Chapter 562 |
Defensive Battle of All Worlds ⑧ Each’s Defensive Battle Fifth
The Great Barrier of Heavenly Star that sealed the “dragon”.
“Uten no Hokora”, one of its cornerstones was made up of four hokora (small wayside shrine).
They were located at Amakoyama area at the north, Furousan area at the west, Houraisan area at the south, and sea of trees Aokigahara at the north.
The “north hokora” was located deep inside a cavern leading to underground, which was located deeper inside a basin about two meter tall, surrounded by various things like tree roots and rocks.
Originally it was camouflaged by nature and the cavern itself was also unknown, located at an out-of-the-way place but……
Right now it was changed completely.
First there was a large facility that was constructed to completely cover the cavern. It was a two-storied building with white base color. The size was about as big as a school’s gymnasium.
But, even though it was a modern building that looked somewhat like a research facility, only its rooftop had unfamiliar shape.
And the building’s surrounding was further surrounded fully by large fence made from barbed wire.
And then, there was a large sign placed on the gate of the entrance. It was filled with writing that said how this place was under the management of the country, and it was a facility for investigating, researching, and observing the environment of Mount Fuji and its surrounding.
During the “dragon incident”, natural disaster occurred and black smoke spouted out from Mount Fuji. From that this was one of the countermeasures the government set up in case of disaster……that was the cover story.
Of course, the truth was that it was a fortress that Hajime constructed under the consent of the government.
There was no way they would just left alone the seal that was preventing the “dragon” from waking up.
The proof of that and just how pathologically obsessed Hajime’s preparation were currently being showed to a degree that there would be no room left for doubt.
「「「HYAHHHAAAAAA!! It’s partyyyy!!」」」
「C’mon you sewer rats! I’ll turn you all into minced meat-」
「M II precept, together!! What is the purpose of our birth!?」
「「「「「To pull the trigger of M II-kun!!」」」」」
「What are you pulling the trigger for!?」
「「「「「Because that’s what M II-kun want!!!」」」」」
「What do you say when you see the enemy!?」
「「「「「M II-kun! It’s time for dinnerrr!!」」」」」
「Who the hell is iiiit, the crazy bastard who give this crazy weapon to this crazy bunch!!」
*DURURURURURU* Such lovely roar was being played while 12000 rounds were getting unleashed through the sea of trees per minute. The hard ground was plowed thoroughly and the trees were turned into splinters like there was no tomorrow.
From where?
Of course, from the rooftop of the research facility (big fat lie). A total of twenty emplacements had arisen on the rooftop facing the four directions.
Then, who were the people shooting?
Of course, it was the apocalypse era Hyahha bunch from other world, the Hauria.
From the start they were all a bunch of big damn idiots who went 「Mount Fuji’s sea of trees……what a lovely atmosphere it has♡」 and secretly built a hidden village outside of Hajime’s knowledge. Though it was thanks to that they could perform a fine play of repelling the attack of “Shadow Monk” to the hokora by accident during the “dragon incident”……
But let’s put aside that matter for the time being.
It was self-evident that a permanent garrison was necessary in this place. Naturally the government also dispatched their own personnel but, Hajime hesitated in granting them the full authority over the defensive facility including the artifacts there. After negotiating with the government, he made them recognized this place as Hauria’s settlement base just as it was.
And, it was those government people who made a tsukkomi toward the Hauria bunch who was pulling the triggers while cackling madly.
Matsuta Saburou. Sixty years old. An uncle with a fierce look and also big body, but in contrast to his appearance he was originally an office worker from public safety.
Rather than calling him a guard, he was more of a personnel who was dispatched here to monitor the Haurias and to be the contact person of the government.
「「「「「Just now, did you call boss a crazy bastard?」」」」」
「!? D-don’t look so serious so suddenly! It was just a figure of speech! I’m sorry!!」
「「「「「That’s fine then HYAAAHHHAAAAA!!!」」」」」
There wasn’t anybody who would wish for work like being permanently stationed deep inside Aokigahara Forest.
He was nearing retirement age, something like an incident that involved supernatural phenomenon, bluntly speaking it wasn’t something that he could make sense of thinking-wise and also common sense-wise……but he had gotten divorced and completely single now anyway, so in that case he guessed that he would volunteer before the stationing order could come down for the youngsters around him. And so he got transferred here with a relatively casual feeling like that but……
(Dammit-. I can’t decide whether these guys went crazy from the presence of this “void god’ whatever or whether this is just the extension of their usual behavior!! I would never volunteer to come here if I knew from the start that I’d have to live with this kind of crazies-)
Matsuta-san who often got called with names like Massan, Matsu-san, or Sabu-chan by those older than him was well-liked among his coworkers, but right now he was really regretting it. He was tasting a life regret that rivalled the time when his wife pushed divorce paper on him.
No, he had gotten a bit of bad premonition. Because , despite calling the place a research facility, inside it was stuffed to capacity with arms and ammunition in great variety and quantity. So much so that he unconsciously tsukkomi-ed 「Are you guys planning to go to war somewhere」.
Look, even now.
「Sorry for the waiiit, here, some extra launchers!」
「Minefield ignition preparation, finiiished! Heheh, let me press it already. I want to press this button so, so very much. I, can’t hold back anymoreee-」
A screwed up rabbit who was shouldering dangerous weapons, and a screwed up rabbit who had been fiddling with a remote control’s switch since some time ago with bloodshot eyes were sporting slimy looking grins.
When he carefully peeked out from the edge, he saw some gun muzzles jutting out from the windows of the building’s second floor. Rifles, grenade launchers, and sniper rifles were making flashes without end.
Further between the building and the fence, multilegged golems were lining up while similarly spending ammo in great mood. It felt like the apocalypse Hyahha were also joined with science fiction movie.
Even outside the fence multiple sentry guns were spitting fire, and at the sky multiple drones were flying around bombing the ground over and over.
Fortress. This is completely a fortress aye. The public security uncle made a tsukkomi with Kansai dialect even though he wasn’t even from Kansai.
