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In the midst of the silence, a voice, not particularly loud, echoed quietly through the labyrinth. The classmates stared intently at the youth who had spoken, as if they had forgotten to breathe. The female students, their faces flushed, would have surely let out delighted squeals if they weren't in a labyrinth. Such was the beauty of the young man before them.
Snow-white hair, unlike an old man's, shimmered beautifully. Golden eyes that shone no less brightly than his hair. A jet-black coat that seemed to highlight both features. They had seen countless handsome actors and beautiful idols on Earth, but compared to the being before them, everyone else would undoubtedly pale in comparison. Even Shia and Kaori, who had Hajime as their beloved, were momentarily captivated.
"âŠAldias-sama."
"Hm?"
Amidst this, Hajime, the only one who hadn't lowered his guard, heard Cattleya's murmur. Hajime found the name, likely that of the man before him, familiar. More than that, he was an opponent Hajime was as wary of as God Ehit himself.
(So that's Demon King Aldias, huh...?)
If what he'd heard was true, he, like Hajime, had mastered Ancient Magic. Not a moment's carelessness could be afforded.
Then, Aldias, who had been looking around, fixed his gaze on Hajime, or more precisely, on Cattleya.
(What do I do? Do I strike first before he does...?)
"Cattleya, I'm sorry I'm late."
A man's voice sounded right beside Hajime, who was strategizing how to deal with an opponent who might be his equal or superior.
"!"
"Eh? Oh, no! I'm fine!!"
Goosebumps erupted across Hajime's entire body. His body moved before he could think, and he evacuated the spot at full speed. Aldias, seemingly unaware of Hajime's reaction, casually conversed with Cattleya. Hajime, meanwhile, stared at him with awe.
(No way... I didn't take my eyes off him for a second!? Yet, before I knew it, he was standing right next to me!)
Whether it was due to sheer base stats, some skill, or magic, Hajime couldn't tell. But one thing was clear: If Aldias had been serious, Hajime would have lost his life in that instant.
(You've gotta be kidding me!? I heard he was strong, but not a monster like this!! Why is someone like him around, and why haven't the humans been annihilated yet?!)
Hajime screamed inwardly. He had expected him to have considerable power, having conquered at least the Orcus and Raisen Labyrinths. However, given the war hadn't ended yet, Hajime had thought he might not possess enough power to destroy a nation itself. But that assumption had been completely overturned. More than anything, since appearing here, Aldias hadn't acknowledged anyone but Cattleya.
(He doesn't even see me, huh...!)
Since returning from the Orcus Labyrinth, there had been troublesome opponents like Miledi, but no one had been so utterly indifferent to him. That fact severely irked Hajime, but his reason warned him of the danger of acting carelessly.
Then, having finished casting healing magic on Cattleya, Aldias finally noticed Hajime and stared at him as if observing him.
"...What is it?"
"No, I was just thinking how courageous you are, considering you were a child unfamiliar with battle until recently. As expected of a Hero, I suppose...? Was it... Amanogawa Kouki?"
"Huh?"
Hajime frowned at Aldias's words. Aldias tilted his head at the unexpected reaction. Cattleya, realizing his mistake, corrected him.
"No, Aldias-sama. He is not the Hero. That excessively sparkly one over there is."
"...What?"
Aldias widened his eyes slightly at Cattleya's words and followed her gaze. There stood Kouki, already exhausted and kneeling.
"...I thought 'Hero' simply meant someone strong, but it seems I was mistaken."
"What?!"
Kouki, called simply "weak," narrowed his eyes and glared at Aldias.
"Don't be so angry. I see, you're the Hero... Hmm, it's not you."
Aldias stared at Kouki for a moment, then seemed to lose interest and returned his gaze to Hajime.
"It was you after all... who pushed Cattleya this far."
"...So what if it was?"
"Nothing in particular. I don't intend to complain. This is war. It's misguided to hate your opponent just because you were killed by them. ...However, as the King of the Demonkin, I cannot remain silent when my retainer is harmed."
