Ultimate Antihero:Volume 2

These are the novel illustrations that were included in Ultimate Antihero Volume 2

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  Cover

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  Table of Contents

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  Page 18

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  Page 37

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  Page 59

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  Page 109

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  Page 121

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  Page 127

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  Page 132

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  Page 157

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  Page 171

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  Page 181

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  Page 184

Prologue

“The west village was no good. It was annihilated.”

“The north forest is the same you know. …Let alone the residents, the forest was burned altogether to ash.”

“The only one that was saved was just the south community then…”

Inside a deep, deep forest.

The girls who escaped here from the demons held their head after hearing the tragic situation of the surroundings from the scouts.

“…Next is, here, is it?”

“No way. I don’t want to die… hic-“

“It’s going to be okay. …After all I’ll absolutely protect everyone.”

The children were weeping from the terror of death that had approached near.

A girl of emerald blonde was embracing the shoulders of those children, giving them words of consolation.

But―

“But My Queen. Those demons don’t think of anything except plundering. They are not an opponent that can be asked to talk together at all…”

Correct. Her words were nothing more than a mere consolation.

It had no power to change the approaching reality.

However, that girl who was called as queen had a single idea.

“I understand. But―there is just one, a force that I happen to know that might lend us his power.”

“Wh, who is that?”

“The <Evil God User>-sama.”

The instant that girl who was called queen said out that name, the faces of the females around the girl that seemed to be of older age stiffened.

“Typhon and Jambure. If it’s him who removed those two menaces, then possibly…”

“Bu, but it’s really dangerous My Queen! He is―”

“I understand. But… remaining here is also dangerous.”

“……-“

“We cannot postpone for even a moment more. For the sake of surviving, there is no other way than to move in action knowing the danger. And then I who am the queen have that responsibility.”

Saying that, the girl who was called as queen stood up decisively.

“…My Queen.”

“Guard is unnecessary. So that we don’t show the other party any malice, it’s better for me to be the emissary alone.”

In the jade green eyes of the girl, resided a radiance of determination that shined clearly even inside this dark forest where there was not a single light.

Against that radiance, all the people around her swallowed their words.

“…My Queen’s resolve that doesn’t fear death, has certainly been carved in this heart. We entrust our life to our Queen.”

Everything was entrusted to this girl.

Voices like the rustle of branches spread out from that decision.

“My Queen… you are going to meet with the <Evil God User>?”

“Yes, that’s correct. For our sake, I’ll go.”

“Even though there is not even time for substitution, what bravery.”

“My Queen, please take care of yourself.”

The people that huddled their bodies together inside the darkness raised their faces, each praising reverently the girl’s bravery.

While receiving such praise,

“Please leave it to me.”

The girl smiled brightly.

…while hiding both her trembling hands at her back.

Chapter 1

Part 1

After going through and past many narrow alleys and corners.

At far deep, inside where even the hustle and bustle of the main street couldn’t be heard anymore.

At a dead-end buried inside a multi-tenant building, there was the door of that antiquarian bookshop.

When the rusted door was opened, the peculiar moldy smell released by old books pierced the nose.

But, the young boy didn’t even stop to pay attention and entered inside the shop.

And then he went past the book shelves lined with old books with moldy smell.

There, a dark-skinned youth staring at a paperback book with a bored look was beside an antiquated looking register.

Perhaps sensing a human’s presence, the youth directed his sleepy gaze at the young boy―

Immediately, the youth expressed a wide smile.

{Hey! We meet again. Boy!}

Throwing away the paperback book he held, the youth kicked away his chair and stood up to welcome the boy.

He looked happy as if reuniting with a friend after ten years.

{To come here means that you have made your resolve I wonder?}

Against the youth’s question, the boy just stayed quiet and only returned a nod.

The youth’s eyes sparkled from that gesture, his mouth slackened slovenly.

Yet, ―perhaps from thinking of something, the youth’s mouth closed back, he cleared his throat *kohon* once.

Suddenly making a serious expression, the youth further piled up more questions.

No, rather than calling it questions, it was a warning.

{But, is it really alright? If you receive that, you won’t be able to go back you know. Just like the tens of thousands of people until now without even a single exception among them, you will get devoured by that book’s knowledge and become a cripple.

No―

Even if you manage to decipher it, what is waiting ahead is a solitude that is even colder than death.

The person who reveals all knowledge of this book will surely obtain the means to control even god at will.

Those are words that I once said to all of you humanity, but… this is the truth.

If you reveal everything of this book, you will truly obtain the power that can subdue even god.

An overwhelming power to the degree that no enemy or ally, not a single person will be able to match.

But… such power is too much to be possessed by an [individual].

[Society] undoubtedly wouldn’t permit such [individual].

They would certainly move to ostracize that individual.

Whether now or in the past, heros can die as heros only when he died in a battle.

Hm? You asked why I understand that kind of matter?

Of course I understand. After all I have observed all of you for several centuries.

No matter how much you ground your body into dust fighting the demons for the sake of humanity, no matter how much blood dyes your body, there will be no one that would look back at you. There is no blessing at the end where you are going. What will wait for you is only rejection and persecution. Even so, will you still seek the power of this book I wonder?}

However, the young boy returned a nod even towards that warning.

In his eyes, a strong will resided.

{No hesitation huh.}

That was only natural. There was no reason for the young boy to hesitate.

His father died being split apart from top to bottom.

His mother died from her body being twisted.

His younger sister was eaten alive.

While all that happened, the young boy could do nothing but watch.

Because he had no power, he could do nothing except letting everything goet stolen from him.

―Things like that already happened a lot. His weakness was a lot.

He wanted power. Power in order to fight, power in order to protect.

He didn’t need any blessing.

It was fine even if he couldn’t become a hero that everyone would praise.

If he could just save even a single person more from this irrational plundering that happened to him―

If that could come true―

Then he wouldn’t mind even if the world would reject him.

…A voice filled with dense and heavy determination like an unshakeable giant tree.

The face of the youth who listened toward that boy’s reply, broke out into a grin from being unable to endure himself anymore.

{…Not a vengeful heart towards demons, not even selfish desire, there is not even a family that you want to protect.

Just purely, for the sake of complete strangers you seek the knowledge of darkness, is that it….

Fufu. Perhaps this is the first time. A human that sought <Liber Legis> for that kind of reason.

It’s truly noble, so helplessly foolish… so adorably interesting.

It seems that my choice which selected you was not mistaken!}

After saying that, the youth snapped his finger.

Thereupon from the darkness that had precipitated between the bookshelf, a girl showed her figure.

But, it was only for an instant that thing was taking the appearance of a girl.

Suddenly, a gale was blowing inside the dusty and smelly shop, the girl’s body was turning and breaking down into scattered pieces of paper.

And then the broken down pieces of paper were swallowed up by the wind and flew around the shop, before long it gathered into the right hand of the youth becoming a single book.

The youth handed over that book to the boy―

{Welcome to the world of mythos.

If it’s you then you might show <father> a little bit better dream than now.

You who have been shown the ugliness of the humans that you tried to protect, what kind of decision will you make.

I’m waiting in anticipation you know. ―O the future Grand MagicianGrand Master-dono.}

He blessed the young boy who was heading to his own destruction, the future of Kamishiro Homura right from his heart.

While floating a smile that was like the crescent moon cutting into the darkness of night, under the burning three eyes.

Part 2

“――-“

While reminiscing a memory that couldn’t be said as particularly good, Homura’s consciousness returned from inside his slumber.

Nearing his awakening, he could hear the sound of the waves and high-pitched voices of children making merry.

When he opened his heavy eyelids, what entered his eyes was the blue sky of summer and the shadow of a parasol that cut the view.

And then―

“My. You awake?”

The eye of a black haired girl that was looking down on him, Onjouji Shiori.

“……”

When he rotated his neck to the side, what he could see was a white sandy beach. There were the children of age around the beginning of elementary school students wearing swimsuit making merry around there, and the figure of Ichinotani Chikori in a swimsuit appearance mixing with those children in high spirit.

Looking at that scene, Homura recalled about the situation he was in right now.

After he defeated the <Demon King class> demon・Typhon who changed ninety percent of the world to ash, due to the <United World Government> that feared his power that was too much, completely untrue false accusations that made him out as a [traitor that tired to rule humanity by borrowing the power of evil gods] was put on him and he was chased out from society, but―

(Now that I remember, I became a student now…)

At the time when the spring just ended, turning into summer, due to his old friend and also his once former boss Onjouji Kai, he got ordered to enroll into the academy in his former home of Japan.

Most of all, Homura who was a Grand SorcererGrand Master that even subdued god didn’t need things like education after this far.

Enrolling into school until the end was only for his cover story to deceive the world.

The true objective of his being called here was because of the direct cooperation request from Japan’s current prime minister・Kinugasa Yoshinori.

The so called <One Year Plan> that was advanced by the <Five Great Leaders>, the leader council that was established by those that possessed the power even inside the <United World Government>, the five representative that were [United States of America] [British Empire] [China Union] [Soviet Socialism Republic Union] ―those four countries and, the historical religion organization the <Holy Path Church> that at present had grasped the majority of the humans’ hearts. To stop this plan of country integration, Kinugasa wished to borrow Homura’s power.

In regards to this, although Homura didn’t clearly say that he would exactly cooperate, but during this one year until the <One Year Plan> was carried out, he would continue to stay in Japan as a deterrence power against the <Five Great Leaders> and acknowledged that in the worst case he would become their strength.

Fundamentally Homura had no intention to get involved with a conflict between fellow humans, but Japan was also his own birth place.

Most of all, it was also because of the fact that he had allowed the <Five Great Leaders> to grow impudent from the authority that they got due to the false power relation between him and them, where he as the <Evil God User> was bound by <Aureole> so that he didn’t give pointless terror towards the people that feared the <Evil God User>.

Thus Homura became the student of New Tokyo Sorcery Academy, assigned to the 101st trainee platoon, and today too, he was doing his duty as a trainee platoon member for today.

By the way, today’s duty was to escort the swimming class performed at sea by the war damaged orphanage inside [Tokyo life sphere] and ensured the safety of the orphans, truly a chore that fit a trainee platoon.

Since <Walpurgis Night>, because the number of demon invasions from the demon world to the human world had increased in earnest, it seemed that the sea had become a place that was hard to guarantee its safety beforehand and so a magician’s accompaniment was indispensable.

But this duty was something that Homura couldn’t just get motivated to do no matter what.

It was not like he didn’t care for children.

It was merely that this situation, where they were waiting for an enemy that they didn’t know would come or not, was a situation where Homura’s potential couldn’t be displayed.

After all, because the unit of magic power that he possessed was just too big, he was completely insensitive towards other people’s magic power to an absurd degree, his ability to detect the enemy was equal to nothing.

Therefore, there was nothing at all that Homura could do at the present stage.

Because there was nothing to do, there was no way for him to show any motivation.

Because there was no way to get motivated, he dumped all responsibility to Shiori who excelled in detecting enemies and slept.

―Yet,

“…I don’t remember borrowing your lap but, why am I sleeping on top of your lap?”

Correct. Before this Homura was only lying sideway on the sheet, he didn’t remember borrowing Shiori’s lap.

Yet right now, the back of his head was placed on Shiori’s thighs, and he was looking up at the girl.

Why? When such a question was to be honestly answered,

“I thought that you wouldn’t be able to sleep well on the ground so I lent my lap to you. Don’t you even have a single word of thanks to this attentive and kind childhood friend I wonder?”

Shiori made a slightly mean smile while saying such thing.

He felt that such things shouldn’t be said by the person herself, but… certainly the dream that he had just seen was not something satisfactory. Although there was a sheet spread out, he could only think that this sandy ground made him unable to sleep well and brought about a negative outcome.

If someone was being helpful to him, then he should say thanks he guessed.

“…Is that so. Thanks then.”

“It’s fine. I too had fun pinching your nose or blocking your mouth after all.”

“No matter how I think about it, ain’t it the fault of you bastard that I saw a nightmare!”

He must be really didn’t sleep well. No wonder that he saw a nightmare.

“I’m sorry. I’ll apologize like this. But it couldn’t be helped. When I saw how comfortable you slept, I unintentionally felt really irritated for some reason.”

“Eh, is that an apology? Or are you picking a fight?”

“But still, you, even when you sleep your face looks ugly isn’t it?”

“As I thought you are picking a fight eh.”

In a flash Homura raised his upper body.

After that he directed his gaze at Shiori and asked her with an amazed expression.

“…Hey. Since we met again, ain’t you acting a little thorny to me?”

“Is that so I wonder? Hmmm. Talking with you is something as inconsequential as the waste that pooled up at the sink filter, so it doesn’t really remain in my memory.”

“Just now ain’t what you said at me really jagged-!”

Since Homura’s reunion with Shiori after five years, the communication between Shiori and Homura was always in this vein.

But in the past it was not like this.

Homura got along with Shiori fairly well.

It was before Homura got called the <Evil God User>. He had already associated with Shiori since the time when he belonged to the special unit of a mercenary organization called the <Knight Order Without Borders> that didn’t differentiate country or race and protected the people from the threat of sorcery and demons.

And then Shiori at that time was really attached emotionally to Homura even more than the current Chikori.

―No, it was even fine to call it dependence.

When he thought about that time, for Homura the current Shiori even made him feel that she was like a different person.

But―it also wasn’t like he didn’t have some idea about what was the cause of this complete change.

“…As I thought, are you holding a grudge to me?”

“I wonder what you are talking about.”

“About how I got out of Japan without saying anything.”

―Five years ago, after he exterminated <Demon King Typhon>.

Just as mentioned before, after the demon king’s extermination, Homura, whose power that was too much to be owned by an individual, was ostracized by the <United World Government> and was chased out from human society by their secret maneuvering, but…

…the truth was, there was also a path for him to remain in the human society.

Certainly at that time even the minimum infrastructure was in a destroyed condition, even the slightly remaining method to relay information was mostly the network of the <Holy Path Church>, because of that the majority of humans completely believed the false information released by the church which said that [Kamishiro Homura was a traitor that borrowed the power of evil gods to try to rule over mankind].

However, even so, in Japan beginning from the current prime minister that was Kinugasa, there were a great number of people that knew that Homura was not a human like what the <United World Government> said.

Although the power that he used was evil, those people didn’t doubt that his soul was noble.

Therefore if he relied on them, it might be possible for Homura to remain in human society.

As a fact, with Kinugasa and Onjouji Kai as a start, the great men that supported Japan after the previous influential people abandoned the people of Japan because they valued their own lives, they showed movement that protected Homura.

But, it was none other than Homura himself that rejected it.

He rejected their good will, then without consulting anyone or even saying a word, Homura accepted the undeserved measure from <United World Government> and disappeared completely from Japan.

Of course there was a reason for Homura to take this action.

For the sake of protecting a single person that was him, Japan would be watched by the <United World Government> that tried to rule as the new world order, surely it wouldn’t be beneficial for the people that lived in this country. That was Homura’s prudence. It was his consideration from knowing how his power that was too vast would make the people tremble just from him existing at their side, he would only become an object of terror. That was his reason that came from being considerate of other people.

But even so… for those people that tried to protect him, those that idolized him, there was no doubt that this decision of Homura that shouldered all the loss by himself was something that vexed them.

From a certain point of view, it was not strange for them to even feel betrayed.

Shiori who idolized Homura at that time was also the same.

And then the more the affection ran deep, when it was turned into hatred it would become even stronger.

Perhaps it was the source of Shiori’s current harshness to him.

Thinking that, when Homura asked her,

“…If you said that, then will you make up for it I wonder?”

Shiori asked back while staring at the horizon from the conjecture that Homura asked at her.

For her to return this kind of reply, he guessed that his guess was correct just as he thought.

Homura who was convinced of that nodded at Shiori’s returned question and gave his answer.

“If it’s within my ability.”

For Homura too, it wasn’t like he didn’t feel that what he did was inexcusable.

If by apologizing he could redeem himself, then he wanted to do that.

It was because he thought that that way both sides could feel at ease mutually.

Looking at Homura’s nod, Shiori gave a short sentence “I see” and,

“Then I wonder if you will perform even dogeza for me?”

She gave him such a demand.

Homura was a little surprised with this demand that his eyes were opened wide.

“…What you ask is unexpectedly straight.”

“You can’t do it?”

“No, if it’s just something like that then it’s fine, rather I thought that because this is Shiori we are talking about that you are going to demand for something stranger.”

Rather this demand was too proper that it shocked him.

Getting told that, Shiori raised her eyebrow and made a sullen expression.

“What a rude talk. Despite how kind of a woman I am who gently gave a lap pillow to you who were sleeping.”

(I think a kind person won’t block all of a sleeping person’s air duct when he was sleeping though.)

“…Anyway if I do dogeza, you will let bygones be bygones about how I disappeared as I pleased right?”

“A woman won’t go back on what she has said.”

Shiori nodded firmly. Seeing that Homura resolved his determination.

“Got it. …Even I feel that what I did is unforgivable after all.”

“Then please wait a little. I will borrow an iron plate and a burner from the beach house for this.”

“Wait a second. What are you gonna do borrowing something like that?”

“That’s necessary to show your sincerity right? People in the past said it. If the feeling of regret are really filling the heart, they will do dogeza even if they have to do it on top of an iron plate that roasts their meat and melt their bones.”

“I ain’t feeling sorry until that much y’know!?”

Homura’s voice turned rough from the bullshit.

Thereupon Shiori’s gaze instantly turned cold,

“Then I won’t forgive you.”

She declared resolutely throwing away her previous remark.

Homura directed a fixed reproachful stare at Shiori who was like that.

“…If you are like this, then you didn’t plan to forgive me from the start then?”

“Yes of course. It’s obvious right?”

Answering like that without trying to hide it, Shiori reached out her hand and touched Homura’s cheek. And then with a strong pinch, she forcefully made Homura’s upper body laid down and brought his head onto her lap once more.

Being treated so forcefully that it even made his neck feel slightly painful, Homura said “What the hell are you doing?” in protest while directing his gaze at her, but―right there his words of protest suddenly got lodged inside his throat.

The eyes of Shiori that were looking down on him, were full with love that it seemed it was going to overflow.

“Just what kind of feeling do you think I had waiting until you can returned to touch you like this again? …I will never forgive you. I won’t forgive you forever and ever.”

While caressing Homura’s cheek gently, she let out words engraved with curse using a sweet tone as if she was reciting love.

Homura reached an understanding from that tone of voice.

(Ah damn it.)

Against the earnestness that surpassed his own expectations, Homura leaked out a small sigh.

Rather than something like this, it was far better to be hated.

He would apologize if he was hated. If she was angry it would be fine to atone to her.

But―Homura didn’t have anything to return back for love that didn’t fade even after five years had passed.

Homura whose very existence was feared because of a power that was too strong, couldn’t stay in one place for a long time.

Whether in political meaning or in the emotional problem of the people.

Because sooner or later, Homura would leave Japan alone once more.

When thinking about that future that wasn’t far off, it weighed him down no matter what.

“…A woman that holds her grudge is hated you know.”

Homura murmured sulkily.

In regard to that Shiori quietly narrowed her eyes and smiled,

“I’m not a promiscuous woman that will fall in love with a man that I can just forget easily.”

• muni-*, Shiori pinched Homura’s cheek with strength that didn’t hurt him.

“Het ho-“

Like that, when these two were joking around between trusted friends like this,

“Aaa―! Homura-san, what are you doing slacking off like that-“

Such a reprimand flew at him.

When they turned their eyes, the one who was there was a blond haired girl wearing the same uniform like Homura and Shiori―

The <Leader> of the 101st trainee platoon both of them belonged too.

One of the S-rank magicians, that only ten in the world had existed .

Hoshikawa Sumika the <Grim Bullet> who was holding a vinyl bag filled with pet bottles, was glaring at Homura with a ruffled up expression.

Part 3

“Sumika. You yourself, just where did you go until now?”

“Today the sun light is strong, so I had already said that I’m going to buy drinks for everyone. Didn’t you listen?”

“Now that you mentioned it, it feels like I heard something like that before I slept.”

“Geez-“

Looking astonished and making a deep sigh, Sumika put the vinyl bag where the beverages she bought were in on the sheet a little roughly.

After that she directed a criticizing gaze at Homura once more.

“During the time I went to buy everyone’s drink in this heat, the sole male in this platoon was taking a nap under the parasol on the lap of the platoon’s female member. You are really having an enjoyable vacation aren’t you? Are you a lord from somewhere?”

“It doesn’t really matter isn’t it? If it’s about those brats Chikori are already taking care of them, I got nothing to do even if I’m awake see.”

“Well, that might be so but…”

It had also been mentioned before but, Homura’s magic power that was too enormous made him extremely insensitive of other people’s magic power.

Leaving the observation to Shiori who specialized in detecting enemies while Homura who specialized in battle was standing by at her side, considering that arrangement from the point of the right man in the right place, it couldn’t really be said as a mistaken choice.

Sumika also knew about that, so she couldn’t find words to argue back there.

In the first place what made Sumika dissatisfied was another matter entirely―

“But, you don’t need to go as far as having a lap pillow… something like that, looks like you two are lovers… doesn’t it…”

“I couldn’t hear you because your voice was too small just now.”

“No, nothing at all-!”

• puff*, while her cheek reddened Sumika waved around her hands and immediately covered her leaking out jealousy.

Correct, it was jealousy.

In regards toward Kamishiro Homura, Hoshikawa Sumika was harboring a faint awakening of love.

For Sumika, who piled up hard work, strongly wishing to become an existence that could save a great number of people like Homura since she witnessed the moment of Homura putting down <Demon King Typhon> with her naked eyes, Homura was exactly an existence that she aspired to.

But this aspiration, after she by chance was now in the same platoon as Homura and got to know a lot more about the person called Homura, it was changing into a definite love to the degree that she was self-aware of it.

Already, it was changing into a strong feeling that couldn’t be described as a mere aspiration.

From such Sumika’s point of view, the sight of Homura relaxing using Shiori’s lap pillow was not something that she could really welcome.

But, toward such a girl―

“But you come back in a good timing, leader. Actually my knees are quite tired already right now. That’s why I’m sorry to bother you, but can you do me a favor to replace me, I wonder?”

“Eh…-!?”

Suddenly, Shiori proposed an unexpected suggestion.

“Re, replace you said, you mean with the la, lap pillow!?”

“Yes.”

Shiori nodded surely as if it was nothing.

But as for Sumika, she really couldn’t be calm about it at all.

Imagining herself giving Homura a lap pillow―

Just picturing that made her brain feel like it was boiling.

“Do, doing that is impossible-, that’s impossible you know! That, I, with a man, doing lap pillow… I’ve never done that-… perhaps Homura-san won’t feel comfortable.”

“It’s going to be fine. Leader, you have thighs that are far more suitable for a lap pillow compared to someone like me.”

“I, is that so…”

“Ain’t that saying it’s chubby in a roundabout way-buhe-!?”

Shiori dropped her palm with all her strength on the face of Homura who was going to say something needless.

But, Sumika at this time didn’t have any composure to mind about what Homura was going to say.

What her wise brain as a S-rank magician was currently processing was, the figure of Homura sleeping comfortably using her lap pillow.

―That’s great. Really great.

What a happy scene that was.

Although she refused in mostly reflex just now, Shiori’s proposal was truly something that made her mouth water for Sumika.

That’s right. Without action there was nothing that could be obtained.

Whether in training as a magician or love, such fact didn’t change.

(In addition, there is also a distance that can be felt between me and Homura-san compared to Chikori-san and Shiori-san.)

This was the time to be brave.

Sumika resolved herself so and wringed out all her courage.

“I understand-. It’s a little embarrassing but, I’ll do my best…-“

And then while her face was reddening to a degree that it seemed like steam would burst out, Sumika dropped her waist on the sheet with a plop,

“By all means…-! Homura-san……!”

Even while closing her eyes tightly from embarrassment, she invited Homura. But―

“No that’s fine already. Somehow I’m wide awake during the talk here.”

“Eh?”

In the first place, even the lap pillow from Shiori was not something that Homura wished himself

It was something that had already happened without him noticing when he woke up, so there was no reason at all to continue until even Sumika needed to take the baton.

That was why Homura turned down Sumika’s offer and stood up alone. ―Then,

“Ah. Homura-kun. From behind you.”

Suddenly, Shiori said that with a surprised face.

Behind. Was there something behind him? When Homura turned back,

“Bu-!?”

Suddenly, along with an impact that struck his nose, Homura’s field of vision turned dark for a moment.

“A volleyball is flying at you.”

“…Say that without cutting off in the middle.”

Part 4

Homura caught the volleyball that hit his face and got rebounded to the air.

It seemed like it was a ball that flew wildly from the dodge-ball game the orphanage children were playing at the beach.

“Uwaa―, it hit right on the face there…”

“Moreover this girl Hime, to hit that <Evil God User> of all people.”

“I don’t know anything yeah… Hime you go apologize…-“

Commotion and agitation spread among the orphanage children.

After <Walpurgis Night>, most of the war damaged orphanages that increased in number explosively were built by the assistance of the <Holy Path Church>, because of that the influence of the church on them was strong.

Most likely these children had also been given an explanation about how terrifying this existence called the <Evil God User> by the people of the church habitually.

Before long, a twin-tail girl appeared from among the children as if she was ejected out from inside the commotion.

The girl was the perpetrator that threw the ball at Homura.

The girl timidly walked near Homura and looked up at him with scared eyes,

“Aa…-, err, sor…-, ry, y… Fo, forgi, ve…”

With a small voice like a fly’s buzzing, the girl said out words that were more like begging for her life rather than apologizing.

―Looking at that, honestly made Homura troubled too.

Of course Homura was not angry only because of a thing like this.

But, in those eyes that were shaking fiercely from terror, Homura was reflected as nothing but an object of terror.

If she kept like this, then no matter what he said it would only make her cry.

What should he do?

While Homura was thinking that,

“Sorry Master―!”

Suddenly an energetic voice slipped in between Homura and the girl, crushing the atmosphere that was so strained it felt like the air would crack just by a stirred movement.

While raising a loud voice, a girl wearing a sky blue bikini ran closer to Homura in quick steps, she was Ichinotani Chikori who was in the same 101st platoon with Homura, the one who until just now was playing dodge-ball together with the children.

When Chikori had ran until in front of Homura, the front of her breasts that were too big for her petite body jiggled before she joined her hands and apologized.

“Sorry-! The ball that I dodged flew away. Master, are you hurt? It looked like it hit pretty hard but…”

In order to compensate for the difference in their height, Chikori stood on her tiptoe and brought her big and round eyes closer to stare at the face where the ball hit worriedly.

But the place that was hit was really not something that needed to be worried about that exaggeratedly.

“Just getting hit by a ball thrown by a brat is no big deal.”

Certainly he was surprised and it felt a little hurt, but it was just a ball thrown by a child.

Naturally there would be no wound or anything.

After answering like that, Homura once again looked at the girl who had thrown the ball at him.

There, the extreme terror that was in the girl’s expression until just now had already gone.

Perhaps by looking at Chikori who was playing with them until now talking normally with Homura, her feeling of fear towards something unknown had lessened a little.

That was why Homura saw that as a chance,

“Here.”

With a toss, he returned the ball at the girl’s hands.

“Ah-“

“That’s quite a good throw. You reflexes are rather good huh.”

And then he stroked the girls head with his right hand.

It was a gentle and affectionate hand.

It was did in a form that was near like a surprise attack, but the kindness that was gradually transmitted from Homura’s hand passed over the authenticity of the malicious rumor regarding Homura that had been habitually imprinted into the girl, it was enough to make her understand that a person like him didn’t hold any ill will to her.

“Th, thank, you…-“

The girl’s scared expression changed. She showed him a wide smiling face that looked bright and brought back the ball in her hands to her orphanage friends.

Homura heaved a sigh of relief inside his heart from that situation.

―It’s great she didn’t cry.

Even the <Evil God User> couldn’t win against a crying child.

In the first place he couldn’t make them listen to him so there was nothing he could do.

And then, looking at Homura who was like that,

“Puh~”

Chikori endured her smile and stared at him with a gentle face.

“…What?”

“I just thought that Master is really kind to children isn’t it♪”

“Yeah. That’s why I’m also kind to you.”

“??? Master, I’m the same age as Master you know?”

“…Like always it’s useless to speak in sarcasm to you Chikori.”

“What d’you mean?”

“Just forget it.”

“Ok. If that’s what Master says, then I’ll forget it!”

Showing her white teeth, Chikori nodded with a face without worry.

She was really an obedient girl.

This personality of the girl that was like a puppy was really lovely even from Homura’s point of view.

Chikori didn’t fear Homura who was the <Evil God User> possessing a power beyond the pale and even able to accept him, such thing largely came from her bright personality.

―But, it was a precious charm that couldn’t possibly be discovered in everybody.

When he looked again… all children except the twin-tail girl from before were sending Homura scared gazes.

They wanted him to be gone to a place out of their sight.

It was gazes of exclusion that conveyed such will.

The harmonious mood that existed before the ball hit Homura couldn’t be found anywhere.

Everyone were getting scared.

“―Then, I’m going to patrol around too, so I’ll leave you to look after the brats.”

His presence obviously made the atmosphere of the place worse.

Homura who sensed that tried to leave quickly. ―But,

“Wait wait-“

He was blocked by Chikori.

The girl grasped Homura’s hand tightly.

And then the girl said something unthinkable.

“If Master is not going to sleep anymore then let’s play together with everyone. Let’s do dodge ball-“

It was really like the not cowardly Chikori, a proposal that didn’t read the atmosphere.

“No way I’m gonna play with some brat. Besides Chikori. We came here because of our duty to protect the brats, we ain’t coming here for holiday.”

Naturally Homura showed his disapproval of it, he tried to refuse using a really sensible reason, but―

“Ahaha, I don’t want to be told that by someone who had slept until now―”

“I really can’t say anything to that.”

He was defeated in the argument in the blink of an eye.

“Besides, I think perhaps Master is being considerate so as not to make everyone scared, but about that I have an idea so it’s going to be fine! Leave it to me!”

• pyon*, Saying that full of confidence while hitting her large breast, Chikori went away from Homura and called out to the children of the orphanage that numbered thirty children.

The children answered her without even one person making a reluctant face.

It seemed that Chikori had become the children’s leader before anyone realized.

Chikori’s cheerful personality that had no ulterior motive behind it was also received well among the children.

And then Chikori explained the gist of the idea of Homura joining them to play, asking for their yes or no.

“Everyone―. That big brother there is saying that he wanted to play together, but I wonder if it is okay to add him to our group―?”

What came back from that question was, just as expected, voices of complaint.

“Eeeee……”

“But that person… he is a bad person, right?”

“Yeah, the sister said that guy is one thousand times the bad guy compared to the criminal in CoXXn you know.”

“Wasn’t he trying to kill us, together with the demons… he is scary…”

It was exactly as imagined. Their reaction was subdued like trying to light a fire using wet firewood.

But this reaction had been naturally predicted. Even Chikori should have understood this.

But Chikori who just before this said to him “Leave it to me” was full of confidence.

―Did she have some kind of plan?

Homura who was a little interested observed Chikori’s action. ―Then,

“By― the way! It seems that for those that can win against this big brother in dodge ball, big brother will present to them a DX-Specter Watch Zero-edition-!”

“YOSSHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!”

“JUST COME AT MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!”

“KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL”

He witnessed an outrageous bribery.

“Oi wait right there! I’m not saying anything like that! Rather I don’t have anything like that!”

“It’s― fine, if Master wins then it doesn’t matter.”

“Are you a dirty adult that makes a deal you don’t plan to pay up!?”

“Because, look, everyone is completely happy compared to before right?”

“……nu, u”

Certainly the explosive that Chikori just set made the children really fired up.

The uneasy atmosphere from before had gone somewhere, and the children started passing the ball around with a look filled with killing intent.

It was not just his mind playing tricks that the exchanged balls between the children were all rotating like a gyro, right?

Just what was it that made them stirred up until this much? Homura who was halfway adult didn’t get it, but this overflowing energy from the children was far more preferable, he couldn’t bring himself to douse cold water to their excitement.

“…Haa. Can’t be helped. Just one round okay?”

That was why Homura got on Chikori’s proposal reluctantly.

What, no matter how much they got serious they were just children anyway. No way he would lose.

“Then let’s quickly divide the team.”

“Yes. But Master is absolutely strong right? I thought that I’m someone who is really good in moving my body, but I’ve never won against Master even once in our spar.”

“That’s obvious. After all I’m a battle pro that joined a special unit since I was still a brat.”

“That’s why I wonder if it’s fine even if Master get a handicap?”

“Yeah. Just do whatever you like. It won’t be any problem at all anyway.”

