Episode 63: Heroes are basically assassins, aren’t they?
After touring some nearby tourist spots from the hotel, it was lunchtime, so Kazuma and the others decided to eat.
“Loco Moco!”
Kazuma wasn’t one to think things through.
For now, he ordered the dish most familiar and famous to Japanese people.
Hawaii had only recently been reconstructed, but thanks to the swift response from America and Japan, employees for hotels, restaurants, and the like were in place.
Thanks to that, Kazuma and the others were able to enjoy Hawaii like this.
“Oooh! So this is Loco Moco!”
Kazuma was moved upon seeing the Loco Moco that was served.
“Time to eat!”
He immediately started bringing the Loco Moco to his mouth.
Making short work of the freshly made hamburger steak and fried egg, Kazuma ate on, quickly finishing one plate.
“Another serving!”
“I thought that was quite a large portion…”
“Alicia. That’s not nearly enough! I can eat more!”
“As expected of you, Kazuma-san!”
“Right?! Shar, you’re cute! Hahahahahaha!”
Kazuma, who was easily flattered and quick to get carried away, devoured the newly brought Loco Moco at a speed that would make even competitive eaters turn pale.
However, it seemed he had overdone it, as Kazuma choked on his food and his face turned deathly pale.
“Honestly, it’s because you do reckless things. Here, water.”
Momoko, who was already accustomed to handling Kazuma and had water on standby, immediately moved to help the choking, near-death Kazuma.
“Thanks, Momoko-chan!”
“Yes, yes. You’re welcome.”
“Cold! Just like this water!”
“I just saved you, so please don’t complain.”
“Aye…”
Rather than a married couple, they were indeed more like a troublesome younger brother and an ever-worried older sister.
Momoko took out a handkerchief, wiped the sauce from Kazuma’s mouth, and showed off a heroine power that overwhelmed the surrounding women.
“Hey… isn’t Momoko the biggest rival after all?”
“She’s more than a rival. At this rate, they’re practically an official couple!”
Alicia and Charlotte, unaffected by the perception inhibition cast on Momoko, recognized her normally and viewed her as their primary love rival.
And the students like Kaede, who were affected by the perception inhibition on Momoko, were jealous of this mysterious person who had suddenly appeared.
“What’s with her…”
“Who does she think she is, just showing up out of nowhere?”
“I can’t just overlook this.”
“Is she really someone important to him…?”
The mystery only deepened, but they turned their attention to Sakura Hakanai, who was eating quietly in a corner.
The group of girls, realizing she was the woman they had seen when Kazuma invited them for New Year’s, approached her, thinking she held clues about the mysterious person.
“Is there something I can help you with?”
Sakura Hakanai merely glanced at Kaede and the others who had approached.
“There’s something we’d like to ask…”
“If it’s something I can answer, I will.”
“Before that, may I ask one thing? Why are you here? If I recall, you’re an employee of Kazuma-san’s, right?”
“I asked him. I heard he was going to Hawaii, so I asked him to take me too.”
“He’s soft on his own people.”
“That’s right~. He’s very kind to his own people.”
“We’re getting off track. So? Who exactly is that girl?”
“Didn’t I say it at the beginning? She’s someone important to him.”
“Is that true?”
“It’s true. There’s no doubt she’s an important partner to him~.”
There was no falsehood in what Sakura Hakanai was saying.
While not a romantic relationship, in a business sense, their relationship had become indispensable. It was likely a relationship they would maintain for life, at least until death parted them.
Kaede, Karin, and Yukihime frowned in displeasure at Sakura Hakanai’s suggestive remarks, but Yayoi seemed different and spoke to her again.
“When you say ‘partner,’ does that mean they aren’t in a romantic relationship?”
“Oh, you’re sharp~. That’s right. Those two aren’t in that kind of relationship.”
“Then, there’s still hope for us.”
“Weren’t you hoping for polygamy in the first place?”
“That’s a given. It’s only natural for females to flock to an outstanding male like Kazuma-san. However, I never said I’d give up the position of legal wife.”
“Oh my~, what a shrewd young lady~. So you’d permit concubines, but the legal wife must be you, is that it?”
“Yes. Of course.”
Yayoi puffed out her chest confidently.
Far from just accepting polygamy, she encouraged it and was actively appealing to Kazuma.
However, that aside, she was aiming for the position of legal wife, making her undoubtedly the most calculating, and she might become Kazuma’s most formidable opponent.
“I-I won’t lose either!”
“That’s right! The match isn’t decided yet!”
“Mmph. I’m Kazuma’s classmate, so there are still plenty of chances.”
“Fufufu… Yes, the battle is far from over.”
“You all seem to be having fun~.”
Sakura Hakanai enjoyed her meal, glancing sideways at the four girls getting excited next to her.
After finishing their meal, the group returned to the hotel, where Alicia, Charlotte, Momoko, and Sakura Hakanai parted ways with Kazuma and the others.
Kazuma spent his time relaxing with Kaede and the others until the battle royale between the new and old student councils began.
