Birth of a Hero
When Nicholas calmed down, the rest of the story was explained.
The children were also brought here from Glenda, and were listening to Fritz’s explanation. They should have been tired, but were they listening attentively.
Their behavior made Fritz believe that Hinata’s choices were not a mistake.
Nicholas was mulling over the things that were said.
Though they still didn’t have a clear picture on how powerful or widespread his brainwashing is, considering that the Demon Lord Kazalim is his subordinate makes him a rather dangerous threat.
Following the battle with Demon Lord Rimuru, Hinata was able to dispel the Parasitic thought manipulation, “Crystal of Curses,” and decided to attempt a rescue mission to save the children, as to prevent them to be similarly manipulated.
However, Yuki had set a trap with the children as bait, and a battle started right on the spot.
Her opponent was a hero. After hiding for several
Although Nicolas was skeptical, but judging from Fritz and the Children’s testimony there was no mistake.
Yuuki intended to plunge the world into chaos and become its sole ruler.
One should also conclude that he and his conspirators share a common goal.
Then there’s the fact that Freedom Association’s Sub-master is the Demon Lord Kazalim.
Even the Western Saint’s Church was obeying not the will of a True God Ruminas, but that of a Demon Lord’s.
However, he hesitated in accepting this revelation. Hinata, at least, seemed to believe it, but then there was also the many hundreds of years of peace and prosperity.
You can’t just say that it was all the work of a Demon Lord and expect people to just accept it.
This wasn’t something they could easily disclose, and even if it did, it would only lead to a movement to free the hero.
From the perspective of the Knights, Fritz, and Nicholas, Hinata was beyond human in strength, and yet she was defeated without resorting to any special skill.
The only existence who could overwhelm Hinata who has gotten only stronger after her battle with Demon Lord Rimuru is the hero herself.
「But… to think that it was a hero…
Not a demon lord but a hero.
Can’t get any worse can it… And since it’s Yuuki, he’ll definitely take advantage of this information」
In reply to the remark of the Holy Knight leader Leonard, the holy knights nodded with meek faces.
Hinata had manage everything once. Nicholas only had to leave it in her hands…
Sadness and despair swirled inside Nicholas heart threatening to overwhelm him, yet he repressed it with his will alone.
「No, in that case he would have long proclaimed that Ruminas had kidnapped a hero.
Considering that he hasn’t means that he currently lacks the strength to oppose us」
Nicolas said.
Hinata can’t be relied on anymore. So he had to decide himself.
「However, a hero’s strength was overwhelming.
Actually, just what kind of demon lord is Ruminas?」
Fritz who has actually witnessed the clash between Hinata and the Hero asked.
As per the previous question, does the Demon Lord Ruminas even exist?
「Fumu, Well the demon lord valentine……
There is a book within the western church which summarized ancient literatures.」
Nicolas began reciting…
Ten Great Demon Kings, originally there were three
Guy Crimson, the “Lord of Darkness”
Ramiris of the Labyrinth, plunging all to madness
Stories told of burning cities and death abound,
Fear of them even in the legends was found.
As the tale had told, Ramiris had fallen from grace,
And the warring Nava and Crimson in that place,
These three are like gods, beyond all reason
Against whom you’d never think of treason
Then came others, though unlike the first,
Dagruel who would shake the ground
Such were the names these fiends found.
Dagruel guarded the gates of heaven in the land of the dead,
Into a demon lord he mutated after magic he was fed. [1]
These two were famous demon lords.
That would probably be the Vampire princess Valentine.
The city she ruled over, a beautiful flower of the night, Night Rose, was burned to cinders in a battle with Storm Dragon Veldora.
Since no one had confirmed whether she had perished, she was still considered a part of the Great Ten Demon Lords—Vampire Princess Valentine.
「In other words, Demon Lord Valentine is playing the role of God Ruminas.
As for the rest: the slayer of many, Lychan King Karion and Heavenly Frey, and the Golden Leon make up the new demon lords.
There was also the manipulator Clayman, but he was destroyed by Demon Lord Rimuru….」
Having heard Nicholas’ explanation the group came to the conclusion that the god Ruminas was none other than Demon Lord Valentine.
Thus this heavy revelation began to sink in.
That’s not something you can just laugh off. But there was also no use in getting angry or violent.
But not even Nicholas nor Leonard could accept it just yet. It was just beyond all reason.
But this thought only reveals the underlying problem.
But…
「Though she wasn’t one of the original demon lords, Valentine was an ancient one…
In other words, if Yuuki controls the hero, there’s no reason for him to fear the demon lord, right?」
Leonard stated, only increasing Nicholas’ headaache.
Whether Yuuki would win is dubious, but a hero would definitely win. After all, she sealed the Storm Dragon who defeated Valentine.
It just wasn’t the time to scatter the Empire by revealing the demon lord behind the curtain.
Whether Yuuki had read this far is unknown, but now he knew, and Nicholas was left without a card to play.
Everyone present realized this fact and silence enveloped the room.
「The Freedom Association Master’s next move will be bold, eh」
Nicholas murmured but no one answered.
And then,
「W-what is this?! What an ominous presence!! Friends, take arms!」
Leonard shouted and everyone drew their weapon.
And then before everyone, the space distorted and beings appeared before them.