“Thank you―! Then the team will be Master VS us all-“

“Is dodge ball a sport that looks like bullying like that!?”

“Everyone do your best―!”

“ “ “OOO―――――――!!!!” ” ”

“Listen to me-!”

But no one listened to that yell of Homura in the end.

Part 5

“You guys-! You guys really are some quick brats ain’t you!”

“Surround him, surround him! Grab at him and stop him from moving―!”

“This shitty brats! Don’t enter at your opponent’s area! Hey, holding is foul already!”

“Kyaaa! He is not stopping at all even with ten people clinging!”

“Ahahaha-, big brother is amazi-ing♪”

“Mumumu―. As expected from Master. Yosh everyone, get ten more balls!”

“I told you dodge ball is not that kind of game-!”

A beach overflowing with energetic commotion.

Homura who was surrounded and attacked by children filled with greed, was stared at by Sumika who was in a slightly separate distance with a face that looked as if the soul was falling out from it and blank eyes.

The backlash from her action that was born from wringing out all the courage that she had yet ending up completely in vain, made her fall into an absentminded condition.

On the lap of Sumika who was like that, *plop*, Shiori put her head on it.

That weight pulled Sumika back to reality.

She looked down at the girl who was putting the back of her head on top of her thighs and asked.

“……What are you doing?”

“No, it’s inexcusable to leave alone the vacancy from something that resulted from my request.”

“Please stop reading too much strangely. It makes me feel hurt unnecessarily.”

“My bad.”

Saying that while removing her head, Shiori chuckled like a mischievous kid.

Seeing that smile, Sumika stared at Shiori with a slightly surprised feeling.

“Shiori-san is unexpectedly playful.”

“My? Why is it unexpected I wonder?”

“Because before Homura-san came you always looked bored, you always made a face as if there is nothing of interest in this world.”

“…fufu. As expected of [Leader]. You really look at your platoon members properly. Certainly, I am elated since he returned. To the degree that I can’t control myself.”

“…That’s because, you love Homura-san, don’t you?”

“Correct. Though I hate him to the same degree. ―I had talked about that before I wonder?”

Sumika nodded.

“You love him but, you hated him to the same degree. …It sounded contradictive the first time I heard that and I didn’t understand the meaning of your words, but right now I too understand that feeling.”

At the occasion of the battle with <Demon King Jambure> the other day, Sumika too came to be able to understand Shiori’s feeling.

The fate of the world. The lives of the whole of mankind. A heavy responsibility that was originally too heavy to be held by an individual.

Homura’s strength and isolation that took such responsibility by himself, she couldn’t approve of it because she loved him.

That way of life where there was only loss.

“Because right now my feeling is the same…”

The feeling that she harbored towards Homura was already exposed to Shiori.

That was why Sumika didn’t try to deceive her and honestly recognized that.

Shiori narrowed her eyes to those words of Sumika,

“Fufu. I’m glad for that.”

Shiori murmured that, looking really happy.

“Glad…?”

Sumika suddenly felt uncomfortable from Shiori’s reaction… rather she felt a doubt.

She said glad, what was she glad about?

About Sumika feeling the same like Shiori towards Homura.

For Shiori it was the birth of a rival in love, by no means was it something that she should give her blessings.

No, if she thought about that then her previous conduct was also like that.

“Er, Shiori-san. Now that you mentioned it, why did just now you try to hand over the lap pillow position to me?”

It was a strange story because Shiori loved Homura.

Even though for Sumika, just seeing Homura getting a lap pillow from Shiori made her jealous already.

Why was she able to do something like that?

Sumika asked that doubt to Shiori honestly.

Thereupon, sorrow immediately mixed into Shiori’s smile.

“―Because, I’m no good for this.”

“Shiori-san is, no good?”

“Yes. I cannot make him happy. People’s happiness can only be born between person and person. But after <Walpurgis Night>, I couldn’t release my tie to the human world to accompany him when he headed towards a loneliness bearing all the losses.”

She didn’t have any value to make Homura stop going.

Shiori watched Homura who was playing with the children with a distant look while murmuring that, then she returned her gaze to Sumika.

“…That’s why, I’m thinking to root for Hoshikawa-san.”

“Ro, rooting, for me-!?”

Sumika was very much surprised from those words.

That was obvious. Because Sumika didn’t understand how Shiori could reach that kind of conclusion.

“Isn’t that strange? Shiori-san, even though you also said that you love Homura-san…-“

On the other hand Shiori,

“Yes. …Certainly I love him, but more than that feeling I want him to be happy. I want him to obtain the normal happiness, not as a lonely hero that was forced out from the world, but as a really normal person. And then such thing, is not something that I can do. But, perhaps you can do that. …That’s why, if you can make that come true, then it’s enough for me.”

Without any hesitation, without any wavering, Shiori answered like that with a tone that made one feel a core of steel in it.

“……-“

Looking at the face of Shiori who conveyed the determination inside her from the side made Sumika lose her breath.

She was pressured by the strength of Shiori’s feelings of great devotion.

“Why are you going until that far for Homura-san…”

Her mouth spontaneously asked that question.

But there was no answer returned for that question.

{Get away from the children right away!!!!}

“ “-――!?” ”

A loud disparaging voice pierced their ears, it came from the direction of Homura and the others.

Part 6

“Get away from the children right away!!!!”

The strong words were suddenly thrown towards Homura who was lightly evading the barrage of balls thrown at him by the children.

When Homura turned his eyes towards the voice wondering what was up, there were two females running at their direction.

One of them, a middle-age female with a troubled face was the caretaker of these children, a teacher named Nagashima. He knew that because this morning they had met face to face before.

But as for the other female.

She was the source of the voice. A red haired girl with her noble look reddening from rage that he didn’t remember ever seeing before.

She was wearing the uniform of New Tokyo Sorcery Academy, so he understood that she was a student there, but just who in the world was she?

―But Homura was not even given time to ponder, the girl unfolded an <Arms> in the shape of a [lance] in her hand, and thrust its tip to Homura’s nose.

The children and teacher raised their voices in surprise toward the girl’s sudden act of violence.

But Homura only stared at the tip of the lance extremely calmly and asked.

“Oi oi oi, what are you planning with this?”

“You are the one who is planning to do something by getting closer to the children! This demon pawn-!”

Suddenly, Homura saw something shining at the chest of the girl who returned his question with an angry voice.

Looking at it, it was a cross necklace.

Moreover, it was not a flashy decoration like accessory.

It had a shape that while simple gave off a certain dignity.

Looking at that, Homura guessed the identity of the girl.

“Are you a nun of the <Holy Path Church>?”

“Be quiet. A sister(nun) of the <Holy Path Church> has no intention to exchange words with the enemy of god! Stay quiet and get away from the children! All of you too, I have always taught you all right! The <Evil God User> borrows the power of evil god, a devil in the guise of human that schemes to rule the human race. Therefore he is the enemy of god! You cannot recklessly approach him!”

While scolding the children, the sister hid the children on her back as if to protect them from Homura.

The children were making troubled faces looking at the sister’s action.

Surely they were thinking that the sister’s reaction was too exaggerated, seeing that until now they were just playing.

Well, it was actually too exaggerated.

After all in the first place Homura didn’t have any intention of hurting the children or anything.

The story that Homura was an evil person was in the first place a lie broadcasted by the <Holy Path Church> for their own benefit.

In the eye of the simple children who accepted everything as it was, they were in the middle of noticing the kindness that was Homura’s true nature.

And then,

“Err, sister…”

One person among the troubled children.

The girl called Hime who before this threw a ball at Homura’s face, said out her confusion honestly.

“Onii-chan, is not a bad person, you know? He forgave Hime who threw a ball at his face, he also played together with everyone…-“

“Wha…..-!”

Suddenly, the color of the sister’s face paled.

The sister threw away her lance while grabbing the girl’s two shoulders with both her hands, then she shook her fiercely.

“What are you saying!? Retract your words right now-! To say something like that, it will make you lose god’s divine protection!”

“Sister, it, it hurts…-“

It seemed that she was holding the girl with quiet a strong force.

Hime frowned and raised a voice that was nearly a scream.

Homura who couldn’t just watch tried to cut in. ―But,

“You have gone too far, sister Lily.”

Quicker than Homura could move to act, a voice of a man with solemnity rebuked the girl.

Part 7

The voice came from the same direction where the sister and the teacher of the orphanage came before.

Looking there, there was a large man, with height that might have reached two meters, his body wrapped in the priest clothes of the <Holy Path Church>, wearing a bowler hat with wide brim, and a face like a Buddha, that man was approaching their direction.

That large man was slowly walking until the location of Homura and others while remonstrating the sister’s action.

“The girl is in pain. Release her.”

“Father…! Ho, however…”

“They, the little children are unable to differentiate between the good and evil correctly. To press them forcefully will only make them scared.”

“Ye, yes… If that’s what Father said…”

The sister released her hands from Hime after being rebuked.

The man that was called Father watched at that situation with narrow eyes that looked like string, and he nodded in satisfaction.

“That’s good sister Lily. There is no sin in a little child. A little child’s error is the adult’s responsibility. To be unable to teach the really obvious truth, that the children must not come to associate with the enemy of god, whose existence should be avoided―this responsibility is on the shoulder of the incompetent educator.”

And then, with a gentle smile still fixed on his face, a fist was swung aimed at the face of Nagashima of all things.

“Divine Punishment・Enforced.”

“Te, Teacherr―!”

“KYAAA―――!”

Even with the children screaming from the Father’s sudden brutality, the Father’s fist didn’t stop.

The trained body to the degree where the muscles could be perceived even from outside the priest robe, the rock-like fist that was launched from that body mercilessly, extended out to the nose of the dumbfounded Nagashima―

With intense strength, a sound of struck flesh resounded.

However, that rock-like fist didn’t reach Nagashima’s face.

It was because Homura held his hand out between the fist and the face and blocked the fist.

“…Oh? Oh oh ohh? What is the purpose of this, <Evil God User>-dono.”

“What about you bastard, what are you gonna do in a place where the brats are watching?”

Homura who blocked the fist that was almost as big as a basket ball with one hand, was standing in front of Ms. Nagashima “Awawa” who was unable to stand up from fear , glaring at the clergyman in front of him with eyes filled with quiet rage.

The Father received that gaze without breaking his smile,

“Hoho, what a strange thing this is. …Naturally, I was going to hand down the divine punishment towards the educator that was unable to correctly guide the young children. After all the instruction of clergyman and acting as the agent for divine punishment are the roles of this <Special Missionary> Alfaro.”

Alfaro. Homura obtained a single understanding from the words of the man who introduced himself like that.

“I see. [Special] huh. Indeed, you are wrapped in an unpleasant presence.”

What was called as <Special Missionary> was a position that only those who held exceptionally strong faith even amongst the priests of the <Holy Path Church> were allowed to introduce themselves as such.

They are fundamentally the same as any other priest, it was their duty to give their best effort for the sake of expanding the <Holy Path Church>’s influence in every place, but… they, whose title was added with the word [Special], had one more role, a role that was exactly [Special].

And then, Homura strengthened his vigilance exactly because he knew something about that.

“What business a [Special] has in this kind of place? Gonna swim?”

“Hohoho, what a man with bad judgment. The time has just become afternoon, so I came to deliver the distribution from the <Holy Path Church> towards the children of the orphanage. Well, originally this is sister Lily’s role, but I heard that today you are accompanying the children, so for the sake of my peace of mind I also came along here. …However, it’s a correct decision to come along here. There is a teacher here who cannot sufficiently accomplish her duty to guide the young children. It’s necessary to quickly teach her with divine punishment.”

Inside the narrowed eyelids, only the eyeballs moved in a fierce glare, glaring at Nagashima who was unable to stand.

“Hii…”

“I really didn’t know that. For that lazybones god of you bastards that couldn’t bother to save even a single person at <Walpurgis Night>, to have such a diligent personality that scolds every single minor mistake of the humans and give out divine punishment, that’s really unexpected.”

“Wha…-! Are you intending to ridicule god!? This insolent person-!”

“I’m just merely saying a fact though.”

“You……-!”

“Sister Lily. Calm down.”

Alfaro restrained Lily who got provoked by Homura’s words with his hand.

“The appearance of this man is a human, but the inside is the same as a demon, an evil existence. There is no way we can make something like this to understand the greatness and generosity of god. Trying to convince him is only a pointless waste of time. Leave him be. …Rather than a man like this, there are many more people who need god’s teachings and saving.”

And then once again, Alfaro called out to Nagashima who was behind Homura.

With a really gentle voice,

“Miss Nagashima. Come. How long are you going to hide behind the back of an evil man like that, come out. And then atone for your sin by divine punishment. If you do so then surely you will be forgiven by the generosity that our god has.”

• grip*, while his fist that was like a rock made a cracking sound.

Naturally Nagashima froze.

For Nagashima who was just a middle-aged woman without any power, Alfaro’s fist was a brutal weapon even more lethal than a knife.

There was no way to not get scared.

‘Yes, I understand’, she shouldn’t be able to say that. However―

“―However, if you say that you won’t atone for your sin, then it cannot be helped. We the <Holy Path Church> will recognize you as a renegade, and from now on, we will stop all the support for this orphanage.”

Alfaro informed that towards Nagashima who wouldn’t get out from behind Homura.

Suddenly, Nagashima’s countenance turned pale.

No, not only her. Even Lily who was beside Alfaro was the same.

“Th, that…-! If you do something like that, then the children will……-!”

“Fa, Father. That’s just too harsh so…”

Just as mentioned before, the majority of the war damage orphanages couldn’t function without the support of the <Holy Path Church>.

No, if something attracted the eyes of the <Holy Path Church> who was involved with all the infrastructure of this world, even a country could possibly fall into ruin. The power of the <Holy Path Church> was just that strong.

Something like a small orphanage was helpless against that.

In this age, what awaited after being thrown away by the <Holy Path Church>, was only death by hunger and thirst.

However, Alfaro was without mercy even knowing that.

Against the two whose faces were pale, his face was still smiling yet he declared with an indifferent tone.

“It’s just as you imagined. However it cannot be helped. Because young children are pure and innocent, their nature is largely ruled by their upbringing. Young children that are taught by a renegade can only become renegades. And then we cannot wish for a world where unbelievers and renegades against god run rampant.”

His tone was filled with a strong and solid core of fanaticism.

He was serious.

If here Nagashima didn’t receive punishment, with his authority as a <Special Missionary> he would cut off this war damage orphanage from all the church’s support.

Nagashima understood that,

“I, I understand…! I’ll receive the punishment!”

She answered so while her knees were trembling.

With that Alfaro nodded in satisfaction.

“A good reply. Now, can I have you move away from there I wonder, <Evil God User>-dono.”

“Bastard-….”

Alfaro who was going to raise his hand towards the teacher that could be said as the parent of the children right in front of their eyes.

But Homura was not someone that would overlook that unreasonable atrocity.

A dangerous light filled Homura’s eyes.

Both Homura and Alfaro wouldn’t back off, it was exactly at this explosive situation.

{Both of you, that’s as far as you go.}

Inside both side’s head, a voice resounded from a <mental transmission>.

It was the voice of the <Operator> of the 101st trainee platoon, Onjouji Shiori.

Until now, the girl who even while watching the situation from afar didn’t get negligent of her vigilance of the surroundings, announced to everyone.

{―A dimension shake has been observed. Estimated <Knight class> 1. It’s coming in front of your eyes.}

Instantly, exactly at the sea right in front of their eyes, a water pillar with width of twenty meters and height of fifty meters shot up― and that appeared.

A gigantic squid, it was a monster that looked like a giant squid beyond the pale.

A monster of the sea that was told in legend all over the world.

<Knight class> demon―<Sea Monster・Kraken>.

Part 8

With the appearance of the sea demon that resembled a squid, different from squid, among its few hundred tentacles, several dozen tentacles stretched out and attacked the children at the beach.

“Kyaaaaaaa!”

“It came here―! Help us sister―!”

The children screamed and ran about everywhere.

But the speed of the approaching tentacles was far faster, they couldn’t escape.

But―that was only if they could reach.

“Leave it to me-!”

In order to protect the escaping children, Lily cut between the tentacles and the children with her lance in hand.

And then she faced the approaching several dozen tentacles that looked like a tsunami and took a stance with her lance,

“<Thousand Kill Thorn SpearGae Bolg> ――–!!!!”

She released the <Hero Skill> of her contracted heroic spirit that possessed her.

The spear thrust that she launched against the approaching countless tentacles was only one.

Be that as it may, just with that one thrust all several dozens of the tentacles were pierced and tore apart.

It was a magic technique that performed thrust attack against all the enemy that was reflected in one’s field of view with a single attack.

That was Lily’s contracted heroic spirit that was said to pierce a large army with one thrust―

The hero of Ireland, the <Son of God> Cu Chulainn’s Gae Bolg.

However, although all the tentacles that approached the children were shot down,

“Kuh-! It’s too big…!”

The damage to the giant kraken was of little significance.

No, rather, right now from the section of the tentacles that were torn apart, white meat was overflowing bubblingly, sprouted, and in the blink of an eye regenerated as new tentacles.

Like this there would be no progress.

She didn’t have a method to deal a more powerful attack.

At that time the one who leaped forward was―

“Leave it to me!”

The <Striker> of the 101st platoon, Ichinotani Chikori.

“<Peerless Herculean Strength>――!”

Chikori received the divine protection of her own contracted heroic spirit, the <Depraved Monk> Musashibou Benkei, making the power of an ogre become contained inside that small and slender body.

And then with a superhuman leg strength, with one step she leaped far above the giant kraken’s head, until 100 meters in the air, then

“Megaton Punch-!”

Riding her clenched fist at the momentum of her fall and the arm strength of an ogre, she struck aiming at the kraken’s long head.

Yet,

―*nurun*

Like that, the instant she touched the kraken’s body, Chikori’s fist slipped and struck empty air.

“Fua!? So, somehow it feels really slippery――!?”

The viscous body fluids that the kraken was clad in completely diverted all the impact of Chikori’s fist.

Chikori’s attack missed the target in a large way right in front of the kraken that it broke her posture, and she got restrained by the rushing tentacles.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

“Chikori-san-!?”

The tentacles that were clad in a great amount of mucus entangled Chikori’s body that was in her bikini, they crept around through the mountain and valley of Chikori’s body that possessed violent undulations unsuited for her petite body, leaving a trail of mucus that kept stretching out *nunununu*.

“Ya, yaa… slimy thing is creeping around my body…ahn-“

“Wh-wh-wh-wh-what are you doing letting out a strange voice like that―! There are children looking here―!”

Sumika raised her voice towards Chikori who became something problematic in an unexpected direction, she then deployed her two revolvers that were her <Arms> in order to help Chikori.

However before Sumika could move―

“Wait Sumika.”

Homura stopped her with his hand.

“Homura-san?”

“I’ll do this. It’s enough with just me.”

Saying that, Homura glared at Alfaro that he was confronting until just now with a sharp glare filled with killing intent.

“―You bastard too, don’t get involved. This is a compromise. If you want to take me on more than this then I’m not gonna guarantee your life.”

“Hohoho… Well, that’s just fine then.”

“???”

Sumika who was listening to the exchange of the two from the side couldn’t comprehend the situation.

She didn’t understand what the two were talking about.

But Homura had no intention to explain that and he walked ahead alone.

Both his hands were empty.

The salty sea breeze was not good for the grimoire that was his weapon, so it didn’t accompany Homura to this place.

However, the opponent was a single <Knight class>.

Even without grimoire or anything, even without summoning evil god or whatever else, ―a mere familiar would suffice for this.

“Eat greedily. Do it gruesomely.”

Homura knocked at his own shadow that was projected darkly on the white beach with his heel.

Instantly, the black shadow that was until now acting as Homura’s shadow wriggled, with a fierce speed it stretched out and headed to the kraken.

And then while it stretched out it began to spout out black bubbles foamingly.

The black bubbles gradually became bigger and higher, like a bursting out magma, mucus of black protoplasm possessing luster of iridescent color crept out from the shadow, flowing on top of the sea. And then while doing that, like fuel oil that leaked into the sea from a stranded tanker, the azure sea was polluted by black mucus while surrounding the kraken.

And then with a wave that was remarkably bigger, something like a human arm raised up from the iridescent colored sea in uncountable number.

{GI? GIGIGIGI? GIGIGIGIGIGI!}

The thin arms that looked like a dead tree swarmed at the kraken one after another.

It completely looked like the arms of the dead.

Several hundreds, no, several thousands of arms clung at the kraken’s giant body as if they were demanding help.

The kraken rattled its tentacles, twisted its body, attempting to shake off the arms of the dead, but

{GI, GIGIGI?!}

It couldn’t be shaken off.

Although each single arm didn’t possess considerable strength, the number was too many.

Further, that number even now kept increasing in acceleration, already black arms clad in iridescent luster were clinging at the kraken numbering at tens of thousands.

And then―

{TEKELI・LI! TEKELI・LI!}

Suddenly, such weird, high pitched sounds were reverberating.

The cry that was as if it was laughing in scorn at everything in this world was raised up countlessly from the black mucus.

That instant, the black arms that captured the kraken produced changes.

From the inside of the arms dripping with mucus, human eyes that were bloodshot in deep red appeared.

They were closely packed on the surface of the tens of thousands of arms.

And then those uncountable eyeballs glared terrifyingly at the kraken all at once,

{ TEKELI・LI! TEKELI・LI! TEKELI・LI! TEKELI・LI! TEKELI・LI! TEKELI・LI! TEKELI・LITEKELI・LITEKELILITEKELI・LITEKELILITEKELILITEKETELIKELI・LIKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKELILILILILILILILILILILILILILILILI!!!!!!!}

Along with voices of great joy, all those eyeballs changed their shapes into mouths lined up with yellowing teeth, biting at the kraken.

{GIGIGIGIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiIIIIIIIIiiiII!!!!!!}

The teeth that resembled human mouths where their sharpness was dull, ate and tore apart the meat leaving it to their strength with tearing sounds.

The kraken shrieked from that unimaginable pain.

It released the restrained Chikori and writhed with all its might.

But even so the restraint of the black arms couldn’t be torn.

The hundreds of thousands of black arms closely clung to the kraken, the mouths with yellowing teeth lined up were opened everywhere on those arms, picking at the kraken while it was still alive, biting and tearing the kraken apart, eating so ravenously.

The scattered fresh blood dyed the sea red.

But the amorphous monster didn’t let escape even a single drop, it reached out a strangely long tongue that licked the water surface repeatedly.

Such scene was continuing for almost a minute.

Before long the kraken’s body was thoroughly becoming smaller, as if it was sinking into a swamp without bottom―, finally its appearance disappeared from the sea surface, no, from this world.

{TEKELI・LI TEKELI・LI}

At the same time the amorphous mucus of iridescent color that spread at the sea surface was also pulling itself up from the sea draggingly, it crept on the land as if sliding and returned into Homura’s shadow.

Sumika who witnessed that from start until finish obtained an understanding of what was happening.

That was because the girl understood, just what that monster of amorphous shape, which crept out from the shadow and swallowed the kraken without leaving even a single piece of meat or a drop of blood behind, was.

That was an existence called Shoggoth.

Rather that calling it an existence of old, it was a race created for service, if it had to be said it was a familiar.

But this familiar, it was a monster with a history of raising a revolt towards the old being which was the parent that birthed it, originally it was not an existence that a human in general could control.

However, Homura was different.

(A person that could even subdue evil god. Something like a Shoggot is not a big deal at all.)

But, she didn’t understand.

Why did Homura… do the killing in this kind of way?

No, she didn’t intend to sympathize with the demon.

In the first place it was an invader that crossed over to this world with malicious intent. They were beings that needed to be killed.

However, Homura should have many methods to do this in a smarter fashion.

(This way, if he instead kills in such a gruesome way like this then…)

“ah”

There Sumika suddenly noticed.

She realized, and then she looked around at the surroundings.

“Hii……-“

“uaa, ueee……-!”

Thereupon it was just as she imagined… the [confusion] towards the <Evil God User> that was more sociable than the story that the children had heard that they had until just now, the children whose eyes were now showing an obvious [terror] were taking distance from Homura while their expression paled.

No, those were still the better ones.

There were children that were affected in a worse way, there were those that fainted or vomited.

The girl called Hime that before this covered Homura from the sister was also included there.

“Hohoho. Those are really good expressions everyone.”

And then, Alfaro clapped his hands in joy at the reactions of those children.

“Now all of you reaaally understand correct? You can comprehend correct? The brutal action and ugly method just now are exactly the true nature of this person, the evil magician that joined hands with the demons and betrayed mankind, the demon that wears human skin! A person that is accompanied by an existence that is that terrifying, there is no way the he can be the ally of humans. Are all of you listening? That terror, that disgust, never forget it by all means, remember that. After all if you do that, God will without fail protect everyone from this demon.”

Hearing that voice gently admonishing them and the soft smiling face, needing to choose which side these children had to side with, these children understood it in their own way as children.

Everyone nodded at Alfaro’s words in uniform, and gathered around him.

As if idolizing him. As if relying on his god.

Alfaro nodded in satisfaction at those children’s attitude.

“Hoho. In deference to the children’s devout behavior, I’ll overlook your sin, Miss Nagashima. …Now children. Please follow me. Meal is prepared at the beach house. Perhaps right now you all have no appetite because of that man’s fault, but to keep being near him for a long time will also make us unable to refresh our spirit.”

Leading away the children, they left the beach.

On the other hand, Homura didn’t move.

He didn’t even see them off.

He was just staying silent, fixing his gaze to the horizon that continued without end,

“…What’s with that face?”

Homura complained with a wry face at Sumika whose gaze was piercing at him since a while ago.

In contrast Sumika was,

“―Nothing at all.”

• puih*, she averted her gaze in discontent.

She had already understood the reason for Homura’s actions and the true meaning of the circumstance of his conversation with Alfaro.

In brief, it was a compromise.

Homura wouldn’t tolerate Miss Nagashima getting hurt.

Alfaro, too, wouldn’t tolerate the children not having a bad impression at Homura like that.

The compromise of both side, was something like this.

―She didn’t criticize that.

Sumika knew that Homura was a human like this, and most of all it was because she understood that she didn’t have any right to criticize his actions.

Because she was weak.

She was so weak to the degree that she couldn’t shoulder the burden that Homura carried together with him.

She didn’t even have the qualifications to meddle.

To only talk with words even though she didn’t have any power to move the situation in a direction smoother than the method Homura presented, that was nothing more than selfishness.

That was why even though Sumika hated his way of living, she didn’t deny it, however―

“Please just don’t forget, that there are also people who understand you.”

She told him that sentence directly.

“Yeah yeah, I’ll remember that.”

Homura, like always replied with a blunt attitude towards those words of Sumika.

But, Sumika thought that the color of his eyes were more affectionate than usual.

…Then when the two were exchanging words like this,

“―Sumika.”

A voice came from behind.

Part 9

The one who called out was the sister of the <Holy Path Church>, at the same time she was also a student like Sumika and the others at New Tokyo Sorcery Academy, Lily Hoegaarden.

The girl was staring at Sumika with her eyes that were the same red as her hair.

“It has been a long time since we talked like this isn’t it?”

She said that with a bright smile tugged on her lips.

It was a calm smile that really suited Lily’s mature looks.

In contrast Sumika returned her words with a confused expression.

“…Yes it is. Our classes are different even in school, so we didn’t really meet with each other, besides… honestly I don’t know how I should call out to you.”

”What. You girls are acquaintances?”

“Yes. Since we were children, we were friends when I was still in the <Holy Path Church>.”

“That’s unexpected. So you were a Christian.”

Sumika nodded a little reservedly towards Shiori’s surprised words.

“…It’s something in the past. My parents were Christian, so when I became aware of the things around me, I was already one. Well a [second generation] like me is a common pattern.”

“However you suddenly said that you are going to aim for the <Evil God User> and quit the church.”

Lily inserted her words covering over Sumika’s voice.

Her tone sounded blaming.

“Even after witnessing that repulsive power just now, I wonder if you are still planning to continue saying such nonsense? Cut it out already, open your eyes. That kind of abominable power, is not something that the human race who are the people of god should touch.”

No, the girl in fact was actually blaming.

When they were children, her friend turned her back on the god that they worshipped and dirtied her hands with the power of an evil god.

“Come back to the church, Sumika. And then repent for your error. God’s generosity will surely forgive you.”

But Sumika shook her head towards this counsel.

“…I’m sorry, but I cannot listen to your counsel, Lily.”

This old friend of hers was thinking of Sumika in her own way, she understood that she was trying to lead her back to the church thinking of her sake.

In these few years since Sumika had left the church, Lily had always been like this.

For that reason, Sumika came to avoid her.

She tried to not get involved with her as much as possible.

For what reason―

“That time at <Walpurgis Night>, I understood clearly. …That the god we had faith for, at the very least he is not a god that will protect the things that I want to protect.”

The ten days of nightmare, where a demonic dragon so gigantic it covered the whole sky, burned everything to nothing until beyond the horizon.

She couldn’t forget that even if she tried, that hellish scene.

But… even so the god that Sumika and the others believed in at that time didn’t reach out his hand for the humans.

Despite that many people who died.

Despite that many people praying for salvation.

―Those wishes, wasn’t answered by god.

The one who protected them, protected mankind was not god, but a lone young boy.

That time when she saw that, Sumika decided.

She wouldn’t rely on god anymore. She would protect the things she wanted to protect with her own strength, with her own actions.

Even if, she had to make use of the power of a evil god.

“That’s why I won’t go back to the church. Because it has none of what I’m looking for.”

Sumika clearly displayed her determination of rejection.

Looking at that unshakable attitude of Sumika,

(Well, seems like that’s that.)

Though Homura who was watching the conversation of the two from the side.

Although it was only the personification, Sumika was the <Grim Bullet> that employed the power of evil god, though imperfect.

Sumika’s determination, her tenacity and hard work that worked out such sorcery with her own efforts, was something substantial.

Homura who made use of the power of the same evil god understood that.

At this late hour, the heart of this girl wouldn’t be shaken only by words.

And then he guessed that fact was also conveyed to Lily.

How would Lily react in regards to this answer of Sumika?

Would she obediently pull back, or would she not give up and tenaciously try to persuade Sumika?

―As for Homura, he wanted her to quickly give up.

The time was already past noon.

Perhaps because he was playing with the children, something that he was not used to, so his stomach was hungry, he wanted to quickly have lunch.

That was why he took a peek at Lily’s reaction from the side wishing for her to just quickly give up.

And then, he was taken aback from an unexpected reaction.

“Uuuuuuuuuuu~~~~~~~~~~–“

Of all things, Lily’s face was all red until her ears, she raised her eyebrows and from her red eyes, large drops of tears spilled out like a river.

“Sumika you idiooooottt-! E-e, even though I’m this worried for you-! Why don’t you understand~~~~!?”

Her calm atmosphere until now was thrown away to who knows where.

Lily sobbed like a petulant child and hit repeatedly *poka poka* at Sumika’s chest.

And then,

“Hic…-! Sumika in the past, was not a child like this-! UUuUu! ―Everything is all your fault!”

Lily’s temper flew from Sumika to Homura.

“Eh, me?”

“Just who else is there!? How dare you drag my best friend to the path of evil, this heretic!”

“No, I don’t remembered ever dragging her anywhere y’know. She just came along as she pleased.”

“That’s the same thing! In the first place if you didn’t exist then Sumika wouldn’t step on the wrong path! In other words your very existence itself is evil! Just by entering their sight you gave the children bad influence, you are someone that mustn’t come into the sight of children!”

“Hey, don’t describe people like an indecent book.”

Besides, if Homura didn’t exist then humanity wouldn’t have been able to survive past <Walpurgis Night>, so this was not a problem of stepping on the wrong path or not.

Such rebuttal almost came out from his throat, but Homura restrained from that.

Even if his argument was correct, this kind of person would surely not lend him her ear.

Thereupon,

“But I won’t give up! Because even now I think of Sumika as my best friend. If your best friend mistakens her path, then even if she fell into disgrace temporarily, a true valued friendship will lead her back under the true god even forcibly. I will lead back Sumika under god’s benevolence without fail. For sure! …I will never hand over my best friend to someone like you!”

After yelling everything she wanted to yell, Lily left that place while leaving behind an angry remark, following after Alfaro and the children.

Seeing off her back, Homura made a fed up deep sigh.

“……Somehow I just got caught up in something messed up just now ain’t it?”

“At least be careful so you don’t get stabbed in the back.”

“Gehh―”

“Err, please don’t take it that seriously, Homura-san. That girl… since she was a child she has the habit of getting a temper if things don’t go her way. She was just getting too excited. …It’s hard seeing her crying loudly like that each time I rejected her, so recently I avoided seeing her as much as possible but…”

“…What a difficult friend.”

