Reborn: Demon Sword Saint!

The Hero King, Grand Sword Saint Tomogawa Masaru.

Known to all of Yiluo as the brave, valiant and undefeatable warrior of all humanity, he inspired hundreds of thousands of young men and women to enlist in the army, knights' order or other combat roles over the 10 years of war.

One of the most famous aspects of the Hero King was that he rose from obscurity as a homeless orphan to distinguish himself as the paramount defender of the world! This story spurred on countless others to venture beyond their status and lot in life to aspire for glory and greatness on the battlefield.

The Grand Sword Saint invented numerous great sword techniques as well as other Battle Arts, and imparted these to multitudes. However, his strongest skills were only imparted to the Three Lions, Reinhardt Giles, Sougetsu Haru and Lance Undine, the Hero King's personal disciples and companions.

However, above all these things, the Hero King was most known for one thing: his undying, unyielding loyalty to the Empire of Yiluo that encompassed the entire planet. Tale after tale and legend after legend was told of his brave defence of the world, fighting demons, devils, monsters or villains while laying his life on the line.

And throughout all those 20 years of his immortal splendour, he had rebuffed and denied every single offer to betray his people or change his allegiance!

Yes, no matter who you asked in the planet of Yiluo, they would only have one thing to say about the Hero King: Divine Loyalty. He was the true embodiment of nobility, the soul of a hero, the avatar of love for the whole world; the true descendant of the Pierced God!

But if you asked the man himself, now in a girl's body on the way to school in a military bus (he was he only passenger), he would say that all of the above was utter nonsense.

If you asked Masaru himself, he would give a completely different kind of answer.

Lazy. Scheming. Small-minded. Demotivated. No loyalty to anything except himself. Petty. Vengeful. VERY vengeful!

But somehow, his actions all those years had always been misunderstood, misinterpreted.

His d.e.s.i.r.e for money and fame led him to enlist in the knights' order, but when he became renowned as a great warrior, instead of giving him a fat paycheck and a harem of girls, instead he became known as "the trailblazer of an altruistic path of self-sacrifice for the nation". Then they gave him a 30% raise and a medal, a salary unchanged until the day he died!

His never-ending unsuccessful attempts to bed the daughter of the Emperor instead became the inspiration for many love ballads and plays of pure and unblemished love.

And his casual passing on of 3rd-rate made-up-on-the-spot skills to some random soldiers gave him the title of Great Saint Teacher of the Empire!

But there was one thing he hated with all his being, a title he despised most of all: Divine Loyalty.

Enraged by the appallingly low pay, unchanged year after year, he had sought out new "employment", whether it be with the demons, devils or anyone at all.

Finally, he was asked by the demons to switch sides. But only one time, just ONE TIME. And that in front of the Emperor himself, surrounded by thousands of high rank warriors and knights!

Of course he would reject the offer to change sides! But that had spawned the countless embellished myths of "Divine Loyalty Masaru, the greatest patriot of all time"!

'...And denied me the chances of me ever getting a better deal... After that, no one even bothered to offer me a chance...' Masaru wept as he recalled the sorrowful past; the past that also meant...

That he had no loyalty to the humans or Empire of Yiluo.

'But... Even if I don't feel like I owe the humans sh*t... I do owe them one thing...' Her eyes flashed with burning rage.

'I'll make sure you get your payback, oh high and mighty Human Emperor, oh honourable and noble Three Lions of Valour... And you, Demon King Lucavi... I'll pull out your wings and then stuff them up your a$$!' Marsha grit her teeth in vehemence.

She swore she would have her revenge.

Marsha, Marisa, Masaru... Whatever her name was, it didn't matter. She would have her revenge on those who dared scheme against her!

And about the original body's owner's father... Demon God Glados...

Marsha was still on the fence about that. On the one hand, she guessed she had Glados to thank for this second chance at life. On the other hand, the demon was dead, so why did she have to do anything for him...?

But she hummed cheerfully (out of tune) as the bus rumbled on towards the special forces training institute, the Special School for Demon Children (SSDC), her annoying off-key humming grating on the nerves of the bus driver.

'I guess I'll just do Glados a favour... And take down those old geezers who plotted against him too... Since they'll probably not be happy that I, the Demon God's daughter am still alive and kicking...'

The shocking conversation last night had ended peacefully.

Marsha claimed to have amnesia, which did not seem to surprise Kirin or Diana, as her medical records for the past year stated that she "lost her mind and soul" and "did not respond to external stimulus except for carnal instincts for food and sustenance".

After that, her negotiation with Kirin had turned into a unilateral offer.

"My lady, it is my duty and also my honour to protect you and ensure your safety. Please let me take care of you. The SSDC is a safe place, and despite my now lowly position, none of those old farts will dare to touch you while you're there. At the same time, you will have your complete freedom to do as you wish. Just, if you want to go out, please let me know and I'll assign you some protectors."

The smiling man with moist eyes filled with adulation looked at Marsha like she was a goddess descended from the heavens for him to worship. And also like a precious rose to be protected and preserved in a glass cage...

So Marsha had politely accept the offer to enrol into the special forces, starting with class at the SSDC the next morning - today.

"It's already mid-semester, but with your talents and abilities, you'll do fine. Though, if you encounter any problems, reach out to me or Diana. She'll help you get settled in, as well as get you a room, clothes and a place to wash up tonight. Won't you, Diana...?"

Kirin had glanced casually at the black-haired squad leader who seethed with anger at being "asked" to help. It was obviously not a question but an order which she reluctantly agreed to.

And so after a night of rest, here she was, sitting on a bus on the way to school, dressed in a military shirt and pants like a fresh recruit, complete with a cap to hold her golden-hair down.

Off to her first day at school, headed to regain her transcendent powers and smash her enemies teeth to fragments - then use their skulls as a toilet bowl.