<Takao Itsuki POV>

Eastern Army.

Putting it in a few words, this battlefield has turned into an atrocity.

Corpse Corpse Corpse

A large number of corpses littered around that it would be too absurd to even count them.

Over 90% of the corpses were from the Great Demon Emperors side.

[So this is the power of an S-Rank Hero]

Languidly, he said.

One of the members of the White Wolf Knights lowered the arm holding his sword.

His gaze was glued to the scene happening in front of him.

One Ogre Soldier had been miserably dismembered.

One Ogre Soldiers skin was burning that some smoke was fuming out.

Another Ogre Soldier had shards of ice painfully clinging to the surface of his body.

These were due to my sister, Takao Hijiris inherent skills that have awakened during the battle.

<Fire>

<Blizzard>

The effect of two other attributes was granted to her base wind ability.

A unique skill that can also be called a composite attribute.

This skill, which had increased the effectiveness in this battle even further, was raging about on the battlefield.

The user, Takao Hijiri

[Fuuuu]

Then, she indifferently adjusted her breathing.

I, Takao Itsuki, was standing next to her.

Im looking at the side of her face with respect.

I could see that- shes quite tired.

As expected, even if its Elder Sister, she would also be very exhausting fighting for a long time.

However, if someone were to look at her from a distance, they would only seem to see that shes relaxed.

Elder Sister wouldnt let her exhaustion appear on her face.

Only me, who had been with her for a long time, can understand the subtle changes in her emotions.

Seeing her like that

[As expected of Elder Sister.]

I can only utter my usual praise with the usual grin on my face.

No I dont know what more I can say.

Even on this battlefield, my respect for my Elder Sister has only grown stronger.

Initially, the Eastern Army where we sisters were participating in, was being pushed back and kept retreating.

Along the way, the idea of leaving Elder Sister alone at the exit of the narrow valley path came up.

Its a strategy to hold back the enemies while buying time for our allies to escape.

However, Sigurd Sigmus decided that the horde surging into the valley was too big for Elder Sister to hold back.

The Eastern Army passed through the valley path intact, and all of us retreated south towards the Nord Plains.

This is when the reinforcements from the Holy Alliance would arrive.

Its the army of Urza that had taken position in the southwestern of the eastern battlefield as a reserve unit for reinforcing the army.

Having joined up with Urzas army led by the Magic Knights, the Eastern Army somehow managed to push the enemies back.

However

Thats when the Great Demon Emperor made its appearance in front of us.

As a result, the situation of the Eastern Army suddenly turned disadvantageous.

A fortress-sized being colored in purple and gold.

Its form looks like a frightening carnivorous plant that climbed up from the pits of hell.

The surface of its body is dotted with flabby gummy-like parts that glow in contrast to its body.

At the edges of his body, organs that look like the limbs of a crab eerily writhed about.

While that looks as if

Parts that look like horns

Parts that look like arms

Parts that look like legs

And parts that look like wings.

Or so those parts seemed to look like for me.

A humanoid shadow is visible in the center of the ominously large frame.

However, for some reason, I can only recognize that thing as a shadow.

It looks really blurry and its real appearance wasnt visible.

The shadow seemed to be fusing with the gigantic body.

Could that be the Great Demon Emperors core its main body?

Remaining silent as it stood there, the Great Demon Emperor didnt say a word.

However, the speed of the appearance of monsters increased while he continued creating his own forces on the spot.

The monsters were born from those flabby gummy-like parts of its body.

And just like a mouth

Kwuuaaarrrkkk

It burst open- And immediately afterward, clusters of monsters were violently vomited out.

For some reason, it reminded me of the fishes overflowing out of the nets that were hanging on the deck while theyre fishing.

The newborn monsters, covered in mucus, stood up.

The monsters began stripping off the armor from the corpses nearby.

Taking along the corpses weapons, the monsters joined the battle formation.

No matter how many monsters we defeated, it looks like the number of monsters wasnt decreasing at all.

We fought hard together with the White Wolf Knights, but we werent able to push them back.

