303 – Intermission Chapter. The Root of All Evil’s Land

<Author’s Notes>

We have received one new review since the last update. Thank you very much.

And as always,due to the timing of the release of the new volume…… I don’t think it will be as long as the Intermission for Volume 8, so I would like to make an announcement of the new issue in the foreword……

Today, the 25th of June (Saturday), Volume 9 of “I Became the Strongest With The Failure Frame【Abnormal State Skill】As I Devastated Everything” went on sale.

Volume 9 also contains additional newly written content while making detailed writing changes.

[The scene in which Seras, who was sewing the Fly King outfit while in the Faraway Country, confides to Touka about a problem she has been harboring for a long time.]

[The scene in which Munin and Touka, exhausted after arriving at the guest house in the Imperial Capital, Ruva, are talking together.]

[The scene where Seras and Munin take a bath together in the guest house.]

These are the three scenes that were the main changes in the Light Novel.

The first scene, in particular, tells the story of something that Seras has been holding personally for a long time. With this scene, there may be a slightly different way of looking at her in certain scenes within Volume 9. It’s not clear whether this scene will branch out the ending of the story, but it certainly is one of Seras Ashrain’s (and Mimori Touka’s) major confessions.

Other scenes that have been added (just a few lines) are Oyamada Shougo and Nyantan Kikeepat’s exchanging words after they met up, and Nyantan talking with Lili of the Drunken Sword Party. In addition, some depictions are slightly milder than what they are in the Web Novel. Some scenes have increased or decreased in the amount of explanation between the Light Novel and We Novel. (It’s difficult to choose which to explain and how much to explain, due to issues of tempo and scale.)

The colored images included in the Light Novel are: the scene where Seras confides with Touka what she has been holding onto for a long time (The illustration corresponds to the newly written scene), Munin trying to change clothes in front of Touka (and Seras hurriedly stopping her), and the illustration of Oyamada Shougo and Touka, meeting for the first time in the Light Novel.

The illustrations are also quite varied this time around. Come to think of it, Yasu Tomohiro also makes his first visual appearance in the volume of the Light Novel. Speaking of first appearances, I personally liked this illustration of Lili Adamantine. Other illustrations also included the additional scene of Seras and Munin taking a bath together.

Volume 9 is a volume that brings a resolution, and at the same time, it’s one that sets the tone for the next resolution.

I’m still going through a lot of trials and errors just like usual, but no matter what form it takes, I’m determined to hold on and write it all out until the end. We will do our best to deliver the final volume to everyone who has been supporting us.

<Great Demon Emperor POV>

How long has it been since Kirihara arrived in this land?

The northernmost part of the continent, the Root of All Evil’s Land.

It’s a barren land surrounded by unnavigable waters.

The sky is almost entirely covered by thick cumulonimbus clouds, and not a ray of light shines on this land.

A steep mountain range separates it from the land of the humans, and the means to reach it are limited.

Within this land, there stands a decrepit castle.

Only the first floor of this castle remains.

There are only a few places where a ceiling remains.

Kirihara is currently killing a Golden-eyed Monster at some distance from here.

In order to gain Soul Power———- this thing he called Experience points.

It was Kirihara who made this proposal.

I would create monsters for Kirihara to kill and gain experience from.

Kirihara would then become stronger by doing this.

His life is provided by supplies brought from the occupied Knight Wall.

This allowed Kirihara to live a somewhat human life.

That great fortress was well stocked.

It would be no problem for the commodities within it to provide for just one person.

[I’m finished with today’s portion.]

Kirihara appeared to the King from the ancient time’s room overlooking the gray sky.

He then walked over and sat down on the seat next to mine.

He was sitting on the chair I was originally using.

Now, I’ve moved seats and am sitting on the princess’ throne.

Well, I do not really care whichever chair I sit in.

However, Kirihara seems to have some obsession with that chair.

“Only the throne of the King awaits me.”

Saying this, he desired for the king’s throne.

[How is it?]

[I have already seen a slow progress in my level gain…… This misfortunate had already been happening even when I was back in Vysis’ place. It seems like I’m finally reaching my peak.]

