Surviving a Harsh Fantasy with Cheat Items (WN)

I, too, intend to remain calm.

Certainly, Dyson was stronger than me. Suddenly, before our eyes appeared a girl with blue dragon scales, who pierced Louise’s ‘Orichalcum Armor’ with sharp claws in a single blow.

Truly, the alliance forces of the naval power Castilia and Dyson are impressive.

Let’s commend them for assembling powerful pieces.

However, both of them excel in close combat.

And what’s so good about winning in their specialty? This is war!

We’ve also prepared countermeasures against close combat cheats.

They both have fatal weaknesses.

「Kaara, do it!」

「Yes, nation’s father!」 My secret weapon. When summoned, Kaara can emerge from any shadow. Perhaps because I ordered her to wait, she skillfully concealed her presence and patiently remained hidden.

My secret weapon is Kaara’s formidable high-level magic. While hand-to-hand combat cheats are undeniably strong, they can only exert their power at close range. We’ll confine them with large-scale attacks from a distance.

Indeed, when the underground passages of the capital collapsed, Dyson couldn’t do anything. No matter how mighty an individual’s strength, they can’t overcome the immense forces of nature. Even seemingly invincible foes have vulnerabilities.

「Kaara Demonia Demonicus commands the earth! Crush the enemies who dare oppose us!」

It’s a modest-sounding advanced earth magic—Rockfall Grag Press—but Kaara’s incantation adds a unique touch.

「Kaara Demonia Demonicus commands! When the colossal boulders descend, let them rain down!」

A barrage of rocks rains upon Dyson and the girl with blue scales from all directions.

Pinpoint attacks with Rockfall Grag Press. To an amateur, it might seem unnecessary when Kaara could simply use her signature Meteor Strike.

But things are never that simple.

The current capital is under meticulous protection by the magician corps led by Prime Minister Nicola. They’ve cast widespread dispel magic to suppress the enemy’s magic power.

Naturally, in response, the two enemy advance mages have also employed dispel magic. As a result, both sides find themselves in a magical stalemate, unable to cast spells.

Amidst this field where dispel magic swirls from both allies and foes, Kaara draws upon minuscule, undisrupted pockets of mana. She instantly chants Rockfall Grag Press, pulling out boulders one after another. It’s akin to an orchestra conductor, sweating profusely, vigorously waving her hands to orchestrate the falling rocks.

As someone with zero magical power and no visible flow of mana, I can’t fully grasp her brilliance. Kaara, a genius who combines the innate abilities of a mana-utilizing demon with mastery of human magic, operates at the pinnacle of sorcery. Despite her seemingly novice appearance, she’s a formidable magical prodigy. Her skillful manipulation of magic enables large-scale mass attacks.

Whether it’s iron fists deflecting light swords or sharp claws shattering orichalcum, they’re all crushed by the countless massive rocks descending from above.

But wait! While I’m saying this, those martial artist cheats are relentlessly smashing through the falling boulders. It’s a barrage of massive attacks from all directions—defying the very laws of physics with sheer force!

They’re beyond monsters or creatures—operating on a level surpassing that. Can we really contend with such foes?

At least Kaara’s attacks serve as a temporary hindrance. Even if their movement isn’t halted, their speed diminishes.

「Herman, let’s escape while we can!」

Indeed, Herman, the defense cheat, remains unscathed. Despite the dragon girl’s sharp claws, he hasn’t sustained a single injury. Clutching the damaged ‘Orichalcum Great Shield’ from the dragon claw attack, he staggers but manages to rise.

When I shouted, 「We’re retreating!」…

I firmly held Louise, who was still groaning in pain, and decided to flee at full speed.

「Stay strong, Louise.」

Louise’s lips were bleeding, and her appearance was agonizing. She had just finished a series of battles in the Lanct Dutchy and returned here without any rest.

No matter how many healing potions I administered or how I treated her wounds, the accumulated fatigue couldn’t be completely dispelled.

She had helped me so much until now; this time, it was my turn to protect her. I would take Louise with me and ensure our escape.

