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Chapter 69 Part 3

The Key That Unlocks The Door To Victory — Part 3

「But this time, it looks like you’re the one who’s going to be turning the 『key to victory』, Russell. It’s amazing how you exceeded my expectations once again.」

「It was just by chance.」

「A chance is fate, and luck is also a skill, as they say. By combining all of these, humans have managed to rise to the top.」

Is that really the case?

「By the way, Russell, have you obtained the “trap” skill yet?」

「It’s the magic after Dark Splash, right? Yeah, I just learned it yesterday.」

「Good. Now, let’s go find that nobleman.」

I wanted to ask more questions, but Sybilla had already gone ahead.

This was the umpteenth time that Emmy and I had exchanged glances and shrugged our shoulders at this exact situation.

……Well, this kind of relationship isn’t so bad either, I guess.

「‘Ssup~ I’ve let everyone go!」

「As expected of Mokuyari-senpai!」

I then heard a voice that sounded familiar.

Those guys… aren’t they the ones who tried to hit on Emmy but made a fool of themselves instead after she beat them up?

I thought they were just a frivolous bunch, but… I guess even someone like them is also an essential part of the city to work as a whole.

「Oi, you lot.」

「Hm? Uooo—!? Aren’t you that guy who’s being bossed around by those dangerous women!?」

Emmy is just crazy strong, but I don’t think she’s dangerous.

As for Sybilla… well, I’d like to think that I’m not just someone whom she can boss around for her convenience.

「I’ve only seen you helping female civilians this whole time, but don’t you think you should help everyone equally?」

「No, no, onii-san, it’s because that’s not necessary at all. Y’see, every man in Seiris is completely self-reliant! Fact is, every sailorman from this port city is always ready to help others, y’know?」

I see… so even these men have their own rules like that.

And that’s how this city has been running until now.

Just as our village has its own rules and ways of doing things, this city has it too.

This city has been able to run like it does today thanks to such workings of the people in it.

「Got that. You guys better get out of here soon, too.」

「For you to be worried about someone like us, as I thought popular guys are just built different, eh! But don’t worry! Not to brag, but being quick on the uptake is one of the things the men of the sea are proud of!」

「Senpai, is that really something to brag about?」

「You ain’t wrong! Ahahahaha!」

He’s laughing as he helps not only the young woman… but also her mother and children.

I see, it certainly does seem like he is helping those who need help. I guess his B-rank status isn’t just for show.

I think back on my own words.

Helping everyone equally, huh?

Yeah, this town has been a help for me in more ways than one.

So I will protect it and all of the people in it, including pick-up artists like those guys, from the Demon Lord.

We then returned to the inn and geared up.

And while we were in the middle of it, Sybilla gave us red robes to wear.

「What’s this for?」

「It’s the uniforms used by the crimson cult bunch. With this, people who know who they are won’t look our way and will try to avoid us.」

That’s really not something that I want to wear… However, I must admit that it’ll be handy in situations like this. While it does feel somewhat uncomfortable to wear it, I’m still going to make full use of it.

Following Sybilla, Emmy and I put on the robe, and we head out in the city.

When we’re walking in the city, I get a strange feeling, like people are staring at me but don’t at the same time.

We then arrived near the stall.

I never thought that guy would really be there.

「Yeah, that’s him… there’s no mistaking it.」

「…Just what is that? …A disguise? Let’s quietly follow him, you two.」

Emmy and I followed after Sybilla and chased after the man while hiding in the shadow of the buildings.

Gradually, the soldiers began to appear in the streets, explaining the situation to the residents and urging them to return to their homes and stay inside.

Since they had been informed in advance about us, the soldiers bowed their heads when they saw us and returned to helping the residents evacuate.

…I see, they are indeed capable as rumored.

The man came alone to the shade of a rock on the beach and took a bunch of necklaces out of his bag.

What a way to splurge money.

「Russell, can you set your Abyss Trap to his right… or more precisely, on the west side of that rock shade?」

「There? Are you sure about it?」

「Yep.」

I was caught between the excitement of trying out my newly learned magic for the first time and the fear of making a mistake… but if Sybilla says it’s okay, then it must be okay… or so I told myself as I cast my spell on the sandy beach.

「《Abyss Trap》」

Of course, I didn’t forget to cast the magic on the place she specified with double chant.

Slowly, the nobleman moves forward.

「…it’s for my revenge… good grief…」

He took another step while mumbling to himself, and then——

「——AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!?」

A dense, black pillar of magic power, as if it absorbs the light in the surroundings, appears, towering high into the sky.

So this is Abyss Trap…!

While it will be difficult to hit the enemy with this type of  『Trap』 offensive magic, the firepower it displayed is no joke.

The necklace worn by the nobleman is torn apart and scattered around.

Then, as the pieces fell, the black pillar converged.

After confirming the other party’s state, Sybilla took off her red robe.

Emmy and I also took off our robes, and our eyes met with the man standing under the shade of the rock.

「Yo-You bastaaaaaaaards!」

There, standing on the sandy beach, was none other than the Demon Lord.

So Sybilla figured out that he was the culprit all along…!

And then, she pinpointed the moment where the Demon Lord would be blending in with the people, and finally got him cornered!

In the first half, she toyed the unpredictable Demon Lord like a fiddle.

While for the second half, it’s Sybilla’s victory by a landslide.

There’s no need for my partner’s brain to work at its full capacity anymore.

That’s why in this final confrontation, it’s my turn to prove my usefulness, or I won’t be able to call myself her partner anymore.

Now then, since they said third time’s the charm——.

——it’s finally time for the 『Black Kite Saint』 to bare his fangs to take the Demon Lord’s life.