St Chaos Healer

Our monster wagon sped through the night, the only sounds breaking the silence being the rhythmic thudding of the monster's hooves and the steady turning of the wagon's wheels. The cart shook violently whenever we traversed rough terrain.

Inside the wagon, the white-cloaked girls maintained a serious demeanor, not uttering a word. There were approximately eight of these women, including the grumpy hag.

The wagon driver, dressed as a mercenary in light armor and gripping the monster's reins, also remained tight-lipped. The atmosphere was exceptionally serious, with no one interested in engaging in conversation.

Ahead of us, the other two monster wagons carried mercenary bodyguards and supplies, leading the way through the night.

However, the silence began to wear me out.

Seeking to fill the void, I turned to the grumpy woman seated in front of me,
“Excuse me, could you tell me how far the academy is?”

Her eyes opened, and she looked at me with annoyance,
“Knowing the exact distance won't make this journey any shorter or longer. Just relax and get some rest.”

I nodded in understanding, picking up on her disinterest in conversation. It seemed she was still angry about the whole family feud thing.

I followed her instructions and reclined on the seat.

Despite Celestia Mercy being a prestigious academy, they could only provide this shabby wagon, equipped with a wooden bench and a roof made of straw. Nevertheless, I was relieved that the wagon seemed sturdy enough not to fall apart while being pulled by those monstrous beasts.

Attempting to catch some sleep was futile due to the constant shaking and jolting of the wagon. After enduring four accidental blows to the head from the back of the cart, I decided it was best to abandon the idea. Any further attempts at sleep might result in actual brain damage.

With nothing better to do, I glanced around and observed that the other girls were peacefully sleeping. They leaned on each other's shoulders, minimizing the impact of the wagon's movement. They even utilized their white cloaks like blankets, tucking their arms beneath them, creating an appearance of comfort.

Meanwhile, the stern hag appeared to be dozing off while sitting upright. Her arms were folded, and her back remained straight as she slept with her head slightly lowered. Even in slumber, she maintained a serious demeanor.

With nothing else to do, I turned my gaze toward the world outside the wagon. It was shrouded in complete darkness as the moon remained hidden behind thick clouds. The speed at which we were traveling was evident from the brisk wind that brushed against my face. At this rate, we would cover a substantial distance in no time.

Comparatively, if we had been using regular horse-drawn wagons, it would have required four times the effort.

These wagons, pulled by mana-beasts, were known for their swiftness and efficiency. It was no wonder they were the preferred choice for adventurers and mercenaries. However, it was worth noting that the upkeep and maintenance of these creatures were considerably high, as they consumed specialized crops in substantial quantities.

I couldn't help but wonder how the Celestia Officials were able to sleep so peacefully. It seemed they had complete trust in these mercenaries to watch over them. I imagined Ultear's comrades were just as mysterious and enigmatic as she was.

Unable to sleep or gaze outside, I decided to focus on planning my next moves.

The initial plans that I had drawn since my birth was all for nothing. If I had picked on my mother’s genes and became a fire mage, then it would have been smooth sailing. But now that I turned out to be a healer, I have to start again with a fresh plan.

With my eyes closed, I delved into my thoughts and began crafting a mental blueprint for my future steps.

My primary goal was clear: achieve a 4th-tier mage status and master my new abilities to the fullest. Once I accomplished that, I could apply for an adventurer's license and join a guild. This would grant me the freedom to travel across the kingdom and search for the Dimensional Gates.

The Dimensional Gates were likely a well-guarded secret, possibly protected by the Heavenly Virtues. Accessing them might only be possible through my connection to Celestia Mercy if I became their favored mage.

Additionally, gathering information on the Heavenly Virtues, including their plans and weaknesses, would be crucial. It was possible that our paths might cross in the future, and I needed to be prepared to face them.

However, my main challenge was learning how to fight on my own with my healing ability. It was doubtful that the academy would teach me offensive magic and the traditional role of a healer felt too limiting for my potential. I needed to explore new skills and abilities that might help me achieve my goals. At this point, I hadn't fully grasped the extent of my powers, so it was too early to make definitive decisions.

"If only I still had the abilities from my previous life," I muttered to myself, reminiscing about the time when I possessed formidable powers that allowed me to unite the demon realm.

Back when I was just a little nobody demon, struggling to survive on scraps, there was a kind woman named Revelia, who took care of me sometimes. In that rundown, desolate town, she was the only person who had shown me any kindness, sharing bits of food and treating me as if I were her own child. She would even comb and ruffle my hair affectionately.

Tragically, she met her end at the hands of a group of militants who accused her of being a spy. When I learned of her fate, I rushed to the militants' camp armed with nothing but an iron rod. There were about 20 to 30 demon militants stationed there, and I somehow managed to kill one of them while he was taking a piss.

They didn't kill me; they left me to rot in the unforgiving desert. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a sand cave where I sought refuge from the scorching sun. At that point, I thought it would be my final resting place.

