Chapter 74

Thanks to everyone, I won the [Net Novel Grand Prize]. It will be published as a book by Futabasha. I plan to update the details in my activity report from time to time.

When I arrived at the school, the battle was still ongoing. It seems that the Evil God Cult has some skilled fighters, making it difficult to suppress them.

However, they are gradually capturing the cult members. I think this is largely due to the strength of the students at the academy.

The knights are serving as the vanguard, while the academy students provide support from the back with buffs and magic attacks, creating a good cycle.

On the other hand, while each of the cult members may be strong individually, they have no coordination at all. It might just be a matter of time before they are suppressed.

Now, about Luna's magic power... is it over there?

"That's strange... Yomi and Mirei said they would bring her back, but I don't sense any magic power. Did something happen?"

I hurried to Luna's location, but there was no sign of movement. It seemed like she was standing alone.

Luna was standing in the center of the academy, staring at something in the air, motionless.

Clearly, something was wrong. When I looked around, Yomi and Mirei were lying on the ground!

I immediately rushed to the two unconscious people and used Perfect Heal.

Checking their breathing, I could hear a soft snore, so it seemed they had just fainted.

"Master... I'm... sorry, I couldn't stop it. Luna... is probably... under a curse. Please... help her...!"

Yomi, who was barely conscious, entrusted Luna to me before fainting.

To fight to the point of being this battered... but strangely, there were no fatal wounds.

Luna's strange behavior must be due to the curse, clouding her mind.

I don't know what kind of curse it is, but Sacred Heal should be able to handle it.

However, after consecutive battles, my magic power is quite low.

If I use Sacred Heal two more times, I'll have to wait for my magic power to recover before I can use it again.

On the other hand, Luna seems to be in top condition. The strange magic power emanating from her body might be because she has absorbed some of the Evil God's power.

Those Evil God Cult people must have done something to Luna... I'm really pissed off!

"Luna! Listen to me! Your family has already been saved from the Evil God Cult! You don't need to follow those people anymore!"

"......"

Can't she hear me?! No choice, I have to break the curse quickly!

"Sacred Heal!"

Snap.

A dry sound echoed, and I thought Luna's curse was broken, but suddenly a sinister magic power overflowed from her.

"Hahaha, thank you, boy! Thanks to you releasing part of my seal, I have manifested in this world! ...Hmm, this body isn't bad for a human."

What's going on?! This is clearly not Luna's voice. The voice coming from Luna is completely different.

"Who are you! Give Luna back!"

"Who, you ask? You summoned me without knowing who I am? ...Well, I'm in a good mood, so I'll tell you. I am the Evil God you speak of. This woman's body is quite useful, so I'll use it. You should be grateful."

The Evil God?! I used Sacred Heal to break the curse... What's happening?!

---

SIDE: Seiryuutei

"Where is this...?"

It seems the mother has woken up.

"You're awake. This place is safe, so please rest assured."

"Safe...? Our curse is broken...? Lunaria, where is Lunaria?!"

Lunaria? The girl named Luna? I think that's the human Owl wanted to save.

"If you mean Lunaria, she is probably at the academy. But don't worry. A boy named Owl is helping her. He can break curses, so there's no problem even if something happens."

"Break curses...? No...! We can't let him break Lunaria's curse!"

"What are you saying? Breaking a curse is a good thing, right?"

"With our curse broken, Lunaria is the last line of defense!"

"What do you mean?"

"We are a clan that bears the seal of the Evil God. ...Lunaria doesn't know yet, but she is also under the curse!"

"A clan that bears the seal?"

"Our clan has been sealing part of the Evil God's power within our bodies... This curse can't be broken, except by the highest-level curse-breaking magic with a holy attribute. And when the curses of all clan members are broken... part of the Evil God will manifest...!"

"So, with your curses broken, if Lunaria's curse is broken, part of the Evil God will manifest at the academy, right?!"

"Yes! We told our children that only we, the parents, bear the seal to protect them from hardship... *cough* *cough*"

"Don't push yourself. Rest now. Dragon Magic: Healing Water."

She's starting to snore, so she should be calm for now.

But things have gotten complicated, Owl... I hope you didn't break Lunaria's curse...

---

SIDE: Owl

I don't understand what's happening, but I get that it's bad.

I can't call Grana, and my magic power is almost depleted.

...Am I in trouble?

"I would like to keep you alive, but I'm far from my full strength. Let me test this body's capabilities with you first."

Damn... Even though she looks exactly like Luna, the voice and mannerisms are different, making it hard to focus...

"One question?"

"Hmm, I'll answer as a parting gift."

"Is the Evil God a woman?"

"...What?"

Yeah, it's weird, right? Because the mannerisms and voice are clearly those of an adult woman...

It's a kind of gap that's surprisingly alluring. I know it's inappropriate, but... she's my type from my past life...

"Exactly my type..."

Oh no, I said it out loud.