「Hm? Yes, this is Matsuta.」
『Matsu-san, report.』
Although as someone with office job he was fundamentally different with field agent, they were still both members of public security. In respond to the call from the commanding officer who was his old acquaintance――Hattori Koutarou, Matsuta didn’t curse or acting flustered. He put his hand on his earphone receiver while replying calmly.
「The attack is ongoing. It’s a large swarm of huge rats just like at the start. There’s no problem with repelling them right now. Rather it even feels like we have excessive force here.」
A swarm of countless rats.
Naturally they weren’t normal rats. They had bodies as large as cat, and among them there were even specimens as big as medium sized dog. They had brown furs with some spots on their bodies bloating like blisters. Their five fingers were long like human fingers, and their mouths were just weird no matter how he looked at them.
Something like tentacles were growing from their nose tips to length that covered their mouths. Eerie cry came out from there unceasingly. Such cries coming out from tens of thousands of rats made him felt like scratching his head until his skin tore.
Such situation was sent to the headquarters through the drone that had camera attached flying at the sky above.
『According to our information source, they’re apparently specimen called “the wise rat of magic forest”.』
「Wise……what?」
The gunshots and Hyahhaaa and the cackles were loud so Matsuta entered inside the building.
『Wise rat, rat that is clever, Matsu-san.』
「Wise……? Rats that don’t even flinch facing rain of bullets and explosives, and only keep rushing like committing suicide?」
『Apparently they originally have intelligence at the level of human. Not only that, they’re also forming a kind of government system and society or something. It seems it’s also possible to negotiate with them depending on the situation……』
「No, I don’t think that’s possible. Far from being able to think, I don’t even feel a shred of rationality from them.」
『I see……』
The information came from Sathla and others. Apparently their function to share information as Explorers was starting to work. Right now they were gathering as much information as possible on the “void gods” appearing everywhere, even on those who had been defeated and shared them
It was so that when the same specimen appeared again, they could distribute their force even more effectively and defeat them.
「……As I thought I’m hopeless. I can’t keep up with this supernatural thing at all. In any case, it means those abnormal rats have become even more abnormal huh.」
『We should think that something is making them like that. We don’t know if it’s the work of a higher “void god” or something like the Worshippers. In any case this isn’t an accident or a rampage. That place is clearly getting targeted.』
「If that’s the case then contact that girl Rana instead of me. I’m just a figurehead supervisor y’know?」
『I can’t reach her so that’s why I’m calling Matsu-san.』
「……Looks like she’s busy.」
It wasn’t long ago. One of the seven deadly sins’ demon kings who were the greatest combat force in this area’s defense――Bel-chan said that an opponent that would be tough for Rana and co to face had come so they rushed away.
Almost at the same time notification came from the headquarters of the appearance of multiple “void gods”. A large swarm of grotesque rats marched in like tsunami, however, Rana detected even more presence in the sea of trees and made a decision.
There was sufficient defensive strength here, but they would fall behind the enemy if they only defended, and offense was the greatest defense! With that thinking, she led the beastman warrior group who came to reinforce them and sallied out.
Right now they must be in the middle of a pitched battle seeing that Rana couldn’t be contacted.
『I’ll send you any useful information as soon as I get them. Share it with everyone there. You too, send as much information as possible of “void god” from there to here.』
「I’ll try as much as I can.」
『Contact here immediately if there’s any chance in situation. I’m counting on you, Matsu-san.』
「Roger, commander.」
The call cut off. Uncle Matsuta sighed. With the situation as it was, he read the room and didn’t say it but……
He really wanted to say it. When this is over I want to send transfer request so can you arrange it for me?
「The change is too much for a change of an era isn’t iit」
If he couldn’t reach the retirement age unless he hung on while going through this kind of change of era, then perhaps he should think of taking early retirement.
He thought that while heading toward the facility’s control room. He went down the stairs with fast steps. He had confirmed the situation outside with his own eyes enough. From here his work was communication and information management.
He sent out a drone to the sea of trees using a device he took out from his pocket. At the same time he also lit a cigarette with practiced movement while,
「Aa, I wanna retire already」
He grumbled to himself like that.
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「Good grief, I want to retire quickly……」
Exactly at the same time, there was someone muttering the same thing deep inside the sea of trees.
There were two trees growing subtly tilted due to the cramped space and also the terrain. At the high spot where the two trees were leaning closer, that someone was pressing his back and his legs on the trees to fix his body in the air.
His body was wrapped in tight outfit with base green color. His long blonde hair was tied behind. A cloth was wrapped around his mouth to cover his face. Their most striking trait was those long ears that were like the shape of bamboo grass.
Even though appearance-wise the person looked like they were passing their late forty, their atmosphere was completely like a tired old man. Perhaps they had gone through a lot of hardships.
『Forest chief, nine o’clock, distance 320, target 2.』
Quiet whispering voice resounded inside their brain. It was “Telepathy” through specially made artifact that worked using stored magic power. Furthermore some more detailed information followed behind.
The slender handsome man who was like an elf from the story sharpened his ears to that. His closed eyelids quietly opened. He turned his eyes to the side to see through deep inside the sea of trees.
It was darkness ahead of his gaze. His race had good night vision, even so it was night in the sea of trees. He couldn’t see through 300 meter ahead. What he could hear was only pleasant insect sounds *Riiin, riin* that seemed to come from bell crickets.
「Although, if there’s a chance to repay our debt then I shall whip these old bones to work. And most of all――」
A faint smile formed behind the mask. He readied his bow with a smooth movement.
『Count 5』
The motion was too smooth that it was horribly difficult to perceive it from start to end. It had similarity to the “natural movement” which was the zenith of swordsmanship that the hero Kouki arrived at. In that case, that skill too was at the peak of bowmanship, a bow saint like the sword saint,
『――4, 3, 2, 1, now』
Which was proved immediately.
Two arrows were fired. They didn’t even make the sound of slicing through wind perhaps because of their particular shape. Not only that, they soared like sewing through the gaps between the trees and leaves, and then,
「It also serves as stress relieve.」
『『-!?』』
They magnificently pierced the targets.