“Bu, but, she is a good child that is really kind you know?”

“I know that.”

“Eh…”

Homura’s quick answer made Sumika’s eyes open wide in surprise.

That reaction of hers made Homura’s expression a little sullen.

“That ain’t something that should get you that surprised. Even I got eyes here.”

Her friend in the past whose path differed from her, yet even now she still continued to worry for that friend.

Even after being refused so many times.

It was not something that could be done just because.

Putting aside whether her actions were correct or not, Homura didn’t hold a bad impression towards that girl who expressed her anger straightforwardly at him for Sumika’s sake.

Rather, he even thought of her favorably.

―Though it was the truth that she was troublesome.

And then, after Lily was gone―

“Master-“

In the timing that seemed like they were passing each other, after Shoggoth devoured the kraken, Chikori who fell into the sea from that was now returning.

However,

“Master! Leader! Big trouble, this is big trouble-!”

It seemed that Chikori had a strange circumstance.

Chikori swam in the sea with only her face coming out from the water surface.

For some reason her expression looked panicked.

Just what in the world made her that panicked.

Everyone thought in doubt but,

“What’s wrong? Did your swimsuit get washed away?”

“Eeh!? Chi, Chikori-san! If that’s so then you must not get out from the sea like that!”

Now that the kraken had vanished, the big trouble that Chikori said mustn’t be something that serious.

Both Homura and Sumika, and also Shiori were thinking like that.

However―this thinking was mistaken.

“Hmmm. My swimsuit is fine though―”

The next moment, all present opened their eyes wide in shock.

Why was that? It was because in the hands of Chikori who got out from the sea with a splash was―

Carrying a woman with emerald blonde hair wearing a dress, that looked the same age as them.

“…Somehow, I picked up a girl inside the sea here.”

“ “ “Haaaaaa!?!?” ” ”

That situation which was outside their expectations, as expected, made all present raise their voices in surprise.

“Eh, eeeh!? Wh, wh-wh-what is the meaning of this!? Just who in the world is that person!?”

“I don’t know. I found her when I fell into the sea.”

“Is that girl still alive?”

“Yes. But she fainted.”

“…Did she got washed away from somewhere? Or else―”

“Th, that kind of thing currently doesn’t matter! A, afnhyway let’s give her CPR quickly! Chikori-san, quickly bring up the girl to the land―”

Sumika gave out commands even while she bit her tongue from getting too flustered.

Chikori nodded and she made a small run towards the location of the three while holding the girl.

But, in the middle of that―

“u……nn, -“

The girl’s body stirred in Chikori’s arm.

And then after she painfully brought her eyebrows closer, her eyelids opened slowly.

“……E, eh… I, just what…..”

“Ah! Leader! Looks like she is awake!”

“Really!?”

Sumika too rushed closer to them from what Chikori said.

When she looked at the girl, certainly the girl’s eyes that were the same emerald like her hair was moving in confusion.

The movement seemed unreliable. But the light of her eyes were unexpectedly steady.

Looks like she didn’t seem to be in a condition of heavy injury that could affect her life.

Sumika was relieved at that.

“I’m glad-. You have recovered your consciousness haven’t you? Is there some place that feels hurt on your body?”

“Ye, yes… I’m fine, but, …who are you all…?”

Perhaps because she was surrounded by people that she didn’t know when she woke up, she looked troubled.

There was also a little fear mixed in her voice, but she was speaking articulately.

Then, rather than arranging ambulance or anything else in a panic, she should prioritize calming down the girl.

The head of Sumika who finally calmed down from thinking too much made that decision,

“Yes, sorry for our late introductions. I am the leader of the 101st trainee platoon of New Tokyo Sorcery Academy, Hoshikawa Sumika. And then the one that right now is carrying you is a member of the same 101st trainee platoon, Ichinotani Chikori-san. She was the one that discovered you floating inside the sea.”

First Sumika made clear of their identity.

On top of that,

“My apologies, but may I ask your identity?”

Sumika tried to ask the information that would be necessary for arranging an ambulance.

But in regards to Sumika’s question, the girl was

“…Tokyo…”

After the girl mused over that word with a tone that was slightly off in pronunciation, suddenly her eyes turned bright.

And then she jumped down from Chikori’s arm, rushed to Sumika, and grasped Sumika’s hands.

“My! What you were saying is that this is Tokyo right!?”

“Ye, yes. That’s right, but?”

Sumika showed her confusion towards the girl that was suddenly getting lively while returning a nod.

Just what in the world made her become that happy?

(By any chance… is she a stowaway?)

Currently when all countries were in an alliance as the <United World Government>, it was a case that had almost never happened.

But it didn’t mean that it didn’t exist.

Especially in the life sphere other than Japan, the power of the <Holy Path Church> was even stronger than the government depending on the situation.

Occasionally, there was also believers that worshipped god of another sect that got washed away into Japan that was comparatively free in its religion.

That was why from the reaction of the girl, Sumika guessed that the girl was that kind of stowaway.

This guess of Sumika was half right.

The correct part was that the girl was really a [stowaway].

The mistakened part was―

“I’m glad-… When I was eaten by the kraken I thought that was it for me already. I don’t know how things got this way somehow, but in any case it seems that I managed to arrive at the human world safely.”

“Eh――”

…beginning from the point where Sumika thought that this girl was a human that came from another life sphere.

When the girl was carried by Chikori it was hidden by the long hair and Sumika didn’t notice, but now that she looked really carefully, the ears of the girl were strangely long and sharp.

Correct, just like the elves that came out in the fables.

Most of all, if it was only that then it might be only a mere peculiar body trait.

What clinched it, was what was on the girl’s back.

At that back, something that looked similar like <Air Raid> that the magicians used, transparent four pieces of wings were growing there.

It was a part that a human shouldn’t be equipped with.

“Yo, you, do… don’t tell me, are you a demon-!?”

Sumika move several steps back from agitation while asking.

On the other hand the girl was,

“Yes. There is no mistake that I’m an existence that all of you humans call as demon.”

The girl confirmed that without hesitation and with a smiling expression.

And then she straightened her back and pinched her long skirt, before bowing in an elegant gesture.

“Nice to meet you all, humans, everyone.

I am the one who served as the queen of the [Fairy race] in the demon world, my name is Elfiena.

On this occasion, ―wishing of forming an [alliance] between us the [Fairy race] and all of you humans, I come here as an envoy from the demon world as the representative of the two million [Fairy race].

Please, can I ask to trouble you all to lead me to meet the leader of the human race?”

The girl introduced her name, while also saying many outrageous things.

Hearing those words, not to mention Sumika, even Homura was at a loss for words from the shock.

That was obvious.

It has been a century since the demons appeared in this world.

And this is the first moment, where for the first time a resident of the demon world brought interaction without hostility towards the human race.

Chapter 2

Part 1

An envoy from the demon world.

The visit of Elfiena that introduced herself as the Queen of the fairy race.

That notice immediately reached the Japan government that managed the Tokyo life sphere with a shockwave along it like lightning.

The prime minister Kinugasa Yoshinori who had continued to haul this dying country all this time since the <Walpurgis Night>, immediately put out a gag order in regards to this situation, and then, through Onjouji Kai he gave the instruction to the 101st trainee platoon so that they led Elfiena to New Tokyo Sorcery Academy without coming into contact with anyone.

And then, not even a hour since that, Kinugasa himself rushed to the New Tokyo Sorcery Academy.

The ones who welcomed Kinugasa, who jumped out from his official vehicle as if he was abandoning a crashed vehicle, were two people, Onjouji Kai and Kamishiro Homura.

“What a panicked arrival. It makes your tailored suit messed up y’know.”

“Ha, haha, I’m really in a panic here. …After all this is not an evil god, but for a demon of all things to come proposing political negotiation, this is the first time in the world.”

It was something that was truly misunderstood throughout the world, but evil god and demon were different from each other.

Both of their ominous appearance that surpassed humans’ understanding had many points in common, but if the existence of evil god was described in Japanese language, the most appropriate word was [space alien].

They had lived in this world long before humans, the existence that was ruling over this plane, even though their existence itself was not of the earth, most of them had their origin from any of the end of galaxy.

Therefore, no matter how ominous they were, but till the end they were still an existence of this world.

However, the demons were different.

They were invaders that came passing through the dimension from an adjoined alternate dimension called the demon world, their origin was not of this world.

In other words they saw this world as nothing more than an object to be devoured greedily.

―The gap between demon and evil god existed in this point.

A century ago, <The Crawling Chaos> that introduced itself as <Man of Darkness> came into contact with the representative of mankind who was ruined by Baphomet, the magician Aleister Crowley, his reason for handing over <Liber Legis> also mostly originated from this.

For them, too, who were glorified as [god] that reigned over this territory as ancient ruler, the present condition where outsiders stepped into their world as they pleased and then acted like they owned the place was unpleasant.

Correct. …For the evil gods, in actuality they had the warped reason that [the only ones who could make sport of mankind was just them], but even so, although imperfect, they had a reason to cooperate with mankind.

However, ―the demons had no such reason.

Such reason supposedly didn’t exist.

But on this occasion, for the first time in human history, a demon of the demon world attempted to make contact politically.

In Kinugasa’s heart who had to deal with this situation as a country’s representative, he was filled with shock and impatience, there was also confusion in him.

Truthfully, he didn’t understand at all how he should treat the other party.

It seemed that the other side said that they wanted to form an alliance, but was that the truth?

In the first place, was the introduction as the queen of the [Fairy race] even true?

―Rather, wasn’t it better to just kill her immediately right now…

Even with many thoughts crossing his mind, but because this was something without precedent, he was unable to decide which was the best way.

(Sheesh, thinking too much is your bad habit, Kinugasa Yoshinori.)

Kinugasa scolded his brain from thinking all over the place.

Trying to solve something that had no precedent before using one’s own experience itself was a mistake in the first place.

(First her title as the queen of the [Fairy race], I guess that’s not fake. If that’s not true, then her coming to the human world will only become a stupid meaningless action that just asked to be killed.)

As expected no one would do something that stupid.

Then if she was really a queen, putting aside everything that could possibly happen, he first had to meet her so that they could start somewhere.

After coming to that clean decision, Kinugasa asked Onjouji.

“…So, where is the demon that introduced herself as the fairy race queen right now?”

“It seemed that before she crossed over to the human world from the demon world, she was swallowed by a kraken and got trapped inside its stomach all along. She said that she wanted to rearrange her attire before the negotiation, so I lent her the bath of the academy. Because of that we need some time before the meeting.”

“Tha, that’s truly…..”

Truly like a human, was what Kinugasa honestly said.

He didn’t even think that the demons had a culture of bathing.

Further, to want to arrange her personal appearance before a negotiation meant―

(By any chance, perhaps this is someone that unexpectedly can be talked to…?)

Kinugasa harbored such expectation inside his heart from this unthinkable common point with humans, but right at that moment.

The door at the back of the official car that Kinugasa rode was,

“Hah! Just a vulgar demon trying to put her clothes in order you said?”

Along with a hoarse jeer, the door opened with a force as if it was kicked open.

And then a man with a large body like a bear came out from the door of the official car that was kicked open.

The man was wearing a white suit adorned by golden buttons all over it, making it seem like he was shining.

The large man with muscle mass that could be perceived even with his body covered with a thick suit was―

“It’s extremely overstepping itself for a monster to act like a human. Drag her naked right now and throw her into a cage. That’s what is fitting for a demon.”

The secretary general of China Republic Union・Wan Tairon.

In essence, the man was one of the pillars of the <Five Great Leaders> that ruled over the present world, he was also one of the S-rank magicians where only ten existed in the whole world.

And then there was one more person following after that giant body, his figure appeared from inside the official car.

“Haha, well isn’t that fine, secretary general Wan.”

A medium built man that was wearing a deep blue suit.

It was a dandy with his vibrant blonde hair, and his white teeth that sparkled even more than his hair as his characteristic.

“The demon’s appearance is really painful to look at even at the best of times. Our eyes will rot if we don’t at least let it rearrange its attire.”

He was the president of the large country United States of America that once reigned over in the position that could essentially even be called as the supreme ruler on the earth, Joseph Franklin.

Homura bluntly made an unpleasant expression from seeing the figures of the two.

“Hey prime minister. You brought over some really troublesome bunch ain’t you.”

Kinugasa too was in a position that really could understand that grievance of Homura.

Doing something like a diplomacy with the demons, just from that it would become a fact that could worsen the position of Japan.

Kinugasa himself wanted to keep this a secret from them and took care of it behind closed doors.

However, the timing was too bad.

“When I received the notice, the timing was just when we were having the regulation conference about the <One Year Plan>.”

This was just a bad luck. It couldn’t be avoided in any way.

Especially when the other party was the <Five Great Leaders>, there was no way that he could take leave from his seat to accept the notice.

They had the conceit that they were exactly the order of this new world.

And in regards to that order, there was no way that they would tolerate anything to be hidden from them.

“…Besides, Homura-san and the other members of the 101st trainee platoon coming into contact with an existence of humanoid nature that seemed to be a demon had been caught by the satellite of some country, so… There is no way to hide this.”

“Ah… Now that you mention that, that’s right huh.”

Homura’s expression turned into a late realization from the rebuttal that Kinugasa whispered into his ear.

He forgot that he was constantly put under satellite monitoring.

“That’s depressing. Maybe I should just shot all of them down by pretending about some kind of incident soon.”

“Pl, please be gentle about it if you can…-“

When Kinugasa’s expression paled for real from that joke of Homura,

“Oy, you there. What are you bastards mumbling at each other over there? Aa?”

A harsh and rude voice cut in their conversation.

It was Wan Tairon.

Tairon grasped the shoulder of both of them unreservedly before separating them and entered between the two.

And then he held up the collar of Homura―

“By any chance you bastards, are you thinkin’ of doing something. Aa?”

After hanging up Homura’s body with one hand, he brought his face closer while baring his eyes threateningly.

That rudeness was just like a hooligan.

But, ―the coercion that resided in his eye gleam was in different magnitude compared to a mere hoodlum.

Inside the yellowing, stagnating, murky eyes.

The dull light shining slipperily there was―[madness].

Seventeen years ago, he was a dictator that made rain of blood all over the continent under the name of revolution in order to solidify his own ruling body even more. Because he was a man that killed a lot of humans in a number that couldn’t even be compared with the average demon, he was able to emit this coercing pressure that could even surpass a bladed tool in reality.

That eye’s power could even make most people quiet.

It was not something that should be able to be praised, but this man was unmistakably possessing a dominating aura of a [supreme ruler that had reached the extremes].

But even that dominating aura was,

“It’s not like we’re thinking of anything like that y’know.”

In front of Kamishiro Homura it became nothing more than a paper tiger.

Homura was not moved for even a bit against Tairon’s eye gleam.

“Rather don’t get your mug so close to me. Your breath stinks, geezer.”

He lightly brushed off the thick arm that was like a log constricting his collar.

This casual treatment made Tairon’s voice shake.

“You bastard, it ain’t the place of a chained dog to put on an air here. …The other day that senile gramps Innocentius swallowed your bluff whole and released <Aureole>, but I ain’t got tricked here. Thinking of it calmly that’s just something impossible. Just the magic power of a human surpassing the magic power of this star, that’s bullshit.”

“Ain’t that right. Though I think I remember someone that got ready to piss himself from that. That yellow eye looked like it was gonna pop out you know. Looked really cute on you. Can you imagine your face at that time eh.”

“……-!”

Homura’s ridiculing and laughing gaze made a vein protrude out throbbingly at Tairon’s forehead.

“This big mouthed shitty brat… Then let’s just try talkin’ again after I cut open you bastard’s neck right here!”

Tairon’s temperament raised in proportion with the loudness of his voice.

But in inverse proportion to that, Homura’s tone was lowered down in an amazed voice.

“Even though I just crushed more than half of your country’s army you are already starting something like this again, what a fanatic geezer huh. Just stop it. You are gonna lose anyway, this is just a pointless waste of life whether for you geezer or for me, most of all the air of you geezer are gonna be pitiful in front of your underlings like this.”

“Youuu…-“

Tairon grinded his teeth in frustration.

But even so he didn’t go as far as grabbing his hand at Homura.

No, he couldn’t do anything like that.

One couldn’t become a king of a country with just violence.

Laying out trickery with the cunning like a fox was also this man’s nature.

That was why, although he put on an air, he wouldn’t brave the risk.

Homura too understood that, so he was merciless at Tairon.

Like that, Joseph who couldn’t just watch the two who were being like that made a deep sigh.

“A fine adult won’t get provoked by a kid’s talk. Please calm down Wan-kun. We are not coming here in order to have this kind of quarrel. We are the representatives of the <United World Government>, therefore as the consensus of mankind, we came here in order to face the new threat.”

“…Chih. I got that even without you tellin’ me.”

Tairon said that reluctantly while drawing back his threatening attitude.

However, surely, inside his heart he was actually relieved.

With his character, it was hard for him to draw back the threat that he let out himself.

He acted violent. That was because he understood how to personify his own dominating aura.

That was why, he was waiting for a third person’s interference as a chance to withdraw his threat.

…Really, what a small man that was too cunning.

After Homura glared at Tairon being fed up from the bottom of his heart, he looked at Joseph behind and said.

“Oi you geezers. I’m gonna be present at the discussion too.”

Both of them opened their eyes wide in surprise from that sentence.

“Aaaa!? You bastard, what are you sayin’?”

“There is no need for that right? Haven’t you heard for yourself from the demon that introduced itself as fairy that its business is to [form a friendly alliance with mankind], that’s the report that Kinugasa-kun received isn’t it? Then for you who has no connection at all with [mankind] to be present is unnecessary―”

“Shut up.”

But Homura forcibly cut down the objection of the two with a sharp voice.

“ “-……!” ”

“This is my decision that I decided myself. You two got no right saying this and that about it.”

From the start he was not looking for permission or anything.

Homura was just telling them straight his decision, to that the two ground their teeth in frustration.

These men who were standing at the top of their countries were at their wit’s end.

And then Homura didn’t even pay attention to them anymore.

He walked ahead by himself,

“Then, gentlemen, follow me. I’ve opened the board chairman’s room as the place for the conference.”

After that, Onjouji’s voice called out to the three visitors.

And then like that the three people were showed into the school from the guest gate,

“Aah, dirty shoes are strictly prohibited. There are slippers for the use of guests over there, so please change into that.”

Before Tairon and Joseph who were going to enter still wearing their shoes got warned.

Part 2

A little before the arrival of Kinugasa and the others.

Both Sumika and Chikori moved through the school in a stealthy way and guided Elfiena to the public baths in the female dormitory that had been reserved by Onjouji’s request.

“This is the public bath that we are always using you know~”

With a rattling sound, Chikori opened the door noisily and then she pulled Elfiena’s hand to enter into the bath.

The public bath of New Tokyo Sorcery Academy was designed in the style that matched the appearance of the academy that looked like an old western castle, its size was vast enough for students of two classes to use at the same time.

“My, how lovely! This is the first time I see a hot spring this big!”

“Is that so? Right now it’s being reserved, but usually there are several dozens of people using it at once so it feels cramped though―”

Chikori started to run in pitter patter while saying that, then she took hold of one of the showers that were lined up beside the mirror.

Then she twisted the shower knob as much as she could and hot water burst out nicely on her head.

“Aah―. My body is sticky all over from the sea water so this feels good~♪”

“Hot water come out from that kind of place…”

Elfiena blinked her green eyes looking at that happening while murmuring in wonderment.

(I wonder if there are no showers in the demon world by any chance?)

It was not something impossible.

It was hard to imagine the demon bunch to build scientific culture that was similar to humans.

Sumika who was standing beside Elfiena thought so,

“E, err…”

As if to support her thinking, Elfiena was beginning to get nervous in front of the shower.

It seemed that she understood that hot water would come out from the shower head from looking at Chikori’s action, so she was following what Chikori did, yet from there she didn’t know what to do next.

Elfiena shook around the shower head left and right, then she took a peek inside it, while in the end she tilted her head with a confused expression, wondering of the puzzle.

“…If you twist that knob, water will come out.”

Sumika who couldn’t bear to watch, sat in front of the mirror beside Elfiena while pointing out, then

“Ah, thank you very much for your kindness. …Kyawa-!?”

Elfiena said her gratitude while turning the shower knob fully open with all her strength.

Naturally, powerful water stream mercilessly burst out from the shower head.

And then that water hit Elfiena’s face directly.

The girl screamed strangely from great shock while falling back face up.

Stark naked.

Looking at that figure that was too unladylike even from the view point of the same sex, Sumika unintentionally let out a wry smile.

“A, are you okay?”

“I… I’m fine. I just fell over from a little surprise. I, I showed you something embarrassing.”

She really looked like she was embarrassed.

Elfiena’s whole face turned bright red even until the tips of her pointed ears, while the wings on her back were busily flapping repeatedly.

But it seemed that she somehow grasped the way to use the shower from that painful expression, she began to properly adjust the water amount by opening and closing the knob.

“So it’s no good to turn it over too much. Somehow I understand it. …But even so, to not need to scoop up hot water frequently, the world of humans is really convenient isn’t it-“

“…, …yes. Well.”

The smiling face of Elfiena that looked innocent was turned to Sumika.

On the other hand, Sumika reflexively averted her gaze to the side.

―In reality, Sumika was harboring a strong alertness towards Elfiena.

After all, although her appearance really looked like a human than a demon to this degree, the girl was still the same demon like baphomet or Typhon and Jambure.

She was one of the existences that had inflicted severe harm to humans until this much.

She couldn’t let her guard down at a moments notice at all.

No matter how her appearance looked really close like a cute girl, she mustn’t let herself get tricked.

In place of Chikori who wasn’t being alert at all, Sumika had to pay attention to every single thing.

(…Is she does something strange, I’ll quickly stop her breathing.)

That was her duty as an S-rank magician who was the protector of mankind.

While Sumika persuaded herself like that, she began to wash her hair that was a little damaged from the salty wind.

She pushed out shampoo from the shampoo bottle for communal use and made it foam in her hand.

Then, looking at that,

“Haa~~~~~~”

“……”

Sumika noticed Elfiena who was looking at her hand with intense concentration.

“E, err. Is something wrong?”

“Ah, forgive me. That, those foamy bubbles completely caught my mind.”

Elfiena pointing at the white foam at her hand made Sumika understand what this was about.

“By any chance there is also no shampoo in the demon world?”

“I wonder about that. …In the end I’m nothing more than the head of the [Fairy race], so I’m not really that detailed about the culture of the other races, but at the very least it doesn’t exist in the culture of us the [Fairy race]. Because of that the meaning is also not really transmitted that well through the [Concept Translation]…”

“[Concept Translation]? What is that?”

“My. Is there nothing like that in the human world?”

“Yes. I’ve never heard of it.”

“What is called [Concept Translation] is a sorcery for the sake of exchanging words with every living being.

There are several thousands of demon races in the demon world, among them there are those whose body construction cannot make some specific pronunciations, there are also those races that in the first place don’t even speak, so most races possess their own characteristic language or method to transmit their thoughts.

Because of that the majority of races in the demon world differ in the words that they used, in the first place a conversation between race cannot be established, we cannot make a proper communication between each other.

What we make use of to solve this problem is the sorcery called [Concept Translation].

By using this sorcery, our own words will be converted into the concepts possessed by the other race and we can have them understand the meaning of what we say, it can also convert the other party’s words into a concept that we know so that we can listen to what they are talking about. ―Although, the more powerful a demon becomes, they seem to think that there is no need to match the inferior race, so there are only few who use this [Concept Translation] though.”

“Aah, so that’s why we can talk normally like this.”

“That’s right. …But, a culture that we of the [Fairy race] doesn’t possess in the first place, things that we don’t know, namely words where the concept to explain cannot be established, the concept to deal with things like that doesn’t exist on our side so it cannot be translated. And so… that, my apologies but, that-, shampoo? Is that what you called this thing? Can I trouble you to teach me what this thing is used for?”

Being asked that, Sumika was lost for a moment at what she should do.

Because it was not Sumika’s intention to become intimate with a demon.

…Especially because Elfiena was really human-like, so she didn’t want to be attached to her.

If that happened, then when the time came, ―it would make it harder to kill her.

But―

(Doing a kindness just that much should be fine.)

Rather if she bluntly refused here, she got the feeling that she would hate herself a little.

That was why Sumika couldn’t help herself to answer Elfiena’s request.

“Err, shampoo is a chemical to wash the hair and the skin of scalp.”

“My. So humans make use of medicine when they wash their hair then?”

“Yes. Using this will wash away the oil and micro-bacteria. If you push at the top of that pink container, it will let out the shampoo solution from the tube inside, so first please take that with your hand.”

“Like, this?”

Elfiena who did as she was told pushed at the head of the shampoo bottle for communal use.

Thereupon, milky white liquid spurt out onto Elfiena’s small palm that was held under the tube,

“Kyaaa!?”

Elfiena instantly screamed and shook away her hand.

“For, for some reason what came out from the inside in not something foamy but something slimy instead! What came out is something liquidy like the gooey droll of an orc you know!?”

“Please don’t give such a disgusting example. That is the solution of shampoo. After you take a proper amount in your hand, please try rubbing it between your hands like this. If you do that it will foam up.”

“Uu, I understand.”

The shampoo was compared to the droll of an orc.

She seemed to dislike the sensation of the shampoo very much.

But Elfiena still obediently took some shampoo even while being nervous just like Sumika told her, and then she rubbed it between her hands.

Thereupon,

“Wa, wawawa-! Amazing…-!”

Similar like with Sumika, bubbling foam was produced from between her fingers.

The more she rubbed her hand, the bubbles kept coming out one after another.

Just from a handful of drops of shampoo liquid, it created bubbles that overflowed from her hands.

The expression of Elfiena whose eyes turned bright from that sight was truly innocent―

(…Uuu, it’s just making it harder to do it.)

Whether Sumika wanted it or not, her alertness was being shaved.

That was why Sumika tried to not look at Elfiena’s direction.

“Next you only need to wash your head with that foamed hand. Stroke your hair until its end and also massage your scalp sufficiently. And then after finishing washing your hair moderately, please wash away the bubbles with the shower. Do it as properly as possible, because if there is some shampoo that remained in the hair it will damage the hair.”

After giving the detailed instruction of how to wash the hair, Sumika too began to wash her own head.

With a detailed instruction like that, then surely there would be no more need for her to supervise.

But―that thinking was immediately betrayed.

(……Eh?)

Bubbles that were continuing to multiply endlessly in burble were reflected at the corner of her view.

When Sumika turned her gaze wondering what was going on,

“Wh, what are you doing Elfiena-san!?”

There was Elfiena there with her whole body covered in foam instead of just her head.

“Ahahahaha-! This is really fun for some reason! The more I knead the more bubbles are going burble burble~, it’s so fun~!”

It looked like what made the bubbles increase was filled into the bottle, so Elfiena seemed to have squeezed out the shampoo many times over and made more bubbles.

“You pushed out too much! I told you already to only take the proper amount!”

“Uwaa-, …that looks fun―. Yosh, I’ll do that too!”

“Please don’t get provoked Chikori-san!”

Sumika remonstrated Chikori and also washed away the hands that were the source of the infinitely multiplying bubbles.

However, Elfiena continued to laugh like a child even while she was being washed by hot water,

“Ahaha, forgive me. It’s my first contact with this culture so it feels fun for some reason. The townscape that I saw on the way here was also like this, there were various things there that seemed like fun places. The human world is so interesting.”

Elfiena showed a pure smiling face without any trace of shadow at all.

“……~~~~-“

From that… Sumika recognized her own defeat.

She let out a deep sigh in resignation,

“…I’ll wash your hair for you, so please don’t do anything strange anymore. We are going to be late for the important negotiation like this.”

Saying that, Sumika returned a smile where even civility couldn’t be seen from it.

That was the moment Sumika let go of her vigilance towards Elfiena.

Although she was a demon, but for Sumika, who had a kind nature, she was unable to continue holding her tension even to the point of assuming [murder] towards someone that showed nothing but good will until this much towards humans.

Part 3

“Hafuu~…”

The three that had finished washing their bodies soaked their bodies inside the tub lining at each other’s side.

The fatigue had been piling up from watching over the children since the morning.

Sumika and Chikori looked as if they had completely forgotten that there was a demon right beside them and soaked in the hot water with a face without tension.

But more than the two of them, Elfiena that was between those two was completely melting.

In the middle of crossing over from the demon world to the human world, she met an accident of getting eaten by a kraken that met her completely tired.

Elfiena murmured with an entranced voice from the feeling of the heavy fatigue that had been piling up at her body’s core like a pile of lead melting out.

“…The goodness of a hot spring is the same whether in the human world or the demon world isn’t it?”

“Speaking accurately this is not a hot spring, but if the [Concept Translation] transmitted it like that then that means there is no culture in the demon world to heat hot water by yourself and everyone only uses hot springs then.”

“I think so. Everyone in the village use the hot spring inside the forest. We, the [Fairy race] live alongside trees and flowers, so we never really use fire.”

According to Elfiena’s story, it seemed that these females called as the [Fairy race] usually resided inside a tree or a flower.

In other words the nature itself was the town of the fairy race, their home.

That was why, these females didn’t really like fire that had the possibility to considerably damage their home.

What a really fancy story.

―However, when Chikori heard about the hot springs of the demon world, she thought of an unpleasant imagination.

“…By any chance, is it a hot spring of blood?”

Sumika herself didn’t say it loud, but the image depicted in her head was also similar.

After all, for humans, a demon was merely a terrifying invader that attacked humans earnestly, that made their image of the demon world from where the demons crept out was hell itself.

However, here Elfiena shook her head left and right in an overly big motion in denial.

“We, we would never soak ourselves in something so terrifying. It’s just a normal hot spring where underground water warmed by the geothermal heat gushed forth.”

“Tha, that’s right isn’t it. Sorry. That’s because I imagined the demon world as a horror place that’s more like hell. …I wonder if it’s actually really similar to earth?”

“Looking as far as possible from the demon world, there is not much difference between the demon world and the human world. There is land, there are trees and flowers, and there are lives that live here in the human world. The demon world is the same as that. No, by any chance perhaps there is a lot more of that kind of nature in the demon world.”

“Haa~. For some reason the image is far too different from what I imagined that it shocked me.”

Listening to the story of Elfiena, their images of demons and the demon world that they believed until now was broken down one after another.

And then Sumika realized.

That they, humans, really didn’t know anything about the demons.

Well, a method to cross over to the demon world from the human world’s side was never established, so it was also something that couldn’t be helped.

(…Perhaps through this encounter, it will be profitable for mankind if we can obtain information of the demon world even for a little.)

Like that, Sumika was thinking of serious things that was really like her.

“But if that place is really that full of nature, then it’s a place that is really comfortable to live for El-san and the others right~”

“……”

The exchanged conversation between Elfiena and Chikori beside her suddenly stopped.

When Sumika became concerned and turned her gaze at them, Elfiena’s expression that looked happy until just now had completely changed, her lips thinned with a sorrowful expression.

Looking at that Elfiena who suddenly turned quiet, Chikori tilted her head wondering if there was something wrong.

On the other hand Elfiena, she moved her trembling lips,

“…Yes. It’s as you said, but. But, the current demon world is already, become a place that we the [Fairy race] cannot live in anymore.”

Elfiena murmured so with a thin voice as if grieving for someone who died.

―It became a place they couldn’t live in, she said.

Just what in the world,

“What do you mean?”

When the concerned Sumika asked, Elfiena answered without hiding it.

“A war began. A really great war, so great that it swallowed the whole demon world.”

―Right now, just what was happening in the demon world?

“In the first place, the demon world is a brutal place that where power is everything.

It feels like conflict happened somewhere everyday, there is not a single day for a time of peace.

However even so, there is barely a gap for those like the [Fairy race] that doesn’t like conflict, and also races that don’t have sufficient power for conflict to live.

But, ―in the recent year, a big political disturbance happened in the demon world.

Due to the death of a certain demon king, whose name was famous through all over the demon world, a conflict for hegemony began due to the powerful clans of various places.

This struggle is extremely severe, in the blink of an eye the whole demon world was swallowed in the fire of conflict.

Most of the demons that once invaded the human world, were the [fleeing soldier] of this conflict.

Whether it was Jambure or Typhon―

They were defeated in this conflict and lost their territory, so they aimed for the new land called the human world.”

The current condition of the demon world that for the first time was exposed to mankind, and the other side of the invasion, the human world.

Hearing that details, Sumika and Chikori were both dumbfounded.

“Tha, that Thyhon was… fleeing soldier…… you said!?”

“Exactly. He was defeated in the struggle for hegemony, he was nothing more than a loser that escaped to the human world barely with his life.”

