During their battle, did Kuu take notice of Kurandoâs use of autonomous magic?
To explain, Kurandoâs notebook plays the role of a grimoire.
The structure is very simple.
To constructed the grimoire; Kurando inserted the magic activator onto the spine of the book and then inscribed the autonomous magic-squares (circle) & formulas onto the pages.
For Kurando to utilize the magic, he feds dark spirits to the grimoireâs magic-square (circle); the magic-square then forms a ăshadowă, enveloping the target from head-to-toe.
Through no special procedure, maryoku is poured into the autonomous magicâs magic-square layout, causing the shadow to activate the magic-square.
To some extend the opponent needs to stay in place, or else the magic-square would be out of sync; and then, when the magic activates the presence of the spirits would be noticeable & the magic-square would also be in danger of being seen.
As such, Kuu was fascinated by how Kurando was able to endure her assault for so long.
Then why was it that this world never discovered this simple method?
That was because it has been 200 years since there have been any technological advancements in spirit magic. Also, there are not many people with high dark spirit affinity. Dark spirit magic by itself was only useful to the underworld of society. For spirit users, conveying oneâs intent is simple and absolutely necessary; however, the written magic-square formula(s) is far more complex and can be difficult to understand. Autonomous magic, life spirit magic, and spirit magic; these spirit magics have their own system. As such, using an autonomous magicâs method of invocation to activate other spirit magic wonât work. Likewise, there are not many people that can improve on the countless numbers of autonomous magic (original magic) available.
Everytime Kuuâs attack broke Kurandoâs barrier, while unseen, he would use the shadow to re-active the physicală»magic barrier, autonomous magic.
In short, Kurando fought a defensive battle; like that of a tortoise, he endured the assault with his excessive use of autonomousă»life spirit magică»4 layer magic barrier.
Kurando had used the autonomous magic ăReisudamuă, ăKuusutoraă, and ăEishibudiguă on Kuu.
He allowed himself to be stabbed to stop Kuu from moving. While holding her with the earth hand, Kurando covering her with a coffin made of dark spirits.
The instantly Kuu tried to brush away the earth hand by using spirits, while she was blinded by the dark coffin, Kurando used the shadow to activate the magic-square, invoking ăReisudamuă.
After ăReisudamuă was used to exhaust her maryoku, he was able to use ăKuusutoraă and ăEishibudiguă on the helpless Kuu.
The magic sequence for ăEishibudiguâsă magic-square is long and not user-friendly; however, it gives the user freedom to decide the poisonâs effect.
In any case, Kurando chose to inject the two with magic poison that would rob them of their freedom of movement.
Although the magic poison can be cured with medicine, it cannot be negated with maryoku.
Unless the maryoku is the correct key (magic code), the magic poison cannot be detoxified with maryoku.
âââ
Why is it that Kurando is going to all this trouble to kept Erica and Kuu alive?
He had noticed that Hayato was approaching the battlefield.
While Kurando was on the defensive, he had requested dark spirits and wind spirits to survey the area for enemies. As Hayato was not trying to conceal himself, he was quickly discovered.
The spirits then informed Kurando that an enormous mass of power was approaching.
Kurando understood that that was Hayato.
He imagined that Hayato would come sooner or later.
Therefore, Kurando couldnât kill those two.
Hayato has the power to kill Kurando at any time.
But, ever since he came to this world, Hayato has changed. He now helps other people.
Hayato has the mentally of a high school senior. He is quick to anger and yet still insecure.
ăDonât move!ă (Kurando)
Kurando shouts out to stop Hayato from approaching any further.
A light spirit is fired overhead and it reveals an arrow and a knife sticking from the twoâs back.
Hayato used spirits to survey the situation.
It is evident that Erica and Kuu had fought a battle.
Certainly, it was with that janitor.
This morning, Erica and Kuu were acting strangely.
Erica would always follow Hayato everywhere, but not today. Although they werenât known to be close, Erica had gone together with Kuu to tour the village.
If the two were on good terms, then that would have made him glad as it meant that Ericaâs heart had not closed off.
And then, during the trial the sound of lightning was heard. Before Hayato realized it, it was already too late.
As a result, this cruel scene came to be.
