The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious, Vol. 3 Read online

  Two days later, after making lunch for Seiya, I pass by the café on my way to the forest when Aria calls out to me. Cerceus and Adenela are with her as well.

  “Hey, Rista. Who’s Seiya training with this time?”

  “Huh?! Oh, u-um… H-he’s learning a really amazing move from a really wild god!”

  Adenela’s eyes suddenly light up.

  “Wh-why are you b-being so abstract? Wh-where is S-Seiya right now?”

  “H-he’s having private time in his room!”

  Cerceus rolls his eyes.

  “What’s that supposed to mean? You make it sound like he’s on the pot.”

  “Yup, that sounds about right! Anyway, we’re really busy, so I’ve gotta get going! Bye!”

  Cold sweat drips down my neck as I basically sprint out of there.

  Th-that was a close one! I need to make sure to stay away from that café for now.

  …I can’t meet with Seiya at the Well of No Return today, either. Sporting a headband, Zet is practicing her thrusts with a bamboo spear.

  “Revo-lution! Revo-lution! Dawn is fast approaching!”

  Seeing Zet like this worries me almost to death, but the lunch box I brought him yesterday is lying empty in front of the tunnel. It looks like Seiya’s eating, so I feel a little better now.

  I don’t see Seiya the next day, either. I wait in front of the tunnel for some time, but as it doesn’t seem like he’s coming out, I reluctantly decide to go home. However, after climbing out of the well, I realize that I brought Seiya’s chopsticks with me, so I rush back into the well… That’s when I see the unthinkable.

  “Munch, munch! Nom. Nom, nom, nom! These rations are delicious!”

  Zet is eating Seiya’s lunch with her bare hands!

  “H-hey?! What do you think you’re doing?!”

  “Oops! How rude of me! But Seiya Ryuuguuin is in the middle of training! I figured it would be better if I ate this instead of letting it spoil!”

  “…?! Wait, wait, wait! Have you been eating the lunches I made this entire time?! Does that mean that Seiya hasn’t come out of the tunnel for three days?!”

  Unable to sit around and wait any longer, I rush into the tunnel. I make my way to the back, where I run into a dead end with a glass door. On the door is a plate that says HUMAN MODIFICATION LAB. Right as I approach…

  “GROOOOOOAR!!”

  “Ahhh!”

  Something rams into the door with a beast-like roar. On the other side of the glass is a monster with deep-red fur, baring its fangs. Wait… That isn’t a monster. He’s wearing clothes, and judging by his physique…

  “Seiya?!”

  “Oh, wow. It seems like he’s just about ready. He grew into one beautiful berserker.”

  I hear Zet’s voice, then turn around and sharply glare at her.

  “Wh-what the hell did you do to him?!”

  “I changed him into a berserker just like he wanted. Use Scan and check Seiya Ryuuguuin’s new status.”

  SEIYA RYUUGUUIN

  Class: Spellblade (Earth)

  Condition: Berserk

  LV: 99 (MAX)

  HP: 643,920

  MP: 88,155

  ATK: 586,824

  DEF: 575,288

  SPD: 537,750

  MAG: 58,751

  GRW: 999 (MAX)…

  “See? His stats have doubled, right?”

  “I don’t care! Look at Seiya! Is he even conscious?!”

  “Of course not. He has no control or consciousness. Seiya Ryuuguuin is no longer anything more than my obedient doll.”

  “Wh-what?!”

  Zet takes a key and puts it in the door’s keyhole with a smirk.

  “You are a foolish goddess. Did you not think to question why Ishtar prohibits this method, despite how easy it is to double your stats? It’s because no mind can endure the mental contamination of transforming into a berserker. Even if someone did somehow manage to endure it, they would be mentally broken. But, well, I said he wouldn’t die, so I was telling the truth.”

  I’m speechless. The door opens…

  “Grrrrr…!”

  And Berserker Seiya slowly trundles out. The aura radiating from his body isn’t malice…but insanity!

  “Seiya Ryuuguuin has transformed into a fighting machine! Now use that power to break through the barrier Ishtar created and free me from this well! Let the second war of Armagezeeda begin!!”

