The days leading up to the defeat of the phoenix went by as I worked to prepare for the defeat.
I had to create a magical tool to defeat the Phoenix, and this was taking more time than I had imagined.
Nevertheless, we finished our preparations a day before the defeat of the Phoenix and left the inn with plenty of time to spare.

'You're here earlier than I thought you would be,'

......... Huh?

But when we arrived at the entrance to the labyrinth where we were to meet, Sieg and his team had already made their preparations and were waiting for us.
In fact, they had already accepted the offer to defeat the Phoenix, and both Narcena and I could not hide our surprise at their deftness.

Sieg-san and the others must have had to do a lot of preparation, just like us.
You can find a lot of people who have a lot of experience in this field.
While thinking about this, I open my mouth to Mr. Zeke and his friends.

''Excuse me. I'm so late. ......

'Don't worry about it. We're just here too soon.

In response to my apology, Lila smiled.
It's not necessary to be more uptight, as she tries to tell me.
...... But the next moment, a puzzled look appeared on Lyra's face as she noticed something I carried on my back.

'I want to ask you one thing ......, are you going to fight with it?'

I can't help but smile at Laila's fearful-looking words.
The thing on my back, it's a huge large sword.
Although not as big as Zeke's magic sword, the sword is quite heavy and large, and for someone who knows I always use a dagger, it's natural to wonder if I can really use such a weapon.

''No worries. It's not the equivalent of using a dagger, but it's serviceable in its own way.

However, Lyra's fears were unfounded.
I'm sure I can handle a sword as big as this one.
......... That's what it means to study under Mr. Ronald.

But ......

However, Lila, who had never studied under Ronaldo before, did not lose the color of anxiety on her face even after receiving my reply.

'...... Lila, I think we can trust Roust's words and be okay.

...... I haven't seen your brother use the big sword, but I can use it too, so I don't think you need to worry.

'Yes, yes ...... Ronald's training is .........'

My brother's disciples, Zeke and Narsena, tell Laila that with the same wry smile on their faces as I do.
I'm not sure if that's the reason why Laila seems to agree with me.
...... For some reason, though, her cheeks were twitching.

''Then let's go.''

The relaxed atmosphere that had been flowing in the midst of such conversations became tighter the moment Zeke's words were uttered.
In the next moment, we prepared ourselves and walked out with deftness that belied the atmosphere we had been in.
There is no excessive tension between us, thanks to the conversation we had earlier.

...... But despite this, we knew how important it was to defeat the phoenix now.

If we failed to defeat it, we could still escape.
But in that case, there was a chance that the Phoenix might mutate.

But we won't let that happen just in case.
That's why we've been carefully planning our strategy until now.
With that resolution in mind, I stepped into the labyrinth: ......


◇ ◇ ◇.


Ra-A!

The phoenix appeared in the lower level of the labyrinth, and it existed in the hierarchy as informed by the guild, and that was near the transition camp.

''Ha!''

The scorching flames cover that body like a veritable armor, and Narsena and I, seeing Phoenix's figure for the first time, gasp at the sight of it.
This is the second time we've met, and I can see that Sieg-san and the others are also letting out a faint gasp of agitation at the sight of Phoenix.

However, Phoenix acted in contrast to us.

''RuA────────A!

Nah!

The moment Phoenix recognized Sieg-san's presence, it released a huge fireball with a yell.

By nature, Phoenix doesn't attack before a battle, but tries to explore the threat level of the opponent based on the magic power and qi it possesses, without attacking it.
Knowing this nature, we couldn't hide our turmoil.

''Oh. ''An enthusiastic welcome.''

Except for Zeke-san.

Zeke-san, despite the fireball flying towards him that could even swallow his upper body, was calm itself, and swung his magic sword down to the fireball.
It was as if he knew that Phoenix would be the first to attack him, with a natural movement.

''RA──────Aa!''

In the next moment, the fireball is atomized by the magic sword and Phoenix roars abominably.

''Ha.''

In response to that roar, Zeke smiled provocatively at Phoenix.

''I know you're rooted in what happened before, but I'm thankful for it over here. Come on, get after me more and more.

And the next moment, Zeke's provocative words brought me back to myself.

The Phoenix's hostility towards Mr. Zeke was so extraordinary that before I knew it, I was about to move to cover him.
But that's not what my role is.
It is true that we are now in an unexpected situation.

