Judging from the feeling of the sign, it seemed not to be a very powerful enemy. Therefore, Hajime looked back at the sea of trees with a doubtful look.
Shia also tilted her neck while gazing at the depths of the sea of trees.
Kouki also guessed that something approached them while looking at the manner of the two. It was a creature that resembled a goblin, while it made a rustling sounds (TL: āgasagasaā sounds). It had a dark skin with an ugly and distorted face, it wore a rag and was about 140 centimeters tall.
The goblin made a āGugaā-sound when it saw Hajimes appearance. Thought it cried with a somewhat excited voice, it movements stopped as it was startled by its own voice. It stopped and looked at Hajime. Because of its face, murderous intent was released.
In fact, it looked that way to Kouki.
Because he was not playing an active part in battle a feeling of irritation was felt by him and he made a rush to the goblin. He closed in the distance in the blink of an eye with his Holy Sword in hand.
However, the goblin which life was almost nearly cut, for a moment, itās glance turned to Kouki, but it still did not show any behavior of taking a defensive action.
In an instant, even if Kouki had some doubts about it, he swung his Holy Sword down, because you couldnāt be careless against demons in the great labyrinth.
At that moment, when the Holy Sword cladded in light, almost cut the strange goblin in two,
[What are you doing, idiot!] (TL: āBoke~ā, not ābakaā)
[Nnabbubera?]
Hajime who caught up in a moment, kicked Kouki away with a āRolling Savateā. A strange scream was raised and Kouki disappeared in the interior of the sea of trees, as if being run over by a dump truck.
Despite the demon before them, Shizuku was dumbfounded by the action of an ally getting blown away by a āRolling Savateā. She couldnāt overlook the action, lifted her eyes in anger and rushed over to Hajime.
[Wait a moment, Nagumo-kun! What was that for!? No matter how you look at it, it was unreasonable. Kouki merely wanted to defeat the demon!]
[Thatās right! Or rather, is Kouki-kun alright? We must go look for him immediately.]
Shizuku and Suzu turned a look of criticism to Hajime. Shia and Kaori also did not understand the reason for Hajimeās action.
However, Hajime did not hear their voices, he only gazed at the goblin in front of him.
In her eyes, Kouki was kicked away by Hajimeās āRolling Savateā without reason and Shizuku put herself on guard against the existence of the goblin.
Kouki turned up from the back of the sea of trees while rubbing his arm. Apparently, he seemed to have been alright. However, it seemed he was going to jump at Hajime, while anger was omitting from his whole body.
[ā¦.. Nagumo. Why did you do that? Why did you get in my way? The situation is different from a while ago. Donāt make excuses. To protect a demon, are you sane?]
[Itās not a demon.]
[What did you say?]
Without reacting to Koukiās anger and ignoring his muttering, he kneeled in front the still standing goblin. All members were astonished by the action and are doubting him more and more. Only Shia noticed something and muttered [No wayā¦.].
Hajime, who is meeting itās eyes on the same level, says some words that startle the others.
[ā¦.. You are Yue, right?]
[Gugya!]
[[[ā¦.What the?]]]
While Kouki and the rest were standing there with open mouths, Hajime did not hesitate and took the goblins hand and muttered [Yueā¦]. The goblin, with a joyful cry, answered [Gugya.].
[Ehm, Hajime-san. I would never have imaged it would be Yue-san. Uhm, I can only see a demonā¦.]
[I, I can only see a demon. Is it really Yue?]
Shia and Kaori raised a voice of doubt, while looking at the goblin in front of them. The goblin begins to cry out/complain to Hajime with [Gugya , Gugogo, Gyaagya], while looking at both of them. It shoulders dropped, because it is not able to talk with them.
However, Hajime is there. There is nothing impossible for the man who loves Yue.
[Yes?, Yes~ The next thing you knew is that your appearance changed after the transfer?]
[! Gugya ! ā¦ā¦ Gugogo]
[Fumu, So it only changed the bodyā¦ā¦]
[Gugya ā¦ā¦ Gyagya , Gugi]
[The equipment was also lost?ā¦.Oh, you came after the markings i have left?] (TL: Either equipment or accessories and āmakinguā is written in āenglishā)
[Gugutsu ā¦ā¦ Gogagoga]
[Thatās right, Hajime is where the explosions come from? Well, you arenāt wrongā¦ā¦]
[ā¦ā¦Gyuuu, Gogo]
[Is that so, you arenāt able to use magicā¦ā¦ But, you donāt feel any other changes.]
