Black haired wise man Chiyuki

　Ten days after meeting the obnoxious clown, we finally arrived at the center of the Blue Forest, our objective.
　The reason it took so long is because the number of freedom fighters we had gathered had become too great.
　The more of them there are, the slower they move.
　Ekaras was pleased, but according to the nobles who made this plan, they didn't think they would be able to gather a thousand warriors even if they recruited them.
　However, more than three times the planned number of people had been gathered.
　Therefore, the Veros Kingdom government was forced to make a decision on whether to select fewer warriors or rework their plans.
　And in the end, they chose the latter.
　Because of this, it took a long time to prepare and the march took a long time.
　There were about 4,000 freedom fighters on their way to the Blue Forest.
　It was quite a large army.
　We rode on the Gryphon and Pegasus and watched the freedom fighters advance from the sky.
　It was quite a spectacular sight to see the huge army advance.
　However, the march is not a single, unbroken movement.
　Although the freedom fighters outnumber the soldiers in terms of individual bravery, they are less disciplined as they become more of a group.
　If you look down, you can see some of them walking around drinking.
　General Porthos, who leads this army, must have a headache.

Is she okay? Mr. Chiyuki.

　Nao on the hippogriff comes up beside me on the griffon and says.

'Come on, well, but there's no point in worrying about it. I've stopped them and they're going.'

　I say coldly.
　The place we're going is dangerous even for us.
　I sensed something very dangerous from that clown.
　So I advised him to call off the expedition.
　But our freedom fighters spoke out against it. Don't hog the prey, they said, and don't take away the opportunity to earn money.
　This doesn't stop me either.
　At least let them help us.
　That's why we're going along with them.

''Hey, I knew it. I wonder if Sirone's childhood friend is waiting for us?

　Reno says uneasily.
　Perhaps he's remembering the clown.

'I don't know about that. Reno. But I have a feeling he's not there. I don't know why, but I have a feeling he's not.'

　Rage on the Pegasus says as he looks ahead.
　There's a pink haze in the corner of Rage's gaze.
　Probably, in that haze, there is the castle of Goji's castle.
　However, Rage's words are a little disturbing.
　What does it mean that he's not there?
　I look at Nao.
　But Nao shakes his head.
　Nao has the keenest senses of all of us.
　How can Rage be able to sense his presence if he doesn't understand that Nao?

'You're right, Rage, you're right. I don't think there's any Kroki in there either. Besides, if Kroki is there, he's probably already out there.

　Silone, who was flying in front of us, says, glaring at the pink haze.
　Apparently, Sirone is sure he's not there.
　If Shirone, following Rage, is of the same opinion, then surely he's not there.

'I see, if that's what the two of you say, then he must be gone. But I don't think that clown will do anything. I'm sure he's going to try something.

　They all nodded when I said that.

'You're right. ...... I can sense a bad feeling in the haze. If you jump in carelessly, you'll be in big trouble.

　At Nao's words we see a pink haze.

'Ugh. There's something disgusting about it. Can we just leave the clown alone and go home?

　Reno makes a tempting suggestion.

'I'd certainly like to go home. There's no reason to follow the clown's word in the first place.'

　I say, looking at Rage.

'Ehhh!　No!　Kuroki may not be there, but that boy should be!　We have to see what that boy is up to!

　Naturally, Silone objects to this, as she should.
　She wants her childhood friend back. It seems that she can't leave the white and silver witch who is controlling him.

It is certainly true. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. I can't say no to that.

　Rage smiles wryly.
　As soon as I thought he wasn't the Dark Knight, this is it. It makes my head hurt.

'Well, good. I think General Porthos and his men are going to start camping. It should be tomorrow before they go in. We'll go down and rest ourselves.

　I said and let out a sigh.





◆Goz, the Goblin Prince.

'Ahhhh!　The brave men are here!

　The Great Hall of the Castle of Sweets.
　The magical images show the brave men and women.
　My mother sees it and panics.

'Goz!　Is Master Herkert not back yet!

　My mother asks me, but of course she can't know.
　That ugly frog goddess is not here.
　She said she was going to do something to plant something and went away.
　What makes me think I know in the first place?

'You can't say that, mother ....... I don't understand .......

　I say to quiet my mother.

'Tsk!'　You are completely useless!　You!

　My mother swears.
　You really should die, you old b*tc*. I think, but of course I don't say it.

'Oh no. Maybe this is really abandoned~. Poor thing~

　A man dressed as a clown says as he happily bounces through the air.
　You can't see his expression because he's wearing a mask, but he must not feel the least bit sorry for you.
　But doesn't this man know how to calm down? Very annoying.

"Duh!　It's like this!　Looks like I have no choice but to use my good looks to captivate the brave men!

　My mother wriggles around creepily.
　It's very creepy. Even the nearby goblins in the entourage are about to vomit.
　I wonder if that would be a better way to repel the brave men.
　Even the brave man, as expected, would run away from this uncomfortable feeling.
　It was when we were talking about such things.
　Suddenly, a magic circle appears in the air.

