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Chapter 38 – part 4

「So, are you saying that humans created monsters of the Ogre class!?」

「That possibility exists. However, it might not actually be the case.」

「No? So what is going on!?」

「There are several hypotheses, and I do have some leads. But for now, there’s nothing that I can state with certainty. If it were clear, I wouldn’t be so troubled, Cordelia.」

Cordelia’s expression shifted, appearing as though she both understood and didn’t quite agree with my words.
She had a subtle look on her face as she contemplated what I said.

However, she quickly regained her focus and clapped her hands together.

「So, I’ll take the north. Lilith will take the south. Lute will take the west. But what about the east?」

At that point, I walked over to Saegusa, who had been fidgety and nervous all this time.

I placed my palm on her head.

「Saegusa Koharu… she’ll guard the east.」

「Lute? I’ve been curious for a while now… but who is this girl?」

Cordelia’s sharp gaze scrutinized Saegusa.
It was the observational eye of someone who lived on the battlefield.
From Saegusa’s feet to her head, Cordelia’s gaze ran over her, almost like she was appraising her.

「She is Saegusa Koharu. Don’t worry, I vouch her abilities.」

After a brief moment of contemplation, Cordelia flattened her lips like a duck and raised her eyebrows in a slight arch.

「No, it’s not that… What’s bothering me is that… this girl… her chest is strangely big.」

Oh, she went there!
I couldn’t help but feel like I was about to collapse on the spot from her unexpected remark.

Well, putting that aside, I responded to Cordelia’s fixed stare.

「She comes from an esteemed family in the east. Forget about her chest… Seriously, this girl is quite capable.」

「I see…」

Cordelia still maintained her unrelenting gaze.
She looked at me with suspicion and inquired.

「So, can she really be used as a combat force? It’s not just that you were dazzled by her chest size, right?」

Cordelia’s remark had a hint of jest, but just then, Lilith slammed her hand forcefully onto the table.

「…Lute said Koharu could do it. If Lute says so, then she can do it.」

「Hey, Lilith, what’s gotten into you?」

In response to Cordelia’s words, she visibly expressed her disgust and directed her words toward her.

「It’s inconceivable for Lute to misjudge anything related to battle. If there were a case where Lute misjudged, then it would mean that all of us, including Lute, have perished… It would be an unprecedented abnormal situation. At least in the current state of the human realm, there’s no need to consider even a fraction of such a possibility.」

Taken aback, Cordelia opened her mouth in astonishment.

「Wait, why are you taking this so seriously? What I just said was a joke, you know?」

Lilith muttered as if she couldn’t believe it.

「…Right now, life and death are at stake. I dislike jokes.」

「You’re seriously a difficult and troublesome girl.」

After a brief silence, Saegusa spoke up.

「Um… Cordelia-san? Lilith-san?」

「What?」

「What?」

「Why do both of you just believe it so easily? Just because Lute-kun said that I can do it… Both of you believed it.」

Cordelia shrugged her shoulders, and Lilith nodded silently.

「Well, about a year ago, I actually saw Lute’s true form with my own eyes. The appearance of a genuine extraordinary being.」

「This is absurd… it’s completely absurd… We’re talking about the Oni Emperor, right? No, isn’t it even possible that there is one on the level of an Oni God? I can’t possibly do it.」

Nobody responded to her words, and with an almost tearful expression, Saegusa turned her gaze toward me.

「Even setting aside the Oni God and the Oni Emperor. Does Lute-kun really believe that Iーcan confront an Oni Kー no, an Ogre King?」

Caught in a somewhat frightened gaze from Saegusa, I let out a deep sigh.

「Hey, Saegusa?」

「…What is it?」

「You can do it. I’m entrusting this to you. Is that okay?」

Shaking her head vigorously, Saegusa’s voice became impassioned.

「Why would you say something like that?! I am not capable of this!」

「Who decided you’re not capable?」

「Since Lute-san can do it… you don’t understand what it’s like for someone who can’t!」

With another deep sigh, I asked Saegusa.

「Do you know what my aptitude occupation is?」

「I’ve heard you’re a Villager… but that can’t be true, right? You’re probably hiding your true status… what kind of rare occupation do you have?」

I chuckled.

「Basically, I’m a Villager.」

「Huh…?」

Saegusa’s expression turned to surprise.

