Reincarnated Devil's Strongest Hero Training Plan ~The baby he picked up has grown up so well that his father is confused~ - Chapter 103

Reincarnated Devil’s Strongest Hero Training Plan ~The baby he picked up has grown up so well that his father is confused~

Chapter 103   “Fire! 1024!”

In the deepest chamber of the ancient ruins.

The intense clash of metal resounded in the surroundings, as the hero party, struggling even in the face of a three-to-one situation, battled against the defense and offense of the giant’s four heavenly kings, Hecatoncheir.

Already, Ars had employed his secret technique, the Super Devil Bat Assault, utilizing the wings of light that allowed unrestricted aerial mobility and a golden sword, exerting all his strength to resist.

Gaius, too, desperately parried the enemy’s attacks, striving to create openings for Amanda and Ars to exploit, while Amanda, acting as a scout, sought any possible advantage by hurling her dagger to distract.

However…

“Hahaha…! Is that all you’ve got, wielder of the golden blade… no, heroes! To think you are humanity’s strongest hope against us demons with such meager effort is laughable!”

Unfortunately, this time, their teamwork, individual skills, ultimate techniques, and even their trump cards were all ineffective against the insurmountable gap in strength that existed.

Or, to be precise, only Ars, the hero, was steadily accumulating damage with his attacks.

Once the golden sword found its mark, the giant would bleed, and even if it tried to regenerate its body using the overwhelming magical power it contained, since magic was not infinite, it would eventually be defeated.

Yet, this was true for both the enemy and themselves.

Naturally, as this was a battle, Gaius, acting as the shield to protect his comrades from the super-powered barrage unleashed from the giant’s four arms, was becoming exhausted.

Even when adopting a stance focused on evasion and guarding as much as possible, while they inflict damage with the golden sword, they end up completely battered by attacks.

Each time, Ars heals with recovery magic, but in this battle of attrition stemming from the depletion of residual magical power, the victory would undoubtedly tilt in favor of the giant, Hecatoncheir, one of the four heavenly kings.

Amanda’s attacks, whether aimed at the face or elsewhere, fail to pierce the skin and cause damage, in terms of attack power, endurance, and stamina.

In short, they are unequivocally outmatched in direct melee combat.

“Gah! Gaius!? Ultimate group recovery magic! Giga Holy Rain!”

“Thanks, Ars! Not only does this guy surpass me in attack power, but also in warrior experience!”

Returning to the front lines immediately after receiving the healing magic, it’s clear that they’re in dire straits.

Facing one of the four heavenly kings, including Gaius, who surpasses even Ars in terms of combat experience, leaves them helpless.

If they continue the fight, annihilation is certain, whether it’s Ars’s magic running out first or the giant’s magic.

The stone door, which serves as the exit, is sealed by the giant’s power, poised to kill the heroes. Escape is impossible.

From any perspective, it seemed that almost everyone present was completely cornered.

Except for one person, Ars, the hero who harbors strong determination in his eyes.

“We’re changing tactics. I’ll handle the rest alone from here.”

“W-what are you saying!? I should still be able to function at least as your dodge!”

“That’s right, young master! It’s reckless to go alone! Rethink your plan!”

Suddenly, Ars declared that he would take on the Hecatoncheir alone, disregarding his companions.

However, neither of the two adults were clouded enough in judgment to agree to such a reckless plan. They were about to voice their opposition to the party leader’s absurd proposal…

“I cannot allow it. It seems our current enemies are poorly matched against the two of you who specialize in physical combat. Therefore, Gaius, please protect Amanda.”

“…………”

“…I’m counting on you.”

It was necessary to understand and accept both the meaning that sacrificing comrades for mere dodging was unacceptable and the fact that Gaius and Amanda would achieve nothing by struggling against these physical-oriented heavenly king. There was no choice but to consent.

Gaius understood this well.

In terms of combat at full strength, his own abilities were far inferior to those of his greatest disciple, regardless of his experience as a warrior. He was merely a hindrance.

If he were to be injured, Ars, who couldn’t abandon his comrades, would have no choice but to use his magic for recovery, wasting it unnecessarily.

Therefore, realizing long ago that the two of them, who couldn’t inflict damage, should withdraw to the rear, and Ars, who could evade attacks using the wings of light, should fight alone, was the best chance of victory.

Despite desperately wanting to continue watching his disciple’s growth by his side, and despite wanting to show the back of a man and warrior he had cultivated himself, he couldn’t find words to argue.

In order to survive and overcome the four heavenly kings, Gaius, who was an adult capable of accepting reality, had no choice but to nod in agreement to Ars’s best solution of fighting alone.

Thus, he suppressed the welling regret and frustration within himself and responded, ensuring that his greatest disciple could seize victory without any worries.

“Ah, I got it! Leave Amanda to me. You hurry up and cut that big guy in half with your sword of light!”

“Got it!”

Gaius, after engaging in fierce combat, momentarily withdrew with Amanda towards the wall, while Ars took the lead alone.

“Hahaha! What’s this? The hero dares to challenge me alone!? This is great, it means fewer bothersome insects to deal with!”

“…”

The Four Heavenly Kings sensed something in the one-on-one setup and taunted, but Ars ignored it all, silently gathering the power of golden light while moving rapidly through the air.

The Brave Engine is the power of wishes.

Contrary to what was said earlier, Ars’s golden light triggers mental strength, unlike magic, so depending on the individual’s will, there is no energy depletion.

Of course, when activating healing magic or strengthening magic to enhance combat abilities, there is a barrier called magic reserve.

On the other hand, if it’s just accumulating the energy contained in the golden sword to boost attack power, as long as Hero Ars doesn’t give up, his power will endlessly increase during battle.

