That time I got reincarnated as the Monster King

Kaval, Eren, and Gido made their way along the cobbled path of the Goblin Town, their boots kicking up faint clouds of dust with each step. Around them, goblins worked in silence—rebuilding charred homes, passing tools hand to hand, and stacking salvaged wood with quiet determination. Though the flames had left scars, the will to rise again was clear in every motion.

"Do you think Shizu is all right?" Eren asked, her voice tight with unease.

Kaval placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. Arceus is with her."

"That's right," Gido chimed in, forcing a small smile. "Remember that healing magic he used on us? It felt like a miracle. If anyone can help her, it's him."

"Yeah…" Eren murmured, eyes flicking toward the largest hut at the center of town.

Just then, a familiar voice interrupted their thoughts.

"Well, what a surprise," said Elder Rigurd, his tone warm as he approached from behind. "Here to check on our patient?"

Kaval offered a polite nod. "Are you here for the same reason?"

Rigurd lifted a bundle of neatly folded clothes. "Yes. I was just bringing Lady Shizu a change of garments."

As they reached the curtained entrance, Rigurd paused and bowed his head slightly. "Great Arceus, may I?"

Receiving no objection, he gently pulled the curtain aside and stepped in—Kaval, Eren, and Gido close behind.

What they saw stole the breath from their lungs.

The bed was empty.

Shizu was gone.

In her place stood Arceus, motionless, tears trailing silently down his face—his cold gaze lost in some place far beyond the room.

---

By the time the sun dipped behind the hills, casting an amber glow over Goblin Town, the group had gathered outside to listen to what had transpired.

"I see," Kaval finally said, voice heavy. "So… Shizu passed on."

He, Eren, and Gido bowed their heads in sorrow, the weight of loss settling over them like a fog.

Eren hesitated, then spoke in a hushed tone. "Did you… eat Shizu-san? Like you did with Ifrit?"

Arceus lowered his gaze, the tear streaks still faintly visible on his cheeks.

"I… united with her. It was her final wish. The only burial I could offer her."

He paused before adding quietly, "I apologize for not consulting you—her companions—first."

Kaval shook his head gently. "If it was what Shizu wanted… then there was no other choice."

Arceus turned to Eren, his voice soft. "I'm sorry, Eren. This must feel… unfair."

But Eren shook her head, a tearful smile tugging at her lips. "No… I just wish I could have said goodbye."

"She wanted me to tell you," Arceus said, "that she enjoyed traveling with you all. She found joy in your company… though she did say you had a tendency to attract danger."

At that, Eren and Gido turned to glance at Kaval.

"Hey!" Kaval exclaimed, catching their stares. "Why are you looking at me like that!?"

"Well, you do kind of—" Eren began with a small laugh.

"Yeah," Gido added with a smirk. "Remember the time you fell into that pit trap?"

"That was because Eren pushed me!" Gido snapped.

"Hey! Don't pin that on me!"

Their bickering continued as Arceus watched them, a soft smile playing at his lips. This suits them better than sorrow, he thought, the moment easing the ache in his chest.

---

As dawn broke the following day, Kaval, Eren, and Gido stood at the edge of Goblin Town, bags packed and expressions solemn.

"We're heading back now," Kaval said. "Time to report to the Guildmaster… about everything. Including Shizu."

"I see. Will you be returning to your home country after that?" Arceus asked.

"Most likely," Kaval replied. "But rest assured—we won't speak poorly of this place. You have our word."

He hesitated, then glanced at the others before speaking again. "There's one final favor we'd like to ask…"

"What is it?" Arceus asked.

"Could we see her again—Shizu, in her human form?"

Understanding dawned on him, and he nodded.

With a brief glow of magic, Arceus transformed into Shizu's likeness. Her gentle eyes, raven-black hair, and warm aura returned—if only for a moment.

"So, what is it you wanted to say?" he asked, now in her voice.

"Thank you… Shizu!" they all said in unison, bowing deeply.

"I'll strive to be the kind of leader you'd never have to worry about," Kaval vowed.

"My time adventuring with you… it'll be one of my life's treasures," Gido added with a bittersweet smile.

"You were like a big sister to me," Eren whispered, stepping forward to embrace her. Tears slid down her cheeks as Arceus—still in Shizu's form—gently stroked her hair in comfort.

I'm glad her final companions were these three, he thought as the form shimmered and faded, revealing his true self once more.

"By the way," he said with a playful smirk, "your gear's looking a little… worn."

"Huh?" Kaval blinked.

Soon, he led them to a tent near the center of town—where smoke rose from a sturdy forge and the sound of metal rang through the air.

"This is our blacksmith's workshop," Arceus explained. "We wanted to give you parting gifts—crafted by our best artisans."

"This scale mail—this is exactly what I dreamed of!" Kaval gasped, admiring the sapphire-tinted armor.

"Wait, what is this robe?" Eren exclaimed, running her fingers over the fabric. "It's light… but tough! And so beautiful!"

"D-Do we really deserve this?" Gido stammered, turning over the dagger in his hand, its craftsmanship flawless.

"They're prototypes," a gruff voice said. "So don't break 'em."

Kaijin stepped forward with arms crossed, followed by three dwarves.

"Let me introduce them," Arceus said. "From right to left: Kaijin, Garm, Myrd, and Dord."

"Wait… Kaijin!?" Kaval's jaw dropped.

"The legendary blacksmith!?" Eren gasped.

"And Garm, Myrd, Dord—the Three Brothers of the Forge!?" Gido added.

Kaval lunged forward and shook Kaijin's hand fervently. "Thank you! I'll treasure it forever!"

"I'm so happy!" Eren said, hugging Myrd and Garm.

"This is like a dream!" Gido cried as he lifted Dord into the air.

Their laughter rang out across the square—bright, genuine, and tinged with gratitude.

---

Later, as they vanished beyond the horizon, Arceus stood atop a grassy hill overlooking the village. The wind tousled his silver hair, and beside him, Ranga sat vigil.

Before them stood a simple memorial of stacked stones.

Shizue Izawa.

The girl who once lost everything to fire, yet bore the flame to save others. A champion possessed by Ifrit—the Conqueror of Flames.

"I promised her," Arceus murmured. "Before I face Demon Lord Leon Cromwell… I'll explore this world."

His eyes sharpened. "I'm a man who keeps his promises."

Thus began the new chapter of a soul reborn.

He had once ruled the monsters, kept the gods in check, and fallen to the blade of the God of Demise.

But now, reborn in another world, bearing within him the Storm Dragon Veldora and the spirit of Shizu, he had a new purpose.

His name was Arceus Velgriath, the Monster King of Unity.

And soon, the world would tremble again.

"This feels right," he whispered, smiling as Ranga barked softly at his side.

---

Far away, beneath the burning sun of a vast desert, an orc collapsed in exhaustion, his breath shallow and limbs trembling.

A figure appeared—cloaked in white, a hat shading his eyes, and a bird-like mask concealing his face.

"I will give you a name," he said, voice calm and cold. "And food."

The orc blinked up at him, wary. "Who… are you?"

"You may call me Gelmud," the figure replied, kneeling. "Think of me as… your father."

He touched the orc's forehead.

"Your name is Geld."

A golden glow spread from the contact, and the orc whispered the name to himself. "Geld…"

"One day, you will take the Great Forest of Jura," Gelmud said, handing him a chunk of meat. "You will become… the Orc Disaster."

Geld accepted the meat hungrily, unaware that with that first bite, the wheels of fate had begun to turn once more.