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#876 The Saint Descends
🕑 Added 2024-02-02 12:00:11 +0000 UTCIt’s me on the day of the main event.
Wow... People are really gathering.
Peeking from the shadows, I see the designated venue packed with an absurdly large crowd.
It must be close to a thousand people at a glance.
Maybe even more?
So many people yearn for the Saint, which is a surprise beyond measure as the person himself.
“…Was this really a good idea?” Lord Dalkish, peeking alongside me, mutters with a tremble of uncertainty. “Even though it was at your request, announcing it to the whole world and seeing such a huge response was beyond unexpected. I’m worried this might trigger something unimaginably big…!”
Thus was Lord Dalkish, ever prone to worry.
The global announcement was relatively easy, thanks to the Human Republic’s government and the Demon King.
Having connections with those in power certainly has its perks.
“So, what do we do now, Lord Saint? You’re not seriously going to show yourself to them, are you?”
“That’s exactly the plan.”
That’s the idea from the very beginning.
I have to personally address those who are blindly worshipping me.
“However... Revealing yourself to these fervent followers might be like adding fuel to the fire…!”
Lord Dalkish’s concerns aren’t unfounded.
But I’ve taken the necessary precautions.
Which is why I went ahead with the plan today.
True, exposing my face to these overly curious folks would be the end of my private life.
My information would spread worldwide in an instant, and I’d be mobbed for autographs wherever I went.
That would ruin my peaceful, idyllic farm life.
That’s why I came prepared with a little trick up my sleeve!
“Here goes… Transform!”
A dazzling light emanated from the belt I wore, enveloping me completely!
As the light converged and seemed to solidify... when it faded, I was clad in an entirely different alien costume!
It resembled armor, something like an insect’s exoskeleton...!
In short, I was fully encased in a costume of sorts!
Its design is akin to that of a special effects hero...
Actually, it is precisely that – a special effects hero!
No wonder, since it’s a transformation hero gadget I developed once to delight my son, Junior.
Activating it allows me to instantly change into something resembling a classic team of five colorful heroes or a human-grasshopper hybrid!!!
Now, completely encased in this full-body armor, I leaped onto the stage with my face entirely obscured.
“Hoh!”
It’s almost a courtesy in special effects shows to do a twisting somersault in mid-air.
Landing gracefully on stage, I strike a pose and declare:
“Masked Saint is here!”
And then, an explosion sound booms behind me.
The perfect theatricality.
This should’ve instantly captivated the audience’s hearts!
The plan is to take it from there and keep up the momentum.
“Hey, everyone! I’m the popular superhero, Masked Saint! Thanks for coming today!”
I strike a pose, pointing with my index and middle fingers, a classic hero gesture.
“Come and shake hands with me at the hero event!”
My identity is safe with this costume.
The plan is to reveal the ‘Saint’ and satisfy the curiosity of the masses.
A flawless strategy!!!
This would surely max out the curiosity of those relentlessly pursuing the Saint!
Enjoy your long-awaited interaction with him!
...Or so I thought until I sensed a dissatisfied atmosphere brewing in the crowd.
Even I, usually oblivious, can feel the heavy mood.
“Masked Saint, you say? What a joke!”
Boos erupted from the audience.
“Yeah! Our revered saint is more noble and sacred!!!”
“How can this weirdo, all covered up in that ridiculous outfit, be our beloved Saint Kidan?!”
“Your fashion sense is a disaster!!!”
A storm of insults and criticism.
This is turning out quite differently than expected...
For them, the Saint had been an object of veneration for years. Over time, their image of him had inflated and solidified into something unshakeable.
Masked Saint, oozing with special effects hero vibes, is a stark contrast to their sacred image, leading to a glaring mismatch.
“Go away! Go away, you fake saint!!!”
“We demand the arrival of the real saint! If not, we’ll start a riot!!!”
Their skill in using the threat of violence to intimidate when things don’t go their way is impressively sharp.
They reek of being habitual troublemakers.
At this rate, they’re going to cause trouble for everyone involved.
I have arrogantly assumed that my appearance would be a smashing success, but now I’m forced to take further action.
“All right then! Let me show you! I’ll prove to you that I am the Saint!”
I tense my stomach and surge power throughout my body.
In an ideal special effects hero scenario, I would’ve loved to swipe a card somewhere to activate my powers, but alas, this suit lacks such features.
“...Saint Punch!”
I thrust my fist forward and slam it into the ground for starters.
The impact shakes the ground, creating a massive crack that could be mistaken for an earthquake, and dust billows up into the air.
“Gwah!”
Even the near-riotous audience seems shocked and frightened by this.
Of course, they’d be.
The punch is aimed at the empty ground to avoid human casualties, but with the earth splitting and shattering with such force, any person hit by it would surely be pulverized.
After all, a hero’s finishing move needs to be overkill for monsters, not humans.
Well, one way or another, I have certainly demonstrated a power beyond human comprehension.
Unsaintly, you say? This suit?
“What do you think? Will you acknowledge the power of Masked Saint now?”
Don’t mistake the suit I’m wearing for just some transformation gimmick.
As someone who always seeks the highest quality in everything, I put my all into creating this Masked Saint transformation set.
This suit is imbued with the power of the sacred crab elder spirit, Desmask.
Therefore, this suit, blessed with the protection of a holy, high-ranking spirit, enables punches and kicks to be delivered with the force of several tons just by wearing it.
If you run in it, you’ll be as fast as a bullet train, and if you jump, you could easily reach the heights where birds soar.
A super gadget that recreates the ancient hero setting.
That’s what this Desmask-powered hero transformation suit is!
“The power of Masked Saint is might! As long as justice exists in this world, Masked Saint will never lose!!”
“Nghhhhhh...!”
Now, I hoped the audience would be convinced and happily buy hero merchandise before heading home...
“N-Not so fast! We cannot accept this situation!”
“Simply breaking the ground with brute strength doesn’t prove you’re the Saint! The Saint’s actions should be sacred!”
“Yeah, yeah! If you claim to be the real Saint, show us something more saint-like!”
These demanding, troublesome fans.
But what exactly constitutes a ‘sacred’ action?
Sacred action... Thinking about it, it’s quite vague.
What even counts as ‘sacred’? Returning lost items to a police box?
“If you’re the Saint, summon a dragon. The legendary Saint Kidan once summoned a dragon on the battlefield of humans and demons!”
So that’s considered ‘sacred,’ huh?
Well, then, let me make it happen right now.
Pip-poppa...
...Hello, Veil?
Sorry to bother you while you’re busy, but could you come over? In dragon form, if possible?
What? You’re currently enjoying a Dragon 4x4 Rally with your dragon friends?
That’s inconvenient timing...
...What’s that? You’ll all come here?
About twenty in total?
Okay, I’ll be waiting.
And so, dragons, possessing the ability to traverse the world in a single leap, were soon on their way.
Before long, the skies above the hero event were filled with a group of dragons.
