Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou (WN)

Abyss Lord's Summer Vacation Arc Thaaaank God I Came to the Fairy World!!

At the east side of the base of the Divine Tree, a festive revelry was going on right now, or rather once more.

This time it was revelry to praise the revelry of Abyss Lord VS Oni Army, and also for welcoming their benefactor who took back how the fairy world ought to be.

If conflict was the style of the fairy world, then perhaps festival ought to be called as its splendor. Either way, apparently every single one of the fairy world's residents loved making ruckus.

A great variety of cooking and alcohols were lined up at the place that served as the audience seats just before this. There a banquet where various different races were mixing in was unfolding.

A capital existed inside the Divine Tree. The fairies who were surviving there──lives with predestined length of life given birth by the apparitions who were born from thought──were carrying foods and alcohols one after another merrily.

Even the large hole at the improvised arena that was formed from the gravity magic's secret art "Black Sky Destitution" had gotten buried in the blink of eye by a buddha from somewhere. Right now it was transforming into a boisterous venue filled with drinking and singing.

Of course, at the sky there were also dragons coiling up and gods and buddhas lying relaxed on their side.

The sight of gods and buddhas and apparitions merrymaking enjoying foods and alcohols would definitely cause any mythology scholar to faint if they could see this. In a sense, this was a miraculous sight.

「Oi, your cup is empty there! Drink drink!! GAHAHAH」

「Why're you acting reserved!! This meat is superb you know! Eat a lot more!!」

「The winner gotta be bolder than this!! Or what!! You're saying you don't wanna to drink sake with me huh!?」

「What a slender body you've there! Get some more muscle! Muscle!」

「Let's have drinking contest! If you're the head's man then you should be able to at least drink us under the table!!」

There was a youth who was being pestered by a group of drunken uncles.

Of course, the true identity of the uncles were legendary onis who boasted huge bodies more than three meters tall──Ootakemaru and then ShuutenDouji's four heavenly kings, HoshigumaDouji, Kuma Douji, TorakumaDouji, and Kane Douji. In addition, combined with the onis who participated in the battle, several hundred onis were sitting cross legged in multiple layers of circle around the youth while making merry.

Surrounded by the walls of muscles, the youth was making a forced smile like a new hire getting drunkenly pestered by his superior. Naturally, this youth was Kousuke. His spot was also above a root that was slightly protruding up, so it felt like being seated on the high seat of honor. It made him felt even more uncomfortable.

In any case, just as could be surmised from this situation, at that last moment he splendidly succeeded with the staged rescue.

Slaying oni. It was something extremely prestigious from the ancient time. Both for the slayer and the slayed.

That was why, it seemed Ootakemaru and others were greatly dissatisfied by the way it ended after they were defeated even with their full strength, but in Kousuke's defense he also wished to be spared from the end that they envisioned. What he did was wholly for his own convenience, not because of good will or even pity.

(If they're reborn after I killed them, it's possible that it will be a different Ootakemaru and others than now right? They'll absorb thepresent day's thought the most. Then, they might challenge me for Hidzuki's hand again ain't it)

In other words, it was something like that.

Even though he fought to "convince" them, the reborn NEW Ootakemaru and co might be in a state of not convinced……

Then it would become another battle, killing, rebirth with different personality, and then another challenge……

Wouldn't that be a dragging on bother(endless loop)? He thought.

It was completely for his own convenience but, naturally he also didn't want to kill them.

Of course, there was a big possibility that there wouldn't be any change to their personality even after they were reborn but……it was only human to want to crush the possibility if it was possible.

Although.

「Ah, no, no need for more sake, I think. I've drunk quite a lot……」

「AAA!? Your voice is too small I can't hear you!」

「Speak clearer!」

「You don't have enough sake right! Of course human sake ain't enough at all for the man who beat us!」

「Here, I'll give you some of my oni sake! Drink a lot!」

These onis, they were oni as expected. They had quickly forgotten the dissatisfaction of him not accepting the honor of taking oni's head. Not only that, they felt refreshed after fighting with everything they got and lost and immediately got into a good mood. They were drinking and eating single-mindedly.

This completely drunken bunch who were like masters of drunken interaction already only lent half their ears to Kousuke's words. It was like talking to the wall. They all laughedGAHA GAHA,slapped Kousuke's back energetically, making the sake that he was doing his best to drink in order to get along a little bit better with them despite not used to it to almost reverse course in his throat.

Even though he actually wanted to be alone for a while……

Because, he had used Depth V. Although he had gotten used with the chuuniness from it, he still wanted to heal his mind with his usual self-torture and lamentation. He wanted to sit at the corner hugging his knees, and yet……

Because of these merry bunch!

(As I thought, perhaps it would be better if I didn't save them……?)

A sharp turn followed by a push up of the sunglasses. Kane Douji was performing that signature pose of Abyss Lord as party performance. Ootakemaru and others burst into laughter seeing that. Killing intent boiled up from him. And of course along with embarrassment that surpassed it.

「Now now, you louts. Do not trouble mine beloved too much. Mine beloved too, you should try getting used with drinking sake.」

Right beside Kousuke was the objective of the battle, Hidzuki leaning coquettishly against him.

As befitting the name of ShuutenDouji, she had been drinking alcohol many times since the start of this party from a vermilion cup. Furthermore, it was a strong sake that had been especially distilled for oni. She seemed to be greatly pleased. The amount of alcohol she was consuming had easily surpassed ten large bottles.

Her slightly flushed cheeks and nape were truly captivating. She was gazing at Kousuke with the eyes of a maiden in love. Her glistening eyes were radiating sex appeal in amount that could only be called vicious.

Also, Rana and others couldn't be found within these circles of oni. There was only Hidzuki beside Kousuke.

