Chapter 116
Pl, please, we plead you to wait, Ruphas-dono! Is Your Honour suggesting that you will shelter these people!?”
“Ab, absolutely not! That must not happen! We plead that these people’s sentences be left to Draupnir!”
After I heard the elf nii-san and the cat beastkin raise their voices at the same time, I turned to look towards them .
What were their names again… . ? I feel like I’ve heard them say it but… I’ve kind of forgotten them .
Umm… that’s right, if I recall correctly, their names are Cruz and Kaineko . I just confirmed it .
[Observation Eyes] was able to see it if there was an a.s.signed name, therefore, it was actually quite a convenient skill .
Although… in the case where the individual had more than two names and I was aware of all of them, the one that I recognised them as would be the one that would be displayed, thus what was displayed was not necessarily perfect .
For example, Dina fit into this category . Although she was called Dina, she also had the name known as Venus .
However, even if I were to use Observation Eyes on her, the only name that would be displayed would be Dina .
That was likely to be the case because I previously recognised her name to be Dina .
Anyways, none of that is relevant right now .
“Leave everything to Draupnir, huh… . What you’re saying is you want me to allow you to execute all of these people who had lost the will to fight without a second opinion? How dark . Would you not be satisfied unless you ma.s.sacre them?”
“I’m not pleading purely based on what I want . Since they were the one who had mounted the attack first, we require evidence to show that they had, in fact, been subjugated . After being attacked, if we did not retaliate at all, Draupnir as a kingdom would be looked down upon . Even a.s.suming we let them go or they got away, things won’t just end there… without a doubt, an army would be dispatched to go out and find the demihumans . ”
I looked down at the cat beastkin, right into his circular eyes as he was looking up .
I felt that what he had said did make some sense .
But above and beyond that, I want to scratch around his chin .
No, well… I understand that they’re trying to have a serious conversation… but just look at it . It’s a cat that’s standing up and walking around on two feet .
I think you’ll get it if you’re a cat lover but, you know, my hand is just tingling . I just really want to pet its fluff .
“I get what you’re trying to say . So you are saying that you’re not actually trying to bring the law into your own hands . ”
“That is exactly so . ”
“What about the others? Is there anyone that just really wants to kill the demihumans?”
I turned towards the young boy Sei and the others and asked that question . Nevertheless, no one answered in the affirmative .
The only exception to this was Scorpius who stood up in response, but I was not asking her .
Sit back down .
Why is it that you’re so bloodthirsty?
“In that case, you just need the ‘fact’ that these people were ma.s.sacred, right?”
“Eh? Well… I suppose…?”
“Then there’s no problem . I’ve already thought through that much . … . Dina . ”
What Kaineko said made sense .
Since they had suffered an event that was pretty close to a declaration of war, if they were to do nothing about it, it would be a problem for the prestige of the kingdom . Furthermore, its citizens would not be able to live peacefully .
After all, putting things in “Earth” terms, it was no different from a warship being shot with something like a missile, which was essentially no different from a declaration of war, yet the country decided to do nothing about it and forgive the offender .
……… . . Although… if it was j.a.pan, they might regrettably do just that and let everything slide .
Anyways, whatever . The problem is that it’s not going to stop at just Draupnir . By now, the other kingdoms would probably be preparing for war too .
The particularly scary one is Mjolnir . There’s a possibility of them invading now that they might have found out Leon’s out of commission .
Then I guess, the easiest way is to just make it so that all of the demihumans are dead .
Therefore, I decided to order Dina to first teleport away all of the villages .
“Understood . X-Gate!”
Dina opened her arms wide and teleported the whole forest somewhere .
The reason that I did not specify the destination was simple . It was because Dina knew about the geography of this world more than I did .
I only knew about the locations we had visited thus far . However, Dina knew about quite a lot of different places .
As such, leaving it up to her discretion was less likely to result in the villages being sent to some weird location .
After the forest was swallowed by a crack in s.p.a.ce-time, the demihumans who could not comprehend what was happening were left behind .
After all, from their point of view, they must have been sick and tired of everything after they were suddenly caught up in a monster war and the disappearance of the forest even though they had just been living as usual .
“Next… . The four demihumans there and Sagittarius . I’m sorry, but go and explain what’s going on to the rest of the demihumans . ”
I snapped my fingers and undid the restraints on the demihumans .
I heard Jean saying to evacuate, but there weren’t really any problems in releasing their restraints .
Although it sounded bad, even if they were to decide to do something, they were not in a position where they were able to do anything to us . Even if they decided to target the likes of Virgo or Sei, who were the weaker members amongst us, I would be able to step in before anything happened .
If they wanted to be able to outspeed me, they would have to at least have the ability to operate in the millisecond world .
As long as they lived in the world where time flowed as normal, whatever they decided to do, it was impossible for them to take the initiative away from those like me, Benetnash or the Demon King who lived in a world where our perception of time was a few stages beyond them .
