Yuusha, Yamemasu (I'm Quitting Heroing)

What...

What is this...?

Live, live on, with all your might

Follow the light to the future

Betrayed and left behind in this lonely world

Fearing a tomorrow I've lost sight of

I search for the place I belong

My heart screams out, "I want to be needed"

I want to puzzle out these entwined identities, but can I trust them?

Live, live on, with all your might

Follow the light to the future

Even if you lose everything

Stay connected to hope

I don't know why I'm here

But that's all right with me right now

I have to overcome and press on

So I can smile with you again

A Good Warrior Isn't Always A Good Boss

That's just the problem!

My father always assumes everyone is on his level!

Yeah, I totally get that, and why this has got you so angry, Julietta.

Let's calm down a bit and have some tea.

It's from Raudadola.

My apologies.

So to summarize what you've heard from General Edvard...

"Oh, no, the soldiers I put through a hellish training regimen..."

"...were defeated by a mere arch chimera!"

What a pathetic lot! Weaklings, all of you!

The responsibility for this failure lies in the man who trained them: myself alone!

And the only way to atone for it is by taking my own life!

Talk about a Grade-A moron.

Not like dying would...

Lord Leo?

Oh, sorry.

It's not like dying would make his troops any stronger, nor would it solve the problem.

Yes, and thankfully, my father has abandoned the notion of suicide for now...

Arch chimeras are among the strongest chimeras.

The men we hired after the last battle are mere foot soldiers.

They had little hope of defeating it with their lack of experience and training.

Right.

I don't know if this is just Edvard,

but is there a reason he made his newbies fight that?

My father expects everyone to be just as strong as he is.

Oh...

You understand, yes?

When my father sees his new soldiers are unable to defeat an arch chimera,

he thinks his soldiers simply aren't trying hard enough.

Not trying hard enough...

That's an obnoxious phrase.

And most of the time, it's being said by the skilled or powerful.

They say they have their position by virtue of their own efforts,

but that's hardly ever the case.

A powerful fighter might've been born with a more muscular frame.

An intelligent planner might've been put through a good school from an early age.

They discount all the external factors that played a part in their success.

Why doesn't my father understand?

His strength is a boon, yes,

but sadly, it's hard for people to realize how unique and gifted they are.

Because it came naturally to them, they expect it to come naturally to everyone else.

That's how they delude themselves.

You're right.

It's easy for guys like him to assume everyone's on his level.

The issue we're seeing here is that good warriors do not always make good teachers.

When people want to train others to be strong like them, what do they do?

They ask themselves what they did to get where they are,

then have their trainees do just that.

If it's too tough for them, a good trainer will make it easier or change things up,

but the skilled and powerful can't do that.

They think the reason their trainees fail is because they're not trying hard enough.

You're fired!

And Edvard's a real hard worker.

That might be part of why he assumes it's effort.

Yes, and after he fought you, Lord Leo...

Ah, forgive me, should I call you Lord Onyx?

It's fine, no one's here. Go on.

After he fought you, Lord Leo, he cursed his lack of training...

...and redoubled his daily efforts.

This probably sounds obvious, but you really respect him, don't you?

I do.

I've always wanted to be just like him, ever since I was little.

Sadly...

His stoic, stubborn nature is working against him now,

and his hellish training is making his troops pass out from exhaustion right on the spot.

I'm surprised they're not just running away screaming.

His soldiers are just as serious about the cause as he is...

So they push themselves to their limits just to follow his orders.

Lord Leo, what should I do?

Leave it to me.

I'll handle it.

Lord Leo!

He's a living weapon created to defeat demons? Is that true?

I can't say, but that's what he told me.

At the very least, I know he lied when he said he joined us to destroy humanity.

Then why did he join us?

If he wanted to destroy the demon army, then he needn't take such a roundabout method...

He told me he's going to help us, though I don't know why.

It's simple!

He sees we're in trouble and wants to help!

I don't think that's why...

He wants to help 'cause he's a good person! I can tell!

Talk about naïve.

What?! But he is!

I will admit, he HAS helped every single one of us here.

And of course, if he does anything suspicious, we'll report him to Queen Echidna.

For now, shall we put our trust in him and keep a close eye on his actions?

I like that!

I suppose.

I said I'd handle it... But how?

Talking it out with him won't have much of an effect.

There's got to be a more direct method...

You know, there was that thing in Lily's report...

It's big, it's white, and it's super strong!

That's it!

Lord Onyx, are you here? The Demon Queen is summoning you.

H... He quit?!

Is that true, Your Highness?

Yes, General Edvard told me himself.

He declared he was no longer fit to lead troops as a general.

So, then, he's left the army?

Actually, no.

He's apparently returned to being a common foot soldier to train with his underlings.

Come, my superiors! Let us hunt and defeat powerful beasts to train ourselves!

Forward!

That hasn't solved anything! That's only made the problem WORSE!

I told him to rethink his decision, but he refuses to back down on this...

What do you think of this? Have you any--

Oh, no, my apologies!

I mustn't rely on you so, it's unbecoming of me!

I will find a solution myself!

Forgive me, Your Highness, but might I make a proposal?

Would you allow me to handle this situation involving General Edvard?

I-I couldn't...

I will see this resolved.

Very well. I leave it in your hands.

At once! I have some preparations to make, so I will take my leave.

One more thing, Onyx.

When this situation is resolved, there's something I must discuss with you.

Of course, Your Highness.

Here it is, Leo!

This is what Leo was telling me about...

Yes. An artifact from the Machine Age,

far more powerful than an S-rank chimera.

A machine golem!

A machine golem...

And this is one from the late end of the Machine Age, codename Phantom Nine.

They were built specifically to combat high-ranking demons.

And we're going to make use of it...

I've gathered you here not for a training exercise, but to make an announcement.

As of today,

I am stepping down from my position as General and rejoining as a foot soldier.

Julietta will be assuming the role of General henceforth.

Oh, Edvard, my sweet, summer child!

This harsh world of ours would never let you quit that easily.

I'll teach you that lesson here and now.

What is that?

Intruding upon our encampment and brandishing your weapons at us?

What are you standing around for?! Launch a counterattack!

I am still your general for today! Obey my orders!

Yes, sir!

Don't get too close, now. You guys shouldn't be fighting this thing.

What're you doing?! Retreating from the enemy? And you call yourselves soldiers?!

I-I'm sorry, sir, but our weapons can't do anything!

If you can't strike it, then draw its attention, or confuse it!

If you've time to complain, you've time to fight!

What's wrong? It stopped.

Oh no, did all that time underground break its components?

If it doesn't work, then my plans'll be for nothing!