The duel of men fighting over her (Kousuke almost added in that he was only responding though) was finally settled. So it should be fine for her to be the main star at least for a little. That was the consideration that Rana gave to her.

This was slightly off topic but, to Hidzuki that thoughtfulness, or perhaps Hauria-style "sophistication" was also something she extremely liked about Rana.

「Whaat!? What do you mean that he isn't used with sake!?」

「So loud……」

Ootakemaru roared. It was really unkind for human's eardrum. Perhaps it got torn a bit……? He gotta drank potion……

Perhaps because Kousuke was being surrounded by onis right now, Rana and others were handling the great specters and gods and buddhas who wanted to talk with Kousuke. They got surprised by the loudness and looked his way.

Kousuke lightly waved his hand at them to say that he was fine and they sent back a thumb up at him.

Only Hinata was looking his way while looking extremely worried, but Vanessa and Claudia, and especially Zhu looked like they were having a lot of fun or perhaps feeling moved with this situation where they could interact with legendary beings.

That was one of their objectives coming to the fairy world, so Kousuke also felt relieved and satisfied seeing that.

「Mine beloved, he hath just gone through his coming-of-age ceremony seee」

「Whaaat!? Abyssgate! You're still that young despite being so strong already!?」

This time it was TorakumaDouji whose eyes opened wide from shock. Of course, his voice was loud. The air and also his eardrums were shuddering. Ah, his eardrums might tore again……

「No, what era are you talking about. Right now it's twenty years old……no, that's the drinking age, the coming of age is eighteen years old but……anyway, at modern Japan "you can drink alcohol after turning twenty".」

We're at the fairy world so it's fine isn't it……Kousuke made excuse inside his heart while smiling wryly. The onis were dumbfounded.

「You can't drink alcohol unless you've spent half of your lifespan? The country has become really absurd……」

「Aa, the average life span at the past was around forty wasn't it? There are various theories but……anyway, our lifespan has become almost doubled now.」

「Eighty years ain't that much different from forty years! Something like life without sake ain't life worth living!」

The roar that was filled with Ootakemaru's earnest feeling was met by nods from all the onis around them. For oni sake was just that important.

Because he knew a bit about oni culture, even Kousuke muttered 「T-that bad huuh」 half in surprise and half in admiration.

「If that's the situation then I gotta raid the Imperial Court to complain at them」

「Seriously don't do that okay? I'll have to drop Black Sky Destitution right on top of you in retaliation then.」

「Oo! You wanna have another go huh! When! Where! How about now!」

「T-this guy-」

Looking at Ootakemaru-san's happy face……as expected, no matter how they acted right now an oni would still be an oni. Oni sought conflict. Always.

If he got used to this rhythm then the abyss lord inside his heart would get lured out, and it felt like he would reach a point where he whispered 「Quick-quick slow♪ Let's trip the light fantastic friend♡」 with a silky voice, like a certain AC pilot in the robot game, so it was very dangerous.

「Fufu……I agree about the matter of sake, however, I believe that the flow of the world right now is in a good current. After all menace of specter's existence and the number of people perceiving them art on the rise. At this rate, just like the Heian era in the past……」

「Hidzuki-saa~n? Don't say something so disquieting okay? If you run wild on earth, Nagumo will bring deeeath penalty even before I can do anything! That'll really happen okay? Ootakemaru and everyone else too. My boss is scaary after all」

Hidzuki smiled bewitchingly. Kousuke reflexively sent her a fixed stare.

Hidzuki shrugged in respond. At the same time she also pressed her voluptuous chest on Kousuke. It naturally sucked in the gazes of the surrounding onis. Apparently human and oni were the same in this respect.

But, very unusually only Ootakemaru reacted differently. No, the four heavenly kings too.

Growl escaped from their throats, one hand rubbed their jaws, and their necks twisted. They looked at each other. Their expressions couldn't really be said to be displeased, but all the same they looked unconvinced.

「W-what? Did I say something strange?」

Kousuke looked bewildered by the unexpected reaction.

He mustn't think about specter's sense of value with human standard. It was something that Hinata had warned him about in the past. He fearfully asked, scared that perhaps he had stepped on a landmine about specter's sense of value.

「It's nothing big, just that there's something we've actually been ree~aal curious about all this time.」

Ootakemaru turned back toward Kousuke with a focused stare that was ascertaining him.

「Abyssgate」

「I told you just call me Kousuke. This is the fifth time.」

「I'm asking one more time……you bastard ain't the boss ain't it?」

Putting aside how he completely ignored about how to call him (because he was used to it), 「Aa, that huh」 Kousuke commented with a look of realization.

「I too am curious about that. Mine beloved is not the one at the zenith of your faction even with your strength……so it's no wonder that all of us art curious. We art onis after all.」

Yes, onis were firm believer in strength. Whether the other was stronger or weaker, that was their supreme sense of value.

The human male who defeated them was actually nothing more than an underling. That wasn't something that they could just overlook. Not in the sense that they couldn't forgive it, but simply that it made them hopelessly curious.

「I hath also once requested Shia but……」

「Eh!? You mean asking about fighting Nagumo?」

「Indeed. However, it seems that person art awfully busy, so she firmly refused without any ground for negotiation. Or rather, she even told me "In the first place someone who can't even win against me isn't going to have any chance so it's pointless".」

Hidzuki smiled wryly, however, there was something ghastly burning in her eyes. It seemed that Shia's words had instigated her pride very much.

Hidzuki sometimes had mock battle──actually those were serious fights that were practically almost fights to the death──with Shia, but even now she never had any chance to fight against Hajime, so the result of their fights could be easily guessed.

Putting it another way.

「A man who made such strong woman who couldst beat me down with her bare hands to fall in love to the bottom of her heart……how great is his strength? It is an oni's instinct for such question to boil up inside.」

「That western oni……that woman who didn't even take notice of me even if it was only my clone, from what I heard she's also that man's woman ain't it?」

Ootakemaru continued after Hidzuki with his fangs bared.

