CH 1

“That was splendid, Hero Eugene. Well done, You’ve defeated this Demon Lord Venomzard.”

I was in the Demon Lord’s castle.

A massive black dragon was lying in the collapsed audience chamber.

“To defeat me, the strongest and most feared of all. O Eugene, You are indeed the strongest Hero in history.”

“Well…Thanks…”

I lay there, sprawled out on the floor.

My body is in tatters.

The Holy Sword in my hand is covered in blood.

“Sigh~…Now, I can sleep peacefully.”

I don’t have any strength left to move my body anymore.

But that’s fine.

“O valiant one, are you that happy to have defeated me?”

“Yes, because now…I can finally leave the Black Heroes’ party. In two ways.”

When I close my eyes, I’m reminded of the grueling days leading up to today.

“To confront the most powerful Demon Lord in history, we must raise the strongest hero of all time!”

That was the day the current King ascended to the throne.

A grand project to educate the Hero began with the aim of seriously vanquishing the demon lord.

First, applicants were recruited from all over the country. Then they were sent to an educational institution where they competed against each other there.

The best gathered.

The strongest Sword Saint, Great Sage, Saint, and Fighter were chosen there.

I had experts in every field as my mentors and had them train me, a Hero candidate.

After my hellish training, I acquired the world’s best swordsmanship, magic, recovery techniques, and martial arts.

After that, I embarked on a journey to defeat the Demon Lord.

“I have been fighting and defeating enemies without a break… until now.”

By the way, my mentors followed me after I left on my journey.

They were watching to make sure I didn’t slack off.

“I see… That’s why you look like you’re on the verge of death.”

“But that’s all right. I’ve defeated the Demon Lord. Now, I am relieved of my duties…”

My strength slowly drained from my body.

I kept losing blood. If I don’t heal myself, I will die soon.

But I don’t have any magic power left.

“O Hero, I’m afraid you cannot do that yet.”

“… What… did you say?”

“The demon king’s army still remains. Therefore, your mission will not be complete until the

hunt for the remnants is over.”

That can’t be…..

No, I can certainly feel the presence of my mentors coming closer to me.

They still intend to make me fight, even though I’m in such a state…

“O Hero, Shall I grant you your wish?”

“Huh…? What do… you mean…?”

“Sword saints, Gods, Kings of Spirits, the ones who have challenged me, fighting them was nothing but a trivial child’s play. But the battle with you is the most exciting thing I have done in a long time.”

The Demon Lord… laughed like an innocent child.

“As a reward for entertaining me, I will use my power to give thee the peaceful life you desire.”

“B-But…How?”

“As long as you stay in this world, you will never escape the constraints of being a hero. Then, how about leading a different life?”

“You mean… reincarnation?”

“Indeed. [Secret Art of Reincarnation]. You can gain your newfound freedom in exchange for giving up your life as the Hero Eugene. What do you think?”

I couldn’t answer right away.

It’s not that I’m afraid of dying.

It was so hard every day; I wanted to die.

But what will happen after I die?

What will happen to this world?

“Put your mind at ease, Hero. You have subjugated the majority of my forces. The rest are just a bunch of small fries hiding. Even without you, surely, your friends will bring peace to the world.”

“I see… But still, I…”

“Sigh~, What a vexing guy.”

The Demon Lord opened his mouth wide.

FWOOM

At that moment, a magic circle appeared under my feet.

“Wai-! I haven’t responded yet!”

“Farewell, O mightiest of men! Hopefully, we will cross paths once more.”

The magic circle shone brightly.

[Hero Eugene] disappeared.