Ch.96Chapter 96. The Seven Holy Knights (6)

Chapter 96. Seven Paladins (6)

The Dina Special Forces and we moved to the village.

“It’s the Paladins!”

“They’ve come to save us!”

“Idiot! Lord Malak called them here!”

The residents of Martuva welcomed the Dina Special Forces enthusiastically. Somehow they seem to like them even more than when we first arrived.

Indeed, are Paladins the idols of civilized people and humanity’s last pride?

If this were an isekai story, they’d be in the hero position.

“Will all these people go to the Tribal Federation after the sea monster subjugation is complete?”

Dina, who came over to me after receiving the villagers’ welcome, asked.

It seemed like she was asking if these people were worth saving.

– They are now my believers.

Of course they’re worth saving.

It’s not because I’m overflowing with love for humanity or because I’m intoxicated with the job of being a god.

As the number of believers increases, points get duplicated. Saving people and earning points.

This is completely killing two birds with one stone.

– All believers shall be under protection.

And… I think it’s right to save them if possible. I’m not trying to talk about justice, morality, or beliefs.

I just feel uncomfortable otherwise. If conditions don’t allow it, that’s one thing, but abandoning people when there’s a chance to try seems wrong.

I’m sure someday I’d regret it thinking ‘I should have done something.’ And my mental health would deteriorate too.

Rather than wearing down my humanity until it’s gone, it’s better to live as someone who gains small benefits and occasionally takes losses.

“…Do you intend to rebuild this world?”

Dina glanced at the crops that had grown strong with the Storm God’s power. She must have heard the villagers whispering “Lord Malak did it” earlier.

– I promised my believers victory and glory. I will do so.

Rebuilding, huh. Honestly, I haven’t thought that far. With demon subjugation keeping us busy, who has time to think about rebuilding?

If I end up staying here after clearing the game, helping with or watching the rebuilding might be fun too.

– …

Fighting hard to defeat the Demon Lord, then looking back at the world I saved with satisfaction.

Ah, what a romantic ending that would be.

At least all the isekai hero stories I’ve seen had such endings.

There were works where the hero was betrayed and killed or shared the same fate as the Demon Lord, but I never liked those endings since I was young.

Living on, even if pathetically, is better than dying magnificently and meaningfully. I think a forced happy ending is better than a plausible bad ending.

You can at least give that small happiness to a hero who has worked so hard.

“As your guardian says, you might truly be someone the world needs.”

Dina smirked, then left saying she was tired and needed some rest.

Someone the world truly needs… it’s scary that I no longer cringe at such words.

After everyone found their accommodations, had dinner, and rested, time flew by. It’s already evening.

The sea monster subjugation team gathered around a lantern to plan their next steps.

Lakye, Hanna, Dina, Gukbap, Jackson, and the Bella sisters – seven people surrounding the lantern. How should I put it? They look like an adventurer party.

If it were a campfire instead of a lantern, it would have felt more like an adventurer party, but we can’t light fires because of the sea monsters.

“When did you arrive in Martuva, Lady Dina?”

Hanna started with a question. She seems calm now, perhaps having grown accustomed to the situation.

“Last night.”

“You seemed to be wandering around Martuva. Did you see the sea monsters’ base?”

“No. Everyone was tired from marching, so I was exploring the city alone.”

“And that’s when you encountered us.”

Dina nodded.

“NotACatfish… do you know where their base is?”

The question came from Jackson. It feels a bit awkward hearing Westerners from the medieval era saying “NotACatfish.”

No wonder everyone has such uncomfortable expressions.

Earlier, Lakye also asked me what NotACatfish meant.

‘So NotACatfish… is what you call a man pretending to be a woman? What is a cross-dresser…?’

‘What? Then that Paladin is not a woman but a man? How with that body…’

‘I’m even more confused. Why would a woman call herself a man dressed as a woman?’

I gave up trying to explain. I never realized how difficult it would be to make barbarians understand the concept of catfishing.

It must be as difficult as explaining vegetarianism to Mongol Empire warriors.

“Yes. They’ve set up their base near the harbor.”

“How many are there?”

“Over 200. It’s easier to think of them all as warriors.”

Hanna added that they were all carrying weapons.

“200… that won’t be easy.”