[Does that mean you’ve run out of room to grow?]

[I must say, I’m surprised at how narrow-minded you are.]

[……………………….]

[Why is a King a King…… This is because a True King is not limited to one path for growth. Even if I am nearing the end of my progression, it’s merely just a process of “reaching” one growth spurt. I’ve just reached the stage where I need to expand to other paths…… If you have the qualities of a King, you’ll understand what I mean.]

[Then, what else has to grow?]

[Everything.]

[ ? ]

[The end of one’s level ups is, after all, an indication that the foundation is in place…… That is the crucial moment for a King. Well…… My skill levels may still have room to grow.]

[That is to say……]

[I still have a lot of room to grow.]

I could tell……

He wasn’t bluffing.

Kirihara seemed to be convinced from the bottom of his heart that his words were true.

[A True King doesn’t need to pretend…… because his own self is “everything” huh?]

[If you keep learning from me, the time when you reach me will eventually come…… When I become King of the world, everything will become the way I am. Then, the perfect world will be born.]

Having grasped his true intentions, I spoke.

[In the end, when everything——— including me has been eliminated huh.]

[Know that you are wrong. When you become one with this Kirihara, just as you are you, you will also be me.]

[ ? ]

[It’s the same with those who are impressed and infected by the “What if” ideology. It’s also the same with children. When you live with your parents, your facial expression, facial structure, voice, and way of thinking become very similar to each other, just like a mirror…… They assimilate to them. If you keep this up, you’ll eventually stop being inferior to me.]

[I don’t understand…… Kirihara, what is it that you desire? I want to know. What do you desire after you have made your strength known to the Goddess and the Heroes?]

[It is important to want to know who you’re dealing with, Great Demon Emperor…… In the world I lived in, everyone was so full of themselves that it was rare to find someone who would properly listen to what others say. No one is really listening to anyone. Words come in one ear and out the other. That’s why people always make mistakes. That’s why Sogou and the others were mistaken…… The only thing right was to learn about me.]

[……That’s why I want to know. Your ultimate goal. What is it that you desire from me, and what did you ultimately desire to achieve?]

[You come to probe your ally again today? Your skepticism is getting the better of you…… No matter how you get to the bottom of things, you will doubt…… so that is your Way of the King huh.]

[So you will not tell me huh.]

[A King can’t help but be moved by those who are willing to listen…… It’s a predetermined fate. Very well. I will take a Kingdom, and make it mine.]

[I exist to destroy the Deities and the people. It is a predetermined fate from the moment I am born. There is no reason behind it. I must simply destroy the Deities and the people……]

[Without exception?]

[If it’s a limited exception, it’s not impossible to do.]

[Good.]

[However, you still won’t tell me about earlier?]

[First of all, I definitely am that exception. Just as I had chosen to make an exception…… Only the exceptions will survive and become the people of my country. Do you have a problem with that?]

[However, I would eventually have to destroy them too…… I can give some reprieve, but by the time I am extinguished, all the Deities and the people must be destroyed. That is exactly what my predetermined fate is.]

[How long is your life span?]

[At the most…… I read that I could reach about 500 years.]

[Then, there’s no problem.]

[ ? ]

[Let my country survive as long as I live.]

[What?]

[What happens after I die is none of my business…… I can see it in the adults in the world I was in. No one anywhere I looked really thought about the world after they died. Humans always try to deceive themselves…… but in the end, they are creatures who live for themselves and die for themselves. Some realize it, some don’t…… In the end, the story would just return to the exceptions.]

[So, I should just shelter your country for as long as you live?]

[No…… Leave one more country besides mine.]

[Why?]

[There needs to be someone to whom I could show myself. To properly weave the story of a King…… the existence of an “enemy” is needed……]

[………………….]

[Other than that…… Kill all you want, except those I decide to make an exception and let live.]

[Who are these exceptions, for example?]

[The Heroes, and for others…… People like Seras Ashrain, I suppose. Not many.]

[Fumu.]

