Happy new years! (Yes 35 minutes too late but uh… hmm) There"s no triple chapter like I did for christmas since I slept this whole morning and then watched the ova for nekopara and the fate stay night cooking spin off (which took me by surprise, but was still great). This was a great way to start the year to be completely honest lol. Thanks for reading~

At this moment, my mind might have become weird from being affected by the air and heat on the battlefield.
I couldn"t hide my confusion.

"This guy, this guy is!" (Velt)

The inhuman demi-human that created this ma.s.sacre, after gaining total control over Shiromu.
The nude, perverted demi-human that appeared after relentlessly having s.e.x with females on the battlefield.
And yet, why?
More than how much I felt that I didn"t care about anything, I saw this demi-human as a "man among men," rather than a "man".

"Uhohoooi, Musashi~, what"s wrong? Did you bring these guys here?" (Esamu)

He gave the impression of hearty leader of a pack of kids, that became an old geezer, just like that.
That’s what I felt towards Esamu, one of the four heavenly beast demi-humans,

"Yes! I am sincerely sorry for causing you trouble by leaving the unit midway." (Musashi)
"Ah~, it"s fine, it"s fine. Family is important after all. From the looks of it, it seems Jubei was safe." (Esamu)
"Yes, I am grateful for your words!" (Musashi)

Esamu looked at Musashi"s appearance, and showed a smile that the neighborhood uncle would show.

"Well, I am aware of the complicated reasons, but because it is a state of emergency, I would like you to listen to my story first." (Musashi)
"Ooh, what"s wrong, Musashi! You are basically my grandchild, so I can listen to whatever you want!" (Esamu)

While we had become speechless, Musashi gave a proposal to Esamu with her head lowered.

"I saw that we have already gained total control, and have reached our original objective of releasing our brethren. However, some units are rampaging, and going too far with trampling down on non resisting humans. I would like to directly borrow your power as the chief, and stop it." (Musashi)

"Eh~, I don"t want to." (Esamu)

"Yes sir! This Musashi will guide……… heh?" (Musashi)

"Uoooi, Sorushi~, quickly bring the next people that need love!" (Esamu)

Musashi"s eyes turned into dots.
The other Shinsengumi members were uninterested, as if expecting it.

"Chi, chief!" (Musashi)
"What is it, Musashi, do you want me to embrace you because you"re frustrated?" (Esamu)
"Hah? I did, I did not say a single word about something like that! Or rather, chief! Were you listening to me!?" (Musashi)
"Yeah, I was listening~. Rather, I know. Several units are still rampaging, going along with their instincts." (Esamu)

Because of Esamu"s words that basically said, "what about it," Musashi became extremely fl.u.s.tered.

"Wha, no, no way, wh, why, we are, the pro, ud, Shinsengumi, so." (Musashi)
"Yeah, that"s right. We are people that keep bushido within our chests, that hold unwavering belief and pride, like samurai swords, and gather under the flag of sincerity." (Esamu)
"! The, then, why! Going too far in trampling down, is a violation of our rules! Don"t tell me chief also thinks that that rule doesn"t apply to humans!?" (Musashi)

If you know that much, then why?
Then, Esamu released an intense, intimidating air that overwhelmed the whole place.

"Don"t look down on me, Musashi!" (Esamu)
"!" (Musashi)
"Do you think that I am such an intolerant male?" (Esamu)

It was strange for us too.
Esamu is without a doubt a demi-human, an enemy of humanity, but I did feel that he was tolerant.
Even though he"s a different race, I didn"t think he was the type of guy to do such worthless things.
So then, why? Musashi"s question was a question I wanted to ask too.
Then,

"However, Musashi. This country does not have the slightest worth to be given compa.s.sion." (Esamu)
"Wha, eh?" (Musashi)
"I trembled in fear after coming to this country. Enough to make me think that we have to destroy this country, even if we go mad, that is." (Esamu)

I sensed feelings of grief from the heavy words Esamu said.

