Chapter 6 – The Most Powerful Demon King in History. Befriends The Ancient Dragon
I was surprised by Jorm’s words,
“…… Have we met before, Jorm?”
“Yes. Do you remember the name Jormungandr?”
“The Great Dragon King Jormungandr. Of course, I remember.”
It is the name of the ancient dragon that I defeated in my previous life and took as my vassal.
He was the strongest ancient dragon I have fought in my previous life.
Even though he was a vassal, he was more like a sworn ally and advisor.
He was an elder of ancient dragons who had lived for tens of thousands of years, and not only was he strong, but he also possessed wisdom not found in humans.
I have asked Jormungandr for advice on numerous occasions.
“Jormungandr is Jorm’s father. When I was young, I met the Great Demon King Hyrum.”
“Come to think of it, I was once introduced to a little juvenile dragon.”
At the time, Jorm was about the size of a medium-sized dog, could not speak human language, and was squealing.
I remember how cute it was.
“You remember.”
Jorm said, slowly moving its tail.
Perhaps Jormungandr sent Jorm to live here to guard my tomb.
I couldn’t help having that hunch.
“By the way, Jorm, what happened to your father, my friend and vassal, the Great Dragon King Jormungandr?”
“…… I do not know. Originally, I lived here with my father. When I gained my second name, I was told to remain here and he went elsewhere.”
He must have raised Jorm while guarding the tomb.
Only a few trusted vassals knew the location where I would be reincarnated.
One of those few vassals was Jormungandr.
“…… I just remembered. It was the Dragon King Jormungandr who suggested that I reincarnate as a human.”
Jormungandr said, “If you are defeated by the Demon God and reincarnated, it must be as a human.”
At the time, I thought it was too risky.
Reincarnation Magic is highly difficult and has a low success rate.
It is said that changing one’s race, not only from demon to human, will drastically reduce the success rate.
That’s why I put together a formula to reincarnate as a demon.
However, on the verge of death due to divine punishment, I altered the formula in order to reincarnate into a race other than demon.
One of the main reasons I chose to be a human instead of an elf or a beastman at that time was because of Jormungandr’s advice.
“Perhaps I’ll meet Jormungandr someday.”
Jormungandr may currently be on a journey somewhere. Perhaps he is sleeping peacefully somewhere.
“I wonder. I really do not know where my father has gone. He may have perished.”
After saying that, Jorm took a deep breath.
I ask Jorm.
“Jorm, can I ask you a few questions?”
“Ask me anything.”
“I said earlier that it was a close fight, but I should have been defeated by the Demon God…”
“Oh, well, Hyrum did die first.”
Jorm nodded yes.
“What do you mean?”
“Because of the recoil from using Divine Punishment, not only the physical body of the Demon God, but also his spiritual body was on the verge of collapse.”
That’s one of the pieces of information I was after.
“I’m interested in that. Jorm, please tell me in detail.”
“Uh, yes. Divine Punishment is an attack using the concept of God’s existence… it is powerful, but the repercussions are great.”
I leaned forward, and he told me, with a slight hesitation.
“It is like striking one with the very concept of existence itself. Meaning said concept could develop a fissure.”
I didn’t understand Jorm’s explanation.
However, it seems that using divine punishment is very dangerous, to the point of endangering one’s own existence.
“I see. Couldn’t the Demon God’s divine punishment be used against humans?”
“It cannot. A God’s divine protection is like a collar.”
Apparently, divine punishment cannot be used on people who have not received a God’s divine protection.
“Jorm, this was very informative. Thank you.”
“You are welcome.”
“So, Jorm. What happened to the Demon God after that?”
“I do not know. He disappeared.”
That’s a complicated matter. I have to start by finding out where he is.
If he withdrew into the Divine Realm, it would be very troublesome.
A God cannot be killed unless they descend into the world in a physical body.
“I hope he hasn’t returned to the Divine Realm.”
“I doubt that is the case.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, His spirit body was so damaged that his existence was in jeopardy, so he would not be able to return to the Divine Realm.”
That’s what his father said, according to Jorm.
“So he may be hiding somewhere in this world?”
“Yes. According to my father’s prediction, he would create something like a cocoon somewhere and shut himself within.”
The Dragon King Jormungandr apparently expected that the Demon God was hiding in this realm and trying to heal his wounded concept of existence.
“…… Five hundred years have passed, and he still hasn’t healed?”
“It has only been five hundred years, right?”
For Jorm, an ancient dragon, five hundred years would seem quite recent.
For a god that lives longer even than an ancient dragon, five hundred years would be an instant.
“I heard from my father that there have been several times when the Demon God ordered Demon Kings to massacre their own people.”
I was surprised to hear that.
That’s exactly why I fought the Demon God.
This was information that was kept from my subjects as well.
“…… the Ancient Dragons know everything, don’t they?”
“We do not know everything. We live long lives. Most of the Demon Kings obeyed the Demon God’s edict, some Demon Kings refused and fought like Hyrum, but no Demon King could fight as well as Hyrum.”
“I see.”
“As far as my Grandfather knew, that was the first time the Divine Punishment had been invoked.”
Until then, it seems that the Demon Kings who fought the Demon God were killed before the Divine Punishment was invoked.
“As such stories have been handed down, The Great Demon King Hyrum is considered a champion among the ancient dragons.”
When I heard that, I felt a little embarrassed.
Jorm stared at me for a while.
He exhaled a long, hot breath through his nose and then placed his lower jaw on the ground.
“There is no shame in being defeated by the Great Demon King who challenged the Demon God, Hyrum…… how was I?”
“As I said before, you were very strong. This is not a lie.”
“…… I see, thank you. It is an honor. If you meet my father, tell him I fought bravely.”
And Jorm closes his eyes again.
“…… you wanted my body, right.”
“Yes, Jorm. Right now, it’s you I want.”
“…… If you talk any more, it will be more than I deserve. I have enjoyed talking to you for the last time. Please kill me with all your might.”
“Jorm, what I want is you, not your life.”
“What do you mean?”
Jorm was stunned.
“Jorm. You will serve me, or rather, help me on the path to dominance.”
I said, returning to the tone of my previous life.
Sads Translates 