The age of myth

The destruction of countries, reducing the spirits forest to ash and even killing the gods. This was the man feared as the demon king.

The name was Arnos Voldigod

“….So how about it?”

The demon king Arnos uttered these words whilst sitting on his throne with his arms crossed.

With just that a normal human being would be in fear from the power of his words, however, the people in front of him right now do not have that worry.

The severer of fate, the hero chosen by the holy sword Kanon.

The mother of all spirits, the grand spirit Reno.

And the creator of this world, the creation God Militeia.

Including Arnos, they control this worlds fate. Four people will be handed down these names in later times but now they gather in the hall of the demon kings castle Deruzogedo.

“I understand the story. It’s not a ridiculous condition either. But now, when we are trying to reconcile?” the hero Kanon said.

“That’s right.”

“Demon king Arnos. How many people have you killed until now?”

Arnos answered with a gaze now turned cold.

“Let me reverse that hero Kanon. How many mazoku have you killed so far?” he returned to words of Kanon back to him.

Who struck first? The humans or the mazoku?

There was no way to know.

No, it doesn’t matter. Even knowing the answer would not make the past disappear.

The reason would no doubt be trivial.

Both sides killed and those who survived got revenge on those that were killed.

After that, the cycle just repeated.

Because they were killed they were avenged and then those that got revenge were killed for revenge.

Hatred accumulated endlessly for both races and the chain of tragedies accelerated to a pace that could not be stopped.

Both humans and mazoku are the same in that they hate things different from themselves.

“After all your brutality do you think you can say those words?”

“What would have happened without my cruelty? If you did not fear the demon king Arnos you human beings would have calmly slaughtered the mazoku. It was a just cause. I do not remember even feeling one bit of guilt. I even praised the humans I killed as heroes.”

“That was because the mazoku committed atrocious acts.”

“And I say you humans also did.”

“Are you saying the mazoku are faultless?”

“It means that in war there is neither good nor bad.”

With a glint in his eye, the demon king Arnos glared at the hero.

“Kanon. You are a human. Don’t you believe that the world will become peaceful if the demon king Arnos is defeated?”

“Yes, I do.”

“No. You should actually understand it. Stop being a fool. In the place where the demon king Arnos was defeated a new fire will be born. Both humans and mazoku. If the other side is not exterminated the fighting will not end.  No……”

Arnos is just talking but he is also a being of immense magical power. Word by word each one had a compulsion like magic.

“Even if the mazoku perish human beings will just make a new enemy again. Next will be the spirits that are different to yourselves. If you eradicate the spirits next will be the gods that made you. And if you defeat the gods you will turn on each other.”

“Certainly, people have weak parts to themselves, however, I want to believe in people. I want to trust in people’s kindness.”

*Kuukuuku* and so Arnos laughed.

The hero Kanon is a good person. He knows of humanities ugliness but has the courage to believe in the goodness of people.

“Then, Kanon. How about trying to believe in the goodness of the demon king Arnos?”

Kanon does not answer immediately.

Is this offer true? Should he doubt it?

“As I said earlier. Divide the world into four. The world of humans, the demon world, the spirit world and the world of the gods. Put up a wall between the worlds and don’t open the doors for a thousand years.”

If the bond disappears for a thousand years the grudges against each other will also disappear.

“I can change my life force into magical power if you three cooperate and I can activate the grand magic.”

“So you die for peace? You who are called the demon king.”

“You and the others called me that without permission. I will not die. I will find a handy container and reincarnate. Though it will be two thousand years before I next wake up.”

Kanon falls silent.

After a while he steeled himself.

“….All right……..I’ll believe in you……..”

Even though he had suggested it the demon king Arnos could not hide his surprise.

He had explained it in good faith.

Humans, spirits and gods were shown evidence without any demerit.

The remaining problem was emotion. Hatred stacked on top of hatred, constantly repeating.

That is why those words needed courage.

