Chapter 240
We got lucky this time.
Of course, not everything went as planned.
We needed to play things by the ear.
However, there was the First Cavalry that was so eager for results that they got ahead of the others.
Thanks to them, we didn’t have to deal with all the Cavalries at the same time.
It went easier than expected.
[Even so, with this, if Liese——— -dono……]
[Sniff…… It’s alright…… You can just keep calling me like that.]
With her head lowered down, Liese wiped the tears from her eyes.
[You don’t have to change the way you speak.]
[……If this doesn’t change your mind, I would have to restrain you. I’m going to have to ask you to stay put until this fight is over.]
[U- Uuuu……]
AD
[Belzegia-dono, I’m sorry.]
Armia approaches, apologizing towards me.
[I was late in sending out the signal.]
Indeed, it might have been better if she had sent out the signal a little earlier.
Lowering her head, Armia’s fists seem to be shaking.
[I was so taken aback that I became absentminded for a while…… because of the cruelty of that man, Mikhail. I began to think that Humans were such terrifying beings…… that us, who had peacefully lived our lives within the Faraway Country, were nothing more than playthings for Humans…… The impact was so great that I forgot to give the signal. As a result, Prime Minister-dono was beaten up that much……]
[You don’t have to blame yourself. It’s just as I told you before. The entire responsibility for this operation lies with me. If you don’t like anything that happened during the battle, blame me.]
[I understand. However———— It’s too rigorous.]
[………………]
[My role in this matter is just too rigorous.]
[My bad.]
I apologize.
AD
[As Gio recommended, I wanted to rely on your good judgment. The fact that you’re the best defender among the Four Warlights also made me think you’d be a good choice to protect considering that she would most probably disarm everyone. However, my bad…… It was indeed rigorous.]
[Shut it there, Fly King.]
Thereupon, Gio butted in.
[I’m the one who recommended Armia for the role because of her good judgment. You don’t have to carry the responsibility on your own. I was originally planning to have her do the same thing if we lost the majority vote. The only thing that’s changed is that Belzegia hopped in on my plan.]
The Cavalry in the rear seemed to be cleared out.
The Leopardkin are on their way to catch up with Gio.
Sensing their approach, Gio looked behind him and snorted.
[It seems like they had a harder time dealing with it as I had expected. Your worries may have been correct, Fly King.]
[No…… For people that had killed a Human with a weapon for the first time, I think they did pretty well. It’s just that…… They may be numbed by the heat of the battle now, but some of them might be shocked later on. I think you should look after them after the battle is over.]
That’s how it usually works.
That’s how it normally should be.
Me, whose emotions regarding that matter was paralyzed, was the strange one.
[……You.]
With her head still down, Liese spoke.
[You hate me, don’t you? Don’t you…… hate me?]
[You were just desperate. That’s all there is to it.]
[………………]
[Your narrow-mindedness aside…… You wanted to save the Faraway Country, and you didn’t want anyone to get hurt…… simply desperate. Knowing that, I couldn’t really hate you. Even Gio was thinking highly of you.]
Hearing my words, Liese looks up.
Half of her face was red and swollen, and the blood dripping down her face made her painful to look at.
[Gio…… did?]
[The deciding factor for this plan was also Gio’s evaluation. Gio said…… that without you, the country might not be able to survive. Lieselotte Ornick is needed for the future of your country.]
[I was told…… by that Human that Gio was killed. Qir was also captured and her hind legs were chopped off……]
Liese looks at the dead Deputy Captain.
[When I heard it, it really hurt…… Even though Gio and I quarrel with each other so much…… It made me realize…… that Gio and the others are still my friends…… but I only regretted it when it’s already too late…… ————Thank you.]
Tears welled up in Liese’s eyes.
[Thank you for being alive.]
Saying those words, Liese started sobbing.
Seeing her like that, Gio snorted before looking away.
[The heck is that…… That’s not like you.]
[Someone’s being shy~~]
[Ah, shut up, Armia. Good grief……]
[Fufufu.]
Even as tears dripped down her eyes———- Liese giggled.
Turning away from their ruckus, I pulled out Mikhail’s sword from its scabbard.
[So, Liese…… What do you think now? With all that’s happened…… Do you still wish to negotiate with the Thirteen Cavalries?]
[……I won’t give up trying to negotiate.]
Even as the tears on her face weren’t dried up, Liese resolutely nodded.
