Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - Chapter 67

Chapter 67: “A God Slayer, huh?” ③

“…That was close.”

Mizuchi’s sword had almost slit his throat.

It was only because Natsuki’s strike was faster and because he was holding the holy sword in his right hand, he was able to grab the blade with his left hand, avoiding what could have been a fatal blow.

“…Well done. To think that I, a decaying land god, would be rendered helpless.” 

“No, you were strong too. I would have liked to fight you at your prime.”

“Haha. If I was in my prime, there would have been no need to fight you, nor to torment the people of the Minazuki family.”

Not only the shrine and the detached buildings but also a third of the Minazuki family’s estate and part of the mountain behind it had vanished.

The barrier that Koume and Jack had set up was also gone. 

(…Maybe I used too much power.) 

There’s regret but no remorse. Since he held back, he hoped the Minazuki family could manage the aftermath.

“…How much longer can you last?” 

“At best, two to three minutes.”

The land god Mizuchi, lying powerlessly on the ground, was bisected diagonally from the left shoulder by the holy sword, and everything below his diagonally sliced chest had vanished. 

However, the corruption that had tormented Mizuchi and spread throughout the area was also eradicated by a flash of the holy sword. Mizuchi’s expression was peaceful in the face of death.

He might not last even a minute. 

Natsuki knelt beside Mizuchi, placing a hand on his chest.

“…What for?”

“I’m sorry. All I can do is hurt others. That’s why I couldn’t purify and save you. There was no other solution but to kill you.”

“Please don’t worry about it. Just by saving me, you have no idea how much you’ve helped me. It spared my daughter from being sacrificed.”

“But, I’m really frustrated. I couldn’t save you in the true sense of the word. So, let me satisfy myself a bit, lighten the burden I feel.”

Natsuki, instead of using magical power, enhanced his spiritual power. 

Although not inherently possessing spiritual powers, having witnessed psychics several times and through the battle with the land god, Natsuki had somewhat learned to use it.

The Minazuki family’s main house was built here, and the area was filled with spiritual power.

Gathering the spiritual power in the air, Natsuki directed it all at once into Mizuchi. 

“—Heal.”

The gathered spiritual power was completely absorbed. However, there was no recovery. 

Mizuchi’s appearance remained unchanged. 

“This should give you about fifteen minutes, right?”

“…Why?”

“You need to properly say your last goodbyes to your wife and daughter. It would bother the people left behind, and me too, if you didn’t. Wait here, I’ll call them for you.”

“Natsuki Yura-dono.”

“Hmm?”

“—Thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome.”

Natsuki felt slightly relieved.

Removing the uniform jacket, Natsuki draped it over Mizuchi’s body, thinking it unnecessary to show the grievous sight of his lower body being gone. 

With the shrine gone, Natsuki found Kaya and Mio a short distance away. 

Despite advising them to flee, Natsuki felt relieved they were still close by.

“Hey!” 

When Natsuki called out, Kaya and others rushed over. 

They seemed to want an explanation for everything, but Natsuki spoke first. 

“You only have fifteen minutes left. Kaya-san, Mio-san, it’s time to say goodbye to Mizuchi.”

Understanding the meaning of Natsuki’s words, Kaya and Mio bowed deeply and then, holding hands, ran off. 

Natsuki did not follow.

Intruding on the precious final moments of a family was not something Natsuki intended to do.

Watching them go, he hoped that their family time would last even a second longer.

〜〜Afterword〜〜

The confrontation was resolved in a short time, but Mizuchi, despite having lost power, was quite strong.

And so, the Minazuki family got off with losing only a third of their estate, plus a part of the mountain.