“Ahem, well then, we will now commence the battle royale between the new and old student councils. First, regarding the rules: it’s a simple format where you’ll be divided into new student council members and old student council members in a Virtual Space, and the first team to be completely wiped out loses.”
Kazuma and the others had moved from the hotel and arrived at an arena where VR machines were set up.
On a prepared stage, Kazuma held a microphone in one hand and explained the rules to the students sitting next to the VR machines.
“The old student council members will have NPCs to even out the numbers. We’ve set it so you won’t hit your allies, to prevent friendly fire, so please don’t worry. Of course, pain sensations are also turned off, so please fight to your heart’s content.”
Partway through his explanation, Kazuma seemed to forget the rules and rechecked them on a memo he had been given.
“Also, the basic rules are the same as the Crown Battle in the Academy Battle Tournament. Melee weapons are permitted, but for firearms, only Handguns are allowed, so please bear with that. Regarding Powered Suits, only I am allowed to use one.”
Kazuma, being formerly from the support division and having the Gift ‘Transposition,’ which is unsuitable for combat, has been granted special permission to use a Powered Suit.
That said, judging from his recent exploits, there have been discussions about whether he even needs a Powered Suit, but for now, it hasn’t been prohibited.
“This concludes the explanation of the rules. If you have any questions, please raise your hand.”
As there were no particular questions, none of the students raised their hands.
Kazuma confirmed there were no questions and finished his speech.
“Since there seem to be no questions, this concludes my part. Next, there will be a greeting from our guests, so please remain quiet.”
Saying that, Kazuma stepped down from the stage and sat down beside a prepared VR machine.
After that, the guests’ greetings ended, and the battle royale, the main event of the new and old student council orientation, was about to begin.
However, before that, there was a fifteen-minute interval, during which students from each academy began their strategy meetings.
“Hey, Kazuma.”
“Hm? Isn’t that Souji-senpai? What’s up?”
“Well, even if you call it a strategy meeting, frankly, our old student council team only has countermeasures against you.”
“I see. So you came to ask me directly?”
“Yeah. So, what kind of strategy are you planning to use? Standard procedure would be to form teams and pick us off one by one, but I figure you’ll act alone. Am I wrong?”
“You’re right. I was told to basically act freely and do as I please!”
“Well, with your abilities, Kazuma-kun, I guess that’s to be expected~.”
Hayato, who had appeared at some point, knew of Kazuma’s strength and nodded in exasperation.
“If you and Issei teamed up, wouldn’t you be invincible?”
“Ah~, Kisaragi, was it? If I teamed up with the Hero summoned by Starry Sky Memory instead of him, well, I don’t think we’d lose, would we?”
“Hmph, I wonder about that.”
“Oh, you sound confident, Souji-senpai.”
“Well, yeah. I didn’t think I’d get a chance for revenge this soon, but it’s a perfect opportunity. I’ll show you the results of my training.”
“You’ve been training! I’m looking forward to it!”
“Yeah. You come at me with all you’ve got too!”
“…When you say ‘all you’ve got,’ do you mean, like, really all out?”
Kazuma’s tone dropped slightly.
“Hmm, did I say something strange?” Souji tilted his head.
Hayato, who was next to him, felt Kazuma’s tone drop and sensed the ambient temperature decrease, instantly judging the situation as bad.
“Souji. I’m telling you for your own good, let’s have Kazuma-kun fight normally.”
Hayato sensed the change in Kazuma and tried to persuade Souji.
However, Souji, having found an opportunity for revenge for the Academy Battle Tournament, wouldn’t stop.
“Why? It’s no fun if he’s not serious.”
“That’s true, but Kazuma-kun is, you know, abnormal.”
“I know he’s abnormally strong. But I’ve trained desperately too, you know? I can put up a better fight than before.”
“That might be true, but…”
“Now, now, isn’t it fine, Hayato-senpai? If Souji-senpai wants to see my true, serious self (maji), then I’ll give him exactly what he’s asking for.”
Seeing Kazuma’s mouth twist into a demonic, crescent-shaped grin, a chill ran down Hayato’s entire body.
Warning bells, born from past experience, rang in Hayato’s mind, telling him that absolutely nothing good would come of this, but since it seemed impossible to stop him now, he gave up.
“By the way, Kazuma-kun. What’s your ‘true, serious self (maji)’ like?”
“It’s obviously a surprise attack from a blind spot, isn’t it? It’s far safer and easier than fighting head-on, right?”
“(Ah, it’s over…)”
Hayato, who knew best that Kazuma’s ninja equipment wasn’t just for show, could only see a future where Souji was instantly killed.
“Hey, Kazuma-kun, why do you have such high killing intent?”
“It’s because Satsuki-ryu is a killing art, you know? Have you forgotten?”
“I remember, but still…”
More so than Satsuki-ryu, it was largely because he was raised as a Hero in another world.
To begin with, the perception of a Hero is that of a brave person, but most Heroes are an elite few who kill the Demon Lord, the master of a country and castle, so if you get down to it, calling them assassins is more appropriate.
In fact, Kazuma also learned assassination techniques in the other world, and the plan was to assassinate the Demon Lord if he got lucky.
