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This isn’t a “lie” that she can see through.
Seras’ ability to see through lies can be used to determine if someone is deceiving her, but that could also be used for the opposite case.
As long as I can show her that it isn’t a lie, Seras will have no choice but to believe it.
[It’s more about whether we can make it there in time.]
Seriousness appeared on Seras’ white slender face.
Then, she stared towards the north.
Slightly wounded while her arm was bandaged, Eve looks behind her.
[For the time being, the fierce attacks of monsters seems to have subsided…]
So far, there isn’t any presence of monsters nearby.
Maybe it’s because we’ve already killed the monsters that were moving in our direction around this area, or perhaps—–
[The monsters around this area already arrived to the Anti-Demon White Castle huh.]
If that were the case…
[It’s possible that the Anti-Demon White Castle is nearby.]
However, the amount of monsters that can be described as uncommon…
It seems that there are more monsters living in the Golden Demon Zone than I had imagined.
There are probably quite a few monsters lurking in the underground ruins.
If all those monsters were to come out of the ground—–
[………]
I don’t even want to think about it.
I take out my Fly King mask.
[It’s time for the both of you to prepare hiding your identities too. For the time being, you might as well use your bangle to turn into your Human form, Eve.]
[Touka, can I ask you something?]
[Hmm?]
[According to our original plan, we were supposed to enter the royal capital of the Magnar Kingdom, where we were supposed to blend in with the mercenaries, joining the Southern Army. However, if we just suddenly appear from within the Demon Zone to join the fight… Would we be able to just pass as mercenaries? Also, I want to ask about Erika’s handmade magic tools… Most of all, if you use your Abnormal State Skill, your identity as a Hero from Another World will be revealed, isn’t it bad since you want to hide your identity?]
[…You’re strangely perceptive, Eve.]
The idea of sneaking in under the radar as a mercenary is most likely ruined.
Even though the goddess isn’t there, we would stand out even if we didn’t want to when we began defeating the monsters with our mysterious powers.
If the existence of that mysterious power could get into the goddess’ ears, she might end up thinking that Mimori Touka is still alive.
No matter how much I try to hide my appearance, it will show my identity from my skills.
The enemy isn’t so naive that I’ll be able to win against them without my skills.
If that’s the case… We need to provide some kind of “cover” for us.
[The point is that it would be better to deceive them. Well, I can’t deny that it’s just an impromptu measure but… I already have some measures in mind.]
I look at the Fly King mask in my hand.
[I think it’s about time for the ghost to make its appearance again.]
[Ghost, you say?]
[But for now, we just have to hope that the Princess is safe until we arrive…]
Putting my mask on, I turn towards the front of our chariot.
[That’s right… It will all be meaningless unless the princess is safe. It’s going to be tough—- but please hold on a little longer, Slei.]
The sweat-soaked Slei increased her speed even more as she roared in reply.
If everything is already cleaned up even before we arrive, then so be it.
However, since real-time information isn’t available, we should prepare for the worst and hurry.
After that…
[We’re going to have to bet on how well those guys over there can do.]
Chapter 186
Decisive Battle Outside the Walls
Ogre Soldiers began surging from the north gate.
My allies became restless from their pincer attack together with the monsters from the south.
It was at that time when I was about to be forced to make a prompt decision.
[Just this amount of Ogre Soldiers isn’t an enemy for my Neia! Knock them down!]
A chivalrous voice loudly rang out.
Following her command are cavalries in white armor.
The Holy Knights of Neia began crashing down from behind the Ogre Soldiers.
The Ogre Soldiers who were pounced from behind were cut down one after another.
At the head of the cavalry was a woman in luxurious armor.
She is Cattleya Stramius.
[Hey, that’s Neia’s princess!]
The surviving soldiers pointed towards Cattleya.
[There you are, Heroes from Another World.]
Cattleya points the tip of her sword towards me.
[We’ll be in charge of the horde from the south for now! Those of you who aren’t affected by the Tyrant’s Miasma, deal with the Ogre Soldiers!]
——That’s right.
The Ogre Soldiers belong to the Great Demon Emperor’s army.
There must be some Tyrant’s Miasma residing within them, even a little bit.
A mysterious energy that weakens the people of this world.
However, there are people present here that aren’t affected by it.
It would be us—– the Heroes from Another World.
The cavalry in white armor passed by me and the others and charged at the approaching monsters from the south.
These Golden-eyed monsters, born from the previous Root of All Evil, don’t possess any Tyrant’s Miasma.
In that case…
(Even Cattleya and the others can fight without being weakened…)
Passing by the cavalry, I ran towards the north gate.
Spear in hand, I charged towards the Ogre Soldiers that had broken off their formation.
[Heroes of 2-C, follow me! Us Heroes aren’t affected by the Tyrant’s Miasma, so we can fight against these Ogre Soldiers without being weakened at all!]
Nihei is in high spirits as he said that.
Kayako started moving a little later while giving instructions to everyone.
