All seven volumes are currently available from Sneaker Bunko.
The web version has also concluded.
The tagline is: "That Man: Unrivaled Wherever He Goes."
Bal possesses the world's strongest power, but ordinarily keeps it hidden.
As a result, he was perceived by those around him as nothing more than a plain, middle-aged man.
Even while living as an ordinary middle-aged man, in emergencies, he unleashes his unmatched strength.
This is the story of such a man.
| Published | Title | # |
|---|---|---|
| 2021/02/10 18:11 | conclusion | 141 |
| 2021/02/01 21:30 | Decisive Battle | 140 |
| 2021/01/24 19:35 | good news | 139 |
| 2021/01/21 08:51 | Marshal Marsley | 138 |
| 2021/01/16 19:33 | The Empire Strikes Back | 137 |
| 2021/01/13 21:30 | Status report | 136 |
| 2021/01/04 19:22 | The Demon Army's Great Offensive | 135 |
| 2020/12/08 10:52 | Lubaron, General of the Demon World | 134 |
| 2020/10/28 12:06 | Demon Army VS Sixteen Pillars | 133 |
| 2020/08/03 09:08 | Second Invasion | 132 |
Chapters 3 through 12 of the light novel introduce Bartolomeus, a seemingly ordinary man living a humble life as a day laborer in the second-tier district of the Imperial Capital. Despite his unassuming appearance and lack of ambition, Bartolomeus is revealed to be a member of the "Eight Divine Lights," the empire's most powerful force, and possesses a hidden, extraordinary ability.
The narrative begins with Bartolomeus receiving his meager wages from a kind diner owner who expresses concern over his precarious lifestyle and lack of marriage prospects. He deflects her worries with self-deprecating humor, hinting at a deeper reason for his current situation. His home is modest, and he relies on outside food due to his poor cooking skills. He also interacts with a skewer stall owner who, like the diner owner, worries about his financial stability, though Bartolomeus assures him he has some savings. He expresses faith in the current emperor's benevolent rule, which has ensured the commoners' peace of mind.
Bartolomeus's quiet life is interrupted by the arrival of Mina, an elf with striking beauty and long ears, who possesses advanced magic, including teleportation. Mina visits Bartolomeus regularly, bringing him food and offering advice, though her true purpose is revealed to be more than just casual friendship. She addresses him formally as "Bartolomeus-sama," a name he dislikes, preferring to be called "Bar." Mina reveals that Bartolomeus, despite his humble lifestyle, could live a life of royalty, a fact she understands due to his true economic standing. She also notes his poor dietary habits, suggesting he move to a better district, but he insists on staying in his current neighborhood, which he prefers.
Their peaceful evening is interrupted by the news of an upcoming regular meeting. Mina teleports Bartolomeus to the Imperial Castle for this meeting, where he joins five other individuals around a large table. These are the other members of the Eight Divine Lights, and they are soon joined by the Emperor himself. The meeting's agenda is the recent increase in monster activity near the borders. The Emperor expresses concern that this could escalate and tasks the Eight Divine Lights with investigating. Bartolomeus, despite his unassuming demeanor, agrees with the Emperor's decision to act swiftly, stating that "seeds of disaster should be nipped as early as possible." He volunteers to remain in the capital to ensure its safety, a decision that greatly reassures the Emperor and allows the other seven members to be deployed. Mina agrees to assist Bartolomeus with teleportation magic.
The next day, Bartolomeus returns to his day laborer routine, taking on a job collecting herbs for commoners. He interacts with a pharmacist who laments the lack of dedicated workers for such low-paying jobs and expresses frustration with his son's desire to become an adventurer, a path that has become more appealing due to the adventurer system, which Bartolomeus defends as a necessary outlet for those who don't fit into organized structures. He notes that the pharmacist is unaware of the recent monster activity, indicating the information hasn't spread widely.
Later, while seemingly just wandering through the second-tier district, Bartolomeus senses an approaching horde of approximately 2,000 bird-like monsters. He remains unnoticed by the populace as the capital's alarm bells ring, signaling the imminent attack of gargoyles. The Imperial Knights prepare to defend the city, confident in their ability to hold off the initial assault until the Eight Divine Lights arrive. However, as the gargoyles descend, a blinding light engulfs them, and they are instantly annihilated. The knights are awestruck, proclaiming Bartolomeus, the "God of Light Bartolomeus," as their savior. Bartolomeus, however, returns to his humble life, his true power hidden.
The narrative then delves into Bartolomeus's abilities. He is not skilled in magic or combat but possesses a unique "light manipulation" ability, awakened after a near-death experience. This ability allows him to attack with light and move at incredible speeds. His master named this ability "Hikari-kun" (Light-kun). This power is unprecedented in the empire, making him a unique and formidable force. Meanwhile, two shadowy figures, observing the gargoyle annihilation remotely, express frustration at the presence of the "God of Light" and decide to withdraw, deeming a direct confrontation with the Eight Divine Lights too costly. They discuss the Emperor's decision to deploy the "Goddess of Judgment" Mina to the north and the "God of Light" Bartolomeus to the capital, noting the Emperor's cautious yet bold strategy.
