The Hero's Mortal Enemy
The carriage rattled and shook.
The carriage we rode in belonged to the Harte family.
We had arrived at the royal palace in the royal family’s carriage, but after causing that much chaos, it would have been awkward for both sides if we tried to ride in it again.
“The only one who caused chaos was you.”
“......”
Does this bastard have mind-reading powers or something?
He does seem to have a similar ability…
“That’s why I said I’d just walk.”
“You’re already struggling to neutralize Nanar’s Runar. You want to push yourself even more?”
Kaits’s eyes sharpened.
“Your body must be preserved to defeat the True Demon King.”
“Am I a tool to you, you son of a bitch?”
Even as I spat those words, my heart accepted it.
I really had overworked myself lately.
Just this time alone—spamming my flames, converting Runar into divine power, and on top of that, the resonance had been insanely taxing.
Even in perfect condition it would have been difficult, but after getting the shit beaten out of me and then pulling all that nonsense, it was no wonder my body was screaming Master, you fucking bastard, guaaah.
Honestly, it still hurt like absolute hell right now.
“He’s right, Lord Dre. I told you it would be better to visit the palace later… pushing yourself when you’re injured…”
“Sorry, Refelt.”
The one driving the carriage was Refelt.
It was kind of cute how she refused to even look this way, clearly sulking.
That aside, Refelt really was voluptuous—her armor did nothing to hide that lewd figure of hers.
Damn, I’m getting hard.
I want to fuck Refelt.
How long had it been since I last had sex with her?
Just a few months ago she was still a virgin, but now if I didn’t have sex every few days my body couldn’t stand it.
……Even if my body was wrecked… sex should still be fine, right?
"[No it’s not!]"
What a ghost-like bastard.
Of course, my body was enthusiastically replying with Yes Master, that’s a completely different story lol by making my dick stand even straighter.
“......”
…Ah, fuck. Kaits.
I think this son of a bitch noticed.
Maybe because he was right in front of me, the erection that Refelt’s buff had caused started shrinking with a pathetic shrink shrink shrink.
Let me say it again—I would rather die than get hard in front of this guy.
Though I’m sure he’d rather die than see it too.
“......”
“What? Why?”
“? What do you mean?”
“Nothing. Never mind.”
He hadn’t even been looking at me.
This was just my overactive self-consciousness.
“What are you thinking about?”
Woooong.
Kaits erected a barrier.
He probably didn’t want Refelt, who was driving the carriage, to hear.
“It’s about the information you gave me. Yuna, Yuna…”
“......”
“As a demon, Yuna is an extremely common name.”
“Yeah. I heard.”
Rius had mentioned it when he told me about the Sea God’s Cave.
…Come to think of it, I wonder if he’s okay?
I never expected him to charge at Nanar. He didn’t seem like the type, but he’s surprisingly brave.
“Surprisingly, there are quite a few demons who call themselves idols and use the name Yuna.”
“Quite a few, huh…”
“Since the direct subordinate Yuna of the True Demon King called herself that, it’s only natural others would take the name. However…”
“However?”
“Those kinds of demons stay active in the Demon Realm. They wouldn’t come all the way to Entiaere Kingdom—hostile land filled with life that views them as enemies, a place of historical humiliation for them—and spout such nonsense.”
“......”
“It bothers me. In all my regressions, the direct successors of the True Demon King avoided me like the plague, except for one. The True Demon King, who could see the future, must have given them such orders. And among them, I have never seen Yuna except for the moment when the True Demon King was revived.”
The True Demon King had future sight too…? Then why didn’t he know he’d get sealed?
“One person?”
“Yes. The one who was a direct subordinate under the True Demon King thousands of years ago. She is still alive.”
“Hmm.”
I wanted to ask if we should just beat the shit out of that one, but a direct subordinate of the True Demon King from thousands of years ago still being alive… that would make her a colossal figure.
“Anyway, it seems like a clue regarding the origin of the Four Great Demon Kings. I’ll look into it on my end.”
“Do that. Call me if you need anything.”
“Understood.”
I told him to call if he needed me, but honestly I really wanted to meet her.
I had a debt to repay Yuna.
After all, she was the reason Yulis stabbed me in the back.