From a glance they were lizards. But, for lizards their limbs were shaped too suitably for walking upright. Also their body’s thickness from their head until their tail was unchanging and also too long.
To describe it another way, it was like a snake had limbs attached, perhaps. Further, they were wearing hoods on their heads with some kind of pattern drawn on them. And their hands were also carrying something like metal cane with unfamiliar shape.
If it had to be described overall, they ought to be called as “snake human”.
The snake humans stared at the arrows that were stuck deeply into their sides for several moments. Shock, bewilderment, and sense of danger turned their attentions toward the wounds just for a moment and they froze. As expected such behavior was human-like.
Naturally that single moment led them to fatal wound.
There was a small sound of tree getting kicked. The snake humans were startled but it was too late by then.
When the snake humans lifted up their heads, a large shadow crossed the axes in their hands at the same time. The trajectories were of course passing through the necks of the snake humans.
The large man passed between the enemies and landed while rolling over with agility that was unthinkable for normal human body. Further he raised the axes in his hands――his movement stopped.
Because there was no need to attack more. The long necks of the snake humans plopped down and a beat passed, before their bizarre bodies also followed and crumbled down.
Several seconds passed as the large man stared unblinkingly at the corpses.
He was muscular. But, flexibility could also be felt from his physique. As a warrior, he boasted a kind of artistic physical beauty. His claws and fangs were also sharp, and his eyes were even sharper. They even looked shiny in the darkness of night.
And then, his ears were also particular as expected. Snugly attached on the head of the rugged man were tiger ears.
*Riin* The sound of cricket made the tiger ears twitched up and down while,
「This is G1. Target 2, eliminated. As I thought it looks like there are specimens that aren’t warrior. Their response was too slow.」
G1――the tiger tribe’s warrior Gil who was promoted from guard captain to the warrior head during the legendary final battle and had strange tie to Hajime spoke with a whispering tone. Communication could be held with just a thought to the telepathy artifact, but he wasn’t used to it so his voice unintentionally came out.
『Roger. Retrieving equipment. Move to 7 o’clock, distance 280. There’s a hollow made from tree roots. Standby there.』
A woman’s blunt voice gave a concrete instruction. Gil was Fea Belgen’s warrior head. He was the highest class of warriors that consisted of only five people. And yet, he showed no dissatisfaction at all being put in the side that received instruction. He obediently nodded 「Roger」.
His gaze caught the figure of people who appeared as though they were melting out from the shadows of the surrounding trees. They were his fellow tiger people, and also leopard people, cat people……
They were elites even among Gil’s original subordinates. They were the members of a platoon composed of races that excelled in stealth within forest. Their strategy was to immediately launch surprise attack in case the targets endured Gil’s first attack.
They made no sound, and quick as they stripped the bizarre snake humans from their equipment. However they did that while grimacing from the indescribable feeling of revulsion and avoidance they felt.
「……As expected from Alfreric-sama. His technique is terrifyingly masterful. I heard that it has dulled greatly compared to during his prime but……could it be his skilled has improved instead?」
The female leopard tribe warrior smoothly approached Gil’s side. Her great night vision was looking toward where the arrows came from but, as expected there was only darkness there.
The two targets couldn’t be seen and moving at a distance where it would be difficult to even hit normally but, the arrows found their mark at the same time. Although the attack didn’t hit anywhere fatal and only for distracting them in the end, for the arrows to hit like it was only natural……her body shuddered from imagining that consummate skill.
Yes, that shooter was none other than the eldest elder Alfreric. The strongest living legend bowman of the beastman race.
But, originally his role was to coordinate the force in the sea of trees. Although there was no need to worry about Tortus thanks to Yue’s presence, he wasn’t someone who ought to fight at the frontline like a common soldier.
Then, if asked why he was sallying out, of course one possibility was the thought that as the representative he ought to personally fight for repaying the debt but, the biggest reason was something else.
It was because this was a good chance.
How did this happen……
Never even in his wildest dream, that he could predict how his granddaughter would become an existence that embodied such words of anguish. The biggest reason of him doing this was to make that granddaughter shoulder her role even if only briefly.
It didn’t, matter. He didn’t care anymore. Alfreric-ojiichan thought, it didn’t matter anymore, regardless of who she was harboring romantic thought toward, even if her fetish was something peculiar that made him averted his eyes away, he didn’t care. He also wouldn’t ask for the past Altena to return.
But, Altena was the princess of the forest people. She had enjoyed the privilege that came with such status since birth, so she wouldn’t be allowed to avoid fulfilling her duty.
Altena herself was aware of that, and she also didn’t intend to throw away everything.
But, but however.
Altena had calmed down slightly and worked hard in government affairs ever since Karm had practically migrated to earth (her antic as a maiden lamenting her long-range romantic relationship was extremely annoying), but a lot of people had already seen her eccentricity.
The eyes of a lot of the people had already turned into “the princess with slightly screwed up head” toward her! At the same time, Will things be fine with Altena-sama being Alfreric-sama’s successor? there were also voices of apprehension about the situation.
Even, Won’t it be better if Karm-sama just take her in and he become the successor? Altena-sama can, you know, become his support or something……such voices voicing that were increasing!
Or perhaps……
Karm is expressing firm will in moving to earth, maybe isn’t simply because he want to serve at boss’s side. Perhaps he’s fearing the current situation where the escape paths are getting cut off one by one, as well, because of his sense of danger that one day a fait accompli that corner him might seriously get created……
In any case, restoring Altena’s honor, well, it might be too late already for that but if she could display leadership during emergency then it wouldn’t be a dream to see her reputation restored somewhat. It’s possible……it should be……the heart of a grandfather wanted to believe that.
Fea Belgen worked by parliamentary system through the elders assembly. The decision-making body wouldn’t stop functioning just from Alfreric alone slipping away. He would at least try making her as his representative as the last chance……
At the very least, she should be able to soothe the hearts of the populace that got shaken up by the sudden incident……she could do it, please, seriously.
