Chapter 565 |
Defensive Battle of All Worlds ⑪ Each’s Defensive Battle Eighth
「……Magnificent.」
The one who muttered that was the highest leader of “Shadow Monk”.
He had thick and white long hair and a face that was covered with wrinkles. This old man with sharp eyes had his lower face covered with a distinctive black cloth. A yin yang necklace was hanging from his neck. He was also wearing a black suit.
Coupled with the distinctive “dreadfulness” that was difficult to describe radiating from him, he was a personage who was more fitting to be described as a mafia boss rather than a head monk.
Also, he was the only one exposing his face even if only half of it in the headquarters.
The shoulder of the attendant standing beside him who was dressed like a stagehand twitched hearing his leader’s voice.
「Leader, there’re other people……」
The communication was connected constantly. To the meeting room filled with upper management of the responders of other countries, and also the heads of the states who were convening in emergency due to the national crisis to their countries.
But, in his heart the attendant thought that it couldn’t be helped and could only agree with his leader’s words. The other people in this headquarters, and even the people in the meeting room were surely, no, they absolutely were in the same state of mind.
――Descent of mythology
To speak plainly, that was the reason.
The gods, divine beasts, and great demons who were talked in their motherland’s mytology were clashing in a fierce battle against foreign monsters that tried to eath their country’s people. They came running in this critical moment and protected the people.
Investigating and using the information that came from various sources, dispatching Shadow Monk members appropriately, guiding people to evacuate, cooperating with the national army to do all those.
The difficulties for doing all those were also jumping up dramatically in proportion to how gigantic their country’s population and territory were. But even while desperately handling all those things, surely anyone was thinking it.
They wanted to hurry to the actual site right away and burned the sight into their eyes.
The monks’ feelings must be especially greater compared to the others. Nobody was complaining because they understood that in this situation things would only grow worse without information going through “Shadow Monk”, but their eyes were constantly sending glances at the monitors that projected the situation in various places.
They couldn’t help but be moved to tears. As monk, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration even if they said that it was the height of happiness to be able to witness this kind of scenes. There were even some people who were sobbing.
Though sometimes, no, in all the monitors,
『Fuhahahah, my self has also descended!!』
『The dark noble who originated from the abyss, swooping down from the sky!!』
『My self, Abyssgate. Currently, is right behind you』
『Coming~♪ Maybe coming~♪ The lord is dark~♪ Also a part of the lyric is alters to keep away copyright problem』
『Aren’t you gentlemen the Eight Immortals! Several days no see! Yes, it’s me. The eight thousand me!! You get it!? HAHAHAHAH』
『AIEEEEEEEH!? Sun Wukong!? Why’s Sun Wukong here!? WHY――Ah, I’m a fan. Please shake my hand. It’s truly unfortunate that I was unable to meet you during the trip――』
They didn’t know what to say at all about the black silhouettes that were accidentally caught in some frames.
No, they knew. There was still no devastating damage even with enemies appearing in unexpected places and moments was thanks to him rushing faster than anyone to there. Even now too it was only because he was holding back calamity that might be class 0 or class 1 that was able to easily destroy a city that the supernatural beings could focus on dealing with the class 2 and below.
In the first place it was also thanks to him that the worst situation was avoided during the “dragon incident”.
But however.
But however still.
When placed in front of such moving and miraculous spectacle, as expected anyone would think of it no matter what.
『『『『『Everyone at headquarters~, are you all watchinggg? Right now, this me is fighting too~~~~~gether with your great and mighty godsssss!! FUHAHAHAH!! Fighting together with legendary beings like this, Woo, are super ExcitIII~~NGGG!?』』』』』(TN: Wo there is I in Chinese language)
Annoyingg~~~~~, they thought.
More than ten clones were blown away all at once by the attacks from “void gods” the moment they intentionally got in front of the cameras. Seeing such sight, even the Eight Immortals inside the images were looking creeped up. (TN: Eight Immortals are a famous group of legendary figures from Chinese mythology)
Surely the highest leader was also thinking that……the attendant thought that and observed the leader’s expression. Then,
「Aa, as I thought it’s the right move to send that child outside.」
「Ha? That child……? ……Ah」
The leader wasn’t doing anything like looking at the monitors that showed the situation at various places in the first place.
He was simply staring straight at only one monitor. The attendant finally realized that.
Yes,
『――Strange and singular, strange and singular, clouds and mists gather all at once. The protector eldest son throughout the universe and eight directions pierces the nine heavens in haste, arrives to the mystical capital, which is felt by the great one true lord. Strange and singular, strange and singular, link the spiritual connection at once, in accordance with the law』
The natural shadow monk who once led a unit as “Zhen Ying”. A daughter of a distinguished family that had inherited the bloodline and technique from an era so ancient it would make anyone’s head swim. The genius monk who was applauded as a prodigy when she succeeded in “divine possession” at so young of age.
Even though Zhu had succeeded in performing “divine possession” of the auspicious beasts “Bixie and Tianlue”, a pair of divine beasts that exterminated evil with the naturalness like breathing, she further linked with Taiitsu Shinkun which added even greater power to herself.
Even if she wasn’t a “Shadow Monk” anymore, her loyalty and patriotism didn’t waver.
Then, it was only natural for her to come running when her homeland was in danger even if there was no permission from the country.
「Sometimes loyalty that is too strong can block your path too. You tell yourself “let it be thus” unconsciously and determine your own limit……」
Beautiful pure white hair that was even tinged with light fluttered in the wind.
She was wearing a full formal dress as a monk――a pure white loose garment, the so-called Taoist robe that was worn by Taoist that she prepared in case she met gods from her homeland’s mythology during the trip to the fairy world. The sleeves of her garment were also fluttering in the wind.
