[narrator] The Winged Knights
launch repeated assaults
on Castle Thor, while the
demonkin fend them off
in a never-ending cycle.
Meanwhile, Vermilio and
Helck make their way
through a barren desert
where Helck offers his sword
to Vermilio, revealing its true
identity as the "Hero Slayer."
[Helck] I'm gonna tell you about
my past, the power of heroes,
and everything else that
happened in the human realm
before any of this.
Then, once you've
heard the story,
perhaps you will
do me this favor.
[opening theme]
[WITH YOUNGER BROTHER IN TOW]
[dramatic fanfare]
[employer]
Here, you can have this.
What? Just some bread.
[HELCK, AGE 8]
But I worked all day long.
Times are tough
on everybody, all right?
[Helck]
Please, you gotta help me.
[employer] It's all I got.
If you don't like it,
then don't bother coming back.
No, I'm sorry.
[door thuds]
- [Helck sighs]
- [Cless] Stop it!
Leave me alone! That hurts!
[Cless whimpers]
[CLESS, AGE 4]
[bully] What's the
matter, loser?
Better block me,
or you're gonna get hit!
[bully groans]
[sword clangs]
Come on!
Fight back, little man!
Leave him alone!
[Cless] Helck?
[bully] Look who's here.
What, you think that you
could just tell me what to do?
That's not how it works
out here and you know it.
Is there something
you wanna say, piss rat?
That's what I thought.
Don't get on the bad
side of nobles.
You know what happens if you do,
you and all the other trash
on the street gets dealt with.
I will not defy you.
And well, if you wanna
hit someone, then hit me.
Hey, you know what?
Don't mind if I do.
[bully grunts]
[Cless] Helck!
[group laughs, feet thud]
[bully] There you go.
You like that?
Sorry, Helck.
[Helck] My brother and I
grew up orphans on the street.
[monster roars]
When I was six years old,
a hoard of beasts
appeared in our village.
It took the lives of
our mother and father.
The village was ravaged
and there was nothing left
to rebuild it.
[Cless cries]
[Helck] Listen, Cless,
we're still alive,
and no matter what happens,
we're going to keep on
surviving for Mom and Dad.
[Cless] Mommy, Daddy.
[Helck] It's all right.
I am here for you, okay?
I'm going to make sure
to keep you safe.
[emotional music]
[Helck] We headed for
the royal capital.
We thought that if any
place would have a job
we could do, it would be there.
[group laughs]
Come on. Get up,
you little b*tch!
[Helck] But it turned
out the royal capital
was vastly different from
what we had imagined.
The rich and the poor
grew farther apart,
and those with nothing were
treated worse than livestock.
The going was tough,
but we decided to stay.
We lived on the outskirts,
in the slums.
It was a dismal place with
hardly a scrap of food
to be found anywhere.
But compared to living with
the fear of monster attacks,
it seemed our best option.
Ah!
Damn, he's a tough little turd.
His big thick head
broke my sword.
Let's get going, guys.
I don't want stink
on my clothes.
Yeah. See you next time,
gutter boy.
You okay?
[Helck] Getting abused
by the nobility
became part of everyday life,
but I didn't care as
long as Cless was safe.
Are you all right,
Big Brother?
Yeah, don't worry about me.
[Cless whimpers]
I'm sorry!
I never should have
looked them in the eyes.
I know not to.
[Helck] Enough crying.
You need to toughen up.
I swore that I would
protect my little brother.
I would protect him
no matter what.
But you're all bloody and
beat up, and it's my fault.
You don't look
so great yourself.
You're in way worse
looking shape than I am.
I said, don't worry.
You know I'm tougher
than anybody, right?
Okay, here I go.
Super recovery mode!
[Cless] Man,
I wish I could do that!
[spurting]
[Vermilio] Wait a damn minute!
You could do that when
you were just a kid?
Uh-huh, from the beginning.
[Vermilio] Hold up.
That means your hero powers
had already awakened.
[Helck] Suppose so.
You're probably right.
But I just thought of myself
as being a little more
thick skinned
than everyone else.
I wonder when it happened.
I don't remember anything,
like suddenly getting powers.
[Vermilio] Maybe he awakened
when he was still just a baby.
Meaning he developed while
totally free
from any of the
usual human limitations.
No wonder he's so
goddang strong.
