Chapter 286: Under the Basement

<Goddess Vysis POV>

Late at night———— the temple of the Vysis Order.

In a room in the basement of the temples, several figures could be seen.

All of them were gathered here by me, Vysis.

[I have gathered everyone here to ask you to perform an important and top-secret mission.]

In response to my words, a man with the eye patch politely bowed.

[It is the greatest honor for us siblings to have been chosen for this journey.]

Braided blond hair.

He may look like a noble, but one could see the sloppiness in his appearance.

His beard was neatly trimmed.

His attire also shows the elegance and refinement of a noble.

And yet, one could feel sloppiness from him.

That is probably due to the fact that it “hasn’t been washed off” his body.

Bloodstains.

[Us Fafnir Siblings——— also known as the “Dark Walker”…… For answering my summons, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.]

I expressed my gratitude.

Thereupon, the Fafnir sister bowed her head.

[Ahh…… Thank you very much! I- I……. am confident that I am stronger than that White Walker…… b- but I’m rather shy! Unlike them who loved making a name for themselves, I don’t really like being at the c- center of attention! That’s why we ended up turning down so many requests……! I’m sorry, I’m sorry! But when I heard that Whiet Walker had died…… I thought that serves them right——–Ahh! I’m sorry, I’m sorry!]

Tall woman with glasses.

Whenever she bowed, her tail-like braid swayed.

At her waist——— was a sheathed katana.

She is clad in a red outfit.

However, various shades of gray speckled in some parts of her clothing.

Those patterns were all said to be caused by the blood from the battles they fought.

[Elder Sister, please calm down.]

[B- But…… We had always refused Vysis-sama’s invitations because of my shyness…… Of course, I know that w- we’re excellent…… but I still feel embarrassed……]

[I’m sure it will be fine, Elder Sister. We apparently won’t be in the public eye on this mission after all.]

[R- Really? Then, I guess I could do it……]

The Elder Sister, Kaijin Fafnir.

The Younger Brother, Lancer Fafnir.

The Dark Walker is a pair of mercenaries.

They aren’t well known.

That is because they only do requests that don’t reveal their names.

In the last few years, they have been especially hidden behind the shadows of the White Walker, and only a few people know their names.

I myself had been making sure that the fame of this siblings would remain as such.

For the past few years, I had intentionally prevented their name from spreading.

Even now——— I’m still having second thoughts whether I should use them as pawns at this time.

After all, generally speaking, their mental instability made them even more difficult to use that Heroic Sword.

As expected, they aren’t as good as Ruin Seal and John Doe.

However, they are undoubtedly powerful pawns.

At that moment, a person standing in another place spoke.

[Even if the Heroes from Another World have their hands full with the battle against the Great Demon Emperor…… Under Goddess-sama’s command was Alion’s Thirteen Cavalries, including that Heroic Sword and the 6th Cavalry, right? And yet, for Goddess-sama to expressly gather us here…… Did something happen to them?]

A red-haired woman asked this question.

Just like Kaijin, she’s a female mercenary.

Lili Adamantine.

She’s also the head of her own group of mercenaries, namely———– the Drunken Sword Party.

[The other day, we suffered a heavy blow in the battle against Mira.]

[I don’t think this would be the case…… but you’re not going to tell me they lost, right?]

With a heavy heart, I could only slump my shoulders upon her words.

[I hate to admit it, but yes……]

[That Heroic Sword and 6th Cavalry…….? Please wait a moment. Does that mean…… Ruin Seal and John Doe have been killed?]

[You had perceived their strength correctly…… so it wouldn’t be surprising for you to be surprised. We haven’t yet definitely ruled out those two as dead, but I fear that it’s likely that would be the case.]

As long as no reports have come up so far from the two of them regarding the Faraway Country, I should assume that those two have been gotten rid of as well.

Ruin Seal holds faith towards me and is positionally dependent on me.

John Doe was given authority and freedom of action by me, as well as a reward waiting for him to redeem.

It seems unrealistic to think that those two would betray me.

At the very least, even if they had managed to pull Ruin towards their side, no one would be able to use that thing properly.

In John Doe’s case, it was hard to believe that he would throw away this time’s reward without a second thought.

[I myself am also surprised that I feel like my eyeballs would pop out of its sockets……]

Hearing this new information, Lili looked quizzical.

[I’m a little surprised Mira had that much strength……]

Indeed, if they had hidden that much power, it would be no wonder why they rebelled at this time.

[They were hiding their claws huh. In other words, they may have been cutting corners during the previous Great Invasion…… For example, just like in that battle at Magnar’s royal capital, Mira didn’t lose much fighting force.]