Her overwhelming aura was conveyed even through the image. It was a figure that far surpassed the time when she was “Zhen Ying”.
On top of that.
Zhuu was floating. At the sky above the capital that was the nucleus of the nation’s administration.
The abyss lord was fighting against the “void gods” above the cloud. She was riding on a divine Chinese dragon between them and the ground in order to prevent any stray attack from falling down.
It was a gigantic and powerful dragon. It had four legs and wings like hawk. Spherical water membranes were forming around it.
Actually the capital was enveloped in wind and rain right now. The source was from this dragon god’s weather manipulation authority.
But, naturally it wasn’t to bring about disaster.
The rain cloud was a type of barrier that divided the sky battlefield with the ground. The rain and wind attacked the countless “void gods” running rampant on the ground, supporting the allied force.
In short, the water membrane was a barrier and also to protect its rider Zhu.
Radiance that was overflowing with godly might was radiating from its body, like a sun that swept away the darkness from the night and the rain cloud.
――Yinglong
That was one of its name. One of the four grand auspicious beasts involved with the creation in Chinese mythology. An exalted dragon god of the strongest class.
Then, it was also only natural for the great demons who were talked in legend to obey. It was also understandable for powerful beings who were called as the Four Perils to be included among them.
「But, who can imagine this? To think, she would break out of her shell to this degree in just half a year……」
「That’s……」
The divine dragon god, and the figure of Zhu who was allowed to ride on its back. And then, the crowd of Hyakki Yagyou following Zhu’s command.
That was without a doubt, a sight that looked like one of the zeniths that Taoists dreamed of.
Although, for the person herself,
(Fuuuck, that cursed Fujiwara Hinata! What the hell-, just what in the hell! How it can be possible for her to create seven bodies! Just when in the world she learned a technique like that-! Even though it’s already enough that there’s Endou Kousuke and his crazy technique! W-what’s more, granting the spirit world’s property, to the whole Japannn!! No, even more than that! What’s with that smug face when we parted! Impudent impudeeent!)
She was stomping her feet in her mind. Even though from the outside she looked just like a celestial maiden.
(Fuhn, it’s not like there’s any problem even if I have no clone! Even I have obtained the divine protections of the great four beasts and the multitude of thunder and lightning gods. I can still win! I can still win!)
By the way, when Hinata decided to beg Yue for teaching, she actually also gave Zhu an invitation. She was a bit fidgety when doing that, but it also felt like it would be small minded of her as a rival if she kept it a secret that she was getting a teaching, and so she gave the invitation.
It was Zhu who refused it.
The way Hinata invited was kind of like 「If you really want it then I don’t mind even if we learn together you know?」 so, the pride inside Zhu boiled up and reared its head.
Actually it was because the day before that, 「If you really want to know it, then I don’t mind to bring you to my favorite okonomiyaki shop」 she invited Hinata like that, but Hinata casually refused so she was offended.
It went without saying that the eyes of Kousuke and Liu who were with them at both days were really lukewarm watching the two going at it.
Getting back on topic.
With resentment and indignation toward the impudent little rival of hers, Zhu pulled out a bundle of talismans from her pocket while thinking.
She sought the powerful assistance without equal based on her connection with “Leigong the Duke of Thunder and Dianmu the Mother of Lightning”, in addition of the multitude of gods, immortals, and divine beasts who governed over lightning in myth that she obtained during her trip to the fairy world.
She executed it in that state. The secret technique that Zhu was good at even though it was something that only a handful of people even among all Taoists could use.
『By the imperial decree of the Jade Emperor The divine inkstone to the four directions metal wood water fire earth lightning wind thunder under the divine command!!』
She threw the bundle of talismans. The talismans sparked and not only they didn’t get affected by the wind and rain, rather the wind and rain became their ally and they flew all over the capital. Then they stopped in the air just as her mind directed.
Right after that, *Biriri-* the resounding incantation resounded through a strangely wide range, no, throughout the capital.
『The crackling thunder grind, the lightning turn! Hasten in accordance of the law!!』
It was Zhu’s trump card――the lightning summoning secret technique that she also used when she faced the abyss lord in the battle of the sea of trees.
But, it was different from before, in all aspects.
First thunder roared.
That was a strange talk. It ignored the law of physics. Light was faster than sound. It was impossible for the thunderous sound to arrive first.
But, the thunder roared first, and in that moment, the “void gods” on the surface were all forced to stiffen without exception even if there was some difference in how long it took to take effect for each of them. It was like their “souls” were hit directly by impact dealt from “Soul Impact”.
Even a class 3 that was giving some troubles to one of the Four Perils――Qiongqi with its constantly deployed barrier and spatial leap ability though only in short range, had its short teleportation cancelled, and furthermore its barrier was disturbed for a moment.
And then, that instant was just too long of a time when facing lightning speed.
A flash flickered at the capital’s sky. It was a white lightning. Rain of white lightning bolt poured down, striking through the “void gods” with pinpoint precision, dealing death to rank 4 and below, and damage to class 3 that even they couldn’t overlook.
They clearly weren’t mere lightning. They were lightning strikes that were bestowed with some kind of terrifying effect.
「It’s truly heavenly lightning……lightning of god.」
「……」
Unlike the satisfied leader, the attendant looked like he was at a complete loss of words.
It was just far beyond human intellect. It was something outside his comprehension as a fellow Taoist.
Yeah, it was exactly like that. That wasn’t a technique of the average human. It was beyond the category that was within human’s capability. It was truly god’s lightning.
