Chapter 39: Dominic’s Recollection

My journey to defeat the Demon Lord was honestly going flawlessly.

That so-called "Hero" Kazuya—just a bonus who came with that Miki chick—was struggling, no, almost dying against an Earth Dragon he couldn’t even scratch. I crushed it with a single blow, and then went on to defeat the Subterranean King, Underlish, without a problem.

Sure, as a Demon Lord’s officer, Underlish put up a bit of a fight. But he was still no match for me.

I’ve got a rock-solid harem of girls backing me up too—seriously, they’re amazing women.

Maria handles healing and defense, Alice does buffs and debuffs, and Monica dishes out powerful attack magic. The balance between the three is perfect. For the record: big boobs, medium boobs, and small boobs, in that order. Their personalities also cover the bases: elegant, quiet, and energetic. It’s honestly perfection.

They’re all head over heels for me, too. I dress them up in revealing outfits that match my tastes, show them off to all the guys we pass, and whenever I feel like it—day or night—I just go at it. Seriously, there’s not even time to get tired.

Only thing I bother organizing is who wakes me up in the morning. Gotta have at least that planned out, or they’ll start fighting over me the moment the sun rises. Not that I always mind.

If I had that elf Miki chick in my grasp too, then it would’ve been absolutely perfect. But with that stupidly strong barrier of hers, there wasn’t much I could do.

Well, next time we meet, I’ll beat Kazuya to a pulp to prove who’s stronger, then snatch her right in front of him. Honestly, just thinking about it gets me fired up.

Miki really was a top-tier beauty, no exaggeration.

That straight blond hair of hers had a silkiness and shine that no human could match. Her pale, smooth skin, her small and sharp nose, those big eyes with long lashes and double eyelids… And then there were those long, cute elven ears—seriously, I wanted to just bite into them.

Her voice had this lovely bell-like quality to it, but it was also calm and seductive. I could’ve listened to her talk forever. Her cries were something else too—just thinking about the way she screamed made me hard. You can imagine what she’d sound like in bed.

And her body—slender overall, but with huge breasts and a tight waist. Long legs. Just flawless proportions.

Being an elf, she’d stay young for hundreds of years. That alone makes her way better than a human woman. No matter how pretty they are now, in ten or twenty years they’re done for. But Miki? She’d still look like that even while taking care of me in old age. Couldn’t ask for better.

Damn. Now that I’m remembering it all, I’m seriously starting to regret not taking her back then. I should’ve just ditched the Subterranean King and taken her by force. Major screw-up.

After that, I had no interest in the dungeons I’d already cleared, so once I met the king, I immediately set out for the Demon Lord’s domain.

On the way, I cleared out a few more dungeons, but none of them had any Demon Lord officers—just weaklings. Ended up wasting my time.

If I hadn’t burned all those days clearing dungeons, I probably wouldn’t have gotten caught up to.

I entered the Demon Lord’s domain, but honestly, it was full of nothing but small fry.

I even fought some demons, but they couldn’t handle me at all in my awakened state. Maybe they were A-rank? Well, an S-rank like me? They weren’t even close. I’m just way too strong.

---

Oh right—when I was in Exont, that frontline town, the guildmaster told me about some other heroes getting ready to take on the Demon Lord.

One of them was that Kazuya guy.

Pretty sure he was ranked B. I mean, seriously? He thinks he can defeat the Demon Lord like that? What an idiot. I just laughed in his face and walked out of the guild. The guildmaster was still talking, but I didn’t bother listening.

B-rank… maybe A-rank if he really tries?

Someone like that thinking they can beat the Demon Lord? That’s hilarious. Then again… maybe the Demon Lord’s just not that strong. I mean, if that’s all his officers have to offer, and if you’ve got an S-rank like me with a top-tier party, maybe it really is that easy.

After all, I’m a hero with the Light attribute!

The Demon Lord is darkness, I’m light—it’s destiny. Of course I’m the one meant to defeat him!

Well, let those guys do their best and whittle down the number of Demon Lord officers.

While they’re doing that, I’ll just go ahead and finish off the Demon Lord myself.

My awakening, “Radiant Line Awakening,” is the true awakening of a hero—light element, obviously.

When I’m awakened, I move with blinding speed, and my Radiant Blade pierces enemies like nothing. It’s a perfect match against demons. Even the Subterranean King didn’t stand a chance.

I really was born to defeat the Demon Lord—or so I believed.