Back then, subduing her briefly and running was the best I could do, but now I’ve gotten much stronger.
Once my body recovers…
“…Is your arm okay?”
“For now.”
“As I said. Consider contacting Gaia. She may have abandoned you, but she doesn’t seem to hold any hostility toward you.”
“How would you know that?”
“This is just my guess, but I suspect the deities who were helping heal Nanar were taken down by your patron gods. Just keep it in mind.”
The carriage rattled and shook.
Kaits dispelled the barrier, and silence continued for a while afterward.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t uncomfortable.
I leaned my head against the carriage wall and closed my eyes.
Things really had come at me all at once.
Just thinking about what was ahead already made me tired.
The Ten Great Families who had forced me to participate in the preliminaries under the guise of a test would throw a fit, and since the users had temporarily broken the system, there were probably plenty of people holding grudges over that.
The deities—especially Nanar—would definitely come after me later. One hundred percent.
Besides that, there would inevitably be others with their own schemes approaching me.
Like that king today…
…Ah, just thinking about it pisses me off all over again.
“Why the hell did that son of a bitch suddenly lose his mind?”
“Swearing out of nowhere is unbecoming. Restrain yourself. So what about the king?”
He understood who I meant just from “son of a bitch.”
“You said that king had decent ability but no motivation. So why is he suddenly full of motivation, trying to suppress me and put a collar around my neck?”
“…Hmm. That was certainly the first time I’ve seen him like that.”
The “first time” referred to across all his regressions.
Since he had dispelled the barrier, Refelt could hear, so he was speaking indirectly.
“Who knows. Until now, even if he had ambition, he had given up on it.”
“Given up?”
“You may not know this, but the royal family’s authority in the Entiaere Kingdom is quite weak.”
I had heard something similar from the queen earlier and thought it was just an excuse for this incident, but it was actually true?
“…Huh? Really? For a kingdom with such weak authority, the people were insanely enthusiastic about Queen Eniris during the inauguration ceremony at Pryunar Academy back then.”
“That is because Queen Eniris… is exceptional.”
Why is this guy suddenly speaking so politely?
…Ah, right. We’re in front of Refelt, so he’s not in full “good hero” mode.
Since he had already revealed his true nature in front of Nanar, he seemed to have decided to just roll with it, but using his normal speech still made him feel awkward.
What a pathetic bastard. I’ll cut him some slack.
“…Why are you making that face? You look extremely angry.”
“No, it’s nothing. So Queen Eniris is that amazing?”
That warm, healing aura and beautiful face definitely made her an unparalleled beauty and exceptional, but… that wasn’t what he meant, was it?
“She is a princess of the great nation of Superior and an Igula-class mage. Among them, she is evaluated as being of high rank.”
“A mage…?”
“You’ve seen her several times, haven’t you?”
I had a guess.
The way teacups kept popping up when we first met, or the room engraved with the ritual the king tried to use on me this time.
What I hadn’t known was her original homeland.
“A great nation…?”
“A princess from a superpower whose national strength cannot even be compared to that of the Entiaere Kingdom.”
Whoa… for once the country name actually sounds normal?
The “great nation” part was more surprising.
“However, since she has no connection whatsoever to Pryunar or the Ten Heroes, her legitimacy in the fight against demons is somewhat lacking.”
“Oh.”
So the problem was her connection to that Pryunar bastard.
But…
“Isn’t being an Igula a big deal?”
Alfred. Blurt. Emily.
All of them were renowned mages, and if not for the difference in stages, they could have gone toe-to-toe with Nanar. Someone on the same level as them?
“It is. She is effectively the highest-ranking mage.”
“Someone with both status and ability like that… why would she marry such an idiot…?”
Of course it was a political marriage, but to send such an outstanding princess to a kingdom with such low national power…?
“The Entiaere Kingdom is a nation whose symbolic value is stronger than its actual power. And above all, it has the Ten Great Families.”
“The Ten Great Families.”
“That’s what I was getting at. Originally, the Entiaere Kingdom was founded after the battle with the True Demon King ended, with the purpose of guarding that historic site.”
