Vol 1 Chapter 31 – Things Humans Can Win Against But Don’t Want to Fight

“Looks like all the residents have moved to the south side of town. The neighboring town is Tostria — apparently they’ve got an evacuation plan sorted out over there, too.”

Rito said this while clicking away at that brown Rubik’s cube-looking thing from before. So he really is using that mysterious little cube like a computer or smartphone. Well, I don’t actually know that, but it feels that way. I’m not sure how it’s powered, so that I won’t ask. Don’t even want to.

“Do we have any details on the Demon King’s army?”

“Numbers are probably around 300. Not a large unit. There’s one with a strong magical output — probably the one giving orders.”

“300, huh.”

That’s roughly how many people pack a big university lecture hall to capacity, I guess. Feels like a lot, but also not that many.

Apparently, the knights’ scouting unit is already on its way, and the northern border troops, along with something like the Calselm militia, are willing to cooperate. Our side sits at about 90 people—pretty rough odds.

“Utaki.”

“Yeah?”

“You may not realize it, but if you can visualize something clearly in your mind, you can materialize it in front of you. Ariadne threw that magical aptitude at you on a whim, so you should be able to handle most things.”

“That’s basically a cheat ability.”

“Overuse it, and you’ll collapse. Be careful.”

“Got it. Even that little bit is way more reassuring than just swinging a mace around.”

Just a little, though.

I’m fine, but the real problem is Elena. Rito said he’d drain her excess magical energy — he drew something like a magic circle on the ground, and she’s standing on it, looking completely flustered. Rito’s busy with his own thing, and Titania’s right beside her, so she should be okay.

“Utaki-sama, what exactly is this ‘cheat’ you keep saying?”

“Uh, hmm… I guess it means something like ‘unfair’ — getting an overpowered ability through shady means.”

“I see, so it’s called a ‘cheat.’ In that case, I don’t think what you have qualifies as one.”

“Why not?”

The older man with the perpetually gentle smile had beautiful dark navy hair. It gleamed like a raven’s wet feathers. His bangle marked him as a Lancer. His element, apparently, was Darkness.

Darkness element, but is this approachable? And honestly, I still can’t wrap my head around what Dark-type even does physically.

“In this world, cheating is forbidden — not by law, but by the natural order itself. The world creates an error when something goes wrong. Elena’s situation is literally that — an error.”

“So mine is… something that was always meant to happen?”

“I’d say it’s probably just the route things were supposed to take.”

“…Hey, what’s your name?”

“Me? I’m Augres. Oh — I can hear footsteps. They’ll be here soon.”

Sharp ears on him. I can’t make out a thing.

We’re on slightly elevated ground, so the border area stretches out clearly in front of us. When I squint hard enough, one distant spot looks like a solid black line cutting across the horizon. That’s probably where the Demon King’s army is gathered.

“The militia should be heading our way soon, too — combat won’t be far off. Man, it’s been way too long. I’m actually excited.”

He looked like he was genuinely enjoying this. Must be a veteran. Honestly, kind of enviable.

“Let me think about how I’m going to skewer them… ahahaha!”

Take that back. Who was the one calling him a nice older man with a gentle smile?

Vol 1 Chapter 32 – The Outcome Is Decided Before the Battle Even Starts

“Ahahahaha! What a pathetic-looking bunch of humans! World domination’s going to be a breeze this time!”

T h e y ‘ r e   h e r e.

Nothing had happened in so long that I’d completely let my guard down — but hang on, the one giving orders is a girl? Come on, give me a break. I already want to go home more than anything, and now this? I’m begging you. If this whole thing had a subtitle, it would be something like: “Is This Really the Hero Who Just Wants to Go Home the Most?” Read the room.

“They’ve arrived. I can smell weaklings.”

“Ros, that’s terrifying.”

Augres was apparently too long, so Ros is fine, he said. Everyone take note — he’s a rare specimen worth remembering.

“Looks like the enemy’s weak to fire, by the way. Just got word from the scouting unit.”

“Hold on — we can’t burn them.”

“Huh?”

“Titania, you’re fire-attribute too, but absolutely do not set them on fire.”

“Is something wrong?”

I looked at the enemy and went completely silent. I’d been told it was an army of 300, and since I’d been thinking of it on the scale of a university lecture hall, I figured it would be manageable. But that was because I’d been assuming — without ever questioning it — that the enemy would be humanoid.

“Listen to me. We’re talking boiling water. Scalding, burn-you-to-nothing-level boiling water, okay? That’s the only option.”

“Would burning them be a problem? If it’s a fire hazard you’re worried about, that shouldn’t be an issue—”

“That’s not what I mean! If there are females in that group, we won’t be dealing with 300 anymore!”

Does this world even have a concept of pests? I can handle exterminating them myself, but I wouldn’t say I enjoy it. I mean, in America or wherever, sure — there are enthusiasts, legitimate research subjects, all very valid, I understand the logic, I genuinely do.

Size-wise, roughly… a large dog. Yeah. Golden Retriever, Dalmatian, that kind of size.

A military unit of that size. 300 of them. Moving in a black column, 300 strong. An organized, perfectly synchronized army marching toward us at a uniform pace. 300.

Well, would you look at that. Impressive. Highly trained. Really something.

“Ohhh hehehehe — why hello there, Mr. Hero~ First time meeting, yes? I’m Fia~”

“Hey. Cute face on you.”

“Oh — oh my, really? You have good taste, hehe. You’re quite something yourself, hehehe. Why not quit being a hero and come over to my side? We can live together in my room with the door locked~”

The yandere energy was practically radiating off her. This is only going to get worse. She’s definitely a route.

“Sorry to disappoint, but I have no intention of quitting.

And I’m afraid I just can’t be friends with cockroaches!”

Following what Pakira told me — visualize it in your mind — I brought what I imagined into existence in front of me.

“COME ON THEN! I’M EXTERMINATING EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU, YOU LITTLE—!”

Ten self-propelling, auto-spraying roach killer canisters.

Yeah, go ahead and stare. But why are you people totally fine with cockroaches?!