The SSS Ranked Demon King Goes to the Hero Academy-Chapter 40: Beard the lion in his den.

The fairy let out a sigh of relief upon hearing those words.

It had been close. One wrong move or word, and surely Aku would have finished her off.

The girl felt her heart was about to burst from the pressure it had been subjected to, but having a bad time was better than losing her life.

And while following Aku was extremely dangerous, it was also necessary for her plan.

"Fine, I won’t kill you, but you must show you’re useful. First tell me where we are and what you’re doing here," Aku asked dryly.

Sylvie took a deep breath, regaining her composure, to begin speaking.

"Well, this is an ’Argos,’ a technomagical ship created to travel between worlds," the fairy began explaining.

Upon hearing those words, Aku was surprised. Taking another look at the room, it sounded like very advanced technology indeed.

Something he had never heard of, and therefore aroused his curiosity.

"Now, what am I doing here? Well, I also heard your discussion with that ’being,’ and was transported at the same time as you, though obviously to a different place," the fairy continued explaining.

The first thing Aku thought was that Sylvie had also participated in the qualifying trial.

Though that was a ridiculous idea, not because she was too weak to pass the trial something Aku believed, but also because it didn’t make sense with her attitude and what she had said. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"I was transported directly to the Argos, in front of a giant screen where the trial was being broadcast," the girl commented calmly.

Aku nodded at that, slightly surprised.

Was the trial broadcast to others?

That was dangerous, since it meant Sylvie now knew approximately how much power Aku had while being subjected to the barrier.

Though not just Sylvie, but the organizers and perhaps other spectators of the trial now knew the extent of his power.

While his power was sealed by the barrier and therefore nothing compared to his real power, it also revealed certain tricks and weaknesses they could use against him.

Though it wasn’t the time to be so paranoid.

"The screen I was watching only showed me your progress, so yes, I was observing you the entire time, and I must admit your way of fighting is quite disgusting, very different from Alexander’s noble combat style, but I’ll keep those comments to myself," Sylvie continued with a condescending tone.

Aku certainly felt a slight annoyance at that comment, but not enough to want to interrupt the fairy in her explanation.

"I wasn’t alone in the room. There were also other guides like me, though they obviously focused on other heroes," the fairy explained condescendingly while shrugging. "Though they also informed me there was an audience from other worlds watching. Apparently there were billions of spectators watching the trial."

Aku was surprised by that revelation.

Apparently that trial had also served as entertainment for multiple people. Basically that trial had served as entertainment for spectators from multiple worlds.

Now Aku felt much more anxious about having revealed part of his powers, though he was also annoyed.

"Oh, I forgot. Apparently the rules of the trial were a ’lie’ so to speak. While gaining points was important, you could also pass if you won the public’s interest or demonstrated having a true heroic spirit, though you definitely passed the trial through your strength," the fairy said, ending the conversation.

Aku was surprised by those words. That meant he might encounter some heroes he had defeated in class.

That slightly pleased the demon king, a sensation Aku himself didn’t understand why he felt. Perhaps because he enjoyed fighting against them.

Though that didn’t matter now.

"Fine, I understand. Thanks for the explanation," the demon king responded.

Sylvie made a face of disgust upon hearing those words.

"Ewww, I can’t stand when you’re polite. It gives me chills. It’s like witnessing something unnatural," the fairy complained, showing clear disgust at the demon king’s words.

Aku didn’t react with annoyance but with confusion.

The white-haired young man tilted his head in confusion, looking at Sylvie as if he didn’t understand what she meant.

"I don’t understand. Weren’t you the one who complained earlier calling me rude?" the demon king asked her with clear confusion on his face.

Sylvie rolled her eyes as if having to explain something obvious.

"Yes, of course it bothers me, but you act that way because you’re a demon king. It’s normal for a demon king to be repulsive to any being conscious of existence," the fairy answered condescendingly. "However, seeing a demon king trying to be good is even more disgusting because it’s complete nonsense."

Aku raised an eyebrow. His confusion hadn’t diminished in the slightest even with that "clarification."

"But aren’t I supposed to be trying to become a hero?" the demon king asked with confusion as he internally reflected on the cause of that comment.

After all, the reason they had made a pact was precisely so he could become a hero.

He wanted to experience that freedom and have those adventures only a hero was destined to undertake.

However, for some reason Sylvie burst into laughter, as if that idea were ridiculous.

Though it wasn’t the first time Sylvie had mocked him.

"Pfff, HAHAHAHA! How foolish! Do you really think I believe your little game of being a hero? No, of course not. A demon king will never be a hero," the girl mocked with malice. "You can try to pretend to be one, like when a child dresses up, but deep down your nature will always be the same. A rotten and evil nature, destined to destroy everything."

Aku felt a sensation of irritation and indignation growing inside him as Sylvie laughed.

Was she saying he couldn’t be free?

That he couldn’t live those adventures?

No, he had managed to break the demon king’s destiny. He had killed the hero!

Usurping a hero’s destiny wouldn’t be difficult for him.

"I don’t follow you to help you. I just want to see how all your objectives crumble, how you fall into despair! That’s what I want, so d—"

But the fairy couldn’t continue her mocking speech, as Aku’s hand had lunged at her neck.

Sylvie had awakened in Aku a fury he had never experienced before.