I realized I made a mistake last chapter, it isn"t transformation magic, but it"s just transformation (how did I even add "magic"…?) So that no one else is confused about anything, I changed it to shapes.h.i.+fting. Also, I"m sick and I had a headache, so I couldn"t translate last week. I"m still slightly sick, and there were some confusing points in this chapter, – especially with the constant change of third person to first person – so sorry if I made more mistakes than usual. Thanks for reading~
~Dioral Kingdom, at the audience room~
In the Dioral castle, there is an obverse side of the audience room and a reverse side of the audience room.
… It"s because the people who know of the Dioral Kingdom"s undersurface face are either erased or brainwashed.
This room is rarely used, and even princess Flare and princess Norn have only entered it a few times.
A heavy, dignified door opens.
The ones that entered are the giant, dark skinned, skinhead man and some knights.
At the same time they pa.s.s through, the door automatically closes and locks itself. Furthermore, even a barrier is deployed.
As long as they don"t use a magic that is only handed down the royal family, no one can enter, and no one can leave.
Anyone would be fl.u.s.tered if they were taken to a room like this.
He is wearing priest clothes, but they don"t quite suit him, and it seems like it will rip from being swelled up by his muscles.
"Welcome, hero of the【Gun】, Bullet."
"It has been a while, king Dioral. Just, please do not call me the hero of the【Gun】, Bullet, but rather, priest Bullet." (Bullet) (TL Note: Father Bullet? Not sure which one to use.)
The man who was called to this room is the hero of the【Gun】, Bullet.
He is the last hero that the Dioral Kingdom manages, and is the "strongest" hero. That huge silver gun that can even be called a p.r.o.noun was taken away by the soldiers before he entered this room.
He normally hides the fact that he"s a hero, and protects the church as a priest and administrates the orphanage.
His popularity is thick, and he is loved dearly by the people and children.
"You know the reason I called you right?" (King)
"… Yes, it is probably for me to deal with the hero of【Healing】." (Bullet)
Bullet further narrows his narrow eyes.
He doesn"t trust the kingdom. He understands that they are only letting him live because he has utility value.
For this reason, it was imperative to be independant.
"Heroes can only be killed by heroes. My daughter, the hero of【Magic】Flare was defeated, and afterwards, she betrayed the Dioral Kingdom and I after being either tortured or brainwashed, while staying near that guy. You are the only one who can take on two heroes." (King)
"That"s right. Save my daughter if it is possible. However, killing those two should be prioritized." (King)
The king"s face warps. Even though the hero of【Healing】is already troubling, the hero of【Magic】is cooperating with the hero of【Healing】.
To not affect the soldiers and the people"s morale, he has been sealing people"s mouths, but because there were too many witnesses, he can"t prevent the spreading of information.
… The most problematic thing was princess Flare"s speech. Because words of equality and peace that sound good to the ears were sent from someone who has the appearance of a holy woman, there are many that have been poisoned.
He will certainly kill the hero of【Healing】, Kearu. And he will take back his daughter, princess Flare, if possible, but it"s fine to kill her if that is difficult.
Flare, the failure, is different to Norn, and has had few successes. It"s not like there are no subst.i.tutes.
"Certainly… is what I want to say, but it is impossible for me. Although they were hit with surprise, challenging the one who the hero of the【Sword】and one of the three great men,【Hawk Eye】, who had gained the【War Hero】, princess Norn"s, strategy couldn"t beat is too much." (Bullet)
Bullet shrugs his shoulders in disappointment.
There are mainly three reasons why he is reigning as the strongest hero.
The first one is the fact that the【Gun】is overwhelmingly excellent as a weapon. It can attack without pause while maintaining its accuracy and precision even from long distances. It is inferior to the hero of【Magic】in annihilation power, but the range exceeds it and can overwhelm others.
The second one is his overwhelmingly high level and combat experience. Not much time has pa.s.sed since the hero of【Magic】and the hero of the【Sword】has awoken. In contrast with that, it has been more than twenty years since the hero of the【Gun】has awoken. He acc.u.mulated many things in those twenty years.
The third one is his wariness. He doesn"t overestimate or underestimate himself. He doesn"t risk danger. He doesn"t trust anyone. Constantly preparing insurance. Thanks to that personality, he was able to survive until now.
"Priest Bullet. You say it is impossible huh. I plan on preparing reinforcements. They are a group of elites that have the【Sword Saint】that was raised to the three great men status because of 【Hawk Eye"s】death. That being the case, the work should be easier right?" (King) (TL Note: Eiyuu can mean hero or great man, but because hero would confuse people, I chose great men, but now I don"t know what to do…)
The king smiles, and like always, Bullet still has a nice, smiling face stuck on his face.
