Chapter 264: The Spear Hero

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Also, the manga has been updated today at Comic Gardo. There’s the scene of Seras sleeping as a frontispiece, a scene where Touka puts on the Fly King mask (it looks cool even before it’s modified), and the appearance of the representatives of various countries within the Holy Alliance. And in the story that has been released to the public for a fee, she has finally appeared. This time too, she has been beautifully drawn. If you have the time, please check it out.

The next chapter is scheduled to be updated around October 1st (Friday), 9:00 pm.

I felt a good reaction from my strike.

Blood.

Red blood.

The lump of flesh beneath the Great Demon Emperor’s mist———— shed red blood.

My attack……

(It went through……)

Using a floating weapon to block the approaching scythe-like limb, I continued to slash at the “real body” of the Great Demon Emperor.

In response, the Great Demon Emperor used all of its scythe-like limbs in defense.

Including those that were receiving Hijiri’s attacks.

[————————-]

With the Great Demon Emperor doing such a thing, as expected, I’m unable to deal an effective attack.

But far from being an effective move……

(The more it was on the defensive, the more composed our side could be.)

Deciding that we’re at a disadvantage by persisting on attacking though, I jumped back.

Hijiri also retreated, standing by my side.

[……Sogou-san, you……]

[ ? ]

[The Great Demon Emperor’s attacks…… You’ve completely seen through everything? Even that shooting attack of that lump of flesh…… It looked like you avoided that lump of flesh after it appeared though……]

[Eh? Yes…… Somehow. Ummm…… Hijiri-san?]

I glanced at the nearby Hijiri who sometimes enters my field of vision.

She, too, looked like she could deal well with the Great Demon Emperor’s movements.

[I could barely deal with its attacks. I also tried to use to hastily create an ice weapon to fight in a similar way as you, but the weapons I created aren’t strong enough.]

Indeed.

The ice weapons Hijiri wielded shattered as it collided with the scythe-like limbs.

[Besides, fighting like that eats a lot of my MP, so it might be tough for me to fight like that for a long time.]

[For my part, the level of my skill has gone up and my consumption has gone down considerably…… I think I can handle a long fight.]

The Great Demon Emperor has stopped moving.

That lump of flesh was still sticking out of the mist.

It seemed like it was blankly gazing at the bleeding part of the lump of flesh.

However, it didn’t seem like it received any substantial damage.

Perhaps, that lump of flesh isn’t its “real body”.

[I’m just fighting a defensive battle against it, and almost don’t have any composure at all. I didn’t have the slightest time to go on the offensive like Sogou-san. Yes…… While fighting this battle, I don’t have the single bit of composure to check out the state of others.]

Even as we’re fighting, I’m slightly checking Hijiri’s situation.

It seems like Hijiri didn’t have the composure to do that much.

Maintaining our battle stance, both of us kept our eyes on the Great Demon Emperor.

[……It doesn’t seem like it will move anytime soon though.]

[That’s right. However, as for what it’s thinking…… Perhaps, it’s taking a wait-and-see approach. Sogou-san…… Can you still sustain that Limit Release ability of yours?]

[Eh? Yes…… I actually feel like the burden on my body was lighter than before. I think it’s partly due to the fact that my status correction was raised after defeating a Confidant…… How should I say this…… I feel like my body’s getting used to having its limits released in itself.]

Hearing my words, Hijiri somehow looked astonished.

Thereupon, letting out a sigh, she smiles.

[I suppose this is what they call natural talent huh.]

[ ? ]

With those words, Hijiri stared at the Great Demon Emperor.

Looking at her like that, I really feel like Takao Hijiri is thinking about “something” for a long time.

[Sogou-san…… This might sound outrageous, I have something I’d like to ask.]

[Y- Yes.]

[Is it possible for you——— to stall for time on your own?]

[Eh? On my own……?]

I look back at the Great Demon Emperor again.

[If the Great Demon Emperor’s fighting ability remains the same as before…… Yes, I- I should be able to stall for some time. Errr———- Status Open.]

My remaining MP is displayed.

If I were to assume that she’s also talking about me needing to have reserve MP for when I need it————

[At most, yes…… I think I can stall for an hour.]

Hijiri sighs in response.

[Your responses are greater than I assumed…… You really are out of the norm, Sogou-san.]

[N- No way, I’m not———- Ah, I’m sorry…… Excessive modesty is a bad thing, isn’t it……]

Once again, Hijiri smiled.

However, her smile somehow seemed to be influenced by sentimentality.