Having said that, it was all unwarranted anxiety .
Under the current circ.u.mstances, the demihumans had already sensed that it was the only option they could choose and decided to start explaining the situation to the others .
I did seem to occasionally hear, “Definitely don’t try to defy”, “You saw those monsters fighting each other, right?” and “If you don’t want to die, just stay quiet”, whilst feeling their fear being directed towards us . I supposed it must have really been a huge shock for them to have witnessed the monster battle between the Twelve Heavenly Stars .
Eventually, the demihumans must have accepted the situation as they started to slowly trickle away from the location only to leave the wilderness behind with no one remaining .
Now, once I just add my finishing touches, we will be able to create a situation where it’s persuasive to say that the demihumans were annihilated .
“Now then – you guys, step back . ”
After I got everyone to stand behind me, I slowly raised one of my arms up into the air .
When I did, mana gathered on my palm and gave birth to a giant fireball .
On the surface, it might have seemed like a Fire attribute spell . However, my elemental affinity was Sun attribute .
As such, it was a fire, yet not a fire . It was the power of the Sun .
As the bright white fireball accelerated, it increased in size and dispersed an extraordinary amount of violent and hot wind .
If the skill were to be left alone, even before it was fired, the mere collateral damage from the hot wind would be enough to annihilate all the demihumans a thousand times over and still have plenty of change (charge) left over . However, I was able to prevent any collateral damage by encapsulating the fireball with a barrier at the same time as the activation of the arcane magic .
“– [Solar Flare]”[2]
A high-tier Sun attribute arcane magic, Solar Flare . Also known as Solar Surface Explosion . [3]
Of course, it was not the real thing .
It was said that a real solar flare would have a length of tens of thousands of kilometres and its destructive power would exceed over a hundred million Hydrogen bombs, but unfortunately, this was nothing more than an imitation created by mana in the end . Unfortunately, imitation could not reach such an extent .
So the skill’s only as big as a few hundred metres wide, and I estimate its destructive power would probably only be as much as about tens to a few hundred Hydrogen bombs’ worth .
… . …… My perception is also reaching a pretty dangerous point, huh… Just then, I felt my gut sink after thinking about the way I thought about things .
To think about the destructive power of a few hundred Hydrogen bombs as “only as much”, I’ve reached quite a dangerous point . Honestly, I can already see my common sense starting to collapse .
Before I fired the skill, just as a precaution, I activated a divine magic barrier and enveloped everyone present within it .
Furthermore, I plastered divine power around the target area which would soon be scorched and let the power spin rapidly .
It was one of the high-tier Sun attribute divine magic spells, [Heliosphere] . [4] It was a technique which created an absolute field against arcane magic by rapidly spinning divine power and creating a layer, thereby stopping any form of mana from pa.s.sing through it .
If I was still in the game, I would have been able to fire the skill without thinking twice . Unfortunately, if I were to fire a Solar Flare skill without any preparation in this world, however much I held back in consideration for my surroundings, the collateral damage would not be a laughing matter .
After finishing my preparations, I lightly flicked my wrist .
In unison with my movement, the fireball which was on top of me fired, landing on the location where the demihuman villages used to be .
– Immediately afterwards . A giant explosion .
The first thing that happened was a flash .
There was a light that quite literally blinded and burned the entire field of vision, painting the environment white .
Normally, anyone who saw this would no doubt be blinded without exception . Nevertheless, because the skill I previously cast had a debuff immunity effect, the actual amount of light that reached people’s eyes was no different from accidentally staring at the Sun directly . Therefore, as long as they closed their eyes reflexively, there would be no problem .
For reference, I didn’t even close my eyes . Isn’t this body really a cheat? I’m quite surprised that even my eyeb.a.l.l.s’ endurance is blown out of proportion .
Next, the explosion went off, creating a mushroom cloud . [5]
Hmm, even though I’m the one who fired it, this is quite funny . For an individual to be able to present a nuclear tier level of power, what the h.e.l.l is this?
But can you believe it? Even this is nothing but a backyard toy sparkler compared to the destructive power of [The Maiden Who Fires the Silver Arrow] .
I mean her arrow… really shatters planets… .
I don’t even want to think about how many times stronger than nuclear warheads it is . [6]
… . . Somehow, I can understand why people in the past feared and wanted to get rid of me . It feels quite natural .
Mmhmm . Yeah, this is quite scary .
Maybe on the day the Demon King and I fire arcane magic at each other, that alone would turn the whole of Midgard into a scorched wasteland?
When I turned to look behind me, there were three types of responses .
Every one of the Twelve Heavenly Stars was looking at me with an expression that said, “As expected”, with the exception of Virgo who looked like her soul had escaped her body .
Similarly, the hero’s group had the same reaction as Virgo and the whites of their eyes were showing .