"It is not that kind of problem. The hero of【Healing】hasn"t shown the depths of his abilities. What we know at the present condition, is that he has some kind of brainwas.h.i.+ng ability that won over the hero of【Magic】. He can use sword techniques at the level of the【Sword Saint】. Furthermore, he has a recovery ability that can even heal a whole arm. … If he can do this much, he is surely hiding more hands he can play. It is not sane to challenge a monster that is hiding his hand while the hero of【Magic】is accompanying him." (Bullet)
Bullet was collecting information of the hero of【Healing】with his own power.
He knows that he last appeared at Buranikka and is heading deeper into the demon king"s territory.
Besides that, there are two powerful members apart from the hero of【Magic】in the hero of【Healing"s】party.
He approves of the【Sword Saint"s】true strength, who the king Dioral is suggesting, and he understands his own strength. From the hand he can see, he"s confident that there"s a 70% chance he will win.
However, there is a 30% chance he will lose.
Furthermore, he can"t see the hero of【Healing"s】hidden hand.
Challenging him in such conditions is just stupid.
"Priest Bullet. Are you going to disobey me, the king?" (King)
"Not at all, that is unthinkable. Due to princess Norn"s campaign failing, the elite force was annihilated. 【Magic】and【Sword】. If the Dioral Kingdom that even lost【Hawk Eye】were to lose【Gun】and【Sword Saint】, it would be taken advantage of by foreign countries. In reality, the surrounding countries have already turned their poison fangs towards us. I am saying this because of my love to this country." (Bullet)
What the hero of the【Gun】is saying is correct.
Using the fact that they are at the foremost line at the battle against the demons, they demanded support for their war expenditures, and stole large amounts of funds, personnel and techniques from other countries. The countries that refused were punished as enemies against humanity.
The reason they were able to do such things, is because of the irregular existences of the heroes and princess Norn"s diplomacy ability.
If they lose【Gun】in this situation, the Dioral Kingdom will be destroyed by the surrounding countries.
"That is funny, it is unthinkable for priest Bullet to do something for someone other than himself… you are making an excuse. This is an order. If you are to disobey me, your personal secrets… I can teach you the real meaning of graduation in public." (King)
What he means by graduation is just what the name says, it"s about the orphans in Bullet"s orphanage leaving the nest.
In public, they were explained to have left the orphanage after becoming workers, live-in servants, or possibly adopted children.
… There are those types of kids as well, but most are different.
That orphanage only takes charge of good looking boys. The boys are raised to his liking, are trained, and become outlets for his s.e.xual desire.
At the time when they are the most beautiful, Bullet kills the boys and preserve them, making them part of his collection.
After approaching their peak, they do nothing but deteriorate. The boys become men. Bullet can"t forgive that.
Yesterday, he stopped another boy"s time. He indulged in the boy at the best moment, ran out of tasting him, and stopped his time. To Bullet, stopping a boy"s time and making him last for eternity is a necessary action, and is the best amus.e.m.e.nt.
"My my, it would be quite tough if you are to say that. I wouldn"t be able to do my artistic activities. I understand, I will devote my power to subjugating the hero of【Healing】." (Bullet)
While saying that, Bullet started thinking of how he could run away from the Dioral Kingdom inside his head.
The Dioral Kingdom is certainly charming. Thanks to the trust he piled up and the royal family"s a.s.sistance, he chose high quality boys and received them.
… Even so, being able to love the boys is originally because he is alive.
I was planning to eventually cherish the hero of【Healing】, but if we are going to fight now, it would be better to hold onto him as part of my collection and then run to another country.
Before escaping out of the country, I will have all the children I haven"t broken yet and kill them. Unripe fruits have their own charm.
"That is reliable. As expected of the strongest hero." (King)
"I will certainly deal with the hero of【Healing】." (Bullet)
That will not be now. Only after my preparations for certain victory are finished.
It was love at first sight. The moment I saw the portrait, I e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed.
That is the ideal boy. I will love, love and love and then add you to my collection while you are still beautiful.
"King Dioral, has our talk finished?" (Bullet)
"Indeed, I gained priest Bullet"s cooperation after all. … did you think I would say that? (King)
When king Dioral says that, knights slowly approach and surround priest Bullet, shortening the distance.
Priest Bullet unconsciously reaches his hand out to his reliable partner, the【Divine Treasure Arms】gun, but that was taken away before he entered this room.
"Well, king Dioral. It may just be my imagination, but I feel bloodl.u.s.t aimed at me." (Bullet)
"I have no idea of what you are talking about." (Bullet)
While being cautious of the surroundings, priest Bullet tilts his head.
Even in this situation, he was calm.
"I borrowed a convenient monster from the demon king. I can read minds. Unfortunately, I also know that although you are nodding right now, you plan on escaping." (King)
"Hou, you weren"t surprised that I joined hands with the demon king. You, did you know about it?" (King)
"Well, from a while back." (Bullet)
He couldn"t keep anything secret because of the monster that can read minds. Besides, there is no point to it, so Bullet indifferently replies.
