“According to the legends, this [Demon King of Confusion] had been kidnapping the young monkeys from the hometown of [Great Sage Equalling Heaven]. Seeming to be an Ape Ghost kidnapper…but that is not true in reality. The true identity of [Demon King of Confusion] is the reincarnation of the spiritual power representing ‘A Dissolute heart’. He’s the most chaotic of confusions and pervades the gap in the hearts of others to change their personality into ‘一事无成’—the Soul that is unable to accomplish anything. The power of this Demon can cause adults to fall into depression and cause confusion to be born into the world. At the same time, it can also reinforce the dissolute hearts of children and lead them to distance themselves from their parents. And that is the [Kamikakushi of immature children]— the real identity of Demon King of Confusion.”
—Hence this [Demon King of Confusion] had lost to [Great Sage Equalling Heaven] who had just obtained the cultivation of virtues for deityhood. This is also the proof of Sun Wukong’s abandonment of any negative connotations regarding the character of “混”[5] to become the [Great Sage Equalling Heaven].
“……Your Highness. I would say that we have spent a day with a girl who seems close to the situation that I’ve described, right?”
“Ah, you are right about that.”
His Highness did not even try to deny it as he nodded his head honestly.
Jin gritted his teeth as he suppressed his inner rage and sorrow that threatened to spill from his heart as he stated in a calm tone:
“Your Highness…… The real motive behind your actions are to make contact with [Demon King of Confusion]…… and to borrow his power to cause Sandra to be [Kamikakushi]ed!”
“Wow, this is really amazing. You are absolutely correct on all of those. I really didn’t expect you to be able to see through our act to that extent. Jin, you really make me change my opinion about you.”
The golden eyes of His Highness glinted with light as he gave a raucous laugh.
Having listened in on the conversation of the two beside her, Percher had gone pale as she reviewed the whole incident from the very beginning.
(In other words……Sandra’s slipping out of the palace wasn’t really her intention but she was actually ‘kidnapped’ from the palace as a victim for the [Kamikakushi]……)
The truth caused a cold chill to run down the length of her spine.
If Jin hadn’t met up with Sandra at the palace, she would have already been [Kamikakushi]ed by now and disappeared without a trace. If she who plays the role of the host to the Convention had disappeared, it would surely cause [Salamandra] to disband and the other Masters would find it difficult to collaborate on a united front. In fact, that very moment that they had ran into Sandra had been a miraculous act of fate.
(I didn’t expect that Jin…… could have come up with all these conjectures alone.)
Percher revised the evaluation she had about Jin at that very moment.
Jin had participated in battles before but perhaps his usual performance had been mediocre at best and seeming a little unreliable. He had then worked very hard to make up for his shortfalls to reach this point.
In order to keep up with the rest of the [No Name]s that had gathered many devilish geniuses under its wing recently, Jin Russel had given his all to accumulate his knowledge and polish his skills.
“……Your Highness. I hope that you will surrender quietly because you should know that it is a stupid thought to try resist in this sort of situation right?”
“Hng~ surrender…?”
His Highness did his best to suppress his urge to laugh as he looked around to confirm the identities of the people surrounding him.
Leader of [Perseus], Laius.
Strategist of [Will-O'-Wisp], Jack.
[Highborn of Little Garden], Kuro Usagi.
Former Demon Lord currently under the flag of [No Name], Percher.
Giving a sidelong glance at all of them, his Highness gave a teasing expression as he laughed:
“Oh well, let’s do it this way. Let’s have a trade.”
“……a trade?” Jin was so surprised that he repeated the words like a parrot mimicking human speech.
Brimming with smiles as though he had just found something good, His Highness said—
“I will let you guys off with your lives intact, so come over to join my ranks, Jin and Percher.”
“What?!”
Besides His Highness, all the rest were stumped for words.
Although it seems unbelievable, he did not seem to care about the situation that he’s in. It would even seem that compared to the divine spear of Indra pointing at him, he seemed more interested in the answer from Jin.
The ones who had their lives hanging on the balance wasn’t himself but Jin and Kuro Usagi—-that was the kind of assuredness that gave him the confidence to suggest such a trade.
Recognizing the ominous atmosphere shrouding the youth before her, Kuro Usagi started to break into cold sweat.
“Jin-bocchan, you needn’t answer. This guy is……very dangerous!”
The calm golden iris gave a leisurely glance towards Kuro Usagi. That cold look was enough to invoke a wordless threat towards Kuro Usagi.
“There’s nothing to fear. As long as Jin agrees to it, I will let your Community off. After all it’s just the Convention of Masters. For me to close an eye to this whole incident would also be fine by me. Just that this is already a big offer I’m giving for this once.”
The golden yellow irises seemed to ensnare Kuro Usagi.
Just like a frog that caught sight of a snake’s pointed stare at it, Kuro Usagi who had stiffened up instantly had—
“…… Prepare yourself—!”
Following a loud roar of thunder, Kuro Usagi had released the seal of the divine spear of Indra.
—I cannot allow this youth to exist.[6]
The blood of the War God’s Herald coursing through her very being was telling her to finish off her opponent when the opportunity presents itself. Although he might be a very important clue, but now wasn’t the time to worry about all those.
If he wasn’t finished in this strike at this very moment, everyone on the scene would be in danger of being killed!
“Okay…… The [Highborn of Little Garden] wants to fight? Well, I guess there’s no choice then.”
His Highness continued to face his back towards Kuro Usagi while spreading his arms wide in a leisurely manner.
Seeming to say ‘Bring it on, you may take the first move’, His Highness had a fearless smile on his face.
Raising the divine spear, Kuro Usagi silenced the turmoil of thoughts to focus her attention as she took a step forward.
“PIERCE IT…… [Mock History of Poetry. Indra’s Spear]—!!”[7]
A sound explosive boom of thunder resounded.
And the divine spear that carried the collective fate of victory shot towards the back of His Highness with an intense flare of lightning.
The weapon which could even strike down the Gods—the spear that would surely strike true to its intended target had released a million volts worth of lightning and charred the ground beyond recognition as it flew towards the target.
The divine spear, which is the tangible materialization of Fate itself as a form of a Gift, only needed to be thrown once to override any other possible futures to pierce through the enemy.
No matter who this white haired golden iris youth might be, he wouldn’t be able to escape from this strike!
“What, What’s happening?!”