[There are seven nations on this continent. Five of them, you need not wait for my death, for I give you permission to destroy them as you please.]

[……Is that alright? Humans are your kind, are they not? We torment and kill people…… From your kind’s point of view, such is an act of cruelty, is it not? Doing such a thing is part of our instincts…… but are you alright with that?]

[I can’t recognize those who don’t have the talent to perceive my Way of being a King as Human. Whatever deaths such people may face, it is what they deserve…… It’s a rather good medicine for regret.]

[……Are you alright even when the descendants of your nation are also destroyed in such a way?]

[You’re being repetitive. A world in which I have disappeared in is no longer a world that can hold itself together. Once it has separated from me, the world is as good as over……]

[I can’t completely understand…… but I could feel something firm…… in your way of thinking. Alright, I’ll accept your proposal. Now then…… one last thing.]

[I’m getting fed up with all the questions. Just one. Just like I am the only one.]

[Do you not desire to go back to your world?]

If there are Deities and people there as well, I would like to destroy them as well.

However, doing such a thing would be difficult if I had to rely on the Deities.

Upon my question, Kirihara combed his hair back and sighed.

[It’s just what I said in front of Sogou at that time…… The world we were in is already over. No matter how much power I gain, there’s only so much power I can get…… There is no one in that world who will ever become Kirihara. That would be the case for eternity.]

[I see, I understand. Very well.]

[Good grief…… So you finally understand huh. Alright…… This settles it then———– Just about everything.]

I’ve read the history books taken from the Knight Wall and other places.

In the past, no Hero has ever joined hands with the Root of All Evil.

Reading such a thing, I wondered if doing that would be possible.

There’s no doubt that Kirihara meant every word he said.

This is something “I could tell”.

He’s being serious huh.

Kirihara really intends to make enemies of the world with the Root of All Evil huh.

It’s hard to believe.

But I could only find factors that led me to believe him.

I had naturally assumed that he would make us believe that he had become our ally, and then come to kill us when he saw an opening.

However, he wasn’t lying.

He held no intention to kill, no hostility, nor any sign of deception.

In fact, he even seemed to have favorable emotions towards me.

He’s completely strange.

This Human———– Kirihara.

I feel as if my sense of value was about to crumble.

Kirihara is somehow different from the “Humans” I have always recognized.

At first, I had thought of killing him.

If not, he would have been a useful shield———– against that dangerous Hero, Sogou.

The moment she took on Kirihara, Sogou’s movements were visibly slower.

That Hero named Sogou is extremely dangerous.

My instincts as the Root of All Evil tells me so.

I decided that I could use him as a pawn against Sogou.

It was also amusing pitting a Hero against a Hero.

Moreover, Kirihara is seriously trying to ally himself with me.

I’m well aware that I had obtained a pawn that could be of use.

However……

I probably need to change my perception of Humans.

They may be much more than I had perceived them———–

Humans probably aren’t beings that are to be underestimated.

It’s not their strength, but their mentality……

The Humans may be deeper than I think.

It’s true that I have become a little more interested in these beings called “Humans”.

I suddenly wanted to know more about them.

Kirihara stands up from his throne.

————Kerchak————

Kirihara touched the hilt of his katana.

[You…… might finally be a suitable partner for Kirihara. Very well. Let’s show the world what we see, Great Demon Emperor. The Great March is about to begin———- It shall begin.]

[Very well…… I’m looking forward to seeing what you shall show to me.]

▽

Kirihara’s steady slaughter of Golden-eyed monsters continued

I had also continued to produce Golden-eyes that would provide Kirihara’s experience points.

In addition to the experience points, I also had to continue to produce troops for our next invasion.

Perhaps, because I continued to produce troops almost without a break, the recovery of the wounds I received from Sogou was also slow.

It may also be because I shared some of my power with Eingrantz.

However……

According to reports I received, there seemed to be civil strife on the Human side.

A nation that stands against the Goddess had apparently revolted.

The other day, I had gathered a part of my army south of the Knight Wall.

Even with the civil strife on the Human side, the Goddess’ forces are glaring towards us from this side as well.