“…What, a thing.”

Sumika felt faint from Elfiena’s reply.

It was a too shocking fact.

The <Demon King class> that messed up the earth surface until that much was, that symbol of despair was―

Nothing more than the demon world’s, just a mere loser there.

(If that’s true……)

The power of the demons that drove off Typhon and Jambure to the human world… just how great could it possibly be?

She couldn’t even imagine it.

Elfiena continued her words towards Sumika who was at a lost for words from such too despairing a reality.

“And then, before long our village of the [Fairy race] was also swallowed into that war. Our village was burned, the forest was trampled down… many of our brethren were abducted. As the ration of the demons…”

“Ration…… wait, you mean they were eaten?”

Elfiena returned a nod towards the taken aback words of Chikori.

“The body structure of us [Fairy race] is an energy body that is made from magic power of high purity, so the absorption efficiency of magic power from our body is high. As food, we are the most suitable, seeing the circumstance where magic power is constantly consumed in large amount in war. The [fairy pill] made from the minced meat of fairy, just from a pill it can make you obtain vast energy to the degree that a <General class> demon can continuously exercise sorcery for three days and three nights.”

“Ho, how cruel…-“

Chikori closed her mouth with a pale expression.

Most likely, it was because she imagined the figure of a fairy being processed into mince meat while still alive.

And then it was not just Chikori’s imagination, even now it was a scene that was happening in the demon world.

The effect of [fairy pill] right now had been known all over the demon world. Causing the powerful clans to search for them in a frenzy.

“We the [Fairy race] don’t wish to fight.

However, the other demons don’t care for that and come to capture us.

And then, us [Fairy race] are excellent as food ,but… our fighting ability as a race is the lowest of the low even in the demon world. Even I who possess the strongest magic power among our race, only has strength on the level that was easily swallowed whole by a single kraken… our body size too, those that possess the size around your average human are only those to the extent like me, most of our people only has the size that can be put atop the palm of humans.”

If they were attacked, they could do nothing other than get trampled down.

In these few years since the war started, even the fairy race that was numbered almost at a billion, became reduced to only a number of two million, Elfiena talked of that with a heartbreaking expression.

“…The demon world, has already turned into a place where the powerless [Fairy race] cannot live in anymore.”

“El-san…”

Surely the current conditions of the fairy pained her heart.

Chikori whose grieving expression looked as if even now she was going to cry snuggled up to Elfiena and she hugged Elfiena’s body tightly.

It was an action that was really like the kind Chikori.

Although Sumika couldn’t take a honest action like Chikori, she felt an emotion as if her heart was squeezed from Elfiena’s story.

But that emotion―

“That’s why we resolved ourselves. We are going to abandon our birthplace, the demon world, and negotiate with the humans…

―to let us live in the human world.”

“Wha……-!”

Changed into a cold shudder following from the words of Elfiena.

“But, that’s……-“

After Sumika reflexively let out her voice like that, she shut her mouth in panic from having done that.

Saying it was [impossible], was not a word that she should say as someone who wouldn’t participate in the negotiation.

But, it was a little too late. Elfiena was also not an idiot.

She immediately understood, what the world was that would come out from Sumika’s interrupted speech.

“Is that, impossible?”

“…I, I’m sorry……”

“No, that’s fine. I too understand how hard this is. The story of what the demons that once visited the human world did here, has been circulated so I know…”

“Even knowing that… you are going to rely on humans?”

On the other hand Elfiena nodded without any hesitation.

“Because, we already don’t have any other choice. In order to survive, there is nothing that we can do except to do what we can. Because that’s… the duty of those that still live.”

“―-“

In order to live, they needed to do the only thing they could.

The words that Elfiena said shook Sumika’s heart greatly.

It was exactly Sumika’s way of life―

Because it was just like what she believed in front of the despair called Typhon, the way those who still live ought to be.

(…We are the same.)

Whether it was herself and also this girl.

Whether human, or fairy.

To continue to fight the unreasonable desperately in order to live.

There was no difference at all.

That was why, surely humans and fairies could understand each other.

Just like right now, where Sumika understood Elfiena.

―However,

(That’s, only if talking about individuals…-)

Elfiena didn’t understand.

No, she might actually understand, but she was looking at this naively.

The fear and hatred in human society towards the existence called demon that seeped right into the marrow of their bones.

Different with Sumika and Chikori who had a chance to talk directly with Elfiena like this, human society could only comprehend the fairy race as nothing more than demons.

Even Typhon and Jambure, for humans, those two were nothing more than the same demons.

There was no way, the human race could accept such thing.

Elfiena’s wish… would never be realized.

Far from that… if Elfiena ever said things like wanting to migrate to the human world in front of those people of the <United World Government>, surely they would never let Elfiena return home alive.

She would be killed. Cruelly. Unreasonably.

When she imagined such a sight, Sumika’s chest was burned in an unpleasant feeling.

And then that detestable feeling, made Sumika decide a single thing.

“…Elfiena-san. Will you mind if I also attend the negotiation meeting?”

Elfiena was making a shocked face for a moment towards this request, yet,

“Yes. That will be very reassuring if you would do that for me.“

She readily consented towards that proposal with happiness.

Surely it would be reassuring for her to have a human that could understand the fairy even for a little attending the meeting.

However… that wish couldn’t come true.

It was impossible to shake mankind’s decision with only Sumika’s backing alone.

Because Sumika understood that, she returned a bitter expression at Elfiena’s ready consent,

(For Elfiena-san’s sake… there is only one thing that I can do.)

For the sake of this girl who faced the unreasonable with all her might, similar with herself once before, Sumika swore to herself that she would do that much.

Part 4

Thirty minutes after that.

The first diplomatic negotiation between human and fairy, between mankind and demons, was opened.

The place was the board chairman’s room of New Tokyo Sorcery Academy.

With a table between the two sides, each representatives of the two camps faced each other.

The representative of the fairy race didn’t even need to be said, Elfiena who had finished changing her dress.

The representatives of mankind were Kinugasa Yoshinori, Joseph Franklin, and Wan Tairon, three names from the <United World Government>.

Behind those three names, the <Evil God User> Kamishiro Homura was standing by with his arms crossed. Similarly, behind Elfiena were the members of the 101st platoon that, the same as Homura, knew about the arrival of the fairy on the earth, Hoshikawa Sumika and Ichinotani Chikori standing by. And then at the left and right of the only entrance of the room were Onjouji Kai and Onjouji Shiori with their backs to the wall just like door guards. The representatives of both camps were staring at each other wordlessly.

The atmosphere was extremely strained.

It couldn’t be helped. This was the first time for everyone.

As it were, this moment could possibly become the turning point of human history.

At such a time,

“For Japan to share its time during such busy time, truly I give you all my deepest gratitude for that.”

Knowing that it was her role to break the ice as the one who dearly wished for this conference, Elfiena first expressed her thanks.

“My name is Elfiena. The person in the position that governed one race called the [Fairy race] in the demon world.”

She displayed her position.

The one who responded to this was Kinugasa who sat at the center of the three human representatives.

“Thank you for your courteous greeting. Elfiena-san.

I am called Kinugasa Yoshinori, the one who is entrusted with the administration of this country called Japan.

These two at my side are similarly like me the people in charge of two human countries that exists on earth, United States of America and China Republic Union, Joseph Franklin and Wan Tairon.

And then the one behind me, is the greatest battle power of us human race, the <Evil God User> Kamishiro Homura.”

With a truly tactful behavior, Kinugasa finished the introduction of all that gathered here.

But, Elfiena’s eyes turned wide open in shock from those last words of Kinugasa.

“My. So the one who kindly helped me before is that <Evil God User> you say-?”

“Nn? How unexpected. You know about me?”

“Of course I know. The hero of the human race who controls <evil god> and removed the valorous warriors of the demon race, Typhon and Jambure. The fame of the <Evil God User> is well known even in the demon world. However… I never thought that such a person will be a young gentleman like you, it surprised me a little.”

(…Hero of the human race, huh.)

For some reason it seemed the degree of his power was also circulated in the demon world, but Homura discerned that Elfiena didn’t grasp as far as the more concrete information of his appearance or the complexity of Homura’s distorted relation with the human race.

Well, though that was only something trivial in this place.

“<Evil God User>-sama. On this occasion you have saved me from danger, thank you very much.”

“No need for thanks. Saving you was mostly just by chance anyway.”

And then, when Elfiena and Homura were exchanging greetings like that―

“Gahaha-!”

Tairon raised a loud laughter with his hoarse throat that was offensive to the ears.

“What’s with that <Evil God User>. So you bastard is also famous in the demon world huh. Ain’t that great. You can just live at that side. That’s what suits you bastard.”

“Haha. Isn’t that a wonderful proposal of great wit from you. How about you seriously consider that, Homura-kun.”

Hearing Tairon’s words, Joseph too also agreed to that while making a sarcastic smile at the corners of his mouth.

“……”

But Homura didn’t even meet the eyes of those two.

The side of his face told that it was stupid to listen to them.

“Both of you. Please leave picking a quarrel with him for later. The talk won’t move forward like this.”

In place of Homura who decided to ignore the two, in the end it was Kinugasa who warned them.

In regards to that Joseph said “Excuse me for that” and shrugged his shoulders provocatively before drawing back.

But― Tairon was different.

“Keh!”

Along with a spitting voice, *GAN-!* he struck the reception table with all his strength using the heel of his white enameled boots.

“-……!”

Elfiena’s shoulders jumped in surprise from the sudden barbarous act and her wings trembled.

Tairon glared with bloodshot eyes sharply at Elfiena who was being scared like that.

“Just where is the need to move forward the talk with a demon as your talk partner. There ain’t even a need to politely introduce yourself. Everything will get settled if I just rip off the head of this bitch right now. Yet even so, you bastards and that Innocentious gramps just kept prattling, try to listen to her story or whatever, ain’t that too sluggish. We ain’t going to respond to whatever a demon tries to negotiate anyway. Then what we gonna do won’t change. It’s only a matter of doing it sooner or later.”

“Secretary general Wan. Please put down your foot from the table. It’s an act that is just too lacking in dignity.”

Joseph presented a candid advice while looking amazed towards Tairon’s unreserved attitude, but,

“To be thought as undignified by vermin like demon, that’s just too humiliating for a human.”

As expected he too didn’t try to hide his hostility towards demons.

Well, after all these two were the representatives of the human race that had been thoroughly harmed by the demons starting from <Walpurgis Night> until now.

It was inevitable for them to be unable to come into contact with a demon in good will, but,

―As expected it was really childish for them to so frankly let out their emotions until this far.

Even though this meeting had been arranged after great trouble, but only kept getting rejection like this wouldn’t result in anything productive.

That was why Kinugasa was,

“Elfiena-san.”

“Ye, yes-“

“I beg your pardon for my compatriots’ behavior that are lacking in decorum. After all, until now, humans and demons are mutual sworn enemies. There had never been something like a demon that came wishing for peaceful dialogue, so they too are judging based on their position as humans with a position of responsibility what kind of manner they need to take in regards to you. Please forgive their behavior somehow.”

Saying that he apologized for the two’s impoliteness.

But even while apologizing courteously, at the same time Kinugasa was also clearly alluding to the stance of the human race and the animosity that they held towards the beings called demon, the way Kinugasa was taking a distance was ingenious.

“…Yes. I understand. After all, I too know clearly what the demons that crossed over from the demon world to the human world until now had done to all of you humans. It’s only natural for you all to hold hatred towards the residents of the demon world.”

Elfiena also showed her understanding towards Kinugasa’s words that was measuring their distance.

But on top of that,

“And then, it’s exactly this hatred that I think is the emotion that can connect us [Fairy race] and [mankind] together.”

Elfiena closed this distance saying that.

“What could you possibly mean by that?”

“Because us the [Fairy race] too, has had our residences burned by the demons whose eyes were blinded by the desire to rule, driven out from our birthplace, our brethren killed, they are [invaders] that we hated.”

And the Elfiena talked.

About the current condition of the demon world that she had told to Sumika and Chikori inside the public bath just now.

“Several years ago, a powerful demon with strong influence all over the demon world died.

And then, following that event, the powerful clans in every place began a struggle for hegemony where they washed blood by blood.

With Jambure who appeared on this side the other day and Typhon as the beginning, a lot of demons were defeated in this struggle for hegemony and unable to stay in the demon world any longer, and so they searched for a new land in the human world and invaded into this world.”

“…So the reason for the increasing frequency of demons’ appearance since a few years ago is because of something like this.”

“Really, what a bother. No matter what, demons will be nothing more but harm for the humans.”

Joseph who now understood the reason for the increase in the demons’ appearance rate in the recent years leaked a deep sigh from being fed up.

But in regards to this,

“But, even though we are all demons, we cannot be lumped together.”

Elfiena immediately put a denial at that comment.

“Demon races that are not interested in war or territory like the [Fairy race] also exist.

For us too, demons like Typhon and Jambure who trample other people underfoot only for the sake of their greed are also enemies.

…But, while unfortunate, the [Fairy race] is not a race that is strong in battle.

The sizes of most of the fairy race are nothing bigger than the size to the degree they can be put on top of the palm of a human. Even I, who has the strongest magic power among our race, has the size that is at best the same with a human. To face an opponent like the gigantic <Demon King> whose size completely covered and hid the sky itself, there is nothing we can do. …There is no other choice available to us [Fairy race] other than being trampled down. For that reason, we want to form a cooperation system with the human race, who is in the same position as us.”

“And this is where the alliance comes in, is it?”

Elfiena nodded towards Kinugasa’s words.

From there she started to talk again.

“Yes. Saying it more concretely…… we the [Fairy race] want to be accepted, as the compatriots of the human race.”

She was saying, that she was wishing for they, the [Fairy race], to live together with the humans in the human world.

But in regards to that, the three names from the <United World Government> who sat in front of Elfiena opened their eyes wide.

“I’ll confirm it again but―you said ‘accepted’, in other words you want to migrate to the human world?”

“Yes.”

From that affirmation, the expressions of the three were clearly showing agitation.

That was natural.

Even though they had already been surprised from a demon bringing up a proposal for an alliance, but to go as far as wishing for [coexistence] was just―

It was a talk that just couldn’t possibly be accepted.

“Oi oi oi oi. Don’t shit with me you bitch. Talking whatever you pleased while I’m stayin’ quiet. Askin’ for demons to get welcomed to earth, ain’t no way such thing is possible huh―. Besides, what merit is there for us humans to do such a thing!?”

There was more or less a problem in his choice of words, but that question of Tairon filled the minds of everyone present in this place.

That was why both Joseph and Kinugasa didn’t warn off Tairon and waited for Elfiena’s answer.

And then surely the side of the fairy race had also assumed that this question would be thrown at them from the human race’s side. An answer was returned back without hesitation.

“Of course we are not thinking of having this favor given to us without any compensation. The [Fairy race] intend to offer [production cooperation] and [military cooperation] as the compensation to be given to the human race.”

“…Hoo.”

The merit for the human race’s side from the alliance that Elfiena suggested.

Hearing that, Homura leaked out an admiring voice that couldn’t be heard by anyone.

(She was careless about the relation between mankind and me, but… it looks like she properly investigated any beneficial information for her negotiation with the <United World Government> before coming here.)

That was because the two points that Elfiena presented accurately caught the weak points that the current human society held.

As expected, Joseph immediately bit at the bait.

“―[Production cooperation] and [military cooperation] is it? How deeply interesting.

Both are matters that the human race feels uneasy about even now.

Only humans that can handle magic power can become magicians that are able to oppose the demons.

In addition with the attack of demons that continue everyday, that number is chronically insufficient.

And then from the lack of magician’s number, we are unable to expand the <life sphere>, because of that we are unable to perform large scale agriculture so our food supply circumstances are always pressured.

This negative spiral might be able to be resolved, is that what you are saying?”

“Yes. Exactly as you said.”

“Interesting. Let me hear your story.”

Joseph showed a listening attitude to Elfiena’s words for the first time since the talk began.

Although he didn’t say anything, Wan Tairon also pricked up his ears.

Towards those two, Elfiena explained the merit of the alliance that fairy race’s side proposed to the human race’s side.

“First, in regards to the [production cooperation], in the first place we, the [Fairy race], are existences that are truly close of being nature spirit, dwelling within nature like trees and flowers, soil or water. And then, in exchange for providing us with dwellings in [nature], we promise abundant harvest from plants, fertility in the land, and purity in the water.

In other words, with us the [Fairy race] residing in the land, the harvest will become abundant to that extent, and the land will be able to produce crops with extremely high nutritional value in large amounts.”

“In short, it will become possible to produce food using less land and time, is that what you are saying?”

“Yes. I have confidence that our power that fertilize no matter what kind of land, and grow in abundance whatever kind of crop, will surely become an assistance to all of you humans.”

“I see, that’s certainly valuable, and extremely worthwhile. I understand about the [production cooperation] now. …Then, next, I wonder what kind of [military cooperation] you can offer? It’s impolite but, from listening to the talk from just now, I cannot think of you [Fairy race] to be generally useful in combat though.”

Elfiena honestly returned a nod towards Joseph’s words without hiding anything.

“It’s exactly as you said. We are not specialized in battle. That’s exactly why we were driven out from the demon world. Because the body of a fairy is really small, we are disadvantaged in battle no matter what. ―However, until the end that’s only in the case if it’s the fairy itself who fights.”

“What you are saying is?”

“Just as I said before this, we are existences that lives inside material of nature as spiritual body.

In other words… similar with living inside a plant, we can also live inside a weapon.

And then if we reside inside a weapon, the weapon will not only be a mere lump of iron, it will become a magic sword or a magic spear clad in magic power that makes it possible to hurt a demon.”

“So you’re talking about <Magic Power EndowmentEnchant> ―”

Suddenly Tairon vigorously stood up from his chair while raising a loud voice.

The displeased expression on his face from before had disappeared somewhere, now he was being really excited.

The reason was because <Enchant> was a technique of dreams for mankind.

It had been said before, but the battle power of the human race was constantly insufficient.

The reason was mainly because of the devastating damage from <Walpurgis Night>, but… the most fundamental reason was the fact that the great majority of the human race couldn’t control magic power.

Those who could oppose demons were limited to the extremely small part of the human race that could control magic power.

Due to that, the battle power of mankind was always pressed for more.

But, a technique that made magic power resided inside a weapon―if there was this <Enchant>, this premise would be overturned.

Even humans that didn’t have magic power, if they made use of a weapon that was enchanted with magic power, they would be able to fight equally against the demons which couldn’t be injured except by magic power. In short, humans that until now couldn’t be counted as fighting strength would be able to made use of as fighting strength from then on.

That was why in this one century, the whole of mankind had striven for the research of <Enchant> until now, but… this technique still couldn’t be established yet.

Although mankind had reached the stage where they could create <Sorcery Machine> that assisted sorcery operations of the magician using electronic circuits, the way to make magic power that didn’t have substance to stay for a long time inside substantial material still couldn’t be established yet.

But, Elfiena said.

That they the fairies could do that.

That they possessed the method to resolve the difficult problem that mankind encountered.

“Currently the remnants of the [Fairy race] are two million fairies. Even if we generously filled a weapon with ten fairies each, it will be possible to increase the manpower of mankind by two hundred thousand at maximum.”

“I wonder if this enchanted weapon can chant sorcery in the place of the one equipping it?”

“Of course it’s possible. That’s right. I think any fairy can use sorcery without trouble until the <third grade> sorcery in human standards.”

“…That’s, amazing. Not just a mere enchant. That’s already reaching the level of an Stand-alone Sorcery ArmamentIntelligence Device. Furthermore, even among humans there are many magicians that cannot use <third grade> sorcery to satisfaction from its difficulty. Form the view point of mankind, this battle strength augmenting… has a really large merit.”

“―Gahaha, then it’s decided.”

It was a term that would make mankind water in the mouth.

Joseph and Tairon showed a positive reaction that they hadn’t showed until now from this compensation for alliance Elfiena presented that was great beyond their imagination.

Like this, wouldn’t the talk go well with this development?

Such tinge of hope was born inside Elfiena’s heart.

But,

“Yosh! Let’s capture this bitch alive right now and dissect her thoroughly!”

―Such thinking was just too naïve.

“Eh……?”

“Good idea. Let’s quickly finish the arrangement for the research lab and the researcher. If we just understand the mechanism of fairy’s Enchant, we have no need of anything from this filthy demon.”

“That’s how it is! Oi you magicians over there, capture this demon right now-!”

“……-!”

Elfiena was astonished from listening to the words that Joseph and Tairon spouted out while they were wearing fiendish smiles.

But the two were serious.

Joseph was the head of the United States of America―the large country that once reigned over calling itself the justice of the world.

From the beginning he was not a human of a country with a quality that would compromise with the enemy.

After all since the founding of their country, they were a nation that removed all obstacles standing in their path.

And similar with them, Tairon too was a man that cleared open his path using only his own strength for his whole life.

He didn’t even respond well when talking with fellow humans, he was a politician that crushed ideology and forced those that opposed him with strength.

In the first place he was not someone which one could negotiate with.

Pushing away Kinugasa who tried to stop them in panic, Tairon deployed his own <Arms> that was a large halberd. He approached Elfiena just like that.

But against Tairon’s barbarism,

“Wha…! Yo, you must not do that you know!”

Chikori jumped over the sofa and stood in front of Elfiena blocking Tairon’s path.

Looking at this act of Chikori, Tairon’s eyes’ gleam that was like a wild beast became even more severe.

“Haaa? What is it you brat? You bastard, are you plannin’ to become an ally of the demons even though you are a magician?”

“I, I don’t plan to do something like that, but-”

“Then why ain’t you acting like what I commanded, huh, you trash-! Just who the hell do you think I am! I’m the secretary general of the great China Republic Union, one of the S-rank magicians that protect mankind, the great Wan Tairon-sama! Incompetent underling bastards like you just need to follow my decisions-!”

Tairon opened his mouth loudly, that even spit were spewed out with his rough voice.

Most people would completely wither down just from facing that scary look of Tairon.

However, Chikori didn’t back down.

Her face paled and her eyes projected fear, yet

“No, no way…-“

Because this petite girl, possessed a gentle bravery.

And then as if to back up such a girl,

“Then maybe you should face the same S-rank magician as yourself.”

Sumika smoothly went through Chikori’s side and declared that to Tairon while looking at his eyes.

The same S-rank magician.

With the entrance of an opponent that would be difficult to subdue with just his violence, Tairon ground his teeth in vexation.

“What d’you say?”

“I’m saying that I cannot approve of such an extremely savage decision. Even if what is behind me is a demon, but apprehending a person that visited as an emissary and killing them is not something that a civilized person will do. Secretary general Wan. Do you not have this thing called dignity?”

“Now you really said it <Grim Bullet>. Then what? Are you sayin’ to accept the fairy? That they can live on this earth!? Are you thinkin’ something like that can just be DONE―!?”

Sumika shook her head towards that question.

“…No. That’s impossible. We humans have had too many of our brethren killed by the demons. After all, even I still sometimes see the <Walpurgis Night> in my dreams… at the very least, while our generation who had experienced that night still live, harmony between humans and fairies is surely impossible.”

Even though inside her heart she felt sorry towards Elfiena for saying this, but that was Sumika’s point of view.

“But, capturing the unresisting Elfiena-san, then treating her like a guinea pig… such behavior where I cannot understand which side is actually the demon, there is no way I as a human cannot approve of that.”

“……-!”

Using strong words, Sumika rejected Tairon and Joseph’s method.

In the first place this was the reason why she attended this meeting.

In this negotiation, no matter how attractive the terms that Elfiena presented, there was no way the human race’s side would accept her demands, Sumika understood that.

The gulf that existed between the human race and the demons was just that deep.

And then in that case, surely the <United World Government> wouldn’t let Elfiena live.

They would undoubtedly try to harm Elfiena.

Well, such development was only natural in a certain meaning.

After all, humans and demons were a mutual sworn enemy.

Even Sumika, if it was before she had met Elfiena, then she might not have stopped Tairon’s act here.

But―Sumika had already met her.

Elfiena, who for the sake of her comrades was desperately fighting the unreasonable reality.

And then Sumika knew.

Elfiena’s smiling face that had no difference at all with humans.

Sumika was already unable to lump all demons as one and consider them all as evil.

She didn’t and couldn’t have any intention to overlook Elfiena being killed unreasonably.

That was why Sumika attended this meeting.

For the sake of protecting Elfiena.

In order to let her get back home to the demon world safely.

(For that sake―)

“Prime Minister Kinugasa. Elfiena-san. I have a proposition.”

Sumika talked to those two.

“This encounter between mankind and fairy, can you treat everything as if it never happened?”

Part 5

“Treating it as though it never happened, just what do you mean by that, Sumika-san?”

Elfiena asked Sumika’s true intention in confusion.

On the other hand, Sumika, she replied with a strong expression and slow speaking tone.

“It’s exactly as I said. …I think Elfiena-san has understood already, but unfortunately the human society won’t accept you fairies that are demons. The dread carved inside mankind against the demons is just that deeply rooted. I think that Elfiena-san, who knows about Typhon and Jambure’s barbarity, can imagine just how much that dread is.”

“……”

“Even if you can temporarily win over an alliance in this negotiation, mankind won’t tolerate the existence of the demons.

There is no doubt that first, there will be an uprising of movement that try to remove the fairies with violence.

…It’s an impossible talk in the first place, something like an alliance between demons and humans.

Mankind will never tolerate the existence of demons that are thinking of migrating to earth by any means.

But, if it’s right now then it’s still not too late, the humans that know about Elfiena-san’s existence are only the people here.

That’s why if we all just forget everything, then this encounter can be made to never exist.

Elfiena-san can safely return home to the demon world. Isn’t that… the most beneficial compromise for both human and fairy at this point of time?”

―This thinking of Sumika was correct.

Even if, for argument’s sake, Elfiena could talk down the three representatives of the <United World Government> here, the humans who had their parents, child, lover, killed at <Walpurgis Night> were all over this world in great number.

They, the general public wouldn’t tolerate the existence of Elfiena and the fairies.

…It would become a tragic event without fail.

Such outcome was clearly visible.

That was why Sumika thought.

The very best outcome to come out from this place. The method so that no harm would come to Elfiena.

That method, there was nothing else but to make this encounter between human and fairy to never exist in the first place.

But, naturally Joseph and Tairon snapped at this.

“Do, don’t shit with me! You gonna let a demon get away right under your nose!?”

“I firmly object! To let go a clue of <Enchant> slip away from our hands, that’s idiotic! Besides even though this girl has the appearance of a human at a glance, but she is a demon, a monster! There is no human that will say any complaint at handling her violently, they will even sing our praise instead!”

It was the obvious reaction.

<Enchant> was a technique that could control mankind’s destiny.

To let go of such unique chance that could solve this problem by their own hands, it was absurd.

It was unthinkable for these two who took a stance closer to mankind’s side to just let go of Elfiena. However―

“―I am in favour of Hoshikawa-san’s idea.”

There was just one person among the <United World Government> that agreed to Sumika’s idea, it was Kinugasa.

“Kinugasa, you bastard…!”

“Are you saying that you are betraying mankind, you!”

“I don’t have such an intention. …Just even in the case that the other party is a demon, but to capture an unresisting emissary and dissect her, no matter who will forgive such an action, I myself won’t forgive myself. If I do such a thing, the girl’s death will become a bitter memory that will torment me forever. To have a nightmare every night, that’s something that I want to avoid.”

Kinugasa calmly, but firmly declared that with a voice filled with resolve.

There was no lie in those words.

There was no lie but― he supported Sumika’s idea in this place was not only because of the beautiful excuse that he had just said.

If Elfiena was captured here and the technique of <Enchant> was established in the future, the national power of the <Five Great Leaders> which was already higher to begin with would leave behind the other countries including Japan more and more.

If that happened, then the obstruction of the <One Year Plan> would become extremely difficult.

It was a decision made from including such a calculation too.

But, no matter what kind of thinking he had in his heart, a support was still a support.

For the opinion of the people of the <United World Government> to be split, was a support that Sumika was extremely thankful to.

What was left was―

“Homura-san, what do you think?”

If she could make Homura as her ally here, then they would be able to overcome this situation.

This happening might be taken up as a problem in the future, but if they could just suppress this place and returned Elfiena home back to the demon world quickly, at the very least her life would be saved.

(It’s fine to think of what might happen in the future later on.)

Anyway, if they couldn’t overcome this place, they wouldn’t be able to save Elfiena.

That was why Sumika looked straight at Homura’s eyes who was standing behind Kinugasa and asked.

Surely if it was Homura who was kinder than anyone else, she believed that he wouldn’t participate in Tairon and Joseph’s plan to capture Elfiena and dissect her.

However―

“……That’s no good.”

Her expectation was betrayed.

Part 6

“Wha-“

“Ma, Master!?”

This answer of Homura made not only Sumika, but also Chikori who was beside her raise a voice that sounded like a scream.

The girls didn’t even imagine this.

For that gentle Homura to oppose this proposition.

“Then Homura-san, are you saying that it’s fine for Elfiena-san to be captured and dissected!?”

Sumika pressed her question at Homura with a trembling voice that didn’t hide her agitation.

But in contrast to Sumika who was being that agitated, Homura returned his words with an expression that was completely calm.

“I ain’t saying that.”

Of course, Homura noticed Sumika’s motive that tried to return Elfiena back to the demon world safely.

To stand up desperately for the sake of a demon that was supposed to be her enemy, such thinking was really like this girl who was worried for him who was the <Evil God User> that was hated by the world, Homura even felt admiration.

But at the same time, Homura also understood that her thinking was just a pipe dream.

As for the reason,

“But Sumika, your idea just won’t go through. After all, Elfiena herself ain’t planning to draw back from this.”

“Eh…”

Getting that pointed out by Homura, Sumika once again turned her eyes to Elfiena… and noticed.

That Elfiena was glaring at her with a threatening gaze.

As if, right, it was as if,

―As if Elfiena was enraged saying, don’t say anything unnecessary, at Sumika with her gaze.

And then as if to prove that premonition,

“Sumika-san. My apologies but, I cannot accept Sumika-san’s proposition.”

Elfiena said out a decisive sentence.

“I am still not giving up on forming an alliance with the human race yet.”

“Tha, that’s-! Elfiena-san! Do you still not understand!? No matter how attractive your proposal is, there is no place in mankind’s mind that can accept demons…! Even if you persistently force yourself here, you will only die a dog’s death in the future!”

There was only ruin awaiting Elfiena at the end of her choice.

Sumika knew that so she tried to persuade her with all her might.

However―

“No. It’s not impossible.”

Elfiena declared so.

With a certain confidence― with an expression that made one feel some sort of determination.

Just from where in the world could she get that kind of confidence?

Elfiena added her words towards the confused Sumika.

“Because, I still have a resource left that can persuade all of you humans.”

“What d’you say?”

Tairon narrowed his eyes from these words of Elfiena.

Was this girl bluffing, Tairon was trying to ascertain that.

But, Elfiena’s expression and tone, there was no falsehood in them.

The girl really did have something like that.

A material that was even more beneficial for this negotiation.

“…In truth, I don’t want to do this kind of negotiation. This is a topic that I was thinking of dealing with together after the alliance is formed. But if the human’s animosity is deeply rooted until this much, then it can’t be helped.”

“What are you doing putting on airs? Talk quickly!”

Against that hurrying of Tairon, until the end Elfiena moved at her own pace.

And then after taking a deep breath… she took out her last ace for this negotiation.

“―I think I have talked about the current situation of the demon world before this.

That currently, the demon world is thrust into a warring states era due to the powerful clans.

However, this information is already a little obsolete.

The war situation has advanced, many powerful clans were eliminated and absorbed by the victor, such process was repeated many times until now, where there are four great forces moving the war situation into an extermination war.

These four great forces are each a robust army led by the best demon kings of the demon world, where the battle was in a stalemate for a long period. …However the other day, finally, one of the four great forces was dropping out from this struggle for hegemony.”

“That’s why, what’s that got to do with anything huh? It ain’t our problem whatever happened in the demon world.”

“Can you still say that, even after hearing that this strong army of the demon world that has dropped out from the war is now aiming for the human world just like Typhon and Jambure?”

“Wha… WHATT!?”

Being told so suddenly of that worst situation, shudders ran at the expression of all people present in that place except Homura.

“You are saying, that <Demon King class> is going to attack again!? Even though Jambure has just come here the other day!?”

The atmosphere became coldly tense.

Inside that tense atmosphere, Elfiena stroked her long ears and detached the gem that was attached on her earlobe’s piercing.

And then she put that gem on top of the table and filled it with magic power.

Thereupon, above the table… a three dimensional hologram was projected from the gem.