「The “Shadow Monk” is too small for that child.」
「Eh……?」
The attendant looked at the leader in astonishment. The emotion inside the leader’s eyes was beyond curiosity, excitement, or admiration. They were filled with kindness like a grandfather watching over his granddaughter.
「I’m a Taoist. But, before a Taoist I’m a “shadow of the motherland”. I raised that child to be like that and she has lived until now to be like that.」
「……That’s, how all the Shadow Monks are.」
The leader’s hand touched the pendant hanging on his neck.
Yin and yang symbol. The symbol mark of Taoism that represented the harmony of all creations. The world wasn’t made up of only light or only shadow. This symbol showed that everything was placed above the balance.
「But, even so I’m a Taoist.」
Reaching the height as Taoist. Reaching the height of immortal hermit. One of the peaks that everyone aimed for.
But, their objective changed the moment they became “Shadow Monk”. They killed their self, and protected the nation as shadow. Strength, became the method to achieve that. Light didn’t reach them anymore.
That was to say, they discarded the symbol themselves.
There was no way they had regret or anything about that. Rather, they were proud. But, even so……
「It makes you want to see it right?」
He didn’t call it a godsend. That was word that could even be interpreted as infidelity toward their homeland.
But, when Zhu herself tore off her mask and stopped being “the nation’s shadow”.
The thought wouldn’t leave the leader.
With this, there’s nothing tying that child anymore. She cane regain the light.
Then……if it’s this child……
If it’s in this era that is filled with overly unique people, and an extraordinary practitioner like the Fujiwara princess at her side as a rival……
Perhaps I’ll be able to witness it, her reaching “the height of Taoist” that even I myself dreamed of in the past.
That was one of the reasons he kept Zhu alive.
「It looks like she has changed in a good direction.」
It was the girl who he knew how overwhelming her talent was and personally raised as his direct disciple before. He couldn’t say it out loud no matter what but, his emotional side was also one of the reasons why he let her live.
But, he wanted to see even more than that. Of her natural gift as Taoist blooming.
The leader was looking very satisfied. He even looked a bit older like something had left him exhausted.
Ahead at where that leader was watching,
『……Mu? This is! Honorable Da Ling Ying!』(TN: Great Spirit Shadow)
「Hm? What is that fellow doing?」
A half-transparent human appeared like ghost beside Zhu. He had sunken eyes and cheeks, thin body like wire, and wearing a gaudy robe.
The head leader was the top position in “Shadow Monk”, and below him there were six senior leadership who were called as the Six Great Shadow Leaders. Each was in charge of their respective specialty and field, and this man too was one of them.
The man who was called Da Ling Ying surprisingly bowed and placed a hand on Zhu’s shoulder before talking about something.
They couldn’t listen to the conversation physically. It was also impossible to read their lips. Their mouths also weren’t moving.
It must be a type of “telepathy” where touch was the condition to use it. From the side it looked like the man was giving an important news or perhaps instruction, but the head leader narrowed his eyes at the monitor.
「……Good grief. As expected substitution is also needed to match the change of era huh.」
He muttered with a sigh. But, his voice was surprisingly lacking in warmth that it even made his attendant twitched. The difference in temperature compared to when he talked about Zhu just now was chilling.
The leader already had an idea, what Da Ling Ying was telling Zhu right now.
In the first place, Da Ling Ying also had his own instruction. His department should be dealing with the situation too right now.
There was no reason for him to go out of his way to transfer his consciousness to a “Shiki” (naturally in the meanwhile his real body couldn’t do anything else) and sent it to Zhu’s location. After all if there was something he could just contact the headquarters.
On top of that, his intention could be guessed if one had seen through his personality and ideology.
They were a secret organization that boasted a long history. Naturally factions had formed due to difference in ideology and way of thinking. Among those factions, there was also one that wished for elevation in status as well as enlargement of authority of the “Shadow Monk”.
While supernatural phenomenon started to get acknowledged and the world was changing, it went without saying that the importance of “Shadow Monk” also rose markedly.
Then, it also wasn’t strange that such smoldering desire would suddenly appear inside someone.
Da Ling Ying was none other than the leader of that faction.
Originally, he wouldn’t show up in the middle of this kind of battlefield knowing that he would get seen. He wasn’t that stupid.
That was why surely, he was affected. By Zhu’s appearance.
Even the head leader was captivated. It was understandable that such deeply ambitious man would forget himself a little.
(Likely, he’s promising that if she work under him he would exert every effort so she can return back to “Shadow Monk” and give her a high position……he must be saying that right now. He’s likely thinking that it’ll be easy to remove me if he can place Zhu within his grasp. Really what a simple man.)
He was right on the money.
Zhu was quietly listening at the other side of the monitor.
She was someone who swore her loyalty to the organization and the country even though she wasn’t “Shadow Monk” anymore. If one of the highest leadership like Da Ling Ying appeared before her, there was no way she would interrupt his speech, and going against him was out of the question. Originally he was someone with status where she should immediately kneel and bow her head deeply. Though she kept standing right now because they were in the middle of battle.
Da Ling Ying must be thinking that the offer of her returning to “Shadow Monk” would be tantalizing exactly because he knew of her loyalty.
Da Ling Ying’s gaze turned toward Yinglong. Then he also looked toward the scene of the white lightning striking the “void gods” that Zhu kept firing even while listening to his speech. The mask that he was putting up crumbled slightly. The corner of his lips curled up slightly. It looked like a disgusting smile.
He seemed to be delirious with fever and closed his distance with Zhu even more and passionately argued about something.
The head leader thought that anymore than that and it would become a bother for Zhu. Just when he was about to hammer a curse at Da Ling Ying from afar, in that moment.