"Wh-What?!"

Hmm? She suddenly blushed and panicked... Maybe she's...

"To be honest, I can't resist your unique aura and mannerisms."

"I'm the Evil God! Don't say weird things!"

I'm sure of it. She's definitely a tsundere who's strong but inexperienced in love.

...Yeah, not bad. Normally, I'd have a spectacular battle and defeat the Evil God, but I want her to join us.

But I already have Luna, Yomi, and Mirei.

Hmm...

Angel: "No way, Owl! If you keep adding girls, everyone will be sad!"

Devil: "Kekeke, what are you talking about? It doesn't matter if it goes from three to four!"

Angel: "But! You just proposed to Mirei!"

Devil: "...If she joins, farm work might progress faster. She's a god, after all, and might have more wisdom and knowledge than us."

Angel: "T-That's true..."

Devil: "Kekekekeke!"

...My inner angel is weak, huh? But the devil is right.

Hehehe, I want her to join us. Fortunately, no one knows the Evil God has manifested yet.

If I handle this, it'll be the perfect crime! But why am I so drawn to her...? Even if she's my type from my past life, it's still strange.

"To put it simply, I want you!"

"W-What?!"

"Do you not want to?"

"...I'm the Evil God. Is that okay with you?"

Oh, this is a great flow. More members, no unnecessary conflict. Two birds with one stone!

"I don't care!"

"..."

One more push.

"Will you come with me?"

"I... probably don't hate you. I might be influenced by the body's owner, but I'm intrigued by your attitude even after knowing I'm the Evil God... ...And you have a good face, too."

I didn't hear the last part, but I think she accepted?

"Then!"

"Still, I won't submit to a weaker man. Show me your strength if you want me!"

Eh? It ends up like this anyway! Damn it!

"Phew..."

But if I don't do something, Luna won't come back. I have no choice.

"Evil God, I, Owl of Oren Village, challenge you! Let's fight fairly!"

"Oren Village...? No way. Come on!"

Assuming I have one more Sacred Heal left, I have almost no magic power left.

I have to do this without magic, in close combat!

"Hmm, not bad for a kid! Can you dodge this?"

Dozens of black orbs fly towards me, a spell I've never seen before.

Considering she's the Evil God, she can use dark magic too! Maybe Dark Bullet?

"Huff!!"

Avoiding the Dark Bullet, I kick at her jaw, but she dodges by a hair's breadth.

Annoyingly, she dodges perfectly, just a centimeter away from a direct hit, which is frustrating.

"Hmm, I underestimated you. How about this?"

Dark Lances, maybe? Black spear-like magic is deployed in the air. Normally, I'd counter with magic, but I don't have the luxury. I shouldn't have used Six Dragons Summoning.

The Dark Lances fly at a speed incomparable to Dark Bullets. I dodge them, grazing them, but they don't come in large numbers at once, as if she's holding back.

"Hmm, not bad! Your reaction is good, but you're still inefficient."

Attacked without a chance to counter... and now she's criticizing me. This is demoralizing.

When she raised her hand, small black masses appeared in the air in an abnormal amount, completely blocking my escape route.

I have no choice. I have little magic power, but I can't be defeated so easily.

*Staff Technique: Defensive Form: Water Lily*

The water lily is a lotus that opens and closes three times a day, hence the name.

This technique, inspired by that, was created by my master.

I strike upwards with the staff open and downwards with it closed, creating a barrier in my airspace to prevent attacks from entering.

*This technique makes the staff an impenetrable defense.*

These were my master's words when he taught me this technique.

By circulating magic power through the staff, it maximizes efficiency with minimal effort.

"I've defended it!"

"Not yet."

I heard her voice, but she was already gone. What speed!

"It's over."

The Evil God's fist is in front of me. It appeared suddenly, and time seems to be moving incredibly slowly.

Maybe this is the "life flashing before my eyes" thing. I fought Seiryuutei, Professor Monica, and used recovery magic repeatedly, and then fought the Evil God.

Maybe I overdid it. I wasn't that hardworking in the first place.

I planned to live a more relaxed life, but how did it come to this?

Luna... I'm sorry I couldn't save you. If I were stronger, it would have been better.

At least, I'll use a recovery spell on you before I die. It's sad to see a girl covered in wounds.

*Perfect Heal*

Now my magic power is almost depleted. In the next life, I'll definitely live a relaxed life.

Thank you, Yomi, Luna, Mirei, Mom, Dad, Reblant.

One last thing, I'll say it.

"I love you, Luna."

...?

The right hand that was supposed to be in front of me is stopped by my left hand?

What's going on?

"Surprised... Even while your body was taken over by me, you stopped the attack on this boy. Even though the slave contract was broken. Incredible mental strength."

Indeed. There was something about the slave contract and harming the master. But she said she broke it.

"Hmm, no matter how many times I try to punch, my body stops it. ...I can't win like this."

"Did Luna stop it...?"

