Chapter 75: Their Identities

Apologies, it seems I made a grave error last chapter.

Makoto’s fingers were, in fact, severed. Half of his left hand’s fingers were gone, bleeding profusely. This, of course, explains his muddled thinking.

Thanks for pointing this out, raj72616a.

“Ara, the color of the clothes has changed. Could this be a countermeasure for us? Even though you shouldn’t be a new recruit, smelling war for the first time, you’re quite the carefree errand boy for the Goddess, aren’t you?”

I ignore the woman named Sofia and prepare for battle. I’ve fought dragons, spiders, and skeletons; I’m somewhat accustomed to combat with them now. But facing a human being is, as expected, different.

I’m fine dealing with someone like Lime Latte, who knows how to pull off creepy smiles, but I didn’t expect to fight someone who could generate a bloodlust like my sensei’s. If I could maintain the mental state I was in when I killed that foolish woman, could I achieve that kind of bloodlust?

Even if I ponder this and that, if I can’t do it, there’s no point. There’s no need to imagine it; I’m already facing those who can achieve it. My head is a complete mess, and I can’t think clearly.

I changed the color of my coat to red. Behind me lies a forest. It’s within my field of vision, but quite distant. If I use my speed attribute, I might be able to shake them off and enter the forest. If successful, I can withdraw from here! The red color also increases my resistance to edged attacks, so it serves as a countermeasure against that woman as well.

Regarding the humans… in this instance, I will ignore them. If casualties occur, complain to your Goddess.

“It may be a ploy to lower our guard; don’t lose concentration. Look, he’s trying something. I sense a radical convergence of magical power.” (Kid)

I click my tongue inwardly at the kid’s words. So he can sense magic activation, huh. That means voiceless arias might not be very advantageous.

Even so, are their lack of immediate movement due to leisure or negligence? I hope it’s just negligence.

I was a bit hesitant about using a one-shot spell, so I activated a chain-reaction on [Brid] balls and positioned them at my sides, creating a 5×5 formation.

I inserted keywords into the Brids to arrange a few things, but I’m reaching my limit. I want to quickly reach Academy Town and acquire new knowledge. Magical knowledge to fill the deep chasm in my understanding of magic, so I can comprehend the book Shiki gave me.

“Take this!” (Makoto)

The moment I activated them, the balls accelerated to the limit, transforming into lines and unleashing a barrage at the woman and the kid at high speed. Simultaneously, I turned and ran at full speed towards the forest.

!

A wall?!

A colossal wall appeared before me, composed of merging light. This wasn’t here a moment ago. But I can’t just stand here. Fortunately, its width is only a few meters. If I avoid it and continue, I might manage.

I paused for a second, then resumed my run. I zig-zagged, trying to evade it. My slowness is undoubtedly due to my lack of skill. I need more instinct. Enough to predict these walls that keep appearing one after another.

Damn it, even with my speed, constantly braking halves my effectiveness.

“Tch, how troublesome.” (Makoto)

“Heh~ For an impromptu creation of this high-powered magic chain, you’ve proven surprisingly adept. I thought your fighting experience was the epitome of immaturity, but you’re unexpectedly good. Mitsurugi, I’m counting on your foothold and obstruction!” (Sofia)

This bizarre spectacle of continuously appearing walls. The forest, which should be easily reachable, now feels impossibly far! Moreover, a gleaming object is protruding from beneath my feet. This is… a sword?! No, just the edge?!

I can’t comprehend anything!

I concentrate on strengthening the barrier beneath my feet, scattering the emerging edges while running.

Ah~, running is so difficult! At this rate…

I felt a bit anxious about the obstruction I’d placed, so I glanced around to assess the situation. At that moment…

“Ahahahaha! This is incredible. Not only is it conceited, it also chases you!” (Sofia)

“Taking them head-on would be a bit heavy, huh. Well, there won’t be problems if we divert it. More importantly, Sofia, if that’s a secret card of the Goddess, what should we do about it?”

“I know! But that will be when I formally greet him and he’s still alive, okay?!” (Sofia)

… It’s not working as an obstruction. Just what in the world are these guys?

The rapid-fire Brids are definitely not lacking in firepower. I have these clothes and rings, so my magical power should be quite strong. And yet, what is this?

The kid is probably using a magical barrier to divert the rapid-fire Brids to different locations. Of course, some of the deflected Brids end up hitting the demons and humans, but he doesn’t seem to be following up on that. How heartless!

So it’s possible to change the length and angle to deflect magic, huh. When I have time, this is a technique I want to learn. But I don’t have the luxury to observe that kid closely.

The woman’s side is doing something unbelievable. She’s using her sword to cut the rapid-fire Brids, dashing like a swift beast to shake off those homing Brids and dodging left and right. Also, the numerous glowing sword-like things floating in mid-air—I don’t know if they’re created by the woman or the kid, but she’s using them as “footing” to perform acrobatic maneuvers, closing the distance between her and me at a terrifying speed.