"There were around forty demi-humans that I healed, but from calculating the other demi-humans that were rescued, there were around six hundred." (Esamu)
"Six hundred? Six hundred, you say. That is a quite the number………………" (Musashi)
"Thinking about this country and the scale of the auction, there should have been a few thousand. If not, we wouldn"t have moved our army towards the Humanity Continent. However, in reality, we could only protect that many. Do you understand the reason for that?" (Esamu)

Reason? Even though they thought there would be a few thousand, the numbers of their brethren didn"t match.
That"s a question that doesn"t even need to be answered.
It"s simple; it"s because they were already gone from this world.

"I didn"t say that all of humanity doesn"t need to be treated compa.s.sion. However, I didn"t say we should treat them all with compa.s.sion either. This country was their deathbed. This country abused young, demi-human children that had innocent eyes, and wasn"t self-aware that that"s bad. This country didn"t even understand why they resented the demi-humans. That was how wrong they were! Against demi-humans, it"s fine to kick them, punch them, kill them, shred them, rape them and play with them. "Why are we getting killed by demi-humans, even though they"re supposed to be that kind of existence?" Every single one of them were making that kind of face!" (Esamu)

Those words made us think about something.

"A country of humanity that"s missing something, which was made by reckless thoughts. That is, Shiromu." (Esamu)

It made us think about Jiel and the others from the auction organization. Esamu felt the exact same feelings we had towards them.

"I became convicted. With a lukewarm method of only rescuing our brethren, the humans of this country will definitely repeat the same thing. The ones that will pay that bill, are our future brethren. For this reason, it was necessary to cut off the whole root of evil right now." (Esamu)

"Th, that, how, however, what does that have to do with this meaningless ma.s.sacre!" (Musashi)

"Since there will be reinforcements from other countries in several days time, even we can"t eradicate all the humans in this country. Therefore, we changed our method. We will change the feelings humans have towards demi-humans. Only fear can make them not do something so foolish again." (Esamu)

So that they don"t get looked down on again, they etched the consequences onto the bodies and hearts of this country"s humans, about what will happen if they get involved with the demi-humans.
I don"t know how many rampaging demi-humans in this country are thinking that, but there isn"t a single tremor in Esamu"s expression.

"Miyamoto. Do you think the same way?" (Velt)
"Asakura-kun." (Varnand)
"Is that the answer you came up with in your second life, before becoming a weak old geezer?" (Velt)

I"m not going to criticize, nor endorse it.
I just wanted to know the thoughts of an old friend who used to grow up in the same world and in the same environments as me.
Then, with the same weak looking old man"s face, Miyamoto hung his head down.

"That"s right, Asakura-kun. Are you going to scorn me for that? It seems you were reborn as a human in this world, after all." (Varnand)
"There"s no way I would do something like that. I"m not that much of a praiseworthy human to make opinions on others." (Velt)

Miyamoto has the same thoughts as Esamu. Just, the only difference is that Miyamoto clearly looked like it was an opinion he got after suffering and squeezing it out.
Therefore, I couldn"t deny this guy who let out an answer after going through that much.

"Before reuniting with you, I met Samejima." (Velt)
"Samejima? Ah, Samejima-kun?" (Varnand)
"Yeah. Demon king Sharkryu. That was his second life." (Velt)
"Sharkryu! Tha, that"s one of the Seven Great Demon Kings! Ah, but five years ago, Sharkryu already………" (Varnand)
"That"s right. I was the one that watched over his last moments. And, he entrusted his daughter to me, who"s right here." (Velt)
"! I, I see, that girl is Samejima-kun"s……… I see……… to think he was Sharkryu of all people." (Varnand)

Samejima and Miyamoto are the same.
Even though they understand what it means to kill a human, they couldn"t hold it in anymore.
While living a heavy, painful life that"s unimaginable to me, they worried, and then gave out an answer after thinking about it.

