266. VS Vanguard – Total War (Part 7)

—In the Safe Zone, Mayor Uesugi was staring out at the battle situation alongside those left behind.

“……How frustrating. To be someone who can only wait.”

“It cannot be helped. We can only watch over them.”

An elderly woman answered while serving tea. Mayor Uesugi was the lynchpin of the “Safe Zone.” No matter the battlefield, he could not go to the front lines. If anything were to happen to him, it would mean the immediate disappearance of the Safe Zone. But being in a situation where he could only see them off and wait for results always left him feeling vexed.

(Why must I always be the one who only watches…!)

In this battle, he had intended to go to the front. He had obtained the skills to do so.

——Skill: ‘Delegation’.

A skill to hand over a portion of one’s own skills to others. Using this, he intended to entrust the “Town Building” skill to someone else so he could fight. In addition to “Delegation,” he had obtained another new skill called “Approval Rating.” Both were skills acquired as the Mayor’s level rose. “Approval Rating” increases Uesugi’s stats according to the number of residents in the Safe Zone. Using this, he could obtain power on par with a Berserk Rikka, albeit temporarily. However, in the end, because Fujita and the others opposed it, he never used them. Uesugi clenched his fist at the sense of helplessness from being unable to fight alongside them.

(Something, even the smallest thing is fine. Is there nothing I can do…!)

He could no longer endure days spent merely praying for his comrades’ safety. Even just one thing would do. Was there nothing he could do for those fighting in the jaws of death?

≪——You have received an email.≫

“……Hm?”

An announcement suddenly echoed in his head. Wondering what it was, he checked to find an email from a comrade currently in battle.

“……What is this?”

He was terribly confused by the content. The sender of the email was Natsu Ichinose.

『I believe an announcement will soon play from Kazuto-san inviting Uesugi-san to the party. Please be sure to select YES.』

The text was unnecessarily long, but that was the summary. Since Kazuto is slow at typing, she likely sent a proxy email in his stead. Her typing and sending speed were terrifying.

≪A party application has arrived from Kudo Kazuto. Do you accept?≫

Immediately after, another announcement rang in his head.

“……”

Including himself—someone who should be outside the combat roster—as an ally would normally be the height of folly. Especially in the party of the main combatant, Kudo Kazuto. Had the email not been sent in advance, he likely would have refused the application. He did not want to be a burden. Predicting that, Kazuto must have sent the email beforehand.

(……Is there something? Something that even I can do to help you all…)

He wanted to be of help. Even the slightest thing was fine. He wanted to be the strength for his comrades who were fighting with their lives on the line. He selected YES. In the next moment, another announcement flowed into his brain.

≪Party member Uesugi Kensei: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Unity of High and Low’.≫

“This is……”

And then, he knew. His own unique skill. Its extraordinary and ultimate performance.

Within the First Barrier—

“……I never imagined Mayor Uesugi had such an incredible unique skill…”

I was astonished by the effect of Mayor Uesugi’s unique skill. When I received the telepathic message from Arrogance, I thought it was some kind of joke. Telling me to add the non-combatant Mayor Uesugi to the party. But the reason was convincing. Originally, I planned to verify who would manifest which unique skill under “Heroic Hymn” after training was over. I didn’t even know if unique skills would manifest upon swapping party members, and once activated, I’d be incapacitated for three days. Even if I had verified it, I likely would have only tried it with members participating in combat. I should have considered the possibilities more; non-combatants—especially someone like Mayor Uesugi—possess rare skills.

≪Party member Momo: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Jet Black Breakthrough’.≫

≪Party member Kiki: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Reflective Armor’.≫

≪Party member Aka: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Perfect Mimicry’.≫

≪Party member Sora: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Azure Scale Dragon King’.≫

≪Party member Shiro: Obtained Unique Skill ‘White Dragon Princess’.≫

≪Party member Sui: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Verdant Emperor Territory’.≫

The announcements herald the acquisition of unique skills for party members. But the notifications don’t end there.

