End and Future Also Dormant

This chapter starts from Souma Ryuta (what was once Demon King) POV

Castle of Demon King is crumbling down.
My body is also gradually disappearing into dust.


According to the 'memory when I was Demon King', the 'Hand-mirror of Reincarnation' got activated after my head blew up and I died.
Just like how Kajikawa Hikaru's Menu fetched Efi Fruit, Demon King's Menu also fetched the hand-mirror a moment before he died.


That hand-mirror has different effects depending on the amount of mana and life force from sacrificed humans it has stocked up.


My reincarnation inherited my memory, knowledge and Status but not 'Souma Ryuta's Personality' because the mirror lacked a bit more mana and life force.
In a cruel twist of fate, my reincarnated form was a Demon King at that.
The result was the worst possible Demon King with the added strength of a hero.

So, what if the mirror had enough sacrifices?
I would have reincarnated with all the above intact. A perfect reincarnation.
I should have aimed for that, but I did not have it in me to sacrifice more humans back then.

Another thing. The last feature the hand mirror possesses.
Once it has gained sufficient sacrifices, it can resurrect its user in the same exact state as they were before death by sacrificing the hand-mirror itself.
Humans killed all over the world by demons were more than enough sacrifices. The prerequisites were over fulfilled.

In other word, Demon King had two insurances, 'Talisman of Scapegoat' and 'Hand-mirror of Reincarnation'.
He did not have much expectations on the latter though.


'Talisman of Scapegoat' is an ornament that has the effect of 'Voiding a fatal wound'. It's an equipment that lets you cheat death once.
While 'Hand-mirror of Reincarnation' has the effect of 'Resurrecting from death'. You might think they do the same thing.

But, they almost can't be further apart.
The moment Demon King has been deemed dead, every single demon in the world enters hibernation and vanishes from this world until the birth of the next generation Demon King.

'Once a Demon King is dead, its body shall disappear into dust'. That is one of this world's rules.
Getting resurrected doesn't change that fact. It is in effect once they are dead once.
The rule was probably made in order to prevent people from abusing Demon King's body as a puppet through necromancy and the likes.
True enough, my body is crumbling down into dust starting from extremities. I likely won't last several minutes more.


Dunno how the Hand-mirror works, but my personality as Souma Ryuta has resurfaced while Demon King is gone. And here I am now.
...Finally awake only after everything is over with no way to correct what I've done.

In the end, I never got my wish. Well, it was an impossible one to begin with.
I was just too hard-headed to quickly abandon my promise to Yukana.
The result of my half baked attempt to fulfill that wish was the birth of the worst Demon King.

Demon Kings are a being that exists to regulate humanity, but one misstep and they might very well go extinct.
More people than necessary died because of me. My death is nowhere near enough to make up for such a grave sin.
I shall accept my fate and fall to hell.

I am meant to disappear. I have no regret crumbling away along with this castle.
But those two, Kajikawa Hikaru and the young miss supporting him still have their future ahead of them. They must not be allowed to die here.
...Glad I got to learn Teleportation Magic. I didn't think it was necessary with Fast Travel at my disposal. I suppose raising my Skill Level an inordinate amount didn't come to waste in the end.
Demon King cannot be targeted by Teleportation Magic so that guy never used it though.



As I sat down waiting for my end, I caught sight of something near my legs.
...Ah, right, he did take that out.


"...Haha. I can't believe my last supper is a hamburger."


I unwrapped, bit on the content and started chewing.
The hamburger I'm eating alone in this collapsing castle tastes awfully light.
Nevertheless, he took the trouble of bringing this to me. I won't let it go to waste.
I kept eating through sheer willpower.


I thank you for the feast, Kajikawa Hikaru.

May you live your life to the fullest.
Make sure you don't leave behind foolish regrets like I did.


Good bye.











Oh and, burn down that note will you. I'm begging you.



