< Takao Hijiri POV >
[Thank you for waiting, Hijiri-san ♪]
Pulling out the back of her tall chair, the Goddess sat down.
I, Takao Hijiri, was sitting in the chair across her low table.
The room I’m currently in looks similar to a reception room.
This is just one of the many rooms in the castle the Goddess can use privately.
The Goddess was apparently extremely busy these days.
It took her a long time to prepare this meeting with me.
In fact, it seems that the Goddess has been busy ever since the Great Demon Emperor’s army started moving.
In addition, there was also the declaration of war by the Mira Empire.
It seems that Mira’s “rebellion” was like a bolt out of the blue for the people of Alion.
[How unusual it is that you want to have this kind of meeting with me, isn’t it, Hijiri-san? Ara? Your little sister isn’t with you today? You’re quite close, aren’t you?]
[It’s just me today.]
[I see. So, what is it that you seek me for?]
[There are a few things I would like to ascertain of.]
I said with an extremely humble tone.
In a way, it’s just like the tone secretaries use to their bosses.
[First of all, I would like to ask you about your future plans for us Heroes.]
[If we’re going to talk about that, wouldn’t it be better if we have the other S-Rank Heroes here too? For example, a certain diligent and energetic Class President-san?]
[You know what we’re talking about, don’t you?]
[Ufu♪]
As her smile deepens, the Goddess claps her hands.
[Hijiri-san really is the Hero I expected you to be.]
[You now have 2-C under your control to some extent———– That’s how you see the situation now, right?]
[Fufufu, have I seen it incorrectly?]
[I’m not saying otherwise though.]
[I knew it. Ah, one moment please.]
The Goddess went over to the display shelf and brought out two silver cups.
Holding the two cups in one hand, she took out what seemed to be a bottle.
The Goddess then placed a cup on the table in front of us, before pouring the contents of the bottle into the cup.
[Tonoa Water.]
[Thank you.]
Thanking her for the drink, but I just let it sit on the table, not touching it at all.
Looking as if she’s chuckling to herself, the Goddess drank the contents of her cup.
[Back then…… You once snapped towards me, didn’t you? I think Hijiri-san grumbled—— Ah, I’m sorry——– adviced how “It’s not fair that only Sogou-san doesn’t have a teacher” or something like that, right?]
[Yes, I did. At that time, I am grateful for considering the matter of assigning a teacher to Sogou-san.]
[No, no~~ ? If you want to thank someone, please tell that to Dragonslayer-san who suddenly came forward to be their teacher at that time. Ah, but now…… I guess his character of pushing himself too hard caused his body to be in tatters. It’s as if it’s some kind of bad joke.]
[Why are you talking about that time now?]
[Ufufu, I’ve heard about it, you know? Hearing about that, everything became clear to me. Hijiri-san…… had romantic feelings for Sogou-san, right? If that’s the case, then it makes sense why you suddenly expressed your opinion at that moment.]
Adjusting my posture, I bowed my head.
[I’m sorry about that time. I thought I could attract her attention by defending her there, so I just did what I did on the spur of the moment.]
[……Well, it can’t be helped. At first, I was really distressed, thinking “How could Hijiri-san behave so badly, not knowing her own position?”. However…… If you are acting out of love, I can somewhat understand. If it’s something simply stupid———– ly beautiful of a reason, I couldn’t help but forgive you, don’t you think?]
[Thank you for your generosity.]
[………………No, I may have unintentionally been a bit offensive at times. Let’s just work things out between us, shall we, Hijiri-san? Are you not going to drink it? Is there something wrong? Or should I put it away?]
With a smile on her face, the Goddess pointed at the cup in front of me.
The cup that I still haven’t touched.
[I’ll drink it when I’m thirsty.]
[I see. Ah, speaking of which……]
The Goddess stood up.
Looking at the direction she’s going to, it seems like she’s heading for the door in this room that leads to what seems to be an inner room.
Leaving the door open, she left my sight from within that room.
She comes back soon after though, carrying something on her shoulder.
A large bag of thick cloth.
It…… doesn’t seem to be a sleeping bag though.
The opening of the bag was tightly tied with a strap, so it seemed like there’s something within that bag.
[Excuse me, Hijiri-san, could you move your cup off the table for a moment?]
Seeing no problem with it, I did as I was told.
