People who don’t know would think so.
‘Why haven’t the demon race been exterminated?’
It was a perfectly reasonable suspicion.
Humans. Elves. Beastmen. Mermaids. All races with power oppose them.
If the other races were to unite and decide to wipe out the demon race…
No matter how superior the demon race’s physical abilities are, they wouldn’t stand a chance against the alliance.
So why, even hundreds of years after the Great War ended, do the demon race still live boldly?
The answer is none other than the Demon Realm.
The god of slaughter and war.
The Demon Realm was where his power directly manifested.
And the demons who received the god’s grace.
In the Demon Realm, they were a race standing in a position of absolute authority.
And their ruler, the Demon King.
An existence that could be called immortal.
It was nearly impossible to kill her in the Demon Realm.
Even for her, who is called the strongest human.
*
– Chwaak!
Crimson blood spread across the wall, leaving a streak of red.
Looking down, a deep gash was visible, oozing blood from her side.
“Hahaha!! How delightful. So very delightful.”
“…..”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve found an opponent with such strength in the Demon Realm.”
As the Demon King raised her hand high into the sky, black swords poured down like rain with intensity.
She dodged backward, but now a massive magic cannon appeared right before her eyes.
But she already expected this. She split the cannon fire with her sword and unleashed a wave of energy toward her.
“Useless.”
The fierce energy she had sent forward vanished the moment it touched the Demon King’s hand.
Well, I didn’t think it would work anyway.
She charged at her, swinging her sword downward.
But once again, her attack did not get through.
As the Demon King raised her arm to catch the blade, her efforts crumbled so easily.
Soon, the Demon King released a huge surge of mana, and she was engulfed by a massive shock, slamming her back against the wall.
“How unfortunate. If you had a Sacred Sword, it could have been a good match.”
After a single gesture, several black orbs of mana rushed over and slammed her down to the ground.
A sharp impact hit her, and warm blood began to trickle down from her head, dropping onto the floor.
“If only you had been a hero, it would have been truly wonderful.”
“Why are you talking as if it’s over? We’re just getting started.”
Spitting out blood from her mouth, she brushed herself off and stood back up.
The Demon King then frowned slightly and spoke to her.
“I don’t understand.”
“What don’t you understand?”
“That you, who have never cared about the demon race, are now fighting for your life.”
“Oh, that?”
She smiled at the Demon King and internally summoned her treasured sword.
Then, particles of light began to gather in her hands, gradually taking the form of a sword.
“I want to be of help, even if I die.”
“Huh? Help?”
The Demon King tilted her head in puzzlement at her words.
Right.
You wouldn’t understand.
If I don’t even understand myself, how could a demon like you comprehend it?
She planted the sword into the ground.
Closing her eyes, she settled her mind in reverence.
“I’m curious. How much power I have will affect the great god of war.”
“Haha! You still want to fight? You should give up.”
Leaving behind the laughing Demon King, she quietly began to chant a spell.
Pledge your life.
Burn your existence.
Everything shall burn beneath my feet.
“Ardieth”
Flare-
A small flame ignited within her heart, spreading like a fuse through her veins, beginning to engulf her body in intense heat.
Suddenly, a fierce flame blazed around her like one sun.
The corpses of the demons around her began to melt like snow.
Their blood vaporized in an instant, leaving only bone behind.
And in the center of that blaze, there she was.
She felt the pain of her flesh burning, but it was nothing compared to the agony of the hatred Hera felt towards her.
Grasping the sword she had planted in the ground again, the scorching heat spread forth, enveloping the blade in golden flames.
It seemed the Demon King sensed something was off about her demeanor, as she wiped the joyful smile off her face and stared at her.
“……That power is dangerous.”
While the Demon King was on guard, she immediately focused her strength into her hand.
“Sorry, but I don’t have time.”
There was no time to waste.
Even at this moment, her life was being consumed by the flames.