「That was one fine woman. I'm gonna make that woman mine too one day──」

「Stop! What're you gonna do if that person come!?」

The reaction was like when an ordinary wizard got scared of a certain dark wizard with absolute penchant for bowing and scraping from his followers.

If by some chance Hajime heard those words of wanting to try something with Yue, who knew what would happen. In Yue's case, she even had a sixth sense that could sense the presence of woman who wanted to try something with her husband even from another world, so the reverse could also be true.

Terrifying…….Kousuke thought while looking around restlessly.

That behavior seemed to provoke their curiosity even more.

「A man who not only can make even a man at your level to be satisfied playing second fiddle, but even be that careful……a man served by the woman who overwhelmed ShutenDouji and me! It really fires you up! Right, Abyssgate」

「How many times I need to tell you to call me Kousuke──」

「Just tell us. A real fight to the death without any hesitation and mercy! If you bastard and that guy do that……who's gonnawin?」

All the onis were focusing on their conversation with serious expression right now. A man who won against a hundred of elite onis head on. In the end how much did such man think his chances of success was. Even Hidzuki was staring intensely at Kousuke.

In actuality, there was only a limited number of specters who knew about Hajime's strength. At best it was only limited to those who migrated to "miniature garden".

The specters weren't in their right mind when Hajime and co first came here to protect the Divine Tree. And it was Yue who did the suppression during the "Dragon Incident". Even Hidzuki, she was aware that Hajime dispatched unrivaled reinforcement their way and also supplied power to everyone on top of that, but she had never seen him fighting directly.

The man who the manly goddess gave the greatest consideration for. According to the rumors among the fairies and also from Kousuke and Yue's words, they understood that he was strong but……

Hajime was also super busy and wasn't that involved with the fairy world, so the actual state of affairs was his strength hadn't left the realm of rumor in this place.

Amidst that atmosphere, Kousuke answered them with almost no pause at all. His tone was just too indifferent as he answered.

「Ha? There's no way anything like chance of winning exist.」

Chance of victory zero. That, was what he declared. Uneasy murmurs spread among the onis.

「……Wait wait. Think properly. You bastard has a lot of skills and your mind is also sharp. Rather the way you take anyone by surprise is really eyepopping even for gods and buddhas. I heard that guy has unlimited power and also an army but, if it's you then you should at least have some chance of winning regardless of the difference in strength or ability──」

「I told you there' s none. Impossible, totally. I absolutely can't win.」

This time the place felt silent like a graveyard. Half of the onis looked incredulous, while the other half looked bewildered.

「Mine beloved. By that do you mean it's because Shia and others wouldst not stay quiet if you lay your hand on him?」

「No? I mean that I've no chance to win even against just him alone. Rather……even if Yue-san and others join hands and you ask them this question, I think they'll also answer the same like me.」

「……You art saying that seriously?」

「Yep, seriously. At the very least that's what I think.」

Even though it was the words that came straight from her beloved's mouth, Hidzuki found it hard to believe right away. Even Hidzuki who knew Shia's true strength and Ootakemaru who knew of Yue's strength that was at higher dimension were making similar expression of not knowing what to say.

They wondered whether Kousuke was just being considerate right now because they knew that Kousuke and Hajime's relationship was more as friends rather than as boss and subordinate.

Kousuke seemed to sense that atmosphere of disbelief and took a breath before speaking once more.

「See here, it's the reverse from what Ootakemaru said.」

「The reverse? What do you mean?」

「About there's a chance to win regardless of the difference in ability as long as you have better technique and wits. It's Nagumo who's constantly doing that.」

「……Even though he's called the demon god?」

「Yeah, that guy hasn't changed even after getting to the point where he's called the demon god.」

That was why, it was the reverse. It was impossible to even consider, but if by some chance Yue and co fought seriously against Hajime.

Nagumo Hajime, wasn't Yue's match in the domain of magic.

Nagumo Hajime, wasn't Shia's match in the domain of close-quarter combat.

Nagumo Hajime, wasn't Tio's match in the area of aerial battle.

Nagumo Hajime, wasn't Shizuku's match in the field of swordsmanship.

Nagumo Hajime, wasn't Kaori's match in the field of healing.

Nagumo Hajime was incompetent in the subject of combat. He wouldn't have a chance against his wives' fields of expertise.

But, even so Kousuke asserted. He could assert it.

「The last one standing is going to be Nagumo.」

Kousuke asserted that with confidence. Ootakemaru and others were becoming increasingly confused. Kousuke smiled wryly seeing their expressions and added more words.

「It's not about how strong he is. Things like his monstrous physical ability or unlimited magic power, or even his many superweapons and army……rather, if that's all he has then it's not scary. No, it's scary but it's not like I can't see the chance to win. Even if it's just less than 1%, yeah?」

But, the root of Nagumo Hajime's strength wasn't there. That was why, it was terrifying.

「What's really crazy, is that guy's characteristic quality──it's his "adaptability".」

Yes, the most terrifying aspect of Nagumo Hajime was none other than that. That was the reason why Kousuke declared he had zero chance to win even if he desperately put all his efforts into it.

「……What the hell. What do you mean by that?」

「……」

Ootakemaru and co were bewildered. Hidzuki was deep in thought. Kousuke spoke further with a tone that contained some bit of heat.

Nagumo Hajime had no talent in the subject of combat. But, he allowed nobody else to even get closer when it came to "adaptability" toward every kind of situation.

Regardless whether he was facing overwhelming magic, or unbelievable physical capability, or flawless flight, or transcendental swordsmanship, or miraculous healing, he would nullify them altogether, weaken, hinder, made use of them, or perhaps he wouldn't even allow them to stand on the same arena as him at the first place.

