Chapter 197 - Just tell me

Ren looked at the smiling Harold with a frown on his face. This man claims to be his descendant but since there's no way to verify this statement Ren decided not to believe it. Though Harold's story was somehow believable since most of what he said was something that really happened. He even knew about the half-human grandchild that he knew nothing about. Still, what happened in his past life, was not something he should worry about. 

"What are you talking about? Who are you calling your ancestor? You're older than me and you claim that I'm your ancestor, that must be the most idiotic joke I have heard." Ren acted like he had no idea what Harold was talking about. 

"There's no need to lie to me. Your personality, your abilities, and your overall demeanor is practically the same as the stories about you. Also, I find it weird that a human that is as young as you, that isn't even someone with a hero's constitution to be so strong. I don't know how you did it but you somehow were able to reincarnate into a human." Harold was feeling excited as he was sure that the person in front of him was the legendary supreme demon, the demon lord Kretos. 

"So you're basing all of this on a guess? Heh, you're a very funny guy, unfortunately, your guess is wrong. I don't understand what personality this demon lord had nor do I know what abilities he used, but if they are like mine then it should've been a coincidence. Surely there have been countless people who had the same personality and set of skills as I. Do you think all of those people were reincarnated, demon lord?" Ren answered without being agitated by Harold's insistence. 

'This kid is claiming to be my descendant does have some validity to it. If I didn't acquire that diary I wouldn't believe even one word from his mouth. Still, even if he truly is my descendant from my former life, if he gets in my way then he will die.' 

Ren wasn't that attached to his former life, for in his mind as long as he could have a great fight every now and then everything else doesn't matter. Though, he was still a bit distracted by the news of having a granddaughter that was a half. Ren was feeling things he had never known and was surprised by it. Even though he was claiming that things regarding his past life were not things his current self should be bothered about, deep inside of him there was still a bit of worry. 

He had multiple sons and daughters but none of them had a child, that's what he thought before. So knowing that his bloodline had survived made him feel a bit emotional which was weird for him. As Ren was thinking about the diary and his supposed granddaughter, Harold had approached him. 

...

Harold was truly convinced that the man before him was his ancestor, the most powerful of demon lords. Harold had heard the stories of the demon lord's greatness ever since he was but a wee child. The Demon Lord Kretos the most powerful of all ancient demons. Power so great that none before and none after could come close. 

Harold couldn't hold it in as he saw Ren. The time for the demons to get back what was theirs was finally nearing. The time that they can finally emerge from the shadows of history was coming, and Ren was the key. Yet what was his esteemed ancestor saying? Telling Harold that he wasn't Demon Lord Kretos. 

The dream of conquest was something he had when he first heard the stories about the supreme demon. To show the other races that they weren't failures. Harold had other plans when he came to New Grenton, but when he learned of Ren's existence all of his past plans changed.

"Alright then Ren, if that is what you wish to be called by, I will call you using that name. But I just hope you would admit that you are demon lord Kretos. I won't tell anyone, I just want to hear that truth from your lips." Harold's calm demeanor was changing into something more crazed. His voice sounded like he was pleading. Ren even noticed that Harold was open and closing his hand looking a bit anxious about something. 

"I don't know if you're stupid or just crazy. I already told you I'm not a demon lord nor was I ever one. I'm just Ren nothing more nothing less." The moment Ren answered as such, Harold gripped Ren's shoulder. Ren saw the move coming and was about to dodge but for some reason, his body was unresponsive for a second. That small gap was enough for Harold to be able to hold Ren's shoulder. 

Ren was confused as to what happened to his body that made it stop at that moment. While Ren was trying to figure out what Harold did at that second, he felt Harold's grip on his shoulder got even tighter. 

"Please don't do this to me, just please tell me the truth. I don't understand why you sided with the humans, or why you even reincarnated into a human. I don't understand why you're traveling with a human with the constitution of a hero. I don't understand a lot of your plans or what you are trying to achieve, but that's alright I can accept all of these things to be part of the bigger picture. You are after all an unfathomable being, I promise I won't mess up your plans. I will even help you with whatever plans you have if you ask of it. Just please tell me the truth, tell me that you are Demon Lord Kretos." Harold's eyes were showing a very crazed expression as he said his piece. 

Ren took Harold's hand that was clenching his shoulder and pushed it aside. Harold stumbled backward as he looked at Ren still full of unwillingness. Ren dusted his shoulders off before answering the crazy person in front of him. 

"I already told you multiple times that you're wrong. I'm not the person you think I am, nor will I ever be that person... Still, let me humor you a bit and let's say that by some extreme coincidences that I was the person you keep on blabbering about, what does it matter? It doesn't change that I'm still Ren. Well whatever, I just came here to figure out who you are, and give you a warning. You can continue to stay and run your shop as long as you don't do anything against me." Ren was then about to turn around and leave when he heard Harold mutter something. 

"So even now you won't admit who you are. If you won't admit it willingly, then I will talk to you in the only language you seem to understand." Harold then removed the two rings on his fingers. The moment the rings were removed Ren saw Harold's dark black eyes turn into shining gold. Not only that his mana output spiked. 

"Ren I challenge you to a duel." The moment those words escaped Harold's mouth, Ren who was standing a few feet away from Harold suddenly moved and instantaneously got in front of Harold. 

"I accept," Ren answered while he was about to deliver a devastating chop.