… You’re kidding me, right? She’s cutting off high-speed magic with a giant two-handed sword. What kind of monster is that?!

Moreover, she performs those acrobatic mid-air sprints so effortlessly!

Even if I’m not the Goddess’ hidden card or anything!

Ah, this wall. They are swords. Many swords are interlocked to form a wall. That girl, is she a special magic user or something? A sword magician, perhaps? The practicality is questionable, though. Well, I can’t say anything respectful when I’m currently astonished by it.

While I was trying to escape reality by thinking random things, she appeared right in front of me. A monster?!

Wasn’t she behind me just a moment ago?!

Is there such a blatant human being in this world?! No, is she really human?

Her skin color and appearance might be human, but could she be a new creation from the demon race?!

The problem isn’t just that she caught up with me! She kicked the sword wall, raised her giant sword, and charged at me!

“Caught you!!” (Sofia)

Contrary to her light words, the girl wielding the giant sword’s figure blurred in an instant. The girl in mid-air didn’t wait to land, but directly swung her sword at me! I expand a barrier in front of me, enhancing it with Sakai to confront her attack. It’s not like I don’t trust the resistance of my armor, but I’ll do everything I can.

“?!”

An incredibly high-pitched sound reverberated, and the girl’s sword bounced upwards. I blocked it. But the barrier was also displaced and destroyed! No way, that sword. Could it have a crazy property like “magic killer” or something?

I wanted to try expanding another barrier, but I wouldn’t have time. Her pursuit and attack are faster. My slowness is likely due to my own lack of skill. I need more instinct.

This woman, won’t she get astonished or waver? Or is it just that my decision-making is too slow? The ability to instantly decide on your next action in a life-or-death fight, I haven’t learned that before, and there’s no way I’ll suddenly be able to do it in real combat.

What to do? What should I do?!

I use [Sakai] to protect only my body and cross my arms to defend against the attack from my left. This time, I can only rely on the eldwas. To avoid the worst-case scenario, I considered springing back, but my reflexes couldn’t keep up, so I couldn’t do it. Rather, just being able to raise my arms is enough to make me praise myself.

I can’t close my eyes. There’s no guarantee she won’t follow up. I resolve myself and prepare for the swing.

Undoubtedly, this is an imperfect attack stemming from a crazy posture. Even so, I can’t relax.

However, it seems I won the bet. It was a dull blow, and there was no pain. The hit area only felt slightly numb. I wasn’t even sent flying.

I knew this in armor that the eldwas are proud of, but blocking a sword with clothes feels strange.

This time, she landed and looked at me with wide eyes, moving away from me to a considerable distance. To perform so many mid-air movements and still land on her feet… truly awe-inspiring.

The kid is beside her. So they’ve destroyed all the batteries, huh. Well, I only set them up for defense. Seriously, what are these guys?

Don’t tell me… heroes?!

No, that’s not it. If that were the case, they wouldn’t be with the demon army. What am I thinking?

If I recall correctly, this girl is called Sofia. The kid, I think the woman called him by the name of a famous sword. Mitsurugi. I feel like I’ve heard that name before…

“Wait~ that funny lump, what is it? He’s way too amusing. He has abilities and movements that aren’t even worth mentioning, and yet, that hardness, reflex, magical power; his standards are on an abnormal level. A mismatched pervert.” (Sofia)

“I also feel that way. Even though he’s incredibly strong, he’s way too crude. I don’t understand at all.” (Mitsurugi)

“Then at least provide me cover once.” (Sofia)

“I was busy destroying the source of those attacks. Don’t ask for the impossible.” (Mitsurugi)

Are those comments about me? I apologize for being amusing to the point of laughter and an incomprehensible existence. Also, I’m glad I left the batteries stationary. I think I’m the one who needs support more than you.

“Well, once we take control, the situation should change. Ghjkop \ kkjjgf” (Sofia)

“Oh, so we’re using the ring on this single opponent? At least say when you’re going to use it, Sofia.” (Mitsurugi)

“There’s no other choice, right? This kid seems to have received quite the blessings from the Goddess after all.” (Sofia)

Huh? What kind of incantation is “Trample down on the God’s prayer”?

The latter half of what Sofia said made no sense and left me questioning. Words I haven’t heard before. Are those keywords to activate something? But if I remember correctly, tools filled with magic are normally activated with common language?

This language is new to me.

As if responding to her aria, the ring on Sofia’s right hand crumbles. Not breaks, but more like crumbling to a state that would be impossible to restore.

Just as when I expand Sakai, a mysterious undulating sensation spreads from the circumference of the crumbled ring.

With this… what does it change? It doesn’t seem like the situation has changed at all, though. My magical power remains usable without problems. At the very least, the amount I still have inside me is fine.

