The Extra's Odyssey

'Saga of Heroes' or the official name 'Hero has Returned' was my favorite novel.

'Saga of Heroes' was the unofficial name that a few of us fans decided to give the novel.

I mean the name wasn't wrong. Although Leon was the main protagonist, there were still two more protagonists.

'Hero has Returned' was the most dubious thing about the novel and dare I say one of the reasons behind its unpopularity.

After all, Leon wasn't a Regressor nor a Returnee.

The issue was the author. He wouldn't change the name no matter how much we told him to nor he would give us a reason behind the name.

Only when the novel reaches the war part did the author shed some light on Leon's 'real' background.

Leon was a reincarnator and not just any reincarnator .

During the dark ages, 12 ancient heroes rose to defeat the absolute evil, the Devil. Leon was the reincarnation of the strongest ancient hero and the one who led the charge against the Devil.

This was the reason for his stupidly broken stigma and physique.

Anyway, why was I recounting this over-the-top cliché?

"How well known is the prophecy?"

It was because of the prophecy Caim told me.

No matter how you cut it, 'the hero who has defeated time' meant Leon. He had reincarnated after thousands of millennia, after all.

I was 110% sure that the prophecy was referring to Leon. The issue was I might get implicated in this.

If Caim thinks of me as the hero from the prophecy, it was possible that others will too.

I wanted to cry but had no tears.

If I knew about this prophecy, I wouldn't have taken Ether!

-The Upper echelon from Seven major races. This prophecy was the reason the conquest of the universe started.

Elves, Dwarves, Barbarians, Demons. I lifted my finger for each one.

There were more races like vampires, orcs, centaurs, dryads, and many beast human races. But none of these were strong enough to be called a major race.

Hmm? Why can I only see 4 races?

"Seven major races?"

-Elves, Barbarians, Demons, Dwarves, Lizardfolk, Angels, Vampires. Originally, there was one more race during the Dark Ages that could conquest all the other races combined. But not a trace of them remains now.

So, vampires are also a major race?

I'm too lacking in information about the universe. Guess it was a good thing Caim was here.

-Hero, do you remember anything about your past life now?

Caim looked at me. He was giving detailed information because he wanted to jump-start 'my previous life memories' by retelling information about the past.

"Why is this prophecy important? And who else can tell that I'm the hero because of my energy?"

These questions were the most important. Caim's answer could drastically change my plans.

It shouldn't be that bad, though. Leon had fought in the war while he had the ether core.

So, at the least, the Dwarves, the Barbarians, and the Elves had no way to tell Ether apart.

-The conquest of the universe was started to find the Hero. Every race wants to kill the hero. The her-

"Stop! Stop! Stop!"

Shouldn't they want to help the hero if he can bring in the end? No wait, maybe they think that the hero might be selfish and wants to kill him to bring the 'peaceful end'?

"Why do the races want to kill the hero?"

-Because what they pursue is not End but Eternity.

-By killing the hero they want to make sure that End never arrives.

Wasn't this prophecy really bad?

Was it possible to sweat in my soul form(?) because I could feel an icy trickle down my back.

-As for your other question, hero. Only high-ranking Royal demons can sense different energy coming from you.

A deep sigh escaped my lips. At least not everything was bad.

-Oh, hero will you now listen to my request?

Did want to die that quickly? Though anyone would want to die if they were chained for god knows how long.

"What is it?"

Suddenly, the clanking of chains echoed. Caim was now bowing as deep as he could.

-Please, save my planet. If it is the hero of the legend, surely he can save one planet from the clutches of the Demon King.

I stupidly blinked. Without even thinking twice, I opened my mouth.

"I can't ag-"

-In return, I will teach you everything there is about the Nether. I will give you all the knowledge I have amassed through this worthless life.

Squinting, I stopped speaking.

He will teach me about Nether?

Normally, I should have refused him without thinking twice. Only Royal Demons can use Nether.

But what had happened in the Downtown proved that I could also use Nether.

I didn't know the reason behind it, nor did I know if there were any limitations. But this was a very good offer. Having one more card wasn't bad.

Secretly, I smiled.

"Are you sure? If you help me, it would be going against the Demon King."

-Oh, hero. Thank you. Than..k you.

Fighting Demon King? Helping his planet escape from Demon King? Of course, there was no way I would do that.

But Caim didn't need to know that.

I was going to use him and throw him away after he fulfilled his need.

"Don't be. Our meeting was a fate. Then me helping you must also be fate.

Pita- Pita-

[You have gained +1 subordinate with evil disposition.]

[Congratulations. Skill[Domination Decree] has leveled up.]

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[Domination Decree Lvl2]

- As the apex ruler of Evil, anyone with Evil disposition finds it hard to go against your will.

- A ruler only reveals their face when they deem it necessary. Without your approval, no one can recognize you.

- You can conceal Nether in your body. Without your permission, even the most sensitive beings can't find traces of Nether on you.

- Requirements for Lvl3(Max): 100 subordinates with Evil disposition.

=======

Ignoring the tears streaming down Caim's face, I read the notification.

It was good that Caim was looking down because I was sure that I was smiling widely. I never expected I would get my first subordinate in this way.

Even after being trapped endlessly and having his mind broken, the only thing he asked for was the safety of his home planet.

He cared for his planet enough to put it before himself.

'He wouldn't betray me.'

Even the most ungrateful snake wouldn't bite the hand that fed him when it was famished.

'Well, he can try to betray me if he wants to.'

If he was scheming in this situation when his sanity should have broken, then I couldn't win against him.

You can win against someone stronger than yourself, faster than yourself, and more tenacious than yourself.

But you can't win against someone smarter than yourself.

'Though I won't even give him a chance to betray me.'