The Supreme Hero’s Younger Brother

Ludric saw the massive serpent inside. The scales on its faces were black and hideous. From the injury, he guessed that this was what Rye fought before his arrival according to Aerindel's words. He couldn't see any sign of Rye.

His murderous aura exploded out of his body and promptly swung his sword to cut down Der'ete. He didn't care if it was a god or demon, he would avenge Rye for his death.

Der'ete easily blocked it. If Rye didn't cause its scales to fall out, it didn't even need to block such an attack. The door hasn't been changed or renovated for billions of mortal years, maybe it had become brittle.

It looked at Rye below it, "Why is he trying to kill a god? Is the Supreme Hero's task different in this cycle?"

"I do not understand what you mean by this cycle, but I think he misunderstood something," Rye flew up and landed next to Ludric, "Ludric, I'm fine."

Ludric saw Rye and swiftly went to hug him only to be repelled away. This time, Rye noticed it, but he didn't understand what happened.

Ludric bitterly swallowed his feelings. This must be Solistus's restriction on him to not lay his sinful hands on his brother.

Der'ete witnessed it and was slightly surprised. He didn't think Octavian was the possessive type. Not even his wife's brother was allowed to touch him.

"I thought I lost you. Thank god you're alright," Ludric said to Rye, "are you hurt anywhere?"

"No, I'm perfectly fine."

Ludric glared at Der'ete menacingly, "I'll finish it for you."

"Wait, stop," Rye held him back, "it's not an enemy."

"However you look at it, this must be a demon beast."

Der'ete hissed in anger but Ludric couldn't understand it, "Impudent!"

Because of the provocation, Der'ete cast a spell to attack first. Ludric wasn't afraid and swiftly leaped to Der'ete's body with his sword. He activated three layers of spell on his blade and slashed it towards the serpent at the same time as Der'ete's spell released.

But instead of hitting their target, the two attacks hit Rye's barrier which intercepted in the middle.

"Can you two please calm down?" Rye fixed his glasses and looked at both Ludric and Der'ete interchangeably.

"Hmph. Why should I listen to you?" Der'ete turned its heads away.

"This thing caused the dwarves to disappear for the last 20 years. I heard from Aerindel that this is Der'asa, but it's an impostor! Don't be deceived, Rye!"

"What…?" Rye looked at Der'ete who has fully healed itself, "is that true?"

"Do not make it sound like I killed them or something. It is all the will of the world. The dwarves are overreaching their quota since 20 or so years ago. They are polluting the world and destroying nature for their craft. The world ordered me to transfer some of them away to another world where the population of dwarves is declining."

Der'ete continued, "Rather than randomly picking some, I decided to use our mountain as a capture spot. Lesser and lesser dwarves came here, so I can rest peacefully."

"There is a system like that?" Rye was astonished.

"Your dearest Octavian has also been tasked with something similar once or twice in the past."

"Rye, what is it saying?" Ludric asked solemnly. He couldn't understand what language Rye and the serpent was using, "don't believe such a creature so easily."

"This human is really the most impudent hero I've ever encountered!"

"Ludric, please mind your words. It can understand you."

"Whatever. Get out of here and fix the door while you're at it." Der'ete closed its eyes.

"Why are you even staying here? I thought gods live in another realm."

"It is too bright there. Cannot even rest my eyes after closing them."

Rye, "…"

Do your job. Isn't that why the dwarves are overpopulated?

"One more question."

"You are still so annoying," despite its words, Der'ete opened its eyes.

"Did the world create the dwarves or were they a result of a species' evolution?"

"What else? Of course, the world created the dwarves. Are you delusional?" Der'ete looked at Rye in scorn before closing its eyes again, not intending to respond to its former twin anymore.

Rye was slightly disappointed by the fact, but he didn't pester Der'ete anymore.

He pushed Ludric out after ensuring him that the serpent wasn't their enemy. Once they were out, he repaired the hole Ludric created.

This kind of power was barely equal to 50% of the demon lord's power?