――Granddaughter this is your last chance
The poem of Alfreric’s heart.
Before coming here Altena vigorously enthused 「I’ll go to help Karm-sama!」. But when her grandfather conveyed that poem to her with an expression of affection instead, one wondered what she saw from his expression.
Altena-chan, suddenly started sweating profusely. Her eyes swam around like migratory fish to avoid his gaze while her expression paled a little. Even so she obediently sent him off with the words 「Leave all the affairs here to me, Ojii-sama! Please work hard to represent all of us in repaying our great debt of gratitude!」.
Surely around this time she was busy running around in his place for the sake of providing tranquility to the heart of the populace that was evacuating to outside the sea of trees, no doubt about it. She was definitely soothing the people with the solemn face of a princess.
If she wasn’t……
Ojii-chan would have to turn his heart into demon. At that time surely, his bow technique that was improving each time he stopped her eccentricity might finally go through limit break, and became something that could cross even to other world to run her through.
The technique that he would name “Boundary Crossing Arrow”……he prayed that she wouldn’t make him reach such height.
Even now Princess Altena was properly fulfilling her grandfather’s expectation on her. The populace rejoiced 「The princess has returned to be like in the past!」 seeing that, but for some reason the said princess felt a child that made her shivered.
Getting back on the topic(Setting aside that trivial mat).
「……No, the one who is truly terrifying is Rana Hauria.」
Gil shook his head in contrast to the leopard female warrior who praised Alfreric. From the side there was certainly fear that could be seen in his face.
*Riin, riin* Amidst the chirp of bell crickets and the noises that faintly reached here from afar, that small voice resounded unexpectedly clearly.
The warriors who finished collecting the snake humans’ equipment reflexively turned their gazes toward the warrior head because of the tremor lacing his voice.
Right after that, there was a sound of someone running closer. It was a dog tribe warrior. Gil and others were surprise attack unit so he came to be entrusted with what they collected.
「Superb timing……」
「Yeah. Let’s go. We can’t throw her command into disorder.」
Gil started running toward the designated location. Even with the complicated and mysterious terrain, and the undulation of the trees that ought to be called malformed, and the darkness closing around them, they were warriors of the beastman tribes that lived in the sea of trees.
They were dashing without any sound through the sea of trees at night with speed that was beyond human.
Telepathy was resounding in their heads in the meanwhile.
『Platoon F, forward in 30 seconds. Platoon S, change course to 4 o’clock. Turn right in 20 seconds. A3, back up Platoon S. Platoon C, there’s a cave in distance 20. Hide. Target 4 will pass by in 40 seconds then destroy. Platoon E, split to two squads to the trees in front. Target 3 will pass below in 20 seconds. Platoon H, keep the pressure and pursue. Platoon J to 6 o’clock, move by distance 120. Hide behind a protrubing rock and launch pincer attack with platoon H. Platoon J keep going straight. Platoon H and J link up――』
Instructions kept flowing constantly without any hitch.
That was operating. A perfect command that was only possibly for those who had bird’s eye view of the battlefield.
How many drones with night vision were sent each with their own images that needed to be confirmed? In addition the hesitation and confirmation time in the commands were too little. The instructions were more direct and instinctual.
It was like Rana herself was at the sky looking down on the whole battlefield.
But, that should be difficult. The trees were in the way for visibility, and even if she had some kind of way to be able to see only the living things, it should be impossible to also completely grasp the terrain.
*Riin, riin* The chirping of crickets continued……
「Found it. The hollow there. Hide.」
A terrain exactly as described appeared at the designated location. Gil and his men hid there, and right after as though they had been seen directly,
『Platoon G, in 30 seconds, target 3 from 3 o’clock. Warrior specimen.』
Instruction came. And then, thirty seconds later, it really came. Snake human. However, the color and pattern on the hood it was wearing were different. It also wasn’t carrying a cane but a blade with warped and ominous shape.
It was passing in front of them. It completely showed them its back. Instantly, Gil and his men carried out their role as the mobile unit.
「Platoon G, target destroyed.」
『Understood――』
The word paused for a moment. Perhaps she was receiving another report. Gil and others collected the enemy’s equipment while looking at each other.
『Reporting to all units. Kukuku, one of our blades of deep darkness “Void Rending Burial Prison(Reaper The Inferno)” has arrived.』
Everyone thought, Who’s that. But, Rana’s tone wasn’t mechanical like when giving instructions., but like normal instead. It must meant that she now had the leeway for that. In short it was good news. That was what they got from it.
Their capability in communicating and comprehending Hauria was naturally improving!
『The foolish rotten caster who beckoned the hideously grotesque muddy stream has been submerged into eternal abyss. I repeat, the root of the filthines has now been severed!』
Everyone thought, What?
But well, maybe she meant that. That grotesque swarm of rats were summoned or something by a caster among the snake humans, and that specimen was defeated……It means something like that isn’t it? they all thought. Gil and his men glanced at the dead snake humans before them while looking at each other.
Ah, warrior head! Don’t start plugging your ears! Come on, open your eyes! Don’t shake your head like a kid! Just because you have mastered “Living normally with five senses shut out!” for countermeasure against Hauria, we’re still in the middle of operation here!
『But, the ringleader is still dancing with the demon king at the celestial stage. Focus your mind. And then, show no mercy to the invaders and llead our deep forest’s darkness, yes! Sink them to the abyss――platoon G, 3 o’clock, distance 90, two what might be caster specimens in the middle of chanting』
「「「「「Don’t suddenly turn monotone!」」」」」
It felt like they would fall ill from the temperature difference of the voice’s tone before and after. The elites all reflexively performed a harmonized tsukkomi.
The eyes of warrior head Gil looked dead. I see, so earplugs are meaningless against telepathy huh……he thought.
「This is platoon G, roger that. We’ll move immediately. ……Let’s go guys. Save what you want to say for later. Though there’s no guarantee it will get through them.」
「「「「「……Roger」」」」」
Gil led his slightly dissatisfied subordinates and danced through the dark sea of trees once more.