For the first time, the demon king Arnos understood why he is called a hero.

“Thank you.”

Kanon laughs a little.

“I never thought I’d see a day when the demon king thanked me.”

“And I did not think a day would come when I could thank the hero.”

The two of them locked gazes.

Their viewpoints are different but they acknowledged the power and strength in each other’s hearts.

Now, at last, the long battle is about to be rewarded.

“Let’s get started then.”

The demon king Arnos stands slowly up from his throne and hold his hands in front of his eyes.

At that moment countless particles of black light began to rise from the castle.

Many magic letters appeared on the walls, floors, ceilings etc. The words being drawn are cramped together.

The demon kings castle is a huge magic circle that Arnos had prepared.

“This body is the entrance for the magical power.”

Arnos steps forward and exposes his defenceless body.

First, the grand spirit Reno and then the creation god Militeia turned their palms towards him and loosed an extremely pure white wave. It was like looking at a star, it was dazzling. A bundle of infinite magic power.

No matter how much magic power was poured into his body the demon king Arnos absorbed it all.

Finally Kanon pulled out the holy sword.

“The preparations for the reincarnation?”

“Already done. You can do it.”

The torrent of magic power was intense, crackling and scattering sparks everywhere. It was loud enough to rupture your ears.

It could not endure the use of the grand magic that was absorbing all the magical power of the world and the demon kings castle began to collapse.

Kanon kicks the floor and thrusts the holy sword forward. Magic is fed into it and the blade becomes pure white before piercing through the heart of the demon king Arnos.

“Gofuu…..”

Blood drips from the chest of Arnos.

His lips become wet and red.

With this, his ambition was finally fulfilled.

He was fed up.

The fighting, this barren world. He was tired.

“……Hero Kanon. Thank you once again. If you are also reborn in two thousand years……….”

“It will be as friends.”

Demon king Arnos laughed.

“Farewell.”

His body disappeared with the light.

***

Two thousand years later.

A baby was born in a human house.

“Dear…..I saw him born. Our baby……”

Looking happy Isabella was holding her baby.

Standing at her side was her husband Gusta.

“He’s cute. He will become an excellent man.”

Gusta pokes the babies cheek.

“Dear, have you thought about a name?”

“Aah. His name is—”

At that moment when Gusta was about to speak.

“The name is Arnos. Arnos Voldigod.”

Their mouths fall open and their eyes look like they are about to pop out.

Gusta and Isabella have expressions of complete surprise.

“Fumu. Even though it has been two thousand years it was only a moment.”

Forgetting himself he turned his attention back to the surprised couple.

“Aah, sorry. Is this the first time you’ve seen a baby who reincarnated? I was surprised. It seems that even in this age childbirth has not changed. My best regards.”

“Ta……”

“Ta…..”

“Ta?”

The couple yelled out together

“He talkeeeeeeeeeed!!?”

Arnos floats a look on his face that says, of course a reincarnated baby can talk.

“It’s hard to talk in this body. Should I grow up a little?”

A magic formation appears on Arnos’ baby body.

Instantly he got bigger and grew up to about 6 years old.

“For the time being will such a place do?”

Arnos places his feet on the floor.

“Na…….o………a…..”

“E……..a…….u…….”

While he looks himself over and stamps his feet Gusta and Isabella have expressions of extreme surprise again.

Again they scream out together.

“H……..he……….he grew biiiiiiiiiiiiiig!!”

Arnos the reincarnated baby that had used the crest floated a face that said, of course it would be natural to use this magic.

A month has passed since I reincarnated.

I’ve spent the time looking into the world that is now two thousand years further on. It seems the magical arts have degenerated to a much lower level than I thought.

Human’s don’t seem to know about reincarnation magic at all. (1)

It was a rather common magic in the age of myths that I had lived in. For high ranking magic users, reincarnating was not unusual, however, in the present times that age has been called the era of magic. Reincarnation magic does not seem to be known in the present age.

