<Sogou Ayaka POV>

The Heroes of 2-C departed from Alion.

I, Sogou Ayaka, was together with Alions army as we headed west.

Our destination is Synad, the royal capital of Magnar. (T/N: / Shinado)

I was riding a horse while were marching.

However, there are also some Heroes who werent good at riding them.

They did practice riding them, but they werent able to improve very much within the time given for us.

Those ones were now travelling with us by riding in a carriage.

To begin with, there are hardly any high school students in modern Japan who have any experience in riding horses.

Its no wonder that so many students cant ride them.

There are only a few Heroes who were on horseback.

Me, Sogou Ayaka.

Kirihara Takuto.

Yasu Tomohiro.

A boy and a girl from Kiriharas group.

Suou Kayako.

Shougo Oyamada also couldnt ride one.

He was now swearing alone in the carriage.

[Its not that I dont like being in the carriage But why does Takutos group have the same kind of carriage as the other low-ranking bunch This is terribly lame~. You know what I think? Im seriously opposed to that idea of equality Equality is just the logic for those small-fry characters~ From a winners point of view, that idea is just nothing but a hindrance~.]

Incidentally, some of the Heroes didnt participate in our march.

The Takao Sisters were annexed to fight against the Eastern Invasion Force.

They were accompanied by Nyantan and some of Alions Cavalry.

Currently, the ones fighting against the Eastern Invasion Army the Eastern Army is mainly composed of the armies of Alion and Magnar.

The Eastern Army also annexed Magnars White Wolf Knights.

Ikusaba Asagi and her group were annexed to fight against the Western Invasion Force-The Western Army.

They are being accompanied by the Drunken Sword Clan.

Asagi and the others left the other day, riding fast horses in order to join together with the Western Army.

Thats why theyre also not here now.

The other day, the city in the Western Magnar was invaded by the Great Demon Emperors army.

It is said that the city was thoroughly trampled down.

I was also told that among the victims of their invasion was the former commander of the White Wolf Knights.

However

The Holy Extermination Force, led by the Saint have rushed in and are now pushing them back.

(T/N: The Holy Extermination Force, previously The Annihilation Monks. Ill just sync this with the manga.)

A few days after Asagi and the others left, a magical war pigeon brought this information to the Goddess.

By the way, the magical war pigeon is just like that so-called carrier pigeon.

It is said that these special pigeons were mainly supplied by the Magician Guild.

Therefore, all of the remaining Heroes were annexed into the fight against the Southern Invasion Force- The Southern Army.

From above my horse, I glanced behind my back.

(This is the army for war No matter how I look at it, it always feels amazing seeing this scene)

Soldiers neatly marching in a row.

A large amount of rows formed by these masses of people stretching out in this gently-sloping path were treading upon

The irregular sounds of armors and other equipment clanging against each other.

A peculiar atmosphere composed with nervousness and boredom.

[.]

Im still not used to this sight.

I thought my senses were already familiar with this world.

However, that sense of unreality returned back again this time.

I feel like Im just an actress starring in a movie.

During this march, the Goddess was sending out her commands while shes riding on a luxurious palanquin.

A portable shrine with a canopy that looks really expensive.

However, the person in that portable shrine is that so-called body double.

The real Goddess is wearing a hood as shes riding on a horse.

She said that she prepared it just in case that they conduct a surprise attack.

(A war huh)

Im already getting used to fighting monsters- I think.

Its just that Im a little scared about the fact itself that Im getting used to it.

However, the reason Im fighting is all to protect my friends.

Naturally, I never liked the act of killing monsters.

With a grim face, I just stared off into the distant plains.

(Yes, in order to protect the others I must kill)

[Are you alright?]

It was Suou Kayako who called out to me.

She made her horse run next to mine.

She mentioned before that she had no experience riding horses.

However, Kayako is a child filled with skill.

She was able to splendidly ride her horse in a short period of time.

