After defeating the ogre, I turned my attention to Zeke and the others, and the three orcs had already fallen.
　I didn't spend that much time on me before I defeated the ogre, and the swarm of demonic beasts could still only be seen in the distance.
　However, it seems that that was enough time for Narsena.

''Do I need to lend a hand ......?''

　It was only a matter of time before the last remaining ogre was also defeated.
　The ogre was exposed to Zeke-san and Narsena's attacks and was covered in wounds.
　He ran to Zeke-san's side, but it would be obvious that he wouldn't be able to last until he got there.

''Gah!''

　It wasn't long after that that the Ogre took a blow from Narsena and collapsed.

'Saved, Narsena,'

'No, I just helped out a bit. The great thing about ...... is to my brother for taking on the auger all by himself.

'Right. And I have Raust to thank for that.

　Neither Narcena, who continues to have that conversation, nor Zeke-san is as if they are out of breath.
　As for Siege-san, he must have been fighting for quite some time.
　Thinking about this, I finally arrived next to Narsena and joined the conversation.

''No, don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll find that Zeke's help in stalling the two ogres is exactly what we're talking about.

'...... I can't take that ogre straight away when it's told to me by Raust, who defeated it by himself. What kind of monstrous power does he really have?

　At those words, I loosen my lips.
　Strengthening my body with chi and magic power was never an ability that I should be proud of.
　But now it's different.
　I can't help but smile as Zeke recognizes me.

　That's when the arm opposite of the arm I put my strength into was pulled.
　I looked down at my arm and saw a prone Narsena holding the hem of my clothes.

'Narsena?'

　Narcena looked up in response to my voice, and the sultry expression on her face was a sultry look.

'...... so you're going to go further apart? But I'll catch up with you soon enough.

　I can't help but smile at those words.
　I knew that Narsena has a knot in her stomach that looks up at me.

　However, I understood that at the root of it is the exact same desire to stand next to her, the same desire I had.

''Let's take down that ogre in the distance as quickly as we can!　Before Fenrir comes!

　Narsena, who was more motivated than at any other time, pointed at the ogre.
　That decision didn't seem impulsive, but the decision to defeat the ogre before Fenrir arrived wasn't a bad one.
　Although it would be risky to run into a crowd of demonic beasts, it was important to be able to cooperate with Ronald-san from the beginning in defeating Fenrir.

　Having made that decision, I was about to agree, and it was then that I noticed the presence of an overwhelmingly strong enemy.

'...... brother,'

Yeah, you're here sooner than I thought.

　The direction of the neighboring city of Nelburg.
　I nodded at Narsena's warning as I looked in that direction where I felt an overwhelming presence.
　It would have been best if it was a little later, but apparently it wasn't going to work out that way.

　The situation was pretty good, though.
　It wouldn't take that long to defeat the rest of the ogre.
　He should be able to join Mr. Ronald soon and fight Fenrir.
　That's when I almost decided to ...... notice the grim expression on Narcena's face.

'Two bodies, here they come.

......!

　Shadows that come at us with great speed.
　I also notice that there is not one of them.
　I also notice that one of them is flying in the sky.

It's a gryphon: ......!

　I was stunned and blindsided by Zeke's words as he muttered in a daze.

　...... That was the moment when the situation worsened all at once.

　If we were being attacked by two mutated, super-difficult demonic beasts, Ronald-san might be able to handle it.
　However, what was needed now that the city walls had to be defended was not to cross over, but to strand them with a high degree of difficulty.
　I don't think even Ronald-san can do it.

'You said you were alone in your report!

It's supposed to be an anomaly with one super-difficult monster: ......

　Narsena glaring in the direction of the super-difficult demonic beast in frustration, and Zeke-san with a pale face.
　The attitude of those two people tells me how bad the current situation is.

　In the midst of all of this, I disgustingly realized that I was calm.

'Apparently, there was an error in the words of the adventurer who escaped.