It was even more so if he had been able to see the opponent's trump card even just once.

「That guy is constantly thinking. Of situation where he might lose. Of what can be done to put him in danger. Of what'll make him unable to protect those he has to protect. He absolutely won't rest on his laurel no matter how much strength he has obtained. He's preparing so much it'll creep you out. And, he has the strength to put into practice the "preparation" he thought up.」

In general, transmutation master was nothing more than manufacturer. But, combined with age of god magic he reached the level of artifact creator.

Or perhaps,Kousuke always thought it. Each time he received useful item from Hajime, or when he sent him artifact to deal with whatever incident that occurred.

Perhaps the talent of transmutation master didn't refer to "talent in transmutation magic", but to "talent to make use of transmutation magic".

「It's reeal scary when that guy got serious y'know」

Did Kousuke realize it himself? Of the expression he was making right now.

That he was sporting a smile that could even be said as warped, like a mix of fear and excitement, like he was seeing a demon and a hero at the same time.

That Ootakemaru and others had their breath taken away when they saw it.

「Try imagining it. The situation where all of your specialties are countered and nothing works.」

Could they understand the feeling of doing something and then the opponent saying 「I thought this might happen」 happening for real?

If anyone understood that feeling, then surely it was the wicked god(Ehito) who ruled Tortus in the past. After all he was defeated in front of that "adaptability".

「The situation where the trump card hidden in your sleeve getting dealt with just from showing it once」

Exercising your ingenuity, straining your wits, and somehow found a chance of victory?

The one who specialized doing that more than anyone else was none other than Nagumo Hajime.

Once a fight broke out, it would be the opponent who was getting seen.

Their trump cards would gradually be rendered meaningless.

Their neck would be constricted with each failure, while their opponent's trump card was increasing.

「Let's say that you manage to rack your brain and come up with an ingenious plan, then somehow hit him with it through a series of incredible moves. If, that attack couldn't kill him instantly……there won't be next time. An artifact will be created right on the spot to deal with you.」

Their death was growing closer in proportion to the number of their failure in killing him.

What kinda joke was that?

In game term, it was like a raid boss where players analyzed his attack pattern, gathered information, and prepared countermeasures to overcome him, but then the raid boss conversely was the one doing that to the players.

The players had retried many times and when they thought that they finally had seen the path to victory, 「Ah, here's the countermeasure for that. No effect!」 was repeated on them. In addition the raid boss even nerfed the players' ability and equipment.

It was unmistakably a shit game.

「……Putting it another way, you can defeat him if you perfectly ambush him with a sure-kill attack?」

「Well, I guess that's the only way. But, I think it's impossible in reality. Or rather it's meaningless perhaps?」

This was Hajime who developed all kind of detection technology, furthermore with technology that was a melding from various worlds.

In addition, he possessed multiple layers of protection on top of his flesh that had transformed from tasting hell. Naturally, he also had abundant methods of recovery.

Yue came to mind when speaking of immortality but, killing the current Hajime had similar difficulty with Yue backed by infinite magic power.

Even if he was unconscious, Kousuke had a hunch that he at least had automatic physical regeneration & resurrection. No, he was convinced of that based from what he knew.

And most of all.

「Besides……after the "Dragon Incident", that guy seems a bit strange.」

「Strange? What do you mean mine beloved?」

「His "preparation"……how should I say it……like it's at unhealthy level right now……」

He really didn't know how to describe it. For this half year, the way Hajime prepared wasn't normal, to a level that wasn't creepy anymore but worrying instead. Apparently that was what Kousuke felt.

「Perhaps, he has many trump cards that even I don't know about right now……」

Kousuke was half convinced. That faced with the various types of problems accompanying the World Tree's Branches Revival Plan, and the demons and specters related to it. there was no way he would just be satisfied with "preparation" limited to what Kousuke knew about.

His frequency of meeting with him after the graduation had become fewer thanks in part to university exam and their new life too, even so it made felt him just a smidgin sad that what he didn't knew about Hajime had increased. And it showed in Kousuke's expression.

「Oh my. Mine beloved really love that person very much isn't it? It makes me a little jealous now♪」

「Ha? Haa!? Can you please not say something so disgusting!?」

Hidzuki chuckled while hiding her mouth with her sleeve. Kousuke furrowed his brows with a disgusted look while clearing his throat.

「Anyway, that's the way it is. I guarantee it without any doubt, and without any modesty and consideration and lies. My boss is the strongest in the world.」

His expression instantly changed from a scowl to a bright one.

「If by some chance there's an enemy who surpass that guy's adaptability, then we too won't have any hope against such thing.」

That was a smile that radiated enormous trust. It was also a smile of pride of his boss, no, his friend. And despite saying such negative thing at the end, there wasn't even the slightest anxiety in his voice and expression.

Hidzuki became genuinely jealous and reflexively pinched his side.Nnhih!?A strange voice came out but, putting that aside,

「……I see. That guy is called such damn exaggerated name like the demon god, so I wondered just how great he actually is……」

「He is a human riight?」

「Yeah, he's human. In a sense, he's the ultimate human I guess.」

In the past, humans showed the readiness to fight the death in order to exterminate oni. They too were also like that.

They put their heart and soul to forge katana, polished their martial arts, refined their jutsu, developed convenient tools, gathered information at the cost of their lives, racked their brains to arrange strategy, and if it was still hopeless even then they would still accumulate anything they could to pass on to the next generation, and like that they made achievements to this day.

In that sense than certainly, Nagumo Hajime was more human than anyone. He was the ultimate culmination of human challenging great something.

Even Hajime surely couldn't imagine it. Even though he had gotten called a monster all the times, and he finally reached a point where he even got called as demon god, he instead received a seal of approval of being human from those monsters and onis.

Surely he wouldn't be unable to help himself from smiling wryly if he was in this place. Just like how Kousuke was doing right now.