If even five senses shut out is insufficient then can’t I also learn by myself how to shut out my thought? No, with that I also won’t be able to hear instruction. That’s right, there won’t be any problem if I just learn a skill to automatically translate Hauria language inside my head won’t it!? While racking his thought of the possibility of a new evolution (?).
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And then, when it came to the person who caused the Who!? question,
「Fuh, how trifling. Nobody can escape from my blade of darkness……」
Mina Hauria finished off one more snake human and made an edgy pose with edgy face.
「Kuh, that woman……her skill’s sharpness is insane.」
「Yeah, it feels like, she has climbed to a higher stage.」
「She’s getting carried away. In both senses. She should just die from getting her little toe hitting tree root.」
The Crawling Beheading Dark Mystery Yorugandar and the Thunder Blade Flashing Pit Io (the rest was omitted), the Hauria women were muttering without even hiding their shiver and frustration and envy.
The corpses of dozens of snake humans were lying around them.
Actually, the snake humans weren’t just roaming the forest in small groups. Rather, they were moving tactically under an exact chain of command.
At the main battlefield, a group of snake humans with number that might reach a thousand was clashing head-on against a group of one thousand warriors of Fea Belgen led by the bear tribe’s warrior head. Incidentally,
(UOOOOOH, inside my head-, Hauria’s voice is inside my head constantLYYYYYY!!)
The bear tribe’s warrior Regin-san who got the table turned on him during the first battle when Hauria had just gotten Hauria-ed had since then gotten afflicted by Hauria phobia. He was transforming into a berserker due to Rana’s voice that was constantly speaking in his head.
Also, even though he went berserk he never attacked his ally no matter what and on top of that his physical ability went up explosively for some reason. His combat ability was already at a level that outdid all the warrior heads.
Actually he was being considered as something like the trump card of the warrior group.
In addition, The best way to drive away terror is immersing in training! he said. The figure of him training the hardest than anyone else everyday made the weak empathized with him and gravitated closer to him. In the Hauria victim association he also gathered deep trust from everyone「Eh, you are also Hauriaphobic? There’s this group counseling meeting once a month. You should come too. It’s fine, you aren’t alone. ――You have comrades!!」 (recently empire nobles’ participation was also on the rise).
Voice(Buff) from Hauria was required for the berserker transformation, but it made him powerful without equal. In the present situation where people’s trust for him was steadily increasing, even the seat of warrior head in the future might be……such thought was spreading.
Getting back on topic.
In any case, at the present sitaution where the warriors of Fea Bergen were suppressing the snake humans’ main force, in order to turn that main battlefield and the capture of “north hokora” to their advantage, multiple platoons of snake humans were spread all over the sea of trees to operate behind the scenes.
One of those, a unit of snake humans that was closer to be a company rather than a platoon was currently being annihilated by Mina and others.
Other than Mina there were three more Hauria acting as ambusher, ten beastman warriors as frontline fighter, and then, because the snake humans were using some kind of magic,
「Mina-san!! On Abiraunken!!」
There was also Tsuchimikado’s onmyouji forming handsign with both hands and chanting the mantra asking Vairocana’s divine protection together with kneading willpower.
Right now, it was Kiyotake who unleashed a light like the sunlight.
Perhaps it was some kind of magic, or perhaps an intervention from something else. The throat of one snake human that should have died vibrated on its own and made a reverberation like the air was leaking out. At the same time dark purple smoke also gushed out.
Kiyotake’s light succeeded in purifying it before it could envelope Mina.
At the same time Mina also moved and slashed open the snake human’s throat immediately.
「Mina-san! Are you alright!?」
「I-I’m fine. More importantly, call my name properly, the “Void Rending Burial Prison” Minasteria――」
「Ah, that’s right. I’m sorry. Minasteria-san!」
「Ah, you’re saying it properly……」
「Naturally. I won’t make light of Mina-san’s wish.」
「……」
She wondered why. Near her feet there was the snake human with its throat slit open and blood gushing out. Her surrounding also contained countless corpses that were radiating revolting air that made the spine trembled and yet……
It felt like, the air tasted bittersweet. She couldn’t help but feel that. Or rather, that was how she was feeling this whole time since some time ago.
Yes, once it became known that there were beings among the snake humans who could use some kind of magic, small platoons were formed to hunt for the casters inside the sea of trees. During that time Kiyotake loudly yelled 「I volunteer for Mina-san’s squad-」, and then Mina responded like 「Eh!? I-I don’t mind, I guess……?」 while fiddling with her hair. It started around that time.
These two started getting aware of each other during the decisive battle of the “dragon incident” at the sea of trees.
Various kinds of restrain inside Kiyotake had snapped and he became proactive, and their relationship seemed to be deepening bit by bit in proportion of that, but Mina seemed to be losing ground, or like she was too lacking in experience and could only made fickle reaction, so the interaction between the two was still like students in the springtime of their youth.
But, she didn’t feel that bad about that……no, she was plainly rejoicing 「The springtime of youth has also come for meeeeeee-」 inside her heart, and there was also the backlash of her feeling down from watching how happy Shia and Rana were, so her mental state right now was in perfect form.
Her combat strength even jumped by 1,5 times especially when Kiyotake was at her side. What was going on inside her heart was laid bare from that.
「This is just too annoying I can’t bare to see it so is it okay to murder her? It’s fine isn’t it, let’s do it-」
「Stop it. You’ll just get beaten back.」
Mina’s lips were widely grinning even while making a prim and proper face at Kiyotake’s worry for her. Seeing that, a Hauria woman pulled out a knife with an expression like the dark Mina before this, but the Crawling Beheading……Yoru grabbed her hand tightly.
They still had work to do. She wanted to be spared from bloodshed within family while that was going on.
「Kiyotake, lay it off for now.」
The corpses could possibly use technique. Perhaps the death was the trigger for the technique. The other onmyouji here――Takehiko admonished his son after he finished reporting that information to Rana as well the elderly nobleman――Tsuchimikado Jounosuke who was laying down protection technique over the “north hokora”.
