Chapter 23 Technique Used to Defeat Three Demon Lords

Everyone braced for a clash between Arthur and Rein. But the king simply leaned back in his throne, steepling his fingers, and said with calm voice, "Fine. As you wish, my boy. You're our new Hero."

Liora gasped, "My king! With all due respect… I strongly advice against this. After all I reported, Prince Rein is the last person fit to become the next Hero—"

The king raised his hand.

"My dear Liora, I am fully aware of the situation. But Rein will be the new Hero. As he wishes."

Liora’s mouth parted, "But given current situation… it might not end well, my king—"

The king's tone dropped, deep and absolute.

"Did I not make myself clear, Liora? Did I stutter? Do I need to repeat myself?"

Liora bowed instantly, "My apologies, Your Majesty. As you wish."

The king’s attention returned to Rein, the stern mask changing into warmth.

"Well, there you have it, dear boy. You will be our new Hero! Just as you asked. But… there’s one condition."

"Of course there is. What is it this time?"

The king raised a hand quickly.

"Now, now, before you get upset, let me explain. As you know, Aura… was stronger than you, Rein. It hurts to say it, but it's true. Even now, if you were to go into the Demon Plains—alone or with a company—you would not return. You would die, and all would be for nothing. Demon lord would be victorious and laughing on his throne. Celebrating yet another Hero defeat."

Rein’s fists tightened, but he didn’t argue.

"I will grant you the title, and you will be the new Hero—but not until you’re ready."

"And when will that be? When will I finally be ready?"

"You are strong, Rein. Your swordsmanship is the finest in the kingdom. Your magic, even more impressive. Aura surpassed you in raw strength and technique, but she struggled in magical understanding...

There is a technique—ancient, powerful. One Aura could never master, not for lack of will, but because her magic couldn’t bear it. It’s a technique I used to defeat three Demon Lords during my rule. One that requires perfect understanding between sword and spell, between will and soul. 

If you can learn it, if you can wield it… you will stand a chance. I will teach you, myself. And when you can use that attack, Rein… then you will be ready to face the Demon Lord—and win."

"Fine, grandfather. Can you show me right away? I want to start as soon as possible."

"Ah… yes, yes. With Aura gone, the Hero’s Blessing has returned to me again."

"Returned… to you?"

The king gave a small nod as he stepped down from the dais.

"Yes. That is the nature of the Hero's Blessing. When the chosen bearer dies, it returns to its previous host until I select new candidate. But let's not stall. Come. Let us walk to the training grounds."

------------

They stepped into the cool air of the training grounds. The guards who were posted bowed and cleared the space as the king walked to the center. His hand gripped the hilt of a long, ancient-looking sword that a guard brought out — wrapped in deep violet cloth and tied with gold-threaded cord.

"Watch closely, Rein. This is not something I can perform often. Not with this old body. This,” the king said, slowly unsheathing the blade, “is called Aether Rend. It is not just an attack. It’s the culmination of mastery — of sword, of magic, of will. It requires everything.”

He raised the blade above his shoulder, his free hand sliding along its flat side, fingers glowing with an intense blue light that pulsed through the metal like veins. Magic saturated the air, thick like mist. The ground cracked under his feet, not from force, but sheer pressure.

“Watch closely, Rein.”

His eyes snapped open, glowing gold with mana for an instant.

He stepped forward, blade drawn back, and with a single sweeping motion, slashed the air horizontally.

“AETHER REND!”

From the edge of the blade, a wave of pure magical force erupted, compressed into a crescent-shaped arc of blinding blue energy that screamed forward like a comet. 

The attack ripped across the training grounds, tearing a long scar into the stone floor, then obliterated the reinforced dummy wall at the far end of the field. Not splintered — not broken — it was vaporized. A roar echoed as the beam cut clouds and dispersed into the sky in a spiral of light and wind.

King planted the tip of the sword into the ground, steadying himself. His breathing had quickened slightly, but his voice was calm.

“This… is what Aura could not master. Her sword was unmatched. But this? This is what ended three Demon Lords before her.”

Rein stepped forward.

“I want to learn it. All of it. I’ll master this. No matter how long it takes.”

The king gave him a tired but proud smile.

“Then you will, my boy. And when you do…” he looked toward the horizon, where the Demon Plains waited far beyond the mountains, “…the next time Demon Lord faces The Hero, you’ll be ready to end this war.”

----------------

Three Years Later - Somewhere in the Stormback Mountains

The sky above the mountains was dark with storm clouds, a place long abandoned and wrecked by magic — now scarred by the relentless force of one man’s rage and will.

Rein stood at the center of the plateau. His armor was sleeker now — forged not for ceremony but for battle, enchanted to move like a second skin. His once-boyish eyes had disappeared. He was a man now.

He raised his sword.

Lightning flickered overhead as flames burst to life around his blade, crawling across the steel like a living serpent. Then, crackling sparks danced along the fire, wrapping the edge of the blade in coiling arcs of electricity.

Rein inhaled deeply — his eyes glowed faintly red and gold.

“Let’s finish this.”

He crouched low, energy pooling around him, shaking the stones at his feet. His voice rose with power.

“AETHER REND!”

The blade carved the air in a flash — and the result was unbelievable.

A massive crescent of fire and lightning ripped forward, trailing howling wind and a shockwave that cracked the very cliff face across from him in two. The explosion was deafening, an eruption of flame and thunder that lit the mountainside like the sun.

Rein lowered his sword, sweat on his face. He stared at the massive scar etched into the cliff, a gaping wound in solid stone still glowing red from the impact.

“With that… I’m finally ready. Not even the Demon Lord… not even a Hero could survive that. This ends it. All of it. Wait for me, Demon Lord. I’m coming for your head.”