"" " "King!?" " ""
The classmates, who had been listening to their conversation from a distance, cried out in astonishment at the word "King" from Aldias's mouth. They had vaguely sensed he was no ordinary person from Cattleya's respectful demeanor and his overwhelming presence, but they froze, speechless, never imagining that the leader of the enemy nation would appear here.
Amidst their shock, one man recovered from his paralysis the quickest and spoke to Aldias.
"King of the Demonkin! I have something to tell you!"
"K-Kouki!?"
Kouki, who had been glaring at Aldias, dragged his heavy body and approached Aldias as soon as he learned he was the Demon King. Shizuku, sensing a bad premonition, called out to stop Kouki, but it wasn't enough to deter him.
"You! How dare you be so disrespectful to Aldias-samaâ!"
Cattleya raised her voice at Kouki, who suddenly interrupted Aldias's conversation, but she swallowed her words when she saw Aldias raise his hand.
"It's fine... So, do you have business with me? Human Hero."
"I have a proposal for you, King of the Demonkin! This war has no meaning! Killing people is absolutely wrong! Please, won't you talk with us?"
"...What?"
"Kouki!!"
Aldias frowned at the content of Kouki's proposal, and Shizuku yelled at her childhood friend, who clearly didn't understand the situation.
"Do you know what you're saying!?"
"Don't interfere, Shizuku! Fighting among people is definitely wrong, isn't it?! Murder is evil! I'm the Hero who's going to save this world! This isn't what we should be doing!!"
"You... complete idiot!!"
Unlike the others, Shizuku had constantly considered the possibility of killing people in this war. However, she hadn't explicitly told Kouki. She had been busy supporting Kaori, who had lost her beloved in the worst possible way, and with her own training. But the main reason was probably that she judged he wouldn't understand. Although not directly, she had hinted at it indirectly, but no matter what she said, he would only repeat, "I'll protect everyone." From long ago, when he decided he was right, anything said was futile, so she had hoped that a change in situation and the passage of time would resolve it. However, that personality had revealed itself at the worst possible moment.
"...I see, so that's it."
Aldias had been narrowing his eyes at Kouki's statements, but hearing the exchange with Shizuku, he seemed to understand the true meaning of his words and glared at Kouki. There was clear contempt in his eyes.
"It seems you don't understand what a 'Hero' is in this world."
"?âWhat do you mean by that...?"
"Even during this war that has lasted for thousands of years, there were individuals called 'Heroes' among both humans and demonkin. Their Heavenly Jobs weren't necessarily that. Do you understand why they came to be called that?"
"Eh? That is, they protected many people..."
"Wrong. There's only one reason they came to be called that... because they killed more enemies than anyone else."
"...Eh?"
As Aldias said, there were indeed individuals called Heroes in the past. There was a demonkin who, with overwhelming might, single-handedly killed dozens of humans and annihilated nearby villages. There was a human who, concealed by the shadows of conflict, infiltrated the Demon Realm of Garland alone and carried out a massacre overnight. From the enemy's perspective, they were great criminals whose names were etched in history, but from their allies' perspective, they were praised as courageous individuals who feared not deathâHeroes.
"L-Lies!? That's not a Hero!? That's not what justice does!?"
Kouki vehemently denied it, his voice rising, at this reality so far removed from his imagined image of a Hero. But Aldias's expression didn't change as he continued to force the reality upon him.
"Firstly, war does not happen between good and evil. It begins with the clash of justice against justice. And the victor leaves their name in history as justice, while the defeated are condemned as evil. That is what war is. ...To be forcibly brought to this world and so easily join in a war, I thought you were quite naive... but this isn't child's play. Don't make fools of us, you brats...!"
"H-Hik!"
Aldias's killing intent pierced Kouki. Having experienced battlefields since childhood, Aldias fully understood the cruelty of war. The experience of close acquaintances dying the next day was not a rare occurrence. Kouki's statement was tantamount to saying that the sacrifices of those who lost their lives for their nation and loved ones were meaningless.