Despite the chaotic melee, the enemy forces were merely two thousand, and they hadn’t breached the capital yet. We had the advantage of terrain. If we could maintain distance, we could even launch artillery attacks. Once the skirmish settled, victory was assured.

「Don’t run away, Hero of Silesie!」

「What’s the point of fighting?」

「Damn it, you’re so annoying… Just watch!」

The pesky martial art cheat kept pursuing us from behind. Are you a stalker?

Despite Kaara’s efforts to drop rocks on him, he skillfully sidestepped, and the gap between us didn’t widen.

If only I could regain my footing, there would be a way forward.

「You seem to be struggling, Hero Takeru of Silesie.」

「You’re homo…I mean, Archbishop Nicholas!」

Suddenly, Archbishop Nicholas, who should have been in the imperial capital, appeared along the outer city wall where we were fleeing.

Today, he wasn’t naked; he wore his archbishop’s robes.

His abrupt appearance was typical; this guy could fly around with his silver wings without warning. Considering Dyson’s presence, it wouldn’t be strange even if homo archbishop was here.

I recalled that he had promised to support us. Right now, I held the unconscious Louise, clinging to hope.

Whether he was homo or straight, it didn’t matter—I needed all the help I could get.

「Fufufu, I’ve been waiting for this moment. Finally, it’s my turn, isn’t it? Allow me to assist.」

「Please, Nicholas!」

Despite being an irredeemable pervert, Archbishop Nicholas is a first-class archbishop that can even certify a hero.

His mastery of holy magic up to the highest level is no mere façade. Remember the holy relic, ‘Adamo’s Leaf’? Even against Dyson, it should at least serve as a hindrance.

Adjusting his silver-framed glasses, Nicholas stood boldly in our path, causing Dyson to halt.

Well done; now stop him head-on. Even if it means risking your life or engaging in a clash, it’s worth it.

Even if Nicholas were to die, I’d ensure his contributions were recognized in the post-war treatment of the Neo Homotestants.

So, it won’t be a futile death, Archbishop Nicholas!

「Hmph… So, the one who defected to Silesie is none other than Archbishop Nicholas.」

「You’re the one who betrayed my trust first, Dyson. You worthless perverted lolicon stuck to the sole of a horse’s shoe. Prepare to face the wrath of Asama!」

Dyson glanced disdainfully at Nicholas. Well, being called a pervert by the homo archbishop wouldn’t feel nice, right?

「Hmph, and what do you plan to do, Nicholas? Adding a single priest won’t change the tide at this point.」

「I won’t be the one fighting. Dyson, you shall face ‘the new hero I’ve certified’.」

As Nicholas spoke, he pointed to an unexpected figure: Emperor Conrad, who should have been unable to rise from his wheelchair.

Descending from the high outer walls that surrounded the capital, Conrad wore a purple mantle. Even I, momentarily stunned, stopped in my tracks, doubting my eyes.

The emaciated, feeble old man—supposedly senile and incapable of uttering anything comprehensible except to Eliza—now stood on the battlefield with a resolute and vigorous demeanor.

It was an unbelievable sight. I half-expected puppet strings to be attached, manipulating him. Was there such a thing as puppetry through holy magic? No time for jokes.

「Nicholas, what have you done to Emperor Conrad……?」

「Emperor Conrad, the old hero, has once again regained his former strength by acquiring a new saint alongside him. Ah, I am grateful; surely this is the guidance of Asama!」

I sighed. Archbishop Homo was as reckless as ever. Had he really turned the weakened Emperor Conrad into a hero once more?

Though Conrad’s aged body now glimmered with a silvery light, temporarily restored, it was still a cruel task. Pushing an infirm man to such extremes—ordinary death would be a mercy.

As if he wouldn’t stop, Conrad, his hair a mix of silver and romance gray, turned to me, wearing a confident smile.

「Hero of Silesie, it is all retribution for my past deeds. Would you let me handle the matter of Dyson?」

「Conrad…」

I’d never heard the old man speak so coherently.

And his voice—it was deeper than I’d imagined.

