Reincarnated Devil's Strongest Hero Training Plan ~The baby he picked up has grown up so well that his father is confused~ - Chapter 96

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

Chapter 96   You are the Hero

Wow, that was really surprising.

I never thought my son would fall into a berserk state… I was just about to start our usual family video viewing session when he suddenly went on a rampage. I didn’t know what to do.

It was a lifelong regret for this lower rank demon that I couldn’t intervene until the village child’s death and the subsequent psychological collapse. Although he has no memory of it, there is a resemblance between the destruction of his own homeland and the incident with that child.

He must have instinctively sensed the events from his infancy and been traumatized by his inability to save the village child in a similar situation.

However, the efforts of Ars’s trusted and reliable companions were remarkable, as they managed to calm the berserk Brave Engine’s power.

Gaius, in particular, risked his life to stop him, declaring that he was the one to do it. Since the old days, I believed that if anyone could bring Ars back to the right path when he strayed, it would be him…

It seems that intuition was correct.

“Husband. How is Arus…?”

“He’s fine now. He seemed to have completely recovered in the end.”

“Is that so…”

Elsa, who had been enjoying the family video session with them, seemed a bit relieved to understand that Ars was beginning to move forward again. While he felt sorry for worrying his wife, all’s well that ends well. Ars likely won’t experience such a berserk state again.

On a separate note, the movements of the demons that sparked this incident are rather suspicious. The merchant demon, thought to be acting under the orders of one of the Four Heavenly Kings, seems to have unusual motivations.

It appears his loyalty is pledged to the Demon King rather than to the giant Hecatoncheir, who is supposedly his superior. He conducts his plans and strategies as if the commands of Hecatoncheir mean nothing.

He’s doing a good job of hiding this from Hecatoncheir, but what should I make of this…?

I suspect that the merchant demon either wants to depose or kill the giant. Otherwise, too many of his actions don’t add up. If I read the situation more deeply…

“Could it be that the Demon King plans to take the demon realm down with him…?”

“Huh?”

Oops, saying more would only worry my wife. There are still too many uncertainties to make any definitive statements.

“No, it’s nothing. By the way, it seems Ars has finally reached the capital. Look, he’s being honored in front of the king. Haha! Our son has been recognized as a hero! This is astonishing, Elsa!”

Somehow, Ars was recognized as a hero in front of the King of Rulans. Whether it was for saving the port town of Grazier or for his other efforts, it’s big news.

Although the Church nation of Calamiera, where the people still believe in the goddess and receive her revelations, is not yet involved, it is safe to say that this is indeed my son’s great achievement.

Honestly, I don’t care about the so-called power of a hero. Think about it.

A hero isn’t a hero because they’re the strongest. A hero is celebrated because of their gentle courage, the desire to be strong for someone else, which brings about miracles and accomplishes great deeds. People acknowledge this, and thus, legends of heroes are born.

If being strong alone were enough, then even the Demon King could be considered a hero. But that’s not the case. It’s important not to misunderstand this.

Therefore, Ars, who has kindled the flames of hope and courage in the people of the southern continent and brought about many miracles, is undoubtedly a hero in everyone’s eyes. That alone is proof enough.

“Oh my… Although it’s an unofficial title not recognized by the Church, to think that Ars has been chosen as a hero… Fufufu, it must be because of my excellent education.”

“No, it was my education!”

“No, it was my education.”

And so, amidst their playful bickering, the couple’s time together passed.

Now, it seems the next adventure will take place in the desert kingdom. I wonder what will happen this time.

◇

Just before the lower rank demon was having a cozy moment with his wife, Ars and his companions were at the royal castle of the magical nation of Rulans, reporting the incident in the port town of Count Grazier’s territory to the king.

“I see… Well done, Ars, wielder of the golden power, and your companions. I formally acknowledge your report and express my gratitude for your efforts. Is there anything you desire?”

“No, I only acted according to my sense of justice. I have no intention of asking for any reward.”

Ars’s expression was resolute, completely ignoring Mermel, who, also present in the audience chamber as a companion, insisted on asking for something in return.

“Hey, hey, I want something.”

“We require no reward.”

“But, I really want something.”

“We absolutely do not need anything.”

“Fweh…”

Poor Mermel. As a little angel with the spirit of “take what you can get,” she wanted to receive some kind of reward. However, she was thwarted by Ars’s firm stance that they did not act for the sake of receiving something in return.

However, the king seemed to agree more with Mermel. He believed that for the nation and for himself as the king, it was important to offer a reward to those who had accomplished such deeds to maintain proper decorum.

“That won’t do… As a father and as a king, it’s embarrassing to admit this, but you have not only dealt with the disgrace of my second son Freid, but also defeated the demons that attacked the port town and many other towns and villages, accomplishing many deeds that benefited the nation, despite not being one of our citizens. If I let you go empty-handed, I would be laughed at as a king.”

This was indeed the simple truth. Even if Ars did not wish for it, achieving results without any reward would set a bad precedent for future servants of the country. It would imply that those who deserve rewards must surpass the accomplishments of these heroes, inviting criticism from outsiders.

“…However,” Ars began.

“Indeed, Ars, I understand your feelings well. I have heard much about your character from my loyal servant, Tokoyami. Therefore, I have thought it over,” the King of Rulans said, adding, “This is what I believe is the best course of action.”

With that, the King of Rulans declared, “To the wielder of the golden power who has performed miracles and saved many lives. As the representative of the southern continent’s nations, I, King Hared Rune Ria Rulans, declare in my name that you are the hero of this era. You are the Hero Ars!!”

He cast a sharp gaze around the room and continued, “No one else but you could be the hero! This is the consensus of all the nations of the southern continent! If anyone has an objection, let them speak now!”

It seemed these words were prepared in advance. No one opposed King Hared Rune Ria Rulans declaration. The nobles, knights, and dignitaries from other countries who had been saved by Ars’s journey all declared their unanimous agreement.

There was not a single dissenting voice, and the decision was approved unanimously.

“What… is this?”

“Hehehe. Have I surprised you a bit, Hero Ars? However, this is not just my decision; it represents the consensus of all the nations in the southern continent. You should accept it. …Well then, companions of the hero. Don’t you all agree?”

Gaius and Amanda, taken aback by the words, nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, Hades, who was listening to the king’s words somewhat casually, muttered, “Well, I guess so.”

As a demon, Hades felt a certain discomfort with sacred powers like the golden aura, and couldn’t help but wonder what it meant if he wasn’t a hero.

Especially Mermel, the self-proclaimed pioneer of Hero Studies who had quickly identified the hero and guided his power, seemed to be timing her claim to fame. With her innocent childlike body, she puffed out her chest, eager to boast.

“Hehe, of course. It seems Grandpa has finally understood, huh~? After all, I’m the one who discovered the Hero’s Brave Engine and provided precise advice. Can I get some reward, maybe?”

She persisted in asserting herself, still unwilling to give up on getting something.

What a greedy little girl she was. When it came to getting something good, she was a formidable little angel.

However, the king couldn’t possibly get angry at such a little girl boasting. He simply nodded graciously with the gentle gaze one would use when looking at a grandchild.

While some nobles from other countries seemed about to voice their opinions, seeing that the locals didn’t seem to mind at all made them realize that it was the attitude of those who had accomplished such great deeds.