Hero Party After the Nuclear War

Chapter 0

Chapter 0

"Shall we go? Hero?"

Defeat the Demon King and restore peace to the human world.

'You', who bore a noble mission, were weary after a long journey, and had dozed off for a moment in front of the campfire. The one who always looked after such a hero was 'your' 'fairy'.

The fairy who took your hand with a bright smile and helped you to your feet.

Eris encouraged the other members of your party and extended her beautiful and seductive hand toward you.

"Come on now. We'll be arriving at the castle where the Demon King is very soon. Once we defeat the Demon King, our journey will finally end. Then we'll be able to return to the happy world above!"

Then, the party members who had been lying around the campfire began to rise one by one. The first to stand was the Ranger. In charge of long-range firepower, he gently smiled and patted your shoulder.

"Got some sleep?"

You nodded.

The Ranger then swapped the magazine of his assault rifle and, like a true guide, took the lead. Honestly, in this day and age, the need for a 'guide' was somewhat questionable.

With 'magic', one could easily see the route to the destination. Even so, the reason he insisted on being the guide might be to protect the hero from unexpected demons or traps.

When the Ranger stood up, the heavy Warrior behind him rose. Equipped with a special reinforced exoskeleton developed by Magi-Tech, the magic armor, he pulled a large flamethrower from his back and spoke in his usual hip slang.

"Shall we go grill those bastards to well-done?"

Next to rise was the Mage. Wearing glasses and adorned with various magical devices, the Mage gathered up the scattered magical tools on the ground and looked toward the distant Demon King's castle.

"Are you ready?"

You nod.

"So quiet."

The Mage ran a finger across your cheek.

From fighting demons, your face was already smeared with dirt and blood. But as if that appearance made you even more beautiful, the Mage looked at you with moist eyes.

"When this expedition ends, let's get married."

You hesitate for a moment.

Then finally, you nod.

You spoke to your party members who had composed themselves.

The expedition is nearly over. Once we storm the Demon King's castle and defeat him, this demon realm will become the domain of 'us humans'. Then the war will end, and humanity will achieve unprecedented progress.

The party members seemed energized by your speech.

* * *

At last, they arrived at the Demon King's castle.

But inside, for some reason, it was completely empty. There were no guards who should have been standing by to protect the Demon King, nor were there any other threatening demonic weapons in sight.

You expressed your suspicion to the Ranger.

"Right? Something feels off. I didn't expect it to be this quiet. According to the navigator, that over there is the Demon King's chamber."

As the Ranger pointed with his finger, you began to stride ahead confidently. However, the Warrior blocked your path. With his heavy magic armor, he declared that he would risk the danger and scout ahead.

"I'll go first. Who knows what kind of traps might be set up."

You nod. The Warrior took the lead and cleared the path toward the Demon King's castle, but unexpectedly, there were neither traps nor demons blocking the heroes' way.

"Don't tell me the Demon King already left this place?"

You respond to the Mage, saying that you won't know until you reach the audience chamber where the Demon King awaits.

"True. That's fair."

"Ugh. This is frustrating. This won't do. I'll charge in first. Ranger, if you see the Demon King, snipe him immediately. Got it?"

"Got it. I'll try."

Kicking open the door to the Demon King's audience chamber and entering, they found a demon man sitting on the throne in the center of the empty hall, as if he had been waiting for the hero's party.

"You've come, Hero."

The Demon King spoke leisurely.

You drew the 'sword' from your waist and declared there was no time for games.

"Don't rush. There are no guards in this castle. Only you, the hero, and me, the Demon King."

The Demon King didn't seem to have any intention of using magic or fighting. He simply stood and looked at you and your companions with a face filled with resignation.

"So tell me, human hero. How does it feel to invade our lands and claim victory for the sake of human greed and more magic?"

"Shut up! You've attacked us humans plenty yourself!"

Your fairy shouted at the Demon King. He shook his head and replied.

"Have you forgotten who first clung to our dimension like a mosquito and sucked us dry?"

"Th-That's..."

"Hero. I want to hear your answer. They call me the Demon King, but I have no talent for magic, swordsmanship, or marksmanship. All I have is the ability to lead people and the effort to meet their expectations."

You reply that you don't have time for nonsense.

"I see."

The Demon King slumped into his seat and pressed a certain 'switch' on the throne.

You ask the Demon King what switch he just pressed.

"This? It's nothing special."

The Demon King answered.

"I heard your human world has a weapon that, once detonated, reverts everything to nothing and transforms fertile lands flowing with milk and honey into barren wastelands where not even a single blade of grass can grow.

A nuclear bomb, was it? That grotesque weapon your humans created to keep each other in check. This switch simply launches that nuclear bomb. That's all it does."

"W-Wait. What? You're setting off a nuke?"

"Do you think we demons can't use your technology? If you don't believe me, I'll show you."

The Demon King brought up a terminal and displayed a transparent holographic screen.

Gigantic mushroom clouds rising across the world. And beneath them, evil spirits still alive, attacking people.

Upon seeing that, your party members reacted in different ways. The Mage, devastated by the loss of his hometown, collapsed to the floor and began vomiting, while the Warrior and Ranger were consumed by rage.

You point your sword at the Demon King seated on the throne.

"You want to say you can't forgive me? Do you know how many demons died because of your greed? I regret none of my choices, Hero."

You swing your sword at the Demon King's neck, who offers no resistance.

Yes.

What happened to the Demon King afterward... there's no need to say, is there?

The Demon King fell, and the hero triumphed.

With the mushroom clouds of his homeland behind him...

And then...

Two hundred years passed.

Yes.

Two full centuries.