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

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

Chapter 123 Old men who look real just by holding back their laughter

The black knight Jyoku, who had attacked Calamiera Castle and kidnapped the Demon Princess Hades from the hero Ars, or rather Kakyu, teleported back to the Demon King’s castle to report to his accomplice, the Demon King.

During this time, Hades continued to resist, despite being overwhelmed by Kakyu’s immense power, thrashing and cursing both the black knight and his father, the Demon King.

“Did you return safely, Jyoku?”

“Of course. This mission was nothing for me.”

“Hey! Let me go, you bastard! What do you think you’re doing, separating me from Ars? Damn you, Demon King! Say something! You’re touching me, and I’m not even married yet!”

Despite the exchange of insults, the Demon King and the black knight seemed to be engaged in a serious conversation. In reality, it was the opposite. The Demon King smirked slightly at his daughter’s mention of “not being married yet,” and the black knight was struggling to suppress his laughter inside his pitch-black helmet, his face contorted.

In fact, he was trembling from trying to hold back his laughter.

Both men were doing their best not to let their laughter slip, as revealing their act would ruin their scheme. The silent air between the two men trying to suppress their laughter created an odd tension, adding to the dramatic atmosphere of their grand plan.

Of course, Hades had no idea she was being deceived.

“Damn it! That old man is seriously up to something… Could he be planning to invade the human world?”

“……”

The two old men couldn’t speak.

Because if they tried to talk while holding back their laughter, their voices would end up cracking.

But because they remained silent with serious expressions, it seemed to give credence to the situation. Hades felt a sinking feeling that this could indeed be happening for real.

Then, unexpectedly, the momentum with which she had been boldly berating the two men just moments ago suddenly dwindled. Not only that, tears began streaming from her eyes.

Even the Demon King, renowned for his endurance in maintaining a composed expression during audiences, was taken aback, now displaying a pitiful and unsettled demeanor.

“Why… Why would you do something like that… Is it really that important to make those damn humans into food…”

“No, Hades! It’s not like that! There’s a deeper reason—”

“Damn you, old man!!! I hate you!!”

As the Demon King tried to explain, Hades slipped out of the black knight’s loosened grip and ran off in tears.

“Hehehe, looks like your daughter doesn’t like you, old man.”

“Kuh… Kuuh…! B-but, this… we can’t continue like this…”

Caught between his original purpose and his daughter’s rejection, the Demon King struggled. But now, he couldn’t stop the plan that had already engulfed this world.

In contrast, Kakyu felt relieved to finally be able to laugh.

By the way, Kakyu had already placed a massive barrier around the Demon King’s castle. It seemed impossible to escape through teleportation with half-hearted efforts. Knowing this, they simply left Hades, who was trying to flee, and relaxed as if nothing was amiss.

“Well, this is just another wall you face as a father. Eventually, she’ll understand your feelings too, so don’t worry too much.”

“Easy for you to say… It’s not just your problem.”

“Well, it is someone else’s problem, huh. Anyway, let’s move on to the next plan, old man.”

The clandestine conversation between the black knight and the Demon King continued…

◇

Meanwhile, in Calamiera Castle where Hades had been abducted, chaos erupted as if someone had stirred up a hornet’s nest.

And understandably so, because there appeared to be an entity capable of delivering a devastating blow to the Imperial Castle of the Holy Nation, which boasted barriers against demons, even if it seemed like the hero had single-handedly repelled an advanced demon — or so it appeared.

Naturally, if there were demons capable of bypassing the castle’s barriers and launching an attack, it would render all defenses against such assaults useless. Therefore, it was inevitable that some nobles, in their own self-interest, suggested keeping the hero close at hand rather than sending reinforcements.

Amidst this, Ars and the others…

“U-um, Ars… What’s, um…”

“Yeah.”

“C-come on, cheer up! Look, um, Hades is the Crown Princess of the Demon Realm, right? So, she shouldn’t be able to die, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Ars, you…”

While Ein desperately tried to encourage him, Ars remained bowed, clearly deep in thought about something.

His demeanor exuded a dark, brooding anger that seemed ready to burst at any moment, leaving no room for further discussion.

Right now, Hero Ars was desperately suppressing his intense anger toward the Black Knight.

“No matter what you say to the hero now, it won’t work~. I understand, you know. It’s best for everyone to stay by his side quietly~,” Mermel casually remarked, now that the source of fear had disappeared, even poking her head out from under the desk and lounging comfortably on the sofa.

She had transformed back into the carefree little angel she was.

“I’ve made up my mind.”

“Huh?”

“I’m heading to the Demon Realm now. I’m going to charge in and take down the Demon King.”

“…Huh?”

Mermel had to double-check in disbelief at such an unexpectedly bold decision.

However, Ars’s expression was dead serious, indicating there was no turning back.

To be honest, Mermel was against this decision. She thought it might be too much for her small angelic self to venture into the Demon Realm, let alone charge in rather than heading to the Southern Continent for reinforcements.

Mermel had been thinking, but simply adjusting her sunglasses, she said nothing.

Because really, even if she said such a thing, the situation probably wouldn’t change.

The intuition of the elite angel is usually correct.

“I agree with you, Lord Ars.”

As they were discussing, Isha, who had been silent with closed eyes until now, spoke up.

“First of all, simply sending reinforcements to support the nations of the Southern Continent won’t fundamentally solve the problem unless we strike the Demon Realm, which is the headquarters of the demons. Of course, not all demons in the Demon Realm are enemies of humanity, but to deal with those who are hostile, this seems to be the only way.”

That was indeed a valid argument.

No matter how much they skirmished with demons on the surface, it was impossible to thwart the schemes of demon factions hostile to humanity.

Therefore, it was imperative to prioritize settling things with leaders like the Demon King and the Black Knight; otherwise, there would be no resolution at all.

That’s what she wanted to say.

“…I understand well now with this incident. Just as my father said. Before losing something important, I should have given it my all. If I had been determined from the start to corner the Black Knight with a resolve to risk my life, maybe it wouldn’t have ended like this!”

He gritted his teeth in a situation where he wanted to demand what that trial, which constantly urged him to surpass his limits for those he must protect, had been all about.

If he didn’t have comrades supporting him here, he might have shed bitter tears without shame.

Among those present here, Ein understood more than anyone else the feelings of such a close friend.

Because once, he had been unable to move to help Isha, his beloved, and had almost left her to die.

That’s why, to awaken his dear friend, Ein tightened his grip on his hand, gritted his teeth, and raised his fist with determination.

But when he raised his fist, a familiar, manly voice echoed, somewhat nostalgically.

“Ah, I see now. I understand your feelings.”

“Then all I can convey to you is this.”

In the next moment,

A dull sound, like “dodon,” reverberated through the room, causing the air to tremble.

“Awaken, Hero Ars. The you consumed by emotions right now is a burden… hindrance…”

“Why are you here…?”

“Yeah. You need strength, right? I’ve come to help.”