Arnold, the Dragon Slayer, Was Redeemed

First, he was awakened from slumber by a girl named Caro—and then redeemed by a spirit. What he had done held meaning. He had once believed everything had vanished into nothingness: his efforts, his kindness, all of it—utterly gone.

He thought he had nothing left but this strength. Coming to Maelzu Town was truly a blessing. He felt genuinely grateful for his choice.

If he had to describe it, it was like those hero adventure tales: the hero falls from a cliff, finds the sword of a past Chosen Hero, and becomes the new hero.

For Arnold, this was exactly how it felt.

After being pushed into the abyss, he witnessed sights he’d never seen before.

His existence was affirmed. The value of his deeds was recognized. Emotion welled up within him.

Caro gazed at Arnold with gentle eyes. “So, do what you’re meant to do, Arnold. A town like this isn’t suited for someone of your stature.”

“Go see again. Visit the places you’ve walked, the paths you’ve taken—search for what you left behind.” Caro rarely gave such advice, but now she felt it necessary.

Seeing Arnold’s expression, the surge of emotion in him, she knew he needed this. As the Dragon Slayer, what had his journey truly left behind? He needed to reexamine himself—and decide: Dragon Slayer, or False Hero?

“…You’re right.”

Caro’s gaze was pure, without a single trace of impurity. She simply wished for his happiness—such sincerity, such kindness. Arnold felt himself grow more infatuated, yet a quiet sorrow lingered. After all, she didn’t see him as a lover.

He pushed those feelings down. “Since you summoned Lucy, what can she actually do for you?”

Lucy, clinging to Arnold’s finger, froze. Caro froze too. Then Lucy turned and stared blankly at Caro.

“…” Caro’s mind raced. “Lucy’s a spirit, right? In this form, she should be able to turn invisible?”

Lucy nodded. “That’s well within my capabilities.”

“Mm! Perfect!” Her voice had recovered slightly—Bards healed faster than most. “Lucy can gather intel… very useful.”

Caro quickly listed possibilities.

“That’s true… but you have no combat ability yourself, do you?”

“…” She couldn’t deny it. With her slender frame—even a pillow fight might be a loss, let alone real combat.

“Where’s your next stop?” Arnold asked.

“Hmm… Bards chase places with stories or famous landmarks.” Caro’s eyes lit up. “I’ll head south to the port, see the ocean. Next stop: Dermal City. They say it holds the nation’s largest tree~”

“The Ancient Spirit Tree,” Arnold recalled. “I’ll escort you. I have someone to see there. We’ll part ways in Dermal City.”

*Someone to see…* Caro studied him. He’d already decided—to revisit past encounters, search for remnants of meaning. It wouldn’t be smooth.

When one falls, others turn away. Some he’d helped might deny his kindness; others, fearing judgment, would side with the crowd.

But he was ready.

What a truly heroic man.

Exhaustion finally claimed Caro. She drifted into peaceful sleep.

Listening to her steady breaths, Arnold glanced at the still-floating Lucy. “Can you remain after being summoned?”

“If Miss Caro wishes me gone, yes. Stamina drains only at summoning. Existing like this weakens me… until she plays again to sustain me.”

“And next time—will you remember this?”

Lucy shook her head. “I don’t know.”

*I see.*

Arnold knew little of Bards. The great ones were elusive—here today, gone tomorrow, wandering the world. Nearly impossible to find.

He stared at Lucy.

Flustered, she scurried into a corner.

Then, like a thief, Arnold gently stroked Caro’s hair. *If she wakes, I can explain this…*

Sleeping Caro—so different from that drunken first night, hazy and awkward. Neither wished to recall it.

Now, serene. Even her weakened state earlier carried a rare calm.

*Could she be the nurturing, devoted type?*

No… too romantic a soul. Settling down to raise children? Unlikely. *If we had a child… boy or girl? A hero’s name from legend. If a girl, let Caro choose. She’s so cute. Our daughter would inherit it.*

Arnold, watching her sleep, had already imagined marriage and children.

“Lord Arnold… do you like Caro?”

Lucy’s form grew fainter—nearly transparent. Arnold withdrew his hand, smiling softly. “I do. As a man likes a woman.”

A bitter ache stirred in Lucy, but she kept smiling. “Winning Miss Caro’s heart won’t be easy… perhaps it’s karma, Lord Arnold~”

“Karma?”

“You’ve always made girls fall for you.”

Arnold pointed at himself, astonished. “Me? Don’t flatter me, Lucy. If I were that charming, I wouldn’t have been kicked from the party.”

“…” She couldn’t argue.

“Still,” Arnold continued, “many may have liked me—but for my dragon-slaying power, the benefits I offered… not *me*. What do you think?”

*It wasn’t like that…* But he wouldn’t believe her. Saved by Caro, his wounds remained. He’d only gained strength to carry them forward. This journey was his healing.

“I am strong,” Arnold stated plainly. “Against the Demon King? I’d hold my ground. With a Heroic Rank team, I could hunt him. Victory’s uncertain—but I won’t wait for some unborn Chosen Hero.”

“I once thought strength kept you from getting hurt.”

He touched Caro’s cheek. Her skin was smooth, warm. “With this power, I *must* help others to feel worthy. Always believed that. Maybe… it’s just self-satisfaction?”

His expression tightened. “So don’t thank me too much, Lucy. I don’t help from pure kindness—I fear having no value. And I don’t need saving. I’m strong.”

“Thus… Lady Caro, who reached for you in weakness, became the one you adore.”

“Yes. A fascinating woman.” Arnold smiled. “Her first day as a Bard, she met me and the Sword Saint. Fearful, worried—but *excited*. I gave her coin. And she… didn’t care for my strength. She helped my weakness.”

His eyes gleamed—not with light, but with longing.

“Ah! *This* is being saved. *This* is what I needed. For the first time… I feel I can move forward. She is… radiant.”

When he finished speaking, Lucy was gone.

Had her time run out?

Arnold shook his head and left Caro’s dwelling.