It's done, but I'm going to ask you guys again. Do you really want me on board?

　I turned around and asked them.
　But the three of them didn't open their mouths right away.

"As you can see, I'm not a good guy. "As you can see, I'm not a good person, and I'm not one of you who wants to do the right thing. Does that make me one of you?
"Nito, you are mistaken.

　It was Zeke who opened his mouth first.

'Mistake?'
"We're not interested in some abstract idea of justice. If we wanted justice, we wouldn't have killed these people in the first place. There would be an Inquisition.

　I couldn't swallow the story right away.

'What we do is self-righteousness if we speak in terms of right and wrong. But I believe in meaningful deeds. It will take a long time to bring Aries and Johannes to justice. In the meantime, there will be casualties. Just like you.
You said something about a war, is that what you're talking about?
'War is another sacrifice. Even if we hadn't acted, they would have been put before the Inquisition one day. But before that, there will be a war. These guys understood that, and that's why they took up summoning the heroes. They wouldn't give in, there would have been a conflict. If a war starts, there will be a lot of deaths. Not just those from this country, but soldiers from other countries who were sent to war will die. Eventually, those soldiers will be in short supply, and countries will begin to recruit soldiers from nearby villages and towns. Some of them will be forced to join the war. That's how many people will be harmed just to capture Aries and Johannes.
'By that logic, it certainly doesn't seem that this action is wrong. But that's not what I'm saying. I killed these people with a personal grudge. That's something you should know, as you watched me kill them. And I'm sure you understand the circumstances of my situation from the content of our conversation.
"You mean you're one of those otherworldly people summoned by a heroic summoning?
That's the thing, I'm not from this world.

　Zeke closed his mouth there.
　And he seemed to be thinking about something.

'Nito I don't think of you that way.

　After a moment, Zeke cuts him off.

'So did Eliza and Alford. You were hurt, that's all.
'I'm not saying you can do anything if you're hurting, am I?
'Yeah, it's a matter of determination. You're going to have to live with this day from now on. You will not forget it. You must have had that resolve. I understand that this was a troubled action and that it was necessary for you.

　It was necessary.
　I killed it because I thought it was.
　And for some reason, I can't get my mind off it.
　That's not the same as regret.
　I don't regret killing Aries.
　If it's not regret, then what is this feeling? .....

"And we'll take the one who can kill you over the one who can't kill you without hesitation. We don't need a good man in that sense. Besides, your powers are fascinating. I'd like you to continue to help me, if you can.

　The three of them bowed their heads.
　But do I matter that much to these guys?

'If you're talking about right or wrong, then I'm not sure I'm doing the right thing.

　I couldn't help but mutter something like that to myself.
　Why ... why ... why do I regret it?

'Never mind,'

　Alford chuckled at that.

'I feel better that you killed Aries. He wasn't a bastard anyway, and probably because he was the one who killed my mother.

　The sadness in Alford's expression was hidden.

'But I'm feeling guilty now, even though I think so. This feeling must be the evil you say it is. Would you deny me like that?
'There's no denying it. I heard that Alford was treated badly. I don't know what brought that on, but I have no thoughts of denying you.
Thank you. But I'm not denying you either. Neither does Zeke or Eliza. They have a dark heart. They have scars and a past that cannot be erased. Everyone has them, not just you.

　Perhaps this is guilt.
　It's like a hollow feeling in my chest.
　But I don't know the root cause of those feelings.
　I don't know, but these guys say I'm not evil.
　They say that if it's a result of believing in me, it's a matter of determination.

'My name is Masamune. But please continue to use Nito as you always have. I don't want to be as famous as you guys.

　The three of them laughed a little at his words.

''Then I ask again. Nito, will you enter the dragon's heart?
... no. I'm not going to join the organization.

　The three of them looked anticlimactic as they answered that.

''Of course I mean that I can't give you an answer yet. I can't come to any conclusions in such an unstable state of mind. But I consider the three of you as my friends. If you need anything else, you can contact me, and I will help you then. I don't know what's going to happen next, but I'll try to look into it in a positive light.
So how's this for a temporary membership?

　They want to force you to join them.
　Zeke said that with an awfully happy look on his face.



　There wasn't anything in Johannes' loot that particularly caught my interest.


Skill: 《Hardening》.......Increase physical resistance.
Skill: 《Intimidate》 ... focuses the attention of unspecified targets in the vicinity to yourself.

