I'm going to tell it like it is.

　There are three brave men.

　No, there are four if you count Radie, who was with us in the first place.

Why?
No, why is it that...?

　Brave man, there are four of them.
　Why?

'I thought brave men were only for one person?'

　One person in the world.
　There is only one person in a generation.

　That is the system of the brave.

　Because the one and only brave person attacked alone with a limited number of companions, the Demon King's army also attacked him from the front.

　And that brave man........is he multiplying...?

　It's truly a mystery.

It is precisely because I had the stereotypical idea that there is only one brave man, that I couldn't help but be even more confused by this situation.

　Isn't there now only one official brave man in this world, Radie?

　Other than her, the first thing that comes to mind when I think of a brave person is Aranzir-san.
　But he was the previous brave, and he has a track record of having been a brave man once, so he's not exactly a brave man now.

　It's because he has retired that a new Radie has been re-elected.
　So, if Radey is still alive and well, why are there many more brave men and women on the scene?

''.........You seem to be confused.

　One of the three newcomers said.

　The low voice and physique make him look like a man, but his long bangs and the fact that half of his face is hidden makes it difficult to get an impression of him.

''Let me explain to the lazy and dumbfounded disqualified brave man here. The Center Guild has come up with a new policy.

　So it's only Radey who you're talking to.
　I'll just retire as a commoner who was here.

I've been told that a mere one brave man is not enough to defeat the Demon King. That's why we need more brave men.

　What's that simple idea?

That's where we were chosen. That's why we were chosen. We were the ones who came forward with you to participate in the ceremony for the selection of the brave men and women, but we were not chosen. ...huh?

　The other two men return the affirmation after receiving a look from the man with long bangs.

''This Zester, newly awarded the title of 'Hammer' hero.

　
　He was a huge man with a very masculine impression, which was a far cry from the first man with bangs.

''I was once unelected, but now that I have been given a new chance, I intend to do my best to respond, and I intend to do my best to live up to Master Arantzill's shame.

　He was a big man who spoke stiffly in a way that matched his appearance.
　He sounded somewhat like Sesha.

'It's your fault, Radey.

　And the last of the trio was another good-looking woman.
　Her body was so undulating that if she wasn't dressed in adventurer's battle gear, she could be mistaken for some noblewoman.
　She carried a large bow that was longer than her own height.

'Altamir...?!'

　While Radey called out the name.........

The new title of 'Archer' hero from the Center Guild is Altamir. ........The Center Guild was numb because of your goofing around. That's why they sent us out as a way to beat your ass.
I know you spanked me earlier, but...?
What?
What?

　Anyway, let's continue.

''........This, from now on, the four of us will be competing with each other to defeat the Demon King!　If you don't want to get ahead of me, you'd better panic a little!
It means we don't have time to be laying around here. It's possible that one of us could bring down the demon king if we don't take it easy.
You don't need that warning. If they want to drop out, let them drop out.

　All three parties talk about it in different ways.

　But I still couldn't grasp the situation.

　I had no choice, so I whispered an earful to Radie next to me.

'Are they...?'
These are the contestants who once competed in the brave selection ceremony. I competed with them to win the title of hero.
Oh, yeah?
''Master Aranzir has announced his retirement, and hundreds of fierce men have come forward to take his place. .........Those three are the most talented of them, who made it to the final selection.

　Is that why they chose you to be the new hero?

　But I do recall one thing when I heard that I was once a candidate for bravery.

　Once, a guy calling himself that had visited the village of Laxx before.
　Noltiya, was it?
　I once beat him to a pulp because he said he was a candidate for the brave.

　He was three times lower in heart and strength, but now a guy with the same title has barged in with a group this time...?

Don't get me wrong.

　The more beautiful of the three noticed my disgusted look, and the more beautiful of the three excused themselves.

'We've heard about Nortiya. We have heard about Noltiyah, and what he has done in this village is unforgivable. We apologize to you again and again.

　Huh?

He was too immature to be a hero. He will be imprisoned for defaming the name of courage and will be out of the world for a few more years.

　And the big, muscular man also said.

''That's why it's not right to have that incompetent person with you. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that Noltiyah was only a candidate for the brave and never advanced beyond that. In contrast, we are now officially heroes.

　The creepy man with the longest bangs says with authority.

I'm Pigalo," he says, "and I've been given the title of 'The Sword'. I've been awarded the title of hero of the sword. The blood of the demon king will be smeared on this sword that I use, and it will turn to rust.

　And then he pulled out the sword from his waist.

It's just a matter of luck that you were chosen as the hero. I'm sure that I should have been chosen as the hero.
''.........?
The proof of this is that you are unable to break through to the Four Heavenly Kings, and you've become stuck in a stagnant state. You can't get away with it. I'm sure you're not the only one who's been trained, but I know what's really going on.
What?

　You say you're not like Nortiya, but you look like Nortiya someday, you fringe man.

You have lost your confidence. You can't even make a sound, because you realize that you are not capable of accomplishing the mission of a brave man, but you can't make a sound. That's why you ran away to this country village!

　He said 'country village' again.
　You mean my village....!

Don't do it, Pigaro, it's not worth it.

　A beautiful woman with a bow conquers the forelock man who shoots off his mouth in a proud manner.

''A brave man must also have first-class dignity, have you forgotten that lesson?　You're being very vulgar right now.
'If you claim to be a brave man, we will also bear the fame of our predecessors. If your misbehavior brings disgrace to Master Aranziel's name, it will punish you for it.

　Even the giant man turned to attention, and the bangs man, relegated to a minority, sniffed boringly.

''Hmph, what's the matter with your behavior? The mission of a brave man is to defeat the demon king. As long as the Demon King is defeated, the significance of a brave man will be shown...!
What you guys say...

　An argument was about to start among the friends and it was Radie who stopped it.
　He is healthy and concerned about getting the conversation back to the main point.

''........I have a general understanding. The Center Guild is frustrated that I'm not making much progress in defeating the Demon King. So I appointed you guys as new heroes and sent them over.
Yeah. I hear you're smart enough to know what's going on.
But there are things I don't understand.

　The man with the bangs... was his name Pigalo?
　Ignoring Soitz's provocation, Radey continued.

''If you guys became heroes and were officially appointed to defeat the Demon King, why are you all here together?　Isn't that exactly what we should do, attack the Rasperda Fortress straight away in order to defeat the Demon King?

　Radey had a point, and if he wanted to outsmart her and hog the credit, that's exactly what he should do, he should charge down to the Demon King's door without saying a word.

　Well, you'll never be able to defeat her, though.

''That's........?''

　The bangs man looked away from his gaze in frustration.
　The beautiful woman says instead.

''Of course, it's to level the playing field.
Fair?
''It's not fair for you to smoke in the countryside like this and defeat the Demon King before you know anything about it. We're going to compete fairly and honestly to decide who will defeat the Demon King first!

　You can't beat him, though.

Come on Radie, your vacation is over. Now you must be brave enough to stand up again and take on the Demon King. Join us. Get out of this dump!

　This guy called it a country village again.