I'm sorry. Please go on.
I'm ready for more
hot chocolate. How about you?
[Vermilio] Oh Hell yeah!
[gentle music]
[Helck] The torment
never seemed to stop.
Sometimes they'd throw
our food into the river
and our corner would get
ransacked or lit on fire.
The older drunk nobles
could get so bad sometimes,
I thought they were
going to k*ll me.
And some days, whatever
money we could make
would just get taken away.
It got bad. But leaving the
royal capital
still wasn't an option.
Monsters had been spawning
outside of the city
in huge numbers,
bringing constant
chaos and death.
So no matter how bad the abuse,
it was better than the
thought of going out there.
Nonetheless, we tried
to remain optimistic.
[Helck] Bad news, Cless.
I got paid in bread again,
but guess what?
- It's filled with cheese!
- [Cless] All right!
[Helck] And look, I managed
to haggle for some eggs too.
[Cless] You're always
so good at that stuff.
Yeah, yeah, keep it
down, you little buggers.
[food sizzles]
[Helck] I didn't wanna
make life even worse.
Listen, Cless,
the day will come
when there aren't
so many monsters.
And we'll get out of here.
The two of us will
set out on a journey.
A journey?
Mhm, that's right.
We're gonna travel the world
until we find a place where
life is better than this.
Hmm.
[Cless gasps, laughs]
[Helck] I didn't
need wealth or luxury.
I just wanted to be with Cless.
As long as the two
of us could be happy,
it was more than enough.
But well,
there was more trouble
to come just around the corner.
[man] The body's immune
system has a hard time
working with such malnutrition.
[Helck] Come on, Cless.
- Hang in there, buddy.
- [man] And well,
your brother is very young.
[Helck] Cless!
He might not last the night.
He can't die.
You gotta do something.
I'm not a doctor, kid.
I've just seen this before.
Ugh, this is my fault.
I should have done more to
find better food for him,
then he would be okay.
Now, don't go blaming yourself.
Just how life goes around here.
He's not the only one, you know.
There's not much you
can do about fate, boy.
Oh, to hell with fate!
I won't accept it!
Cless is not dying!
Let's go.
I'm gonna find you
a doctor right now.
Don't be crazy, kid!
What can you hope to
accomplish without any money?
[Helck] I have some saved up for
when we were ready to move.
[door creaks]
Please, kid.
Don't go getting your hopes up.
Most of them think we're better
off dead in a ditch anyway.
Don't be a fool!
It's cold tonight!
Come back! Come back!
[wind whistles]
[tense music]
[Helck]
The old-timer had a point,
but there was no way I
was just gonna stand by
and watch my brother die.
[banging on door]
I went to house after house.
My little brother is sick!
Knocking on door after door
Get lost!
begging for help
over and over, but
[Helck] I have money!
I can pay!
And if it's not enough, I
promise I'll bring you more.
I'm begging you. Please just
take a look at my brother.
Hey, wait, how did
you get all that money?
[Helck] Huh?
[man] Such filthy street garbage
could never have that much
ever, unless he stole it.
No, I didn't.
I've been earning all
this little by little.
[man] Hey, call the guards!
We've got a thief out here.
- No! I didn't steal it!
- [man] Guards! Guards!
[Helck pants]
[Helck] I kept trying.
I couldn't give up on him.
- Hey, Bro
- I'm sorry, Cless.
But please just try to
hold on a little longer.
I'm sorry. I mean it.
I'm always causing
you trouble.
Oh, don't be silly.
You've never caused
me trouble ever.
Not even once.
Keep looking up.
I'm going to find you
a doctor anytime now.
[Cless] Okay.
[somber music]
[Helck] You know,
once the weather warms up,
why don't we head out?
It's hard to get much
food here these days,
and the neighbors
are such jerks.
Things might actually
be better for us
living with the monsters.
[Helck laughs]
Remember what I said,
about how we'd travel
and find a nice place?
That's where we're gonna live.
I know monsters and bandits
might be scary,
but we can do it.
I'll put on muscle until I'm
strong enough to beat them,
and I'll send 'em all packing.
I'm sorry.
Trust me. I'm always gonna be
there to protect you, buddy.
Buddy?
[footsteps crunch]
Huh?
Stay with me.
You can't die
in a place like this!
I started running frantically,
asking anyone
I could find for help.