For some reason Zhu-san’s eyes and cheeks started twitching from the middle of the conversation. Then her eyes suddenly snapped wide open. Right after that,
『Myhandslipped Hasten in accordance of the lawwwww-!!』
『!!?』
She let out an outrageous roar.
It reverberated through the headquarters from the communicator. Everyone in the room went Eh? Eh, what? Huh? and time stopped moving. Even the head leader stopped his incantation and his eyes turned round like saucers. Not only that, even his jaw fell open unconsciously.
At the other side of the monitor, Zhu-san was unleashing her right straight.
The attack was simply just fascinatingly captivating. Somehow *Chichichi-, chichichi-* her arm was also covered with sparks.
And then, that fist smashed through Da Ling Ying’s face. It didn’t stop there. His upper body was also cleanly erased from existence.
「S-she, punched……Da, Da Ling Ying-samaaa!?」
「O-oo……」
The attendant was obviously trembling. He put his shaky hand over his mouth while going 「Awawawa-」. He was visibly shaken up.
Naturally. For the Shadow Monks, the senior leadership were like beings who lived above the clouds. It was common sense to be subservient toward them. And putting it to the extreme, it could even be said that the correct attitude toward them was to be blindly obedient.
Punching someone like that? Unthinkable. Not to mention that the one who did that was that Zhu, the person with loyalty who everyone recognized to be as deep as the Mariana Trench.
In a sense, what happened just now felt even more unrealistic than the invasion of “void gods” and the mythology manifestation.
While the head leader and others were focusing on Zhu who stopped the time in the headquarters, she relaxed her punching stance and took a deep breath.
And then,
『Whaaaattt do you mean that “the current you might even be able to take down Nagumo Hajime” huh. It’s like you’re saying that Endou Kousuke is inferior!! Certainly that guy is a deviant! He’s incomprehensible, and always humiliate me!! But, he’s a warrior who deserves respect! A kind warrior! A man who deserves trust! He isn’t a trivial man who someone like you can look down on! MyhandslippedtoomuchcauseofYinglongsama Hasten in accordance of the lawwwwww!!』
*ZUGANN* White lightning struck a corner of the capital. It blew up a slightly old building that in a glance didn’t look out of place at all. But it could easily be guessed who was inside there.
Also, Yinglong-sama looked back with a startled look. 「Eh, it’s my rain’s fault!?」 His face seemed to say something like that.
Of course, Zhu-san was inside a barrier so not even a drop of the rain had fallen on her.
『What’s more you bastaaard, you even said stupid thing like assassinating Hinata!? It won’t be strange even if anyone lose their life in this situation? She’s just a child after all so if it’s me I can do it if I can trick her well? Don’t underestimate that kidddddd!! There’s no one more annoying than that impudent girl but, she’s my precious――ah, no, uguuuuuh, what’re you making me say you geriatric nuisanceee!!』
They eyes of Yinglong who looked back and Zhu-san’s eyes met. Yinglong jerked from how much pressure the eyes were filled with. Those were strong eyes that were appealing for something. If it’s you Yinglong-sama then surely you get it even without me saying anything right? Such wordless pressure pushed on him.
『Pleasemakemyhandslip, hasten in accordance of the law!!』
『!!!?』
『Hasten, in, accordance, of, the, laww!!』
Also, Hasten in accordance of the law had the meaning of 「Carry it out swiftly like it’s the imperial edict」. By who, to who, what to do. Without those parts in the incantation then it wouldn’t have any meaning.
But, it sounded like this to Yinglong-sama at this time. Or rather it was conveyed.
――Never mind just do it. Do it already!! Anything is fine kill him!!
The eyes said. Bloodshot eyes, words that were filled with willpower in every syllable, and then an expression that was boiling with rage. The overly heavy pressure and vigor from Zhu made Yinglong-sama reflexively nodded his head up and down.
Right after that, wind pressure & raging stream fell from heaven on the former site of the blown up building like a downburst.
The building had been blown away, but right now the ground was blown even more. Looking at how the water was flowing in like a waterfall, it seemed there was an underground space there.
『In the first place, you bastard are regularly meddling with my adorable Liu in secret aren’t you? When that girl said that she want to get out of the organization too, it was apparently you who cornered her to the point of breaking to pieces wasn’t it. Yeah, I get it. You were obsessed with that girl this whole time. You brought in that girl into Shadow Monk and it was also you who tortured her under the guise of training when she was still just a little child so……』
Zhu’s hand slo~owly rose to the sky.
Then, half-transparent beasts with divine aura appeared in front of her. They looked like lion with wings, one with one horn and the other with two horns. They were “Bixie and Tianlue”, the foundation of Zhu’s “divine possession”.
Their gazes were narrowed in remonstration, or perhaps in harsh chiding. They were saying that the power they granted her wasn’t to kill human.
Their eyes met Zhu.
『『……』』
Obstinate determination. Her pupils were contracting wide. Inside there, it wasn’t just indignation toward what the man said to her just now. Surely it was pent-up resentment for many years like dust that had been piling up until it became a mountain that they saw inside those eyes.
A man who was overflowing with personal ambition despite being a Shadow Monk, harboring elitism attitude even toward his fellow countrymen, and tortured a little girl to turn her into his pawn.
The head leader kept a watchful eye on that senior leader with such trait, so nothing really major had happened till now, but if asked whether the man had behaved fairly toward field commander from opposing faction……
To add to that, it seemed he had also pulled some strings against Zhu’s family and close coworkers when she stopped being Shadow Monk.
Ah, there’s nothing to be said……the two auspicious beasts sensed.
