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 5 Holy Knight and the Burning Pioneer Village

“Hmm, I was cautious upon hearing you were a former A-rank adventurer, but it seems you’re nothing more than a heretic. And it appears age has caught up with you as well.”

“Y-You…! Why would you… bring such devastation to… a village like this…!”

In a remote corner of the western continent’s frontier, tragedy had befallen a quiet pioneering village.

Homes were ablaze, food supplies were plundered, and the peaceful villagers were slaughtered at the hands of a squad of holy knights.

While indeed a tragedy, such scenes were not uncommon in this world.

However, the villagers had no concern for the world’s affairs, and tragedy was tragedy. The old veteran of the pioneering village, witnessing this sight, contorted his face in frustration, shedding tears of blood, unable to accomplish anything against the holy knights’ demonic deeds. It was understandable that he couldn’t forgive them.

“Why, you ask? Don’t play dumb, old soldier. Then why is that meat and you all stained with the presence of demons?”

“The presence of demons, you say? W-What nonsense is this?! Such absurdity!”

The old soldier roared.

However, with a body aged and weakened compared to its prime, he was no match for the squad leader of the holy knights entrusted with this mission.

He was completely at an impasse.

Yet, the old soldier believed that was no reason to give up.

“Hmm, won’t you give up already? You’re quite unsightly for a heretic. Very well, I’ll put an end to this now.”

With those words, the squad leader of the holy knights aimed his mithril sword at the old soldier, imbuing it with his formidable magical power as a holy knight.

It was what’s known as weapon enhancement through magical manipulation technique.

By doing so, he intended to sever the weapon held by the old soldier.

Feeling the overwhelming difference in magical power and equipment between them, the old soldier gritted his teeth in frustration. He realized that he was already too battered and bruised to contend with his opponent, and that he would likely lose his head before he could even properly engage in combat.

“It’s over… for me…”

…I’m sorry, Kakyu.

…Looks like I couldn’t buy enough time until you arrived.

Understanding everything that would befall him from this point on, the old soldier silently apologized to the young man who had been his benefactor and had cared for him like family, and then his head was severed.

…But why was he waiting for Kakyu in the first place?

Simply put, it was because the old soldier, who had made a name for himself as an A-rank adventurer in his younger days, knew the depth of his benefactor’s incomprehensible strength.

He knew that the meat Kakyu always brought with him was from a real dragon.

And from the first moment he saw him, he understood that despite his seemingly gentle appearance, there was no room for error in his behavior, and he could sense his unfathomable power.

However, the old soldier didn’t really care who his benefactor was. He only saw him as someone who treated the villagers kindly, brightened their days, and, above all, loved the village like family.

Without ever understanding the old soldier’s feelings, the squad leader of the holy knights who severed his head made his declaration.

“Now, we’ve crushed the heretic village! Let’s return to the religious state once, we must report our mission. Follow me!”

“Yes, sir!”

Having confirmed the total annihilation of the villagers, they left the decimated village behind and made their way back to the territory of the religious state.

However, these holy knights were unaware.

They didn’t know what kind of friendship this peaceful village had formed.

They didn’t know that the friend they had made wasn’t even a native of this world, and was not some easily disposable being like a demon.

And they remained oblivious to the fact that among the villagers they had massacred, there was one lone survivor.

◇

“I see… So that’s what happened, old man. I’m sorry for being late.”

One month had passed since the last dragon barbecue. Upon my return to the pioneering village from the capital city to deliver souvenirs once again, what awaited me was the sight of the village ravaged and destroyed by someone or something.

It seems I didn’t make it in time.

But let’s stop with the ambiguous phrases like “someone or something.” The truth of who did it is as clear as day.

After all, I may be a low-level demon, but I can easily read the scenes from the remnants of souls left behind here. And considering the circumstances, the only group that comes to mind who would do something like this near this village is them.

“However, this is also the way of life. Losing lives due to conflict is also part of nature’s order. As a demon, it’s not my place to interfere in every little thing… At least, it would have been easier if I could say that.”

Yes, I am a demon.

I don’t usually concern myself with matters of life and death, and after living for two thousand years, it’s just something that happens from time to time, enough to be dismissed.

Ideally, that’s how it should be.

“But unfortunately, my mindset is rather pedestrian. Perhaps it’s because I was originally human. I can’t help but feel indebted to this village, where I once formed a bond of friendship and was accepted as one of their own, as the traveling merchant Kakyu.”

These people from the village truly helped me.

They were the first ones I opened up to after coming to this otherworldly realm, and above all, being with them was enjoyable.

The old man may be a bit foolish, the lady at the tool shop may be cantankerous, and their grandchildren may have grown fond of me.

I loved these people from the village.

Unconsciously, I clenched my fist, and blood flowed from my hand, having exerted too much force.

“This is anger, indeed. Yes, I’m angry. Angry at the fact that the villagers who showed me kindness were killed, angry at my own pathetic incompetence, foolishness, and carelessness for not being able to do anything. …So, this is my demonic retaliation. Forgive me, holy knights.”

I know it’s misguided.

All of this happened because of my carelessness and negligence in concealing information.

But I can’t stop.

I shouldn’t stop.

Slowly, I directed my hand towards the direction of the holy knight squad that created this tragedy, circulating the magic power within me and quietly casting a spell.

“Meteo Smash.”

As I muttered those words, a meteor streaked down from the sky towards a distant land.

Ah, if a meteor of that magnitude were to fall upon them, surely the holy knight squad would perish without even a chance to resist.

But I have no regrets.

Just as the holy knights did not forgive the people of this village, I too have no intention of forgiving them.

And in the far distance, with a deafening roar, the light of destruction exploded.

Mushroom clouds rose from the epicenter, and I understood that every single one of the holy knights had disappeared without a trace.

“What a filthy firework, isn’t it?”

“Waaaah! Waaaah!”

“Oh, you think so too? Haha, well, that’s good.”

Perhaps reacting to the explosion, the only surviving infant in this pioneering village let out a cry.

Yes, there was a survivor in this village.

“However, you’re pretty lucky, aren’t you? Be grateful to your mom who hid you in the closet, okay?”

“Waaah!”

By some stroke of fate, or perhaps destiny.

According to the information gleaned from the remnants of souls, this baby didn’t make a sound while hidden in the closet and went unnoticed by the holy knights.

Yet, the moment I stepped into this village, he started crying loudly.

Truly, what a fortunate fellow.

“Now then, there’s no use crying over spilled milk. Truth be told, I’ve got quite a bit of free time. Will you come with me?”

“Giggles!”

As I said that, the baby who had been crying until just a moment ago smiled and responded to me.

Though he shouldn’t understand words, it seems he can sense the situation.

What a clever child.

But is that so, you’ll come with me?

Well, that’s fine too.

“Alright, from today onwards, I’m your father. When you grow up, you should call me ‘Dad.'”

“Giggles!”

“Hahaha! Don’t worry! I’ve never raised a baby before, but I’ll make you into a fine man! Hahahaha!”