I can talk from birth and have magical talent. My parents Gusta and Isabella have interpreted it that I’m just a very smart baby.

Growth is considered an advanced magic in the present era but it is still generally known about. (2)

Oh well. If the existence of reincarnation is not acknowledged I guess it can’t be helped.

The most surprising thing though was that I reincarnated as a human.

two thousand years ago I sowed my own seeds. With magic, I created 7 subordinates using my own blood and commanded them to have children and expand their bloodline. I needed a container that contained my blood for a successful reincarnation.

As I expected, over two thousand years the blood of the demon king Arnos did not die out, however, I did not expect it to mix with humans.

No, thinking about it I suppose that since the mazoku and the humans stopped fighting its probably natural that those with mixed blood are born.

I guess deep down I thought that the mazoku and the humans were fundamentally incompatible but after a thousand years of being separated by the walls, their troubles were diluted and eventually lost.

Humans don’t seem to know much about the mazoku anymore. I asked my parents but they didn’t know anything either. All they knew was that the mazoku tribe were really far away on the other side of a wall. They had no further information beyond that.

The demon country, the home of the mazoku is apparently called Deiruheido.

“Hmm?”

I felt the slight flow of magic power and out of the corner of my eye, something caught my attention.

Moving over to the window I open it and an owl jumps in before dropping a letter in my hand.

It’s a letter of invitation from the demon king academy Deruzogedo.

“Demon king academy?……….”

Deruzogedo is the name of my castle. I don’t remember hearing about this demon king academy.

I guess it was founded sometime during these last two thousand years.

While I was thinking the owl opened its mouth.

“Deruzogedo is a school to raise the demon emperor. The person who inherited the traits of the demon king of tyranny. In other words amongst the mazoku we were founded to find people descended from the imperial family and make them into a fine demon emperor.”

The demon king of tyranny? What a nostalgic name for myself, although I was generally just called demon king Arnos during those times but perhaps it’s not bad having those 2 names handed down.

“The demon king of tyranny was the founder and it is the role of the academy to find the person closest to the founder and make them the demon emperor. You also carry the blood of the founder and therefore we invite you to Deruzogedo. We await your  admission into the demon king academy.”

I inherited the traits and talents of the founder? I am the founder.

Even if it followed the unique magical signature overflowing from my blood it seems the familiar cannot look any deeper into the abyss.

At first glance, having reincarnated, the blood of the founder flowing in my body is diluted. However, if I analyse it carefully with demonic sight I can understand that the blood has changed into the blood of the demon king Arnos.

“It is said that this is the year that the founder will be reincarnated.”

They knew that. It seems that the year of my rebirth was handed down throughout the years.

“This year the students planning to enter the demon kings academy are really promising. They are already called the chaos generation. Amongst them are many people regarded as the potential founder reborn. Deruzogedo will be filled with joy when the founder demon king returns.”

I see. The entire purpose of the academy is to look for the reincarnated demon king. For me.

Should I go then?

This chaos generation of the mazoku. I want to see my descendants with my own eyes.

“I have received your invitation.”

“We are looking forward to seeing you. You who has inherited the talents of the founder.”

With that, the owl flew off.

I’ve decided. Strike while the iron is hot. I’ll go to Deruzogedo. It’ll be inconvenient with this body though.

I use the growth magic. My body was wrapped in light and grew up to the age of 16.

This should do.

Leaving my room I head to the front door.

It’s midnight now. Because both my parents are asleep I won’t have any issue leaving.

Or so I thought as I placed my hand on the door handle.

“Who!?”

I hear my mothers voice from behind.

Crap, did you get up? Moreover, in this form, she won’t understand that it’s me.

I better turn round and explain.

“Arnos-chan? You grew up again!” my mother said while looking at my face.

“You understood well.”

“Of course I did. Even if you grew up a bit Arnos-chan is still Arnos-chan.”

It’s a bit embarrassing to be called chan when I’m the demon king.

