I Became the Strongest With The Failure Frame 02

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  [Yes.]

  [Most of all, you’re my most loyal apostle.]

  The Goddess gracefully takes off one of her shoes.

  She held out her barefoot forward.

  With a gentle smile on her face, she looks up.

  [Don’t you think so too, Nyantan?]

  I quickly knelt down in front of her.

  A kneeling stance.

  Next. I gradually put my face forward.

  [Can you show your unaltered loyalty to me?]

  [……rero.]

  My tongue began creeping along the tip of the Goddess’ toe.

  [Pero… Schlup… rero… rero…]

  [Fufufu, thank you for showing me your unaltered loyalty♪. With this, I am relieved that I can now leave the Heroes to you♪.]

  [Rerroooo… rero… pero…]

  [Don’t worry. Your precious little sister and the others were earnestly being “protected” by me. They’re absolutely safe. They’re alright. Even though they didn’t know the whereabouts of their really capable big sister, they’re absolutely safe.]

  […………]

  [Ummm— W- What’s the matter? You stopped moving your tongue… Are you alright? I’m becoming really worried about your loyalty…]

  [……rero…… schlup… pero ,pero……]

  [Yes, what splendid loyalty ♪. Hmm, it would be better if the Heroes were as loyal as you but… sniff… It has become like this… Uwaahhh…]

  A sudden knock came from the door.

  [Please come in.]

  [Goddess-sama, I- I have something to report— Ah.]

  The civil official reacted awkwardly.

  It’s probably because of my appearance right now.

  [E- Excuse me—]

  [Ufufu, this is just a confirmatory ritual. That’s why, you don’t have to worry about it. And so, is it an urgent report?]

  [Ah, no… It was just a report of Urza about the movement of the Five Dragon Warriors.]

  [I wonder… are they following Seras Ashrain? Hmm… I thought that I could use her before but… I wasn’t that interested in her anymore. She’s too straightlaced, so I think it would be difficult to make use of her… Though I say that, she’s too pitiful because her country was ruined. Hmmm… She also the princess of the country of High Elves back then, if something could be called regrettable, her situation would be one.]

  The Goddess began shoving the thumb of her toes in my mouth.

  Schhluupp…

  I was still continuing this “act of confirmation”.

  [Five Dragon Warriors… What about Civit Gartland? He looks like a difficult pawn to use but— well, I think I could use him to improve the growth of the Heroes. Ah, that’s a great idea!]

  With a smile on her face, the Goddess claps her hands.

  [The level of the Heroes had also improved a lot, so let’s enter the next stage!]

  The Goddess began instructing orders to the civil official.

  [—With that being the case, let’s first request Jonato to borrow their “Four Revered Saints”. And also… if I’m not mistaken, the Drunken Sword Party should be nearby, right? Let’s summon them in here. Ah, could you also call Urza’s Dragon Killer. And then, the Five Dragon Warriors of the Black Dragon Knights… If it’s about taking the duty of looking after the Heroes’ growth, “he” should be delighted in taking this duty. Yes… Well then, do as I instructed.]

  [I respectfully obey.]

  The awkward civil official respectfully bowed.

  [Fufu…]

  Looking up towards the ceiling, the Goddess elegantly smiled.

  [It seems that the day where the army of the Great Demon Emperor and the Heroes collide is surprisingly sooner than I had expected…]

  Chapter 86

  That person's name is…

  [I’ve finished changing my clothes, Touka-dono.]

  It seems that Seras has already finished changing clothes.

  Currently, we are already away from the corpses of the Black Dragon Knights.

  We are still inside the forest though.

  Turning towards her, I spoke.

  [I’m sorry about your previous clothes.]

  Seras says while arranging the creases on her clothes.

  [No, I still have a spare with the same design as that.]

  Seras’ previous clothes were torn apart.

  There were some blood sticking in the tears of the clothing.

  Her clothing was soaked in the blood of the Black Dragon Knights.

  Then, the bloodstained clothing was torn apart.

  The torn parts were also scattered around a bit.

  Also, I’ve left some trails leading to the direction where we’re going to.

  Seras also made bloody footprints leading deep into the forest.

  [It’s highly likely that they would see through it right away, but it would be fine as long as they bewilder their onlookers.]

  It’s as if Seras was seriously injured after her battle.

  Our purpose was just that.

  “Seras Ashrain is injured! With how serious this bleeding looks like, she shouldn’t be able to make it far!”

  I want to make them think something like this.

  It would be even better if this information about her being seriously injured would spread.

  The eyes of the people would then be directed towards the “injured person”.

  [Now then, as for our plans hereafter… I would take you with me towards the Golden Demon Zone just as we planned.]

  Seras’s hand that were moving about in preparation for our departure suddenly stops.

  [Is it really fine?]

  [Just as I said, I helped not just because I needed an escort. If you don’t have any problem, then there won’t be problem here.]

