<Authors Notes>

At any rate, it seems like I made it in time

Also, Episode 21 of the manga was released for free on Comic Gardo today.

Episode 21 depicts the Heroes on the Goddess side. Yasu Tomohiro is in quite the disastrous (?) situation in the main story, but his unique skill <Laevateinn> is very cool.

In addition, the latest Chapter 22, which is currently a pay-per-view chapter, finally features Nyantan. After reading Chapter 22, Im having this urge to increase the number of times that Nyantan appears in the main story

Well then, I hope you enjoy the main story.

Hes lying.

It was a casual signal from the nearby Seras.

A signal that indicates when someone lies.

Which means, hes now lying.

That man isnt John Doe.

Still blending among the soldiers, overlooking the situation

Hes still within that crowd.

That would be the best position to observe something.

Of all people, I would know of this.

However Which one of them is he?

All of the 6th Cavalry were closely observing our movements too.

[..]

Even so, the mask comes in handy at times like this.

It makes it hard for others to read the movement of my eyes.

However, I have to be careful.

I have to act like Im not aware of their lie.

[Well then, first of all, I have to ask you the one most important question.]

Ferenoch asked.

[Why is the Fly King Squadron on this battlefield?]

[I thought the head of the Mad Emperor might be a good souvenir.]

[What do you mean?]

[I may have barely defeated the Great Demon Emperors Confidant, but this body of mine learned the horror of the Tyrants Miasma. Such enemies clad with Tyrants Miasma should really be left to the Heroes from Another World.]

Ferenoch crossed his arms.

[Continue.]

[As you can see from the battle in the Anti-Demon White Castle, I am on the side of the Holy Alliance. The Great Demon Emperor is an evil that must be defeated Therefore, it was needed that the Holy Alliance would do their best in facing them. I thought about what it is that I can do to assist the Holy Alliance in this case. Thats when I learned about Miras insurrection.]

[I see, Im beginning to understand.]

[What is it thats troubling Vysis-sama, the leader of the Holy Alliance, the most right now? We have determined that it is probably Mira, and the Mad Emperor.]

[Indeed.]

[And then It seems like Miras forces, led by the Mad Emperor, were working with the Faraway Country.]

[That is something Captain is already aware of. However That doesnt guarantee that you will be on our side. Everything youve said may be a lie, and youre actually on Miras side. If its just words, you can say whatever you want.]

As if to take over, John Doe spoke.

[If youre on our side youll need something that would convince us.]

[I thought you might say that]

I brought the sling bag on my shoulder onto my lap.

[Id like you to take a look at this.]

I dumped the contents on the ground.

[ ! ]

Upon seeing the contents on the ground, the 6th Cavalry strongly reacted.

Meanwhile Seras gulped.

[How surprising. I see Those are strong pieces of evidence.]

[Indeed]

Those things that I had scattered on the ground.

They were body parts of Leopardkins.

For example, a severed hand.

Ears, fingers, fangs and even tails.

All of the cut surfaces were still fresh.

[These are just a few of the Leopardkin soldiers weve killed on our way here. It seems that the cavalry over there are having a hard time with the Leopardkin soldiers in the Central area They were certainly formidable enemies. Compared to the other Demi-Humans, they are clearly more skilled. I think you should pay special attention to the Leopardkin soldiers in this battle.]

[In fact, there are hardly any Leopardkins corpses around. Even the reports state that their corpses werent seen. It is indeed as you say, the Leopardkin soldiers are strong. However, youve beaten them with ease huh.]

[In the meantime check if they were real.]

With John Does words, a soldier stepped forward.

Walking in front, the soldier turned around for a moment.

[Deputy Captain If this is a trap and Im killed, would you please pick up my remains?]

[Just pick them up already.]

He was prepared for the risk of me betraying them and getting killed.

However, he doesnt look afraid.

The soldier walked up to us and began to inspect the mutilated parts of the Leopardkins.

Craning his neck back to his group, he waved his hand.

[These things are real! The blood are also real! The slashed parts were also cut off in battle! I can also see traces of wounds from blocking! Wounds inflicted with hesitation couldnt be found either! So, I dont think the Leopardkin soldiers dared to do this themselves! There are individual differences between the body parts, so its not just one dismembered corpse!]

[I thought the evidence would be weak if I didnt have enough numbers. Thats why I brought this much. However, well, bringing heads would be happy so I just narrowed down to the parts that are easy to carry.]

[That makes sense.]

[Return back to the formation!]

Called out by Ferenoch, the soldier returned.

Plak!

The soldier exchanged high fives with Ferenoch, before blending in within the ranks once again.

[I was watching the reaction of that woman next to you. Her reaction when the Leopardkins body parts came out of the bag It seems like you brought those without telling her huh?]

