by ---
[The long history has proven that this isn’t possible… As long as the monsters don’t come out of that place, we’ve come to the conclusion that it’s best to leave that area alone. In the first place, it’s difficult to march in that place because a normal horse can’t even keep its sanity, and most of all, I don’t think anyone will be able to make it through there safely. Even the previous Heroes from Another World were unable to drive out the monsters that dwell in the Demon Zone. If we add those underground ruins along, there are so many of them that Vysis-sama would have no choice but to give up… It’s also a good idea to use the monsters in the periphery as fodder for “levelling up” the Heroes, at least.]
Guira gulps down his cup of wine.
[According to our sources, the Five Dragon Warriors Slayer and that Leopardkin fugitive… If what they said were true, they’re idiots. It’s because they had deliberately stepped into the land where only death was promised. Even that Witch of Taboos who was said to be living in hiding must have become bones by now.]
Bach mockingly snorts.
[Even so… that was quite the shallow thing you said there, Princess Cattleya.]
Folding his arms behind his head, Bach reclined his back more on his chair.
[Ramming through the Golden Demon Zone, stop rambling about something so unrealistic. Even if what you’re saying is merely hypothetical, I don’t think it’s a good idea to be talking about your pipe dreams in such a place like this… To be honest, I’m starting to get a bit worried about your future.]
Chapter 178
A Fierce Charge Forward
Immediately after the sound of something sharply piercing through the wind rang out—- I found Seras’ arrow pierced on a monster’s forehead.
The monster that was about to leap towards u lost its momentum as it tumbled down on the ground.
Eve’s iron ball brought along the sound of chains as it flew in the air.
The spikes covering the iron ball dug into the monster’s face and snapped its neck.
Skillfully making use of the centrifugal force, Eve pulls back her iron ball.
The rumbling of the horse’s hooves rang as she rushed forward with the four wheels in tow.
The black horse with horns runs through the demonic forest regardless of how bad the roads are.
A large monster resembling a hippopotamus came charging from behind us.
Seras tried shooting an arrow, but its skin is too tough for her arrow to pierce.
[
Stopping its movement with paralysis, we left this hippo-like monster behind.
The huge wheels of our chariot continued to spin as it powerfully tread on the ground.
The bushes behind us, diagonally to my right began to intensely rustle at the same time.
A big tree suddenly got blown off the ground.
Immediately after…
Raising an ear-piercing roar, a humongous gray horned gorilla jumped out.
Golden eyes filled with cruelty.
Strings of saliva gleamed in the sun as it showed its fiendish fangs.
Its height probably reaches up to eight meters.
Smaller monsters of the same species appear a little after the humongous gorilla.
A group of them are now chasing after our chariot at a frightening speed.
…Within this distance, my
[
[Gugogaaaaahhhh!]
The humongous gorilla leading their pack suddenly turned around and charged at its companions behind it.
The following flock was suddenly thrown into chaos and they began collapsing.
That humongous gorilla was probably their boss.
But, their boss suddenly began attacking them.
It’s probably really confusing for them.
Behind me—– In front of the chariot, a hoarse, strange voice resounded.
The owner of the strange voice is a monster.
Waiting on the branches of the tree ahead of us, an insect-shaped monster jumped towards Slei.
However, Eve skillfully swung her iron ball and swatted the bug away.
[Leave the smaller monsters to Seras and I.]
[…Yeah, I’m counting on you.]
Monsters were attacking from all directions.
We have to quickly respond in all of these directions while making sure to protect each other’s backs.
Seras shoots an arrow.
[As for those large monsters and those in large groups, I’ll leave it to you, Touka-dono!]
[Gyoogieehhh!]
A purple imp clung onto the railing beside the chariot.
Drawing out her sword, Seras leaps toward the side foodhold…
[Guueeeehhh!?]
—and thrusts her sword into the imp’s head,
The imp who had lost its strength was shaken off the railings and fell off, vanishing from our sight.
[?]
Seras covers her nose.
[This smell…?]
The imp’s blood had melted some of the railings.
It seems that its blood had turned into acid.
[As expected of the Northern Demon Zone, even dislikeable monsters were in this place.]
Ahead of us.
Two golden-eyed unicorn-like beasts appeared running on the left and right, as if they’re planning to corner us in between them.
These two unicorn-like beasts have multiple eyes and an ominous green smoke was fuming out from its mouth.
My Abnormal State Skill—- is still out of range.
Fwoooshhh!
The horns of the unicorn-like beasts shot out at the same time.
They flew out while rotating.
It’s like they’re flying drills.
Their aim was—- Slei huh.
Just as I was about to prompt her to evade, Slei swung her large horns.
[Guruuuaaahhh!]
Slei easily flicked away the horns that the enemies shot.
The unicorn-like beasts who had their attacks blocked began regenerating their horns.
A new horn was sprouting from the depths of the hole where their horns used to be.