Oh well, there’s no help for it. No point minding it.

“Where are you going this late at night? It’s dangerous outside.”

Even though I’m a reincarnated being it doesn’t change the fact that I’m her son. Since I was found I guess I can’t leave silently now.

“Do you know of the demon king academy Mother?”

My mother tilts her head to side showing she doesn’t understand it.

“Never heard of it. Where is it?”

“It’s quite far away. It’s in Deiruheido.”

“A school in such a far off place. Is something wrong?”

“An invitation arrived to enter the school. I intend to go.”

“You, you cant. Such a far-off school? It’s dangerous! Arnos-chan is only a month old.”

…..No. Even if you say a month.

As a reincarnated person it’s a bit troubling being treated like a baby.

Unfortunately, they don’t believe the reincarnated story at all.

My mother doesn’t know anything about my character as the demon king either.

“Also mother cant travel such a distance to Deiruheido. There’s a magic school nearby. Is that no good?”

“There’s nothing to learn from a magic school. Besides, I’ll be going alone so mother is safe here.”

“That’s no good. Arnos-chan is only a month old. I can’t let you live alone. What about money?”

“I can make money myself.”

“How? The world isn’t so nice as-”

Magic power gathers in my palm and lumps of gold appear.

“Eh………? No way………this……….it’s not a fake made by magic……. its real.”

My mother makes her living as an expert appraiser. She very good at judging precious metals.

She can no see how easy it is for me to make money.

“How did you do this Arnos-chan? Such magic. Even the sage at the castle can’t do this.”

It seems my mother is surprised. It’s no wonder.

Speaking of the sage at the castle, they are a master of magic and compete for the top spot in the country.

If you couldn’t even use this low-level type of magic back in the age of myths you would have died but apparently, the world has become very peaceful.

“It’s the most basics of creation magic to produce things that already exist in the world. The beginners class teaches you to create mithril and orichalcum. For the demon king Arnos this is mere child play.”

Do you believe me even a little that I’m a reincarnated being now?

“No matter how great a magic you can use no means no. Also, you shouldn’t call your own name like that if you are an adult. Okay?”

Tch. She’s got a point……….

“What is this school then? What would you be studying?”

What should I do? I can easily leave by force.

“It’s alright Isabella.”

My father comes over from the depths of the house.

“There’s no holding a man back from the road he’s decided on.”

“But dear, Arnos-chan is only a month old and I don’t know anything about this school.”

“They say if you don’t see a boy for 3 days they grow. Arnos is already a month old. In that case, we will have to observe him 10 times more but father doesn’t have eyes that big.”(3)

Ah, un. It’s been a month. Having lived together for a month with my parents I understand them. My mother is a worrywart and my dad is a bit of a fool.

“Father knows Arnos. The demon king academy is a school a raises the wizard king isn’t it? Arnos is so good at magic I’m sure he wants to study there.”

“……..I guess it’s roughly like that………”

It’s totally different but let’s keep that to myself.

“Go Arnos.” My dad said in a powerful voice.

“Is it okay?”

My father nods.

“However, we will all go together.”

…….What?

“It’s the duty of a parent to support their child. You are still young. You are only a month old after all.”

“…………….So fathers worried as well.”

*chichichi* my father wags his finger.

“It’s Arnos that doesn’t understand. Listen up. Parents are always sad and lonely when a child leaves home. You are a newborn. We will be very lonely.”

My father is using difficult words to explain it.

I think you should use simpler words.

“Isabella’s lonely too right?”

“Yes…..you grew up so fast. I didn’t think…..sorry. Maybe Arnos-chan is a child given great power by God and you think your mother is obstructive but I want to be together a little longer.”

I’m at a loss for words.

In my old life, I didn’t have parents.

My mother died.

Did my father die? Did he throw me away? I don’t know.

I don’t remember ever talking to my parents.

I never thought about it.

“If you will be lonely I guess there’s no help for it.”