"Miyamoto. I was living in a lukewarm world far off war. So, to be frank, I don"t really know about the unsightliness of humans, demi-humans and demons. As far as I"m concerned, if they just understand each other, different races can be like family to each other, like Ura is to me. I have that kind of peaceful thoughts. By the way, my parents in this world were killed by demi-humans. Obviously, I do want to kill the demi-human that killed them, but it"s not like I"ve thought about anything extreme, about all of the demi-humans in this world or whatever." (Velt)

"……………… I……… see………" (Varnand)

"So, Miyamoto. I want to just make this clear. If you make enemies of all humans and as a result, make me lose my important people, you"re my enemy. If that happens, I"m going to mercilessly kill you. But you know, say you"re helplessly suffering, then I"ll hear you out. I"ll do anything that I can. That"s my kind of atonement, since I couldn"t do anything for Samejima." (Velt)

As always, my position isn"t being made clear.
I go this way and that way, and it"s still unsteady.
It"s just, I want to do what I can.
He currently looks like he"s suffering so much, that it"s painful to watch.

"Since the past, you never tried to get involved with anyone. However, I feel like you have mellowed a bit." (Varnand)
"H, hmph. A lot of things happened in my lukewarm life, that"s all." (Velt)
"I see……… I see……… this didn"t become a solution, but I feel like I was slightly saved." (Varnand)

I feel like Miyamoto smiled just a bit.

"Now. Who are these guys? Did Musashi bring them?" (Esamu)

Then, noticing our conversation, Esamu, who turned his back to Musashi"s entreaty, looked at us.

"Hohou, I haven"t seen your face before, but I"m surprised." (Esamu)

Looking at us while nude, Esamu first looked at Farga and smiled.

"I know most of the faces and names of humanity"s champion candidates, but to think there was an outstanding talent like you hiding behind the shadows of humanity"s great allied forces and the Ten Heroes of Light." (Esamu)

He showed an extremely belligerent smile.
With just that, I felt like hot wind struck against my face.
And, he saw through Farga"s power at first sight.

"And then, that beautiful silver haired demon. U~mu, your current power is still at a pa.s.sing mark, but your talent is bottomless. However, it"s a waste that you"re a virgin.Guwaaahahhahha, I would have embraced you if only you weren"t the same age as my daughter!" (Esamu)

With s.e.xual hara.s.sment at full throttle, he saw through Ura as well.
Ura"s heart probably broke completely, as she hid behind my back like a small animal.
And then, finally, Esamu looked at me.
However,

"Mmm mmm! ……… U~nn, you"re boring." (Esamu)
"Wha!" (Velt)
"Well, all three of you are boring. I thought your combination was interesting though." (Esamu)

Like, he let out a sigh while looking tired. He"s making a unbelievably boring face!

"So, Musashi, who are they?" (Esamu)
"Yes sir! They are Velt, Ura, and Farga, who released the demi-humans captured by the slave merchants." (Musashi)
"Hou. Humans and demi-humans are a strange combination, but you"re saying they saved demi-humans?" (Esamu)
"Yes! Also, Velt over here is acquainted with grandfather, and wanted to meet him no matter what." (Musashi)
"Hm~m, the most useless looking youngster in this trio did?" (Esamu)

Wha, wai, wait a minute!

"U, uh, since before, you"ve been calling me worthlessness , but worth, worthlessness doesn"t particularly matter, oi!" (Velt)
"Yeah! Worthlessness doesn"t matter!" (Esamu)
"Hah?" (Velt)

Before I realized it, I had shouted, but that shout had been drowned out in an instant.

"No matter how worthless a guy is, what"s important to a male, is their infinity instinct! People that carry on with life without lying to themselves about strife, s.e.xual desire and ambition, have raging lights in the depths of their eyes! However, youngster, you, no, you three don"t have that!" (Esamu)

For some reason, Farga, and Ura, a woman, who were highly praised just before, are both being called worthless.

"I basically have a retired body, but the strong people of the current Divine Being Continent who are in history, all had it, their instinct of definitely not yielding their beliefs, regardless of whether they were enemies or allies! However, no matter how strong you are in battle, no matter how full of talent you are, you guys who don"t have that, stand in a different path to mine after all. Therefore, I"m not interested." (Esamu)

Why are we suddenly being called worthless by this old geezer we"re meeting for the first time?

"To be acquainted with such a worthless youngster, what does this mean, Var?" (Esamu)
"He is……… an old friend from far, far in the past." (Varnand)
"Hm~m, a friend, huh? You seem to have lived a past I don"t quite understand too." (Esamu)

But like, why?

