#1057 The Demon King’s Revival

As the fourth checkpoint’s trial concluded, the arena was engulfed in a storm of boos.

Why, you ask?

Because Momoko’s victory was just too dirty!

Naturally, the audience was furious at seeing evil triumph, shouting, “You’ve got to be bullshitting us!”

But even in such a hostile situation, Momoko didn’t flinch; in fact, she was more energetic than ever.

“Hah! No matter how much you boo, victory is mine! No matter how dirty it gets, as long as I win in the end, that’s all that matters!!!” Momoko declares boldly.

She’s so comfortable playing the villain, you’d think she’s had prior experience.

“Oh, by the way, when I said he grabbed my butt—that was a lie! I just used it to throw him off balance and create an opening! Even though he lost, I can vouch that he’s not some creep who harasses women!!!”

Hearing her admit that now doesn’t exactly help.

“She’s right... If I lose myself over a bluff like that, I won’t be able to handle proper negotiations.”

Ah, Ritheseus!

He was sent flying by Momoko’s attack, but I’m glad to see he’s okay!

“I have to deal with all sorts of crafty opponents as the new human president. In times like that, there will be malicious slanders aiming to tarnish my reputation, just like now. If I get rattled each time, I’d be playing right into their hands, and I won’t be able to steer events as I wish.”

“Hey, don’t make it sound like I was the one spreading malicious slander!”

It was a pretty nasty slander, though.

“Today has been a valuable lesson for me. I appreciate this rare experience.”

“Is that so... By the way, did you say... president?”

Momoko seems caught on a word he mentioned.

“Wait, didn’t the newly independent human nation opt for a president instead of a king...?”

“Yes, I’m honored beyond measure to have been elected as the first president of the newly re-established Human Kingdom. I look forward to working with you.”

Did Momoko not realize who he was?

Well, even though he’s a head of state, it’s not like in my world where his face would be plastered all over TV and the internet.

Still, you’d think she’d recognize his name.

“Please accept my deepest apologies!!!”

Momoko exclaims, performing a dramatic jumping bow.

“I can’t believe I was so rude to such an important person, even if I didn’t know! It was a momentary lapse—please, let’s just forget about ittttttttttttttttttt!!!”

“Why are you so frightened?”

She was a hero hopelessly weak against authority.

Even so, Momoko managed to defeat Ritheseus and clear the fourth checkpoint.

...Not to belabor the point, but was that really the rule?

Anyway, next up was the fifth checkpoint.

This also makes it the final one.

The first and second obstacles are standardized and fixed, but as you progress, they mix it up with different challenges each time, and the number varies too.

Orkubo’s Castle’s total number of obstacles is usually five or six, sometimes seven at most.

This time, the fifth checkpoint is the final one...

“Well done making it this far, hero...!”

Waiting there is none other than Demon King Zedan himself.

The ruler of the land, the hero of our times!

“Impressive that you’ve overcome Lord Arowana and Lord Ritheseus to reach me! ...Though your methods were somewhat less than admirable...”

Just as the Demon King said.

In the battle with Arowana, Momoko had relentlessly targeted his unprotected legs...

In the fight with Ritheseus, she falsely accused him of throwing him off balance...

Her tactics were far from honorable.

Is this how a hero fights?!

“Indeed... My way of fighting hasn’t been exactly pure. It’s a reflection of my life up until now.”

One day, I was suddenly summoned to another world without warning and thrown into war.

If I didn’t fight as ordered, survival itself would be difficult.

Even though they praised me as a hero, in reality, I was just a killer sanctioned under the guise of war.

When the war ended, I was suddenly hunted as a criminal.

Even after being somehow pardoned, I wasn’t celebrated or admired anymore, starting over as an ordinary person.

That journey was far from easy.

“Even so, I’ve worked hard up to today! Not as a hero, but as a person living in this world! That’s why I will defeat you to finally sever ties with my time as a hero, Demon King!”

Huh? Why?

“When I was a hero, I was ordered to defeat the Demon King! To defeat you and bring peace back to the world! Now I realize that was a one-sided justice from the human perspective. Even so, by achieving that goal I fought for in those days, I can finally put an end to it and make a complete break!”

“So, our battle is a way to bring closure. Very well...!”

The Demon King draws his sacred sword, Einrot.

“Many years have passed since the war ended. Everyone has put those harsh times behind them and moved forward. If there are still those who can’t sever ties with the past, it’s the Demon King’s duty to help them look to the future...!!!”

Then he points the tip of his sword challengingly at Momoko.

“Come at me! I am the Demon King—the prize you heroes have sought!”

“Thank you for accepting my challenge! Um, but...”

“? What’s the matter?”

“Can you even fight with that body?”

It’s understandable that Momoko would be concerned.

You see, the current Demon King is quite chubby and is nothing like his wartime self.

Since the war ended, he focused on internal affairs, entrusted the army’s command to his trusted subordinates, and stopped going out to fight.

There weren’t any wars breaking out in the first place.

With fewer opportunities to exercise, plus getting married and blessed with a family, his happy weight gain accelerated.

That’s why the Demon King is now so well-rounded.

“I know I’m the one who challenged you, but honestly, you don’t seem like you’d move sharply in your current state. I might beat you easily. Don’t underestimate me. Thanks to my current job, I can still move as well as I did at my peak!”

“Hm-hm-hm... Indeed, perhaps I’ve lost my fighting spirit. I’ve welcomed my beloved wives, been blessed with children, and surrounded by them, my life is as peaceful as can be.”

“Are you bragging or something?!”

Don’t be jealous, Momoko.

“However, that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten those days spent in constant battle. Rather, to protect the peace we’ve won, I’m ready to return to that ravenous warrior’s mindset whenever necessary. With this...!”

Demon King?

Wait, what’s he pulling out besides his sacred sword?!

“A pack of natto beans!”

“Why natto at a time like this?!”

Momoko exclaims, shocked.

I’m just as shocked as her.

Natto at a time like this?!

“This natto brings back my old fighting spirit! Packed with nutrients! That sticky texture! It’s farm-fresh from Lord Saint’s farm! When I consume this, every cell in my body goes into battle mode!!” he declared.

Saying that, the Demon King scoops up the natto and gobbles it down!

He chewed thoroughly and swallowed, and a tremendous change occurred at that moment!

“Uooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!!!”

An incredible aura emanates from his entire body!

An explosive surge of energy envelops him!

And then an even more unbelievable transformation!

The Demon King, who had been soft and pudgy, begins to slim down before our eyes, his body transforming into a muscular physique!

And the form that emerged was...!

The Demon King I first met, with sharp eyes and brimming with fighting spirit!

“Wh-wh-what?! The chubby old guy just turned into a muscle warrior in seconds?! What’s going on?!”

Momoko is stunned.

That makes the two of us.

“I’ve never heard of natto having such effects! If eating it turns you into a muscle-bound hunk, I’d eat it every day too!!!”

I’d do the same!

“Of course, no matter who eats natto, they won’t get these effects. But between me and natto, there’s a special connection that allows this miracle to happen.”

Ah!

His words reminded me of something.

Once, the Demon King had been worried about gaining weight and tried dieting.

His method was utterly reckless: engaging in real battles with a dragon and angel while eating ramen and natto in between...

Just explaining it makes you wonder, ‘How is that a diet?’ But he did manage to lose weight for a while.

Though he soon rebounded.

“Those memories are tied to the natto, and just by eating it, my muscles awaken! This is the spiritual power dwelling in natto! When natto and I combine, the battle-hardened Demon King from the distant past is revived!!!”

When did natto and the Demon King become linked like that?!

Letasreit will be thrilled by this development again.