To be honest, I feel like she could do better if she were in Kirihara or Asagis group.

[Ah, Suou-san. Yes, Im fine Thanks.]

[You know, youve been acting strange lately.]

[Eh? Me?]

Nod

Kayako reservedly nodded her head.

[Lately, I feel like youve been thinking about lots of stuff.]

[Yeah, that might be so. I also think so. However, I need to get stronger For the sake of everyone.]

I could see a faint shadow appearing on Kayakos face.

[Its frustrating.]

[Eh?]

[Its because we cant say that it will be alright since were here. Theres too much of a status difference between Sogou-san and the other children, including me.]

[Its alright, you guys are already doing a great job. However, there may still be some people who were shocked about the death of our classmates the other day And Im a little worried about that.]

The other day, two male students died in the Golden Demon Zone.

The students in my group seemed to be in a lot of shock.

Of course they would.

Not long ago, they were the classmates we had been sharing desks in the same classroom.

And those people suddenly died.

Kayako spoke.

[This time is quite different from when Mimori died.]

[Yeah.]

There wasnt even a corpse left at that time when Mimori Touka died.

Therefore, we havent felt any sense of reality at that time.

This time though, we were confronted with the clear appearance of death.

(However, I think that this should have been the normal reaction to death It was Kirihara-kun and Asagi-san who were more strange for hardly reacting at all However)

What about me?

I was indeed shocked.

However, my mind has quickly shifted towards our current battle.

Perhaps I may have been an unexpectedly cold-hearted person.

[Sogou-san.]

[What is it?]

[Ive heard that compared to Hijiri-san or Kirihara-san, Sogou-san havent progressed that much as an S-Rank Hero. As I thought, we may have been dragging you down]

[Suou-san.]

In a reproachful tone, I interrupted her.

[.]

[Please dont make that kind of face, okay? It will be alright Everyone- Our friends from 2-C, Ill definitely protect them.]

[In that case, I hope its about time for you to already unlock your inherent skill but Umm, I guess thats impossible?]

The Goddess horse lined up on my right side- the opposite side of where Kayakos horse is.

[Goddess-sama]

Theres a faint trace of fear running through Kayakos eyes.

The Heroes in my group have a particularly strong sense of dislike for the Goddess.

Nowadays though, I was also included among that group.

[Im sorry. I think Im doing my best to unlock it but]

[Umm You dont think youre doing your best, you need the desire to do it. In this society, even a child knows that theres no point in doing something meaningless just for the sake of doing your best]

Wryly smiling, the Goddess takes a pleading pose.

[Can you please do it now? If things continue as they are, its not going to be good for Alions reputation, the country who has certified you as an S-Rank. This isnt just a problem for Sogou-san, who feels like shes trying her best just because she feels like it, it also affects the credibility of our country And its quite troubling]

I could only do nothing but apologize.

[Im sorr-]

Then, suddenly

[Putting aside whether her efforts were in place or not, I think shes already doing the best that she can though.]

A mans voice intruded the conversation.

[Ara? Bane-san?]

The Goddess turned her neck.

[Whats the matter with you? Whats the problem? Umm I think its very uncivilized for someone to interrupt a conversation, but why did you decide to do that? Are you sleep deprived?]

The owner of that voice was Banewolf.

Before I knew it, he was riding on his horse beside Ayaka.

Kayako, who used to be in that position, swerved away a bit.

She probably gave it up since she couldnt say anything in response.

[Including Suou-chan over there, Sogou-chans party has been steadily growing. Sogou-chan herself has been looking for ways to make use of the skills she currently have to become stronger. Especially lately, she has been working herself to death to the point that the other people watching her worries about her. This is just the personal opinion of the person called as Urzas strongest, the Dragonslayer, I think she would be enough of a fighting force right now]

[Hmmm~, I have a feeling that Bane-san is a bit too sweet to Sogou-san there. Its a bit suspicious, dont you think?]