Although he did notice Ericaâs and Kuuâs usual behavior, Hayato didnât do anything about.
Hayato saw the arrow and the knife that had been plugged into his comrade. While being enraged, he listens to the voice of Kurando who had captured the two and stops moving closer.
ăâârelease the two of them!ă (Hayato)
Hayato was fuming with bloodlust.
The pressure makes it difficult for Kurando to stay standing.
Having fought Kuu, his maryoku and willpower had been shaved away. This caused the pressure from Hayato to feel even more oppressive.
Nearby was a good sized rock. While leaving enough room as he could, Kurando went to sit down on that rock. He doesnât stop the flow of maryoku to the arrow and grips the knife that had been lodged into Erica.
Yukishiro goes over to nestle by Kurando.
Kurando closed the grimoire and then strokes Yukishiroâs fur.
ăRelease them you say, they were the attackers who had the tables turned on them.ă (Kurando)
Kurando casually says this without being shy about it. But, it causes Hayatoâs anger to only increase.
ăWhy have you done something so cruel! Hurry and release them!ă (Hayato)
ăNo way. Donât you dare gloss over things or I will kill these two. Cruel you say, they were the ones who attacked me. Instead should you not pity me the victim?ă (Kurando)
ăNo one is trying to kill you! You will not be killed so hurry up and release those two!!ă (Hayato)
ăI donât believe you.ă (Kurando)
Kurando clearly states this.
ăDid you not promised me the other day that you wouldnât try to lay a finger on me.ă (Kurando)
ăâŠâŠI didnât know.ă (Hayato)
ăYou werenât aware, that isnât good enough.ă (Kurando)
Kurando bluntly declares this.
When Hayato heard this, the ăholy swordă was extinguished and then he reached for the dark red longsword on his back.
Just a bit, before Hayato could act.
âAnyhow, that man is only bluffing. There is no way he could kill a fellow Japanese countrymanâ, Hayato thought.
ăAhhhhhh!ă (Erica)
However, Erica cries out.
With that, Hayato couldnât make a move.
ăDonât move.ă (Kurando)
Kurando had pushed onto the knife that was pierced inside Erica.
ăFirst off, toss away your weapons. Donât try anything. Ah, there is no need to worry as the two of them are still alive.ă (Kurando)
Hayato doesnât cast his weapons aside.
ăAh, by the way. If by some chance you happen to kill me before I can react, although it is regrettable that I canât kill you, these two would die alongside me. Well, with Yukishiroâs speed, it would be my victory.ă (Kurando)
ăYour bluffing.ă (Hayato)
ăAm I?ă (Kurando)
Against Hayatoâs bloodlust, Kurando calms himself down by stroking Yukishiroâs fur.
While breathing roughly, Hayato would send fleeting glances at Yukishiro.
He heard rumors that the white phantom was quite fast.
The magic beast had interfered by approaching Kurando, putting Erica and Kuu in harms reach.
Hayato readily tosses his longsword and magic gun aside.
And then, he showed Kurando a hateful expression.
ăNow go off somewhere and kill yourself, with that everything will end peacefully.ă (Kurando)
At Kurandoâs feet are the convulsing Erica and Kuu. Their eyes restlessly move about as their body spasmed.
Kuu looked at Kurando with an expression that implied he should just go ahead and kill her. On the other hand, Erica had tears and slobber dripping from his mouth as he looks at Kurando with a pleading expression.
ăYou, release the two, donât lay a hand on them.ă (Hayato)
ăâŠâŠis that so?ă (Kurando)
For a brief moment, as Kurando said this, he showed Hayato a joyful expression.
Kurando laughed as he teased Hayato.
In that moment, when Kurando noticed the frustration he was causing Hayato, Kurandoâs sadistic side awoken.
ăThat is probably what you thought I was going to say, right? From here onwards, that female rabbit beastman is never to bother me again, alright? Because you disregarded our agreement, why donât you get down on the ground and grovel.ă (Kurando)
Although Kurando has the advantage, he has no way out of this situation.
Perhaps the stalemate has caused Kurandoâs madness to grow.
ăThisâŠâŠ they did so for my sake. I ask for your pardon.ă (Hayato)
ăWould your response have been the same over my deceased corpse?ă (Kurando)
Upon Kurandoâs words, Hayatoâs breathing narrowed.