  It looks like she still has some things hanging in her mind.

  As expected, she must have been afraid that she caused me unnecessary trouble.

  [……………]

  The death of Civit and the others would be circulated outside the country soon.

  However, would they think that Seras killed them all alone?

  Perhaps, those imaginative ones would think that she might have a collaborator.

  I expect that Civit’s case would eventually get the goddess’ attention.

  There’s also a possibility that they might come to know of my existence.

  That aforementioned Investigation Team may have already reported something to her.

  There was a change in the Disposal Ruins, or something like that.

  They may notice someday that Mimori Touka had returned alive from that place.

  At least, these actions may only happen on the premise that they’ve known of my existence.

  I want to avoid making hopeful assumptions as much as possible.

  With sufficient preparation, you won’t feel anxious.

  I must always be prepared for the worst that could happen.

  [Hmm?]

  A howl?

  Must be a wolf huh…

  I wonder if they had gathered around those corpses.

  Fumu…

  For the beasts, these corpses were just food.

  If these corpses were tattered after being devoured by these beasts, the cause of their death might be blurry for those who would find them later.

  I remembered about that “abnormality” in the Mills Ruins.

  Their mysterious death from my Poison skill may be associated from that abnormality in the Mills Ruins.

  However, if the corpse were to be severely tattered after being devoured by the beasts, they might not associate it with the abnormality.

  In other words, they might become a convenient cover for my Abnormal State Skill.

  The probability of being noticed by the goddess would also be lowered.

  I wanted to leave that place as quickly as possible.

  That’s why, I couldn’t have any
leeway to disguise the cause of their death.

  However, as a result of quickly leaving that place, it seems that the beasts have arrived in that place and provided sufficient camouflage for me.

  I think it was lucky for me that the stage is in this forest.

  I quickly said the same thing to Seras earlier.

  That I don’t intend to deviate from our original plan.

  After saying so, Seras finally submitted.

  [I understand. If Touka-dono himself said so, I will not mention it again. Instead, please use my life as you please.]

  Seras placed her hand over her chest.

  She’s in a pose that kind of looks like a knight that’s making her vow.

  From the start, her character might have been suitable for those knights who have sworn their loyalty…

  Seras finally finishes the preparation for her luggage.

  [Now then, let’s hurry on. It seems that the Five Dragon Warriors still have that “Heroslayer” left. I heard from the rumors that his outstanding talent might make him eventually surpass even “The Humanity’s Strongest”. It seems he’s belligerent and bloodthirsty, and he was said to be envious of the other Five Dragon Warriors—]

  With a suspicious expression on his face, Seras spoke.

  […Touka-dono, what’s the matter?]

  I inadvertently put my hand over my mouth.

  [Are the size of the dragons ridden by the Five Dragon Warriors different from the other black dragons?]

  [Eh? Y- Yes…]

  I tried recalling things from my memory.

  [I may have probably— crushed him earlier.]

  [Eh?]

  [Haven’t I mentioned earlier that I’ve killed the other black dragons I’ve met on my way towards that place where I met you earlier? Along with them, I’ve met this belligerent dragon knight who attacked me as soon as he saw me. His black dragon was comparably larger compared to the others. I think it’s as big as the dragons the other Five Dragon Warriors were riding on. His armor was also different compared to the other dragon knights.]

  I didn’t really know his name.

  All these times, I thought he was just another deputy.

  Grimm Ritter.

  If I remember correctly, Civit called him as such.

  So, that’s Schweiz’s son huh…

  Now that I think about it, it really might have been him.

  I could see some similarities in his face with Schweiz.

  [I think there’s no mistaking it, that man really is the “Heroslayer”. That’s why, you could say that we shouldn’t have to worry about the Five Dragon Warriors again.]

  Yes.

  They were already done for.

  If it’s just those other four members of the Five Dragon Warriors…

  They would be an easier enemy compared to the Soul Eater.

  Even if I’m fighting against the “Heroslayer”.

  In the end, the only one that could be called an obstacles was “The Humanity’s Strongest”.

  Only against him did I really need to set my traps.

  I have no other choice but to try to deceive him.

  Seras looks like she’s exhausted.

  [Then, you’ve easily killed that “Heroslayer” huh…]

  [That seems so.]

  Finished with our preparations, we started walking through the forest.

  We didn’t use any way of lighting.

  Using that would be like showing a sign for other people informing them that there are people in here.

  Well, I could still see through our path.

  My eyes had been long accustomed to the darkness.

  There’s also the light from the moon.

  This is considerably better compared to when I was back in the Disposal Ruins.

  [Pii~♪ Piii~♪ Pyiii~♪]

  Pigimaru seems to be in a really good mood.

  He was also really happy after we met with Seras again.

  I wonder if he’s glad that she’s together with us.

  How should I say this… seeing him that happy is a pleasant sight for me to see.

  [By the way, there seems to be some kind of discrepancy with how you see the previous Holy King and how he really is but—]

  I enquired to Seras while we kept walking.

  [Back when you were in Neia, didn’t you feel any uncomfortable feeling around that king? You should be able to tell lies, right?]

  [Sometimes, I could feel that the king were telling some lies. However, those lies would normally appear only when I’m accompanied by the princess.]

  Seras looks pretty nostalgic.

  [The princess had told me back then… That she may also be lying to Seras, but some of those would be white lies. Not all lies were malicious.]

  I see.

  She’s quite a wise princess.

  Seras’ power of detecting lies cannot really detect the finer details of the lie itself.

  Whether it’s the truth or not…

  That’s the only thing she could judge.

  It’s like speaking with a lie detector present.

  If that’s the case, you could only shield yourself against her ability.

  And that shield she used was that the existence of white lies.

  That a person may have lied to you because that person was thinking for your sake.

  If that is so, there is no problem even if she were to notice that you’re lying.

  I don’t really know if Neia’s princess is a good person.

  I feel like she’s a good person based on what I heard from her story but…

  Well, it’s difficult to say that the Holy KIng’s feelings for Seras was “malicious” in the first place.

  I think it can’t be helped that Seras haven’t realized the actual situation.

  [Now that we’re talking about it, what about the princess?]

  Seras bowed.

  Though, she looked a bit lonely.

  [Currently, it’s possible that the goddess of Alion isn’t pleased with me. There’s also that earlier confrontation with the Black Dragon Knights— so I think the princess would be severely affected if I came in contact with her.]

  [Well, that might be the case.]

  [I’m the fugitive who abandoned my own country… As long as they think like that, the people of Neia should be safe. That also includes the princess herself.]

  [Is that princess aware of this too?]

  [Yes.]

  Seras slightly opened the chest area of her clothes.

  She took out a jewelry hidden beneath her breasts.

  [This was given to me by the princess. The story that was known over there should be that I have stolen this jewelry from the royal family but…]

  It kind of looks like a necklace.

  [The princess had told me that I should sell this and use the money for travelling expenses but… I can’t sell this by any means.]

  [So, that’s why you needed to earn your own travelling expenses huh?]

  [Yes. You can think that I’m being foolish. Of course, this isn’t really something directly related to the royal family that I dare not convert this to money but…]

  Seras smiles.

  However, the way she spoke sounds like she’s about to cry.

  [I can’t let go of this jewelry that the princess has given me by any means.]

  [You must have really liked her, the princess.]

  [Yes.]

  Seras puts her necklace back underneath her breasts.

  She looks like she’s just being earnest.

  Certainly, what she has done may have been foolish.

  However, I couldn’t exactly criticize her actions.

  It’s also thanks to her actions that I met Seras…

  [By the way, did you get that 300 gold coins earlier?]

  […No.]

  [I planned on completely disregarding the marquis earlier. I don’t want to carelessly leav
e traces behind.]

  I don’t think that marquis would chase someone who could crush the Black Dragon Knights though.

  [Yes, it would be great if that’s the case. However… I’m sorry I couldn’t add it on the travelling expenses.]

  [That’s no problem. I still have a lot of gold and silver coins with me. Besides, here.]

  I took out a pouch from my pocket and tossed it towards Seras.

  [—-Uwah? Umm, this is?]

  [Open it.]

  […!? Don’t tell me, a- all of these are… Azure Dragon Stones!?]

  [Well, yeah.]

  [Seriously… Who in the world are you…?]

  [I’ve already said it to Civit.]

  [You mentioned that you’re an Avenger, right?]

  Seras’ voice is filled with seriousness.

  [Is meeting the Witch of Taboos necessary for your revenge?]

  [Yeah.]

  Seras is just someone I met in the middle of my journey.

  She’s not a comrade that would be together with me just for my revenge.

  That’s why, I thought it’s not necessary for me to say anything.

  Seras’ steps suddenly halts.

  [Who is target for your revenge?]

  I also came to a stop.

  Turning towards her, I spoke the name of the person that I will have my revenge on.

  [Goddess Vysis.]

  Chapter 87

  Bonds

  Seras reacted to the name of my target for revenge.

  It was like she had already expected my response.

  Well, I had called her a “f*cking goddess” before.

  […………]

  I don’t think I really have anything to clarify huh…

  I already talked about being sent to the Disposal Ruins by the goddess before.

  Along with the story of my survival from that ruins.

  [—And, I met you in this forest just as I came out to the ground above.]

  After hearing my story, Seras became quiet for some time.

  [No way… To think that the goddess has made the “Sealed Underground Cemetery” in the Dark Forest into an underground ruins where she disposes people of…]

  It seems that Disposal Ruins isn’t its major name.

  It was known as an underground cemetery that were enclosed out of the outside world.

  In a sense, it really became people’s final resting place huh…