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Volume 5 Chapter 1 Part 2

(Back then we managed to drive them away and thwart their every attempt at causing havoc, but I am sure that we have not seen everything they might be hiding up their sleeves. No matter what happens, I absolutely cannot allow myself to let my guard down for even a moment.)

When it comes to 『Uroboros』, they were the ones who were getting particularly deep under Izayoi and his 『No Name』 companions’ skins three years ago when they were rampaging all around Little Garden while still operating under the joint designation of 『Demon Lord Alliance』, but even then it could be clearly seen that they were an alliance in name only, because all of the Demon Lords who were a part of it were still acting mostly for the sake of their own selfish interests. Among them, two of the enemies whom they had to face, Demon Lord Maxwell and Demon Lord of Confusion were the two of the most enigmatic, so much so that until this day they did not manage to figure out why in the hell they would want to disturb Little Garden’s order. However, since that self-proclaimed Krishna was claiming to be the founder of 『Uroboros』, then Izayoi would very much like to deal with him first and foremost, but if it turns out that he is a hero who possesses the Authority of 「Host Master」just like Orpheus and Heracles, the other two that Izayoi had to worry about. If this does turn out to be the case, then it might as well turn out that they might prove to be unstoppable if they are not challenged by someone with the power on a level of a Shura or Buddha. For example, Heracles possesses a powerful「Host Master」Authority called 『The Trials of the Ten Commandments』, which is the personification of all the legendary labors that he had to complete, a test so famous and iconic that it will not be an exaggeration to count it as one of the synonyms of the Gift Games that are held in Little Garden today, and something that every aspiring hero should try to accomplish at least once in their lives.

And then there is Krishna, who is regarded as one of the first figures of a 「Savior」known to mankind. Even if it turns out that this guy is not exactly Krishna himself, there is always a possibility the he might possess Gifts and abilities similar to that of the original Krishna, and in order to counter them, Izayoi would definitely have to use the newest trump card that he had acquired for himself. The device that looked like an iron shackle that covered the most of his right wrist, the thing that Homura called 『Blood Accelerator』. . . . . . . . even though it turned out that he could not remove it from his hand no matter how hard he tried, he was more than willing to go and test out the limits of what it could do after getting a taste of its capabilities in his fight against the possessed Heracles yesterday. . . . . . . . . . .  but on the other hand, if using that thingy is always going to result in his body feeling so tired and languid, then he should probably treat it as a tool that carries significant risk with it and only use it as a last resort when all other tactics fail?

「. . . . . . . . okay, that bucket of water was just what I needed to get myself awake. Well, since Homura is still fast asleep just like that Albino pipsqueak, then maybe I should go and try making a pass at the famous Heracles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .」

「Now now, stop right there this instant. Even if he is weakened and lying in bed right now, he is still the Legendary Heracles. Do you really intend to pick a fight with him in your less-than-ideal condition? And here I was, having you for someone who never engaged in his battles half-heartedly.」

Izayoi stopped dead in his tracks, taunted by the words of the figure who emerged from one of the buildings that were still partially hidden in the shade. He then turned back to face the figure, and became greatly surprised when it turned out that it was actually Orpheus, the male Storyteller who was also involved in a fair share of Izayoi’s latest battles.

「Heeee? Funny you should say that, Orpheus. Correct me if I am wrong, but is it not strange for you to be so buddy-buddy with Heracles as to try and stop me from fighting him?」

「My oh my, and what would be strange about me being on good terms with him, hmm?」

「Everything, actually, at least as far as the relationship of your mythological counterparts is concerned. According to the Greek folklore, Heracles was the one who killed your younger brother, so would it not be much more appropriate for there to be a lot of bad blood between the two of you?」

This time Orpheus was the one who looked at Izayoi with a surprised expression. The murder of Orpheus’ younger brother that Izayoi was talking about, is a story from when Heracles was still young, from his childhood, to be precise.

Across the span of his lifetime, Heracles was reported to have many teachers and mentors, one of whom, according to folklore, was the younger brother of Orpheus the Poet.

「You certainly are privy to some strange and rather specific knowledge, Sakamaki Izayoi. . . fine, we will play this one your way, if you so desire. You are right, there certainly was a point in time where I hated Heracles more than anyone else in the entire world. After all, I only got myself onboard of the 「Argo」ship so that I could kill Heracles.

「I imagine that it must have been quite a violent and bloodthirsty voyage, eh?」

「Fufu, you can say that again. But you know, while it is true that we initially hated each other and did not talk all that much, it all changed after the Dystopian War came about.  And now I guess it can be said that I am the single hero in the entire Greek Pantheon who can boast that he is Heracles’ best friend. Strange how things can change if only you give them enough time, huh?」

Orpheus shrugged his shoulders and showed a bitter smile. He said that they hated each other and did not talk very much, so that would have to mean that Orpheus’ hatred towards Heracles was not a purely one-sided thing, but that it was also the other way around: that Heracles also must have had a strong dislike for Orpheus. So what he is saying now is that The Dystopian War was such a gruesome and fierce conflict that it actually managed to change the relationship between those two for the better?

「Well, I guess there really was more to that war than actually meets the eye. And besides, there is no such thing in this world as hatred that can burn brightly for all eternity.」

「Took the words right of my mouth. And while it is true that I have changed, it was still not as much as Heracles did. In the past, that guy would have never even thought about taking others in as his disciples. When all of his teachers heard that he was going to start accepting his own disciples, they all had their eyes literally burst out of their eye sockets and begun foaming at their mouths so much like I have never seen before and tried to stop him from going through with that idea, but no matter what they said to him he was adamant about going through with it, even if it killed him.」

Giggling at his own words, Orpheus stood next to Izayoi and also washed his face with water. Folding his hands on his chest, Izayoi looked into the sky with a troubled expression as he thought for a moment.

「Heracles’s disciple, huh? . . . . could it be that one of them was actually Kasukabe’s old man?」

「Oh, so you already knew about him?」

Kasukabe You’s father, Kasukabe Koumei. A Japanese man from the Outer World was a part of the old 『No Name』 Community, and was even hailed as one of their strongest members.