"...Hmph, fine, you don't matter right now. My business is with the eyepatch man over there."
"I don't have any business with you..."
"You expect me to let someone with your power run wild? I'll ask just in case... do you have any intention of joining the demonkin?"
"You think I'd serve under you?"
"No, I don't. You don't seem like the type to quietly serve anyone. So..."
âI'll dispose of you here.
In that instant, a visible torrent of magical power erupted from Aldias. Its flow spread wide enough to engulf the not-so-narrow labyrinth.
"What?!"
"What is this?!"
"No way... this is...!"
"Ah, aaah..."
Everyone was speechless at the immense magical power. Especially those with Heavenly Jobs specializing in magic realized it, as fellow magic users. No, to be precise, the difference in dimension was so vast they couldn't understand. They couldn't grasp how high Aldias had reached.
As everyone trembled, small magic circles suddenly appeared behind Aldias. But what was astonishing was their number. They filled the entire field of vision, probably exceeding fifty. From these magic circles, condensed lumps of magical power appeared as glowing orbs.
"Monster...!!"
In such a desperate situation, Hajime couldn't help but curse, his eyes reflecting the image of Aldias raising one hand to the sky.
"For the peace of the demonkin... perish."
Uryuu (Rain Dragon)
Aldias brought his hand down. At that moment, the magically condensed orbs of light were successively fired at Hajime. Their flowing trajectories, leaving trails behind, were like the dragons of Eastern legends. They assailed Hajime like rain. From an outsider's perspective, it was a beautiful sight, but for the one targeted, it was hell.
"Damn youâ!!"
Hajime chose to intercept, letting out a roar. It would be impossible to dodge all of this dense attack. He would constantly move, and for those he couldn't dodge, he would shoot them down with Donner before they hit. However, even the heat from the exploding orbs was burning Hajime's skin.
"Uwaaaahâ!?"
"Kyaaahâ!?"
They were supposed to be some distance from the impact points of the orbs, but the aftermath of the explosions reached the classmates, and they braced themselves, supporting each other to avoid being blown away.
"Hajime-kun!?"
"No, Kaori!?"
"But Hajime-kun!?"
"What can you do if you go?!"
"Uuuugh..."
Shizuku desperately held back Kaori, who looked ready to run toward Hajime, who was at the center of the bombardment. If Kaori went there, she would be obliterated without a trace before even reaching Hajime.
She had thought he was dead. Even while believing he was alive, the worst possibilities had always lingered in her mind. But he was alive. When he came to their rescue in their dire situation, she was so happy. There were so many things she wanted to talk about. But he might die again. This time, she might never see him again. That was terrifying, and thenâ
(I promised to protect him...! I'm going to... again!)
Anger welled up within her for being able to do nothing but watch, just like that time. Had she not grown at all since then...? And Kaori wasn't the only one worried about Hajime.
"Hajime-san!!"
Shia, the rabbit-eared girl, tried to rush towards Hajime, butâ
"Don't you dare come hereâ!!"
"!"
Shia flinched at Hajime's shout and stopped in her tracks. In reality, Shia, whose main combat style was close-quarters with her great hammer artifact, Doryukken, could only act as a shield. Shia knew this much too. Like Kaori, she gritted her teeth, tears welling in her eyes, in a situation where she could only watch.
Shooting with Donner and Schlag. Supporting fire and defense with Crossbit. Slashes with "Wind Claws." In addition, he used all his available cards, controlling them precisely and perfectly with "Flash." A single mistake would lead to his death. However, his power, having conquered the Orcus Labyrinth alone, was not merely for show... or so it seemed.
"Haa... haa... haa... cough..."
Despite the ceiling having collapsed, the ground sunken, and the situation being hellish due to Aldias's "Uryuu," Hajime was still alive. However, his body was already in tatters. Painful burn marks were visible everywhere, and perhaps due to overusing his brain with "Flash" to its limits, dark blood streamed from his nose. Donner and Schlag were partially melted from continuous firing that ignored their limits and the explosions of the light bullets. Every single Crossbit was destroyed. He had literally used up all his available firepower.
