The Summoned ~ those who are called heroes ~
The children directed a hostile gaze at me.
It made me feel really out of place.
Five children.
Misaki Kenya: Male, 8 years old
Gale Gibson: Male, 9 years old
Chloe O’Bell: Female, 8 years old
None of them are older than 10.
They’ve been picked up from all over the world. Each one was called a monster.
That’s what the documents said, but something is bothering me.
Moreover, within three years of each other? There might be something going on.
Well, unless you see them for yourself you wouldn’t know how mischievous this bunch really is.
「Yo, what’s with the sudden aggression, brats!
I’m not as nice as Shizu-san, so prepare yourselves!」
I thought to start with a greeting, but…
「Shut up! You won’t deceive us!」
「What did you do with Shizu-san! Did you kill her too?!」
「You’ll just dispose of us, saying that we’re good for nothing, right?」
Hmm? What’s with their response?
I mean, how did they even think that we’re trying to kill them, or that we killed Shizu san?
That day, we couldn’t continue the lesson.
So, that day ended with just a greeting.
「K-Ken-chan… are you okay?」
「Hey! Calm down, calm down, okay!!!」
I could hear them making noise beyond the door, but I paid it no mind.
He’s probably observing the class instead of me. How pleasant.
So the fact that today’s lesson became Self-Study is something I could not have prevented.
So, leaving the rest to Ranga, I decided to visit Yuuki.
Inside the Freedom Association Chief’s room.
A pleasant aroma drifts from cup of tea before us.
I continue the conversation.
「So…. please tell me the kids’ circumstances」
I get straight to the point.
Yuuki looked me straight in the eye, and after thinking for a bit,
「Rimuru-san, let me ask you a question…
How much do you know abut Sakaguchi Hinata?」
What’s that about? Did something happen between Hinata and the kids?
「Not much. She’s a fellow Japanese.
And that she remembers things quickly–so Shizu-san said…」
Hmph, he nodded in response,
「In that case, how about the difference between “Summoned” and “World Travelers”?」
Now that he mentions it, I don’t know much about them either.
Also, they have a curse carved into their souls.
I told him that much.
「Yes. That matches everything that we have learned about them. You know a lot, don’t you…
Summoning requires very definite circumstances to be prepared as to allow you to summon a person with powerful abilities.
Now then, what about summoning conducted under incomplete conditions?」
Yuuki’s following explanation made me feel sick.
Moreover, a magician who has used summoning magic, cannot use it during a set interval.
Now, what would happen if you ignored these rules?
According to what Yuuki said, summoning conducted thus usually results in children being summoned.
Without a unique skill, the abundant magical energy causes their bodies to implode.
They are fried alive by the powers they possess.
「Eh? Wait a minute, then are those kids?」
That is the lifespan of those improperly summoned.
Failing to become heroes.」
Were they forced into this by Sakaguchi Hinata?」
Yuuki does not answer.
However, his silence only confirms my suspicions.
「The church is seeking a new hope, a new power.
I have secretly investigated many facilities and broke the children out…」
「I have not found a way to prevent their deaths.
「Aren’t the summoners bothered by the loss? Aren’t these “failures” dissuading them or something?」
「Are you kidding me? Why have you allowed the church to continue existing?」
Surrounding the Jura Forest, other than the Heretic Country Sarion, every country is a devout follower of the church.
There’s also believers among my associates.
If we make the church our enemy, the Association would fight with itself!」
Yuuki said, his expression pained and powerless.
And that’s why they met me with hostility and hatred.
「Hey. Why did you have me meet the kids? Why did you tell me all this?」
I don’t have anyone in the world I could rely upon. I’ve already lost Shizu-san.
So why did you notice?」
Damn it.
Now that I have, how can I be merry? What a bad joke…
「Isn’t it dangerous to have the school so close to a church?」
So, what will you do? Will you quit?」
I looked Yuuki straight in the eye.
And loudly declared,
「I will not quit, and will proceed as I wish from now on. Any complaints?」
Yuuki nodded.
And,
「I leave them to you. If you can, please save those children…!」
He said, lowering his head.
That’s another task Shizu-san had left behind. I’ll see it through.
Just a stray thought.
I leave the Freedom Association building and return to the classroom.
I’ll do what I can. That’s all I’ve been doing thus far.
Shizu-san depended on me, Yuuki asked this of me, all I can do is to answer their hopes.