I don’t really know why, but Hijiri seemed to be smiling a lot today.

[If you feel that you need my help, send a signal with the Sound Ball. I’ll briefly explain to you what the other signals are as well.]

Like she said, Hijiri briefly explained the Sound Ball’s other signals.

[Ummm, Hijiri-san, where will you be going?]

[There’s one thing I really need to check right now.]

Something that she needs to check? At a time like this?

What is it?

[In case you haven’t noticed, I’m deliberately not telling it to you…… Anyhow, here.]

Hijiri slipped a folded piece of paper into my pocket.

[This is?]

[Don’t worry about it, it’s not for you to read right now. Please make sure at “the time when I don’t return”. When you’re done, it would be best if you dispose of it by burning it to ashes.]

(———————-Wait.)

[Ummm….. Hijiri-san? Why are you saying things like “when I don’t return”……?]

[It’s just in case. Don’t worry. I’ll properly make sure to return. However, I’m just the kind of person who thinks about the worst case scenario. You yourself understand that, right?]

[Y- Yes……]

While we’re having this conversation……

The two of us didn’t take our gazes off the Great Demon Emperor for a moment.

The lump of flesh has already retracted within the mist.

However, it still isn’t showing any sign of movement.

[I don’t know how much responsibility I can hold…… but I’m planning to take responsibility for my actions.]

(Responsibility?)

I couldn’t figure out what she meant by that.

What did she mean by talking about responsibility?

However, not answering my question, Hijiri turned around.

[Well then, I’m leaving this battle to you.]

[U- Ummm, Hijiri-san————]

I stopped Hijiri-san as she was about to leave.

In response, she turned back towards me.

[It’s alright. You can ask me anything.]

[E- Errr…… This is just an ” if” question, okay? If we managed to defeat the Great Demon Emperor here——— If we defeat the Great Demon Emperor, would the situation be alright……?]

[———————–]

Hijiri’s eyes opened wide.

This might have been the first time I’ve seen her with such an expression on her face.

After that……

[Pfft.]

Hijiri burst into laughter.

It was also the case this time too.

This might also be the first time———– that I’ve seen her naturally laugh.

[You really are———- out of the norm, aren’t you?]

[I- I’m sorry.]

[It’s alright. I guess you’re right. In that case…… I’ll also hand this to you.]

Saying this, Hijiri handed that necklace to me.

[Ah——–]

That black crystal necklace that the Goddess entrusted to Hijiri.

The Root of All Evil apparently carries a special Tyrant’s Miasma within its core.

In order to return to our original world, we needed that special Tyrant’s Miasma.

However, what if, in the midst of battle, the entire nucleus that stores that special Tyrant’s Miasma was extinguished?

When that happens, that special Tyrant’s Miasma will be released to the surroundings.

It is then said that that necklace apparently absorbs and stores it.

[If the real body of the Root of All Evil was killed…… In that case, the Tyrant’s Miasma will be converted into something just like a huge energy, right? Perhaps, only that huge amount of energy will be left and it will be rendered harmless.]

After giving her own analysis, Hijiri smiled.

[And this necklace———- I’ll leave this to you, Sogou-san.]

[Y- Yes…… I understand.]

[If the Great Demon Emperor is defeated, the Tyrant’s Miasma will be rendered harmless, and the effect it had on this area should disappear…… I might be able to tell by the changes in the surroundings that it had been defeated. However, when it was defeated, use the Sound Ball to call me. It’s just……]

Saying this, Hijiri looked in the direction Kirihara was blown away.

[Putting aside if Kirihara-kun remained unconscious, he might wake up and intrude the battle, trying to snatch away the kill. However———- You have to be the one to deal the finishing blow. You must promise me this. If it isn’t “you” who deals the finishing blow, it definitely won’t do.]

[I- I understand! I’ll definitely stop it…… and I will be the one who kills it…..!]

Hearing my words, Hijiri paused for a moment before continuing.

[Sogou-san.]

[Y- Yes……]

[I’m really glad that you were among those who I was summoned together with. I mean it, from the bottom of my heart.]

After saying that, Hijiri turned back again.

It feels like Hijiri is about to start running.

With my gaze kept on the Great Demon Emperor, I felt a strange sense of unease at this moment.

But perhaps, this uneasiness wasn’t because I was suddenly left alone.

(Hijiri-san……)

Just before we parted ways, Hijiri left with a smile on her face.

However, what is this uneasiness……

Why am I feeling afraid that I’ll never see Hijiri again———-

Why am I feeling like this?

