Heroine Summoning Order
A red flash ignites before my eyes.
A simple swing without a skill name.
I’ve never felt such intimidation before.
This is my second time facing an EX Rank, but the pressure from Ivan’s attacks is on a whole different level.
It’s no wonder he’s listed as one of the Four Kings of the Messiah.
But I can’t back down here.
[Partner! Unleash true name!]
The Black Prince’s urgent voice rings in my head.
[Durandal]
[True Name Unleashed]
[The Abyssal Sword of Destruction that Burns Through Darkness]
I activate True Name Unleash.
Durandal’s blade turns pitch black.
Black magical energy ignites all over my body.
Thump, thump.
My heart races.
The Magic Core in my chest resonates with the Black Stone, extracting power.
The surging magical energy rushes through my magic circuits.
I hoist Durandal high and use my gift.
Shadows rise and turn to darkness.
The blade is now entirely stained in flawless black.
Boom—! The red flash collides with the black Durandal.
Boom.
With the explosion, my body launches into the air.
“Gah…”
It was just blocking a regular strike, but every bone in my body screams.
Crash.
Debris from the building buries me.
“I expected this, but is this all I can manage even after True Name Unleashed?”
Step, step.
I hear the footsteps of Berserk approaching.
[Partner. Get a grip. Partner. Even now, my power… ]
‘Not yet.’
The Black Prince’s voice echoes in my mind.
An incomplete union won’t do.
I need a complete union.
The only way to face the EX Rank is through that method.
The prerequisite for total union is a oneness of spirit between the spirit and the user.
Only when the Black Prince and my heart align can union be possible.
As a spirit user, I can inherently sense it.
It’s not time yet.
To win, I have to wait a little longer.
I grit my teeth as I rise.
I can still fight.
I believe that as I lift up Durandal.
“Are you thinking of surrendering quietly? I guess not.”
I channel my magical energy while listening to Berserk’s words.
“Where have the other girls gone who cling to you when you’re at a disadvantage?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
Are they the Heroines?
If it’s them, I told them to check other places with gate reactions and sent them off.
Dealing with this crazy guy is enough for just me.
“That’s enough.”
‘Having numbers against an EX Rank opponent is just a nuisance.’
[Oh, partner. Noble self-sacrifice, the spirit of martyrdom! Now you’re truly a hero, I’m proud.]
The Black Prince is rambling again.
Martyrdom, huh.
I just hope he stops with the shudder-inducing nonsense.
[But don’t die. The ladies who admire you and my lovely little sister would be sad. Death is unacceptable.]
His voice slightly deepens.
Hearing this from a guy, not a beautiful girl, sends chills down my spine.
‘I won’t die. Absolutely not.’
I’m a selfish side character and a small fry.
I’ll never do anyone a favor.
I’m going to live until I can paint the walls with my poop.
I haven’t even gotten back to my original world yet.
I can’t die like a dog here.
“You’re ridiculously uncooperative.”
Without saying a word, I gather my magic.
Thank goodness the novel villain talks a lot and is kind.
Every moment he blabs is a chance for me to regroup.
“Master told me to capture you alive, but losing an arm or leg shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
Berserk says in a monotone voice.
He raises his large sword.
“Blood Smash!”
Bang!
With a flash of blood, an explosion hits me head-on.
‘That’s ridiculously strong…’
It hurts.
It hurts like hell.
[Partner. Wake up. Partner……]
The Black Prince’s voice echoes in my head.
*
Beppu.
As expected of a city famous for hot spring tourism, steam was rising everywhere.
However, instead of steam, another kind of smoke was filling the city of Beppu.
Gates opened throughout the city.
Otherworldly beings were pouring out from gates that Berserk had opened, wreaking havoc on the city.
Fortunately, thanks to the heroes and hunters on standby, along with the efforts of Shuo Academy students on a school trip, they were suppressing the chaos with ease.
‘Something feels off.’
Olivia’s lovely brows furrowed.
A sudden enemy attack along with simultaneous gate openings.
While they were managing to hold the gates without a problem, was this really all the enemy aimed for?
It was a crisis situation, but it felt like the source of the threat was somewhere else.
You could call it a woman’s intuition.
Olivia took out her phone.
A message popped up on the screen.
[Help clean up the gates with the others.]
The sender of the curt message was Kim Deok-Sung.
As his devoted maid, she was supposed to follow his orders faithfully, but her intuition was ringing alarm bells.
‘No matter how I think about it, it’s suspicious.’
Let’s say the gate defense was entrusted to the students, including her.
Then where could he possibly be headed?
He mentioned guarding the ryokan, but what about the ryokan…?
‘Could it be that explosion?’
At that moment, a sudden thought flashed through her mind.
Right during dinner, a loud explosion and strong magical resonance that coincided perfectly.
The subsequent gate alarm quickly buried it, but that was definitely an attack aimed directly at the ryokan.
And the chances were high that something behind her unease was lurking in that attack, not a typical strike.
It’s highly probable that something, not her anxiety itself, is lurking there.
Whether it’s an otherworldly being, a villain, or a monster.
Is that fool really okay being left alone in such a place?
Just as Olivia’s thoughts reached that point.
