It's been a while since I've been in the capital. I don't really know how long I was in Hell or the Realm of Gods, but it feels like it's only been a day or two from when I died. Alice is probably still in prison because of Lancelot. I don't know why I teleported outside of the capital, though it probably is because I haven't used something like that before. "You there. What is your business coming to the capital?" He must be a new guard since I knew every guard while I was still alive. "Just coming to visit some friends. How's McMillian's Tavern by the way? It's, been a while since I've been there."
The young guard looked confused. "McMillan's Tavern? There is no tavern in the capital by that name. Tell me your real business here otherwise I will forcefully remove you from coming in." McMillan's Tavern doesn't exist anymore? Maybe I was away for longer than I thought. "I'm just here to meet some friends, like I said. Is there perhaps an older guard on duty with you?" The young guard stood firm in his position. "There is, but he doesn't need to come out." Well, it's better than nothing I suppose. "Ask him about McMillan's Tavern. He will know what I'm talking about."
I could tell he was skeptical of me. I did mention a place that doesn't exist anymore to him and then told him to leave me alone just to ask an older guard about the place. I was surprised to see him walk away for a couple of minutes and come back with a less stern attitude. "You can come in. He said that McMillan's is the old name of the best tavern in the capital." So McMillan's does still exist. "If you don't mind me asking, what is the new name of the tavern?" The guards eyes sparkled whenever I asked the question. "It's just named after the Hero of the Capital. Asiren's Burger Tavern."
Did I hear him correctly? Hero of the Capital? "I don't think I've heard of him before, could you tell me his full name?" Please don't be me, please don't be me. "Damon Asiren is his full name. He got transported here from the other world with the rest of the God Candidates but escaped from Plassia to the capital, where he was trained personally by King Lancelot and Archmage Merlin. He was so strong that on his first day of training he was able to take on an [E-Grade] Dragon in just 20 minutes by himself. He's what inspired me to become a guard in the first place. I want to get strong like he was to protect the capital."
Why am I considered the Hero of the Capital? "Could you tell me why he's the Hero of the Capital though? Defeating only an [E-Grade] Dragon isn't really anything special." I just have to keep pretending like I don't know who I am, I can't let it be obvious. "Don't insult Damon Asiren like that. He did that without any former training and his raw talent. But you asked a question that I'm more than happy to answer. He's considered the Hero for when he sacrificed his life to stop the fight against Alice Grimwalts and Lancelot. Even though Alice was the enemy he chose to understand her reasoning for why rather than choosing violence. He must be enjoying a great heaven right now."
They really consider me a hero for being an understanding person? That's, mildly concerning that it takes so little to become a hero. "I can take you to his statue in the center of the capital and then I'll take you to the tavern. After that, you're on your own." They made a statue in my honor? That was Lance's idea, 100%. "Okay then, lead the way." I honestly can't believe they honored me as a hero for that. I just did the right thing at the right time. Anyone could have done it. It just so happened to be me. "Here's the statue. Did you know that the [Norse] Pantheon sent out some deities to help us rebuild after he died?"
"That's news to me. Didn't I tell you that I haven't heard of him before?" The statue was pretty accurate. It had me in the coat I wear holding [Dragon Bane] up in glory. It felt pretty honoring that they made a statue for me. "It's so weird you haven't. Word of him has spread all across the Arthurian Kingdom over the decades he's been dead." Did he say decades? How could I have been in Hell for that long? Maybe the time difference was from the Realm of the Gods? "How long has it been since he's died exactly?" The young guard looked hard in thought. "20 years. It's been 20 years since he died." I was gone for 20 years? I left my friends alone for 20 years with that monster?
"Is Merlin or Lance in the castle?" He felt slight shock from the question. "Uhm, King Lancelot should be at the battle against Plassia and the God Candidates they have, but Merlin should be hanging around the tavern with that Berserker Blader. They made a tradition to go eat a burger from the tavern every year on the day he died." I grasped his hands in a swift motion. "Take me to the tavern at once. I urgently need to speak to them." The young guard didn't question me. He instead brought me to the tavern.
"It looks a lot more extravagant on the outside than it did before. Thank you for bringing me here." The guard grasped my shoulder. "I have a question for you. You look way too young to have known this place used to be named McMillan's. Just who are you?" I don't need to answer him, but at the same time, who am I to say no to a fan? "Tell me this, do you know the color of the eyes of Damon Asiren?" He nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, the one on the left is purple and the one on the right is prismatic like his Mana." I turned to face the guard. "Look into my eyes." His face in a matter of seconds went from a neutral expression to utter shock. "Are you really?" I smile. His reaction really was priceless. "Back from the depths of Hell. Now, let's go in. I have some friends to take to again."