kscans

Chapter 112 - A Fresh Start and the Crybaby Heroine

My name is Mamoru. My race is Hobgoblin. I'm the 'cannon fodder weakling boss' who gets defeated by the hero in the easy, tutorial-like first cavern.

...Or at least, I was supposed to be.

Actually, I've already cleared this game world once. I defeated the reincarnated Hero Ares, and even went as far as to crush the game developer 'Game God.'

As a result, the world was reset by my wish. I was back to being a Hobgoblin in his initial state. My stats are drastically reduced, I have no weapon, and my base is the first cavern. But, my memories are fully intact.

"So this is a second playthrough after clearing the game, huh... Heh, this is too easy."

For me, with my past experience, this world is no longer a 'newbie killer.' It's practically on easy mode. It's so lacking in challenge that I even feel a bit bored.

Just then, one of my goblin soldiers burst into the throne room in a panic.

"Boss. A human has come. They have the mark of a hero. And... it's a woman."

"What? The hero is a woman this time...?"

At that moment, a certain 'goblin-like idea' ran through my mind.

(I'll capture her, lock her up, and have the goblins torture her, do this to her... and that to her....)

"Crap. My brain is turning completely goblin..."

No, no, that's not good. That's the thinking of the 'old me.' It reminds me of the chaotic early days of the last reincarnated hero, getting tainted by bad ideas. That was close.

"...Her name?"

"She called herself Ares Scarlet."

"...Ares...?"

I'd heard that name before. It was the same name as the hero I fought so fiercely against last time. But her gender is different, and her aura is apparently different too. This Ares is a woman. And a crybaby, it seems.

"...My subordinates, do not lay a hand on her. I will deal with this hero myself."

"Eeeh?" "Are we missin' our chance to capture and lock her up?" "He's off on his hobby horse again."

Shut up. You'd all just mess it up anyway. This is a matter that requires 'guidance' that only I can provide.

Eventually, with a trembling presence, a single girl stepped into the throne room. She had curly red hair and was clad in what looked like high-quality knight's armor, but she was clearly terrified. Her gaze darted around, and her footing was unsteady. She was a hero who looked just like a small animal.

...How does she plan to save the world like this?

Still, for the sake of the performance, I let out the standard template line.

"Heh heh... Well met, hero. Your destiny ends here. Dieeeeee."

A roar echoed through the cavern. The perfect line for a cannon fodder boss. Now, will she draw her sword? Will she show some spirit even while trembling?

But she.

"Hiiiiiiiiii. I, I'm sorry. P, please forgive me. Just spare my life. Please spare my lifeeeee."

She turned and ran away, crying.

Daddaddaddadda.

The only thing that echoed emptily through the throne room was the sound of the young heroine's footsteps as she fled.

...Seriously? She ran away. I'm so weak.

At this turn of events, my goblin subordinates were stunned for a moment. But a few seconds later....

"Pfft..." "Gyahahahahaha." "My stomach hurts."

A storm of laughter erupted.

"That's the hero?" "That's gotta be a legendary moment, lol." "Lord Hob is way too scary, hahaha."

My goblin underlings were roaring with laughter. But I couldn't laugh.

That look on Ares's face just before she ran. Scared, frustrated, yet she had still hesitated before running. The image was burned into my mind.

"...This... requires some education."

I stood up quietly. The sound of the rock throne creaking seemed unusually loud.

"I'll train this crybaby hero from scratch and raise her properly. This time, I'll make her a true hero."

As I murmured this, the faces of my former comrades-in-arms floated in my mind.

Defray the Orc. Amy the Lizardman. Koni-chan the Troll. Tiris the Elf. They were reliable, and the most obnoxiously noisy group of friends.

"I'll gather them. This time, we'll create a 'Hero Support Squad for Demon Lord Subjugation.'"

And so, the story of my second playthrough begins. Me, a Hobgoblin, raising a crybaby heroine into a 'hero.' This is the story of a slightly off-kilter 'Hero Training Fantasy.'