[……In short, you think Mira abandoned Magnar in anticipation of a later rebellion? If that were the case…… I’m not really sure I like their ways……]

[Indeed. While everyone was working together to fight desperately against the Great Demon Emperor’s army, only the Mad Emperor was working in anticipation of the current rebellion. He’s so self-absorbed that he’s unable to defend his actions. What a disappointment.]

[So————]

The core members of the Drunken Sword Party stood behind Lili.

[For you to gather us Drunken Sword Party, people who were weaker than Ruin Seal and John Doe, what do you want?]

[Before I say it, there are two more people…… I’d like to introduce to you. First would be Emperor Zera……]

[Emperor Zera?]

Lili seemed to be pondering upon my words.

[I think there was a past emperor of Mira with a name like that……?]

[Fo fo fo.]

A dry, listless laugh.

Releasing such a laughter, a large-built, gray-haired old man appeared from behind the shadows.

His face was long and thin.

He was dressed in a loose white clothing that makes one think he’s a man of high rank.

His long white beard hung down to his stomach.

However———– In the depths of his dark, hollowed-out eye sockets……

If one were to look closely…… They would see dull, glittering golden eyes.

The old man stroked his beard, his face aloof and contorted with countless deep wrinkles.

[Indeed, we are the 26th Emperor———– known as the “Exiled Emperor”, Falken Dotzera Mira Dias Ordzit…… Fo fo fo. My ornamental name as an Emperor is long, so you can just call me Zera.]

[Huh? W- Wait, wait…… Hmmm?]

Looking rather confused, Lili lowered her head and put her hand on her forehead.

[I know the story of the Exiled Emperor. I believe he was reported missing after he was banished from Mira…… There were many rumors…… but it’s recorded that his corpse was never found. But in the first place…… the most important thing is that the Exiled Emperor, who was over 70 years old at that time, disappeared from the public eye————]

Looking as if Lili herself doesn’t understand what she was talking about……

[———over a century ago, right?]

[Fo, fo, fo. You sure are knowledgeable, young lass. However, I have no right to disclose the reason how this happened———- Right, Vysis?]

[That’s right. Well, there are a lot of circumstances.]

Diverting that topic to the side, I clapped my hands.

[I am so glad that the Exiled Emperor has awakened for this mission. I have also grown up, and the time has come.]

[No, that wasn’t really enough of an explanation…… Well, alright. The world is full of mysterious things after all……]

Lili seems to have given up trying to get to the bottom of this matter.

She is that kind of woman after all.

The Drunken Sword Party, which she holds dear, is her top priority above all else.

If she steps in too far and is about to step on the tiger’s tail——— She will retreat.

As for me, I liked her that way.

[……That old man looks strong.]

The one who whispered this was the Fafnir sister———- Kaijin.

Glancing towards her, I saw her greedily sucking on her finger.

[I think I’m stronger than him…… but I don’t know…… I can’t say for sure…… but I definitely feel like I’m stronger…… Right, Lancer?]

[Of course, Elder Sister. Setting aside whether he is the real Exiled Emperor or not…… It feels like something about the nature of his existence itself was different from us——— or something like that.]

[Strong people can recognize strong people after all…… In other words, we are strong……. So strong that I’m sorry.]

After giving the Fafnir siblings a quick glance, Lilia lets out a sigh.

The other members of the Drunken Sword Party also seemed to have their own thoughts about this matter.

Some are startled and breaking out in a cold sweat.

Some held their breath.

Some remained composed and unconcerned.

Some even had smiles on their faces.

However, they aren’t blatantly frightened.

All of them trust Lili, the leader of their group.

As long as she is alive and well, they will never lose their will to fight.

Seemingly having thought of my earlier words, Lili looks to the corner of the dark room.

[So, Goddess-sama…… The one you still have yet to introduce would be that person over there?]

Everyone had noticed the presence of someone there the whole time.

He had too much presence, equal to——– or perhaps, even more than the Exiled Emperor.

[Fufufu. Well then, let me introduce you. His name is——— Shougo Oyamada! Clap clap clap~~]

At the sound of my claps, a young man with a large build emerged from the depths of darkness.

[As some of you may know, he is a Hero from Another World.]

[My name is Shougo Oyamada, and I have come to participate in this mission for my mother, Vysis-sama. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Mother is the best.]

With a neat posture, Oyamada bowed.

[You are——- that Oyamada…… right?]

Lili looked perplexed.

The other members of the Drunken Sword Pary also seemed puzzled.

They knew who Shougo Oyamada was even before the battle in the Anti-Demon White Castle.

