Chapter 157: The Devil’s Transformation, the Hero’s Awakening, an Intruder Appears

Translator Note (Quite Important):

I know what you guys are thinking: “Wow, this update was so late.” Well, I have a reason for this, besides the chapter being longer than usual. I was suddenly told I’d be going on a trip. The paperwork was no joke.

This also leads me to my next point. This trip is two months long, meaning a two-month hiatus. It begins on the 23rd.

This is really important, and I don’t want *Tsuki* to stagnate for two months. That’s why I’ll be temporarily passing the baton. If anyone wants to take it on, please send me an email. Ideally before the 23rd, but there’s no real deadline.

I’ll still be releasing chapters until then. 😊

“… Oh, they’re flying! If it’s that level of enemy, he should be able to defeat them easily.” (Makoto)

“To look elsewhere! Is that supposed to be a loophole?!” (Io)

Having said that, an attack, devoid of any flourish, came at me.

I crossed my arms and stopped Io’s fist.

“Nah, I’m fighting hand-to-hand against an enemy who surpasses me in skill. I have no room for error.” (Makoto)

“So you say. An enemy whose attacks I can’t properly connect with is saying he has no room for error.” (Io)

“You too. There have been six in total, counting the ambush troops. Your subordinates are dying one after another. Don’t you care?” (Makoto)

While stepping back, I dodged several attacks.

The Minotaur and the Centaur both turned to dust.

It seems Shiki activated the rings, aware that it was overkill.

From what I can see, they are the four basic ones.

“… Everyone who came here to attack the kingdom was prepared. To feel for their deaths would be an insult to them.” (Io)

“Death soldiers, huh. Even though this isn’t a historical novel.” (Makoto)

I recall the words ‘prepare for red’.

A kick, huh.

Even though he’s a giant, he’s truly skillful.

A technical giant doesn’t match the image I have, but this demon general Io, even in my eyes, possesses excellent martial arts skill.

He might even be an expert.

This is the first ‘properly large guy’ I’ve met in this world, so it makes quite an impression.

I even feel like killing him would be a loss for the world.

“Suffering for the death of your soldiers, huh. As expected, a difficult opponent. But!” (Io)

Magic power from the gauntlets?

Io’s fist, which I was unable to stop in time, spat out flames.

Ooh~.

“Equipment imbued with elemental magic, huh. Impressive.” (Makoto)

Equipment that even a warrior could use with a strong imbued element is valuable.

It’s even said that a human blacksmith wouldn’t be able to create one.

Not only is it a wasted treasure for someone with a relative knowledge of magic, it’s obviously very expensive.

It’s much more economical to imbue an element depending on the situation using magic; it requires a lower level of magic and is requested more often.

So this giant can use magic at a higher-than-average level.

“Even if you say that, you didn’t even flinch, let alone get sent flying!” (Io)

Even when entering at point-blank range, his techniques still shine through.

In all this twisting and turning at close range, he still manages to land strikes.

To see this incredible technique so close is deeply moving.

“Hmph, I won’t be taking that one!” (Io)

Io kicked away my outstretched fist.

Even though I did that with my small body and at point-blank range.

I basically have better physical strength and speed than him, but it’s still like this.

Can’t be helped.

Let’s repeat the steps and gain distance.

“A warning and confirmation. Do you have no intention… of withdrawing?” (Makoto)

“Of course. I also have no intention of prolonging this fight.” (Io)

I am, after all, an enemy.

Even if it’s someone I respect, if I’m fighting him on a battlefield…

I have no choice but to kill him, huh.

If it were my usual self, I would have thought of a different way.

Why can I make this decision so easily?

Is it because of some evil addition from the Goddess when she gave me the common language? Or is it something else?

My head is serene.

Battle-worthy thoughts are being generated by my head.

… It’s truly comfortable.

“I see.” (Makoto)

“Come at me seriously. I’m not so simple as to be dealt with without seeing your true power.” (Io)

Right, if it’s this person…

No.

There’s no need to show my true power.

I can kill him even in this form.

To fight at full power… why did I even think about such a ‘useless’ thing?

How foolish.

In the future, I may have to fight senpai, no, the heroes.

There’s no need to show it.

This is enough.

“Looks like you aren’t at full power either. Then I’ll keep you company.” (Makoto)

Should I randomly use the powers Mio attached to this?

Just by continuing like this, it would be checkmate for the demon race.

In that case, it would be better not to show my true power and just half-heartedly do this.

It’s the most efficient way and I won’t be revealing my cards to the hero.

It will also match my objective of protecting the hero, and if I just let Rona know about the warning I gave Stella Fortress, there won’t be any problems.

Right.

I should also have Shiki move and reduce the amount of damage to the town.

It might be a bit boring for Shiki to buy time, but right now he has the most suitable power for it.

“Larva, half-release the seventh step.” (Makoto)

Shiki’s power is incredibly versatile in various situations.

There are limitations like not being able to release it until the fourth step is activated, and that he can’t activate more than one or two others at a time. If he changes them on the fly, he can advantageously fight most opponents.

If he trains those weak points, he’ll be able to overcome them in time, so a day may come when he can unleash all that power simultaneously.

Shiki bows, signaling his positive response.

Then me as well.

Let’s fight in a worthy manner.

Fighting seriously in this form means that…

I will probably… be able to kill him.

◇◆◇◆ Io’s POV ◇◆◇◆

A sinister power is gathering at the Lich’s fingertips.

He continues an incantation that hurts my ears.

If possible, I’d like to interfere, but unfortunately, the one in front of me won’t let me.

I know the basics of how to move my body, but I lack experience in martial arts.

That’s my diagnosis.

Though, from what I’ve heard of the name, this martial art technique is likely only known by a portion of the demon race and demi-humans.

Humans usually prefer weapons over learning body techniques.

I’ve also heard that it’s difficult to bestow the Goddess’s blessing on those who train in hand-to-hand combat.

It’s not like those who dislike the Goddess won’t develop in this path.

… Seriously.

Being intruded by these unknown people and having to fight them. A soldier really doesn’t have it easy.

I miss the days when I fought as a common soldier, doing things my way.

“When you say full power, do you mean being supported by that Lich there?” (Io)

“By no means. I’ve mostly understood the state of the battlefield already, so I’m just having him buy time.” (Makoto)

“!! You have that much power, and you still don’t intend to fight properly, huh. I thought your ideology was similar to ours, but it seems I was mistaken.” (Io)

That’s right.

At first, from this white guy’s way of speaking and thinking, I thought he was similar to us.

But after the fight began, I felt like he had some kind of… gap.

As if he were changing into something else while we clashed. A strange sensation.

At first, I felt honesty and drive in those fists, but now I feel coldness. I even feel like it’s devoid of emotion.

It’s rare to encounter an opponent who changes so much in the middle of battle.

If it were now, I might agree if they said he was a golem, but…

“Our objective is the safety of the hero and the capitulation of Stella Fortress. That’s it. I have no real problem prolonging the battle. Pointlessly revealing my cards in a situation where I don’t know who will be hostile to me is just foolish.” (Makoto)

The hero will overcome this. At least that’s what will happen if he reaches his objective.

Then, what he means by not knowing who will be hostile… does that mean he’s also thinking about confronting the hero?

Just who in the world is this guy?

(Continues…)