Oh, now that I look at it, only the tiger dashed away .
“… . . Hey Sargeant… were we… trying to fight against this?”
“… . . Yeah… . That’s right… . To follow Leon-sama probably would have meant something like that . ”
“However you look at it, we probably would have just died from the shockwave alone . ”
“We were too reckless . I don’t even want to see another fight anymore . ”
The four commissioned officers were muttering something to each other quietly and were showing an expression as if they had no other option but to laugh .
Eventually, the explosion settled back down, leaving behind a giant crater and a burnt field .
Well, even though I said a burnt field, since it was just a barren wasteland to begin with, there are only things like rocks and stuff left though .
In any event, with this, a place which would serve as the basis for the excuse was perfected .
Looking at the place, anybody would think that I had burnt the demihumans along with their villages .
In all likelihood, that explosion just now would have been seen by the other kingdoms anyway .
All that remained was for the demihumans to relocate and everything would be over .
“Now then, you were called… . Kaineko, right? It’s not like I can’t understand your feelings, but this time, why don’t you let the demihumans go as a favour for me? I hope you can tell your kingdom that the demihumans were annihilated from that attack . ”
“Yes . Will happily oblige!”
“Hmm? What is this? You’re suddenly quite cooperative . ”
“Yes . Will happily oblige!”
“… . Huh, whatever . Then, I’ll leave it to you? The elf over there too, alright?”
“Yes . Will happily oblige!”
“Iesu, mamu!”[7] (TLN: “Yes, Ma’am!”)
I was thinking that there would still be some kind of objection from Kaineko and Cruz, but contrary to my predictions, they became quite docile and cooperative .
But really, are these two alright? Their faces are quite pale and their feet are shaking quite violently .
I mean, err… even if they’re not that terrified, it’s not like I’m going to attack them or anything .
If anything, I actually quite like feline animals, so I’m thinking that I want to get along with them .
As I thought that, I looked towards Kaineko, but he suddenly screamed “hii” with a voice that sounded like he was on the verge of tears .
… . . This is quite a shock .
“Next is the matter about the demihumans…”
“Ruphas-sama, please allow me to a.s.sume that role . ”
The next role was something important .
It was the role to take the demihumans to the Mafahl Tower . However, if they were to be accidentally seen by the humanoids, all of the preparations done up until this point would become meaningless .
Therefore, I was originally thinking that I should a.s.sign this role to Libra who was the most sensitive to the surroundings and would be able to ascertain the best possible route in this situation . Nevertheless, Sagittarius volunteered as a tribute himself .
“You will?”
“I see . Master, the most suitable person in this situation is indeed Sagittarius . ”
“Is that so? Well if you say so, then there shouldn’t be any mistakes . ”
Sagittarius, huh?
Well, I suppose he does seem to have quite good eyesight, so I would think that he would be right after Libra in terms of suitability .
But when compared to Libra, there seem to be some worrisome aspects .
My worries must have been showing on my face . Sagittarius for some reason took out his bow and arrow as if it was the most natural thing to do .
“Please observe, Ruphas-sama . My arrow can be used in this way too . Everyone! Grab each other’s hand! The one at the foremost, grab onto me!”
…… . . ?
What exactly is he trying to do?
The demihumans listened to Sagittarius’s command and joined hands with one another . Then, the demihuman who was at the head of the line held on to Sagittarius .
It seemed they were trying to do something quite weird . However, I did not understand the meaning of all of this .
Are they thinking that they should all line up and head to the tower together in a friendly and orderly manner?
However you think about it, that’s very conspicuous .
“Then we will be going now . [Alnasl!]”
Sagittarius fired his arrow and for some reason grabbed the arrow right after it was released .
What exactly was he thinking… . ?
However, I immediately understood the reason for his actions .
Sagittarius, who grabbed the arrow, disappeared from the spot and all the demihumans who were in contact with him disappeared together .
“Are you surprised, master?”
“Y, yeah . Just then, what did he just do?”
“That was his [Alnasl] skill which boasts absolute accuracy . The moment after the arrow is fired, he teleports to and in front of the enemy . Of course, even Master must be aware of that already, but he acquired the ability to teleport along with the fired arrow by grabbing the arrow itself . We were also helped as a result of that skill . ”
“… . . Rather than an absolute hit skill, wouldn’t it become an absolute evasion skill?”
“I suppose it can be used in both ways . ”
I was impressed by Sagittarius’s use of the skill as it was explained by Libra .
By grabbing onto the arrow with an absolute accuracy effect which bypa.s.sed the concept of s.p.a.ce-time, Sagittarius was able to use it as a teleportation skill, an absolute evasion skill and a mode of moving things . What is this? Isn’t that just unfair?
I mean, in other words, as long as he felt like it, he was able to go anywhere he wanted .
Such a cheat skill really existed .