Somebody help!
Please, I need some help!
My little brother is dying!
I have some money.
Please take me to a doctor!
I'm begging you!
Please help!
Somebody please help me!
[Helck groans]
Getting going,
you filthy vermin.
Don't spread your
diseases around here!
Go back where you came from!
[Helck] Please help.
Somebody, please help us.
Damnit, damnit!
[girl] Hey, little boy.
What's the matter?
[gentle music]
[Helck gasps]
What's the matter?
A noble.
You were shouting a moment ago.
What's going on?
M-my brother is dying
and needs a doctor.
I'm begging you.
Please help.
Save my brother.
[Helck gasps]
I'm sorry, Cless, I really am.
Damnit, I'm sorry.
[girl] Father, Father,
it's an emergency.
There's a dreadfully filthy boy
over there who's about to die.
[father] Sweetie, I
really need to teach you
about having more
tact in public.
[girl] Hurry, Father.
He's very sick.
[gentle music]
[Helck gasps]
[man] Hello, son.
How are we?
[gentle music]
The boy is very emaciated.
Let's get him to
a doctor right away.
Prepare the coach.
[staff] But, sir, you
will be late to the party.
[man] Inform them I won't
be attending tonight.
[staff] As you wish.
[gentle music]
[Helck] Cless just barely
survived the night.
A few moments later, and
he would've been gone.
[young Helck sobs]
The man who saved us
was a noble,
a member of the same hierarchy
that had made our lives
a living hell.
[Helck] Thank you, sir.
- But at that point.
- Thank you so much.
None of it really
mattered to me.
I can't thank you enough.
Gratitude was the only
thing I felt.
[Helck sobbing]
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much!
And from that day forward,
our lives begin to change
in very drastic ways.
[dramatic music]
[15 YEARS LATER]
[monsters screeching]
[blades clashing]
[mage screams]
[grunting]
We can't hold the
line any longer!
- Order a retreat!
- Don't be an idiot!
There'll be nowhere left for
us to go if they break through.
[soldier] But it's
impossible to defeat them
with just the troops
we have left.
[leader]
Retreating is not an option!
Now act like a soldier,
and keep fighting until
the last man!
[moster snarls]
Please, no way!
I don't want to die!
[Cless] Have no fear!
[monster snarls]
[blade slices]
[dramatic music]
[troops gasp]
[leader] He took it
down with a single strike.
[footsteps thud]
Look, it's Cless!
He's saved us!
Captain Cless of the Third
Infantry Regiment saved us all!
[troop gasps in awe]
[uplifting music]
Huh?
[CLESS, AGE 18]
We will not lose this position.
[soldiers cheer]
You, cover us from the rear.
Right!
Uh, uh.
Right!
Leave no monster standing!
Third Infantry Regiment,
follow my lead!
[soldiers yell]
We'll be right behind you!
[dramatic music, troop grunts]
[town cheering]
[gentle music]
[HELCK, AGE 22]
[Helck] The nobleman who
saved Cless was a member
of the prestigious
Raphaed family
who supported the royal family
since the kingdom's founding.
And at my time of desperation,
the only person who heard me
[DAUGHTER OF NOBILITY, SHALAMY]
was their eldest
daughter, Shalamy.
- Hey.
- Huh?
[Helck] For whatever reason,
she came to visit us
even after Cless got better.
[Helck] What do you wanna play?
We became friends.
There was no one else like her.
She didn't think bad of the
poor, and treated us normally.
[group laughs]
After we started spending
more time with her,
the number of nobles harassing
us started to dwindle.
They must have figured
we were servants
who were working for
Shalamy's family or something.
No matter the case,
it was truly comforting to me.
[gentle music]
But for some reason,
it left Cless at odds.
The people we knew from the
slums were still out there,
living in filth
and destitution.
And that fact ate at Cless.
He took no pleasure
from our new situation.
[Cless] Remember what
the old-timer said?
As long as monsters are around,
the people of the capital
will always feel unsafe.
[Helck] Yeah?
[Cless] And when
there's always a threat,
everyone focuses on
protecting their own.
So even if someone
started a movement
to stop the crimes against
the poor, nobody would join.
[Helck] Yeah.
But if the threat of
the monsters goes away
and people feel safe
in the kingdom,
then the capital will
be a much better place.