「Hahaha, this is delightful! So, they say you’ve resurrected the old Emperor Conrad?」

Dyson stood there, fists ready, clearly pleased.

Conrad, with a touch as gentle as a breeze, removed Louise’s body from my arms. Then, in a manner I couldn’t fathom, he effortlessly unclasped the ‘Orichalcum Armor’.

Emaciated and frail, Conrad, who could barely walk, now lifted the ‘Orichalcum Greatsword’ with ease. The ‘Orichalcum Armor’ adhered to his body as if drawn by an invisible force.

What was this? Could old heroes wield superhuman abilities?

「Indeed! You insolent pretender who dares usurp the Emperor’s name! I am Conrad Germania Germanicus, the sole Emperor and Hero of Germania. I shall deal with you.」

「Conrad, don’t overexert yourself.」

Even with the old hero’s strength restored, he was still an old man. Like cold water on a withered tree branch, he couldn’t face off against Dyson, a colossal gladiator boxer with the power of chaos within him.

Victory wouldn’t come from being heroic alone.

「Hero of Silesie, you have yet to grasp the true way of a hero’s battle. Observe my battle and learn.」

「The true way of a hero’s battle…」

Perhaps he’s referring to that automatic technique of donning and doffing the ‘Orichalcum Armor’. But even with such rudimentary superpowers, there’s no way Dyson can be defeated.

「What’s wrong? If I can face the resurrected Emperor Conrad, that would be interesting. Otherwise, I’ll come to you.」

Dyson stood there, fists confidently poised.

The azure-scaled dragon girl crossed her arms and stepped back, content to watch the duel between Dyson and Conrad—both Germania emperors.

「Hero Takeru, observe my battle and learn. A hero’s power can also flow through weapons and armor like this!」

Before I could react, Conrad raised the ‘Orichalcum Greatsword’ and swung it at Dyson.

The unpleasant sound of metal scraping echoed as Dyson’s fist, clad in ‘Orichalcum Gauntlets,’ intercepted the blow.

Ah, so the ‘Orichalcum Greatsword’ is wrapped in a band of silvery light akin to a radiant blade.

And upon closer inspection, the dull silver power also resided within Dyson’s gauntlets. It finally dawned on me.

My fighting styles differed from Dyson and Conrad’s. They consciously channeled hero and chaotic energies through their equipment.

Conrad effortlessly evaded Dyson’s attempts to grapple him, soaring like a winged creature. As Dyson’s murderous fist came, Conrad gently deflected it with the sword’s blade. His movements were like a dance—elegant, refined, and enough to make one’s core tremble.

Softness conquers hardness. The reckless sword swings of Freed were child’s play compared to this—this was the true Germanicus swordsmanship.

This, indeed, was the old hero’s sword technique that founded the World Empire of Germania.

To think that the former hero, Conrad, built an empire through battles like this—it’s truly inspiring.

「As expected of the legendary hero Conrad. You’re quite different from the younglings of Silesie.」

「You insolent whelp, don’t speak of heroes so lightly!」

「True, but in this new era, there’s no place for old men. It’s also quite entertaining to defeat the old Emperor alongside the bygone times.」

「Enough, you little brat!」

Conrad’s determination as an ancient hero was truly remarkable.

Yet Dyson’s movements remained swift. Watching him was nerve-wracking—just one blow from Dyson’s steel-like fists could extinguish Conrad’s life.

As I moved to intervene in their duel, a girl with dragon scales on her limbs stepped in my way.

Damn it, who is she?

「Hero, though I introduce myself belatedly, I am the dragon maid Are Rango Rand. But fear not, I have no intention of fighting a hero.」

「If you won’t fight, step aside. Can I silently watch an old man like that face Dyson in battle?」

Are, the dragon maiden, didn’t assume a combat stance.

She extended her scaled arms to block my path.

「No, Hero of Silesie. The venerable lord wishes to pass down hero techniques to you through battle. To inherit the will of a valiant warrior, risking life itself…」

「I care little for hero battles or knightly pride. If you lack the will, then move aside!」

Dyson, brimming with youth and vitality, faced off against the already-winded Conrad.