[Gigigi , Gagi]
[Well, it should be alright. Itās probably one of the trials. It was an inevitable start of the game]
[ā¦ā¦ Gyuuu]
[And Tio and Sakagami werenāt with you. Perhaps the same happened with them as with Yue. I still donāt know anything about the demons hereā¦.. Well, Donāt worry about it Yue. Iāll do something about it as always.]
A normal conversation has been established. (TL: ānormalā)
[[[[[ ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦.. ]]]]]
Kouki and the rest were speechless. Hajime didnāt try to hide the fact that he was happy to be reunited with his lover and smiled.
[This kind of thing. Letās try āReproduction Magicā out.]
[[[[[ No, no, no, no, wait, wait, wait, wait ]]]]]
[Oh, Whatās wrong?]
Kouki and the rest tsukkomied in aĀ beautiful harmony and looked at Hajime with puzzled expressions. Everyone wanted to tsukkomi Hajime even more. Or rather, they werenāt able to hold out any longer.
[Isnāt it strange? It is strange, right? How can you communicate? Like nothing is going on!]
[Nothing is going onā¦. I talk because it is Yue?]
[Suzu only hears āGugyaā! No other words! How do you understand it?]
[No, with feelingsā¦ it is possible to talk with eyes.]
[Which reminds me, you always stare at each otherā¦ā¦ā¦.It really is useful at such a timeā¦.. How the two of you communicate breaks through the center of the universe.]
[No, Itās normal for a lover.]
[Itās not normal? Obviously it is not normalā¦..What should we do. The 'specialā seat feels very far away.]
[Rather, Nagumo-kun. How did you notice it? Did you notice it before kicking me?]
[How did i, you knowā¦.. Itās a simple story.]
Many tsukkomis were made and the others had tired expressions because HajimeĀ answered with his common sense. At the end, Kouki uttered a question towards Hajime, who looked peacefully at the goblin shaped Yue,
[Itās just thatā¦. Her appearance may have changed, but i will never lose sight of Yue.]
[[[[[ā¦ā¦Is that so?]]]]]
[ā¦ā¦ Gugya]
With an expression that seemed like it was made of sugar, Yue (goblin Ver.) answered happily to Koukiās group.
[Putting that aside. Kaori, I leave the āReproduction Magicā to you.]
[Ah, Un, I understandā¦ā¦. Well then, here we go Yue: āAbsolute Imitationā!]
Kaori, whose eyes slightly regained sanity, was appealed by Hajime, turned towards Yue (goblin Ver.) and used āReproduction Magicā. Needless to say, reproduction magic is an age of gods magic and the effects are enormous. Hajimeās group thought it would return her to her old appearance if they used itā¦ā¦..
[Gugya?]
[What? Why? One more time: āAbsolute Imitationā!]
Yueās appearance did not change back.
Itās like the āReproduction Magicā isnāt activating. A silver light pours down over Yue, but Kaoriās magic is erased with a crunching sound. There is still no sigh of Yueās appearance turning back.
[Whyā¦ā¦]
[Gugyaā¦ā¦]
Kaori is stunned and Yue (goblin Ver.) dejectedly drops her shoulders. Even the other members had worried expressions. In the middle of it, Hajime folded his arms and hit the temple while brooding over the phenomenon.
Hajime wore a difficult expression. Yue (goblin Vers.), while gripping the bottom of his clothes, looked up to him with an uneasy expression. She though that it would be also difficult for her to turn someone back with āReproduction Magicā.
To such a Yue (goblin Ver.), Hajime returned from his deep thoughts and turned a vibrant smile towards her.
[Everything is alright, Yue. Iāve said it before, we fell into the trap, but a Game Over is impossible at the start. There must be a method to turn you back. I believe the āReproduction Magicā doesnāt work because the quality of the age of gods magic is different. A special method needs to be used. It is a self-evident truth, that the challengers of the trial have āReproduction Magicā. There would be no meaning to the trial otherwise. In any case, we will find the method to turn you back if we proceed further.]
[ā¦ā¦ Gugya]
[Aa, donāt worry about it. And, i forgot about this. Can you hold this?]
[ā¦ā¦ Gigi?]
Hajime passed Yue (goblin Ver.) a pair of jewel earrings. Because she transformed and canāt use magic, he guessed that she needs something and gave her an artifact ?? āTelephatic Jewelsā. (TL: actually stones, but they are earrings, so i choose āJewelsā instead of stones.)