“Hmm…”
“To establish legitimacy, they asked the Ten Heroes who remained nearby after sealing the True Demon King to stay in the country. In response, half of them—five families—remained in the Entiaere Kingdom. On the surface they were citizens of the nation, but in reality they were more like superiors or business partners.”
This was pretty blunt talk.
“Of course, as time passed and the Ten Heroes disappeared one by one, and their successor generations took over, the royal family’s voice grew considerably stronger. However, they still cannot ignore the Ten Great Families. According to the founding contract, any major action requires following the opinion of the Ten Great Families.”
“Hmm…”
I hadn’t known that either.
But what did that have to do with trying to frame me?
“The current king gives off the image of someone who finds everything bothersome and just wants to play around, but he wasn’t always like that. After clashing with various realities, he ended up this powerless.”
“I see…”
“From here on it’s my speculation, but at that point, he must have seen a solution.”
A solution?
The answer came from Refelt.
“It’s Lord Dre.”
“Me?”
This time Kaits nodded.
“Yes. You.”
“What about me?”
“The first instructor and student of Pryunar Academy. The one who butchered a dragon’s body. Dragon Slayer. You have an unusually good relationship with the Ten Great Families, appear to have a connection with the hero, and you’ve left major achievements in both the Floating Island and the Sea God’s Cave.”
“…Why are you hyping me up? It’s making me anxious.”
“Your face is turning red.”
“Fuck off.”
Why the hell is he polishing my ego?
"[You have a cute side, kid.]"
You fuck off too.
“Anyway, you have an unusually deep connection with the Ten Great Families. Yet at the same time, the relationship doesn’t feel like you’re beneath them—it feels more like equality, or even like the families are being dragged along by you.”
“Hmm.”
“I suspect he’s been thinking about this ever since he suddenly summoned you to the palace last time, called you a criminal, and stripped you of your viscount title. No matter what Pois said, your cooperation was too smooth. It must have bothered him… so he must have figured out what kind of person you are.”
At that time, the family heads had defended me.
Looking at it now, they hadn’t so much defended me as they were annoyed that the king was trying to drag even the Ten Great Families into it.
“Figure me out and make me submit—what does he plan to do with me?”
“Since the Ten Great Families seem to fear you, he probably plans to use you to oppose them and strengthen royal authority.”
“Hmph. His intentions are so obvious it’s pathetic.”
Refelt looked unusually angry.
Well, it made sense—she was furious that he had tried to drag even the Harte family around.
“If that’s the case, why not just make the family heads submit?”
“That space can only subjugate one person at most. Besides, the Ten Great Families don’t operate on the will of a single family head. In times of crisis, all ten families unite. Even if he somehow subjugated one, what would he do about the rest?”
When he put it that way, it made sense.
“In truth, the best method would have been a political marriage, but unfortunately the Entiaere Kingdom has no princesses. He can’t bind you with blood either, and while you’ve accomplished many feats, your status as an otherworlder is a drawback.”
“......”
“While he was looking for an opportunity, this incident must have been a godsend. An accident caused by the Ten Great Families’ mistake, with both their people and you weakened by demonic beasts—he must have thought subjugation would be easy. The fact that he went so far as to use force this time… was his own gamble.”
“For a gamble, he tried to force an oath on me.”
As far as I knew, an oath didn’t have much effect unless it came from one’s true will.
“He is neither a warrior nor a mage. He may understand politics and state affairs, and he may know the basics of oaths, but he probably didn’t know that a forced oath can be broken at any time.”
“I see… In the end, it’s all over now anyway.”
The king could no longer touch me.
If he did, well, that was fine too.
Because then I could kill them all.
For example, if I pulled out that damn prince’s intestines right in front of the king…
Just live a good life.
That’s why I didn’t kill him.
The slight hope that the king might provoke me later brightened my face.
“However, Queen Eniris still seems friendly toward you.”
“Huh?”
“Be careful. Queen Eniris is kind, but she is still a member of the royal family. There’s no telling when they might try to recruit you. If they succeed, it will cause all sorts of headaches.”
“How would they recruit me?”
I had little interest in wealth or titles.
“Who knows. Perhaps a political marriage with a woman close to the royal family?”
“There is no woman in the royal family worthy of Lord Dre…”
Refelt’s sulky tone was incredibly cute.