"Hajime-kun!!"
"Hajime-san!!"
"He... blocked that...?"
As Kaori and Shia showed expressions of relief, Shizuku wore a look of astonishment. The other classmates were the same. And even if their expressions hadn't changed, Aldias was also astonished.
"Honestly... I'm surprised. I never thought you'd endure."
"Haa... haa... Don't... underestimate me."
"Indeed, it seems I underestimated you somewhat."
âThen, what if it's double?
The next moment, magic circles reappeared behind Aldias. Their number was double the previous, easily exceeding 100.
"...Huh?"
Hajime was speechless at the sight before him. The orbs of light, filling Hajime's vision, could only be called a wall of light. All of them were aimed at him. Even after enduring Aldias's magic, Hajime's eyes hadn't died. With his remaining strength, he kept gripping Donner, ready to bite into his throat at any moment.
However, Donner, his weapon and partner since the Orcus Labyrinth... finally slipped from Hajime's hand.
Ignoring Hajime's state, Aldias's arm slowly lifted, and thenâ
"...What are you doing?"
He questioned a young girl who stood in front of Hajime, as if to protect him, without bringing his arm down.
"Get out of the way, little girl... you'll die."
"I won't move!"
The girlâShiaâspread her arms wide and glared at Aldias. But her body was visibly trembling with fear for anyone to see.
"Shia...? What are you doing...? Get out of here...!"
"No!"
"What are you saying at a time like this?! Get out of here, now!!"
"Absolutely not!!"
"!?âWhy... why would you go that far...!"
"Because I love you... because I love you so much, you idiot!?"
"!"
Hajime and Shia's encounter had not been a pleasant one, to say the least. Initially, Hajime had intended to abandon Shia, who had desperately searched for him using "Future Vision" to save her family.
He had helped her out of annoyance and with the reward of guiding him to the Great Labyrinth, but Hajime, betrayed by his classmates and thrown into the abyss, couldn't easily trust others, and his interactions with Shia were always prickly. Despite this, Shia relentlessly and actively continued to engage with Hajime. After her family was rescued by the elders of Fae Belgen, she no longer hid her affection for Hajime.
Gradually, Hajime's prickliness softened due to Shia's genuine admiration, and before he knew it, besides Shia, he had a perverted dragonman and a child who adored him as their father. He had decided not to trust anyone. Yet, his surroundings had unknowingly become constantly filled with lively voices. While he might call it annoying, deep down, he felt a certain comfort in it.
However, the distrust of others, ingrained in the very core of Hajime's soul, continued to smolder, never disappearing. No matter how close he became to others, that final wall was never removed. Shia must have noticed this. And yet... and yet, she told him she loved him. After all, she was willing to risk her life to protect him, who could only judge actions based on whether they benefited him.
(...Is it okay to trust? Won't I just be betrayed again and get hurt...?)
Even looking at the determined girl's back before him, Hajime couldn't make the final leap. But then, the words of the best teacher he knew resurfaced.
âPlease, don't forget the compassion for others. The precious and noble quality you originally possessed... please don't discard it.
These were the words his teacher, Aiko, had spoken to him in the town of Ur. They were directed at Hajime when he was about to abandon the people in Ur... but knowing that teacher, perhaps she had noticed the subtle wall he still held against Shia and the others.
(Trusting others is terrifying. After all, everyone cares about themselves most. If it means being betrayed and suffering, it's easier not to trust from the start. ...Even so... even if it's painful, even if it's hard, it's 100 times better than betraying those who believe in me!!)
At this moment, facing the desperate sense of death he felt for the first time... the presence of Shia, the girl willing to risk her life to protect him... and the words of his teacher, Aiko, who told him she believed in him despite himself... Hajime finally shattered his last wall.