[Thank you♪]
Still carrying that sleeping bag on her shoulder——– The Goddess brings her hand near the strap.
———-Swoooshhh———
With blinding speed, the Goddess slashes the strap with her hand.
The know was then ripped apart and untied.
Sliippp…… Fwump.
Something fell on the tabletop.
Crashing down on the table, a small amount of black charred residue flew into the air.
It was a charred corpse.
It was in quite a terrible state.
I could even barely tell that it had originally been a humanoid.
It was hard to tell whether it’s a man or a woman though.
Obviously, there was no way for me to tell who this person could have been.
Even with all these thoughts popping in my mind though, there isn’t any change in my expression.
The Goddess had also maintained her smile.
[Goddess-sama, what is this?]
[Are you curious?]
[Yes.]
[It’s Nyantan.]
[…………………..]
[You haven’t seen her around lately, right? This is what happened to her.]
[…………………..]
[It’s a shame, isn’t it…… How pitiful.]
[Why has she become like this?]
[She’s been communicating with someone and making some unacceptable actions. Hmmm…… She may have been surprisingly in contact with the Mira Empire. Ahh, how sad.]
[Is that so?]
[She was so caring, so beautiful…… A strong, excellent child. Sniff…… The world really is cruel, isn’t it? Death would suddenly come unexpected.]
[I guess that’s really just how the world is.]
[…………………..]
[What is it?]
[……You’re a strange person, Hijiri-san.]
[Is that so?]
[Sniff…… I mean, wouldn’t you normally be more surprised if a charred corpse was suddenly brought in front of you? Especially since it’s the corpse of Nyantan, someone you should have known to some extent, right?]
[What do you mean “normally”?]
[Hmm? What are you suddenly saying?]
[According to how Goddess-sama described it, one would “normally” react with surprise when they see this corpse. However, there are some people who are surprised inside, but do not show their surprise on their faces. However, such a thing isn’t “normal” for you. In other words, I’m an “abnormal” person to you…… However, this is just something we call as “diversity”. People are creatures that are diverse from one another. That is “normal”.]
[Ah, that pattern where a person seems to be saying something great even though what they’re actually saying doesn’t really have any meaning…… I wonder if it’s the same whichever world it is, that the dumber they are, the more likely they are to use pointless and troublesome phrases.]
[That might be possible.]
[Hijiri-san.]
[Yes.]
[You pass.]
The Goddess pushes the corpse off the table.
The corpse then tumbles on the floor.
[………………..]
Brushing the soot off the tabletop, the Goddess said with a smile.
[To tell you the truth, that charred corpse———- isn’t actually Nyantan. It was the corpse of the daughter of a corrupt noble whose execution had already been decided. Fufu, are you surprised?]
[I’m human too. I would be relieved knowing that an acquaintance of mine was still alive.]
With a smile still on her face, the Goddess’ eyebrows lowered, as if to show she’s sorry.
[My apologies. I actually wanted to test you. Ahh, but it’s true that I’m concerned with Nyantan’s recent actions though? Ahh, incidentally, the reason you haven’t seen her lately is because she has been dispatched to where the White Wolf Knights are in the north.]
[Is there anything about me that makes you suspicious?]
[No, no…… It’s just that if there are people who are using my beloved Nyantan to do something devious…… I had thought of using this method to find them out. It seems that Hijiri-san isn’t like that.]
[In that case, has she been acting suspiciously lately?]
[Hmmm…… No, I don’t feel like she’s betraying me though. How should I say this…… I feel like she’s being cajoled by someone, being used by this person. So, it really isn’t something I can get rid of Nyantan for that.]
[If someone who uses her sees “Nyantan’s corpse”, they will obviously have an unusual reaction. That’s what you were thinking, right?]
[Correct. And then, after seeing Hijiri-san’s reaction, I’m convinced you’re not someone like that. You passed. The same also goes for the Tonoa Water I just served you. I like the fact that you were cautious enough not to take a sip. I judge that Hijiri-san is someone with whom I can build a cooperative relationship with. I would like to appoint you…… Hijiri Takao——–]
The Goddess’ expression did not change.
However, the smile on her face——— turned dark.
[——–as one of my, Vysis’ Apostles.]
▽
[Please let me think about it for a while.]
[Eh? Ara? You’re rejecting me? That’s making me…… very sad.]
