Volume 4 Chapter 82: Uoooooooooo!【Final Volume: Balor and Nanashi Arc】

“Right, time to run!”

I’d been hiding in the bushes, secretly watching the fight between the Gorgon and my maids. The moment a swarm of snake eyes all gleamed at once, that’s what popped out of my mouth.

All those sparkling snake eyes were terrifying.

Honestly, even normal snakes scare me. I can’t beat them.

And these were snakes the Gorgon had summoned—ones that could use Mystic Eyes, no less. Unbelievable. I feel sick.

So I decided to ditch the maids who were fighting and make a break for it.

They’re finally useful as meat shields. Bravo.

“As expected, Master—boldly declaring you’ll abandon the maids fighting so hard for you and run away.”

“…Was that supposed to be praise?”

“You heard praise in that?”

What’s with her…? Why is my maid acting so high and mighty toward her master…?

I really don’t get it.

“It looks bad. Even if I charge in, there’s nothing I can do. So I just have to survive. The Gorgon’s about to die anyway, and when she does the snakes should die too.”

Luckily, thanks to their hard work, the Gorgon’s on her last legs.

So running away shouldn’t be a problem.

The job’s done; I’ll squeeze something out of the Four Great Nobles later.

“Any proof the snakes will die?”

“None.”

Worst‑case scenario: the snakes survive and attack people.

A swarm of snakes with the Gorgon’s Mystic Eyes would be a disaster.

But that’s not my problem.

This isn’t Apophis territory; any damage hits some other lord’s lands.

I’m not the one dying, and if tax revenue tanks it’s their headache, not mine.

Besides, the Four Great Nobles are the idiots who dumped this monster on me.

Great nobles? Hah. Acting all high and mighty while doing nothing useful. Drop dead.

“Or are you going to help them? I won’t stop you.”

“No. I must serve as Master’s meat shield, so I’ll refrain.”

“You… Saying things you don’t mean…”

Nanashi never misses a chance to trash‑talk me, but the moment the danger points at her she turns away.

Definitely can’t trust her.

Not that I trust anyone in this world except myself.

“Anyway, that’s that. Let’s highta—――――”

Just as I shifted to flee,

one snake stared our way, its eyes flashing.

Ah, I’m do—――――.

“Bad news, Master!”

“You! Don’t shove me like you’re protecting meeeeeee!?”

Thud! I was hurled forward.

It looked like Nanashi shielded me, but she threw me right toward Ashvin and the others! What the hell!!

“Nu‑aaaaaaah!?”

◆

When Balor jumped in front of them to protect them, what welled up in Konoha’s heart was gratitude—and fury at herself.

The first was simple: the one she cherished was risking his life for her. Who wouldn’t rejoice at that?

The problem was the latter.

(What am I even living for…!)

She ground her teeth. Konoha existed to help Balor.

In the future, events had spiraled into a catastrophe so dire that “tragic” wasn’t enough.

That’s why she’d brought Balor here, keeping him where she could see him.

In return, she’d made absolutely sure he wouldn’t join the fight against the Gorgon.

He was so kind he offered to take the front himself, but she rejected every attempt.

This battle was to save Balor. No fool would throw the very person to be protected into a monster’s line of sight.

Things had gone well up to a point—they’d killed the Gorgon without exposing Balor to danger.

Slaying the legendary monster that had plagued humanity for years was an achievement fit for the history books.

(None of that matters…!)

To Konoha, only Balor mattered. Living for him, dying for him—that was her purpose.

Yet here she was, being saved by him. How sinful that felt.

“Konoha, thank you.”

“Eh…?”

Though her inadequacy had dragged him into peril, Balor wore his gentle smile—the one that always cherished and respected her.

“You’ve done great up to now. Leave the rest to me.”

“Balor‑chan…”

Balor placed his broad back before Konoha and the others, shielding them.

The one to be protected was protecting them.

It should have been unacceptable for a maid, yet it made her so happy.

Konoha’s pale cheeks flushed as she gazed dreamily at that back.

(Fuuuuuuu—!? What’s with these idiots, all half‑turned to stone! Don’t shove me into the line of fire, scum! Die! Everything just die already!)

Naturally, none of them saw Balor’s face twisted into a demon’s mask of rage.

“Uooooooooooo! Just work somehow, will yooooou!!”

As he roared, Balor’s eyes flashed.

Balor’s Mystic Eyes and the Gorgon’s Mystic Eyes—

two alien powers clashed, and—

the end came in an instant.