The Hero's Demonic Return

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Mordred isn’t a fan of stupidity. He doesn’t subscribe to the same stupid ideas as the rest. This is the mentality that he wishes to preserve within this resurrection of his. Always prioritize himself before others and be as selfish as possible. That is the only way he can stay alive – yet that same principle is broken at that moment.

It’s almost as if his hand moved on its own. Not wanting to stare at the sorry state of Nilfheim any further, Mordred threw his dagger towards General Gerald. However, this isn’t something he did without any sort of plan. There is a plan and, it is currently taking place. Beginning with his action which, if he’s right, will lead to the results he need.

“What are you doing insect? You dare get in the way of this glorious moment of mine?”

The general said in a sharp tone. The aura around Gerald’s body is so strong at that point that it can suffocate anyone that gets near him. No. It can do more than that. This aura can burn anything that it touches. That is the kind of aura that Gerald is emitting. That is the kind of aura that Mordred forced out.

“There is nothing glorious about what you’re doing right now.” Mordred commented.

The plan he has is simple. He will stall for time by talking with the general. He’ll do this until the timer for his survival runs out. It may sound like a stupid plan but, the things is that he is already cornered.

Human soldiers surround the whole of the area. There is nowhere for Mordred to escape to and, the mere fact that this is a survival mission means that there’s no way that the human would take him hostage. Why would they when they are killing every demon they can see?

That’s why Mordred did this. It aligns with what he wants and, as an accidental result, he ends up saving Nilf as well. Though there really isn’t much saving that he’s doing. The demon won’t survive no matter what he does at that point.

“Do you really think you’re in a position to step in here? What do you think you are you puny insect?”

“You tell me.” Mordred replied. “You said you did your research on Nilf right? Surely you know that he won’t just be guarding some random demon with him.”

These are things that Mordred’s just making up. He really has no clue who he is. There isn’t a mirror he can use to make sure and, the size of the body of the demon he’s using makes it even more impossible. For all he knows, he may just be housing one of the dead demons that didn’t live to reach the great war between the humans and demons.

“Indeed. I’ve done my research and, wasn’t able to find any information about you. Your kind seems to value you so much so as to hide that much so, that left me with just one logical answer.” General Gerald smirked.

“I’ve been dying to meet you face to face… the last of the sovereign demons.”

These are the words that came out of the general’s lips. Not that it made any sense to Mordred. This is the first time he encountered the term.

“You’re the final piece that’s in the way of human conquest of this world. Once you’re gone, the era of humanity will finally flourish.” The general added.

“So you know who I am.” Mordred responded.

“Ha! And you even confirmed it. This is my lucky day. I’ll get to kill the Impaler as well as the last hope of demon kind.” A wide grin spread on Gerald’s lips.

There is bloodlust spreading in the air. All of this focusing on Mordred as soon as it oozed out. Any weak willed person would be on their knees at that moment. Shaking from the fear that they’d be made to go through. But not Mordred. Not he who has surpassed and transcended all of this a long time ago.

He remained standing straight, having the proper posture. He’s even looking straight at the general’s eyes as he asked the question: “Why are you doing all of this?”

“HAHAHAHAHA!” The general bellowed in laughter.

“Why do I have to answer to you? You’re going to die anyway you insect! You can carry those questions in your grave!”

“Exactly.” Mordred replied. His tone remaining steadfast and resolute. “I am going to die either way so, why not entertain a couple of my questions? It’s not like that will detriment you in any way.”

Mordred makes sense. It’s true that he can’t fight back because this general is not on a level that this body he’s using can even hope to scratch. He also don’t have a backup because Nilfheim is dying. And lastly, the way he delivered these words to his opponent without so much as flinching made it even more of something that the general cannot refuse.

“Alright young one. You’ve entertained me a bit so I’ll reward you with that thing you’re asking for.” The general replied, taking down his arms. A sign of his compliance with Mordred. “Now, what was it that you’re asking?”

It worked. It’s a stupid plan but it worked. Mordred’s able to buy some time. Now all he needs to do is to waste all of that until he finishes this mission. Surviving until the timer runs out.

“This whole thing sir. Why are you doing it?” Mordred asked a second time.

“That’s a stupid question to ask don’t you think? We are doing this simply because we want to. With your lot existing, the mana that fills up the whole of the world gets corrupted. Half of it is consumed by the purer beings while the other half is created for the likes of you.” The general began, looking at Mordred with a disgusted expression written on his face. “I don’t want that. The emperor doesn’t want that. All of you need to be vanquished and destroyed. If that doesn’t happen, then we will continue breathing air that’s mixed with your filth.”

“Just that? That s your reason or suddenly attacking our village?” Mordred asked.

He is using the questions that are available for him to make use of. He doesn’t have much in this department but, still, he can come up with more things to ask. All of which should somehow be connected to keep the attention of the general on him.

“Do I need a bigger reason you insect? It doesn’t matter if you think my actions are just or not. The only thig that matters is that we humans will be the ones who win in the end. That’s all there is to it.”

“You’d willingly kill an entire race for that selfish goal?”

Mordred continued asking questions and the general continued answering. They went back and forth with these and Mordred added some details along the way that suggested he knows a lot more for a child; something he’s doing to keep the interest of the general. And it’s working of course… until it didn’t.

“This is boring child. You’re taking too much of my time now.” Gerald raised his sword. “You need to die now. You’re going to the same hell that I’m sending that bastard behind you.”

One more minute. Mordred is so close. Just one more minute and he will survive. He’s able to hold off for quite a long time. Even using praises mixed alongside the questions to do so. But it seems that this is his limit.

The general isn’t allowing him to babble any longer – catching up with the demon’s intent of stalling for time. Mordred’s head raced on what he can do. There is still a minute and, as long as he survives, everything will work out in the end.

“Just one minute.” Mordred said as a grin grew on his lips. There isn’t even a single ounce of nervousness running in his veins as he added:

“I can do that much.”

The demon raced towards the general, shocking Gerald who answered by hacking his sword down. Mordred predicted this already and so is able to dodge. But not the second attack that came from the shield. Bashing his head and sending him flying.

As this happened, Mordred’s whole world spun for a two seconds. When his consciousness came back, his stomach is already kicked by the enemy. The attack digging deep into the body of the poor demon who is sent flying a second time.

It may seem that he’s losing. He is of course. There’s no way for him to win in combat. But he doesn’t have to. All he needs is to survive for thirty more seconds.

“You’re going to die here.”

“Y-Yeah.” Is all that Mordred can say in reply as a grin grew on his lips.

He started running towards the left but after two seconds, the general already caught up with him. Punching his check and sending him down the dirt. There isn’t even any room for him to move around. The general has him completely locked down.

[00:20]

Just a little more and Mordred would win. But his body isn’t listening to him anymore. The impaqct from the last punch seems to have been the end of him. He can’t even move an inch anymore. Meanwhile, his enemy is ready to deliver the final strike.

“Goodbye insect. You won’t be missed.” The general swung down his sword and as he did, blood splattered on the floor.

Mordred looked at this with eyes widening. This isn’t his blood after all. It isn’t black. It’s red. The color of human blood and, it began gushing out in full.

When Mordred raised his eyes, he saw that the general’s been impaled. Black spikes pierced through the body of Gerald and, not only him. All the soldiers within the vicinity suffered the same fate.

This made the eyes of the young demon widen as he looked at the source of it. The only possible source. There, in his last moments, Mordred saw Nilfheim. The demon gave a weak smile one last time as the creature vanished from existence.

[00:00]

[Simulation End]

[Congratulations! You have cleared the first trial.]

[You may now access the first circle of Hell.]