I was advancing through the forest with Stella.

'Master Fried, how do you see this battle?'

　Stella, walking next to me, asks.
　She has the same cool expression as usual.

　But when I looked closely, I thought there was a slight mixture of concern.

''To Regal, something like you might be struck down yourself...''
I'm not trying to be a wimp.

　I smiled bitterly under my mask.

'The Four Heavenly Sacred Swords (Sacred Edge) are indeed strong. I've never actually met her in person, and I only saw her in the video I saw earlier... but I wouldn't have been able to compete with her when I was a human.
Master Freed...
'But I'm not now. The reason I spoke to Regal that way was mixed in with a few tricks of persuasion. Never mind that.
I'm so relieved to hear that.

　A smile appeared on Stella's mouth.

'Then I will do my best to search for the enemy.
You're on it. How's he doing?　We're not ready for combat yet, are we?
I'm sorry.
No, I don't blame you. I just wanted to check in with you to see what's going on and I'm sorry on my end.

　Me and Stella stepped forward.

''May I ask you one more question?''
What?
How did you come to have such a thing?

　Stella shifts her gaze to my bosom.
　Can she, with her clairvoyant eyes, see it?

'Ah, here it is.'

　I chuckled again and took out something I had put in my robe pocket.

　It's a ruggedly made revolver.

　It is a weapon that uses gunpowder to launch bullets.
　The technology to be able to mass-produce it has not been established, so it is quite a rare item, but I was issued this weapon as a priority because I am a brave man.

　........Even so, even if it's against humans, this weapon is difficult to be the deciding factor against the demon race.
　It's difficult to inflict a fatal wound with a bullet in front of the demon race's powerful magic and life force.

　When I was a brave man, I used my gun as a checkmate weapon.
　Now that I've gained the power of a demon king, there's little point in using this pistol in battle.

''........Sentiment, maybe.
What?

　Stella's expression quickly tightened as she looked dubious.

'There's a hint of Miracle Armor ahead. I thought it was a brave man.
How many?
''I'm alone. For some reason you seem to be acting apart from the other brave men...
Sounds good to me. Let's take him alive for information.

　It wouldn't be hard with my power.

　I proceeded straight ahead.
　When I pushed through the bushes, I saw a figure up ahead.

"You will...

　I stand there gulping for breath.

　I should have been prepared to meet that guy - but my mind goes blank.
　My heart begins to beat painfully.

　It's a familiar face.
　A face I'll never forget.

"...It's good to see you again, Lyle.
"That voice........can't be Master.......?

　That guy - Lyle raises his voice in surprise.

''Lyle-uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

　An explosion of uncontrollable emotions.
　I took off my mask and threw it off.

　It was like something that had been stagnant in the back of my mind erupted at once.

''Freed-sama...?''

　Even the quizzical Stella didn't have time to answer right now.

''I knew it, Master........?　But that outfit is──

　Lyle's face is stunned.

　His gaze was directed at the back of my hand.
　To be precise, to the red pattern floating there.

"The Demon King's crest...?
"I am the new Demon King.



　Silence took over the place.

　A cold wind blew through.

''Heh, Demon King...?''

　Lyle gave a thin smile.

''Surely that pattern is the same as the Demon King Yurisha's... but why...?''
I'm reborn. You killed me once and I'm the Demon King.

　Just the minimum explanation - just a few words - and anger boiled in my chest.

　I have betrayed him.
　I've trampled on his trust.

　I trusted you all along.

　You're the one who made me...!

'I was acting alone to hunt down the remnants of the demon tribe, me.

　Whether he feels my anger or not, Lyle seems unconcerned.

''Most of the credit went to Ludmilla... and yet, I can't believe I came across such good fortune...''
Lucky?
My master, Fried, has risen from the dead as the new Demon King. If there's no way for him to return, let him at least have a peaceful end. And let the world be at peace - that's what my remaining apprentice must do.

　Lyle tells him with a big smile.

'Are you happy?'
No way. It's sad, isn't it?

　With a smile on his face, Lyle held his crimson sword at the ready.

''But I am grateful. Thanks to you, this time I can become the hero of the Demon King Killer──

　I don't think he feels any guilt at all.
　You don't have a shred of regret.

...is that your answer?
''I'm telling you, please don't look down on me as a disciple forever. If you put your mind to it, I'm confident that I can beat even my master........

　The red blade was covered in flames.

''I'll show you, now - howl, 'Levatain'!

　A swirling fire engulfed me.

'Come on, burn up!

　It's hot...
　A tremendous burning sensation assaults my whole body.

"This....

　I gritted my back teeth.

As expected of a demon king, he can endure it!　But as long as I don't deactivate it, the flame of 'Levatein' won't be extinguished, I promise!

　Lyle laughs broadly.

　It's the same as that time.
　The same as that time when Lyle betrayed me and burned me out with the flames of 'Levatein'.

''No........''
Yes?

　I looked straight at Lyle, who was scowling, and I looked straight at him.

'Not hot, I said.'

　The burning sensation is already gone.

　I'm not that guy anymore.

　I will say goodbye to that time.
　I'm going to do it.

FIRE

　With a fireball the size of a pea grain that was generated, he easily blew out the flames of 'Levatein' that should never be extinguished.

''Eh...?''

　Lyle spluttered in dismay.

　I proceeded slowly.
　When I reached Lyle, who was standing there, I unleashed a fist at random.

''Gu.........geez........!

　Lyle was blown away by the painful blow to his gut, his neat face contorted.

'What's wrong?　I thought you could beat me if you wanted to?

　I slowly walked over and looked down at the fallen Lyle.

'Nah, what's with all this power... haha, haha'

　Lyle was glaring at me hatefully.

　I remember the first time I met him.
　I remember Lyle looking up at me as a kid, as if he was hanging on to me, as if he was relying on me.

　That Lyle is nowhere to be found.

No....he was never there in the first place. Nowhere.

　The man I trusted, the man I thought of as my son, Lyle.
　It was all an illusion.

　A feeling of resignation and emptiness filled me.
　I put that thought away in my mind and held out my hand to Lyle.

　I concentrate my magic power.
　A faint glow dwells in my palm.

''Hi, hi........!

　Lyle groans with a frightened look on his face.

　Now it's time to say goodbye to the past.