My mothers face lit up when I said this.

“Alright, its decided! We’ll prepare to move house straight away. Don’t worry about anything. Father is a blacksmith. No matter where we go we won’t have to worry about eating!”

And like this, the three-person family will move to Deiruheido.

Several days later.

In front of my eyes is the nostalgic view of my castles front gate.

My castle was made from a 3d solid magic formation so even after 2000 years it’s still in good shape. Though in some odd places it is showing it’s age compared to when I was last alive.

The only thing that’s really changed is that its name has been changed to demon king academy.

Looking around my surroundings I can see people entering the gate one after another.

Are these people taking the entrance exam?

“Arnos-chan, stay strong.”

Although I said it wasn’t necessary my parents found out about the exam and came with me to school.

“You, that, he, he, hehe, retain a calm mind!”

My father is muttering nonsensical things.

“No, can you calm down father.”

“A, ou, you seem to be okay.”

“Un un. Our Arnos-chan is so strong after only a month. He will definitely pass!”

Naturally, no other mazoku have turned up with their parents.

I’m slightly ashamed by the surrounding gazes.

“I’m off then.”

I turn and head off towards the row of mazoku queued up in front of the front gate.

“Good luck, do your best Arnos! Good luck, do your best Arnos!”

Hmmm. My father is embarrassing……….

Is this what human parents are like? I must admit it doesn’t feel bad at all, just a bit embarrassing.

“Hurray, hurray Misha! Fighto, fighto Misha!”

Another embarrassing cheer that wasn’t from my father could be heard from behind.

A quick glance showed me a bearded, stern-faced man raising his fists in the air and yelling.

The blood of the mazoku is mixed but seems quite weak in him. About the same as my dad maybe? That means he could be a human being as well.

Trudging away from the embarrassing man is an expressionless girl. She’s very pretty with blue eyes, a straight nose and an innocent facial expression. Long platinum blonde hair with fluffy ringlets cascades from her head.

She’s wearing robes coloured in black and white. The embroidery and design seem to be of mazoku origin. If that’s the case perhaps my parents are mazoku and not human as well. Well, my mother might be mazoku anyway.

“Good luck, do your best Arnos! Good luck, do your best Arnos!”

Just as I enter the main gate I can hear my father again.

That girl turns to look at my father and follows his gaze to me.

“Ah….”

Our eye’s just met.

“Were both troubled it seems.”

When I speak she lets out a shy little laugh.

“……..Nn………..”

The girl let out a short agreement.

Is she a poor talker? Taciturn perhaps? Doesn’t seem like she’ll say anything more.

She doesn’t seem to be wary of me though.

“I’m Arnos. Arnos Voldigod.”

After I spoke I wondered if I had done the right thing. That’s the name of the founder demon king. On one hand I don’t want to cause a scene but on the other hand, I don’t see any reason to hide it either.

Well, it doesn’t really matter. Now or later, it makes little difference.

“……..Misha…….”

Unexpectedly she didn’t react to my name.

“…….Misha Necron……..”

I wonder why she didn’t show any interest? Saying that, it’s better this way.

2000 years have passed. I can’t imagine anyone here will be interested in demon king Arnos.

“My best regards Misha.”

“……….Nn……….”

Another short reply.

As I was about to enter the gate a man stepped in front of me.

He had swarthy skin, a forged steel like body, short cut white hair and appeared to be somewhere in his 20’s.

He had a smile that just screamed bad intentions.

“Ha? Taking the admission test with your parents. When did the demon king academy become a playground for children?”

Hmmm. Who’s this fellow?

“……….Oi, is that?”

“Aah….this is bad……They’ve caught the arrogant gaze of Zepes. I wonder if that guy will keep all his limbs……….?”

Apparently, this chap is famous.

Putting him aside for the moment, does this queue extend all along the right-hand side? I’m sure that’s where the arena was.

I see. They must be doing the entrance exam in there.

