".... so the mission failed... huh"

A soft yet hoarse voice resounded in the hall.

In a magnificent throne, a man with crimson hair was sitting.

At the right side of his head was an incredible looking horn that was curved upward. He had a well-trimmed beard.

Although slightly aged but his face was proud and handsome.

He was the One-Horned Crimson Demon Clan's Master; Virwell Lucifer and also the king of one of the three great demon kingdoms, The Crimson Demon Kingdom.

"Unfortunately... yes... all except me were killed"

A girl with crimson hair was standing in front of the king in the Throne Hall.

She was the demon princess, Hein helped to escape. Just like her father, in her right head was a small horn curving upward.

"Although it's such an unfortunate event... but the fact that you managed to escape alive is what's more important. They must have sacrificed their lives so that you can escape..."

"... Yes about that ..."

Slowly, the demon princess; Aster Lucifer, told her father what happened. The reason for their massive failure... the incorrigible monster she met.

She also told her father about how that monster helps her to escape and all the information she obtain about the reason of the Human Alliance and the [ Demon God ].

The demon Princess narrated it without even changing one bit of the details as well as how she saw the unimaginable power of the one known as Hein Vilestone.

Upon hearing her answer, the king; Virhell Lucifer hid his surprise by putting on an intrepid face. The black lines on his forehead increased as he heard what his daughter told him.

"But can such a monster really exist?" The king doubtfully asked.

"That is... even I don't want to acknowledge his existence father. If possible I really don't want to believe about it but I saw it with my own eyes. I met him..."

King Virhell held up his arm to stop her from talking and said, "We will speak of this no more. Whether that kind of monster really existed within the humans we still can't confirm it. However having heard your story... this human doesn't hated our kind. If he hated us demons, forget about helping you escape, he would have killed you already."

"... you might have been right, father." Saying so, Aster's lips formed into a bitter smile as she replayed their

conversation in her mind.

He talks softly and gently.

His presence doesn't give any hint of malice or even disgust.

He even talked to her as if they were equals and friends.

Thinking about this, Aster unknowingly smiled.

"It might be possible that he won't become our enemy if we just told him that we don't have any thoughts of invading the human race or even reviving the [ Demon God ]."

Thinking about his daughters words, King Virhell pondered for a moment.

The matters about the revival of the [ Demon God ], the king didn't know what to believe.

Is this only a scheme of the humans? Or maybe one of the demon kingdoms really wanted to revive the [ Demon God ] and was planning to start a war.

If that happens what would he do?

The king's facial expression slowly changed to a grim one. He was truly vexed.

He believes that something was really going on in the world.

First, the sudden arrival of the [ World Jumpers ].

People believed to be from another world. They possess amazing skills and powers that normal people can't imagine.

Second, the human's alliance against them, the demon race.

And now, the information about the revival of the [ Demon God ] and the monster youth's appearance.

Just what in the world is going on?

"... you're right... for now; we will try to meet this monster youth you're talking about."

"Yes, father ..."

The demon princess, Aster Lucifer as if she just thought something, the corner of her lips curled up.

Hein Vilestone...

------------------------------

Hero

Cold.

Coldness that can pierce one's bones.

'Where am I?'

With my dizzy consciousness, I could feel cold from the deepest part of my body. It's as if I was encased by an ice frozen for millennia.

"Is he really alright?"

Voices.

"I... I don't know."

"Why did he suddenly faint just after leaving the dungeon? Just what happen to Hero?"

"Hero? No, it must be his other world's name right?... I don't know. Even the young mistress Iona doesn't know anything ..."

I can hear voices... what happened to me?

"...papa ..."

As if pulled by a little girl's voice, I slowly opened my eyes.

"Nn ..."

"He's waking up!"

"Young master!? Are you okay?"

Hearing that frantic yet worried voice, I finally opened my eyes with great difficulty.

My vision slowly cleared as I shifted my eyes to see three worried familiar faces... no, it's not just familiar I know them.

Marie and...Wait a minute, who are they again?!

In the first place why am I sleeping in this bed? I should've still in the middle of my slumber...

My head filled with question marks as I deeply pondered about my situation... no, that's wrong!

My other half should've been using my body as I slept in peace!

Then why am I once again using the body?! Why did I become the main personality? Didn't I tell that bastard never to

wake me up because I want to sleep more?!

That damn other self of mine!

"Papa!"

As I was cursing in my mind, suddenly a little girl's tearful voice resounded in my side as my body fell into a little arms embrace.

The familiar little girl I couldn't remember hugged me tightly as if she was afraid that if she relaxes a little, I would disappear like a smoke.

Eh?! Wait, wait, wait ... ... how did I become a father?

Just what the heck did that annoying hedonist bastard did while I'm sleeping?!

"Hero?"

"Young master?"

Ignoring the other voices in my surrounding, I touch my temple with my index finger as I tried to inspect the memories the other Hero have.

The last time I woke up was inside that dungeon where I fought that skull face...and then...I resumed my wonderful sleep... after that ...

One after another, memories after memories flashed in my mind.

It's like when you're just watching some videos, various scenes were being played in fast pace.

Recalling everything, I clicked my tongue inside my mind as I slowly opened my eyes.

"Papa?"

After hearing the little girl's worried voice, I couldn't help but gave a sigh as I leaned my body from the bed and gently stroked the little girl's head.

"Uun, I'm fine now my lovely Iona... I'm sorry for making you worried~"

Feeling a tickle, the little girl; Iona, who is now my supposedly daughter squirmed a little, giggling as she happily rubbed her head in my chest.

Seeing her cute and lovable actions, I couldn't help but smile. Still stroking her hair, I moved my gaze towards the two women beside my bed.

"Marie, Ashley sorry for worrying you~"

"Not at all, young master! As long as you're okay!"

"...Th, that is..."

Ashley immediately replied as she gave me a wonderful smile. However, Marie on the other hand began to stutter over my words and... Before long, while grasping the hem of her skirt, large particle of tears began to shed.

"Ma, Marie? Just what had happened? Why are you crying?!"

"....I'm sorry ... because of me; you pushed yourself too hard... you even ..."

Marie continued the words of apology haltingly.

"Its fine you know. There's really no need to cry, that fight even ..."

"... it's not about the fight."

Marie cut me off, "I heard from Miss Ashley... you, you did something painful in order to save us, right?"

Is she talking about what my other half did to quicken the rebirth?

"Don't cry, Marie"

"But.. But once again for my sake you..."

"Well, it does seemed extreme... what I did, that is. However, even if I have the choice to do it again, I would still choose to do it again. To save you and your friends, even if I walk in the mountains of blades I will do it ..."

"..."

"So please stop crying, Marie. Don't blame yourself, I'm the one who choose it after all... and besides looking at you crying like that just after I woke up is really too hard to endure~"

"..."

Marie wiped the tears from her eyes with her sleeve and smiled with her eyes and nose still in red.

She looks like the famous reindeer... well, it's not like I can say that to her. If she hears it she might feed me her dark matters for a week.

That's the least I wanted!

Hm? Wait, were inside a virtual game so maybe her cooking became better?

Thinking about it, my lips formed into a smile.

"See, you're cuter that way... you're more beautiful if you smile like that~"

"... idiot"

Marie mumbled shyly and then turned her back towards me as she opened the door.

"I'll tell the others that you woke up."

Others? Did she mean her guild mates?

"Aa, no problem"

Marie nodded and left the room. But before Marie step out the door...

"... thank you for coming to save us, Hero. I'm really happy"

Leaving these words, she didn't turn her head to face me but I know she was smiling right now.