At this rate, Conrad would fall victim to Dyson’s hands.

Could I silently watch a near-death old hero impart techniques to me? I understood—it was a common tale. If Conrad were to die here, it would indeed make for a gripping story.

Perhaps Conrad had intended to die from the start. Otherwise, he wouldn’t stand on the battlefield with his frail body.

His willingness to sacrifice himself might be the very cause that would ignite an unprecedented war, echoing from the Battle of Silesie.

「Hey! Why are you wearing something so easy to take off? This is just bandages!」

「Hero, if you’re going to undress a woman, do it where there aren’t people around…」

Shut up!

I’m trembling with anger right now. I don’t have time to deal with you.

While grappling with her, the bandages wrapped around her body came undone, and her breasts were suddenly exposed. Normally, I’d be flustered and distracted, but this isn’t the time for some ridiculous romantic comedy.

Even as her perfectly shaped breasts popped into view, Are, the dragon maiden, didn’t bother to cover herself. Damn it, if she had shown even a little embarrassment or screamed and crouched down, I might have been able to break through the encirclement.

Despite the bandages falling away from her ample chest, the dragon maiden showed no sign of vulnerability. In battle, that’s the right attitude, but she’s in my way!

「Just move, get out of the way!」

「No. Instead, look closely. A swordsman is risking his life to teach you a technique.」

I know that better than anyone…

The old emperor, Conrad, was holding the ‘Orichalcum Greatsword’ against Dyson, but it was clear he was being pushed back.

Sweat trickled down Conrad’s forehead. How many more of Dyson’s crushing blows, the Press Out, could he withstand? Having barely survived one myself, I knew all too well. No matter how strong the greatsword and armor infused with the hero’s power were…

Conrad’s aged body couldn’t endure the soul-crushing weight of Dyson’s punches for much longer. He was parrying Dyson’s blows, standing his ground with literally every ounce of his being.

His sword movements made it clear. Conrad had no intention of defending himself or winning. He was showing me the hero’s techniques, tiring Dyson out, and setting the stage for my fight.

This was Conrad’s way of atoning for his failure to stop Freed. He thought he could take responsibility this way.

Conrad sacrificing himself to strike even a single blow against the weakened Dyson, and then me heroically defeating Dyson, putting an end to the Germania War—it would tie everything up neatly with a happy ending.

But that’s misguided. The Germania emperors are all self-centered.

「Enough, Conrad! Your descendants aren’t just Freed!」

「Wah!」

I halted my advance, surprising Are, who stumbled backward. I didn’t care.

At that moment, I saw platinum-blond hair swaying, and a small girl sprinted toward me. It was Elizabeth, the last heir of the Germania Empire.

Elizabeth handed me a magic rifle, and I knew we had a chance.

「Takeru-sama, please save my grandfather!」

「I accept!」

Conrad’s sense of responsibility was misplaced.

Elizabeth was in tears. She had no other family left—only her aging grandfather. How could Conrad die, leaving an eight-year-old granddaughter who still relied on him?

I faced Dyson, raising the magic rifle.

Are protested,

「Why disrupt the duel? This is a battle of honor between a gladiator and an old hero, risking their lives…」

「That’s the point! I don’t care about any of that!」

Heroic power channeled through weapons—Conrad had taught me well. But guns didn’t exist in his era. So, what I was about to do might be beyond his understanding.

「Watch closely. This is how a modern hero fights!」

I focused my mind and pulled the trigger toward Dyson.

For Elizabeth’s sake, I wouldn’t let Conrad die. There was no hesitation—I envisioned piercing Dyson with a blade of light, just like the ancient hero’s technique.

The sharpened senses—I could hit even with my eyes closed.

No scope, no precise aim, yet I clearly saw the bullet spin toward Dyson’s massive form.

But this wasn’t an ordinary lead bullet. It carried the power of Asama’s light.

Like a tiny ‘Light Sword’ bullet flew straight at Dyson.

In an instant, Dyson noticed the incoming projectile and attempted to deflect it with his fist. Impressive reflexes.