However, Seras and Eve will not allow it to send another attack.
One of them was tripped over by Seras as she pierced its legs with an arrow.
Meanwhile, the other horse was crushed by Eve’s iron ball.
However, it happened right after that.
Perhaps, because she flicked off the enemies’ attacks, Slei temporarily lost her balance.
The carriage leaped up high.
[Guh—-!?]
Eve’s body flew up the air and was thrown out of the chariot.
[Pigimaru.]
[Pigii!]
Quicker than I could fully say it, Pigimaru turned some of his body into a roped and chased after Eve.
Grab!
The rope-shaped Pigimaru wrapped around Eve’s body.
[Alright.]
We’ve caught her.
Leaning forward, I fixated my body on the railings of the chariot as I grabbed unto Pigimaru.
Then, I pulled Pigimaru as hard as I could.
Eve is then pulled back to the foothold on the roof.
[Thanks for the help, Touka.]
[When you fall, Pigimaru and I will just pull you up. That’s why, you could fight to your heart’s content.]
Eve regains her grip on the iron ball and chain weapon of hers as she stands up.
[Umu, I’ll be relying on you on that.]
Pigimaru’s second enhancement.
What has visibly improved was his “strength”.
Until now, it has been impossible for him to lift more than a certain amount of weight.
The only thing he could do was to help me climb up a tree.
But now, he can pull even the combined weight of Eve and her iron ball weapon.
Of course, it will still require my own strength to pull her up.
However, thanks to my status correction, it was possible for me to lift Eve and her iron ball if I put all of my strength into my pull.
Fwishh
I rewrapped Pigimaru around my arm.
[…With his strength, I feel like I could move around like a certain spiderman.]
Incidentally, the range of my skill didn’t expand yet because we’re not really “fusioned”.
Fusing with Pigimaru should only be used when I think it’s time.
If I use that technique, Pigimaru will be inactive for a while after.
I must properly discern the timing of using it.
The same can be said for my
Due to the relationship between its MP consumption and cooldown time, it isn’t possible for me to just randomly use it.
Nevertheless, it’s reassuring to know that I have two cards hidden under my sleeves.
There are also the other magical tools that Erika gave me, as well as the weapons that this chariot itself had.
[After all, I’ve been able to fight all these opponents with just some of my Abnormal State Skills so far… I guess it’s just as Erika said, it’s also not that good to overestimate my enemies that much…]
It’s also a good way for our team to work together.
Seras calls out behind me.
[Touka-dono.]
[Yeah.]
It feels like Seras is waiting for an ascertaining response.
Feeling the presence of another monster, I began preparing to unleash my skills.
[Like before, let’s run through them in one charge.]
Chapter 179
The Heroes, In that Morning-----
Early in the morning.
There’s a thick morning mist looming in the air outside.
The Heroes were now ready to leave the castle.
The armies of the other countries are also slowly preparing to depart.
I’ve already finished my preparations early and left my room.
[Ayaka-chan.]
I saw Minamino Moe waiting outside.
Behind her were the other members of my group.
[I guess you guys are also ready to go.]
[Umm… Ayaka-chan.]
Moe looks like she’s having some difficulty saying something.
I gently urged her to speak.
[You don’t have to hold yourself back. Feel free to speak, okay? I was the class president, you can ask me anything.]
[The reason why Ayaka-chan is being demoted to B-Rank, it must have been our fault, right?]
[Eh?]
[We were getting in the way of Ayaka’s growth… Therefore, we all decided that we have to, at least, apologize.]
Moe looks like she’s on the verge of sobbing.
I just smiled at them and shook my head.
[It’s not everyone’s fault. Besides… I don’t think I could have made it this far if I was alone.]
(In terms of feelings, I’m sure that I won’t be able to endure it…)
My everyday life is suddenly taken away by this otherworld summoning.
I was anxious.
However, I have my duties that I need to fulfill.
As the class president, it’s my duty to protect everyone.
[It’s because I want to protect everyone… It’s because everyone is here that I’m able to come this far. That’s why, Minamino-san doesn’t need to apologize.]
[…Ayaka-chan, you’ve always been really kind, haven’t you?]
Kayako Suou puts her hand on Moe’s shoulder.
[That’s also why surviving this battle is really important, even if it’s for the sake of Sogou-san.]
[Un… I’m going to do my best so I don’t become a burden to Ayaka-chan… I will do my best.]
Filled with determination on her face, Moe wiped away her tears.
[Igiieeeeiiiiieeeeeeeeiiinnnneeeeeeeerororrororororoiiiiihhihihiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeieiiieeeeeeeegiiieeeeeeeeiiiiinnneeeeeeerorororororooiiiihhhhiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhh————!]
A strange sound resembling a scream, reverberated throughout the area.
[…Eh? What?]
It didn’t come from the direction of the Demon Zone.
