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“Before we get into the thick of it, let me give you a warning.”

We are heading into battle now.

It’s highly likely we won’t be returning to the Anari Principality anytime soon, and as a member of the Hero Party and a large battalion, we need to act ‘like soldiers.’

“To clarify the situation, there’s something you all need to keep in mind.”

So before we set off, I called the party together.

Excluding Lucius, it was just Rosmas, Droniel, and Yan.

“No skin-fship with Lucius during the journey.”

“Huh?”

“In a battalion full of men, if you two start getting cozy, it will lower everyone else’s morale, and that’s a no-go.”

The expressions on their faces darkened, but this was something that absolutely needed to be said.

“We only thought that Satan had the Holy Sword. Right?”

“That’s true, but….”

“However, according to information from the Empire, it now seems that Satan ‘is using the Holy Sword’ in the Empire. If that’s the case, this is a serious problem.”

The enemy isn’t just a holder of the Holy Sword.

The enemy is a user of the Holy Sword.

“Simply put, you can think of it as Mercenary King Bearnes becoming the enemy.”

“What does that have to do with us getting cozy with Lucius?”

“If the morale of the demon king’s subjugation force drops, it means many lives could be lost in battle against the demon king’s army.”

The morale of the army directly correlates to their combat effectiveness.

No matter how strong the unit, if the individual soldiers’ enthusiasm is in the dumps, their combat strength will plummet.

“Three hundred warriors have put their trust in me, Endymion, and the Hero, risking their lives to face the demon king’s army. But if a person claiming to be a hero is over there thinking they’re safe because of the Holy Sword while canoodling with women… how do you think that would make everyone feel?”

History proves it.

How many heroes fifty years ago failed to notice ordinary soldiers while laughing and joking with their party members only to meet their demise?

“Hero! We’ll hold this position! You must escape!”

That would be an inadequate plea.

“Ugh, serves you right, hero!”

“While others are risking their lives, seeing you playing around with women just fills me with disgust; it’s only fitting!”

Such situations could arise.

Just like it happened fifty years ago.

“You mentioned last time that we should just ignore the demon king’s army and head to the sky island. At that moment, I warned you against it. I know you have your desires, but… sometimes you have to suppress your wants for the sake of ‘all humanity.'”

We cannot force sacrifice upon individuals.

However, if we endure just a bit of inconvenience, we can reduce the number of people who die by the demon king’s army.

“Satan’s demon army must not become too rampant.”

There’s one thing I can’t tell them.

“The more people die, the stronger the Order of the Crescent Moon Goddess becomes.”

If Satan’s demon army kills too many, people will turn to the Order of the Crescent Moon Goddess for faith.

“…I’m sorry. I know you all want to have some fun with Lucius. Other heroes could step up, but you might think there’s no reason for Lucius to step up since he’s close to you.”

The expressions and gazes of the three reflect just that sentiment.

At least Yan seemed less affected, but he too hesitated because of how others might perceive his closeness to Lucius.

Right.

Let’s just call it ‘mana supply.’

The three want to partake in mana supply from Lucius, wishing to bask in his golden mana, but they can’t because of the gazes of others, and that disappoints them.

‘It’s understandable.’

Young men and women.

Youthful men and women.

A young man, especially one as fine as Lucius, would surely have them wanting to partake in mana supply immediately.

Elves, after all, can’t resist the taste of meat, and they must be regretting not having experienced the mana from the Holy Sword that Lucius provides for some time.

Still.

To face the demon king’s army, some things must be sacrificed.

“…After we defeat the demon king, we’ll head straight to the sky island. I promise you. No matter what variables arise or what reasons come up, I will say ‘We must go to the sky island.'”

“Then….”

“I’ll make sure to send you off separately if I have to, even if it’s just you and Lucius. Just hold on until then. I mean it.”

If we fail to defeat the demon king quickly.

“I’ll tell them Hero Lucius can defeat Demon King Satan after enduring the Trial of the Holy Sword on the sky island. So, just hold on until then.”

“…Understood.”

Fortunately, the three agreed.

However.

…Enduring is usually not an easy task.

“Master?”

“Ah, Lucius.”

Lucius entered the tent, and his attire….

“Ugh….”

“Sigh.”

“……Oh, Moon Goddess.”

The three’s breathing became ragged as soon as they saw Lucius.

Lucius was only wearing a groin guard.

