155 I'll build it next time.

What I noticed is that he didn't hesitate to blow up the chains when he made the surprise attack.

I know he was aware of my ability to defeat Lakra with a single blow. But it was still too bold.

Then I realized. Ecduke wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice himself in a deadly situation.

I didn't feel like I could hit him with any of my attacks. So I needed to catch his attack.

I made a series of big swings that wasted my energy, and got hit by his counterattacks. Then he showed me the moment he was about to lose consciousness and caught me off guard.

Even so, he knew that Exoik was not a man of great skill. But even so, he knew that deep in his heart, his inferiority to Lakra was wavering.

In the end, Exoik attacked at the timing when Instinct was reacting. Thanks to that, I was able to catch the fist that I knew was coming with my mouth the moment Instinct woke me up.

And just as I expected, he threw a knee at me, ready to give up one arm.

It's a piece of cake when the attack you knew was coming comes twice in a row.

I may not have the nicest body language, but I've been in more fights than I know what to do with.

I was able to knock Ecdysique over and drive my hand into his defenseless chest.

He was about to fight back, but his instincts told him to be wary.

But the warning wasn't enough to tell him his life was in danger. I was willing to take a few wounds, and I shot him without stopping.

"G-aaahhhh!

But why am I in pain?

My body writhed in agony from the intense pain, and I rolled around on the ground. Unusual pain is attacking my right arm.

I open my tear-filled eyes and look at my arm to grasp the situation. But I couldn't see my right arm.

My right arm was completely gone from the shoulder area.

That's no wonder it hurts, and this situation is not good. Even if I tried to stop the bleeding by strengthening my magic, I couldn't gather magic power around my shoulder.

The magic path around my shoulder is completely damaged. The magic power isn't stable.

Even a fool like me can see why this is happening. This is--

Too bad you used that technique too much in front of me. Your inner technique, the one where you explode highly compressed magic power into a single point. Those who excel in hand-to-hand combat usually have their entire body densely fortified with magic. They always do this around their weapons and arms, even for a last-ditch attack.

Before I know it, Exduk is on his feet, looking down at me.

I'm sure he was hit by my deepest hand, but he was only slightly gouged in the chest area.

Furthermore, his appearance has changed slightly. His skin is now wheat-colored, as if he had been exposed to the sun for a long time, and his long hair is shining blue.

"What ......... are you ...... doing?　Aaaaah!

I want to throw words, but the cry of pain leaks out more than the voice.

It's like the pain is forcing you to stay awake even though the pain is making you lose consciousness.

But you're concentrating only on the tip of your attack, deliberately creating a state of too much instability. Normally, such an attack would only cause both of us to self-destruct, but you put a very small ward behind the compressed mass of magic power, on the arm side. In the event that you've got a lot of time, you'll be able to make a lot of use of it.

He politely explained that he had seen through my inner workings. That's not wrong.

Even if I wanted to strengthen the magic power of my body, I did not have enough magic power to do so, nor did I have the body to withstand the strengthening.

I simply thought of a way to concentrate everything into a single blow. I could just compress my magic into a ridiculous amount and hit him with it.

But that would definitely cause me to self-destruct. So I decided to focus on two places instead of one.

A burst of magic, and a tiny ward to protect me.

Not the whole body, not just the fists. Only at the moment of the burst, it wraps the magic so that it doesn't go in your direction.

Theoretically, it is possible to use less magic to achieve higher power. But the risk goes without saying ....... If the wards that protect you don't work well enough, the destructive power will come back to you. And what you want to know is "Why did it fail? I used the right procedure.

That's right!　I didn't make a mistake!　I was adjusting the warding exactly until the moment the attack hit!

"The answer is this. Blind Eye. "The answer is this: 'Blind Eye'. It's a demonic technique that creates an illusion of vision in others.

He brushed back his bangs and showed me that his eyes were no longer circular, but had transformed into horizontal squares.

What the hell are those eyes?　You're a goat!

"Hark-dog, you were compressing the magic power to burst in a fixed position. I guess you can do that process with your eyes closed. But the only thing you did was create a ward to protect yourself, and you adjusted the coordinates with your own eyes.　I didn't miss the fact that when you attacked me from the ground, your gaze was not on me but on the tip of my right arm.

What the hell?

I'm sure your instincts kicked in while you were unconscious, but the detection spell had been lifted. I had to play with your vision before I could get my hands on it. It's a minor change. The space around your fist seems a little more distant. You thought you were warding off the back of the burst of magic, but in fact you were warding off the front. In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

So that's why my inner hand is now destroying in the opposite direction?

Of course it's going to be blown clean off if that much power is thrown into my right arm!

But I still don't get it. I'm the one who put him in that situation.

