[Western Fantasy] Raise Your Own Arch-Enemy

Serta is the Demon King in an old-school RPG. After defeating the hero, he transmigrates into a saintly father's novel.

There are four protagonists in all, each a saintly father who never loses his good nature despite enduring hardships and facing countless acts of malice.

Serta closes the book, feeling troubled.

As everyone knows, a Demon King is incomplete without a hero to challenge him.

But here's the problem: with so many people, which one is the hero he's looking for?

Soon, Serta realizes something is wrong with this world. There are no treasure chests for heroes to open, nor items for them to pick up.

Even leveling up isn't as simple as accumulating experience.

What kind of lousy world is this?

Leveling up is difficult, and a hero without treasure chests or items is a useless piece of trash. Victory over the weak is meaningless.

As a Demon King with ambition, Serta decides to get the protagonist to max level and equip him with top-quality gear, then defeat him fair and square.

But there are too many candidates to identify the real hero, so Serta decides to cast a wide net and gradually weed them out.

Protagonist No. 1 is eliminated because his hair suddenly turns black. His hair now matches Serta's, so he can't be the hero. Pass.

Protagonist No. 2 is eliminated because he catches Serta secretly putting out gear and treasure chests. Heroes aren't supposed to be that clever. Pass.

Protagonist No. 3 is eliminated because a fiancee suddenly shows up, and heroes are usually forever alone. Pass.

Protagonist No. 4 advances!

Vishiel meets every standard for a perfect hero.

Blond hair and blue eyes, a country upbringing, skilled with a sword, gentle and easygoing, not very smart, and single.

Serta: That's it! This is the hero I want!

The other three protagonists can be abandoned.

Even though they keep coming to find Serta, his heart is as hard as iron.

The Demon King coldly rejects them and makes his position clear to avoid trouble:

"You've been eliminated. Stop coming to see me."

Serta works hard and finally turns the hero protagonist into a powerful fighter.

The decisive battle arrives. He walks out of his castle, brimming with confidence, spreads his arms, and begins his pre-battle speech as a Demon King villain.

Half an hour later, Serta finishes his speech and prepares to argue with the hero over who should rule the world before starting the fight.

But the hero protagonist lowers his sword and looks sincerely at Serta. "Your Majesty the Demon King, I think you're absolutely right."

Serta: "...?"

The hero protagonist: "So I've decided to leave the side of darkness and join the side of light. Your Majesty, will you take me in?"

Serta: "...?"

Wait, you're defecting just like that?

Oh...

So you're not the hero either!

I originally planned to start this story, but no matter how I wrote it, I couldn't get into it, so I've postponed it. Sorry, my dear readers QAQ

Theme: It's important to stand by your principles.