[Well, of course I would care about her. Shes my student afterall.]

[U- Ummm You really need to stop calmly lying like that Sogou-san is a beauty afterall She looks quite skinny in her clothes, but her breasts are so voluptuous that its kind of vulgar And shes also a little too flirtatious with men I mean, theres no way man wouldnt have an ulterior motive so]

(No way)

Putting aside her describing my physical characteristics

I havent expected that she would say Im being flirtatious with men.

Thats just unwarranted slander.

However

(Maybe thats just what Yasu-kun had said That Im just completely unaware?)

[Umm, Bane-san? Are you expecting some kind of sexual reward from Sogou-san? It seems like there is.]

[Good grief, this is annoying But you know, this is just like you, to make such an sleazy suspicion to others. How should I say this, its really Goddess-sama-like.]

[How cruel I was slandered really badly Youre really cruel Youre being excessively cruel]

[Then What are you being irritated for?]

The tone in Banewolfs voice changed.

[Yes? What are you saying all of a sudden? Youre really weird~]

The Goddess smile stiffens.

[Ever since the Great Demon Emperor appeared, you havent had that much time to spare Alions Goddess-sama.]

Those words sound risky to say, but the way he said it doesnt sound antagonistic at all.

Could it be because of his personality?

Even the goddess herself seemed to be trying to infer whether hes being hostile or not.

[By the looks of it, it doesnt look like its just Sogou-chans fault But if youre worried about something, you can talk to me about it, you know?]

[Ara. Bane-san, youre so kind~]

[Youre the general shouldering the future of this continent. If you dont get yourself poised, a lot of people will get in trouble.]

[Hmm~. Did it look like I dont have the composure to do that anymore?]

Banewolf took the end of a thin stick the size of his pinky finger towards his mouth.

I think it was called Doto stick, if I remembered it right. (T/N: )

Its like this worlds equivalent of my worlds cigarette.

[At least, thats what it looked like to me.]

[Hmmm~]

The goddess began tapping her reins with her fingertips.

[Hmmm~]

What in the world could she be thinking about?

Or perhaps, could it be that shes trying to suppress something?

[I understand. I thought I was encouraging them out of kindness, but it seems that theyve been misunderstanding me. I think I should reflect on that. Im sorry, Sogou-san. If I said that Ive said it thinking about your sake Will you forgive me? Youre going to forgive me, right? Even if its just your kindness, youre still an S-Rank on that]

I hesitated on what to say.

[No, umm I dont even know what to forgive]

Scratching his head, Banewolf wryly smiles.

[Why are you always saying one too many things, this Goddess]

[A- Are you telling me how to live my life now? Youre really amazing -Ah, I remembered I still have some things I need to do.]

The Goddess swerved her horse away from Ayakas horse.

Before I knew it, the soldiers around us were taking their distance from me and the others around.

Its as if a circle of empty space formed around me and the others.

[Ill be taking my leave then.]

Saying so, the Goddess made her horse turn back and she weaved between the rows of soldiers surrounding us, disappearing from our sight.

[Well, you dont have to mind that much about the Goddess-samas nagging.]

[Umm, Bane-san Why did you reach out to us when no one else wanted to come forward and train us as our teacher?]

[If I want to preserve this lazy life of mine from hereafter, I have no choice but to do this.]

[Umm.]

From the way he said it, I immediately knew that he was joking.

Grinning at me, Banewolf snorted.

[Its good that youre someone who can understand a joke I wish our Magister King can understand my jokes a little better too.]

Banewolf has a slightly flippant look on his face.

[Having said that theres actually no such great reason for me to reach out to your group. Its just I thought that the stronger you get, the better your chances of survival will be. Whether its Sogou-chan or Yasu]

Hes still the usually easygoing Banewolf.

However, he strangely feels reliable right now.

[If being stronger increases your chances of survival Wouldnt it better to have them rather than not?]

