Hermeura is based in medieval times, with fable characters like trolls, orcs, and elves, and many more. It captures the environment, Japhidus the young boy lives in. His ambition is to become a guard when he grows up and become a hero of his town.
During a school excursion, a boy in his class is taken by a troll, which concludes the king to decree a new law that forbids anyone from entering the forest. Those who disobeyed would be penalized by fine, imprisonment or even death. Though it didn't deter some boys from pressuring Japhidus into joining them, to search for the troll that took their friend. Deep into the forest, they found a house they believed was occupied by a troll so they attempted to vandalize it. They quickly learned, that it belonged to an old man, Saeben, who scares them off.
Had Japhidus not gone to the forest, he wouldn't befriend the gentle old man, nor would he learn about some aspects of wisdom in life.