「I’m worried about MCB――about J and K and the others. With the situation as it is the sea of trees is the priority but, I want to go and back them up as quickly as possible.」
Demons had been dispatched to USA, and a lot of reinforcements should also be heading there from the fairy world, but Takehiko had already regarded the agents as comrade-in-arms and vice versa, so he was worried for them as expected.
Also, they returned back to Japan temporarily considering the situation, but it was exactly because it was this kind of emergency that the fact “reinforcement was dispatched from the country” itself was also significant.
Either way, this onmyouji dispatchment was the policy from above so both Takehiko and Kiyotake planned to teleport back to them only as soon as this place had calmed down some.
Kiyotake turned away his gaze from Mina――Mina-san blatantly became despondent at that――and nodded even while looking a bit embarrassed.
「It also surely won’t be long before Ohii-sama familiarized herself with the new technique. After that we’ll have some leeway with Japan’s defense.」
「……How absurd. As expected from the main house’s princess. In a sense, she really suited Kousuke-kun.」
『Notifying all hands. Intrusion of new enemies into the combat theater is confirmed. Revising formation.』
The string of tension in the field was pulled taut once more due to Rana’s notification. Everyone comprehended the precise commands filling their heads and started moving immediately under Mina’s order.
Amidst that, Kiyotake smiled wryly while muttering.
「Well, even so the one for Kousuke-kun is Rana-san as expected huh.」
He wanted to back up his princess but, even so she couldn’t help but feel admiration and shudder toward what Rana was doing in this battlefield.
There was the strength of their feeling but, at the same time, it was also from seeing how an individual who wasn’t sticking out taking charge of individuals who stuck out like she was born for it.
「First wife, is it.」
Rana and others often mentioned that. Kiyotake couldn’t help but to smile vaguely without being able to say anything else.
Seeing Kiyotake’s expression that was like that, 「Eh……f-first wife? Are you jealous? You’re jealous with the harem? Hey, Kiyotake? Are you dissatisfied with just me? What should I do? Hey, what should I do, hey」 Mina prattled while looking at him uneasily……no, she was looking at him somewhat like a yandere, without him being aware of it.
All the Hauria who was running in parallel with them became just a bit worried for Kiyotake-kun’s future.
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Rana was unaware of such love comedy interaction taking place in the sea of trees battlefield, however,
「……」
She was in control of the majority of the situation other than what was going on inside each individual’s heart.
There was nobody around her. She was sitting alone like she was resting on a tree’s branch located at the middle of the battlefield. It even looked like she was slacking off alone while everyone else was busy fighting.
Other than the noises that came from afar, only the sound *Riin, riin* played by the bell crickets was resounding.
But, Rana’s rabbit ears were restlessly twitching on contrary to that atmosphere of “quietness”.
『This is A1, we are at the designated spot. But……we can’t see the target.』
A crease slightly formed between Rana’s eyebrows from hearing Alfreric’s report. She made a thoughtful look for a bit.
Alfreric’s eyes as an archer, or rather as a forest hunter couldn’t possibly be unable to confirm the presence of the new enemy from his standby location by sight. After all she led him to a position that she was certain would allow him to confirm the enemy by sight.
And yet, Alfreric couldn’t catch sight of the target……
She asked Alfreric to confirm the figure of the new enemy, then he would report to the headquarters. There Sathla and other Explorers would use their knowledge to shed light to the enemy’s species, where it would be used to renew the enemy data. But that procedure stumbled at the first step.
What was going on.
Even though Rana could definitely see that floating monster’s figure.
Yes, she could see. No, to be more accurate, perhaps she should describe it as picturing it using her perception and imagination.
This was the new power that Rana learned at the end of fierce training that surpassed her limits.
――Super Hearing Control Domain
Rana was a rabbitman. She was a normal rabbitman who didn’t have any special ability or talent like Shia.
Right now the rabbit tribe was the synonym of terror, and received treatment like they were all terrifying assassin but, originally, their combat ability as a race wasn’t high by any means.
Their excellent hearing and presence manipulation were originally power for running away from danger. By no means they were race with tough body, inexhaustible stamina, or sharp intellect.
That didn’t equal to them as “weak”. Just like how humans stood at the top of food chain even though they didn’t posses animalistic physical ability, there were countless ways to overcome the difference in ability.
But, if pushed to say the rabbitman race was certainly a “have not race”.
Rana was wholeheartedly happy that capable people were gathering beside her beloved, even so at the same time, she would be lying if she said that she was completely unbothered by that.
She didn’t feel self-depreciating.
Because she thought that would dirty his love for her.
Her belief and pride of being loved also weren’t marred.
Because she thought that would trample on his love.
But, that was exactly why, there was no way she could think that she was fine staying as she was while people with special ability, people with special position and useful connections were drawn and gathered toward him.
Reality was reality.
She didn’t have what she didn’t have.
She accepted the fact(weakness) as it was.
She couldn’t become like Yue-sama. She also didn’t have overwhelming power and charisma.
What could she polish in spite of that? What was the greatest thing a normal rabbit woman like her could do? What was the most useful thing she could do for those girls, for those friends, and most of all for her beloved husband?
Should she asked Hajime and Yue to remodel her body? Should she begged them for the apostle transformation so she could transcend over her limitation as rabbitman race?
That was impossible. Meaningless.
How could she take pride in strength that she obtained without doing anything other than begging. How could she hold her head high and claim that she was the first wife if she became stronger than the other girls like that. In the first place, if those girls received the same procedure that difference would be immediately filled in anyway.
In that case, there was only one answer.
Making use of those girls who possessed special talents, the connections that Kou-kun obtained to the most. Supporting, biding, deepening bond, assisting……
It was mental assistance, preservation of relationship, involvement with the surrounding environment and world affairs……
But, that didn’t meant she had completely abandoned the combat aspect. Because she had discarded “giving up” at the past.
One of the results from that, was this.