To my astonishment, I discovered another dying demon residing in the cave. This old demon was severely wounded and chained. Gruesome, oversized nails pinned his wings and arms to the cave wall, while heavy chains bound his neck and legs, anchoring him to the floor.

The old demon noticed my wretched condition and chuckled at my misfortune. Angered by his laughter, I picked up a rock from the corner, intent on ending the old demon's suffering myself.

However, the demon moved his finger, and dark black flames engulfed the stone I was holding. I quickly dropped the stone and the black flames just swallowed the entire stone before disappearing.

I was left in shock and disbelief.

"I am already at death's door," the old demon said, his smile unwavering. "I can see that you've suffered greatly in this accursed realm and are destined to die like a dog. Perhaps fate has brought you here."

I was still trying to comprehend the strange magic the old demon had just used.

"What are you talking about, old man?" I asked.

"I mean that I can lend you my powers so that you can seek your revenge. How does that sound?" he replied.

I regarded him with suspicion,
"And why would you lend me your powers?"

The old demon scoffed,
"As I said, I'm already at death's door. It would be a shame to lose such an ability."

"You mean those black flames?" I asked.

"Yes, the Devouring Chaos," he clarified.

"The Developing Chaos?" I inquired.

"It's called the Devouring Chaos," he corrected me.

"Deboring Chaos?" I still couldn't quite grasp the pronunciation.

"No, it's called- Uh, whatever. Do you want my power or not?" he finally gave up and asked me.

"If it helps me kill those bastards, then yes, I want it," I answered with determination.

The old demon burst into laughter,
"Haha! Great! I'll give it to you then. Come here."

I walked toward him, my injuries making me meek and hesitant. I wasn't fully trusting the old demon, but with death looming, there seemed to be no point in resisting.

The old demon moved his finger and summoned a black flame on the ground. In place of the flames, a knife appeared.

"Get that knife," he commanded.

I grabbed the knife with my feeble hands. The old demon nodded, seemingly pleased with my obedience.

"Grab that knife and cut open my chest. If you manage to eat my heart, you'll gain all my powers," he said, grinning widely.

I was baffled by this gruesome suggestion. "What?"

The old demon looked at me with a sinister grin. "I am serious. That's the only way to obtain power, or you can die like a dog while your enemies roam freely."

I waited for him to say it was all a horrible joke, but he didn't.

"Kill me and feast on my heart. Only real chaos can bring order to this world. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, kid. I am going to die anyway, so I'll let you take my power as the last good thing I do in this life."

I took a deep breath and made a grim decision. I desperately needed the power.

"Alright, old man, I'll do it," I said with resolute eyes.

"Good! You are truly a ruthless demon. This power should be quite compatible with you," he said with a laugh.

"Enough talking. Any last wishes before you die?" I asked, holding the knife steady.

The old man looked at me, his grin unwavering. "I already had my fun in this realm. Well, if you really want to do something, maybe you can unite all the demon kingdoms and become their ruler. Then no one shall look down on you."

"Alright, I'll just do that," I replied, determined to see this through.
Without hesitation, I stabbed him, ending his life.

During his dying moments, he chuckled,
"I really… have high hopes… for you, kid."

Following his instructions, I cut open his chest and consumed his heart raw. As soon as I did, a miraculous transformation took place. All my wounds closed, and my broken bones mended themselves. The old man had spoken the truth; I had gained a powerful regenerative ability along with control over the enigmatic black flames.

I could summon these flames at will, and they possessed a voracious appetite, devouring everything they touched. Strangely, these flames emitted no heat, making their effects all the more mysterious. I struggled to pronounce the original name of this ability, so I decided to call it 'Chaos Heart.'

Upon recovering from my wounds, I returned to my desolate town. In the town square, the militants had hung Revelia's lifeless, naked body for all to see. They aimed to make an example out of her, displaying her as a warning to others.

To my disgust, the townsfolk, instead of retrieving her body, watched from a distance, ridiculing her fate. They made no attempt to take down her corpse or show any respect.

In a grotesque turn of events, it was the townsfolk themselves who had stripped Revelia's body bare. I even spotted one of the thieves among the crowd, shamelessly wearing Revelia's yellow dress. They had looted her house and stole all her possessions upon hearing that she had died.

Seeing the thief wearing Revelia's stolen dress, I couldn't contain my anger. I picked up a stone from the ground and hurled it at the thief, instantly killing her. The townsfolk were shocked by my sudden act, and in the next moment, they all charged at me. They attacked me relentlessly, but my memory went blank after that.

When I regained consciousness, I found myself standing in a vast crater that had once been my desolate town. Black flames raged around me, consuming everything in their path. I was the sole survivor of this fiery devastation, and I knew it was time to leave that place in search of the militants who had caused all of this.

With time, I honed my mastery over the Chaos Heart's abilities. This power was nearly god-like, making me an unstoppable force. The engulfing black flames I wielded had the capacity to annihilate entire armies of demons in the blink of an eye. My physical strength and resilience matched that of a dragon, and the mere presence of my black flames sent shivers down the spines of even the mightiest demons.