Boom! A powerful explosion erupted from the ryokan, accompanied by a blinding flash.
Olivia bit her lip.
“Sure enough.”
She clenched her fists.
Her suspicion transformed into certainty.
Kim Deok-Sung.
He has positioned himself in the most dangerous place while sending out himself and other students who could have assisted him.
Although there was no evidence yet, Olivia was convinced.
‘You idiot!’
Olivia bit her lips.
If he’s having a hard time, he can rely on her as much as he wants.
Isn’t that what a dedicated maid is for?
But he never relied on others, not in the past, and not now.
He always tried to shoulder everything alone.
That aspect angered Olivia.
Isn’t it okay to lean on someone a little?
Isn’t it okay for everyone to work together instead of being alone, just a bit?
‘I need to go save him now.’
That fool.
Because that’s what a dedicated maid should do.
Just when Olivia was thinking that and trying to gather the heroines.
“Hawa-wawa-wawa…”
Evangeline’s clearly unnatural, flustered appearance caught Olivia’s eye.
“Princess Stewart.”
“H-Hawa-wawa. W-What brings you here, Princess Bonaparte?”
Evangeline turned around in surprise at Olivia’s call.
“Why are you so flustered? It’s suspicious.”
“T-That is…”
Evangeline trembled.
Olivia’s eyes glimmered with a deep shade of blue.
Her womanly intuition was telling her something.
“You. Why are you this unnaturally flustered after hearing the explosion? Do you perhaps know something about that explosion?”
The other students and heroes showed no signs of panic even after hearing the explosion.
This was the scene of a gate occurrence.
Though the explosion was a bit loud, it wasn’t an unusual phenomenon.
Only Evangeline.
She was the only one panicking.
“Hawa-wawa-wawa…”
Evangeline’s expression wavered.
The message Kim Deok-Sung had previously sent her flashed through her mind.
[As you could see from Trixie’s reaction]
[An EX-rank villain has attacked the ryokan.]
[I will protect this place, so you take Olivia and the students outside.]
[Do not say anything about the villain.]
[I’ll handle the rest myself.]
He would keep it together by himself.
Absolutely don’t say anything.
It was this message that replayed in her mind.
Yet the concern was genuine due to the explosion.
[Can you really handle this alone?]
Logically, it didn’t make sense for Kim Deok-Sung, an S-rank hero, to face an EX-rank hero by himself.
Thus, Evangeline felt worried for him and sent a message.
There was no reply to the message she sent.
And then came the explosion.
That unusual explosion must surely have been the result of a battle between an EX-rank villain and Kim Deok-Sung.
Something has gone terribly wrong.
Perhaps because of this explosion, he…
Maybe it’s because of that explosion…
A whirlwind of thoughts raced through Evangelin’s mind.
She’s worried.
She wants to go right now.
She wants to protect the person she likes.
Just like in summer school.
But she can’t disobey his orders.
As conflicting emotions tore through Evangelin’s heart, Olivia asked,
“If you know anything, say it right now. It’s the way to protect that fool.”
Olivia looked at Evangelin as she spoke.
England and France.
The glances of the two princesses, who definitely can’t be said to have a good relationship, twisted in the air.
“…Princess Bonaparte.”
Evangelin bit her lip.
With a serious voice, she asked,
“Can you really guarantee that it’s the way to protect Kim Deok-Sung?”
Evangelin’s pink eyes locked onto Olivia’s blue eyes.
“So you do know something. You! If you don’t speak up quickly…”
A spark of joy lit up Olivia’s face.
She definitely knows something!
It’s a bit jealousy-inducing that she shared it with someone else, especially the British princess, rather than her own maid.
But this isn’t the time to squabble over that.
Every second counts.
She has to get to him quickly.
“Please answer my question. Can you truly guarantee it? Even if it goes against his will?”
“Yes.”
Snap.
Olivia placed her hand on her chest.
“As his royal maid, the one who has stayed by his side the longest, I assure you. Revealing what you know is the way to protect him! Even if it goes against that fool’s will!”
Olivia declared with confidence.
Her blue eyes shone resolutely.
Her will was unshakeable.
Seeing that, Evangelin covered her mouth.
“…Girl, I’m feeling a bit jealous of Princess Bonaparte.”
Evangelin muttered softly.
She’s envious.
Unlike her, Olivia had spent a long time with him.
Olivia had the bond of being his royal maid.
Olivia had his trust.
A solid trust that would allow for actions that go against his will to be forgiven.
On the other hand, Evangelin had nothing yet.
But Evangelin Stewart isn’t the kind of person to let personal feelings ruin things.
After all, she’s a proud princess of the British Stewart royal family.
“What did you just mumble? Please say it quickly.”
“Alright, I’ll tell you. Kim Deok-Sung is…”
Evangelin’s mouth opened.
As Evangelin shared her information, Olivia’s face turned red.
She jumped up.
“That fool of the universe!!”
Fool, idiot, sea cucumber, sea squirt, anemone.
Olivia unleashed a torrent of insults at Kim Deok-Sung, placing her hand on her chest and shouting,
“Gather everyone from Shinozaki Rin to Kurosawa Haru right now!”
It was the moment the heroine assembly order was issued.