Magic: Sand Javelin ... forms a sharp, earthen spear.
Witchcraft: The Rock Lance forms a spear of sharp rocks.
Witchcraft: Rock Armor creates a dense armor of rock.
Cunning: The Fine Rock Trap (Fine Shringe) creates a pit filled with sharp rocks in a specified area.
Magic: The King's Wall (Lex Wall) - Creates a wall of dense rock over a wide area.

Summoning Magic : The Earth Giant (Earth Golem) ... summons the Earth Golem.

Consumable Item: "Recovery Pill [3]" - A liquid that restores you to health.
Consumables: 《Magic Crystals 【1】, a mineral that restores magical power.
Equipment: The King's Sword, a gold straight sword used by Johannes Greiberg.
Equipment: The King's Shield, Johannes Graysberg's gold shield.


　I chose the Summoning Magic 《Earth Giant (Earth Golem)》.

　Next was Aries' loot, but the contents were all the things needed for assassination.


Skill: Mind's Eye... you will be able to see your target's vital points.
Skill: Strengthening Your Body ... Increases your Strength and Agility.
Skill: Searching for enemies... allows you to locate people, monsters, and objects in your surroundings.
Skill: "Silence" to silence your footsteps.

Magic : Transmetas -- Moves the target to a location you specify.
Enchantchanting: "Partial Transfer" ... enables you to force a partial transfer to the target.
Enchantment: Trans-field -- Creates a trans-field within the target's specified area.

Equipment: "Dagger of Lethal Dagger" - A dagger coated with a lethal amount of poison.
Equipment: "Deadly Poison Broadsword" - a broadsword coated with a basilisk poison.
Equipment: The Witch's Dress ... a witch's dress that cannot penetrate the blade.


　Out of curiosity, I chose the sorcery 《Transformation Net Deployment (Trans Field)》.
　The effect of this magic was to deploy a transitional magic circle in advance in a specified area.
　In other words, in that area, the user could omit the chanting of transition magic and even move instantly.
　Since it didn't require chanting, the movement was fast and also the opponent wouldn't realize it.
　It seemed like this was the reason why Aries was feared as a witch of the neck.

　She obtained sixty-three skills and magic in this raid.
　The number of loot itself was even slightly more than that.
　So the number we killed was more than that, but in the end, the skills and magic arts possessed by those at the level of the guards were probably limited to things of low value in general.
　Especially the guards who surrounded us at the Grand Staircase, for example, had multiple people owning the same magic.
　When it comes to skills, there were even those who didn't even have them.
　Apparently, skills are valuable in this world in their own right, I thought as I looked at the status where the word "Unselected" had disappeared.

《Name》 Hidaka Masamune.
[Level] 699 [Occupation] Healer [Race] Human
Life Force, 41940, Magic, 34950.
《attack》 6990 《defense》 6990 《magic attack》 6990 《magic defense》 6990
Strength, 6990, agility, 6990, intelligence, 6990.
Condition] "Otherworldly Syndrome.
Title: "Reincarnate, Friend of the Vengeance God, Friend of the Snake King God
Equipment: The Wrath of the Saint, Broadsword
Skill》King's Ark / Life of a Mimic / Magic Eye of Truth / Heat Detection / Purification / Searching / Appraisal / Polishing / Cleaning / Cooking / Compounding / Life Detection / Underwater Breathing / Blow Resistance / Slash Resistance / Lacerations Resistance / Sewing / Fall Resistance / Poison Resistance / Paralysis Resistance / Pain Resistance / Hunger Resistance / Fatigue Resistance / Intimidation Resistance / Demolition / Farming / Hunting / Building / Grant Craftsman / Writing / Pharmacy / Covert / Stealth / Continuous shooting / Rigid shooting / Intimidation / Fraud / Pickpocket / Trapper / Mind's eye / Encounter / Discernment / Blacksmith / Patience / Physical strength / Telekinesis / Enchantment / Speed reading

[Unique Skill] Goddess Blessing / God of Vengeance's Prank [Polar] / God's Speed

Magic] Heal (Heal) / Heal Wave (Heal Aura) / Abnormal Healing (Effect Heal) / Attribute (Enchant) / Offensive and Defensive Enhancement (Odium Aura) / Magical Fire (*) / Cursed Javelin (Carse Javelin) / Swordsman's Protection (Protemista) / Explosive Fist (Blanche) / Transfer Network Deployment (Trans Field) / Magura Magura / Fire / Fire Flame / Water Flow / Shield of Defense (Ciel) / Sword of Magic (Sika) / Magura Agito / Paralyzing Arrow (Paralyzing Arrow) / Poisonous Arrow (Poison Arrow) / Magura Wall (Magura Wall) / Binding (Binding) / Magic Power Magura Slash / Lightning / Freeze / Fly / Ice Lance / Darkness

[Summon Magic] Earth Giant (Earth Golem)


　More skills and sorcery than I can keep track of.
　You can use the skills as they are, but as for the magic, you'll need to reverse them. But with this much, it's worth reversing.