Then, she spoke.
[However…… I will no longer negotiate with the Thirteen Cavalries. Belzegia…… I will follow your opinion this time. You’re human, aren’t you?]
[Yeah.]
[I’m not going to lump all humans as the same person. I won’t assume that all humans are evil. I’m sure that there should be humans out there that I could talk with…… As expected, I still……]
[That should be fine.]
When I said this, Liese looked surprised as she looked up towards me.
[Rather, you should be relieved. The point is that you have to know who you’re dealing with. It’s good to believe in your own abilities, but you should also learn to doubt. Doubt everything you can…… And at times, you would also need to doubt even yourself.]
[……I will do that. I used to think that everything I thought was right. I thought I could solve anything…… That my actions won’t result in anything else…… But that is……]
Pausing for a moment, Liese turns towards the silver door.
[—–only because I was in that country…… in a place where everyone believed in me———-]
""
[You already done here?]
Qir aloofly shows herself.
There were several centaurs following behind her.
It seems that they went around and came down from the cliff.
I guess only me and Slei can jump from that height without difficulty.
Well, in my case though, I had my status correction and Pigimaru turned himself into a rope and assisted me on coming down.
[We’ve dispatched our centaurs near the vicinity of the entrance to the valley. If something happens, they’ll let us know. So…… Our Prime Minister is safe, right?]
When Qir asked this, Liese tears up even more.
[……Qir, I’m sorry.]
[I guess you’re alright enough that you can speak, eh?]
[I, please———-]
[I’m the one who needs to apologize.]
[ ? ]
[I was just acting when I said those words but…… I’m sorry. As expected, that was a little harsh for this Qir-sama to say.]
[I know that it was acting. It was so that you could save me…… I’m still the Prime Minister, the one making the plans in Faraway Country.]
Even though it was a bit distorted, Liese’s expression falters.
Seeing this, Qir gently smiled.
However, upon looking at Liese’s face, a pained look appeared on her face.
Her eyes then coldly turn towards Mikhail.
[You sure did quite a number on our Prime Minister, haven’t you?]
Hearing her cold tone, Gio turned towards me and asked.
[What are we going to do with him, Fly King?]
[I think I’ve already got all I needed to know from him. With this, I don’t see the need to keep him alive.]
Moving his body with my feet, I placed the tip of the sword on Mikhail’s left chest.
There is a little bit of gap in his armor that I could push the sword in.
On its position……
If I just push the sword deeper, I can pierce right through his heart.
[I- am…… a great no- ble…… You should…… be able to get ransom…… with my safe return……]
[Since you’re some great noble, we can use you as a hostage and expect ransom huh? We don’t need it.]
[Guuuhhh…… Why…… Are you not…… an ally…… of the Goddess……]
[Goddess? There’s no way I’m on the side of that sh*tty Goddess. That ain’t happening.]
F*cking idiot.
[You’re funny as heck, you know that?]
[Help……]
[Reminding me of something I don’t like, this b*stard……]
Liese, who was repeatedly pummeled on her face.
That was———–
□
Only once, did I try it.
Only once, did I ask it.
Why?
Not understanding why, I asked.
“Why does Mother…… always have to punch me?”
“Huh? Haahhh? Haaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!?”
“I- I’m sorry———– Gyaaa!?”
” “Why” you ask!? Oi, what do you think you are, Toukaaa!? I’m the one who wants to ask that! Why do I need a reason to punch and kick my own belongings!? Haahhh!? Oi…… I’m going for the face today, okay? I’m going for the face today, you hear me? That’s why, don’t you dare go out for a while, Toukaaa!”
“Gyaaa!? Mother, I’m sor——— Ghaak!? Gobfuuu!?”
“Seeing you not crying makes me even angrier…… Come on, cry, will you!? Cry! Cry like all those b*stards who need some d*mned reasons! This country is just filled with idiots who can’t think for themselves! F*cking annoying b*stards! I’m the one who shat you out, you’re my belonging! Whether I have a reason or not doesn’t matter to you! Is this a country where you can’t even make a d*mned brat if you don’t have a reason!? Aaaahhhhh, if you could just sell brats in this place…… Ah, someone’s actually thinking of buying!? Wait…… Haahhhh!? You dare haggle with me!? Die! Touka, this is your d*mn fault!!!”
""
Bamm, bang, thud, bang, pomf, bang, bammm……
▽
Slowly, I push the blade deeper into his body.
