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Reincarnation as a Great Demon Lord - Chapter 3

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Chapter 3 – The Great Demon Lord Learns His Power

The unification of this Demon Realm Coreheim. That is my first mission as the Final Boss, the Great Demon Lord.

You could call it a prerequisite. If I can’t even unify a single world, there’s no way I can call myself the Final Boss. And if the Great Demon Lord can’t do what the “Demon Lord” of the original story did, it’s meaningless.

I’ve already grasped the state of the Demon Realm. Next, I need to confirm my own abilities. I have to know what I can and cannot do in this current form. Without that, nothing can begin.

Especially if this world is the same as that of Mythologia, checking ability stats and special traits is the top priority. In the game, you just press a button to bring up a menu, but…

—Beep!

While thinking this atop my throne, a strange electronic sound echoed in my mind. Suddenly, a semi-transparent Status Screen appeared before me.

A Status Screen. The same one I’d often seen in the original Mythologia 3.

Through it, I could see the maid, Selen, busily preparing meals. Apparently, only I could see this.

For a moment, I wondered if I’d somehow entered the game world itself—but my instincts whispered otherwise. The instincts of a Final Boss rarely fail.

Then it must be… magic. I am using magic right now.

If I recall correctly, in the game’s lore, the hero and their companions had to use a certain magic to view status screens and other information.

Yes, it was called “Information Analysis.”

Convenient. Since it’s in the same format as the original game, I already know how to read it—and more importantly, it’s easy to understand.

Still, just because it’s easy doesn’t mean I can overestimate it. Personality, upbringing, human relationships—things that cause real problems are rarely quantifiable.

…But I can’t help feeling excited.

In the Mythologia series, enemy stats were masked data, completely unreadable. Even due to the developer’s mysterious super-technology, no analysis was possible, and even official strategy guides only gave approximate information.

And yet here I am, peeking at what they wanted to hide so badly. It thrills me in a way only a Final Boss could enjoy.

Now, the important thing: ability stats.

The viewable stats are “Strength,” “Defense,” “Magic,” “Agility,” and “Luck”—just like in the original game.

All of them are four-digit numbers, roughly equivalent to what the hero achieves at max level in the original game.

But one stands out. In the original game, and for the hero side, this couldn’t happen.

Magic.

Instead of a number, it says ∞ (Infinity). In other words, my magic power is unlimited.

…It feels almost anticlimactic, but unlimited magic is incredible. Even in the original, the Final Boss, the Demon King, never ran out of magic. This must be how it was internally represented.

No clever strategy of waiting for the enemy’s MP to run out would work on me.

Still, I can’t be careless. Infinite resources are useless if I don’t use them wisely. In the original, the Demon King Gaiserius often relied on physical attacks rather than magic, making him easy to counter.

Yes, in both story and game mechanics, the original Demon King was… simple-minded. Attacking multiple times against a target in Physical Reflection state—pure idiocy.

“Hmm.”

I shift my gaze to the other fields.

“Race”: Demon King. Straightforward. But the simplicity itself exudes Final Boss style.

“Age”: 0 years. Understandable, since I just reincarnated. My physical age appears to be 18–20. I might prefer a touch more gravitas, but that can be compensated by my inner Final Boss Aura.

And the most important field: Special Traits.

In Mythologia, special traits assigned per character or race often mattered more than stats. Fans even judged character power based on them.

My trait reads: “Crown of the Dark Abyss, Anra-Zuqar-Nine.” Probably referring to the two horns on my head.

The name is good. A crown represents a king’s authority; for a Final Boss, the more imposing, the better.

But the name alone isn’t enough. What matters is the effect.

Crown of the Dark Abyss

  • Twin horns of the Demon King. Act as a conduit to the demon world, allowing extraction of infinite magic.

  • Grants the ability to use the traits, skills, and magic of those who swear loyalty to me.

  • “The king commands: all who serve, offer yourselves completely.”

 I see. The horns grant me unlimited magic and allow me to learn the traits of my subordinates. No wonder the original Demon King could use the abilities of different races. Though in practice, he only used about five.

But the key is: “those who swear loyalty to me.”

A trait that lets me wield the power of those loyal to me means—if no one is loyal, I effectively have no traits.

And right now, no one has sworn loyalty. In other words, I am… the powerless one in a shonen-style battle story.

…Like a protagonist! But still, maybe it’s Final-Boss-like?

“G-Great Demon King?”

“Oh, yes. What is it, Selen? You look concerned.”