“The ones we fought in Quinton were each as strong as lower demons. Their leader was strong enough to rival a mid-level demon.”

Jackson sighed, and Dina stared at the lantern with thoughtful eyes.

– Asha is a divine avatar. An avatar is one who shares a god’s power. She will have power exceeding that of a mid-level demon.

I had already mentioned that our opponents serve another Loa who opposes me, and their leader is called Asha.

I didn’t say things like ‘I’m different from the bad Loas’ or ‘I’ll prove I’m not a bad Loa,’ but everyone seemed to vaguely understand.

The fact that I’m the only Loa friendly to civilized people and possessors.

“…We should assume this Asha is a high-level demon.”

Dina’s sculptured face hardened. Her expression conveyed a leader’s responsibility and anguish.

“It might be difficult with just the seven of us.”

– Fear not. I am with you.

Hey now. Seven? I’m here too.

I lightly rebuked Dina for her weak words.

I can make ordinary soldiers as strong as lower demons. I can cast area debuffs to hinder enemy movements, and continuously heal allies.

If the battle drags on, I can even increase our numbers by controlling zombies.

“I heard you fought the cloud demon and survived. Is there anything to fear?”

Lakye spoke confidently, being the owner of the hidden piece, the Meteor Sword. With the isekai’s rose blade, the Meteor Sword, he could probably cut through Asha’s shell.

“That’s right. We’ve fought the cloud demon, so what’s a crustacean monster to us?”

Gukbap laughed.

“I really thought we were going to die.”

“If it weren’t for Sister Dina, we’d all be dead.”

“My legs wouldn’t move at all.”

Jackson and the Bella sisters each added a comment. Strong camaraderie was evident in their gazes.

“…You’re right.”

Dina’s hardened face softened slightly.

Ah, the warm atmosphere is nice and all, but…

‘Lord Malak, please respond. The maiden Asha is desperately searching for you.’

‘Is my prayer truly not reaching you? Has something happened to you? Something that makes it difficult to receive prayers?’

‘My beloved, please answer me.’

Meanwhile, Asha keeps sending spam messages (voice). This yandere spam is worse than romance scams.

I tried to ignore it and focus on the conversation again, but then something happened at the Tribal Federation.

‘Lord Malak, it’s Priestess Paya!’

Several soldier demons have infiltrated the nearest village of Symphonia under cover of night.

Sigh. Being this busy makes me think being a god isn’t all that great.

After saying I needed to step away briefly, I transferred my consciousness to Totem #2. Totem #2 was in Paya’s arms as she rode on Tuntuni’s back through the sky.

“Over there!”

I checked where Paya was pointing. Six soldier demons were gathered, drawing something like a magic circle.

Judging by its nearly complete form, it would be finished soon.

This is an emergency.

– Where are the warriors?

“They’re on their way.”

– How long will it take?

“…At least 7 minutes, I think.”

No good. Too slow.

– We’ll handle this.

Five should be manageable.

“Yes!”

Squeak-!

Tuntuni made a sound as if understanding. Didn’t Beatrice say something about ‘the fundamental power forming a spirit becoming concentrated in one entity’?

True to those words, Tuntuni was growing stronger by the day.

I’m starting to think the evolving monster might be Tuntuni rather than Atomic Rex.

“Let’s go!”

At Paya’s command, Tuntuni descended rapidly. The strong wind made Paya’s hair and clothes flutter.

Arriving above the soldier demons, Tuntuni breathed fire.

Whoosh!

Not a fireball like before, but a fire breath.

The soldier demons engulfed in flames rolled on the ground. Those who escaped the breath charged forward but were torn apart by Tuntuni’s sharp claws.

– One remains.

I pointed out the soldier demon still scribbling on the magic circle.

Tuntuni spread his wings wide and flapped them. Blade-like feathers showered down.

Woo-woo…!

The last soldier demon fell, turned into a porcupine.

“We won! Well done! Tuntuni is the best!”

Paya smiled brightly while stroking Tuntuni’s head.

– Good job.

I didn’t know he had become this strong. I’d say Tuntuni is now equivalent to a level 5-6 Paladin?

Anyway, the midnight disturbance ended easily.

“Let’s do that.”

“Let’s start in earnest tomorrow.”

When I returned, the conversation had already ended.

…Lakye will explain it well, right?