In the beginning, when I was first learning to control this formidable power, there was significant collateral damage. Sometimes, my own allies would fall victim to the devastating flames I unleashed. Recognizing the need to mitigate this, I began to exercise greater restraint in the use of my abilities. Nevertheless, by that point, I had already earned the infamous title of 'The Harbinger of Chaos.'

Later, I learned from a demonic shaman that my black flames possessed a mysterious spatial property. Wherever the things consumed by my flames went, I neither knew nor cared.

I proceeded to systematically defeat the mightiest demons, conquer entire nations, and wage wars with other realms. Always at the forefront, my flames devoured my enemies, and it was only a matter of time before I succeeded in uniting the entire demon realm keeping my promise.

However, I let my guard down when I thought I finally had achieved happiness, and the tragic result— death and losing my dear wife. I swear that one day, I will find my way back to exact vengeance upon those treacherous backstabbers. The flame of vengeance was still burning bright under my heart.

As my past memories flooded back, I realized how surreal and chaotic those times had been. The journey from a young boy grappling with newfound powers to a commanding demon lord had shaped me in ways I could hardly have imagined. It almost felt like a dream.

It felt like a dream… dream?

But then, a troubling thought crept in, like an unwelcome guest.

Could it be possible that my past memories of being a Demon Overlord were nothing more than a fabrication?

What if these vivid recollections I have were just an elaborate dream, a figment of my imagination?

The uncertainty gnawed at me. There was no concrete evidence to verify the authenticity of these memories of mine. I couldn't prove my own existence, let alone the existence of other people from my past life memories. The tales of my demon conquests, battles, and generals could potentially be fake and planted in my brain.

What if I had never been a Demon Overlord in my past life?
Everything that happened in the past seemed so hazy, like a bad nightmare.

Suddenly, the wagon jolted, and my head smacked against the wagon's back.
I let out a soft exclamation of pain, “Ow!”

That sudden jolt of the wagon brought me back to the present.
I finally woke up from the train of bad thoughts.

The other occupants of the wagon appeared undisturbed, as if accustomed to such bumps. The Celestia officials were still sleeping quite peacefully.

I realized that I was having a defeatist mentality, entertaining thoughts that were out of character for me. I almost mentally scolded myself for even doubting myself. It must be that I had grown complacent after coming to this world.

Maybe having a family has made me grow soft.

I pinched myself on the cheek, forcing my thoughts to refocus. I couldn't afford to lose my edge because of self-doubt. I had become too comfortable, and it was high time I rekindled my determination, just like in the past.

With renewed resolve, I leaned back against the wagon's seat, my mind now laser-focused on carving out a clear path forward.

It was important to find the dimensional gates and seek revenge, but even more critical was my need to become strong enough to face them.

I once united the demon realm, and everyone cowered before me.
I can do it again in this new life, even if I'm a healer.

Perhaps life has given me this handicap to challenge me. I'll embrace this role and twist it until no one dares look down on me or my family. I'll be the healer who evokes fear and dread with just my name.

How will I achieve this? I have no idea, but I'll find a way eventually.

And when I do, I'll unleash the same chaos I once wreaked in the demon realm.
Every mage has a flashy title, right? What should mine be?

As I pondered potential titles for myself, I considered paying homage to my previous abilities, perhaps something like ‘Chaos Healer.’ However, after a second thought, I was like, nah I could come up with a better mage title.

Suddenly, a new idea sprang to mind.

In an abrupt moment of inspiration, I muttered, "The Murder Healer."

It had a certain ring to it, and it carried a sense of fear and dread that I found appealing. I even quietly congratulated myself on coming up with such a suitable name.

"Young lad," suddenly the grumpy woman spoke, her voice tinged with annoyance.

Startled, I opened my eyes and looked at her, "Yes, ma'am?"

She gestured toward the white-cloaked girls beside me,
"You've been muttering and grinning like a lunatic for some time. And now, you even said something ominous. What's wrong with you? You're scaring those poor girls half to death."

Glancing at the frightened girls, I realized these girls certainly didn’t like my new mage title. Thinking quickly, I attempted to salvage the situation, "Oh, I apologize. I was just having a bad dream, that's all."

The grumpy woman, however, didn't seem convinced,
"A bad dream, huh? You looked like a possessed demon with that grin of yours."

In a feeble attempt to deflect, I retorted, "I'm just a kid, harmless really."

"Just go to sleep quietly!" she instructed.

I nodded in agreement, and with that, peace was restored. Even the girls settled down, and I resolved to keep my thoughts confined to my mind, not wanting to disturb my fellow travelers any further.

Over the course of five days and five nights, the wagon carried us steadily toward Celestia's Mercy. The journey remained relatively peaceful, with only a few wild mana beast attacks, all of which the mercenary handled with ease. During this time, I closely observed the mercenary and managed to pick up a few valuable lessons.

On the morning of the sixth day, we finally arrived at Celestia's Mercy, safe and sound.