393 Death Mage V13 Side Chapter 53

Side Chapter 53
God of Death


The governments of various countries in the world of Origin were thrown into chaos. The extent of this was even greater for the countries that were supposed to lead the world as first-world nations.

At the top of them all was the United States.

"Why can't we get in touch with the President!? The military has sent fighter jets into the airspace of other countries without permission, and they have supplied equipment to the members of the ‘Bravers’ at the United States military bases in Japan without authorization! And there is an unidentified monster flying in the sky! Diplomatic problems have already arisen!"

The Vice President, frustrated by the absence of the President, was dealing with the emergency situation in a command room filled with numerous crystal panels and monitors.

"The President is currently visiting the Northern Europe Federation. We are trying to establish contact through the embassy, but there has been no response."

"The Air Force's General Fortland and Chief Counselor of the Ministry of Magic George, have been found dead! It appears they were killed by someone!"

"The head of the intelligence department has disappeared, and is believed to have already fled the country. Their headquarters has been bombed, but the magic investigation team is working on recovering the data from the memory devices found!"

"The monster seems to be using Johnny Yamaoka of ‘Balor’s cash card for shopping. Do you want us to freeze the account? It seems that a substantial amount of cash has already been withdrawn."

The reports brought to the Vice President were filled with nothing but bad news... although the last one didn't matter as much to the Vice President personally.

"Those traitors! What about the Bravers!? Can’t you get in touch with Mr Rokudou!?"

"Well... it seems he’s ignoring our communications."

"God damn it! Is he involved too?"

Rokudou did not underestimate the United States, which was one of the superpowers on Origin. He had established allies within the intelligence agencies, information departments, the military, and the Ministry of Magic, allowing him to paralyze the nation’s function at any time.

He was able to do so by using the bait of unaging immortality, offering his collaborators eternal life once his plans were realized.

"... We are unable to establish contact with the presidents of the European Union as well. There seem to be emergencies occurring in the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Thanks to that, no countries have protested our nation's scandals yet."

"The exceptions are the Northern Europe Federation and the Republic of China. Their blunt way of doing things makes me doubt if they’re deliberately misleading us."

The Vice President had deduced that the mastermind behind this world-scale operation was either Rokudou of the ‘Bravers’, the Northern Europe Federation, or the Republic of China. Furthermore, he found it suspicious that he couldn't contact the Northern Europe Federation, despite the President of the United States being there.

However, that didn't mean they could directly attack the Northern Europe Federation. Such an action would lead to a full-scale war.

"Even though this is what the intelligence agencies are for... What are they intending to do? Are they trying to start a world war? Do they want to destroy the world?"

On Origin, unlike on Earth, there had only been one world war. It occurred after the Industrial Revolution, triggered by the invention of the steam engine and the industrial use of magic. The First World War, which utilized magic items on a large scale for the first time, caused much more damage than anticipated.

As a result of the exposure to abnormal amounts of mana, in the regions centered around the battlefield, abnormal weather had persisted for decades, and mutated animals; magical beasts began to appear at a high frequency. The damage caused by this was immense... Not only for the defeated nations, but also for the victorious nations, they lost more than what they gained when considering the post-war reconstruction and international economy. Even the United States, which had no battlefields within its territory, was unable to collect reparations because some of the defeated nations had completely collapsed and abolished.

Since then, nations have been avoiding large-scale wars. Proxy wars and local wars between major powers in colonies did occur, but they were kept to a minimum.

However, the progress of weapons didn’t stop, and the use of magic continued. Military golems, now referred to as humanoid tanks, powered suits that assisted soldiers with magic, and cursed-type target-tracking missiles controlled by magic were invented.

If such highly developed military magic items clashed, the extent of the disaster that would occur would be unimaginable. Some scholars even argued that if humanity were to be wiped out, it would not be due to war itself, but the mana disasters caused by war.

(However, rather than our country becoming a defeated nation without fighting... Wouldn’t it be better...!)

