The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody

I want to experience defeat. Hailed as the demon Lord.

Even my former friends no longer see me as human.

My fearsome reputation has reduced me to a force of nature.

Thus I lust for the bitter taste of defeat.

No matter how miserable. If I fall to my knees in battle,

perhaps my former kin will once again

view me as one of their own.

However, my greatest wish can never be fulfilled.

There is no longer any enemy left

standing with the strength to fail me.

Perhaps in another life I'll be granted

a fate free from this merciless solitude.

So be it. I shall reincarnate.

Today we raise our glasses and celebrate

the birthday of our son, ARD media.

We're very grateful for the blessing of the ancestral

demon Lord Varvatos and Her Majesty the Queen.

Happy birthday, dear ARD. I can't believe you're ten already.

It's crazy. You were just in diapers.

Time certainly flies by, doesn't it? Having

you around has been a gift every day. We love you.

You're so kind. Mother. Father. Thank you.

Count your lucky stars, kid. You got

your mother's good looks and not mine.

Oh, Jack. Well, he got his knack

for martial arts and literary arts from you. Thankfully, no.

Longer a demon lord of any sort.

I've been given a second chance. And now

I live my life as an average

villager from a typical rural household.

I was reincarnated as ARD Meteor, the only

son of a completely ordinary couple with a healthy relationship.

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, the level of education

and magic in this world had declined

quite a bit since my time as a ruler.

Either way, I was once again blessed

with good health, endurance, and athleticism.

So I became highly adept at martial arts even at a young age.

Tell us, ARD, do. You have any life goals?

You're ten now, which is about the time most kids start rebelling.

Not to put any pressure on you,

but it's never too early to start

planning for the future. Really? Already?

That's right. There is something I'd like to work towards.

A dream even. I spent the ten

years since I was reborn forging myself

into a proper man, both intellectually and physically.

A man worthy of friendship. I have

been driven by a singular goal.

I crave to find a person who will

view me without fear as an equal. Hey!

You shine. I don't play with you,

though. How are you so good?

No longer am I a demon lord in a lofty tower,

separated forever from cheerful commoners like these adorable little scamps.

Here I am, fellow children ready to socialize.

Unlike my previous life, there is no barrier between us.

Don't hold back. Come forth. Engage your new friend in conversation. Uh.

Someone's watching us. Huh? What's with that kid?

He's kind of creepy. We should go.

I made eye contact and waited for their approach.

What gives? Why'd they disperse? Perhaps even after reincarnating,

there's still a lingering mystic force at work,

affecting the subconscious of those children and deterring their engagement.

Hmm. I must simply change my method.

I shall take action instead of waiting.

I can't believe he said that.

What is this pressure inside? Impossible.

Even during my final battle with the gods,

I never bore a shred of fear. Yet now I falter.

Could this be anxiety?

I.

Uh. Quite impressive that they drove me to such a state.

Yet I am still the man once renowned as the demon Lord.

But rubbish it would be if I were

to retreat from such a meagre threat.

You there. Turn around and face me.

So you've responded to my call. You have my praise.

And so I, uh. Go on, would you? Please be my.

Please become my friends. In return, I shall

grant half of the world to you. It's done.

I said it. Huh? What? Where are you going? Halt!

Uh.

I am demon Lord Varvatos. I have commandeered countless nations,

buried numerous heroes, and slayed the gods themselves.

Yet now I am powerless before tiny

children who will not even humor me.

What drivel! Why won't they obey my commands?

I made the effort to speak to them

and I even offered them riches.

What more could those girls have possibly desired?

Huh? Why is this so hard to grasp?

I suppose I should stop. The local

ecosystem doesn't need to suffer for this.

I'm still lost though. Is there something essential missing from my approach?

What's got you down, Artie? I'm not

used to seeing you so disheartened.

Chin up. For what it's worth, the mayor's here to help you.

Sir. I'll hide.

You'd like to make friends.

Of course, but it's hard. Relationships are a maze of complexities.

I've tested every stratagem I could devise, yet learn nothing.

I'm at a loss, I fear.

Then lend me your ear. I can teach you a foolproof method.

Huh? What manner of technique? A spell, a negotiation tactic.

Nothing of the sort. You need two simple things kindness and respect.

Treat people with a little bit of warmth

and you're sure to win them over.

Before you know it, you'll be a real

pro and making friends will come naturally.

That's all it takes. Simple empathy. I understand

now, sir. All. Hyde. You're amazing.

Since we're on the topic, I do have a request. My daughters.

I shall heed your advice and implement this.

Theory at once. Ha ha! Are.

That's our boy, huh? Uh huh. He can be strange at times,

but he has a good heart.

I couldn't help but overhear. Thanks for helping him, Weiss.

Of course, navigating the intricacies of politics is one thing,

but even I struggle with making friends.

I pray that things work out.

Well, you did a better job than we could have.

Thanks for looking after our boy.

Excuse me, I am Artmedia. Apologies if this is too forward,

but would you two be so kind as to play with me? Uh uh.

Forgive me for intruding once more, but it would be

my honor to make your acquaintance.

Fair ladies, would you grace me with your presence today?

Are fine, then perhaps I will destroy the world instead.

Control yourself on meteor. There's no need to vent like this.

I've walked the path of destruction before.

It gives rise to nothing. Good.

Huh? Oh, I need to stop doing that eventually.

Huh? Do you hear me? Someone's in trouble.

A delicate girl from the sound of it.

What in the world?

And contestants answer my call and use my fierce rage to scorch.

What seems to be the trouble. Her

opponent is a mere ancient wolf.

That monster is weak in the grand scheme of things.

Oh. Unless she's venting like I was.

My daughter has completely closed herself off.

Seems she's still suffering from all the bullying she went through.

I feel like I failed her since she won't even confide in me.

I can't really blame her for wanting

to get away from it all, though.

I suppose there's no escaping your lineage in the end.

But I do think it was good

to move away from the royal capital.

Far fewer eyes on you out here.

And perhaps I just need to give it time.

Oh, thunder, come to my hand. Oh,

lightning rain down on those before me. You'll pay. Mr..

Uh, Lydia.

My apologies. I didn't mean to startle you.