I'm the one who swayed and guided Ecdysium's mind!　I was the one who put him in that situation.

It's hard for a man to move quickly when his mind is being exploited. But I've already had this experience. But I've already had this experience, being swayed in a far more cunning way than you. That's why I was prepared to be taken in when you talked about Lakra. Your swaying was easy to understand and helped me. But you win when you fall for it.

I knew immediately who Eckdroik was talking about.

That guy. That dark-haired ......!　How could anyone be so twisted?

He was strong. Hark-dog, I'll give you pure respect for your strength.

"Don't ...... me!　Don't ...... think you've won!

My back teeth are shattering. Still, I don't stop biting down. I force my magic power into my right shoulder where the pain is intense and try to stop the bleeding. I can still stand.

I'm certain my inner hand has been broken. My right arm is completely gone. But that's all.

I have a left arm. Both legs. And if you want, I've got teeth!

I'm not defeated yet. I'm not done yet!

He leaps at Ecdysium and swings his left arm.

No use.

Exduk easily evades my attack and grabs my left shoulder.

And then there was a thud.

"What the ......?

It was painful, but nothing compared to the pain in my missing right arm.

It's not a problem. A broken bone or two will not move ......!

The left arm just sways lazily and doesn't respond at all.

It's out of joint. I know the pain won't stop it. Did your instincts warn you?　Even if it had, you wouldn't be able to move to heed its warning.

"What's the matter with you if you can't move your arm?

He opened his jaws and closed in on Ecdysium's neck.

With a slight movement, he kicked both my legs away and sent me toppling over.

I tried to get up, but I couldn't move my right arm, and I couldn't move my left arm.

I tried to get up with all my strength in my neck, but my blood made me slip and I couldn't get up.

I kick the floor and lean against the wall to force myself to get up.

Stop it. There's no point in fighting anymore.

Don't just end it!　I can still fight, I'm not done yet!

No, your fight is over, Hark-dog.

My instincts responded with a tingle.

There's no way I could have misheard the voice that came from behind my back.

I turned around and there was that man. And that lady knight by his side.

My instincts went into overdrive and almost knocked me unconscious, but the pain in my right arm barely prevented me from fainting.

"You ......

"Oh, you're not going to faint this time? You're not going to faint this time. I'm surprised you can move with that injury.

The man looks at me and looks pained. I think the atmosphere is strangely different from before .......

It's not only that, but the instincts are also strangely mature ......?　No, he still kicks you, but he's still kicking you.

It's like the difference between a high kick to the brain and a low kick to the shins. Both are painful, though!

"Sorry, compadre ....... I'm--

Exduk, we'll talk about this later. Lakra's already in Mix's custody. He's got some broken ribs and stuff, but he'll live. That's good.

"......, yeah.

And, Hark-dog. You should give up now. There's no point in you fighting here anymore.

So, ......, go f*ck yourself!

We've already got the Jestaff Heliodora.

What?

You're my brother?　How is that possible?　He got away before I did and he's already at ........

You look like you can't believe it. I'm at Wolfe's right now.

Someone came running from the end of the aisle. It's a subhuman woman with white hair, reminiscent of Yugra. And by her side, ......!

"Brother!

"Shishou, I've brought him!

My brother's arms and legs are bound. You'll be able to find a lot more information on this site. He's not even injured.

Can we trust you now?

Hey!　Hey! Let go of my brother!　How the hell did you ......!

Hark-dog, you've always been the least of my worries. It's not that you're a terrible fighter, you know.　It's just that you're the kind of guy who can really throw a wrench in the works. I had a feeling that if we were just going to hunt down Jestiff, you'd be the one to turn him over. You know, sometimes you're really good. You know, the ones with the weirdest instincts at the critical moment. That's why I've decided you'll have to do your best work elsewhere.

The man says with a look of deep annoyance on his face. Have you ever had a bitter experience with someone like me in the past? I don't care about that, though!

You're saying you separated me and my brother on purpose?　Ex-Doik and the others never showed any signs of...

I made sure of that. I reminded them all to be on the lookout for you and to make you their top priority. I knew you'd stay on at some point.

"What?　You weren't giving orders to your companions, were you?

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to do it. First of all, you misunderstand the preconditions. The house is surrounded, so we have to escape through the basement. I thought we could escape that way. We didn't know for sure if there was an underground passage or not, but it's only natural to assume that there would be one or two ways to get out of the house, right?

It's .......

We had deployed a little over a hundred soldiers around the mansion, but we also had soldiers deployed throughout Quama. When Lakra discovered the underground passage, he gave us a signal. That's why we knew right away you were running east. So we used the wolfsbane to bring the troops to the east and hold the exit area. By the time Jestaff came out of the exit, the area was packed with Quama soldiers.