「So it’s like that……platoon A, warning. The newcomer can vanish.」
First she only conveyed that and activated her communicator. She sent a query to the headquarters. But, it would take some time until information of the enemy came. After all the Explorers network and Sathla and others were still in the middle of mobilization.
*Riin……riin……*
She sharpened her rabbit ears toward the bell’s sound.
「Platoon A, the target is floating. Its length is three meters. It’s shaped like sea cucumber with countless swellings. It also has tentacles. The nearby branches and leaves are swaying unnaturally. It can possibly control wind. Pay attention to the falling leaves and the like too. A1’s arrow will be the mark. After that, all-out attack.」
*Riin, riin*. She distinguished the bell sounds that she could hear from all over the sea of trees, then sent various required information like distance between Alfreric and the target, the direction, height.
Based on the three-dimensional map drawn in her head.
Echolocation technique. The technique to three-dimensionally grasp the surrounding space and objects from sound’s echo.
The true form of her new power, what made her able to give accurate instructions like she was having a bird-eye’s view over the dark sea of trees, was frankly speaking this.
Surely a lot of people would get it if she called it sonar. It was a sight like 3D model without color but, right now, everything in the sea of trees that became the battlefield was drawn three-dimensionally like that inside Rana’s head.
Her hearing range was actually a radius of 1200 meter. A diameter of more than two kilometer centered around Rana was within her Super Hearing Control Domain.
The fierce training that she went through after asking Yue. Stacked up forced Limit Break in order for her to learn the limit parameter of her race. Furthermore, she also maintained the Limit Break state even outside the special training using artifact.
She went through such asceticism even during her daily life where her body was continuously put under such high-intensity state.
As the result, Rana proved it. How far was the limit of rabbitman race’s hearing.
It wasn’t superhuman by all means. In the end it was the limit parameter within the framework of the race. But, a fragment of the potential of rabbitman race, no, the beastman race in a sense, the race that had specialized physical ability in exchange of not possessing magic power was proven by her.
*Riin* The sound was a sound produced by a bell cricket-shaped artifact. It was a personal artifact for Rana that Hajime gifted to her as present. It was a support item that continuously emitted sound within her hearing range.
Super hearing domain, the technique to convert that sound information into 3D model inside her head, and then the special training for doing parallel processing of information. She had lost count of how many times blood trickled out of her eyes and nose, how many times her brain almost got cooked, and how many times she received restoration measure.
But, it bore fruit. Right now if it was within 200 meter than Rana was able to distinguish even the subtle change in sound of the blood flowing within someone’s body.
That was to say, she was a living lie detector based on the target’s heartbeat and breathing pattern. And if the target was right before her, it was also possible for her to predict their movement with tremendous accuracy by listening to the sound of their joints and muscles.
Also, the person herself named this ability “The Ultimate Rabbit Ears That (Abyss The Heimdall)”.
Earth’s mythology was Hauria’s favorite thing. As ther result of devouring all the materials, she learned that a god from Norse Mythology possessed extremely excellent hearing.
She really ought to apologize. Heimdall was a god of light. It was truly Hauria of her with how she treated him like an abyss side god as she pleased. It was also really just like the first wife of the abyss lord to do that.
「A1, fire at the count of 5.」
The target still couldn’t be seen like before. Perhaps the enemy sensed something and stopped moving, and it looked like the wind was also not blowing.
But, there was no way there was still any room for doubt remaining toward the instruction of Rana who had shown one of the summits that was available for the beastman race.
Alfreric quietly readied his shot. And then, he fired his arrow at the unseen target with the utmost trust in Rana’s instruction.
Right after that, a nauseating shriek reached Rana’s mind. At the same time a writhing creature came into sight. The arrow had splendidly pierced into the spot that seemed to be its head.
But, perhaps it was just to be expected. It seemed it wouldn’t die just from that.
Elite archers fired their arrows one after another using that arrow as the mark. But, right after that, powerful whirlwind swirled around. The localized swirling gust diverted all the arrows.
「Platoon A, 6 o’clock, distance 60. Tsuchimikado standby. Distraction.」
This situation too was naturally within the prediction. There were mountain of materials concerning strategy in earth. To Rana it was a mountain of treasure. There was no way she hadn’t drilled those into herself.
Of course, the Tsuchimikado that she had positioned before she ordered Alfreric to shoot was,
『Tonight too, my Justice shall right the world!!』
Justice!
……
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……
Not,
『Come, my sworn friend! The wind of liberation! Freedom!!』
『No, I’m telling you……who is this Furii~dam eh. My name is Fuuri……』(TN: The kanji of Fuuri here use the kanji of wind and raccoon)
Actual name, Tsuchimikado Hiroyoshi-san. As the result of getting justiced by Abyssgate, he now was an onmyouji who was awakened to justice. Perhaps you don’t understand what does that mean but, everyone also doesn’t understand so it’s fine.
In any case, his shikigami “Fuuri” was literally an apparition that controlled wind. His form was closer to Japanese flying squirrel rather than a raccoon. Slash and fire weren’t effective to him, but he was weak against strike however if wind was blown at him he would resurrect. He was a frustratingly tough apparition.
Just as planned, the flying lump covered monster was torn by wind and lost its balance. The countless arrows from Alfreric and his men rained down using that opening and it also got hit by Justice Kick at the same time.
And then, because the arrows were attached with small grenades from the base……
「Uu, the technique’s drawback is that it’s weak against explosion’s sound……」
The lump covered flying monster was blown up. Justice turned his back on the explosion and posed like a tokusatsu hero. Rana grimaced because the explosion’s sound inadvertently filled her rabbit ears with stinging pain.
The bell crickets were support item for echolocation, and at the same time it was also installed with the function of “sound cancelling” by radiating sound directionally when it was required, but this battle was the first time it was deployed so there were still parts that didn’t work well.
Rana was in a location that was some distance away from the base was also because she didn’t know whether she would be able to manage the sound of battle and her comrades’ Hyahhaa or not.
In any case, *Riin, riin*.
