63 – Stupidity of the heroes

~Amano Miyuki’s point of view~

It’s been a long journey but we eventually reached the demon continent. During our time spent on the ship, we did our best to follow Mina’s guidance. The 5th Divine General, she’s a total monster. Nothing can stand in her way. We might as well be babies. But leaving that aside, what are we doing here on the demon continent?

The King said that the demons were pushing the humans into a corner, but how can that be true? Although I don’t know what kind of political situation they are going through, the demons really seem like an unorganized bunch as a race. No. They also are suffering from the corruption. While it is true that one demon is stronger than a human, but… with a little organization, it shouldn’t be hard to take them down. Then again, I’m no expert in military tactics.

It’s weird. Ever since we came into this world we didn’t actually see any demons. All we’ve been fighting were monsters. I would ask Mina, but I can’t right now. Due to some personal issues she had to leave the group. I still don’t know what problem was so important for her to leave us alone. Humans aren’t welcomed here to begin with. Ugh… my head will only get a headache if I think this for too long. Shin… why aren’t you here?

We made a camp for now and we should be safe from the demons. Or so I thought. We were not alone. The air suddenly froze. And then we saw it.

Upon sensing the overwhelming aura of the approaching wolf-faced man, the hero Minaduki Akane, our sensei, began to step backwards. However, with blinding speed, this guy placed himself behind us.

.

.

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~Third person point of view~

“Wha!??” (Akane)

“…….First off, allow me to ask.” (???)

“Wha-,wha-, what is it!” (Akane)

Akane sensei cried out partially out of desperation. As the grownup here she is in charge of protecting them. While it may have been out of reflex, she stood up and lowered her waist as she pulled out her sword and took a battle stance.

“First off I want to ask, are you people really the heroes?”(???)

“O-o-o-o-o-o-of course we are! We are the Summoned Heroes of Victorias! ” (Akane)

“I really can’t believe that.” (???)

“Wha-What did you say!?” (Akane)

“When talking about the heroes, they are the Humas’ trump card, their saviors. If that is so then why are those heroes here, trembling at the very center of the enemy territory?” (???)

The wolf’s words stabbed deeply into their hearts. Savior, the glimmer of hope. In the past, such a person summoned here, had saved the humas from calamity and was worshiped and respected, as a result, by many people.

Courageous, unyielding, with an arm of justice and a heart of compassion. These were the weapons that the brave ones used to fight. Even so, currently not a single one of those qualities could be applied to the current heroes.

“I guess I should also introduce myself as well. I am ranked 4th among the demons. You can call me Onyris. And, it doesn’t matter whether or not you guys are the heroes. You aren’t needed in this place” (Oniris)

“…Eh?” (Miyuki)

“It’s because you people came here to lay waste to this country, isn’t that right?” (Onyris)

“Th-that’s…” (Kenji)

“In that case, then I, as a defender of this country, must eliminate you.” (Onyris)

“A…” (Kaga)

“Additionally, if you all are truly the heroes, all the more reason for me to kill you here.” (Onyris)

Onyris’s bloodlust increased further. Seeing him slowly approach them, Akane twitched and reflexively-

“uuuuuuuooooooooo!”(Akane)

-charged forward whilst swinging her flail.

“Sensei dooooon’t!!” (Miyuki)

It was as if her voice never reached her, as it seemed she had no intention of stopping her advance.

“…how foolish” (Onyris)

Onyris stood still while he gazed at the charging woman. And at the moment when it seemed that the flail had caught him,

*Whooosh*

Onyris easily dodged by tilting his body sideways.

“You! You! You! You! Yoouuu!!” (Akane)

Akane attacked with her flail again and again, but was incapable of grazing Onyris by even a single millimeter. Her movements were completely being read.

“That idiot! She’s completely lost it!” (Miyuki)

It could have been due to Akane’s unexpected actions, but Miyuki, who had managed to regain some composure, similarly drew her staff and took a battle stance.

“Miyuki-chi!?” (Kaga)

Akayama Kaga saw that Miyuki was planning to fight and instantly raised her voice.

“Kenji-kun…Please provide support from the rear! Mina-san told us not to engage the enemy, but we can’t run away from this situation. We need to fight carefully and plan an escape route.” (Miyuki)

Miyuki sent a glance towards the still trembling Okabe Kenji, who had not let out a single voice even now.

“Wa-Wait Miyuki-chi!” (Kaga)

Kaga also wanted to provide assistance, but couldn’t leave Ishida Ren behind. As a caster, he needed protection until his chants were done. It became a reflex for her to babysit him.

As for Onyris, even though his opponents had increased to two people, he remained unscathed. Their movements were fast and he was surprised that someone with a staff would choose to come up close. It might even be alright to say as expected of heroes.

But they were completely lacking in experience. Or rather, even though they should be on a battlefield, their weapons only contained fear.

The desire to win against one’s opponents and the resolve to kill one’s opponents. They completely lacked such feelings that were absolutely necessary in a battlefield. You can’t simply swing your blade about just because you are scared. Blades without such beliefs couldn’t possibly reach the 4th ranked demon.

(And rather than this woman, the girl seems to show more promise.) (Onyris)

As he continued to dodge their attacks, Onyris glanced at Miyuki. Compared to Akane’s flail, her staff enhanced with a strong light spell at the tip was more precise and contained a more powerful conviction. But sadly, her lack of experience prevented her from being able to give Onyris even a single wound.

“Shit! Shit! Shiiit! Why can’t I hit anything!?” (Akane)

“Calm down, sensei! This will get us nowhere.” (Miyuki)

“How can I calm down!? If we lose we’ll die! I…I cannot die in a place like this” (Akane)

“Sen-sei…” (Miyuki)

“Tha-that’s why…” (Akane)

Large amount of magic power was gathered in Akane’s right hand

“Disappear! Shining….!??”(Akane)

She turned her right hand towards Onyris and attempted to use magic, but a leg kicked that right hand from below.

*creak*

The sound of a bone cracking resounded out, as her right hand was kicked up towards the sky. The moment she grasped that arm, however-

*Thud!*

A fist was thrust into the pit of her stomach.

“Gah!”

“Sensei! Youu!” (Miyuki)

Miyuki attempted to attack the close-by Onyris by firing a quick lighting bolt, but he easily dodged and retreated.

“uu…guh..!?” (Akane)

“Senei hang on! I’ll heal it!” (Miyuki)

“There are generally two methods to activate magic. Either one must speak the name of the magic, or use magic which does not need to be named. It seems that her magic is of the former type and must be spoken or else it won’t activate. Originally, magic was mostly used for long-distance battles. If you carelessly attempt to use it in this kind of close-combat situation, that is what happens.” (Onyris)

While he didn’t know whether the groaning Akene could hear him or not, Onyris continued to speak.

“Seeing as you tried to use light magic, while it seems you all are the heroes, you are completely lacking in experience. It is amazing that they had the audacity to send you all the way to this battlefield. Anyone with a certain degree of combat experience should be capable of knowing that it’s still too early to send you all to the battlefield just by looking at you, but…………why did the king not stop you? There’s no way that the soldiers wouldn’t have advised against it as it was too early for you all. Even if you guys had someone stronger than you watching over you… without that person… you're hopeless. No. No matter how high the order came from, even the one that issued the order should have seen through you guys.”

Upon hearing those words, Miyuki said “Eh?” and stared at Onyris.