　When I felt someone approaching, I turned my eyes to see Ronald-san there.
　The same expression on his face as always, but with an uncharacteristic tense air.
　I guess Ronaldo-san wasn't expecting this situation, either.

'As soon as possible for me and one other person, a flying gryphon ....... No, I can't. Zeke would, no .......

　Ronaldo's words were more crisp than ever.
　Fenrir and Gryphon are a big threat, no doubt, but that's not the only threat.
　After all, there are still two ogres heading towards us.
　Besides, according to the adventurers who escaped to the labyrinth city, they said that there were ogres as well as Fenrir.
　We can't turn the three of us to defeat Fenrir and Gryphon here.

　Everyone had noticed the obvious lack of strength.

''Ronald-san, can I have a moment?''

　It was then that I opened my mouth.
　Opening my mouth in this kind of air, I can see that people are looking at me.
　The question of whether or not I should really say these words flashed through my mind for a moment as I met those eyes.
　But it was only for a moment.

'Oh, what is it?'

　I'm ready for Ronaldo to ask me that question.

'Remember when you told me earlier that you wanted to hold Fenrir back?'

　Can you stop Fenrir?

　That was the question that Ronald-san asked me after I learned that Fenrir had appeared from the adventurers who had escaped.
　At that time, I didn't say the answer because the mist with the information about the city walls shifted immediately afterwards.
　But at that time I had already decided on an answer.

...... What's wrong with that question?

　Along with the feeling of being looked at by Ronald's threadbare eyes, I realize that if I say those words here, there's no turning back.

I can. I will take care of Fenrir until everyone else is done fighting.

　With those words, I could see Zeke-san and Narsena looking at me in amazement.
　However, Ronald-san did not change his expression at all.
　He looks at me assessingly for a few seconds, then taps me on the shoulder with a smile on his mouth.

'I'm doing my best to keep the griffon at bay. 'Please.'

　I nod silently at Ronaldo-san's words.
　Ronald-san smiles with satisfaction at me and walks off in the direction of the super-difficult monster beast.
　It looks like he was relieved to see my ability, but I knew that wasn't the case.

　When I looked at the direction that Ronald-san walked in, Fenrir and Gryphon were quite close.
　Almost immediately, they would reach the city walls.
　Considering the fact that the group of demonic beasts that should have been visible before the super-difficult demonic beasts appeared were still far away, the extraordinary speed of the two of them could be seen.
　The hydra should have been much faster once, but it must have been a few steps faster than that.

　And I understood that this was the reason why Mr. Ronald had heard his proposal.

　I don't know if I can really hold Fenrir back, Mr. Ronaldo.
　I don't have the confidence to stop Fenrir on my own, either.

　If you're with Narsena, I'm confident that I can beat Fenrir or the Griffon.
　But I didn't have the pride to be able to halt them alone.
　Having fought Hydra before, I never harbored such thoughts.

　Still, if you can't stop Fenrir, it's all over.
　If that was the case, running away was no longer an option.
　And then there was the cool idea that I was probably the best at stalling him.
　Until now, I have always fought against the superior.
　If it was only in the realm of stalling the mutated Fenrir, I was the right man for the job.
　That's why I didn't hesitate to stop Fenrir.
　That's what I had assumed.

"...... brother,

　And yet, as soon as I hear that voice, I realize that it's not true.
　The most important reason why I decided to stop them is not the same thing at all.
　It seems that I was unconsciously relying on Narsena's presence.

　When I turned my eyes towards the voice, I saw Narsena there with her face down.
　Even though she just called my name, I can understand the inner workings of Narsena.

　If it were true, she would want to fight Fenrir with me.

　But if you are an ogre, or even a rich one, you have to defeat him before he uses his magic, and for that you need Narsena.
　Knowing this, he is clearly concerned about not being able to cooperate with Fenrir's powerful opponent, although he doesn't say it out loud.