“Are you good at fighting Misha?”

“……..Not really…….”

I guess fighting’s not her strong point. Well, since things have become peaceful that’s fine.

We headed over to the right and joined the queue.

“You……..!! Oi, bastard, bastard!!”

I turned around to look since it was so noisy behind.

That man from a while ago was glaring at me.

“Hmph. You finally turned around.”

Yare yare. My descendants appear to be lacking in manners. (1)

Should I chastise him a little?

“I’m sorry. Your magical power was so weak I didn’t see you.”

“Wha…….what did you say!?”

The man’s eyes turned furious almost immediately.

“This one is the Demon duke Zepes Endou and you knowingly insult me?”

“Demon duke……..? No, I’ve never heard of you. Are you famous?”

Aah, I see. This nickname must have been born sometime during the last 2000 years.

“Oi you bastard. Apologise now.”

What an awfully cold voice.

Zepes glares at me with merciless eyes and makes a fist. Particles of magic power gather and a magic formation is drawn.

two, three, four…five magic formations.

He opened his hand and condensed jet back flame sprang from his palm.

“Wha……..!?”

“Were you surprised? Good. Will you beg for your life? I’ll forgive you if you lick my boots. If not I’ll use this dark flame that can burn even the gods called Demon Fire and turn that ojou-chans face into a skeleton. Hyahahahahaha!!”

Wha, wha…….what type of low-level magic is this? What was the point of drawing five magic formations to make this demon flame ?

Of course I’m surprised. He spoke in such an exaggerated and grand manner yet I’ve just been shown magic that’s inferior to a child playing with matches.

Despite being my descendant he’s not blessed with magic power at all. Poor chap.

“Fuu.”

“….What….the…….Impossible!! That’s impossible!!”

I blew the demon flame out with my breath.

“Bastard, Bastaaaaaard……..What did you do!!”

“Why are you surprised? I just blew a match flame out with my breath.”

“My demon flame is a match flame!?………..”

In the first place, the usage of magic power is fundamentally different between me and Zepes.

This fellow frantically scrapes together magic power and forcefully uses it. I naturally have it all around and can spontaneously use it.

If you couldn’t do that in the age of mythology your death was certain.

No, I suppose that the peace at any price mindset has caused the degradation of magic, however, this could be a good age to live in. Mazoku that were weak can speak in such a grand manner now.

“Bastard……such an insult……don’t think that you can return alive now.”

Doesn’t this fellow understand the difference in our levels?

“Wait a minute.”

When I spoke, the body of Zepes stiffened like he’d been paralysed.

“……What’s wrong?”

“Wha….I can’t move……what have you done!?”

Oh, I see. Magic power is naturally attached to my words so I must have cast compulsion on him.

To be this easily caught by the power of words. He must have very weak anti-magic abilities.

“Oh well. Please stand there and reflect for a while.”

Zepes looked apologetic as soon as I finished speaking.

“All those things I said…….It was not words that should have been spoken when meeting someone for the first time……..If there is a hole……I want to climb in. How can I apologise for what I’ve done?”

Zepes carried on reflecting while standing there like a scarecrow.

The voices of the other applicants from earlier were murmuring again.

“That’s amazing. That guy made Zepes apologise.”

“Aah, did you see? He extinguished that demon flame. He must be a master at anti-magic.”

“I’ve never seen his face before. He might be the dark horse of the chaos generation.”

So exaggerated.

I moderated my voice though. Even that fellow should be able to undo my compulsion in about 10 minutes or so.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Shall we go?”

I called out to Misha who was waiting for me and we began walking.

“…….Arnos…….” She calls out to me in a small voice.

“What?”

“…….Strong…….?”

I couldn’t help laughing.

“I won’t deny it, but in this case, it’s not appropriate.”

She leans her head to one side in puzzlement.

“……..Why not appropriate?”

“That guy was too weak.”

We passed into the arena where the examination was taking place.