  Wh-what the…?! No wonder the Goddess of Warfare was locked away in a well! We should have never asked her for help!

  I abandon myself to grief while Zet roars with laughter.

  “Grrr…”

  But the berserker simply continues growling without moving.

  “H-huh? Go break the barrier! Hurry!”

  “Grrr… I refuse.”

  A moment of silence passes before Zet screams:

  “He refused while growling?! Does that mean he’s still maintaining some of his humanity?!”

  “Grrr… Revert.”

  Almost immediately, his hair changes back to its normal color, his fangs disappear, and the aura of madness fades. I watch in amazement while Zet points her trembling finger at Seiya.

  “Th-this can’t be happening! You were supposed to turn into a berserker who lives only for fighting!”

  I scratch my cheek while listening to Zet’s complaints.

  “Well…Seiya’s always been like this, so…”

  Ever since we first met, it’s always been about training, training, training. I think back to how Cerceus once called Seiya a super-berserker, despite being human.

  “H-he’s only ever been interested in fighting? Th-that’s impossible! Humans like romance, games, food, sleep—there are so many different things they enjoy! Don’t you have anything else you like?”

  “…What are you talking about?”

  “Whaaaaaat?!”

  Seiya leaves Zet to her bewilderment and turns his gaze on me.

  “Come on, Rista. We’re done here.”

  “O-okay!”

  We walk through the tunnel and head for the ladder, but just as I reach for the rope, Zet comes rushing after us.

  “What do you want?!”

  “I-it’s not what you think! As someone who also lives for battle, I wanted to give Seiya Ryuuguuin a warning…”

  She adopts a serious expression.

  “Seiya Ryuuguuin, just keep this in mind: You will not be able to use any magic or skills while berserking. Don’t even think about trying any higher phases, either, especially Phase Three. It will destroy your brain. I, the Goddess of Warfare, am the only one who can use it.”

  “Hmph.”

  When Seiya gives a snort of disgust, Zet’s face changes colors.

  “You’re thinking, I can do it, aren’t you? I admit that it wouldn’t be impossible for you to pull off Phase Two! However…! There are heights that humans were not meant to reach. If a human uses Phase Three, their mind will be forever lost to madness! The scars of the berserker will be carved into your very soul and will remain even after you return to your original world! I am telling you this because I respect your way of life.”

  “…I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “I mean it. Don’t even try.”

  Zet’s lips broadly curl upward.

  “Now go, Seiya Ryuuguuin! Use Berserk and fight until there’s nothing left in that world!”

  “That’s the plan.”

  “Seiya? No. You can’t do that… We need to save the world…”

  Even after climbing out of the well and walking through the forest, I can still hear Zet talking nonsense in the background.

  “Ah, how I yearn for the day we meet again! Next time, we will wish each other luck in the Dimensional Vortex! Until then, take care…”

  Back at the sanctuary’s cafeteria, I smile at Seiya as he bites into his third loaf of bread.

  “I bet you wish you did that before going to Gaeabrande now, huh? It probably would have made saving the planet much e
asier!”

  “No. I almost lost consciousness a few times in the tunnel due to the ominous aura. I was only able to endure the mental contamination because I wore the aura of destruction and have already experienced the aftermath of using Gate of Valhalla twice. Valkyrie must have guided me to Zet, the Goddess of Warfare, because she knew I was ready.”

  “O-oh… That must have been really rough…”

  “I need to train a little more until I have complete control over Berserk.”

  Seiya thereupon heads to the café where Adenela is drinking coffee, grabs her by the back of the neck like a kitten, and drags her away.

  “Adenela, it’s time to train.”

  “O-okay! S-sounds good!”

  I start to follow them to the Summoning Chamber when Aria suddenly pats me on the shoulder.

  “Rista, Great Goddess Ishtar wants to see you.”

  “Huh?!”

  D-does she know that we met with Zet? W-we’re not in trouble, are we? Her powers aren’t supposed to be able to reach the depths of the forest, so…

  “…You asked for Zet’s help.”

  The first thing that comes out of her mouth almost gives me a heart attack, but…

  “Regardless of the Hexagram Ritual of Retribution’s outcome, he wanted to gain the power to defeat Grandleon… He’s as cautious as ever, isn’t he?”

