Reincarnated Devil's Strongest Hero Training Plan ~The baby he picked up has grown up so well that his father is confused~ - Chapter 126

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

Chapter 126   Let there be light

A place where humans and demons clash, risking their pride, lives, and beliefs in a decisive battle. Such is the southern continent, or more accurately, the heart of a hell manifesting in the human world.

In the midst of this, the central nation of the continent, the magical kingdom of Rulans, found itself in dire straits.

“Reporting! The eastern fortress, which was defending the border with the Labyrinth Kingdom of Garard, has fallen to an assault by a mixed force of twelve thousand demons and monsters! The commander appears to be an undead high-ranking demon, likely a vampire!”

“…Understood. Thank you for your report. You may withdraw.”

“Yes, sir!”

Accepting the report from a knight already battered from battle, the first prince of the Rulans Kingdom, Marsley Rulans, lowered his eyes. The battle against the demons had begun weeks ago. The human side was not just at a disadvantage; the armies of each nation were on the verge of complete annihilation.

And for good reason. Just one high-ranking demon appearing once every few decades was enough to mobilize an entire nation, but now, a hundred of them were attacking all at once. Even Rulans, a powerful magical nation, would tremble at facing just one of these Four Heavenly Kings-level demons, and now they had confirmed sightings of such a demon.

Under these circumstances, it’s strange they were able to put up a fight at all. It wasn’t a matter of strategy or tactics; they simply lacked the overwhelming combat power needed.

Ordinarily, the human side would use their superior numbers to at least maintain the front line in such a desperate situation. But this time, demons and monsters seemed to spawn endlessly, as if there was a hole somewhere connecting the demon world to the human world, from which they were pouring out.

Such a phenomenon was unprecedented, even considering past histories and legends.

“The reinforcements from the Holy Nation…”

“They have not arrived yet. As for the hero in question, he likely only just departed from the Holy Nation. Though, I suppose that is relatively swift.”

Prince Marsley Rulans addressed the general beside him on the battlefield, clinging to a sliver of hope despite knowing how unlikely it was.

Even the prince understood the situation. It would take at least a month for a message to reach the Holy Nation from this land. Even for an elite information-gathering unit, it would take a few weeks. That means it usually takes two months for a round trip. Therefore, no matter what miracle occurred, there was no way reinforcements could arrive within three weeks of the war’s commencement.

Thus, it was unfair to blame the hero. Instead, there was only gratitude for those who had swiftly detected the movements of the demons and solved numerous issues up to now.

But regardless of that, the immediate necessity was to survive here and now. The prince mentally devised various strategies, but no realistic solutions emerged.

This demonic invasion was simply too overwhelming.

“What shall we do, Your Highness?”

“…How many more days can our forces withstand the demons?”

“Approximately three days. Even if the reinforcements from the west do not arrive in time, there are still measures we can take. Currently, the Dark Elf village, activated by an ancient covenant, has formed an assassination unit centered around the Tokoyami and is holding off demons in various locations. If we are fortunate, we might extend our survival by an additional two days.”

However, by that time, our nation may have already disappeared from the continent’s map. The general thought as he looked out over the battlefield.

The hordes of demons and monsters were already closing in. They effortlessly cut down soldiers and knights as they advanced.

Is this the end? He felt a sense of resignation and tightened his grip on his sword’s hilt, his gaze fixed outside.

He had mentioned three days earlier, but that was merely the estimated time the humans of this continent could endure the invasion. It was not an estimate of how long this country would last.

The demons targeted the magical kingdom of Rulans, the cornerstone of the southern continent’s defenses, as if it were their mortal enemy. Within half a day, they would reach not only his neck but the royal capital itself.

The general’s response to the question about the kingdom’s forces might not have been entirely appropriate, but he didn’t want to plunge the prince into despair at this crucial moment. For the sake of post-victory reconstruction, the prince needed to escape to either the Elven or Dark Elven hidden village.

Although the prince was unaware, contingency plans and reserves were in place for this purpose, and King Rulans had approved it. While many would resent the royal family fleeing under such circumstances, the general resolved to bear the burden, claiming all decisions as his own to protect the prince.

“Heh… In future history books, I’ll surely be labeled a great criminal. But compared to humanity’s victory, that’s a small price to pay. Hero, I leave the world to you.”

Just as the general steeled himself to issue a secret order unknown even to the prince, it happened.

“Gruoooooooon!”

“What was that!?”

Suddenly, a massive dragon’s shadow fell over the battlefield. In the next moment—

—Annihilate all evil!!

—Brave Blade!!

A dazzling flash of light illuminated the area, driving back the encroaching demons and casting a golden glow over the battlefield.

This was one of the signature miracles performed by the legendary hero Ars, which would be passed down as a fairy tale for generations to come. It was known as the moment of “Let There Be Light.”

◇

“……….”

“……….”

“……….”

“……….”

“Well, someone say something!”

On the back of the Fire Dragon Ballus, the Hero, the Saintess, the Sword Saint, and the Super Warrior fell into stunned silence. Meanwhile, the Angel, visibly unnerved, was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

All of them had just witnessed the devastating aftermath from above, caused by Ars’ Brave Blade unleashed onto the battlefield.

The issue lay in the overwhelming scale and power of Ars’ Brave Blade, unlike anything seen before. Previously, Ars had only managed to harness the aura of his Brave Engine into the form of a sword, a skill that pushed his weapon to its limits. But this time was different.

Seeing the hellish battlefield, witnessing the masses injured and exposed to the demon’s invasion, Ars erupted in a fit of rage, unconsciously tapping into power far beyond his own limits.

And what happened next was clear for all to see.

“I never expected him to unleash as many Brave Blades as there are invading demons… Looks like my disciple has finally stopped being human…”

Gaius, having witnessed the entire ordeal, calmly stated with a cold sweat running down his face amidst the eerily quiet battlefield.

From his aerial view, there was not a single demon left moving on the battlefield.

In other words, Ars had single-handedly obliterated every last one of them in a fit of anger.

Even the Hero party, including Ars himself, could only stand in awe.

In terms of concrete results, Ars had instantly slain approximately 150,000 enemies, comprising both demons and monsters that were overwhelming Rulans.

Moreover, the surplus energy from the unleashed golden light not only annihilated the enemies but also healed every knight and adventurer wounded in battle.

It seemed that Ars could handle it all on his own.

However, even the Hero himself seemed to have pushed himself to his limit. Having exhausted his magical power, his physical strength was running on fumes, and he could only kneel, shoulders heaving.

“I always thought there was only one dangerously uncontrollable guy I couldn’t go against, but it turns out there were two.”

“Heh… Heh… Uh, M-Mer-Mel?”

“Well, you should rest now. Well done, ya know?”

In the end, the elite angel Mermel gently patted Ars’ head, offering him the highest praise imaginable.

For Mermel, this was the ultimate reward.

Meanwhile, during all this, Isha had fainted from shock, and Ein’s mouth hung open, unable to close, in a state of stunned silence, like a goldfish.