I want to know defeat.
The people call me the Demon Lord,
and even my former friend no longer views me as human.
That's why I've begun to long for defeat.
Because they should recognize me as a fellow human
once they see me miserably defeated.
However, the enemies capable of besting me are all gone now,
so, apparently, my life has reached its peak.
However, perhaps I may be granted a different fate in my next life.
So, I shall reincarnate.
The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody
As we celebrate the birthday of my son, Ard Meteor...
We are grateful for the blessing
of the Ancestral Demon Lord Varvatos and Her Majesty the Queen.
Happy birthday, Ard!
I know you're ten now,
but it feels like you were just born yesterday.
Time sure flies by.
We're so happy to have you as our son, Ard.
Thank you so much, Father, Mother.
You may be my son, but you've got your mother's good looks.
My!
He has your talent for both literary and martial arts, though, Jack.
No, no, I'm not that talented.
That was how I, the man formerly known as the Demon Lord,
came to live in a completely ordinary country town.
Though he is cute like his mother.
I was reborn as Ard Meteor, the only son
of a completely average couple that was known to get along well.
Oh, Jack!
Fortunately or not, the level of education and magic in this world
had declined quite a bit since my time.
I was once again blessed
with decent health, stamina, and athleticism,
so it didn't take much effort to become skilled in martial arts.
So, Ard,
what do you plan to do now?
You're ten now, which is about the time most kids rebel against their parents.
And it's also about time you start thinking about your dreams and your future.
Dreams, huh?
That's right.
I have a dream, an ambition!
It's safe to say that in the ten years since I've reincarnated,
I've matured into a man both intellectually and physically
worth forging bonds of friendship with!
So I want to find a person who does not look at me with fear
and forge a friendship of equals!
Yay! I win!
Wha? Enough already.
That was a close one, though, huh?
How are you so good at this?
I'm done playing this.
Come talk to me!
Come one, we're just getting started!
In my past life, it was impossible for others
You'll just win again.
to speak directly to the Demon Lord.
Yet my circumstances and the times have changed,
Don't be a spoilsport. Just play!
so now I'm just a typical villager.
You don't need to hold back. Now, come!
Then who should start?
Come talk to me as much you like!
I want to do it, too.
Hey, look.
What's with him?
He's kind of scary.
Let's go.
Yeah.
I waited without turning anyone away, so why?!
Why do they leave?!
Perhaps even after reincarnating, there's still some unconcealable majesty
interfering with their subconscious and blocking their approach?
In that case, I must move forward!
I should take action instead of waiting!
Wh-What is this pressure I'm feeling?
Impossible!
I never bore even a shred of fear during my final battle with the gods!
Yet now I...
have stomach pain from anxiety?!
They're impressive, driving me into such a corner!
Yet I am still the man once renowned as the Demon Lord!
I cannot run away from such a meager threat!
Y-You there!
Face me!
Y-You have responded to my call!
Y-You have my praise!
Y-Y-You all shall, um... Uh...
Yes?
Um, well... Right.
B-Be my friend, and I shall grant you half of the world!
I said it! I said it!
Wha? Huh, hold on...
I am Demon Lord Varvatos.
I have usurped countless nations,
buried numerous heroes, and annihilated the gods.
Yet now I cannot even get human children to do what I want.
Why?! Why will they not obey my commands?!
I made the effort to speak to them,
and I even offered them a deal!
What more could they possibly want?!
I don't understand it at all!
I guess I should stop for now, before I alter the local ecosystem.
But still... What else can I possibly do?
What's the matter, Ardy?
You seem kind of down, you know?
Don't tell me you've forgotten the face of the mayor.
Sir Olhyde.
Friends, huh?
What am I supposed to do to build up friendships?
I've tested every stratagem I could devise,
and I feel like I'm out of options.
Ardy, let me teach you a very simple method.
Huh?! What kind of spell is it?!
Or is it some advanced political strategy?!
It's neither.
No matter when or who you interact with,
just remember to be kind and respectful.
Do that, and you'll make plenty of friends naturally.
Kind and respectful...
I see.
Sir Olhyde, you're amazing!
So, Ardy, speaking of friends, my daughter—
I'll follow your advice and go implement it at once!
Our boy...
He does have an odd strangeness to him sometimes.
By the way, Weiss, about what you said...
Yes, handling national politics is one thing,
but when it comes to these sorts of matters, I'm terribly useless.
I understand your concern. It's the same for us.
If I may humbly confess, I am Ard Meteor,
and would you perhaps be so kind as to play with me?
Though it may be terribly rude of me,
I would find it most fortunate to make the acquaintance
of such fair ladies as yourselves.
Perhaps I should just destroy this entire world.
No, calm down.
Calm down, Ard Meteor.
You already learned in your past life
that destruction and chaos will give rise to nothing.
Shoot, I was venting my anger again.
Curse you!
I hate, hate, hate you!
I hate you!
That is the voice of a tender young girl!
What in the world?
Incandescence, answer my call!
Use my fierce rage to scorch all to ash!
What's going on here?
Her opponent is a mere Ancient Wolf.
That's not the kind of monster to give one trouble.
Is she just venting frustration?
My daughter's completely closed herself off,
thanks to the bullying and gossip from back then.
She won't even talk to me, her father.
I can understand why she would want to shut herself away, though.
There's nothing she can do about her lineage.
There are far fewer eyes out here than in the royal capital.
It was the right decision to return here.
I certainly hope so.
O Thunder come to my hand!
O Lightning! Rain down on those before me!
Lydia?
S-Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.
What do you want?
Uh, well...
I-I witnessed the way you fought earlier!
It was truly magnificent!
There are very few who are capable of that at your age!
Shoot!
Is she the type who doesn't like showing off her power?
