Konjiki no Moji Tsukai

Crouch was at a loss for words as he froze. Actually, he was wondering if what had just occurred was a dream or not, as he dazedly watched the remnants of the monsters rain down.

However, the beastman soldiers were in a similar state. It was completely unexpected that the monsters which one of their respected Three Warriors, Crouch, had summoned would be killed off so quickly.

And at the same time, everyone motionlessly stared at the person who had done that.

Hiiro, who had noticed their gazes, said-

All thats left are the beastmen, huh (Hiiro)

He said it as though it would be as simple as pie. But of course. Amongst the monsters, there had been both Unique monsters, as well as S-rank monsters. Not only that, but their numbers had been enormous. Yet he had erased them in a single moment.

It couldnt be helped that anyone would find what Hiiro had done to be ominous and thus instilled fear in everyone that was present. All of the beastmen soldiers then glanced towards Crouch.

Cr-Crouch-sama! (Soldier 1)

Wh-what should we do! (Soldier 2)

Please give us some orders! (Soldier 3)

They truly were voices raised in dependence upon him. As he took a large breath, he glared at Hiiro with a ferocious look.

Just nyat have you done-nya? The pawns that I had taken great pains to acquire for the war have all basically disappeared-nya (Crouch)

Thats too bad. This is also part of my job.hm? (Hiiro)

Hiiro looked at Crouch in front of him for the first time, and had a sense of dj vu.

(oh? Ive seen this guy somewhere before..ah, I remember now. Its that Nyanko-guy that appeared in the cave near Passion!) (Hiiro)

As he thought that, anger began rushing out from within him.

Oi, Nyanko-guy. How dare you steal away my snake that one time (Hiiro)

That one time? Snake? Nyat are you talking about-nya? (Crouch)

Dont play dumb! Didnt you steal away the Clay Viper I had taken down in the Gree Caves! (Hiiro)

More accurately, the one who took it down was Arnold, while Hiiro had simply been giving out orders.

Gree Caves? Hm~nya!? Nyow that you mention it, something like that did happen-nya! (Crouch)

Crouch clapped his hands together as he remembered.

You stole it away before I could extract a proof of its subjugation. Its your fault that I got shouted at by Ossan! (Hiiro)

Thats right. Though he hadnt particularly been trying to hide it, after finding out, Arnold had reprimanded him for not telling them earlier.

Nyats true. I did take a Clay Viper, nya.but it has nyothing to do with nyou (Crouch)

Haah? (Hiiro)

Because-nya. Youre nyot Tarou-nya (Crouch)

Tarou? What are you talkingah (Hiiro)

Hiiro suddenly remembered. At that time, he had given the troublesome-looking guy a fake name. And if he recalled properly, Crouch had told him to become his subordinate, which is why Hiiro had to give Crouch his name at the time.

Naturally, he gave a fake name, and had told him his name was Tanaka Tarou.

Just now they called you Hiiro-nya. Thats why, even if you seem like him, youre different-nya (Crouch)

Hiiro unintentionally tapped his temple with his finger and leaked out a sigh. Leaving aside his name, he had forgotten that he currently had the appearance of an Evila. But returning to his beastman form seemed stupid, so he decided to just go with the flow of things.

In any case, Im gonna send you flying. Ill be returning the favour from that time too, Nyanko-guy! (Hiiro)

Nya nya nya? Im also angry at you-nya! (Crouch)

You dont say? Be prepared (Hiiro)

Hiiro flew into the sky as he approached Crouch.

Oi Maou! You guys do something about the other beastmen! Ive got business with this one! (Hiiro)

Hearing Hiiros shout,

G-got it! Aquinas! (Eveam)

Umu, all of you, seize them! (Aquinas)

At Aquinass incitation, the soldiers morale rose to the highest level. Thanks to Hiiros actions, the beastmens morale had fallen while the morale of the Evilahad risen. As a result, the beastmen were at a clear disadvantage.

Not only that, but because of the sound of the explosion, the beastmen with good hearing had received damage and had difficulty moving. With the Evilas fierce attack, beastmen were defeated and captured in succession.

Will this suffice, your Majesty? (Aquinas)

Yes, we can kill them whenever we want. So if capturing them is possible, then that takes priority (Eveam)

While Aquinas thought that Eveam was nave after all, his gaze flew over towards the battle between Hiiro and Crouch that was about to begin.

Hiiro lowered his hips and drew his katana. This was the katana that was once called theThorn Sword Piercer. Its form resembled that of a Japanese katana, and its blade had a transparent, ice-like clear colour.

However, currently its name had changed to Severing Sword Slasher. Its blade was clear like Thorn Sword Piercer, but both sides of the blade had a red streak zig-zagging down the blade from the hilt to its tip.

When attacking an opponent clad in magic power, this Severing Sword Slasherwas capable of attacking the opponents magic power itself. This would lead to the opponent becoming intoxicated by magic power, muddling their consciousness. Naturally, this would not have much of an effect on those with a high degree of control over their magic power. However, it was possible to knock those bad at controlling their magic power unconscious in a single moment.

There were already beastmen who had fainted instantly due to the power of this katana after being attacked by Hiiro.

This sword had been created by a certain person. However, at that time, they had remade it by merging it together with the blade from the Thorn Sword Piercer, so naturally it still contained its specialized ability in piercing. Not only that, but as this katana had been made with emphasis on its slicing ability, it truly could be called an all-purpose sword upon being reborn.

Nyahaha, Im shivering with excitement-nya (Crouch)

Crouch felt Hiiros extraordinary atmosphere and involuntarily let a smile escape.