'It seems we've met in time. Gero-gero-gero.

　Appearing from the magic circle was the goddess Herkert with the head of a three-necked frog.

''Lady Herkert ah!　Where have you been~！！！！！！！！！！！！

　My mother clings to Herkert, sniffling.

'You're completely helpless. I've brought you some reliable help.

　When Herkert says that, several magic circles appear in the air.
　Multiple shadows come out of those magic circles. Some of them look like humans, while others are deformed.
　What are they?

Um. Master Herkert. Who are these people?

　My mother asks, tilting her head.

Hmm, these are all the male gods who have been courting the goddess Raina. It seems that they all have been rolled up on their sleeves, though. Guess what?

　I look at those who have appeared at Herkert's word.
　They all emit a ridiculous sense of intimidation.

'I don't like what I'm hearing,' says Herkert. Herkert, I'll tell you what. I'm not being wore up on my sleeve. They just don't know what I'm capable of. What kind of brave man is this? He's such a jerk. I'm going to kill him and show him who's worthy of being Raina.

　A frightened-looking man-god crowded in on Herkert.

Yes. That's right. "Why should we let a stranger steal our beauty from the heavens? How can we just sit back and do nothing?
'Yes!　That's right!
Oh, God!　A man who looks frivolous doesn't deserve a heavenly beauty princess!
'I've had a crush on Raina for hundreds of years!　How could that be for a man like that!
Yes, sir!　Raina-chan is mine!
'Oh?　Who said anything about the front?　Get out there!　Of course it's mine!
What are you guys saying? A princess as beautiful as her is exactly what I deserve.
'What?　You scumbag!

　The male gods almost got into a fight.

'Machina!　Stop fighting!

　A powerful magical force is released from the hellcart.
　I'm about to be chilled by the pressure.
　Suddenly, the male gods look at the hellcart.

''You'll decide who's worthy of being the heavenly beauty after you kill the heroes. It shouldn't be too late after that. Gero Gero Gero.

　Herkert says with a grin and the male gods look at each other.

'It sure is: ......
Yeah, I'd have to kill that scofflaw first.
I guess we'll have to put this game on hold until then.
I will kill anyone who tries to take my Raina away from me.

　It's like a lie about the bleak atmosphere we had before.
　The castle was about to collapse.
Now, this is the end of the story. The only thing left to do is to wait for the heroes to enter the wards. Then no one will be able to see what is inside. I'm sure you'll be able to find out who killed your beloved, and you won't have to worry about being hated by Raina. Guess what?

　Herkert laughs.
　It seems that Herkert had been going around gathering those who had a grudge against the brave men of light while he was not in this castle.
　The fact that he was able to gather them in such a short period of time means that he may have planned it in advance.
　While I was thinking about this, a magic circle appears.
　The one who emerged from the magic circle is the one with the black lion's head. It has a huge great sword on its back.

''Hmph. I'm not sure how many people have gathered here. You don't know what you're doing.

　The one with the black lion's head looks at the gathered male gods and mutters.
　The mouth of the lion's head is not moving. The black lion's head is probably a cover-up.

''Oh, I didn't expect you to come too. I didn't expect you.''
Hm. Old froggy. I'm not going to let you go. I'll have to kill that bastard who calls himself the Hero of Light first.

　A powerful killing spirit is emitted from the black lion.
　It's not just to Herkert. It's for everyone here.
　That powerful killing air makes the male gods tense up again.
　Who is that person with the black lion's head?

Wow. I didn't expect him to come too~. That's funny!　Let's report to Lady Coona ASAP!

　The clown behind me says happily.
　It seems that the clown has figured out who the black lion is.

''Not even the bravest man would be able to win against all these gods. And it doesn't matter how many men who are not part of the Modes boys get hurt. Guess what?

　Herkert's laughter echoed through the hall of the Castle of Sweets.





Raina, the beautiful princess in heaven.

What's going on?　Tona?　It's very unusual for you to ask me.

　I greet Tona at the doorway of my mansion in Elyos.

'I have some business to attend to. Raina. Have you seen my brother? I don't think he's in Elios.
Brother? What's wrong with Toles? He's not in Elios? What does that mean?

　Tors is charged with protecting Elyos.
　As such, he rarely leaves Elios.

"I don't know. "I don't know, but my brother has been approached by an outsider. I thought my brother might be consulting with you, but he's not. I interrupted him. I'm leaving.

　With that, Totona leaves.
　Toles and an outsider. What does that mean?
　The Tors do not like those who do not belong to Elyos.
　The Sea King Triden, who is always outside of Elyos, is a possibility, but Triden wouldn't hide and make contact with him.
　Therefore, those outside would be those who do not belong to Elyos.
　And that's why they contacted the Tors? He didn't even turn away. What does that mean?
　I had a bad feeling about it.