As I reported the other day, “I Became the Strongest With The Failure Frame【Abnormal State Skill】As I Devastated Everything” came in 9th place in the BookWalker’s “Next Big Light Novel Hit” 2019: Bunkobon. I wrote that I was honored just to be nominated, but I was very surprised to hear that I made it into the top 10. Once again, I’d like to express my deepest gratitude. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who voted for us (I think it’s a lot of work to cast a single vote…). Thank you very much.
Also, the second chapter of the manga have been published in Comic Garde. The final scene is very coolly drawn, both in composition and art. Please also check that out.
And I’m very sorry for the delay in updating these days due to various things other than other work. In terms of content, I was struggling a bit to write it. However, I’ve finished it for the time being… I hope you’ll enjoy it (albeit with some surprises).
Early in the morning.
There’s a thick morning mist looming in the air outside.
The Heroes were now ready to leave the castle.
The armies of the other countries are also slowly preparing to depart.
I’ve already finished my preparations early and left my room.
[Ayaka-chan.]
I saw Minamino Moe waiting outside.
Behind her were the other members of my group.
[I guess you guys are also ready to go.]
[Umm… Ayaka-chan.]
Moe looks like she’s having some difficulty saying something.
I gently urged her to speak.
[You don’t have to hold yourself back. Feel free to speak, okay? I was the class president, you can ask me anything.]
[The reason why Ayaka-chan is being demoted to B-Rank, it must have been our fault, right?]
[Eh?]
[We were getting in the way of Ayaka’s growth…… Therefore, we all decided that we have to, at least, apologize.]
Moe looks like she’s on the verge of sobbing.
I just smiled at them and shook my head.
[It’s not everyone’s fault. Besides…… I don’t think I could have made it this far if I was alone.]
(In terms of feelings, I’m sure that I won’t be able to endure it…)
My everyday life is suddenly taken away by this otherworld summoning.
I was anxious.
However, I have my duties that I need to fulfill.
As the class president, it’s my duty to protect everyone.
[It’s because I want to protect everyone…… It’s because everyone is here that I’m able to come this far. That’s why, Minamino-san doesn’t need to apologize.]
[……Ayaka-chan, you’ve always been really kind, haven’t you?]
Kayako Suou puts her hand on Moe’s shoulder.
[That’s also why surviving this battle is really important, even if it’s for the sake of Sogou-san.]
[Un…… I’m going to do my best so I don’t become a burden to Ayaka-chan…… I will do my best.]
Filled with determination on her face, Moe wiped away her tears.
[Igiieeeeiiiiieeeeeeeeiiinnnneeeeeeeerororrororororoiiiiihhihihiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeieiiieeeeeeeegiiieeeeeeeeiiiiinnneeeeeeerorororororooiiiihhhhiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhh————!]
A strange sound resembling a scream, reverberated throughout the area.
[……Eh? What?]
It didn’t come from the direction of the Demon Zone.
(I feel like I heard that sound just now coming from inside the ramparts……)
Moe who had shrunk her body in response to that scream, looked towards the window.
[Maybe it’s those black dragons that the people from Bakuos brought……?]
Kayako asks me a question.
[Could it be that the Great Demon Emperor’s army is attacking?]
[I heard that the enemy’s Southern Invasion Army hasn’t even reached near Synod yet, so I don’t think that’s the case…… And if there really was any major movement from them, I’m sure that the royal capital, where the White Wolf King and the others are, will send some information……]
Though I said that, I’m not entirely sure.
I obviously wouldn’t know everything about our enemies.
Perhaps, they have some kind of really awesome magic or some kind of method to teleport their horde.
I exchange glances with Moe.
[A- Ayaka-chan…… This is….]
(An earthquake?)
The ground is faintly vibrating.
Almost at the same time, the people inside the castle suddenly became hurried.
All of us leaned outside the window to see what was going on outside.
The soldiers were gathering on the southern ramparts.
Incidentally, the morning mist had already thinned out and our visibility has turned better.
(It’s coming from the Demon Zone…)
[We will be going too.]
Just in case, after we made sure that our group was ready to fight,we headed outside the castle.
Even while going through the castle, we could still hear angry roars resounding around.
Once we arrived outside, the soldiers’ restless demeanor didn’t change.
Moe looked anxious as she faltered.