Victory stained with fresh blood would be far better than sitting idly by and becoming a defeated nation. The Vice President thought so initially, but he quickly dismissed that idea.

“What about the media? If we can't rely on the intelligence agencies, can't we use their information network?”

"Well... A major media outlet just released an article condemning our country's scandals five minutes ago. We suspected an information leak and began an investigation, but it turns out that the article was sent from overseas. Most likely from the Northern Europe Federation..."

"What the hell is going on... Even the media is betraying our country?"

"Vice President! The restoration of the information media left by the intelligence department is complete! According to it, the mastermind behind all this is indeed Rokudou Hijiri of ‘Avalon’! He has been conducting research on death-attribute magic, and seems to be targeting the daughter of the leader of the Bravers Amemiya Hiroto, who is a real death-attribute mage!"

At that moment, the representative of the surviving investigative agency rushed in and reported this.

"I see. So the presidents betrayed us for the sake of the death attribute. And if they sold out the country, it must be for their personal gain... Mr. Rokudou probably tempted them with the reward of unaging immortality."

Unaging immortality. It had been a dream of humanity ever since the existence of death-attribute magic became known, whispered as something that might be achievable.

However, in the recorded experiments using 'Undead’, they could only delay the time until death at best. Even Pluto of 'The 8th Guidance' could only save those with limited life expectancy from severe illness, but she couldn't grant them eternal life who were nearing the end of their natural lifespan.

However, if the research continued, it might become possible. And Rokudou made that possibility a reality.

So the presidents of various countries believed, and thus they sold out their country to him.

"Rokudou, you decided to team up with the Northern Europe Federation instead of our country... Have you judged that conducting secret research is difficult in our democratic nation?"

At this stage, it was within Rokudou’s expectation that his true identity and base of operations would be revealed. He understood even before he initiated his plans that with such flashy actions, it was impossible to not be noticed.

What he didn't anticipate was that, at this stage, he had yet to achieve any of his objectives. Well, he had successfully scattered the majority of the Bravers, plunging various countries into chaos and blocking their movements.

However, the crucial task of obtaining Amemiya Mei and eliminating the troublesome reincarnators who could pose a threat have not been achieved. On the contrary, Mei had escaped and those troublesome reincarnators were beginning to gather.

Originally, by the time the United States realized it, Rokudou's victory should have already been assured.

"In that case, we must secure Amemiya Mei. It is crucial for the survival and continued dominance of the United States! Is it possible to achieve that with the remaining forces we have now before the Northern Europe Federation and Rokudou get their hands on her?"

"Unfortunately, I think it would be difficult. The target... is protected by a monster."

"What... So, does that mean the rantings of 'The 8th Guidance' believers circulating on the internet about that monster was partly true?"

On the internet, those who regard ‘The 8th Guidance’ as sacred were claiming that the monster that appeared was not a remnant of ‘The 8th Guidance’, but as a god-like being that will bring ‘The 8th Guidance’ to humanity.

"If Amemiya Mei is a death-attribute mage and the monster is a result of her magic, then it would be difficult for our military power. Moreover, she has already joined forces with Amemiya Narumi of ‘Angel’ and Amemiya Hiroto of ‘Braver’."

"Vice President, perhaps we should leave it to them for now. The fact that Amemiya-san is heading towards the Northern Europe Federation indicates his intention to take responsibility as the leader of the organization and resolve the situation. Shouldn't we focus on the aftermath and plan our actions accordingly?"

If Amemiya can deal with Rokudou, Northern Europe Federation, and the nations’ traitors, the world will usher in a time of change. The Northern Europe Federation will be dissolved, and those who betrayed their countries enticed by unaging immortality will be arrested and punished. The leaders of the world will be replaced.

At that time, the United States can swiftly recover from the chaos, take a leading role in the post-processing of the aftermath, secure the research data on death-attribute magic left behind by Rokudou, and ensure the safety of Amemiya Mei.

