Pissing Contest
"As the leader of my party, I have the right to decide where to deploy my party members. I don't care about your fascination to their Skills or whatever, you don't just decide on your own. That's tyranny."
"Aren't you capable of achieving great things by yourself? You should turn over excess forces to the more deserving units."
"...Sure I don't mind if these girls hate being with me."
"I want to be with Hikaru."
"This woman's icky, I don't wanna go with her. I'm good with Kajikawa-san."
『Pi.』
"You hear them. Give it up."
Ah, the lady popped a vein from Reina's straight rejection.
I think she was being too frank, but well, it's the truth.
Long purple looked like she couldn't accept it as the commander-in-chief spoke to her.
"Moreover, they are needed to deal the first counteroffensive in the commando unit. Strength-wise, it may be enough with him alone but there's a limit to what a lone individual can do. Rather than making them adapt in a role they are not accustomed to, letting them move as a party is the best course of action for both of you."
"However, with Reinamiure's Ninjutsu Skill, it's possible to move past a large group of enemies unnoticed by swiftly moving in the shadows. It's most ideal for ambushes, the ability is more useful in a large group than a small one. Also, Almatina's versatility in combat should allow her to adapt in any situation."
"In that case, it would be better to have those girls support him than letting him strike the demons alone."
"Ah, may I."
I got between the two as they were about to get in a dispute.
No point wasting time in these verbal disagreements any longer.
I also really dislike the probing glances they're sending to our girls.
"...What do you want?"
"I reiterate. I will not hand over these girls to any other units. Forget stuff like them working better in a large group or whatever, I am not letting them join someone who hasn't proven themselves worthy of trust in the first place."
"Are you saying you hold suspicion against us?"
"Of course I do. I can largely agree with the mindset of putting the right person in the right position, but presently there's a bigger issue at hands."
"That's--"
I interrupted Long Purple before she could continue.
"Also, the sentiments are mutual. Of course you can't trust me, someone you just met a few minutes ago, but that goes for me as well. Like say, if I demand you to hand over several members from your unit, will you comply?"
"Of course I won't! ...!"
"Yep, of course you won't. Please understand that's how I feel right now."
Long Purple gritted her teeth twice, thrice at my word.
...I really don't like this kind of mounting battle but I have no choice when the stake is Alma and the girls.
"I do understand your contention. It must look as if I went up to Rank S by leeching off them considering how outstanding they are."
"...Is that wrong. You have not shown us your strength yet. If your achievements are truly proof of your capability, I will have you prove that here and now."
"H-hey, Viranna-chan, what are you doing!?"
Long Blond sounded flustered as Long Purple thrust her sword at me.
Ah, this pattern again huh... I really really don't wanna stand out though, sigh...
I let go of Alma, who's glaring hard at Long Purple while gripping my arm, as gently as possible as I turned to face Long Purple.
"En garde. My sword shall reveal your true nature."
"By 'your sword', you mean this?"
"Wha? ...!?"
The sword she thrust at me was in my hand before she could realize it.
Well, I simply put it away in Item Screen with Remote Mana and immediately had it equipped.
Long Purple's mouth went agape. What kinda face is that.
The only one who could understand what just happened here, Hero-kun grinned while squinting.
"When did, you...!?"
"Ah, right. I'm honestly happy you value Alma's Magic Swords and Reina's Ninjutsu highly. I get why you suspect me of exploiting them."
A blue flame gushed out on Long Purple's sword I gripped.
Not the simple trick of sword on fire like I did back in the day, but a real Burner Blade akin to Alma's.
I don't just make the air around the sword combust, but I make it so combustible mana spew from the blade itself and keep them ignited which is a considerably difficult feat.
I won't use it in practice though, it's super costly and all.
"That's, Magic Sword...!? You can use it too!?"
"Sure can. Why'd I leech off these girls when I can just use them myself, see... Ah, right right, high speed movement nobody could detect, wasn't it?"
"! He's gone...?"
I instantly moved behind Long Purple with Pseudo Ground Shrink I imitated with high speed Mana Flight.
I made it even faster with Energy Control, it should look like I instantly vanished and reappeared behind her to ordinary people.
"Just move as fast as you can and it looks like you teleported. Same thing."
"W-when, how, behind me..."
Long Purple robotically turned around, looking confused.
Welp, looks like she really didn't catch me moving at all. She's Lv62 too.
...Oh crap, I'm feeling real icky with how I'm acting right now.
This kind of 'Me strong' boasting is nothing but vanity.
Before Demon King, both her and me are the same literal trash.
This stuff is just a pissing contest. Like an elementary schooler bragging to a kindergartner.
Ah, crap. Her sword's melting from the heat... Let's repair it with 'Repair Screen'.
"Just drop it, Viranna-chan. You couldn't see him at all, did you."
"Kuh..."
"Besides, those who excel in group battles should act as commanders. It's not about individual prowess."
"...It almost sounds like you're saying you're stronger in a roundabout way."
"I mean, that's a fact."
She frowned at that but her strength really is only a bit above Intermediate level in reality.
She might be more experienced in battle than me, but she simply lacks the strength.
"Has the fact that he's a genuine article clear to you now? You've had enough. Kajikawa-dono, I beg your pardon for my subordinate's lack of tact."
"Not at all. I should be saying sorry for my rough treatment as well."
"Vijikaranna. Step back."
"...My apologies Kajikawa-dono."
Long Purple bowed without an expression, lacking any shred of sorry.
I bet she can't stand me inwardly. I mean, she's got the same exact face as my coworker when they had to apologize to our boss due to unreasonable demand.
"Now then, let's put all that aside and focus on deciding the rest of the units."
"The two parties will be my and Kajikawa-san's. What do about the rest."
Hmm, the remaining ones would be Aizawa-kun, Radia-kun, Hyula-san, Ganan-san and then Bared and Rasfin.
Bared and Rasfin are in the same party so they'd naturally go in pair.
...Let's just split them up the same as their training groups.
Uh but gotta listen to their opinions too, ah man what a pain.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
~~~~~~~~
"We beg your forgiveness my lord. Only the citadel on Continent 3 remains standing."
"This wouldn't have happened if only we had strength...!"
No matter It is all within calculations
That magic has reached practical use It is not completely perfect However there will be no issues with clever leads
"It's, usable in practice?!"
Indeed The countermeasure against our biggest obstacle, Hero, is finished at last
This too is the fruit of your labor ...Take pride
"It is our highest honor...!"
Well then As for the forces on Continent 3 Cease operation In a manner that do not raise suspicion
Bring this along As a smokescreen
"T-that's!?"
"Black Dragon, of Firie Kingdom...!"
『...There's no way I'll heed your word!!』
Did I not stay true to my promise
『If I were to reborn, I'll go fetch you, and give you that name again.』
Right 『Bahamut』 Don't you see it's me
『You're not Ryota, I bet my life on it! You're nothing but a slave of a Demon King who's got Ryota's memory!』
『Ryota loved that country more than anybody! He truly cherished all the memories he made there!』
『That's why he entrusted me to protect that country! You who so easily tried to destroy it can't be Ryota!』
....
That is indeed the truth
I am King of Demons
I am neither Hero Souma Ryota nor am I a Japanese
Hence I bring ruin to humanity
I shall overturn this world that pins us down I shall establish a new world for us
I shall have your service Regardless of your will Black Dragon
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