≪Party member Ichinose Natsu: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Meteor Impact’.≫

≪Party member Aisaka Rikka: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Rakshasa Maiden’.≫

≪Party member Nishino Kyoya: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Absolute Obedience’.≫

≪Party member Ohno Keita: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Degenerate Deadly Sin’.≫

≪Party member Kujo Ayame: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Sword of Light and Darkness’.≫

≪Party member Haru: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Samsara Manipulation’.≫

≪Party member Nijo Kamome: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Sacred Healing Hymn’.≫

≪Party member Shimizu Yuuna: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Sparkling Glitter’.≫

≪Party member Fujita Souichirou: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Divorce Mediation’.≫

≪Party member Libera Lebenherz: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Transference of Merit’.≫

≪Party member Ivar: Obtained Unique Skill……≫

The announcements for party members and unique skills didn’t stop. Mayor Uesugi’s unique skill, ‘Unity of High and Low’. Its effect is the removal of the party member limit. Anyone, any number of people can form a party. It’s just that simple of an effect, but its compatibility with my “Heroic Hymn” was the absolute best. With this, everyone on this battlefield became my party member, and all of them obtained unique skills.

“……Incredible, power is overflowing……”

I felt my own stats rising explosively. Even non-combatants in the “Safe Zone” are gaining unique skills. Among them, there must be those who acquired unique skills with effects that raise the stats and skill levels of party members. It’s truly a unique skill that gave form to Mayor Uesugi’s wish to be of help even without being able to fight.

“Our forces are ready…!”

We can do this. With this, we can fight Randall on equal terms.

“No, not yet.”

Then, as if overlapping my words, Arrogance appeared.

“The other side is settled. I’ve come to help here.”

“Yeah, thanks. So what do you mean by ‘not yet’?”

“……Do you remember when I told you the reason why I wouldn’t team up with you before?”

—You are a human, and I am a monster. Our existences can never be compatible.

—I love deceiving people, tainting people, and killing people more than anything. How could such an existence team up and fight with you humans?

“……I remember. Clearly, even now.”

“It’s a strange thing. That I, such as I am, am holding hands with you before a common enemy.”

In the next moment, an announcement rang in my brain.

≪Arrogance is looking at you as if he wants to join your party. Will you let him?≫

“Let us fight together, Kudo Kazuto. Now is the time, as those who live in this world, to strike down the ‘enemy’ of this world.”

“……Yeah.”

I selected YES in my mind. Arrogance joined the party. I also accepted the applications from the Named monsters Arrogance had resurrected. With this, every single being on this battlefield truly joined my party.

≪Party member Arrogance: Obtained Unique Skill ‘Demon Army Advance’.≫

“Wha…!?”

Hey, wait a minute? A new unique skill acquisition?

“Just as I thought. The unique skill obtained through ‘Pride’ and the effect of ‘Heroic Hymn’ do not overlap. Thanks to that, I’ve obtained two unique skills.”

“Did you know it would turn out like this?”

“Yes, because I obtained that information just a moment ago. It seems this world dislikes them very much… or rather, dislikes the man before us.”

The announcements rang out again.

≪Party member Momo has evolved into Dog King.≫

≪Party member Kiki has evolved into Ol Teumessian.≫

≪Party member Aka has evolved into Ancient Scarlet.≫

≪Party member Sora has evolved into Azure Dragon God.≫

≪Party member Shiro has evolved into White Emperor Dragon.≫

≪Party member Sui has evolved into Ancient Treant.≫

≪Party member Haru has evolved into Mirage Cat.≫

≪Party member Lufen has evolved into Disaster Orc.≫

≪Party member Titan has evolved into Ancient Golem.≫

≪Party member Alpa has evolved into Ol Mjulgard.≫

≪Party member Peony has evolved into World Treant.≫

≪Party member Flamme has evolved into Crimson Dragon God.≫

“Th-this is……”

“‘Demon Army Advance’…… A skill that evolves non-human allies within the party. It’s a surprise that Ohno, Libera, and Ivar didn’t evolve, but it seems the system recognizes them as ‘human.’ ……Or perhaps, it wishes for them to live as humans.”

Explosive light overflowed from Momo and the others as they emerged from the shadows.

“Wao… WAOOOOOOOOOOOON♪”

“Kyuu~♪ Kyu-kyuu~♪”

“……(vibrate vibrate)♪”

Even Randall was stunned by the sight. Unique skills from “Heroic Hymn,” and then evolution via Arrogance. I never thought we’d power up this much at the very last second. But now, our forces are ready. Arrogance readied his magic sword.

“Now then, shall we begin the last battle? Don’t fall behind, Kudo Kazuto.”

“That’s my line!”

The final battle against Vanguard Randall began.

End of 266