1 Reborn is the Demon King

Part One: The Rebirth and Death of the Demon King

Bluege!

I collapsed, my body wracked with convulsions as I expelled a dark tar-like substance from my mouth. Seeking support, I leaned against a fragment of black stone amidst the ruins of my former castle. My gaze shifted among the four figures standing before me.

Her long, blonde-orange hair cascaded down to her chest, harmonizing with her piercing blue eyes. Clad in pristine white armor befitting a true Holy Knight, she was the stalwart defender of this adventuring party, Efflux.

A translucent purple hagoromo enveloped her form, her pure white hair pulled back into a bun that trailed down to her waist. Her attire blended shades of blue and purple, signifying her role as the Arch Priest, Anselma.

Amongst them, a young girl named Versalis stood, seemingly diminutive but harboring formidable power. Behind her short black hair and an edgy black and red mage ensemble lay a fearsome Grand Mage.

Wearing light gear akin to a thief and possessing unruly brown hair rarely seen in this world, stood the dependable figure wielding a short sword named Kikachi in his right hand. The unmistakable scent of magic emanated from his open left hand. He was the man dubbed the Hero, Takashi, hailing from another realm.

'What a remarkable band of adventurers to meet my end by... Is that what I am meant to think now?'

It is said that the purpose of the Demon King is to be vanquished by the Hero. Yet, that is not what I desire. I have to live on. I need to get my revenge. I must kill those who forced me into this wretched position—the Gods.

But as long as I remain in this world, I will never gain the strength for this revenge of mine. I must leave this world, and start anew in another. To do this though, I must trick the Gods into thinking I'm dead. That is where this group in front of me comes in.

"Demon King, the one who brought terror and pain to this realm, your life ends here. Any final words before I send you to the depths of hell?" Takashi's voice rings out, spewing forth his empty rhetoric. He is young and hails from another world—a vulnerability I can exploit.

"Takashi, isn't it? Though it may not seem so, I have been observing your exploits for quite some time. I must admit, even I, a demon well-versed in the ways of this world, am impressed," With a calculated demeanor, I commence my speech, cleverly disarming him with well-placed compliments.

I feign acceptance of my impending fate, allowing a sense of complacency to take hold in his unsuspecting mind. And then, with a deliberate pause, I unleash a line that appears seemingly out of place, yet carries an unmistakable undercurrent of significance within my voice.

"I presume you share a romantic relationship with the young Grand Mage? Don't be so astonished, for my eyes can see more than most." I utter, accompanied by a restrained chuckle, revealing a hint of humanity.

I give a sigh filled with deep meaning while looking into the polluted sky, "You know... I once found myself in a similar situation to yours. You may find it surprising, but I used to also be an adventurer. Like you, I journeyed with my party, slaying monsters and saving lives. It was the pinnacle of my life... I even defeated the previous Demon King, though that is buried deep in history."

The art of deception lies in revealing the truth 80% of the time and veiling lies within the remaining 20%.

"It was a tragic affair, and yet, I cannot turn back time. What's done is done. The previous Demon King took the life of my beloved and drove me to madness. I relinquished the last vestiges of my humanity and transformed into the being you see before you now."

Tell children an action-filled tale, the elderly a heartwarming story, and young men and women a tale of tragic romance.

"I regret it every time I reflect upon those events. If only I had maintained my composure... perhaps I could have... but never mind. I am now a mere demon, one who must be slain for the world to continue along its natural course."

That should be enough mana. I inscribe the runes within my mind and recite the incantations.

"I see... I do feel pity for you, Demon King. It seems you were once an honorable individual. However, as you have stated, I must slay you. I apologize. May you find solace reunited with your lost loved one—"

"WARP!"

I shout the name of my spell, the final, irksome step to casting any form of magic. As my voice reverberates through the ashen air, a small object materializes within my clenched hand.

Takashi, who had been inching closer moments ago, swiftly retreated upon hearing my incantation. After a moment of contemplation, he regained his composure, and just as he prepared to launch himself at my weakened form, I opened my palm, the sound of my elongated nails grazing against one another crackling throughout the ruins.

The golden radiance emanating from the object blinds Takashi, halting his charge instantly. Its untainted, revitalizing energy permeated the once-acrid atmosphere, and the sight of the small fruit brought saliva to the gums of anyone who saw it—a Golden Strawberry.

"Let me elucidate the forthcoming events, Takashi. I shall consume this strawberry, departing from this world permanently, while you claim victory, stating that you have slain me. The Gods shall remain oblivious, for they cannot perceive this strawberry. If you comply, I shall impart upon you an unparalleled secret of this realm," I declare, flashing him a smile both gentle and ferocious, conveying the absence of choice.

Takashi considers the proposition seriously, if only for a moment. Then, with a resolute smile, he responds, "I am sorry, but I could never betray the Gods who have granted me this second chance..."

While he uttered those words, he noticed something crucial—the strawberry, that was originally in my hand, was gone.

"I apologize, Takashi, but I lied," I say, bestowing upon him a smug grin as space and time twist around me.

And just like that, the fearsome Demon King vanished from the world, ushering in an era of peace once more.

____________________________________________

A smooth breeze fluttered through the grass of the open field as the sounds of nature flew from the surrounding jungle. Not a cloud could be seen in the blissful blue sky. The sun's rays scorched the tops of the wooden houses. The sounds of people walking on the dirt-paved streets were abundant. Throughout the populated area, you could hear the sounds of gossiping.

"Have you heard? They found some injured boy outside the walls."

"Really? Right before the big awakening ceremony too? That seems a bit suspicious to me... Do you think it could be a spy from the Fortune Nine Sect?"

"You kidding me? Those guys barely have enough manpower to run their own sect, let alone send a spy. Maybe it's the Jungle Lotus Sect trying to test our sect's strength?"

"Nah, you're dreaming! We might be growing, but we're nowhere near the level of the Jungle Lotus Sect. They're one of the 9 Great Powers!"

"Hey, remember that crazy incident with the Demonic Jungle Brothers? Maybe this boy's connected to that mess somehow."

The people continued to dramatize the events more, their creativity and absurdness reaching new heights with each guess. The boy they so crudely gossiped about, however, was calmly resting inside the nearby Medical Hall.

His body was gradually succumbing to decay, a consequence of losing its original soul. But, all of a sudden, the process was abruptly halted as its organs began functioning once again

Life surged into the once lifeless vessel, and in an instant, its eyes, holding deep ocean-blue pupils, busted open. The short, dirt-stained white hair swayed gently as the body gradually rose.

Its owner then muttered words intelligible only to himself, "I sense it... the resentful aura of the Gods has vanished. And the air... It's so pure and invigorating. It seems the Golden Strawberry did what I suspected. I have obtained a new life... in a different world."

He looked down at his hands, no longer darker than charcoal, and no longer having claws long enough to pierce someone's body. They were slightly tanned hands, with short nails so as to not get in the way of everyday work.

"I'm back in a familiar body. I have been... truly I have been..." I rotated my head upward, not staring at what was in front of me physically, but what lay in my future.

"I have been reborn!!!"