Oukoku e Tsuzuku Michi

rocks like that.

「She’s incredible.」

To be honest, Mack and Agor have done it before, but I was confident I could do better.
This, however, is impossible for me.
At best, I would slip off, and at worst, I would crash into a rock and faint in agony.

Celia ascended to the top of the 8 m tall tower in mere seconds.

「Someone’s coming! Draw your――gueh!?」
「This girl’s quick――gyah!」

Things became chaotic in the turret and the enemy’s resistance ceased.
Without anything hindering them, the Aless soldiers zoomed up the tower and brought down the tower.

「We did it!!」

Celia shouts for joy on top of the head of an Aless soldier.
That guy doesn’t seem to mind her dirty shoes stepping on him.

「Nuoooooh!」

I don’t have to look to see where the resounding bellow originated from.

「M-monster! He took out ten people by himself!? He’s crushing them like bugs!!」
「He’s squeezing their heads with his bare hands! What the hell…… is he!!?」
「And why is he naked!!?」

It’s a waste of time to worry about him.
I’ll leave the monster alone.

「Rather than being concerned for him, I want to test the Keravnos.」

I partially turn my body, lower my waist and thrust out the spear.
I shoved my weapon deep into the torso of the enemy soldier who missed his attack from behind.

「Not good enough.」

I twist my right hand to rotate the spearhead.

The Keravnos has seven blades lined up under the main tip.
Spinning those while they’re inside the enemy’s body guarantees his death.

「It’s not bad, I guess.
And what about this――」

I yank the spear out from the enemy soldier’s corpse.
With how low the blades are angled, they don’t interfere with the thrusting or retracting of the spear.
It doesn’t seem like flesh will get stuck if I spin it either.

「In terms of sharpness――」

I put all my strength into a slow but powerful thrust.
The enemy soldier naturally props up their shield to defend, colliding with the spearhead.

The Keravnos penetrates the shield, tears through the enemy soldier’s armor and pierces his body.

「Fumu…… I see.」

I swing my spear and toss aside the enemy soldier’s body.

It’s definitely sharper than a normal steel spear, but not as sharp as the Dual Crater.
The Dual Crater cuts through armor like butter, whereas it felt like I needed to put in effort to puncture that guy with my spear just now.

「It’s wonderful how I can get familiar with what material this is made of.」

I’ve just received this weapon and haven’t wrapped any leather or cloth around the handle, yet it doesn’t slip out of my hand at all.
The texture is somewhere between the smoothness of steel and the roughness of leather.

「I wonder how durable it is.」

I position my spear sideways and block the slashes of the three incoming enemies without parrying or deflecting their attacks.

On contact, there was a bright clink, and metal chips of the swords flew past my cheek and neck.

The spear doesn’t budge an inch despite taking the full brunt of the trio’s slashes.
No problems in this department, it seems.

「Hm?」

I realized one more thing.

I jump backwards, creating some distance, and get into a lowered thrusting stance.

「I’ll test it out!」

I lunge forward with a beautiful and basic thrust, if I do say so myself, at the enemy’s chest.
It was basic, so the enemy lifted up his shield according to basics to ward off the spearhead.

「Hup.」

I flick my wrist and shift the center of gravity.
Responding to the sudden movement, the spearhead bends, avoiding the shield and stabbing through the enemy soldier’s neck.

Sponsored Content

At the very least, this spear is more durable than a normal steel one.
I guess it’s to be expected after easily fending off three simultaneous slashes without issues.

Considering all of that, it’s still flexible to be bent with enough strength.
I don’t know why a steel spear warps or why the durability doesn’t decrease, but I’m sure it has something to do with the technology of Jirubiru.

「It’s nice.」

I sweep my spear sideways.
The enemy soldier holds his sword vertically to defend himself, however, the power of the spear doubles with how flexible it is.

The spearhead knocks the sword out of the enemy’s hand and whips loudly against the side of the soldier’s helmet.
A large dent was created and the head flew off, crushed from the force.

「That’s how it is, I guess.」

I sneak around and pierce through the last person’s head before pulling back the spear.

Overall, this spear possesses all the qualities I desire.
Its length and weight are appropriate, making it easy to use.

It has a unique feel to it and a stiffness that allows it to ‘bend’, but when compared to the other weapons from the ruins, it’s rather plain.

「Deep in my heart, I was expecting it to fly in the sky the moment I picked it up.」

I shake the blood off the tip and put the spear away.
The Aless soldiers have already taken over most of the city and the battle is gradually coming to a close.

The citizens and enemy soldiers look like they’ve given up too.

