128 How to deal with Zombies

”You’re the ones who started this War. Shouldn’t you have been prepared for this outcome?”(Hiiro)

Hiiro looked down on Crouch with cold eyes.

“Kuh… Nyahaha… Can’t help it, nya…. I was the weaker one… Nya.” (Crouch)

In this situation where you would normally tremble in fear, Crouch was smiling happily. Seeing that, Hiiro felt like sighing again.

“You aren’t planning on saying something like ‘I don’t want to die’, are you?”(Hiiro)

“Nyahaha, I won’t say anyathing(anything) that boring, nya.” (Crouch)

“Hou, you’ve sure got guts. As expected of a Battle Junkie.” (Hiiro)

“But, remember this, nya.” (Crouch)

“Hmm?” (Hiiro)

“I may have lost this time, but if I’m given another, I will certainly win, nya!” (Crouch)

It was shocking how much of a battle maniac Crouch was. As those seemed to be Crouch’s last words, Hiiro slowly raised his sword over his head and swung it down immediately.

“Hiiro, wait!” (???)

It was Eveam’s voice that brought Hiiro’s sword to a halt. Hiiro responded to Eveam, who closed in on them at some point, with a stare.

“What are you doing?” (Hiiro)

“I won’t allow you to kill him.” (Eveam)

“………and the reason being?” (Hiiro)

“I don’t want to kill!” (Eveam)

“…… It’s evident that he has been killing 『Evila』. Even so, you aren’t going to avenge them? Do you really believe that the others would agree with this?” (Hiiro)

Hiiro’s piercing gaze struck Eveam; Eveam stared back without giving in to the pressure.

“He has certainly hurt my family before, and it may be the same now. However, I don’t believe killing him will get us anywhere.” (Eveam)

“……” (Hiiro)

“Others might not be alright with this. But, I still won’t kill him. At least for now.” (Eveam)

“For now?” (Hiiro)

“Yes, he is even one of the 《Three warriors》, individuals who have top cla.s.s abilities among beastmen. If we can use him well-” (Eveam)

“ Negotiating with them… that’s what you’re after?” (Hiiro)

“Yes.” (Eveam)

“……Well, I’m just the hired hand here. If you say so then so be it. Just remember, after this I have no responsibility even if he starts to rage around, okay?” (Hiiro)

“Thank you.” (Eveam)

Hiiro shrugged his shoulders in amazement and sheathed his sword. However, at that moment, Crouch’s mocking laughter resounded.

“Nyahaha, nyaive (naive). You are too nyaive, Demon Lord. My life’s worth is the same as that of a dead beastman from the moment I was caught by the enemy. And it isn’t just me, all soldiers of 【Pa.s.sion】 are the same. That is how we are taught to attack, nya. Do you get what I’m implying, nya? I have no value as a hostage, nya.” (Crouch)

In contrast to what he said, not only Eveam but Aquinas also smirked.

“That might be so if it was only your life we were speaking of. However, what if we add the prince’s life into the mix…. well?” (Eveam)

“… What, nya?” (Crouch)

Crouch’s smile instantly stiffened.

“The second prince Lenion has also come to this land, right? I have confirmation. So, as a priority to capture him, we have sent three of our strongest to face him.” (Eveam)

“Y-you can’t mean!?” (Crouch)

“Even if the second prince has an ample amount of combat experience, I wonder how long he would last facing off with three of the 《Cruel》?” (Eveam)

Crouch’s expression was completely different from a while ago, turning completely pale.

“I won’t let you do that, nya! In that case…!” (Crouch)

Crouch shouted that and his shadow immediately expanded.

“Come out, nya! My strongest servants!” (Crouch)

After that, from the shadow-

Zuzuzuzuzuzuzuzuzuzuzuu……

Five creatures appeared from the shadow.

“Nyaha…ha… I wanted to summon them… when I had more to spare… Nya…” (Crouch)

Suddenly, the black fur covering Crouch’s body turned pure white, and then he immediately fell to the ground. It seems there is risk involved in summoning monsters.

(The skill probably uses vitality as its power source. Still, he went and did something troublesome again. Moreover, one of those creatures… It’s like that after all.) (Hiiro)

Among the five monsters, one of them was a ma.s.sive three headed creature that was releasing an extraordinary aura. Of course, similar to the other monsters, this monster had a rotten body as well, it can be understood that even a simple glare from it will immobilize most people in fear.

