여신으로 추정되는 파란 머리칼의 어린 소녀가 내린 계시에 따라 파리온 신국으로 가는 사토 일행. 그곳에는 저주를 받아 괴로워하는 용사 하야토가 있었다. 구해내고 이야기를 들어보니, 이번에 싸우는 적은 마왕? 게다가 마굴 내부를 자유롭게 전이하며 꼬리를 잡히지 않는 성가신 상대라고 한다. 사가 제국의 기사와 신전기사를 포함하여 총력을 다한 마왕 토벌 작전에 참가하기로 결정한 사토는, 장비를 새로 마련한 동료들과 함께 전선을 강력하게 지원하는데……!
The hero Hayato defeats a sandy monster and the goddess Parion sends him back home. Satou almost has his secret strength revealed, but Hayato assumes Satou has a good reason to keep it hidden.
This is interesting in that this volume appears to be leading the story towards a different conclusion than the web novel. Having dealt with the geist sage, already, this volume combines elements of Hayato in the Weasel kingdom dungeon arc but set in the Parion province conspiracy story. There's definitely more of a focus on fighting rather than the normal slice-of-life and the laid back adventuring style and a surprising amount of blood and gore. This felt rather different from the normal omnipotent/benevolent Saitou aiding comrades from the shadows or using his hero disguise to conclude things and he seems to make his acquaintances work for their victory more.
I liked it well enough, but this is more of a 3.5/5. I like seeing what the characters are up to, but this didn't have the upbeat guilty pleasure read feeling of much of the previous novels.
A fun entertaining addition to the series focussing more on action of the whole team (and that of the other hero) than crafting or the slice-of-life that is also part of this story. I read these books because of the characters, and volume 20 did not disappoint. It is also good to see that a character honestly and consistently tries to keep a low profile, being very willing to take a support role, and still is slowly failing at it because those around them are not blind. One complaint is though in the afterword, author, you can finish a series. Bragging that despite finishing the WN you will still be expanding the actual LNs is not necessary a good thing, although admittedly, this volume was a good one. All in all, a good read.