Chapter 60 – World in Crisis and the Freeloader
60 – World in Crisis and the Freeloader
「…Madge, right?」
At my words, she opened her eyes in surprise.「You…know me?」
「Well, I remembered when I saw your face.」
「I see… Thank you. For that time.」 She wasn’t heavy on words, but her eyes were on fire.
「You’re welcome.」
「Madge, not to damper on your joyful reunion, but your report for his Majesty and everyone else, please.」 Eleanor whispered and Madge nodded silently.
「I have infiltrated Makai solo to eradicate evil Demons and gather information.」
Makai is filled to the brim with miasma. If she’s able to infiltrate such a place, she must have a sizable amount of mana. For humanity, there are only three people who can spend a long time inside the miasma: the Hero, the Saint, and the Sage. There’s a technique to repel the miasma by covering yourself in large quantities of mana.
Madge said she went to Makai. I’m interested in the Rift she uses to go in and out. A sudden distortion in space that connects our world to Makai, commonly known as a Rift. Is there a way to open one at will? I’m curious, but now isn’t the time to ask. I kept quiet and listened to her report.
「As a result of making several enemies confess using my Special Skill, I can confirm Vivi’s suspicions to be fact. The enemy is gathering mana from all over the world in order to carry out a summoning ritual.」
「Summoning ritual…」 Someone muttered.
A summoning ritual. A spell that calls forth someone from another place, another world, by making full use of mana. That “King of Frozen Hell” or whatever Eleanor and I defeated not too long ago was like that. That guy was successfully summoned through a Rift created by practitioners in a ritual.
In addition to the naturally formed pool of mana, the lives of twenty-four ritualists were burned and offered up. That was barely enough to call forth a King-class Demon.
While that is already a considerable threat to humanity… There is one more class higher according to the Demon’s naming system. Enemies called ‘God’ have yet to appear in the Human world.
This means that there has yet to be a Rift that a God class can fit through, and even though it is only one step higher than ‘King’, it’s as if they’re on a whole different scale.
Mika said that once, a finger of a ‘God’ Demon poked through and fatally wounded the first generation Hero with a curse which eventually killed him. They managed to drive it back, but just one finger was enough to kill the strongest Hero. It’s possible that the enemy’s goal is…to manifest a God.
「I believe everyone is thinking the same thing. The enemy plans to…summon a God.」I said. I could sense the air in the room tense up. 「Pools of mana, sacred beasts, sacred stones, magic stones, and sacrifices. They gather mana from all sources to carry out the ritual, no doubt offering up their own lives as sacrifices in the end as well.」
Demons obey those that are stronger than themselves. However, that hostile Orc didn’t obey Eleanor’s command, for instance. Perhaps that rule only applies to those affected by the miasma.
Madge turns to me. 「It appears they still do not have enough mana, but their goal is clear.」
「…The elimination of the Six Saviors.」I said. There were no objections to what I said. The Six Saviors are the hope of humanity. In this era, all six are touted as the strongest in all of history. I have the strength to take down even a ‘King’ class demon in an instant.
The scattered Demon forces invade Human Territory as if it was a competition and sometimes they even fight amongst each other, but with the backing of a God-class Demon, it’s possible that the disparate forces might form together as one unit this time.
This must be stopped by any means necessary.
「This isn’t a problem that only involves humanity. If the God kills the Six Saviors and takes over Human Territory, it is impossible to think that our nation will go by unnoticed.」 Madge says that, but everyone in this room already understands that. 「For the sake of peace, we must lend our strength to humanity, and by extension…the Six Saviors.」
A God-class threat is steadily looming. Of course, we have to try and prevent that from happening, but if we can’t stop it, then we have to think of a way to keep it at bay.
When I looked around, I saw that everyone was trembling slightly – even the Demon King. Is it out of fear?
No, it’s not simply out of fear. As people who throw themselves into battle, each and every one of them should have their own way to stand and fight despite the fear gripping them. They’re trembling now because they just imagined the worst possible future; a future where destruction was imminent and innocent lives would be lost.
To counter this trepidation, I purposefully say「It’ll be fine.」 I could tell that they were all looking at me. 「So what if it’s a God? If it comes, I’ll just bust it up.」
Mika had been quietly listening to the whole conversation up till now, but when I held onto her handle, she said『Yeah! There ain’t nothing Rain and I can’t cleave!』in response.
The one who responded to my words was Eleanor. She said 「I shall not impose the mission of the Saviors onto you, Sir Rain. However, it is also true that there is need of your strength. At least allow me to accompany you.」
The others expressed their determination too, and before I realized it, they have all stopped trembling.
「Look how steady Rain is. We have no right to be shaking in our boots. First, we shall prevent the summoning! We shall cooperate with humanity to achieve that! At the same time, we shall work to find a way to deal with a God should prevention fail.」said the king boldly.
Everyone nodded at the words of the king. He then said,「Right then, Madge, my dear. Could you kindly give us more details?」
「Mn.」 Madge nodded.
「Also… Why are you facing a pillar, my dear?」
True enough, Madge was directly facing a pillar for some reason. She’s avoiding eye contact with either me or the king.
「…Sir Rain was simply too cool just now, I cannot look anyone in the eye.」she replied.
The area went dead silent.
Then…
「Th-that’s not fair, Madge! That sent my heart racing too, but I read the room and endured! Do not think only about yourself!」cried Eleanor.
「You’re wrong. I merely answered because his Majesty asked me why. What isn’t fair is how much time you’ve been able to spend with Sir Rain, Eleanor.」replied Madge.
「Wh-wha-」
Then the others of The Seven chimed into their little conversation, instantly lightening the mood in the room. Some were taken aback by this, and others laughed bitterly, but I honestly admired their mental capacity to behave so naturally in this situation.
「Ah, to be young again.」The old Demon King’s voice rang across the room.
Things have calmed down, but the problem is ever looming. For the continuation of my freeloader life, something has to be done.
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