Volume 4 Chapter 83: So… die, okay?【Final Volume: Balor and Nanashi Arc】

The outcome was decided in an instant.

Dozens of snakes, each transplanted with the Gorgon’s Mystic Eyes and firing them all at once—

every last one was crushed in a blink.

Not figuratively—literally, physically, exactly as the words imply.

Their long bodies stretched with a ghhh‑ghhh creak until they exceeded their limits; then they tore apart, spraying torrents of blood.

Because it happened to so many at the same time, the place became a sea of red in an instant.

At the same moment, the petrification creeping over Konoha and the others naturally dissolved.

Balor stood calmly in the downpour of blood.

No matter how fondly they thought of him, it was a sight that had to inspire fear.

The fact that he wielded an alien, unknown power was part of it.

Seeing Balor pull off something so terrifying without batting an eye, the maids…

(So cool…)

Their brains had short‑circuited.

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“Hfff‑hfff…!”

All strength drained from my body; I barely managed to stay upright.

Honestly, I’d love to fling myself flat on the ground right now…

but the earth is a swamp of snake blood, and if I lie down I’ll be an even bigger mess.

Plus, Ashvin and the others are watching.

“Master, you’re drenched with sweat. It’s nasty.”

“The nasty part is you shoving me into this hellscape, you jerk!”

Nanashi sneaks up beside me, whispering with her face far too close.

This is all your fault. I wanted to run!

I was this close to dying!

Ignoring my complaint, Nanashi scans the area.

“Still, Master’s power is amazing. You took the legendary Gorgon’s Mystic Eyes head‑on and turned them back.”

“Well, I am amazing.”

“Uh, sure, loudmouth…”

How dare a maid talk to her master like that!

I was about to finally fire her when—

“Balor‑sama!”

“Balor‑dono!”

“Master!”

“Whoa! H‑hey, if you all dog‑pile me out of nowhere it’s—ugh—too gross—can’t—handle—waaaah!”

The other maids tackle me in unison.

Uwaaaaa! Unwanted heavy body heat, sticky and clammy—disgusting!

Reflexively I almost shoved them away, but sheer willpower stopped me.

“Barely held your true feelings back—commendable, I suppose.”

Nanashi, who somehow dodged the rush, mutters while looking down at me.

You… Everything awful lately is your fault!

“Balor‑sama! Our incompetence forced you to such lengths. Please allow me to atone with my life.”

“Haha. Everyone came through unharmed, and that’s what matters. Besides, dying wouldn’t repay anything. Stay by my side and keep working hard (if you die, who’s doing my work? Get to it, dimwit).”

“Balor‑sama…!”

Spouting stuff I don’t believe is my specialty.

Ashvin looks moved, but honestly I don’t even know what I’m saying. My mouth runs on autopilot.

“Balor‑dono was amazing! Boom! Bam!”

“Haha. Izun, the way you protected everyone was amazing too. Thanks, you always help me (I have no clue what you’re saying).”

Izun swings her arms, cheeks flushed against her snow‑white skin.

Easy girl—she’s dumb. I can say whatever.

“Master, you were paw‑some, nya. Actually, if you’re that strong, maybe you don’t need us cats, nya?”

“No, no. I saved everyone this time, but I can’t pull that off often. Your power is a huge help to me (shut it, stupid cat! Trying to make me do this again? Never!).”

She pouts a bit—totally an act for attention. Spare me.

(Really, such spectacular two‑facedness. I can’t wait for you to get exposed, Master.)

(Stuff it.)

Nanashi transmits the outrageous thought with a blank face.

If I get exposed I lose my meat shield, you know. You’ll have to take everything yourself…

And you’re tiny, hard to hide behind.

“…Yeah, I’m really glad. What I did wasn’t in vain…”

Watching us, Konoha murmurs softly.

“Fate is shifting for the better. I won’t let this good fate slip away. I’ll lock it in.”

“Konoha?”

The atmosphere turns weird.

There’s nothing scarier than someone muttering to themselves.