“An army of 1,000,000 is going to trample our land…?” (Johnny)
Johnny-san who I told about this raised his voice in surprise.
We have left the demon village and are currently moving on the back of Mel-san.
“Where are we going, Makoto-san?” (Anna)
“M-Master Makoto-sama, what should we do?!” (Momo)
Anna-san and Momo were pulling my clothes.
But well, it is not like I have a plan or anything.
However, hearing about the demon lord army of a million, I hurriedly left because it wasn’t the time to be taking it easy.
I want to rely on Ira-sama, but her voice isn’t reaching even now.
What should I do from now on…?
“Spirit User-kun, if an army of a million is gathering, then it is most likely at the Beast King’s territory.” (Mel)
The one who spoke to me when I was wavering here was Mel-san.
“How can you tell?” (Makoto)
“There’s not many places where an army of that scale can gather at. The ones ruling this land are the Ancient Dragons, but their dwellings are on high ground. It is ill suited for an army to gather at.” (Mel)
“I see.” (Makoto)
If Mel-san, who knows in detail about the geography of the Demonic Continent says that, there’s no mistake.
“Then, are we heading there, Makoto-dono?” (Johnny)
“No no! What are you saying, Johnny-san?!” (Anna)
The one who reacted to what Johnny-san said was Anna-san.
“M-Master, we should return to Laberintos and have everyone take refuge.” (Momo)
“There’s nowhere to take refuge at, right? Rather, Laberintos would be the safest place.” (Johnny)
“…Uuh…” (Momo)
Johnny-san retorted calmly at what the Great Sage-sama said.
It is true that the dungeon city has become a natural fortress.
It would be safer for them to just stay there.
The problem is us.
We are wandering around this continent with a party of 5 when an army of a million is gathering.
If we are found, we would be crushed in an instant.
“Mel-san, can you observe the place where the demon lord army is gathering from faraway?” (Makoto)
“That’s…I can, but…we are really going?” (Mel)
Even Mel-san doesn’t seem to be too into the idea.
But now that I have heard about it, I can’t ignore it.
We headed to the place where the demon lord army is gathering.
◇◇
“W-What’s that…?” (Anna)
“…We can’t do anything about something like this…” (Momo)
“……To think it would be to this extent…” (Johnny)
Anna-san and Momo’s voices were trembling.
Even Johnny-san who said scouting the enemy’s movements is the basics of war was frozen here.
The excessively spacious plains of the Beast King’s territory.
We climbed the hill that could provide a good view from afar, and we saw that spectacle.
—The demon lord army that spreads as far as the eye can see.
Not even the monster stampede and the army of the Beast King I have faced before are comparable to this.
I have realized that when seeing something on a scale that a person can’t understand, our brain simply can’t accept reality.
This is…how to say it…it is despairing.
“This isn’t good… This is an alliance army, Spirit User-kun.” (Mel)
Mel-san groans.
She is obviously in human form right now.
“Alliance army?” (Makoto)
I can tell from a glance that there’s a variety of demons and monsters.
That could be said for the Immortal King Bifrons.
What’s so ‘not good’ about this?
That’s why I asked what she meant.
“Originally, the ones who have territory on this continent are the Dragon King, Beast King, Sea Monster King; those 3 Demon Lords. You know that, right?” (Mel)
“Of course I do.” (Makoto)
That was the same in the future.
I have been told a whole lot of times about the 3 Demon Lords that rule the Demonic Continent.
“But in the ones here, I can see subordinates from the Giant King, Insect King, Fallen Angel King, and the Fiend King. It seems like the remnants of the Immortal King have flowed here too.” (Mel)
“In other words…” (Makoto)
I get the meaning of the alliance army.
Also, the fact that that isn’t a good situation.
“There’s the possibility that all of the Demon Lords around the world have gathered.” (Mel)
“Revenge for the Immortal King Bifrons, huh.” (Johnny)
“Wonder about that… The Demon Lords don’t really cooperate much side by side. They apparently don’t get along that well.” (Makoto)
I told Johnny-san about the information Ira-sama told me about.
That’s why, even if the Immortal King has been defeated, I didn’t expect them to go for retribution immediately…
“L-Let’s fall back, Makoto-san…” (Anna)
“Master, we are going to be found out…” (Momo)
Anna-san and Momo were completely scared.
“Makoto-dono, our objective is the inner citadel of the enemy -the castle of the Great Demon Lord. Let’s move away from this place.” (Johnny)
Even Johnny-san who is fearless was recommending retreat here.
“Let’s leave, Spirit User-kun.” (Mel)
The White Dragon-san calls me.
Anna-san and Momo were looking at me saying ‘quick!’.
No matter how you think about it, we should leave.
I can tell that too.
I can, but…
[Will you fight against the demon lord army of 1,000,000?]
Yes
No
(If only there wasn’t this…) (Makoto)
I was looking at the words that were blinking in midair.
RPG Player.
A Skill that has always been giving me advice in the important branching points of my adventures.
This guy is asking me here.
Asking me ‘are you okay with leaving just like this?’.
At the time when I was troubled by this while feeling the gaze of the 4…
(…koto! …Takatsuki Makoto!!) (Ira)
A bell-like voice resonated inside my head.
Ira-sama?
Looks like she has finished the tuning.
That’s a relief.
(Hey…! Hey…! You…!) (Ira)
Ira-sama?
Eh? Is the thought transmission still not doing good?
(What are you thinking getting close to the demon lord army yourself?!!) (Ira)
The angry shout of Ira-sama rang noisily in my head.
“…Loud.” (Makoto)
I frowned.
“Master? What’s the matter?” (Momo)
Momo asked worried after seeing my face.