「Well, we understand what kind of guy Nagumo is now. And also that there's chance of winning if you can overcome this "preparation" or "adaptability" or whatever. You've let us hear something good! Gahahah, now I'm fired up!」

「Eh? Wait Ootakemaru-san?」

Oh? The mood of the onis is……firing up even more instead?

「The era where human challenge oni has finally changed to an era where oni challenge human! There's nothing that can make your blood seethe anymore than this! Ain't that right, you louts!!」

Apparently it was something like that. Oni was really oni no matter how far they had come. They were truly the children of conflict. Naturally, their answer was,

──OOOOOOOOOOO!!

A soul-stirring war cry. Blazing high spirits! As though to say,Wewanna fight him right now instead! Abyssgate! Call him here!

「Wai-, stop it okay!? Something like picking a fight with Nagumo, seriously stop it okay!?」

「In other words you're saying pick a fight with him huh!?」

「I ain't joking here!?」

This damn oni-!!Kousuke-kun was at his wits' end. Was it because Hajime's strength got doubted? Perhaps he had talked just a bit passionately but, because of that the onis' belligerence was completely shifted toward Hajime.

Abyssgaa~te-kuu~~n? Can you explain what's going on hereee?He hallucinated the figure of his boss grabbing his shoulder with a nice smile. This was extremely bad.

「Hidzuki stop them! You're the boss oni!」

Hidzuki had the target of winning against Shia for the time being. She shouldn't make any demand to be allowed to fight Hajime. Rather, she might even think of not allowing other to get the jump on her in fighting Hajime first. With that thought Kousuke asked for covering fire but……

「Kukuku, the world this day art truuly interesting. Fear is intensifying, however, we cannot do as we please like in the old days. Because thereart strong people putting a stop to that. What delightful thing it is♪」

Hidzuki-san smiled complacently. Kousuke instantly realized.Ah, no good. Hidzuki is also oni as expected.

「Who knows when the next era wouldst come where oni turn into the challenger. And so go make your challenge! Because that is what makes an oni true oni!」

「Don't stir them up even moree~」

Another war cry rose. Kousuke at his wits' end seeing the onis getting heated up for a different reason this time.Sorry, Nagumo. I think smiling onis are going to welcome you the next time you come to the fairy world……he thought.

「Let me just say this first, just a duel might still be fine but don't seriously go after him okay? I'm absolutely that guy's ally. Even if by 0,1% chance, no, if by 0,000000001% chance you guys manage to surpass that guy's adaptability temporarily, I'll step in at that time. I'm confident I won't lose even against Nagumo when it comes to making chaos and buying time. If that happen, that guy would analyze the fight in the meanwhile and definitely find the countermeasure……the path to victory.」

He said that, rather than as a warning to Ootakemaru and others who he could believe to some degree wouldn't do anything cravenly, it was a warning to the surrounding gods and buddhas and great apparitions listening from the surrounding.

His bothered look when surrounded by onis just now couldn't be found anywhere. There was no fighting spirit like during the battle but, even so, no, rather his calm voice right now was sending colder chills into the listeners' guts.

That the abyss lord would definitely risk his life to fulfill his role if it was for the sake of the demon god's victory.

Everyone there was made to understand, no wonder he was said to be his right hand.

And so, Hidzuki-san was truly jealous this time and put Kousuke's face between her hands. She forcefully turned his gaze toward her and immediately stole his lips forcibly. She also bit his lips to sip on his blood.

Nnhiih!? What're you doing so suddenlyyy!?Kousuke-kun reacted like a maiden who got assaulted by a hoodlum.

The air instantly relaxed. Hidzuki released Kousuke and licked the blood on her lips. She felt a piercing gaze from the distance and chuckled.

「Well, we art resolved for the consequence if we blundered. And in this present era, there art also someone who descended from our natural enemy──a frightening onmyouji standing at the ready.」

「Ou, you mean that rugrat! She's from Abe's lineage I heard!」

Hidzuki directed her eyes toward Hinata after she finished speaking. Ootakemaru and others also followed her gaze. Of course, Kousuke too.

And then, all the men jerked altogether. Because Hinata-chan was looking this way. More accurately at Hidzuki. With eyes that looked like ＜●＞＜●＞.

S-scaryyy……The hearts of Ootakemaru and co and Kousuke were splendidly in harmony.

But, even that only lasted for a moment. It seemed that some kind of trouble was also occurring at where Hinata was while they were having fun talking here.

Hinata was being sandwiched between two women behind and in front of her with an atmosphere that was just a touch away from exploding.

In front of her was a blonde peerless beauty with nine tails. Behind her was a white haired beauty with one tail.

Looking closer, the two women gave a very opposite impression from each other.

The nine tailed woman was clad in kimono with pattern that ought to be described as luxurious and gorgeous. Her aura was sinister, her expression vulgar, with features that would really be extremely suited for teasing and delight.

The one tailed woman was in white clothing as though to show spotless integrity. Her aura was cool and clear. Her expression was serious, with features that gave the impression of sincerity and strictness.

The nine tailed woman tried to whisper something to Hinata. Like a bad adult trying to teach a serious and unwaveringly devoted girl the way to enjoy life.

The one tailed woman quietly covered Hinata's ears to prevent that. Next she gently embraced her on her bosom like a precious treasure. Like a mother trying to protect her child from a bad adult.

The gazes of the two beauties clashed once more. It wasn't a metaphor or anything. Sparks scattered at the spot between them.

The nine tailed beauty smirked. The one tailed beauty scowled. And then, Hinata-chan was saying something to stop them……

The next moment, swirling lights of gold and pure white enveloped the two beauties. No sooner than when that happened, nine tailed golden fox and one tailed white fox instantly appeared.