Even if we were able to put up a fight against them, well eventually get overrun by monsters.

However- we still havent given up on fighting back.

This credit was mostly thanks to Takao Hijiri.

The amount of monsters she killed due to her inherent skills far overwhelms the others.

However, theres still one more thing that needs to be done to turn the tables around the monsters.

The Great Demon Emperors side is constantly producing fresh, energetic monsters.

On the other hand though, our sides constantly building up fatigue over time

Most of all, there was also the fear in everyones hearts that if the Great Demon Emperor stepped forward even further, the Eastern Army would collapse at once.

He had come out in front of us- but at that time, the Great Demon Emperor was in a distance away from us.

Its size is so large that it can be seen everywhere.

The narrow valley path that its massive body had passed through looks somewhat narrower.

The distance between the Great Demon Emperor and the Eastern Army itself was still quite wide.

Therefore, at our current distance, it doesnt seem like theyre still affected by the Tyrants Miasma of the Great Demon Emperor.

Thanks to that, the non-Heroes can continue fighting.

However, once the Great Demon Emperor moved forward, there was the risk of everyone collapsing at the same time.

At that time, the only one who would be able to decently fight would be us sisters who werent affected by the Tyrants Miasma.

Thats when it happened.

The Goddess Vysis and the golden S-Rank Hero appeared, riding on a magic horse.

The corpses of monsters bringing forth an awful odor around them.

During the battle, Elder Sister had spread out her <Wind> to the side, like a wall protecting our allies in the rear.

And then

[Fuuuuuuuu]

The one standing in the forefront looks up to heaven.

In front of the man lies a large amount of monster corpses.

Behind him is the surviving Eastern Army.

With him acting like a borderline, he seems to have separated the border of life and death of the beings in front and behind him.

Crackle

The man- Kirihara Takuto tilted his head and snorted.

Looking at Kirihiras back, Sigurd rode his horse beside the Goddess.

[So What do you think, Vysis?]

Riding on her horse, the Goddess is relatively close to me and the others.

She doesnt have any scratch on her.

Incidentally, riding on the Goddess other side is the mounted Nyantan, waiting upon her.

Regaining her grip on the reins after switching from her magic horse into a white horse, the Goddess said.

[Dont you think he fought remarkably well?]

Even if the area was filled with a terrible stink, the Goddess has a smile on her face as she gazed at the battlefield.

[The Great Demon Emperor has retreated. In addition, we havent lost any of our S-Rank Heroes. Its just]

Sigurds eyes narrowed as he stared at the battlefield.

[Dont you think he gave up way too quickly?]

[Im assuming that he had sensed the evolution of our two S-Ranks inherent skills and made a quick decision to retreat.]

[But dont you think that something doesnt seem to be quite right?]

It was certainly the victory for the Eastern Army.

However, the expression on the Goddesss face was stiff.

Listening to their conversation, I glanced towards my sister again.

(Theres something wrong with the timing of his retreat huh That Goddess, she said the same thing as my sister)

Actually, Elder Sister had grumbled the same sentiment as the Goddess.

After the Great Demon Emperors retreat, my sister and I had a conversation like this.

Theyre retreating too quickly, how should I say this I feel like somethings missing.

I feel like he pulled out because he felt threatened by the inherent skills of our S-Rank Heroes though?

Eh? Is that really so? That he pulled out because he was too scared?

In the first place, while we were in the midst of battle, I could see lots of signs of their advance. However it seemed like they suddenly gave up halfway through. Yes, its as if something irregular had happened.

Seriously? I never thought the Great Demon Emperor had any intentions though? It doesnt even look like its capable of communication.

It may just be intuition acting up. Before that though, did the Great Demon Emperor really intend to crush the Eastern Army this time? For instance- he wanted to get the Goddess and the other S-Rank Heroes to leave the Southern Army by showing himself in this place.

Thats awesome, Elder Sister. How should I say this, you feel like those strategists.

Its just the I felt that way though. Its not like I have any grounds for such an argument.

