The Heroes Who Executed Me Are Obsessed With Me

“She disappeared, you say?”

Cadis, the Second Seat of the Guardian Knights, received an unexpected report from his subordinate, who had been tracking Athanasia.

She had reportedly committed near-massacre-level destruction in a village near the demon territory border. Afterward, she left with the reanimated corpses and vanished.

“Then why couldn’t you confirm where she went?”

At Cadis’s question, the subordinate replied with a grim face.

“She must’ve realized she was being followed. She sent her corpse-soldiers to delay us…”

“Hmph.”

Cadis sighed.

‘So we were stalled by a distraction and lost her trail.’

The failure itself wasn’t the real issue—it was the lack of any solid information worth reporting.

“My apologies.”

The subordinate bowed.

“I’ll resume pursuit and locate Athanasia’s whereabouts.”

“No need.”

“Sir? But—”

“You haven’t forgotten where she was heading, have you?”

Athanasia had gone to the Demon Realm. Even if the demon remnants had been hunted down after their defeat in the war, the Demon Realm itself wasn’t treated like some ordinary enemy territory.

“The Demon Realm has not yet fallen.”

More accurately, it couldn’t be taken. To completely cleanse it would require yet another grand allied expedition from all the continent’s nations.

‘But right now…’

There was no center of command.

‘With the Hero gone, forming a true alliance is a dream at best.’

Since the Hero’s execution, relations among the nations had become strained.

Setting aside the matter of guilt, the Holy Alliance—especially Krata—had taken unilateral action in handling everything, which had soured sentiment across the continent.

Several nations that were already uncomfortable with Krata’s growing dominance had begun voicing their displeasure.

That was part of why Krata allowed Yaphenon’s sudden aggression against Ezer—it was a calculated preemptive strike to secure resources and position in the human wars to come.

“In our current state, we can’t launch a full-scale subjugation. The Demon Realm is still a dangerous place that we should not enter lightly.”

Moreover, there were already signs that someone in the Demon Realm was trying to reunite the demons. Rumor had it that Beatrice was using the corpse of the Hero to stage a scheme. A trap was entirely possible.

Cadis turned to his subordinate.

“Report to the palace that Athanasia went rogue.”

“Sir? But it hasn’t been confirmed yet…”

“If she plans to head to her grave next, I won’t stop her.”

Should word reach the palace that Athanasia was defeated by demons, Emperor Lutan might act out emotionally. And those involved in the mission could face punishment.

“It’s a delicate situation. Focus on gauging the mood. Rest up for now.”

“…Understood.”

The subordinate nodded and turned back the way he came.

‘Just what exactly is happening in the Demon Realm…?’

Alone now, Cadis let out a silent sigh.

♧

The Demon Realm was in uproar.

“They say a new Demon King has been crowned.”

“An ancient god broke free from their seal and wiped out a human village.”

“Hear the new Demon King fought the ancient god?”

The commotion stemmed from none other than the rumors about the new Demon King.

“If the coronation was real, why hasn’t it been officially announced?”

“Anyone here know anything for sure?”

“Barungenia.”

At that moment, someone uttered the name.

“Barungenia?”

“What’s that?”

“The hidden fourth Demon King’s castle.”

The one who replied was none other than the demon bard, Machenko.

She wore an eyepatch over both eyes and cradled a lyre in her bony hands. Grinning with blackened teeth, the old woman chuckled as nearby demons frowned.

“This hag’s still alive?”

“When did she get here?”

“She’s probably babbling nonsense again.”

Though known for being well-informed, the old woman’s habit of speaking in riddles and vague prophecies meant she was rarely taken seriously.

“Barungenia was prepared as a refuge by the former Demon King. A sanctuary. And now, it’s home to the new Demon King.”

“The new Demon King?”

“Indeed.”

The old woman giggled darkly.

“And the new Demon King? He’s the very Hero who killed the previous one.”

Her shocking declaration made the demons recoil with disgust.

“What did you say?”

“The executed Hero came back to life, they say. But this time, he has no intention of siding with humans. They betrayed him.”

“What the hell are you spouting?! Wanna lose your tongue?”

“He came back from the dead?! That bastard killed so many of us!”

“Even if it’s true, I’ll never accept it! We lost too many to him!”

Agitated demons knocked over their drinks, scattering mugs and plates as the tavern descended into chaos.

But the old woman kept smiling.

“So what if he killed us before? Now, he’ll help us kill even more.”

Flinch.

The room went quiet.

“…What?”

“The Hero was someone even the previous Demon King couldn’t defeat. He’s a force of nature. A being born to win. And now—he’s ours.”

She trembled with eerie laughter.

“Only the song of victory shall echo now. Over and over and over…”

The demons stared at her, chilled.