Upon feeling the sword, I felt fear from Mikhail.
[S…… top……]
Not heeding his plea, I continued pushing the blade deeper into his body.
Slowly, taking my time in doing it.
Piercing through the gaps between his ribs, pushing into his lungs.
Decapitating him.
Piercing his head.
Stabbing through his heart.
I’m not going to do such things, which would kill him in an instant.
Slowly———- I pierced the blade into his lungs.
[The words you said to Liese and the others…… Those things about whorehouses and tortures…… That doesn’t look proper at all…… I don’t know what it’s like being a noble, but you’ve lived a life like that huh…… I can somewhat imagine it. You’re a hopeless trash…… You can feel it too, right———– We’re the same kind of person. That’s why…… Let’s get a little bit closer. Okay?]
[Goo…… hukkk……]
Blood poured out from Mikhail’s mouth.
[Terrifying, isn’t it…… but weren’t you in this position before? Your self-centeredness…… is as terrifying as this.]
[Gobuuu…… gobuuuu…… buubuu……]
The blood leaking out of his mouth made it impossible for him to breathe properly.
[Just when you think you’ve been saved, you suddenly find out it was all a lie…… It must have felt despairing, didn’t it? How does it feel to be so quickly betrayed and ridiculed? How does it feel to be treated the same way you treated Liese?]
As I looked down through my mask, I slapped him with his own words.
[Serves you right.]
Eventually———— Mikhail died.
When I look back at her, Liese had a complicated expression on her face.
[You may have had the idea to take this man prisoner. However, I killed him———— I personally wanted to after all.]
[Was there any point…… in killing him?]
[I dunno?]
[……………..]
[Liese. Perhaps…… You must be seeing me as some sort of benefactor that opened up your eyes to the truth. However, I am not such a good person.]
In fact, we got lucky this time.]
[You guys acted as decoys. Thanks to you lot, Gio and Qir were able to surround this First Cavalry and crushed them. The First Cavalry’s attention was completely on your group. Thus, it was easy for Qir and her group to get behind them.]
From a tactical standpoint, the battle was an overwhelming victory.
In fact, the Leopardkin and the Centaurs didn’t have any casualties.
……As for the Harpy messenger, as expected, even I won’t be able to protect them.
[Indeed, I had asked Armia to protect you. However…… It was already expected that at worst, Lieselotte Ornick might die. I had already factored in the possibility that you might lose your life.]
Yes.
It just so happened that things worked out this time.
[If Lieselotte Ornick dies, the rest of the Arachne will be left behind. It would be better if there were people left who could operate the ancient magic tools and handle the internal affairs of the country. If word gets out that Liese was killed because she misjudged her opponent, that will let the people inside the door know that the Thirteen Cavalries are people that are “threats that are impossible to discuss things with”.]
Hearing what I said, Liese looked down.
Thinking that our conversation is over, I turned to Seras, who was still riding behind Slei, and called out to her.
[Seras.]
[Yes.]
[Can you get out of the valley with Slei and check around the area for a bit?]
[Understood.]
[I’m sure you know it already, but don’t be reckless, okay?]
Seras fell silent for a moment, seemingly staring at Liese.
Then, she hesitantly spoke up.
[Liese-dono, one word…… When he sensed that you were being beaten up by that man, Milord was wondering if he should move without waiting for Armia-dono’s signal. I held him back though.]
[ ! ]
Hearing what Seras said, Liese’s eyes widened.
[……My apologies, Belzegia-sama. For acting on my own.]
[Well, no point crying over spilled milk.]
[I’m sorry…… I thought that it should be something brought up now.]
Saying this, Seras had Slei run towards the valley’s exit.
Liese then sniffs up the snot…… and begins wiping the tip of her nose.
[……There’s nothing wrong with what you said just now.]
Saying this, she grinds her teeth in frustration.
[Your point is that I shouldn’t believe in myself too much just because you had saved me…… is what you’re telling me in a roundabout way, right?]
I snorted.
[Interpret it as you want.]
Now then……
[Winning against the First Cavalry doesn’t mean the troubles had ended. The enemy forces are still out there. There will be many of them and some of them may be more troublesome than the others. The real battle begins here. Are all of you ready?]
[We don’t have any choice but to be ready.]
Saying this, Gio folded his arms.
[Even so…… You aren’t very honest too, Fly King. You’re completely different.]
