Chapter 1

"--- Welcome, hero from another world. Please save this world from the Demon King."

Suddenly, a hoarse old man's voice reached my ears.

I came to my senses at the sound and looked around.

Then, I realized I was standing on a strange pattern.

"Where... is this?"

"This is 'Reitessia.' It is a world different from the one where the hero resided."

The hoarse voice answered my question.

I raised my gaze toward the source of the voice.

There, lined up were men and women of all ages, dressed like nobles from the Renaissance era.

The one who answered my question was a middle-aged man with a prominent crown.

"Rei... tessia"

"That's right. And currently, Reitessia is in danger of being destroyed by the Demon King."

The middle-aged man continued speaking, ignoring my stunned silence.

Wait, don't just push forward.

I wanted to say that, but no words came out of my parched throat.

"And our kingdom summoned a hero to kill the Demon King."

Am I dreaming?

Or have I lost the ability to distinguish between fantasy and reality?

The middle-aged man is saying something, but his words don't register in my confused mind.

However, I strangely understood what he was trying to say.

"You, as a hero—"

For now, let's calm down.

I let the man's words wash over me, trying to calm my confused mind.

Then, I reached for the memories from a few minutes ago.

At that moment—everything came back clearly.

I remembered what had happened to me.

I couldn't help but laugh, and I held my aching head.

"You—Are you listening!?"

Perhaps my lowered gaze bothered him.

Reprimands flew from around the middle-aged man.

I raised my face at the harsh cries.

In front of me stood a man.

He was dressed in a black robe and held a staff embedded with red gems.

Seeing this man, I felt my confusion instantly dissipate.

"You are in the presence of His Majesty the King! Raise your face!!"

"Easy, Ryuzas. The hero seems to still be confused. There's no need to rush him."

Ryuzas, is it?

As the middle-aged man called the red-haired man Ryuzas and reprimanded him, my thoughts turned blank like a lightning strike.

--- You're done, hero.

As the memory of what had just happened flashed through my mind, I kicked the ground with all my might and ran towards Ryuzas.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!"

"What!?"

Ryuzas reacted to the beast-like roar.

But it was too late.

Before he could raise his staff, I landed a punch to his face.

I hit him with a fist full of hatred.

"Ugh, Fa—"

Ryuzas flew back and crashed into the wall, then fainted with wide eyes.

Not yet.

This isn't over.

I straddled him and continued punching.

The sound of my fist hitting his cheekbone echoed.

"Stop, hero! What are you doing!?"

"Quick, restrain him!!"

The people around me pounced.

I was almost crushed by their numbers.

"--- Ryuzas!"

Still, I continued to punch Ryuzas.

Each time, I felt the emotions pent up in my heart dissipate.

"You... you alone!"

Ryuzas was completely unconscious.

But this isn't enough. It can't be enough.

--- The pain I received from this guy is far worse than this.

One more punch—just as I raised my fist, I was finally pinned to the ground.

I tried to shake off the people holding my arms, but for some reason, I couldn't muster any strength.

"I won't let you forget what you did to me!"

Still, I struggled and reached out to Ryuzas.

But at that moment, a dull impact hit the back of my head.

My vision flickered, and I felt the strength drain from my body.

"What... what is this..."

One of the people restraining me said that.

--- What is this?

The question I heard as my consciousness faded.

To such an obvious doubt, I answered in my mind.

This guy killed me.

◆

I—Amatsuki Iori, have been summoned to this world before.

Just a few minutes ago, I was summoned as a hero to fight and protect the world.

And yet.

The ending that awaited me was betrayal by the comrades I trusted.

I remember the faces that laughed at me as they cut off my arm and pierced my chest.

That red-haired man—Ryuzas was one of them.

If I die, the glory of defeating the Demon King will be ours alone.

Once the battle is over, a hero is just a nuisance.

You're done.

That's what they said, laughing, as they killed me.

But somehow, I was still alive.

I don't know why, but I should be grateful for my luck.

They gave me the chance to take revenge on those who betrayed me.

--- I'll make you regret betraying me.

Smiling, I lost consciousness.