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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: selkie
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“The…the Demon King!”
“The Demon King has appeared!”
Seeing me leap onto the castle wall amidst the chaos, the soldiers reacted intensely.
However, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sensation at their mention of “Demon King.”
‘ The Demon King… this is an unexpected reaction.’
While I certainly displayed immense combat power, hearing myself referred to as a Demon King in the body of a former hero felt somewhat awkward.
Yet, there was no need to insist that I wasn’t a Demon King in this situation.
At the same time, a good idea began to form in my mind regarding their perception of me as the Demon King.
‘Though it wasn’t planned, since they’re already calling me the Demon King, should I play along a bit more?’
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Before my eyes stood the Demon King clad in black armor. The sight of this monster, which could make one’s heart shrink just by looking at it, plunged the soldiers into deep panic.
Despair, frustration, and fear of death gripped the struggling soldiers.
At that moment, amidst their chaos, the voice of the only unbroken figure began to resonate in their ears:
“Everyone, pull yourselves together! No matter how powerful he is, he’s just one man! If we take his head, we can become heroes of the continent and be rewarded with wealth and high positions for generations to come! You can obtain everything you desire in this world!”
The greatest desires of a person are wealth, fame, and power.
The impulse of the Parisecht suggests that one can grasp all of these in one hand.
In the hearts of the soldiers, who were engulfed in fear and confusion, a massive desire began to rise, strong enough to overshadow their emotions.
‘Y-yes… No matter how powerful he is, he’s just one man.’
‘Whether I die here or there, if I can take the Demon King’s head, it could greatly help my family back home.’
‘In a way, this is an opportunity—a once-in-a-lifetime chance!’
Indeed, during the siege, the first soldier to reach the castle wall would receive generous rewards, fueling their greed and driving them to charge toward the walls amidst flying arrows and fireballs.
At this moment, Parisecht successfully ignited the fire of desire in the hearts of the soldiers, who were gripped by fear.
“This wicked Demon King! I will kill you and claim the reward… no, I will seize peace for the continent!”
“Prepare yourselves! We will show the strength of the Allied Races!”
Overcoming their fear through greed, the soldiers boldly shouted as they aimed their spears at the Demon King.
Riding this momentum, Parisecht drew his spear and addressed the Demon King before him:
“You don’t deserve an honorable duel! By the will of the gods, I will end you here, Demon King!”
There was no room for a fair 1:1 battle among warriors. The crucial point was that if they could take the Demon King’s head by any means necessary, everything would be over.
Parisecht understood well that if he succeeded, he could become the greatest hero who saved the continent, not just a knight of the empire.
‘If it’s a 1:1 fight, I have no chance. But if I join forces with my fellow soldiers, who are slightly weaker than the three knights, maybe…’
He wasn’t sure if it was truly possible. However, at this moment, he found himself half-beguiled by the words he had spoken to his soldiers.
Wealth, fame, power. He decided to roll the dice in this once-in-a-lifetime gamble to seize everything he desired in this world.
“Kill him!”
“Uwaaaah!!!”
At Parisect’s command, the soldiers charged forward with their weapons raised.
Surrounding their leader were elite troops who served as both guards and fighters.
Dozens of warriors who had reached the level of enhancing their weapons and physical abilities using magic were present. They prepared to unleash their full power, wielding strikes capable of shattering rocks and bending steel against the Demon King.
At that moment, the Demon King began to concentrate immense magical power into his obsidian greatsword.
The soldiers instinctively felt a chilling presence from this unusual display, but they and Parisecht pushed aside their fear and charged at the Demon King.
Then, with a fierce cry, the Demon King drove his magically charged sword into the ground, unleashing a dark pillar of energy.
Simultaneously, a massive vortex began to erupt around the spot where the Demon King stood, releasing an overwhelming wave of magical energy.
“This… this is!”
“What the hell…!”
The Demon King’s strike, filled with an irresistible force like a crashing tsunami, began to engulf Parisecht and his soldiers.
“Gaaah!!!”
“Uwaaaaah!!!”