---

Midway into the Demon Lord’s domain, I took a solid day off to rest up for the final battle.

Rest is important, you know? Though whether I actually rested properly is up for debate. Still, doing it right in the enemy’s backyard? Gotta admit, it was kind of thrilling.

Then, I headed for the Demon Lord’s castle.

I took down the gatekeeper and charged in from the front.

As expected, the gatekeeper of the Demon Lord’s castle wasn’t easy to beat without using Radiant Line Awakening.

Inside the castle, every single enemy was a serious threat—not just lots of little guys, but huge powerful ones all over the place.

Finally, I was facing enemies that were actually worth the effort. Still, without awakening, it would’ve been a brutal fight, so I had to take breaks as I cleared out the castle and finally found the entrance to the underground levels. Such a pain, seriously.

Since the real battle was clearly about to begin down there, the girls suggested we rest and recover first. Not that I needed it, but I guess it was rough on them.

They really seemed exhausted, so for once I didn’t touch them and let them sleep.

After the break, just as we were getting ready to move, someone else came down into the basement.

It was another hero party—Roy and his team.

Oh right, the guildmaster mentioned there were two hero parties. They must’ve been one of them.

It was our first meeting, and two things stood out. First, their party had a beauty on par with my own harem. Second, there was this middle-aged guy who looked way stronger than Roy.

I approached them carefully and acted friendly as I talked to them.

Apparently, the beauty was named Claudia. Too bad she’s Roy’s childhood friend and girlfriend. I’m not dumb enough to make a move in the middle of the Demon Lord’s castle, but my interest faded real fast.

There were two other women, but they weren’t my type. Hard pass.

But that older guy—Joseph, was it? He’s strong. Way stronger than Roy. Sounds like he’s a former hero, probably S-rank. That would put Roy at around A-rank?

Looks like I’m still the only S-rank hero. Guess it really is my destiny to defeat the Demon Lord.

We rested together, then split up at a fork in the path.

If we’re lucky, maybe we’ll meet again—after I’ve beaten the Demon Lord, that is.

We kept exploring the dungeon and eventually reached a great hall.

---

"──Now then, let’s see if I hit the jackpot or not."

Someone appeared from the back of the grand hall, taking on a human form.

I could tell immediately—this guy was one of the Demon Lord’s executives. I warned the girls to stay alert.

"You, what’s your name?"

The Demon Lord’s executive asked for my name. Without introducing himself first. What a rude bastard. Shouldn’t he name himself first?

"You go first! Who the hell are you!?"

"You’re right, my bad. Then allow me to tell you—my name is Blitz, but the Demon Lord calls me the Thunder Emperor."

So this is the Thunder Emperor, huh? What a pompous title. He’s probably just like the King of the Underworld, all name and no substance.

Alright then, let’s see him panic when he hears my name. After all, I already took down one of his fellow executives!

"Thunder Emperor, was it!? Let me tell you my name! I’m Dominic! The man who defeated the King of the Underworld! Burn it into your memory before you die!"

"I asked for your name and you give it, but you don’t even get a callout? How rude. Anyway—Dominic, huh? A dud."

The Thunder Emperor let out a disappointed sigh. What the hell!? What’s with that attitude!?

──Wait, I get it! He means I’m a ‘dud’ because he knows he can’t win against me!

That must be it! He knows that since I already beat another Demon Lord executive, I’ll beat him too! So he’s sighing at his own misfortune! Already accepting defeat!

Alright then, I’ll meet that expectation head-on!

"I’ll finish this in an instant, so relax, Thunder Emperor! Maria! Alice! Monica! Same plan as always!"

Activate Lightstream Awakening and finish this quick.

Maria handles the barrier magic, Alice buffs and debuffs, and Monica buys me time until I’m fully awakened. Meanwhile, I hold my sword upright, close my eyes, and focus on the awakening.

"You can count on us!" "Understood." "Okay!"

Each of my girls responded and began casting magic.

Soon I heard the sound of barriers going up, buff spells activating, and offensive magic launching.

But then—

"Kyaah!!"

"Monica-san!!"

"Monica!!"

A crack of thunder roared, followed by the girls’ panicked cries. I knew it—facing a Demon Lord executive alone, Monica’s got it tough. Just hang in there a little longer!

"Monica! Just a little more! Please, you’ve got to hang on!"

I shouted, but there was no response. I want to believe she just didn’t have the strength to answer... but I had a bad feeling.

And then—Lightstream Awakening activated!

