But... that's just how strong Shinnaru is; he can only watch helplessly as the hero grows stronger step by step.
He was afraid that if things continued this way, he might grow to the point of killing himself.
Why hasn't the hero arrived yet?
Shinnaru Demon King had been standing at the bottom of the steps for a long time. Just as this thought arose, he saw a familiar person appear at the gate.
"Perhaps you're right, I really should have a means of ranged attack, so I spent some time going to the warehouse behind your palace and got these bows and arrows!"
The hero drew his bow and arrow, while Shinnaru looked on with great confusion.
"I...how come I didn't know there was a warehouse behind my palace?"
"Haven't you ever gone out? You've lived in this tower all your life? That's a really sad story."
The hero seemed to have heard something incredible and said with some surprise.
"No! You're the pathetic one! Do you think you're free? You could go to so many places, yet you keep coming here to face death and failure!"
Kokoro was hit where it hurt and attacked the hero again.
This time, however, the hero has visibly grown stronger. The Demon King Kokoro can no longer defeat him easily, and the damage the hero inflicts on him is increasing...
A new cycle begins.
The 102nd time.
"Come on, let's try again, with new tactics!"
The hero returns once more, and Shinnaru, having regained his composure, begins to inquire about the reason for his continued challenges.
"It should be new death, why are you so obsessed with failure?"
"Failure allows me to see my shortcomings."
"Say what you will, you're just pretending to enjoy it all, because you have nothing but repeated suicides."
Once again... Kokoro defeated the hero.
This battle continued a hundred times. Shinnaru stared blankly at the blood on the ground, the marks of death left by the hero's constant challenges to him.
The hero is getting stronger and stronger; he can now unleash 80% of his power. And... could he be resurrected after being killed?
Is this a power unique to heroes? I'm so envious.
This time the wait was much longer than usual.
Just when Kokoro thought the hero had given up, the hero returned once again!
"I'm back! This is my new equipment—the legendary sword!"
This is the equipment I obtained by defeating other monsters while sparring with you.
Why don't you go out for a walk? Maybe you can gain something like I did.
"Where can I go? This is all my territory. I am the eternal Demon King, and I have long stood at the pinnacle of the world."
Kokoro looked calmly at the hero and answered his question.
But the hero shook his head.
"No, you're just something trapped here."
If you fail, you will die; you are not eternal.
"Therefore, I refuse to fail."
The battle between the Demon King Shinnaraku and the Hero has begun again, and without a doubt, Shinnaraku has won this battle once more.
After this incident, however, Kokoro no longer used a snap of his fingers to burn the hero's body. Instead, he knelt down and touched the hero's body to show his respect before destroying it.
When the hero returned, before he could speak, Shinnaru spoke first.
“I understand now. This battle was manipulated from the very beginning. You only need to win once, but I need to win countless times.”
"Yes, your victory is inevitable, and so is mine."
Death struck again, and the hero was once more killed by the Demon King.
"Hey...wait a minute, don't rush into fighting. I...I need to catch my breath. To be honest, I'm starting to think about giving up."
"Then why did you come back? Is it because you like it here, or is there something about me that attracts you?"
Kokoro's question made the hero think for a moment before answering.
"Yes, perhaps it's because our duet was so interesting, and you're as cold and ruthless as the rumors say."
"I am who I am, and I was born this way."
"Then don't you want to accept more?"
"Accepting yourself as you are is a form of wisdom; the world imposes too many limitations on us."
"If there are any restrictions, they are outside the high walls."
"That's right, I must fight for myself, just as you fight for your truth."
Perhaps at this moment, as a hero, he hopes that Shinnaru can live her own life, break free from the palace's cage, and step out to see the outside world.
But... Kokoro tried, and he couldn't do it.
He was ultimately just a demon king in the demon king's castle, born at the pinnacle of the world, yet unable to leave the demon king's territory.
This is the limitation the world imposed on him.
This is... divine punishment.
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