Seven beings wearing faceless masks.
A beautiful girl.
Her eyes were a beautiful heterochroma, lit in a blue and red light.
She was discussed by them just a second ago.
Queen of the Night, Nightmare of the Night, Ruminas Valentine.
And to the people reflected in her bewitching eyes,
「Stand down」
She said in a low yet reverberating voice.
But before this Demon Lord’s presence none could disobey.
Seeing this, her mouth curved in a small smile revealing a pair of white fangs. She was indeed the Vampire Prinecss.
And when her adorable mouth opened,
「He who underestimates us. Thee means to say that we be vanquished by the hero… nay, perhaps I could see Chloe accomplishing that… by Yuuki?」
She declared.
(So t-this is a Demon Lord! S-she’s too overwhelming!!)
Fear nearly ripped his heart asunder, and everyone there felt the same.
「Be that as it may.
‘Tis so, we are the God Ruminas.
However,
We shall bathe in Yuuki’s blood.
What will ye do? If ye swear loyalty to us, I shall bless you with a chance to battle」
Nicholas considered it.
He had heard of Demon Lord Rimuru’s divine strength. The being before him was comparable.
Actually, she is an ancient.
So should he swear loyalty? His heart opposed that choice.
They would only swear loyalty to Sakaguchi Hinata.
Perhaps Ruminas was stronger than Hinata, but the heart could not be so easily controlled.
「Unfortunately, Demon Lord Ruminas,
We have no wish to fight against you, but we ask you to understand that loyalty is a different matter entirely.
We humbly beg your forgiveness」
Nicholas said while looking Ruminas in teh eye.
Her eyes glittered,
「Oh? You would retain loyalty towards a corpse?」
Before Nicholas could respond,
「Don’t go killing me off that quickly…」
The words came from behind Ruminas, the entrace to the chamber.
A beautiful girl.
The Hero stood there.
「Chloe!」
Ruminas declared happily.
「Sorry Ruminas, I’m not Chloe right now. Right now it’s Hinata.
On the way out, you see」
Hinata said with a beautiful smile.
『Hinata-sama!!』
As if they were suddenly cured of paralysis, the knights ran up to Hinata, and Nicholas ran up to hug her.
「Right, you are Hinata right now. How about Chloe?」
My skills were integrated and power assimilated.
You see, before I was summoned into this world, this body slept in Ruminas’ care.
Ruminas you yourself forgot the hero’s name, didn’t you?」
While hugged by Nicholas Hinata asked.
And when Nicholas finally let go,
「So we had Chloe kill the me of this world
Hero Chloe would now awaken as a true hero.
Not at time of strife, but in time of peace.
And now that my soul has been absorbed by the Chloe of today, the me who has journey for so long with Chloe has awakened.
Which is why I came to say goodbye to you worrywarts.」[2]
Hinata said with an expression full of affection.
……
…
Thus Hinata, Ruminas, and Nicholas talked for a bit.
Chloe was under Yuuki’s control.
Hinata herself was unable to undo the contract.
And to Ruminas,
「But, there may be other options when we awaken as a hero.
We cannot oppose him until he makes these three wishes.
Once he makes the third wish, we can rip him to shreds.
In other words, he can’t go around using the hero as he pleases.
He seriously wishes to enjoy destroying this world.
However, he is dangerous. So do stay wary of him.
Now then, it’s time to go」
Having so said, the Hero (Hinata) stood.
「H-Hinata-sama」
Please don’t go, Nicholas wanted to say, but knew he couldn’t.
But raising his fist,
「Be well!」
He declared with a smile.
「Fufu, be well, huh. You too Nicholas.
All of you. Don’t be reckless. And if you need anything, go see Rimuru.」
Thus Hinata said her final farewells.
Nothing could be done about that.
So she was satisfied.
Her wish had come true. Anything beyond that would be pure greed.
Now she only had to wait for the end to come inside Chloe…
And to Hinata,
「Wait!」
A cold voice was heard.
Ruminas stopped her.
「Thee are fortunate.
‘Tis a skill that rules over life and death, and while ’tis impossible to recreate a lost soul, you have a soul and a body gathered here.
Are thee not a hero who would never give up?
We shall not allow thee to give up!」
Hearing her words, Nicholas, Fritz, and the Knights started earnestly pleading with Hinata.
Assailed by their puppy-eyes, Hinata was completely at loss.
「Fufu, hahahahaha!」
She laughed.
「Sorry. I just recalled that I hated giving up.
Well, even if you do succeed, I have already lost my original power…」
She said with a troubled smile,
「Strength! In that case, I shall protect Hinata-sama, guide us!」
「We need you!!」
Responding to their will, she nodded to Ruminas.
Why did she suddenly suggest to do this, Hinata did not know.
But now the fate of a single person was changed.
「Rebirth!!」
Ruminas shouted, and two parts of Hinata’s soul, from the hero of future and past, came together and were joined by Asmodeus.
And thus Hinata was reborn and Hero Chloe was born without a foreign soul inside of her.
Hinata and Chloe were now perfectly separated.
And with this miracle the Hero’s Egg inside of Hinata was passed down to the Chloe of the future.
Thus was the true birth of the Hero Chloe O’Bell. [3]
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