An ominous feeling crept into his heart.
ăI had a 1/1000 chance of winning against them, you know.ă (Kurando)
Kurando declared.
ăPlease, pardon them for trying to commit murder. They might try to attack you again, nothing can be done about that. You see, are you not making light of things?ă (Hayato)
ăâŠâŠlike I said before, never bother me again.ă (Kurando)
Like a broken puppet, Kurando repeats the same words back to Hayato.
ăNow isnât the time for this, so what is your aim? Is it that you donât understand? Ah, I see, you were trying to buy time. Well, I donâ think the outcome will change much.ă (Kurando)
Kurandoâs eyes turn to look at Hayatoâs party and Makushiimu who came running to the campsite. Makishiimu was carrying Akari & Aoi, and Oofuia.
âââ
Those who had arrived, they wondered what was going on.
The wounded Erica and Kuu were being held hostage by Kurando who happened to be sitting down on a rock.
Hayato, the hero, who had cast aside his weapons was pleading for the hostagesâ release.
At face value, the story would be something like that, but that is merely how it appears on the surface.
Although, Hayatoâs comrades most likely see it as it is.
ăErica, Kuu!ă (hayatoâs comrades)
Kaeda, Fon, and Arisu increased their pace.
ăDonât move!ă (Kurando)
Kurando says this in a loud voice.
Akari was the first to realize the owner of the voice.
She recognized that rough voice because it belongs to the person she had lived together with.
Furthermore, the force from the volume of the voice was impressive.
However, the three did not stop upon hearing Kurandoâs voice, only after they saw Erica cry out in agony did they swiftly stop advancing.
ăAre you stupid, can you not tell the current situation? Or, is it that your eyes are bad?ă (Kurando)
Kurando twists the knife that was stuck in Ericaâs lung.
ăRelease Kuu and Erica!ă (hayatoâs comrades)
ăThat is far enoughâŠâŠă (Kurando)
Kurando shows a fed up expression.
ăIt is pointless for me to repeat the same thing over and over. So, listen well.ă (Kurando)
Kurando looks to Hayato, Kaede, Fon, Arisu, Akari, Makushiimu, Oofuia, and Aoi.
ăWhile I was minding my own business on the mountain, these two attacked me. I then narrowly managed to repel and capture them.ă (Kurando)
âWere they able to understand the situation?â, Kurando thought as goes to check their expression.
He turns his attention towards Kaede, Fon, Arisu, and Hayato.
Hayato frowns but nods.
As if they had eaten something sour, the other 3 women show the same sour expression Hayato did.
Upon hearing the explanation; Akari, Makushiimu, and Oofuia seemed to understand.
Although Kurando appeared to be the villain, it was merely on the surface.
At the very least, Kurando wasnât the one who attacked the two.
Now that the related party, Hayato, is not objecting, they will have to listen to what Kurando has to say.
âââ
ăIs that notâŠâŠ I see, janitor-san?ă (Aoi)
Aoi had not forgotten about Kurando.
ăAs expected, he also came here.ă (Aoi)
With an apologetic expression on her face, Aoi seemed to be muttering something to herself.
When she saw the two heroes running off, Aoi knew something was up.
Although she didnât know the twoâs relationship, Aoi herself was rather close with Akari.
In this world, she has 78, no, she has 79 other countrymen here with her.
Similar to that time, she didnât want to regret anything more thus she followed after them.
Therefore, Aoi instinctively thought to tag along.
That being the case, her choice to follow them was correct.
The whereabouts of the janitor has been discovered.
The divine blessing that Hayato stole, it was from the very same janitor-san that was summoned along with them.
At the time they were summoned, Aoi was unable to do anything.
She was powerless.
They were helpless in the situation. It was Hayato efforts that had brought benefits to the other summoned people. His influences began to affect the world around them. It became dangerous to talk about Kurando among the other summoned people.
âWhere had the janitor-san gone? Did he truly come to this world?â, she thought. Anyhow, it was impossible for them to do a thorough search for him.
This world is vast and there are untamed lands.
Even in modern day Japan finding a shipwreck in the ocean is difficult.
