He was used to being one of the strongest. One whose strength is beyond doubt. One who wrested his independence from the whole world. When he unexpectedly died, very many people sighed with relief. They can be understood. But he wasn’t called “Koshchei” for nothing.
And even if the new world only resembles his old one, even if the ones living in it are far stronger than him—he isn’t used to being just a crowd member. And he won’t be one.