[You’re not really expecting that my, Hijiri Takao’s eyes would brighten and immediately agree, are you?]
[…………………….Ufufu.]
A sharp light lit up in the Goddess’ eyes.
[Hijiri-san…… might be a little far more capable than I had expected. It seems that I really wasn’t mistaken in my expectations for you. Anyway…… you can at least cooperate with me, right?]
[So, you want me to control 2-C the way you want?]
[My, oh my, how lovely♪ Hijiri-san, I see you can immediately understand what I’m saying ♪]
With her hands clasped together, the Goddess tilted her head with a grin on her lips.
[What do you think? I think it’s possible if Hijiri-san is on my side.]
[I suppose it isn’t impossible.]
[Thank you for giving me the answer I’m hoping for ♪]
[It goes without saying that you shouldn’t tell this to my little sister Itsuki and Sogou-san, right?]
[I heard you’ve been quite close with each other lately that I’m even thinking you’re that~~, you know? That~~♪ You also seemed to be visiting her room frequently. No, no, isn’t it alright? Even if it’s between two people of the same gender, I won’t interfere in your relationship. Go on, feel free to do as you wish♪ I hope your relationship lasts.]
[There are some negative connotations in the way you say that though.]
[I’m sorry, I’m a bit of an airhead. Ummm…… Please don’t talk to me that way, okay? That scares me. Please.]
[Anyway, with our relationship, she should be listening to what I tell her.]
[That’s wonderful.]
[And then…… The light-colored Heroes should be obeying what Sogou-san is saying.]
[Ummm, what about him…… Kirihara-san, I mean. With all due respect, I think he’s even crazier than I thought. To tell you the truth, he’s kind of scaring me lately……]
[From what I saw, there is some kind of regularity to his thoughts and desires. Depending on the way you handle him, it may even be impossible to control him.]
[……What are the odds that he would be brought under my control?]
[Less than 90%.]
[Are you sure?]
[He doesn’t take his surroundings as seriously as you do.]
[Ara ara~~ My, oh my♪]
[Which should mean———- that he isn’t as careful about this as one thinks. People like him are easy to manipulate.]
[And now, Oyamada-san who disturbs the harmony was also finished.]
According to Goddess, she’s describing Oyama Shougo’s current state as “being finished”.
Contemplating a bit, I lowered my gaze.
A few moments later, I looked back to the Goddess again.
[Was the reason you secretly kept Yasu Tomohiro away because he was disruptive to the harmony?]
[Hmmm? What are you suddenly talking about? Are you alright?]
The atmosphere came to a standstill.
Feeling the change in the atmosphere, I slowly lowered my eyes.]
[I’m sorry. It was something unnecessary to talk about. Please forget about it.]
[Ufu, ufufu, fufuu…… This- is- it-♪ That’s what I was talking about♪ That respect and self-reflection is what you have and what the other Heroes lack. Especially her, you know…… I couldn’t feel any hint of respect or self-reflection from Sogou-san. Ummm…… I’m sorry if I sound like I’m badmouthing your girlfriend, okay? That’s not what I meant by my words.]
[……There’s no problem.]
[Even at that time when Sogou-san…… Errr, what’s his name again…… You know, that one with the worst rank…… Even though I wasted no time throwing away someone so pitifully useless——— Well, putting aside that Hero that died long ago…… Sogou-san defied me in disposing that thing for some reason, you know? She still doesn’t seem to think that such an act of treason was wrong…… I still didn’t hear her say anything about reflecting in her actions. I’ve been bothered about that…… I guess this is how her parents must have felt for her. How pitiful, they are.]
[I’ll take some time to admonish her about that.]
[Can I really ask you that?]
[I’ll try.]
[Errr, as for Asagi-chan…… Well, the key to uniting everyone is to get the three S-Ranks in line. As soon as we make contact with them, I’ll make arrangements so that their group can join with everyone. Or perhaps…… Would it be better to dispose of those girls?]
Maybe it was because the decisive battle was drawing near.
Whether they would be “selected” by the Goddess, or be someone she considered as finished.
It seems like her hesitation in disposing the Heroes are starting to disappear.
[No…… Asagi-san has the ability to bring people together. So, when the time comes when the three S-Ranks couldn’t personally command the others, I’m sure she can play an active role in bringing them together.]
[Well then, I wouldn’t dispose of them.]