Swinging her sword with great might, she sent it flying toward the Demon King.
The massive arc of energy hurtled towards her.
The Demon King, attempting to block it like before, raised her arm.
– Sserg
In an instant, her arm was cleanly severed.
“You—”
With a fierce, bloodthirsty glare, the Demon King glared at her.
Glancing at her severed arm, she quickly regenerated her flesh.
It wasn’t unexpected, but seeing her heal so easily made her feel slightly drained.
But it wouldn’t pay to show it.
With a calm smile, she pointed her sword at her and spoke.
“Impressive. Let’s see if you can regenerate your neck too.”
“….Fine. Go ahead and struggle.”
Without hesitating, she took off running towards the Demon King.
From then on, no more words were exchanged.
The only sounds that echoed within the castle were those of flesh and bone tearing apart.
*
How much time had passed since then?
The once resplendent and overwhelming atmosphere of the Demon King’s castle had been destroyed beyond recognition, leaving only rubble in its wake.
And amidst the ruins, there she was.
Breathing heavily, staring at the Demon King.
“……Incredible. I can’t believe it.”
The Demon King spoke as she regenerated her severed limbs.
She too looked exhausted, her face weary as she exhaled ragged breaths.
“Kuk…”
Blood rose from her throat, spilling onto the ground.
She had no strength left to hold a sword.
Finally letting go, the sword immediately disintegrated into dust and scattered into the air.
Without anything to support her, she collapsed to the ground with a thud.
“…It seems like I won’t fully regenerate. I won’t be able to do anything for a while.”
The Demon King glanced at her partially regenerated arm and clicked her tongue, continuing to speak.
“…It’s frustrating, but you’ve won. Without the god’s power, it would have been me lying here.”
“….”
“Though we are enemies, I respect you. Do you have any parting words?”
“…I have… something to say…”
At her request for a final word, she pondered.
But all that came to her mind was the image of Hera, who had always smiled brightly at her.
Even in the midst of dying, all she could think about was her, and it seemed oddly funny, causing a smile to escape her lips.
“Kill me.”
She said without any attachment.
The Demon King nodded solemnly, as if to grant her wish.
“I shall do so.”
After letting out a sigh, she gazed at the dark sky visible through the shattered ceiling, waiting for death.
“It looks like Hera’s hair color…”
Staring into the pitch-black sky made her think of Hera.
I wonder what she’s doing right now.
She must have arrived at the Empire by now.
I hope she’s living happily there, free of pain.
“Kuk…”
She coughed as her throat constricted.
Once again, blood spewed from her mouth.
She felt her life force dimming, one by one.
Her body was growing colder.
Her eyelids felt heavier by the second.
‘…Is this death?’
It’s alright.
She had already made her peace with death long ago.
So there was nothing to fear.
No, rather, she felt at ease.
She felt as if she could finally rest.
She sensed the call of Hera on the other side.
Hearing her beautiful voice caused a smile to form on her face.
Hera.
I love you.
And I’m sorry.
You’re beautiful and lovable. Wherever you go, you’ll be cherished.
I hope you forget about someone like me and live happily.
Giving her a final farewell, she quietly closed her eyes.
‘Athena.’
On the other side, Hera called her name once more.
As if urging her to cross over quickly, she continued to call her name.
No matter how many times she heard it, that voice was a beautiful melody.
– I love you, Hera.
With her voice deep in her heart.
The hero gradually sank into slumber.
Athena.
Athena.
…
…
…
…
…
…
“Athena!!!!!!”
Zzaak-
Suddenly, a massive shock hit her cheek, forcefully turning her head to the side.
The mind that had sunk deep into the swamp of death surfaced to consciousness, her eyes snapping wide open.
“Wh-what..”
Startled, she looked up to see her.
With her eyes shimmering with tears, she called out her name.
The person she had longed to see the most.
The most beloved of all in the world.
“…He…ra?”
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