The Regressed Demon Lord is Kind

smirked.
“Rest easy.
I was just joking.”

Hans and Snoc glanced at each other.
However, judging by Zich’s smirk, it didn’t seem like Zich was lying. The two repressed their anger at Zich for making such a frightening joke and lay on the floor again.

“There’s discontentment written right on your faces!”

“T-That can’t be, sir!”

“Yes, yes! We don’t have any complaints!”

With pale complexions, the two denied his claims, and Zich chuckled.

“But the training definitely has an effect.
You both must have realized it from the battle this time.” As Zich said, they had both performed brilliantly; Hans had assisted Zich by his side while Snoc had fought against the leader of the assassins by himself.

“Of course, you guys are still lacking.” Zich’s eyes turned cold. “You guys should at least have the skills to fight the leader of the assassins from last time.”

“B-But sir, I beat that man.”

Koo!

Snoc quietly asserted his opinion, and Nowem supported him. Snoc had gained some confidence after fighting the leader of the assassins by himself.

“Fine.
Then, the next time we meet someone similar to that assassin leader, I will offer them to you again.
But in return, you won’t have the advantage of being underground.”

“…”  Snoc closed his mouth.

“Seriously, what are you going on about? You barely managed to beat that guy even after you collapsed the whole basement.
You should only talk big when you can beat a guy like that even above ground.”

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In response, Snoc slumped his head on his blanket, and likewise, Nowem placed his face on Snoc’s back.
But Zich’s sharp words weren’t only aimed at Snoc.

“Hans, it’s the same for you too.
Even if Snoc has a cheat-like companion like Nowem, you went through a longer training period than Snoc.
Are you planning to let your junior catch up to you already?”

Zich tried to pull out Hans’ competitive spirit by scratching at his pride.
Hans also didn’t feel too comfortable about his junior progressing ahead of him, but at the moment, he had a greater concern than that.

“Sir Zich.”

“Why? Do you want to ask me something?”

“What you said before—you know, how you said that you would prioritize defeating Ms.
Bargot above the lives of everyone in Ospurin…”

“You’re still thinking about that?” Zich bent one of his knees and raised his arms to put more wood into the fire.
The bonfire let out sparks that chased away the darkness for a few seconds and then disappeared.

“You’re not satisfied with the answer I gave you?”

“…” Hans didn’t reply, but Zich could guess what he was thinking.

“You can understand my reasoning with your mind, but it’s difficult to accept it with your heart, right? I understand.
Most people wouldn’t be able to ignore the people right in front of them no matter how many more lives they could save in the future.
But Hans—”

Unlike usual, Zich talked seriously without teasing him. “Even if your decision leads to an unexpected outcome, you have to make a decision if you are given a choice.
Especially if you want to be a hero.”

“I-If you are a hero, shouldn’t you try to solve the situation without sacrificing anyone?!”

Hans was too immature, and he didn’t know enough of the world yet.
It was enough to make listeners frustrated, but Zich’s attitude didn’t change.

“Do you want to become a hero or a god?”

Even the amazing Demon Lord of Strength, Zich Moore had failed to live the life he wanted, and it was probably the same for the Sun Hero, Glen Zenard who had beaten him.

“Even a super genius like me couldn’t achieve everything I wanted.
It will be the same in the future too.
No matter how amazing a person is, as long as they are ‘human,’ they can’t do everything they want.”

“…”

“Well, I guess you can’t accept this right away.”

Zich understood Hans’ silence.

“Think about it carefully.
But don’t hesitate so much that you can’t decide on anything.
It’s better to make the wrong decision than not make one at all.”

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“…Sir Zich, do you really think that I can be a hero?”

Even though Zich teased Hans about his dreams from time to time, Zich was really teaching him how to become a hero.
Hans thought Zich was making fun of him at first, but he soon realized that there was some sincerity behind his light-hearted attitude.

“Whatever, I don’t know.” Zich stomped the little bit of expectation rising in Hans’ heart without a care in the world. 

However, it was Zich’s first time talking about Hans’ possibility of becoming a hero in a realistic tone, so Hans continued to listen.
And Snoc also listened to their conversation with a sparkle in his eyes.

“If you want to become one, you should.
You are the one who decides the way you’re going to live.
You don’t have to consider what other people think about your dreams.
A hero? You should go for it.
Since you are my servant, I will do everything within my means to help you.”

“…Then, can I ask you one more question, sir?”

“What is it?”

Hans spoke while thinking that he might get scolded for making Zich repeat his words so many times. “You know the decision you talked about, sir…”

“Yeah?”

As Hans spoke nervously, Zich listened without giving much of a reaction.

“Was there a way to save a few…just a few more people?”

“There was.”

Both Hans and Snoc’s eyes turned wide.

“It’s simple.
Do you know why I asked you if you wanted to become a god? If you have a power like a god’s, even the most difficult things will become simple.
If you think like that, the best way to overcome a crisis is to become stronger.
The higher your skills and powers are, you’ll be able to save more people and you’ll be able to solve more problems.”

“So, what you are saying is…”

“I’m telling you to train harder.”

Drop!

Hans heard something drop, and he looked back to see that Snoc had stuck his face into his blankets again.
It was funny to see how Nowem also took the same pose as Snoc on his back.
Then, Hans thought about Zich’s training, which was on the verge of torture, and grew pale; but as he despaired about the upcoming, harsh training in the future, he etched Zich’s words deep into his heart.