It was outright impossible from them to search for the missing person.
And not to mention, there is no guarantee that the janitor would get along with the people of this world.
Those who were summoned knew just how frightening it was to be involved in the countryâs circumstances & to be surrounded by royalty, aristocrats, and government officials.
For example, the fear of being involved in international politics and war is always present.
In that case, if a scandal were to be discovered about the hero, Hayato, at the very least that could be used as a pretext to put them under house arrest.
Therefore, they didnât search nor did they talk about Kurando. Despite it, she had greeted Kurando as a friend.
For that reason, Aoi felt guilt and regret.
However, those two, they tried to kill the person who was finally found. Was there any reason to believe them?
It was the logic approach.
Aoi takes one step forward.
She moves no further, stopping before getting too close to Kurando prior to addressing him.
ăIt has been a while, janitor-san. Itâs me, Gotokuji Aoi. Do you remember me?ă (Aoi)
Aoi politely addresses her senior, Kurando.
Kurandoâs eyes narrow as he looks to confirm Aoiâs face.
ăMy, quite revealing clothes you have onâŠâŠ ah, I remember you. You would greet me every morning. And, I also heard about you from Akari. You are the person who possesses the ăScythe of Factă.ă (Kurando)
He thoroughly confirmed it, her outfit that is.
For the first time, Aoi thought about the clothing she had worn for the trial.
The significance behind her revealing clothes was to imply that nothing would be concealed.
However, the current case doesnât require it. With a slightly redden face, Aoi encourages herself.
ăIt was inexcusable.ă (Aoi)
Aoi silently bows her head.
ăâŠâŠthere is no time for this. Save it for later.ă (Kurando)
ăI will make it brief. After arriving in this world, we didnât know left from right and thus we couldnât search for you. I wanted to apologize to you.ă (Aoi)
Kurando sighs as Aoi shows no sign of raising her head.
ăAh, enough. I was already informed of the circumstances from Akari. At the very least, you couldnât search for me, to the point where you all had ended up concealing my existence. I donât resent you all. If I were to be discovered now, it would only bring trouble. Well, no one is going to get emotional over your meek apologies, okay.ă (Kurando)
Aoi slowly raised her head and looked to Akari.
Akari shows a slightly bashful expression.
ăDuring the time I was falsely accused and on the run, I happened to stumble upon Kurando. Afterward, he provided me with shelter?ă (Akari)
ăHe sheltered youâŠâŠă (Aoi)
ăâŠâŠthe rest is a secret.ă (Akari)
Aoi scans Akari from top to bottom.
ăI see. So that is why you have an adult-like atmosphere. Oh, was it like that? It doesnât appear to be so, well, it seems to be something similar.ă (Aoi)
Aoi, who happened to have consented on something by herself, caused Akari to become flustered.
ăNo-nothing happened. Really, nothing at all.ă (Akari)
Aoi paid Akariâs explanation no mind.
ăWell, in any case, it is not like I am entirely unrelated to Erica. Will you let those two go?ă (Aoi)
ăIf you can guarantee that these two will never attack me again then I donât mind.ă (Kurando)
Aoi puts her hand to her chin and begins to think.
She then turned to looked at Akari.
ăAre you aware of the situation? If so, can you explain the circumstance to me?ă (Aoi)
Akari gave a fleeting glance to Kurando.
Kurando thought about it for a little while and then nods.
At any rate, an honest conversation with Hayatoâs party is not possible. Because they were going to leave the Arerudouria mountain range, there is no point in hiding anything from Aoi.
Although Akari doesnât know this current state of affairs, she gave a summary to Aoi about what has happened up until now.
A few minutes after Akari explained the circumstance, Aoi understood everything and then made a suggestion to Kurando.
ăAlthough I do not know what happened between you and Ichihara, janitor-san, no Kurando-san. Is it alright to kept the fact that you are a summoned person a secret from the people of this world? And then, as for those two, how about we permanently imprison them? For example, they will be given a life sentence.ă (Aoi)
ăââGotokuji-senpai.ă (Hayato)
Hayato directs criticism towards Aoi.
Aoi stops and stares at Hayato before condemning him.