Following the monster attack, an impromptu meeting of the remaining Eight Divine Lights is held. Claude reports encountering a large, unnatural horde of ogres with no trace of their origin or movement. The others report similar findings. Mina explains that this suggests "dark summoning," a powerful magic capable of summoning monsters and even beings from the demon realm. The Emperor is concerned about the existence of such powerful summoners. Bartolomeus suggests the possibility of a deliberate choice not to deploy stronger monsters, leading to a discussion about the enemy's motives and capabilities.
In a private conversation, the Emperor discusses Mina's disrespectful attitude towards him with Claude. He explains that Mina's loyalty is tied to Bartolomeus, whom he trusts implicitly. Claude, a descendant of a founding noble family, struggles with Mina's lack of deference to the Emperor but is advised by the Emperor to consult Bartolomeus. Claude visits Bartolomeus, who is enjoying tea with Mina. Claude expresses his discomfort with Mina's behavior, but Bartolomeus intervenes, and Mina surprisingly agrees to be more respectful. Claude realizes Bartolomeus had been waiting for someone to voice their concerns, testing their loyalty.
Bartolomeus continues his day laborer work, this time as a porter for a group of young adventurers. He observes their combat prowess against orcs, noting the archer as the key to their success. He performs the less desirable tasks of cleaning up the orc carcasses, noting that the smell of blood alone doesn't attract monsters. The young adventurers, impressed by their own skills and Bartolomeus's perceived low rank, discuss their ambitions. Bartolomeus, maintaining his facade, also meets with a confidant of the Adventurer Guild master, providing an assessment of the young adventurers and discussing the recent monster appearances, hinting at the possibility of foreign involvement.
 | Become a Novelist https://ncode.syosetu.com › ... All seven volumes are currently on sale from Sneaker Bunko. The online version has also been completed. The catchphrase is "That man is invincible." He possesses the world's greatest power, but usually hides it... |
 | Amazon.jp https://www.amazon.co.jp › Daily life... Length: 308 pages · Language: Japanese · Publisher: KADOKAWA · Release Date: August 1, 2018 · Dimensions: 10.6 x 1.5 x 15 cm · ISBN-10: 4041072476 · ISBN-13: 978-4041072479 |
 | Wikipedia https://ja.wikipedia.org › wiki › Japan... It was first posted on Let's Become a Novelist in October 2017, and published as a book by Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko (KADOKAWA) from August 2018 to January 2021. Illustrated by Kuwashima Reion. It is primarily a work by novelists... |
 | Sneaker Bunko https://sneakerbunko.jp › wargod This book is a major expansion from the web serialization and features a new heroine! A veteran adventurer, also known as a "boring old man," happily performs mundane tasks like carrying luggage for an adventurer party and running odd jobs for the guild. |
| Become a Novelist https://novelcom.syosetu.com › list [Published] An ordinary old man, but in reality the strongest god of war on earth [Complete]. Comments... To Aino Hitoshi! Lines 1 through 6 have been copied and pasted and are duplicated... |
 | Kakuyomu https://kakuyomu.jp › works ... He's actually the strongest war god on earth... Completed, 94 chapters. Updated March 22, 2022. Volume 4 of the manga is on sale from October. [Comic Adaptation] I was reincarnated, so I put my gaming knowledge to good use, and became a legendary alchemist relied on by heroes.../. |
 | Kinokuniya Bookstore Webstore https://www.kinokuniya.co.jp › ds... Although the "Hand of Darkness", the enemy of the Empire, has been wiped out, the total strength of the "people of the demon world" is still immeasurable - as a defense measure, the establishment of an academy to train the next generation of warriors is announced. |
 | Bookmeter https://bookmeter.com › books Here are reviews and comments for Hitoshi Aino's "An Ordinary Old Man, But Actually the Strongest War God on Earth, Vol. 7." The e-book version is free... The summary is impressive, but it wasn't complete. |
 | BookWalker https://bookwalker.jp › ... If you want to read e-books, try BOOK☆WALKER for a free sample!] After defeating the Dark Hand's strategist, Purple Eyed Master, Yagami Hikaru has finally captured their base on the Central Continent. |
 | KADOKAWA official site https://www.kadokawa.co.jp › pro... January 29, 2021 — Author: Hitoshi Aino; Illustrations: Reion Kuwashima; Price: ¥748 (¥680 + tax); Release Date: January 29, 2021; Format: Paperback; Page Count: 276; ISBN: 9784041109526; Release Date: ... |