My Goblin System : Levelling up with my SSS Class Devouring skill-Chapter 271

The King blinked, surprised by the immediate conclusion. "Yes. On my orders, actually. We sent Vegeta to eliminate what our intelligence suggested was just another monster settlement that would eventually become a problem. A preemptive strike to prevent future conflict. Instead..."

He gestured helplessly, his expression carrying genuine grief beneath the political calculation. "Vegeta was killed. Brutally, according to the limited reports we received from scouts who observed from a distance. The shadow hero who defeated a demon lord and ended countless threats, was cut down in what witnesses described as a completely one-sided battle."

"This Satou is dangerous," Pope Gregorius said firmly, his voice carrying the absolute certainty of someone who’d made a decision and would not be swayed. "He’s growing stronger at a rate that defies normal progression patterns. Every battle makes him more powerful. Every challenge seems to accelerate his development rather than slow it. If current trends continue..."

He trailed off, letting the implication hang.

"If we leave him unchecked," Commander Elric continued, picking up the thread, "he’ll become a threat we can’t control. Right now, today, he’s strong but not invincible. A three-month-old provisional demon lord, no matter how talented, has limits. In a year? Five years? With his growth rate?"

The commander shook his head grimly. "He could rival demon lords who’ve ruled for centuries. Could become powerful enough to threaten our entire kingdom. Could potentially exceed even seated demon lords if given enough time and challenges to overcome."

King Ferdinand moved back to the tactical map, his fingers tracing routes and positions that had clearly been planned in detail. "That’s why we need to act now, immediately, while he’s still vulnerable. We’ll mobilize a full legion—three thousand of our best troops, equipped with our finest weapons and armor. Siege weapons including three mana-cannons that can bombard from outside engagement range. A full support unit of mages numbering over one hundred, including battle-mages, enchanters, and strategic casters."

He gestured to the new heroes. "Combined with Gattychan and his companions, who bring unique abilities that our native warriors cannot match. Commander Elric’s tactical expertise and thirty years of experience fighting demons. And your power, TheReaper—the legendary hero who’s killed twelve demon lords."

The King’s expression hardened with confidence. "This Satou, talented as he may be, won’t stand a chance against a coordinated assault of this magnitude. We’ll eliminate the threat before it becomes unstoppable."

Pope Gregorius nodded agreement, his expression grave. "I know your divine power requires rest after major battles—the energy you channel from higher planes takes time to replenish. Normally we wouldn’t dream of asking this of you so soon after eliminating Seraphina. But this threat is too significant to ignore, and the new heroes need your support and guidance until they’re strong enough to operate independently against demon lord-tier threats."

Commander Elric stepped forward, his expression earnest and carrying genuine hero-worship that he didn’t bother to hide. "It would be the honor of my life to fight beside you, TheReaper. To learn from your three hundred years of experience. To see firsthand the tactics and strategies that have made you legendary. And to help eliminate a threat before it grows beyond our ability to stop."

The four new heroes exchanged glances, excitement and nervousness mixing in their expressions. Fighting alongside the legendary TheReaper! The hero who’d saved humanity countless times! The warrior who’d killed twelve demon lords! It was beyond anything they’d imagined when they’d been summoned from their peaceful lives in another world!

Gattychan stood straighter, his hand unconsciously moving to his sword hilt. This was it—his first real mission as a hero. A chance to prove himself. To live up to the responsibility that had been thrust upon him.

Seraphelle’s blue eyes showed concern mixed with determination. She’d heal everyone. Keep them safe. Make sure nobody fell in battle.

Mika’s analytical mind was already working through strategies, planning zone placements, calculating how to trap and contain a demon lord for maximum effectiveness.

Rin practically vibrated with barely suppressed energy. A demon lord! A real demon lord! The kind of epic battle that heroes were supposed to fight!

TheReaper stood there, silent, his expression unreadable as he processed everything he’d been told. The room waited, everyone expecting him to accept immediately or perhaps ask for more details about the target.

Then he spoke, and his voice carried something that made everyone in the room instinctively tense—a quality that was dangerous and final and absolutely immovable.

"There’s a problem."

Pope Gregorius frowned, confusion crossing his features. "What kind of problem? If you need more time to recover, we can delay the operation by a few days, though every day we wait—"

"I can’t allow you to proceed with this plan."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop by several degrees. King Ferdinand’s eyes narrowed dangerously, his hand moving to the armrest of his throne in a white-knuckled grip. "What do you mean, you can’t allow it?"

TheReaper’s lips curved into something that might have been a smile, might have been a threat, might have been both. "Exactly what I said. This plan—mobilizing a legion against Satou, besieging his settlement, attempting to kill him—I’m refusing to participate. Actually, more than that."

His smile widened, and his eyes gleamed with something that made Commander Elric’s hand move to his sword on pure instinct.

"I’m actively opposing it."

For three long heartbeats, nobody moved. Nobody spoke. The statement was so unexpected, so completely contrary to everything TheReaper had been for three hundred years, that it simply didn’t process immediately.

Then chaos erupted.

"Is this a joke?!" Commander Elric demanded, his voice sharp with disbelief. His sword was in his hand before he’d consciously decided to draw it, three decades of combat instinct overriding protocol.

"Have you lost your mind?!" King Ferdinand shouted, rising from his throne with his face flushed red with rage and shock.

The four new heroes scattered into defensive positions on pure reflex, their training kicking in despite their confusion. Gattychan’s sword cleared its sheath. Seraphelle raised her staff, divine energy already gathering. Mika’s hands moved in the opening patterns for a defensive zone. Rin had an arrow nocked and aimed in one smooth motion.