I don’t know why I felt this way.

Perhaps, it was because had such a beautiful smile on her face.

It was because it was a special time that she’s making such a smile……

Pushing such a thought away from my mind, I just thought that it couldn’t be possible. I might have just been feeling like this because it’s the first time I’ve seen her make such a smile……

On the contrary though, a feeling of uneasiness kept on filling up my heart.

At that moment……

[ ! ]

The Great Demon Emperor has made its move.

It’s getting closer.

(Is it because I’m alone now? Could it be…… it was thinking that I’m sacrificing myself so that Hijiri-san can run away?)

Once again……

———Creaaaaak———

I increased the intensity of my Limit Release.

The weapons floating around me, created with my inherent skill———— .

Every weapon looked battle ready.

(……I can only believe in Hijiri-san. That’s right…… She did say she was going to return. After all, it’s that Hijiri-san…… She’s just trying to do something very important. And it definitely must have been for everyone’s sake. So now———)

I too readied my spear and my inherent skill’s sword.

[I’m gonna do what I can.]

Inside the quiet castle……

I, Takao Hijiri, was running, keeping my footsteps silent.

Arriving in front of a room, I stopped.

There is a high possibility that she is “here” at this time.

Creaaaak……

At that moment, the door opened.

[———–A- Ara? Ara ara araaa~~? If it…… isn’t…… Hijiri-san……]

Goddess Vysis.

She looked really pale.

Even the way she opened the door looked really frail.

Compared to how the Goddess usually was, it’s as if she was a shadow of her former self.

The only thing that remained unchanged was the Goddess’ characteristic smile.

[U- Ufufu…… Suddenly overflowing…… with a bizarre concentration of Tyrant’s Miasma…… It’s incomprehensible, isn’t it? No, perhaps…… it’s the Great Demon Emperor. However…… Why is it here? And how did it suddenly come here…… Ufufu……]

She didn’t seem to have any strength in her body.

[If things continue like this, it might be dangerous…… so I was thinking of evacuating to another place but…… Ahhh…… It’s fortunate that I encountered you. ……It’s the Great Demon Emperor, isn’t it?]

[Yes, most probably.]

[From the previous battle…… Seeing that the Heroes were more formidable than it had imagined…… It must have been afraid that the Heroes would grow even stronger. That’s why, it directly invaded and initiated the fight itself…… and dealt with the Heroes early on, while they’re still weak. U- Ufufu…… It might have been…… more cornered than I had thought……]

She looked frail, but her mood was the same as always.

It also doesn’t seem like it’s afraid at all.

Seeing her like this, I lent her a shoulder.

[Oya, oh my…… Thank you. U- Ufufu…… If you all defeat the Great Demon Emperor here…… What you wish for, what you desire……]

[Are you alright?]

[It might sound pathetic, but as expected, even I…… against the Tyrant’s Miasma, I’ve become like this…… Fufufu. If possible…… Could you please lead me in the other direction?]

With a trembling finger, the Goddess pointed towards a direction.

It was in the direction away from where the Great Demon Emperor was.

If she can get away from the Great Demon Emperor for a little while, the burden on her body may lessen, even if it’s for a little bit.

[Once Goddess-sama has evacuated to a distance where you can move better than now, I will meet up with Sogou-san and Kirihara-kun. Also, if the Great Demon Emperor had indeed arrived———– I’m thinking of defeating it.]

[Ufufu…… That’s wonderful…… That’s wonderful, Hijiri-san……]

[Right now, Itsuki is trying to find the location of the source of this Tyrant Miasma. Once she finds the location, she’ll give us a signal.]

[A signal?]

[I’ve invested some money in buying an item called Sound Ball. She will use those as a signal.]

[A- Ara ara…… If you had just told me……  I could have…… just bought you some myself♪]

[With the Tyrant’s Miasma nearby, it seems like even a Goddess like you are like this huh.]

[Ufufu…… Even though it’s embarrassing…… However, it’s for this reason…… that Heroes from Another World…… You understand well now…… don’t you?]

[Yes.]

[However, I’m glad…… that you’ve come.]

[Your presence is essential for us to return to our world. We can’t let you die here———-]

Saying this, I took a step in the direction that the Goddess has instructed me.

[It would be troubling for us if you don’t survive here.]

[Fufufu…… I guess that’s right. The two of us…… are fated…… to cooperate with each other after all……]

At that moment, the Goddess almost staggered.

However, supporting her body, I propped my hand under the Goddess’ chest.

—————————— [ ]——————————