Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - Chapter 66

Chapter 66: “A God Slayer, huh?” ②

The local deity resided in a small room within the sacred area, a domain belonging to the gods. 

The room, where the god dwelled, was particularly tainted with impurity.

“Excuse me for intruding.”

Without even knocking, and with a brief greeting, the sliding door to the room was opened.

“Welcome, Natsuki Yura-dono.”

Inside the room was a simple tatami-floored space with a small brazier. 

Sitting on a cushion was local god Mizuchi, who appeared to be in his twenties with blue hair and dressed in a blue kimono.

“Pleased to meet you, I’m Mizuchi. I’ve been watching you.” 

“Thanks. I’m Natsuki Yura. I’ve come to kill you.”

“…I’m sorry to trouble you. You’re capable of doing it. I also extend my gratitude to those cooperating with you.”

Mizuchi, bowing deeply with his hands on the floor, clearly retained his rationality.

As he did so, Natsuki broke out in a cold sweat.

(Damn, this person, no, this god… is stronger than I imagined.)

The power of a local deity depends on faith and time. 

Known to have protected Mukaijima City as its local deity for a long time, Mizuchi was understood to be a god who had lived for an extended period. However, it was assumed he had weakened due to the dwindling faith, as few outside the Minazuki family worshipped Mizuchi. 

Though Mukaijima City’s festival involves dedicating offerings to a water deity, it’s unlikely that ordinary people directly worship Mizuchi. 

(Is this the power of love, I wonder?)

Beyond faith, the power of love had bestowed him strength.

It was undeniable. Kaya Minazuki’s love had empowered the local deity Mizuchi. Her love was simply too vast.

(Change of plan. I’ll use the holy sword after all.) 

Initially, he prioritized minimizing damage to the surroundings, but now, his main focus has shifted to achieving a kill. 

Winning would pose a challenge even with the capabilities of an adult body, especially when taking the surroundings into account, and this challenge is magnified in his current state as a third-year middle schooler who hasn’t fully mastered his powers. 

When it comes to raw power, Koume could potentially be stronger than him.

However, against Mizuchi, no better strategy was found other than to overpower him with absolute force.

Instinctively, he knew he had to exert his full strength.

“You already know the situation, so I won’t say anything unnecessary. Just, please, a last request.”

“Yes?”

“Express my gratitude to the Minazuki family members. And to Kaya and Mio, tell them I love them from the bottom of my heart.” 

“Understood.”

(Man, this is tough! This atmosphere makes it so hard to do! If only Ginko-san would suddenly appear and lighten the mood!)

“Thank you. However, I won’t go down without a fight.”

“I expect as much.”

“It’s fine for me. But surely, another aspect of me will fight back. It seems it’s already emerging.”

True to Mizuchi’s words, the divine power overflowing from him turned ominously dark, signaling that while he accepted death as a deity, the impure aspect intended to resist.

“The sane part of me wishes for the happiness of people. However, the part of me that has lost sanity is angry, questioning why I alone must suffer like this, why I must be tainted for the sake of humans.”

“I think that’s legitimate anger. I would probably feel the same way.”

“…You are an interesting child. If possible, I would have liked to have a longer conversation with you.”

“Me too.” 

“Thank you for having this last conversation with me, even though you could have killed me by now.” 

Mizuchi, with a gentle smile, bowed deeply for the last time.

Then, when he raised his face, he glared at Natsuki with a visage of rage, unrecognizable as the same person.

“You dare to kill a god!? Try it if you can! Insolent human, feel my wrath! I will kill you, consume you, and devour all of the Minazuki family!”

“Whoa, what a transformation!” 

“Die, human!” 

A turbid flow released by Mizuchi attacked Natsuki.

Truly a deity of the land. 

The difference in class was clear compared to lower demons or human psychics. 

“Too bad! I am the hero of the sea. That means—controlling water is not your exclusive skill!”

The moment the turbid flow touched Natsuki, it instantly froze. At this point, Natsuki seemed to have the upper hand in power. 

“Damn you!” 

Realizing that his major attack was ineffective, Mizuchi transformed water into a blade. Even in his insanity, he seemed to retain a calmness in combat.

“I wish I could have fought Mizuchi in his prime.”

Mizuchi took a stance with his sword and closed the distance in an instant, ready to strike. 

Natsuki, too, had drawn a sword from the void.

Natsuki’s movements were faster than Mizuchi’s. 

Even if his body had become younger, the power he had wielded hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands of times moved as an extension of his limbs.

He raised the long sword, which burst with white lightning, driven by a clear intent to kill, and swung it down.

“―Roar of the Thunder.”

Thunder roared through the sacred area, slicing Mizuchi from his left shoulder diagonally across his body, destroying the supposedly sturdy double barrier in the process.

〜〜Afterword〜〜

Koume: “Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!?” 

Jack: “My ship…”