[Thanks to Goddess——– Mother, I have been reborn. I am ashamed of the rebellious and violent person I used to be. I am now willing to devote myself to the service of Mother. Everything for Mother’s victory.]

[Ahh, Oyamada-san…… Sniff…… Mother is sincerely happy that you have become a respectable man, you know?]

[Mother…… Mother!]

His face glowing in delight, Oyamada embraced me, to which I embraced him in return.

Seemingly drawn away by his actions, Lili took a second look at Oyamada.

[I- Is this…… really that Oyamada? He looks the same, b- but he might as well be a different person…… What happened to him, seriously……]

Moving my gaze away from Oyamada……

[He has changed his mind through my cordial education. At first, it was only to heal the emotional wounds he had suffered in the previous battle, but, fufu, he gradually became this way…… Oyamada-san seemed to have been in a bad environment before he came to this world. From the very beginning, I should have taken care of him one-on-one.]

Emperor Zera hummed in response, stroking his beard as he observed Oyamada.

At that moment, Kaijin spoke.

[U- Ummm…… Will that person be a- any use……?]

Moving his face off my breasts, Oyamada looks at Kaijin.

[Yes, I am a fine force to be reckoned with. My abilities due to Mother, my everything for Mother.]

[H- However……]

Giving her a smile, just like a gentleman, Oyamada urged him to continue with his hand.

[Please don’t hesitate to tell me. We are going on a mission together. We mustn’t have any rifts remaining within our minds. Right, Mother?]

[U- Ummm…… I knew it…… I’m sorry, but I knew what you did. Back in the Anti-Demon White Castle…… c- crying and screaming…… fleeing before the enemy pathetically…… A force that was of no use. E- Even among the Heroes…… I haven’t heard…… of you being strong at all…… So I was like, “who is going to be a fine force again?”…… I- I’m sorry! I don’t mean to offend you! It’s just…… I wonder if you can really be of help? Wouldn’t you just drag us down…… is what I thought. I- I’m sorry! I guess I was being too honest……Hyiiihh!? I- I’m sorry!]

[…………………..]

Silently moving away from my body, Oyamada lowered his head.

Both shoulders were shaking slightly and his fists were clenched tightly.

Seeing Oyamada like that, I called out from behind him.

[Oyamada-san, are you alright?]

[My apologies……!]

Oyamada——— was crying.

Huddling her body close, Kaijin turned her upturned eyes towards him.

[Crying, apologies……? That’s too late now……]

[Yes…… With all my heart! I was so ashamed of the me of that time……!]

[U- Ummm, ummm…… Are you angry? I- I’m sorry!]

[No, what you said is indeed true! Please rest assured, Kaijin-dono! I won’t care about what you say about me! Rather, thinking of the future———– I should not look away from the past, and instead look back on it and use it as a reminder of who I am now! Rather, I think it’s a point I appreciate you for pointing it out! Thank you very much, Kaijin-dono……! Congratulations, Mother!]

Feeling extremely moved by his change, I made a crying gesture.

[Uuuu…… You’ve really come a long way, Oyamada-san. It was worth the effort to face it with enthusiasm and not give up…… Mother is sincerely proud of you…… Sniff.]

[B- But……!]

Persistently clinging on to her thoughts, Kaijin points at Oyamada.

[He’s disgusting! G- Going on a mission with this guy is just impossible, or rather…… Please excuse me from that!]

[My apologies, Kaijin-dono! And also, thank you very much! That is another food for thought! And of course, I will always be Mother’s food!]

[V- Vysis!]

Has she started to think she couldn’t talk to Oyamada?

Kaijin turned her argument towards me.

[Are you…… o- out of your mind……? T- To use such a Hero who is the epitome of failure——– are you insane!? H- Honestly…… I’m disappointed in you, Vysis! Putting aside if we’re talking about Ayaka Sogou…… U- Using this fleeing rat…… this useless weakling……! Y- You’re expecting this to be of any use in battle!? I haven’t heard the details of the mission yet…… but I’m sorry, but he just seems like a liability! Vysis! I- Is your head working normally? Is your head still alright!? R- R- Rather, is it that!? Going down to this basement…… O- On that wall at the top of the stairs leading hear from the ground floor…… I- I had seen a deep dent and a huge crack there! Could it be, V- Vysis, pissed off because everying you’re doing isn’t going well, y- you dented those walls because of an outburst of anger!? I- I mean, you——— I may have said too much, and I’m sorry for that———- but you’ve been having t- that smile that looked so forced and s- s- seriously disg———- [ < Bullet > ] ———Gofuuu!]