『……』
『『……』』
Zhu-san stared at the pair with lightless eyes, and further she tilted her head *plop*, like a broken doll.
It was only my hand slipping. After this will be just my hand slipping too. So there’s no problem at all. Isn’t that right? Her gaze was like saying that.
The two auspicious beasts’ eyes wandered. Then right after, *Suuuuuu-* they looked like they were inhaling deeply before *Suu~~~* their forms also vanished.
The head leader and others thought. Divine beasts-sama!? Why are you beaten back by mere human’s pressure!?
Zhu paid no mind to such that was going on around her and took a deep breath once more. And then, she yelled.
『Myhandslippedmakinggreatmess Hasten in accordance of the laaaaaaaaawww!!』
An extra large white lightning fell. It flowed through the falling water to the underground. Toward one of the underground bases where Da Ling Ying’s faction was at. The lightning also spread through the rain like spider web and blew away all the “void gods” at the surrounding altogether.
Zhu-san looked at the sky. Her expression told the story clearly.
That fee~~~~ls grea~~~~~t!!
『Head leader』
「!」
The head leader reflexively jerked.
『I messed up my control because of how mighty the power of the gods is. In other words myhandsslipped.』
「Eh, ah, right……」
『I mistakenly bombed one of our bases. It reduces our manpower. I’m truly sorry. To make up for it, I shall exert every effort I can.』
「……no」
That guy’s arrogance and dodgy dealings recently were becoming intolerable. It was also causing difficulties with the management of the organization so, either way he planned to deal with him sooner or later. He was simply waiting for a good timing because that guy’s faction was quite large so there wasn’t really any problem with what just happened.
The head leader could give that explanation but, for some reason he kept his mouth shut. Because, Zhu-san’s smiling face, the radiant smile she was sending him through the camera……was somewhat scary!
『Even that thing is still one of the Great Shadow Leaders. A lot of his aides should also excel in defensive technique. The base is also solid so they must be alive.』
Nooo, as expected they must have died I think, that thought inside the heart was surely one that was shared among everyone in the headquarters. Look, even Yinglong-sama had an expression that seemed to say 「I’ve done it……I’ve really done it now……」.
『When this affair is over I shall ask Endou Kousuke to transform them into villagers. Surely, they all will have a change of heart and carry on their duty as Shadow Monk with diligence after that.』
「U-umu. I guess?」
『Then, I will continue with the defense of our homeland diligently!!』
「W-work hard.」
『Yes-』
Zhu urged Yinglong to fly away. He saw her off from behind the monitor.
A beat passed and the head leader muttered.
「No, hasn’t she changed too much?」
It went without saying that everyone in the headquarters nodded fervently in agreement.
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At Vatican City, Piazza San Pietro.
「OOOOOOOOOO–!!」
A beast like war cry resounded. It came from an old priest. Of course, it was Director Patrick Dime. He was the only one who would raise such cry in this holy land, the headquarters of Catholic.
The metal book “Book of Holy Destruction” that was bound tightly in chain was being spun in super high speed like the weight part of a sickle chain. Naturally, it was then thrown like a weight.
The lump of metal that was spun with the physical strength that was unthinkable from an old man flew toward the target and transformed into destructive power from the excessive amount of centrifugal force put into it.
The target was a black humanoid monster with bat wings and twisted horns, long tail with inversed thorns dotting it, and skin that glistened like oil. It was truly the figure of demon like in legend.
Apparently it was called night ogre. That was according to the information that came through Sathla.
Apparently its fighting ability wasn’t that high, even so it was a threat that ordinary people couldn’t possibly oppose. Its fighting ability like gravity had no effect on it was naturally troublesome to the extreme for those who didn’t have any mean of flying. Once someone got grabbed and dragged to the sky by it, they became destined for death simply by getting dropped down.
There were twelve such night ogres at the sky of the square.
And then, now they became ten.
One got its head pulverized by the metal book that flew at it. The book also bore through the stomach of another one behind it and it fell. *Gusha-* Another stain like sludge dyed the beautiful Piazza San Pietro.
Yes, nearly a hundred of atrocious corpses of night ogres were already lying on this square.
Most of them were caused by this person.
『DIIIIIIIME!! How long are you planning to stay out there! Remember that you’re the commander already!!』
One of the people in charge of Omnibus, the cardinal who was responsible for external response yelled angrily through the communicator. What he said was most reasonable.
Shadow Monk’s head leader, the response department’s Hattori, and even MCB’s Z were all fighters. They were precious fighting force. But they didn’t go out on site. Because they understood that they could save a lot more people by taking a view of the whole picture and gave command.
Even so the director went out on site was,
「I am Patrick Dime……a warriorrrr!!」
『You’re a priest you idioooootttt!!』
Apparently identifying himself as simply a warrior.
「I’ve shared the essential information. I’ve also finished directing the initial response. As for analyzing the situation development and distributing the combat force, they can be done by my capable subordinates and also you cardinal. Naturally, I’m also always listening through the communicator so I can give advice when necessary.」
Then, there was no reason to allow a fighting force like him stay idle. He was saying something that sounded reasonable but, likely he just wanted to fight.
Of course, there was the fact that the “void god” at Rome had started fighting the lord, however, that “void god” brought troops with it in the form of night ogres in the hundreds. The majority of their force including the reinforcement were all in the field.
In addition, this place was the world’s largest holy land, therefore many people turned into a stampede trying to escape the hard to comprehend disaster in front of them, something that was still ongoing even now. The night ogres too were marching on in great number at present.