That was the worst day in history for the Beast Kingdom Yuurazia.
Demon Lord Karion nervously looked into the skies above.
Without even trying to hide her aura–Demon Lord Milim.
She’s clearly intent on fighting and aiming for this country.
Karion did not believe himself to be superior; in fact, he though Milim to be stronger.
(It’s more fun winning against a stronger opponent!)
The strongest, Demon Lord Milim. A senior Demon Lord, unlike her appearance, she deserves the awe.
He had once asked his parents when he was but a child.
Was that fairy tale based on Milim or some other model? This is what his parents said.
A dragon princess’s anger can erase a country!
Never fight against a dragon princess!
What rubbish.
By no means inferior to any other country.
He headed to the sacred mountain behind the castle; and, while preparing himself, he planned to ambush Milim there.
His followers–devils and retainers, knelt before him, waiting for instructions.
「Listen! We only have one foe. Demon Lord Milim Nava!
As for you, erect a barrier and protect the people! Believe me, I shall win!!!」
「「「Ay!!!」」」
Hearing their battle cry, he could feel their excitement.
(I didn’t hate her personality. We could have become good friends… what a shame!)
For him, only the fight mattered. Not that his prudence would have changed the outcome in the slightest…
Slowly, he rose to the skies using〈Flight Magic〉.
First, a quick test.
He summoned the Hyakko-seiryuu lance, and felt his strength grow exponentially.
And released an onslaught of slashes at Milim. Each slash was followed by an air bullet which violently assaulted Milim.
Though the bullets have broken through a number of barriers, they were unable to hurt her body.
It didn’t suit her at all, that long, curved, single-edged blade.
How many demon lords has this famous sword slain?
He had not looked down on her at all, but she far surpassed his expectations.
Nor was she an opponent he could fight conflicted.
That, however, didn’t matter to Karion.
He unleashed his abilities.
He is, after all, known as the Beast King, a lion lycanthrope.
And thus his true form, Demon Lord “Lion King” Karion, had appeared.
On his lion head a Vermillion Bird crown shone bright. And that body was clad in Black Tortoise armor.
Seeing that appearance a small light briefly flashed in Milim’s eyes, and Karion had not missed it.
Or maybe he had only imagined it.
「Now, then, Milim. It’s a shame, but now that you have seen this appearance, I’ll have you permanently disappear, okay?
It’s a shame, but goodbye!!!」
He screamed, and concentrated all his fighting spirit into the Hyakko-seiryuu lance.
Not that the air remained unaffected. The energy he had emitted set the air itself on fire.
Beast roar!!!
This roar releases one’s magical energy at the opponent.
Had he fired it on the ground, everything in the direction of the attack would be inadvertently erased; it is “Beast King” Karion’s sure-kill technique.
Thus, the long range makes this a skill that is best used against multiple opponents, but it can be regulated to be concentrated on a single one.
He will go all out.
However, that was a small price to pay for this attack.
His opponent was covered in many high level barriers.
Taking a deep, and while falling towards the ground,
*Zuzzzza!!!*
He dodged the return fire.
He looked up at her.
A being who has so far exceeded his expectations.
And, though it was not there before, a beautiful crimson horn now adorned her forehead.
(Ah… so this would be her real battle attire, huh…)
“What a joke. Cut me some slack.” He was now experiencing a bizarre feeling–wanting to cry and laugh at the same time.
「Well done! That was fun!
As thanks, I’ll show you this!!!」
Milim spoke for the first time.
Karion nonetheless felt impending doom from her words.
Using thought transmission he conveyed an order to his subordinates.
And, with the remained of his strength, he ran as fast as he could.
He felt it deep in his bones: if he stayed, he would die.
The dragon’s pupils dilated, and she stretched her wings.
Milim roared!
Dragon Nova!!!
Its brightness easily surpassed that of the stars.
The sound of destruction far surpassed the audible range of one’s ears, so the shockwave heralded it instead.
The strongest magic.
And one of the reasons that Milim has for so long reigned supreme.
Impossible…
But that is Milim.
Now, Karion agreed with his parents’ words.
However…
「But, she…」
「She..? Ara? What could possibly be wrong? Would you enlighten me?」
He felt a blade press against his neck.
The supreme ruler of the skies–Sky Queen Frey.
「Tch. Frey, you too?」
「Ara? What about me? You’ll have lots of time to tell me…」
And so, Karion consciousness faded into darkness…