ăIf what Kurando-san has said is true, if this were Japan, those two have committed attempted murder. From the standpoint of this worldâs law, a thief would be cut down where they stand and no complaints would be made. Am I mistaken?ă (Aoi)
Hayato is at a lost for words, but he managed to squeeze out an objection.
ăBut, what about their achievements and their service.ă (Hayato)
ăThe crime of murder can be offset by merit, unfortunately, I donât know of such a thing.ă (Aoi)
Hayato shakes his head no.
ăThey are still minors. If this was Japan, there would be no case of life imprisonment.ă (Hayato)
ăCertainly. But, this isnât Japan. And from what I know, the law is strict when it comes to perpetrator(s) having the tables turn against them.ă (Aoi)
Hayato opens his mouth to speak but then falls silent.
He showed the expression of someone who had been cornered.
ăâŠâŠif there is such a place.ă (Kurando)
Kurando replies to Aoi.
ăAs a matter of fact, there is. It has been quickly constructed. I am not trying to boast but, myself and several others of those who were summoned were asked to administrate the place. It is a place where magic cannot be used; it can serve as a place where heinous criminals can be locked away for eternity. This prison is a place where political authority cannot reach.
However, for heroes, it is another matter. Maintaining a divine blessing holder in a prison could prove difficult. At this current phase, we donât have the power to do so.ă (Aoi)
Aoi tells them the truth.
For a mutual understanding to be reached, secrets should not be kept.
After hearing this, Kurando turns his line-of-sight towards Oofuia to confirm the content.
Oofuia had been watching the situation unfold.
As this conversation is related to heroes, she has to be careful of what is said.
Kurandoâs actions were logical; however, the opinions of the people of this world is different.
Nevertheless, Oofuia didnât want to be disliked for how she answered.
ăâŠâŠI have heard of it. Supposedly, there is a facility being managed by several heroes in the cold desert.ă (Oofuia)
ăIs there any such facilities around this area?ă (Kurando)
ăOf course, there are various one(s) in each country. Although, there might not be a maximum security prison. Besides, in their case, they will not be standing trial. I assume, Kurando-san would be troubled if that were to occur, right?ă (Oofuia)
ăFor this facility, this time around, a sentence without a trial will be alright. As I am the judge of the Trial of Truth, I will bend the rules a bit in this case.ă (Aoi)
Aoi declared.
This problem more or less twisted her creed, but as this involves a fellow summoned person it was necessary to settle the matter.
However, Hayato persisted on resisting.
ăWho do you think you are? Why are you all deciding it was Ericaâs and Kuuâs crime?ă (Hayato)
ăAre you doubting what the janitor has said, do you not trust him?ă (Aoi)
ăIt isnât a matter of whether I believe or not, that was clearly overkill.ă (Hayato)
Hayato condemns Kurandoâs actions.
ăSigh, youâre right. At this rate, who know when they will die. ââtherefore, Kurando-san, will you trust us and allow those two to receive medical treatment?ă (Aoi)
Aoi offers to negotiate.
ăHow about over my dead body?ă (Kurando)
Kurando throws away his chance to escape.
In other words, Kurando is willing to risking his life. They then question why Kurando is being so rash.
And in this world, there is no magic that can resurrect a person.
ăI allowed it once, but not for a second time.ă (Kurando)
Kurando glares at Hayato.
Aoi looked to Akari, but Akari merely shakes her from side to side.
ăHmm, Akari do you happened to know what went on inside the cave? What was Ichihara and Kurando-san agreement?ă (Aoi)
Hayato hesitated to say.
ăFrom here onwards, yours and mine, our acquaintances are not to cause harm nor are they are to be involved. That will be our agreement. It is nothing difficult.ă (Kurando)
Kurando easily says it.
ăI see, you have no reason to trust us. It canât be helped.ă (Aoi)
ăButââă (Hayato)
ăââIâm tired of you half-heartedness.ă (Kurando)
Kurando interrupts Hayato and shows a feed up expression.