  Ishtar doesn’t seem to be mad in the least.

  “But, Ristarte, allow me to repeat myself just so you don’t forget. Do not engage in direct combat with Grandleon. Even after using Zet’s forbidden technique, Seiya Ryuuguuin’s attributes still fall far behind his.”

  “O-okay! I understand!”

  “But if he weakens Grandleon first with the Hexagram Ritual of Retribution, then his chances of defeating the enemy will greatly increase.”

  Ishtar smiles for a moment, but her face soon slightly tenses.

  “You will not be able to return to the spirit world while you are in Grandleon’s base, just like in Galvano. You should be able to use gates within Termine to travel, but that may allow the enemy to detect you. Therefore, only open a gate in an emergency.”

  “Okay!”

  “One last thing—Termine Kingdom was your home in your past life. While I know it may be a painful memory, I am sure you will be able to conduct yourself as a righteous, caring goddess.”

  I bow to Ishtar once more and remove myself from her room.

  A “painful memory,” huh? Aria was worried about me as well, but I actually don’t have any of Princess Tiana’s memories, so I don’t think there’s anything to worry about…

  When I arrive at the Summoning Chamber, the door is already open, and Seiya is glistening with sweat outside the room.

  “Hmm? Seiya, are you done already?”

  “Yeah. I already finished fighting Adenela at her best. She was tough. That’s all I needed to know.”

  “What?! Don’t tell me you used Berserk against her?! Especially after you told me to keep it a secret!”

  “I just didn’t want anyone bothering me during training. It doesn’t matter anymore, since I’ve learned the move.”

  Adenela unexpectedly pokes her head out into the hall.

  “R-Rista, c-come here.”

  The door is tightly shut, leaving only us two in the Summoning Chamber. Adenela suddenly sends me a scornful gaze.

  “Y-you let Seiya l-learn Zet’s Berserker technique, d-didn’t you?”

  “I-I-I’m sorry!”

  I bow my head, but Adenela only lets out a deep sigh.

  “Um… So how was he? Was Seiya stronger?”

  “Yeah, h-he was unbelievably strong. Th-there will probably n-never be another h-human like him.”

  “…?! Does that mean he was able to prevail against Dual Unlimited Eternal Blade?! Wow! Seiya really is amazing!”

  I scream in admiration, but her expression clouds over.

  “N-no, i-it took S-Seiya everything he had j-just to protect himself from D-Divine Sword: Soaring Falcon.”

  “…!”

  “R-Rista, Seiya is strong, b-but he’s still human. I-if this G-Grandleon monster really has s-stats close to mine at f-full power…”

  The cruel words hit me unexpectedly.

  “Th-then Seiya won’t be able to w-win, even if he u-uses a higher Berserk Phase.”

  When I walk out of the room, leaving Adenela behind, Seiya asks me:

  “Are you done talking?”

  “Y-yeah.”

  “Then let’s go.”

  “Seiya, are you sure you’re ready?”

  A few moments of silence pass until Seiya speaks up with his usual air of confidence.

  “I’m perfectly prepared.”

  …Words that used to fill me with confidence now feel empty after hearing what Adenela said.

  Does Seiya even know that Adenela was going easy on him? This is Seiya we’re talking about, though. I’m sure he knows. When he said he was perfectly prepared, I’m sure he meant he was going to make sure the Hexagram Ritual of Retribution gets the job done.

  But if by any chance the ritual fails…what then? A-ah! What am I thinking?! Of course it’s going to work!

  And just like that, I create a gate to Ixphoria before my head can fill with negative thoughts.

  CHAPTER 18

  The Former Kingdom of Termine

  Before walking through the gate, Seiya gives me a brief rundown of what we’re going to do in Ixphoria next.

  “First, we’re going to scout Termine Kingdom. Cave Along would be safest, but there is only so much information you can collect underground. That’s why, although risky, we’re going to shape-shift into beastkin and walk the streets.”

