Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou (WN)

Defensive Battle of All Worlds ④ Each’s Defensive Battle First

Author’s note: The chapter was a bit late! Sorry!

At the time period that was commonly called as the night’s golden time.

Even Nagumo family would usually relax at home as one big happy family, or immerse themselves in their hobby around this time.

「「Good worrk toda~~yy♪」」

For some reason, Shuu and Sumire congratulated each other while rolling their r’s a bit. They could be found sitting in a restaurant.

They tilted their glass at each other, then took a sip with complacent smile to each other.

「Kuu~~, the alcohol after successfully overcoming the battlefield is really special」

「This must be what people mean when saying the drink seeps in throughout your whole bodyy~~」

They also dressed differently than usual. Perhaps it was a style that ought to be called as casual formal. Their outfit wasn’t that stiff but, they were far more refined than everyday clothes.

Of course it was. This restaurant was high grade and the price here was also high. There wasn’t a precise rule about it but it was tacitly agreed that to enter this restaurant one should be aware of the dress code.

It was located near the city’s heart, and the traffic volume was also high, both people walking and vehicles passing by. Even though this location was completely a prime location in this city, the inside of the restaurant was spacious and also glamorous.

The side that was facing the street was separated from outside by glass, but once the customer sat down they were hidden from the gaze of the passerby by beautiful flower bed and hedge――trees that were pruned charmingly to be a child’s height. The noise from outside also surprisingly didn’t carry to the inside.

The two were sitting near the window of such good restaurant that they usually would never visit unless it was for work reason.

Then, if asked why the two were having dinner at this kind of place, it was just as Shuu said, because they had safely finished their work.

While their son and his wives and friends were having a trip to other worlds, the two of them were embroiled in battlefield. Sumire was finishing her one-shot manga, while Shuu was preparing for the release of his company’s new game.

Today was reward for the completion of those works and for themselves. They came to this good restaurant was also to have a husband and wife date with nobody else interrupting.

「Ahaha, as expected I really feel it after finishing a work that should take about a month in just half a month.」

「I don’t want to say it but, we’re already at this age. It would be impossible without Emily-chan’s specially made energy drink and the artifact that constantly heal us.」

「You got that right.」

That’s right. Actually they had half a month more until it was deadline.

Even so, they finished the works in half the time with the help of their assistants and company staffs were because,

「But, with this we can enjoy the latter half of the summer vacation without any worry. Yes……」

「Yes, that’s right. Summer vacation…………with the super duper cute Myuu-chan!!」

Yaaa~yy, they toasted once more.

Because, isn’t it unfair,they thought. Even the grandpa and grandma should also have the right to create summer vacation memory with Myuu-chan.

They sent off the rest of the family to the other world trip with understanding of the various circumstances around it, but that was that, and this was this.

Hajime and co were university student so they could have a break even during September, but that wasn’t the case for Myuu.The latter half of the summer vacation with granddaughter belong to us!That was their reason.

By the way the assistants and company staffs that were made to go along with them were of course lamenting 「That’s reckless!」「Spare us please……」 at the beginning and wanted to refuse.

Naturally.No, we know how you feel okay. You two threw a tantrum「We wanna play with our grandchildd~~~」like actual children, and you two were suuuper down at the beginning after getting told you can’t come……but stiiill~~,they all said.

To them who were like that, the great Sumire-sensei and president Shuu said. They deliberately got on chair and spread their arms wide open from a slightly high place.

――We’ll give you guys half of August!

Hearing that line that was like a demon king promising to share half of the world, and the amount of special bonus they promised, the amount of special bonus they promised!

All the assistants and company staffs saluted to offer their heart to the cause 「We love battlefield!!」 altogether. Some even did a 540 and smiled fearlessly while saying 「We’ll buy the time so president can play with Myuu-chan……don’t worry, we won’t be far behind you」 like a warrior telling the hero to go ahead.

Sumire-sensei and President Shuu smiled broadly in respond.This is why we love you guys!They said.

「Based on the schedule, they’ll come back tomorrow or the day after it.」

「Yeah. Well, they’re also going to a world that has time difference, so the schedule might be a little off. That’s what they said.」

「Even so they should be home before Obon festival. Tou-san and others are also looking forward to our visit, Hajime also said that he’ll make sure to be on time because he wants to meet his grandparents.」

「He mentioned about inviting them to the ”miniature garden” but……I wonder if it’ll be fine. My parents and your parents, their soul almost slipped out of their body just from learning about Hajime’s wives and the circumstance.」

「……W-well, about that you know, you can resurrect even if you die anyway (trembling voice)……」

It was Bon holiday period in Japan right now. During that time families should be in the middle of holiday too. With ”treasure warehouse” and permission, any location could be connected with ”miniature garden”. If that was the case then at the last day of the trip they could get out of the house for a bit and gathered at the ”miniature garden” for BBQ. That was the plan that Hajime told Shuu and Sumire.

At the very least the family of each of those who came along in the trip this time had accepted the invitation for that.

The food was brought out at that timing.

For a while, the two had fun chatting idly while enjoying the dish.

Like that when they had eaten about half of the main dish,

「Oh?」

There was vibration from the inner pocket of his jacket. It told Shuu that there was a contact.

He was in the middle of a date with his wife. He ignored it thinking that he could check it later but, based on the vibration’s length it seemed that it was a phone call.

He glanced at Sumire. Sumire seemed to guess it too with that. It was already quite late so who could it be from? Their son and others should be still in other world……Sumire’s mind was filled with questions even while she urged Shuu with her eyes.

Shuu took out his smartphone and his eyes widened.

「Remia-chan?」

「Heh?」

The word that unconsciously slipped out from Shuu’s mouth caused Sumire’s hand to stop moving the fork that was going to her mouth.

The caller should be in other world right now. Furthermore for some reason it wasn’t Hajime who called but Remia.

Shuu and Sumire looked at each other because the caller was too unexpected.

Anyway Shuu picked the call. He put his hand over his mouth and lowered his voice so he wouldn’t be a bother to the other customers.

「Is this Remia-chan? What’s the matter?」

『Otou-san(Father-in-law), thank god. You picked up. Are you together with Okaa-san(Mother-in-law)?』

The voice’s tone was unexpectedly serious. The default of Remia’s tone was airy and tender and fluffy under normal circumstances. And yet, her tone right now even felt sharp.