Remembering that conversation we had after the Great Demon Emperor retreated, I look at Kiriharas back as he stood there alone.

[You said earlier that the Great Demon Emperor didnt run away from fear from seeing our S-Ranks inherent skill, right? Elder Sister.]

[I did say that.]

[However, I dont know With Elder Sisters inherent skill looking at what you were able to do, dont you think that the Great Demon Emperor would feel threatened by an S-Ranks power?]

Kirihara stood alone, with his back to everyone.

Before him, up in the skies-

Several golden dragons emitting light flew up high.

Half of the monsters corpses have had half their bodies extinguished.

It may look like those parts were shaved away.

I guess it should be called something with a body made out of energy.

The figures of these golden dragons in the sky as their bodies scattered out sparks, completely dominating the skies.

These golden dragons violently surged, killing every monster on its path.

This situation could only be called a one-sided massacre.

The Ogre Soldiers lives were eaten away by the golden dragons.

Having no way to resist, they were mercilessly slaughtered by the golden dragon thrown by the Golden Hero.

Even now, after they devoured the monsters, the golden dragons continued wriggling about in the sky.

Tsk

Kirihara clicked his tongue.

[The Great Demon Emperor managed to escape huh Well, we finally arrived after all.]

Kirihara looks back.

Glancing over his shoulders, his eyes caught the sight of his allies behind him.

[Have you finally come to your senses?]

Tinged with absolute confidence and certainty, Kirihara asked.

[I expect that there wouldnt be any fools among those who saw this kings battle This is finally where it begins. Yes-]

Whooooshh!

As if hes showing off

While hes still looking over his shoulder towards his allies, Kirihara turned his right palm to those behind him.

[This is Kirihara.]

<In a place somewhere else>

The remaining half of the Southern Army was scheduled to join up with the Southern Army where Sogou Ayaka and the others are.

That army was waiting at Synod, the royal capital of Magnar.

However, the information that the enemys Southern Invasion Force has rapidly increased the speed of their march comes flying in.

The speed of their march was too fast.

And just as they were about to reach the royal capital

Magnars army, led by the White Wolf King, was forced to clash with the Southern Invasion Force before the other half of their army manages to arrive.

The Magnar Army struck out of the royal capital.

However, their defeat eventually became apparent and they were forced to retreat to the royal capital.

But a few moments later, their gate was breached and the enemy invaded the royal capital.

And thus- the battle became a fierce one with the royal capital as the battlefield.

Soon after, led by the Mad Emperor, the Brilliant Squadron and the Mira Imperial Army rushed to enter the war.

Fortunately, the enemys Southern Invasion Force they have clashed with doesnt have any Confidants among them, and although there were some casualties, the Holy Alliance emerged victorious.

However, this battle devastated the royal capital of Magnar, Synod.

To make matters worse, the White Wolf King became missing around the time this battle in the royal capital happened.

Currently, whether hes still alive or dead is still unknown.

Their desperate search still continues.

.

Meanwhile, in the west.

The Western Invasion Force had pushed back Jonatos Holy Extermination Force towards Jonatos territory.

Why was it that the Holy Extermination Force that was overwhelming them before, was suddenly pushed back again?

With the entry of the enemys Confidant into the war, the battle suddenly turned into a disadvantageous situation.

The Great Demon Emperors army embarked on a great march to achieve the destruction of the Sacred Eye.

The Western Invasion army, led by the Confidant Dreikuva, had gotten closer to the royal capital of Jonato.

In response, Jonato sent forward the Sacred Cavalry, an ancient weapon that only the Saint could activate.

She sets out to a counter-attack, together with the Heroes from Another World led by Ikusaba Asagi.

The great invasion of the Great Demon Emperors army this time

A fierce battle was fought in various places, but it was in the battle of the Western Army that had turned into the most bloody battle of all.

<Kashima Kobato POV>

Jonato Principality, royal capital.

[Curia.]

The woman being carried on a stretcher- the Saint, Curia Gilstain.

Rushing towards her was the Queen of Jonato.

The cream-colored stretcher-like cloth was smeared with fresh blood.

