1. The Case Of My House Burning Down

Blazel the Scorching Retreat.
Luviana the Dazzling Mist.
Voganis the Shattering Tsunami.
Finally me, Capsodia the Dead Scorpion.

We were all originally childhood friends.
Our homes were close, our parents knew each other, we made the forest and the dungeon our playground and always stuck together.

Even after our bodies grew big enough to fight humans, we were assigned to the same batallion, and ran through the battlefield together.

After producing great results in battle, we were acknowledged as the superiors of our races, and in no time made big names for ourselves.

It even came to the point of setting our foot in politics.

It was us who came up with the ‘Four Heavenly Kings’ system.
Until then it was the entire demonkind under the Great Demon King as one.
However, the King is a very busy being, and for him to be involved with every battlefield simultaneously was difficult.

As a result, under the Demon King, an executive system was created with the representatives of each race. This was the Four Heavenly Kings system.

By the way, we are the 2nd generation.
The founding generation retired just a few years back, and we took over their roles.

Finally it was our time to shine.
It was at that point when I was notified of my dismissal.

*

I deeply regretted the fact that I had to resign.
Despite acting tough in front of Luviana saying I would “retire”, inside my worries were not receding.
Truthfully, even after I leave the Demon King Army and go back to the countryside, the only thing waiting for me there is farm work.
Ever since I devoted myself to the Great Demon King, winning battles had been the only thing on my mind.

I don’t even know how to plant seeds. Getting made fun of by the demons in the countryside must be the punchline here.

In the first place, what would my friends in the countryside think when they see me return from the city?

“Kukuku….. He is the weakest of the Four Heavenly Kings.”

…Not good.
The more I think about it, the more I feel like crying.

For now, I’ll return to my official residence.
No matter how much I’m told to leave, there’s no way I’ll be run out just like that. No matter how impatient Blazel is, he can wait till I have gathered all of my belongings.

*

By the time I reached my official residence, it was already dark.
Despite being an official residence, Since I am a Heavenly King, it is like a fairly large house.
It is too big for just one person, but indeed this was the only territory granted to me.

Now the only one who can heal my damaged and naive heart, is (Cerberus), my beloved dog.

“I’m hom—“

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!

It was when i opened the door to enter my home.
A big fire suddenly started to rise.
Soaring high in the sky, it dyed the black evening red.
The fire took the shape of a cross and in a flash, melted everything around it in an instant.

By the time I came to my senses, everything was gone.
My house, my garden, even my beloved dog……

“W-What in the world is—“

“Ho, you survived that huh.”

What appeared was a giant lizard, covered in hard looking scales.

“W-was it you…? Did you burn my house up?”

“Hey hey, first answer my question first. Well, either way’s fine.” *

The lizard then struck both his fists against each other.
Of course his fists are also covered in hard looking scales.
Therefore a loud sound, akin to metal being slammed together. reverberates in the whole area.

“I am Blazel the Scorching Retreat’s subordinate. The great (Bastrine) the Burnt.”

“Answer me already. Did you burn my house up??”

I glare at Bastrine.

“Hmmm…. you certainly know how to create an atmosphere. Even though you quit, you’re still a Heavenly King, No. Even though you’re the weakest, you’re still a Heavenly King. Yes, just like you said I burnt your house, at lord Blazel’s orders that is. I was told to erase it without a trace, so I did it.”

“I see…”

“I also received another order, you know.”

Bastrine laughs with his mouth wide open.
Deep red flames could be seen shining brightly inside his mouth.

“THAT IF I KILL YOU, I’D BE MADE THE FOURTH HEAVENLY KING!!”

“Ah… is that so. Then you can just—“

DIE.

I said calmly while pointing at Bastrine.

“HA, THE ONE WHO’LL DIE IS YOu…..what… m-my chest…”

Bastrine sudenly started writhing in pain.
When the flame he was about to bellow died out, Bastrine started to flutter around desperately while pressing on his throat.

“No vay….. Uu, Hebenly emberor, weak… ezt…………..NUAAAA!”

Eventually, the giant lizard collapses forward.

Bastrine, who had been boasting until just recently, was now dead.

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* Yes, he said “first” twice. Stupid lizard.

Next chapter tomorrow!