Thunder boomed. Just when it looked like golden lightning flew, white lightning struck it down. Apparently the sparks from gazes had devolved into actual shoot-out using lightning.

At least, it seemed they had consideration for Hinata including Rana and others. The white fox──Hinata's guardian fox spirit who was also a divine messenger "Kuzunoha" had put a barrier over them. The nine tailed golden fox had also put another layer of barrier over it to isolate Hinata and others from their quarrel.

Because of that Hinata-chan couldn't interfere. She was doing her best raising her voice to stop them but……

Of course, the nine tails who seemed to take a liking to Hinata for some reason and the white fox who was trying to protect Hinata didn't stop.

And then, the residents of fairy world naturally got excited. It seemed they considered the battle as mere side show for the banquet. Cheers of hip hip hooray rose over the new dispute over a young child.

Rana and Emily and others were looking bewildered 「Eh? How does it come to this?」, so they were sending glances 「What should we do?」 toward Kousuke.

It didn't look like Rana and others would be exposed to danger thanks to the barrier. Zhu too was applying her own barrier just in case, so it didn't seem there was any worry they would get injured but……

Putting it another way the damage to everyone else was enormous. Just the side effect from a conflict between fox spirit and divine messenger of the highest rank was staggering. Even right at this moment there were small specters and fairies screaming 「Kyaaa~~~h」「Heeeelp~~」 and getting blown away.

Of course, all the foods and alcohols also got blown away despite the efforts in making them. The surrounding was turned into a tragic state.

「Mine beloved, how about leaving them to their own? A quarrel between fox women art not something you wish to get involved with.」

「No, even if you say that……」

Hidzuki pulled on Kousuke's sleeve just as he was about to stand. She told himNo worry, no worrywith a smile. He couldn't see her lying about this.

「In the first place, this location is the backyard of the goddess. Although she's only a substitute goddess, a goddess is still a goddess. There is no way that child wouldst allow her important guests to be harmed. Right?」

「Well, you've a point……」

The aforementioned manly goddess wasn't here.

Actually she came to welcome them right after they arrived but, before the duel against Ootakemaru and others began, she left from here because there was a situation.

But, a goddess was a goddess just as Hidzuki said.

Even if she wasn't present in this place, she must be aware of everything that happened. In that case, she wouldn't allow anything that could possibly harm to reach the people connected to the benefactors of this fairy world no matter how small the chance was. Even Kousuke trusted her in that.

And so, Kousuke smiled wryly while allowing himself to be pulled by Hidzuki to sit back down.

「Besides……」

「?」

Hidzuki wore another extraordinarily loving smile seeing her beloved obediently returning to her side. However, the next moment she sported a fearless smile as befitting an oni and said.

「Regardless of anything she is still a woman wishing to be joined with mine beloved, and above all else she's also a practitioner who turned this Shuten Douji into her shikigami. She should be able to manage a quarrel at that level on her own.」

Hidzuki turned her eyes toward Hinata provocatively. However, there was also trust mixing within that gaze.

Right after that, as though to respond to that,

「Enough fooling around!!」

A young voice filled with a bit of anger and piercing spirit reverberated. The voice filled with spiritual power acted as a kind of words of power.

Both the nine tails and the white fox unconsciously jerked as though they were stingingly slapped by the yell. Not only that, even the specters and fairies at the surrounding also jerked despite not being the direct target of the words.

The sight was like children shrinking on themselves from getting scolded by their mother after getting too rowdy.

Furthermore, at the next moment,

「──"Kai(Release)"」

The two layer barriers were smashed like thin paper with the sound of glass breaking.

The barriers laid out by the legendary nine tailed fox and the divine messenger fox, were done in just like that.

The cause was naturally, Hinata.

The corner of her eyes rose glaringly, with the index finger and middle finger pressed together and straightened up sharply to form "sword hand sign".

The nine tails' eyes unconsciously widened like saucer. She fell for Hinata at first sight due to her cool and clear and powerful spiritual power, which made her wished to dye the girl in her own color, but it seemed she miscalculated the amount of strength the immature onmyouji had due to her young age.

「Kyuubi(Nine Tails), and also Kuzunoha.」

The white fox made a face that seemed to say 「Eh, me too?」.

「I want to have a talk. Please, sit over here.」

Even though her voice wasn't loud at all, it spread through very clearly. And also, "pressure" that was really hard to oppose oozed out from the voice.

Even though it wasn't them who were ordered, the surrounding specters quickly and silently sat on their knees.

The nine tails and the white fox looked at each other. For the two who had affinity so bad that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them oil and water or cats and dogs, they were matching beats really well.

A second passed.

The white fox obediently sat down, in contrast the nine tails switched into her human form and smiled alluringly. The nine tailed beauty then sashayed forward. But however,

「──"Bind"」

「!!?」

Her movement stopped like she was entangled by an invisible rope.

The woman was half surprised and half impressed. But, she chuckled as though to say that something at this level was just a kid's mischief. At the same time she made her golden eyes shined. Perhaps she was thinking to teach the little girl how terrifying a great specter was.

Tremendous ghastly aura instantly burst out. It even caused the space to look warped.

Just from that those who were in the category of small specter fainted, and even the middle class froze like a frog getting glared by a snake.

A normal child would go weak in their knees from that, or perhaps they would soil themselves, while crying and trembling too.

「This binding rope surely shall not be allowed to loosen, as long as my heart is unwavering」

「!?」

Of course, not a single change appeared in the face of the strongest onmyouji of this era.

Far from that, her spiritual power also burst out in opposition. Perhaps she was worried that the nine tails' aura might deal negative effect to Rana and others behind her.

It had the form of light that even felt soft and refreshing and pleasant to other people.

However, it was a heavy weight like being under a great waterfall for specter. It felt like her skin was stinging from getting burned even though it wasn't used offensively, but simply a pressure.