[ā¦ā¦Hajime?, Hajime? Can you hear me?]
Then, a lovely voice affected the space, the same way as Tioās transformation into a dragon does. Hajimeās expression loosed up and he looked very happy while hearing a dear and nostalgic voice, even if it was only for a moment.
[Yeah, I can hear you, Yue. Your appearance changedā¦.. but iām glad you are alight.]
[ā¦ā¦. Nn. I knew Hajime would notice it.]
[Thatās natural. Iām the one who understands you the most.] (TL: Missed this line, iām sorry~ Did not notice till now)
[ā¦ā¦ā¦ Nn. But i was happy. I love you.]
[ā¦ā¦Stop it. Itās embarrassing.]
[ā¦.. Fufu]
The air around them became sweet and pink, even though she was a goblin. Even if the appearance changed, they still create their own world. The eyes of the other members became like ones from dead fish.
[*Cough*! Isnāt it about time? Yue, Iām glad you are alright.]
[Nā¦ā¦ Kaori, too]
[Yue-sanā¦ā¦. Zettai, zee~~tai! We will turn you back! For that reason, you can rely on me!] (TL: āZettaiā means āabsolutelyā ,left it in japanese, because reasonsā¦..)
[ā¦.. Shia, Thank you. I canāt fight now, so iāll count on you.]
Shia and Kaori somehow regained their spirit and were able to exchange words with Yue.
[Yue-san, well, iām sorry about a while ago. I didnāt notice it was youā¦. I almost injured you.]
[ā¦.Donāt worry. It was inevitable. And i believed i wouldnāt get injuredā¦.]
[Eeh, is it about me?]
[ā¦. Even from the hero (lol), Hajime would protect me.]
[ā¦ā¦ Is that so.]
Yueās casual remark performs a clean hit. While withdrawing dejectedly, Kouki raised a dry laughter. Shizuku and Suzu try to encourage him.
[Well then, to change Yue back and find Tio and Sakagami we should push forward and quickly conquer the labyrinth.]
With Hajimeās command the party proceeded to advance in the sea of trees once again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[ā¦..Hajime-san, even I see it. That is Tio.]
[I also understand it. No matter how you look at it, that is Tio.]
[ā¦.Rather, it would be aĀ serious matter if it wasnāt Tio.]
[Unmistakable, That is Tio.]
Hajime and the others turn their eyes towards the filth they see.
After 30 minutes they joined up with Yue, they saw a group of goblins. The group assaulted one goblin with kicks and punches.
However, there was no intention of killing it and an atmosphere like bullying was there. The goblin seemed not to be injured while receiving an assault from the group.
If it was only that it was bullied because it was weak, it would be pretty naturalā¦ā¦
[No matter how i see itā¦.. Itās in ecstasyā¦..]
[Even though it has the face of a goblinā¦.. We could never broadcast that.]
[Nagumoā¦.. You, to that kind of personā¦. I donāt feel like i could win itās heart.]
[Stop it, Amanogawa. I feel bad because i allowed that transformationā¦..I can only give upā¦..]
The goblin was floating in ecstasy, while the others where muttering. The appearance was reminiscent of a certain pervert. Or precisely, there could only be one such person.
[Tioā¦ You areā¦.. Itās too late alreadyā¦. Letās give up though it is regrettable.]
When Hajime shaked his head in a sad expression he quietly turned his back. Yue and the rest followed him without any hesitation. Normally, Kouki would say [Never desert a nakama!], among other things, but now his gaze is wandering. (TL: As in ignoring it and it is ānakamaā, which can mean friend, companion, comrade..etc.)
[Gu? Gyagya!]
And, at that moment, the goblin noticed Hajimeās group and raised its voice.
As a result, the assaulted goblin seemed to notice Hajime. It opened its eyes wide and rushed towards Hajime, despite receiving an assault earlier.
The goblin (Tio) was crawling in a high-speed on the ground, while the other goblins instinctively pulled away and backed away. In fact, while the goblins tormented and bullied it in high spirit, they felt [Huh? Somehow you are strange.] and now they were convinced about it.
[Gugyagyagya!!]
Meanwhile, the goblin (Tio) tried to jump with a rupa?dive into Hajimeās chest. Though they canāt understand goblin words, seen that, it was surely [Master~ This one longed to see you] or something along those lines. (TL: Forgot to mention. Itās probably 'scuba diveā, i donāt understand the censor of the author here so i left it~)
Of course, Hajime responded and said,
[Donāt come near me, you pervert!]