(I feel like I heard that sound just now coming from inside the ramparts…)
Moe who had shrunk her body in response to that scream, looked towards the window.
[Maybe it’s those black dragons that the people from Bakuos brought…?]
Kayako asks me a question.
[Could it be that the Great Demon Emperor’s army is attacking?]
[I heard that the enemy’s Southern Invasion Army hasn’t even reached near Synod yet, so I don’t think that’s the case… And if there really was any major movement from them, I’m sure that the royal capital, where the White Wolf King and the others are, will send some information…]
Though I said that, I’m not entirely sure.
I obviously wouldn’t know everything about our enemies.
Perhaps, they have some kind of really awesome magic or some kind of method to teleport their horde.
I exchange glances with Moe.
[A- Ayaka-chan… This is…]
(An earthquake?)
The ground is faintly vibrating.
Almost at the same time, the people inside the castle suddenly became hurried.
All of us leaned outside the window to see what was going on outside.
The soldiers were gathering on the southern ramparts.
Incidentally, the morning mist had already thinned out and our visibility has turned better.
(It’s coming from the Demon Zone…)
[We will be going too.]
Just in case, after we made sure that our group was ready to fight,we headed outside the castle.
Even while going through the castle, we could still hear angry roars resounding around.
Once we arrived outside, the soldiers’ restless demeanor didn’t change.
Moe looked anxious as she faltered.
[The people inside the castle have been talking about the monsters in the Demon Zone… It’s been a long time since the monsters have come near this castle, right? W- Would it be alright?]
I have a confused expression myself as I look back at her.
(That loud noise just now sounds like a scream…)
What if that scream just now were just trying to call out those monsters?
Just when I had such worries in my mind…
[Sogou-san.]
[Ah… Braun-san.]
Brown Angoon.
The second brother of the Four Revered Saints.
A tall young man with glasses, having the impression of being a priest of some sort.
Although they have been overshadowed by the older two, the younger two are also said to be quite strong themselves.
I’ve heard that if it’s two against one, they could even beat Abyss.
Seeing him, I look around for Agito.
Thereupon, the second daughter, White Angoon who was standing next to Brown, smiled.
[Elder Brother and the others are still in the castle. They seem to be trying to figure out the situation together with Guira-sama and Polarie-sama.]
The second daughter is a gentle-looking woman who always had a smile on her face.
However, I felt that there’s something superficial from these younger two.
It feels like they’re trying to keep appearances…
What I mean is—- They must be just as extraordinary as the older two.
The younger two could still remain calm even in the midst of all these turmoil.
Even within the current atmosphere of the castle, where everyone looks awfully restless.
[Oh?]
Brown turned away and looked up at the sky.
Multiple dark shadows were soa
ring in the skies.
The clear morning air was shook by the screeching roars—- of dragons.
[It’s the Black Dragon Knights!]
One of the soldiers who had gathered at the ramparts pointed his finger above his head.
A few black dragons were heading out of the southern city walls.
Looking at them, I could see a knight in black armor mounted in each of the dragons with a spear in hand.
[Probably because of that situation with Neia from before, Bakuos now want a chance to take this opportunity for themselves.]
[Ummm… Brown-san, could I ask what’s happening? Could it be…]
[It seems that the monsters are gathering. That strange, loud sound earlier must have drawn those monsters in.]
Yes, that faint vibration from earlier was probably the sound of the monsters moving.
I could still feel those vibrations even now…
[Is this something that commonly occurs?]
[I don’t know, I’m not sure I’ve ever heard that something like this happened…]
[Geez! What’s with all these fuzz early in the morning!?]
The castle lord Guira, arrived with soldiers in tow.
The soldiers were divided into squads of long spears and crossbow wielders.
Before long, the other Heroes have also gathered.
[The f*ck’s happening? Is the Great Demon Emperor’s army attacking? But, isn’t that direction where the Demon Zone is? Or rather, old man, didn’t you say that this was a dangerous castle that the monsters of the Demon Zone avoids? What a complete fraud! Lying to us totally ain’t cool! It’s totally ain’t cool!]
While Oyamada was swearing at him, Guira’s veins popped out in frustration.
[Hah? What? Eh? What’s the matter? Are you perhaps losing your temper? Gyahaha! That’s quite easy for you to get mad, don’t you think!?]
Yawning, Yasu looked at the ramparts with sleepy eyes.
[It’s a good thing that I’m here to help, but well, I’ve also been having trouble finding the appropriate monsters for me since I’ve gotten into the realm of the strongest. I have no one to consider as my enemy—- Which consequently means, I’m unrivalled. Good grief. I could also feel it even in games, but it really is quite the problem if I’m too strong. How boring, how really boring…]
Even though he’s frowning upon the attitudes of the two A-Rank heroes, Guira sent out his commands to the crossbow squad he brought with him.
[From atop the ramparts, let down a rain of arrows down on those monsters!]