Something happened. Furthermore it was something not good. Shuu guessed that and his expression changed.

「Yeah, she’s with me.」

Shuu mentioned which restaurant they were at even while taking out wireless earphones from his pocket. He connected them and handed one to Sumire. With this both of them could listen to Remia even without putting the phone on speaker.

『I’ll explain the situation.』

Despite the seriousness, the voice across the earphone was still gentle and calm.

As expected from someone who once served as coordinator between races in Tortus. Even after she moved to Japan she built her social standing together with Tio and even improved the relationship between the neighbors and Nagumo family better than before despite the unique family environment Nagumo family was now in. The explanation of the communication skill monster was concise and clear.

Even though the situation had become outrageous, their heart wasn’t sent into turmoil although there was surprise. The information easily entered into their head.

「……I don’t know what to say, really……except that, our son is born under that kind of star huh.」

「Yeah really……」

The two couldn’t help but hold their head in their hands.

The restaurant staffs and the other guests around were glancing at the husband and wife who had stopped eating and now putting their elbows on the table while covering their face with both hands.

「And, you’re saying we should go home quickly just to be safe?」

『Yes. I’m sorry to disturb your private date but……』

Sumire confirmed while slightly leaning forward toward the smartphone that was placed at the middle of the table. Remia’s voice really sounded apologetic. The married couple smiled wryly at that.

「No no, this isn’t Remia-chan’s fault so don’t apologize. More importantly, are we being targeted? From your story I don’t think this isn’t a situation of that scale though.」

This was different from the ”returnees uproar” in the past when the government and organizations were targeting their family to make Hajime and co do as they were told.

『There’s no specific information that hint at anyone there being targeted. This is just to be safe in the end.』

Remia said that and continued. According to her,

Right now, Remia was apparently returning back to Nagumo family home alone.

Yue had to head to Tortus immediately in order to secure unlimited magic power, construct communication network to all other worlds, and giving explanation to everyone necessary. Shia and others were also needed to go to various places as reinforcement for the defensive battle.

That was why Remia was the one entrusted with the role to contact them. At the same time, she was also given several other roles.

She was to teleport back to Nagumo family home and activated the house’s defensive system fully.

There was a big enough possibility of ”void god” giving instruction of ”distract the returnees” to their worshippers and controlled people, and from there they might use their ”human thought” to reach the idea of taking ”hostage”, so Remia was charged to turn their house into a shelter for everyone that might be at risk.

Nagumo family home was a base of Hajime. He had improved it beforehand and made a list of people who might get targeted when push came to shove. Remia would have to check that ”evacuee list”.

Currently, she along with Yuuka and co were apparently contacting their friends and splitting up to evacuate their family and close people.

『In addition, right now all urban areas are in danger. According to Yue-san, from now on we don’t know when and in which city ”void god” will appear. Even a situation where you will simply get dragged into battle can possibly happen.』

Supernatural being might appear in the middle of city and go into rampage like a terrorist attack. Or perhaps it was like a giant monster movie.

The two could somehow imagine it, exactly because they were heavily addicted with creative works.

They gulped audibly imagining the worst situation that might possibly occur from now on. It looked like the realistic threat was accompanied with keen realization that seeped through their whole body.

『Besides……securing the safety of Otou-san and everyone will become the greatest help for Hajime-san and others so they can let loose without any worry.』

A feeling had passed through their chest for a moment. The feeling of guilt that they would be the only ones getting evacuated to complete safety despite the situation that might create death somewhere anytime.

Remia’s words were said as though she had seen through them.

Either way, there was nothing that they could do. They would just become a hindrance for Yue and others by taking their time here like this. Shuu and Sumire looked at each other and nodded.

「We get it. We’ll go back immediately. It’ll take us around an hour――」

『No, please use a gate. We’ll collect the car later.』

It was only natural but, both Shuu and Sumire had obtained several artifacts from Hajime in case of emergency.

The majority were the type that activated automatically against every kind of attack, but they also carried a lot of convenient type artifacts that could be activated even though they didn’t have magic power with a single switch using internal magic power of the artifact itself.

Among them there was also an exclusive gate key that connected directly to their house. Its appearance was a normal key but with crystalline feel. It was attached to the same key case for their home’s key.

And so it could be said that they were fully equipped both for protection and for escaping. Remia must really wanted the two of them to be at home just in case, or perhaps for giving Haijme and co ease of mind.

「W-we get it. We’ll leave the restaurant and use it out of sight.」

「Thanks for calling us, Remia-chan. We’ll go home right away.」

The two apologized inside their heart for leaving their food unfinished while standing up and preparing to go home. Seeing that, as expected a waiter couldn’t keep quiet anymore and approached. The other guests too finally stared at them without even hiding it anymore.

It was then.

「D-dear……」

Sumire’s eyes went wide as she looked at the bag on her hand. The ”talisman” that was attached to her bag like a keyholder was vibrating. It was a beautiful talisman made of cloth with generic embroidery. But, the content was needless to say a ”plate shaped talisman” made from ore.

It was reacting.

That meant, they were under some kind of attack.

Sumire and Shuu’s complexion instantly paled. Remia must be sensing the change in atmosphere from the other side of the call. She asked 『What’s the matter?』, but there was no time for them to reply.

A fierce light shined in.

The two gasped and looked toward the source of the light. It came from the main street behind the glass partition.

A headlight shining blindingly was approaching right from there.

Their eyes were blinded. And yet, they could perceive everything like time was in slow motion. Their body was ruled by a feeling that they couldn’t describe with word, like they were in the center of blank amazement and sense of danger.

Even so Shuu’s body was moving unconsciously. His hand reached out to protect his wife.

And then.

Thunderous sound. Sound of desctruction.

Sound of destruction that pierced the ears rang out. A beat later a chorus of screams resounded.

The people who were in the safety zone were dumbfounded seeing the unbelievable sight.

From a glance it was a scene of an accident. It was like they were watching a scene from a TV program like ”100 Shocking Videos!”.

The car crossed the sidewalk from the main road and crashed through the hedge and glass wall. It was a large minivan.

But what was truly shocking, the reason why the people were completely dumbfounded was not that.