She confirmed that the lump covered monster had lost its original shape and was lying on the ground. She then immediately gave instructions. There were more lump covered monsters still rapidly arriving even at this moment.
「These are separate from the snake humans. They aren’t summoned. They’re coming here with teleportation.」
Suddenly, Rana turned her gaze to the distance far away.
「An opponent that Bel-chan still can’t finish off. Equivalent to class 1……Based on its strength it’s no wonder the snake humans worship it as their god.」
If the demon king returned, the battlefield would calm down but……
She sharpened her ears.
The rats attacking the base had decreased greatly thanks to them prioritizing hunting the snake humans’ casters.
But, it looked like the snake humans’ warrior group and the beastman warriors were equally matched at the main battleground. No, it seemed the beastmen were gradually getting pushed back.
The cause was the presence of magic as expected. Apparently the snake humans were also good in forest battle. The advantage of terrain didn’t help the beastmen side much.
On top of that, the snake humans were bizarre and repulsive. They were using the type of abhorrent magic that polluted the mind. The most troublesome thing was the transformation. They could copy the form of beastman warrior and changed form.
Naturally, it made the beastmen’s offense to soften due to paranoia that they might do friendly fire by mistake.
Their tactic also wasn’t at all inferior to this side. In addition, perhaps they were bestowed some kind of power from the snake god. There were some specimens that revived even after getting defeated.
Their side was supported by recovery medicines and artifacts that were stored large amount at the base but……
Putting it another way, when their side ran out of those, the scale would tilt. But, Rana’s expression showed no anxiety.
It was then, as though to say that such attitude of Rana was displeasing, reality pushed in even more trial for them.
「! These guys, they’re really planning to bring this place down? The dragon’s revival will be a threat for the entire world. Aren’t they thinking of the possibility that they might be annihilated together with us before they can escape? These damned ****(Pii)-」
She unconsciously cursed with her base personality. She was assaulted by a horrible chill that she unconsciously almost faltered. She cursed to punch that feeling into submission.
Yes, there were more enemies coming.
What’s more these were clearly higher existence than the enemies they had faced until now. Most likely,
『……Nn, around class 3.』
「Yue-sama!」
*Pon* There was a sound and chibi Yue appeared beside Rana. Actually the communicator that was in standby mode had been sandwiched between the valley of her breasts this whole time.
「Then, the choice is to do delaying battle with dozens of elites.」
Rana immediately planned the force composition in her head, but chibi Yue shook her head.
『……It’s fine, there’s no need.』
Rana’s eyes opened hearing those words. Then she laughed with Fuh.
「Fuh, we’ve been waiting you know, princess?」
『Yes, Rana-sama. My apologies for making everyone wait. The fourth, incoming!』
Right after that, the sea of trees that was enveloped in darkness got instantly filled with light.
All looked up to the sky. Light gradually shined in like sunlight through the gaps of the densely clustered branches and leaves. The light was warm. It felt like the hearts of everyone who had gotten gnawed in without them being aware of it in their fight against the “void gods” faction were getting healed.
*GOUU-* Wind growled. The light source passed above their heads.
It was a huge bird clad in flame like sunlight with five colored feathers. Everyone naturally held their breath. It was truly a being that ought to be dubbed as divine bird. It made them felt pure and powerful “might” from it.
From behind it followed a crowd of apparitions one after another that were radiating powerful presence.
Rana who was seeing through sound understood. Hinata was sitting on the back of the divine bird that was spearheading the crowd like she was meditating. She was forming a handsign with both hands.
Her destination was of course, the location of the newcomer that was scattering its terrifying aura everywhere.
Rana stared at that like she was going to be dazzled in various senses.
Chibi Yue quietly got closer to Rana’s face. And then, she gently wiped Rana’s nose tip with her hand.
Blood. Blood was trickling down from Rana’s nose. A beat passed and even the rabbit fur at the base of her rabbit ears got dyed red.
It was the cost of her running her brain at full speed until the threshold, to a degree that she almost burned out her brain.
「Thank you very much, Yue-sama. I was able to be useful for everyone thanks to you accompanying me in my selfishness.」
Buying time. Rana’s objective was ultimately that.
The wife candidate who was the youngest but the strongest among them. She was waiting for the time of her appearing in this battlefield.
She had “supported” the battlefield until the required time, just as her conviction demanded.
Rana said her thanks while drinking the recovery medicine. Yue smiled kindly at her like she was smiling at Shia. And then, just like she did in the past,
『……Nn. You’ve worked hard.』
「!」
She patted Rana’s head *yosh yosh* comfortingly with her small hand.
Rana looked down with a slightly embarrassed look. Even so there was a smile that couldn’t possibly be hidden tugging her lips.
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AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.
Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.
I wanted to write until the scene of Hinata’s active participation but I didn’t make it……I’m sorry for having too much fun.
Currently, I’m in poor physical health and my brain and willpower hit rock bottom. I still want to write and did just that but it takes more time than usual. And so just in case, please let me take a break next week too (my body is heading toward recovery so I’ll update once I’ve written the chapter!)
※Meme introduction
– Alfreric’s shooting stance
I watched [Cosmic Princess Kaguya] and thought that Komazawa Noi’s shooting stance was cool so I unintentionally wrote that here.
– Alfreric’s heartful poem
Based on the heartful poem of Tomozou from [Chibi Maruko-chan].
– You have comrades!
From Luffy of [One Piece]. Though he also lost a lot of things because of Hauria!
– Rana’s ability
It’s modeled from [Daredevil]. Apparently its setting is not superhuman but the limit parameter of human. And so if earthling can do that much then it’s fine if a race from another world that specialize in hearing sense go even further isn’t it? Is what I thought.
– M II-kun
From [A-10-kun]. I don’t really know where it originated from. When A-10’s story came out in internet I copy pasted it. Shirakome first saw it from [Aozora no Kishi] in Nico Douga.
– The monsters’ original material
Rat: Based from zoog. Snake human: Based from snake human. Snake god: Based from Yig. The lump covered monster: Based on Flying Polyps.
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