(T/N: Red fist / Bullet)</i>

Crack!

Broken…… Bent……

On the hard floor———- lies Kaijin.

As for what happened?

Of course, I had seen it.

Oyamada moved in an instant———-

And from above Kaijin’s head, he unleashed his inherent skill on her.

A massive impact bullet from overhead.

Caving in at an angle, Kaijin’s knees were limply crushed.

[……Who is it———– Who the hell do you think you’re talking to!? I don’t care what you think of me, you malicious fool! How——- ever…… to talk in such a way to Mother!? How dare you talk to Mother like that, you duuuuuunce! Aaaaahhhhh!? I’ll freaking kill you! < Bullet > < Bullet > < Bullet > < Bullet >! Know your damn place, you shitty traaaaaash! < Bullet > < Bullet >———–!]

A series of red bullets pressed down on Kaijin———- stripping her off a “human” appearance.

[Mugyuu, gyaa…….! Gyuuu……!]

Soon after, Kaijin was crushed to death.

However, Oyamada didn’t stop attacking.

[El———- El- Elder Sisteeeeeeeeeeer———–! You b*staaaaaard, I’ll freaking kill youuuuuuu!]

Kaijin’s younger brother, Lancer, who seemed to not understand what just happened, seemed to have snapped.

He attacked Oyamada with the two chained swords in his hands.

With a burning desire to kill……

Bang!

Sensing his approach, Oyamada, covered in blood, turned around with a pissed-off look on his face.

[Fushyuuu…… ———-[ <Bullet > ].]

(T/N: Heavy Fist / Bullet)</i>

The new fist strike Oyamada released a red spherical fist bullet.

Fast as an arrow.

Lancer naturally takes evasive action with an agile reaction.

However, the spherical fist bullet———– burst apart.

The fist bullet turned into a scattering bullet in the middle of his strike.

[Guhh!?]

A scatter shot at close range.

Even Lancer wouldn’t be able to evade it in time.

Several of the bullets that scattered about directly struck Lancer’s body.

However……

[……?]

Lancer checked his body.

He doesn’t appear to be injured.

Indeed, he should have taken a few direct hits but———–

[———-Whatever. I’ll kill you…… right where you stand! I’ll freaking kill you…… Oyamadaaaaaaa!]

A moment later, Lancer’s face distorted.

An uncomfortable expression appeared on his face.

[What……!? My body———- feels heavy!?]

[…… < Bullet > ]

(T/N: Augmentation Fist / Bullet)</i>

Do! Dododo! Dododododo!

Lancer looked puzzled.

[……!? What are you——— W- What did you do!?]

He brought forth fist bullets in both of his hands.

Thereupon———-

Oyamada brought them to his own chin and stomach.

[A- Are you out of your mind……? No, that is……!?]

There, Lancer realized.

Oyamada’s body is covered with red magic power.

Moreover, the red light was getting stronger with each of his strikes to himself.

Eventually…… the fist bullets he strikes on his body stopped.

Next, the red light he was clad in gathered more and more towards his right arm———–

[Let’s try…… this one on you!]

With his scream, the red light on his right fist became humongous.

(T/N: I’m going to be honest here. With the way this sentence was written, I don’t know if the red light that was gathering in his body became humongous ala Gon’s janken-attack, or that his right fist seriously became humongous like Choji. That red light over there wasn’t mentioned in the sentence btw.)</i>

[Kuh……! V- Vysis!]

With an unruly expression on his face, Lancer called out to me.

[Stop him! And punish him righteously! Broken heroes like him are useless! Quickly!]

[Fufufu…… I had been thinking that if you had turned the tables on Oyamada-san, that would be the end of it. However, as expected of my beloved son. Hm…… Now that he made your sister “like that”, you will never forgive Oyamada-san. It would also be troubling if you betray me and go to the other camp like the Mad Emperor did……]

[Y- You——— …..You trashy goddeeeeess! This is what I told, Elder Sister! Getting involved with this bogus of a trashy goddess is just———–]

[ ———— < Last Bullet > ———— ]

(T/N: Bloodstained Fist / Last Bullet)</i>

Overpowering with pressure, the humongous impact bullet——–

—–was released.

Dooon!

[ ! Bugyaaahhh———–]

Boom———- thud!

[………………..]

……Para para…… para……

“It” slammed to the stone wall.

Crash!

Coming unstuck from the wall, it crashed down to the wall.

That crushed thing that used to be “human”.

It had completely lost its original form.

What used to be Lancer has already turned into “something”.

