Chapter 307 – The Uncertain Factor known as “S”

My eyes distracted by the shelves around us, I walk next to the Mad Emperor.

[Once again, thank you for earlier.]

[————You’re talking about Seras Ashrain huh. I did have such thoughts in mind…… As for what happened with Hawk, she seems to think that she’s to blame for everything. In fact, that isn’t the case but…… I think she’s being pulled toward such a thought by her emotions. Therefore, it’s more necessary for the right person to give her the “forgiveness” she wants.]

Munin is joking around Seras.

The scene around them was a harmonious one.

With his gaze turning towards them, the Mad Emperor spoke.

[The confusion caused by a thousand wild emotions will completely subside in time…… You can support them after this. Of course, I will need Seras Ashrain to do more work in the battle against the Goddess’ camp. I will be troubled if she stops at a place like this.]

The battle against the Goddess’ camp.

[What are your plans for the future?]

[As soon as Wright returns, I want to reveal the secret of the Sealed Room. After that, I will join forces with Mira’s army in the east…… and attack everything in our path towards Alion.]

[After conquering Urza, you will go up to Alion huh…… Considering the route of your march, I think that the existence of Neia and Bakuos can’t be ignored. What do you intend to do about them?]

[The current Neia and Bakuos are insignificant in a head-on confrontation with our army. The current Alion army, which has lost their Thirteen Cavalries, will not be able to stop my army. In the first place, a full-scale offensive will only be launched after I meet up with them. However, even in a battle with our side being held back, our army has already overwhelmed Urza’s army.]

[However————]

[Yeah.]

Even the Mad Emperor is aware of this.

The future march through Urza towards Alion.

There are three major uncertainties about it.

[We can’t predict the movements of the Great Demon Emperor, and if by chance they should fight together with Alion, we will have to make a major change in our marching plans. ……Well, I don’t really think that will happen.]

[The second uncertainty is about the Exiled Emperor and his White Army, isn’t it?]

[That’s right. We have to assume that there will be unexpected forces such as theirs. Though I say that, the best we can do is to be as prepared as possible based on that assumption.]

[And final uncertainty———— The Heroes from Another World.]

As we passed by, the Mad Emperor stroked the edge of a shelf with his white finger.

Looking at the clump of dust that gathered on his finger, he spoke.

[The earlier surprise attack of the Great Demon Emperor on Alion’s royal castle…… We’ve received a bit of information about that. Now that Alion is on tenterhooks because of that one incident, it’s easy for my spies to move in.]

The Mad Emperor revealed the contents of the information obtained from his spies.

……It also matches the information I got from Oyamada and the Takao sisters.

There were some information that only we had though.

[One of the three S-Rank Heroes seems to have turned to the side of the Great Demon Emperor, apparently a man named Takuto Kirihara. There may have been a falling out among the Heroes…… However, the Heroes are the natural enemies of the Root of All Evil. They will probably be used, and eventually, they will be dealt with.]

………………………

“Kirihara sneaked into the bosom of the Great Demon Emperor, and instead of actually defeating him, he may have tricked and defeated them.”

I wonder if such a pattern of events exists?

In fact, as of now, Kirihara Takuto’s strength is close to unknown.

The previous major invasion of the Great Demon Emperor’s army……

The story of Kirihara’s success on the Eastern Front was reported.

However, the atmosphere among the soldiers on the battlefield seems to appreciate the elder Takao more.

The soldiers’ impression of Kirihara doesn’t seem to be that great compared to that of the elder Takao.

That is just what I have heard from hearsay but……

[What is more troubling to me is the fact that Hijiri Takao is missing.]

[According to the Hero named Oyamada…… She rebelled against the Goddess and was beaten back instead.]

Information that the Takao sisters are being protected by Erika.

Currently, that information is still kept under wraps.

I heard that the elder Takao was in touch with the Mad Emperor……

But I would like to make a decision on this matter once I hear from the elder Takao herself.

Of course, before that, I will tell the Mad Emperor about the Takao sisters if I deem it necessary……

[With the appearance of the Great Demon Emperor in the royal castle, the Goddess was weakened by the influence of the Tyrant’s Miasma…… I think they were aiming for that moment of weakness.]

Hearing what I said, the Mad Emperor briefly nodded.

[And while the Goddess and Hijiri were fighting, the Great Demon Emperor retreated…… And with their retreat, the weakened Goddess regained her strength———— That seems like a reasonable estimation of the events.]

[Just like the Exiled Emperor and the White Army, the Goddess still has some hidden trump cards———— is something that should also be taken into consideration. For example, she may have had a secret way to neutralize the Tyrant’s Miasma for a certain period of time.]

[……That’s possible. Even so…… Hidden trump cards huh. If people like Zera were on Vysis’ hands, that doesn’t sound good for our side.]