[The people inside the castle have been talking about the monsters in the Demon Zone…… It’s been a long time since the monsters have come near this castle, right? W- Would it be alright?]
I have a confused expression myself as I look back at her.
(That loud noise just now sounds like a scream……)
What if that scream just now were just trying to call out those monsters?
Just when I had such worries in my mind…
[Sogou-san.]
[Ah… Braun-san.]
Brown Angoon. (T/N: ブラウン・アングーン / Buraun Anguun)
The second brother of the Four Revered Saints.
A tall young man with glasses, having the impression of being a priest of some sort.
Although they have been overshadowed by the older two, the younger two are also said to be quite strong themselves.
I’ve heard that if it’s two against one, they could even beat Abyss.
Seeing him, I look around for Agito.
Thereupon, the second daughter, White Angoon who was standing next to Brown, smiled.
[Elder Brother and the others are still in the castle. They seem to be trying to figure out the situation together with Guira-sama and Polarie-sama.]
The second daughter is a gentle-looking woman who always had a smile on her face.
However, I felt that there’s something superficial from these younger two.
It feels like they’re trying to keep appearances……
What I mean is—- They must be just as extraordinary as the older two.
The younger two could still remain calm even in the midst of all these turmoil.
Even within the current atmosphere of the castle, where everyone looks awfully restless.
[Oh?]
Brown turned away and looked up at the sky.
Multiple dark shadows were soaring in the skies.
The clear morning air was shook by the screeching roars—- of dragons.
[It’s the Black Dragon Knights!]
One of the soldiers who had gathered at the ramparts pointed his finger above his head.
A few black dragons were heading out of the southern city walls.
Looking at them, I could see a knight in black armor mounted in each of the dragons with a spear in hand.
[Probably because of that situation with Neia from before, Bakuos now want a chance to take this opportunity for themselves.]
[Ummm…… Brown-san, could I ask what’s happening? Could it be……]
[It seems that the monsters are gathering. That strange, loud sound earlier must have drawn those monsters in.]
Yes, that faint vibration from earlier was probably the sound of the monsters moving.
I could still feel those vibrations even now……
[Is this something that commonly occurs?]
[I don’t know, I’m not sure I’ve ever heard that something like this happened……]
[Geez! What’s with all these fuzz early in the morning!?]
The castle lord Guira, arrived with soldiers in tow.
The soldiers were divided into squads of long spears and crossbow wielders.
Before long, the other Heroes have also gathered.
[The f*ck’s happening? Is the Great Demon Emperor’s army attacking? But, isn’t that direction where the Demon Zone is? Or rather, old man, didn’t you say that this was a dangerous castle that the monsters of the Demon Zone avoids? What a complete fraud! Lying to us totally ain’t cool! It’s totally ain’t cool!]
While Oyamada was swearing at him, Guira’s veins popped out in frustration.
[Hah? What? Eh? What’s the matter? Are you perhaps losing your temper? Gyahaha! That’s quite easy for you to get mad, don’t you think!?]
Yawning, Yasu looked at the ramparts with sleepy eyes.
[It’s a good thing that I’m here to help, but well, I’ve also been having trouble finding the appropriate monsters for me since I’ve gotten into the realm of the strongest. I have no one to consider as my enemy—- Which consequently means, I’m unrivalled. Good grief. I could also feel it even in games, but it really is quite the problem if I’m too strong. How boring, how really boring……]
Even though he’s frowning upon the attitudes of the two A-Rank heroes, Guira sent out his commands to the crossbow squad he brought with him.
[From atop the ramparts, let down a rain of arrows down on those monsters!]
The other soldiers who had already arrived earlier, were now shooting arrows from the watchtower and on top of the ramparts.
[There’s no way that they’d be able to breach through our walls and gate, but we can’t afford to let these monsters who don’t know their place get away with it! Come, don’t hesitate to annihilate them! Go, keep up with those Black Dragon Knights! Let’s show them what the army of Magnar can do!]
Guira states his declaration.
[No matter how many their numbers may be, we don’t need to borrow the strength of other nation’s forces outside the walls of the northern gate! Heroes, please take a close look at the power of our castle!]
One of Guira’s subordinates steps forward and suggests to him.
[Guira-sama! Why don’t we launch a charge from the southern gate!? The cavalries have pent up quite a lot because they normally haven’t had their chance to be sent out!]