“I can hear Ira-sama’s voice now.” (Makoto)
“That’s great. We will have the Goddess-sama tell us the place of the Great Demon Lord, and we will depart at once.” (Mel)
Mel-san was hurrying me.
“Let’s do that, Makoto-san.” (Anna)
“Right. The enemy’s forces are concentrating here. This is our best chance to bring their leader down.” (Johnny)
Anna-san and Johnny-san had the same opinion.
But there’s something I have to ask Ira-sama first.
“There’s something I would like to ask, Ira-sama.” (Makoto)
I purposely speak this out loud.
To transmit it to the other 4 too.
(I get it. Leave the place of the Great Demon Lord to me. I investigated it while I was adjusting the thought transmission, so I got the Great Demon Lord Castle’s location right on spot! It is north of here—) (Ira)
“That’s not it. My question is not about the location of the Great Demon Lord’s place.” (Makoto)
(Eh?) (Ira)
“““““Eh?”””””
The surprised voices of the 5 resonate, but I continue without minding.
“Can the demon lord army here find the city in Laberintos at the West Continent?” (Makoto)
The 4 open their eyes wide at my words.
I myself think the chances of them being found are high.
Isn’t that the reason why the RPG Player Skill showed me the choice here?
It is a city of that scale.
With the defeat of the Demon Lord Bifrons, the residents are increasing even more.
If an army of a million were to search everywhere, it would be hard to continue hiding.
And when they are found, it would be the end…no one would survive.
We are talking about the whole force of the demon lord army.
They would be crushed, unable to do anything.
(……)
Ira-sama isn’t answering.
That must be an answer in itself.
“Makoto-dono, what did the Goddess-sama say…?” (Johnny)
The one who was the most anxious about the city in Laberintos asked this.
“Ira-sama, the dungeon city will be found by the demon lord army…right?” (Makoto)
I asked again as if cementing it.
“…Kuh!” (Johnny)
Johnny-san’s face warped in pain.
“No way… Master Makoto-sama…” (Momo)
“Makoto-san, let’s go back and tell the people of Laberintos!” (Anna)
“But run where? A place that can hide that number of people is just…” (Johnny)
“We Ancient Dragons will lend our help. But everyone would be impossible.” (Mel)
“If we were to go even further down Laberintos…” (Anna)
“The environment in the lower floors is harsh. Depending on who it is, it would be impossible to even live in it.” (Johnny)
“I see…” (Anna)
“There’s no time. We must go back.” (Mel)
“Right. Makoto-dono, let’s go back.” (Johnny)
“Makoto-san!” (Anna)
“Master Makoto-sama!” (Momo)
Everyone’s voices reach my ears.
I try to remember once more the contents of the Legend of Hero Abel.
—An army of 1,000,000 gathered in the Demonic Continent, and the Savior-sama slayed them.
I sighed.
Looks like destiny is converging.
In the end, it is about whether it will happen sooner or later.
(Wait a moment, Takatsuki Makoto. What are you thinking…? …Could it be…) (Ira)
Ira-sama read what I was thinking.
That’s right, Goddess-sama.
(Wait wait wait, listen to me! That’s not good. Seriously not good.) (Ira)
The voice of Ira-sama resonates even more in my head.
The guidance of Ira-sama is most likely correct.
If we want to take the safe route, we should abandon Laberintos.
But that’s…
(Hey…Takatsuki Makoto. Reconsider it…) (Ira)
Ira-sama’s clinging voice was heart-wrenching.
But can you…please lend me your strength?
(………You are one baffling idiot. When this is over, you are getting a 24 hour sermon.) (Ira)
Thank you very much.
I managed to get the consent of the Goddess.
I will be getting a sermon though.
(…..Dummy.) (Ira)
I speak to the 4.
◇Light Hero Anna’s POV◇
“Eh?”
I doubted my ears.
What did Makoto-san say just now?
‘Let’s defeat that million demon lord army.’
“M-Makoto-san…” (Anna)
“What’s the matter, Anna-san?” (Makoto)
Completely contrary to my trembling voice, his voice was the usual calm voice.
“A-Are you…seriously going to fight that? …Are you…not scared?” (Anna)
My own legs are trembling.
I am scared.
Even if I am told that the people of Laberintos that have helped us until now are in danger, even if I am told that the Earth Hero-san and the others are in danger…facing that massive army can’t be called anything but suicidal.
‘Makoto-san, please think it over’, before I could say that, he responded.
“Of course I am scared…” (Makoto)
“Then…!” (Anna)
‘Let’s not do this!’…I couldn’t say those words.
“The painful part is that a hero can’t choose their opponents.” (Makoto)
He said this with a tone as if saying this couldn’t be helped.
I couldn’t feel fear or hesitation at all from the face of Makoto-san.
‘No matter how strong the enemy is, a hero can’t choose their opponent.’
Those were the words of my master, the Fire Hero.
I wanted to be like that too.
I wanted to become like the Fire Hero.
Why does Makoto-san say the same thing…?
Why does my body stop trembling when I hear the voice of Makoto-san…?
“Isn’t it okay to act cool for a bit, Ira-sama…? Aah, yes yes, I know.” (Makoto)
Makoto-san was making a slightly troubled expression.
“Uhm…did the Goddess-sama say something…?” (Anna)
“I was scolded by Ira-sama for a bit.” (Makoto)
“…!” (Anna)
Seeing him say this jokingly, a strange feeling spread in my chest.
I held the hand of Makoto-san tightly, and wanted to say something.
“I will go with you…” (Anna)
That was the only thing I could say.
“Let’s do our best together.” (Makoto)
Makoto-san responded to this and held my hand gently.
What spread before our eyes was an army of a million that covered the whole ground.
Even so, just by being by the side of Makoto-san, I managed to forget my fear a bit.
l
Comments