Just from looking at the monsters, that were so huge they could crush buildings with just by taking a single step, everyone grew stiff from astonishment.

“I never thought… he would summon this kind of monster…” (Eveam)

Eveam said that with an expression like she couldn’t believe what was happening.

”What do you mean? Is that monster famous?” (Hiiro)

Eveam nodded slightly in response to Hiiro’s question.

“Yes, its name is Cerberus. Even in demon world there is nothing like it.” (Eveam)

So it’s Cerberus after all, Hiiro thought in his mind. Even in j.a.pan there are many who know about it.

In Greek mythology, it’s the watchdog of the entrance to the realm of the dead. It is pictured with three heads and snake as a tail, sometimes with addition of numerous snakeheads sprouting from its head and body.

《Guard dog of the netherworld, Cerberus》, Hiiro only knew what he had read in books about it. However, its appearance was identical to the one he knew of.

As a monster belonging to the highest rank in 【Edea】, SSS, it’s a feared existence. A legendary cla.s.s monster; even if you were level 100 or higher, you were still going to get absolutely trashed for challenging it alone.

“How can we deal with Cerberus…” (Eveam)

Eveam saw this as a huge issue just from that monster alone, but it wasn’t just Cerberus, there were four others as well, and all of them were rank SS monsters.

This was a situation where she had to put protection of the country as the highest priority. Eveam sent a hateful glare to Crouch, who had summoned the monsters, but immediately redirected her gaze to her subordinates and said:

“Seize him and throw him in jail!” (Eveam)

The subordinate soldiers responded, restrained Crouch and carried him away. Then, she returned her gaze to the monsters.

“Ku! Aquinas, since it’s come to this, gather up everyone and stop them together.” (Eveam)

“Is that fine? If we seriously fight against such huge monsters, the area will be devastated.” (Aquinas)

“Uh… But, even though I agree with what you said, if we leave them be, the damage will only increase!” (Eveam)

This was why Hiiro thought of finis.h.i.+ng Crouch before something like this happened; however, there was nothing more for him to do about it anymore. he looked around the city like it was someone else’s problem.

And Hiiro coincidentally remembered something. If he was not mistaken, something that Hiiro deeply desired was near here..

And that is the 《Fortuna Grand Library》. Realizing this, Hiiro’s face became stiff.

(Wait a minute, if they start wreaking havoc around here, my precious treasury of knowledge will….) (Hiiro)

In Hiiro’s mind, he saw the library being crushed. The books ripped apart and enveloped in flames…… He didn’t want to imagine any further.

It was necessary for him to immediately take matters into his own hands.

“Wait a minute” (Hiiro)

Hiiro joins the conversation of the two.

“W-what is it, Hiiro?” (Eveam)

“This is no time to sit idle. If the 【Fortuna Grand Library】 gets destroyed by the monsters, I cannot overlook this.” (Hiiro)

When Eveam saw Hiiro complaining, she pointed at Cerberus.

“Eh? Library? Ah, but, just look at that monster! As a zombie it may be slow, but it’s still a creature with enough attack power to blow away a building with a single sweep of its paw! It’ll take time to figure out how we can deal with it!“ (Eveam)

”That won’t be necessary.” ( Hiiro)

“…Huh?” (Eveam)

As Hiiro was openly br.i.m.m.i.n.g with confidence, Eveam instinctively dropped her jaw.

“I’ll confirm it again, that thing is a zombie, right?” (Hiiro)

“Eh… Yes, it is but… what about it?” (Eveam)

As Eveam tilted her head without understanding why would he confirm that right now, Aquinas interrupted them.

“…Can you do it?” (Aquinas)

“Ah? As this is originally the demon lord’s fault, I was planning to leave this matter here, but the circ.u.mstances have changed.” (Hiiro)

Hiiro had to make a move for the books he had yet to read. To Hiiro’s words, Eveam asked:

“R-really?” (Eveam)

“Well, fighting them might have taken a lot longer if they weren’t zombies, but fortunately they are.” (Hiiro)

Then, Hiiro channeled a tremendous amount of magical energy to both of his index fingers. Eveam’s group, who felt it, instinctively backed off while fixing theirs eyes on Hiiro’s fingers.

What appeared was a light blue luminescent trail; it wavered like a small flame, swaying back and forth. As he moved his fingers, the light followed along the path.

Then, Hiiro felt a sudden incompatibility in his finger movement.