“Thi, this is……-!”

“This is the image that I filmed at the dimensional boundary before coming to the human world.”

What was projected in the filmed image was a wasteland where there was not even a single grass growing.

There an army of demons was lining up in a size to the degree that they completely covered the horizon.

In the scene, not to mention <Soldier class> and <Knight class>, <General class> demons starting from baphomet were taking position with three giant humanoids as the center.

“What is, this number…-“

Chikori spoke tremblingly with a pale face.

But it was only natural.

Even the army that Jambure previously led was a threat that was enough to make mankind fall into despair.

Yet despite so, what was projected right now was an army on the scale that could possibly be several thousand more than that.

They understood just from a glance.

The force of the enemy far surpassed mankind’s ability to deal with it.

But―the threat of this army was not in this army,

“They are one of the four great forces, the <Giant Army>. These remnants numbering one million in total are led by three <Demon Kings> that are <Gyges> <Kottos> <Aegaeon>, a large army of the demon world’s best.”

“Th, three demon kings you said…-!?”

Correct. standing in the center of the army, there were three bodies of humanoid devil with robust physiques so big that their heads pierced the clouds. That was exactly the true threat.

Each of them had a size that rivaled Typhon and Jambure…

No, that was because they were <Demon King class> demons that possessed power far exceeding even the previous two.

“Is, is it really true that these guys are trying to come to the human world!?”

“Yes. The place that they are currently deploying their troops at is a place that is called the <Field of Interstice> in the demon world, it’s a place that is like the entrance to the human world. By using dimensional teleportation sorcery in that place, we demons are able to come to the human world. Saying it in reverse, there is no reason for them to come to that place other than to come to the human world. ―Most of all, because the <Giant Army> is a large household, it will take time for them to invoke the teleportation sorcery though. But it’s really only a matter of time, there is no change to the reality that they are going to appear in the human world. Calculating it in this side’s measuring… after seventy two hours of earth time, I guess they will manifest all at once on the Australian continent of earth.”

Elfiena indifferently answered the question of Joseph who was asking with a pale face only with fact.

The sight in front of their eyes was a reality.

They would appear on earth in a few days.

And then―

“And then, if the <Giant Army> manifest on earth, surely the human race will perish for sure this time.”

It was the only fact.

“You really said it huh. So even I cannot win against them then.”

Elfiena nodded without any hesitation towards Homura’s question.

“Yes. I am informed that <Evil God User>-sama is possessing an overwhelming power even against Typhon and Jambure, but even so you cannot win. They who were nothing more than the head of a small force even though they were the same <Demon King>, compared to the strength of <Gyges> <Kottos> <Aegaeon>―they the <Hecatoncheires> who is one of the full-fledged four great forces that divided the demon world into four, the dimension of their strength is different.”

“Well, I can understand that even just from seeing this projection.”

“Besides, most of all… they are possessing an extremely peculiar body structure.”

“Peculiar structure?”

“I expressed that vaguely but, please think of it as them possessing an extremely powerful [immortality]. They, the demon kings of three bodies, no matter what kind of attack they receive, they are able to immediately recover their damage. As long as they are not attacked using a certain method, they cannot be damaged at all.”

“―Something like that is certainly troublesome. Honestly, the small fries under their feet ain’t a big threat no matter how many billion there are, but for something this gigantic to have immortality on top of that, it might be too much for me to take them on even with <Evil God>.”

Joseph snarled as if screaming at Homura who was murmuring those words with a small voice.

“Wh, what are you doing saying something weak like that! Against something like those, yo, you are not troubled at all aren’t you!”

But in contrast with Joseph who was in panic, with a cool expression Homura was,

“Well, just calm down. What I just said is only in the case that I got no information about these three demon kings at all. If I just understand about that certain particular method, I’ll kill them surely. …And then, the one that broached this story in this place is ―Elfiena. You know it right. These three demon kings… <Hecatoncheires>’ weakness.”

Homura calmed down Joseph while directing the question at Elfiena.

Correct. Elfiena had said that.

That she had a material that could persuade the human race.

And that led to this talk. ―Then, the material that the fairy race’s side was going to present was,

There was only one that could be thought of.

This assumption of Homura, was correct.

“It helps me that you quickly understand. It’s exactly as you said.”

Elfiena strongly nodded and then she gazed at the three people of the <United World Government> lining in front of her, and said.

“We of the [Fairy race] are thinking to put this information on the table of the negotiation for an alliance. Based on that term, I wish to ask all of you one more time to consider your acceptance of the [Fairy race].”

Indeed, certainly, this information had a really great value for mankind.

No, it was something that they had to obtain no matter what.

There was nothing more valuable than this as a negotiation term.

―But, simultaneously with that,

“You bastard… are you planning to use the lives of us humans as a shield to advance the negotiation-!”

Exactly as what Joseph was being indignant about, Elfiena was aggressively negotiating by taking hostage the life of the other party.

Naturally, the atmosphere of the place turned dangerous drastically.

But even sensing that atmosphere,

“I don’t mind if you perceive it like that.”

Elfiena didn’t draw back.

That fact distorted Sumika’s expression.

She understood.

(There is, no taking it back anymore…)

Right now in this moment, Elfiena had already stepped over a line that she mustn’t cross.

As expected―

“DON’T SHIT WITH ME YOU BITCHHHHH!!!!”

Tairon threw away the table put between the two parties in rage.

“Three days… in just three days you said-! You’re full of shit! It ain’t the time for this kind of farce anymore! We are tying this woman right now and make her spit out the information! Don’t tell me that there are anymore idiots thats gonna protest this, now that it has reached this point, aaaah!?”

In regard to this, even Kinugasa who supported Sumika’s proposition before this also nodded.

“…I guess. Certainly, after listening to this kind of story… my apologies, but there is no way we can let you go back to the demon world anymore.

The card that you put out right now is too excessive.

If you just didn’t do that, we could make this encounter today to have never happened.

Yet, your unnecessary words cut off your own escape route.

We, mankind cannot let you go back to the demon world safely anymore.

Whether what you are saying is true or just a bluff for negotiation, it makes us have to take away that information by all possible means. No matter what kind of inhumane method that we have to use.”

Correct. This method of defeating the demon king might just be a bluff of Elfiena.

But, it couldn’t be overlooked just because of that.

The three people here were not in a position that could do that.

They had to obtain that information no matter what even if they had to use inhumane methods.

They, the <United World Government> were shouldering a responsibility towards the sake of mankind.

Therefore, Kinugasa’s words were like a death sentence for Elfiena.

But, even now after hearing those words―

“I don’t mind. Because I too, don’t have any intention of returning back to the demon world.”

The girl’s dignified stance didn’t crumble, she stared straight into the eyes of the three people in front of her.

Sumika and Chikori could only be perplexed towards that truly imposing behavior.

“Tha, that’s no good, something like that-! If that’s happens then El-san will…!”

“Elfiena-san, why…”

She should have understood already.

That mankind wouldn’t respond to a negotiation with the demons.

That even profitable negotiation terms were useless, that just by showing it made her fall into danger.

If the negotiation table was kicked flying and she was threatened by violence, Elfiena who was just alone couldn’t do anything.

She could only get trampled down at someone’s mercy.

Even though all of that were something understandable if one just thought about it a little, yet why―

“Just why are you being this reckless…“

…Towards Sumika and Chikori who were in such a confusion… Elfiena suddenly turned her gaze to them.

And then, she showed a bright― a smiling face so bright that it looked out of place with the current situation.

“―Sumika-san, Chikori-san. Thank you very much.

To worry about I who is your enemy, a demon, until that much.

I feel really happy from your kind feeling.

But― I’m sorry.

Just like these gentlemen here, who shoulder the responsibility towards the human race, I too have the responsibility towards all two million of the fairy race’s― no, even towards more in the future, the life of those who will be born from now on too.

Even now, in this moment, my comrades, in their fear where they don’t even know when they will be eaten in the demon world that has been turned into hell, they are waiting for me believing that I will return after ensuring a new place to belong to for us in this world.

Failure cannot be forgiven.

For that reason, I must use this card.

I understand, that if I use this card all of you will come to capture me.

I don’t think of that as cruel. After all, in their position I would also do the same thing.

But, I think that’s fine.

The reason for that is because I will never speak of this information by any means even if I am to receive any kind of humiliation or pain.

If I do that, with each day that passed the situation will became even more beneficial for the [Fairy race(us)] in this negotiation.

It’s a matter of course. The time remaining for the humans is not much.

Because just as I expressed before this, the demon army will appear in this world without fail in three more days.

…Before long you will have no choice but to fold.

You will become unable to not answer my wish.

Then, to be captured is not that bad of a choice for us. Isn’t that right?”

―That was Elfiena’s thinking.

The girl was not challenging the humans with this reckless negotiation thoughtlessly.

From the start, even before she had arrived in the human world, she had already seen through this development.

For that reason, she didn’t even bring a single escort with her.

From the beginning, she was planning to be captured.

She made mankind to stand in a dilemma, because she understood that if she didn’t corner them until barely the limit, then there was no way a negotiation between demon and human could be established.

“It’s not our wish to let this negotiation breakdown peacefully.

If we are sent away with a gentle smile, then we will remain in the seat of negotiation even if we have to cling at it. I have such a responsibility. The responsibility of all the lives of the fairy race that is entrusted to me.

Do you now understand?

Before this you said that I cut my own escape with my unnecessary words, but that is mistaken.

I, in this negotiation, didn’t prepare any escape since the beginning.

I have no intention at all to go back home to the demon world with empty hands.

―I came crossing over to this human world with the intent to die.”

“ “ “…―――–” ” ”

Those words that could even be taken as Elfiena’s demonstration of determination made most of the people present in that place swallow their breath.

Even the hard-faced Tairon.

They were overpowered by the feeling that this girl wagered on this negotiation.

And then at the same time Sumika also understood.

She had misread this demon girl.

“…I, understand. It seems that I have willfully underestimated your existence as the <Fairy race’s Queen>, seeing you as nothing more than a girl of my age based from your appearance. Forgive me for my impertinent behavior. If Elfiena-san has resolved yourself until that far then… there is nothing more that I can say.”

This was not something where she who didn’t have any resolve could say anything.

If Elfiena had said that she had resolved herself even for death, then her wanting to bring back the girl without harm to the demon world was nothing more than meddlesomeness.

Sumika withdrew herself after understanding that.

“Thank you.”

Elfiena expressed her thanks toward Sumika who respected her will.

“We, the [Fairy race] are also an oppressed race. We know very well about fear and hatred towards the oppressor. Therefore, I also understand just how hard a decision it is that all of you human are being pressed with. That’s why, I don’t think that I can receive the answer for this alliance that simply. By all means, until all of you of the human race can understand, please make use of all means at your disposal. I’ll cooperate with all of that.”

Declaring that, Elfiena offered both her hands in front of Tairon.

A gesture that was asking for a handcuff. A message that she wouldn’t resist.

Towards this,

“…Uu, guh…!”

Tairon’s face sweated and warped in a way that was never seen before.

(This girl, is no good…!)

Tairon who was a pro in violence understood.

These strong green eyes, staring at him straightforwardly, without the least bit of hesitation in it.

The strength of will that resided in it.

A person with this kind of eye, wouldn’t break under violence.

It was not the eye of a person that would yield from fear and pain.

No matter how much severe torture she would be put under, this girl would never give out the information that they needed.

Even if she had to exhaust her life to the end.

No matter what kind of act was done towards this girl, it would only end as wasted effort.

Tairon was convinced of that. ―But,

“Br, bring it on! Let’s make sure whether your face can still look that prim when I drag out your intestine-!”

But the current them couldn’t acquiesce to a demon’s demand just because of that.

Since they couldn’t do that, even while knowing that it was Elfiena’s tactic, they couldn’t do anything except taking such action knowing that it was meaningless.

While grinding his teeth from indignation and frustration, Tairon grasped Elfiena’s arm…

“―Wait a sec.”

But at that moment, just when Tairon’s thick arm was going to catch Elfiena’s slender arm.

The <Evil God User> Kamishiro Homura who until now didn’t say anything unless being asked from him, actively let out his voice for the first time in this place.

Part 7

Homura who made Tairon freeze with that calm but sharp voice, asked once more.

“In other words, it’s fine for me to consider that as the decision of the <United World Government> right?”

“What is it you bastard… Don’t tell me that you got a complaint with this.”

“No. It’s just like Joseph said after all, I got no right at all in regards to mankind yeah. I don’t have any plan to nitpick on you guys’ decision. You don’t see me cutting in even once in the middle of this meeting right? I know of my position in that area. Besides, it ain’t like your decision to capture Elfiena here is a decision that is that bad as human.”

Correct, this was not a mistaken decision.

If they were going to carry out their responsibility as the representatives of mankind, there was nothing else that could be done except making this decision.

“That’s why I got no plan to criticize or blame you guys.”

“Then just shut up! We’re busy here!”

“You telling me to shut up means this is really you guys’ decision then?”

The one who returned an answer to Homura’s repeated question was Kinugasa.

“―Unfortunately, we cannot say anything else but that this is how it is. We understand the reason why the [Fairy race] cannot pull back, but as [mankind] with destruction approaching right before our eyes, there is no way we can be picky about our methods here.”

Hearing that answer,

“Okay. Then there ain’t any other way to compromise except this one thing.”

Homura murmured that before snapping his fingers audibly. Instantly―

“Guaa―”

Tairon screamed and got toppled over from his spot.

He was blown away.

At the same time with Homura snapping his finger, a circle shaped magic barrierprotection appeared as if to protect Elfiena.

“Thi, this is <protection barrier>-!”

No element third grade. It was a defensive sorcery that protected the target with a barrier that reacted towards both sorcery and physical force.

And then, there was only one human in this place that invoked this sorcery in this kind of timing―

“Wh, what are your intentions Kamishiroooo-!”

Naturally Tairon stood up while screaming in rage.

But Homura didn’t even glance at him and asked Elfiena.

“Elfiena. The majority of the [Fairy race] is not as big as the average human like you, but only around the size that can be put on top of your palm right? And then usually they are living by merging into nature as spirit body, that’s what you said.”

“Eh, ah, yes. Correct, that’s right, is something wrong?”

“A land around the size of Hachijo island is gonna be sufficient enough for two million fairies like that I think. That place is also quiet separated from [Tokyo life sphere], and since [Walpurgis Night] it was left alone all this time and became like a forest of trees now, so it’s just right to be lived at I guess.”

“Wha, Ho, Homura-san!? Please wait! What do you mean by that-!?”

Listening to Homura who progressed the talk as he pleased, Kinugasa couldn’t bear it and interrupted him with a pale face.

“Do, don’t tell me, are you going to make these fairies migrate into Japan!? That’s impossible! If a government consented to something like that, a riot might occur inside the life sphere!”

“I got that. After all telling the current humans to get along with the demons is an unreasonable demand.”

“Then, what are you talking about since just now…”

“It ain’t like I’m telling Japan or the world government to accept Elfiena and the others here.”

“………Don’t tell me―”

Suddenly, Kinugasa’s eyes opened wide.

He noticed already. Just what it was that Homura was thinking of right now.

And then, Homura who guessed that Kinugasa had understood what it was he was thinking about, showed a powerful smile at Kinugasa.

“It’s something like that. I’m hijacking Hachijo Island that has been left alone since <Walpurgis Night> from Japan’s government. And then I’m going to invite the [Fairy race] to that land by my arbitrary decision. Like this it’s fine for the world government to not worry about the people’s sentiment. After all this is the arbitrary decision of the notorious <Evil God User>. Looking at it like that it’s a done deal already right? And, as compensation for that you gotta teach me the information about the three demon kings. After all from the beginning only I can deal with <Demon King class> anyway. It’s fine if only I know it.”

“ “――………” “

Listening to Homura’s proposition, Joseph and even Tairon who was being that agitated fell quiet.

And then they started to think of something with a pensive look.

They noticed it.

Homura’s proposition… had no demerit at all for them.

They were completely reluctant to invite the [Fairy race] to earth, but they were not recognizing the migration as the <United World Government>, the story was greatly different if this was an arbitrary decision of the <Evil God User>.

Perhaps they were going to be criticized as unable to control the <Evil God User> from running wild, but they could write that off with the overwhelming bad impression that the perpetrator who invited the demons, Homura himself, would get in return― no, they might get relatively even more in return. Because of the extermination of the demon king Jambure recently, tendency of people reevaluating their opinion of Homura could be seen appearing here and there bit by bit all over the world. By making use of the fairies to greatly drop Homura’s evaluation was not really that bad of a choice for the <United World Government>.

“Well most of all, this is only if Elfiena is fine with that though. How about it? [Fairy race]’s wish to migrate will come true. [Mankind] will be saved from the threat of the <Giant Army>. ―There ain’t any loss for the both sides, I think it’s the most valid compromise for the current situation.”

“Ah, ye, yes-! It will be a great help if we can migrate to the human world-!”

Elfiena had no reason to not accept this proposition.

She could accomplish her absolute objective in migrating to the human world with this, most of all, she who was a resident of another world didn’t know about the circumstance of the complex relationship that Homura had with the world government. She didn’t know at all, about what kind of position Homura would be cornered into with the realization of this proposition.

That was why she nodded without hesitation.

“Then that’s good. And how about the side of the <United World Government>?”

The one who opened his mouth towards Homura who was pressing for an answer, was Joseph.

“…Yes. You are arbitrarily inviting the [Fairy race], further if you say that you are going to bear responsibility of taking care of the <Giant Army>, even for the <United World Government> it’s fine for us to overlook the hijacking of a single island.”

“Just leave that one to me. From the beginning killing demon kings is my domain. Prime Minister Kinugasa, you also don’t mind?”

Kinugasa’s expression bitterly darkened from Homura’s confirmation.

He was different from Joseph and Tairon, he had a favorable sentiment for Homura.

That was why, in reality―he felt a reluctance to get aboard this proposition that would bring harm to Homura alone.

However― even so he was a capable politician.

He couldn’t get caught in personal feeling when calculating loss and profit in a matter.

“…It’s not like I don’t have any objection, but in the current situation, that’s the very best method that we can possibly obtain. ―I understand. Japan’s government will resign the territorial right of Hachijo island. Originally this is something that cannot be decided arbitrarily by me, but if the one who asked to hand it over was the <Evil God User>, then surely there will be no complain. After all this is not an opponent that we can even oppose against.”

“It helps that you quickly understand.”

Like this Homura’s proposition obtained the support of both sides of [fairy] and [mankind] in the blink of an eye.

And then the curtain of the negotiation between [fairy] and [mankind] was lowered down―

“SOMETHING LIKE THAT IS JUST NO GOOD–!!!!”

Instantly, a piercing scream forced its way through the mutual understanding that Homura mediated.

Part 8

The eyes of all the people present in that place opened wide in surprise from the voice that shrilly resounded in the board chairman’s room.

And then,

“Sumika, san…?”

With Elfiena whose face was still shocked as the first, the gazes of all people were directed at the source of the voice.

Correct. That screaming voice was Hoshikawa Sumika’s.

“…Something like that, is absolutely, no good…!”

While receiving the stares of everyone, Sumika’s shoulders shook and she stared at Homura with an expression of rage.

Sumika knew.

That the man in front of her eyes, Kamishiro Homura was this kind of human.

This was the same with the dispute that happened with the <Special Missionary> Alfaro at the afternoon of today.

He peacefully settled the trouble while undertaking all the loss.

As the result, just how much he would be hated, how much he would be shunned―

Because he possessed the strength and power to shoulder all that loss.

…Sumika hated that way of life of Homura.

However at the same time this wise girl also understood that she didn’t have the qualifications to say anything in regards to his way of life.

Because she was powerless.

Because she didn’t have the ability to solve the problem in a way more skillful than him.

Correct, certainly this way he proposed could really be called as the best.

Both for [fairy] and also for the [government], there was nothing better than this plan of Homura.

In the current situation, nobody could refute that there was no better way than this plan to resolve the problem.

Then, rejecting that plan was nothing more than selfishness. It was no different than a kid’s whining.

In truth it was only silliness, a stupid act that only spouted out emotion that couldn’t produce anything.

That was why at that time with Alfaro, Sumika only grimaced her face but didn’t stop Homura.

However, even so―

Even so… the matter this time, it exceeded the tolerance where she could overlook it and stay quiet.

If asked why,

“Do you understand the meaning of what you are going to do? You the <Evil God User> that is rumored to conspire with demons, if the news about how you invited the fairies that are demons to live on earth spread all over the world… Homura-san cannot, anymore… you will really become unable to return to the world of people anymore! You will really become the enemy of the human race, really become a traitor for real you know-!?”

Correct. This was not just a mere loss.

This plan of Homura would decisively corner Homura himself.

Into a position where he would be unable to go back anymore.

The people that hated demons would never forgive Homura.

He would be misunderstood forever.

―But, what constricted her heart most of all was the fact, that even being loathed like that forever, Homura would surely still continue to protect all humans that regarded him as the enemy.

Being forever misunderstood and unrewarded, even so he wouldn’t let out a single complaint.

Dragging along his wound-riddled body, until the very last moment… he would live as the slave of the world.

Surely he would go through all that in satisfaction without expressing a single regret.

She could easily imagine such a picture of Homura.

Something like that… Sumika simply couldn’t tolerate it.

“This compromise is not all that appropriate-!”

And then that complaint of Sumika―

“Sumika-san. What do you mean by that?”

Made Elfiena harbor a doubt towards Homura’s relationship with mankind.

“Is <Evil God User>-sama not the hero that repelled the demon kings that attacked the human world twice already so far?”

Elfiena asked with a taken aback expression.

In regard to this, the one who gave the answer was Shiori who was leaning against the wall.

“Humans are a hopelessly weak living being you know.

Weak, cowardly, and greedy. Truly a hopeless living being.

That’s why they extremely feared those with [power] greater than themselves.

They will shun such being, fearing that their own life and privileges will be violated.

Yes, even if that [power] had already saved their life.

…For some reason it seems that you are thinking of Homura-kun as the hero of mankind, however, that’s mistaken. He is not extolled as a hero or anything. Rather it’s far from that… while he saved mankind, he is feared as no different than all of you demons and is ostracized.”

“――-!”

Elfiena’s expression froze from that fact she was told for the first time.

She too finally guessed it.

The meaning of a human in that kind of position… inviting demons onto earth.

Such thing would invite a really fatal solitude.

(All this time, I was only thinking that <Evil God User>-sama is holding a great authority among the humans.)

That it was because of that he could do this kind of arbitrary decision, she thought.

That he was ostracized by the other two was also because of such authority, she thought.

But that was wrong.

He was going to pay a great sacrifice, in order to save them, the fairies.

For the sake of they the [Fairy race] with whom he had no relation with whatsoever.

―Certainly something like this, was not a compromise at all.

If she didn’t reject this.

It was fine if she became a sacrifice. But, to sacrifice other people, such salvation was mistaken.

(But, however-)

“I’m sorry… But even so, I…-“

Elfiena was… the <Fairy Queen>.

She had the position where she was shouldering the life of all the [Fairy race].

This plan of Homura would save the life of the two million [Fairy race], it was something that she mustn’t let go no matter what.

That was why Elfiena, even while making a distorted face from the violent guilt that she felt,

“<Evil God User>-sama. …Please, save, us…!”

She swallowed the word of refusal, grasped the fringe of Homura’s clothes, and hanged on to him with a weeping voice.

While understanding what result her act would bring about for him.

(…I’m, the worst…)

She couldn’t lift her face.

She couldn’t see Homura’s face.

There was no instance where she hated her powerlessness more than this.

But, towards this mortifying decision of Elfiena,

“That’s a good reply.”

Homura returned back a smile as if it was nothing and patted the head of the looking down girl.

It was a gentle and affectionate hand.

“<Evil God User>-sama…”

“You really hanged in there well. It’s fine already. If you rely on me, then no matter if it’s demons or humans, I’ll protect you all from anything that will try to hurt you. That’s why―you can stop enduring now.”

“……!”

She could stop enduring.

Homura told those words while combing Elfiena’s emerald blonde hair.

The instant she heard those words, Elfiena’s eyes opened wide in shock.

But that shock quickly permeated her and shook her eyes damply,

“A, u, -~~~~~~~~~aaaaaaaaaaa—!!!!”

She burst.

Elfiena suddenly clung at Homura’s chest and started weeping like a child.

“Elfiena, san…?”

Elfiena’s wail that came out of nowhere made all people present in that place dumbfounded.

That was because it was an act that was far removed from this girl’s image from before when she took hostage the life of mankind and pressed them with a negotiation that was like extortion.

But― in the end, was that really the true Elfiena?

Absolutely wrong.

Only Homura understood that from all the people in this place.

“Sumika. Just now you said that you behaved impertinently right? But, there ain’t any such thing. There ain’t any such guy that gonna be okay if they knew they are going to meet a terrible experience. Coming to the human world with the intention to die or whatever, that’s obviously a bluff. Thing like the resolve to die, only some guy that is not right in their head can do that.”

Yes, this girl should have feel scared all this time.

She should be frightened.

Because if she understood how deep the hatred humans held for the demons, it was a trivial thing to imagine just what kind of hell was awaiting her after being captured by the humans.

“But, even so Elfiena came to the human world. Shouldering the life and future of her comrades by herself, she went alone to a battlefield where she was isolated and helpless.”

And then she fought [mankind].

Something like a resolve was not just a convenient emotion that was like desperation.

It was mustering out all the courage that you had, while desperately stifling the seething anxiety and shivers of your body.

“It ain’t something that just anybody can do. ―She is an amazing girl.”

Homura noticed that. Only Homura, noticed that. For that reason―

“…Certainly, just like what Sumika is being uneasy for, if the news that I shelter demons spreads out, then surely there’ll be a great uproar. There will be a lot of guys cursing at me saying [You see that?] about me. But you see… I ain’t minding something like that. For me, rather than the words of bunches like that― the voice of Elfiena seeking help, is several thousand times heavier.”

“Homura, san…”

Homura’s words made Sumika unable to form any more words.

The true heart of Elfiena that she wrote off as resolve and comprehended it just like that.

Elfiena’s true feeling that even the fairies in her village extolled as just bravery.

Homura understood that correctly.

What the cowardly Elfiena possessed, something far more precious than even bravery, a true courage.

It was the only thing that made her marched into the human world by her lonesome.

And then, he anticipated the breakdown of the negotiation and from the start was waiting for the time where he could immediately propose his compromise.

Everything was… for the sake of saving Elfiena in the true meaning.

(What… an amazing person…)

Even though he was that strong.

Even though he was an overwhelming existence that no enemy or ally could catch up with.

Yet he was always sympathizing with the heart of weak people.

That was truly a noble way of living.

But that cornered him into a loneliness that was really hopeless.

Against that reality, Sumika hung her head down and just bit her lips. But―

“Besides, you know. ―Because it seems there is someone who understands about me at my side. Just that is enough. Being something like a hero liked by fellows all over the world, something gross like that just ain’t for me.”

“…!”

Sumika gasped in surprise and rasied her face from those next words of Homura.

Those were the words that Sumika herself said to Homura after that matter with Alfaro this afternoon.

(……What an unfair person.)

She couldn’t say any complaint anymore with her words brought up like that.

That was why Sumika,

“That’s right! I properly understood so, please don’t get conceited that you are being hated by everyone or anything-!”

She hollered at Homura while tears of frustration were gathering at the corners of her eyes.

And then she faced aside sulkily with a huff.

That was also Sumika’s way to express her intention in her own style that she wouldn’t complain anymore no matter whatever was Homura’s decision.

Then, the moment when the talk ended like that―

“It seems that the talk has been concluded before my arrival.”

Along with a withered voice, the door of the board chairman’s room was opened with a creaking sound.

The one who stood there was an aged body like a dead tree with a long white beard growing out on his face.

―One of the <Five Great Leaders>, Innocentius XVII.

Part 9

“Th, this is, your grace! I heard that today you were staying in Shanghai life sphere, but I never imagined you were coming here right from Shanghai-!?”

Innocentius’ sudden entrance made Kinugasa expose his surprise.

On the other hand Innocentius gave him a single glance,

“It’s because this matter of a demon bringing negotiations to us is something that has never happened until now. I came to take a look at the situation wondering whether all of you can handle this well. Well, though it seems doing that is unnecessary.”

He entered inside the board chairman’s room while replying with a voice that reverberated lowly.

Onjouji Kai who was standing beside the door asked after hearing those words.

“Based from your grace’s appearance, does this mean you are informed of the progress of the events until now?”

“I comprehend the general story from the transmission with Joseph.”

“Sorry. For some reason it seems that I forget to turn off my phone.”

Joseph pointed at the cell phone in his breast pocket without even any guilt.

Onjouji knitted his eyebrows a little from that behavior.

This board chairman’s room was a space that was furnished with the newest counterespionage equipment that Japan currently possessed.

Originally it shouldn’t allow any transmission to the outside, but as expected America had slight superiority in electronic transmission technology. Today the talk that they had was not something bad even if it got heard, but if something like this could possibly happen, then they shouldn’t trust too much in the counterespionage equipment of the board chairman’s room.

While Onjouji was thinking about that kind of matter,

“There is no particular complaint from the <United World Government> toward the indirect understanding mediated by the <Evil God User>. But there are three points. <Evil God User>―I’ll give you three conditions.”

Innocentious who entered the room glared at Homura and began that kind of talk.

“Conditions?”

Just why did he need to accept such things?

―As for Homura he could also reject them.

In the first place this decision was something that Homura handled not as a human on the side of [mankind].

The <Five Great Leaders> that were the representative of [mankind] didn’t have any cause to direct his actions in this or that.

But―

“Anyway just try to say what kind of conditions those are first. I’ll think about it after that.”

Homura showed that he was listening.

It was because he decided that he should not make waves imprudently with [mankind] because the [fairy] would live on earth from now on.

Innocentius nodded a little toward this reply and said out the conditions one by one.

“First, carry this out behind closed doors so as not to let the populace know about the fairy’s migration. Of course, the existence of the <Fairy Queen> must also not get leaked out to people other than those in this room by any means.”

(Hm…?)

“Oi oi. What the hell with that―”

The one who snapped at the condition that Innocentius presented was not Homura, but Tairon.

Tairon agreed with Homura’s plan was in order to completely broadcast the fatal infamy of Homura towards the hearts of the people with the news of [<Evil God User> is sheltering demons].

But, Innocentius was saying to keep secret the existence of the fairies from the start.

“Like that, won’t we become unable to lower the evaluation of this shitty brat?”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s more important to avoid chaos rather than something like that.”

Innocentius didn’t change his opinion even from Tairon’s objection.

“Since you invited demons to earth, this is only the natural condition. I’ll have you agree to this, <Evil God User>.”

“Hmph… Just when I thought that you’re gonna give me some condition that is more like pestering, that’s a rare respectable opinion from you. ―Fine. From the start that was my intention anyway. If you guys are saying that you gonna stay quiet, then that’s saved the trouble.”

“But of course. After all we are ruler. We won’t do anything that hurts the stability of the world by ourselves.”

“……Chih!”

Even with Tairon clicking his tongue in a dissatisfied expression, Innocentius ignored him and continued his words.

“Next the second condition, you concluded the meeting willfully before my arrival. Take responsibility to accomplish dealing with the <Giant Army> by yourself alone.”

“That ain’t a problem cause that’s my intention from the beginning anyway.”

Homura returned an instant answer to this but,

“Wa, wait a second Master!”

This time it was Chikori who argued.

“That’s really strange! Even though this is everyone’s problem―”

“Please wait, Chikori-san.”

However, Sumika obstructed Chikori’s words in the middle.

“Leader?”

Chikori looked dissatisfied why she was stopped, but Sumika talked to her with a face that was slightly sad.

“I understood really well from the time we fought Jambure. We are still unable to accompany Homura-san in fighting <Demon King class>. Even if we are beside Homura-san, it’s frustrating but we will only be a burden for him. …Isn’t that right, Homura-san?”

“…Well, I don’t plan to go as far as calling you burden, but if you asked me, it’s true that it’s easier like that.”

Sumika was watching Homura get injured from the <Divine Breath> of Jambure from nearby.

Moreover, looking from the flow of the battle, even that injury was obtained from covering for Sumika.

Sumika stopping Chikori was also from that guilt.

In reality, this follow up of Sumika was a big help for Homura.

“Uu…… well, if Leader and Master said so…”

Chikori herself also really understood deep in her bones, just how dangerous an existence of someone that was only being a burden to other people was from her own experience.

Chikori obediently withdrew from Sumika’s words.

After looking at that Homura once again returned his gaze at Innocentius,

“And? What is the other one?”

He inquired about the last condition.