[They were a little too stimulating for her.]

Whether they find out if this was planned or not

It would be bad if Seras exudes an atmosphere of anxiety around her.

Thats why I didnt dare tell Seras about this.

Well, there was another reason why I hadnt told her about this.

[If the part had belonged to a Dragonkin soldier instead of a Leopardkin soldier, I would have doubted you. If it was Dragonkin soldiers, you could have easily found fresh ones lying around.]

[..]

As I thought, we couldnt use fakes huh.

They couldnt be easily deceived.

Its fortunate that the mask hides my expression.

How should I say this

It seems like we did it.

I feel like I was in such a mood.

And perhaps, the me right now would show such emotions on my face.

Initially, I didnt plan to use such a strategy.

It was only after I put Gio to sleep, who was filled with indignation when he heard about Niko

Keeping my head from turning back, I silently arranged my plans alone.

At that moment, two Leopardkin soldiers called out to me.

One of them was missing one of his hands.

As for the other Leopardkin, hes someone I remembered.

When I found Niko and the others in that state

Ahh Hahh! Y- You called me!?

Call my Deputy here.

Hes the Leopardkin soldier I had talked with at that time.

You were going to destroy the 6th Cavalry, is what you said, right? Are you going to destroy the 6th Cavalry now?

I intend to.

I have a request. As for what plan you have in mind Would it be alright if you tell me about it?

Why in the world is he asking me that?

That was something I dont understand.

However, there was one thing I understood from his eyes and voice.

He must have an idea in mind.

Thus, I told him what I was planning.

In the end

Im still in the middle of putting it together though. Im still missing one more part to make such a move.

Thereupon, the two Leopardkin soldiers exchanged looks.

Then, they nodded at each other.

Afterwards, they looked at me again with some kind of determined expressions on their faces.

We have a suggestion.

As I finished listening to what it is they want to say, I snorted.

That is certainly not impossible, but

We Leopardkin soldiers are at the forefront of this matter. Thats why. We want to fire at least a single arrow at them!

The Leopardkin soldiers suggestion was quite startling.

They were telling me to use the wounded soldiers lost body parts as some sort of battle trophy to be presented to the 6th Cavalry.

This would make the enemy believe that the Fly King Squadron was on their side.

Indeed, I have yet to show my Fly King attire on this battlefield.

In this battle, we have suffered many injuries. Some of them are just like this guy who lost a hand. There were also some who got their ears cut off and even though theyre not that much compared to the injured, we still had suffered casualties.

You want me to take them as a result of what Ive done and slip into the enemys ranks huh

This plan isnt impossible to do with the Dragonkin soldiers.

After all, we have lots of dead Dragonkin soldiers on our side.

However, thats also something the enemy would know of.

They were the ones who killed them after all.

However- as for the current state of the Leopardkin soldiers

That would be something the Sixth doesnt know.

Also, the number of Leopardkin soldiers casualties is certainly much lower.

With the number of body parts that these guys have given me

Its hard to believe that these were collected from corpses.

If you look at the severed areas, it should look like it was done in battle

However, that is

Have I been quite distracted?

No, I guess thats right.

It seems like I had been quite distracted.

Yes, this plan as expected

This hand Ive lost would just rot away However, this hand of mine You would be able to use it to bring down those accursed 6th Cavalry! Meagre it may be, I hope it can help in some way to avenge the Dragonkin soldiers Id like to think that we did this! Thats why Please!

At that moment, the other wounded soldiers crowded in.

I- Id like to ask you that too! If these severed ears of mine can help strike down the 6th Cavalry Please use them!

Please, along with our emotions!

.

I turned my head towards Seras.

She was standing at a distance, watching over Nikos condition.

The topic that were talking about here Its something she doesnt know of.

If Im going to use this plan

The less Seras knows, the better.

If she doesnt know about this plan She would show a more natural reaction.

Im aiming for her to react that she doesnt know about this matter.

Especially- when we need to deceive our enemies.

Alright.

F- Fly King-dono! Thank you!

AhIt was Leopard King-dono now, right? Hahaha

Just prepare them in secret.

Saying this, I pointed towards Seras.

Especially so that she doesnt realize the plan Im sure she would have a hard time accepting such a plan right away. Emotionally, that is.

Ah, I see

Well, Im hiding it from her for a whole different reason though.

However What I said just now was indeed a fact.

Considering Seras emotions

It would be better if we proceed with this plan with only me knowing it.

Ummm My apologies.

Hmm?

I can see by your reaction Youre not keen on this, are you?

Well, yeah. It certainly is effective but making use of my allies like this is

You are

Muttering in a slightly depressed tone, the Leopardkin soldier lowered his gaze.

When you saw the disaster that occurred to Niko-sama and the others You were so angry that you couldnt let yourself get close to us, right?

