Demon Lord's Reincarnation

Ren watched a bit of the battle before he intervened. If it was the normal Valdel he would've found a way to overcome such a situation, but what Ren saw happen was different. He had seen how Valdel had lost his cool and attacked. He was the one who had trained Valdel from childhood and knew most of his skills so he was sure that this was something that he could've dealt with. Yet this time something different happened. Could it be that the time they had been separated from training Valdel had changed? It has been a couple of years, so there might be things that he didn't know about, but the current Valdel was nothing but an embarrassment. 

The current Valdel was no longer purely seeking strength, nor was he blindly pursuing his so called justice. He was changing, it looked like he was being devoured by some unknown greed. 

In Ren's eyes, he thought that maybe Valdel was still a little tired from the tournament as well as facing Nyarlom. This might be the effect of something Nyarlom did. 

'Still, that was the first time I've seen Val act like that. For a brief second, I actually sensed bloodlust from him. The guy that doesn't really like killing, the guy who generally wants to avoid fighting, that same guy was actually emitting such bloodlust. Is this growth good or bad?... I did find his naivete a bit irritating at times, but that's what makes him, Val.'

While Ren was thinking about the changes Valdel was going through, as he was walking he noticed the bodies of dead monsters. Based on the wounds they had, the monsters were pounded to the ground using something blunt. They even had visible kick marks. 

The only person Ren knew that fights this way was Lara, and based on the kick marks it wasn't her. There was someone else in this city that had a powerful hand to hand combat abilities. Ren was pretty curious so he followed the trail of dead monsters.

 After walking for a while he arrived to see a familiar road. Wasn't this the way to the tavern called the Lonely Cat? Ren headed to the Lonely Cat and saw through the window that the tavern was full of people. Seeing the tavern undamaged unlike the other nearby building, Ren could now pretty much guess who was the one who killed all the monsters in the vicinity. 

'Oh, that's pretty interesting, so he's that powerful even without mana... I wonder what kind of energy he uses, or is this all just his pure physical prowess. As expected those guys that are summoned from a different world are all pretty interesting beings. I better ask him for a spar later.' 

Once he was done checking out the tavern Ren quickly headed to the place where Henrietta and the others gathered. 

...

Zwei, Nika, and Natasha were standing quietly. They were waiting for Valdel to say something or even move, they were getting a bit worried as he simply stood in front of the gates of the Northern Wall looking at the ground. The three of them couldn't say anything seeing the look on Valdel's face. 

This was the first time the three of them seen such an expression on Valdel's usually kind face. After a few minutes Zwei tried to approach Valdel, but as she got closer she was commanded by Valdel himself to stay back. He actually used the contract between weapon spirit and master against her. 

Seeing him do that that shocked not only Zwei but Nika as well. Valdel had never given them an order that was against their wills. Since the time they had been bonded as master and servant, Valdel had always treated them like family. He would always ask for their opinions before doing anything, but this time it was different. 

Natasha who saw Zwei simply standing behind Valdel without moving forward knew that something was up. She couldn't understand what was happening inside Valdel's head, but she knew that she needed to do something and quick. 

Natasha carefully approached Valdel and touched his shoulder. "Valdel are you alright? We better go back into the city to meet the others, they might be worrying about us." When those words came out of Natasha's mouth, it was like a dam burst out of Valdel. He looked at Natasha with an angry look on his face. 

"Worry?! Why would they worry about me?! Oh right, of course, they're going to be worried about me. I'm just the weak loser that keeps on spouting rubbish about wanting to save everybody and making everyone happy! Yes, I'm the loser who keeps on talking about high and mighty things without the power to back them up! I'm just the delusional person that keeps on saying sh*t that can never happen! I'm the person that couldn't even save those that were near me! I couldn't save anyone no matter how hard I tried! Yet he arrived and did it with absolute ease! In front of him, you and everyone else must think I'm just a joke!" 

The three ladies were surprised by Valdel's sudden outburst. They didn't expect him to say such things. Still, now that they know what was going on inside Valdel's head they can try to remedy the situation. 

"Valdel no one thinks you're a loser. I think that your ideals aren't delusional they are beautiful. Also, I'm sure that no one thinks you're a joke." Natasha spoke with the most calming voice she could muster. 

"Heh, you're just saying that because you like me." When Natasha heard what Valdel said she was surprised and couldn't continue to speak. Seeing the expression on Natasha's face Valdel smirked. 

"Do you think I'm such an idiot? Of course, I noticed all the times you were secretly looking at me. But I'm pretty sure you simply like my face, I have always been called handsome. How can a shallow woman such as you understand what I'm feeling!" When those last words came out of Valdel's mouth he was shocked that he said it, he knew immediately that he went too far, but for some reason, his anger won out and overwritten any guilt he felt. 

"You're just like all of them, looking down on me! Just f*cking-" 'SLAP!' Valdel's face was slapped and it echoed in the area. Natasha looked at him with the same disappointed look Ren gave him, but unlike Ren, she was crying. Without saying anything Natasha ran away. 

Valdel's body which was forged by Ren himself was powerful, so a slap like that did absolutely no damage, but for some reason, Valdel felt like it stung more than any wound he had ever received. 

'That wasn't my fault, no it can't be! That's Ren's fault for always looking down on me! Yes, this is all Ren's fault! It's because he keeps on denying my efforts, he keeps on getting in my way! Yes, I need to show him that I'm not someone you can look down upon!' 

Valdel's mind was becoming a mess and his thoughts were all over the place. Even though it was nonsensical he placed all the blame on his childhood friend. The little malice Nyarlom placed in everyone's heart was growing bigger inside of Valdel. 

"I'll crush Ren and his arrogant face to the ground that will show him not to deny me!" Valdel forced another command onto Zwei and Nika, who turned back into their weapon forms.

...

Ren had arrived at the place where Henrietta and Afeus led the citizens. Tsukiko was already there with the dwarven brothers, Lara on the other hand was glaring at Tsukiko without saying a word. When they saw Ren approaching they surrounded him. 

"So is everything over?" Henrietta asked. 

"Yeah, and I also have a present for you." Ren took out the three monsters he encased in ice. When Henrietta saw the monsters presented to her she grew excited. 

"Are these the monsters created by the Primordial demon? Oh look at them, I want to quickly dissect these things and see how they differ with the modern-day monster. Thank you, Ren, this is an incredible gift." Henrietta kissed Ren on the cheek. It was then Henrietta felt a very thick bloodlust, of course she already knew where it was coming from. Henrietta looked at Lara and smiled at her. 

'Damn this b*tch!' Lara screamed in her mind.

...

As everyone was getting excited to hear that it was all over, Ren quickly stood in front of the group and blocked an incoming sword wave. 

"What is this a surprise attack?! Is it another Primordial Demon?!" Afeus shouted as he looked around warily. 

"Yes, what is the meaning of this, Val?" Ren looked at the newcomer who was holding a large two handed sword. When Lara heard what Ren said she finally noticed that it was indeed Valdel that attacked Ren. Lara who usually had a stoic expression showed the face of an oni as she stood in between Ren and Valdel.

"What the f*ck are you doing Val?!"