[ ? ]
[You——— and that Mikhail b*stard lying there are completely different.]
[……I wonder about that.]
[At least, the people here seem to agree with me though?]
The slit-eyed Armia had her index finger behind her face veil.
She seems to be scratching her cheek.
[I felt better when I saw that human suffer and die, unnn. Does that mean I’m some sort of deviant?]
Qir follows suit.
[Right…… Seeing that human die made me feel better and I also don’t hold any unpleasant feelings towards Fly King-kun now, you know? Is what Fly King-kun saying really so strange? Isn’t that just being realistic? Rather, this Qir-sama thinks that that’s the best compromise, you know?]
Gio smiled.
[That’s what they said.]
[……You’re just a bunch of softies, I’ll tell you that.]
[That’s a compliment, isn’t it, Belzegia-dono?]
[What do you think, Armia?]
[I’m the type who grows from praises, unnn!]
[Then, praise, it is.]
[You do realize you’re slightly acting like a jerk, right, Belzegia-dono!?]
Indeed, in some ways, I guess one could say that this lamia is a deviant……
I don’t know if I should say that she switches topics incredibly fast or not.
Well, anyway……
[Even though she understood now, that doesn’t mean that Liese could just switch her mind to war mode.]
On the path leading to the Faraway Country, I noticed Demi-Humans and monsters gathering.
The Lamia knights have weapons in their hands.
They definitely went back inside the door at Armia’s signal and retrieved them.
There was also the last member of the Four Warlight, Kokoroniko and her Dragon Light Army.
It seems like she’s having trouble understanding the situation though.
Well, she really didn’t know anything about today’s matter after all.
They were some distance away, waiting for quite some time.
It felt like they were unsure of what to do.
Gio and Armia hollered for them to come over.
Thereupon, their group started approaching.
[Liese, you go back inside the door and rest. You need to heal.]
[……I’m coming too.]
Looking as if she had made up her mind, Liese spoke.
[I will be coming too…… This is a matter of national importance after all. It’s exactly for matters like this that I am appointed as the Prime Minister…… I’m not going to rest with just this much injury.]
……She sure is quick to switch her gears.
Well, it seems that she still feels that her country is important.
Surprisingly……
She may have never really intended to carry out her threat of leaving the country with the Arachnes.
How should I say this……
[I guess Gio knows you’re like that that he wants to save you.]
[———-! S- Shut up! You won’t fool me by talking kindly like that!]
[…………………]
I feel like it’s been a long time since I’ve seen a tsundere……
[However, you should at least get some medical attention. One more thing. Get a minimum amount of sleep. If you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t be able to think clearly, and you won’t be able to make good decisions. Just like you did this time.]
[I- I know that even if you don’t tell me…… Hmph!]
Chagrined, Liese snapped back.
Her lips seemed to have been loosened up a bit.
However, she looked somewhat sad.
Standing next to me, she spoke.
[In the face of reality…… It’s hard to push through your ideals, isn’t it?]
[There are still people in the world who push their ideals forward…… someone who would save everyone.]
What she has that Lieselotte Ornick did not have though……
Is that that person has overwhelming combat strength.
Idealism without strength holds no power.
However, idealism with strength on its side can sometimes overpower reality.
Idealism———— is something that can change “reality” by force.
“I’m not letting anyone else die.”
She, who could probably do such a thing.
If it’s her———- If it’s Sogou Ayaka……
“I———- will be stronger. Stronger than anyone else.”
I wonder if she had become like that after we met again.
At times like this———— I couldn’t help but think about Sogou.
[………………..]
[Hey, Belzegia. You…… Are you not displeased with me? I’ve been acting like that to you……]
[By no means.]
We didn’t really spend that much time together.
And yet, my displeasure towards that person can’t be rivalled by anyone else.
Compared to a certain sh*tty Goddess———–
I can only think of Liese’s actions as cute.
In comparison to what I felt to that person, Liese’s actions surprisingly don’t displease me that much.
Well, I felt that Liese was a surprisingly easy person to manipulate.
That’s why I didn’t find her as threatening as the Goddess.
Perhaps, that was part of the reason why I thought like that.
That might also be the reason———— why I’ve thought of a plan where she would survive.
[……I see. Ummm…… Thank you.]
Looking at her again, with her standing by my side……
Liese sure is petite.
Small.