So these guys were waiting for Jestaff's brother to escape while I was fighting Lakra?

"The rest of the time, without you, it's just me and Jestaff reading each other. If you're just a few levels smarter than Lobito and Chenillas, you won't have any problems.

There was no hint of bluffing in the man's words.

He's really saying that he can read and win against Jestaff's brother.

I assumed that all of Jestaff's properties on the east side of the city had exits, so I went through the soldiers' positions and took out the possible escape routes one by one. I was alone, so it was easy to secure. I came here first, and Wolfe carried the Jestaff with relative care. That's about it. If you have any questions, I'm open to them.

One route at a time, in such a short time. ......

"You don't remember how long you've been dealing with Exoik, do you?

That's what I'm told. I'm not sure how long I've been getting beaten up since Ex-Doik switched to fighting.　The pain in my body has numbed my sense of time.

"You didn't think Rakura and Ex-Doik would lose, did you?

"I read that Lakra was going to lose. That's why I sent Exoik to join us right away. I knew that he'd take a win-or-lose strategy to buy time. If we get the Jestaff, we win. I was just making the best use of my time. It wouldn't take long for a Jestiff without a right arm.

"......

This fight has been about whether or not my brother can escape from the start. That's why this man has been so thorough in blocking me ...... from getting the better of Honnou-sama.

He had deprived my brother of the miraculous warnings of Instinct and had hunted him down with no remorse whatsoever.

I was made to believe that I was part of it by defeating Lakra and fighting Exoik.

Without a moment's hesitation, they were convinced that they could win if they could just get rid of me!

"Wolfe, get Jethro to talk.

Yes, sir!　Excuse me, sir!

The subhuman woman removes the cloth from around my brother's mouth. You cough a little and catch your breath.

He coughs a little and catches his breath. "...... Hark-dog, we've lost. That's enough.

"Ah!

I don't want to hear those pathetic words from my brother!

You've always smiled fearlessly and done amazing things with ease that I could never do!

Just because I couldn't help you!　It's because of me that ......!

It's all his fault. It's his ......!

Glaring at the man. The woman knight was about to put her sword in his hand, but the man stopped her.

If you think I can't do something about it, you're welcome to--!

"Hark-dog!　Stop it!　Don't you dare throw away your life!

I am!　My brother!　I am the right hand of the Jedi Staff Heliodora!　You're not the one who ends up here!　It's my role to protect you!　If it weren't for him, you wouldn't be here!

Stop!　I only picked you up as a convenient tool because I could use your intuition!　I picked you up as a useful tool because I could use your intuition!　For a man like that--

But you still needed me!

What?

I'm more aware of danger than anyone else, I'm more scared than anyone else, I cry more than anyone else, I'm untouchable!　My parents abandoned me because of this power I can't get rid of!　I had no allies, people around me shunned me as creepy, looked at me as an enemy, and in the midst of all this hell, it was my brother who recognized that I was necessary, that I was worth using!　I don't care if it's as an object, you gave me a reason to live, a value, a meaning!　If I don't live up to that!　I'll have nothing left!

I knew that you were trying to use the instincts inside of me to protect yourself.

I knew that you were trying to use your instincts to protect yourself.

But the day my parents abandoned me, the day they cut me off as unwanted, it was you who found me, who picked me up.

Even my stupid head can see that taking away the country is annoying!　And yet, you told me!　He said he wanted to create a country where people like me could find a place to belong!　It's a dream come true, but for me, it's an ideal world that I'm willing to destroy this b*tc* to get!

"Hark Doc: ......

Brother ......, don't be so down on yourself ....... My brother may have picked me up to use me ....... I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but it's a good thing. My brother is a really warm person. ....... I'm sure you'll be able to build the best country you've ever dreamed of!

At first, I was content to be used. At first, I was content just to be used. But you thought of me like a real son.

I felt really, really comfortable with that, so I would do anything for him. .......

I have to do something about this guy, this guy.

He's the only one who threatens my brother's future!

We're surrounded by monsters. Any move we make will be met with instant containment.

But that doesn't mean we don't have a move. In this position--

"Huh. ...... You're an idiot. How can a country without you be the ideal of Jestapo?

"......!

I tried to push you away but you stopped me. Even an idiot knows how much you care for him.

Still, if ...... I can kill you at my expense, then your ideals are certainly closer!　Just as you are convinced that I am dangerous, I am convinced that you should be eliminated!

"...... If you kill me, one of these people will kill not only you, but also Jestiff. If you kill me, one of them will kill not only you but also Jestiff. So I'm going to break your heart with words. If the Jestaff overthrows Quama and builds a country, what do you think will happen to the people who didn't agree with them?