In the next moment, they were enveloped by waves of excruciating pain. The sensation felt as if their bodies were being sliced apart by blades. Amidst this chaos, Parisecht barely managed to unleash his own magic to protect himself.
“Damn it! That filthy Demon King!!”
Amidst the waves of pain crashing over him, Parisecht gritted his teeth and pressed forward. The agony felt four times worse than any suffering he had ever experienced, yet he managed to steady his spear and assume a fighting stance.
“Don’t think you can take me down this easily!”
With those words, he charged forward with all his strength, each step intensifying the pain. Despite this, he kept his gaze fixed on the Demon King.
‘I cannot fall here! I will defeat you! For wealth, honor, and power! For everything I desire!’
As Parisecht burned with pure, materialistic ambition, the soldiers who could barely stand in extreme pain began to feel a deep respect for him.
‘Truly, General Parisect! He’s willing to go that far for the peace of the continent…’
‘He’s fundamentally different from us! That iron will must stem from a sense of duty that surpasses mere worldly desires!’
Parisect, undeterred by his pain, pressed forward, embodying the essence of a true warrior.
“Haah!!!”
“…”
Finally breaking through the storm, he reached the Demon King. With all his strength, he swung his spear towards the Demon King, who quickly drew his sword from the ground.
And then…
With a sharp sound, the Demon King’s sword blocked Parisect’s spear. Instantly, the storm of magical energy dissipated, and despite the lingering pain, Parisect shouted with a piercing voice,
“Now! Finish him!”
“Y-yes! General!”
At Parisecht’s command, the soldiers, as if doused with cold water, regained their focus and charged at the Demon King. They recognized this moment as a prime opportunity with their leader holding the Demon King in place.
“This filthy Demon King! This will be your grave!”
“For the Alliance!!!”
Swords and spears rained down on the Demon King from all directions.
The strike imbued with magical power, although not very strong individually, became an overwhelming force due to the combined efforts of many.
‘Good! I’ve got him!’
‘This will be the end of the Demon King!’
The soldiers, convinced they could surely defeat the defenseless Demon King, felt a surge of victory.
However…
“!? Huh?”
In the next moment, Parisecht’s face turned pale as he felt the Demon King’s power suddenly surging.
And then…
-Boom!!!
As the Demon King pushed Parisecht’s spear aside, he swung his massive greatsword with terrifying force. The overwhelming wave of power emanating from the strike sent Parisecht, who had barely managed to hold onto the Demon King, crashing to the ground. Simultaneously, the soldiers charging at the Demon King were swept away by the shockwave, collapsing like a pile of leaves.
“Guh!”
“Ugh…”
The soldiers, now battered and broken, lay scattered on the ground. Ignoring their plight, the Demon King began to approach the fallen Parisect slowly.
“Do you wish to kneel here like this?!”
As he witnessed the Demon King’s approach, Parisecht struggled to rise despite the pain coursing through him. His body was in tatters, yet even in this dire situation, his eyes burned with desire as he stared defiantly at the Demon King.
Parisecht was well aware that his chances of winning were despairingly low.
However, having decided to go all in, he was prepared to wager every last bit of his remaining strength.
‘I have no choice but to gather all my remaining power for one final strike. It may be futile, but I will never give up until the end!’
With that determination, Parisecht began to channel all the magical energy left in his body into the tip of his spear.
Despite being in a state far from normal, he forced himself to draw on every ounce of strength, momentarily feeling dizzy and disoriented.
Yet, even in this condition, Parisecht maintained his focus and aimed his spear at the Demon King.
With a will forged from unwavering desire for power, fame, and wealth, he declared:
“Die, Demon King!!”
With a sharp cry, the spear flew from Parisecht’s hand towards the Demon King.
However, despite the considerable power behind it and the strong will infused within, Parisecht’s instincts already knew the truth.
He understood that his strike would merely bounce off the Demon King.
He knew that no matter what he did, he could not defeat this foe.
He had expected this outcome, yet…
“Guh!”
“….?! Huh?”