My blatant compliments are having the opposite effect!
In that case...
I-If I may be so bold as to say,
I believe you still have much room to grow and hone your might.
Shoot, I went too far!
Praising her is no good!
Critiquing her is no good either!
What am I supposed to do?!
If you would be so inclined,
perhaps, you might become my friend?
Shoot! I was planning to slowly close the distance between us,
but I jumped right into it!
I'm done for.
Friend?
Wait...
I got my first response from someone!
Maybe there's actually a chance here?!
Did being direct prove fortuitous?!
Yes! Friends!
I think the two of us are very similar.
I'm sure we can forge a wonderful relationship
where we understand each other and drive each other to new heights.
So...
Don't be ridiculous.
Understand each other?
That's impossible.
You don't know the first thing about me!
Tears? Why?
I hope you'll continue to give me your support.
Yes.
Of course.
Papa!
I hate this dumb countryside!
Ireena? Why do you hate it?
Sir Olhyde!
I followed your advice...
Is this fate?!
No!
Hello, Miss Ireena!
How are you faring this fine day?
I don't recall ever telling you my name!
I learned your name from your father.
Still, what a small world this is!
To think you might be the daughter of Sir Olhyde, my own parents' best friend!
What do you say?
Why don't we follow our parents' example and be friends?
Creep!
I was diligent about acting kind and respectful.
That was supposed to make friendship blossom one day.
Happy birthday, Miss Ireena.
I got you a bouquet of the roses you love, Miss Ireena.
How do you even know what I like?
Why, I know everything about you.
Even how many moles you have.
Creep!
This is my chance for us to be friends!
I'm not letting this opportunity escape!
What are you doing out here?!
I know that you come out here to vent on monsters, Miss Ireena.
So I came to pick you up.
The moon is beautiful, Miss Ireena!
You're fast!
Its clear glow is like a silver lake,
and like the moon, you, too, are—
no, you are even more beautiful than any moon.
Creep!
I will never give up.
My current cheerful greeting strategy isn't producing satisfactory results.
It looks like using bribes and presents will be challenging, too.
I've tried using poems and music to generate a nice mood, too,
but she quickly runs away, so results are slim there, too.
What strategies do I have left?
I feel like this happened before in my past life, too.
I tried all manner of things to please them,
and yet they still remained brusque...
What's going on?
Father!
Ard! Take shelter inside our home!
What has led to all of this?
The mountain's dungeon core is acting up!
Jack! Please help me!
Ireena's...
Ireena's in the mountains!
What?!
What did you say?
She went out this afternoon and she hasn't come back!
It's my fault.
Miss Ireena ran into the mountains because I was chasing her!
Leave her to me, Sir Olhyde.
I promise I'll bring Miss Ireena back to you!
Ardy?!
What are you saying?
Farewell!
That's...!
Well, well, what a lovely lady we have here.
Are you surprised to find yourself in unexpected danger?
You thought you could torment us, but the tables have turned.
Wh-What do you mean the tables have turned?!
You're just some mere goblins!
Then, at least, put up a fight and make this fun for us!
What's the matter, not going to call for help?
You should call for your family or friends.
I have none.
Ireeny's a monster.
Ireeny's scary.
Scary. Scary. Scary.
Go ahead and do as you please.
Life is no fun anyways.
What? How boring.
Have at her, men!
No. No.
Somebody save me!
A-Ard?!
You finally said my name for the first time, Miss Ireena.
Wh-Why?
To save you, of course.
However, I must say, bullying the weak isn't nice.
You should vent your feelings in moderation.
Bullying the weak?
No! Run away! They'll get you, too!
Absolutely not.
Wh-What's this?!
You will not lay a finger on Miss Ireena, or me, either.
What do you think a mere two humans can accomplish?!
You should stop your futile efforts.
If you run away now, I'm willing to let you escape.
Get him!
Now regret the decision you've made.
That Ard still isn't back yet.
He'll be fine, I'm sure.
Huh?
Ardy promised he would return with Ireena.
So Ireena will be safe.
That reminds me, his flight magic...
That wasn't a Lost Skill, was it?
Miss Ireena, are you okay?
Wh-Why?
Why did you save me?
I wanted to die!
Please don't say such sad things.
I'm willing to listen—
No! There's no way you'd understand how I feel!
I'm lonely and isolated...
It hurts, and it's so sad...
Please stop there.
I have no idea what circumstances led you to feel that way, Miss Ireena,
yet I do understand better than anyone else
the suffering that isolation brings.
That's why... I want to be your friend.
You're lying!
You'll just betray me one day, as well!
Just like my old friends did!
I won't betray you.
I'll never betray a friend ever again.
Because long ago I did...
end up betraying my very best friend.
Which is why I would like to forge an eternal friendship,
without hurting you this time.
But... I'm sure I'm a meaner person than they were.
I don't mind.
I-I'm selfish, too, and not smart.
I'm boring to be around.
That's not true.
I actually find it quite enjoyable to talk to you, Miss Ireena.
One day...
One day you'll come to hate me.
Never.
B-But I actually—
Will you truly be my friend?
No matter what happens?
You won't ever betray me or come to hate me?
I swear it on the name of the Demon Lord Varvatos.
On the name of Varvatos...
I hope we can be good friends from now on, Miss Ireena.
S-Same, Ard.
And so it was that history's greatest Demon Lord, Varvatos,
reincarnated into a typical villager,
gained a friend for life and lived happily ever after.
The end.
Several Years Later
Ard! Good morning!
Ah, how adorable.
My friend, you truly are an angel.
Miss Ireena?!
Wh-Wh-What are you doing, barging into a man's room as a woman in her prime?!
And snuggling up in his bedding, too, no less!
Hey, Ard,
let's enroll in the Academy of Magic!
Huh?