On the surface, it will be treated as "protection," and in reality, it will be genuine protection. They will create an environment where she can live comfortably, shielded from the hands of other countries, and arrange for her parents, Amemiya Narumi and Amemiya Hiroto, to visit freely and live together with her if they wish.

A luxurious haven will be created for her.

She deserves such treatment. Partly because the United States lacks the power to imprison her. Against that monster, existing weapons would be transformed into scraps in a matter of minutes.

It's not just combat power, but also the ability to fly through the sky that makes it impossible to handle. To have her under their control, there is no choice but to be gentle and appease her.

That's what the representative of the investigative agency advised the Vice President. Originally, he didn't hold a position to voice opinions on national policy, but since the individuals who should have been in that position had either betrayed the country or been assassinated, no one would blame him for expressing his opinion.

"No, fire missiles at the monster. Eliminate Amemiya Mei."

However, it seems the Vice President offered a different solution.

"What!? Are you serious, Vice President!? If we do something like that..."

"I see, ‘Echo’ is also with them. In that case, have a fighter jet equipped with missiles approach and detonate the missiles nearby. The fighter jet can be on autopilot... or rather, let an unaware pilot become a sacrifice. Make sure the missile launch and detonation can be controlled remotely from a long distance. Of course, use a fighter jet and a pilot currently engaged in operations on an aircraft carrier, not an airbase where the enemy may have infiltrated."

The reflection ability of ‘Echo’ reflects bullets back to the shooter, regardless of the distance. Missiles are no exception.

However, it was believed by the United States military that the heat from a missile detonated nearby cannot be reflected. Even if ‘Echo’ could reflect the heat, this method would not cause damage to the United States base.

And it shouldn't be able to reflect the heat that the passenger is exposed to.

"Vice President, are you out of your mind!? That would mean losing a valuable death-attribute mage... not to mention turning Amemiya Hiroto into our enemy! He's also a monster that doesn't fit into the confines of an individual!"

Amemiya Hiroto's ‘Ignore Defense’ has been causing problems for those involved in national security from various countries. After all, it completely ignores defensive power. If he starts firing a machine gun, bulletproof vests worn by soldiers or the armor of tanks will be riddled with holes, as fragile as paper.

The only means of counterattack are to dodge, deflect the bullets instead of defending against them, or flee beyond the range of the gun. But it's clear that all of these options are difficult. Ordinary soldiers and weapons are incapable of dodging bullets, shooting them down with their own guns, or outrunning them.

If he were to use an offensive magic with the utilization of all attributes together with ‘Multi-Cast’ (excluding the death-attribute and the time-attribute that doesn't exist in Origin), it would truly become unimaginable.

In that case, the only option would be to bomb him from high above using fighter jets. ... Previously, when it was done by the air force of a military dictatorship in Africa, it was said that he had quite a hard time, but he managed to shoot them down without sustaining serious injuries.

If they were to turn both the monster parent and his child into enemies at the same time, the United States would be dismantled before the Northern Europe Federation.

In response to his outcry, the Vice President answered with eyes filled with the dangerous gleam of a cornered individual.

"It is not acceptable for countries other than ours to lead the world. As long as that possibility exists, we cannot let them live! Even if it means our country's downfall, without winners, there are no losers!"

At that moment, a general from the army appeared in the operation command room with his subordinates. In his hand, he held a book containing the United States Constitution, which the Vice President would use to take an oath and assume the office of the President in the event he is unable to fulfill his duties.

"I have listened to your discussion, but first, I need you to take the oath. The President is the supreme commander of our country's military."

"Very well, let's finish this right away."

In response to the General's request, the Vice President raised his hand to begin the oath.

"I――habyuracchikavueh!?"

(Note: The author is very creative. (Raws: 私――ハビャラッチカヴェ!?))

Then, in the middle of the oath, the general grabbed his head. In an instant, a sound of something bursting, a burning smell, and a strange scream filled the air as the Vice President collapsed.

"Ge... General!? What did you do to the Vice President!?"

Reflexively, the representative of the investigative agency drew his gun, as did the security guards. However, they found themselves facing the barrels of General's subordinates' guns.

"What do you mean by this, general!?"

"It's a coup d'état, director. From this moment on, I, Sergei Dallant, will assume the presidency of the United States. And rest assured, the former Vice President is still alive. This magic allows me to safely incapacitate someone's consciousness. It’s more effective than a stun gun."

Upon hearing Sergei Dallant's proclamation of a coup d'état, everyone except him and his subordinates was sent into an uproar. They couldn't believe that he may possibly be in league with Rokudou, and they stared at him with shock.

Having completed the oath in front of everyone in the operation command room, President Sergei Dallant gave his orders.

"Disregard the instructions given by the former Vice President. It seems he is tired, so throw him into a cell and let him rest properly. Also, withdraw all embassy personnel, including the ambassador, in case something happens in the Northern Europe Federation. The military will remain on standby, and we will leave the monster and Amemiya-san alone. There's nothing we can do."

"...Huh? Isn't that the same as doing nothing?"

"That's right, director. We'll adopt your proposal."

"Wait a minute, I'm not the director..."

"No, from now on, you are the director of the investigative agency. Any objections?"

The man who had become the de facto head of the investigative agency due to the betrayal or assassination of those above him momentarily widened his eyes at Sergei's words, but quickly responded with a salute.

"No! I will dedicate myself to my duties, President Sergei Dallant!"

"Very well... We shall carry the silver coins and head to the river."

Sergei Dallant... Before assuming the role of general, he was a hidden believer of 'The 8th Guidance,' having saved his son by Pluto and the others from a hereditary disease that had afflicted him since birth.

Unable to do anything during the deaths of 'The 8th Guidance' a few years ago, he had gathered power within the military and loyal subordinates, waiting for this very moment.

“ "We shall carry the silver coins and head to the river." ”

It is said that in order to cross the river that separates life and death that flows through the realm of the underworld, one must offer silver coins.

From that point on, recent believers of 'The 8th Guidance' had revered the silver coins as symbols of their faith. They used those silver coins to initiate the coup d'état.

It was done to become the power of the 'God' and the 'Saintess’ they had encountered in their dreams.

Sergei's coup d'état went smoothly because the key figures who should have opposed him were absent, and those who remained in the government considered the Vice President, who should have assumed the presidency, to be a dangerous individual.





"Rokudou's headquarters is located underground in the mountains between the border of Northern Europe Federation and the Republic of China. The specific location is..."

Shihouin Mari of ‘Metamorph’ marked a spot on the map she had spread out. It seems that Rokudou uses military bases in the Northern Europe Federation and mines in the Republic of China as entry points, utilizing the underground as his base of operations.

"When 'The 8th Guidance' existed, he conducted research underground in United States' air force bases to avoid being attacked. But after the bases were destroyed, he moved it to the Northern Europe Federation and the Republic of China. Recently, he has been primarily conducting research near the border with the Northern Europe Federation while using the Republic of China as a decoy in case his research was discovered."

"...It aligns with Rokudou's actions. He has been holding talks and negotiations with the Republic of China as part of the ‘Bravers’ in recent years. Did he stop by the Northern Europe Federation during that time and switch places with you?"

"It is as you said."

Mari, who had reunited with Banda, finally revealed the location of Rokudou's headquarters.

"He originally planned to build it underground in either the Northern Europe Federation or the Republic of China... but it seemed like the country not chosen might betray him, so he ended up constructing it underground near the border."

"Even though they're neighbors?" asked Mei.

"That’s right, Mama. Even with neighbors, not everyone gets along."

Mari's words were listened to in a normal manner by Hiroshi and Mei.

"...Um, Mari? Calling Mei 'Mama'... Your mother passed away a long time ago, didn't she?"

"That's right, Narumi. Is it okay if I call you Narumi? It's hard to tell which member of the family I am referring to when I say Amemiya."

"I don't mind, but...?"

"Thank you. Well then, let's continue the discussion."

Narumi, confused by Mei being called "Mama" by Mari, tried to ask her about it, but it seemed that Mari had no intention of spending much time answering her. On the contrary, Mari showed a bewildered attitude, wondering why Narumi was concerned about such an obvious thing, and made it clear through her attitude that now’s not the right time to discuss it.

Narumi’s husband and Iwao place their hands on her shoulder and shake their heads, as if telling her to give up. Before joining them, they also heard the story, but it didn’t make sense to them at all.

"Nii-chan! Mei has become a Mama!" exclaimed Mei happily.

"Uh, uhn, that's amazing, Mei... So, does that mean I'm her uncle?" remarked Hiroshi.

"In the dream, it seemed like Meh-kun just got attached to her…” said Banda.

In fact, Banda and the others were also confused. Joseph and Ulrika understood that she was maintaining her mental stability in that way and tried not to irritate her.

"Now, what should we do from now on?"

"It should be obvious. We will go and defeat Rokudou and the traitors..."

"Derrick, it's not about that... It's about what 'we' should do, not just you guys."

When Banda said that, Amemiya Hiroto and Narumi were taken aback.

"For me, I don't have an obligation to take care of Rokudou and the traitors. That's the job of the ‘Bravers’, the police, and the military. Now that we have joined forces with Mari and the others, as long as I can ensure Mei's safety and happiness, everything else comes second."

It's true that it would be better to kill Rokudou and his subordinate reincarnators, shatter their souls, or crush their spirits to the point where they won't become enemies even after reincarnation. However, for Banda to do that, he would have to take Mei with him and cooperate with the Bravers.

This is because with only Banda and Mei, they cannot nullify the fortunes that protect the Reincarnators. Although it might be possible to corner them into a situation where no fortune can save them, as with the previous reincarnators... Banda is only a clone of Vandalieu, and moreover, protecting Mei at the same time leaves doubts and uncertainties.

...He would like to consider infiltrating the main body into Origin and launching a surprise attack on Rokudou and his subordinates, but that would be as a last resort because there are still many uncertainties involved. If something goes wrong with the preparations made for Mei and the others, it would all be meaningless.

"What do you want to do, Meh-kun?"

"You’re called Banda, right? As for me, I don't want to put Mei in danger. Certainly, that goes for Hiroshi too. But I believe it's my responsibility to stop Rokudou."

"That's only natural, in many ways."

Banda agreed with the words of Amemiya Hiroto, who interjected. If the Bravers didn't make efforts to resolve this major incident with Rokudou as the mastermind, their organization's future would be ruined. They would be condemned as an organization that brought destruction and chaos to the world, and Amemiya and the others would be treated as criminals.

"That's why I want to ask you for your help. I'm not asking you to fight against Rokudou. I want you to protect Mei and the others in a safe place. There is no place safer for them in the current world than by your side."

"That's what your father is saying, but what do you want to do, Meh-kun?"

"Defeat the bad Oji-san! Let's go beat him up!"

"Well then, let's go and defeat the bad Rokudou-ojisan."

While he didn't want to directly join the fight between Amemiya and Rokudou, Banda wanted to keep his distance and observe the situation, and if possible, provide support to Amemiya. It would be troublesome if Rokudou defeated Amemiya, and if possible, Banda wanted to shatter his soul.

For that to happen, they needed to go together.

"Also, we're going to help Mari-chan's friends!"

"My friends? Mama, are you talking about the experimental subjects like me?"

"Indeed, there should be other experimental subjects in his research facility besides us..."

And there should be other experimental subjects that Mei hasn't met in her dreams yet at Rokudou's headquarters, as well as people who have been abducted to be used as test subjects. Mei seemed to insist on helping them.

"Yes, let's do that, Meh-kun. Well, that’s what I was planning to do from the beginning."

Mari and Bokor are not the only experimental subjects that Banda and Mei have encountered in their dreams so far. There are many others, dozens of them. Ignoring them would go against Banda……Vandalieu’s moral code and religious beliefs.

"I don't know if you have a reason to listen to me... No, if you have a reason to listen to my request. While talking, I became convinced that you have a completely different personality towards Mei. It doesn't matter where you are, but please protect the children."

Amemiya understood that Banda understood his instructions, and he nodded in response. Banda thought it would be educationally wrong to blatantly ignore their father in front of Mei and Hiroshi.

"That goes without saying. I'll do everything I can."

"Wait... There's something I want to talk to you about. Something that the children shouldn't hear."

Suddenly, Narumi spoke with a troubled expression.

"I see... I understand,” said Banda.

Amemiya Hiroto agreed, but Narumi must still have some concerns about leaving the children in the care of an unknown strange creature. If she suspected that the creature was not the result of Mei's magic or abilities and had a separate personality, it would be even more concerning.

"Bokor, Gabriel, Yuki Joro, I'll leave Meh-kun to you all for a bit. Ah, I'll extend my antennae, so please communicate through that."

Thinking that he had guessed her inner thoughts, Banda extended two antennas from his head like ropes and moved away from Mei.

"Banda? Nyoro nyoro~"

"Mei, Banda has something to talk about with Kaa-san and the others, so don't try to wrap around his antennas... I mean, nyoro nyoro."

"Oh, the way he twirls those antennas... how divine!"

"Banda! This Boko Ball seems to be a no-go!"

"It's alright, Hiroshi-sama. We are all at the same level as him. You are the only one we can rely on. Well, it's Bokor."

"Are you kidding me?! Even Ulrika-obasan can be relied on in times of need!"

"Wah, am I unexpectedly reliable?"

"...Ulrika, you've become quite positive."

Amidst the lively commotion that Mei and the others were having, leaving a distance of about thirty meters, Banda and the Amemiya couple, and Derrick and Iwao, began their conversation.

"Banda, your true identity is the 'Undead’, right?"

"Yes, my true identity is... Hmm? Was that the codename given to me? I haven't been called that much, so I'm not really aware of it."

Banda had been thinking how much of his true identity he should reveal, but it seemed that Narumi had guessed his true identity to some extent.

"I thought so... After all, you’re the only person I could think of when it comes to someone who can teach death-attribute magic to Mei.”

Apparently, Narumi believed that besides ‘Undead’, who was the only fully-fledged death-attribute mage, there was no one else who could teach death-attribute magic before Mei and Mari learned it.

In reality, when he was under the control of researchers, 'Undead' at that time didn't have a particularly high level of skill in death-attribute magic.

(Well, if that makes her satisfied with my true identity, it's convenient... I suppose?)

Banda thought that the Amemiya couple would be greatly shocked if they learned that Banda's true identity was that of Vandelieu, a reincarnator like themselves, who was in fact Amamiya Hiroto.

Banda has been consciously trying to not know how the Amemiya couple came to be lovers and got married... but just the fact that their son's name is Hiroshi would complicate matters if the truth were to be revealed.

Ultimately, Banda planned to make them understand the existence of a third reincarnation and negotiate so that even after they reincarnate, they wouldn't become enemies. However, it would be better if there was no mental disturbance before the final decisive battle with Rokudou.

"I don't understand why you would protect both Hiroshi and Mei, but... I'm sorry. We couldn't help Pluto, the person we were supposed to save. We couldn't even notice the tragedy that Rokudou caused... the same tragedy that happened to them. I'm truly sorry, and thank y-"

"Ah, it's fine. I accept your apology, and that sentiment is enough for me. So please don't lower your head any further," Banda replied.

As Banda….Vandalieu, he didn't have high expectations for the ‘Bravers’, including their involvement with Pluto and the others.

Moreover, Pluto and the others don't hold any grudges or even much interest towards the ‘Bravers’. If the ‘Bravers’ don't involve themselves with them, they would simply ignore them like a roadside stone.