「Wonderful. It’s a beautiful love of husband and wife no matter how many times I’ve seen it.」

「Yes, as expected from the grandparents of the princess.」

A man was stopping that minivan with one hand. It looked like he was stopping it.

It was a man wearing black suit. He had an absurdly beautiful face. Anyone could see that he was a man from his height and build, but without that from the side he also looked feminine thanks to his long silver hair that was radiating beautiful glossiness like silk thread.

The palm of the hand that he was holding out was sinking into the front part of the minivan.

Behind him was a woman with blonde hair that was tied around the area of her nape. She looked smart as well as dignified. The distinguished atmosphere suited her and she was also an owner of beauty that wasn’t at all inferior compared to the man.

Shuu and Sumire were behind that woman. Shuu was kneeling to embrace Sumire. Sumire was also putting her hands around Shuu’s back.

Their posture and position were as though they had slid away from the window.

The black suited man and woman’s eyes were looking toward that Shuu and Sumire. Their expression was really warm.

「W-we’re saved?」

「W-what’s going on……」

Shuu and Sumire raised their faces even while feeling confused. It was a horrible sight. The foods and tables were scattered. But, it was a mystery. There was no injured person in contrast to the property damage.

The other guests that they somehow remembered sitting around them were also away from the crash site even though they were all falling on their butts.

The two’s gazes naturally turned toward the man and woman in black suits who were standing to protect them.

Their eyes met. Shuu and Sumire both opened their eyes wide. And then, they yelled perfectly in sync as expected.

「「WHYYY!? WHY IS THERE SEPHIR*TH AND S*BER HERE!?」」

Apparently they were so shocked that their manner of talking became like the people of a world where a certain ninja did slayer thing. From their tones it even sounded like this shocked them more than the accident.

It couldn’t be helped. Because the man and woman looked exactly the same. To the super famous characters who appeared in certain famous games that they loved to death. To their super favorite characters!

The black suited man and woman also grinned at that reaction.

They could freely change their appearance, so they went out of their way to come here in cosplay, and it was worth it. After all this was the first time Shuu and Sumire laid their eyes on them. Then, there was no other option but to become the super favorite character of these two! They rejoiced like that inside their heart for the great success of this prank. Though they were in the middle of roleplay so they didn’t let that feeling come out on their face.

Also, they were wearing black suits because in case they had to come out at the open for protecting their princess, they would shame their princess if they had appearances that were too out of place from the surrounding, so they had prepared these outfits to be worn anytime. This time too they wore it for the more or less the same reason.

「Please, call me ”Lu~chan”.」

「Please call me ”Ma~chan”. It’s an honor to be able to talk directly to the two of you like this.」

Shuu and Sumire looked at each other. Those names, if they remembered correctly those should be the affectionate name of Myuu-chan for her Deadly Sins Demon Rangers……

Eh, wait. In other words, these two are the demon kings the seven deadly sins……

They were right on the money.

It went without saying who was the one behind this posting of two demon kings here so to crush even the slightest possibility of the worst case. It also went without saying that the commander gave his okay instantly to the princess’s recommendation.

But, just to let know.

Even if they weren’t here to help, there wouldn’t be any problem at all. A barrier would be automatically deployed to defend them perfectly, and even beside that there were also high rank demons on standby inside Shuu and Sumire’s shadows.

Remia first took her time to explain the situation to them without hurrying them to come home forcefully was also because there wouldn’t be any problem at all no matter what happened.

In short, it was a complete overprotectiveness. The demons inside the shadows were also currently in the middle of grieving 「My turn……」 inconsolably.

Shuu and Sumire had guessed that was the situation and their expressions became troubled, but the situation progressed before they could say anything.

Someone leaped out of the minivan. It was several humans completely clad in black. Their gazes all turned toward Shuu and Sumire.

Furthermore, several of the guests inside the restaurant also suddenly had their eyes rolled up as though they had fainted. But the next thing they knew those guests were holding knives while slowly encircling the two.

It seemed the worry that they thought to be excessive was proving to be right.

They must have learned that the returnees and the people close to them were using supernatural power. Or perhaps, they were listening to the conversation by reading lips or something.

Even when they tried to put some kind of spell to the two the spell got deflected, and even if they planned to assault them at some deserted place it would also conversely increase the chance of the two getting away because there was nobody around, so considering that they definitely decided to adopt a daring attack tactic now.

「We swear in our names」

「We won’t let them touch even a single hair on you.」

”Lu-chan” and ”Ma-chan” fought back in high spirits. Even though they could actually blast away these rabbles without even moving a single finger, they went out of their way to take out a very long sword and a grand looking sword.

The guests inside the restaurant and the curious onlookers outside didn’t know what was going on, and so to make them accepted the situation easier, they acted out a fight smartly.

It was truly a stage fight. A type of theater where they calculated, paid attention to their performance, and planned thoroughly to excite the spectators.

The attackers caused mysterious supernatural phenomenon, or shot out something like tentacles from their bodies, so the fight looked even more unreal.

The spectators really couldn’t keep up with what was going on anymore, but in any case the fighting happening before their eyes looked somewhat amazing. The people who were dumbfounded or perhaps scared were even gradually cheering 「O-oo~」 at the fight.

Of course, Shuu and Sumire were also super excited. They stood up and rooted for the two.

Their eyes were sparkling brightly even though just now they had almost die――no, considering the assailants’ objective they mustn’t have planned to kill, but at the very least the married couple would be heavily injured if they succeeded.

Before long, the two won the fight as though they had simply traced the established scenario.

Other than the first wave of the attackers, there were still more attackers gathering to this place one after another, and they were giving their all trying to drag the surrounding into the fight, so at the end the two’s acting became a bit abridged, but it was still a truly satisfying performance.

The impossible joint battle like something that happened in doujinshi made Shuu and Sumire spontaneously broke into applause.

”Lu~chan” and ”Ma~chan”――the two demon kings who were too excessive of combat force for being Shuu and Sumire’s bodyguards kneeled reverently in front of the two of them.

There were murmurs. The great looking and strong man and woman, were bowing their head in front of a pair of husband and wife. It was just this part that wasn’t a roleplay from them. They were prioritizing paying respect to the parents of the man they recognized as the demon god.