Our forces in the north.

The nation who revolted against the Goddess, Mira Empire in the west.

It would definitely be difficult for the Goddess to move her forces.

[The only other country left that Kirihara talked about, as a reward for this time…… might as well be that Mira.]

Kirihara, who had gathered experience points, and increased his level by one.

[That country with that fellow called the Mad Emperor huh. I would have liked Alion to be the other country left behind…… but well, I don’t care if it’s Mira. I do admit, they do have the redeeming qualities of a sandbag.]

Wiping his sweat with a cloth, Kirihara said.

Today, the two of us are sitting side by side on the throne of the king and the princess.

[However…… I commend you for your intelligence-gathering abilities as well, Great Demon Emperor. Our forces are getting ready. Those Demons who can be talked to are especially useful…… Even those who are inferior to the Fourth Oath aren’t too bad as far as subordinates go…… It is a befitting score coming from one such as I.]

(T/N: I’m not sure if it’s “those who are inferior than the Fourth Oath” or “those who are below the Fourth Oath”. If it was the latter, that may mean that there are still other Confidants other than the Fourth Oath. I’m not really sure about this since the plurality of a Japanese word is vague. Well, I opted with Fourth Oath being the only Confidant left since there was only one coherent line spoken in what happened later.)

I stand up.

[Kirihara, I am———–]

Doshuuuu————!

[ ? ]

Feeling a foreign item within my body, I turned my gaze towards my chest.

Sticking out of it was a blade……

A blade clad in golden light.

[————– < Dragonic Sword > ————–]

(T/N: Golden Dragon Sword / Dragonic Sword)

Doshuuuuuuuuu!

Pain rushed through my entire body.

For the first time in my life, extreme pain……!

[Guoohhh…….!?]

I manipulated the golden eye within my body and moved it away.

The source of this attack, it can only be him.

However, because I’m unable to believe that he had done such a thing, I moved my gaze and checked.

[Kiri…… hara…… What…… in the…… world……]

[I changed my mind.]

[What…… did you say!?]

Doshuuuu!

For the third time———– A golden beam of light pierces through my body.

[Guooooohhhhh!?]

I involuntarily found myself tumbling on the floor.

As I tried to support my body with my lims, I somehow tried to change my stance.

[My Emperor!? H- Human…… KIRIHARA, YOU B*STAAAAARD…….!]

[GYAHRYUUAAAAHHHH!]

Sensing something amiss, my Confidants, the Demons and the Golden-eyed monsters gathered around.

There’s no way he can win against this number of Demons and monsters.

His MP will eventually run out, and he’d eventually use up his stamina.

I heard that he had also reached his Level Limit.

That absurd recovery from leveling up won’t happen.

No matter how high rank of a Hero he may be———- He will meet his end here.

With trembling limbs and losing strength, I tried to crawl to the other side of the room.

I was completely caught by surprise.

Kirihara wasn’t lying.

There was no doubt that he meant everything he said.

Therefore, my caution had considerably lowered.

We will fight together———– Both Kirihara and I intended to follow that promise.

However……

He changed his mind?

He wasn’t acting.

It was as if, without rhyme or reason———— His mind simply changed.

No warning signs of such a thing happening at all……

It was as if it was just a whimsical “change in mind”.

Saying such a thing just before he attacked…….

I could certainly judge if what he said was true or false, but doing such a thing now is meaningless.

[You changed your mind……? What are you saying……]

[……At the last minute, I just realized it. Am I really going to be satisfied by just being a King in this world…… but wouldn’t that just be running away from the world I was in…… The world is compelled…… to receive my affirmation! After fulfilling my duties as King in this world! I have no choice but to be a martyr to my predetermined fate and become a King in my former world as well……! This Kirihara is an eventuality, becoming one with this Kirihara is a fate one can’t escape———- For everything will become Kirihara!]

[I- I don’t…… understand……]

[My Emperor!]

[D- Do it…… Zohaku…… All together…… Kill Kirihara!]

[By your will!]