"……… Tch, d.a.m.n it." (Farga)
"Tsu-, kuh, ununu." (Ura)

We couldn"t make a single objection.
Even though we want to pour as much bitter words to him as we can, no words are coming out.
Esamu is bringing about an intimidating air that shows he doesn"t allow us to say anything.
If I were to put it in one word, it might be "charisma".

"However, worthless youngster." (Esamu)
"Y, you said worthless again!" (Velt)
"Are you dissatisfied?" (Esamu)
"O, obviously! Why do I have to be called worthless by an old, nude geezer that I"m meeting for the first time!" (Velt)

I talked back to him in a tone with my best show of courage.
It would be uncool if my fl.u.s.teredness was exposed. To try and make myself look big, I cheekily stuck out my opinion.

"Velt-dono! Wha, what have you done!" (Musashi)
"Oh no, that boy. How foolish."

Starting with Musashi, everyone looked at me as if looking at a fool.
To be honest, I was slightly regretting it too.
However, there"s no way I could back down at this point in time.
I don"t want to be looked down on, and then thought of as a coward, even if it costs my life.
Then,

"Gaaahahhahhahhah! Good, good! Males need to be at least that cheeky!" (Esamu)
"………………" (Velt)
"However, you have some good guts. I thought there were no longer any people that would talk to me so cheekily like that in this world after all. Normally, you would have died from that, though." (Esamu)

For some reason, Esamu suddenly broke out into explosive laughter.
Regardless of whether I"m safe or not, my heart is racing.

"Well, you"re Var"s friend. I wouldn"t be so intolerant, to kill you over something like this." (Esamu)

However, at that moment.

"S, stop it, Esamu!" (Varnand)

Miyamoto suddenly shouted with a changed facial expression.
Why exactly would he………………

"……………… Eh………………?" (Velt)

Just for an instant, I felt like wind pa.s.sed by.
In front of me, Esamu was in a posture that looked like he had swung his hand.

"Ah………………?" (Velt)

At that moment, something reflected in my field of view.
That was………………

"Stu, stupid younger brotheeeeeeeer!" (Farga)

"Ve, Veeeeeeeeeeeeelt!" (Ura)

"Velt-donoooooooooooo!" (Musashi)

Ah, these are two arms? Two arms from the elbow fluttered about in the air.
These are………

"Ah, uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" (Velt)

My arms! They were cut off! My arms! My arms! Both my arms!

"Guwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" (Velt)

Pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain!
Pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain!

"Guwaaahahhahha! Therefore, I will forgive you with just two arms!" (Esamu)

Pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain!
Pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain!

"Stupid younger brother……………… you piece of s.h.i.t! I, I"ll kill you!" (Farga)
"You bastaaaaaaaaard!" (Ura)

Pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain pain!

"Guwaaahahhahhahhahha, now, don"t make such an angry face. Someone of my skill can………" (Esamu)
"Do, don"t get close to Velt! I"ll tear you apart!" (Ura)
"Don"t worry, see, if I connect the amputated arms to the openings of the wounds like this……………… see, it"s just like before!" (Esamu)
"! Thi, this is! Res, restore cutting! A miracle caused by cutting the fibres of the cut end without destroying them……………… and that"s with bare hands!" (Ura)
"How is it, have you fallen for me? Oh, gaaahahhahhahha! Oops! I mixed up his right and left arm!" (Esamu)
"O……… oi……… b.a.s.t.a.r.d………" (Ura)
"There"s no helping it, I guess I will cut it and stick it together again! There!" (Esamu)

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" (Velt)

"Guwaaahahhahhahha, well, I probably won"t hear from his cheeky mouth anymore." (Esamu)

――――――――――Pa……… in………

"I willl, I will kill you, you demi-human! How dare you, how dare you do that to Velt!" (Ura)

"I"ll f.u.c.king kill you! Die right now!" (Farga)

Stop it……………… Ura……………… Farga……………… you"ll be kill……………… ed………………

"Hou, you"re coming, huh. Well, that"s fine. I guess I can play with you." (Esamu)

No good……… I can"t think……… about anything………