  Seiya transforms into a dog-type beastkin, since they’re relatively common and won’t stand out. I, on the other hand, get turned into a fish-person—as expected. Compared to Seiya’s sharp Doberman-like appearance, my entire body is completely orange, like that of a goldfish. At least it beats having a tuna head…I guess.

  “Incidentally, the Bunogeos puppet I left in Galvano is designed to say, ‘Do you wanna dieee?’ if anyone tries talking to him. That should buy us a decent amount of time, but defeating Grandleon in three to four days before anyone notices would be ideal.”

  Seiya stops speaking, then sends an earth serpent through the gate. Only after making sure our destination is safe do we finally depart. We arrive in the wastelands around Termine Kingdom and start our journey toward the castle in the distance. The castle gradually comes into view the closer we get. A massive wall surrounds the town encircling the castle. Nevertheless, it’s falling apart all over, making it virtually useless.

  The moment I step into town, I am overcome with a sickening sensation. This must be the Dark God’s power. I guess that means we won’t be able to return to the spirit world as long as we’re in Termine. Seiya, assuming the form of a dog-type beastkin, gives me a look that clearly means, From here on out, you are not to speak any human language. I silently nod in response.

  Seiya and I walk down the ruined city’s filthy street. Not much remains of the houses around us, but beastkin seem to be living in them. It looks like there are even beastkin using the human-made buildings to do business, just like in Galvano.

  Out of nowhere, an offensive stench assaults my nose and makes me sick to my stomach. I look in the direction of the smell when…

  Mn…!

  I instinctively want to scream. A burned, headless human corpse is hanging from a chain connected to the edge of the roof.

  “Yummy, yummy humans! Best human meat in Termine!”

  A lizard beastkin fans the dead body with a paper fan. Next to him are dried human arms, legs, and organs lined up. It looks like a scene straight out of hell. I’d rather be in Galvano in spite of the slavery. This place is far, far worse. In Termine, humans are regarded solely as food. I look away, but Seiya approaches the shop.

  “How much?”

  …?! You’ve gotta be kidding me! Is he real
ly gonna buy that?!

  I’m taken aback, but it looks like he’s just trying to gather information, rather than actually buy anything. While asking the price, Seiya naturally learns that they still use the same currency the humans used to use in Termine. Their conversation progresses even more.

  “Oh? So you two came all the way from Galvano, huh?”

  “Yeah, we traveled here because we heard you could freely eat humans. They’re more expensive than I thought, though.”

  “Humans are costly. If you want an all-you-can-eat setup, then your best bet would be joining the Beast Emperor’s unit.”

  “‘The Beast Emperor’s unit’?”

  “The elite soldiers who work directly under Lord Grandleon. They’re guaranteed a good life, if you know what I mean. They’re even allowed to go inside the palace. They say you can receive an even higher level of Dark God’s Blessing if you pray at the Dark God’s temple in the palace.”

  “Oh? You don’t say. So how do I enlist?”

  “They run trials every day at the plaza. All you gotta do is defeat your opponent and prove your strength.”

  I thought that Seiya would head straight for the plaza, but he walks into the shop next door instead. Inside, the bearlike shopkeeper is eerily arranging skulls to sell. It looks like an item shop. The shopkeeper smirks when he sees Dog-Seiya.

  “Yo. How about a Dark God’s Amulet for the road? It’s the shop’s best-selling product. Just holding it will grant you a minor Dark God’s Blessing.”

  Strange letters are carved into the black stone slab, which Seiya stares at with great interest until he eventually pulls out his money pouch.

  “I’ll take a few.”

  “Heh! Pleasure doin’ business with ya! How many ya want?”

  I swallow my breath.

  S-Seiya! You know we’re in enemy territory, right?! Someone’s gonna get suspicious if you try to buy a thousand!

  Seiya nods as if he can feel my eyes burning a hole in him.

  It looks like he’s figured out what I was trying to say! Thank goodness!

  “I don’t mean to be a cheapskate, but…I’ll just take thirty for now.”

  …?! That’s the opposite of being cheap! I’m sure this was Seiya doing his best to lower the amount, but that’s still too many! …Wh-what’s going to happen?! Surely beastkin and humans perceive things in different ways! But maybe it’ll be fine!