　I understand the inner workings of this, and I can't help but smile.
　No matter how much I am relying on Narsena, if I don't talk about it, it won't come across.

I'm not going to be able to get it right. ...... Can I have a little touch of your hair?

'What?　Oh, well, you know, my brother is always available.

Thanks to .......

　With a puzzled look on my face, I reached for Narsena's hair fearfully, making sure she allowed me to do so.
　Her beautiful sapphire hair was very comfortable to touch.
　I also noticed my own shame at Narsena's gradually reddening face, but I also noticed my own heart calming down, even though I should have been nervous.

...... It's a shameful story, but apparently I was unconsciously relying on Narsena while claiming to fight Fenrir alone.

　That feeling was what I realized the moment Narsena approached me.
　Although I told everyone around me that I was going to fight alone, I had Narsena's presence in my heart.
　It is true that we are not dealing with the same enemy.
　Even though I understand that, just the fact that we are fighting together makes me think.

"──No matter what happens, as long as Narsena is by my side, I won't lose...

　...... I feel like I'm confessing something pathetic to a girl I have feelings for.
　Still seriously, I pile on the words.

'It's going to be an after-the-fact consent, but I'll let Narsena take advantage of you again this time.

　It was some time after that that Narsena, looking down, replied in a small voice.

''It's ...... not fair. If you say that, you can't be mad at me for saying you'd take Fenrir down by yourself, can you?

　Narsena looks up at my face with an upturned look as if she were accusing me.
　But her mouth is loose, which tells me that Narsena's complicated inner thoughts.
　Holding back that loose mouth, Narsena opens her mouth while taking a serious expression.

''But I won't be misled, you know. I'll preach to you later!''

I didn't mean to fool you, though.

"......!　No, I don't want to hear your excuses!　I'm going to destroy the ogres!

　Upon hearing my words, Narsena turned around and tried to run, as if to hide her face.
　But after a few steps, Narsena stopped.

'Eradicate the ogres as quickly as you can, and if Rich comes, I'll take him down as soon as I can, and then I'll go to your brother, so you can wait for me.

　So, Narsena turns around to ask me about my face and tells me with a proud smile.

''I'm a dependable woman!

　With those words as the last, Narsena runs off to the crowd of demonic beasts.
　On the other hand, the heat that gathered on my face didn't recede even after Narsena left.

''What can I say, I guess I was in the way.

...... Sorry.

　It was only when a voice sounded behind me that it occurred to me that I might have shown my embarrassment.

'No, motivation is important and I'm not going to say anything,'

　He said this as if he was concerned about me, but the look on Zeke's face was one of dismay.
　However, that face was quickly replaced by a smile.

'Well, there's something to be said for being forgotten, but that's okay now. We'll get this over here as soon as we can too. I'm asking you to keep us in limbo.

　Zeke's words were filled with trust.

'Yes. Please.

　I laughed in response to his trust and started running in the direction Ronald-san was headed.

　Narsena's proud smile was stuck in my brain.
　I think, feeling my mouth loosen just by remembering it.

　When I looked up towards Ronald-san, Fenrir and Gryphon were almost there.

　Fenrir, the mighty wolf clad in purple electricity, was radiating an overwhelming sense of intimidation to the surroundings.
　I realized that I was terrified by the figure approaching us at a speed that I could feel was abnormal.

　But fear was not the only thing in my heart.
　I laugh as I feel a passionate feeling of fear fade away.

I think I can stall them for a day now.

　I don't think he responded to those words, but it was just then that Fenrir's binoculars were turned towards me.
　I don't know if he judged me to be a troublesome enemy or if he thought he could defeat me in an instant, but the hostility in Fenrir's eyes told me that he had designated me as an enemy.

'Fi─────i!'

　With a roar, Fenrir jumps in my direction.
　I hold my dagger in place as I look at his huge body, which is getting bigger and bigger.

''I'm going to let you keep me company for a little while.

　And then the fight began.