Haruki Tanaka always believed himself to be special.

The existence of his superior parents and grandparents helped twist his young mind along this path with no hope for correction.

He watched his father and grandfather, who built their business in two generations.

His mother worked for the influential T-University as one of its senior lecturers. Her skills and knowledge in the medical field and also one of the top in the country.

Because of this, he believed himself to be the main hero, a common problem with children and young adults in the world.

''It only matters if it affects me, because everyone around me only serves to further my path.''

Haruki, however, felt his world shatter upon meeting a certain girl.

Not only was she beautiful, but she was also the daughter of the largest companies in the global market.

Erika Tendo, the only daughter of the renowned Tendo Group.

A behemoth that controlled most of J-Kingdoms metal and electrical supplies both domestically and with a near monopoly on exports, they rose in a single year thanks to discovering and pioneering a new form of metal that could recharge electrical current using the beta rays from the sun.

Although the technology existed via solar panels, this material did the same naturally and could store a thousand times more than a normal battery or backup generator could and reduced the danger of fire and accidents significantly.

In a single year the company and father that Haruki worshipped became the employee and subordinate of Erika''s father.

That was the start of his fall into becoming what many might term in modern words as a ''simp'' or ''beta male'' due to his obsessive yet submissive affection towards the young princess.

Haruki both feared and adored the young Erika, thus with his mind warped and twisted by his main character syndrome he sought to control and manipulate the surroundings.

Not to do anything bad, just to ensure she would never separate from him.

This plan worked for ten years.

Until Erika would meet the man she would eventually fall in love with and forever part sides with Haruki.

***

In the dull, gloomy mirror of the arena, Haruki stood looking at himself. He had a pale face, bloodshot eyes and dark bags under his eyes.

His former good looks, positive attitude and bright eyes long faded, now a dull brown, close to obsidian in hue. His hair is messy and dry with poor care.

"Hey, Haruki." a soft voice called out.

The beautiful Fuuka Suzuhara is wearing a black and white kimono and midnight blue haori.

At her side, a beautiful blue sheathed Katana the same colour as her haori dangled, with a second blade with the black of her kimono and slightly longer.

''Why did you betray me, Erika? I loved you so much, and never left your side!''

"Haruki?"

''I never let anyone hurt you, got rid of the creepy stalkers and annoying men who approached you...''

"H-Haruki!"

Fuuka became irritated and added mana to her voice, causing the mirror that Haruki seemed obsessed with to shatter into pieces.

"E-Eh?! Oh... Fuuka, I see. What''s the matter?" Haruki''s voice lacked power or drive, causing Fuuka''s brows to knit as she bit her lower lips and felt a sense of despair.

"The match, it''s starting."

"What match?"

"Against Ryuji and Erika."

"..."

There was a moment of silence before Haruki''s face twisted, and a small bottle filled with strange pills he swallowed before the match dropped from his palm.

Fuuka''s pupils shrank when she noticed because she knew what they were but could only look away, her eyes closed tight and her lips bleeding from her bite.

"Haruki and Kenta... you''re both fools... accepting that strange drug from that disgusting noble."

''That bastard... He defiled her, my goddess, my love... my sweet....sweet ERIKA!''

"I see."

Haruki''s inner and outer voices seemed to have become twisted and distorted and no longer matched up.

However, despite this distortion, he formed a faint smile on his lips and walked towards the gate, where Anne, in a simple leather tunic, silver gauntlets and black pants, stood waiting.

Beside her was Kenta Suzuki, wearing a full black set of plate armour, and Yuki Ito, in a strange black robe with flashy patterns and a strange texture.

***

Because Alan and the king allowed Anne to fight with them, the hero''s team couldn''t bring other knights when she joined the battle.

Erika - a copy of Ryuji''s with blue eyes

Yumiko - a white fox mask with red eyes

Sariel hid amongst the crowd, but hers was a bat mask with pink eyes.

"What an ominous group..."

"Maybe they are really demons?"

"Their leader is a monster for sure..."

"Lumina, protect us!"

"Now then, I shall introduce—"

"Wait!" Ryuji''s deep and enchanting voice echoed through the entire arena causing everyone to gasp, some too scared to even speak back as he looked towards Maki.

The crowd didn''t seem to be on the side of Ryuji—however, he didn''t seem to mind. Instead, he pointed his huge axe towards Maki.

"My name, do not get it wrong."

"Y-Your name?!"

The lovely announcer looked terrified because all four women stood behind Ryuji, wielding their weapons behind him as if threatening her with their glowing eyes.

He then used magic to snatch the microphone from Maki, causing her to become pale after a wave of darkness enveloped her body. At least, that was what she saw.

"Greetings, people of Grigor. I praise your high spirits and devotion to your former king and ancestors. It pleases me to see such a beautiful display, never forget your love for the kingdom and please enjoy today''s battle."

His body hovered in the air before suddenly he grew taller. He sprouted beautiful raven wings and horns from the side of his glossy black mask that curled back towards the sky as if resisting the gods.

"I am the Bloody Tyrant, Asmodeus. A nightmare that has come to crush your hopes and to defeat the hero."

Asmodeus looked towards the VIP box, his gaze focused upon Alan and his brother.

Their eyes opened wide, and both of them knew it wasn''t true, that something wasn''t right, as he returned to the ground, flapping his wings.

Alan''s eyes seemed to overflow with tears as he mouthed his feelings to his dear friend:

''Stop!''

"You see that I can use my dark magic to trick even the hero into believing we were friends. Look back. The princess is now my plaything. Even the princess of the elven forest has become my slave."

''Don''t Do this!''

The moment Asmodeus spoke of the two, they hugged his body from behind kissed him and acted overly affectionate.

''Ryuji...''

"This DEMON!"

"PRINCESS LIANA?!"

His actions caused the entire arena to roar a booming thunder of voices and shouts, now filling the serene atmosphere as Asmodeus began to smile.

Asmodeus''s smile revealed his huge mouth filled with sharp fangs, and a long tongue made him seem even more lustrous as his hands fondled and molested both the elven and human princess.

''RYUJI!''

Alan fell to his knees—he and Avandar knew they had failed to protect their hero and beloved family from the danger of the church.

Anne, however, didn''t understand. She looked stunned with a pale face as she gripped her sword tight and looked at Asmodeus like he had killed her mother.

Alan and Asmodeus matched their gazes, one with his eyes hidden and the other with eyes pleading to the other.

''From this moment, I will remove your shackles, Alan!''

''Because now, I am your enemy!''

Yet, in Alan''s heart, there was no such thing.

''I will never betray or forget you, my brother. Should you be on the brink of death or lost in desperation. I shall save you Ryuji... no, Asmodeus!''

Alan seemed to have understood from the smile on the mainland bishop and church representatives'' faces.

They all seemed convinced and began to move to the VIP box they shunned the moment Asmodeus spoke.

Now, the filthy two-faced bastards were offering support against the monster in the north!

"YOU BASTARD!"

A violent scream, no more like the agonised wailing of a beast, echoed as Anne''s body, like a lightning bolt striking a tree, attacked Asmodeus with her spear shining in golden light.

"RETURN LIANA!"

Before anyone could react, the arena exploded in a golden light as the pair clashed.