Some droplets were falling to the ground.

Gloomily, the Queen of Jonato turned pale as she looked down at the Saint.

The Saints silver hair messily hangs down on the stretcher.

Even her beautiful silver hair had about half of it stained in blood.

The Queen grabbed Curias hand and held it in between her own hands.

[Ah, Curia How could something like this]

A puddle of blood had formed in the area where the Saint had fallen earlier.

As for the Saint on the stretcher It should be obvious.

Shes about to die.

Fortunately, her head remained relatively neat.

However, her body was in terrible condition.

In fact, it may be a miracle that each part of her body hasnt broken down into a thousand pieces.

The Saint is currently is such a bad shape that it seemed like a miracle.

In the first place, its a mystery how shes still able to live.

[Isnt it fortunate that we have our Recovery Skills?]

Ikusaba Asagi, who was watching the grieving queen from a somewhat distant place, opened her mouth.

Asagi gave a thumbs up to some of the girls in the group.

[If you want, should we go with her? I heard that the skills of the Heroes from Another World are quite superior compared to the magic of this world, or so I heard. Well, thats aside from the Abnormal State Skill though.]

The Queen raised her pale face- terribly slow.

She had a complicated expression on her face.

However, in a few seconds, the complexity in her face lowered down as she spoke to Asagi.

[Please do]

[Yeah, yeah. Then~ Im sorry to ask this immediately just after the battle ended, but Ill be relying on you three.]

The three girls who had been instructed by Asagi responded in a snap.

[A- Alright.]

[Errr- Then, were going.]

[Y- Yeah.]

The three girls rushed towards the stretcher.

Then, they began talking about something with the feeble-voiced Queen.

Eventually, escorted by the Queen, the Saint on the stretcher was carried away.

The Saint, the Queen, and the three members of the Asagi group became more distant.

Putting her hands behind her head, Asagi seemed so carefree as she looked towards them.

And just behind Ikusaba Asagi-

The cavalry-styled, fantasy-esque, robot (thats how it looks like to me) have fallen, half-destroyed.

More precisely, it was leaning against a half-collapsed building.

Apparently, this robot-like giant is called the Sacred Cavalry.

That Cavalry had been entangling on top of a huge monster.

I think he was calling himself Dreikuva.

It appears that they are called demons, not monsters because they can understand human language.

A huge lance was sticking out of Dreikuvas mouth.

The tip of the lance had been pierced to the back of its head.

Broken walls and bricks scattered around the area.

Turning around, Asagi looked at Dreikuvas corpse.

[But you know, Im glad that we somenyow made it in time.]

Asagis mouth smiled like a cat as her eyelids slightly drooped.

[This demon calling itself Confidant looks really strong If I could kill him myself, I would always do so. Isnt it common knowledge that those boss-level enemies would give large amounts of experience?]

Yes.

It was the Saint who actually clashed against and brought down Dreikuva.

However, just as Dreikuva was on the verge of dying, it was Ikusaba Asagi who was able to deal with the finishing blow.

I stand next to Asagi.

Right now, I didnt turn towards the Sacred Cavalry and the Confidants corpse that had died with its tongue sticking out behind me.

What I was anxiously looking at was the direction where the stretcher carrying the Saint disappeared to.

[Curia-san, I wonder if shed be okay]

Asagi looked astonished.

[No, nonono Are you alright, Kobato-chan? You dont look like youre alright spouting nonsense like that]

[Say, Asagi-san.]

[Fue?]

Looking at the absurd size of this corpse behind and the wreckage around me

Im strangely not feeling any shock.

Maybe its because, for some reason, it still hasnt felt real for me.

[This dead demon that called itself a Confidant Was the strategy that Asagi-san suggested the only way to defeat him]

[Hmm~?]

[Errr, umm Aside from that desperate simultaneous attack from Saint-san Im wondering if there was no other way to defeat him]

The sarcastic smile on Asagis face faintly loosened up as she looked at the direction where the Saint disappeared to.

