"Is this the capital of the Albrus Empire?

　It was the central city of the empire ruled by an imperial hero.
　I thought I had seen various countries and cities, but I had never seen a city so strongly defended, built and imbued with an atmosphere that could be called a military city.
　Most of the people passing by were soldiers, and there were no human voices or innocent children's voices that should have enlivened the city.

Yes, it is. This is one of the most classist countries of all. He who has no title is just a man of the city, and he who has a title holds the power and authority in this country.

"A title?　Is it a noble title or something?

　To my question, Amanes, who is leading the way, answers somewhat evasively, without looking back.

"No. It's a 'hero' title. "No. It's a title."

　That made me understand something.

The title of brave is like a nobleman's class in this country. Instead, the aristocracy that existed in the country since ancient times is now abolished and a system of brave men and women is spreading around this country.

If I recall, being a hero in this world is a title that can be earned by anyone who has achieved a certain level of success, right?

I know. You can earn points by defeating demons or creating or researching technology that will develop the world. Or better yet, whoever develops a new genre of cuisine, etc., will get the title of hero that they deserve.

"Oh, what's cooking?

Of course. What would be the ingredients of this world?　There are only demons. Then how to cook the monsters and provide them as a new form of cuisine to the people of the world is a contribution to the world. Above all, food is one of the elements of human fulfillment. It is the most necessary act of living.

　I was a bit surprised to hear the word "cooking", but I nodded my head when I heard the explanation.
　It's true that this world's interest in food is much stronger than others.
　If you think about it, one of the reasons for this was that the only ingredients were demons.
　Compared to vegetables, cooking demons is much more difficult and requires a change in thinking.
　If you can cook them well and establish a new cooking method, it will certainly contribute to the world.

Does that mean that all the upper class people in this country are brave?

It will be. Hunters who specialize in killing demons. Technical heroes made new discoveries and contributions in technology and research. Others who have shown superior skills in cooking, sorcery, and weaponry production receive status and honor as productive heroes and are guaranteed a life as a nobleman.

And in this country, there is also a brave institution, the Training Academy, to train those brave men and women from an early age. Kyou-sama.

　That explanation from Amarnes and Fitis seemed to solve the question I had earlier.
　Was that why there were so few children in the middle of the city, even though I was walking down the city's central street?
　But as I listened to his explanation, an indescribable feeling seemed to build up in my heart.

You can't say that the policy of this imperial hero is wrong as far as the explanation is concerned: ......

　A brave man is an entity that contributes to the world.
　If the goal of the Albrus Empire is to nurture them and increase human resources, then it seemed to be the right thing for the world to do.
　But even so, this structure reminiscent of a management society was somehow unconvincing.

...... That's right. Here competence is literally everything. Those who become brave and achieve spectacular achievements will be rewarded with commensurate rewards and status. Conversely, those who can't do that, even if they were once of the noble class, will only be dropped below the common man.

　Suddenly, Phytis turns her gaze toward the alleyway.
　Led by her gaze, I saw a man cowering in the alley, without the will to live.
　But what struck me was the man's clothing.

　He must have been born into a famous aristocracy once.
　You will find a man who is now a shadow of his former self, dressed in those days, cowering in the dirt, unable to forget his former glory.

...... I didn't much like the aristocracy either.

　As Phytis said earlier, Amanes continues

They were born there without any effort or talent, they inherit a position of nobility and, borrowing from the dignity of their ancestors, they look down on the commoners and live out their lives in luxury. On the other hand, no matter how hard the commoner tries, he cannot join the aristocracy. I approve of the imperial heroes for reforming such an era.

　That statement of Amanes is persuasive as he or she would probably have seen such an environment around him or her.
　Certainly, in Europe in the Middle Ages, when aristocracy existed, such unreasonableness was commonplace.
　And it would be even more natural in such a fantasy world.

　Aristocracy. I have seen the difference in poverty and unreasonableness that lurked in many stories with this theme in many works.
　That is why I will not talk about it here now.

　If you look at it from that point of view, this country built by the emperor and his brave men and women was indeed a reformation to save the weak.
　But it didn't feel like a happy ending.

But he did not want equality but a powerful society.

　A few words to Phytis made me realize what a strange feeling I had when I first came to this country and saw the capital.

Those who are brave will be given the status and honor they deserve. It seems like it's just a matter of hard work and results, but it's not. There are all kinds of talents in the world, big and small. There are many who try hard, but they cannot achieve the result. For such people, this country is a hellish paradise beyond their reach. "The weak who cannot be brave will be cut down. That is the world.

　Yes. This is not a world built for equality.
　This is not a world that abolishes the aristocracy, establishes the system of the brave, and gives paradise to those who work hard.
　Only the powerful and the talented will be chosen.
　A different system, a different society from the one I know of in the developed countries of the earth that reaches out to the weak.



I see. I see. Maybe the idea of the Emperor and heroes is closer to our side of the demons.

　I'm sure my sister, who is walking next to me, noticed this and said the same thing I did.
　The fact that she said this makes me tremble again at the horror of the man who built this country, the emperor and the hero.
　What he is looking for is a person who is more capable of contributing to the world.
　A ruthlessness that dismisses the rest as unnecessary. His rule, indeed--the emperor.

But it's not just his sheer imperialism that I find objectionable... but also his own abilities.

"Ability?

　The Imperial heroes are the same seven great heroes as Amarnes.
　That means he also has the same creation abilities as Amarnes: .......
　I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one for you.

...... cultivation hero. Now you will meet, but be careful of his ability. That's the only thing I can't do anything about. In a way, he's the worst of the Seven Heroes.

"What is that, the ability to ......?

　There was a feeling of fear in Amarnes, who was not intimidated by the demon king's hordes - a feeling of fear.

"The remaking of memories and emotions - in other words, brainwashing and control.