Reincarnation as a Great Demon Lord - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: The Great Demon King Corrupts the Hero

The 'Hero of the Holy Sword' I captured had somehow turned into a slightly foolish, large dog.

Specifically, she was drooling and fast asleep on my bed in my room. This is the heart of enemy territory, mind you. Isn't her lack of nerve control a bit much?

She was clutching a blanket like a body pillow, and because she was only wearing thin undergarments, her physique was clearly visible. It was a charming figure, different from the perfectly proportioned body of Seren or the well-trained physique of Egret. She had a healthy plumpness, and yet her own slightly dark aura gave an immoral impression.

On one hand, I should be impressed by her nerve to sleep soundly in the center of enemy territory, but on the other, I'm simply dumbfounded. I think being dumbfounded is the correct response.

However, she looked so comfortable that I hesitated to wake her up.

Moreover, she was strangely cute. I may be the Final Boss, but in my previous life, I was just a regular Japanese person. I have a genuine resistance to the barbaric act of forcibly waking up a cat or dog sleeping in the sunlight.

Reluctantly, I sat down in a chair to take a breather.

I noticed that the meal brought in this morning hadn't been touched. I couldn't tell if she had the sense to be wary of the food, or if she was simply refusing to eat.

There were no signs of struggle. Her magical power was sealed by the magic Arcelia cast and the castle's barrier, but there seemed to be another reason for the Hero of the Holy Sword's lack of resistance.

If that reason is what I suspect, the execution of the 'Hero Dark-Side Plan' will be much easier. I’ll have to confirm that with her.

However, she is completely different from the original character. Ah, well, the My Solasia series is an old-school RPG, so the protagonist's characterization is minimal, but the image is still quite different. The protagonist of My Solasia is typically serious and diligent. They shouldn't have been this much of a downer.

...I can somewhat guess the cause. People who are earnest and good tend to break easily when they finally do.

"—Mmm."

Lost in thought, the Hero slowly stirred and sat up. Her half-open eyes surveyed her surroundings, and then, without surprise or fear, she simply sighed. Then, she flopped back down onto the bed.

...It seems she's planning to hit the snooze button on someone else's bed. That takes guts. At this point, it's almost commendable.

But if she goes back to sleep, I'll be left waiting.

"You are awake, Hero."

I spoke, maintaining my dignity while keeping my voice as gentle as possible. The Hero flinched, like a wild rabbit spotting a predator.

However, she made no move to escape or brace herself. She slowly turned back to me, allowing me to see her eyes.

Lifeless, dull eyes. She was so frail that she looked like she might disappear at any moment, and it clearly spoke of the Hero of the Holy Sword's mental state.

"It seems you are uninjured. You are sturdy."

The Hero did not answer, but that's fine for now.

What I want to know are her non-verbal reactions. I can glean a lot of information from her gestures and expressions.

For example, she is unconsciously gripping the blanket right now. This is a sign of caution towards me. However, her gaze is downward, and she shows no sign of looking for weapons or an escape route. This means she has no intention of resisting.

Even if I changed my mind and tried to kill her, the Hero of the Holy Sword would likely accept death without doing anything.

"You didn't eat your meal. Was it not to your liking?"

From her complexion, she should be hungry. Yet, her expression shows no sign of that kind of hunger. Her hunger and thirst are being suppressed by a much stronger impulse.

The conclusion drawn from all this information is that the Hero of the Holy Sword is in a state of severe depression. Listlessness, loss of appetite, and suicidal ideation (the conscious wish to die) are classic symptoms. While some people experience insomnia, it is also common to be unable to get out of bed, as she is.

...I have experience with this. Immediately after losing my parents, I stayed in bed and slept continuously. I kept hoping that when I woke up, this painful reality would turn out to have been the dream.

In that sense, the Hero of the Holy Sword is also at a crossroads. To choose the good path or the evil path. And pushing her towards the evil path is what a Final Boss does.

"I shall have something prepared for you later. Do you have any requests?"

However, precisely because my dreams are high, I must approach her carefully and patiently.

The current 'Hero of the Holy Sword' is standing on a precarious balance. Not just between good and evil, but between life and death.

If she were to die now, all my hard work would be for nothing. It's better to take the time to slowly conquer her heart.

The Hero of the Holy Sword is also human. When a person is weakened... Speaking of which, it's cumbersome to keep calling her the Hero of the Holy Sword. Perhaps I should ask for her name.

"What is your name?"

"............What do you want?"

Although it wasn't the answer I wanted, the Hero spoke. Her voice was clear and pleasant to listen to, but again, it lacked strength. The volume was barely a whisper.

She is truly broken. The fact that the hero who defeated the previous Demon King is in such a state is baffling yet easy to imagine.

To rulers and organizations, an outstanding hero is a thorn in the side.

Whether the person is obedient or rebellious, there will always be a movement to eliminate them, and they are subconsciously feared simply for their power and talent. Once that happens, gratitude and respect for the person's achievements are quickly forgotten, and they get caught up in ugly power struggles.

No, it's more than that. Being killed outright might still be a better outcome. In the worst case, like the Hero before me, they are used relentlessly and then discarded as a pawn in the end.