「It’s our victory! Ah, I will carry your spear.」

Celia comes beside me and takes the Keravnos.

「Gyu! T-this is nothing…… wait, I can’t stand up straight……」

I knew it, it’s still too heavy for her.
She has to be careful when balancing it, since whenever she adjusts the center of mass, it looks like it’ll tip over to one side and crush her.

That was when I spotted an enemy soldier behind Celia whose eyes had not died.

I immediately unsheathe my Dual Crater.

Celia also notices, but can’t make a move with both hands occupied, so I have to protect her.

「A-an enemy! But I can’t defeat him with the spear――」

In the next moment, the Keravnos emits a blue glow and shoots a beam at the enemy.
A crash of thunder struck down, slightly delayed……yes, it was a literal thunderclap.

「Guwaaaah!!」

The enemy soldier screams and dies after being burnt to a crisp.
It all happened in a split second.

「S-something came out! Something terrifying!」

I pat Celia on the head.

「You can really do everything, huh.」

Celia looked like she wanted to say something, but held back, valuing her head being pet more.

「I will make a conjecture about the Keravnos’s ability.」

Out of nowhere, Tikuku descends from the giant’s shoulder and sends a needle-like glare in our direction.

「What do you mean? Are you saying this spear can call forth lightning?」

「Due to it being a personal item, I cannot confirm its features.
I can only hypothesize based on standards in storage that it contains some sort of magic amplification device.」

I don’t understand what she’s saying.

「Changing explanation mode: For 12 years old and under――a magic amplification device is a medium which does not have magic power itself, but accumulates and magnifies the magic of the user.」

「So does that mean Celia has magic energy inside her?」

That makes her a magic user then.

「Negative.
A large majority of the human race possesses magic.
The term magic user is a generic label that refers to someone who can manifest their own magical energy in a physical phenomenon without any assistance.」

In other words, everyone has magic within them, but it doesn’t mean they can do anything with it.
Those who possess strong enough magic energy to do something are called magic users.
How informative.

「So this spear amplified the magic which normally lies dormant inside me……?」

「Affirmative.
I surmise the Keravnos is equipped with the function to enhance the user’s magic, convert it into electricity and shoot it.
Calculating based on the amplification efficiency, there is a -12% difference in your magical energy capacity compared to the individuals you call magic users.」

In other words, Celia needs 10% more magic to be magic user Celia.
How much more cute and multi-talented can she get?

As I pat Celia’s head again, it hits me.

「Hey wait, I’ve been fighting with the Keravnos this whole time, but nothing came out.
Did you do anything special?」
「When I directed my murderous intent at the enemy, it fired on its own……」

Tikuku pauses for a few seconds, then opens her mouth.

「An amplification device requires a minimum level of magic to activate.
It will not work with 0 magic.」

After a short breath, Tikuku continues on.

「In general, the amount of magic power in a person tends to be proportional to their intelligence.」

「Mack, come here!!」

Mack runs when I yell and I throw the Keravnos at him.

「Point the spear at that piece of debris!」
「……what?」

Mack does as he is told with a confused face.

Suddenly, the spear crackles and glows blue.
It was a world of difference compared to the time Celia used it, but a baby lightning bolt shot out.

I snatch the Keravnos away from Mack and point it at the rubble.
Far from the electricity I wanted, not a single spark scattered..

「How strange.
Even I guy like him who is supposedly all brawn can emit something, yet someone like me with overflowing intelligence can’t!?」
「……nuu.」

「The amount of magic power in a person tends to be proportional to―― please refrain from excessive touching.」

Celia covers Tikuku’s mouth.

My last hope is next to me.

「Everyone, raise a cry for our victory!! Lots of things happened, but let us celebrate this win! That’s what it means to be a man!!」

Gildress is so loud he makes me want to shut my ears.
This guy is truly someone who has muscles for brains and thinks only of fighting and women.
If this guy can shoot lighting like nothing, I don’t know what I’ll do.

「Grrrnnh……」

As I was struggling internally, an allied soldier burst out of a civilian residence.

「I found the king of Meldora, Busco!! He was hiding in the basement of a house!!」

「Capture him right away.
I’ll go too.」

Sponsored Content

I ran off, carrying the Keravnos with me.

King Busco is kneeling on the floor of the large plaza of the Meldora palace with his hands tied behind his back and Aless soldiers surrounding him.

「This is it.」

「Uuuuu……」

The pale-faced Busco trembles.
I guess it’s fine to drop the honorifics.

「Well…… what can I say?」

I inspect Busco from above.

