long-eared elves, dwarves and the like were subjects of discrimination by the human races nearly everywhere. They are even treated as slaves in several places.

It's said that this act came from human's fear of their potential and that one day, they'll rise against the humanity.

Beastmen have superior muscle strength and explosive power compared to the humans. They are far above the humans in term of combat ability.

The long-eared elves are proficient in magic, especially the rulers of the forest, the high elves.

The dwarves aren't as strong or as dextrous as the humans but they can forge excellent weapons and armors.

Therefore, the humans despised them, repressed their power by the humans' sheer numbers, and delegated them to the lowest cla.s.s of civilians.

It's also stated in the religion that the Holy Arcadia Empire had set. The church teachings are also full of prejudice towards the demi-human races. They are the subject of discrimination and prejudice thanks to this.

However, those kind of things are invalid here in Schwarzer territory. It was something that the first archduke Gerald had decided and has been Schwarzer clan's policy ever since. It's difficult for the church to stand out because its opponent is a body which holds strong imperial power.

For that reason, a lot of demi-humans gathered in this territory, further improving its prosperity.

Even the military, starting with the beastmen, also recruited other demi-human races into its forces.

Many va.s.sals and servants awaited Ares at the castle gate.

[Young lord, welcome back.]

[ [ [ [ [ [ Welcome back!] ] ] ] ] ]

[Yes, I'm home.]

Ares confided to Sebastian after saying that.

[Where is Esteemed Father?]

[Yes. Master is waiting for young master's return.]

(I want to spend time by talking leisurely to everyone but I need to make a report first…..)

Ares then gave instructions to everyone else.

[Everyone, I'm sorry but I have to make a report to Esteemed Father immediately. I leave the rest to you all. Sigurd seems tired so please rest properly. Be sure to instruct the soldiers to be dismissed.]

With that done, Ares entered the castle and started climbing the stairs.

After watching him leave, Sebastian and the other quickly went to work as instructed.

Ares eavesdropped it for a bit before continuing to ascend the stairs while putting together the report in his head.