But, to the spectators at the surrounding who didn’t know anything about that, the sight caused them to go 「Who in the world are that couple!?」.

「As commanded, we have come to pick up both of you.」

「Let’s move. Please, steady your heart.」

「「Ah, yes.」」

While the two were feeling bewildered by the sudden change in atmosphere, darkness enveloped the surrounding. All lights died at the same time.

Like that, a second passed.

Faster than the people could feel shocked by the power outage in the area, the light turned back on.

The people left behind in the restaurant were left astonished once more.

The married couple or the beautiful man and woman weren’t there anymore. Even the knocked out men in black outfits were also gone from the place.

Only the minivan and the wrecked interior of the restaurant that were still there served to reassure them that what they saw just now had really happened.

「W-what in the world……」

Someone muttered. He had the look like someone who had got bewitched by a fox.

But, they would immediately learn. That tonight would become a long night.

It wasn’t a dream or an illusion.

There was certainly supernatural power and monster existing in this world.

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Meanwhile, around the same time.

A minivan was running on a highway.

The one driving it was Yuuka’s father――Sonobe Hiroyuki. On the passenger seat was his wife――Yuuri. Both glanced at the rearview mirror to look t the back seat before they looked at each other with wry smiles.

「Haa~~~~」

「I didn’t hear about Yuuka-nee not being here y’know……」

Voices dripping with dissatisfaction accompanied with annoyingly long sigh came from the back. The voices came from a boy and a girl who were sulking like champion. They seemed to be still in the upper grade of elementary school.

The girl seemed to have her hair dyed. She was twirling the tip of her loosely wavy brown hair. She was crossing her legs with pouting lips. She was wearing a fashion that made her looked like an elementary school gal.

The boy in contrast looked like a serious and diligent honor student. His outfit also looked really subdued. He gave off a clean and precise impression, so much so it would make one think that it might be too prudent for a kid still in the elementary school.

Also, the one who sighed was the boy, while the one who complained was the girl.

To Yuuka these children were relative that were considered as ”second cousins”. They were the children of Hiroyuki’s younger cousin. The boy’s name was Kanou Hibiki, while the girl was Kanade. They were twin.

「Ahaha, sorry for that. Yuuka is going in a trip.」

「She should be back in two or three more days though……」

Hiroyuki and Yuuri explained with troubled faces the situation for who knew how many times today about why Yuuka was absent. However, Hibiki and Kanade’s expressions didn’t brighten up. Rather, they became increasingly dissatisfied.

Just as could be seen from their attitudes, these two liked Yuuka lots. It went without saying that Kanade’s fashion was from her respect to Yuuka, while Hibiki worked hard to keep his appearance well-ordered because he was just a bit conscious toward Yuuka as an opposite sex.

Their parents had good relationship with Sonobe family and they met quite frequently. Yuuka had been playing with the twins ever since they got old enough to be aware of their surrounding, and there, Yuuka’s caring personality played the part.

She was cool and also good at cooking. She seemed to be a candid person and yet for some reason she always took the time to look after someone.

There was no way the twins didn’t grow up to be bigsiscon.

Now, why then such second cousin twins in a car with the Sonobe couple? The answer was simple. It was because of their parents’ work situation.

A lot of workload came in that made them gave up on their Bon holidays. They more or less still planned to go back to meet with relatives, but their schedule might not match up with Sonobe family’s plan.

When their parents told them that, the twins shockingly got in a train on their own and went to Sonobe family home.

They had been unable to meet with Yuuka at all recently because she was busy with university.

They had been looking forward to Bon holidays because they heard they would be able to meet her then, and yet even that chance might be gone for good, so they apparently couldn’t hold back anymore.

Let’s go meet Yuuka-nee without telling anyone, it’ll be a surprise for her too yeah,was the idea that went through their mind and they secretly came here.

There, they were dumbfounded when they learned that Yuuka was in the middle of a long trip. They were given dinner after the café closed, and currently the Sonobe couple was driving them home……that was the situation.

「No, it’s us who should apologize. Sorry for coming without saying anything……」

「We heard that Yuuka-nee is going to a trip but, to think that it’s taking more than two weeks and she also can’t be contacted at all during that time……sorry, Oji-san, Oba-san.」

After dissatisfaction came dejection. A part of it was because they couldn’t meet Yuuka, but it was also because they liked Hiroyuki and Yuuri too. They must be aware that they had been causing trouble to them.

「It’s fine, don’t mind it. But, apologize to your parents later. They must be worried.」

「「Yees……」」

Hiroyuki and Yuuri exchanged gaze. If it was the usual Yuuka then she should have told the twins at least about how long she would be gone. Surely she was keeping a lot of things vague from these twins. That was the cause of this mismatched timing.

The reason for that was also obvious.

Kanou family and Yuuka’s grandparents naturally had also been told about the truth behind Yuuka’s disappearance incident.

They were already looking up to their big sis cousin Yuuka even from before but, now she had just returned alive from another world, got even stronger and cooler, and furthermore she could even use magic.

Yuuka’s extraordinariness was bloating up in their eyes. Right now the two’s respect and idolization for her knew no bounds.

Naturally they liked to badger her to tell them more about her adventure story. There was no way Yuuka could refuse them when that happened, and then, naturally the more she told her story, the more it oozed out.

Yes, her various emotions when it came to that man.

Naturally that also made the twins went,Hmmm?

Crap!Yuuka then thought. Since then, she had been continuously dodging the questions from the suspecting twins. There was no doubt that she had also done the same with her trip this time.

「I’ll tell Yuuka to show her face if she has time――」

While Hiroyuki was saying the words to patch things up, Yuuri’s smartphone rang.

「Oh, it’s from Yuuka.」

「「Yuuka-nee!!」」

The twins were revived instantly. Their eyes sparkled and their bodies leaned forward from the back seat.

Yuuri told them to sit properly while pushing the accept button.

『Okaa-san? Where’re you right now? Why aren’t you at home?』

Yuuka’s voice was a bit anxious. It made Yuuri blinked.

「Yuuka yourself, what’s the matter? Aren’t you still in the middle of trip?」

『I’ll explain later. Anyway, where’re you? Is Otou-san with you?』

「Y-yes. He’s here. Hibiki-kun and Kanade-chan came over, so we’re driving them home right now.」

『Eh? Hibiki and Kanade came?』

Hibiki and Kanade raised their voices energetically. They’re proclaiming their presences.

