Chapter 1

I want to know what it feels like to be defeated.

Before I knew it, I had come to live with such a wish.

To liberate humanity from the gods and those who consorted with them, I spent the majority of my life. Thus, my life has always been accompanied by struggle...

I raised an army, usurped a country, slaughtered countless heroes, expanded my power, and annihilated the gods.

At the end of such a journey...

I ended up being called a "Demon King," just like the monsters in fairy tales.

The people and most of my subordinates no longer see me as human. They only see me as an object of reverence, a replacement for the gods. After a long life, all I gained was loneliness.

That's why I began to wish for my own defeat. I thought that if people saw me lose disgracefully, they might start to see me as one of them, a human being.

However, my wish was never fulfilled... there were no more enemies capable of defeating me.

There was no choice. My life had reached a dead end. But my hope was not extinguished.

The Demon King, Valvatos, ultimately fell and died as a lonely monster. Perhaps I was born with such a fate. But in the next life, I might enjoy a different destiny.

I might spend my days laughing and having fun with friends, just like in the old days.

Unable to bear the loneliness any longer, I immediately created a reincarnation spell. I wrote a letter to my subordinates and activated the reincarnation magic.

...And so, here I am, reborn.

Following the spell I constructed, I was reborn as an average human in a distant future world.

I am no longer the Demon King, Valvatos. I am now a common villager, Ardo Meteor.

Well, time flies, and six years have passed since my birth.

As a normal baby, there wasn't much I could do in these six years. I focused on learning language and increasing my magical power. These were the only two things I could do. Being born as an ordinary child, my memory and combat ability were also ordinary. Given these circumstances, I spent these six years on these two efforts.

Therefore, I have no friends yet.

Well, I am an ordinary villager now. So, I thought I would eventually make a friend or two.

But...

As the seasons changed, ten years have passed since my birth. ...I still have no friends.

But this is inevitable. It's the result of not sparing any effort in absorbing knowledge, which is essential for living. Therefore, it's completely understandable.

Having almost completed my language acquisition, I delved into the books my father owned, continuously absorbing knowledge of this era.

Wisdom is the most important thing in life. To gain wisdom, one needs a lot of knowledge. Therefore, I was right to spend several years cooped up at home, reading books.

Today, I went to the reading room in the house, sat on the floor, and started reading a book.

My home, which replaced the castle, is an ordinary wooden house. Although it is much smaller compared to a castle, it is more than spacious enough for my parents and me, three people.

Feeling the cool temperature of the floor on my buttocks, I turned the pages of the history book, and...

"There you are, just as I thought."

"Ardo-chan really loves books, doesn't he?"

I heard my parents' voices from the open door. My father's name is Jack, and my mother's name is Carla. Both are humans. They are both quite handsome, but apart from that, they are ordinary villagers.

"Is there something you need?"

"Nope. Nothing in particular."

Then I'll focus on my reading.

...It seems the era I was reborn into is about 3000 years after my previous life.

After my death, the unified world split into countless nations after 500 years. There were several eras of warring states, but it seems a certain level of peace has now arrived.

However, the "Demon Race" still exists and continues to harm this world.

Recently, their activities have been particularly noticeable. A few decades ago, they revived one of the main figures from my previous life and my archenemy, the "Outer Beings"... In this era, they are called "Evil Gods." It was truly an unprecedented event, but the people who solved it were also extraordinary.

"Three Great Mages and a Heroic Baron. To defeat an 'Evil God' with just three people, they are quite something."

Even in my previous life, I struggled to defeat one of them. And they did it with just three people.

Not only were they extraordinary beings, but the magical civilization of this era has also evolved to an extremely high level. Otherwise, an 'Evil God' is not a weak being that can be defeated by just a few people.

...While I was thinking about this.

"Oh, oh, hahaha"

"What's so ticklish?"

The two of them showed strange reactions. I don't really understand, but it's not something to worry about.

I focused on my reading.

Time flies, and I turned twelve. ...Friends? I don't have any.

No, I do want to make friends. After all, that was the purpose of my reincarnation.

I have absorbed enough knowledge, so I thought it was time to start making friends.

But I'm afraid of other people. I can't even talk to them.

I'm no longer the Demon King, but even so, people tend to reject those they don't know well. If I talk to someone and they look at me with a "Huh? Who are you?" expression or say, "I don't want to be friends with someone like you," I get anxious and can't even bring myself to speak.

...To be honest, all the talk about training and acquiring knowledge was just an excuse.

In truth, I was paralyzed by fear and anxiety, unable to move.

In my previous life, I was called a Demon King and didn't even fear the gods, but now I'm afraid of ordinary children. ...This is not good at all.

Feeling a sense of crisis, I decided to ask successful people around me for tips on making friends.

The successful people in my life are my parents. They are successful in life, having married and had a child.

...So, I first asked my father, Jack.

"How do you make friends? Ha ha, it's easy! Just beat them up and say, 'You're my friend from today!'—"

"Isn't that how you make underlings?"

Next, my mother's response was this.

"Hmm. How to make friends? I know how to make sex slaves, though."

"What kind of life have you led?"

Both of them were a bit off as people.

It seems I asked the wrong people. So, I decided to consult with a handsome elf, Weiss, a friend of my parents who frequently stays at our house and has children.

"I'm not exactly the most sociable person, but... I think you should behave like a gentleman. If you continue to act with integrity and respect everyone, I'm sure someone will look up to you. Then, you can invite them to be your friend."

My parents should drink a potion made from Weiss's fingernail clippings.

Based on his advice, I immediately launched my friend-making operation.

One month later. There was no sign of the former Demon King running around with a smile and friends...

There was nothing like that anywhere.

Instead, I was being avoided. Even though I followed Weiss's advice, smiling at everyone, speaking politely, and acting with unnecessary refinement and elegance.

Not only did no one look up to me, but no one even spoke to me. Why is this happening?

I overheard a group of children talking about me in private the other day.

"Ardo is weird, isn't he?"

"Weird, no, creepy."

"Creepy, right? Creepy, creepy."

I almost wanted to destroy the world again. ...Why did it come to this?

Another month later.

It's summer.

The hot days continue, but my social life remains as cold as winter.

Is it because of the mental pain this brings? Sometimes I cry for no reason, and a part of my head has gone bald in a circular pattern... It's not good at all.

Maybe I'll never make friends.

...It's no use being pessimistic, so I decided to do my daily routine today.

"Mother, I'm going out now."

"Okay. Be careful."

I left the house and headed for the mountains near the village. The purpose is to practice magic.

After arriving at the mountain, I trampled and pushed aside the overgrown grass and plants as I moved forward.

Well, I'll vent my frustration at not being able to make friends on the plants and animals today.

...Just as I thought that.

"Kyaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh