Volume 8 Chapter 24 Hero Who Can Overcome
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Alright, let’s lock in our next move.”
Klock’s words sliced through the silence. Across from him, four faces mirrored quiet calculation.
They were in one of the crumbling stone houses buried deep in the old town ruins. Five of them had gathered: Klock perched on the rubble, Cianie kneeling nearby. Suzette stood rigid, while Meina and Primlena leaned against the wall.
They’d skipped the inn. Too cramped, too many of them now; better to relocate. Options were scarce, so the half-intact stone house of the old city became their makeshift headquarters.
”This continent’s chaos boils down to Humans vs. Demons. We, as Heroes and merry companions, intervene—personally, not as a nation. We’ll do what’s feasible.”
Klock outlined the plan, a blunt recap for Primlena, who hadn’t been there yesterday.
”Our goal: drive the Demon Lord’s Army off this land. Most efficient? Topple the Demon Lord. When the brain goes, the body scatters—common sense since forever. Primlena, any clue where the Demon Lord hides?”
All eyes shifted toward Primlena.
”Unfortunately, no reports of Dainheorl landing. The invasion commander is Earth General Bandanzine—another male Demon Lord.”
Expected. Even within the same nation, a mere commander wouldn’t grasp a top general’s moves. The army HQ might, but she was Merfolk.
”If he’s absent, we adapt. Deliver a blow, negotiate peace, or for now, hitting Bandanzine seems sound.”
A fallen leader destabilizes command. A small force may rally; an army-sized one? Chaos reigns. Demon Lord’s Army? More fragmented than most—unit leaders wield more authority than the chief strategist.
”According to Primlena, their core is Demonkin, led by the chief strategist. Outsiders occupy peripheral roles—logical. Yet, if Bandanzine falls…”
”Unit heads include Princess Asura, Moon Court monsters… Defeat of Majin risks desertion.”
”This operation sees Succubus, Vampire, Merfolk, Majin, plus a few humans and beast-demons—half their strength. Outsider humans minimally commit; strong species like Oni or Forest folk remain uninvolved.”
Klock’s words drew reactions from Suzette and Primlena. Weakness exists, even among the formidable. Centralized power breeds risk: a misstep invites revolt.
”So the target: the commander’s head.”
”But first, Kispe and Viola.”
Klock stroked his jaw. Cianie spoke up, crisp and anxious:
”Viola appears everywhere at night. Unchecked, she could strike anytime. Klock as hostage? Unthinkable. Kispe—likely scheming beyond my knowledge. Best we eliminate them swiftly.”
Hero’s irritation flickered through Klock’s tone. Primlena straightened at Cianie’s vigilance. Suzette, used to this, remained blank; Meina glanced away.
Cianie’s concern was justified. The enemy, sensing Hero’s supremacy, brazenly attacked allies—Charms, Curses—directed at Klock. A precise, crippling strike.
”If we seize the enemy’s head first, victory is ours.”
”True, but no guarantee we get first move.”
Perhaps hunting down Bandanzine directly? Risky; even a general’s fall may not stop the army. The supreme leader’s survival could shuffle units, maintain momentum, or escalate deployment. Uncertainty dominates.
Thus, risky strategies falter. Klock’s capture could doom Cianie, tipping Humans toward defeat. Return uncertain; defense is mandatory.
”Primlena, Viola’s location?”
Eliminating the troubled Vampire Princess simplifies matters. Eyes turned to the orange-haired Merfolk.
”Viola’s in Moon Court, another realm. She won’t leave; she operates through clones. To slay Viola herself, one must enter that world—practically impossible.”
”How to reach Moon Court? Where?”
”A mirrored world. Only its denizens enter.”
Mirrored world—uncomfortable to fathom, yet they stared.
”Entry to another realm requires conditions. Only residents—Vampire Nobility—know the method.”
”Not like a place on a map?”
”An overlapping, alternate world. Location doesn’t always matter.”
Beneath the earth sprawls the Abyss. Beyond the Grand Cathedral lies the underworld; across mirrors, Moon Court exists.
”Viola’s attacked twice. Conditions met, could she traverse mirrors freely?”
”Probably. Our Sanctum is oceanic; entry is via the sea. Mirror realm? Entry likely through the mirror.”
Hands thrown up, exasperated.
”No way around this. She’s lurking wherever. Can’t reach her, yet she appears anywhere. Frustratingly invincible.”
”Primlena, you’re in to counter Viola. Any ideas?”
Seeing Klock give up, Cianie intervened.
”Protecting him suffices. Even without striking Viola directly, shielding him and defeating clones solves the problem.”
”Defense without Cianie? Possible?”
With her, Viola’s threat is null. Otherwise, defense is passive. To win, offense is unavoidable.
”Eventually, Cianie will have to be deployed. The question is how we cover that moment.”
”I’m here. I can take them down.”
Primlena’s voice was sharp, confident.
”No… you’re strong, sure, but… Viola’s stronger, isn’t she?”
Primlena had indeed struck Viola down before—but it had been a surprise attack. In their first head-on clash, Primlena was clearly outmatched. Strength favored Viola; Primlena’s presence alone didn’t guarantee safety.
Primlena’s smile twisted slightly when challenged. “True, she’s strong. But her flight speed isn’t untouchable, and countering Cursed Eye is straightforward. There’s nothing to fear.”
”How do you counter Cursed Eye?”
”For a vampiric Cursed Eye, block sight before the bite. With multiple opponents, it’s trickier—she can’t wield it freely.”
Tricky against several? Unknown info.
”The Cursed Eye requires precision. Using it against a capable opponent is no easy feat. Attempting it leaves her vulnerable. Fight her in numbers, and she can’t freely deploy it. Should she foolishly try, I, Primlena, will pierce her before she bites.”
The orange-haired Merfolk radiated authority, glancing at Cianie, masking concern with a calm façade—seemingly speaking directly to Hero.
”Besides, clones aren’t risk-free. They consume enormous mana. Eliminate them, and she tires.”
”True, that Vampire Princess never unleashed consecutive clones before.”
”Her power comes at a heavy cost.”
Suzette and Cianie nodded, accepting the logic. Meina listened silently, subtly echoing agreement.
Something… felt off. Despite strategy, raw power still favored Viola. Preparedness was okay, but reliance felt fragile—barely more than sheer grit.
Klock’s eyes narrowed at Primlena. “Still… aren’t you weaker?” He opened his mouth, then held back.
Primlena’s attention clearly targeted Cianie, showcasing usefulness. Her strategy leaned heavily on her own capability.
”This one’s desperate to be liked, huh? Makes sense—could be cast aside anytime. Proving worth is smart.”
”Let’s consider Kispe too,” Klock added.
Before further input, conversation shifted—silence equals consent in meetings.
”Mr. Klock has Curse resistance. No problem, then. Any Curse he received was due to proximity. Once apart, repeated Charm requires prolonged contact. And if charmed, our Merfolk song can realign the mind.”
”So… next time, she’s not scary?”
”…Yet, with Primlena’s presence known, Kispe could try a completely different approach. She’s unpredictable—stay alert.”
Viola had been rated differently. Klock refrained from pointing that out.
”Princess Asura looks cunning. You can’t predict her moves?”
Suzette and Cianie asked; Meina only nodded, ears and tail alert.
”Sanctum has no Succubus ties—no intel. Kispe, however, is considered capable of defeating Hero,” Primlena said. Cianie and Suzette’s eyes widened.
”Primjune said that? How could she defeat Cianie? She’s virtually invincible defensively!”
Klock knew more than most—Cianie’s abilities were lethal, durability unmatched, just rarely showcased.
”Details are scarce. The High Priestess warned not to underestimate Crimson Spire.”
”Crimson Spire… another realm, huh? Viola, Demon Lord’s Army—are all members from other worlds?”
”Merfolk from Sanctum, Vampires from Moon Court, Succubus from Crimson Spire, Void Forest folk… many are related, but most aren’t.”
”And the Demon Lord?”
”Dainheorl is Demonkin—unrelated to other realms.”
Right, he too was from another world. He wanted to know more about realms and apostles. What are apostles?
Viola’s strength was unmanageable without Cianie. Kispe only survived by luck; she too was formidable. Apostles of Crimson Spire and Moon Court, though not Cianie-level, were still threats—perhaps akin to Cianie? Selected equals? Or something else?
”Back to the point: Kispe might defeat Cianie. Anyone else capable?”
The meeting deferred curiosity, prioritizing crucial matters.
”The High Priestess says Lady Primjune and Lyla could have that potential.”
”Those are…”
”The first of the Four Heavenly Kings, Lyla, the Council of the United Kingdoms’ seat one. Plus Demon Lord Dainheorl’s daughter, Lady Delphina.”
”How strong?”
”They say anyone who touches Lyla dies.”
”…Dies on touch?”
Instant death. Not gradual poison—something far worse. Immediate effect, likely a dreaded one-hit-kill skill.
”One-hit kill…?”
The ultimate Unique Skill: lethal on first encounter. Once struck, irrecoverable. A trap by design.
Rare even among Unique Skills, potentially untouchable. Touching Lyla might fit this type.
”Rumors, maybe?”
”Possible. But Lyla is no ordinary child. Young as she is, she surpassed Bandanzine, Primjune, Gildegant—becoming top of the Four Heavenly Kings requires reason. A child under ten wouldn’t be casually appointed.”
Undeniably true. Her age confirms that rising above seasoned leaders is exceptional.
Lyla’s power was undeniable. She might even harbor secrets beyond that. Strength alone didn’t guarantee a politically significant role.
”As for Lady Primjune, she’s said to surpass Dainheorl. The specifics, however, remain unknown. Lyla and Primjune are known to act together, but concrete stories are few.”
”What stories are known?”
”They say anyone who meets Delphina immediately kneels.”
Everyone kneels. Sounds dramatic—kings might do the same, especially newly crowned ones with rumors inflating their reputation.
”Not much to go on there.”
”Other tales? Mostly dubious. Like moving mountains with a fingertip.”
Primlena spoke casually, dismissing them as exaggerated. Suzette and Cianie showed no reaction; Meina tilted her head, listening.
”Most are clearly embellished. People laugh when they hear them. But… some can actually do it. My sources might exaggerate a bit.”
She glanced at Cianie. Witnessing her strength, one could imagine a small mountain vanishing under her might.
”…Wait. This Delphina—is she on this continent?”
”No reports suggest so. Take the stories lightly; likely political exaggerations.”
Primlena was reasonable. Nothing here demanded serious concern.
”If true, someone could erase entire fortresses.”
Yet, comparing with reality—similar phenomena exist. Skepticism was natural.
”—Fortress, you mean…”
”Yeah. Could be the one who defeated Hermine.”
* * *
”What is it? Summoned me suddenly.”
After the five concluded discussion, Klock pulled Suzette aside, outside the crumbled house.
In a quiet corner of the old town, they stood. Her expression wary, perhaps expecting a serious conversation—maybe recalling the Meina incident.
”What do you think of Primlena’s talk?”
”Sudden…? Well, I found no falsehood in her info.”
”Right, but… her strategies against Viola and Kispe feel lacking.”
Suzette’s eyes flicked around, noting the secrecy, alerting herself. Her upbringing was evident.
”Meaning?”
”They operate alone. Likely because Cianie’s presence prevents mass attacks. At Beast Country, the Moon-Eyes were Viola’s doing. Even if they come en masse, they’d be obliterated. But what if they strike when Cianie’s absent?”
”Assuming battle without Lady Cianie… bringing subordinates… perhaps even an army.”
Suzette frowned. Klock’s meaning was clear.
”Viola and Kispe are enemy executives. Without concern for mass strikes, they might commit large forces. Alone, we’d be crushed—Primlena, Meina or not.”
”True. Defending this town against Demon Lord’s Army is impossible. Surrounded, we’d crumble quickly.”
Encirclement raises supply issues. Barreith suffers severe food shortages; other resources unknown. Endurance is doubtful. The city is sturdy but would fall to a prolonged siege. Last night survived only because Cianie stayed.
”One concern: the Viola we fight now is a clone. If the real one appears, how strong is she?”
The real one’s appearance seemed unlikely. Clones might resemble golems—magically animated minions.
”In short—”
”Clones don’t match the real Viola. She restrained herself against us; the true form is stronger.”
Clones are anomalous, hard to assess. Currently, the enemy is stronger. Primlena alone offers no chance. Defeating Viola requires Cianie’s strength.
”So relying on Primlena is unreasonable. She’s useful against clones and Kispe, but will be targeted first. Does she understand that?”