When Yuuri put the call into speaker mode, a relieved sigh and next a warm chuckle could be heard right away. The twins’ expressions loosened into grins.

『Okaa-san, can you share me your location?』

「Eh? That’s fine but……」

Yuuri did as she was told even while feeling bewildered. From the other side of the call 『Nn, I’ll be able to catch up right away if you’re here』 such voice could be heard.

『Let’s meet up at the next rest area. I’ll go ahead.』

「Eh? Ee? Go ahead you say……」

Yuuri became increasingly confused. As expected she realized something was strange. Hiroyuki who had been listening also spoke up.

「Hey Yuuka. Explain properly. Did something happen?」

『H~m, there’re various situations mixing up, and the scale is too big, so I don’t really know from where to explain but……』

Even so, she tried to explain somehow. After a while.

As expected, everyone inside the car was feeling nothing but confusion.No,even if you tell us something that sound like a plot of a disaster movie like that……they all thought. What they heard didn’t feel real yet at the slightest for them.

『W-well, it’s that you know! Setting aside the parents of Nagumo or Kaori and others, I think the possibility of even the families of his former classmates will get targeted too is low, so don’t wor――』

「「I see. Looks like we’re also in danger (huh)」」

『Why’s that!?』

The seriousness in her parents’ voices suddenly heightened far more.

No because, they were targeted with pinpoint precision even during the returnees uproar wasn’t it? As the family of ”demon king’s mistress”. It seemed such unspoken implication was conveyed even through the phone.

『Ah, nn, no, that’s not!』

Words that didn’t serve as either explanation or excuse came through. The twins were there so both Yuuka and the parents couldn’t say anything specific, but, the twins were sharp. *Jii~* Suspecting gazes were looking their way.

『Anyway, just in case! This is just in case so we’re going to meet up――eh? What? Haa!? Attacked!? Eh, so openly!?』

Yuuka’s surprise was suddenly transmitted. 『Uh huh, uh huh……so they’re safe, that’s great. But……I see. So our concern comes true……』 Such line could also be heard.

It was unsettling. Hiroyuki and Yuuri looked at each other once more. Right after that. The headlight of the car behind them suddenly got reflected on the rearview mirror. It drew Hiroyuki’s attention and his eyes moved.

「W-what? Isn’t that car running really quick for some reason?」

「Eh?」

Yuuri also looked back through the rearview mirror after that. One car was moving right and left. It was switching between the slow lane and the fast lane while passing the cars in between one after another.

It had closed the distance until right behind their car in no time at all. A bad premonition caused a cold shiver to go through their backs.

『Okaa-san? What’s wrong?』

「No, for some reason this one car is driving really dangerously……」

Even while she was saying that, that car was running in parallel with Sonobe family’s car. But, it didn’t pass them. Even though it was moving that quickly, it decelerated on the fast lane to run side by side with them.

It was a minivan painted black.

They reflexively looked at the driver. There were men sitting on the driver seat and the passenger seat. They were wearing fatigues that had no particularly striking out feature and hats that deeply covered their eyes.

But, it wasn’t normal. Their faces were obviously looking their way. As though, they were peering to look inside their car.

「Hih」 A small scream slipped out Yuuri’s mouth. Hiroyuki’s face also stiffened. They must have felt the unsettling atmosphere. The twins look around uneasily.

Suddenly, the black minivan slowly drifted away. Not to the front or the back. It moved to the side lightly toward the median strip.

The bad premonition burst up. Perhaps this was what people meant when they spoke about getting goosebumps.

「Are they insane!?」

Hiroyuki spontaneously yelled. His premonition was right. The minivan suddenly swerved closer. It was going to ram their car from the side.

Hiroyuki quickly turned the wheel. He also stepped on the brake to dodge the minivan.

But, result-wise their absurdly reckless act didn’t succeed.

There was impact. The car’s frame shook. However, none of them came from Sonobe family’s car, but only the minivan.

「T-that’s……」

「E-eeh!? W-wolf!? No, wolf? Rather it’s huge!? Why is the wolf so huge!?」

「O-oooooo, Oji-san!? What’s going on!?」

Kanade and Hibiki were astonished even while feeling scared. Their reactions were only natural.

After all ahead of their gazes were the minivan that was running in zigzag due to the impact from the side, and the cause of that――appearing from the shadow of Sonobe family’s car just a moment before the collision was a being that rammed the minivan back to protect them.

From the side, it was a black wolf with wings and a snake as its tail. Its size was about as big as the minivan. Even though the car was running 80 km/hour the wolf was running in parallel without any difficulty.

『Okaa-san!? What’s going on!?』

「Y-Yuuka, I think we might be targeted. But, a black wolf? It came out, and then……」

『! That so, got it. That wolf is ally so it’s fine. I too will be there right away. Anyway don’t stop. That’ll just endanger the cars behind, and I think it’ll be safer if you all just continue moving.』

Before they could ask for explanation, the situation was moving dizzyingly.

The minivan’s two-leaf door at the back opened, then something flooded out from there. One of it made a banging sound and crashed on the front glass of Sonobe family’s car.

Yuuri and others raised their voices 「Hih」 in terror. And then, seeing the thing that was clinging there caused them to turn pale in a state where they couldn’t even make a scream.

From a glance it might be a bee. But, it was impossible that it was a bee. It was just too bizarre.

The torso was about as big as a kid’s palm, the tail’s tip had an abnormally long needle attached, in addition the head was all jaws, and its whole body was black. It was like something that came out of nightmare.

It swung its needle tail. The front glass was cracked in one attack and the needle’s tip penetrated inside a little.

Everyone didn’t make a voice. Their face lost color. But, the next moment, the thing was blown away as though it was swiped from the side.

Before they realized, the winged black wolf was running in parallel with their car. But, it was in a slightly strange condition. It was shaking its head as though trying to shake off something.

Hiroyuki who was focusing to the front so no accident would happen realized.

The hand that was held out from the minivan’s passenger seat was holding a cross. The man in fatigues who was leaning out of the window was leaking out blood from his eyes and nose nonstop. Looking carefully the sides of the minivan also had magic circle that was drawn with blood coloring which was hard to see because the car frame was painted black.

Hiroyuki didn’t know that it was a type of demon exorcism. But, he could guess that it was causing some kind of effect to the black wolf. Although, he still couldn’t do anything just because he knew that though.

「Why isn’t it exorcised!」

「That’s a really-, high ranked demon! Just, holding it back……I won’t last long-」

He wasn’t even aware that such conversation was going on inside the attackers’ car.

In any case, apparently the attackers had anticipated that they had demon bodyguard.

At the very least the demon bodyguard didn’t manage to deal with the attackers handily, and they even succeeded in attacking Sonobe family’s car with hundreds of strange-looking bees. They were quite powerful practitioners.

However, their scheme also didn’t succeed though.

Intense flame was breathed out at the night highway. It was the black wolf. It glared with annoyance at the minivan even while blowing away the approaching swarm of grotesque bees.

Naturally, the ordinary people couldn’t possibly keep their calm in a place where a strangely shaped wolf appeared, which followed by a swarm of impossibly large bees, and in the end a blazing flame was also bursting out.

The cars at the front and behind were hit by confusion one after another.

It was a dangerous situation where it wouldn’t be strange for an accident to occur anytime. However, the black wolf must have given some kind of strict order. Its eyes shined bewitchingly and it glared domineeringly at the surrounding.

Immediately, the cars behind and in front of them started running while keeping constant speed. The cars at the front sped up, while the cars behind were decelerating.

That seemed to be it, but then more cars came from behind in hot pursuit. They closed the distance while weaving through the other cars.

Apparently the attackers had more allies standing by. They were riding in the same black painted minivans. Crosses were held out from the passenger seat’s window similarly like the minivan at the front. Magic circles were drawn at the minivans’ sides. And then a lot of grotesque bees were spat out from the backs. The swarms were approaching faster than the cars.

Furthermore, this time the bees approached while spreading out. It must be to avoid getting caught by the blaze all at once.

In addition, for some reason they also began attacking the unrelated cars at the surrounding. Their stingers pierced the windows, then they did what they couldn’t at Sonobe family’s car before――something like gas was injected inside the cars from the tips.

Then, the civilians who were driving with unnatural calmness began speeding up like they were driven insane or something.

The black wolf was showing even more sign of looking annoyed. But, the corners of its lips were instead rising up like a human. As though it wanted to say how thrilled these all made it felt. It was a vicious aura of someone enjoying the battlefield.

――Just try it, humans

The glint of its eyes even made one felt such provocative will. It seemed to have been triggered.

The minivan’s driver at the front seemed to have resolved himself and matched his car’s position with Sonobe family’s car. Right after that he slammed on the brakes. He must be planning to forcefully stop the car by crashing his car with them.

Naturally, the black wolf got in the way. Rather, that was the aim.

While they faced the black wolf with the readiness to die, if even a single bee could reach Sonobe family, or if their comrades at the back could achieve their objective……

Such intent for sacrificial play was transparent to see……

The large bee swarms approached from every direction that they formed a globe. The rampaging normal civilian cars had also gotten really close.

In respond, the black wolf sprayed his flame to all direction like a blazing wall, while firing something like an invisible shockwave to the minivan at the front.

That moment looked like it was happening in slow motion.

The minivan bounced and flew in the air. It rotated while passing above Sonobe family’s car in inversed position.

Hiroyuki, Yuuri, and also the twins were watching the sight with their jaws dropping wide open. Their eyes were following the minivan through the front window and side windows.

The minivan then bounced on the road with a terrific crashing sound behind them.

Keeping one’s eyes on the road was out of his mind at the moment. Even so Hiroyuki didn’t turn his body to look behind like Yuuri, but only watching through the rearview mirror might be his good sense at work here.

Either way, his gaze was drawn to behind them.

Within his sight, a grotesque bee charging through the wall of flame was reflected. It was rushing through with a terrific speed while keeping its stinger pointed their way. Based on its momentum it would surely be able to lightly break through a mere glass window of a car.

Ah……his voice slipped out.

Instantly, something flying from the side pierced that bee’s torso. It was a knife. A simple thin silver colored knife pierced the bee’s torso deeply, and then, exploded.

The grotesque bee popped and scattered without the least resistance.

『Arrived! Everyone’s okay isn’t it!?』

Everyone gasped hearing the voice that came from the smartphone that they had completely forgotten. They returned to their senses, and at the same time something leaped out from the side of the highway diagonally behind them.

It was a person. The person was riding on something like a snowboard that flew out from under the elevated part of the highway.

The person didn’t slow down and spun several times in the air.

The person grabbed the board with one hand while rotating horizontally four times, and vertically three times……they performed a trick like a superhuman snowboarding player while their other hand was holding cards that were spread out like a fan……

The cards were thrown to all directions in accordance with the rotation.

The cards were enveloped with faint light. They sliced dozens of the monstrous bees that further passed the flame altogether.

Landing……no, the board didn’t touch the ground. It was floating. It was an artifact skyboard.

The person must be really in a hurry. The board got excess momentum that almost carried the person to the opposite lane. The person leaned their body aside until almost touching the ground to brake.

Using the knife that the person held in their hand before anyone realized it as support, sparks scattered from the friction with the road.

Without stopping Yuuka fixed her posture and ran in parallel with Sonobe family’s car. The cards were returning back to Yuuka’s hand *Zrrrrr-* while leaving behind trails of light.

But anyway.

「「Y-Yuuka-nee, so cooooooolll!!!」」

The twins who were seized with terror and tension so great they couldn’t even make a sound until just now, were now leaning forward with sparkling eyes. Their faces were also bright red from shock and excitement.

It must be because of Yuuka’s current appearance too.

Black short pants and tights, along with boots. A black functional jacket with yellow line and ribbon tie attached on the inner. A thin silver knife holder was attached on her thigh, and on her belt was a card holder.

The inner side of her jacket that was flapping from the wind also had multiple darts and black painted daggers set up. There was also a holster equipped under her armpit.

It was a casual military fashion.

It was the newest combat outfit that Hajime had prepared for Yuuka too just in case.

Actually he was thinking about giving it to her during the trip, but Nana and Taeko started an everyday fashion show so he postponed it.