This was hinted at even in the original story. The generals and soldiers of the Human Army, while celebrating the continued success of the Hero of the Holy Sword, also felt fear. That fear would have grown stronger the further they were from the front lines.

Moreover, judging by what Seren and Arcelia said, the Hero of the Holy Sword accomplished the defeat of the Demon King all by herself. This is the 'Sword of Solitude' route from the original story. Since she had no other Heroes or companions to cross the line of death with, she was truly alone.

Personally, I respect the way she achieved such a great feat on her own.

I respect it, but it is convenient for me. Loneliness is what eats away at a person's heart. Only a Final Boss can withstand it.

"I want to talk to you. After all, I have been awake for less than a month. This is the first time I have met a Hero face-to-face."

This was not a lie. It was Egret who fought the Hero defending the fortress city, and I only watched. I haven't had a chance to speak with her since. I may have played the original game, but that doesn't count as meeting her.

"...Just kill me. I don't want to be humiliated."

"I will not kill you. And I promise you will not suffer the humiliation you are thinking of. Those are the words of a King; I will not break them."

For me, this is a sufficient guarantee, but the Hero naturally doesn't believe me.

In fact, she says she doesn't want to be humiliated, but I can see in her eyes that even that is something she doesn't care about.

I know what the Hero of the Holy Sword's true desire is.

In last night's battle, she uttered the words, "make it stop." The meaning is clear: to end everything, one must die.

But I cannot grant her that wish. I have already taken a liking to her.

"............You won't kill me. You won't torture me. You won't humiliate me. What is it you want to do with me...!"

The Hero curled up, pushing her face into the pillow as if throwing a tantrum. It's my pillow, but pointing that out would be somewhat idiotic, so I'll refrain. If the Hero is fine with it, no one is inconvenienced.

"I told you, I want to talk to you. Once we finish talking, you are free to do as you please."

"I don't believe you..."

"That is fine for now. After all, you and I have been enemies until now."

"Until now...?"

Though she didn't raise her face, the Hero questioned me.

This is a good sign. If she were completely apathetic and unresponsive, even I would be helpless, but since a conversation is possible like this, an approach can be made.

"You wished for an end in the throne room. As you wished, at that time and in that place, your time as the Hero ended."

"...I didn't die."

"Indeed. You are alive. And I do not wish to kill you. If that is the case, why don't I take responsibility for it?"

The Hero lifted her face from the pillow and looked at me. The light in her eyes was still dead, but I did not miss the faint flicker of hope in their depths.

"Hero of the Holy Sword. I shall show you a new path. From now on, you shall live as my Hero."

With those words, I extended my right hand to her. That hand will not be taken now, but someday, I will make the Hero take it herself.

I will add her to my army no matter what. As the Great Demon King's Hero, the 'Hero of Darkness.'

To that end, I shall invest time and effort to capture her heart.

---

SIDE: The Hero of the Holy Sword

One hundred years ago, I defeated the Demon King as the Hero of the Holy Sword.

I did it because it was something no one else could do, something only I could do. I believed it was my mission.

I didn't do it to be acknowledged or thanked by anyone. But, at least, I wanted to hear just one word: 'Well done.'

But instead of those words, what awaited me was 'sealing' by the other Heroes.

It was the 'Cocoon Slumber' that would last until the next Demon King appeared. I slept in it for one hundred years, quietly in a ruin in the Demon Realm, without ever being found by anyone.

Even while sleeping, I was vaguely conscious. So, I kept thinking. Why did this happen to me?

Logically, it was to prepare for the next Demon King who would eventually appear. I remember a certain mage saying that my unique existence was being maximized for effective use.

But I know that wasn't all.

The eyes of everyone who looked at me were always filled with fear. I thought it was directed at monsters and the Demon Army, but all of that was directed at me—the non-human thing.

That's why I was sealed. Someone suggested that if something is scary but useful, it should be put to sleep and only awakened when needed.

But then I understood. My only value was a single thing: defeating the Demon King. I was useless and a nuisance otherwise, so everyone sealed me, and my parents abandoned me at an orphanage.

If that's the case, I have to prove that single value. Otherwise, everything will become meaningless.

So, when I awoke from the seal, I immediately ran towards the presence of the Demon King, which I felt far away. I didn't sleep or eat for three days and three nights, but I didn't care. No matter how much my body suffered, it was nothing compared to the heaviness in my heart.

Yet, I lost.

This Demon King is fundamentally different from the previous one. Not in appearance or power, but something more essential.

That's probably why I lost. Even the 'Holy Sword' sent from 'Heaven,' the proof of being the Hero among Heroes, abandoned me.

So, I wanted to end it all, and I thought I could. I thought this strange Demon King would kill me.

Those chosen as Heroes cannot commit suicide. The Goddess decreed it so that they cannot escape their mission.

But I'm alive. Moreover, this Demon King—this strange Demon King who calls himself the Great Demon King—told me, "I shall show you a new path."

His voice sounded sweet in my ears.

That is why I cannot nod. I must not nod. My only wish is for it all to end. A useless person like me should just disappear.

Ah, but I don't know. How long can I resist this voice?

---

← Previous Chapter | Index | Next Chapter →

---