[However, I think it’s also true that the Exiled Emperor and the White Army were pawns she couldn’t casually use. As far as Seras, who knows information about the past, can tell me, there is no example of such a thing being brought up in the past. In other words———— This could mean that the Goddess has been pushed into a situation where she has no choice but to use it.]

[……A card she wouldn’t want to bring out if possible huh.]

Seemingly in thought, the Mad Emperor stroked his thin lips with his index finger.

[That too may have something to do with why Alion, under Vysis’ lead, will not unite the continent…… That is indeed a good way to look at the situation.]

[I also agree with you on that point.]

As expected, there must have been something going on.

There should be a reason why Vysis isn’t just doing whatever she wants on this continent.

The fact may be———- that she can’t.

Some kind of restrictions may have been in place.

Perhaps, the Deities have some kind of internal audit that manages them.

“She couldn’t move on her own to achieve their goals, and she needs to go out of their way to use roundabout methods.”

“Even though she has powerful tools and methods, she doesn’t want to use them that much.”

As expected, that was the only explanation I could see in this situation.

[As for the survival of the Takao sisters…… I don’t think we should hold out too much hope.]

[For example, if they really are dead———- that if they had been dealt with, any chance Vysis would dare lie about this matter?]

[In order to ease the mental burden on the other Heroes, even though she may have already dealt with the ones that she needs to deal with, she may say “they’re still missing and being searched for”. Of course, it’s possible that the sisters are still trying to reach my location, so I will have still my people search for them…… but it would be dangerous to rely on them at this point.]

[It’s dangerous to rely on uncertainties…… It was indeed as you say.]

[Speaking of dangerous uncertainties……]

The Mad Emperor fiddled with his bangs, his eyes holding a definite concern.

[The last S-Rank———- For the time being, she will be the biggest “key”.]

That is to say……

[Ayaka Sogou.]

[Indeed. The information I received is just something Ayaka Sogou herself claims to have done, so I’m uncertain about its authenticity…… but she apparently fought on par with the traitor Hero and the Great Demon Emperor against her.]

[I don’t think she’s the kind of Hero who would speak a lie though.]

[You’re acquainted with her? Ahhh———- That’s right, you fought together in the Anti-Demon White Castle…… What was your impression of her?]

[She is a straightforward and compassionate girl. A little dangerous though.]

[The battle against the Goddess can be done by us alone. However, since we can’t rely on the traitor Hero or the Takao sisters———- The key to the battle against the Great Demon Emperor would have to be that Ayaka Sogou.]

[I have heard that you are thinking of recruiting him to your side.]

[We have a Hero named Kobato Kashima……]

Kashima?

[And she had asked me to give her a chance to persuade her.]

[She may have the chance of succeeding…… which is why she offered it.]

[Asagi Ikusaba also said that the odds of pulling her into this side are good. If that woman says that…… Well, I suppose there’s a chance of it succeeding.]

“We can return to our original world without relying on the Goddess.”

If they bring up such a thing to her———– there’s a good chance that Sogou will be persuaded.

That is, unless she had some sort of weakness that had been compromised.

That sh*tty Goddess may have removed the obstacles in her path and she may have been cleverly cajoled.

Or someone’s death could be the trigger that drove her insane.

Or perhaps———— a hostage was being held against her.

Yes.

Kirihara isn’t the only one we have no recent information about.

There’s Sogou too.

“She has become quite strong.”

Other than that, there’s little else we know about the current Sogou.

Erika did send some of her familiars to find out what’s going on around the Goddess’ side.

I’m hoping I could learn about Sogou’s current state from her……

[…………………….]

At that time————- At the time we met again, she said this.

“If someone tries to hurt the people I wanted to protect…… I will be the one standing up against “whoever” that is———— and I will obstruct them with all my might.”

The Class President who tried to protect me when I was about to be disposed of.

The girl who challenged that piece of sh*t in that situation.

Even when it’s all on her own.

[Indeed———– She may be the biggest uncertainty.]

Curious, the Mad Emperor tilted his head and looked toward me.

[Fumu?]

[If we completely turn into enemies…… I also think the most troublesome opponent among the Heroes is Ayaka Sogou.]

<Author’s Notes>

Sorry for the delay in reporting it, but the 31st chapter of the manga was released for free on August 12. It’s the chapter that concludes the battle against the Ashinto. Touka in the frontispiece is especially cool. If you haven’t seen it yet, please do so when you are free. Chapter 32 and the first half of Chapter 33 have also been updated, though for a fee.

Also, we have received one review since the last update. Thank you very much.

In addition, thank you very much for your warm feedback.

I will try my best to keep up the pace of updates while not overworking myself too much.

The next update is scheduled for tomorrow (August 25th), around 9:00 pm.

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