Yep.
[gentle music]
So, Helck, I wanna become
- a royal soldier someday.
- Hmm?!
I'll train to be a super strong
warrior like Shalamy's dad
and free everyone
from the monsters.
Okay.
[Helck] At the age of five,
Cless began following
the new path he chose.
[Cless grunting]
And from that point onward,
he would train his body
every day without fail.
[Cless grunts, gentle music]
He joined the army at 16,
and by the time he turned 18,
he had already been
promoted to Captain.
[townspeople cheer]
[Raphaed] Well, well,
great view from up here.
Huh? Oh, hey,
nice to see you, sir.
Greetings, Helck.
I happened to catch sight
of you while passing by.
Have you been well?
I have.
It looks as though Cless
has really made a name
for himself, huh?
Whenever he goes out
onto the b*ttlefield,
I get the feeling the
kingdom grows a bit brighter.
Actually, it's more
than just a feeling.
The people of the kingdom
have been totally won
over by his charisma.
That sickly boy from
all those years ago
grew into a more
capable warrior
than any other soldier
in the entire kingdom.
Hell, I don't even
think I could compete
with your brother at this point.
[Helck] Impossible, sir.
Don't sell yourself short.
[Raphaed] You don't
have to humor me.
Cless still has room
to grow even stronger,
and I have no doubt
that he will.
Uh-huh.
[Raphaed] I would go so
far as to say that Cless
may become the savior of
the whole of the realm.
[gentle music]
The savior, you think so?
[Helck laughs]
That is a lot for me to chew on.
[employer] Helck, where
the hell is that meat head?
- He better not be slacking!
- Oh, sorry, sir.
Better get back to work.
Right, of course.
Thank you for your time.
[foreboding music]
By the way, Helck.
[Helck] Yes, sir?
There's something
special about you, too.
I can feel something
powerful within you as well.
Now, it may just be
my imagination,
but I am willing to bet
you're just as strong
as your younger brother.
[Helck] Now, that is funny, sir.
I'm just beefy.
It happens when you do
a bunch of the heavy lifting.
Besides my swordsmanship is
terrible compared to Cless,
and he's a much better
fighter than I am.
[Raphaed] Hmm.
Casualties from monster
attacks are on the rise.
There wouldn't be as
much to worry about
if we had another Cless around.
Just a stray thought I had.
[Helck] Thanks and all,
but turns out I'm
just better suited
for construction and
moving heavy things around.
Fair enough.
That's an important job
in its own right.
Keep up the good work.
[Helck] Thinking about it now,
he was probably picking up
on some things
I hadn't even noticed
myself yet.
Huh?
Is that Cless and Shalamy?
Oh my.
Oh my, my, my.
Call me crazy, but I think the
flowers of love are in bloom.
Those two actually might
be more than just friends.
No, no way.
She's from a prominent
family of nobles.
That'll make it a
tough road for them.
But as his big bro, he can
count on my full support.
Um, Cless?
Your brother is all alone
with a giant grin
on his face.
My brother's smile
is perpetual.
You two always seem to be
in a positive way, don't you?
[Helck] Hmm?
Oh, glad you finally made it.
[Cless] Thanks for waiting.
I stumbled into Shalamy
on the way here.
[Helck] Ever since Cless
became a part of the army,
he and I were forced
to live apart.
Although we didn't see each
other often,
we would occasionally find
some time to meet up for dinner
and other stuff.
[group] Cheers!
[Helck] The days that the
three of us spent together
were some of the most
enjoyable I can remember.
[Cless] By the way, Helck,
I'll be leaving the capital
for another expedition
the day after tomorrow.
The monsters we've been assigned
to take care of are nasty,
so I might not be able to
come home for some time.
[Helck] Oh really?
Well, I'm not worried.
I know you're skilled enough
to bring down anything.
Just don't do too much.
If something happened to you,
I wouldn't be the only
one to mourn your loss.
[Cless] Right.
When I get back,
you're gonna have to cook
my favorite meal for me.
You know it! One of my special
stamina-boosting protein plates
will be waiting on the table!
Just make sure
you come back alive.
[Cless] Will do, Bro.
[Helck] Turns out,
we never got the chance
to have that party.
In fact, I got sent out too.
[ending theme]
[narrator] Next time:
"The Mercenaries"
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