[Ohhh, is that so!? Fufun! Alright! In that case, go send the caval—–]
Suddenly, a chain of screams rang out from the top of the ramparts.
For some time now, the top of the ramparts had been particularly noisy.
And then, the rumbling in the ground began getting louder and louder——
The loud sound of destruction rang out as part of the ramparts were blown away.
[——Eh?]
Right beside where Guira stands, parts of the blown up ramparts began raining down.
His men, who had been on standby on his side, were crushed by the falling chunks of stones.
Blood and flesh scattered towards the ground.
Taking a few moments to process what just happened, the girls in my group turned pale.
[Iyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!]
Screams rang out.
[H- Hey……]
The soldiers took a step back.
Their gazes were fixed unto the huge fissure formed in the ramparts.
From behind the fissure in the wall, a huge arm appeared.
That gnarly hand was grasping unto the crack in the ramparts.
And a head appeared from beyond the wall.
(A dragonfly……?)
Its head looks like a dragonfly.
However, it looks humanoid from the neck down.
It’s like a “gigantic humanoid dragonfly”.
There was also what looks like body hair slightly growing out of its humanoid body.
Its skin is colored with a dragonfly-like pattern.
Its face eerily twitched about—-
[Yochi…… Yochiyochi…… yochi, yochichichichi!]
It happened at the same time that eerie cry rang out.
The Dragonfly Giant’s ten sharp fingertips shot forward.
(T/N: Like those rocket arms, just with fingers.)
Its fingertips swooped towards the soldiers on top of the ramparts like a lethal weapon.
[Gyaaahh!]
[Guueeehhh!?]
[Hiiieeehh! S- Sav—- Gufuu!]
Ten screams of agony rang out in rapid succession.
His stinger-like fingertips mercilessly pierced through the soldier’s body and then, immediately went back into the giant’s hands again.
Apparently, those stinger-like fingertips were connected to his hand by some kind of thread.
[That’s……]
Guira breaks down and drops down on his knees.
[That’s impossible…… The greatest pride of our Anti-Demon White Castle, the ramparts facing the Golden Demon Zone……]
[Guira-san.]
Turning around, what was caught in Guira’s eyes was—- the Four Revered Saints’ eldest brother and sister, and the Dragonslayer.
[A- Agito-dono…… Dragonslayer-dono…… My ramparts…… The monsters……]
[You should make haste and take command of the soldiers in the castle.]
After saying this, Agito pointed the tip of his sword at the “chasm” on the destroyed ramparts.
[I’m going.]
Immediately after his declaration, excited monsters began rushing one after another from the destroyed chasm.
The soldiers who were near the chasm were slaughtered one after another.
The door of the watchtower was destroyed and the monsters began pouring in there as well.
[Brown, White.]
After Agito said that, the two younger Four Revered Saints rushed out towards the chasm.
The two of them head for the watchtower while kicking away the attacking monsters.
[Why!? W- Why are so many monsters here!? Why did this suddenly happen!?]
[Guira-san, this attack could possibly the work of the Great Demon Emperor’s army…… Just a moment ago, I heard that they saw an Ogre Soldier inside the ramparts.]
[T- That’s absurd!? Ogre Soldiers!? From where in the heck would they invade this place from!?]
[From last night until this morning, the main security of this castle was handled by exhausted Bakuos soldiers. In addition, the whole area around us was covered in a thick morning mist that appeared early in the morning, making it really difficult for everyone to see…… It might have been unavoidable for some of them to break into this place.]
[I don’t care about those stupid little details! In short, there are enemies, isn’t that right!?]
Oyamada turned his right arm in circles as he advanced forward.
[Lookie here? Can’t you see the brimming amount of experience points? Rather than a bonus stage, doesn’t this honestly look more like that stage where you scramble for achievements? Will us Heroes really be able to fight? I say that this is a great chance to show this sh*tty locals who are looking down on us who they’re messing with!]
[Black flames, heed my call…… .] (T/N: Sword Eye of the Black Flames / Laevateinn)
From Yasu’s arm, black flames began to coil towards his hand.
[I wish there was a monster worthy of this Black Flame Hero. First of all…… How about we burn that huge Dragonfly Giant to ashes?]
[He- Hero-dono……]
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