‘If that man swings his sword on our side…’

‘Maybe wiping out the humans… isn’t so far-fetched.’

Their beast-like eyes glittered with dangerous light.

Among demons, only the strongest was fit to rule.

Would a Hero be an exception?

Not necessarily.

The only thing holding them back… was the fact that he was human.

But even that wasn’t a problem—if he now served to help kill other humans, everything changed.

Gleam, gleam.

The demons, as if already imagining what came next, rolled their eyes wildly and began to chuckle just like the old crone.

“Heh, heh, heh…”

The old woman laughed too. For her, having new stories to share was all that mattered.

She had stirred the demons with words passed along from a gargoyle scout dispatched from Barungenia. And as a bard, she now felt a deep sense of fulfillment.

So she laughed—alongside the others. Tirelessly.

“Gugh?!”

But the laughter didn’t last long. Someone seized her throat.

“!”

The surrounding demons flinched in shock. The crone saw the enormous hand crushing her windpipe.

Crack.

With inhuman strength, the hand squeezed her throat as her body twisted and jerked.

She looked up and saw him.

A massive demon with jet-black skin, a giant axe tattooed across his shoulder, and two red horns sprouting from his head—a demon through and through.

“G-Geshkafor.”

She gasped his name, and he smirked.

“That’s right. Good to know you, at least remember my name.”

He leaned closer, still clutching her throat.

“I heard you’ve been spreading this tale.”

His voice came low and heavy.

“So tell me—how do I meet this so-called new Demon King?”

♧

“Are you sure it’s okay for me to leave?” Beatrice looked worried as she spoke privately with Clay, “Athanasia’s still here. Will it be alright if I go?”

“No need to worry so much,” Clay offered a faint smile, “Athanasia’s been firmly subdued. What’s more important right now is that you move quickly.”

“Is it really that urgent?”

“The prospective Four Generals will likely act before we do.”

According to the former Demon King, the candidates for the Four Generals weren’t just waiting passively.

“They’ll be aiming for my throne.”

To demons, the strongest ruled. That truth hadn’t changed.

“With no Demon King and rumors of a new one surfacing, they won’t just sit quietly.”

They’d come to verify. And if they thought they could win, they’d try to take the title for themselves.

“Foolish lot.” Beatrice traced a finger along Clay’s jawline, “Strength may be the condition to be Demon King, but strength alone is not enough.”

“You’re talking about aptitude.”

“Exactly.” She spoke in her usual unhurried tone, “Only someone who can truly accept the role, like you, can become the real Demon King. Do you think the former Demon King became nearly immortal simply through raw power?”

“I’ve wondered myself whether just a beating heart could keep me alive.”

“The former Demon King likely arranged trials to test whoever would take the throne.”

Clay chuckled at the irony of a trial meant for the next ruler.

“So he set things up to gather everyone, just to clean up the hierarchy all at once?”

“That’s one way to put it. Demons are weak to desire. Even the ones fit to become the Four Generals. If you just tell them to work for the new Demon King, they’ll resist.”

So instead, the board had been set so they’d have to show up.

“But if they start craving the title for themselves? Then they’ll come willingly, even pick a fight.”

“Sounds like a flashy way to do a summoning.”

“Either way, sending me as an emissary is still necessary.”

Beatrice shrugged.

“It’s worth seeing if anyone can be reasoned with.”

“I see.”

“And you’ll need a strategist, right? If someone’s willing to negotiate, maybe we can proceed to the next stage.”

“You’re all the strategist I need.”

“Oh my, how flattering.” She grinned, “Thanks, but I think I’d suit the role of secretary better.”

“Pretty similar roles, if you ask me.”

“Not quite. A strategist is supposed to stabilize your rule as a monarch. Me? I’m used to solo missions. Not much talent when it comes to commanding troops.”

Beatrice, who always gave off an air of dominance, now wore a rare, sheepish expression. Clay couldn’t help but let out a wry smile.

“What?”

She pouted slightly and asked.

“I said I'm relatively lacking in talent. Not that I'm totally inept.”

“I know.”

“Hmm.” She glanced at Clay, hesitated, then asked, “By the way, where are you keeping Syltanaro?”

“Syltanaro? I gave her another room for now, but she asked if she could stay with me.”

“She says she only feels secure with you nearby?”

“That’s her reason, yes…”

Clay trailed off, but Beatrice warned him with a serious tone.

“Be careful while I’m away. To Syltanaro, you’re something far greater than you think. After defeating Athanasia together, that belief’s only grown stronger.”

“Don’t you think that’s an exaggeration?”

“I hope it is.”

Knock knock knock.

Just then, someone knocked on their door.

—“Demon King, are you there?”

It was Syltanaro’s voice.

(End of Chapter)