[Queen-chan looks like she wanted to say something, doesnt she? Her eyes look like she wanted to say that Its because of your absurd strategy that my precious Curia had got into such an awful mess! or something like that.]

The true emotions behind the Queens expression.

Seeing her face, I could sense the kind of intention that Asagi had just said.

[Hmm, however As a result of my strategy, the Sacred Eye wasnt destroyed, and the country may have been devastated, but it was not to the point of being taken over by monsters. The sacrifices of the few could save a greater amount of people, so this is a good choice weighing it down the scales or so this Asagi-san thinks.]

[I dont know if thats really the truth but]

[Is this some kind of logical harassment? Fumu fumu, then~ does Popo-chan have an alternate plan in mind?]

[Nnh, I dont. Nothing really came up to mind.]

[Uhahaha, soz soz. That way I said it just now might have sounded too bad. Its alright. I just dont like those people who, when I complained as I did so, would immediately start talking about some alternate plan. Its just that, Poppo-chan]

In front of Asagis gaze.

There, the girls from the Asagi group were helping out with the treatment of the wounded soldiers.

They are moving around diligently, cooperating with the people of Jonato at a distance away from the two of us.

That was also Asagis order.

Asagi told everyone

Fortunately, all of us Heroes survived in this battle almost unscathed But I dont want us to cause unnecessary trouble here, so even when were tired, lets go show them some dedication. Thats why, Im going to have to say sorry to everyone! I know all of you were tired, but can I ask everyone to do our best a bit more?

And so, she asked everyone to help treating the wounded.

[Actually, Ive been thinking about what to do, you know Being thrown into a different world and all that stuff? I felt like weve been through a lot, you know? So, Ive been thinking about where I want to go from here on out.]

Looking at me with a wry expression on her face, Asagi lightly kicked the wreckage under her feet.

[For one thing, I want all of this Asagi-sans group to survive. The other is to return to our original world with all of this Asagi-sans group alive. For the time being, I thought it would be nice if I moved with these two goals as my priority.]

I was somewhat bothered by the fact that she limited her words to just the Asagi group but

[So, Asagi-san, youre thinking of defeating the Great Demon Emperor with everyone?]

I held some anticipation when I asked so.

However, Asagi didnt answer right away as she looked at me for a moment with an expression where I couldnt read any of her emotions.

[Depends.]

[Eh?]

[Lets just say that this is just for instance.]

Playing with her side hair with her fingers, Ayaka continued.

[Lets just say that if its not just the Goddess-chan who has a way to let us return to our original world Lets just say that the Great Demon Emperor also had a way to let us return to our original world. And if, after this, the Great Demon Emperors side has a definite advantage over the Goddess side, and were invited to join his camp Well, this is just a hypothetical thing, get it? Im just talking about what ifs, you catch my drift?]

After saying so, Asagi continues.

[In the event that we are able to get back to our original world, rather than taking the Goddess side, if theres a camp that has a higher chance for the group to return back to our original world, I think picking that option would fulfill my goal as well.]

[Eh, thats But]

[Im sure that theres nothing better than the Goddess winning the battle and all of us can happily go back to our original world. Its just that Us humans are basically beings that want to ride the winning horse, right? Well, what Im saying is]

Bending down, Asagi picked up the small piece of debris that had fallen beside her feet.

Throwing that pebble-sized debris upward again and again, Asagi played it on her hands.

[I dont think Sogou Ayaka, the person Kobato loves so much, would ever approve of taking the side of the Great Demon Emperor. But you know]

Swoosh

Asagi tossed the debris away.

The debris slammed into the wall of a half-destroyed building with a dry thud and rolled down to the ground.

[To survive in this world, you need to have a good sense of smell to be able to sniff out the winning horse. Nyar nyar.]

I dont know why.

I felt something even more uncanny about Asagis nature compared to before.

[Even so The Queen-samas face just now was really amazing, wasnt it? Im certainly the one who suggested to sacrifice her most precious Saint, but it was also me who saved this country by making that plan of desperately attacking them at the same time, right? How should I put it, for humans to make such complicated expressions on their faces Did you know that humans can make expressions like that, Kobato-chan? Its amusing, dont you think?]