"Alright! Sorry to keep you waiting!"

When I opened my eyes, I saw Monica had collapsed.

She was still breathing, but that usual energy of hers was completely gone.

"You bastard!! You hurt my girl!! I’ll never forgive you for this!!!!"

I was furious.

I felt like my rage had pushed my power to a new level.

I lunged at the Thunder Emperor, aiming to finish him in a single strike.

"[Seriously Ultimate] Radiant Flash Slash!!"

A technique that steps in at the speed of light, cloaked in radiance to banish the darkness—a supreme strike only possible in Lightstream Awakening. A technique so serious, it’s spelled with maji.

──But the Thunder Emperor parried it effortlessly with his glowing sword.

"Too slow."

With a casual flick of his glowing blade, he repelled my attack.

I barely blocked it and jumped back to gain some distance.

──What the hell!?

Radiant Flash Slash is supposed to be a light-speed technique. He blocked it—and even said it was slow!?

That can’t be! It has to be a mistake!

"What’s wrong? That all you got?"

R-right! I was shaken seeing Monica injured—that’s why I couldn’t focus and the technique was off! That’s why it was slow! Yeah, that’s gotta be it!

The Thunder Emperor had his sword lowered, maybe thinking it was over. Now’s my chance—if I go at light speed, and this time for real...!

"[Ultimate] Radiant Flash Slash!!"

I shouted and unleashed the technique. This time for sure—I’ll take him down!

"Still too slow."

!?!!

He blocked it again, and then knocked me back.

But this time—this time it was legit! No way it was slow! That was light speed! The King of the Underworld went down in a flash with this move!

It’s a lie! A total lie! This is cheating!

"No way that was slow! It’s light speed, damn it! What kind of magic trick—what cheat are you using!?"

The Thunder Emperor lowered his sword again and responded with a sigh, completely unfazed.

"I’m just stating facts. Your sword isn't moving at the speed of light. It’s just... fast. ──Wait, seriously? You actually believed it was light speed? So that’s why you gave it such a grand name. That’s hilarious. You’re really something—you make a perfect clown."

I couldn’t say anything anymore. If it had only happened once, maybe I could brush it off. But twice?

My sword—my Radiant Flash Slash—wasn’t light speed? My brain couldn’t process it.

But one thing was clear.

──My sword doesn’t work on the Thunder Emperor. I can’t beat him.

"Hey, Dominic, was it? I’ll let you live to the end—watch carefully."

When I looked up, the Thunder Emperor had his hand pointed at Maria and Alice.

He muttered something, and lightning struck the two of them directly. Their screams echoed—and then they stopped moving.

"Maria!! Alice!!"

Live to the end? That means... he’s going to kill my girls first!?

Like hell I’ll allow that! Don’t you dare lay a hand on my girls!

I ran over, picked up Monica, and rushed to Maria and Alice.

They were still breathing, somehow. But I couldn’t let this go any further.

"Thunder Emperor Blitz! I don’t care if you die—I’ll never forgive you!!"

I raised my sword and leapt at him. Even if I couldn’t reach him—

"You’re noisy. I was going to save you for last—stay put."

He blocked me effortlessly and then slashed. This time, I couldn’t even see the attack.

I was kicked back and tumbled across the floor.

"Hey, you forgot something."

He tossed something toward me.

It took a moment to realize it was... my right arm.

That... that was too much to accept.

I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs, to cry from the blinding pain. My right arm was gone, and I felt like breaking down in grief.

But I’m a Hero. And behind me are my girls. There’s no way I can do something so pathetic as cry and whimper here!!

But he broke through Maria’s barrier like it was nothing, and even in my awakened state, he severed my arm without issue.

There was no denying it—a crushing, hopeless difference in power.

Still, if I don’t do something, the girls will die. I can’t allow that.

I pulled the sword from my fallen right hand, grabbed it with my left, and stood.

There was no path forward. I knew this was a meaningless struggle.

I knew. I really did.

But still—I had to stand.

---

And then—a flash of light streaked across the battlefield.

It moved faster than light—too fast for my eyes—and in an instant, struck the Thunder Emperor.

I recognized that golden aura.

But the guy I’m thinking of... he should have had his partner Miki-chan with him. Yet she wasn’t anywhere.

Which means it wasn’t him.

So then—who the hell is this guy, clashing with the Thunder Emperor on equal footing?

──Someone with power on a whole different level from mine... just who the hell is he?