He had gone through the trouble so how about giving it at the last day as a surprise? They could arrange to make her think that it was another outfit prepared by Nana and Taeko, but it’s actually Hajime who made it~. When she was told that, wouldn’t she show an adorable reaction?

That was the idea from Yue and Kaori.

Of course, the cards and the disposable exploding knives were also new artifacts.

The cards were thrown from Yuuka’s hand once more. They surrounding Sonobe family’s car. They lined up orderly to form a cylinder pillar shape and became like a barrier.

The black wolf also lined upfrom behindbeside Yuuka who was running on parallel with the car.

Looking back, the minivans that were turned into mobile lethal weapons had gone. There was also no incident occurring. There was also no minivan giving chase.

The black wolf glanced at Yuuka. Then, it scoffedFuhn.

Its gaze looked like it was saying 「There wouldn’t be any problem even if you don’t come. Rather, you’re stealing my prey」 with a lot of dissatisfaction.

Yuuka-chan’s cheeks were twitching.

「My bad for that! But there’s always the small chance of something bad happening no matter what! I was worried so it can’t be helped isn’t it!」

This time the wolf snortedHahwith its nose.There’s no way even that small chance exist,it felt like it was telling her that.T-this guy……a vein pulsed on Yuuka’s forehead once again but before any complaint could tumble out from her mouth.

「Y-Yuuka, umm, so many things happened that we’re really confused though……」

「Ah, Otou-san, sorry!」

She noticed that she was ignoring them. The car windows were lowered and Hiroyuki and others were showing troubled expressions. Yuuka apologized to them.

「The service area isn’t that far from here. Let’s leave the car there and go to Nagumo house with my gate key. I’ll also go pick up Oji-san and others. Now that it have come to this, I think it’ll be better if everyone take shelter together.」

Even while she was saying that, newcomers came from the sky in front of them. As expected it was the monstrous bees. It seemed there were still more of them somewhere.

「Eh? No, I don’t know why! It must be just the other side having misunderstanding on their own! It’s not like Nagumo think of me, like that……」

Looking closer there was a communicator on her ear. And then, that ear was turning bright red.

The attackers’ zeal, and also the scale of the attack.

It seemed they really wanted to take Sonobe family hostage. They must be thinking that doing so would have quite the effect against Nagumo family. The reason why they had such thought went without saying.

「「Yuuka-nee?」」

The twins looked suspiciously at the strange state of their big sis.

「! A-anyway! Let’s go to the service area, so that we won’t cause anymore damage than this to the surrounding! I’ll protect you all till there!」

After saying that Yuuka sped up right away to the front. The black wolf followed. As though to say that it wouldn’t hand the prey over to her.

Looked from the side, it was a scene of Yuuka moving in high speed on a flying board followed by a black wolf.

The sight was simply cool. The sparkles returned to the twins’ eyes.

Hiroyuki and Yuuri looked at each other.

「Dear……normally this kind of thing shouldn’t be keep out from the open shouldn’t it? I wonder if anyone have videoed her……」

「……In this situation, it’s already not the time to worry about that I guess.」

Naturally, the two adults who couldn’t act as innocently as kids were exchanging words with tense expressions.

But, looking at the imposing back of their daughter.

She was showing trick like in snowboard’s halfpipe competition that drew in their gazes in spite of themselves, while exterminating the enemies left and right using shining knives, cards, darts, chakrams, and even a huge boomerang that she took out from who knew where. Furtehrmore she was also working together with the black wolf so the surrounding wouldn’t be harmed. Looking at her reliable figure,

「Well, it’ll work out somehow」 They felt so and finally managed to let go a bit of the tension in their shoulders.

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The world map was projected on the giant wall monitor. There were also small monitors, dozens of them attached on both sides, showing various information on them.

Before the screens were three long tables lined up with PCs filling the rows. Behind those tables there was another row placed on a floor a meter higher, and even further behind on a step higher place was a single desk.

It was an area that was truly what one would picture when imagining a control room.

The man sitting behind that lone desk was muttering to himself a bit negligently, but with sharpness in his tone that would send shivers to the back of anyone who heard him.

「Good grief. The cover-up we’ve been doing desperately until now is all for nothing in the end.」

He was the head of the department that was at the front line in dealing against Japan’s supernatural phenomenon――Hattori Koutarou.

This was a facility of the popularly called ”response department” (originally it meant responding to the returnees, but it then got revised to the meaning of the above-mentioned not long ago). Its newest and top secret facility.

『Do you really have the time to grumble?』

Projected in one of the six screened monitor on the desk was a woman with a composed expression that reminded one of iron mask――the director of Britain’s security bureau Sharon Magdanese let out her sharp words.

Continuing after her were the people projected in the other screens.

The director of exorcist organization Omnibus, Patrick Dime. The chief of USA’s MCB, Z. The head monk of China’s secret organization ”Shadow Monk”.

The heads of organizations from various countries that could deal with supernatural phenomenon were having a meeting together.

Hattori only shrugged in respond to Sharon’s words without saying anything. He then moved his gaze to the monitors that were lining up the wall at his right.

『Please take a look! What, what in the world is that thing-? A mysterious monster is rampaging!!』

『It’s a fight between monsters!! Am I dreaming right now……』

『I repeat. People who are in the big cities should evacuate to the countryside. Please avoid area with high population density as much as possible! That unknown creature seems to have the disposition of getting attracted to places with a lot of people!』

『No-, no-, I can hear a voice-!! The voice-THE VOICEE!!』

『The government is announcing additional information right now. Please don’t look directly at the unknown creature. I repeat. Please don’t look directly at the unknown creature. There are cases when doing so cause abnormality to the mind. I repeat――』

All were news from other countries.

Magical communication directly from Yue only reached these five. The top brasses of the governments were already informed. Even now this meeting was connected by communication in real-time to the emergency countermeasure conference.

But, there were still few people who were showing up in the remaining monitors inside the meeting room.

Naturally. Not much time had passed since they were informed about the absurd situation until the actual attacks came. Far from responding, no matter which country they hadn’t even started holding a proper strategy conference.

Even so the countries who were able to make official government announcement were without a doubt thanks to these five.

Right now the five were waiting for those people while sharing information.