「You have talent. You possess that rare skill called ‘God Invocation,’ right? Despite having such a talent, are you giving up without even trying just because of a minor setback?」

「…」

「You have talent, and yet you’re hesitating and hesitating. Just what are you doing?」

「…」

Addressing Saegusa’s silence, I delivered my words as if making a declaration.

「I’m entrusting you with guarding the eastern gate.Lilith will handle the south, Cordelia the north, and I’ll take the west.」

「But, but… I…」

「You can do it, that’s why I’m entrusting it to you. With your true abilities, you can do it. You’ll definitely succeed.」

Saegusa lowered her eyes and spoke in a nearly fading voice.

「On that day, at that moment, I couldn’t use my power when it was crucial… As a shrine maiden who invokes the gods… as a tactical weapon, I couldn’t fulfill my role, and I couldn’t protect what I was supposed to.」

「When you say who you were supposed to protect…」

「The people of the village… the children who call me Miko-nee-sama… I couldn’t protect their smiles, everyone’s… just like that…」

At this point, Cordelia’s expression became grave.
She might have some empathy for Saegusa’s feelings, as her expression shifted from sadness to gentleness.

But I interrupted Cordelia as she was just about to say something to Saegusa.

「Hey, Saegusa? In the eastern countries… and also in this western country… doesn’t your intention for powerless citizens remain the same?」

「?」

「Isn’t there anyone in this city who’s similar to the people you wanted to protect? Kids like the ones who admired you? If that’s the case… if you couldn’t protect them back then, why not protect them now?」

「But…」

I clapped my hands together.

「Alright, if you don’t want to do it, I won’t force you. Lilith, Cordelia, and I will handle the western defense, and after we finish our respective part, we’ll rush over to the east to help. Well, there will certainly be some damage…」

This was half true and half a lie.

By using my battle technique to create 50 clones, I could minimize the damage.
Well, it’s a method I’m not very keen on because it stands out too much.

With a clearing of my throat, I questioned Saegusa.

「But there’s one thing that bothers me.」

「What is it?」

「Why did you come all the way to this western edge to seek power? Wasn’t it to prove yourself? To get back at those magicians from the magical academy in Wakoku who looked down on the Saegusa clan?」

「…」

As Saegusa remained silent, I continued with my questioning.

「You’re a warrior, right?」

「A warrior… yes. That’s right. I come from a family of warriors.」

「That’s not what I mean. I’m not asking about your family or bloodline. I’m asking if you, as an individual, are a warrior.」

「That’s how I was raised.」

「That’s not what I mean, though… Alright, I’ll make it clear.」

I clenched my fist and lightly, very lightly, delivered a strike to Saegusa’s chest.

A thud echoed, and sounds of air escaping her mouth could be heard.

「What… are you doing?」

「I’m asking if you have something… something you can’t yield here, right in your heart.」

At that point, Saegusa wore an indescribable expression and nodded slowly.

「…Yes, I do.」

「Yeah. I thought so.」

「…Yes.」

「In that case, I’ll ask further…I also think that the odds are stacked against you, and there’s only so much you can do. And since that’s the case, no one would blame you for running away.」

「…」

「But, there’s a chance of success. With that in mind, I’m asking. Would the Saegusa clan, regardless of whether there’s a chance of success or not, leave the weak behind and flee like cowards in front of the enemy?」

「…No… that’s not…」

「Then let’s prove them wrong. Those who belittled you and your clan. If you’re going to do it, do it now. This is your chance, right here.」

「But, but…」

I placed my palm on Saegusa’s head. And with a warm smile, I said this to her.

「I’ll hurry as much as I can too. So hang in there somehow.」

「…」

「I’m counting on you, Koharu.」

I moved my palm that was on Saegusa’s head and patted her gently.

At that point, Lilith chimed in with a radiant smile.

「…Lute?」

「Hmm?」

「…Something’s missing from above my head too.」

「Hmm?」

Upon closer inspection, Lilith had a smile on her face, but her eyes—there was no hint of a smile in them.

I suppose I can describe it as a mask-like smile?
It conveyed that certain nuance.

In any case, it was super eerie.
Especially her eyes, or rather, the lack of a smile in her eyes.

「I get it. I understand…」

She is really scary…

With that thought, I removed my palm from Saegusa’s head and placed my right palm on top of Lilith’s head.

Instantly, Lilith’s heart softened all the way to her eyes, and she displayed a genuine smile, finally.

「Hey, Lute?」

I looked over, and this time Cordelia was puffing her cheeks.

Cordelia, do you want me to pat your head too… I thought as I prepared my left palm.