“Oi.”

“...”

“Oi, gramps ! Wake up.”

“Mgnn ?!”

“You fell asleep, gramps.”

“Is that so ?”

“So are you going to tell me or what ? This guy's story.”

“You mean... Ah, Azcheron.”

“Yeah, him. People keep talking about him, but to me it's all nonsense and crazy stuff. But you knew him, right ?”

“My, my. I knew him, indeed.”

“So what was he really like ? This legendary mage.”

“Eeh... A bit different from the stories, I'd say.”

“...”

“It's all in the past know, but he didn't leave a very good impression the first times I had to deal with him.”

“Whaddya' mean ?”

“He... kind of almost killed me.”

“Oh. Err... He was a hero, right ? You probably happened to be on the enemy's side or something ?”

“...”

“What ?”

“...No, not really ? But it doesn't really matter now.”

“Alright... Can you tell me more about him ?”

“Sure. Well for starters, he was really strong. Maybe more than the story says. His magic certainly was flashy. Yet there are many, many things the rumours are omitting or twisting.”

“Ooh, you hooked me. So ?”

“You've heard that he was admired and respected by all, kings and knights alike ?

“Yeah.”

“You've been told how he single-handedly defended the Empire when it was attacked by red dragons ?”

“Right.”

“And the talks about how he was so kind and gentle that he got the heart of every princess on the continent ? About how he subjugated demons and rescued people from ancient ruins ? You heard all that ?”

“I did. Was that all true ?”

“As if ! Kings and nobles hated him. He trashed palaces and mansions and acted all imperious in front of people. He had to fight dragons because he damn angered them and led them in the capital himself when he fled ! He was so rude I still don't get why he was popular with girls, and he made friends with demon lords like it was no big deal. And he HAD to rescue people from trap-filled crap-holes because HE forced them to come and explore them with him !”

“... I guess you were one of those 'rescued' people ?”

“Shut up.”

“So he was a jerk of some sort.”

“Dunno. I'd gladly say so, but even I don't know everything about him. He sure was worth remembering though... Hmrpf.”

“Does anyone know the full story ?”

“Maybe. I doubt it, but... That'd certainly be one damn story.”