Reincarnated Devil's Strongest Hero Training Plan ~The baby he picked up has grown up so well that his father is confused~ - Chapter 62

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

Chapter 62   Difference in experience, difference in ability

Amidst the tense standoff between the adults and the children, as I continue to restrain Hades with my imposing presence, Gaius immediately lunges forward.

There’s nothing to obstruct the great sword swung towards Ars and Ein, the vanguard. Given the difference in power and reach, it’s nearly impossible for them to withstand or counter this preemptive attack.

So, there’s only one option left for them: evade.

“Gah! This guy moves more skillfully than I anticipated! His power might be on par with Greater Zombies, but his speed, technique, and tactics are unmatched, Ars!”

“I know, Ein! His movements are reminiscent of Gaius himself! There’s no opening to exploit as a warrior! He truly lives up to the name of one of the Three Demon Generals!”

Yes, indeed.

Because what’s inside is Gaius himself.

That’s why the movements and tactics are so similar. It’s the real deal.

Though it’s not as pronounced now, Ars, who had always trained with Gaius until a few years ago, must have sensed something in his movements. Truly, he’s my son. His intuition is sharp.

However, with Gaius coming at them so blatantly head-on, can they afford to be distracted? The real threat is looming dangerously close. They need to stay focused.

“Seems like there’s an opening, Sword Saint.”

“What!? Guuuaaaaah!”

“Ein!?”

“No, Ars-sama! I’ll tend to Ein’s injuries! Ars-sama, maintain vigilance around us!”

Shifting to evasion, Elsa emerges from Ein’s blind spot, dodging his movements as he avoids the reach of the greatsword. In an instant, she cuts the tendons of his right wrist, causing him to drop his weapon due to the loss of strength in his dominant hand. Ars notices and rushes to assist, but it’s too late.

With the agility characteristic of an assassin, Elsa swiftly retreats beyond their reach, making it impossible to counterattack. Gaius, not missing such a decisive opening, follows up and delivers a full-force horizontal slash to Ars, who is now left alone.

“Nuugh!!”

“Kuh… The attack… is heavy…!”

Oh, impressive. He managed to parry that horizontal slash by incorporating a backward step. That flexible martial arts technique and subsequent recovery are advanced movements that you wouldn’t obtain solely by pursuing swordsmanship. It’s a testament to Ars’s mastery across various skills—swordsmanship, martial arts, magic, assassination techniques, and more. It’s his unique response and strength, reaching the level of a master, that sets him apart.

But even as we corner these children, the three Demon Generals, we are quite formidable ourselves.

“Indeed. That was a good coordinated attack. As expected of us, the Three Demon Generals. However, with that last strike, if we had the intent, we could have severed the Sword Saint’s neck instead of his wrist. I wonder if your Highness is aware of that?”

Well, this is still a trial and a lesson, so we wouldn’t go that far. But if this were the real deal, Ein would already be dead.

Although the damage to Ein’s wrist tendon was healed in the next moment by the Saint, he must have felt the difference in strength and experience in this battle. The frontline strength between the two adults and three children is almost equal.

However, the experience of the adults as adventurers and assassins far surpasses that of the childrens.

For example, think of it this way… Imagine characters in a fighting game. Even if you use a character with the same performance, there’s a huge difference in strategy and tactics between someone who’s gotten used to using that character and a world champion in that field.

That’s what it basically comes down to.

So, children, learn from this moment of defeat, rise up as many times as necessary, and use it as nourishment.

“…Who are you? Preventing me from using my magic, restraining all my movements with just intimidation, and sealing my actions… Ridiculous, unbelievable. There’s no way something like this could happen!”

“But it is happening.”

Oops, looks like even Hades-chan is starting to notice something odd. That’s right, your impression is pretty much on point.

The intimidation I’m using is essentially a primitive act of confronting the opponent with pure magical energy that isn’t formed as a spell, something even beasts with a hint of magical power could do. Because of this, there’s almost no delay in its activation, and every time Hades-chan tries to use magic, I can cancel out that magical energy and hinder her actions.

Furthermore, if someone tries to counter my intimidation with a powerful magic, I can simply replicate a “bluff” intimidation that matches their grand magic. By doing so, Hades-chan would mistakenly overanalyze my moves, thinking that her attack might not work with this grand magic, or that her movements are being predicted.