ăHurry up and make your choice. Will you stop getting involved or will you commit suicide? Will those two be kill and never be able to bother me again or will they be thrown into prison and never be able to bother me again? Otherwise, I will self-destruct and kill everyone here, you will be the only survivor.ă (Kurando)
ăYou are bluffing. I only need to be quicker than that Iruniiku.ă (Hayato)
ăââthe multiple link formula.ă (Kurando)
With those few words, Arisu reconsidered using recovery magic on Erika and Kuu. She rushed to stop Hayato.
ăWait, Hayato.ă (Arisu)
ăWhy, it is obviously a bluffââă (Hayato)
ăIt is probably not baseless. The multiple link formula. Spirit magic, autonomous magic, and life spirit magic; it refers to the act of operating 2 or more magics at the same time, itâs magic activation technology. Because life spirit magic doesnât link easily, spirit magic and autonomous magic are usually linked together. Normally, a person wouldnât possess many autonomous magic (original)âŠâŠ ââhow many original magic do you have?ă (Arisu)
ăâŠâŠfiveă (Kurando)
Arisu glared at Oofuia.
It looked as if a grade schooler was glaring at a grandma.
Arisu could only think of one person who could have taught Kurando those magic, that person was Oofuia.
Oofuia simply smiled when she caught Arisuâs gaze.
While explaining to Hayato, Arisu was irritated by Oofuiaâs composer.
ăâŠâŠsince that elderly person seems to be involved, it is probably true. I donât know the details but, perhaps, there is a possibility of him self-destructing.ă (Arisu)
Hayato tightly gripped his fist and somehow held down his impulse to fight.
Although Oofuia is showing a smile on her face, inside she was skeptical.
She had never taught Kurando a suicide explosion magic.
At that moment, Aoi intervenes.
ăIn Erica-kunâs case, it might be impossible.ă (Aoi)
ăââfor this crime, you want to throw them is a normal prison. Are the prison(s) in this world even honest? We are talking about a little bit hell here, are you not being hasty. I say we reach a compromise.ă (Hayato)
Upon Aoi advice, Kurando immediately replied.
ăEnough already, hurry and decided. I wonât let you wait out until my maryoku runs dry. You have 10 seconds. If you have not made a decision in the next 10 seconds, well, I will kill one of them.ă (Kurando)
What would happen afterward?
Kurando himself didnât know.
In the worst case, he would self-destruct. At some point, he had already made up his mind.
No, he did not resign himself to fate.
It was more like a loser dog wanting to go down fighting.
Perhaps, he could have run away.
However, what awaits him if he continued to run away?
He is not the protagonist of manga. Kurando cannot simply run away from Hayato and build up power to fight back. For argumentâs sake, what about the fear one would feel while being on the run?
For how many years would he have to live in fear?
Is that not committing a mistake to oneself?
In the first place, he hasnât done anything wrong.
He wasnât wrong; he should not step back.
Ah, if this place was Japan, this might not go as smoothly, perhaps.
However, that being the case, Kurando can get revenge with the last of his breath.
From ability to intellect to strength; everything about him was mediocre.
He is not special; he is an ordinary man. How long must he live in fear, how long must he continue to lose, how long must things continue to be snatched away from him, and how long must he continue to keep running away.
This was more than an ordinary manâs regret.
For better or worst, he is who he is.
Although he is ordinary, he doesnât want to yield.
For the sake of not yielding, his only option is to do something crazy.
Even if his true character doesnât show through and he is misunderstood, Kurando was not concerned with it.
âââ
(Hayatoâs perspective)
Hayato painfully grasped his fist, trembling, he mumbles something to himself.
Aside from the choices that Kurandoâs gave, no other choices can be made.
Hayato was unable to decide.
He couldnât allow those two to be killed.
There was no reason from the two to die.
But, there is no way he can commit suicide.
He couldnât follow through with what that man had said. Hayato couldnât abandon his companion nor could he afford to die here.
Going to prison was out of the question.
Who decided on such a time in the first place?
Why canât I just hit him?
That person is the bad guy. Why are they covering for the bad guy?
Why does no one try to cover for me?
What does he mean by self-destruction? There is no way that is possible.
However, Arisu said.
No, with my power.
But, but, but, but.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
ăArghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhă (Hayato)
Hayato looked up towards the sky and roared out.
Due to one mistake, our path has been blocked.
Adults are always like this.
Hayato recalls being abandoned by his father after making a single mistake.