My next life as the Winter Fox? I just want a carefree life

~A few minutes ago~

“No, no, no, no! This can’t be happening! That idiot, Galan. 10 years of careful planning had gone down the drain. All because of that woman!!

Who does she think she is? I had everything planned out. Galan would have probably killed the princess during their first night and then I could have obtained her as a doll with my necromancy.

Then it was just a matter of time until the rotten elves got what they deserved!!” (Gerome)

In a pitch dark room, he stood. 

This place was, a place that was nowhere. It was inside a dream. He heard a voice. From the bottom of the ground, a voice could be heard.

“Are you going to give up?” (???)

It was not the voice of a person. He must not listen to this. 

“Stop haunting me already!!” (Gerome)

Intuitively, he understood that, and covered his ears with both hands. Within the darkness, *botsun*, a bright place was made. A child stood there. It was a young boy. A boy that resembled Gerome himself, but younger.

 “……Will you forget me?” (???)

 He opened his eyes wide. How many decades had it been since he said his name? The young boy talked. 

“Are you going to forgive? Them? Even though I died because of them!” (???)

Wrong. That was wrong. The ones to blame were the humans. It’s true that the elves provided the means…

“In that case, after them, it’s the humans. It’s what you wanted all these years, right? Power.”

“I will never forget. You’re right. I need to do something!” (Gerome)

“Does that mean that you won't forget your resentment?” (???)

From the ends of the young boy’s lips, red lines flowed down. From his chest, in contrast to that small slender body, a blade that was way too big, rushed out. A spear that had a cross-shaped blade attached to it, pierced through the young boy from his back. Blood gushed out. 

“No! Not again!!” (Gerome)

“You failed to save me in the past, but you can avenge me now. Use your necromancy… and awaken… true power.” (???)

“Yes. I have to. I will!” (Gerome)

“Acknowledge me.” (???)

-------

The orb finally fell from the sky. A black muddy ooze was spread all across the ground. The hell is that thing doing? It’s like… it’s trying to devour something.

Eventually, all the ooze retracted and something emerged from it. This was no doubt. The Demon King Ygalima was forming. Ygalima is very sinister and has a demonic appearance, having an extremely tall and muscular physique with long lilac hair, deep black eyes with similarly white pupils, black tattoo lines on his face, two gigantic red buffalo-shaped horns protruding from each side of his head, muscles and several spike-like seemingly bones protruding from his forearms and his shoulders. But his face itself looks hollow. As if a skeleton would have skin.

“Ahh! It’s good to be awake again.”

"Well don't get too used to it. I'll be putting you back to sleep soon."

"Child. Perhaps you are not aware who you are dealing with."

"I know enough. Fire!"

A barrage of ice swords was generated and aimed at Ygalima. Taking the initiative and not giving the enemy time to react is the best course of action. However the moment the swords came in contact with his skin… they shattered.

"Fuh. Were you actually expecting that to work? Your ice won't work on this me."

"It won't work, you say? That's impossible."

I controlled the ice particles and made them swirl around and merge back into and ice stake assaulting him from behind. This time it pierced his skin however it didn't go deep enough for it to be fatal damage.

"Ugh… you ain't half bad, child. That's good. No. It's perfect. With you, I can get to test out my powers."

A pitch black dark sword manifested in his right hand. He wants to change to close combat?

"I must apologize in advance. I'm not accustomed to this body so… I might end up killing you in one blow."

 Fast! For a second my eyes lost track of him. But he appeared right before me and swung his sword downwards. My natural reflexes kicked in and I managed to pull out Yuki and block just in time.

A powerful shockwave was generated when our swords collided that blew everything around us away. And the ground beneath my feet cracked and turned into a small crater. This guy is no joke. He's strong.

"Hmm? You managed to block that? I'm surprised."

"Kuh. Doesn't look like that given you got that blank look on your face."

I better fight back. Taking it easy around someone like him is a big no.

"…Now it’s the right time."

I used my sword for continuous strikes! Nakajima style continuous water flow dance!

However, Ygalima managed to block my attacks.

"Hmm…! That’s strange movements. What’s that sword’s technique?"

This technique exceeded the movements of the human arms. It took me 5 years to master… 

Even with the current status of this guy, it would be impossible for him to clearly see the speed of the movements from my sword. It created an illusionary image too difficult to grasp the true reality of its movements. Yet…

"Don’t get too confident, brat! A continuous sword strike technique? That's a fancy sword skill you have there, however… I can see through your movements. Take this. [Black Light]!"

A black geometric pattern was drawn in the air! Soon, that attack was released towards my one-handed sword! Streaks of black energy beams.

"Darling!"

"I got this. [Ice Wall]!"

Against such an ominous attack I had to create an ice wall for protection, but I also had to slice through it with Yuki.

"You are preventing my attacks. I see, I see. I never encountered an enemy so formidable like you. However, the more we fight, the more I'm getting accustomed to your mind."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Take a look at yourself."

There was a deep cut on my cheek. Blood was dripping. Huh? Did I not fully counter it?

"The more we fight, the more my powers will return to me. Come child. Make me whole again. Let me show why I am called the Demon King of Mind."

Something is not right. Have my reflexes gone dull or something? Just what the hell is up with this guy?