Ling stopped talking here, as if she was a little afraid to call out that name, and said it after a brief hesitation.
“…You’re not going to help with Eri’s affairs too, are you?”
"...Nakamura? Yeah, if she showed up, I might be tempted to shoot her. After all, she was one of the main reasons for Kaori's murder."
Seeing Hajime's bitter expression, Ling gave a troubled smile.
"Yes, but Suzu wants to see Eri again and talk to her. To do that, Suzu needs strength, so she wants to challenge the Great Labyrinth once more. Regardless of the outcome, if she can make it out alive... I'll head straight to the Demon Country."
"Ling, don't be impulsive!"
Shizuku couldn't help but grab Ling's shoulders. As a friend, she couldn't allow Ling to go to the demon country [Galant] alone.
However, there was no wavering in the look in Suzuki's eyes as she looked up at him. The strength of her will in Suzuki's eyes was so overwhelming that Shizuki unconsciously let go of her hand.
On the other hand, Hajime suddenly realized.
Whether he wanted to convince Eri to bring her back or say goodbye to her once again, instead of returning to the capital first, it would be more efficient to follow Hajime and the others to challenge the [Ice and Snow Cave] and then head directly to the demon base where Eri might be - the so-called Demon King's Castle.
After all, the [Ice and Snow Cave] is located in the [Xuni Snowfield] on the east side of the southern continent, adjacent to [Galant] in the center of the southern continent.
Ling seemed to understand that it was impossible for Hajime to have any concerns about Eri. Even if Ling asked Hajime not to return to Japan before she and Eri had reached an agreement, she didn't think Hajime would agree.
After they finish conquering the [Ice and Snow Cave], how much buffer time will they have before they are officially ready to return?
Although I don’t know the exact time, there is no time either.
If Ling wants to realize her wish, even if she is not strong enough, even if she is alone, even if she is brave but not wise, she can only take the shortest possible way.
Suzu's gaze returned to Hajime, and she pleaded even more urgently.
“And then, and if I can bring Eri back… then I hope you can bring Eri back to Japan with you. Please! I beg you!!”
"..."
Ling's almost mournful pleading sound echoed all around, and then everyone fell silent, and the scene fell into silence.
Honestly, as for Hajime, he was certain that he would do as he said and shoot Eri as soon as they met. Even at this moment, as long as he thought of the scene when Kaori fell, Hajime's heart would only surge with murderous intent towards Eri as an accomplice.
It was up to Suzu to decide how to deal with Eri, but Hajime had no intention of helping.
In Hajime's mind, he had already identified the girl Eri Nakamura as an enemy.
However, even so, the gaze of the girl beside him pierced Hajime's heart, and he couldn't refuse Ling's request outright. Yes, that was the reason why Hajime harbored murderous intentions towards Eri, Kaori's own gaze.
Without words, Hajime knew what Kaori wanted to say.
At this moment, Guanghui, who had been silent until then, spoke.
"Nagumo, I'm begging you too. Eri's target is me, so I, no, I should be the one talking to her. And I can't let Suzu go to Galant alone, not to mention..."
Guanghui bit his lip and clenched his fists. As if to vent the depression in his chest, he said:
"I can't let it end like this. Shizuku has also obtained the Age of Gods magic. This time! This time I must gain power! As long as it's not some despicable place full of mental attacks, I should be able to conquer it! The big labyrinth we're going to next is the one that that male demon successfully conquered, right? Then I can definitely do it too!"
“Glory…”
Guanghui's fists were shaking and his tone was excited. Shizuku looked at him worriedly.
Shizuku had mastered the Age of Gods magic that Kouki could not obtain. Shizuku was well aware that the dark emotions Kouki harbored regarding this matter were far beyond the realm of complexity.
Therefore, after returning, Shizuku has always cared about Kouki, but...
What should I say to Guanghui?
Seeing her childhood friend in such a dangerous and unstable state, Shizuku couldn't seem to hide her uneasiness.