However, the current situation does not mean that the operation is about to fail.
It is not an exaggeration to say that this situation, with Phoenix's attention on Zeke, is the best situation for the operation.

If that's the case, then the action I'm going to take here is set.

"Narcena!

Yes!

In the next moment, Narsena and I flew out towards the Phoenix as planned.
Narsena's hand held a cage with a heat-resistant effect, and I held a large sword in my hand instead of the usual dagger.

''RA─A!''

Perhaps it was because we were concentrating on Zeke, but Phoenix's reaction to us popping up was delayed for one night.
That delay is not a long one.
However, I decide that if this is the case, either myself or Narsena will be able to hit Phoenix with an attack.

Perhaps noticing the same thing, Phoenix's movements were lost for a moment.
During that moment, we further closed the distance between us and Phoenix.

''RA─A!''

Seeing the distance between them, Phoenix was ready for the inevitability of either attack hitting him or her, and he was ready to attack.
Apparently, he decided to accept being attacked by one person and just avoid being attacked by two people at all costs.

RA───────A!

' Brother, please!

And finally, the one person Phoenix tried to avoid firing a fireball and closing the distance was Narsena.
Narsena avoided the fireball by taking a big step back and yelling so.
This meant that Narsena would have to close the distance again if she wanted to hit Phoenix with her attack.

''Ha, ha!''

But I laughed, even though one of my companions had missed the chance to attack me.
The reason for that, it's a simple one.
Right now, it doesn't matter if Narsena can or can't hit the Phoenix. It's just that.

You're not going to be able to find a way to get the best out of it.

The reason why I'm attacking the Phoenix is not for the purpose of damaging the Phoenix.
The reason why I'm attacking Phoenix is not to damage him, but to remove his armor of fire, which means there is no need to damage him now.

The reason why I am attacking Phoenix is to draw his attention to myself.

It's not as if Phoenix is paying attention to me now.
The fact that the Phoenix interrupted Narsena's attack, not mine, is proof of that.

This is a natural decision for Phoenix, who is able to detect the amount of magic power and qi possessed by humans.
In fact, my magic power and qi is the lowest among the humans here.
Even though I can only use elementary level magic and enhancements, the magic power and qi I possess is not small.
However, the amount possessed by the humans in this place is substandard, and my possession is terribly low compared to them.
That's why Phoenix thinks I'm an insignificant little fish.

''RA──A.''

...... I'm made to understand that from the eyes of the phoenix, which are directed at my running self.

I'm not going to be the only one who's been in this situation.


And the current aim of the phoenix is to correct its big misunderstanding.


This time I have to draw the Phoenix's attention to myself and buy time for Armia to release her magic.
But with the current lick, it's clear that Phoenix won't be able to deal with me as if I'm an opponent.

So I must teach Phoenix a lesson with this blow.
I have to show him that I am a threat to him.
I have to make it impossible for the Phoenix to ignore me.

And Narsena's role was to distract the Phoenix so that I could create an opening to attack.
However, Phoenix, who had no way of knowing that, was not as wary of my attacks.
It may be that he thought Narsena's attack was the real deal and that my attack was nothing serious, or he didn't even show any pretense of avoiding it.

''RA──A!''

And it was at that moment, when I was right in front of him, that Phoenix realized that this idea was a misunderstanding, and he raised his great sword.
The agitation that Phoenix showed the moment I gave him physical enhancements, and I knew that my perception had changed in Phoenix.

Phoenix managed to move to avoid my attack, but his action was too late.

''Raaaaah!''

RAAAAAAAA!

In the next moment, the great sword swung down with momentum, easily passed through the flaming armor and sliced through Phoenix's body in a big way.
There was a scream that almost tore my eardrums, which told me that the great sword strike had inflicted a huge wound on Phoenix.

''Huh!''

...... But I couldn't feel a sense of accomplishment for that accomplishment for a moment.

"RuA─AA

The murderous air emitted with Phoenix's roar.
It tells me more eloquently than anything else of Phoenix's fury.

"Phase one, success!

In the midst of the killing spirit, I forcefully twist my cheeks.
In the face of the hostility that makes my skin tingle, I open my mouth, telling myself that this is the ideal situation.

'Come on, I'm here.

RA───────AAA!

Then the life-threatening stalling began.