“Ah, no… You just looked deep in thought… I’m sorry I only have this simple meal ready… even though you’ve awakened.”

Apparently, I must have looked very serious for her to worry about such a trivial thing.

“It’s nothing. I appreciate your devotion. I was thinking about something else—namely, the future of this Demon Realm. That is always on my mind.”

“I-I see! My apologies, Great Demon King! How foolish of me to speculate when you were contemplating so profoundly…”

“Enough. I look forward to the soup you’ve prepared.”

Hearing this, Selen happily continued her meal preparations. She’s a little too easily impressed, but that’s part of her charm.

Still, I mustn’t forget: a Final Boss must always exude confidence and a sly smile. I almost—Ah, I forgot about Selen.

Selen is my maid. She says so herself, and I intend to test it.

I summon the status screen again and focus on the Crown of the Dark Abyss. Its details appear:

A trait has indeed been added: “Phantom Cloak of Illumination.”

Effect: "Covers your appearance and clothing in a phantom veil, allowing transformation into the desired form."

A high-precision disguise—or rather, transformation.

I recall the tales of succubi appearing in men’s dreams in the form of their ideal lover. Apparently, a trait from a dream-demon species now resides in me.

…This trait is extremely useful.

Though the phantom effect only covers my body and clothing, it allows a Final Boss to always present an appearance of confidence and authority. Showing a pitiful or desperate appearance would lower my story presence and boss-level.

With this trait, I can always maintain the aura of the Great Demon Lord.

This is exactly what I wanted—and thanks to Selen’s service, I’ve obtained it. I’ll have to reward her soon.

Other than this… no, there are no other traits yet. Of course, since Selen is my only subordinate.

But if I can recruit more, my traits could grow infinitely.

In summary, I am a vessel of potential. Empty stats allow for limitless possibilities. I can pursue a power unlike the original Demon King—or even become the perfect Great Demon Lord.

This is Final-Boss-Style Positive Thinking. Even if a boss’s goals are negative—destroy humanity, obliterate the world—their actions must be positive. Otherwise, managing a vast organization is impossible.

Thus, I will grow stronger by gathering subordinates. Strength, intelligence, physical power, authority—any power is never wasted. This is no different in this world.

“Great Demon King, the meal is ready.”

“…Very well.”

So, having decided my next steps, I face the soup.

Purple in color, floating in it is a living creature’s eyeball—though I had expected meat.

…Well, food is food. Basic needs provide vitality and strength. Even if my body doesn’t need it, I will eat gratefully.

Surprisingly, it tastes good. Especially the eyeball.

Selen tears up in joy when I compliment it. It’s a family recipe passed down through generations.

As expected of me—I can communicate perfectly at all times. A product of Final-Boss Human Management Techniques.

“Now, Selen. Besides you, is there anyone else in this castle?”

After finishing, I ask, aiming to learn about potential subordinates and this world.

The castle is large. Judging from the size of the throne and audience hall, it’s probably comparable to Osaka Castle in Japan. Even if it’s dilapidated, it’s unlikely Selen lives alone.

“Yes, Great Demon King. Besides me, low-level monsters such as slimes and wisps wander the castle. They occasionally follow my instructions and help with repairs.”

“I see.”

Slimes and wisps are low-tier enemies in the original game, encountered early on. In other words, more like wild animals—or microorganisms and plants. I doubt commanding them counts as loyalty. Worth testing, though…

“Oh! I almost forgot about someone.”

“Someone?”

Selen looks guilty, as if she just realized she forgot a very important person.

“Indeed. Besides me, there is one other who serves from the previous Demon King’s era. Not a mere servant like me, but someone who once led one of the Four Great Battalions of the Demon Army.”

“Bring them here.”

Selen bows and rushes off.

If it’s one of the Four Great Generals, one of the famous Demon Army Four from Mythologia 2, then this could be promising…!

But who exactly?

The noble giant “Red Scale King”?

The secretly surviving greatest wizard, “Green-Clad Devotee”?

The strategist “Azure Skin”?

Or the supposedly extinct “Black Blood Princess”?

All of them were popular characters in the original game, with rich backstories. Unlike the naive original Demon King, they had conviction and ambition.

It fills me with excitement. I will recruit them and have them play a major role!

“—Ah. You’ve really awakened, haven’t you?”

A few minutes later, a blonde-haired, crimson-eyed little girl appears, rubbing sleepy eyes, wearing an oversized white coat.

…None of the Demon Army Four I know looked like this. What in the world is going on…?

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