Mekyo!
And he used an uppercut with his artificial arm.
The goblin (Tio) made an artistic backflip with four and a half turns, but did make a sound like it should have been. She crashed.
[ā¦..Dead?]
Yue (goblin Ver.) peeked into the bush where the body of the goblin (Tio) fell. Itās tail was pierced by a tree branch.
Then, [Bikunbikun]! The body of the goblin (Tio) was twitching, while regaining consciousness. Though the body is that of a goblin, the endurance may be that of a dragon. Or, she became an even bigger pervertā¦ā¦
[GaGaGa! GoGo, Guge! Guga!]
The goblin (Tio) held her cheeks with both hands and screamed excited, while her body twisted around. And then, she began looking at Hajime with feverish eyes.
Instinctively, Hajime starts pulling out āDonnerā and Shia desperately tries to calm him. Kaori handed over a āTelepathic Stoneā over to the goblin (Tio).
[Uh-huh, a āTelepathic Stoneāā¦.. Do thou hear me, Master? This one met the beloved Master and the first words and actions were those of abuse.]
[Damn it. Even if the body changes,Ā the toughness does not. It should just die already.]
[Tsu! Aah? Beloved Master. The lack of pardon, this one canāt hold out. Mistress is useless without Master. Now, Masterās beloved servant has returned. Itās good how the mistress, who is reduced to ugliness, is attacked without restraint!]
Apparently, even if she changed into a goblin, she still felt the pleasure. It was already too late as Hajime said.
The goblins, while ignoring Tio who is lying on the ground saying [Do as you like! Burn or boil me!] and still twitching, were insta-killed by Hajime. And the search was resumed in silence.
The other members also did not seem to care about it and follow Hajime without turning their eyes.
[Ho, is this neglect play? Master canāt be helped~ Ey, donāt leave this one behind!? This one wants you to wait~ This one is still shaking because of the blow a while ago~]
Tioās voices echoes empty in the sea of trees. However, nobody stopped walking.
(TL: I used āitā rather than really translating it to english because i guess it makes more sense calling her an āobjectā rather than a āpersonā.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The huge branch bends and attacks irregularly like a whip. Leaves dance like a blade and scatter around. Tree nuts are shot like cannonballs. A sudden spear-like root dashes out from the ground like the sharp point of a sword. Each of these attacks are fatal.
It is very similar to the Tree-Demon Hajime once fought in the [Orcus great Labyrinth]. The demon is a so-called āTrentā. But then, when Hajime compared this Trent with the one he fought, the size is extremely different. It was 30 meters high and 10 meters in diameter.
Kouki, Shizuku, Suzu and the ogre-like creature are confronting the huge Trent.
[Guraaa!]
Meanwhile, while raising a shout like a real Ogre, it is Ryutaro who attacks with his fist to intercept the branches that come in.
Along the way, an Ogre was discovered fighting other Ogres. However, while the fight went on martial arts were seen ā To be frank, it made refined karatemovements. It was obvious that it was Ryutaro.
Ryutaro might have been dead if they found him later as his status has fallen as Yueās and Tioās did. To go that far without running away, a tsukkomi was made about his muscle-brain.
And, Ryutaro finally joined with them as the last member. They reached the place with the gigantic tree which was obviously on a different size compared with the surrounding onesā¦ā¦ The gigantic tree said [Defeat me if you want to go further!] and began to rage as it said it.
At the present time, Koukiās group which did not show any results till now said [We will defeat this guy!] and rushed out. Hajimeās group didnāt care and started toĀ spectate the fight. By the way, Kaori is participating as a healer.
[Gwuuuu. The attack is heavy.]
A branch with the thickness of a log approaches, while cutting through the wind, and is received by Kouki with his Holy Sword. However, a groan leaked from the space of gritted teeth, while reminding how excessive the weight of the attack was.
Shizuku is busy with shuriken like leaves, which fly like throwing knifes. Suzu puts up a powerful barrier to somehow intercept the attack and Kouki desperately decides to use the opening to attack.
[Kuu, No good. Because Kaori is here, we do not have to worry about not being able to continueā¦ā¦]
The black katana āTsumehiramekiā was fully taken advantage of. Shizuku gridded her teeth while cutting branches and leaves one by one. (TL: Not sureĀ ??, something like claw flash/lighting)
Hajimeās words before entering the great labyrinth, sank into the bodies of Shizukuās group. Without Hajime they would have been annihilated already. The confidence they gained in the [Orcus great Labyrinth] was crushed into pieces.
