Demon Lord's Reincarnation

Ren left Valdel with Kara and was walking towards the tree of life. It was obvious that Valdel wanted to talk to Kar. After learning about what Valdel wanted to do, Ren had a pretty nice guess as to why he wants to talk to a long-lived race like the elves. 

'Well, if he can't find the answer on his own, I guess I can help him get it. Silika should know the general direction of the underworld, as she was a former Goddess of Death. Well, even if she doesn't know, the other deities should know.' Ren no longer bothered thinking about that as he was heading towards the tree of life. 

...

Tsukiko and Leila continued to chat under the tree of life unaware of how many days have passed. They continued enjoying each other's company when Tuskiko suddenly felt someone coming closer. 

"So you've finally arrived, Ren. At least you arrived earlier than expected. I thought it would take you at least a decade before you decide to visit." 

"Big bro is here, why can't I sense him?" Leila tried looking around but she couldn't find a single trace of Ren. 

"So we're playing hide and seek now, are we?" Tsukiko asked but there was no response. "Well, I got to admit you are good in hiding your presence just like a sneaky rat." When Tsukiko said that word, there was a slight fluctuation of mana. Even though it was brief Leila was able to sense it, and quickly pounced at a nearby bush.

"Heh, you know me so well." Ren appeared from the bush and was hugged by Leila. 

"Well, it's not that hard. So do you mind telling this old fox what's been going on since your reincarnation?"

"Straight to business?" 

"I don't really want to but... Now that you're human no matter how powerful you are you'll probably last five hundred years at most. That's not really a long time, so it's better to get things done quickly, don't you think so?" 

"To humans, five hundred years is actually quite long. Still, I do get your point. So let me tell you a little story of how I became the bored king of the world." 

Ren started telling Tsukiko about the events that happened after she was killed by the Third Hero. Tsukiko didn't say a word and simply listened until Ren had finished his story. 

"So you really were able to do it. Well, I guess if anyone can, it would be you." 

"So how about you Tsukiko. How did you spend your time here?" 

"It wasn't bad, most of the time I would be sleeping, and other times I would be helping the elves train their young. There are also some that come to challenge me for the right to be the guardian. All in all, I always had something to do so it was never boring." 

"I see... Hey Tsukiko, I just wanted to say, thanks... Thank you for everything." Ren shifted his gaze away and was looking somewhere else as he said those words. Leila stared at her big bro and was surprised at what he saw. Tsukiko then looked at Ren's back and giggled. 

"Who knew that the all-powerful Ren would be a crybaby." 

"Hmph, who the heck is crying? I never cry cause what's the point of doing so?" 

"Sure, that's what you say, but, Leila is he crying?" 

"I can't believe it, big bro is actually shedding a tear!" Leila responded. 

"What are you saying, Leila? I was just sweating, this is sweat from all the running, I did run here at full speed." 

"Sure, sure I believe you, Ren." 

"Whatever, so Tsukiko what are you planning to do now?" 

"Changing the topic I see." 

"I'm serious Tsukiko, can you tell me the answer?" 

"Fine, I'll allow you to change the topic cause you're acting all cute." Tsukiko smiled as she stood up and approached Ren. 

"Come on Tsukiko, I'm serious please tell me what you plan to do." 

"Oh, how rare, Ren actually saying please... Well, what else am I supposed to do? As the guardian of the tree of life, the only thing I can do is guard the tree. I can leave it for a little while, but if I return late I might die, and my soul could perish. So I didn't really want to risk going out of the forest. The only reason I did so this time, was because I heard that you were there. I wanted to meet the guy that always arrived late so that I could scold him a bit. Now that I was able to meet him again I feel satisfied. If you could visit me from time to time Ren, then that's all I could as for." Tsukiko spoke every word with a happy smile on her face. Seeing her like that made Ren's heart feel pained as he gritted his teeth. 

"Are you sure that's all you want? Staying here, unable to leave? Are you sure, you're alright with this?! Weren't you the Kitsune called the Demonic Fox Tsukiko, one who loved freedom more than anything?! Then why are you happy, aren't a prisoner here trapped unable to do anything?!" 

"What are you saying, Ren? You know sometimes, you speak so wisely, but at other times you also speak so foolishly. In this place, I get to sleep under my favorite tree. I'm practically immortal when I'm near the tree of life so there's no more danger of me dying. When I wake up I get to play around with the elves and teach their children. Now that you and Leila are here, you can visit me from time to time and we can reminisce about the past era. What more could I ask for?" 

"Damn it, Tsukiko! Don't you want to go out and be free like you used to be? Don't you want to see what had become of the world since you slept? Don't you want to enjoy the life that you worked so hard to keep! Just say the word and I'll break you free from your contract with the tree of life." 

Tsukiko who was standing in front of Ren gently caressed his face before smiling ever so gently. She then spoke to Ren with a calming voice. 

"Same as before, beneath that rough exterior that faces everything head-on with no fear, lays the deep kindness you have. You seem to be misunderstanding something here Ren. I'm not trapped here, I'm as free as I can be. Everything I have done, every choice that I made, I made out of my own free will. I do not regret it and I accept it wholeheartedly. So, Ren, I hope that you, my beloved, proud Demon Lord to be free as well. The regret that you felt when you couldn't save me, the guilt that has bound you to me, that has become a shackle in your heart, I free you from it." 

"Are you sure?" Ren was trying to hold back as he spoke those words.

"Am I sure?" Tsukiko giggled when she suddenly caught Ren off-guard and kissed him on the lips. "I'm always sure."