I wonder if that’s the reason why she speaks in that way———– trying to make herself look big and strong, I mean.
As I was thinking about such a thing, Liese took a step forward……
[Gio, Qir, Armia, Niko…… Everyone. I’m sorry…… I was completely mistaken this time. This failure is unforgivable for a Prime Minister such as I. However, once again…… If you’re still willing to accept me as a friend———— Please……]
——and bows her head.
One after another, to everyone’s direction, she bowed.
[Please lend me your strength.]
Gio……
Qir……
Armia……
Niko……
The Demi-Humans……
And even the monsters.
All of them said they would help.
……Seriously.
Their group———– is quite the gathering of softies.
That’s why, at least one of the group needs to be that person.
The trash.
The scum.
The devil.
As I was thinking about such things, Liese spoke.
[From now on, we will be following this Belzegia’s instructions———- Is that okay!?]
Everyone replied with a loud cheer.
All her friends vigorously responded to her plea.
[………………]
Anyway———– It seems like things are going well.
In front of me were the citizens of the Faraway Country.
Those who had made up their minds to fight.
Those who were determined to survive.
Still facing towards the exit of the valley, I took a glance behind me.
With Demi-Humans and monsters by my side……
[Well then, how about we get things started?]
Determining who survives in the future————-
[Let’s head to war.]
<Author’s Note>
Volume 7 of “Hazure Waku <Joutai Ijou Skill> de Saikyou ni Natta Ore ga Subete o Juurin Suru Made” will be released on May 25.
As with the previous volumes, we’ve made some changes to the content of Volume 7. There are some differences in some character’s portrayals. It also contains the usual additional contents.
[After taking a bath with Touka, Seras stays in the bathroom and showers by herself.] (The bathing scene between the two of them was an additional scene in Volume 6, so this time, it was a post-bathing scene.)
[Back in the room, Seras receives a reward from Touka → The two of them also went to bed together.]
The above scenes are held next to each other, and are from Seras’ perspective. (There are also illustrations in the shower scene and the reward scene)
……Well, I think that scene is basically just them flirting with each other.
However, it also shows the changes in Seras’ feelings and the movements she made towards Touka, as well as Seras’ thoughts about moving her relationship with Touka forward. It’s like, this scene tells “When they were in the Faraway Country, what is it that Seras felt at that time?”
One more thing that was mentioned in the Web Novel.
[Ayaka and Hijiri kissed in the dining hall.]
This scene is just something Ayaka remembered in the Web Novel, but the sequence of events leading up to their kiss in the dining hall is depicted as a scene in the Light Novel. (The scene of Ayaka and Hijiri right after their kiss is also depicted in an illustration)…… After the kiss, Hijiri then comes to Ayaka’s room alone and has that conversation. Incidentally, one of Hijiri’s lines in this scene is about something that is only mentioned in the Light Novel so far.
The cover is a cool and refreshing one, which is good for the approaching summer season. Seras’ blue eyes were particularly very beautiful. Since we’re on the topic, here’s Volume 7’s cover image……
—–were my thoughts properly depicted……?
The colors of Seras’ clothes look cool and nice.
Now then…… The colored illustrations included in the Light Novel are Seras, Nyaki & Pigimaru, Great Demon Emperor, and Munin. This is the first time we’ve seen Nyaki in color. In the color spread, Pigimaru is imitating Nyaki, which is strangely cute…… In addition, the Great Demon Emperor that Hijiri and the others saw in the Eastern Front was visualized as an illustration this time. I wonder if the heroes on the Goddess’ side will be able to defeat something like that…… And, regarding the illustration of Munin…… This Munin just looks so wonderful…… It is drawn in a way that her beauty and eroticism are beautifully coexistent. Munin is…… How should I say this…… I feel like there’s this kind of unique atmosphere that’s kind of like the Virgin Mary.
The illustrations also visualize various scenes in the volume. Munin also has another illustration, and KWKM-sama has drawn her in a very nice way. And…… He also appears in one of the illustrations.
With that, thanks to everyone’s support, we were able to publish Volume 7. Thanks to everyone, the series has sold over 600,000 copies in total…… Thank you very much. I know it’s not a cheap purchase for a paperback with so many pages, but I’d like to thank everyone who has purchased the new series. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who purchased the previous volumes. Thank you very much.
And if it’s possible, I’d appreciate it if everyone could continue to warmly watch over “Hazure Waku” in the future.