After worrying a little, Shizuku shouted towards Kouki.
[Kouki! Use āSupreme Destructionā!] (TL:Ā ??Ā not too sure, used chapter 122 as a reference )
[No, itās not good. The chant is too long!]
[Itās alright! We will defend you without fail! Believe in us!]
Kouki was troubled what he should do about Shizukuās suggestion.
It was obvious that the Trent before them was stronger than the demons of the woman of the Majin-tribe (TL: Demon-tribe). The attacks only come one by one, however the fight is only somewhat manageable with Kaoriās backup. They could lose their lives if they lose concentration even once. It would take more than an average nerve to expose oneself defenseless in such a time.
However, it was certain that without an overwhelming attack they canāt reach the Trent. At this rate, they wouldnāt be able to defeat it.
In additionā¦ā¦
Kouki recalls the time when Hajime met Yue again. A mutual trust that did not change, even when the appearance changed. Hajime saw the true nature of his lover in an instant and Yue did not show any unrest while she was almost killed by Kouki. Honestly, it would be a lie so say that he did not envy such a relationship.
Therefore, Kouki was determined. We have a relationship of mutual trust. It was absolutely not to prove that they will not lose to Hajime.
[I understand. I leave my back to you!]
[Yes, leave it to us. Ryutaro, Suzu! Letās gather up!]
[Roger!]
[Aye yo!]
Kouki did not move an inch while raising his Holy Sword over his head. Only his mouth moved while chanting. That state may be called defenseless, because his whole consciousness was poured into the chant of āMight of Heavenā.
The Trent was sure not to miss that chance. The tree branches from right and left, a leaf blade which approached like a tornado from above, a shell of nuts from the front and the root of a tree attacks from the ground.
[This is sacred ground, the enemy of god will not be allowed to pass! āAbsolute Virtue!ā] (TL: ā??ā not sure about this skill, also āYOU SHALL NOT PASS!ā would also work, but i did not want to use a sketchy line~)
Suzu foresaw an attack and put up a barrier. Up till now her barriers have saved the party. The barrier withstood somehow the first barrage of attacks with small cracks.
[Tsuuuuu!]
Because of the consecutive attacks of the Trent, the barrier couldnāt hold out and breaks. Suzuās groan resounds loudly, while Shizuku and Ryutaro (Ogre Ver.) are attacking in despair.
[Tsuuuaaa!]
[Ooooooh!]
They were badly bruised in an instant because of the offensive waves of attacks. They intercept every attack with their skills, while screaming and roaring. Though two people get damaged and blood spilled out, they didnāt let any attack pass to the back.
[āKaiten!ā] (TL: Changing the world or turning the tide. Japanese sounds a bit better.)
With only one world echoing on the battlefield, Suzuās wounds are healed in an instant by Kaoriās magic.
Though āKaitenā is a recovery magic for multiple targets, itās effects are already above the advanced level. Most wounds are healed in no time. After getting Nointoās body, Kaori was inspired to create new healing magic. It was possible to heal with āRegeneration Magicā, however the magic consumption from the age of gods magic is larger than normal magic.
Suzu puts up a barrier again and earns a few seconds, however it gets destroyed again. Shizuku and Ryutaro put their lives on the line again. Kaori immediately heals their damaged bodies and Suzu puts up another barrier. They repeat this three times.
Finally, from Koukiās body, a huge amount of magic gushes out and covers his Holy Sword. The Holy Sword is cladded in light like the sun and Kouki takes a deep breath.
And,
[????Everyone! Here i go! āSupreme Destructionā !!]
He unleashes his trump card, his strongest magic. A huge torrent of light strikes the ground and flies forward. A leaf blade is blown off, the tree branch gets eliminated, the bombardment of the nuts is swallowed and the Trent is hit directly.
The roaring sounds and light explode, while the surroundings are dyed white.
[I did it!]
Kouki gives a smile of satisfaction and shouts. Hajime watches in the back, while stuffing a small cake into his mouth, and mutters [Aah, he raised the flagā¦..].
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The flag was certainly raised.
The light and dust clears upā¦ā¦and the Trent is unhurt.
[Itās a lie, rightā¦ā¦]
Kouki is stunned and makes a lifeless voice. It wasnāt only Kouki. Shizukuās group also were shocked because Koukiās last resort was useless.
The Trent lets out murderous intent towards Koukiās group and starts attacking in waves again.