Haruto was having the worst day of his life.
One moment, he was just a normal guy who wanted to live in peace.
Now?
Now, he was standing in a massive battle arena, being forced into a duel with the Demon King.
The entire city was watching.
His insane harem was watching.
And if he lost? He died.
If he won?
…Well, he hadn't thought that far ahead yet.
Haruto let out the deepest sigh of his life.
"I hate everything."
---
The Arena (That Haruto Didn't Agree To)
The moment the duel was announced, the entire demon army flooded into the battle arena.
The stadium roared with excitement.
"LONG LIVE THE DEMON KING!"
"SLAY THE HUMAN!"
"HARUTO! HARUTO! HARUTO!"
Haruto twitched violently.
"STOP CHANTING MY NAME!"
Across from him, the Demon King stood tall, radiating dark power.
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His massive black armor gleamed.
His burning red eyes locked onto Haruto.
"PREPARE YOURSELF, HUMAN!"
"NO, THANK YOU!"
---
The Fight Begins (Haruto's Instant Regret)
The Demon King raised his hand.
A massive surge of dark energy erupted around him, forming a giant sphere of destruction.
The entire arena shook.
The spectators screamed in awe.
"TO THE DEATH!" the Demon King roared.
"I EXTREMELY DON'T WANT TO DO THIS!" Haruto yelled.
The Demon King charged.
A shockwave of pure power exploded from his feet.
He rushed toward Haruto at blinding speed, preparing to unleash a devastating attack.
Haruto?
Haruto panicked and flicked his wrist.
BOOOOOM!
The Demon King was sent flying through five walls.
Silence.
Total silence.
Then—
"...Did Haruto just one-shot the Demon King?"
---
Haruto Accidentally Wins (And Regrets Everything)
The Demon King staggered out of the rubble, his armor cracked.
"W-What… was that power?!"
Haruto froze.
"Uh… It was… um… an accident?"
Lilia smiled proudly. "As expected of my dear husband~."
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!"
The Demon King trembled.
"I… I see now…"
"Huh?"
The Demon King dropped to one knee.
"I was a fool to challenge you. You are clearly far beyond me…"
Haruto's stomach dropped.
"Wait. No. NO, NO, NO—"
"As per demon law, I now recognize you as the strongest among us…"
"NO, NO, NO, NO, NO—"
"And as such…"
"DON'T SAY IT—"
"I DECLARE YOU THE NEW DEMON KING!"
Haruto's soul left his body.
---
The Aftermath (Haruto's Breakdown #999)
Haruto grabbed his own hair, screaming.
"WHY?! WHY DOES EVERYTHING I DO MAKE MY LIFE WORSE?!"
Lilia clapped excitedly. "Oh, how wonderful! Now you truly are my king, my dear husband~."
"I DID NOT ASK FOR THIS!"
"Yet here we are~."
Fel grinned. "Congrats, boss. You're officially a king now."
"I DON'T WANT TO BE A KING!"
Claire smirked. "Cope."
Haruto collapsed onto the ground.
"I hate it here."
---
Demon Society Immediately Accepts Haruto as King
Within minutes, the entire demon army knelt before him.
"LONG LIVE THE DEMON KING!"
"PRAISE KING HARUTO!"
"WE SHALL FOLLOW YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH!"
Haruto watched in horror.
"NO! STAND UP! I REFUSE TO BE YOUR KING!"
The demons stood up.
"YES, YOUR MAJESTY!"
Haruto's eye twitched violently.
"This is a nightmare."
Lilia hugged his arm. "Don't resist, dear~."
"I WILL RESIST WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING!"
---
Haruto Tries to Escape Being King (Fails Immediately)
"Alright, listen up!" Haruto pointed at the Demon King. "I don't want the throne! Take it back!"
The Demon King shook his head.
"I have already sworn fealty. You are my lord now."
"I REJECT YOUR LOYALTY!"
"You are the strongest. You must rule."
"I REFUSE TO RULE!"
"Yet here we are."
Haruto screamed into his hands.
"STOP SAYING THAT!"
---
Lilia Makes Things Worse (Again)
"Oh, darling~," Lilia purred, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Now that you are king, you will need a queen by your side…"
Haruto froze.
His soul left his body.
"NO."
"Yes~."
"I REFUSE."
"Yet here we are~."
---
The Kingdom Celebrates (While Haruto Suffers)
That night, the demon capital erupted into a massive festival.
Fireworks exploded across the sky.
Demons danced in the streets.
Banners of Haruto's face were already being painted.
Haruto stood in the royal palace, completely dead inside.
"This is my villain origin story."
Lilia wrapped her arms around him. "My love, you should smile more. You are their king now~."
"I AM NOT THEIR KING."
"Yet here we are~."
Haruto cried internally.