Arifureta Shokugyou Chapter 280

「Amanogawa Kouki────a hero.」

Hearing Kouki's declaration, the

let out a dubious voice.

『A hero, you said?』

It was likely that he was demanding for a word that could substantiate Kouki's strength more specifically.

'I guess that's too abstract huh', Kouki smiled wryly inside his heart while asking back in return this time.

「. Human and , won't you help me looking for a way where both sides can coexist?」

『What?』

Bafflement──that wasn't it. The emotion that was filling that voice was as expected……ridicule.

『In this end of the war, where I'm about to get my hand on my longstanding desire, and you are asking me to discard it? Hah』

Out of the question, was what he conveyed. But, Kouki continued his words without faltering.

「You're only about to get your hand on your desire, but you won't be able to obtain it for real.」

『……Hou. Why do you think so?』

「Because I'm here.」

This time it was wrath. A terrific wrath was emitted from the . He thought that Kouki was telling him that the

couldn't win against the , that he was inferior than him.

『Are you mocking me?』

「No. It's my determination.」

The words that replied back concisely contained a clearness that couldn't be ignored.

The

looked up to the sky. His miasma was pletely blocked by the torrent of light. It was the proof that the being confronting him right now was a being that possessed extraordinary strength.

There was a still silence. The 's answer was──

「──!!」

A thunderous sound resounded.

That was the sound of clash played by the sheathed holy sword that Kouki lifted up with both hands clashing against the large sword that was swung down vertically. The attack was a powerful one that caused a hallucination as though the ground was split.

『Hou, that's really something.』

The voice came from the back. At the same time a giant jaw assaulted from left and right!

Kouki immediately tried to jump forward to escape from the unknown, but he saw black beasts assaulted him from all directions simultaneously.

Kouki immediately created multiple barriers using

to block while continuing his question. It was the same question that he once asked Ragal.

「Why? Why won't you take a path where everyone can survive!? If your race can survive by other way, then there should be no need for human to be livestock! It's fine even if it's only mutual non-interference with each other! Just what meaning there is in a world where both sides are merely continuing to kill each other!?」

『──』

The

didn't reply. But, it could be seen how the red eyes peeking out from behind his helm's slit warped in mockery. He was really not seeing any worth from Kouki's wish except as trash.

Kouki continued to argue vehemently even while gritting his teeth.

「There will be spark of hatred remaining for sure if you turn human into livestock. Discord will occur without fail if you rule through fear. If mankind rebel once more in the future, a lot of

might die. A lot of lives will be scattered if a war occur! You are their king aren't you!? Aren't you thinking to look for a path where no sacrifice will result for the sake of the future, for the sake of your patriots!?」

The

seemed to be able to teleport in short range even when he wasn't in the territory of miasma. Surprise attacks came one after another. It was truly a storm of great sword. And then, every single attack possessed terrific might. If it was an average soldier then they would get cut down without even noticing it, or even if they could defend there was no doubt they would still get cut down along with their defense.

In fact, he was barely blocking the attacks by placing

at his blind spots, but small wounds from unavoidable attacks that cut through those

were increasing continuously.

In addition, the countless beasts that suddenly appeared from empty air became numerous murderous weapons. They used miasma to explode or became blades that constantly attacked from his blind spot.

There was no opening to perform defense to all directions using .

Kouki used

and

to hold back the beasts, and used

and < Light Explosion> to forcefully take some distance. Only then he was barely able to evade or block everything.

The

was responding with ridiculing laugh as expected toward Kouki's desperate words.

『Not at all.』

Kouki's expression distorted in grief.

「Why, how could……」

『War? The bigger the better. Strife itself is something like a delicious food. What meaning is there in a life where there isn't even one entertainment?』

「Enter, tainment?」

Kouki's expression changed slightly. His desperation thinned down and his expression was turning vaguely calm.

『Conflict, rule, the livestock's rebellion, they are side show. All of those are indispensable "entertainment" for living don't you think?』

Kouki understood. pletely. About the nature of the race called . He understood for sure this time.

So to speak they were the same like a species of migratory fish that would die if they didn't continue to swim. Conflict was exactly their motivation for living. They couldn't help but fight. They couldn't help but conquer. They would invade until the ends of earth if it was for the sake of that. They would scatter the spark of hatred themselves.

If was the way of living for survival, and at the same time it was also something to fill their heart.

Evil──it would be easy if

could just be labeled like that.

But it was if from the viewpoint of Kouki, no, from the view point of the great majority of human.

But, from the viewpoint of the , perhaps it was Kouki's insistence for coexistence that was exactly an evil that was trampling on their nature.

Their viewpoint was decisively too different.

『Are you finished with your questions? Then let's end this. You have allowed me to enjoy this somewhat, but even that torrent of light won't match the strength that I have continued to stock for this whole five years.』

The air shook greatly. Raging miasma converged behind the

with fierce momentum.

『Power is everything in this world. The strong rule everything. I'll teach your body the meaning of kingship.』

The miasma formed shape. The darkness colored miasma was forming into a giant that was about fifty meter tall from the ground. Arms were formed, a head was formed, a great sword was formed, and then the whole body was covered with armor. It was truly the avatar of . The figure of the strongest king that wouldn't perish as long as miasma existed was there.

『How about you create your barrier of light? You almost died protecting a town of the livestock using that didn't you?』

In respond Kouki closed his eyes slightly. He wrapped his body in silence and the tranquility of a clear spring resided in his eyes.

Once more, he chose.

He imagined along with his resolve. Once, he escaped from reality, and at the end of it he was bestowed with that form of strength. Since that time, no matter how many times he attempted it he was always unable to do it anymore──if it was now he would be able to do it. With such conviction he declared.

「No, there is no need. I'll defeat you and end this──