He’s an ugly man with a balding head and his face looks like a compilation of distorted spare parts.

In addition to his face being covered in sweat, plenty of oil is dripping all over and an unpleasant sour smell is coming from him.

Looking at his entire body, he has a pot belly, and fairly short legs, which, most likely due to his weight, are bow legs.

He is wearing an abundance of jewellery, notably rings on all of his fingers, each fashioned with a large gemstone.

「You’re horribly grotesque.
I’ve never seen a more unattractive man.」

「Buhi……」

I couldn’t help expressing my thoughts out loud, but Busco simply shakes in fear.
Judging by that reaction, there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference from what he looks like on the inside compared to what he looks like on the outside.

「What should we do? We could hang him right here or take him back to Goldonia……」

「There is no point bringing back a coward who hides during war.
Let’s kill him now.」

When Gildress answers Celia’s question, something that doesn’t resemble sweat or oil starts oozing out from Busco’s body.

「Fumu……」

I turn and speak to Gildress.

「If I remember correctly, he participated in this war because of some misfortune?」

I think I heard about him during our march.
If I recall, his wife was stolen or something.

「I don’t remember, but his subordinate said that was the case.」

If so, it would leave a bad taste in my mouth to let things end here.

It would be troublesome if he haunted me for misunderstanding.
And I’d hate to see a ghost as ugly as him.

As I bend down to pick up a fallen sword, I see Gildress’s Light of Aless and shake my head.

「Well, it can’t be helped.」

I draw my Dual Crater and untie Busco’s ropes.

「What!?」
「What’s wrong, my man!? Are you sexually frustrated!?」

Not only Celia and the others, the Aless soldiers also sound baffled.

「In a strange way, this guy fought for his woman who was stolen.
Which means, he needs a last chance.」

I set the Dual Crater in front of him and step back.

「Use it to fight Gildress.
I’ll release you if you win.
That’s fair, isn’t it?」

I don’t believe for one second that a fat guy like him can defeat Gildress, but I can at least give him an equally powerful weapon.
Just try not to get too much of your filthy sweat and oil on it.

「……my friend.」

Gildress shakes as he gazes downward.
Is he angry that he has to fight for his life after coming this far?

「Nuun!」

Gildress suddenly punches himself in the head.

「Aye!! If he’s fighting to retrieve his woman, then I obviously have to accept the challenge!! How stupid of me to even think about tying him up and executing him!!」

Blood trickles down from the cut he inflicted on his forehead, but Gildress smiles at me.
Everyone else is silent.

「Updating ethics standard.」

Tikuku’s soft voice resounded more clearly while everyone stayed quiet.

「Man! I’m impressed that you noticed! I narrowly diminished my manliness!!」

Gildress stands in front of Busco with a big grin on his face.

「Now come! If you best me, I will let you go and return your woman as well.
Let us fight!!」

Gildress removes his armor and cloak, leaving himself in only his red pants, his sword and shield, before letting out a roar.

Meanwhile, Busco picks up the Dual Crater with a shivering hand and stands up――

However, he drops the Dual Crater, which clanks as it hits the floor.
I specifically lent it to you to fight, what are you doing?

「There’s no way I’m a match for the Aless king――! I don’t want to die! I don’t want to diiiee―― I’ll abandon the throne! I’ll also give up on my wife! So please……spare my lifeeee!!」

Busco grovels on the floor in tears.

Gildress’s face becomes blank and he turns his back on the pathetic sight, putting on his cloak and armor again.

「I’ll spare you.」

He spoke in a subdued and calm tone I never expected from a guy like him.

「Are you sure?」

Gildress slowly turns around.

He has a clam expression, but I recognize that look.
It is one of disappointment, scorn, and resignation.
I’ve never seen him that angry before.

「O-ooooh! T-th-then……」

Busco crawls along the floor.

Gildress rests his foot on his face to stop him.
This guy does plenty of abnormal things all the time, but he won’t trample on any opponents’ dignity.
In Gildress’s eyes, Busco must not be a person anymore.

「I won’t kill you.
You’re not worth killing.」

Gildress pushes Busco over with his foot.
However, Busco doesn’t protest and crawls on the floor again.

「I can’t exactly give a man……no, a bastard like you a woman.
Hand over your wife, daughter, and all your lovers.
My friend and I will take custody of them.」

「Sure, I understand.」

「Updating ethics standard.」

I nod.

Thus, Meldora had completely fallen.

Please go to https://www.novelupdates.cc/Oukoku-e-Tsuzuku-Michi/ to read the latest chapters for free