Holding the Doto stick between his fingers, Banewolf looks towards Kayako.

[Alright then If Sogou-chan and the others survived this battle, Ill be having all of you pour me a glass of sake.]

Poof!

Looking forward, Banewolf flicked the Doto stick with his fingers.

[Also, I know that I may just be unnecessarily meddling However, Sogou-chan must learn to rely on others a bit more. Dont shoulder everything, you hear me?]

[.Yes. Thank you very much, Bane-san.]

Banewolf ironically smiles, but that smile slowly disappeared.

[Even so, preaching a young child whos only 10 years younger than me I feel really old I used to think that Id never grow up to do something like that Ahh~ I really dont want to get older]

[..]

For the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of relief.

I feel like Ive got a little bit of my composure returned to me.

Therefore

[Bane-san.]

[Hmm?]

I will face my inner demons myself.

[Id like to thank you for encouraging me but]

I stiffened my expression and slapped him with my words.

[I dont think its right that you just littered that Doto stick earlier.]

That thing he did earlier had the impression similar to how some people litter cigarettes.

I couldnt help but scold him.

[O- Ohh So this is what its like when youre angry, Sogou-chan]

I proudly bent my chest forward.

[Even if its like this right now, I was called Oni Sogou when I was the class committee member back in junior high.]

For the first time in a long while, a smile appeared back in my mouth.

And on the edge of my sight, I could vaguely see that Kayako looked slightly relieved.

[Speaking of which, Bane-san Is it true that the Goddess is irritated by something?]

Suddenly feeling curious, I asked.

As he tucked the Doto stick he picked up on the ground earlier into his breast pocket, Banewolf replied.

[Ive already known Four Revered Saints Agito for quite some time already, and he used to complain about Shes acting like a jerk again lately. or something like that So, well I guess its not just me that had that impression of her.]

[As expected, could it be because the Great Demon Emperor finally started to seriously invade?]

[I think its a bit different than that though.]

Saying that, Banewolf takes his second Doto stick in his mouth.

I sternly looked at him.

He just wryly smiled in response.

[I- I wont just throw it away this time]

Muttering something that sounds like an excuse , he continued.

[The reason why Vysis is so irritated I think its because of the destruction of the Black Dragon Knights.]

[Its that Knight Corps that used to be called the strongest, isnt it?]

[Yeah. As a war potential against the Great Demon Emperor, I personally think that Vysis had great expectations for the Black Dragon Knights. Especially towards Civit Gartland, the man in which the Goddess herself said to be a suprarational existence.]

Thats why the strong warriors of this continent were called strong warriors.

It is said that most of them could be explained with those few words.

Even the Heroes from Another World can be called with these few words just for the Goddess blessings towards us.

However, only Civit Gartland is different.

[The strength of the Humanitys Strongest is at a different level, even compared to the people back in history. It cant be helped if the Goddess had some expectations from him. However]

[He was killed a few days before, right?

[Yeah. Thats why, I think the Goddess-sama had lost control of her plans I mean, if Civit was still alive-]

Banewolf lowered down his voice.

[Vysis might have intended on trimming down the number of Heroes a bit more into something that would be more suitable for her.]

[-, ..Eh?]

[What do you think the Goddess fears next to the Root of All Evil?]

[W- What else could there be that the Goddess-sama is afraid of?]

[The time when those same Heroes from Another World she summoned becomes too strong for her own comfort would cause a rebellion towards her.]

[Ahh]

[There are some records of a Hero who drew his bow towards Vysis after they defeated that times Root of All Evil. Based on that experience, the Goddess-sama would surely want to screen out those Heroes that she thinks would do something like that.]

(Screen out)

[However, its dangerous to reduce the amount of Heroes before defeating the Great Demon Emperor. If we reduce the amount of Heroes now, it could be detrimental later. We also sdont know yet how strong the Great Demon Emperor is]

Then, I realized.