Ah… is there any way I can fuck Refelt today?
…A woman worthy of me, huh.
Queen Eniris might be out of reach, but I had more than enough women who fit the bill.
Suddenly I remembered that I had agreed to meet Queen Eniris.
The next appointment was in two weeks.
When I was in Beastification I had wondered what the hell I was doing, but I was glad I had done it.
"[Right?]"
Yeah, you bastard. So now spill it—what the hell are you plotting? Why does Beastification feel like it’s getting harder to control lately? Is that your doing?
"[Just wait a little longer.]"
You’re really dragging this out.
"[Kuk kuk kuk kuk.]"
Why?
Mangshin’s laughter felt ominous.
It didn’t feel like a conspiracy exactly… more like… I couldn’t quite put it into words, but something that poked at my conscience…
Ah, whatever.
I was exhausted and pissed off today.
I should be able to sleep well.
…
We arrived at the hospital.
Instead of sleeping well, I was wide awake.
Well, that made sense—I had slept for three days straight.
Kaits said he would come back in two days and told me to just shut up and rest. The hospital staff told me to call if I needed anything and then left.
It was called a hospital, but it felt more like a hotel with medical equipment brought in.
Everything was fully stocked, so unless I was in serious pain, I probably wouldn’t need to call anyone.
Refelt… had a lot of remaining work and left for her post.
Before she left, she kept glancing at me, blushing and rubbing her thighs together—it was insanely arousing…
Ha.
I went through all that suffering and there’s no reward?
Not only was there no reward, I had lost all my authorities, stats, and levels…
"[Just wait and see.]"
Huh? Wait for what?
I half-killed Poseid and beat the shit out of Nanar.
I broke the system and knocked out several deities.
It wouldn’t be strange if I got dragged away immediately. And you’re telling me to wait for a reward?
"[There is such a thing. Just look forward to…]"
Knock knock knock.
“…Come in.”
Ha. Refelt.
After giving me that look, she finally…
As expected, we really are in sync.
Knock knock knock.
“……?”
Why is she only knocking?
I can’t sense any presence… Could it be an assassin sent by the king or another faction?
I got up myself and approached the door.
If it was an assassin, I hoped it was a female one.
After subduing her, instead of killing her I could say, “Instead of dying, how about you and me, hehe, have some fun?”
"[Don’t lie, kid. You’re full of killing intent.]"
Well, that’s true.
When I turned the doorknob… a fragrant smell of alcohol hit me strongly.
Fragrant is fragrant, but why does it smell like alcohol?
Now that I looked, it was a mix of perfume and liquor.
Standing before me was a beautiful dark-skinned woman wearing a sleeveless crop top and jeans—extremely revealing.
Swish swish.
Almiraj shook a liquor bottle and grinned.
“Feeling better?”
“Yeah, I’m fine… What about you? Are you okay?”
She must have been pretty badly hurt too.
Almiraj pushed past me into the room, let out a soft “Hmph,” and threw herself onto the bed.
Why is she drunk?
“Can I lie down?”
“Sure.”
“…I don’t feel like going back to my room. Can I sleep here?”
“Sure. I’m not sleepy.”
“…….Hehe.”
She’s really cute when she’s drunk.
She comes into a man’s room without any sense of danger and just lies on the bed. I might end up jumping her.
Though if I did it now, I’d probably get my ass kicked…
Even so, I shamelessly stole glances at Almiraj’s exposed navel, her defined abs, her smooth shoulders, her armpits, and her large breasts.
And then…
“You’re perverted.”
“Huh? Me? What did I do?”
Almiraj stared intently at me as I tried to play it off.
In the end, I had no choice but to admit it.
“The problem is that you have a body that makes me horny. Okay?”
“…Hmm. I see. Well, looking at you now, you seem pretty horny too.”
“Eh?”
What kind of answer was that?
Then Almiraj sat up and smiled brightly.
“Dre.”
“…Yes.”
My pronunciation came out a bit slurred because my mouth was full of saliva.
Looking at me, Almiraj said,
“Want to have sex?”
“......”
Mangshin and I spoke at the same time.
"[Hell yeah, fuck yes!"]