Chapter 316 – The Golden Hero and Alion’s Goddess

<Author’s Notes>

I feel like I’ve been writing at a more leisurely pace these days…… I’d like to be able to find a reasonably suitable pace and amount written.

The next chapter is scheduled to be updated on October 26th (Wednesday), around 9:00 pm.

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[This is…… a rather surprising situation, isn’t it? I never thought that Kirihara-san, who was thought to have already been taken care of, would take down the Great Demon Emperor.]

This was a situation even I hadn’t expected.

That E-Rank Hero certainly isn’t one I can ignore.

However, considering my personal objective———-

The one I should keep priority should be the matter with Kirihara-san instead.

Accompanied by my newly formed cavalry, I came to the designated boundary line.

As for the Heroes and about 1000 troops I had brought, they were left at the encampment.

I dared not bring the Heroes with me.

Bringing Ayaka Sogou in particular could be a hindrance.

Yes———— A hindrance when I get rid of Takuto Kirihara.

[The former Root of All Evil————– Even among the various generations of Great Demon Emperors, I felt that this generation’s Great Demon Emperor is especially formidable…… This is quite a mystery. I don’t think it would have let much of its guard down around a Hero, which was originally its natural enemy but…… no, I suppose it can’t be helped when it’s against that Kirihara-san. It may have been affected by him in a bad way, or its mind may have been thrown into disarray from that guy’s incomprehensibility…… Even I have no clue what was going on with him…… Well, this makes it so that everything is finally coming to an end.]

The Great Demon Emperor who can create and move an army of that scale……

That biological fortress that the Eastern Army saw during the Great Invasion was probably also created by the Great Demon Emperor.

The greatest Root of All Evil of all time.

If I were to obtain this time’s Prime Origin———— Everything will come to an end.

[………………….]

There was one thing that was bothering me though.

That message the messenger brought to me after that……

“Takuto Kirihara…… seems to be bringing along a large amount of Golden-Eyed Monsters. Within that group…… There were apparently Demons among them……”

At first, I was feeling doubtful.

His arrival here, could it be the Great Demon Emperor’s trap?

Is the Great Demon Emperor masquerading as if it’s dead?

Could this contact with Kirihara also be part of the Great Demon Emperor’s plan?

However, there’s a way to confirm the truth of the Great Demon Emperor’s death.

I could just check whether or not the monsters created by the Great Demon Emperor are still releasing the Tyrant’s Miasma.

If that thing is already dead, the Tyrant’s Miasma around those monsters would disappear.

I should first examine the monsters that had gathered near the Knight Wall.

However, for this particular case, I wanted to acquire solid proof right away.

I have the means to determine if the Root of All Evil is alive or dead.

Though I said that, I didn’t want to use it too often because it consumes precious divine power.

However, I decided that now was the time to use it.

The result———— The Great Demon Emperor was indeed dead.

After determining whether that thing was still alive or dead, I recalled the conversation with the messenger, who I had sent out and came back again.

“The Golden-Eyed Monsters near the Knight Wall have lost their leadership and now seem to be scattered. We have received information that Magnar and Jonato are now working to deal with them. It’s highly likely that the Tyrant’s Miasma has disappeared……”

“The outburst that occurs after the death of the Root of All Evil…… the disappearance of the Tyrant’s Miasma…… It seems like there’s no mistaking it anymore, the Great Demon Emperor has indeed died.”

“In that case———— P- Peace will finally be restored!?”

“……However, I’m curious. Kirihara is leading Golden-Eyed Monsters…… Golden-Eyed Monsters who had supposedly lost their leadership……? Moreover, for there to even be Demons among his group……?”

“Ummm…… From what I heard from the people of Magnar who came to visit, Takuto Kirihara had apparently “acquired an inherent skill that allows him to subjugate Golden-Eyed Monsters”…… That seemed to be something Takuto Kirihara told them to convey though……”

If the Great Demon Emperor is still alive, it would have been reasonable to assume that this is a strategy making use of Kirihara.

However, it has already been confirmed that the Great Demon Emperor is dead.

In that case……

What exactly is with this situation?

I suppose the only way I would find that out is to meet with him.

And when I meet him————- If necessary, I could just get rid of him with no questions asked.

In any case, Kirihara would need the Goddess to return to his original world.

In the end, all his paths would eventually lead to God’s palm.

At the moment, I stand in a gently-sloped plain.

Bare soil could be seen exposed in many places.

However, this land isn’t suited for farming, nor does it yield anything useful.

Even back in the past, this area wasn’t desired by any of the nearby countries.

If I were to list the characteristics of this area, at best, I would just say that it’s a plain dotted with huge rocks.

On the right side, there’s a gentle slope with a small hill at the end of it.

On the left side————- there’s the Golden Demon Zone.

It’s visible even from a distance.

And……

[Well, this is surprising……]

With a group of Golden-Eyed Monsters lined up in a row behind him—————

Takuto Kirihara awaits.

Kirihara dismounts from a quadrupedal monster that resembles a horse.

I suppose I’d call it Giant Golden Horse.

