Why did Xylo Forbartz kill the goddess?
This is the question that drives the dark, complex plot of Sentenced to Be a Hero, casting a shadow over Xylo’s reputation as the former Captain of the Holy Knights.
When he is introduced as Penal Hero Unit 9004, he is already a condemned man. A hero who is accused of betraying his vows to commit the ultimate taboo “Deicide” (Goddess Killer).
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In this article, we will explore the background of the Sentenced to Be a Hero’s protagonist Xylo Forbartz and uncover the tragic events that led him to stain his hands with divine blood.
Who is Xylo Forbartz in Sentenced to Be a Hero?
In Sentenced to Be a Hero, Xylo Forbartz is the protagonist and a former prodigy of the Holy Knights. Before the events of the series, he was the celebrated Captain of the Fifth Order, known for his strength and dedication to humanity’s war against the Demon Blight.
However, his life changed forever when he was found guilty of murdering the goddess, Senerva. This crime stripped him of his rank and humanity, forcing him into the role of a “Penal Hero”, a soldier who is repeatedly resurrected to fight suicide missions until his soul eventually breaks.
Despite his grim reality, Xylo possesses a sharp, tactical mind and a hidden depth of compassion, which becomes evident as he fights to protect his new partner, the goddess Teoritta.
In the 2026 anime adaptation, Xylo is voiced by Yohei Azakami in the Japanese version and David Matranga in the English dub.
Why did Xylo Forbartz kill the goddess Senerva?
The mystery surrounding Xylo’s crime is revealed through his “Prison Records” and internal monologues. While the public believes he killed her out of malice or madness, the truth is far more tragic.
Xylo and Senerva were deployed to the Uthob Front with urgent orders to rescue a stranded friendly squad known as “Unit 7110.”
However, upon arrival, they were ambushed by Demon Blight Number Eleven. They fought desperately, waiting for reinforcements that had been promised but never arrived.
The situation was hopeless. Senerva, realizing that capture would mean corruption and defilement by the Demon Blight, made a final, desperate request. She begged Xylo to end her life to protect her dignity and the secrets she held as a goddess.
Xylo killed her not out of hate, but as an act of mercy. He accepted the burden of being her executioner rather than letting her suffer a fate worse than death.
Spoiler Warning: Contains major plot details from Sentenced to Be a Hero, Vol. 5 (light novel) The Prison Records of Penal Hero Unit 9004.
Who had set Xylo Forbartz up?
The tragedy at the Uthob Front wasn’t just bad luck, it was a calculated trap. Xylo later discovers that “Unit 7110” never existed as a human squad.
The unit was actually composed of highly intelligent, linguistic faeries (monsters) allied with a traitorous human faction. The distress call was a lure designed to lead a high-ranking knight and a goddess to their deaths.
The setup was orchestrated by a faction of humans known as “coexisters,” specifically a noble named Simurid Kormadino. This faction wished to negotiate peace with the Demon Blight by sacrificing their own heroes.
After the ambush, the military headquarters at Galtuile Fortress denied that the rescue orders were ever issued. They erased the records of the mission, leaving Xylo with no way to prove his innocence.
Isolated and betrayed, he was scapegoated for the death of the goddess and sentenced to his eternal punishment as a hero.
You can catch Sentenced to be a Hero on Crunchyroll.