"It seems so. ...Humans are interesting because of this."

"Ha!"

I chopped at the Evil God, and it hit without being dodged.

"I win, or rather, we win, right?"

"...Hahaha! I concede! Tell me your name again."

"I'm Owl. Nice to meet you, Evil God."

"My name is... no, you name me."

"Me? Is that okay?"

"Yes, give me the cutest name you can think of."

The cutest name... That's a tough request.

Hmm...

"Before I name you, can you exist without Luna's body?"

"Hmm, yes. I'm just a part of the Evil God. If I gather more fragments, I can manifest without this body."

I see...

"I've decided your name. Your name is 'Inagi.'"

"Inagi... Not bad, but what does it mean?"

It's...

"For now, it's a secret."

"Hmm! What's that? You'll tell me someday!"

Luna is named after the moon. The god of the moon is Tsukuyomi.

Tsukuyomi was born from Izanagi.

I got the idea from that, but you wouldn't understand.

"Don't worry, it's not a bad name."

"Hmm, if it's not bad, that's fine. ...Alright. I'm tired from my first manifestation. I'll return this body to its original owner for now."

Luna's body glowed, and she almost fell to the ground, but I managed to catch her.

*Snore*

"She's sleeping... Phew, at least this is over, right?"

Anyway, I managed to get Luna back. The Evil God Cult is probably mostly captured thanks to Grana.

"Hey, speaking of which..."

"From the looks of it, you managed to save your friends."

Grana seems to be fine, which is a relief.

"I'm beat, but it worked out."

"Yes, I exterminated the Evil God Cult. Now the grudge is avenged. ...So, Owl, you and Retia disappeared somewhere. W-Where did you go?!"

Huh? I see, she's suspicious because I disappeared with Seiryuutei. I get it.

"Probably resting in my bed at home? It was really tough. It was my first time."

"Wh-What?! What did you do to Retia?! I won't forgive you, even if you're Owl!"

"Nothing, I just saved Seiryuutei's daughter who was taken hostage. She's probably resting at home now."

Grana froze at my words, but this is good medicine for her. She's muttering, "Daughter? What's a daughter?" but I'll ignore it.

Now, I need to think about what to do next.

...The Evil God Cult was the troublemakers, not the Evil God. Right?

If the Evil God is in Luna's body, to destroy it, I'd have to kill Luna. That would be the worst-case scenario.

So, it's best to keep the Evil God in Luna's body a secret. ...Maybe I should report it to the king?

No, finding a book alone can result in the death penalty. If the Evil God herself appears, the consequences could be even worse.

...

Alright, I didn't see anything! I just had my first fight with Luna. We made up, and everything is fine!

"I'm perfect, aren't I?"

"Owl! Let's go home quickly!"

Why is this dragon so anxious? We still need to talk to the knights and report to the king.

"Wait a minute. There's cleanup to do, so it's not immediate. But I want to take Luna, Mirei, and Yomi home, so take Grana with you."

"Alright! I'll take care of it! It's for Owl, after all! Wahahaha!"

Grana, carrying the three, left at an incredible speed and with delicate movements.

Phew...

"Shouldn't you come out now?"

"What, you noticed?"

"Sort of, half of it was intuition."

"Ha! Intuition, huh? So, you're not going to ask why I'm here?"

"No, I have a pretty good idea."

I felt something was off when the king asked me to lead the guerrillas. I know he recognizes my strength, but I've never fought in front of him.

Yet, he planned strategies as if he knew my strength.

So, it's normal to think someone leaked information about my strength to the king.

"Hmm, so you don't think I'll report this to the king?"

"Jorunard wouldn't do that."

"Why not?"

Jorunard is the type who simply enjoys fighting strong opponents. He's a battle junkie.

And now, there's a dangerous but harmless fragment of the Evil God in front of him. It's easy to imagine he'd want to fight her.

"Once this is over and everyone is healed, I'll ask Inagi to fight you. You want to, right?"

"Ha ha ha ha ha, you really get it! That's right! And if there are more fragments of the Evil God in this world, it'll be even more interesting if I absorb them and get stronger!"

Wow, you heard that much. I sensed a faint presence, but you might have seen almost everything.

"Alright, so this is a secret from the king, okay?"

"Leave it to me. I'm just hired, after all. I'll do the job for the reward, but if it's not worth it, I won't."

"Thanks, Jorunard."

"No problem. Half of it is for me, anyway. I'll report to the knights, so you can go home today."

He left, probably to report to the king.

The killer of the former prime minister is still unknown, but we've weakened the Evil God Cult.

Hopefully, they'll behave for a while. Professor Monica might give me more details.

Oh, right, is Professor Monica still at the fortress?

"I'll ask Seiryuutei to go to the fortress... I need to collect items and documents."

---

I pushed my tired body and hurried home, only to find Grana beaten up and lying at the door.

I poked her, but there was no response. She seems to be just a corpse