“Right. The third is, until you finish dealing with the <Giant Army>, the personage of the <Fairy Queen> is to be confined in Tokyo’s life sphere’s state guest house.”

This time Homura didn’t give a quick reply towards this condition.

That was because thinking from the current situation of the [Fairy race], it should be better the earlier the migration could be done.

That was why Homura returned a question.

“…What’s the reason?”

Innocentius’ answer was also quickly given to Homura who was reluctant to delay the migration and demanded for a justified reason.

“This is a measure taking into account the possibility that the [Fairy race] and <Giant Army> are colluding with each other. A proof that they are not teaching us false information to further send a large number of their pawns to perform destruction maneuvering in the human world, currently doesn’t exist. The migration is only after the coming demon kings are exterminated just as the information that the <Fairy Queen> brought to us, that’s when the innocence of the [Fairy race] can be proved. This is the minimum condition to manage the risk.”

“I see… well, indeed there is truth in that.”

Homura didn’t know if Innocentius lied or not, but his opinion was logical.

That was why Homura,

“Elfiena. Seems like the migration will be postponed a little, you don’t mind?”

He entrusted the decision to Elfiena.

Elfiena separated her body from Homura’s chest hearing that question, and nodded.

“Yes-. At any rate it will take time to move two million [Fairy race], most of all it was our side that made this information as negotiation material. I will hold the proper responsibility of my own words.

Tears still hadn’t dried from her face, but she replied dignifiedly.

Innocentius who heard that reply,

“―Very well. Then I too will swear under the name of our great lord, as long as the [Fairy race] doesn’t bring harm to mankind, we won’t do anything to interfere.”

Guaranteed Elfiena’s safety by swearing to his own god.

And then, with this oath of Innoncentius, the first conference between mankind and demon had its curtains lowered down.

Part 10

After the end of the conference between mankind and fairy. Innocentius rode a courtesy car possessed by the church and he quickly took communication with a certain place.

The place that he contacted was located in a part inside Tokyo life sphere, a white structure.

Among the built office buildings, was a building of <Japan Holy Path Church> that stood tall while releasing a solemnity that felt out of place. A room inside it was the office of a special missionary.

Everything about the meeting was told to the <Special Missionary> staying in Japan, Alfaro, right from the beginning to end by the same mouth that was saying the promise of not letting anyone know about the fairy other than anyone in that place.

“In addition to the three <Demon King class> that are newly scheming to invade here, there is also the [Fairy race] that plot to migrate to the human world is it. …Hohoho. It became something truly dreadful just in one day hasn’t it-“

Alfaro who finished hearing everything shrugged his shoulders in amazement while reclining on a sofa.

“Furthermore to invite true demons to this holy star that our great god bestowed to us mankind. The <Evil God User> is truly a man that is beyond help. As I thought, the existence of that young man cannot possibly be for the sake of mankind.”

{Exactly as you said. Truly this will also make our lord grief.}

“However… your grace. I wonder if this is fine?”

{About what?}

“About how your grace is telling me about the contents of that meeting.

Just as your grace also knows, I, Alfaro, am a <Special Missionary>.

And then―the role of <Special Missionary>, just as that title implies is not only for religious proclamation.

We are also the agents of divine punishment, who get rid of the pagan that stained the name of god and the demons by means of force.

That is us, the <Special Missionary>.

With I who is like that… I wonder if your grace thinks that I can possibly tolerate something like a demon running rampant above this earth?”

As usual, it was hard to read the expression of Alfaro with his eyes that made people associate it with the face of a Buddha statue, still in its narrow shape of a thin smile.

However, a savage echo that was similar with the growl of a beast was seeping into his voice.

That was exactly the true nature of this man.

And then―

{―Of course, I contacted you exactly because you are that kind of person.}

Innocentius was telling everything to him exactly because of that.

“Oh ho? But I heard that your grace had sworn under the name of god yourself to not interfere towards the fairy? To break an oath promised under the name of god, I wonder if we won’t become a shame for our god like that?”

{The great lord is tolerant. He will pardon no matter what kind of cowardice towards those heathen. That is something that has been proved in history. No matter how many heathen we killed, raped, and plundered, the history of us the <Holy Path Church> is always overflowing with light. That means this is something that is expected from us. The great lord doesn’t wish for the reformation of those heathens, but their cries of agony.}

There was not a single doubt in the answering voice of Innocentius.

Correct. From the very beginning, he didn’t have any intention of protecting his promise towards Elfiena.

{To say nothing of how the other party this time is a demon. How could there be any problem.}

“Hohoho…! So there is no problem at all then.”

These words of Innocentius made Alfaro express his approval by smiling wickedly where one could peek at his canines from his mouth.

{That’s fine. It’s already decided that after seventy two hours, the <Evil God User> Homura Kamishiro will meet the <Giant Army> at the Australian continent. In other words, that man will not guard the <Fairy Queen>.

Based from their agreement to not talk about the fairy other than with the people in that place, the protection of the <Fairy Queen> will be at best… the S-rank Magician <Grim Bullet> Sumika Hoshikawa and the girl’s trainee platoon.

And then the step daughter of Onjouji, her fighting strength as an Operator is meager.

One other girl too, based from what could be seen from the battle with Jambure, it seemed that she was fairly useful but… she is not on the level that can contend with you who is a <Special Missionary>.

―Can you do it, Alfaro?}

“Of course your grace. Everything is for the sake of our god’s glory. And then for the sake of us mankind who has been chosen by god. I’ll show how I make those disgraces perish from this star.”

{I’ll leave it to you. I’ll arrange reinforcements of <Holy Path KnightPaladin> from this side too. ―Aah, also, that adopted daughter of Onjouji, that <experiment body>, don’t kill her. After all that thing still has a role left.}

“I understand. I’ll take my leave.”

With those words as the last, the transmission from Innocentius was ended.

Alfaro returned the phone to the receiver on the table, and pondered.

“Now then, how should I go about this.”

What he should do had been already decided.

As a <Special Missionary>, he would destroy the evil demon. That was all.

However, there was a hindrance to that.

The battle power protecting Elfiena that he was told from Innocentius.

Innocentius talked about it like it was nothing, but

“…<Grim Bullet> is a little troublesome even with the power I have.”

He had to think of a method to remove her somehow.

That was why Alfaro ruminated for a while―

“――Aah, there is also that hand. Hohoho.”

Smiling as if he had thought about a good idea, he took the phone by hand and called to a certain place.

The destination of the call was― the orphanage that he went to this afternoon.

“Good day Miss Nagashima. It has been a half day isn’t it? Hohoho. I wonder if sister Lily is still in your institution? She is? So she is reading a book for the children you say. That’s great, that’s great. My apologies, but I wonder if I can trouble you to tell her to return to the church urgently? ―There is a really important work, something that no one but she can do.”

Part 11

On the other side, almost at the same time it was not only Innocentius that was showing a movement.

After the conference ended, Elfiena who collapsed from the relieved feeling of passing through a mountain of large problems and from the exhaustion that had kept piling up until now, she was then made to sleep in another room, after that

“That geezer really said―[under the name of the great lord] huh. Just how much blood has been spilled under that name until now I wonder. I get the feeling that a guy wearing protective armor of full protection saying [I’m not scared of anything] is still more believable than this.”

Homura sat on the sofa that Elfiena was sitting at until just now while spouting out words with a sarcastic tone.

From the beginning he didn’t even think that Innocentius would do anything like protecting his promise.

“…Well, putting aside the <United World Government>, for the <Holy Path Church> to tolerate Elfiena-san’s existence is something really unthinkable.”

“Tha, that’s so!? Even though they promised!?”

Chikori who was the only one that honestly believed that promise was feeling indignant, but the reaction of the other members were cold.

Everyone understood.

That there was no way the <Holy Path Church> would keep a promise with a demon.

“I guess if they are going to try something it will be in three days when Homura sets out. If we plan to protect the <Fairy Queen>, we have to think of a countermeasure. Most of all, with our stand point that has to keep the matter of the fairy a secret, we cannot prepare a sufficient security, even if we temporarily break the promise and try to mobilize security, but there is no one strange enough that they will lend their hands in order to help a demon. If we are careless we will only increase our enemy.”

Homura was also of the same opinion as Onjouji’s calm analysis.

“How about if we shelter Elfiena not in the state guest house but in another place from the start?”

However Kinugasa shook his head towards this idea of Homura.

“The other side is also not an idiot. They must be thoroughly observing that kind of movement. It will be hard to deceive them with only the number of hands here. If it’s Homura-san’s <Teleport> then possibly… we can make it work somehow but…”

“Something like that is also quiet hard for me. It’s fine if it’s just me alone but with Elfiena together, also it’s a technique that is a little risky to use with <Aureole> still binding me.”

Anyway, the fifth grade sorcery <Teleport> was a sorcery that disintegrated oneself once and then reconstructed the body at the designated coordinates. If it failed than the reconstruction wouldn’t go well and the user’s very existence would vanish. With Homura still shackled by the limitations on his magic power and thinking ability due to <Aureole>, even Homura wanted to restrain from using it to someone other than himself.

(On the other hand, if <Aureole> is forcibly broken then it will be exposed all the same.)

Homura heaved a deep sigh in this situation where it was hard to do anything.

But, towards that Homura,

“Then, we are going to accompany El-san and protect her! Those guys that break promise and try to do something awful to El-san, I’m going to take them all out!”

Chikori suggested with a loud voice.

Sumika also agreed to this.

“It’s just as Chikori-san said. While Homura-san is absent, we, the 101st platoon will take responsibility and protect Elfiena-san. There will be no problem at all.”

(……)

However, Homura only stayed quiet in reluctance.

Because he knew.

Just what kind of existence the <Special Missionary> was.

And also― the existence of the unique power that they possessed.

Honestly, he was not inclined to let them fight in a place where his eyes didn’t reach.

That was why,

“Sumika―”

Homura tried to stop her― but,

“I’ll have you let me do this much. We are a team. …Besides, it’s not only just Homura-san who has the feeling of wanting to protect Elfiena-san.”

Sumika flatly interrupted his words.

Her tone was filled with a definite will that expressed her intentions of not yielding in this.

…Most likely Sumika and Chikori wouldn’t hear any of it even if he told them here not to do anything.

Besides―

(I’m not the only one who wants to protect Elfiena, huh.)

Being told that, he couldn’t even say no.

“…Got it. I’ll leave the house-sitting to you guys. Do it properly y’all.”

“Yes-“

“Leave it to us!”

Both of them answered with a loud voice from good feeling and then they hurriedly headed to Elfiena’s room.

While seeing off those two,

“…Shiori. Just in case, I’ll rely on you okay.”

Homura told Shiori who was standing still while leaning her back on the wall.

And Shiori, she brushed up her long hair that hung on her ear and,

“I know even without you telling me. After all, I’m the <Operator> of the 101st platoon.”

She returned back reliable words to him.

Chapter 3

Part 1

The former Australia – Northern Territory.

It was a wasteland of red clay color that was once called Uluru Kata Tjuta national park.

There existed a rocky mountain standing calmly even now in that place where its vegetation had been burned to nothing by Typhon’s flame.

Ayers Rock.

The second largest slab of rock on the surface of earth.

Three days after the negotiation with the fairy. Receiving the sunlight of the sun that was setting down beyond the horizon, two shadows were stretching down on top of that rocky mountain which was shining like a ruby.

Those shadows were the <Evil God User> Kamishiro Homura, and his grimoire that was also his weapon, the avatar of <Liber Legis>.

“Uu―. Even so it’s really cold here…”

While sitting cross-legged on top of the rocky mountain, Homura’s body trembled from the blowing wind of the wasteland.

Looking at him like that, the avatar of <Liber Legis>, a girl that Homura called as Vel, gave him a candid advice.

“The southern hemisphere is right now in winter, it’s only natural to get that cold being on top of a rocky mountain in the middle of a wasteland where there is nothing like this. Master should be wearing thick clothes before coming here.”

“That’s okay. I’m gonna exercise anyway after this.”

“Will it even become an exercise?”

“…More or less. After all those three <Demon King class> named cotton or Evang○ion or something has far more powerful magic power compared to Typhon or Jambure just from seeing the image that Elfiena brought.”

“I think they are called <Gyges> <Kottos> <Aegaeon> though.”

“That’s it, yeah. That’s what I’m saying.”

The reason these two were here was only one.

It was in order to meet the <Giant Army>―the troops of the demon world that consisted of a million soldiers and three demon kings that Elfiena said would appear here.

While Homura imagined the sight of a demon army that was going to completely blanket this wasteland before long, he recalled the way to kill the three demon kings who led this <Giant Army> that he heard from Elfiena after that negotiation.

{The three demon kings that are commanding the <Giant Army>, <Gyges> <Kottos> <Aegaeon> are demon kings where even each one of them are possessing a great power, but they also have a unique trump card that other demon kings don’t have. That trump card is, [combination].

By using [combination], the three demon kings can change into an even more gigantic form, into a giant called <Hecatoncheires> with size that pierced the sky.

It can be said that this form is exactly their true form.

It is said that their strength jumps up by dozens of times compared to before they combined.

But, what is even more troublesome than their strength is their immortality where they can immediately regenerate from no matter what kind of attack. Those three demon kings when they are taking the form of <Hecatoncheires> will possess three hearts inside that giant body, but if even one of those three hearts still remained, they can recover their body to the original condition just in an instant. Of course, that recovery also includes the other damaged hearts.

In other words the way to defeat <Hecatoncheires> is to destroy the three hearts at the same time.

And then the essential location of the hearts, <Gyuges>’s heart is in the right chest. It seems that <Kottos>’s heart is in the left shoulder. But… even I don’t know about the position of the last heart of <Aegaeon>. In the first place this information was obtained by demon king Asmodeus of <Scripture of DarknessAvesta>, one of the four great forces. That demon king was the one who drove off the <Giant Army> from the demon world and discovered this information when he cornered <Hecatoncheires>, but before he could see through the last heart’s location <Hecatoncheires> managed to escape. …Forgive me for being unable to be of any use.}

―The point was he needed to search for the location of the last heart by himself.

It was extremely troublesome.

“Master has figured out the location?”

“There is no way I know already. After all in the first place I never even seen what kind of guy this <Hecatoncheires> is. But well, we know the location of two hearts already, so it’ll work out somehow. There ain’t any life sphere in Australia, there is also no other magicians around so we can just move around anywhere.”

Just with that Homura’s freedom of battle had greatly changed.

It was a fact that was really a great help for Homura. Most of all,

“The compensation for that is Sumika and the others are now in a place where my eyes cannot reach, but… I’ve left the preparation for the worst case to Shiori, and that girl Sumika is also an S-rank magician anyway. Surely she will be fine even if a <Special Missionary> came out. Rather, she even said things like [surpassing me in one year], so she at least should be able to handle this much right.”

While making a mean smile, Homura turned to the direction of Japan and murmured.

But toward that murmur,

“Don’t expect anything from that woman.”

Suddenly, Vel who was at his side cut in with a piercing sharp tone.

“What d’you mean by that?”

Homura’s expression was a little surprised from Vel’s thorny words and asked back the concrete meaning of what she said.

On the other hand Vel answered with still the same tone that made him feel hostility towards Sumika from it.

“That woman was saying things like standing side by side with master, but there is no way she can do that. Sooner or later those girls will be left behind unable to follow. Because, there is no way a human exists that can accompany Master’s battle. That’s already something completely decided already when you held me in your hands after all. That’s why don’t believe those kind of words. It’s just nonsense of riffraff that can do nothing except being protected by master. Something like [comrade] will only hurt Master deeply again, they are nothing more than a nightmare.”

And then Vel brought her body near to Homura and affectionately kissed his cheek.

“The only one that can follow Master is only me. It’s fine to not expect anything from humans.”

“Vel…”

So was it jealousy towards Sumika and the others?

Did she speak ill of Sumika’s determination due to that?

―That was not it.

Homura was not that foolish to make such a misunderstanding after looking at the sincere eyes of Vel right now.

The girl was worrying about him from the bottom of her heart. About Homura putting hope in Sumika.

The <Book Burning Corps> that once existed.

It was because she was the closest one who witnessed the sadness of Homura when he lost his comrades there.

Yes. Homura’s strength was abnormal, heretically so.

It was not in a domain where one could catch up just by thinking of wanting to catch up.

That was why, from the beginning it was an impossible talk. Something like obtaining an equal [comrade].

Someday everyone would be gone.

Unable to follow the level of battle of the world Homura lived in, they would die leaving Homura alone.

Because <Liber Legis> that bestowed strength to Homura knew that better than anyone, she felt apprehension for Homura holding expectations from Sumika’s words. She didn’t want him lamenting an unfulfilled dream for the second time.

―Homura guessed that feeling of Vel and stroked her head through the girl’s hat to relieve her.

“I told you don’t worry. I’m not expecting anything.”

“Really?”

“How no one can come close to me, the one who understands that the best is me after all.”

That was why there was no way he was holding expectations. He didn’t even think of wanting to hope. It was just―

“But, there is also something to be happy for. That feeling of Sumika who sympathizes with me. A human that seriously said they are going to try to reach me, until now there wasn’t even a single one like that. That’s why I’ll at least cheer her on. Even if she gonna give up someday, let her test herself until she can understand that result. ―For the time being, we are gonna crush those guys making a pass at this world.”

That was the minimal gratitude of Homura towards Sumika who said to him she was going to be his equal. Toward those words,

“…If it’s like that, then that’s good.”

Vel closed her eyes in relief and she leaned on Homura’s body.

She was letting Homura know that she was right beside him with her warmth snuggling up to him.

And then, feeling the deep affection of his partner like that for a while―

“――”

Suddenly, the sun sunk into the horizon and the sky darkened.

The burning red of twilight vanished away and the wasteland was enveloped in dim darkness.

The change visited exactly at that boundary of afternoon and night.

“――They came.”

A pronounced shadow spread on the wasteland before their eyes.

It blotted. It stained. Until beyond the horizon.

That shadow which was even blacker than the darkness of night was in a vague shape like a heat haze in the beginning, but in the blink of an eye its contour was becoming definite.

What materialized, was an army of demons armed in steel.

Goblin, orc, baphomet, dullahan, minotaurs―

From <Soldier class> until <General class>, various races were mixing in, they lined up from one end of the wasteland spreading in front of the eye until the other end, a large army of a million.

And then in the middle of the dusk, that army appearing before Homura’s eyes, without a single exception among them, all of them directed red eyes glaring with hostility towards Homura.

“…This is incredible huh. For this many to come, ain’t this a superb view even for hell.”

But, even receiving gazes filled with hostility from all one million demons, there was not even a speck of nervousness in Homura’s voice.

He talked like admiring the sight of a great view and then he averted his gaze from the army as if losing interest.

The destination of his gaze were the three conspicuously gigantic humanoids that stood in the center of the army.

Correct. Just against <General class> at best, for Homura it was no problem for him even if there were several millions of them.

They were nothing more than garbage mob.

The one who could possibly become his enemy were only three demons even among this large army―

The giant with a thin body of height that was conspicuous even among the three, that might reach a kilometer, <Gyges>.

The giant with a symmetrical body as if the statue of David was enlarged as it was, <Kottos>.

And then the giant whose stature was the shortest among the three yet possessing presence from its fatness that was like a barrel, <Aegaeon>.

Each of them was dressed like a gladiator of old, the three <Demon King class>.

Presences that distorted their surrounding scenery, and magic powers that even Homura who was originally completely insensitive to it could clearly feel, made Homura’s expression tensed.

―Strong.

It was also to a phenomenal degree.

If compared to these three, even demon kings like Typhon and Jambure wouldn’t have a big difference with the riffraff crawling like worms under their feet.

“Certainly, this looks like it’ll be a good exercise.”

“Right?”

And then, it was not only Homura who recognized the threat of the enemy before the eyes.

The three demon kings were also sensing a definite threat from the human that was like a grain of rice sitting on top of the rocky mountain.

Therefore―

{ { {―――――――――――――} } }

The three demon kings yelled something simultaneously.

With voices that couldn’t be heard as anything but rumbles that a human like Homura couldn’t discern.

That voice, which might even reach the stars in the sky, moved the large army that was like a black carpet staining the earth.

That sight was even like a tsunami surging forward.

{Kill! Kill the human magician!}

{Idiot guy! Loitering alone like that, just die!}

{This world is ours from now on! Stand our glag on that mountain!}

Among the roars of several dozens of tens of thousands feet kicking the ground and several dozens of tens of thousands wings flapping, hoarse voices saying such things could be heard even in Homura’s ears.

“I see. Because there are various races of demon so they use [Concept Translation] to communicate intention. Thanks to that now I understand reaa―lly well just how much they’re spouting bullshit as they please.”

But on the other side the three Demon Kings didn’t move.

They were merely looking down fixedly on Homura in observation.

Were they just inciting the small fries in order to measure his strength?

Or else because they were thinking that they could crush him to death using the superiority in number?

No matter which one it was―

“They’re really looking down on me.”

It was stupid to take on all this riffraff one by one.

That was why Homura closed his eyes and chanted that spell.

It was the words exchanged towards the <Evil GodGreat Old One> that lurked at the abyss of the heart of all living beings―

Listen to my voice o the mockingly laughing person at the depth of all consciousness

The seething stars shine brilliantly in blasphemy informing thy the time of destiny

The teaching father of the other side of the wall o the person that tempt towards degeneration

Whisper to demon kidnap to immorality

Thy doctrine dig up and expose the truth of this world that is colored by this deceit

Inside the condensed instant, the ritual prayer was gently etched like singing praise.

The world distorted as if hailing that prayer.

The space behind Homura whirled like a vortex twisting and squashing flexibly.

And then from inside the vortex of colors that were mixing sloppily, a certain color was oozing out.

Muddy white.

It was a polluting white that painted out the curving scenery.

Before long the whirling space began to rotate in the reverse direction as if rewinding back.

And then the vortex whirled in reverse and when the scenery returned to usual,

―At Homura’s back, a humanoid that was not there before was standing.

It was a headless body of the stature around 5 meters, bloating softly and flabbily white completely like a drowned body.

That hard to describe shape that would make one hesitate to look straight at it was exactly―

“Invite from the back. ―<God of Corruption> Y’golonac.”

It was the figure of malice and hatred that lived in the hearts of all creation.

Part 2

Tokyo life sphere・the seventh administration district.

At the state guest house that was located in a conspicuously high building at the old Akasaka, the 101st platoon’s members except Homura were gathering.

Each of them were completely armed, with their bodies wrapped with their <Magi’s Jacket>.

The reason was of course, to protect the <Fairy Queen> Elfiena.

“Looks like it started.”

Onjouji Shiori, the <Operator> of the 101st that boasted enemy searching ability that was far removed from common sense whispered from the south-facing window of the room where Elfiena was confined while staring at the low hanging cloudy sky.

Nobody at that place needed to be told to understand what she meant by happening.

“I wonder if Master is okay…”

“Shiori-san. Do you understand the detail of the battle situation?”

Asked by Sumika, Shiori made a mean smile widely.

“First move, Y’golonac.”

She said it as if whispering into Sumika’s ear.

Sumika’s expression distorted from unpleasant feeling hearing the name of that <evil god>.

It was because she who was deeply knowledgeable about <evil god> knew really well just what kind of god it was.

“…He called out something unbelievable just because there is nobody around didn’t he?”

“Y’go, what? This is also the same <evil god> like the giant skeleton the other day?”

“Yes. It’s the same <Great Old One> like Ithaqua that Homura-san summoned that time at the battle with Jambure. Its power is not as great as Ithaqua, but if it’s about nastiness then this one is far above. Also it’s fine to not remember its name. Even if you remember it please don’t recklessly say out its name. If a human without any preparation said out its name then it won’t end well for them.”

“Eh, wh, what will happen?”

“After one thing or another they will die.”

“After one thing or another!?”

“The point is that each person will reach that end through different processes, but in the end everyone will be ruined all the same.”

“Sc, scary-“

“Those evil gods are mostly like that. It seems that Homura-san controls them with his extraordinary power and self-control, but they originally are not existences that are the allies of humanity.”

After Sumika warned Chikori who held an interest to the name of the <God of Corruption>, she then thought.

She was wondering just why did Homura summon Y’golonac.

Just as she explained to Chikori before, Y’golonac was not a god that possessed that powerful of a power.

As the first hand against a large army, wasn’t it a little insufficient in power.

……No,

(Wait. Large army? Come to think of it…)

“Say, Elfiena-san.”

Suddenly Sumika, who obtained a flash of inspiration, called out to Elfiena, who was sitting still on the sofa quietly with a nervous expression.

“Yes. What is it?”

“When you explained about the state of affairs of the demon world, you said that powerful clans in each territory repeatedly fought each other, weeding out and absorbing each other many times over, until it became four giant forces in the end, isn’t that right? Is the <Giant Army> also one of the clans that did something like that?”

“Yes. Just as you said. At the beginning the <Giant Army> was just like the name imlplied, they were an army of the giant race with <Gyges> <Kottos> <Aegaeon> as the head of the race, but currently, they had absorbed a great number of tribes and became a mixed army.”

“…I see.”

Hearing that answer, Sumika understood the reason why Homura summoned Y’golonac as his first move.

And then at the same time, she also admired Homura’s wisdom that wouldn’t overlook even the slightest information.

Certainly, it was the best possible first move.

(So it seems there is no need to worry about Homura-san.)

Rather than that, they should worry more about themselves.

And just when Sumika reconsidered so, it was right at that time.

“―Leader. It looks like our side will also start soon.”

Shiori informed her so with a serious expression.

The girl’s sensing had caught the enemy’s presence heading to this state guest house.

“Two large-type vehicles going up the hill in front of the state guest house. There are multiple magic power reactions from the inside.”

“So they came…! The number?”

“Wait. I am now counting.”

At the same time with those words, a mission map of the overhead view of one kilometer around this state guest house was displayed at the field of vision of Sumika and Chikori.

From the information of the structure detail of the building until the enemy’s accurate position, on top of that the magic power amount possessed by the enemy and even the rank of the magicians listed from the highest to the lowest, all of those were displayed. It was Shiori’s original work, a super high precision battle control sorcery ―<Oracle>.

Looking at the battlefield that was visualized by <Oracle>, certainly it was just like Shiori said, there were red light dots countlessly overlapping each other climbing the long hill road in front of the state guest house with fierce speed.

When the eyesight was focused at the overlapping markers, the map automatically displayed detailed numbers of the marker.

The number was 43 in total.

Magicians who was scarce in number even at the best of times wouldn’t take group action in this many a number meaninglessly.

There was no doubt, they were enemies aiming for Elfiena.

“Furthermore at the very least they are skilled B-rank magicians. Perhaps during these three days they were calling <Paladins> from their own country.”

And then, the markers of the enemies kept climbing the hill with fierce speed―

• GASHAAN!!!!*

Raising a loud voice, they broke through the barred gate of the state guest house right from the front.

“My, how bold. They drove into her altogether with the bus.”

“They are really confident to come right from the front without hiding.”

“I had shown my battle control system <Oracle> in the battle with Jambure, so I guess it made them give up on a surprise attack right from the start.”

“I see. Certainly if it’s like that then rather than poorly dividing their force, it’s better for them to charge in right from the front as a whole. So the other side is also not altogether stupid then.”

“…They are really, breaking the promise aren’t they?”

Suddenly, Elfiena whose face was gloomy all this time leaked out her voice talking to herself.

“El-san……”

There was a deep dejection in that voice.

It was understandable. Even though she had fulfilled her promise to give the information of the demon kings and accepted the house arrest in the state guest house, but the human race’s side had broken the promise one-sidedly.

Sumika gave consoling words towards Elfiena who was feeling dejected like that.

“Elfiena-san. Just like there are various kinds of demons that exist in the demon world, there are also various kinds of humans. That’s why… please don’t think that all humans are like them. Besides, even if the <Holy Path Church> and the <United World Government> break their promises, since Homura-san who is none other than the <Evil God User> had said that he will protect you, he will without fail protect not just Elfiena-san, but also all the fairies that will come later on. That’s why please be relieved.”

Her words were filled with a strong conviction.

That was because Sumika knew, that the biggest reason the <United World Government> could stand in superior position against the <Evil God User>, the <Aureole> was only a rusted chain that Homura could tear apart anytime he felt like it.

Hearing those words, although there was still a little shadow left in her expression, but it made Elfiena recover her smiling face.

“Yes. I understand. …Besides it’s not only <Evil God User>-sama, but Sumika-san and Chikori-san and others are also protecting me right now like this. I’m not going to come to hate all of you humans from this.”

“Hearing that makes it worth it for us to do our best like this.”

She returned a smile at Elfiena’s words which was filled with gratitude, then Sumika once again took a look at the mission map.

After the enemy broke through the barred gate, the bus stopped at the garden of the state guest house and they began to form their ranks.

It was only a matter of time before they charged.

(…Right, if Homura-san can just return back, Elfiena-san and the others will be absolutely safe then.)

Then Sumika felt the problem was rather in this moment right now.

The reason was that Homura right now was in the southern hemisphere. He was right at the other side of the earth.

Of course, they couldn’t expect reinforcements or the like. They had to protect Elfiena from the approaching hostility only with the power of the 101st platoon.

The enemy was a <Special Missionary> that was famous even as the greatest battle strength of the <Holy Path Church>.

Among the enemy battle force that was displayed in <Oracle>, the marker that emitted a conspicuously strong light was indicating [A-rank].

If only talking about rank, Sumika was the superior one, but she too had heard a rumor regarding the <Special Missionary>.

Demon hunters under direct control of the <Holy Path Church>.

There was a high possibility that they were in possession of a trump card that normal magicians didn’t have.

She could easily imagine this would be a harsh battle.

(―But, even so I’ll show that I can do this. …Because)

If she couldn’t protect this single weak woman, who didn’t have any power or weapon yet still crossed over to the human world with the preparedness to die for the sake of her comrades, there was no way she could catch up to Homura.

“So, what should we do Leader?”

“For the time being, we are hiding until the enemy detects us.”

The state guest house was spacious, there were also countless rooms here.

Furthermore, anticipating an attack, Sumika had twisted the space everywhere in the building, reconstructing the internal structure like a labyrinth. As long as the enemy didn’t have a super precise skill for searching enemies, then it should take more than half a day just to reach this room.

“But, what will we do in the case we are detected?”

“At that time of course we will make our resistance to the bitter end. However―”

Sumika met Shiori’s eyes and talked while returning answer to the question.

“Chikori-san and I have determined our hearts, but we don’t have any intention to force Shiori-san to go along with it. I’m thankful to you for just helping us in enemy searching, so it’s fine even if Shiori-san withdraws from here while you still can. Rather, I think that if you are going to escape, then now is the last chance.”

This was something that she had to say as the leader of the 101st.

Because this battle was not a legitimate duty of a trainee platoon.

However Shiori shook her head towards this recommendation of Sumika.

“Fufu. …Well, certainly, I’m not as motivated as much as you two. But it’s fine. I will also remain here. Because I have been asked by Homura-kun to help everyone.”

“Is it fine?”

“Rejecting the request of the man that you love is not what a good woman does.”

“Waa…! Shiori-san, how adult……!”

“My my-. So <Evil God User>-sama and Shiori-sama are lovers?”

“No. Unfortunately this is just a one-sided feeling. It’s just something from far in the past.”

Chikori and Elfiena had their cheeks reddened from Shiori’s bold statement.

Making a sidelong glance to the two who were like that, Sumika recalled that in the end she couldn’t ask about the past of Homura and Shiori because of the various commotions since that day at the sea.

But this was not a topic that should be talked about right now.

Sumika decided in her heart to try to ask once more when this battle ended,

“Understood. If Shiori-san is going to back us up then it’s really reassurin―”

Right at that moment when she was going to welcome Shiori’s participation.

A chill.

The chill that suddenly ran through her spine made Sumika’s heart leap.

Sumika knew well of that sensation.

It was the danger signal brought about by the Hero Skill of the <Gun Saint> Billy the Kid that she was contracted with, the <Back Sniper> which foresighted the cause and effect and detected attacks coming from blind spots with 100% accuracy.

“Everyone get downnnnn!!!!”

“ “ “–―……!?” ” ”

Even while the three who were in that place felt surprise from Sumika’s sudden yell, they immediately understood about the danger that was approaching them.

Less than a second after Sumika’s <Back Sniper> activation.

<Oracle> detected magic power attack stretching out straightforwardly piercing through the wall of the state guest house, heading to the room they were in from the enemy formation.

But, Sumika’s movement was faster than the arrival of that attack because of the foresight of the cause and effect.

She wasted no time to warn the other three and leaped in front of the wall of the room where she guessed [that] would come, before she deployed <Magic BarrierProtection>.