''What have you been doing since just now?

　As they were turning back down the main corridor, Alford asked curiously.

'No, it's nothing. It's all over now.'

　Then the four of us walked out of the royal castle.

　When we got outside, the morning sun was already shining through.
　I didn't notice it on the way there, but the view of the castle town from the top of the grand staircase was spectacular.

''What are the three of you going to do now?''
'Yes. I'm thinking of having breakfast at Mira's... Is Nito coming too?
Are you sure?
'Of course. You're one of us, even if you're a provisional member, how could I not welcome you?

　In Zeke's mind, it looks like I've already decided to join.
　I walked down the grand staircase, past Fountain Square, and through the main gate just as I had come.
　But then I remembered something.

'From here, we'll transfer to Mira's Inn.
Wait a minute.
What's going on? And Alford.
'Well I have some unfinished business.

　For a moment I understood that it was possible, the image that had crossed my mind.

"Master, now is the time to do it. Let's just do it and don't get lost, okay?

Vel spoke as if he understood why I stopped.

'What are you going to do?'

　Zeke asked with a divine look on his face at Vel's words.

''........I will destroy this entire castle on the grounds.

　But that didn't seem to be enough to make the three of them feel much better.

'I've sentenced Aries to destroy this country. But I'm not going to kill the people. Then it occurred to me that we should just destroy this castle.
"Tear down the castle?
'Zeke, the castle proves that there is a king. I mean, a king's castle is a symbol of a country and a symbol of power. Then it would be in your best interest to destroy it.
''Well you're certainly right. I didn't have the idea of destroying the castle, but that would be a deterrent to summoning brave men. We need to show them that they must not summon brave men, but it's hard to tell them in words. I can't say that there won't be people who will try to mess with you in the future... Nito, if you can do it, do it.

　Zeke didn't deny it.

'Vel, that's what I mean. Can you do it?
'I can see what the Master is thinking in your hand. I mean, all we have to do is make everything on the other side of this gate disappear in its entirety, right?　As if to hollow out the castle grounds only.
That's what I'm talking about.
"Master, don't let them underestimate me. No, you underestimate yourself. In our hands, it's a piece of cake. Let's get on with it.

　Vel's face was full of motivation.
　I stepped away from the gate and readied my staff for the castle.

''Then it's on!''
Yeah, any time.
Black Ergo, the Black Pearl of Greed!

　The moment Vel chanted, a huge jet-black sphere appeared on the grounds of the royal castle.
　It appeared almost soundlessly and there was no wind around.

"Hey, Vel. Isn't this a bit of a problem?　There's damage outside the property...

　Gradually the sphere expands and reaches the wall that surrounds the property.
　But on the other side of the wall, there must be some residences of the people that have nothing to do with this case.

"What the hell are you talking about? The abyss is on the master's side, or does the master suspect the abyss?
What do you mean...?

　Vel's eyes glared at me.
　But I don't know what he wants to say.

The abyss is the master's very will. I'm not going to destroy what the master doesn't want to destroy. I'm not going to violate what he doesn't want to violate. He only erases what he wants to erase. If you doubt yourself, the abyss will take you away.
Okay, fine. Then widen the area. Surround the entire property.
"As you wish...

　I don't know what Vel means.
　But this guy seems convinced of something.
　The certainty that no matter how much we expand, there will be no mistakes.
　While the enlarged sphere engulfs the castle and the grounds and everything else, I'm beginning to understand this magic.
　So the essence is still erosion.
　As Vel explained, this sphere will drag in anything I want to destroy according to my will and then invade it all.

''This is the end.''

　As soon as Vel announced this, the thing that had been turning his vision into a blanket of darkness silently contracted and disappeared.

　A large crater-like deep hole appeared.
　It was not only the royal castle, the grand staircase and the fountain square, but also invaded the ground.
　The glow of the clear sky shone on the site where there was no longer any trace of them.