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“Hee, Yui and Serika, huh? I didn’t think there was anyone in the same situation as me. They have some pretty interesting skills.” Eisuke tapped his knee, amused as he listened to the details of the girls who, like him, had abilities beyond human.
“At the moment, the girls are fighting bandits and mercenaries in the surrounding area, buying time so we can finish your summoning. I think they should join us soon.”
“Hmm… Are they strong?”
“Of course, they are much stronger than most humans. They are strong enough to fight without magic or special weapons.”
“But they are weaker than the Heroes… Aren’t they?”
Eisuke pointed out, striking a chord. Otherwise, there would have been no need to summon Eisuke with such zeal. Besides, although Yui and Serika’s abilities might be tremendous as humans, it was doubtful that they could compete with the Heroes who had acquired great power to fight the Demon King. Marielle made a bitter face.
“It can’t be helped. The Heroes are too strong in comparison. …But I think they are fine for now. On the contrary, as long as they don’t face any Heroes, they shouldn’t lose either.”
Marielle replied with a calm tone. Eisuke then looked around.
“Now that I think about it, those yankees from before were after you, weren’t they? I think they said they were hired by someone or something, but who were they referring to?”
Eisuke asked nonchalantly, and contrary to his nonchalance, Marielle began to speak, her face contorted in anger and pain.
“…The numerous Heroes we summoned are now calling themselves rulers of cities and towns across the country, behaving authoritatively and imposing selfish systems as they please. In short, they are building their own kingdoms everywhere. …And the one who controls this whole area is Sir Ken, one of the Heroes.”
Hero Ken. The Japanese-sounding name was proof that he was from the same country as Eisuke.
“…What’s that guy doing in this place?”
“…Hunting.”
“…Hunting?”
Eisuke repeated, and Marielle bit her lip in disgust.
“This forest and the coast have many natural resources that can only be found here, such as animals and fruits that serve as food, trees and minerals that serve as materials. But Sir Ken has taken the liberty of making this area his territory, and has gathered and hired bandits and thugs from all over the country to live in this area. Then he started attacking people who came to collect resources, calling it ‘hunting’.”
Marielle gripped the hem of her dress tightly. Rukino couldn’t stand it either, a blue vein appearing at her temples.
“He’s a very despicable kind of Hero. He regards this area as the board of his own game, and takes pleasure in watching from the side as those who enter are attacked by the bandits hiding in the area. Truly, he is an irredeemable outcast.”
Eisuke frowned. Probably not just him, but all the Heroes had the feeling that they had become all-powerful gods. In a world they controlled, their pawns moved as they pleased. They were intoxicated by the pleasure of playing dirty in their game.
“That’s a nasty son of a bitch. I don’t think I could make friends with the likes of him.”
“But we’re safe for now.”
“Safe?”
Rukino cleared her throat and said confidently. Marielle also nodded her head confidently.
“Yes. He doesn’t show off as much as he enjoys watching. At high speed, Lady Serika confirmed an approach from the surrounding forest. The Hero was nowhere to be seen.”
“And as long as the Hero does not come out, neither Yui nor Serika will be defeated. While they buy time by defeating the bandits, I had to summon you from the other world, and you’re supposed to join them before the Hero appeared. A perfect strategy.”
Eisuke rubbed his chin silently. They would take advantage of his opponent’s taste for watching and create an opening. He had a strange feeling about the perfect strategy Marielle and Rukino were talking about.
“…If the jerk doesn’t show himself, where is he then?”
“Huh? We don’t know…”
“Eh?”
“Why should I know that? Serika made a high-speed patrol, and Yui was sure she could spot anyone hiding. If you’re here, it means there are no Heroes around.”
“Hidden…” Eisuke had a bad feeling.
Yui and Serika were proud of their strength, and after all, he was like that Hero.
“Hey, where are those Yui and Serika now?”
“Why?”
Eisuke spun on his heels and asked quietly. Marielle and Rukino looked at each other.
“Maybe this way? I might be wrong, though.”
“Yeah, well, if you’re wrong here, they’re likely to die.”
“What!?”
“If we don’t hurry, those girls could be in danger.”
Eisuke told them bluntly. They were both shocked.
“What do you mean!?”
“Exactly what I said. What’s with the silly faces? You’re the ones who had been outclassed from the beginning. Those two will definitely fall prey to Hero Ken.
Marielle and Rukino were stunned at Eisuke’s serious words. Rukino cried out in dismay.
“Are you mad!? We already told you that we checked the Hero’s absence! And even if he hid, Yui’s five senses could detect it!”
“Right. If there was a suspicious guy hiding in the bushes, they’d certainly notice him.”
“What…?”
“‘Hiding’ and ‘lurking’ are not the same thing. His purpose is to have fun, right?”
“Wha-what do you mean…?”
“No matter how much he liked it, no one would settle for watching things from the side.”
Especially if Ken thought what he was doing was a game… he probably wouldn’t be satisfied with just watching. A simple truth that even a child could understand. No one would get satisfaction from watching a game from the side. Everyone would want to participate in the game. This was especially true if it was a more skilled player than the others. What’s more, if the game was a versus game, what was the most fun to do?
“Being smarter and beating your opponent. That’s the most interesting part.” Eisuke said, as if speaking to himself. He pointed at Marielle with his chin. “Hey, Marielle, what would you do if you were a Hero?”
“Huh?”
“How refreshing would it be to beat a bunch of good guys who can’t be beaten by your group of men when they come to your territory?” The smile on Eisuke’s face was that of a con man. Definitely that of an evil person. But that was why he understood what the twisted Hero was thinking. They were of the same ilk. The plans of twisted people could only be read by those who were also twisted. Eisuke raised his index finger. “If I were him, I’d do that. If you’re in the middle of a group of ruffians, or if you’re convinced your opponent is going to win, you catch him off guard and say, ‘Actually, I’m the Hero’.”
…At that moment.
Dogooo!
Suddenly, the landscape became dazzlingly bright and a tremendous torrent of energy burst forth from the forest.
“Kyaah!”
The three of them staggered. Eisuke went to reflexively help Marielle, who was going to fall.
When they turned their eyes toward the direction where the huge torrent had appeared…
…The forest that had existed where the stream of energy had been, had disappeared without a trace. The ground had been furrowed in a semicircle, as if a giant spoon had done it.
“…Haa, looks like that sound and the light that came up proved me right… huh!?” Eisuke let out a laugh and ran towards the place where the light and sound came from. Marielle and Rukino hurried after him.
“M-Mr. Eisuke!?”
“Hurry! I’ll crush that pretentious Hero!”
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