It was a golden-colored, one-horned monster with an oddly shaped horn.

Kirihara walks towards our direction, clad in his small wave-like golden dragons.

As if following him, the Golden-Eyed Monsters behind him began to advance.

The order in which they start walking isn’t uniform, but on the contrary, such disorderliness seems to give it a unique intensity.

The size of the individuals behind him was also uneven.

The largest number of them were Ogre Soldiers, the main force of the Great Demon Emperor’s army.

Those Ogres were now mounted on Ghoul Horses.

Upon such a sight, the men of the newly formed cavalry present here showed signs of fright.

The new cavalry’s Captain, Kuja Eucalion, turned pale and looked towards me, seemingly asking for his orders.

[Vysis-sama…… W- We have come…… but do you think things would be alright……?]

[I wonder?]

[ ! ]

[Fufufu, I’m just kidding.]

Wondering about this myself, I took out a Dark Purple Gem and put it in my mouth.

[Now then————- let’s bring this side up a notch.]

———Badump———

My eyes were dyed black.

Eyes as black as darkness, giving off sleek luster.

However, with a blink of my eyes———- their original colors returned.

[Ara?]

Kirihara raised his right hand.

As if commanding the monsters behind him to stop.

The march of the Golden-Eyed Monsters came to a halt at that.

From there, Kirihara began to walk alone.

The distance between him and our group is now about 200 raeters.

[Fufufu…… It seemed like you were telling the truth when you said you wanted to talk. Well then…… I suppose I shall go there on my own too.]

[Vysis-sama!?]

[It’s alright. If the Great Demon Emperor is dead, there’s no need for me to worry about the Tyrant’s Miasma.]

The distance between us two is getting closer.

Both of us don’t have any pauses in our steps.

When we reached a certain distance……

[Ara.]

I muttered.

[………………..It doesn’t seem like you intend to be on cordial terms with us. Ahh, how scary.]

And then, when the both of us were within earshot————

[<Dragonic Cha———-]

I sensed his intention to attack.

Before he could finish his skill though, with a moment’s speed, I flashed towards Kirihara.

And taking aim at Kirihara’s cheek————

I punched him away.

Blown away like an arrow, Kirihara’s back violently slammed into a huge rock in the vicinity.

A hard and intense crushing sound echoed under the clear sky.

Kirihara had half of his body from his back dug into the huge rock, creating a rough indentation, radiating out spider web-like cracks around it.

And right after punching him———– I followed up with a pursuing attack against Kirihara.

In other words, just before Kirihara hit the rock, I had already closed the distance that Kirihara was blown away.

Perhaps, was it because of the impact?

The golden dragons waving around him dissipated and disappeared.

Thereupon, I saw it.

Kirihara’s eyes.

As if looking down on his lesser———— He dared look upon me with such eyes.

[<Dragonic Ch————-]

As expected, before he could finish the name of his skill, I clamped both of his cheeks with my right hand and shut his mouth.

[That’s useless?]

[………………..]

[The moment I sense your intention to attack…… Before you can even finish saying the name of your skill————- I can attack you first, you know? The weakness of your skill is that it requires a large number of syllables to activate…… If you’re stopped before it finishes, that power isn’t something that should be feared at all. With me having close combat skills and speed better than yours, it means I can easily defeat the likes of you. Hmmm, moreover…… That’s probably not a skill you can activate first and sustainably use huh? Let’s see, which one is it?]

I forcibly manifested his Status.

Putting aside how busy I was back then, I should have regularly checked Hijiri back then.

[After that “Dragonic” should be a word that starts with a “Ch”…… Ahh, this one huh…… <Dragonic Chain>…… Let’s see…… <Subjugation / Target: Golden-Eyed Monsters, Demons>……? Oh my!]

Surprised, my eyes opened wide.

[Oh my, this is quite amusing! Don’t tell me, you thought I was a monster or a Demon and tried to subjugate me with this skill!? H- How cruel……! I, a Goddess, was judged to be the same as a monster or a Demon…… T- That’s just too cruel……! Huweeehh~~! …… Errr, I see you also have other new skills…… Oh my, aren’t these amazing? …………In any case, you sure are calm. What, you want to say something? Fine. The moment I see your intention to attack, I’ll just make it hurt even more? Am I clear? Are you alright with that? Ah, you do know I went easy on you earlier, don’t you? You know, I want to believe you aren’t stupid. I really want to believe it.]

Finished with my warning, I let go of his mouth.

Without sounding particularly agitated, Kirihara simply stated.

[————–Of course, that is something I need to test out.]

[What……? Test out?]

[Although I thought it was unlikely to work based on the information displayed on that skill…… I had to try it to see if the skill would work on you too. For that is a predetermined path before a true king.]

[Huh, that so. I have no idea what you’re talking about.]

[…………………I see, hostility huh? I see…… Because I held no hostility, was it also the reason why the Great Demon Emperor let down his guard? However, Vysis…… It’s nearly impossible to hide hostility toward you. That’s why you were vigilant———— This too is providence. Just as how much falsehoods wouldn’t work on me…… It seems that the king’s genes don’t allow deception. Good grief……]

[Are you sane? Can you keep a proper conversation?]