No matter where I go, beastmen battle junkies are plentiful, huh (Hiiro)

Nyat are you saying-nya. Even nyou have trained in order to become stronger, nyright? (Crouch)

I wont deny that. (Hiiro)

Nyen, in order to confirm your strength, nyont you have to find suitable opponents to compare nyour strength with-nya? (Crouch)

well, you have a point there (Hiiro)

Nyen, why dont we enjoy this fight for a while-nya! (Crouch)

Crouch was intending on using his tremendous speed to toy with Hiiro. Previously, this speed was capable of drawing out Hiiros spirit, but now, things were different.

And Crouch also realized that Hiiro was certainly capable of following his movements with his eyes.

Then why dont I raise it up a gear-nya! (Crouch)

In an instant, Crouchs speed rose another level. Hiiro had confirmed Crouchs Statusprior to fighting. While Hiiros level had clearly been higher, only Crouchs AGL, or his speed, had surpassed that of Hiiros.

(Hes a beastman specializing in speed. I guess thats to be expected of a black panther) (Hiiro)

As Hiiros eyeballs moved busily, they followed Crouch. And then, the surrounding people felt some wind pressure. In the midst of it was Crouchs right arm and Hiiros katana clashing together.

The low-levelled ones were unable to see when the two clashed, but Crouch had approached from Hiiros rear, while Hiiro had simply dealt with him accordingly by defending. However, it had all occurred so fast that there were many who had missed it.

..your hands are strange as usual (Hiiro)

Nyahaha! You responded well-nya! (Crouch)

Hiiros doubts were quite natural. It was the same in the past too, but even though Hiiro was using a katana while Crouch used his bare hands, there wasnt a single sign of his hands getting cut. On the contrary, it felt like a wooden sword clashing against a clay wall.

As Hiiro kicked his leg upwards towards Crouchs arm, he continued to rotate his body and cut down Crouch horizontally. However, by that time, Crouchs figure had already disappeared.

Che, hes a quick guy, isnt he (Hiiro)

Before Hiiro had realized it, Crouchs presence had disappeared. He was likely peeking at Hiiro while remaining hidden in the shadows of the nearby buildings, but his appearance was truly like that of a carnivore hunting down its prey.

Unfortunately, that strategy wont work against me (Hiiro)

Although Hiiro muttered so, Crouch did not react. However, Hiiro had not said that while anticipating any reaction. He honestly was just saying that it wouldnt work because it really wouldnt work. The reason being that..

[Find Enemy] /

Instantly, the written word activated. As it did so, the location of Hiiros enemy directly entered into his head. He then quickly wrote the word [Extend] / onto his swords blade, and directed the blade towards his opponent as it extended.

Nya!? (Crouch)

As it pierced through the building, the blade attacked Crouch, who had been hiding behind it. Crouch barely dodged it, but even so, his face was warped in surprise.

Hiiro wrote the word [Origin] / on the swords blade, and smirked as it returned to normal.

Like I said, right? Your stealth abilities wont work against me (Hiiro)

Uu~ nya~ (Crouch)

Crouch gritted his teeth as though mortified, and stomped his feet against the ground numerous times.

How did you know-nya? (Crouch)

Did you think Id answer that? (Hiiro)

nyen, this time Ill be serious-nya (Crouch)

Hurry up and come at me seriously, Nyanko-guy (Hiiro)

Crouch placed both hands on the ground. A black shadow which then appeared there sped towards Hiiro. Hiiro reflexively flew in order to avoid it, but-

Its futile-nya! (Crouch)

From the shadow, a black tentacle-like thing extended and twisted around Hiiros body.

Hiiro! (Eveam)

Seeing that, the Maou Eveam raised her voice. In an instant, the captured Hiiro was ruthlessly dragged into the shadow just like that.

Hiiroooooooo! (Eveam)

As Eveam screamed bitterly, Crouch smiled as though his victory was decided.

With this its over-nya. My Bindingis darkness, nya. This Shadow Prisonis a handy ability capable of storing away anything-nya. However, inside of it, there isnt anya oxygen-nya (Crouch)

Th-that sort of! (Eveam)

In that sort of situation, Hiiro wouldnt be able to breathe, and would die.

However, nya, inside it are the monsters I havent released yet-nya. Theres only 5 of them, nyut theyre all Rank-SS monsters, with one Rank-SSS-nya (Crouch)

Noway! (Eveam)

If that truly was the case, then Hiiro would have to single-handedly face off against 5 vicious monsters. To make things worse, he had to face them without being able to breathe.

Aquinas, save Hiiro right now! (Eveam)

Wait (Aquinas)

Why! At this rate, Hiiro will-! (Eveam)

As Aquinas appeared like he didnt understand the current predicament one bit, Eveam unintentionally yelled. However, his eyes were currently focused on the shrunken shadow at Crouchs feet.

Aquinas.? (Eveam)

Your Majesty, if its him, then hell be fine. So long as he can use magic within there..right (Aquinas)

At those words, Eveams gaze also fell to the shadow with realization.

Nyahaha! I dont know nyat youre expecting, but once youve entered it, you cant exit without my approval, nya..guh..!? (Crouch)

Everyones eyes widened at the scene. It was only natural. Because from the shadow that stretched out at Crouchs feet, an arm had appeared. The katana that the arm was holding was currently piercing through Crouchs chest.

Nya.nyatha-. (Crouch)

Bushuu!

As the katana was vigorously pulled out, blood spurted from the wound. And as Crouch unsteadily staggered while looking behind him, there-

Whup (Hiiro)

-completely unharmed, Hiiro had reappeared.