Ludric did say that they almost exhausted all effort fighting the archdemon. Hopefully, Ludric could level up in their journey to the demon territory.

Still, finding out he was the reincarnation of Der'asa was the most absurd thing he ever heard in his life. The problem was, Der'ete didn't seem to be lying. Not to mention, Ludric couldn't understand the language they were using earlier.

From Der'ete's words, it sounded like he made a deal with the world and it was related to his promise to Octavian.

"Rye?" Ludric called out.

"Sorry, what was it?" Rye returned back to earth. He then realized that everybody was there, "I'm sorry we made you worry."

"No, it was our fault," Aerindel stepped forward, "we insisted Rye to explore the cave even though he already told us it's dangerous. We apologize."

Freanor quickly nodded.

"As long as you're fine," Marissa shrugged, "it's normal to want to check the things you are curious about."

"Rye, you're not injured anywhere, right?" Aerindel asked worriedly.

"I'm fine. It didn't intend to harm me."

"Was that truly the real Der'asa?" Ludric asked.

"Der'asa!? That god you just told us??" Aerindel was shocked.

Rye, "…"

It's too complicated to explain, so let's just nod.

Everyone immediately got petrified in place. They…They were currently standing in front of a god!? Literally!?

"Don't inform about this to the king. We shouldn't disturb a god's rest," Rye warned. He scanned the empty air, "you too. Tell this to the king."

Everyone, "?"

The 'stalker', "…"

Don't suddenly talk to him like that. His heart almost jumped out from the scare!

"Who are you talking to?" Nandia frowned.

"A stalker ghost. Do not mind it." Rye fixed his glasses.

"Does it know the cause of the dwarves' disappearance?" Rosetta asked.

Rye blinked twice to realize she was asking about Der'ete, not the spy, "It is an arrangement from heaven. I cannot say anything more than that."

"How did you able to understand it?" Ludric asked.

"…Der'e– Der'asa made me understand somehow."

There was a hiss from inside, startling everybody outside. Rye could hear Der'ete's protest that they were too noisy.

"We should leave now…" Rye suggested.

As they left, Rye's head was still full of thoughts about everything Der'ete told him. There were many things he didn't get to ask, but regarding his promise and past with Octavian, he rather asked Octavian himself.

The important thing was, he was currently Rye Cazmere, an average human. He was no longer a two-headed serpent god called Der'asa. He didn't even have any memory of it.

But…

As expected, not knowing what promise he made to Octavian exactly made him restless. He also wanted to know about their past.

Though from Der'ete's brief description he would definitely need to prepare his heart and mental.

Was he really that embarrassing in his last life?

Though now he understood why he never thought of anyone as beautiful or handsome. Not even Aerindel and Freanor's visual moved his heart one bit.

His standard was too high for his own good.

Thank god Octavian's statues never showed his face. His rival would be the whole of humanity, especially the priests, bishops, and popes. Angels and elves were also not an exception. He didn't know about dwarves, demi-humans, and demons' beauty standards, but it would be impossible to not have any admirers from each race.

If he had that many rivals coveting his lover, he wasn't confident that his heart could stay clean…

Rye quickly slapped his cheeks to stop his straying thoughts.

Suddenly, he heard a melodious chuckle reverberating in his heart. He froze in place and forgot to breathe.

"Your embarrassing thoughts fill me with joy, my dearest sun," Rye shuddered as Octavian's voice whispered into his mind, "do not stop. I wish to hear more."

Ash noticed that Rye was falling behind. He turned around to see a ball of white crouching on the ground.

Ash, "…?"

He looked at the others in front and silently approached Rye, "Is there something wrong?"

Without raising his face, Rye answered with a small muffled voice from inside his hood, "I want to kill myself."

"?"

"Go ahead. I'll catch up after I kill myself."

Once the group was outside, Ludric and Aerindel noticed that Rye wasn't with them.

"Where's Rye?" Aerindel asked Ash who appeared last.

"He is currently killing himself and will catch up with us after he is done," Ash honestly stated.

Everyone, "???"