As the Hero of the Holy Sword, he didn’t technically need such protection, but still, for the sake of social respect…

‘Isn’t that right?’

Thinking about Lucius’s social standing, he really shouldn’t be wearing that.

Yet, if Lucius didn’t wear it, everyone else would have to take off their groin guards too.

Anyway.

Lucius’s current outfit consists solely of a groin guard, military boots, and a golden cloak around his neck.

In other words.

– Hero Brother’s Titty Party!!

…It’s an outfit that prominently displays his manly pecs, abs, and horse-like thigh muscles.

It looks just like something you’d typically find in a bodybuilding competition at the Deep Dark Council.

Muscle-wise, it’s all well and good, but to the three women, it’s an eye candy they can’t resist every time they see.

Right.

If we swap genders…

“Lucius. How does it feel?”

“Um…. It is a bit awkward when women scream as I walk past, but I’m getting used to it, so it’s fine.”

“I’m sorry for making you wear that.”

“It’s fine. Others are wearing the same.”

“…If we switch genders, you’d be going out wearing nothing but a bikini armor, so thanks for understanding. I’m glad I pushed for it.”

I lightly punched Lucius’s abs.

“With muscles like that, even Satan would shed tears, wouldn’t he?”

“…Is that okay?”

“Sure. You always had good foundations; they’ve just been well sculpted now.”

Thanks to my coaching.

“…Hehe. Master, it’s almost time for us to leave. Let’s go.”

“Yeah. Sounds good.”

I followed Lucius out of the tent.

Before stepping out.

“…Why is everyone squeezing their legs together like that?”

“Uh, no. That is to say….”

“…Once you calm down, come out on your own. Ugh.”

Sometimes.

I genuinely think these three are hopeless.

But what can be done?

Lucius is the reason these women are enchanted.

It would be poor form for a master to curse his disciple’s charm.

‘Thank goodness, at least.’

If he’s just looking at Lucius.

“…Ugh.”

As soon as we exit, all that greets us is a feast of flesh tones.

Muscles, muscles, and more muscles.

It’s an overwhelming spectacle of muscles.

As all of them are muscle enthusiasts, the impressive muscles are undeniably not even close to play.

“Master, are you comfortable?”

“Um… it’s a little uncomfortable.”

Lucius tried to block my way, but I pushed past him to scan the crowd.

“Alright, focus.”

I raised my staff to gather the attention of the muscle warriors.

“Listen up, everyone. Your muscles are… fake.”

“W-What did you say…?”

“From now on, as we head towards the Empire’s territory, I will buff up your muscles. Everyone.”

I stepped forward and pounded Lucius’s abs with my fist.

“I made these muscles, you know?”

“W-What did you say…?”

“Just follow me, and you’ll be able to achieve this too. First….”

To enhance muscles quickly and so they’d look better on the surface, we need to start from the upper body.

“From now on, the ranking in our unit will be determined by muscles.”

Everything is aimed at making Satan “eat dirt.”

“From now on, you must hold this pose.”

Plank.

“If you can hold this pose longer than Hero Lucius, I’ll give you a very special gift. So, who’s the first to challenge?”

It’s the time from hell.

*

“…Hmm.”

Whoosh.

Flames soared towards the sky.

Crimson flames intercepted a machine-like bird appearing in the sky, and Satan sighed as he draped Magyom over his shoulder once more.

“Having reconnaissance summoning creatures come from the direction of the principality means… they’re gradually getting closer.”

“My, my lord. Chirp….”

“…….”

Satan grimaced at the sound of pigs being butchered.

“What’s going on?”

“My, a large army has been spotted at the Maginot Line. Gulp, whew….”

The orc wiped the sweat off his forehead with his arm.

Whether it was sweat or… broth was up for debate.

His outfit was nothing but a hemispherical helmet, straw sandals, and rags covering his important bits.

“…….”

The rag was not just covering his lower parts; it was also revealing the sagging fat of the orc, which had gathered as blubber.

“Officer.”

“Yes, Orc Road Darius reporting.”

“…….”

Satan pointed to the direction of the principality at one of the officers among the demon king’s subordinates, Orc Road Darius.

“That’s an order. Lead the orc unit and… crush those coming from the principality.”

“Understood! Chirp, glory to the demon king’s army!”

Orc Road bowed heavily before he headed out.

As he watched that, Satan blankly stared up at the sky.

“…Should I just swap the entire unit to undead instead?”

Satan’s eyes were serious.

 

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