[However, if the Humanitys Strongest is still alive]

[Some of the Heroes that the Goddess deemed unnecessary may have already been disposed of.]

A chill ran down behind my back.

This isnt someone elses problem.

I know well enough that the Goddess doesnt have a good impression towards me.

And even though Im an S-Rank, I still couldnt use my inherent skills.

Just as Shougo Oyamada called me an S-Rank Fraud President

(The subject of that disposal could have been me)

The reason why the Goddess has always been severe towards me

(Its because Im a Hero who should have already been discarded already? Therefore Its just that she gets irritated when she sees me?)

By any chance

I may have been turned into a sacrifice of some sort as well.

Yes, like an offering in order to encourage the other Heroes.

Like for instance

(Just like that time with Mimori-kun)

No, that wont do., was what I strongly thought.

There isnt any value you can gain by discarding anyone.

Banewolf continues.

[But now that Civit is dead, she has no choice but to rely on the power of the Heroes, even to those who dont like her. If Civit is still alive, theres a good chance that he could have been entrusted with disposing the Heroes who have become too strong. If its against a Hero, he would be able to fight the Heroes with all of his strength, for theres no reason why he would be burdened with the Tyrants Miasma while fighting against you.]

This would be after defeating the Great Demon Emperor.

I hadnt even thought about it.

I thought that I would just be able to go back to my normal life, back in our previous world.

No If it were just as she promised, it should have been like that.

It would be troubling if even that isnt achievable.

Then, Banewolf looked at me with a baffled expression on his face.

[Anyway It was said that a group of sorcerers calling themselves Ashinto decimated that Civit and the main forces of the Black Dragon Knights Though, their whereabouts were still unknown. Vysis probably still had some buds of anxiety growing from within her. Civit, who she herself called as a suprarational existence, was easily killed by this unknown power they called sorcery How could she not be concerned?]

Fuunnn Banewolf snorted as he looked towards me.

[Thats why, well Some of the Heroes may have been indirectly saved by those Ashinto bunch who killed Civit and the others.]

As if letting this information seep in me, I mumbled.

[A group of sorcerers Ashinto]

I dont even know this person called Civit.

Hes not even an acquaintance.

(However, he was strong enough to make Bane-san and the Goddess-sama consider him that special)

The group of sorcerers who defeated that Humanitys Strongest

And

(Sorcery)

What kind of frightening power could that be?

[Even so, these Ashinto bunch really were quite the mystery. I heard that all of their traces disappeared around Monroy, the place where they were last seen. Even if they were going into the Demon Zone the information from the witnesses leading up to that place was eerily sparse. When you speak of abnormalities, that group certainly would be quite the abnormal one.]

Banewolf holds unto the Doto stick from his mouth again.

[For the Goddess-sama who wants to hold everything under her sight as she looks down from high above, Im sure that Ashinto would be quite the detestable concern of her. In fact, its probably affecting the way she treats the Heroes and her plans for the future. After all, there were a bunch of eerie people that may suddenly pop-out who knows when, and they may be holding some kind of plan to stir everything up Well, if you think about that-]

Pfft

As if hes somehow convinced with something, Banewolfs mouth distorted into a smile.

[Dont you understand how irritating that could have been for her?]

<Authors Notes>

We received one new review. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you again for your comments, bookmarks, and evaluations. Thank you also for the report on your purchase of the three volumes that were released the other day.

And the other day, I received a report from the person in charge that Volume 2 of the light novel has been reprinted. We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has purchased our products. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Im very happy to have the support of so many people in my work.

As for the main story, it was mainly about Ayaka and the Dragonslayer. As usual, the goddess smiles and says some very harsh words, but the Dragonslayer seems to be able to counter it unexpectedly. Also, I feel like Ashinto is starting to be recognized as an outrageous presence.

Im sorry that I havent been able to keep up with the pace of updates lately, but Ill do my best.