If it were an ordinary bullet, Dyson’s chaos power-imbued fist would have easily deflected it. But this time, it pierced through!

「Ugh, nooo!」

A bone-crushing sound echoed as Dyson’s enormous fist, along with the ‘Orichalcum Gauntlets’ shattering.

Conrad slashing the frightened Dyson with his greatsword.

「Guhaa, why！」

Fist Slave Emperor Dyson staggered backwards, his right fist shattered by a bullet and his left arm cut by the greatsword.

He probably planned to escape using his agile footwork.

Foolish. Keeping distance from a projectile was futile.

He seemed quite panicked.

「Don’t run, Dyson. What happened to your earlier bravado?」

「A mere projectile… How?」

Dyson’s bloodshot eyes reflected shock.

Yes, that’s how it goes. Drowning in overwhelming power.

「You won’t escape my bullets. Prepare to take the full impact!」

「My body… it’s wounded!」

Once again, I calmly squeezed the trigger.

In the silent world, I envisioned the light piercing through. Dyson’s massive form—a target so clear that even with closed eyes, I couldn’t miss.

With a dry thud, the ‘Light Bullet’ embedded itself in Dyson’s chest.

It happened so effortlessly, as if everything before was a lie. Dyson spewed forth a torrent of blood.

「Ugh, this impossibleeee… impossible, inconceivable. Why is my invincible body crumbling?」

Despite continuously spewing blood from his chest, Dyson still managed to raise his fist toward me.

Even after taking a gunshot to the chest, he remained alive—an oddity. Perhaps this was the instinct of a fighter.

A blood-soaked fiend, but no longer terrifying. Once you shattered the chaotic power enveloping him, Dyson was merely a ‘mere human’, just a little stronger.

Die as a human, Dyson.

「It’s your defeat. I’ll end this pain…」

「Guuuaaaah!」

Once more, I calmly pulled the trigger, aiming at Dyson’s staggering form. The ‘Light Bullet’ pierced his chest, shattering his massive body.

As Dyson collapsed in a cloud of dust and earth-shaking impact, Conrad also sank to one knee, seemingly drained.

Elizabeth rushed to his side.

「Grandfather!」

I considered checking on Conrad too…

Glancing sideways, I saw Dyson lying sprawled in a pool of his own blood. The gaping hole in his chest—when a bullet pierced the heart, humans died. Regardless of the strength conferred by chaotic power, it couldn’t defy fate.

Dyson, despite nearing death, grimaced, his bloodshot eyes wide open, fist still clenched.

Perhaps being defeated by a projectile he had so vehemently denied was a bitter pill to swallow.

While this was war, I didn’t feel remorse. May he rest in peace. But please, don’t come back as an undead or demon.

No, I knew Dyson well from our battle. His corpse wouldn’t rise as an undead or demon.

Dyson, the Fist Slave Emperor, who stirred chaos in this world. He relentlessly sought power, wielding his fists to kill. His way of life was favored by the ‘Mother of Chaos’ granting him immense chaotic strength. Yet, unlike Freed, he never succumbed to darkness.

Dyson remained a human fighter, fighting with honor and dying as a human.

An utterly bothersome existence, but I won’t deny his life’s path.

Despite being an annoying close-combat cheat, Dyson didn’t fall into darkness and become a demon king. At least he saved us from that.

「Ugh, it seems I’ve failed to die properly…」

「Grandfather, Grandfather!」

Supported by Elizabeth, the elderly hero Conrad lay down, seemingly drained. The eight-year-old girl clung to him, sobbing.

No matter how composed and intelligent she appeared, Elizabeth was just a child. Even Conrad, her last living relative, had no right to take that away from her.

「Emperor Conrad, don’t make your granddaughter cry.」

「My apologies, young hero… I’m a bit tired. I entrust the rest to you.」

With those parting words, the aged hero quietly closed his eyes.

Wait, he’s not dead, right?

I hurriedly checked his pulse. Conrad seemed merely asleep.

Phew, what a troublesome old man…