"I really can't let Suzu go alone. I won't be able to calm down unless I give Eri a good beating. Nagumo, excuse me, but I'm begging you, please!"
Ryutaro, with the idea of standing by his companions, generously asked Hajime for help.
Whether it was intentional or simply natural, Shizuku felt a sense of redemption when she heard Ryuutarou's unusually cheerful tone, and a smile crossed her face. Then, with a look of regret on her face, she bowed her head and begged Hajime.
"Nagumo-san, um... can I ask you for a favor?"
Though moved to tears by Shizuku and the others' decision, Suzu kept her gaze fixed on Hajime. Kouki seemed to be suppressing her emotions, while Ryuutarou was probably trying to put on a cheerful front. Shizuku was focused on Kouki and Suzu, while Kaori was worried about her childhood friends. Hajime's gaze swept over their faces before he sighed deeply.
He glanced at Yue and the others, asking, "What do you think of what they said?" Yue and the others shrugged, not particularly refusing. Kaori, on the other hand, seemed happy to be able to travel with Shizuku and Suzu.
Hajime scratched his head, and although his expression was rather reluctant, he still answered:
"...When you bring Nakamura back, if she shows even the slightest bit of hostility, I'll shoot her on the spot."
"Nagumo-san! Thank you!!"
Ling's face immediately lit up with a smile, and Shizuku and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
"...Is it really hard to tell whether I should be nervous about my naiveté or consider myself relaxed?"
This is how he started talking to himself.
After clearing the Ice Cave and learning the final Age of Gods magic, I wonder how long it will take to create the concept magic needed to return to Earth. Considering the need to prevent the concept magic from being summoned again, it should take quite a while.
Besides, thanks to the sublimation magic, everyone's basic strength has increased, so the presence of Kouki and the others won't be any more of a hindrance than it is now.
After thinking of so many excuses, I realized I had become naive.
Shi couldn't help laughing at himself, and at this moment, a soft feeling enveloped Shi's hand.
“…Whether it’s naive or just a bit of leeway, it doesn’t matter, because Hajime is definitely stronger again.”
"moon."
"...I protect Hajime, and Hajime protects me. That way, we're the strongest, right?"
Hajime opened his eyes wide, and those were the words that expressed his determination as he emerged from the abyss.
At this time, Xia and others also expressed their opinions.
"Well, if I'm included, then I'll be invincible, right? After all, since Hajime-san accepted me, I'm already invincible!"
The BUG rabbit who got what she wanted is indeed full of confidence and domineering. Even people who see her will feel that she is the invincible rabbit that no one can defeat.
"I, I'll protect you too! No problem! No matter what happens, I'll 'break it all down'!"
Kaori declared that she would eliminate and resolve all the problems that had occurred! I see, in a sense, she has also grown, albeit in a radical direction, but she must be very reliable.
"Don't worry, my black scales will protect all of you, Master and Yue. Hehe, as Shia said, we are invincible."
Tio's words didn't hint at any abnormality, but instead were filled with experience and a strong will. So, the title of "Guardian" truly lived up to its reputation. Her essence hadn't changed, and her kind words, when truly necessary, would even protect the hearts of Hajime and the others.
The journey's end is in sight.
There will definitely be obstacles and difficulties ahead.
But Hajime thought to himself - it's true, as long as we are with them, we will definitely be invincible.
Shi suddenly said:
"After clearing the Great Labyrinth, I still have to go meet Myuu."
That was also an important promise that Hajime made. He wanted to let his daughter see the world of Earth, which is full of wonders.
What should I do with Kamu and the other Horiyah people? What about Tio's family? I should at least visit them once.
How are the parents in Japan feeling now? How would they feel about their son returning from another world with his lover and daughter?
"It's a headache. The journey is almost over, but there's more to worry about."
When Hajime said this, his expression was not his usual arrogant smile, but one full of gentleness and peace.
But no problem.
Yue and the others saw all of Hajime's changes, and their eyes were filled with joy, love, kindness, and warmth.