He has some knowledge of how many bodies the mind reading monster has, and that there are a thousand various differentiations of reading the mind. He thinks of a method to see what pattern it is, and looks at the Dioral king"s reaction.
… With this, I can sort which thoughts he can read and which thoughts I can hide.
"Your ears are good. As expected of the strongest hero. However, your【Gun】is not here. No matter how strong you are, you can"t rival "evolved" knights unarmed. Stay quiet. You are capable, but you were hard to use. You will become a good piece if I "evolve" you." (King)
While following the knights" movements with his eyes, he thinks in a way that won"t be read.
I can tell from looking. They have quit humanity. The mana they are shrouded in isn"t a human"s mana. It"s not human nor demon nor monster, it"s something more different and filthy.
"Sorry, because I am bad at giving up… and a piece of advice, you underestimated heroes too much. Because you are like that, the hero of【Healing】was able to do as he pleased." (Bullet)
He brought out a pistol from the pocket of his priest clothes. And then, he rapid fires six bullets with a quick draw. A mana bullet struck the surrounding knights and the Dioral king, making their brains explode.
Priest Bullet doesn"t trust other people.
It is to use it as a trump card when the time comes.
This pistol is the real form, and it becomes a huge gun by putting on the gigantic optional parts.
When he left his weapon with them, he only handed them the exterior, and didn"t let go of the real body. Being unarmed in "enemy territory" is impossible.
A cancellation code that only the royal family knows is necessary to open the door, but he has a few ideas of it. He should be able to get out if he takes some time. The problem is after he leaves.
He became a king killer. Unfortunately, he probably doesn"t even have the time to pick up his collection. He needs to get out of the country even a second faster.
"Fuhahahahaha, hahahahahaha."
A laughing voice reverberates.
The knights stand up one by one.
"… To think you went that far. So you abandoned humanity, and degraded to a beast it seems." (Bullet)
The scattered blood and brain fluids turns into black fog, going back to their original positions.
"Degraded? I wish you would call it evolved. Now, you can keep killing me as many times as you want. Until your stamina and mana run out, that is." (King)
Priest Bullet laughs.
Even in this situation, he has not been put in disorder. From the moment he was called to this room, he had hypothesised this possibility. However, by that time, he was already powerless.
I bet on a ray of hope and came here, but it was useless. That"s it.
Therefore, using his subordinates, he interfered with the【Sword Saint"s】duty to put off the day she comes back to the royal capital for two days later.
If I hadn"t done so, the【Sword Saint】would have been here as well, captured by the king.
If something happens to himself, he arranged for all the information he searched to pa.s.s onto the【Sword Saint】.
If she sees that, without returning to the Dioral Kingdom, the【Sword Saint】should go towards the hero of【Healing】who advanced past Buranikka.
This is a present to the hero of【Healing】. As if I could hand the cute Kearu to such a monstrous king.
"Hero of【Healing】. I wanted to give love to you, raise you, and then kill you." (Bullet)
I recall the cute Kearu"s face that I fell in love with the moment I saw his portrait.
While masturbating to Kearu"s face, priest Bullet continued killing the resurrecting knights over and over again.
He is not just recklessly killing them. He looks at their movements from the moment they revive, and tries to read the structure of this black power. He adds differences to each method of killing them.
I faintly smiles… because I finally understood the trick. With this, there is a possibility I can save myself without being overwhelmed.
My mana is at the limit. There is only one bullet left.
I have decided the way of using it.
"Are you already at your limit, priest Bullet!? Now, you will become the same existence as us!" (King)
"I decline. I will stay as myself… and I have decided to remain married for life to the ones I love." (Bullet)
The hero of the【Gun】, Bullet, shot personally shot a bullet into his temple.
This is the finis.h.i.+ng touches of the trick to maintain his ego even if he is invaded by the black something.
… The king will surely be under the impression that I suicided before becoming a monster. That is fine. I will take that opportunity.
Even if I become a monster, I won"t lose myself. I will find a chance after acting like I am being used as much as possible. … And then, I will love the hero of【Healing】, Kearu.
"Hahahahahaha, there is no way you can escape by doing something on the level of suicide. Oi, *Reeharouze. Evolve this guy as well. A【Hero】will be evolved. He will become an outrageous monster!" (King) (TL Note: *That looks so weird… anyone got any suggestions? リーハローゼ)
The king laughs loudly, thinking that the hero of the【Gun"s】suicide was pointless.
A woman with membrane wings and violet skin appears from the king"s shadow, and sketches a carved seal on the hero of the【Gun"s】corpse with her own blood.
However, the king hadn"t noticed.
Not only that, he had also let the【Sword Saint】hold information to make her head towards the hero of【Healing】.
In this situation, the strongest hero did what he needed to do without any disturbance.
Everything was for the sake of preserving himself so that he could love, raise, kill and live together for eternity with the cute Kearu who he fell in love with at first sight after finding him.