[———-By the way, there was something else I wanted to ask. My little sister was very anxious about something, and she asked me to ask Goddess for another confirmation. I did tell her that there was no need to ask for confirmation about such a thing though.]
I let out a sigh.
[However, it seems that several other Heroes have similar concerns. Even the S-Rank Hero Sogou-san was also worried about this. To be honest, I think this is a rude question to ask, so I’m sorry if this makes you uncomfortable.]
[No, no, Hijiri-san and I are close already—-♪ I won’t be angry, so ask away? What is it? What could it be?]
[“If we defeat the Great Demon Emperor, will we really be allowed to return to our world?”]
[Eh? I’d obviously…… send all of you back though? What’s with that sudden question?]
[——–Well, I thought that was the case, so that’s why I told her “Isn’t asking that pointless and rude?”. However…… I hoped that by confirming it like this, they would be convinced and their mental stability would be improved for the battle against the Great Demon Emperor.]
[I see, as expected of Hijiri-san. You’re even taking care about the mental health of others♪ Mental stability is very important before a battle after all.]
[The Great Demon Emperor has now lost the top three members of his Confidants. In this case, the time for the decisive battle against the Great Demon Emperor must be near…… That’s probably why the Heroes began to feel that the time of our return was approaching, and they began to feel sudden anxiety. Anyway, I intend to do my best to defeat the Great Demon Emperor. That’s why……]
It seemed like the Goddess understood what I was trying to convey.
[Ufufu, please don’t worry. I’ll make sure to deal with the Mad Emperor coming from the west. You can count on me. I’m a God, remember?]
[Thank you. Well then, we’ll focus on defeating the Great Demon Emperor.]
*Clink*
The Goddess placed a necklace on the table.
[In the situation where the Heroes crush the heart, finishing off the Great Demon Emperor, this necklace will take in the huge amount of Tyrant’s Miasma that will be released. I did explain this to you before, right?]
A necklace with a black crystal on it.
Immediately after we were summoned, the Goddess explained how we were able to return.
“The first method is to obtain the heart of the Great Demon Emperor, the source of his Tyrant’s Miasma. The other is to capture the Tyrant’s Miasma released when the Great Demon Emperor is annihilated into the crystal of this necklace.”
The Goddess continued.
[The Tyrant’s Miasma that the Root of All Evil holds in its heart is special and enormous. It’s not something that even I can bear to be near. And at last, I had finally…… found the Hero I could entrust this necklace to. At the time you were going to head north, to the final battle, I will entrust this necklace to you.]
Hearing what she proclaimed, I looked down at the necklace.
[I guess I should say that this is an honor.]
[Hijiri Takao.]
With blinding speed, the Goddess suddenly appeared across the table.
Before I noticed it, her hand was laid over mine.
As I found myself staring into her emotionless golden eyes, I saw my own reflection within her pupils.
[This battle against the Great Demon Emperor is a battle that we absolutely cannot lose, as it will determine everything that the future will hold. Whether it’s your future or mine. That’s why———–]
Her emotionless golden eyes still looking at me, the Goddess smiled.
[Never betray me, okay?]
[Betray you? What good would it do me to betray you?]
[I’m just saying it now. Even Mira’s Mad Emperor, who also had nothing to gain by betraying me, had done so, extremely hurting my feelings and making me very displeased.]
[I wonder what would happen if I betrayed you?]
[I don’t know if it will be before or after you defeated the Great Demon Emperor, but I’ll show you what happens then.]
[Show me what?]
[The fate of the Mad Emperor.]
▽
I finally returned back to my room.
It’s a room that is bigger than the one I had back in my original world.
This was apparently the most luxurious room, even among the S-Rank Heroes.
That’s something I only found out recently though.
High quality furnishings.
A bed with a canopy that guarantees one a comfortable sleep.
There was even a private bathing area.
With a ring of a bell, you can also call someone to have hot water filled within it right away.
Currently, Itsuki isn’t together with me in this room.
I’m all alone.
Walking over to the desk, I pulled out a chair for me to sit on.
I then sat down on it in a position where the desk is on my right.
Feeling that there isn’t anyone nearby, I pulled out something into my pocket———- and placed it on the desk.
A smartphone.
In the end, I didn’t touch the Tonoa Water that the Goddess served.