As long as they are by his side, Hajime's fighting spirit will never be extinguished.
Hajime didn't realize it, but he was happily thinking about his "prospects for the future" while looking at the distant sky.
Volume 8 Final Chapter
The kingdom of demons [Galant].
On the training ground outside the Demon King's Castle, murderous intent and the cries of wild beasts resounded through the sky.
However, there was not a single beast on the training ground. Instead, there were only "people" who were like beasts.
It was a wonderful scene.
This was the land of demons, so the "people" there must be demons. However, they all had the characteristics of beasts—not just ears and tails, but also fangs, claws, and slits in their pupils.
They moved with the agility of wild beasts and strength impossible for humans or demons.
Now, a punch also dented the steel armor, and the sword slashed into the ground also created a deep dent.
No matter how you look at it, they are all subhuman.
But they couldn't be demi-humans because they used magic.
With physical abilities like those of a demihuman, and magic that resembles both a human and a demon...
And then there is another point.
They released murderous intent, roared like wild beasts, and continued their combat training, yet their eyes were dull, without exception.
One cannot feel the light of the living in their eyes, nor can one see their will. As the word means, their eyes are dead.
“…Poor fellows.”
From the balcony of a building adjacent to the training ground, a man looked down at them. That man—Fried Bagua—spoke with disgust.
The whispered words were almost drowned out by the wind, but the culprit who created this eerie and distorted scene definitely heard them.
"That's weird~? Fried, what's wrong? Are you here to see my work?"
Nakamura Eri, the culprit who betrayed her fellow townsmen, dealt a devastating blow to the Kingdom's Knights, and killed Meld and Kondo, was unconsciously leaning against the balcony entrance, looking at Freed with a contemptuous smile on her face.
"Eri, don't interfere with my perception. Do you want to be suspected of betraying us?"
The implication is a fierce criticism: Don't think that people with a history of betrayal will be trusted.
In reality, Huili's calling is a necromancer. Since necromancy is the most difficult type of dark magic, she has an almost inappropriate aptitude for all dark magic.
After all, her aptitude was sufficient to create the original magic of "Soul Binding," which could bind the souls of the dead and manipulate them at will. In other words, she had reached the realm of magic of the Age of Gods through her own power.
Even Fried, the great demon general and magic user of the Age of Gods, was easily allowed to stand behind her. As Fried himself said, this was because his cognition was easily interfered with.
However, despite receiving the murderous warning, Huili herself continued to smile.
"Okay, okay, don't be so nervous. I'm just a weak woman, okay?"
She easily changed the subject.
Fried glanced at the people who were training and cursed inwardly, "Bullshit."
"Corpse Beast Soldier...are you satisfied?"
"...As a combat capability, he's impeccable."
"Don't look so disgusted. It's because of Freed's help that they've grown so strong, okay?"
Hearing Huili's tone, which revealed no concealment of malice and cunningness, Freed sighed deeply.
Because he couldn't deny it.
——Corpse beast soldiers.
That was Huili's private army, an army created by Friede, who had imbued the remains of the former Kingdom Knights with the characteristics of monsters, and then used Huili's necromancy to bind their souls. They feared no death, and felt no pain at all; they were a group of berserkers who would fight to the bitter end.
Even after death, their souls were still being manipulated and exploited. Fried felt pity for them and disgusted with Eri. But when he helped and took her in, he realized that he was also the same person, and Fried laughed at himself.
Eri seemed bored and sneered at Freed, then changed the subject and asked:
"By the way, where have the apostles gone? They used to be so numerous, but now there's not a single one left?"
Even Eri couldn't help but feel terrified by the scene—the appearance of five hundred "Apostles of God."
That can be said to be God's judgment.
Seeing that scene, Huili was sure that her choice was not wrong.
The opponent is simply too powerful. Even if you resist, it's meaningless. You'll be wiped out in an instant, and then it'll be over.
Even that monster is no match.
"They went to greet the guests... First they greeted the people other than the host."
Huili was confused for a moment by what Freed said, but soon understood.
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