And then, the next instant, the wall was pierced through and a magic power bombardment that shined scarlet crashed into the barrier that Sumika deployed, everything was just like what her instincts had told her.

The scarlet flash that was filled with a definite intent to kill made the barrier creak with tremendous power.

However, the one who deployed this barrier was Hoshikawa Sumika.

A magician of the highest class where there were only ten among the human race.

It was not something that would break so quickly, the flash was blocked by the barrier, it was sliding on the surface of the barrier and got scattered to the side.

Even though the flash gouged and destroyed everything all over the room, but it couldn’t bring a single harm to the target that was Elfiena and vanished before long.

“As expected from Leader. To detect the attack even faster than me like that. But I wonder how can they know our location here. I cannot imagine that the other side has an <Operator> at the same level as me but…”

Even though they should not be detected, but an attack accurately came to their position.

Shiori expressed her doubt just how that could happen.

But, her voice didn’t enter Sumika’s ear.

The reason was―

(The technique just now… don’t tell me……-!)

The worst premonition filled Sumika’s thought completely.

“Strategy change! Since we became unable to hole ourselves here, we can only repel the enemy! Chikori-san, please come together with me! Shiori-san, I ask you to stay here as Elfiena-san’s guard-!”

“Le, Leader!?”

Giving that order without even hearing back the reply, Sumika then leaped out from the hole that was gouged in the room.

And then she passed straight through the tunnel that was made from the piercing crimson flash and came outside.

There, Sumika knew that her worst premonition was right on the mark.

“…As I thought.”

An accurate attack even without searching the enemy beforehand.

Such thing was normally impossible.

But it was possible if an abnormal power was used.

For example, a demonic lance that would pierce the enemy without fail just by thrusting it.

If such thing could be used, then no matter how much distance there was or how the figure of the enemy was unseen, none would matter.

After all that lance piercing the enemy was already an established destiny.

And then Sumika knew one person that was like that.

A person that was bestowed with the divine protection of a hero wielding a demonic lance that would pierce even the whole army.

“…I never thought that you will come, Lily.”

Among the group armored with present day armor and helmets, lining up with their backs towards the setting sun―

A sister of familiar red hair that Sumika knew really well, standing with an <Arms> of lance-type in hand.

With an awful face as if she had been crying throughout the night.

Part 3

Sumika had come out into the open space in front of the state guest house from the hole that was gouged by <Gae Bolg>.

Seeing the figure of that girl, the heart of Lily Hoegaarden was enveloped in pain as if it was being squeezed.

“…I never thought, for you of all people to conspire with demons…”

Three days before, she was suddenly summoned by Alfaro and told that her best friend was hiding a demon. All this time she had told herself that it was all lies, that Sumika wouldn’t do something like that.

That Sumika, her best friend, she wouldn’t sell her soul to demons.

Despite so―

“~~~~-“

She wanted this to be just a bad dream.

She was going to fall to her knees on the spot from great despair.

But, even so Lily gritted her teeth, she endured the weeping that was going to leaked out from her opened mouth, and asked Alfaro who was standing behind her.

“…Father. You remember the promise right?”

Listening to Lily’s question, Alfaro nodded with a smile that was like a kind Buddha.

“Of course. Naturally I remember, Sister Lily. If you suppress that girl, then putting the name of <Special Missionary> on the line, I will once more grant a chance for her to explain herself in front of god. God, too, doesn’t wish to lose an excellent magician like her. Besides… the child is mistaken. If she reflected on her wrongdoings and repents, then surely god will forgive her without fail.

The one who has to be blamed is not your best friend.

But the <Evil God User> and the demons that are deceiving her.”

(―Yes. Exactly. Sumika is just being deceived.)

That <Evil God User> was taking advantage of Sumika’s heart that was exhausted due to the tragedy of <Walpurgis Night> to curry favor to her.

Just as she thought, she had to lead her friend back even if she had to use force.

(Because…)

Lily recalled the battle with Jambure.

What she had seen there… the figure of a grotesque god splitting the sky.

(A man that is obeyed by such an ugly monster, there is no way that such a person can be someone respectable!)

And then sure enough, the <Evil God User> finally revealed his true colors. He was trying to migrate demons of all things onto this star where the children of god, mankind, were living.

Furthermore, he made her best friend to help him.

It was something unforgivable.

She would absolutely never forgive this.

“My deepest gratitude for this generous consideration.”

She would save Sumika without fail.

With that determination in her chest, Lily gripped her demonic spear tightly.

Alfaro nodded in satisfaction from seeing that appearance of Lily.

“Now! Prepare your weapons, o the devout vanguards of god!

The only people in this place are the demon and the renegades that guides that demon!

There is no need for any mercy!

The scheme of the demons who are trying to stain this holy star, will be crushed by us the faithful!

Divine Punishment・execute――–!!!!”

“ “ “OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO――–!!!!” ” ”

Along with those war cries, the self-proclaimed vanguards of god, the <Paladins>, faced the state guest house that was protected by the 101st platoon all at once, and charged.

Part 4

Homura’s and Sumika and others’ battles started at almost the same time.

During that time, the side where something big happened first was Homura’s side.

Responding to Homura’s summon and appearing from the abyss, was a whitely bloated body without the neck of a giant.

The <God of Corruption> Y’golonac slowly lifted up its fat arms, and directed its palms towards the black tsunami that even now was going to swallow Homura altogether with Ayers Rock.

Looking carefully, there was a mouth lined up disorderedly with teeth on both opened palms.

{█ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █}

Those mouths raised sticky voices crunchingly while beginning to open and close restlessly.

As if they were cursing. As if they were laughing mockingly.

Perhaps because those mouths didn’t have vocal cords, the voice was nothing like sound.

However, even so the voice of that person was audible to everything that was in that place.

And then―a change immediately came.

{AAAAAAAAAAA!!!!}

{GYAAA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?}

{Shut up! Just because you are the leader, you are always, always just acting big from the safe place! I’ll kill trash like you!}

Suddenly, voices of dispute could be heard from inside the approaching black tsunami, and then friendly fire was starting.

But it didn’t stop in just one place.

{Just why do I have to fight together with the bunch that destroyed my country!}

{You think I don’t know! You bastards insulted me behind my back!}

{I want to vomit when I look at you! Your ugly face makes me vomit!}

{Your breath stinks, die you lizard asshole!}

Quarrels was spreading through the whole army that was cramming the land until the end of the earth in the blink of an eye.

It was as if everyone was forgetting about Homura, they stopped their charge and killed each other with the comrades in front of them.

Before long they finally,

{Besides just why do we have to come here to the human world! Even though I didn’t want to leave from the demon world!}

{Everything is the fault of <Hecatoncheires> that dare to return nonchalantly like that even though he lost to <Asmodeus>!}

{Even though he is just a loser dog, he keeps acting big!}

{That’s right, everything is because of <Hecathoncheires>!}

{Just who is going to follow a failure that lost and escaped from the demon world! Kill him right here, I’ll be the king!}

{ { {UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!} } }

The black tsunami went away from Homura like a pulling back tide, and then of all things they revolted against the three demon kings that were leading them.

Perhaps the demon kings were confused from the sudden happening, they were raising voices that seemed to try to regain control, however the momentum of the army didn’t weaken even for a little.

But it was only natural.

This was exactly the disgusting power of the <Great Old One> Y’golonac that Sumika said.

Driving up malice, fanning hatred, a god of corruption that guided people to destruction.

People, whose ears were whispered to by this person, as long as they didn’t have a considerable self-restraint, they would become unable to control the hatred inside them and their reasoning would crumble. And then they would transform into a rampaging existence following their malice.

Of course, now that it had become like this there was no way to take command of the demons.

And then it was even truer for something like the <Giant Army> that grew large by absorbing a great number of tribes and was united by strength.

Just with his first move, Homura completely overturned the superiority of numbers on this battlefield.

He didn’t reduce the number by killing, but turned the enemy troops mad without leaving a single one sane.

The demons were already unable to hear even the voices of their masters.

They were just merely attacking their masters following the intense emotion inside themselves, they bit at the demon kings and covered them completely.

With number and weight, the demons crept up from the feet of the gigantic demon lords, little by little.

Before long the black army completely covered the demon lords until their heads, making the three giant bodies fall to the ground in a heap.

And then the demon kings that fell down on the ground were further crowded by the innumerable demons.

All the surface of the bodies of the demon kings were already completely covered by the wriggling black dots, they were lost from Homura’s sight.

The sight was like ants gathering on a corpse.

However―

“Are they dead?”

“If that’s the case then that’s great. ―Well, as expected, it won’t be that easy though.”

Homura narrowed his eyes while quietly putting his right hand forward, then he deployed a barrier of <Ancient MarkElder Sign> to protect himself and Vel.

Instantly, explosion came from the demon kings’ bodies that were turned into small black mountains.

The explosion was made from blood and flesh.

Hundreds of thousands of demons that swarmed the demon lords’ bodies were blown away to pieces like scrap rags.

The force and fierceness made a rain of flesh bits and blood drops pour even until the place where Homura was, several dozen kilometers from the demon kings, staining Homura’s barrier and Ayers Rock with blood.

And then inside that oppressive bloody mist ―that, was standing.

Slowly, from the center of the explosion of flesh and blood.

Was that the three demon kings?

No.

The standing up giant shadow, was several times larger than them.

That form, was exactly far larger than even the highest peak of earth, Mount Everest… an ogre.

“Awesome. If it’s just the size then it’s bigger then even Ithaqua. The head looks blurred from here see…”

Matching the three overlapping pulsations that shook the atmosphere, a gold-copper skin that faintly shined from the twilight.

The big frame of the upper body that would pierce the clouds if there were any in the sky had countless arms growing from it, then there were several faces that looked enraged from its neck till the chest.

And then on the neck there was a head with a noticeably giant horn growing from it, both the eyeballs in it looked exactly like stars of the sky from its height that looked hazy from the ground. The eyes were looking down on its own army that was crawling on the ground.

Correct. This was exactly the demon king that battled for hegemony in the demon world leading the <Giant Army>, the army that brought together the [Giant race] which was one of the best battle races in the demon world. The true form of <Hecatoncheires>, the giant with fifty faces and a hundred arms.

{―――――――OOOOOOOO…!}

<Hecatoncheires> that showed its true appearance raised a voice that was like the howl of the wind.

That howling voice had an indignation that could be understood even without [Concept Translation].

It was its rage towards its own army that revolted against it.

And then, it didn’t have any reason to endure that rage.

The giant demon king moved following that rage.

It slowly raised its giant leg.

And then it advanced half a step forward, and with that trifling act―

<Hecatoncheires> crushed thirty percent of the million troops that were crawling on the ground.

A bloody footstep was carved on the wasteland.

That overwhelming violence made even the army that was taken by Y’golonac’s madness shrink in fear.

The demons started to run away in all directions like baby spiders.

But <Hecatoncheires> didn’t even glance at those rabbles anymore.

The giant demon king’s glowing red eyes in the sky shined ominously like evil stars and straightforwardly―stared at Homura.

And then―

{OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO―――!!!!!!!}

The fifty heads howled all at once.

It was a scream of rage that split the earth just from the sound pressure.

And then it swung. It grasped tightly one of the right arms that looked noticeably bigger, and pulled out a boorish giant sword that looked as if it was made out of a split mountain.

“Master!”

“I know.”

The blade was swung down while literally splitting the sky into two.

It was a strong sword that would pulverize the human body into dust just from the wind pressure that was raised from it.

Even Homura was not an exception against that.

But facing that overwhelming violence, he didn’t show any nervousness or hesitation at all.

He calmly embraced Vel beside him in his arm and used <Teleport>, instantly moving from to the sky from atop Ayers Rock.

He slipped through the slash just in time.

Yes. Homura was not an exception only if it hit.

No matter how much power it had, it was meaningless if it didn’t hit.

It was meaningless, but――

“……-!”

The next moment, a fatal sound of destruction right from below that they never heard until now stole the gaze of even Homura.

Of all thing, <Hecatoncheires>’ strong sword split into two the Ayers Rock where Homura stood before and also Y’golonac that he summoned, and it didn’t stop there ―with just one blade, the land of the Australian continent was smashed open until far beyond the horizon.

“The, the continent is, splitting-!?”

Vel that was floating beside Homura opened her eyes wide from the much too abnormal destructive power.

It was understandable.

After all the number of people that possessed this much destructive power could be counted by hand even among the existences of the <Evil Gods>.

She surely felt it.

That <Hecatoncheires> was a powerful demon king that couldn’t even be compared against Typhon or Jambure.

But―

“Don’t get distracted. The next one is coming!”

“-!?”

The fierce attack of <Hecatoncheires> was not stopping there.

In no time after the sword miss the target, the fifty mouths opened―

{KYUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!}

Along with a piercing cry that tore the ear, beams made up from magic power energy were fired.

Flashes like white lightning rained down. Homura grasped the scruff of the neck of the dumbfounded Vel and soared right and left in the sky, evading the beams as if weaving through them.

The fifty beams fell to the ground without even grazing Homura, twinkling explosions were produced in the darkness and transfigured the continent below Homura’s eyes including Ayers Rock into bright red lava from the heat.

“…Chih-“

Homura clicked his tongue from looking at the state of the desolated wasteland that was trampled down by strength back into the primeval earth.

“Just because this is not the hometown of you bastard ain’t you rampaging too much here. Are you a yankee that goes wild on a field trip! ―Vel!”

“Nn.”

Vel whose name was called took action just as Homura wished without being told.

Her human form crumbled into pieces of paper and danced in the wind.

And then the pieces of paper gathered in Homura’s both hands as if being sucked―

The shape transformed into two black handguns.

Homura clutched the <Liber Legis> that transformed into two handguns and put his fingers on the triggers,

“The power of the sparkling golden sun exercise authority and destroy the impurity with the world destroying conflagration of light”

While chanting the spell, he aimed at the giant demon that was so big the tips of its head was blurred and fired rapidly.

The aim was of course, the weak points that Elfiena told him.

The right chest and left shoulder where the hearts were located.

Homura couldn’t handle a gun as skilled as Sumika, but with a target this big there was no way he could miss.

But, would a large mountain shake just by driving a stake into it?

No.

The giant <Hecatoncheires> was also the same.

With a bullet that was fired from the gun of the size that a human hand could hold, it wouldn’t even pierce through its skin.

Even in the case that the bullet pierced through, it was just like being stung by a fly.

Surely it wouldn’t feel any pain.

Correct, that was―if the bullet didn’t come from the <Evil God User> Kamishiro Homura.

{OOoo… O!?}

Instantly, <Hecatoncheires> that was proud of its body and didn’t even try to evade Homura’s bullets, trembled as if being struck by lightning.

At the same time from the left shoulder and right chest that Homura shot with his bullets, blinding light scorching twilight began to leak out.

That was the light of fire element fifth grade sorcery <Flame of OriginAncient Zero> that Homura shot along with the bullets.

Ancient Zero―energy that rivaled the sun was created inside <Hecatoncheires>’ flesh and dissolved its flesh and blood. Expression of agony appeared on all fifty of its faces without exception, before long―

{AAAAAAAAaaAAaAaaaaaaa!!!!!!}

Just when it raised a remarkably loud shriek, the energy that couldn’t be stored inside the flesh anymore finally broke through the skin surface and caused heat explosions at the shoulder and chest.

Wind hole was opened from its right chest that reached until its stomach, while the left shoulder was blown away from its base and its arms tore apart like trash.

Squall of blood and flesh rained down onto the ground.

But, inside that storm there was not even a flicker of flame.

The reason was―

“――”

While the bloody mist hadn’t even cleared yet, rust-colored granulation tissue gushed out like bubbles from the cross section of <Hecatoncheires>’ torn shoulder and the hole of its chest, filling out the wound in the blink of an eye, new giant arms that had no difference at all from the ones before were growing from the blown off shoulder.

The damage from <Ancient Zero> didn’t remain at all.

As expected, what Elfiena said was not a lie.

Certainly it was an absurd regeneration power.

“I might get worried if I got shown this without any information at all beforehand.”

However, Homura right now understood where the source of that regeneration power came from.

It was from the last heart.

Then,

“When it’s regenerating, the blood and magic power should be flowing from its last heart towards the damaged part. ―Vel. Can you search for it?”

Vel whose form was transformed into two handguns returned an affirmative through <mind communication> for Homura’s question.

“Somehow or other. Even now, certainly, there is magic power flowing from somewhere in its body. There is no mistake that this abnormal regeneration power is a certain [divine protection] that has its origin in magic power. If Master can destroy the hearts two more times, I think I can understand it.”

“Then I’ll leave that to you. After all, I’m bad at searching for things like that.”

“Understood.”

After determining their battle plan like that, Homura newly created bullets of <Ancient Zero> with alchemy and loaded it into Vel’s magazine.

But, at the same time,

{……I see now. As expected you are the <Evil God User> huh…}

“Hm?”

A low voice that was similar with basso continuo reverberating from the deep bottom of the abyss entered his earlobe.

It was a [Concept Translation] from <Hecatoncheires> that until now had never tried to exchange words with him.

{The power that defeated Typhon and Jambure… it seems that it’s not wholly a foolish rumor. …It’s something considerable with a body that small. …It surprised me a little.}

“…Even I’m surprised here. You can talk huh. I thought that you cannot say anything other than ‘uooouooo’.”

{I don’t feel any necessity to converse with a lower race. Even without understanding words it’s fine to just make them obey with force. …But, …it’s fine to even exchange words if it’s with you.}

“What’s with that? A friendship that grows from punching each other?”

{In the first place… my arrival in the human world is because of you as my objective.}

“What?”

Homura’s eyes opened wide from these unexpected words of <Hecatoncheires>.

“What d’you mean by that?”

<Hecatoncheires> answered Homura’s questioning back.

The true motive of it marching to the human world. That was―

{I have no interest in a world this small… The one that holds my interest in this world is only one. The human magician that had been showed able to defeat even two demon kings of the demon world. …You have shown me your power enough. You pass. I have no more need for an army that is only numbers… <Evil God User>. Come to the demon world as my subordinate……! And then, together with me, how about trying to control the whole demon world……!}

Correct, the reason was none other than this.

<Hecatoncheires> was not coming her to rule the human world.

In order to participate once more in the conflict for hegemony of the demon world, it came to headhunt the hero of the humans whose name resounded wide even in the demon world―the <Evil God User> Kamishiro Homura.

Hearing this even Homura was dumbfounded from a great shock,

“――…hahahaha-! Oi, oi, you serious there?”

After a while, Homura burst out laughing.

“Never thought a demon is gonna headhunt me. As expected, I never expected this development at all.”

Homura clapped and laugh from the amusing event that he couldn’t endure.

Really, it was truly a laughable story.

Even though Homura fought for humanity’s sake, even though he exorcised demons for humanity’s sake, yet despite so―

Whether it was Elfiena or <Hecatoncheires>, the evaluation of him socially was higher in the demon world than in the human world.

There was no funnier story in the world than this.

However―

“…Well, I gotta decline though.”

Homura bluntly refused <Hecatoncheires>’ invitation.

{Why……? This world… is too cramped for you. You should know that.}

“Certainly that’s true, …but you, you got no eyes at all. To call out to me of all things, that’s a no no, yeah. Really.”

{What are you saying… The only one who possesses power fitting for the demon world on this small planet is only you… Stop your clumsy modesty… I have properly evaluated you―}

“That ain’t my meaning, idiot.”

{What……!?}

<Hecatoncheires>’ eyes quietly narrowed from that sudden scorn directed to it.

But Homura didn’t pay it any mind,

“A strong fellow won’t obey any fellow except one that is stronger than him. Then… there ain’t any way me that is stronger than you bastard will obey you, get it. The time when you cannot understand that already told me just what kind of decoration you have as eyes. Besides… haha-, come to the demon world? Control the demon world? That’s a laugh. You idiot cannot even see the situation. Y’think there is any way you can return back to the demon world or anywhere?

―After all, you are gonna get killed by me right here, right now.”

He replied with the greatest provocation.

Naturally <Hecatoncheires>’ voice trembled with rage from this behavior of Homura.

{…………Now you said it. ……An existence that is just a speck of dust at best… saying that he is going to kill this king of the [Giant race] <Hecatoncheires>……. Don’t get conceited human……-! I don’t know how you can know about my heart somehow but……, to try to oppose me alone with that tiny body, …know your place……-!}

<Hecatoncheires> who announced that suddenly threw away the giant rock sword that it held.

“……?”

It threw away its weapon in front of the enemy.

Homura tilted his head towards this action that was in reverse from its words.

But, he soon understood what <Hecatoncheires> was going to do.

<Hecatoncheires> bended that gigantic body and thrust its giant arms and several of its additional arms to the ground.

“Don’t tell me……-“

Vel leaked out a stiff voice from the worst premonition.

And it was exactly like her premonition.

{NuuUuuUUuuuUUUUNNNNN……—!!!!}

<Hecatoncheires>’ muscles in its whole body were projected out and exhibited its whole physical strength.

Instantly, together with a sound of destruction that was hard to describe ―the earth crust was torn and lifted off.

The earth crust was lifted highly above <Hecatoncheires>’ head, it was a mass of rock that was a little bigger than even an island that might reach a diameter of 10 kilometers. The <Giant Army> remnants that still barely survived even after receiving the shockwaves from the battle of Homura and <Hecatoncheires> were thrown off into the air from the momentum of being lifted up and scattered like dust.

But the demon king of giants didn’t even pay any mind towards those demons who were once its underlings.

{OOOOooOoooOoooOoOooooo――――–!!!!}

The lifted up earth crust was thrown just like that to Homura.

Just like the legend from the time of Titanomachia, that was told in generation on the earth without titans, where a rock so gigantic to the degree it shook the earth was thrown by titans, it must have looked exactly like this.

Looking at it from the point of view of the small Homura, it was a sight that even looked like a planet falling at him.

Against this overwhelming destructive power that came from pure mass,

“……-!”

As expected even Homura had his expression tensed from it.

Part 5

On the other side. In front of the state guest house of the <Tokyo life sphere>.

“Open the path you renegade!”

“You think god will forgive something like this huh!”

“I, I’m stupid so I don’t understand difficult things at all…-! And I don’t want to be told that by people that can still look unconcerned even after breaking a promise!”

“Guah-“

The straightforward hole made by sister Lily Hoegaarden’s <Gae Bolg> that went straight to the target Elfiena.

There Chikori pushed back the <Paladins> that were rushing in by herself.

The knights that entered the hole one after another were indiscriminately hit flying by Chikori to outside.

However her opponents were also <Paladins>.

They wouldn’t go down quietly just by one hit.

“You little girlll……-!”

“Doing something like this to the vanguard of god, the <Paladins>, don’t think that this is going to end well for you.”

“We will beat up our fearsomeness onto that small body…”

They woke up with bloodshot eyes and decisively charged no matter how many times.

Right now Chikori was obeying Sumika’s instruction that came from <Mind Transmission> which told her to [fight in a narrow place], she somehow fought hard by nullifying the disadvantage in numbers, but―while this tactic removed the disadvantage in numbers, the decrease of the number of enemies was slow in contrast. If her stamina ran out there would be a high possibility that Chikori would be pushed back.

Even for Sumika who was watching that situation from the side, she wanted to head there to help even for a second sooner but,

“<Gae Bolg>――–!”

The sister in front of her didn’t allow her to do that.

The spear of certain kill clad in demonic light was thrust at her.

Sumika sidestepped the thrust to evade but―

The tips of the spear instantly drew an impossible trajectory and bended in pursuit of Sumika who moved to the side.

“<Protection>!”

Sumika narrowly deployed a barrier and avoided direct hit, …however this was a feat that Sumika could do only because of her <Back Sniper>.

The <Gae Bolg> that Lily had was a power to overwrite cause and effect with its concept of certain kill.

A lance that would pierce the enemy without fail no matter where it was thrust at.

For that reason, it couldn’t be dealt with except by <Back Sniper> which foresighted that cause and effect.

Therefore until Sumika could subdue Lily, there was no way she could rush to Chikori.

But―

“<Quick Draw>!”

“HAAA-!”

She also really couldn’t manage that.

The bullet that linked cause and effect the moment it was shot, the bullet of the Hero Skill <Quick Draw> that would absolutely hit, was shot down by Lily too with her spear that was similarly driving cause and effect.

Both of them that possessed similar power were equally lacking in a decisive hand and this deadlocked situation was continuing.

“Lily, stop it already! You are being deceived! Homura-san is not an inhuman person like what you are thinking! He is always being considerate to the heart of the weak and fight for the sake of the weak! <Evil God User> being a traitor is nothing more than a false rumor spread by dirty adults in order to protect their own authority and power!”

“The one who is being deceived is you Sumika! There is no way that Father and the Pope who are the believers of god will spout out such lie! Besides, most damning of all, right now that man is really conspiring with a demon isn’t he!”

“Tha, that’s……-!”

It was also a sore point for Sumika.

Of course, she didn’t think that Elfiena was an unscrupulous demon or anything.

She was even thinking of wanting to protect her.

But, it was hard to convey this feeling to a human who didn’t know anything about Elfiena personally.

Elfiena’s courage that desperately resisted the cruel fate for the sake of her comrades, wouldn’t be understood except by the people who knew her.

“The repetitious talk is too much already. I won’t listen to Sumika’s opinion anymore. I will drag you back even by force! I don’t mind even if you hate or resent me. After all that’s the only thing that I as your best friend can give you!”

That was why Lily was naturally unstoppable.

She thrust her spear in even more fierceness, making sparks scatter between the two sides.

(She is hard to fight…-)

This was because Lily was acting with 100% good will.

She worried about Sumika from the bottom of her heart and so she tried to remonstrate her.

In reality, many of the people in the lowest rank of the <Holy Path Church> were like this girl, kind and compassionate people.

That was only natural. In this kind of ruined world, they still volunteered themselves to strive for the sake of other people, it was not something that they would do if they were not really good-natured people.

They truly believed in god with all their heart and entrusted their bodies to the church, and then because they had faith that they considered Homura hostilely just as they were told by the <Holy Path Church>.

Sumika who in the past was affiliated with the church knew that well.

(―But)

Sumika had realized that the pang of conscience that Lily was currently feeling was exactly the enemy’s aim.

The reason was that the <Special Missionary> Alfaro who was the general of the enemy was making a wide vulgar smile on that face, which looked similar to a Buddha, since a while ago from watching her fight with Lily.

One could understand from looking at that smile.

He instigated her friend and stole a trump card from Sumika.

That trump card was of course the <Grim Bullet>.

<Grim Bullet> was the ace up Sumika’s sleeve where she reproduced a part of <Evil God>’s power using a representative object, that was a <Grimoire> originating from <Evil God>.

And then, although the <Evil God>’s power she used was only an extremely small part, it was not something that she could point at a friend.

Because it was a power that she hesitated too much to use even against Chikori at the mock battle before when they were doing it inside a barrier of the training field where no damage would remain afterwards because it replaced [dream] and [reality].

There was no doubt that Alfaro took notice of that and went as far as making her clash with Lily.

(But that’s naïve. He doesn’t understand the diversity of the existences called <evil god>.)

There existed among the <evil gods>.

An existence that left no damage physically at all and drove the enemy to be unable to battle.

Although, even though it left no wound but the one afflicted would become unable to move for around two weeks,

(―However, I’ve made my choice.)

She couldn’t save any single thing just by praying to god.

Then, she had to protect the things she wanted to protect with her own hands, with her own power.

Right. Just like that day, where Homura destroyed Typhon in the burning sky.

That was why―

“Fu-!”

“―-! Yaaa-!”

Sumika shot all the bullets inside her <Arms> with <Quick Draw> and jumped far away from Lily.

And then she put herself in a spot where Lily and Alfaro were in her line of fire,

“Lily. I’m sorry.”

She summoned the red binder that was the compilation of written copies of <grimoire> that she copied by herself from the other dimension.

“……-!”

Immediately golden wind surged out from Sumika.

The wind filled with thick magic power that could be seen by eye made Lily’s face go pale.

She understood what it was that her friend was going to do.

If she let her finished that, she was going to be defeated, she understood that too.

“I won’t let you-!”

But for Lily, she mustn’t be defeated.

In order to quickly crush Sumika’s plan, she unleashed <Gae Bolg> that had pierced the state guest house before.

But― the flash thrust that elongated out from the tip of the spear dispersed before it hit Sumika.

“Kuh-, <Protection>…! Since when!”

Sumika had the self-awareness that the moment she shot <Grim Bullet> was her biggest opening.

That was why there was no way she would shirk her preparation at that timing.

And then the match was decided in this moment. Sumika opened the binder, then without hesitation she grasped a certain ancient scripture of esoteric teachings from among the several hundred sheets of loose-leaves―

Sumika’s view was dyed red.

“Eh…?”

Flowers of blood spots suddenly bloomed in front of her eyes. Sumika stiffened from great shock.

That red burst out from the body of Lily in front of her eyes.

“――Li, Lily…?”

Countless spear of white light stuck out from Lily’s chest.

Sumika lost herself for an instant from witnessing the figure of her friend that was turned into a cruel artwork.

“-――!?”

It became a fatal instant.

In that opening of an instant where all her thought was frozen at Lily’s condition, Alfaro who was standing behind Lily threw a lance of magic power that shined white, where it pierced the binder that was held in Sumika’s left hand.

Part 6

“Hohohoho! Hohohohohoho! I got you, I got you. That’s so easy, good heavens, how simple!”

Lily crumbled down.

Behind her Alfaro clapped his hand loudly and laughed.

Correct, from the start this was his aim.

The greatest weakness of Sumika’s greatest weapon the <Grim Bullet> was the process of manufacturing the bullet.

One should aim at that process if they wanted to destroy this trump card.

However, Sumika also understood that and naturally she had prepared countermeasure.

In the case this time she had <Protection> for that.

While she was invoking the technique, she was protected by an impregnable fortress that shut out attack from all directions.

Normally her binder couldn’t be aimed at.

―But. What if there was an [abnormality]?

For example, right, what if suddenly the friend in front of her eyes became bathed in blood and collapsed?

Obviously, Sumika’s mental condition wouldn’t be able to stay normal.

If her mind was disordered, her <Protection> would be disordered.

Alfaro decided to aim for exactly that instant, and then Sumika’s <Grim Bullet> was destroyed just as he planned.

The binder that stored the grimoire for the sake of <Grim Bullet> was pierced by the spear of light and when it fell to the ground, white flame enveloped it.

It was not a normal flame.

It was the <Holy Art・Megiddo Flame> that only clergyman could handle.

Once something caught fire of that flame of god, the fire wouldn’t extinguish until the target was burned to nothing.

“If the media that is the written copy is gone, you cannot use <Grim Bullet>. With this now you are nothing more than a magician of relatively good quality. There is nothing to be feared from you anymore. Next I alone am enough.”

He said that while the corner of his mouth grinned, then Alfaro slowly walked towards Sumika.

But Sumika didn’t look at him.

She just lifted Lily’s body in her arms and stared at the girl’s face.

She stared at that face which distorted from chagrin and sorrow.

“*Cough*…… Fa, ther……why, did……-“

‘Even though you promised’, while coughing out those words and blood, Lily lost consciousness in Sumika’s arms.

Slowly a glob of tear formed at the corner of Lily’s eyes and dropped down through her cheek.

“~~~~~~-!”

Seeing the glistening of that tear, the expression of regret of Lily, Sumika’s chest grew hot as if she was swallowing fire.

Of course, that heat was rage.

Sumika laid down Lily on that spot and asked the approaching Alfaro with her back still turned on him.

“…This strategy, did Lily know anything about it?”

In response, Alfaro answered without any guilt in him.

“No way. Of course I didn’t tell her anything. After all I don’t think that sister Lily is that much of an actress. It will only make all of this come to nothing using only ham acting.”

“…Lily really believed. To you. To the church. To betray that kind of girl, don’t you have any pang in your conscience?”

“Hohoho. What a strange thing to say. Where is the need to feel pain in my conscience from this? A person that covered for a renegade who turned their back to god is also a renegade. There is no way I who am a <Special Missionary> can forgive such a foolish person. There is no doubt of the fate of the demon and all of you who protected that demon, but I led sister Lily here intending for her to die in this place from the start. Well, the girl didn’t have even a drop of doubt about such―”

“Enough.”

Suddenly, Sumika interrupted Alfaro from continuing his words with a low voice.

“―? What are you saying just now?”

“I’m saying to not open that filthy mouth! You heretic–!”

Expressing her exploding rage, Sumika turned to Alfaro.

Right now the girl understood completely.

That the man in front of her eyes was a heretic that had no difference at all with Typhon and the like.

That he was an evil who stole from other people without any hesitation whatsoever from the utmost selfishness.

“I’ll kill you…! You demon wearing human skin……-!”