Her confidence was concerning. Viola would eliminate obstacles first. Could Klock and others intervene if Primlena fell? Unlikely. The Merfolk princess would be the target. Without her, battle becomes perilous.
Primlena couldn’t beat Viola alone. Forces insufficient. Facing the Demon Lord’s Army, struggling against a single executive is unacceptable.
”Princess Asura’s Charm is nullified by Ms. Primlena. Eliminating her first is optimal. Once the outer defenses are gone, only Lady Cianie remains to rely on.”
Ultimately, everything hinges on Cianie. Not ideal. Hero can still manage, but preemptive measures are required before enemy forces fully deploy.
Hero’s legendary strength already showed cracks. Relying on raw power is no longer feasible. Worst-case scenarios must be considered.
”Regarding Lady Cianie’s potential defeat—any plans?”
Suzette pushed the discussion, probing Primlena’s claim of those capable of defeating Hero.
”Primjune has seen Cianie’s strength firsthand, unknown to us. That Merfolk queen says there are individuals who could defeat Cianie. Why? Unknown. I doubt she fully understands Cianie’s abilities, but it’s not to be ignored.”
Succubus queen Kispe, Four Heavenly Kings’ Lyla, Demon Lord’s daughter Delphina. Three potentially capable of opposing Cianie. This overturns prior assumptions.
”May need to scramble forces aggressively. Use Merfolk tribute to hire Boston troops, act swiftly.”
”Deploy soldiers…?”
Cianie might be defeated.
A terrifying thought. If Hero fell, Humans would almost certainly lose.
It wasn’t just Hero’s absence. Forget Kispe and Lyla—Demon Lord’s daughter, likely the one who took Hermine, could be unimaginably powerful.
Could the Demon Lord’s daughter rival Hero in strength? If so, no one but Cianie could handle her.
If Cianie fell, they’d face Hero-level power without her. Early reconsideration of reliance on Hero was crucial—delay could be fatal.
Legends say Hero is fated to battle the Demon Lord. Information suggested the current Hero far surpasses any Demon Lord. Taken at face value, it seemed straightforward—but what if that was a massive misunderstanding?
Demon Lord Dainheorl is ordinary Demonkin. An ordinary Demonkin? Couldn’t someone besides Hero defeat him?
The implication: Cianie’s true opponent might lie elsewhere. An adversary matching her strength.
Notes:
• Primlena – Orange-haired merfolk priestess, fierce yet elegant | First v8c3 | Sister of Sea General Primjune, subordinate to Primrity | Once captured and violated by Klock, now obsessed with reclaiming honor | Commands Obsidian Riders on giant fish, fights with trident | Seeks to drag Klock to Seabed Temple for marriage trial or execution | Unique note: revenge-driven siren bride who masks fury under ritual grace
• Suzette – The older maid from Viscount Fennec. The head maid at the Viscount Fennec’s villa. She is confident, clear-spoken, and professional.
• Cianie – A noble girl with a fluffy white and light blue dress, indicating her high status. She has a hesitant and flustered personality but is kind and courteous. Her relationship with Klock begins as an accidental encounter and develops into a romantic interest. She has a fiancé but expresses feelings for Klock, complicating their relationship.
• Meina – She is a golden-haired catgirl employee of the beastman (Larana the cat woman) Inn, appeared performing fellatio, desperate and tear-streaked, with an inexperienced yet earnest approach to her work.
• Bandanzine – They are one of the Four Heavenly Kings, appeared as a warrior with a dignified gaze, known for their frontline combat prowess.
• Dainheorl – He is the conqueror of the Demon Continent, appeared as the council leader, known for his godlike strength and four horns.
• Primjune – She is one of the Four Heavenly Kings, appeared as a scaled and finned figure, known for executing the saint’s kidnapping plan.
• Lyla – Jester General of Demon King.
• Delphina – She is the Demon King’s daughter, appeared as a six-horned, water-blue haired figure, known for her godlike presence and influence.
• Gildegant – One of the Four Generals of the Demon Lord. Flame General.
• Hermine – Daughter of the Emperor of the Second Empire of Dusselhelm. A companion and friend of Anna. The mage. She is pragmatic and encourages Anna to focus on her duties as a hero rather than her personal revenge.
• Boston – Adelina’s father, who holds a position of power within the church hierarchy. He has a dark secret regarding the death of his wife, Adelina’s mother.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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