I was a Nerfed Hero in Another World

"What do you mean the staffs are all gone? They should be there at the desk, right?" I asked, and went towards the ancient table that used to be the guild's server.

"The demons killed them. The Camelot Kingdom is sending some as we speak, but…" A long pause emerged from the conversation as the farmer heaved out an exhale. "But I doubt those people would be enough to defend our village for the next attack."

"Next attack?" I repeated.

"Aye. Like what I had said, the next attack. Within next week, the demons will strike back. It's a lot of time to prepare and defend this village," the farmer confessed, and urged his children to play outside. He looked at me and continued where he had left. "But I doubt we could defend the village even if we tried."

The two kids heeded his suggestion and raced towards the door. As the gate opened, the sun shone upon their figures. It was a brilliant ray of sunshine I had seen for a while.

"You're the only adventurer I've seen in this village. I don't want to ask where you'd come from but this." The man gazed into my eyes and continued, "When the time comes, protect my children for me. I am but a farmer, not a fighter. There might be a time that the demons would destroy this village. So please, take my children with you and promise me they'll be safe."

I was but a stranger to this man's eyes, and yet he sees me as a glimmer of hope left in his mind. It was burdensome for me to reject his offer, and I had no other choice but to look out for the little ones. If I planned to become a hero, this was my stepping stone to achieve that part.

"I will. I promise."

"Father, father! Look at this weird-looking turnip! Just like that ugly guy standing beside you!"

"For the millionth time, Afenos! Stop mocking the guest! He's an adventurer! Look at his sword on his waist! Mister, please don't hurt my brother if you get mad..."

After the two children's exchange, the farmer knelt to their side and caressed their heads. He turned his face to me and opened his mouth.

"I forgot to introduce these two brats to you! The little guy's name is Afernos Morgana. The girl's name is Rain Morgana. Rain's a bit older and mature than her brother." The farmer stood up and lowered his head. "My name is Aferous Morgana. I am just a farmer. But I ran down the guild, since nobody wanted to do it. What's your name?"

I did not know what name I needed to say, so I told them my actual name. I was most comfortable with them calling out for me with my given name.

"Arthur. The name's Arthur Wyllt." I answered.

The farmer nodded to himself, mumbling "that's a good name".

But before the family could say something different, I spoke my mind. Something bugged me after hearing the latter part of Aferous's sentence.

"Even the guild-master's dead?" I croaked.

The farmer gave me a nod.

The guild master was the strongest adventurer in the village or an empire. That title alone served as the ticket to enter the kingdom and meet with the king if a dire situation emerges. However, the guild-master alone did not hold power above the people. It was the other way around.

I did not want to ask Aferous if the former guild-master died, but the old man gave away the answer. He must have thought that I wanted to ask that question to him, given that my expression gave that away to him.

"The guild master died last month. A demon slew him. But he dealt with enough damage to make those bastards retreat. That brave comrade of mine gave his life and bought the others time to mend their wounds," Aferous expressed.

"Was there anyone who lived from that previous battle?"

"The only one that lived from that skirmish was an adventurer. I don't know if he's still in this town. I haven't checked up on that guy, since I was busy with my crops."

"Can you take me to that guy!" I pleaded.

"Sure. If you say so." The man let out a whistle, which alerted the two children. The pair came rushing in our direction, with smiles carved on their faces.

"Why did you call for us, father?"

"Is there something that we need to do, dad?"

Aferous pointed his forefinger in my direction and instructed, "Guide this man to Uncle Roger. This adventurer needs your help."

Rain had sparkles in her eyes as soon as she heard Aferous' commands. However, Afenos did not like what his dad had told him about, since it involved me going beside him.

"Why does it have to be me who needs to accompany him? Why not bring Rain alone? She likes it! I mean, look at her eyes! It's like the stars in the night sky!" Afenos snorted.

That guy had a grudge against me. I did not wrong him or anything! Afenos just hated me for being ugly, which should be the contrary, since this was my character in this game.

'If those girls from before flocked before me, that only meant that I was a charming man, was I?' I thought, but I brushed that thought aside.

"Settle down, Afenos. I know you hate this man for whatever reason you have. But he's the only adventurer that could defend this town. We don't want him to leave this village undefended now, don't you?" Aferous explained to the little kid.

Afenos, who acted like a child of his age, averted his gaze and gave his father a nod. "... I will. Come on, Rain. Let's go."

Afenos was the first one to go out of the guild, followed by Rain and me. Rain turned around and waved her father goodbye while the rest of us continued down the road. Aferous returned Rain's gesture and waved back in our direction.

The three of us went to the pavement and passed by a dozen townspeople working in the field. Some children went to my fore and greeted me. I was a stranger in their eyes, so they had smiles on their faces when they addressed me as their guest. The rest of the kids were too busy playing in their world, with their feet kicking the balls.

This world was unlike the image I usually see on Earth. Everything around us had a green hue covering the world. But on my previous planet, all we had were thick fogs that destroyed our lungs.

It was not the perfect place to live, but the planet did its job.

Every place my eyes wandered, the emerald colour greeted my eyes. The scent of fresh plants flowed through my nostrils, waking me up early in the morning. I did not need my coffee if I would live in this peaceful village.

But that aside, the demons would destroy this townlet. And it was my job to protect these people.

"The two of you are really close to your father, aren't you?" I said, shattering the peaceful atmosphere.

These kids did not enjoy talking to me while walking on the road. They glued their eyes to the side, staring at their fellow kids at their age, playing a soccer ball of some sort.

"Do you guys want to play? I can go on my own, and the two of you have fun." I suggested.

The boy in front of me was happy to hear that. "Really? Then go walk ahead and make a sharp turn on the right. After taking a right, go straight and find a hut with banana leaves on the house's roof. You won't miss it!. Did you hear that, Rain? Let's leave him already and play with our friends!"

"Fumu~, how many times do I have to tell you! Dad's instructions are absolute! We guide this adventurer towards Uncle Roger before we play! How many times does your brain need to understand that, my idiot brother!"

Those two siblings were at it once again, butting heads against each other. I caused their argument, so I did not dare to say something about it.

"Fine! Have it your way, then!"

After the last sentence of Afenos, a long pause entered our conversation. Comparing this silence from the one I had with the farmer, this talk was an awkward one. But this time around, it was Rain who struck the first sentence.

"Do you have parents, Mister Arthur?"

"Call me Arthur."

"Okay! Then can you tell me about yourself, Arthur? Where are your parents right now? We only found you near the crops. Since you are an adventurer, we tried not to pry into your life. But you had my curiosity! Now you have my attention~," Rain said, and gave out a chuckle.

Now that I think about it, I did not have any memorable experience back in my life. My parents were so addicted to playing Magique that they neglected me. We did not have any time to catch up or talk to one another. It was a cruel life, and that was what I knew.