That’s when it happened.
Dragon’s voices broke through the peaceful sky.
The Black Dragon Knights excitedly flew towards the north gate.
[It’s the Black Dragon Knights!]
A young knight clad in black, a man called Gus, rode his black dragon as he lead the others.
If I’m not mistaken, he’s one of the Three Dragon Warriors.
[All of you, support the Heroes from Another World! Follow me!]
Holding a magic tool in his hand, Gus raised his voice and released magic from the skies.
A fireball burst a flock of monsters far opposite from the Neia’s Holy Knights into flames.
[Reinforcements! Everyone… W- We’ll also go!]
Their morale increased, Nihei and others rushed into battle.
Absentmindlessly watching the series of events happening right in front of her, Murota began muttering to herself.
[…What the heck is with you people.Even though you’re just low ranks, you’re too enthusiastic… Ayaka also really looks like a hero now…]
(T/N: Hero was said in english here.)
[Murota-san!]
I called out to her.
[Fight for your life! And if you can, lend us your strength! Our past doesn’t matter right now!]
Sweeping away the Ogre Soldiers with my magical blade, I requested her.
[So that we will still have a future, fight!]
[S- Sh*t… Since we’ve come into this other world, you’ve really become much more like a President… Sh*t! We just have to do
it, right?! Then, let’s do this! L- Like hell we’ll die in this place… Just like Ikumi… Like hell we’re dying here!!!]
She may look desperate, but Murota had at least regained her morale.
It appears that the other members of Kirihara’s group let out their hidden courage.
They, too, followed behind Nihei.
[They’re fighting even when they’re lower ranked than us… I- In that case, there’s no reason why us higher ranked Heroes can’t fight! If you’re finished with your preparations, let’s do this!]
[And if push comes to shove, we still have the “Human-Faced Slayer”, President with us!]
Looking at them behind me, I think to myself.
(My appearance as I fight——- It seems that defeating the Human-Faced showed everyone that there’s hope. That’s what I think…)
Perhaps, because of their level ups on the battlefield, the Heroes showed a better fight than I expected.
Could it be because they’re not affected by the Tyrant’s Miasma?
The amount of Ogre Soldiers who came in through the gate was quickly dwindling.
Most of all—— the Ogre Soldiers who were facing me can’t do anything faced with my unstoppable onslaught.
Just as the Ogre Soldiers’ momentum stopped, Cattleya and some of the Holy Knights arrived.
There were still some monsters remaining, but the chaotic stream of monsters has been suppressed for the time being.
Incidentally, I can see that the Neia army and the Bakuos army aren’t coordinated.
It probably can’t be helped, considering the relationship between these two countries but…
Still, their movements were many times more sophisticated than my group.
They could even handle large monsters well.
[Ayaka Sogou.]
Still on her horse, Cattleya called out.
[Y- Yes?]
Cattleya shifts her eyes towards the disastrous spectacle within the walls.
[I didn’t expect things would get as bad as like this.]
I briefly explained what happened here.
Looking serious, Cattleya places her snow white gauntlet to her well-shaped chin.
[All of the Four Revered Saints aside from the eldest brother were killed… One of the Three Dragon Warriors, Bach-dono, and Guira-dono were killed in battle huh. However, I never expected that even that “Blazing Arm” Abyss Angoon would fall… Moreover, we still don’t know whether the eldest brother and the Dragonslayer are still alive or not…]
[Umm, what happened outside the wall?]
Cattleya shifts her gaze outside the wall.
[We’ve been ambushed by the Great Demon Emperor’s army. In terms of numbers, we have an overwhelming advantage against them, but there’s a powerful Confidant among them, and that’s way too much for us to handle.]
[Confidant…]
The name given to the powerful subordinates under the Root of All Evil.
I’ve been told about them before.
[The enemy’s Southern Invasion Force was moving so slowly that we would still have some time before they could reach their destination, Magnar’s royal capital. However, it appears that the slow movement of the Southern Invasion Force was to deceive our eyes. Perhaps, the Southern Invasion Force’s main target would be us…]
Joining the Magnar army waiting in the royal capital.
Before we could join them though, the enemy had made a plan to cut off half of the Southern Army first.
Or perhaps—– they were planning to kill the Goddess here.
I don’t know what their real target is.
However…
[…They splendidly conducted their plan.]
Looking down, Cattleya exhaled.
[Yeah, they’ve got us.]
[Umm, as for the situation outside the wall right now…]
[For now, Duke Polarie and Walter-dono are in charge and they have managed to bring the troops together, and they’ve somehow been holding their ground. However, there’s nothing we can do about the Confidant. Even if we outnumber it, I don’t think that’s an opponent that we can just defeat through human-wave tactics. You should now understand… why we are here, right?]
[A Hero who isn’t affected by the Tyrant’s Miasma, we don’t have any other choice but to deal with it ourselves…]
[That’s right. We’re relying on you, Hero Ayaka.]