Most likely with the passing of time the number of refugees would also be increasing rapidly. There wasn’t just Rome citizens here. It wasn’t difficult to imagine that people all over Italia and also people from the surrounding countries would rush here as refugee one after another seeking god’s protection.
Right now the refugees were guided to avoid the square toward St. Peter’s Basilica or the garden at the back or inside other buildings, or perhaps into the underground, but even those places would definitely reach the limit before long.
In that case, Vatican City and Rome urban areas around it would be flooded with refugees. As the result, there was a risk that a lot of “void gods” would appear.
In that case.
「Enemies that can be culled should be culled as many as possible.」
That opinion also had truth in it. There was but……
『No, the barrier and interception are functioning though……』
Vatican had the long history as the headquarters of the people who fought against supernatural beings called demons. Naturally, they also had the sacred treasures of barrier and interception covering the whole Vatican. With Hajime’s help the defensive capability now also included effectiveness against beings other than demon with tremendous improvement in spec.
In fact, the night ogres’ invasion was being thwarted and they were also being intercepted.
As expected there is no need for the director to go out isn’t it? The cardinal’s tsukkomi was looking reasonable.
「Offensive followed by offensive. Overwhelming offense that gives no time to the enemy to even think is the greatest defense.」
『I don’t know how many times I’ve said this in these fifty years but, as I thought I’ll say it again. ――Do you have the awareness that you’re a priest?』
Cardinal-san’s tone was quite scathing. It was literally like he said, they had been acquainted for nearly half a century so there must be no reservation between them anymore.
Technically, there was already notification telling them to move cautiously with the assumption that the strength of each “void god” was unknown even if they all looked like the same species.
And so right now, there was no way they could just leave it all to the defensive installations just because they could deal with them. Crush the enemies before they could do something. Such tactical thinking was certainly logical.
But as expected the cardinal thought this.
That’s just an excuse right? You absolutely just want to fight right? They had known each other for long, so cardinal-san knew the excuse logic of Director Dime very well.
「Besides, I too am already at this age. I can’t fly around the world like the youngsters……」
『You are saying that?』
At the very least I’ll protect this place, the home of the youngsters who even now are fighting at the frontlines of Rome and all over the world, he said with a self-depreciating smile, as though to say that this was the best an old man like him could do but……
Come on, just look at this self-proclaimed old geezer.
For some reason he had taken off his clothes like it was something extremely natural but, underneath it was rippling muscles all the way all over like a work of art. How could someone like this be called old man? If anything, had the muscles grown even more in these several months? Or rather, really just why did he strip?
「Nuuuuuunh」
The muscles were pumped up. They looked like they had swelled one size bigger.
He socked the night ogre that swooped at him with the holy book and knocked it down. He then stomped on its skull while throwing the chain to another monster which wrapped around it. Then he tugged the chain powerfully.
The night ogre got pulled so strongly its body bent the wrong way. Then its stomach got pierced with a spear hand that was enveloped in some kind of aura. The monster screamed 「Gueeee!?」 in agony.
It seemed that even this kind of monster technically had organs. Those got pulled out grotesquely.
The night ogre lost its strength while something like intestine dangled out. The director tossed it away like trash. Black blood that splattered from the monster was sticking on his hands and body and face……
「I will hold back these monsters here until reinforcement arrive. ……Fuh, today might be the last day of our long association with each other.」
『You’re saying that in this situation?』
No, man, you look like you can still stay alive for a hundred more years. It doesn’t look like you’ll stay dead even if you’re killed……how about changing your name from Dime to Diehardman? The cardinal thought.
By the way about the evacuation, the staffs were guiding the people to go around Piazza San Pietro, and further they were leading refugees outside to inside from both sides and the opposite side of the Vatican, even so there were a lot of people at positions where they could see the square.
Men and women of all ages were muttering 「D-demon」「Don’t look that way!」 with trembling voices. They intentionally didn’t refer to who they were talking about.
「Muh, this presence……a big shot huh」
『! It’s one that they called class 3. It’s coming straight at you!! The reinforcement is……what? Ah, is that so. Aa~, Dime, it’s on you now.』
Fundamentally reinforcement was sent through Laila or Remia when the opponent was class 3 or above. Even if by chance the dispatch of someone who could destroy such strong enemy got delayed, more force would be sent to buy time.
And yet, it seemed none would come.
The corner of Director Dime’s lips rose when he got told that.
Demon! There’s a demon that hunger for battle and blood there! Someone call the exorcistttt!!
It felt like there was someone saying something like that somewhere.
「Magic power in the right hand, willpower in the left hand……nuuuuuuuuunh!!」
His fists met in front of his chest. Shockwave radiated out just from that and the blood splatter all over him got blown away instantly.
The body that was dripping with black blood was dyed crimson now instead. There was even steam starting to rise as though sweat was evaporating from his body.
「Guess I should whip up these old bones. Kukuh, what a rough way to handle an old man.」
『Can you hide your evil looking smile first before saying something like that?』
The savage old priest howled.
「BRUAAAAAAAAAH!!」
『!!?』
A “void god” that looked similar to night ogre but two sizes bigger arrived at the square. At the same time, it instantly stopped. As though it faltered when facing the intensity.
And then when it realized, a demon (priest) was right in front of it. The fierily shining eye glints told the story more eloquently than anything.
――I’ll kill youuuuu!!
What a pure killing intent. No, it was fighting spirit.
Both his hands grasped the monster’s horns with eagle grip. Without pause he headbutted it. The large night ogre’s forehead split and black blood spurted out. The hand that moved toward the director for counterattack jerked up from the impact.
With nary a pause, the director let out a piercing roar while throwing down the huge night ogre to the ground using that opening.