“Umu. It seems it is a success. With this, the tests are done. However, this is interesting. To think that the day would come when we would be able to negate the interference of the Goddess. The worldwide influence she provides can now be changed at our whim.” (Sofia)

Success. Then that means some sort of effect is in place. Damn it, I can’t see what their hand is at all.

“From the beginning, you and I were not blessed by it, so there is no demerit. Also, the demons and demon beasts as well. Basically, it is a tool that only has merits when used by someone who isn’t human. Not only that, the effect of negating the Goddess’ blessing seems quite fast.” (Sofia)

“But the one who created this was…” (Mitsurugi)

“Don’t say it. There are still Goddess believers here after all.” (Sofia)

Saying that, Sofia looks at me. Removing the Goddess’ interference? Doing something like that. Just what would that human girl gain from it?

If she were a demon, it would be a topic of high research value, though.

They… don’t take their eyes off me. I thought this was my chance to create a gate while they’re talking, but if I concentrate and begin my aria, I feel like I’ll become chopping wood in an instant, and that scares me.

Or more like, why am I on the Goddess’ side? I’ve gone through terrible things because of that bug, you know?

Ugh, the sensation in my left hand is numbing. This is bad. Should I loosen the bandages? No, that’s no good. I don’t know how much blood I’m allowed to lose. I feel like worsening the situation by losing more blood is a bad call.

This is the worst. Can healing magic cure arm necrosis? Shiki, when I return, I’m really counting on you. I don’t want to become one-armed at this age.

“I am not on the side of the Goddess.” (Makoto)

Even though I know it won’t get through to them, I still say it.

“Hoh~, what does that mean?” (Mitsurugi)

“What, Mitsurugi. You understood those words? That was clearly not common language, though.” (Sofia)

Wa? Wait a moment, that girl. Don’t tell me, she’s human? This is bad. I made another blunder. Even though I knew my verbal expressions were fantasy-like, this “comprehension” given to me doesn’t distinguish. As expected of a Goddess-given ability.

“Red one, answer. What do you mean when you said you were not on the Goddess’ side? You were undoubtedly brought to this battlefield by the Goddess. Aren’t you like the two heroes summoned from another world, someone brought here to protect Limia? That crazy power, I can only think it was given to you by the Goddess.” (Mitsurugi)

“You, you are not human?” (Makoto)

While asking the kid if he was human, I pick up the word Limia.

Limia, if I recall correctly, is a major power directly confronting the demon race. If they’re calling me a protector, does it mean this is a key location for Limia?

“Well, for now, yeah. Right now I have chosen to take the form of a human, that’s all. You can talk if I’m not human? You get more and more mysterious. From your looks, could you be half-human and something else?” (Mitsurugi)

Pointing a finger at Sofia, the kid clarifies that he is a different being who has taken on a human form. What do you mean by me being half something from my looks? Sofia also called me a synthetic beast. I can’t accept that.

But these kinds of situations where they tell me these things as if looking for a fight without any ill intentions, I’ve already gotten used to it. It doesn’t anger me that much.

“I have no reason to fight in this battlefield, and I have no intention of joining hands with the Goddess. How about it? Will you please leave this as a misunderstanding and leave me be?” (Makoto)

“That is impossible. I will have you die here. You were summoned here by the Goddess. There is no misunderstanding anywhere.” (Mitsurugi)

“I just have a sort of previous connection with the Goddess, that’s all. To kill me here, why is that? Because that human woman called Sofia is allying with the demon race? I won’t be telling anyone that information.” (Makoto)

The kid, who had been indifferently complying with my words, suddenly becomes silent. He was looking at me with a dumbfounded expression. What is it?

I thought it was definitely because it would be bad for others to know she was cooperating with the demon race, though?

“… Human woman, you say? Kuku… Ahahahahaha!” (Mitsurugi)

The kid suddenly bursts into loud laughter. Did I say something wrong?

“What? Why did you suddenly start laughing?” (Sofia)

“Sofia, listen. This guy, it seems he doesn’t know about you.” (Mitsurugi)

I think this is obvious, though. This is the first time I’ve met her, after all. Moreover, she suddenly tried to cut me down.

“… Huhn~ Well, if he’s the same as the heroes, that’s a given, right?” (Sofia)

“But he doesn’t seem to be a hero. And he’s pleading for his life, saying ‘please leave me be.'” (Mitsurugi)

What’s so strange about that? Just, there’s no doubt the situation is bad. Because the hostility has increased.

“The Goddess does incomprehensible things. To think she would throw such an unknowledgeable person into the battlefield. I don’t think she just ran out of pawns, though? You, being killed by people you don’t know and people who don’t even know your name. That’s not something you’d like, right? I permit you to tell us your name.” (Mitsurugi)