[Fuuu…… That’s why, I’ve already said it, right…… I don’t care what you say about me…… but I will n- never allow you to insult Mother…… I will never allow you……]

[I see?]

In response to his declaration, I clapped my hands.

[You have grown strong enough to defeat the Dark Walker without difficulty! That’s wonderful growth, Oyamada-san!]

[Hah! I- I blundered! I’m sorry, Mother! Towards the comrades who were supposed to be with me on this mission……! Ummm…… They insulted Mother, s- so I couldn’t help myself!]

[Hmmm…… Well, fine? If that was their real strength, they seemed to be the weakest among everyone here in terms of strength. It also confirms that Oyamada-san’s strength has risen to this level, right?]

[Y- You will forgive me!?]

Upon Oyamada’s words, I approached him.

[Yes, of course I’d forgive you. You were angry at them for insulting Mother, weren’t you? That makes Mother really happy, Oyamada-san.]

[Ahh, Mother….. sniff…… sniff…… How kind…… How kind of you, Mother……]

Even if that’s so, I brought my hands on the sides of Oyamada’s temple and matched my gaze towards his eyes.

[How– e– ver–!]

[——–Y- Yes!?]

[In the future, even if the people of the Drunken Sword Party over there or Emperor Zera says something insulting to me…… You must not hate them. You may not kill or attack them. I will allow them to say insulting things about me. Am I making myself clear?]

[……Understood. If that’s what Mother says. Motheeeer……]

[Fuuuu…… I never expected your love for me to be so great. Ahh, I’ll say this to everyone too———]

Moving my gaze away from Oyamada, I called out to the Drunken Sword Party and Emperor Zera.

[Just in case…… Please be careful about making insulting or hostile remarks about me, okay? I did tell him that this time…… but as he was hastily educated after all the events that had occurred lately, his education may not be “perfect” yet.]

[……If I may be honest.]

After watching the sequence of events earlier, Lili turned a smile towards me.

However, I could see how she had broken out in a cold sweat.

[That Hero is still mentally unstable, so I’d like to opt out of whatever mission this is if possible. However, we can’t really disobey your orders…..]

Lili seemed like she still had more things to say.

However, she too had just witnessed what had happened.

Although I may have said it would be alright———– She’s probably still a little wary.

That’s why she’s trying to choose the words she says towards me.

[The family of us Drunken Sword Party…… Including their whereabouts, Goddess-sama knows all about them……]

They understood.

If they were to disobey me……

Their relatives in the headquarters of the Drunken Sword Party, as well as those living in the royal capital and other places……

All of them———- will suffer.

They are wise enough to know that.

[It will be alright. Knowing about your relatives is only a kind of precaution…… For that, I have given you a fair amount of compensation when you and the Drunken Sword Party have lived up to my expectations, haven’t I? This time is no different from that. No…… If you succeed in this mission, I will guarantee you a position and a reward that will allow you all to live off of it for the rest of your life. You may consider this as your last assignment with this Goddess. After you complete this assignment…… You are free to go and live a life of abundance and peace.]

They should have known that when they were previously given the role of being the teachers of the Heroes.

The members of the Drunken Sword Party that took that on received a substantial reward.

Enough to keep all their relatives fed even if they took a break from mercenary work for at least a year or two.

I still gave Lili time to sort out her feelings though.

And so, after a reasonably long silence———-

As if she had made up her mind, Lili let out a sigh.

[……Putting this matter aside for the moment, let’s get back to the important question. So, the reason why we’re teaming up with the Exiled Emperor over there and your “son”———– What were you having us do?]

The invasion towards the Faraway Country was foiled by Mira’s intervention.

Reports suggest that the two countries have joined hands.

From what I have heard, it seems that the Faraway Country also had a reasonable amount of strength.

And now, that Faraway Country has a motive to be against Alion.

Whether it’s considering the advantages of a future working at a united front……

Or perhaps, it was in terms of getting their hands on the Forbidden Race……

I guess the two countries will probably continue to join hands in the future?

If that is the case, the means to “re-enter”——— the “key” must be in the possession of the Mad Emperor.

If not, well, it’s that Mad Emperor after all……

He must have Nyaki or Radis in his hand.

Incidentally, all the reports on the Faraway Country still haven’t completely arrived.

However, I already have a good idea of what was going on there.

If that’s the case———–

[It is, of course…… the retrieval of the Divine Beasts or the acquisition of the “key” to open the door of the Faraway Country…… and———]

There, I smiled.

[The elimination of the Mad Emperor.]

<Author’s Notes>

This chapter was a bit long.

Anyhow, the next chapter will be from Touka’s POV.

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