It was a really considerable strength. The large night ogre couldn’t even decelerate using its flight ability and collided with the ground. Crashing sound thundered and cracks spread through the ground like spider web as the ground sunk in a little.
The director’s knee dropped like meteor there. It made the large night ogre’s stomach to sink too.
*Clink clink* Chain that rattled like snake bound the arms and legs of the large night ogre. At the same time the director mounted its body and strangled the monster with his left hand while his right hand started beating its face with the corner, the corner! of the “Book of Holy Destruction”.
*GO-GO-GO-* Dull and raw sound rang out.
The large night ogre’s tail curled into U shape and aimed at the director’s head from behind.
Most likely it instinctually wanted to finish its opponent in one attack. Or perhaps it was scared of the expression that looked like the face of a man-eating fiend looking down at it.
Either way it was a bad move. If it targeted the heart, it would be able to at least unbalance the director.
「Naïve!! Nuunh」
The director just tilted his head to dodge the attack like he had an eye behind him. And then, he bit the tail before the monster could pull it back.
*Bichibichi* The tail pranced. The director’s astounding biting strength sunk in and wouldn’t let go. The holy book’s corner was really painful. Even though it was a holy book, it was rapidly getting stained black by the enemy’s blood……
It was fine to imagine that the Book of Holy Destruction was crying.
*GO-GO-GO-GUCHA-GO-GOKYU-MEKI-BIKKUN-BIKKUN-*
S-save the generaa~~~~ll, perhaps the other night ogres said that. They hurriedly rushed at Director Dime all at once.
「Nuu~aa! Taaoouhiroo!!」
『I can’t comprehend what you’re saying.』
Instantly, countless arrows made from pale blue light flew from outside Vatican and hit the night ogres one after another.
The voice that came from the communicator belong to Madam Maya. She was the director’s former partner, and also a bow user exorcist who had retired. She was one of the people protecting refugees inside Rome.
Even though she should have retired, even though she was at age where it was fine to call her an old woman just like the director, she was fighting at the frontline just as expected.
Not only that,
「I came running because I thought there’s powerful enemy but it looks like you have it handled.」
She said such thing while shooting the normal sized night ogres in a rate that would wipe them up.
While riding a magnificent horse that was wearing some kind of metal armor and enveloped in magic power and standing on air.
Madam Maya herself was clad in light armor. Her hands were holding a large bow.
As soon as she held up that bow, light blue aura flowed out and took the form of a huge bow. And then, when she pulled the string even without nocking an arrow, three huge arrows formed from light blue radiance came into being. They all flew through different trajectories and pierced through the night ogres.
Originally her bow sacred treasure filled the arrow nocked on it with magic power, increasing its range and power as well as increasing its effectiveness against demon. It wasn’t something that produce giant bow and arrows like a magic bow like this.
Of course, the culprit was a certain demon god.
Like there was Aziz-kun’s sacred treasure. It went without saying that the other sacred treasures were also improved for strengthening the exorcists.
And then, even though she had retired and the threat of demons had also stopped, perhaps seeing the director and the abyss lord influenced her. For some reason even Madam Maya started training again and somehow subdue an archdemon who was a mighty ruler in hell and led twenty army corps.
That archdemon was this horse. And she was also an archer, like this certain boss from F*omSoftware the director called as “the first king”.
――A user of giant magic bow like the sacred tree’s knight L*retta……that’s romance
It was no wonder that a certain demon god became excited like that. Maybe.
Aziz-kun’s weapon ended up modeled from a different work because it was thought that was the only that suited him, but actually the sacred treasures and combat styles of other exorcists were also in the process of getting modeled after F*omSoftware under the supervision of a certain demon god.
By the way, the one who whispered 「Pulling out entrails is cool isn’t it. ……Isn’t it cool?」 to the director was also that certain demon god.
In other words, it was mostly Hajime’s fault.
Madam Maya who was riding an archdemon horse rushed on the sky toward Rome streets again. While shooting at a different night ogre that was nearly a class 3, with a giant arrow of light that was increased in power because she fused the usually multiple arrows into just one this time.
If you see an old man then assume he is a survivor.
There was such saying but, it was exactly right in this case.
There a call came to the headquarters. It was from Claudia who was dispatched to Paris metropolis that boasted great number of population among west European countries.
『! You’re listening aren’t you, Dime.』
「Yes. As I thought the battlefield there is fiercer than here. I’m jealous.」
『Be quiet you infidel. It looks like there’s group of civilians who can’t escape from the battlefield. It seems that some degree of sacrifice should be accepted but……this is still the phase where that needs to be done. They’re evacuating using gate. Empty the square.』
Only the square wasn’t covered by barrier to turn it into a battlefield. The cardinal implicitly told Dime that a barrier would be deployed there after they received the refugees from Paris, so he should get back right away.
The fusion technique of magic power and willpower didn’t drive Director Dime toward the death’s door anymore like before thanks to his training and the ability granted to him by “Book of Holy Destruction”-chan.
But he also wasn’t crazily bugged like Shia, so there was time limit in its usage for him. After that he would be assaulted by a horrible feeling of lethargy and his combat ability would lower drastically. In short it was the same like “Limit Break”.
That day, the cardinal was there at the scene when Director Dime showed the fusion technique for the first time. He properly asked the director about the abnormal technique through and through. That was why he told him to get back before he became unable to move.
You look extremely satisfied after turning that big night ogre into mince meat, so you have enough now right? He asked.
He was someone that belonged to political field to the end. He had been involved with Omnibus for many years so his ability as commander also had nothing to be criticized but, as expected he wasn’t a combatant. Taking command of battlefield where a single mistake might result in great tragedy seemed to be a burden to his mind.