The remaining magic power is converted into mobility for maintaining the wings of light or combat abilities such as the ultimate warrior awakening secret technique. By repeating hit-and-run tactics, the situation gradually becomes advantageous.

This is just a glimpse of the power the hero possesses.

That’s why, due to compatibility issues, Ars wanted to push back allies who couldn’t inflict damage and engage in one-on-one combat himself.

However, since there was no one to take on the role of support, if he were to receive even one blow, he would be pushed into a dire situation.

This is the difference in strategy: prioritize accumulating the power of golden light while being aware of the risk, or focus on recovery instead of fighting with allies and gradually accumulate damage.

This time, Ars simply chose to fight alone, relying on the effective strike of the golden sword.

If, hypothetically, a party member named Hades were added to this scenario, the concept would have changed completely.

After all, there would have been a solid source of damage in the form of magic, so there would be no need to rush into solo actions.

In that case, Gaius would defend, Ars would heal, Amanda would disrupt, and Hades would deliver the finishing blow. Well, it’s all just hypothetical.

“Haahh!!”

“Noooo!! How troublesome, you’re so nimble! Are you implying that you were holding back against me until just now!?”

The giant, unable to withstand Ars’s sudden increase in damage due to his concentrated attacks, growled with an expression of disbelief and questioning. Everything had gone according to plan until this point, and if things continued smoothly, Ars would win the damage race.

Or so it seemed.

“Alright! Good job, Ars!”

“It’s effective, kid! Keep pushing!”

“Hmm, I see? I see.”

At this moment, the giant, who had been pushed into a defensive position contrary to before, realized something.

When he had charged in solo, ignoring those human pests in the distance, he had wondered if the hero had lost his mind.

But as it turned out, the hero had gained freedom of action and was actually cornering himself.

So, in this situation, could it be that the hero’s “true weakness” is actually his companions themselves…

And thus, he arrived at that conclusion.

“Ah, I see… So, in that case…”

Suddenly changing the direction of his killing intent, the giant ignored the damage from the golden sword, instead gathering his strength and directing each of his four hands holding swords, battle axes, spears, and warhammers towards the rear.

A heat aura, unlike anything seen before, began to emanate from the surface of his body, indicating his intent to settle everything with this one strike.

“In that case, the hero won’t be able to evade so easily, will he…?”

“Ugh!! …Damn it!!”

Ars, reading the intent from the killing intent directed towards the rear, became unsettled, breaking out in a cold sweat.

While fighting alone from the start would have been different, in a situation where he had companions, there was one weakness to this solo charge.

That weakness was the strategy of sacrificing oneself to target his companions, a tactic that Ars could never overlook.

Having been accurately discerned, he no longer had the luxury of fighting leisurely. Releasing all the golden aura he had accumulated, he unleashed a full-power Brave Blade to defend against the giant’s full-force attack.

“I won’t let you!!”

“Nooooooo!! This… this is nothing…!!”

A strike of light, accumulated to the point where it would surpass even the Brave Sword that once slew high-ranking demons, was unleashed.

Even as the giant, who could withstand attacks that would instantly annihilate normal demons, finally prepared to unleash his technique and aimed for Ars’s exposed vulnerability as planned, at that moment…

From somewhere, came the broken tension of countless roars, and countless follow-up attacks rained down on the Four Heavenly Kings who had barely endured the damage at the last moment!!

“Wha… what’s… happening!!? It’s hot, too hot…!!!”

The number of flames, a staggering one thousand and twenty-four.

It was a barrage of the “Fire!” shot by every single member of the Mermels army, each aimed to crush not only the sealed stone door but also the Four Heavenly Kings!!

“Fire!”

“Burn!”

“I find comfort in flames~”

“You’re going to be firewood.”

“Or perhaps, ashes?”

So merciless!

Already, from the perspective of the little angelic beings, due to their high magical resistance and endurance, they appeared as “premium firewood” worthy of burning!!

It’s terrifying to see the anticipation in the eyes of the little ones, wondering when the firewood will turn to ashes!

Sometimes, the copy Mermels would irresponsibly say things like, “So this is the fate of evil, huh~” or “We don’t want to end up like that,” which was in poor taste!

“Are you kidding me!? How can this be happening!! This… this can’t be happening!!!”

“Ugh… that’s brutal.”

“I’ve seen some terrifying sights.”

“And why are there so many little ones…? Are they siblings or something?”

Despite attempting a final struggle, the Four Heavenly Kings, unable to move against the overwhelming barrage of “Fire!” shots, gradually found themselves charred and overwhelmed.

Ars, with his excellent mobility, immediately took flight upon hearing the terrifying “FHOOOO!” of the Mermels army, already in spectator mode alongside his companions. It could also be called escapism.

“But, there’s no reason to just watch leisurely. I’ll finish him off properly with Brave Blade!”

“Y-you’re… foolish…”

Although currently immobilized by the flamethrower, there was no telling when the Four Heavenly Kings might turn the tables with his remaining strength or hidden trump cards. Therefore, Ars, seeing this as the prime opportunity, focused his aura during the spectator time and unleashed a full-power Brave Blade that cleaved the enemy from head to groin vertically.

And so, while witnessing the incomprehensible sight, a few minutes after the Four Heavenly Kings were split in half and used as fuel for a grand campfire, there stood one thousand and twenty-four little angelic beings, looking somewhat disappointed that the festival had ended.

At just this moment, it seemed that the magic of the copy Mermels, utilizing ley lines, had either run out or something else had occurred. From somewhere, a voice of a man saying, “Well, I guess you did pretty well this time, Chibisuke,” was heard, and then the unruly Mermels army, having completed their task and high-fiving each other, disappeared with a rather deflating “pop-pop-pop” sound.