For Vandalieu as well, he wants to avoid a situation where Hiroshi and Mei develop a strained relationship with their parents due to his past. So, as long as he accepts the apology and let it go like water under the bridge, it would be for the best.

In any case, the ‘Bravers’ will be busily occupied with intense tasks in this world after this whole ordeal, so even if Banda doesn’t deliberately pressure them, they will receive sufficient retribution.

"Wait, if you're the ‘Undead’, does that mean you're Amamiya Hiroto? A reincarnator like u—"

“Please shut up.”

However, as Amemiya was about to blurt out the unnecessary truth, he was abruptly silenced as Banda spat a mass of mucus onto his face, sealing his mouth.

"Mmmph!?"

Amemiya, who was caught off guard and his head was enveloped in the mucus, fell to the ground.

"Amemiya!? A… Are you okay?! What were you saying just now... Amamiya? I remember Narumi mentioning something befo... Uaaahhh!?"

As Iwao rushed to Amemiya's side, Banda swiftly extended a tentacle at lightning speed and wrapped it around Iwao's moving body, silencing him as well.

"I told you to shut up... Derrick, Narumi, how about you guys? Would you prefer being silenced with mucus, tentacles, or a tongue?"

Narumi, who was unable to react as she was taken aback by the sudden action, and Derrick, who didn’t move as he heeded the warning signaled by his survival instinct, vigorously shook their heads in response.

"Fair enough. Let's leave the matter of my true identity for later. There may be things that you find unsatisfactory or questions you have, but we can address them later. Sounds good? I am an ally to Meh-kun, Hiroshi, Ulrika, Joseph, Mari, and Bokor. So I’m helping you all simply because Meh-kun’s friends are my friends. There is no ulterior motive, hidden agenda or anything like that. Do you understand?" Banda explained.

"I understand. I will explain the same to the other members of the ‘Bravers’... but I would like to hear more later," Amemiya Hiroto, who had managed to remove the mucus and escaped the risk of suffocation, nodded with a pale face. The policy of the ‘Bravers’ towards Banda had been decided.





At Rokudou's headquarters, preparations were underway to intercept the ‘Bravers’.

Tanks, military golems, heavily armed soldiers, and experimental subjects... They were all in place.

"Kukuku, we can finally go on a rampage."

"In Africa, we couldn't do anything in the end."

The subjects used for Rokudou's death-attribute magic experiments were not just orphans and kidnapped individuals; even death row inmates from the Northern Europe Federation and Republic of China were extensively used.

The ones stationed in Africa were these heinous criminals.

"I'll melt their pretty faces into a gooey mess with my own hands. Kukuku, I prefer killing kids in front of their parents, but if I can't get my hands on them, there's nothing I can do. Occasionally, I'll rot the parents into a gooey mess right in front of the kids' eyes!"

"Who do you think you are? ‘Bravers’ won't let scum like you do as you please. Just be careful not to enter the firing range of my guns that are enhanced with ‘Bloodshed Enhancement’."

By becoming users of limited death-attribute magic, they acquired the ability to decompose anything they touched, and the ability to enhance the killing power of the weapons they hold.

"You guys are annoying. Should I turn you into my dolls?"

In addition to the two, there were three women among the experimental subjects who could possess the bodies of others using ‘Possession’. They were considered the leaders among the experimental subjects here.

"But I wonder if they’re coming to this place? There are only those who haven't become experimental subjects deep inside, you know?"

"That's exactly why the boss knows they’ll come. There's no way Hero-sama would ignore the victims. If you understand, act like an adult and prepare yourselves.”

However, the experimental subjects were nothing more than guinea pigs. They were treated as combat assets, but not as human beings.

They were in a position where they were forced to follow the orders of soldiers and mercenaries from the Northern Europe Federation and Republic of China.

"If you defy us, the bombs in your heads will detonate. All that is needed is for me to chant a spell, or for my partner to operate the remote control――"

Before finishing his sentence, countless bullet holes appeared in the soldier's body.

A man who possessed ‘Bloodshed Enhancement’ had pulled the trigger.

