Published at 26th of December 2025 7:41 am

Chapter 490: If Theres No Room to Intervene, Then You Just Need to Change the Opponents Position.

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The disposal of creature carcasses, not limited to demonic beasts, was always a time-consuming task. If one or two were defeated deep in the forest, leaving them to be eaten by scavengers was sufficient. However, doing so near a village risked attracting other groups of demonic beasts seeking food.

Moreover, the number was an issue. While a few could be transported and discarded deep in the forest, dealing with dozens was not feasible. Even if carried to an uninhabited area, such a large quantity was likely to rot before being fully consumed. The price of laziness could be paid in the irreversible form of an epidemic.

So, what was to be done? The easiest and most reliable method was to burn them. But no one was foolish enough to burn a mass of corpses near a village in the forest. Thus, the final solution was to dig holes and bury them

Ah, Im exhausted

Burying the corpses of two or three wolf-like beasts over a meter long was quite laborious. Though we had arrived in this world shortly after noon, by the time all tasks were completed, dusk had fallen. The darkness of the sky, shifting from red to black, was brightly pierced by the camp lantern I had set up.

Good work, Ed, Tia said.

Good work, senpai! Luka chimed in.

Thanks, Tia. And you, Luka, you should have helped! I retorted.

No way! Im not cut out for such physical labor! Luka protested.

Tch, I clicked my tongue.

Near the hearth in the village, I accepted the steaming cup Tia offered with words of comfort, while thoroughly complaining to Luka. But Luka remained nonchalant, which was incredibly frustrating.

However, as Lukas body didnt seem suited for this kind of work, I couldnt openly blame him. Still

Hey Luka, couldnt you easily purify the corpses or something? Why dont you do it? I asked.

Huh? What are you talking about? Im just a pretty boy swordsman, you know? If you prefer, I could be a pretty girl instead, Luka replied teasingly.

I dont want that at all damn it, I grumbled.

I was the only one present who knew that Luka was a Gods Apostle, a collection of Gods Fragments. If Luka had mentioned this, Lorenzs attitude towards him would have been strange, and Tias memories remained erased.

Because of this, when Luka played dumb, I couldnt pursue the matter. Moreover, it wasnt as if Luka had been completely idle; he had been keeping frightened children company and helping the village elders solve minor problems, so I couldnt accuse him of slacking off.

Luka had always been this kind of resourceful person. In fact, when I knew nothing about his true nature, I had looked after him as an innocent junior.

Hahaha, it seems you can see through Lukas true nature, Lorenz chuckled.

However, I wasnt without allies. It appeared that Lorenz was also not fooled by Lukas fawning attitude. As expected of a hero, he had an excellent eye for people. Luka puffed his cheeks in dissatisfaction at Lorenzs attitude.

Hey, Yuusha-sama, arent you being too harsh on me? I think Im being quite helpful, you know? Luka complained.

I dont doubt that. Indeed, Your swordsmanship is impressive. Thats why you and I are in a party together, Lorenz replied.

Hmph, thats right! Im a top-notch swordsman! So, we dont need any more swordsmen, right? Luka said, giving me a meaningful sidelong glance.

I gritted my teeth internally, remaining silent in response to Lukas blatant attitude. It was clear without being told. Luka had met the hero before me and had become a companion in a role that overlapped with mine.

This was probably to prevent me from joining the heros party. If I couldnt become the heros companion, Tia and I wouldnt be able to leave this world.

I had to admit that Lukas approach was clever. It was particularly annoying that Luka had become a companion through his own abilities, rather than forcibly manipulating the hero. This meant that the easiest method of forcibly removing Luka and taking his place was not an option.

However, Luka was underestimating me. When it came to becoming a heros companion, I considered myself an expert unrivaled in any other world.

Indeed, if you can defeat this many demonic beasts, Your skill as a swordsman must be certain. But what about magic-related skills? Wouldnt you want at least one person capable of magic for attack, support, defense, and recovery? I suggested.

Thats true. I have been thinking about increasing our party by one or two more members, preferably those skilled in magic, Lorenz agreed.

Yes, yes! Me! If thats the case, its my turn! Luka quickly raised his hand.

Luka seemed to have read my intention of inserting Tia into the party and using that as an opportunity for myself. He was trying to eliminate that possibility as well. But kukuku.

You see, Im actually good at magic too! So you can count on me for that as well! Luka boasted.

Is that so? But Ive never seen you use magic, Luka Lorenz said doubtfully.

Thats right! Well, swordsmanship is my specialty, but Im just as top-notch with magic! Watch this Luka snapped his fingers.

A ball of light appeared in the dark sky.

Is this illumination magic? Lorenz asked.

Yes! And theres more hya, hya! Luka snapped his fingers repeatedly.

With each snap, a blazing fireball, a rippling water sphere, a solid-looking clump of earth appeared, and finally, a small wind arose, scattering them all. Both Lorenz and Tia were surprised by this display.

Wow, amazing! You can handle all the elements? Tia exclaimed.

And to cast them all without incantations, even on a small scale Luka, you truly are exceptional, Lorenz praised.

Thats right! Im incredibly talented! So, hero, I alone am enough for your party Luka began.

Wow, thats wonderful! I interrupted loudly, applauding in praise. It was indeed splendid after all, Luka had acted exactly according to my plan.

Senpai? Youre making a really bad face, you know? Luka said suspiciously.

No, no, it must be your imagination. Im just smiling because you are so amazing. The hero said so too, right? I replied smoothly.

Well, yes, but what is it? Did I do something wrong? Luka began to panic visibly, realizing he had been led on by me, though he hadnt yet grasped the full implications.

But hero, if Luka can do everything, doesnt that mean additional members arent limited to mages? It would be too much of a burden to leave everything to Luka alone What do you think? Would you consider hiring Tia and me? I proposed.

Hm? You two? Lorenz considered.

Wait, what are you saying, senpai!? We have enough swordsmen with just me!? Luka protested.

I just said it, didnt I? If Luka could only use a sword, there might not be much point in hiring me with the same skills. But since Luka can do everything, it means that as long as they have sufficient ability, additional members can have any skills, I explained. So, dont you think its a good choice to add Tia and me to the party, a swordsman and a spirit user, covering both front and rear lines? After all, Luka can strengthen the front line, cast magic from the rear, and even use healing magic depending on the situation, right?

Ugh!? Well, thats I can use them? Luka stammered.

Then it makes sense for us to join for better balance. What do you say, hero? Of course, you can check our abilities first, but would you consider it? I pressed.

I see Alright. Meeting here must be some kind of fate. If you prove to have the appropriate skills for the journey to defeat the Demon King, Ill hire you two. However, its too late today, so how about showing your abilities tomorrow? Lorenz suggested.

Gah!? No way, Yuusha-sama!? Luka exclaimed.

Of course, thats fine! We did it, Tia! We have a chance to join the coveted heros party! I cheered.

Yes, lets do our best, Ed! Tia agreed enthusiastically.

Yeah!

Haha, I look forward to tomorrow, Lorenz laughed.

Tia and I exchanged smiles and spoke of hope, while Lorenz watched us with amusement.

Uuu, how did this happen? My carefully laid plan Luka mumbled, crouching down and doodling on the ground with a dejected expression, the only one unhappy with this turn of events.

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