Sumika reloaded bullet into the two silver revolvers while grinding her teeth so hard it could break.

Even with <Grim Bullet> destroyed, Sumika was an S-rank magician.

There were many ways she could fight with.

She would immediately take care of this evil in front of her and heal Lily.

Deciding in her heart what she should do, Sumika turned the gun’s nuzzle at Alfaro.

But,

“――Heretic you said?”

Alfaro suddenly stopped his walk in front of such Sumika.

And then, all expression vanished from his inferior Buddha face that kept smiling vulgarly until just now,

“Toward this me that worked his body to the bone for god, this Alfaro who is a <Special Missionary>, the likes of a renegade that conspire with a demon dare to……call me a heretic?”

He whispered with a low voice to himself while his shoulders were trembling,

Then suddenly―

“YOU REALLY RUN YOUR MOUTH YOU WHOREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!”

Along with a raging roar that was like a cannon, white light surged out from Alfaro’s body.

“……-!?”

A flash that painted over the whole world with white.

Inside that brightness where there was only radiance, Alfaro’s hair wriggled and his shape changed.

Alfaro’s shadow grew bigger until twice his original size bloatedly.

In proportion with that change, Alfaro’s magic power jumped up to the degree that couldn’t be compared with until now.

Before long when the light stopped, in front of Sumika’s eyes―

“This, is……-“

A body height of around 5 meters, not a human shape but something strange-looking was standing there.

The head was crowned by a ring that shined silver, a large body with a pair of wings at its back.

That form of Alfaro sported a look of rage that made one think that was how Acala must look like, that form was exactly like an angel from inside the legend―in reality, it was a transformation by means of the power of the people that were called angel.

{Witness this divine appearance! This is exactly the power that is only possessed by us, the <Special Missionary>! Our status just cannot be compared to the like of you magicians who can only be possessed by a heroic spirit that was only human in the first place. This holy art where we are possessed by an angel that is the messenger of god, is the greatest proof that we have obtained the acknowledgement of god! Correct, all our actions is by the will of god! Therefore, we, the <Holy Path Church>, are exactly god ourselves! Nevertheless, for the like of a renegade that is supporting a demon to curse us as heretic ―HOW RIDICULOUSSSS!}

Correct. Alfaro was truly possessed by an angel.

Just like how Sumika and other magicians were possessed by heroic spirits.

The executor that moved to execute god’s law and wiped out the insults towards god―

The <Exousiai Power>.

This was exactly the cause why the <Special Missionary> was special, the biggest reason why Homura was alerted by this man.

{The sin of insulting us the agent of god is costly, you little girl. You will not die easily…-! I’ll snap your four limbs one by one, twist them, I’ll grant you every possible kind of pain before killing you…!}

“Kuh…-!”

The large body shook and Alfaro approached Sumika.

On the other hand Sumika was also not just staying quiet and watched.

She wasted no time to return fire with the sorcery of absolute hit, <Quick Draw>. ―But,

All the bullets were slipping through Alfaro’s body.

{Hohoho! Useless, useless-! Cause and effect of absolute hit or whatever you do, it’s only a power of a human in the first place. The <Exousiai Power> that is residing in me is just too different in status compared to that from the start! Just a power of a human cannot even touch the current me-!}

“…-, if that’s so then――-!”

If physical attacks didn’t have any effect, she just needed to use sorcery.

Sumika reprimanded herself and chanted soul of language of spell to compose a sorcery.

“Greedy fang coarse bloodstained claw become jet black wind and come here

The falling sky is above thy the desolate battlefield is for thy sake

Howl growl despise madness and avarice that group of storm surging as they are

The hungry jaw swallowed whole even the far away sun!”

That soul of language distorted the truth of the world.

Storm blew around the stepping forward Alfaro and cloud of sand danced in the air.

That wind whirled in the blink of an eye, turning into a spiral, rampaging and swallowing Alfaro.

The enemy was carved apart into little pieces by the storm of vacuum that reached until the cloudy sky.

It was a grand technique that could only be chanted by two people among the S-rank magicians, including Sumika.

Wind element fifth rank sorcery―

“<Black Dragon’s Sword Wing StormEvil Tempest>!!!!”

{IMPERTINENTTTTTT!!!!}

But, that storm of vacuum was torn apart by the gale that Alfaro’s wings caused.

“Wha……-!”

Sumika was taken aback by the absolute strength of the angel.

Alfaro didn’t overlook that opening of an instant.

He wasted no time to reached out his right arm that had been enlarged by the power of an angel and captured Sumika’s body.

“Damn……!”

{Hohoho, caught you. You are caught now. Hohohohohoho!}

“U, AAaaAAA!”

Sumika was grasped from her chest until her waist and lifted up from the ground.

She rapidly fired <Quick Draw> with both her hands that were the only parts of her body that were still free, she kept resisting but―

{I told you it’s pointless already. By the time you lost the power of <Evil God>, you have no chance to win anymore. And then, now that you are in this situation, you understand what will happen to you right?}

• GUI-*

With his thumb and index finger, Alfaro clutched the right arm of Sumika who was captured in his right hand.

And then, with a careless movement as if playing with a doll,

{First, starting from this annoying right arm――}

With his index finger at the back elbow of Sumika’s thin arm, and the thumb touching the wrist, he put strength in each finger.

Slowly, slowly, in order for tormenting.

“…-!”

Sumika’s elbow that was becoming the fulcrum of the leverage in that position screamed creakingly.

With a frantic look drenched with sweat on her forehead, Sumika fired wildly with the gun in her remaining left hand, yet as expected it was meaningless―the next moment,

• PAKIN*

A dry sound was audible from the breaking of Sumika’s joint. The arm was broken backwards.

“Aa, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!”

{Hohohohoho-! That’s good! It’s truly a pleasant sound just now-!}

“Gh-!? NooOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!”

As if to enjoy the texture of a broken bone by grinding it repeatedly, Alfaro pinched the broken joint and kneaded it with the ball of his finger.

Sumika’s mouth opened until it couldn’t open any further from this cruel act and screamed.

“Le, Leader–!”

It was really a sight that one couldn’t bear to see.

Chikori immediately tried to rush to Sumika and dropped down, but―

“DON’T COMEEE――-!”

It was none other than Sumika that warned her with a voice even louder than her previous scream.

“Right now, Chikori-san must not… leave that spot! The enemy will rush in to Elfiena-san’s location…-!”

“Le, Leader, bu, but-……!”

“Shiori-san is an excellent <Operator>, but her fighting strength is not that high… You really are the last fort protecting them! You cannot come here! This is an order-!”

Sumika ordered so to Chikori even with her face distorted in pain that was difficult to endure.

“…I’m fine. I’ll do something, about this man……!”

She glared at Alfaro.

In that eye, there was not even the slightest fear.

Even in front of the overwhelming power of an angel, Sumika still hadn’t given up yet.

She didn’t have any intention to submit.

Even right now in this moment, she was thinking how to cut her way through this hopeless situation.

Such clear light of courage and intelligence was remaining in her eyes.

(What unpleasant eyes these are-)

Alfaro’s expression changed from looking at that light in Sumika’s eyes.

From joyful expression of tormenting a renegade, into an expression of clear precaution.

He was also a veteran that had been through many adversities in battle, a <Special Missionary>.

Therefore he understood. The fearsomeness of a human with this kind of eyes.

(This girl, if she is let to live here, in the not far away future she will reach the level where my hands cannot reach. She might even possibly become a threat to the <Holy Path Church> like the <Evil God User>…)

It was dangerous. Those eyes were dangerous. That was why―

{I changed my mind.}

―Right here right now, while he could still kill her he had to stop her breath with certainty.

That premonition stopped Alfaro from the tormenting any further,

{After this will also be very busy, so let’s finish this quickly.}

• GUI*, the right hand that grasped Sumika’s body was further enveloped by the left hand, both hands were filled with strength in order to crush Sumika to death.

“Gu, aa……-, AAAAAAAaAAAAAAA……-!”

Even with Sumika also resisting by using the sorcery of <Flesh Hardening> on herself, however in front of the arm strength of <Exousiai Power> that boasted their remarkably strong physical strength even among the angels, it was nothing more than a useless struggle, Sumika’s body squeaked creakingly and cries of pain gradually spilled out,

“STOP IT!!!!”

{-……!?}

But in the next moment, a voice that sharply resounded in the twilight stopped the pressure.

The owner of the voice that stole Alfaro’s gaze could only be one person. Knowing about the dilemma of Sumika and Chikori from Shiori’s battle control, she rushed to this place, the <Fairy Queen> Elfiena.

Part 7

(Wha……-!)

Sumika’s eyes opened wide from how Elfiena that they should protect exposed herself to the enemy.

“Wh, why…, did you come out……-!”

Elfiena answered Sumika who leaked out impatience with a quite voice.

“I’m sorry. But, it’s fine already.”

“Fine… you said, what do you…”

“It’s an unreasonable story in the first place. Something like a harmony between humans and fairies. …Even though I know that, I forced that unreasonableness to all of you humans for the convenience of us the [Fairy race]. …Yet despite so, Sumika-san risked your life until this far to protect me who is so selfish like that. Now… that feeling is more than enough already.”

“――-!”

Sumika comprehended from those words.

What Elfiena was going to do coming to this place.

“Before coming to the human world, I was trembling in fear. There is no way that the humans who had been so thoroughly trampled by demons until now will willingly welcome me. Just what kind of terrifying experience I will meet, I kept feeling uneasy and always cried in the place where there was no one who can find me.

But… right now I am convinced.

Even though it’s impossible right now or in the near future, someday humans and fairies can surely understand each other.

Because, there are kind people that risked their lives for someone like me among the humans. I don’t know how many years, how many tens of years it will take in the future, but such a day will surely come.

―That’s why in order to greet the day that will come someday with a smile, I want to protect, the important friends of the [Fairy race]. As the leader of the [Fairy race]. And then, most of all― as I myself.”

Correct, the girl was… intending to surrender herself.

To the people who were coming intending to kill her.

Everything, was for the sake of protecting Sumika and the others.

“~~~~~~~-u”

Sumika tried to yell in attempt to stop her, but her voice couldn’t turn into words.

Her lung was squashed, there was no air left even just for letting her voice out.

And then while Sumika was yelling with garbled voice,

“I surrender to all of you. There is no need for fighting anymore. Please let go of Sumika-san…!”

Elfiena finally said out the fatal sentence.

Suddenly, a sense of powerlessness that couldn’t be described by words seeped into Sumika and Chikori’s hearts.

But―the reality was even more callous.

{――Hoho. Ohohohohoho, hohohohohhohoh!!!!}

Elfiena words made Alafaro’s body that was enlarged with the power of an angel shake, he returned back a guffawing laugh filled with mockery.

“Wh, what is it?”

{Who will not laugh from something like this? Just because you who don’t know anything is surrendering then I will let them go… hohoho. Stuu―pid. Just who will do that.}

“Wh, why are you……-!”

{Why? Why you asked? That’s obvious isn’t it. I’m an agent of divine punishment, a <Special Missionary> you know. It’s only natural to kill a demon like you. And then, killing the renegades who lend their hand to demons is also only natural. There is no way we will let even a single one live and return back.}

“That’s……”

Correct. In the first place Elfiena was making a misunderstanding.

They were not coming here to kill Elfiena.

They were coming to this place to massacre everyone that was here.

Just by offering the life of a person among those targets wouldn’t become a valid reason to save the other people.

That was why,

{Of course I will also kill you. Right after I kill this little girl-!}

Alfaro wouldn’t stop.

Ignoring the words of Elfiena,

{Divine Punishment・execute――}

In order to crush Sumika who was inside his palms, he put in even more strength――

Part 8

The torn out earth crust was thrown and approached him right before his eyes.

It covered the whole sky, the violence of pure mass coming from something like a whole island was not something that could be taken even if it was Homura.

Yet despite so,

Homura still hovered in the air and didn’t move with his face tensed.

“Master! Dodge!”

Vel yelled from feeling the danger.

Homura’s reply towards that was―

“Vel. Change of plan.”

He whispered with a voice that was completely calm and ordered Vel to change her shape into a [sword].

He changed the shape of Vel who was taking the shape of two handguns into a [sword] with his magic power.

• HYUN* He swung it at the land falling at him.

Just by that, the earth crust that was going to crush Homura right about now was split right into two. And then Homura went through between the gap of the earth crust and earth crust that he cut open with a speed incomparable with until now, he soared aiming at <Hecatoncheires>.

{GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!}

<Hecatoncheires> responded by firing beams from its fifty mouths towards Homura who bisected the cannonball of earth crust and flew nearing it from diagonally below.

But the fired beams, all of it bended flexibly as if all of it were running away from Homura who was flying fast in the air. That was not a defense from sorcery. Nothing like that. It was purely because the force of Homura’s ascending was too strong, that whether it was air or heat or even light, everything was brushed aside.

And then finally Homura reached the altitude of 9 kilometers above the surface at the main head that existed on the topmost of <Hecatoncheires>. He ascended until above the horn that was growing there and told Vel.

“An SOS came from Shiori. The other side is going bad. If thinking about the situation between humans and fairies after this, I wanted to defeat this big thing using Elfiena’s information, but―time’s up.”

Correct. Homura’s face tensed when the earth crust cannonball was falling at him before, was not because he feared the power of <Hecatoncheires>.

It was because Shiori’s voice seeking help was entering his mind through <mind transmission>.

He had requested a favor from Shiori beforehand.

At the time where the situation really had become hopeless, she had to absolutely contact him.

And then, right now such contact had really came.

Then―he couldn’t choose his methods anymore.

“We’re gonna finish the whole thing with one attack.”

Saying that, Homura chanted.

The sea of another dimension. With the soul of language that connected to that abyss―

Hear my voice o the person drifting about the sea of another world

The seething star shines brilliantly in blasphemy informing thy time of destiny

The hunter of soul o the pulsing blue impurity

The water gate of the strange sea was opened follow the rotation and come here

Tonight if the distant land becomes a good hunting spot for thee

Obeying thine unsatisfied insatiability still hunt the fool who knows not of fear

A blasphemous rhythm that was etched during an instant.

As if to hail that poem which defiled all life in that distant land, the space(sky) distorted.

The blue of another world dazzlingly oozed out at the jet black starry sky without a single cloud.

That blue light matched the prayer that Homura etched and spread throughout the whole sky swallowing the moonlight.

And then, from the center of the space that was like a sea that shone madly,

“Pillage. ―<The Shining Pursuer> ”

―That, appeared.

Raising a sound of water like waterfall, a grotesque shape showed its appearance from the upside down sea surface.

At a glance, it looked like a large ominous bird.

But it was by no means anything like a bird.

On that face were compound eyes that shrewdly examined the surroundings.

Rope shaped tentacles like tail and feathers were writhing in the air looking for prey.

The blue pulsing transparent flesh was wrapped in luster and sliminess, it was just like an aggregation of minerals, its composition that was a messed mixing of inorganic and organic materials was a blasphemy towards the history of living being’s evolution.

This was exactly the blue holiness that hunted the prey from the sea of another world―

The figure of the <Great Old One> Iod.

But, this <evil god> showed its appearance only for an instant.

As soon as it manifested, Iod’s flesh crumbled into particles of blue light.

Was the summoning failed?

Of course that was not it.

The crumbling blue phosphorescence drew a double spiral and gathered in the black sword that Homura held.

Homura made Iod to reside inside the sword that was made by <Liber Legis>.

And then―

{OOOOoOoOoooOoooooo―――–!!!!}

He stabbed the jet black sword wrapped in blue light into the middle of the forehead of <Hecatoncheires>’ main head.

<Hecatoncheires> didn’t dodge.

One or two heads gone was not a big matter.

After all it was impossible for it to die as long as its hearts didn’t get injured.

Just a single swing of a sword wasn’t worth the effort to dodge.

Correct, it was feeling haughty.

But―

{――~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~—!?!?!?}

<Hecatoncheires> soon understood how that haughtiness became a fatal injury.

The instant the sword that was covered by Iod got stabbed into the forehead, <Hecatoncheires> felt something was disappearing with a tremendous momentum from its own flesh.

That something was, vitality―no, it was life force.

The power that supported the foundation of all living things.

Life force was vanishing from its body and a terrible fatigue was weighing on it.

This was bad.

<Hecatoncheires> sensed that instinctively and it reached its hand to try to dislodge Homura who was stabbing the sword into its forehead.

No, more accurately, it tried to reach out its hand.

But, the hand didn’t move.

<Hecatoncheires>’ body already didn’t have any strength left to even move its muscles.

As if the whole body was turned into stone.

Even when it ordered to move, move, not a single tip of its finger moved.

Like a corpse.

No―it was exactly a corpse right now.

The flesh of <Hecatoncheires> died right in this instant.

The power of Iod was a power of alternate dimensions with effects that surpassed materials and objects.

Iod’s fang didn’t injure the flesh of the prey, it directly pillaged the life force.

No matter how <Hecatoncheires> possessed a body that was near immortal, as a living being it had a limited life force.

If that life force was pillaged until there was nothing left, what was left behind was only a corpse.

However only its consciousness didn’t die and vanish, it would be left behind inside the coffin that was its dead body for eternity.

That was exactly the power of <The Shining Pursuer> Iod.

From the time when Homura heard that <Hecatoncheires>’ immortality was from its flesh body, he had hit upon this idea. He aiming at the hearts was only for Elfiena’s sake. For the sake of the [Fairy race] from now on, he wanted to concede this achievement of saving the mankind from this threat to them. It was just that. For the <Evil God User> Kamishiro Homura, he didn’t need any strategy guide since the beginning.

And then the power of pillaging that he released didn’t stop consuming <Hecatoncheires> to the end.

The blue light that pierced from the forehead completely consumed <Hecatoncheires> in an instant, and then just like that the light pierced through the length of its leg with the speed of light, and it didn’t stop there and penetrated the ground――

{―execute, e?}

Piercing through the earth altogether with Alfaro who was crushing Sumika in his grip right now.

Part 9

{AaAaAaaaaAA~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~–!?!?}

A thorn of blue light projecting out from the underground suddenly pierced Alfaro.

Alfaro was confused from this happening that occurred so suddenly, he released Sumika and screamed, but―

{……a, a…}

His voice soon deflated and Alfaro’s whole body languidly and powerlessly dangled down propped up by that thorn.

Before long the blue thorn was vanishing into light particles and Alfaro’s body crumpled to the ground, it didn’t move anymore.

“This is…”

Sumika who witnessed that situation from nearby immediately guessed who was the one that made this attack.

She had the knowledge regarding the <Evil Gods>, and most of all this was what she was trying to summon with her <Grim Bullet> before this.

However, the <Paladins> that didn’t have any knowledge at all about this fell into panic from the sudden defeat of the <Special Missionary> .

“Wh, what!? What happened!?”

“Alfaro-sama was defeated…!? But, how!?”

And then from this moment of agitation, they let down their attention to the enemy in front of them―

“Fly off all of you――-!”

“ “ “UWAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!” ” ”

All the remaining members of <Paladin> were mowed down by the stone pillar that Chikori wielded and were annihilated.

However Chikori didn’t even glance at the enemy that she defeated.

“Leader! Are you okay!?”

She immediately rushed to Sumika’s location together with Elfiena.

“…Sumika-san, just now… was that Sumika-san’s doing?”

“No… it’s not me. That was the power of an <Evil God> called Iod… And then the one who can use this power, is only Homura-san if you exclude my <Grim Bullet>, so I think most likely he saved us.”

“Bu, but, Master right now is in Australia right?”

“I think it’s likely Shiori-san that contacted him. …All things considered, it’s really unbelievable how he pierced an enemy from the other side of the earth no matter how much Iod’s power is a power that is outside physical interference. Really, it’s just too amazing I cannot say any words…-!”

Suddenly, Sumika’s expression distorted in pain.

The joint of her arm was bent into wrong direction and everywhere in her body were broken bones from having her whole body constricted like that, it was only natural.

“Sumika-san! Please wait. I will heal you right now-! I have a knowledge of healing skill!”

Realizing Sumika’s injury, Elfiena reached out her hand to Sumika. But,

“No… please heal that girl there first rather than me…”

Sumika rejected it and pointed at Lily who was collapsed in a place slightly separated from them.

Elfiena showed a confusion from that.

For her who didn’t know about the relationship between Sumika and Lily, she didn’t understand the reason for healing first the enemy that came to kill them.

But―

“She is, my friend.”

“―I understand!”

Elfiena immediately responded to Sumika’s request from that one sentence.

Elfiena’s healing skill was actually precise.

Making use of fairy’s special characteristic to enter inside material, she healed the wound by inciting cell division.

And then by directly calling to the soul of the unconscious person, she completely prevented the complete loss of the dim consciousness.

Lily’s wound was really heavy, but with a treatment this precise performed on her, her life could be preserved.

“―――……”

A feeling of relief relaxed the strained consciousness of Sumika.

The exhaustion that attacked her made her stop resisting the calming effect from her brain hormones and she closed her eyes.

And then she took a temporary sleep just like what her body demanded.

Epilogue

Part 1

Three days after the attack of the <Holy Path Church>.

Other than Shiori, all the members of the 101st platoon were on the ground at Hachijo Island.

Of course, there was only one reason for them to visit this place.

It was in order to ascertain the settlement of the fairies.

“Amaa――zing-! It’s a flower field all over-!”

Passing through the gate that Elfiena opened, fairies appeared out from it one after another like a swarm of butterflies and raised a joyful cheer towards the sunflower field that was spreading out before their eyes.

This island was once a tourist spot where people could enjoy various marine spots or diving or swimming in the sea, but the civilization was ruined at the <Walpurgis Night> and it was completely abandoned since then, the result was that it was now turned into an uninhabited island that was a haven of nature.

Greenery dazzlingly grew in rampantly swallowing the ruins of the town. Flowers of hibiscus and bougainvillea were in full bloom everywhere. There was no place where they, the [Fairy race], could live that was better than this.

“The light of the sun… feels good.”

“My queen-. We can really live here!?”

The fairies that had the form of small girls that could be put on top of a human palm asked Elfiena while flying around her. Elfiena strongly nodded towards those questions.

“But of course. This is a land that <Evil God User>-sama prepared for our sake. Let’s use it with gratitude.”

“Hooray――-!”

Yelling joyfully, the fairies flew away while flapping their small wings noisily.

Standing beside Elfiena who was seeing them off, Sumika made a question.

“Is the migration of all the [Fairy race] over with this?”

“Yes. …The one who saved them, are all the people that are here.”

“Everyone looks really happy aren’t they?”

“…Because in the demon world they cannot even go outside anymore. They spent day and night shutting themselves inside a tree or soil. But for us fairies, sun and moon light are the source of our vitality, so their condition worsened from being unable to bath in light, then in the worst situation they would die.”

“It’s like a human that dies from starvation huh.”

Elfiena returned a small nod towards Homura’s example.

“Yes. …It’s a really painful way to die. That’s why many fairies cannot endure it and went outside, but then they were discovered by other demons and the fact that fairies lived in that area would be exposed, and the settlements in that place would be all… that was how it was. That was why they were given detailed instruction to absolutely not come outside without permission. They have been enduring all this time, that’s why they are that happy. Everything is thanks to all of you.”

“There is no need to say any thanks. …Besides Elfiena-san had also saved the life of my friend.”

The friend Sumika mentioned could only be one person.

It was about the sister of the <Holy Path Church>, Lily.

Well, she was a former sister now that she had been prosecuted by Alfaro as a renegade.

Thanks to Elfiena’s swift treatment her life was barely saved, and then she was sent to hospital after that.

Since then Elfiena was not in a position where she could visit so she didn’t know anything, but

“Is that person fine right now?”

“Yes. All thanks to you. …Her parents died on the night of <Walpurgis> and since then she made the church as her support, so because she was betrayed by that church she received a really great shock, but I will support her in place of the church as her friend.”

While answering Elfiena’s question, Sumika added one last thing with a shy expression.

“She asked me to tell you ‘Thank you for saving me’. Though her face was a little complicated when saying that.”

“Is that so…”

A warm feeling spread inside Elfiena’s chest hearing that.

And then inside her, that feeling changed into a hope that surely someday they could understand each other with mankind.

If they didn’t give up, surely someday―

“Aa―! Over there, over there! It’s surely this person!”

“Charge―!”

“Haa? Wha, uoOo-!? What the hell with these guys!?”

Suddenly, a commotion happened, occurring out of nowhere at the side and Homura’s scream could be heard.

When Elfiena turned her eyes there wondering what happened, there, nearly a hundred of fairy children were literally crowding Homura.

Their eyes were shining with curiosity while flying around Homura.

“Onii-san is that famous <Evil God User> right?”

“Autograph! Autograph please m’kay!”

“Ha!? I ain’t giving anything like that! Rather, don’t buzz around! Don’t pull the hair!”

“Then hair please! I’ll treasure it forever!”

“Stop the bullshit! If this many of you do that I’ll go bald-!”

“Then name me please.”

“Scaary-!?”

Elfiena’s face paled in a flash looking at that sight.

Homura was the benefactor that saved the [Fairy race]. It was only the natural reaction as the leader of the race.

“Yo, you all! What are you doing there!? You mustn’t be impolite!”

“Waa―. The queen is angry!”

“Run, run!”

The fairies scattered everywhere exactly like baby spiders, they flapped their wings that were shining like a rainbow from the sunlight and escaped to the sky.

After looking up at the girls who were like that reproachfully, Elfiena lowered her head in their place to Homura.

“Forgive them Homura-san. Because a lot of the survivors are young fairies…”

“I almost got bald just now y’know. Really…”

But even while complaining like that, Homura was staring at the direction where the children were flying away.

“But well, it’ll surely be hard for you all after this. It’s better to be energetic like that I guess.”

He whispered without minding at all the impoliteness of the fairies.

―Actually, currently, the [Fairy race] was in an extremely awkward position.

Although they had obtained a powerful backing that was Homura, the <United World Government>… its core the <Five Great Leaders> didn’t contact this side at all since the case with Alfaro.

They also kept closing the channel towards Kinugasa’s side too even though they were fellow <United World Government Member Nations>.

In other words this migration was not amicably established.

…Well, though because the reason of the inamicable establishment was solely because the <United World Government> breaking the promise from the negotiation one-sidedly, they couldn’t even do anything to Elfiena and the fairies at all.

“If anything happens then just consult me without any reservation. I told you that I’ll protect you all. I’ll protect the promise.”

Naturally Homura also knew about Elfiena and the other’s innocence, so he gave them that strong promise.

Elfiena bowed her head deeply from those words and expressed her thanks.

“Really thank you for everything. Homura-san is the hero of the [Fairy race]. If Homura-san was not there… right now I…”

She would surely be killed in that place.

And then if Elfiena died, naturally the [Fairy race] would be left behind in the demon world that had turned into a hell, there was no doubt that they would be exterminated.

The thanks was for that reason, but

“Stu-pid.”

“Au”

Homura lightly returned a flick to her forehead from hearing those words of thanks.

And then he frankly told Elfiena who blinked her eyes with a face that seemed to say ‘really, what a hopeless fellow’.

“What are you gonna do if you keep thinking stupid things like if I’m not there or anything. Doing things like that is just a waste of time. I am right here. And then I’ll protect y’all. This is absolute. Those what-ifs ain’t gonna happen.”

He looked straight at Elfiena and gave her his words.

Looking at that endlessly kind eyes and hearing those powerful words, Elfiena thought.

“You are right. Exactly as you said…”

Surely Homura would protect them just like he said.

Correct. No matter even if doing such thing would isolate him far away from among [people].

He would protect everything, human and fairy.

Because he had the power to accomplish that.

Because that was exactly the way of life of him, the <Ultimate One>.

(However―)

Elfiena had one thing that she was uneasy about.

That was, the fear that she could see from Homura crushing himself.

Originally, the powerful wouldn’t be able to understand the heart of the weak.

That Homura could understand the fearful heart of Elfiena, was it not because Homura also possessed the same weak heart?

If that was the case…

Could such soft heart endure his lonely way of life?

“…”

“Hm? What’s with you, making a difficult face like that.”

“…No. There is nothing at all.”

Was it hard for him?

Elfiena swallowed back the words that she almost asked.

Because if she asked, he would surely hide everything behind a strong smile.

And then at the same time, where silence was born between the two,

“Master! Leader! Look, look-!”

From inside the bushes, Chikori leaped out together with adult fairies.

She was carrying a large pig above her head.

“See, I caught a pig this big!”

“Uwaa, big-. Wait, ain’t that a boar? It has a fang there.”

“It seems that when a pig turn wilds it will return back to its ancestry and grow fangs you know. I think this pig is originally the livestock of the farm here.”

“Let’s make a barbeque with everyone quickly. My stomach is hungry.”

After saying that, Chikori carried away the pig that had the mass of around two adult males.

Sumika made a wry smile seeing that figure of Chikori.

“Chi, Chikori-san is amazingly robust isn’t she?”

“Yeah, that girl right now don’t have the smell of civilization even more than me when I lived in a slum.”

Homura was also of the same opinion, however the timing was just right now when it had become noon.

It was lunch time.

The weather was clear.

Surely eating barbeque under this blue sky would be really tasty.

Imagining that, their wry smile soon turned into a smile.

“We are going you two. If we leave everything to Chikori, she is gonna eat everything.”

“That’s right. Certainly that will be troubling.”

While exchanging words, all of them followed after Chikori.

And then, surrounded by the new residents of the earth, they passed the time with a fun lunch.

Part 2

At the same time, the main headquarter of the Holy Path Church―<Vatican life sphere>, there, the pope, Innocentius, was being told of the failure of Alfaro in his duty by the president of America, Joseph.

“Is that so? So Alfaro failed.”

It was a dim room. Inside the silence there was only the systematic sound of electro-cardiogram resounding.

The heavy voice of Innocentius that was receiving the phone call reverberated.

But, there was no tone of particular dejection in his voice.

As if he didn’t expect anything from it since the beginning.

“Then? Is that guy dead?”

{No, his consciousness hasn’t returned, but for the moment he lives. Right now he is receiving treatment in a hospital that is financed by the <Holy Path Church> inside the <Tokyo life sphere>. It seems that currently there is no prospect of him regaining consciousness, but…}

“I don’t mind if the recovery of his body is finished already. Transfer him right now to the government hospital of <Detroit life sphere>. …With that all the necessary factors for the <One Year Plan> are set in place.”

{I understand. Well then, take care―}

Cutting the transmission with that exchange, Innocentius stored the mobile phone back into his sleeve.

And then, while making an evil smile on his wrinkled face,

“[Fairy race] huh. They really came in at a convenient time.”

Inside the darkness, he looked up at that which was faintly emitting light.

It was a cylinder shaped tank emitting faint green light like a firefly.

Inside it… a naked young boy possessing a pair of wings with his eyes closed floated there.

“Miraculously, just at the same time when the last adjustment was finished, all the conditions were put in good order. ―Undoubtedly all of this is also the will of our great lord.”

And then as if to respond to that whisper, the boy floating inside the water tank opened his eyelids.

Inside the green colored light, two eyes shined blue brilliantly.

Staring at that, Innocentius blessed his awakening with a whispering voice.

“Good morning. …Our <Messiah>.”

Afterword

Antihero volume 2 complete. Thanks for all the hard work.

This is the writer Misora Riku.

Continuing after volume 1, this volume 2 is also crammed with the strength that Misora thought up as much as possible.

There was no dividing of battle potential or anything.

Well, at first I planned to divide it though.

While writing, I got into the mood like "No, if it’s Homura-san then just this far is still in his range is it not?" And so I did it like this with all that I have.

I thank the people that is kind to the earth and to Iod-sama.

Now then, this time I was able to get out two evil gods.

One is <The Shining Pursuer> Iod that I just said. Just from its nickname is already just too cool. It’s just too cool, but even reading the material I cannot imagine what kind of appearance it has at all (lol), that was why I made it to have a giant compound eye and having a structure in the middle of mineral and biological composition, I left in the common trait that exists in any literature about it to my knowledge, and the appearance is depicted by the heightened image in Misora’s imagination. To the people that say ‘Something like this is not Iod!’, I’m sorry.

Then regarding Y’golonac, the information regarding its appearance is relatively considerable, especially in comparison to Iod, so perhaps I didn’t make mistakes about it that much, hopefully. Y’go-sama is one of Misora’s favorite evil gods. It feels like THE evil god. It’s a lovely kind god that cuddled close to the tiny humans (cold eyes).

As for the last, the editor Shouji-san who supported this work a lot by the solid response that he always gives. Nardack-san who draw explosive illustrations this time too where the eyes feels like pulsing with aura. And then all the readers who purchased this second volume.

Really, thank you very much.

Let’s meet again in the afterword of the next publication.

References

Back to Volume 1

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