"Eh?... Hajime-san?"
"...Oh?"
Hajime, who should have lost the will to fight moments ago, now stood in front of Shia, glaring fiercely at Aldias. He couldn't move his body properly, and all his weapons were lost. There was no convenient trump card for a comeback. Yet, there was no hint of resignation in Hajime's eyes.
"Your expression has changed... Did something change your mind?"
"Hmph, it's nothing so grand. ...Just, if you're a man, you want to look cool in front of the woman you like, right?"
"...Fweh?... Fweeeehhh!? H-H-Hajime-san, what did you just say!?"
"...Shut up. It's embarrassing, don't make me say it again."
"Just one more time! Just one more time!!"
"Argh! Now's not the time for that, is it?! I'll tell you later, so focus!!"
"Absolutely, right!? It's a promise!?"
The surrounding classmates froze, their eyes wide like dots, as the two suddenly began conversing like a newlywed couple. One person's eyes had lost their light, however...
Shia stood beside Hajime, gripping Doryukken. Next to her, Hajime, poised to activate "Transmutation" at any moment, was enveloped in a strange sensation. The being before them was undeniably powerful, someone they couldn't possibly defeat even if they stood on their heads. Yet, simply standing next to Shia, he somehow felt he couldn't lose. At this moment, Hajime finally understood why Cattleya hadn't given up when facing him... and why he had feared Cattleya.
(I didn't know... that fighting for someone else could give you so much strength... I didn't want to admit it. I didn't want to admit that the emotions I thought I had discarded, the heart that cared for someone... could make a person this strong. I was afraid that admitting it would be like denying myself.)
The human heart changes easily. However, the core of a person doesn't change easily. Even when betrayed by his classmates, even when near death in the abyss, the compassion for others at Hajime's core was never truly lost. He didn't intend to save strangers he didn't know. He wasn't a hero or even capable of being one. Still... still...
"We're definitely going to win, Shia!!"
"Yes! Hajime-san!!"
(I'll become a man who can protect the people I care about!!)
Aldias narrowed his eyes, watching the two, who seemed to support each other, direct their fighting spirit at him.
(...Beautiful.)
From the perspective of a third party who didn't know them, they would undoubtedly declare their actions mistaken. The strength of one's feelings often influenced the tide of battle. However, that was only when the forces of the enemies were evenly matched. If the stronger feeling wins, then could one say that the loser's feelings were weaker?
The answer is no. The strength of feelings can only be used to bridge a slight gap in power. However, Aldias praised them rather than disdaining them. He didn't think people who would risk their lives for others were foolish. Because in this world, where the value of life was so small, it was something more wonderful than anything else. Aldias continued to gaze at the scene, as if etching it into his eyesââ...
ââThe magic circles began to glow even brighter.
"" " "!?" " "**"
(...That's why it's unfortunate. That I must kill such wonderful beings as yourselves here...)
Aldias, who had experienced battlefields since childhood, had seen many admirable people like them. And he had buried every single one without exception.
(I am the King of the Demonkin. I have the responsibility to bear the nation and the lives of my people. My defeat would also affect the morale of the entire demonkin. ...More than anything, if I were to retreat here, I would not be able to face the people who believed in me and followed me... and those who scattered their lives entrusting their thoughts to me. Thereforeâ)
"As an offering of my full power... scatterâyou strong ones!!"
"Rainâ"
âThat's enough, Aldias.
"!"
Just before activating the magic, a man's voice echoed in Aldias's head. Taken by surprise, Aldias instinctively halted the activation of his magic.
"...What is it?"
"What happened?"
Hajime and Shia looked at the suddenly frozen Aldias with puzzled expressions. Ignoring them, Aldias responded to the sender of the "Telepathic Message." Aldias immediately recognized who the sender was. A tone of voice he could never forget. More than anything, there was only one person who wouldn't use an honorific for Aldias, the Demon King of Garland.
(Is there something you need, Alv-sama?)