However, the Demon Lord Kazuma faced was an incredibly powerful and wise Demon Lord, so assassination was impossible.
Therefore, in the end, it became a head-on clash, the Hero’s party versus the Demon Lord, a many-against-one battle, and they emerged victorious after a fierce fight.
“How about no lurking or anything like that?”
“Souji-senpai asked for it, so I’ll act with my true, serious self (maji).”
“Please~. It won’t even be a match then~.”
“H-Hey, I’ve been listening from the side, but is Kazuma’s ‘maji’ really that bad?”
“Didn’t I just say so? I’m telling you for your own good, have him fight normally!”
“So that’s what you meant…”
Seeing Hayato’s flustered state, Souji also sensed just how dangerous Kazuma was and proposed that he fight as usual after all.
“Hey, Kazuma. Can you call off what you said earlier?”
“I’ll teach you that you can’t take back words once spoken.”
“Souji, you idiot! If we don’t go back right away and rethink our strategy, it won’t even be a match!”
“R-Right! So, Kazuma. Let us have a little more time for a strategy meeting.”
“Sure~.”
Hayato and Souji hurried back to the former student council team.
After seeing them off, Kazuma headed to the new student council team, explained the situation, and extended the interval slightly.
“By the way, Kisaragi.”
Kazuma spoke to Issei, who was at the center of the new student council team’s strategy meeting.
“How many heroes can you summon?”
“Two is probably my limit.”
“If that’s your limit, does that mean summoning three is possible if you ignore that limit?”
“I think I could, but…”
“It’d be bad if you did, huh?”
“Probably…”
Issei, feeling apologetic for his lack of power, looked downcast.
It wasn’t Kazuma’s intention to blame him, but from an outsider’s perspective, it looked as if he was cornering Issei.
Perhaps because of that, student council members from the same First Esper Academy as Issei jumped out in front of Kazuma, as if to protect him.
“Are you planning to suddenly show up and blame Issei!? Don’t get carried away just because you’re a little strong!”
“Eh? No, I was just confirming something…”
“If you were just confirming, then why does Gikei-san look so sad!”
“Even if you say that, I wouldn’t know.”
Seeming to grow angrier at Kazuma, who had been doing nothing but making excuses, they tried to press him further but were stopped by Issei.
“Wait, everyone! Satsuki isn’t at fault at all. He really just came to confirm something about my Gift and hasn’t done anything. So, please calm down.”
“But, Issei—”
“Satsuki is a comrade we’ll be fighting alongside from now on, right? Please understand.”
“If Gikei-san says so much…”
“Kisaragi… As I thought, I hate you.”
“Whyyy!?”
Kazuma, who was used to being berated by girls, wasn’t particularly hurt, but he found it far more unforgivable that Issei was basking in the girls’ gazes of affection.
“Just as I thought, this guy! What are you planning to do to Issei!”
“If you dare lay a hand on Gikei-san, we won’t show any mercy!”
“…Hey, Kisaragi. Sorry to ask this late, but what are these girls’ names?”
“Um, I think they introduced themselves…”
“Sorry. I wasn’t really interested.”
Kazuma, naturally provoking them.
The two girls were indignant at the rude Kazuma, who not only tried to hurt their beloved person but also didn’t even try to remember their names.
“My name is Akagi Karen! Make sure you remember it properly!”
“I am Kisaragi Marina. Please engrave it firmly into that tiny brain of yours.”
“Akagi and Kisaragi’s little sister, is that fine?”
“I think that’s probably fine, but…”
“Why don’t you ask us!”
“Isn’t it rude when we’re right in front of you?”
“Anyway, Kisaragi. Tell me the heroes you can summon. It’s highly probable, like nine times out of ten, that I and those heroes will be our strongest assets.”
“Well, that’s true. For one, there’s Tsubaki, whom you met yesterday. The second is Fujisaki Ayame-san, who was called the Sword Saint.”
“Why do you only summon girls?! I’ll send you flying!!!”
Kazuma slipped past Karen and Marina, who were standing protectively, and closed in on Issei.
The movement was so natural that the two couldn’t react at all, and when they turned around, they were surprised to find Kazuma right in front of Issei’s face. But more importantly, they thought they had to help him and started to move.
At that moment, Kazuma glared at them sharply, and like frogs stared down by a snake, the two became unable to move.
A fear as if their hearts were seized in a vice gripped them, their teeth chattered, and cold sweat began to pour down.
“Hey, why do you summon so many girls? Huh?”
“Well, it’s like compatibility, or maybe something like that…”
“Damn it! You lucky bastard!”
“But Satsuki, you’re also acquainted with world-famous Witches and Holy Maidens, aren’t you?”
“…That’s a different story~.”
“Kazuma.”
Hearing a bone-chilling voice, Kazuma turned around to see Kaede standing there, looking down at him with a blank expression.
“…………Sowwy.”
“Punishment.”
“Ngyiiiiiiiiii!!!”
Kazuma, his head squeezed by Telekinesis as if in a vise, was dragged away.