『We have to thank mister Nagumo later. He’s so thoroughly prepared as though he was aware beforehand that this would happen.』

It was Z who made that statement that had some distrust mixed in.

Right now, they were inside similar looking control rooms. The picture projected in the main monitor was also the same image.

『This demon network is also displeasing.』

Director Dime spoke with a glint that seemed to sayI’m gonna kill you all-in his eyes.

Just as he said, what was projected in the monitors was the distribution map of the dispatched demons. It was a system to project their reports in real-time simultaneously.

From the start the dispatched demons had scattered all over the world. Their objective was to monitor and respond to the ”awakened people” and practitioners and organizations that were lurking in the shadow of history in reaction to the revival of the King Tree.

Up to now it was the dispatched demons or the troops of Hajime who received reports who dealt with those.

However, the international situation had been changing continuously like the cooperative relationship that he had built with Omnibus and MCB. In the world’s present situation where national organization and rule to deal with supernatural phenomenon were getting put in place, Hajime acting arbitrarily in the territory of other country was perhaps not proper anymore because it might negatively affect the sentiments in various countries, their relationship with Japan, and even Hajime’s own effort.

As the result of such opinion getting exchanged, this information sharing system for supernatural phenomenon――alias ”demon network” was created.

『It looks like for now the abyss alone is enough to deal with the so called ”void gods”.』

The old man whose lower face was hidden with a black cloth――the head monk of Shadow Monk spoke with a hoarse voice.

His gaze wasn’t directed toward the monitor. He was looking at the side.

Yes,

『……Nn. The report came. The families of returnees are attacked. The humans are also starting to move.』

It was chibi Yue. Actually there was one on Hattori’s table, and also others beside Director Magdanese and others. With them they were able to learn about the overall situation of the battle in real-time.

The gaze of chibi Yue who had the full grasp of the battle situation was looking at the monitor.

『『『『『FUHAHAHAHAH!! Taste the dark jet black of darkness from mii!! Black Emperor Soul’s Ego Demol(Darkness Anima The Calamity)tt!!』』』』』

Several hundreds lords were launching Ride* Kick from all directions. Black whirling visual effect was covering their legs.

It was a combination of gravity magic and soul magic. The fruit of the tragic human experiment on the hero was also applied to the lord. Even before this he was already a genius of heaven defying level when it came to the ability related to soul magic which was clone.

What happened if such a man got his hand on soul magic?

Creating a clone that could deceive not only that class 0 ”void god”, but even Yue was piece of cake for him now. The clones not only didn’t vanish easily when they were lethally wounded, they could even heal themselves now.

And above all else was the offensive aspect. The might of attack that affected the soul directly was staggering. The enemy tried to defend with soul magic too, but the average barrier got very easily pierced.

『『『『『FUHAHAHAHAH』』』』』

『The laughing voices! The eerie loud laughs are ringing-!! Kyaah, my head is turning nuts-』

His laughing voice too had gotten stronger in their penetrating power, in various meanings. The announcer of the TV program who was watching the relay was holding her head in her wits’ end.

Indeed.

No wonder that the battle got called as ”battle between monsters” or that the lord got called as ”unidentified creature”.

How sad.

The man who was more heroic than anyone else on earth, was apparently being seen as the most incomprehensible and terrifying being on earth right now.

Even though he was cloning himself to protect the people even from building rubbles and glass fragments that crumbled due to the battle’s shockwaves, 「ITTSU MIIIII (It’s me)!! ABYSSGATEE~~!!」 even when he amiably greeted like a certain plumber hero who was loved worldwide, 「KYAAAAH」 in the end people only screamed and ran away.

Such situation was, well, let’s put it aside.

『……Worshippers, occult organizations, brainwashed people, mutated people. It won’t be strange for any kind of being to start moving. Laila will teleport you when necessary to the place that need you. If you hear her voice then jump in without fearing the darkness before you.』

Because at the other side of that darkness, was the battlefield where the opponent you had to fight in order to protect your country was waiting. The five groaned while nodding when Yue told them that.

To be honest, even they still hadn’t fully felt that the situation was real. Something like the end of the world approaching was hard to believe.

But, nobody here had walked a lukewarm path that they would stop still just because of that.

『……Don’t worry, there’re also a lot of reinforcements.』

「A descent festival of mythological beings huh. Haha, the world will really change completely starting from today. The cleanup after this will be awful.」

Hattori cracked jokes but, his hand was pouring in stomach medicines into his stomach without faltering.

It was then the control room suddenly became noisy. Information got projected one after another on the main monitor. Dots all over the world that had various meanings were blinking. It was reports from the dispatched demons that strange phenomenon or accident was occurring.

Furthermore,

『……A contact from Laila just now. It’s just class 4 and lower but……hundreds of such ”void gods” appeared all over the world simultaneously.』

It seemed the enemies were starting to move in earnest.

「Looks like it’s time to work.」

Haa~,a sigh. Hattori swept up his hair into all-back hairstyle. The figure of a weary man who liked clowning around wasn’t there anymore.

The four people at the other side of the monitors were also the same.

Chaos all over the earth had started in full.

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AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.

Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.

Seeing that this is the last arc I also want to write the characters other than the main, but there’s a lot of them so allow me to split it into parts. Please accompany me for a bit more.

Also about the update next week, it feels like there will be a lot of days where I won’t be able to secure writing time, so just in case, allow me to take a break. I’m sorry for the wait but, I hope for everyone’s kind understanding.

※Meme introduction

– A salute of offering heart

From [Attack on Titan].

– Lu-chan and Ma-chan

Sephiroth of [FF7] and Altria of [Fate Zero].

– Exploding knife

If you say that it has appeared since before then that’s true but, I deliberately emphasized it here is because the anime of [Sentenced to be a Hero] is amazing. Originally I got drawn by the title and bought and read the books, but the anime is also quality work so Shirakome is super happy.

– Yuuka’s new outfit

The image model is from UMP45 of 404 platoon from [Girls’ Frontline]. The snowboard trick battle is because Olympic’s snowboard athletes are crazy cool so, I unintentionally…

– Yuuka going ahead and the black wolf running along

The scene in [Jurassic World] where the main character ran alongside the raptors on bike is the original material. I think that scene is the coolest.

– ITSU MII!

From Mario of [Super Mario].