My Confidant and the monsters leapt from the high ground and attacked.

[I’m no longer the mediocre Kirihara it has been in the past———– Unmistakably, the next stage me is here. Here I stand before one the extremities that this King Vessel has reached……]

From Kirihara’s body————

[ < Dragonic Chain > ]

(T/N: Golden Dragon Chain / Dragonic Chain)

A large number of golden chains, reaching a hundred, were released.

[What……!?]

My Confidant and some of the Demons reflexively took a defensive posture.

However, the translucent chains slipped through their guards and seeped into their bodies.

[……I have already tested its effectiveness. From today onward…… your master has been changed from the Great Demon Emperor to me. Becoming mine has always been inevitable…… The chain of our bonds are brought forth here and now……! You are now the foundation of this Kirihara———– and are allowed to get closer to my existence.]

The attacking movements of my Confidant and the monsters stopped.

They simply landed on the ground and surrounded Kirihara.

However, they showed no sign of attacking.

[Nghh!]

Stepping forward, Kirihara stomped on my body as I was crawling back……

[My < Dragonic Sword > …… Its range may be lacking, but it has a different level of power…… Truly appropriate.]

——-and took out a black crystal necklace from his pocket.

[I’ve also been given a necklace by Vysis. She isn’t sure who’s going to beat you…… So I guess it shouldn’t be surprising that she gave them out to all of the S-Ranks. I suppose this too is providence huh.]

[Kirihara……]

[I apologize…… You do have your noteworthy points. However…… In order to return to my original world, I will need your heart———- and its special Tyrant’s Miasma. I am sincerely sorry. However, I do not have any choice but to return to my original world…… for even if I become King just in this world, I will not be recognized as I am. It was inevitable that I would realize such a thing, just as it was inevitable that I was born.]

So that’s why……

I found another reason why I could not react to his surprise attack.

Hostility.

Killing intent.

He never had those things at all.

Even now, he feels the same as before.

What was directed at me was still only favorable emotions……

His favorable emotions were even more than his apologetic emotions.

Perhaps, it is this extremely pure favorable emotion that is overshadowing all other emotions I could have felt from him.

It was as if they were favorable emotions a King would have for his excellent subordinate.

This Human———– He kills even those he holds favorable emotions huh.

Calm and composed.

He kills those with whom he has exchanged so many words, so many promises.

[I like you and I acknowledge you. There is no other way but to kill you. I do hold definite favorable emotions towards you. I have to admit, it truly seems to be just a providence…… For the path of the King is paved with the blood of his comrades.]

Blood.

It’s blood.

I’m shedding tears of blood.

My Confidant……

The Golden-eyed monsters……

My children……

Unable to do anything, I cried……

Thereupon, for the fourth time, Kirihara thrusts his blade into my body.

[To make sure you don’t suffer any more than this, I’m going to do this full force…… In a way, you may have been a valuable and understanding friend to me. I probably wouldn’t be able to hate you———— Die.]

[So this is…… Human…… huh…… Kirihara———–]

[ < Dragonic Sword > ]

Thereupon, the Great Demon Emperor’s body burst apart———– his remains reaching all the way to the heavens.

Together with a golden light.

What was left on that spot was Takuto Kirihara, the Confidant and monsters who could do nothing in the face of their creator’s crisis————

And the heart of the Great Demon Emperor.

< Kirihara Takuto POV >

Behind him, countless Demons and Golden-eyed monsters are lined up in a row.

The army behind her continues all the way behind him.

The Confidant and the monsters immediately behind him were clenching their teeth, shedding tears of blood.

In front of them, legs open with his katana pierced on the ground———- Kirihara Takuto takes his place on the throne.

[Now…… The King’s army is ready. I really am grateful to the Great Demon Emperor. The time has come…… and here, finally comes my beginning.]

Kirihara, surrounded by several Golden Wave Dragons, sharply but quietly looks in the direction of the Knight Wall.

[From this point on, this King’s battle moves to the next stage.]

As for what the new Golden Hero set his gaze upon, what he intends to do————

[First of all, Vysis.]

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