Well, this bluff battle is the most basic strategy even demons and angels from Earth dimensions would use.

But Hades-chan, you haven’t reached this level yet, have you? No matter how much potential you have as a demon lord, and no matter how much incredible power you possess, without the experience and knowledge to handle that grand magic, you’re stuck.

So, the story goes that Hades-chan was still about two thousand years too early to defeat me, a low-ranking demon.

Better luck next time.

“Have you understood the difference in our abilities a little? Hmm?”

“Ugh! You monster…! How evil can you be to ridicule me like this?! You won’t have a decent death!”

“Hahaha! Well said!”

Actually, considering how I died on Earth and ended up in Hell, then somehow became a low-ranking demon, what I’m saying is undoubtedly correct.

“But even if you understand that, what will you do? Right now, your Highness can’t escape from the restraint of this Black Knight Jyoku, unable to move a finger and just sweating nervously. This situation is quite… problematic, isn’t it? Hm? What’s wrong? Say something.”

Grinning.

“Guoooh!! That attitude that reminds me of that evil human…! It’s infuriating, aaah, it’s so infuriating! I’ve had enough! No matter how skillfully you manipulate magic, if I just blow away everything within your range without thinking, there will be nothing left of you. Regret angering me and perish!”

Whoa, so that’s how you’re going to play it.

Hmm, well, I guess it’s one way to go about it.

Certainly, if you can’t win with predictions like “If I do this, then that will happen,” or “If I try that, then this will occur,” then just brute-forcing your way through with sheer power without considering the risks of failure should at least get you out of this intimidation battle.

For a decision made in such a short period, it’s a pretty good call. Let’s give credit where it’s due.

“Well done! Excellent, Your Highness! You’ve managed to arrive at one of the countless answers. I’ll give you praise. But it seems your judgment was a little delayed, huh?”

“What!?”

Hades-chan.

You might not have realized it, but your power-up seems to be running out.

Look, as evidence, your once voluptuous chest is gradually shrinking.

Even your hair is returning closer to its original short wolf hair, and your magnificent wings and horns are slowly disappearing, right?

It looks like the temporary power-up awakened by love and anger is coming to an end, doesn’t it?

That’s too bad.

“N-n-no way!! M-my… M-my power is rapidly diminishing! Hey, you! What the hell did you do to my body!? Even if that old bastard hid some trump card, if he messed with my innocent body before getting married, I swear I’ll kill him for real!”

Whoa, looks like you’ve completely regained your personality.

And you were aware of your pre-marriage status, Hades-chan. Uncle is so happy that you, the innocent one, have some decent sensibilities. It brings tears to my eyes.

Sniffle…

“No, I didn’t do anything. It’s just the backlash from the sudden influx of power that should have gradually matured. The future Your Highness will probably gain the same or even greater power as before, but now is not the time for that… That’s all there is to it. Well, just gotta accept it.”

So, sorry about that, Hades-chan.

This match, it’s my win.

Well, I suppose I can acknowledge that you finally figured out one of the correct answers at the very end. You’re indeed worthy of being Ars’s potential spouse.

For now, you’ve passed. Good job.

“What did you say!? Then I’ll awaken again and beat you to a pulp!”

“…That’s an impossible request. Here.”

“Wha…!?”

Since you seemed about to rampage again without learning your lesson, I wrapped chains of magic around your body to restrain you. With your current state, you won’t be able to break free from them even in a hundred years.

Just stay quiet for now.

Well, to be honest, another awakening is impossible anyway.

That was like a miracle where Hades-chan’s passion and the influence of the bloodline of the Demon Lord aligned perfectly.

You don’t just casually awaken like that.

“Now that this is settled, let’s just sit back and enjoy the show over there. Don’t worry, Your Highness. It’s a secret from those kids, but I won’t take any lives today. After all, they’re your favorites, right? Rest assured.”

“Gah! Damn it! There’s no way I’ll accept losing to such a wicked guy like this…!”

Despite losing, you’re quite energetic, huh?

Seems like you’re not listening to a word I’m saying.

Well, it’s okay, right?

An old guy lecturing young girls from above is annoying, right?

Yeah, I get it.

Oh, a little sweat from the eyes…

Salty…