(Nh? As expected, writing this character is going to take a bit longer.) (Hiiro)

He could not move his finger any faster. What he was about to write would cause rapid changes, and it had a restriction that being it had to be applied directly on the body. The restriction was the same as when he had used 『Sleep』|『眠』 against the Red Boar.

But that wasn’t the only thing, the difference between Hiiro’s and the enemy’s level was also affecting it. If the monster was much weaker, he should have been able to write it more smoothly.

“Oi… You, red hair over there, keep that thing occupied so it won’t move from there.” (Hiiro)

“…Very well.” (Aquinas)

Hiiro self-importantly gave orders to Aquinas, but he didn’t get angry at Hiiro and intended to do what Hiiro said. Aquinas was already convinced that Hiiro was acting for their benefit. And, if it was Hiiro, Aquinas believed he would be able to do something about this.

Aquinas took a step forward, and-

“Your Majesty, the town is going to be damaged a bit, but forgive me.” (Aquinas)

“Ah, okay, do it!” (Eveam)

Aquinas raised one hand towards the sky. With that the atmosphere trembled, even Hiiro’s eyes grew wide at the magic power surging towards the sky.

“Manifest in my origin, 《Third Sword – Binding Huge Sword: Disintegrator》” (Aquinas)

The moment he finished the chant, the clouds scattered, and a sword so huge, a person would be unable to wield it appeared. Moreover, there were five of them in total.

“Their numbers are perfect. Even for me, manifesting five of these swords is the limit.” (Aquinas)

The gigantic swords pierced the five demons with staggering force. Each making one of their monsters groan; however, since they were were already dead, they did not feel pain. They only groaned from being unable to move.

“Hiiro, is this okay for what you had in mind?” (Aquinas)

Hiiro clicked his tongue upon seeing Aquinas face him, after nonchalantly leaving enormous magics in effect.

(Oi oi, even if I didn’t step in, couldn’t he have dealt with this problem alone?) (Hiiro)

While Hiiro thought that, he gazed at the monsters that were skewered into the ground by the gigantic swords. The ground was gradually being destroyed as the monsters were desperately trying to struggle free. There were also huge cracks from the gigantic swords stabbing into the ground.

(Well, there’s some damage to the town…) (Hiiro)

That was the cause for Aquinas’s hesitation. His magic is powerful; however, such powerful magic causes the surroundings to get afflicted too. It mainly causes destruction.

“If you are about to do something, do it already. They aren’t going to wait for long.” (Aquinas)

Cracks were beginning to form on the sword that was stuck into Cerberus. And from around the other monsters as well, although not to the extent of Cerberus, came the sounds of the swords reaching their limits.

“H-Hiiro, can you do it?” (Eveam)

As Hiiro was still silent, Eveam asked in worry. Hiiro lightly nodded back to her.

“Yes, that’s enough. I just completed it.” (Hiiro)

Then Hiiro showed both hands’ fingertips towards them. Eveam and the others who saw this did not understand what he was trying to show them.

『Purification』|『浄化』 and 『Area』|『空間』.

Those were the words Hiiro wrote. And then he moved into the middle of the five monsters and activated the words.

Paaaaaaaaaaaa!

The area got covered in dazzling light with Hiiro being in the center of it. The amount of luminescence caused even the 『Evila』 to grimace. There were some of them in the midst of it, feeling sick; however, as it wasn’t lethal to them, Hiiro continued.

The light gradually extended into a hemisphere, stopping at a radius of 100 meters. The bodies of the monsters inside it began to change.

Their bodies started to fall apart like a worn out clay wall. Eveam was completely still, watching the spectacle as if she had forgotten how to talk. Even Aquinas showed his surprise by knitting his eyebrows.

In no time the Rank SS monsters became bare bones and lay asunder on the ground. Only the Cerberus remained.

“It would have been nice to fight normally, but there is the request to protect the country. So I had to take the easy way out of this.” (Hiiro)

As he said that, the Cerberus finally lost two of its heads. The last remaining head groaned painfully while it fell to its knees.

“Becoming zombies sure has backfired. Well, they were out of luck the moment beastmen caught them.” (Hiiro)

“Gigii…Gaga…” (Cerberus)”

“…See ya, 《Guard Dog of Netherworld》” (Hiiro)

And then, Crouch’s last resort once again fell to pieces thanks to Hiiro’s sudden appearance.

Looking around, almost all soldiers were uninjured, and the damage was minimal. The one who succeeded in that was a single hire.

It was definitely an overwhelming victory.