kscans

Chapter 207 - Cheat Bastard VS Villainess

"And... well, that's why this world is now on the brink of destruction."

After going to Kyoto and securing the cooperation of those cursed old folks, I turned my attention to the powerful individuals I knew. Yanagi and Onisaki, the Arima brothers, Setsuko-chan, and Kawasaki. I would start with these six. Everyone but Kawasaki belongs to the Mutual Aid Society, but Yanagi and Onisaki are my personal soldiers, and the society cannot strong-arm the isekai group because of their sheer power. That's why I, the one with personal connections to them, became the negotiator.

"...To think such a thing was happening without my knowledge."

"Even setting aside the fact that time was turned back, I doubt we would have even been aware of it right before we were destroyed."

Yanagi and Onisaki, the more sensible of the bunch, were scowling deeply. I do not know what things were like before I turned back time, but... I was probably the only one who knew what was happening. Even I only noticed right at the very end.

"First a hero and a demon lord who got isekai'd, then elves, and now a villainess, huh."

"There's an OP protagonist too, so this is feeling more and more like a light novel."

"...Wait, this is not my fault, is it? I feel like I said something that set off a flag."

The Arima brothers were unfazed. They were not despairing over the difference in power, nor were they simply resigned. They were calm because they knew that a gap in strength was no reason to give up. As for Setsuko-chan, she had a bitter look on her face, but there was no despair or fear. And I see she has learned the word "flag".

"Invaders from another world! And they are coming with a massive army? Wait, is this not the perfect setup for some awesome robot action!!"

And Kawasaki was, well, Kawasaki. To be honest, I think so too. An army like a swarm of locusts. It would likely include many giant enemies. Facing them down with a robot... that is a pretty thrilling scenario.

"It is a shame I will not get to fight their general... but well, it is my fault for being weak, so it cannot be helped. But that aside, fufufu! This has really set my Kawasaki heart on fire!!"

When I told the gleeful Kawasaki I would give him my full support to rebuild Kaiser, he started dancing on the spot.

"Seriously?" "This guy is for real."

"Robots, huh... Come to think of it, we do not know much about that stuff, do we."

"I have only ever skimmed through the anime. This might be a good opportunity to take a serious plunge into that world."

"I am glad you all seem to be enjoying yourselves."

Yanagi and Onisaki were the only ones with a proper reaction, which was hilarious. Setsuko-chan might seem like a sane person at first glance, but she is a woman who would cross worlds for her fetish. So of course she would approve of Kawasaki, who is so true to his own fetish.

"So, what do you say? Will you help me?"

"...Yes, we will. We would be honored. Even if you told us not to."

"We have our reasons for wanting to protect this world. Besides, we are your loyal soldiers now."

"Mao and I are in too. The Earth is like a second home to us."

"Like we would let some idiot's tantrum destroy it for no reason."

"Me as well. I, who love humanity, and this woman called a villainess, who hates humanity. We cannot exist under the same sky."

How reassuring... I did not think they would refuse, mind you. But hearing them say it with such conviction is still a relief.

"For now, Yuichi. We should probably..."

"Yeah. We have got to fight it out and get ourselves to our peak before the real thing."

"May I join you?"

"Of course." "Absolutely."

They get it. They know exactly what needs to be done.

"You and I need to shake off the rust. We have to at least get back to our prime strength."

"You are right. Mentally, this is probably our peak, but our strength is another matter."

"Indeed. By the way, Satou, I..."

"You have probably figured it out, but I need you to act as chief strategist and acting commander in chief. Onisaki will be your aide."

I may be the head of the army to subjugate the villainess, but I have to fight her myself. I will not have time to command the troops. So I will leave it to Yanagi and Onisaki. I plan to gather other strategists and commanders too... but recruiting from elsewhere could be a problem. Humans will trip each other up even when facing a crisis, so there is a chance they would bring strange conflicts into the mix. That is why having my two direct subordinates, whom no one can complain about, handle it is the smoothest solution. That said, I think they are a good choice not just for their position, but for their abilities as well. They combine the strength and intellect of top-tier humans with that lucky bug of mine.

"Kawasaki, you focus on rebuilding Kaiser. I'll be busy, so I'll send a liaison to help you out. If you need anything, just tell him. I'll make sure he gives you the utmost support, but if he gives you any trouble, contact me. If you have time after Kaiser is complete, I would appreciate it if you could help turn the fake Earth into a defensive base."

Hearing my words, Kawasaki thumped his chest and declared.

"You got it! Not just Kaiser, you can leave the base construction to me too!!"

"I am counting on you."

Well, now that that is settled, on to the next thing.

"Alright, I'm going to give you all what I can right now. First, Yanagi, Onisaki."

I offered the two of them a khakkhara and a Japanese sword.

"Your weapons. You do not have the ones you used to use anymore, do you?"

"Because you destroyed them."

"You snapped mine with a kick, did you not... I can tell just by looking at this, but it contains a tremendous amount of power."

"Is this a famed weapon from myth or legend?"

"Nope, it is my own handmade creation."

It is not like I made them just for today. When I get serious, I use a short sword and a pistol I made myself, but I have also crafted a whole range of other weapons. I have not made any super obscure ones, but I have most of the famous types covered.

"Get used to them while you're shaking off the rust. And here, this is a secret elixir of rejuvenation."

It was not the temporary kind I used on Takahashi before. This one was permanent. Even if their minds are at their peak, their bodies are not. The difference might be minuscule once they are completely back in form, but I still have to do everything I can.

"...I do not wish to deny the years I have lived, but well, I suppose it cannot be helped."

"I would be grateful if you could age us again after the battle is over."

"Yeah, when the time comes, I'll use time manipulation or something to turn you back into your current selves."

Next up were the Arima brothers. I tossed a scroll to each of them.

"What's this?"

"It's packed with a mountain of fairly high quality weapons and armor. Use them as fodder."

Their demon and holy swords have the ability to grow by devouring other weapons. I have some gear among my serious equipment that is better than what they are using now, but they are already accustomed to their current gear. In that case, strengthening what they have will make them much more effective in battle.

"Well, ain't this generous."

"We'll gladly put it to use."

"Right. And for Setsuko-chan, this."

"...A divine artifact? I believe I turned these over to the Mutual Aid Society... no, more importantly, they have been repaired?"

Setsuko-chan had stolen multiple national treasures from her own world in order to cross into this one. Thanks to them, she was able to traverse the walls between worlds, but the artifacts she used were all broken in the process. Since her goal had been achieved, they were of no use to her, so she submitted them to the Mutual Aid Society to earn their trust.

"The Mutual Aid Society requested that I repair them after you turned them in. Though all I did was rewind their time."

Setsuko-chan is probably the one who can use these best.

"And this, I will provide you with some equipment as well. You used a bow and a one-handed sword, right?"

"Oh... this is quite incredible... Yes, I shall gratefully accept them."

Last was Kawasaki. I could not just hand over what I had for him here, so I gave him a scroll as well.

"I packed it with materials that seem usable for Kaiser. This is an inventory list."

"Much appreciated. Let's see... Surtr's bones?"

"Loki sicced him on me a long time ago. I took the opportunity to pull out all his bones."

A completely boneless, floppy Surtr was, to put it mildly, hilarious.

"...You are insane."

"...Yes, and to think there's someone who can match this insane man. It is infuriating. This must be the end of the world."

It is not the end. The world already ended completely once.