Vol 3 Chapter 68 – Ann, Bravo

“Ah… so it’s come to this…”

I put my head in my hands and looked up at the sky.

…If I could fly, I wonder if I could escape from him?

Probably not. No, definitely not.

After all, he nonchalantly slaughtered flying demons, too.

“Wh-What the hell are you?! Do you know who we are? We’re with the Church of Arias!”

“D-Do you think you can oppose the Church of Arias and get away with it? Not just you, but your family, your loved ones—every last one of them will be torn to shreds, you hear?”

The followers of the Church of Arias, their comrade suddenly sent flying, shouted at Al.

…How should I put this? Their words, their appearance… they’re complete thugs.

Religion has nothing to do with it. They probably would have gotten blasted by Al no matter how they met.

“It’s fine. Not a problem.”

Even when faced with threats that would make anyone hesitate, Al’s expression didn’t change one bit.

The guy’s a mental monster.

…Then again, I wonder if he even has a family?

Humans are supposed to have parents, of course, but I can’t imagine Al having any.

This singularity was probably just born from the void.

“Before that happens, I’ll beat all of you to a pulp.”

“Indeed!”

Gah!?

“Ah, that got him.”

Responding to Al’s words, Antares sent the nearest Church of Arias follower flying.

How strange… The sight of Antares, who looks like a magnificent young lady, sending a brute of a man who’s no better than a thug flying is enough to make my eyes bug out.

“Wh-What are you?! A-Are you one of those Church of Shannon followers?!”

“My Master is, but I am something else entirely. I am not particularly fond of it.”

She boldly declares her dislike right in front of Al, yet he doesn’t react.

So stating your preferences is fine, but an insult gets you an instant death sentence?

It’s not like he’s letting it slide just because it’s Antares… probably.

This is the kind of guy who would probably kill a lover he’d been with for years without a second thought if they displeased him.

“Th-Then why did you attack my friend…!”

“Eh? Because…”

Antares tilted her head, confused by the question, and answered.

“My Master’s enemies are my enemies. The fact that my Master chose to attack you means there is a one-hundred-percent certainty that you have done something wrong. Therefore, as an emissary of justice, it is only natural that I assist him!”

“Bravo. Ann, bravo.”

Al clapped his hands.

What’s so “bravo” about that, you idiot?

Besides, isn’t it kind of messed up that Antares’s entire standard for good and evil is based on Al?

If Al said something was black, Antares would agree it was black without hesitation.

And if this guy declared even royalty to be evil, she would undoubtedly carry out regicide.

…The heroes of this generation really are a worthless bunch.

“D-Don’t mess with me! Stop spouting nonsense!”

“You’re the ones who don’t make sense.”

Gyak!?

The Church of Arias follower who had been making a fuss was sent flying by Al.

Ah, his arm is bending the wrong way…

“Now then, shall we slaughter these enemies of the faith? Then, we can offer up their blood and viscera.”

See? The Church of Shannon really is a dark religion.

A god that demands blood and viscera can’t be a good one.

I’m not going to say that out loud, though. Al is too scary.

“H-Hieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehh!!”

As the two idiots slowly closed in on them, the thugs of the Church of Arias let out terrified screams.

Well, yeah, it’s scary. Scarier than having a dragon creep up on you.

“Masado-san, over here!”

“Huh?”

Just as I was starting to feel sorry for the thugs, the man who had run away came back.

Why would you willingly return to hell…?

Well, it’s not like they’d let him get away. They’d just chase him down and catch him.

The man had brought a large man with him—Masado, or whatever his name was.

“Someone’s picking a fight with the Church of Arias now?”

“Yes, that’s right! It’s them!”

“Ah…”

Hearing the thug’s words, Masado’s eyes scanned the scene.

Multiple followers of the Church of Arias were lying on the ground.

And the two idiots were on the verge of attacking the few survivors.

Gyak!?

Ah, Antares couldn’t hold back and just decked one.

“Looks like you’re getting your asses kicked.”

“Th-That’s right. Our comrades… They’re picking a fight with the Church of Arias! We can’t let this stand!”

“Haha, you guys are finished! Masado-san is here now!”

This Masado fellow seems to be quite trusted. The followers who had been like trembling puppies just moments ago were now puffing their chests out and jeering.

But as someone who knows the reality of the situation, all I can feel is pity for them.

I mean, these two idiots would gleefully attack the Demon Lord himself…

Even if Masado were stronger than the Demon Lord, they would never give up and would stop at nothing to kill him.

To be blunt, the moment these two set their sights on you, you can no longer enjoy your life.

“You guys…”

Masado let out a sigh.

It wasn’t directed at Al and Antares… but at the Church of Arias follower who had brought him here.

“Stop acting tough using someone else’s power. It’s lame.”

Gyak!?

The Church of Arias follower was sent flying with a punch.

Masado looked down coldly as the man collapsed to the ground, blood gushing from his nose.

So much for camaraderie.

Watching a man who would so readily use violence against his own ally, I…

Ugh, he’s this type of villain. …I’ve seen way too many of these.

Yep, a classic villain trope.

It’s because they’re evil that they love infighting and stuff like that.

Fist-based punishment, or rather, violence is employed far more easily than you’d think.

I get it. It’s the easiest way to intimidate an opponent.

Unfortunately for him, the two idiots aren’t intimidated in the slightest. In fact, their desire to fight is practically radiating off them.

“So, is it true you’re defying the Church of Arias? If so, I’m gonna have to kill you.”

“Rest assured. You’re the ones who are going to be killed.”

Ugh, that declaration of war.

And so, I intensely lamented the fact that things had turned out exactly as I’d expected.