Incidentally, during our conversation, Cattleya’s gaze was fixated on something.
It’s the corpses of the Human-Faced I killed.
Cattleya’s eyes were filled with surprise and a glimmer of hope.
[Perhaps, only you Heroes can stop that Confidant. We should be able to manage the monsters from the Demon Zone as long as we leave some of our troops here…]
(Even the Human-Faced could be defeated by my inherent skill and my limiter release…)
That means…
[If it’s someone who’s capable of defeating the Human-Faced… It’s possible that even our current problem——]
—is the only person who could deal with the Confidant.
Thinking about the future, I don’t want to cause any further losses among the soldiers outside the walls.
The only way to do that—– is to defeat that Confidant.
Taking a deep breath, I arrange my breathing.
[Let’s go.]
I coldly stare at the north gate.
[Let’s open up that path.]
* * *
As soon as we crossed the north gate, Ogre Soldiers came rushing in.
Leading the way, I swiped my spear from atop my horse, putting the Ogre Soldiers to their deaths.
The horses we’re riding on were borrowed from Neia’s soldiers.
To my sides were the other Heroes, reinforcing our formation.
And the scene that we arrived at as we passed through the north gate was—–
[What… is this…]
For a moment, I feel overwhelmed.
The battlefield had turned into melee battles.
[Shigiiiaaaahhhhhhhhhh!]
An Ogre Soldier holding a sword leaped at us from the sides.
However, it didn’t manage to do anything as I pierced it in between its brows with a single thrust.
(Ugh… This isn’t the time to be overwhelmed!)
[Everyone, prepare the formation!]
Ten different voices replied with their vigorous responses.
And thus—- we got swept into a fierce battle once again.
Soon, the battlefield became a free-for-all rumble with enemies and allies jumbled together.
The Heroes recklessly fought in the midst of it all.
Is it because we aren’t affected by the Tyrant’s Miasma?
Or perhaps, it’s because we’ve grown as we fought on a real battlefield?
In any case, we are different now from how we used to be before.
[Kill, kill, kill! Crush the Great Demon Emperor’s soldiers!]
[Don’t forget, we have the numerical superiority! If it looks strong, we’ll beat it with our numbers!]
[The children in the back of Kirihara-kun’s group… Cover us!]
Our group has trained the way of move in formation alongside others.
We fight by leveraging my formidable fighting prowess in combination with everyone else.
Now, they were going to fight together with Kirihara’s group—- a group of B-Rank Heroes.
It was also the same case with Yasu’s group.
They too have learned how to fight in a supportive manner, thinking that Yasu will lead them sooner or later.
Both of our teams studied this together under the guidance of Banewolf.
Nihei raises his voice.
[Let’s go, everyone! Even us lower ranks have our own role for us to fulfill!]
With the support of the lower-ranked Heroes, the B-Rank Heroes furiously attacked the Ogre Soldiers.
[If you think you can kill me, let me see you try, monsters! Orraaaaaaaaaaaaaa!]
[We’ll definitely get to go back home! We’re going to go back to our previous world after all!]
[Erii, Nihei and the others are being pressured! Go around and cover them!]
[U- Understood!]
At that moment, Kayako loudly spoke.
[Also, any soldiers in danger… If you have the leeway, save them! The more soldiers that are safe to fight, the more people we will have that could face those monsters that came from the Demon Zone! There’s a chance that they will come here later!]
Turning around, Kirihara’s group responded.
Even Murota, who is unleashing her skills by being swept away by the situation slightly regained her aspiration.
[The heck… Even that iron-mask character Suou is that enthusiastic! Sh*t, it’s so f*cking funny! Hey, Minamino, behind you!]
Clenching my fist in response, I felt a faint sense of joy.
It may simply be a temporary thing.
Perhaps, this is only possible because our circumstances make it so.
However, my classmates were certainly united right now.
A feeling of power surges from within my body.
Eventually, albeit little by little, the monsters around me and the others began clearing away.
The Heroes aren’t the only ones that were defeating these Ogre Soldiers.
The strength of Neia’s Holy Knights led by Cattleya was also quite formidable.
In particular, the attack from their cavalry was especially noticeable, they fought so fiercely that you wouldn’t think that they were being affected by the Tyrant’s Miasma.
Most of all…
[—–
Even on this battlefield, my unique abilities were still outstanding.
My ability is a great way to get rid of those monsters that other people couldn’t handle.
Piles of monster corpses continuously build up in my path.
At least, if you look around near me, you could say that we’re breaking through.
However…
(There are more Ogre Soldiers here than I though…)
Did she sense the doubt welling up within me?
After she cut down a nearby Ogre Soldier, Cattleya lined up her horse beside me and said.
[If this amount of Ogre Soldiers were moving with Magnar’s territory, they must have been discovered somewhere before they could make it here… However, they managed to reach this place without being discovered. There’s something amiss that we don’t know. Moreover—-]