The surrounding specters all trembled. Not because of fear from the difference in strength they felt from the nine tails' aura, but because of something more instinctual──yes, it was the fear of extinction like they were in front of their natural enemy.

The nine tails' complexion changed.Eh, wait a second!? I'm not expecting this though!?She had that kind of expression.She's still around ten years old, something like this is just impossible right!?She looked toward Kuzunoha with such question in her gaze, but Kuzunoha-sama who had returned to her human form was only staying seated on her knees while showing a terribly smug look.

「T-this bitch-」 Even though she was making this kind of face, the nine tails hurriedly attempted to undo the binding.

Should it be said, as expected from a great specter? She quickly started breaking down Hinata's brute force technique.

But, something like that was within Hinata's expectation. It was already enough if she could buy time just for several seconds. Yes, the time to complete a proper technique, not simply something improvised.

Her small hands skillfully formed the signs of the nine-character charm.

「On Bishi Bishi Kara Kara Shibari Sowaka」

「!!?」

The nine tails' face was completely colored in astonishment this time. Rope of light was binding the nine tails hand and foot.

The nine tails couldn't move at all from the binding that was tightening stronger and stronger. Not only that, the rope of light growing out from the ground even shrunk to forcefully put her in seiza posture……

「That woman got a damn erotic body as always-」

Ootakemaru-san who was watching Hinata's strength and technique with a shocked gaze said something.

Certainly, the nine tailed beautiful miss had absurdly leewd──err, extremely voluptuous body, so when she was like……bound tightly with rope, various places became like, *Munyuu~~*……

Aa, this is so wrong! Her breasts! Something unbelievable was happening with her breasts!

「Nnnah, yah, nnuu」

Even her pained voice was also super leewd! The onis, no, even the gods and buddhas present in this place all had their gazes rooted on her!

She became teary-eyed as well as red in the face from the humiliation and pain, even so she stoutly kept her glaring at Hinata, but she was met with another gaze.

A chilly gaze that was unthinkable coming from a lovely girl was keeping the nine tails in sight.

The girl who she was scheming to dye in her own color, was looking down on her with cold eyes……

There, nine tails-san seemed to sense something. It felt like a redness that wasn't from humiliation tinged her cheeks. Her eyes were also faintly moist. Heated breath also leaked out.

Such sight, was just too lascivious.

「T-this is too lewd!」

Emily-chan got excited for some reason. Even though she was covering her face with both hands, staring hard from between the fingers' gaps was a maiden's etiquette.

「Great job! A splendid disciplining! A splendid S behavior! I'm so aroused!!」

The otaku SOUSAKAN was also excited for some reason. It was just like usual so it was ignored.

「? L-lewd? Disciplining? H-hm~m?」

Hinata-chan was confused for some reason. Thank god. Apparently it wasn't something that she did intentionally. In other words, it was mostly the fault of the Onee-sans around her.

「Kyuubi, I will undo the binding if we can calmly ta──」

「Kuh, what a humiliation-. However, it's my fault for underestimating you……feel free to keep this binding on♡」

Even though she sounded frustrated and aggravated, why was it? It sounded like there was ♡ attached at the end of her sentence.

Kousuke turned toward Hidzuki while pointing toward the nine tails. Hidzuki muttered 「She's hopeless」 with a shake of her head.

Apparently the strongest girl's bondage and cold gaze drew in miss nine tails in a different sense. As expected from the nine tailed fox. Her sinfulness was quite deep.

Hinata-chan shivered for a moment from a chill that ran through her body, but there was no denying that the nine tails was staying quiet so she coughed once.

She also plopped down to do seiza on the ground in front of the nine tails and Kuzunoha.

First she said her thanks to Kuzunoha for trying to protect her──It's only natural, Kuzunoha said with a composed face even though she couldn't completely hide her happiness as could be seen from her excitedly wagging tail──then after a second passed.

The talkbegan. Mainly about the damage to the surrounding and the careless treatment of the foods.

The girl's lecture continued on and on sincerely.

Each time the nine tails got bored and tried to escape, the binding tightened further and each time her flushing cheeks darkened even more. But putting that aside, the lecture that food mustn't be treated carelessly was something that Kuzunoha herself agreed with so she couldn't even object. Rather it was painful for her to keep listening to the serious lecture……

The two mighty existences were both wriggling and fidgeting restlessly.

The girl who created such situation was undoubtedly the natural enemy of the specters. Such fact couldn't be conveyed any clearer than through this.

「……She's little, but as expected from Abe's lineage. She's Seimei's descendant huh.」

「No wonder she's called the present era's strongest onmyouji」

「Now I get why boss accept being her shikigami」

「She's already this freaky even though she's still so small……」

The onis spoke in admiration and fear. The surrounding specters and gods and buddhas also couldn't help from reflexively nodding along.

Miraculously, attentions gathered on Hinata who had the status of being the present era's strongest onmyouji, and for showing a glimpse of strength that bore close remembrance to Abe no Seimei like it was his second coming.

Even the oni circle stopped their conversation. All of them were looking at Hinata with deep interest, so Kousuke didn't miss the chance and sent his gaze to Hidzuki.

How about joining with Rana and others now?Consideration for Hidzuki could be felt from the question. Hidzuki accurately sensed that consideration and,

「Fufu, very well♪」

She was satisfied with how much she had monopolized Kousuke. For the last she lightly bit Kousuke's ear──no, it made the ear bled a little, and she also slurped it with enjoyment──and Hidzuki smiled sweetly.

Like that, before he got caught once more by the masters in drunken pestering, he erased his presence and stood up. It was then.

『Abyss-san! Abyss-san! Can you spare me a bit of your time!?』

「Uoh, that was startling」

Suddenly a voice that was deep and yet strangely throaty resounded inside his head.