「Understood.」
Director Dime nodded obediently. The cardinal could be heard sighing in relieve through the communicator.
At the same time the square’s ground shined. A circle that was 240 meter wide floated up in full as though it correctly knew the width of the square.
The next moment, people in the thousands appeared all at once. They were people of Paris who got stuck right in the middle of battlefield.
They were dragged into an utterly unexpected phenomenon. Surely they were bewildered by that, or perhaps fell into terror, and even now they would be in a state of mass panic but……
Unexpectedly the people were calm. Not only that they even looked moved.
The reason for that immediately came to light.
At the middle of the square, a circle of light appeared on the sky.
「Mu, that’s……」
『Aa, a descent.』
The ring of light grew bigger. And then a light pillar came down like an angel’s ladder. A being slowly came down from that ring.
White wings and garment. On top of that was a beautiful armor. Beautiful androgynous looks.
The ring which was a gate became smaller and then came to a stop above his head. It was truly an angel’s halo.
Yes, an angel.
One of the high ranked angels who were mentioned in bible and the like. He was so awe-inspiring the cardinal didn’t dare to say his name. But his image was projected in the monitor of the headquarters.
It was a sight that was just too moving as well as miraculous for clergyman.
The descent of “heaven’s army”.
No wonder the refugees didn’t fall into panic. Surely there were a lot of people who prayed for god’s help as they faced the disaster. And then an army of angels really descended and protected them.
Refugees got teleported one after another by the angel’s authority. Just the square was able to contain three to four hundred thousand people. In emergency several hundreds or thousands more people could still be evacuated.
And then, each time refugees got teleported, there would be new angel appearing to accompany them.
『This place also need fighter assigned there in proportion to the number of the refugees. I asked through Claudia to dispatch a bit of the combat force there.』
「Umu, that’s a good decision.」
Director Dime nodded in satisfaction at the cardinal’s decision. The cardinal too became a bit relieved.
「Then, perhaps I should go help Claudia until the time limit arrive.」
『Yeah, that’s why return ba――what did you say?』
The cardinal’s relieved expression froze as it was.
「O holy angel over there! Send me to where Claudia is!」
『Wait just a second, you』
「The enemies there are the type that depend on quantity. With some of our resource split for guarding the evacuation, there’s a chance that they’ll aim at that opening. That hole has to be covered up just in case.」
『No, I understand the reasoning but it doesn’t need to be you who――』
「It’s a waste isn’t it? If I’ll become unable to move anyway then you should make use of my strength until the time limit.」
『Mu, umu, no, keeping some of your strength in reserve is also not――』
「The god said! When it’s time to fall, do it falling forward. If the enemy slaps you on your cheek, finish them off with cross counter. Slaughter the enemies of mankind as many as possible. AMENN!!」
『You hooligan priest, how can there be a clergyman who fakes the word of God――ah, oi, I say wait you idioooooooott!!』
The cardinal’s scream was in vain. Director Dime requested a nearby angel and teleported.
It went without saying that everyone in the headquarters, and even Hattori and others who were watching through the monitor, further even his eminence the pope were all became as one in their sympathy toward the cardinal.
Of course, Claudia who was also connected with the communication was,
「Diiiireeectoooor!! Why do you come here!!」
The cardinal who had experienced the director’s unreasonableness with regular frequence was as expected feeling sympathy toward Claudia who was currently experiencing the same unreasonableness while,
「Umu, if I remember right for this kind situation……”I came♪ Tee-hee” is what I should say I think.」
「That’s disgusting-!!」
Who is it, the one who teach the director strange things. He couldn’t help from staring blankly and making tsukkomi.
Also, the culprit was the little brother (Aziz).
Just like a grandson talking joyfully to the grandfather of his experience, Aziz too was regularly telling the director of what he learned from Japan (to be more accurate it was from Manami) everyday with excitement.
A man with eyes that seemed to say 「Everything that enter my sight……is deaddd!!」while fighting spirit and intimidation overflowed from his whole body, said 「I came♪」. The dreadfulness of such sight……
The tee-hee only looked like a predator licking its lips in front of its prey.
It was completely a horror.
If he knew this, surely Aziz-kun too would carefully choose the topic of what he told the director, no doubt about it.
.
.
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.
About what happened, to be honest when I was thinking to write Claudia’s story, it was the director’s story that I was writing when I realized. It was fun. Putting that aside, a little bit about the future update. Actually my eyes’ fatigue is becoming chronic and it’s hard for me to look at monitor display for long. I’m thinking to increase the soothing time for my eyes a little. It might affect the update frequency and word count but, it’ll really make me happy if everyone can be merciful. Best regards!
※Meme introduction
– I’m, Abyssgate. I’m behind you right now
From the urban legend of [Mary-san’s phone call].
– AIEEEEEEEEEH
From [Ninja Slayer].
– Feels greaatt~
From Athens Olympic swimming medalist [Kitajima Kousuke]. The great feeling here is filled with that much feeling.
– Right straight that sparked *Chichichi*
From ninjutsu “Chidori” in [Naruto].
– The director’s fighting style
From Hoarah Loux of FromSoftware’s [Elden Ring]. It goes without saying that 「Bruaaaaah」 is from the voice actor Wakamoto-san. The entrails pulling from the viscera attack of [Bloodborne] also from FromSoftware.
– Maya’s combat skill and horse
From the knight of sacred tree Loretta of FromSoftware’s [Elden Ring]. The archdemon in horse from is “Orobas”.
※I revised a part of the abyss lord’s lines. Thank you for pointing it out!
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