I still felt thirsty though, so I poured water from a nearby jug into a cup and took a sip.
Like the surface of the calm water, where not a single ripple could be found, I’m completely calm.
Smoothly pulling off the tie on my hair, I shook my head and let my hair flow behind my back.
After lightly combing my hair with my fingers, I operated my smartphone.
Dwindling battery charge.
However, the fact that I can still use it would have been strange if the others had seen this.
It has already been quite some time since we’ve come to this world, and everyone’s smartphones are already out of battery charge except mine.
They can’t use their smartphones anymore.
They obviously couldn’t be charged in this place either.
However, only I was able to charge my phone.
It’s thanks to my Inherent Skill < Wind > ——- < Thunder >
With this ability———– I was able to charge my phone.
The fact that I can charge my smartphone.
This is something that I haven’t told to anyone, not even Itsuki.
The principle of how I was able to charge my phone’s battery is still unknown to me.
All I know is that it’s thanks to this ability that I was able to do it.
Thinking about this matter again, I contemplated.
My own Inherent Skill.
The range of applications of my Inherent Skill is unusually wide.
Is this a characteristic of S-Ranks?
Does the “S” in my rank have a different property from other S-Ranks?
That’s something that I still don’t know.
Unexpectedly……
The abilities of the other S-Ranks might also be something that could be applied quite freely.
I put my phone away.
Lately, I have been experiencing a strange sensation.
Somehow, I could tell when the other person was lying by their voice.
It kind of feels like I gained a new body sense which allows me to judge the authenticity of what one is saying by the minute fluctuations in their voice.
I verified this many times with Itsuki’s help.
Indeed——– There is this feeling in which I can tell a lie by the “fluctuation” of their voice.
However, it’s not absolute.
So that I could sense a lie, I have to sharpen my awareness and concentrate.
My guess is that this is due to the influence of my Inherent Skill <Wind>.
Does S-Rank Skills also have some kind of effect on their user themselves?
I don’t know.
I guess that’s something I’ll have to carefully examine at some point.
As I was thinking about that, I suddenly remembered something about the word “Wind”.
I thought of the knowledge I gained from the books I’ve read from the closed stacks.
What came to mind was the existence of special spirits called “stray spirits” and “outlier spirits”.
(T/N: hazure spirits/outlier spirits here can also be failure spirits, but since they weren’t described in this chapter, I’m not really sure.)
A stray spirit of the wind that can see through lies.
That spirit’s name is Sylphixia.
A wind spirit——— Seeing through skill———– Wind Inherent Skill.
The common connection between them is “wind”.
I wonder if they have some sort of connection?
[……………….]
I pulled my thoughts back to the objective at hand.
Taking out my smartphone again, I plugged earphones in the jack.
I then started operating it.
“Would you like to play the recorded audio?” ————Yes.
“Please select a file.” ————I scrolled through my file list.
“Do you want to play this file” ————Yes.
Playback, start.
“Eh? I’d obviously…… send all of you back though?”
Repeat.
“Eh? I’d obviously…… send all of you back though?”
Repeat.
“Eh? I’d obviously…… send all of you back though?”
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat, Repeat, Repeat……, ———–
I wonder how long I’ve been playing this on repeat?
Putting that question out of my mind, I stopped operating the smartphone and took off the earphones.
With my right elbow resting on the edge of the desk, I closed my eyes———– and thought in silence.
A moment of silence passed.
The impurities of life’s sounds were being blocked out of my consciousness.
It really was very quiet.
……I wonder how long such moment passed?
I finally opened my eyes.
In that dreadfully quiet room……
The time to change the doubt into certainty is over.
And for the first time since I entered this room, I spoke.
[I see.]
That conversation I had with the Goddess.
“If we defeat the Great Demon Emperor, will we really be allowed to return to our world?”
“Eh? I’d obviously…… send all of you back though?”
Letting my gaze drift about, I found myself looking at the curtains of the window.
The sunshine was leaking through gaps in the curtains.
I could see the fine dust flying in the air glittering in the light.
Looking at the fake-looking radiance……
I eventually muttered.
[She’s a liar.]
<Author’s Notes>
Today, the latest chapter of the manga has been updated on Comic Gardo. Of course, chapter 18 is great overall, but I personally liked the design of the Human-Faced that appeared in it.
In the , we will return to Touka’s point of view.
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