I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit [352]

Nero's battle with the angelic officer ended swiftly.

Once Nero severed his connection to Hell's magic, the officer surrendered without hesitation.

"You're strong. Unbelievably strong. Monstrously strong… Especially that ability you just used, exuding such pure death. The only time I've encountered anything like it was in the presence of gods who govern death. If not for the lack of divine presence on you, I'd have thought you were the incarnation of some god of death…"

The angelic officer slumped to the ground, his expression one of defeat.

"To be honest, I don't think I can beat you. Even when I had unlimited magical energy at my disposal, you managed to get close to me and sever my connection to Hell. Now, I have no chance… And I have no way to counter your death-infused ability."

Behind him, the massive door swung open automatically, reminiscent of a video game. Defeating the boss of one level granted access to the next.

The angel explained that his duty wasn't to protect the Demon King; whether the Demon King lived or died had nothing to do with him. He'd been stationed here to guard the barrier at the Demon King's request, but beyond that, he had no other obligations.

Ignoring the angelic officer, Nero stepped toward the open doorway.

"Hey!"

The officer's voice stopped her in her tracks, and Nero turned around, puzzled.

"I just realized… I never asked your name. You're the first person to defeat me, and most likely a future hero. At least tell me your name, so I can remember it."

Nero blinked, then a proud smile spread across her face.

"Umu! Then listen well and remember this name! A name as radiant as a rose… Soon, it shall be sung across the entire world!"

Standing tall, her head held high, Nero placed one hand on her hip and the other over her chest. Her melodious voice rang out with unparalleled confidence and poise.

"My name is Nero! Nero Claudius! I am the Emperor of Rome, the most noble and exalted being under the heavens! The blossoming flower of Olympia!"

"Engrave my name into your memory! Burn my visage into your mind! Gaze upon my brilliance!"

After all, the concept of heroes and Demon Kings was a staple of many fantasy worlds, often featured in countless games and anime.

If, someday, she ended up in a world with a hero legend, she could proudly declare that she was a hero who had defeated a Demon King.

Like in the world of The Rising of the Shield Hero, or Cautious Hero, or perhaps even in the world of a certain part-time-working Demon King, or Kumo desu ga, Nani ka?, or Frieren. So many such worlds existed.

Of course… this all hinged on her actually defeating the Demon King here.

"If I do succeed in defeating the Demon King, surely I'll earn the title of 'Hero,' won't I?"

Walking down the dark, purple-lit corridor, seemingly designed to create a sinister atmosphere, Nero strolled leisurely while pulling out her adventurer's card.

After slaying the golden dragon, Nero's card had gained a new title: [Dragonslayer].

Aqua, Megumin, and the others had received the same title, as everyone who participated in the battle had earned it.

During their return, Megumin constantly took out her adventurer's card to admire it, frequently flaunting it in front of Kazuma and Darkness.

If slaying a dragon earned her the title [Dragonslayer], then logically, slaying a Demon King should earn her the title [Hero], right?

It would be proof—a badge of honor to show off. Otherwise, how could she convince others that she was truly a hero who defeated a Demon King? What if they thought she was lying?

Lost in thought, Nero arrived at the end of the corridor.

A massive door loomed before her, adorned with malevolent and grotesque imagery. Though she couldn't decipher its meaning, the design exuded an unmistakable sense of "evil."

Placing her hand on the door, Nero gave a light push, and it swung open with ease.

The room beyond was a vast hall… though, seriously, did the Demon King's castle have too many halls?

Unlike the previous hall, which had only the angelic officer, this one was packed with creatures.

Goblins, trolls, skeleton soldiers, kobolds, orcs, minotaurs—monsters of every kind filled the space, all clad in armor and wielding weapons.

When Nero pushed open the door, the noise drew their attention. And to her surprise…

They were playing poker.

…Oh, right. I've been calling him "angelic officer" this whole time… Did I forget to ask for his name?

He did introduce himself earlier, didn't he? But… I interrupted him, didn't I?

And now, he knows my name, but I don't know his… That feels a bit rude.

Nero's thoughts wandered briefly, but in that moment, the hall's monsters started to recover from their initial shock.

"An intruder has appeared!"

"W-wait! I'm not ready yet!"

"How did the intruder get here so fast? What happened to that officer?! Did he lose already?!"

"It's only been a short time since the attack started! Is this intruder that terrifying?!"

"Mommy! I wanna go home!"

The hall erupted into chaos, the cacophony snapping Nero out of her thoughts. She frowned in irritation at the noise.

Taking a step forward, Nero suddenly vanished—and reappeared ten meters ahead, right in the middle of the crowd.

"[Primordial Flame]!"

Wielding her massive sword, Nero unleashed a flurry of attacks, each swing elegant yet deadly.

The seemingly cumbersome blade moved as if weightless in her hands, and her crimson figure flitted like a specter among the monsters, leaving trails of rose petals in her wake.

"Stop the intruder! Take this—argh!"

"Don't run away—argh!"

"She's behind you—argh!"

"She's terrifying! Someone, help me!"

"Run for your lives!"

"Mommy! I wanna go home!"

The air filled with screams, roars, and desperate pleas.

With each strike, blood splattered.

With each swing, flames roared to life.

To Nero, these creatures were mere fodder, easily dispatched with a single swing of her blade.

But for anyone else… This was the Demon King's castle, and even the lowest-ranked monsters were stronger than those outside.

If Mitsurugi Kyouya, the so-called "Magic Sword Hero," were here, he'd struggle if surrounded by such numbers. As for Kazuma… well, he'd be meeting Eris in no time.

Amid the chaos, a commanding female voice rang out from the distance.

"Do not panic! There's only one enemy! Surround her! Don't let her escape!"

Nero's emerald eyes sharpened.

The instant the voice spoke, the atmosphere shifted.

The panic subsided, and the monsters that had fled to the edges returned, silently picking up their weapons and closing in on Nero.

Something was off…

---

...

If you're reading this, then you've wandered all the way to the end. I'm impressed. Stories are like wine—meant to be savored, not rushed. So if you took your time? Thank you.

Of course, the real thanks goes to WiseTL—the one who turned tangled words into something beautiful. I just got asked to wrap things up with a ribbon. Hopefully this counts!

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Go on. Be generous. They've earned it.

Until next time—read well, rest often, and maybe come visit me at the Hostess of Fertility sometime.

– Syr ✨