It was the muscular fairy. The self-proclaimed weak and timid maiden who loved baking cake. The manly goddess aka Blau Niebel.

It seemed she directly spoke inside his head using her goddess authority, but what could it be for? Her tone sounded strangely fretful, but he could feel excitement mixed with a bit of curiosity too……

It seemed that telepathy was also sent to Rana and others. Even Hinata temporarily stopped her scolding and blinked her eyes.

『Mana-chan is in trouble! Ah, no, perhaps it's Aziz-kun who is in trouble? Anyway, please come over here!』

「Eh? Manami? No wait, you said "Mana-chan"? You've gotten really close with her in just this short time huh」

Yes, why was Blau who came to greet their group when they arrived wasn't present both during the duel and also during the banquet? Or rather, why were Manami and Aziz who came together with them weren't nearby?

"A certain situation" that happened was exactly referring to this.

──You're joking right!? To have to see Kou-nii'sthatright at the very start of the trip, what kind of torture is that!?

Those were the first words that came out from Manami when she saw her big brother instantly entering his abyss lord mode when Ootakemaru and co challenged him.

It's fine for Rana and others. Because, they are people who take a liking to big brother. Because they are people who have overcome difficulties together with her big brother in his Abyssgate mode.

But, I'm his little sister you know! Do you understand the feeling of little sister having to witness her actual brother fighting with his chuuni at full throttlee!? My heart will die from shameee!

That was the situation.

Apparently there were things that were unbearable, things that couldn't be seen exactly because they were family.

And, so. The big brother laughed loudly while leaping into the battlefield, splendidly ignoringStop thaa~atthe words of his little sister who tried to stop him. Manami-chan who was dumbfounded watching the back of her big brother,

──N-no way I'm staying at this kind of place! I'm going ahead to sightsee!!

Attempted to get out from the Abyssgate World.

This was the world of the evil spirits of rivers and mountains. With every single possibility considered, there was no way an ordinary human without any power could be allowed to go off on her own. And so Aziz followed after her too in panic.

Of course, Rana and others were going to chase her too but, Blau considerately told them because she knew they must be wanting to watch Kousuke's gallant figure.I'll accompany her so please have fun here okay?, she said.

If Blau was with them, then there was no way residents of this world could try anything with Manami and Aziz.

Not to mention Aziz had also been given artifact for telepathy. He should immediately contact them if something happened. And so they sent them off without any worry but……

Just what in the world was making Blau so anxious? There was also no contact from Aziz so they didn't think it was a dangerous situation but……

「Anyway, let's go take a look.」

Kousuke offered his hand to Hidzuki even while feeling confused. Hidzuki too took that hand and sashayed up.

She gave a short notice to Ootakemaru and others that the goddess called for them before leaving her seat and joined Rana and others.

Like that, Kousuke and co entered the capital inside the Divine Tree. They witnessed it near the entrance.

「I'll not allow you to get any closer to Manami-san.」

「You're barking real well aren't you, brat.」

The sight of Aziz- was covering Manami behind his back while glaring at the other person dauntlessly. The person he was facing was a black haired handsome youth wearing glasses and suits.

Why, was there a man wearing suits in the fairy world? He had a polite way of speaking and elegant gesture from the way he pushed up his glasses, but he wasn't hiding his bloodthirsty atmosphere of someone familiar with violence at all. If a description had to be made for this man than it would be an intelligent yak*za.

If they made a simple guess, then it seemed that this glasses man in suits tried to do something to Manami and Aziz was stopping him but……

「Ah, Abyss-san! Over here! Over here!」

Blau noticed them and waved her hand.

Why was it? For someone who had just made an emergency call, her eyes were sparkling really brightly. As expected this didn't seem to be a serious situation.

Blau yelled with high tensioned voice at the confused Kousuke and co. She yelled the current situation, frankly.

「They're fighting over Mana-chan! This is fight between men over a maiden!!」

Onii-chan's eyes shrunk into dot. And then, 「Oh my oh myyy!」 the female group's tension jumped up high.

Oh? Aziz-kun's eyes were slightly wandering around. Perhaps he wanted to deny it, but he couldn't take his eyes off from the man in front of him?

In any case.

He understood the situation. It seemed, his little sister had gotten someone's attention from first sight.

In that case, there was one thing in his mind.

「My little sister……you don't have any qualification to talk bad about anybody else. Nii-chan is ashamed of you-」

Two men were fighting over her.

A normal girl in such situation would be shaken up, blushing up a storm, or perhaps feeling scared……

And yet, when it came to this little sister, she completely disregarded the serious feelings of the men like it was nothing!

*Smiiii~~~~rk*

「Progress-, this is progresss!! The encounter of handsome intellect Oni(Demon)i-san and exorcist pretty boy!! This is already fatee!! There's no way nothing won't happen with this!! Or perhaps, it can even form love triangle with abyss lord!? Kihih! Thank god I came to teh fairy wooooorld!!」

Manami-chan leaked out the sinister aura of rot, sporting a disgusting smile of rapture, and even had droll almost flowing down before she slurped it back *Jururi* while losing herself in rapidly drawing something on her tablet. Certainly, seeing such appearance wasn't something bearable.

Intellect yakuza Onii-san, look! Look at the truth of my little sister! She's right there in front of you! Are you fine with her even then!?

Kousuke-oniichan yelled from his heart.

「As expected from Abyss-san's little sis! Like brother like sister isn't it♪」

The sharp shot from the manly goddess that contained not even a shred of malice in it suddenly hit Kousuke's heart.

Of course, Kousuke couldn't argue back.

He quietly covered his face with his hands.

AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.

Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.

Death Stranding 2 arrived. It's too fun…

※Material Introduction

– Quick quick slow

From Brute of [Armored Core 6]. A strange pilot. Lovely

– Bowing/that person, you know who

From Voldemort of [Harry Potter].