[It would have been best if I could have made you subservient but…… It can’t be helped. I can only respond to the negotiations.]

[Ummm…… What kind of reasoning do you have to arrive at that? Do you even know your standpoint here?]

[The standpoint of a king.]

[No, you’re no king…… Ummm, Kirihara-san? Isn’t it about time you grow up and become an adult?]

[Adult? I’m already a being who transcends age.]

[Hmmm.]

[This is a matter of position. I have conquered the Great Demon Emperor and am now a true king. This will be where everything starts.]

Wondering what he was talking about now, I was speechless for a few seconds, before dropping whatever he was spouting to the side and giving Kirihara-san a smile.

[In any case, you have done well. In light of your achievement, I will overlook your earlier act of treason.]

[What I had done was an act of treason in your eyes huh. That wasn’t an act of treason———– It was one guided by fate.]

[……Is that so, I understand. Now then, let’s go back to Alion. Errr, those Golden-Eyed Monsters…… Can’t you gather them somewhere?]

[In other words, there’s no act that you need to overlook. This is something you yourself should know…… that I am the true Hero and the vessel of the true king. The one who subjugated the Great Demon Emperor, of which no one could have done, was an achievement I had done. Such an accomplishment is possible———- exactly because it is me.]

[Yes, it’s amazing? Really amazing?]

[……I can’t help but feel contempt for that shallow respect of yours.]

[M- My apologies…… I’ve always had this kind of personality……]

[Being so meek and crying…… The world isn’t so sweet that you could get through life with such acts. And that in itself shows your limit…… True trust shall never be turned to you for the rest of your life———- and I am different.]

[Eh? Aren’t you the same?]

[Does this world need an option other than “different”? ……Well, I have the magnanimity to consider forgiveness as long as one apologizes. Am I making myself clear? You have misjudged my true ability…… Regret it, Vysis.]

[U- Uuuu…… I regret it…… My apologies…… My eyes were clouded…… Sniff…… Please don’t bully me too much…… I’m not perfect either…… Uuuuu…… I’m sorry……]

[………………………………….I suppose I’ll say you have evaded a failing mark. However, that doesn’t change the sh*tty reality. Is this but God’s arrogance, or are you or your kind just incapable of sincerely apologizing to someone…… That is——— Your true essence huh.]

[Uuuu, that’s right……]

[However, I suppose I appreciate the fact that, even if it’s by formality, you had apologized.]

[Is that so…… By the way, Kirihara-san.]

I switched the flow of the conversation to the main topic.

[It seems that the Great Demon Emperor was defeated…… Do you have the black crystal necklace with you? It’s not like I care…… but you would need it so that I could return you all to your original world.]

[I can give it to you———- but before that, there are conditions.]

[Ummm…… Before that, can I just confirm if you have it?]

[The necklace?]

[Yes.]

Kirihara put his hand in his pocket.

My gaze followed his actions.

Kirihara took out the necklace and threw it to me, to which I caught it.

[I’ll give it back. A true king doesn’t need it anymore———– What’s with that murderous intent?]

[…………Kirihara-san?]

[What.]

[It isn’t here though?]

[Are you talking about the Great Demon Emperor’s Tyrant Miasma?]

[Yes.]

[Suddenly asking me that. Of course.]

[Ummm…… Even if you just say “Of course”, that doesn’t exactly explain anything though? ……Ahh, in other words———–]

[That’s right, his heart still remains.]

If the heart disappears, the necklace will absorb and store the Prime Origin.

However, if the heart still remains, the Prime Origine will remain within it.

Feeling a cold, dark smile creep up my lips———– I asked.

[Hmmm? In that case…… Where is the heart?]

[Before that, let’s talk about the conditions.]

[Hmmm, I see you want to give it to me the hard way huh. Do you want to feel pain that much? I won’t hold back now, you know?]

[Hold back…… Vysis, are you still not aware of the situation here?]

[Huh?]

[That fact that if I had really intended to do something———–]

Kirihara’s condescending eyes reflected my face.

[You would have already been dead.]

Keeping the smile on my lips, I tilted my head.

[Hmm…… Hmmmm? What did you say? What is it?]

[I’ve become strong enough to defeat the Great Demon Emperor———– Consequently making me the strongest. I’ve already surpassed you. However, you are still needed to bring me back to my former world…… Thus, I’m keeping you alive. In other words, I had just been overlooking all of your actions. All that’s left for you to understand…… is that I am the one who had been overlooking your rudeness…… Even you should be able to understand that, right?]

[…………………..]

If the Prime Origin is still held within the heart, I could just kill this guy and steal it———–

[Also, regarding the Great Demon Emperor’s heart, it isn’t here.]

[Huh?]

Hearing those words, I immediately changed my plan. Torture it will be then.

There’s a limit to how much a human’s mind can endure———–

[And———– The exact location of the heart is a piece of information I myself do not know about.]

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