<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >



~~~~~~~~~~~Alma's POV~~~~~~~~~~~~







I was in Daijel's inn by the time I came too.
Mom and dad tearfully hugged me as I lied on my bed.
...Reina and Hiyoko overheard the racket and jumped on me. I thought I was going to get trampled underfoot.


I'm told we managed to escape the crumbling Demon King castle.
It's been a week since then.

Originally there was no way we could have made it in time. I believe the one who brought us away was Teleportation Magic cast by Demon King.
I don't know why he chose to save us but I remember the face he had at the end... was awfully calm and gentle. 
Maybe that was the past hero... No, it's all in the past now. I should keep this to myself in order to prevent unnecessary confusion.


Neora's group apparently got out safely as well.
...They got blown away right outside the castle when it blew up.
Alan suffered a minor injury but it was nothing particularly bad. Then they all went back home with Fast Travel since Menu woke up.


Countless people fell victim to demon invasions all over the world while we were fighting Demon King.
Continent 4 suffered least damage thanks to 'Sensei' whom Hikaru asked for help with.
I wonder what's that Sensei like. I would like to meet him and say my thanks one day.

All the guildmasters we know being safe and sound is the silver lining in all of this mess.
Daijel's guildmaster has been supervising rebuilding effort while screaming his lungs out every day. He's so enthusiastic for someone his age.

Vinfitt's guildmaster was swallowed up by that black slime once but thanks to Hikaru's 'Sensei' swiftly defeating the slime, she got out alive.
...She unintentionally bared herself since her clothes were melted though. She's apparently doing her work despite being depressed about it.

Randorainam's guildmaster suffered wounds all over her body. She should be recuperating still but she won't stop doing deskwork.
The receptionist Naima is giving out orders on site in guildmaster's stead. She's apparently seriously giving her all, there's not a shadow of her former lazy self left.

The rebuilding effort has been going smoother than expected.
It seems Hikaru had warned Kanakkmatt-san beforehand that there would be a need for a huge amount of construction materials in the near future, so he has been distributing them all over the world.
Where did Hikaru even find time to think about what comes after the final battle.
Kanakk Company's reputation shot up thanks to this, he was half grumbling he received a lot more consultations unrelated to the rebuilding effort.



A week after I came to, right just as everybody started feeling weary with the rebuilding effort despite the smooth sailing so far, a certain broadcast streamed in.
The program is set to be 'Hero Neo Raifu's Pep Talk'.


『Aah, aah, test test, can you hear me?』


He sounds high strung, you could tell he's nervous even though there's no image.
He actually didn't want to stand out but reluctantly relented because it's a tradition every hero does after the defeat of Demon King.


『...Looks like there's no problem. Well then, let's start this. To all the people in the world, good morning, good afternoon, good evening. Hello, I'm the chosen hero of this generation, my name is Neo Raifu. Pleased to make your acquaintance.』


He covered all greetings due to time difference.
...You'd think he was a girl from hearing his voice alone.
I mean, he'd look like a girl on the screen even if we supposed there was an image. This will just cause more misunderstandings...


『A huge scar has been left in the world by the invasion of demons that took place about half a month ago. Humanity might have been driven to extinction if Demon King was not defeated even a day sooner.』

『The swift defeat of Demon King on the same day the invasion began is what made this rebuilding effort possible.』

『...But, before we toast for victory, I ask for a moment of prayer for all the people and the cities as well as many others we lost.』


No sound could be heard from the broadcast magic device for around a minute.
All the people in the city, no, in the world must be praying with their eyes closed right now.


『...I will proclaim here and now that it is not through my power alone that Demon King was defeated. No, everything is thanks to the comrades who fought with me, those who pushed my back, and everybody who never stopped fighting in the world.』

『I may have been granted the Special Job known as 'Hero', but I'm actually nothing special as a human. I laugh at superficial things, I get mad easily, I fear the unknown, and I cry at the the most trivial stuff. I am nothing special, I swear.』

『If even someone like me is qualified to be called a hero, then every single person who fights and supports those who fight in this world is fit to be a hero as well.』

『An innumerable amount of 'Heroes' are fighting, working and living in this world this very moment.』

『That's precisely why I believe all of us can get back on our feet and walk on toward the future no matter how beaten up we are. I swear I will do everything I can to make that into reality.』

『I apologize for my long winded speech. Lastly.』


『All of you, thank you for fighting. All of you, thank you for giving your all in the rebuilding effort... All of you, thank you for being alive!!』


Cheers erupted all over the town after that loud word of gratitude in the end.
Vigor returned to the faces of the weary. Bright smiles, as if saying 'we can do this' are now plastered there. 


It's okay. The world will get back on its feet once again.
I can tell from seeing people's faces visible from this window.


That's why-----


"...Hikaru."

"....Zzz.... Just five more days..."


....Please wake up already.

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