"You!? Are you betraying us!?"

The soldier next to him activated the remote control, detonating the bomb implanted in the man's brain.

"Use me!"

"Sure thing!"

However, as the bomb destroyed the man's brain, the woman with the ‘Possession’ Ability took over his body. She forcefully kept his heart, which should have stopped due to the brain's destruction, beating and continued firing while still breathing.

"Gyaah!?"

"You traitors!"

The soldier holding the remote control fell down, and the man with ‘Decomposition’ laughed gleefully.

"This is perfect! I've been wanting to rot the face of a beautiful woman like you!"

The man with ‘Decomposition’ extended his arm towards the woman with ‘Possession’, who collapsed and couldn’t move, instead of the man with ‘Bloodshed Enhancement’. He knew that when she used ‘Possession’, her own body would become defenseless, a weakness he could exploit.

If the main body was targeted, the woman controlling the man with ‘Bloodshed Enhancement’ couldn't shoot herself due to overlapping lines of fire. She would prioritize protecting her own body, leaving herself vulnerable. Taking advantage of that opportunity, he would disarm her and shoot through the hearts of both of them. No matter how skilled the woman with ‘Possession’ was, she wouldn't survive with bullet holes in both the body she possessed and the main body.

The man with ‘Decomposition’ calmly calculated all of this beneath his sadistic smile.

Normally, his calculations would be correct. However, he was a serial killer who couldn't understand the pain of others. Because he couldn't understand the pain of others, he couldn't comprehend them. And because he couldn't comprehend them, he could only anticipate their actions within the limited scope of his own imagination.

His world was closed off to him alone, and he had no understanding of the other experimental subjects in the nearby cells or the two who had participated in the same experiments.

That's why the man with ‘Decomposition’ couldn't foresee that the woman possessing the man with ‘Bloodshed Enhancement’ would shoot without any hesitation.

"Ugh!?"

Before the man with ‘Decomposition’ could touch the woman's face, holes appeared in the back of his head and his back.

“ "If you're afraid of dying, then you shouldn't have done something like this in the first place." ”

The two replied in unison, and after ensuring that there were no other survivors, they started walking. It was to protect their comrades.

“ "Yeah, aren't I lucky? Just by killing a man, I can go to the country of the gods." ”

Both of them said that as they collected assault rifles and spare ammunition from the soldiers. In their ears, they heard the distant sound of an explosion.

It seemed that the hero had arrived.

"But that's not important... Is God coming with us? It would be nice if I could meet up with Bokor and the others... Until then, can my body and my mana hold on?"





Amemiya's magic effortlessly tore through tanks and toppled armored vehicles.

"...It has an impressive performance."

It was thanks to his cheat abilities of ‘Multi-Cast’ and ‘Ignore Defense’ that his attacks were so powerful. Additionally, the powered suit he was wearing enhanced his physical abilities, providing assistance in mana control and efficiency.

The suit showed no reaction even when hit by ordinary bullets, and could withstand the high temperatures of incendiary bombs. As a magical medium, it surpassed the latest military-grade equipment.

Its capabilities were extraordinary. If this design could be mass-produced and distributed to soldiers, even the weakest soldiers would transform into elite forces.

"I guess it would be too selfish of me to complain about the design."

Amemiya Hiroto muttered, half-resigned, as he wore the powered suit… The Transformation Equipment. It consisted of a helmet, cape, and a bodysuit that covered his entire body.

However, the cape, helmet, and chest of the suit featured the logo of the ‘Bravers’ and the signature of Amemiya Hiroto. They were adorned with flashy patterns resembling light and flames in vibrant colors.

The appearance was unmistakably that of a hero suit with special effects.

"...Let's go, everyone!"

"Y-Yeah!"

Following his lead were the members of ‘Bravers’ donned in silver bodysuits.





Just a minute before that, at Rokudou's location...

"Rokudou-san! Amemiya and the others have appeared in costumes!"

"I see, they've finally come this far... Costumes!?"