Im sorry about that. I probably unnecessarily scare you all Ill pay attention to this in the future.

N- No! Thats not it

?

To tell you the truth I was happy.

Happy?

I certainly was afraid to even approach you because of how angry you are at first. But then I realized.

That this person is really, really angry because of what happened to us Demi-Humans.

When I realized it, at that time For some reason, I felt happy.

The eyes of the other Leopardkin soldiers looking at me are terribly gentle.

It is because you were such a person that we have decided to propose this plan to you. Were sure that youre a really kind human. Humans like you exist. Thats why, we still arent giving up on the future together with humans.

..

Those were their words as they prepared for when I head here

Thats why, I couldnt help but think

They were so enthusiastic in cooperating with me Seriously

Leopardkin soldiers.

This is your victory.

[Alright, we will trust you.]

Seras, dressed as a Fly Knight, looked at me.

I only gave her a nod.

Seras also nodded back.

Im not doubting you. I believe in you.

Its amazing that I can tell her emotions even through her mask.

Thinking that Ive gained their trust, I stepped forward.

However

[Wait.]

John Doe stopped me.

[What is it?]

[Just one more thing We understand why you came to this battlefield. However, there are other cavalry units roaming in this battlefield. Thus, why is it that you came to us, the Sixth Cavalry, Fly King?]

John Does eyes are fixated on me.

[Ive actually met Mikhail-dono.]

Hearing my words, one of Ferenochs eyebrows raised.

[Hmm? Mikhail? So he didnt die huh.]

[We came upon the 1st Cavalry caught in the Demi-Humans trap, over there in the distance. And we had rescued Mikhail-dono, who was in danger. He had also introduced himself as the Chief Commander of Alions Cavalry.]

[And Where is this Mikhail now?]

[Yes, we did manage to rescue him for a moment but we had no choice but to abandon him. He was killed by the enemy.]

[Hmmm? What did you?]

[To be honest I was disappointed. I wondered if the Thirteen Cavalries that Alion was proud of was but an army of such low quality that someone of his caliber could be the Chief Commander.]

[And thats why you let him die huh. How cruel.]

[No, frankly speaking I could only see him as a hindrance. Hes extremely weak for someone who was supposed to be the Chief Commander. Thats why, I wanted to make sure. With a Chief Commander like him how good is the rumored 6th Cavalry? If the Sixth is just as good as them, I think the Thirteen Cavalry wouldnt have that much of a war potential Thats why, I decided to see for myself. Well If I were to be honest though, there are also other reasons why I wanted to see the Sixth.]

It would be better not to talk about the Divine Beast yet.

It may draw unnecessary suspicion from them.

[Kukuku, I see. Mikhail really died huh.]

Ferenoch laughed.

[Well, were relieved too. If you had high evaluation for that Mikhail, Id have to say that your standards are quite low. Rather, thats well done.]

That was the reaction I got when Mikhails name was mentioned.

I knew right away that he was hated.

[Im also relieved After meeting you in person like this, its quite clear how the quality of your unit is different from the First. When one talks about the Thirteen Cavalry, I guess it really would be more about you, the Sixth.]

[I see, I understand now Ferenoch.]

John Doe prompted his Deputy.

[Ohh, alright. Well reveal it too. In fact, the Goddess wants to invite you and the Fly King Squadron in as allies. If you can be brought in as an ally, weve been told to bring you back.]

Ahh So thats why.

That was the reason why, from the very start, I could see that the other side intended to converse.

Yes, it was as if they were trying to explain their situation to us.

So thats why they had been responding to me in a repulsively harmonious manner.

I was thinking that there was something going on

I see.

So its that sh*tty goddess huh

The Sorcery that has killed a Confidant and the Fly King Squadron who makes use of it

It seems like it has caught her eyes.

Did it start with the annihilation of the Black Dragon Knights?

Anyhow, the Holy Alliance had lost a lot of strength in the last invasion.

In short the number of pawns that the Goddess can use is probably decreasing.

Moreover, the Mad Emperors rebellion suddenly occurred.

That sh*tty Vysis probably wants to replenish her pawns.

The Fly King Squadron is our ally.

Thats what the Goddess had decided in the previous battle.

If we refuse their invitation, they will then decide that were hindrances and start disposing us.

However, if we can be used They will probably want to have us as her subordinate.

Within the Fly King Squadron, there is also Seras Ashrain.

Using our connection with the Holy Kingdom of Neia and their princess as a recruiting tool, they would try to draw us in If its that piece of sh*t, theres a good chance that thats what shes thinking.

[.]

NoWait?

If I use this to my advantage

Wouldnt I be able to use this to get closer to that goddess?

And then, at that moment- Weve entered it.

The area where they are within my range.