[I dont really know]

[That I dont know of yours is something really convenient for you to say. Well, I guess this is where our conversation ends.]

With that, Asagi calmly stood up.

[Now then, I guess its about time for me to also do my best. The new skills that Ive just learned- especially that <Sensory Deprivation>, will come in handy when you have a lot of injuries.]

(T/N: , this is still chanted as Queen Bee afaik, but I put this in to distinguish it from her other skill.)

Asagi had taken her inherent skills to a new level after this series of battles.

Although shes a B-Rank, which is considered inferior to S and A-Ranks, Asagi has an inherent skill.

Moreover, in the course of this battle, it has even evolved.

Asagi had said something earlier.

Its just what I think, but I felt like theres something hidden behind the alphabet rankings of us Heroes. There may even be a disparity among the S-Ranks. For instance, you may usually think that their S-Rank would mean S U P E R, but there may be a chance that theres someone S P E C I A L who slipped in that ranking. Does my B-Rank have some kind of hidden rank that starts with B? Or sometyin like nyan?

No Theres may unexpectedly be some chance of that being possible.

I felt an odd sense of persuasion upon those words.

If thats the case

(There may even be some hidden ranks among the C and D-Ranks?)

For instance, if I was in that hidden rank among the D-Ranks

(I may be able to help out Sogou-san.)

I cant help but fantasize about it.

[Come on, Poppo-chan, lets go. You werent very much helpful in the fight earlier, so its times like this where you could recover your good points back.]

(T/N: The second sentence doesnt specify anyone, so she could be pointing about herself for all I know. Ill just go assume shes talking about little, timid Kobato.)

After she said that, I trotted over towards Asagi.

Fuuuaaaahh~ Asagi loudly yawned.

[Sleepy By the way, I felt like most of the skills Ive got from my evolved inherent skill seems to have a lot of debuffs.]

[Debuffs?]

That word doesnt really ring a bell in my mind.

According to Asagi though, its a term mostly used in games these days.

[The <Group Enhancement> Ive been using until now is a buff. Buffs are those skills that power up everyone. And debuffs are the skills working opposite of that.]

[It power downs?]

[Well, thats basically the gist of those skills.]

As she walks, Asagi lowers down her upper body.

She then picked up another pebble again that was lying at her feet.

[And you see? There are certainly some games where buffs and debuffs are almost meaningless with or without them, but depending on the game, they can be a very important factor in determining the outcome of a battle Well, if you put it that way, I guess they have the Abnormal State Skills here. Does the general idea of Abnormal States exist in these types of games? Heck, there are even some games where the Abnormal State Skills were making strong parameters meaningless. Well, it all depends on the game though.]

For someone who doesnt play games at all, what shes talking about doesnt really make any sense.

Its just that, something suddenly appeared in my mind.

Speaking of Abnormal State Skills

(Mimori-kun)

I looked down.

Asagi continued.

[What I mean is, Attack Skills arent all there is to fighting. In fact, it was only with Asagis buffs and debuffs that I was able to defeat that Confidant who was spreading its Tyrants Miasma everywhere. Ah, now that I think about it, I guess that Tyrants Miasma could be classified as a debuff.]

Swoosh

Asagi throws the pebble in her hand.

An empty, uneven hole in the wall of a collapsed building.

The thrown pebble was perfectly caught in there.

It somehow reminded me of a tennis ball that would sometimes be wedged in the meshes of the fences.

[Well, thats how it is, I think? Whether its buffs or debuffs, if you could use them well-]

Umu.

Asagi nodded her head.

[No other skill would be as strong as this one.]

<Authors Notes>

I apologize for the delay in the update of the chapter because it took longer than I expected. As for the next update, I hope it will be on Friday the 6th, but until the pace of the update stabilizes, Im going to keep writing without setting a date for the time being

I also received two new reviews since the completion of Volume 5. Thank you very much.

The will once again start back to Toukas point of view.