That's .......

It's not as if they're going to be killed, but they'll still be expelled from the country. When such people become food insecure and have less to eat, the children who get in their way can be treated as mouths to feed. It's not just people like you, it's more tragic. We need them, but we have to throw them away. You understand that taking a country is a nuisance, you've thought about that too, right?　Well, you're the one who might see it as a necessary sacrifice. You might dismiss it as a necessary sacrifice, the end of those who violate the ideals of the staff. So, do you want to see Jestaff reign over a fake utopia of compromise?　Do you want to be kept in a place where you are guided by idle thoughts instead of aiming for the place you truly want?

"Shut up!　But it's still what we need to do to get our country!

He's got a point. He's showing me exactly what I've been looking away from.

"Well. So you'll do anything to help Jestapo get the country?

Yes!　And to do that, I'll give you...

I'll give you the country.

"What about ......?

What did this guy just say?　We're going to ...... the country?

The people around me are puzzled.

"What the hell are you talking about? You don't care what happens as long as J-Staff gets the country, right?　Then you don't mind being used by me, do you?

No, no, no!　You can't do that!

What's the matter? You always trust the stinky Lahites. You don't trust me?

I can't feel any falsehoods from this guy. But if he's serious about that, he's really got something wrong with his head.

Do you really think you can trust him?

Well, it's impossible for your brain to understand.

You're so rude!

Jestiff. You're asking how many Demon Lords I'm working with?

...... Yellow Demon Lord, Purple Demon Lord, Blue Demon Lord, right?

That's right. But the Yellow Demon Lord should be called the Golden Demon Lord. The Demon Lord can control any demon that exists in the demon world that he created. The Purple Demon King has already calmed down the demons in the Mejis demon world he created, and the purification of the demon world is proceeding at an unprecedented rate in Mejis. You know this much, don't you?

"...... Ah. You heard about it through the Yugra cult.

It's difficult to deal with the Mejis demon world because it's intricately intertwined with the Mejis territory, but other demon worlds can be given to you. If you have the land, you can build your own country.

"What?

Don't be ridiculous!　There's no way you can build a country in the demon world!

Even the Demon Realm can be made inhabitable once it's purified. Quama and Garne can't purify the adjacent demon world right now. Even if they do, they won't be able to manage the territory properly with demons nearby. But I can help you with that.

How?

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it. You can't completely eliminate the danger of demons, but you can use demons from the Purple Demon King's family that have been forced to retreat from the Mejis demon world to help with escorting and cultivating. This will be after we get rid of the Scarlet Witch King, though. As for the Quama demon world, there is the Blue Demon Lord himself who created it. The local demons should be a good source of labor.

You're using demons ......?

My head is in a mess. What the hell is he talking about?　I'm not sure what to say. But you can?　I'm not sure.

But if we cleanse the Ghanaian and Quama worlds, they'll claim it's their territory!

I don't know about Quama, but I think it's up to the Zenotta king to negotiate something useful.

What about Gah-Neh?

Gahne's not in trouble. I'll shut him up.

What's the deal?

...... Are you serious?

Brother, he means what he says!　I don't believe it!

No, it's okay to call yourself the third camp, but... The only territory that seems to be ours is the villa in Tarz for now.

It's a great territory for us!

The female knight interrupts us without pause. Oh, so she's a knight of Taze. I get it.

I've often heard that the knights there are crazy.

I've heard a lot about those knights. I need a place to keep the demons from the Mejis and Quama demon realms that I plan to purify later. While securing the land of the demon world, I want to run it as a country. I'll decide the general policy, but I'd like to leave the management of the internal affairs of the country to you, Jestaff.

"......, why me?

"It can be anyone else if you like. If you like, I'm sure Lobito or Chenillas would be fine. But the loyal dog there keeps pushing me. I just thought it might be a good first choice. I'm just glad ...... Lakra is okay.

I'm not sure I'm going to be happy with a ...... new country in a land of demons ...... in my lifetime.

I don't think I'll be able to get enough people to start with. The disparity in the country will be terrible. But it's a country you can help build from scratch.

You close your eyes and get lost in thought. He must be picturing the unpredictable scene of the founding of the country.

Then he slowly opened his eyes. There is not a trace of hesitation in his eyes.

He had that brotherly, regal look in his eyes.

"...... All right. I'll take you up on that.

Brother .......

All right, so, Hark Doc. Jestaff turned to me. What about you?

What do I do? - Nothing!　I'm your right-hand man!　Of course I'm going with you!

You don't even have your right arm.

Leave me alone!　...... Oh, what the hell, my body ......

The pain from being distracted and the kick from Instinct-sama began to echo in my brain .

Oh, no. I'm going to faint. I'm not sure what to do.