Aruvu, the former Demon King of Garland and the God worshipped by the demonkin. Feeling a sense of unease at being contacted at this moment, Aldias asked for his business.
âWithdraw.
(...What did you just say?)
âI said withdraw. I know you are currently fighting the human Heroes. You were able to rescue Cattleya, weren't you? Then your business should be concluded. Withdraw.
Aldias's eyes widened slightly at Alv's words. Only Freed knew he was here. Freed was excellent. There would be no problem with the country running smoothly even without him for a short while. ...Yes, it should be easy to prevent Alv from noticing his absence for a short while.
(There's no way Freed would have leaked it in such a short time. ...Meaning, he was watching from the start, huh...?)
Aldias's face twisted in annoyance.
(However, the Heroes before us will surely become a threat to us demonkin. Therefore, I foolishly believe it's best to crush them here.)
âYou shall not.
(...May I ask why? Aren't they our enemies, summoned by God Ehit?)
âI need to explain that matter to you in detail. Come to me as soon as you return. It's an important matter for you... no, for the future of the demonkin as well. ...Do you not trust my words?
(...As the God guides.)
The "Telepathic Message" cut off after Aldias's words. At first glance, nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but Cattleya, who had served him for a long time, could see the unrestrained anger emanating from Aldias.
After a while, Aldias lowered the hand he had raised and made a motion as if to sweep something away. In conjunction with this, all the deployed magic circles vanished without a trace.
"What?!"
"Eh!?"
Turning their backs on the surprised Hajime and Shia, he walked towards Cattleya.
"Aldias-sama?"
"...Withdraw."
"Eh!? B-but..."
"It's a divine message... so to speak."
"!"
Cattleya seemed to grasp what had happened from Aldias's sarcastic words, and she gritted her teeth, revealing her anger. However, Aldias, who was likely feeling the most anger, was enduring it, so she, as a retainer, could not voice her complaints. She followed Aldias as he prepared to leave.
"H-Hey!"
However, Hajime couldn't just let Aldias suddenly leave and, though bewildered, called out to him. In response, Aldias looked back at Hajime and his party as if remembering something.
"What are your names?"
"...Huh?"
"What are your names?"
"...What are you plotting?"
"I'm not plotting anything. I simply have some urgent business and must return to my country immediately. I asked for your names because I simply became interested in you. ...Will you tell me?"
"...Nagumo Hajime."
"...Shia Haulia."
"Hajime and Shia, huh... I'll remember that. My name is Aldias. Farewell, strong ones."
Having said only that, a sudden gust of wind erupted around Aldias and Cattleya. Hajime and Shia instinctively covered their faces with their arms, and when the fierce wind subsided, the two figures were gone.
"...So, we're safe, for now?"
"It seems... so."
"...I see."
Hajime, finally comprehending that they were safe, exhaled and collapsed onto the ground.
"Eh!? Hajime-san!? Pull yourself together!!"
"Hajime-kun!?"
"Nagumo-kun!?"
Shia frantically supported Hajime's body, and Kaori and Shizuku immediately rushed to his side.
The first encounter between Hajime, the Apostle of God, and Aldias, the Demonkin. By all accounts, it was a crushing victory for Aldias. Though miraculously, there were no fatalities, after today's battle, no one would proudly declare themselves an Apostle of God or chosen to save the world.
The fear of having to kill people. This would be incredibly difficult for them, who had been unfamiliar with battle until now, to accept. Without a doubt, some would desert the front lines. Furthermore, even if they were prepared to kill, that wasn't the only wall standing before them.
Demon King Aldias. To win this war meant overthrowing that King. That being with god-like power...
However, while most despaired in the worst situation, there was one who showed signs of growth.
Nagumo Hajime. The boy recognized as strong by Aldias. The overwhelming difference in ability remained. Aldias still hid his power, while Hajime had used up all his cards. However, this battle had certainly pushed Hajime to a new stage.
What kind of impact would the encounter between Aldias and Hajime have on the world...?
âEven God does not know.