Black haired wise man Chiyuki

　Sand dances in the dark, cloudy sky.
　Even the sand looks black because of the dark sky.
　The black pyramid towering in front of us has a white emblem of the evil eye painted on it, and we feel as if it is looking down on us.
　The first mammy soldiers have already moved in.
　We're supposed to be the next to enter the interior of the pyramid.
　The team will be me and Rage, Medjed and Totoona, and a few mammy soldiers will come with us.
　Our goal is to get to the heart chamber, which is the heart of the pyramid.
　Whoever controls the Room of the Heart (Heart) can control the pyramid.
　Also, if you remove the keystone between the hearts, the pyramid will lose its power.
　Then the pyramid can be destroyed by magic.
　So, even if I get it back or destroy it, I have to go to the heart chamber.

Good luck with that. Good luck, Raige. Good luck, Rage. Take care of yourself, Chiyuki.

　Ishtia gives me and Rage a charming smile.
　By the way, Ishtia and Nell are away together with Halseth and Isdes.
　As expected, they can't let someone important into the dangerous pyramid.

'Totonan. Medjed. Be careful!
"'Nyaaah!

　Tona and Medjed are seen off by Princess Nell and the cats.
　The cats are so cute, wagging their tails.
　I want to be seen off by the cats too.

"Thank you, Nell. We'll be back. Let's go. "Brave man of light.

　Tona urges Rage and we enter the pyramid.
　When we enter the pyramid, it's dark inside, as expected.

'Light!

　I produce multiple magic light balls.
　The magic light balls drifted fluffily around me, illuminating my path.
　The inside of the room was wide open, so it didn't feel small even though we were advancing in large numbers.
　At the front of the pack were three Mummy soldiers, then Rage and I, and finally Tona and Medjed.
　When Medjed was walking right behind me, I felt an itch in my buttocks.
　I turn around a bit and Mejed, wearing a nekomimi, tilts his head to look at me.
　It doesn't work.
　Let's try not to worry about it as much as possible.
　In the first place, that's not the case right now.
　I walk only looking ahead, trying not to pay attention to Medjed.
　As I walk down the aisle, there are a lot of skeletal debris lying around.
　They must have been defeated by the mammies that preceded me.
　As I proceed through the pyramid, I feel an unpleasant feeling.

'What is it? This? Do you feel like you've felt this way before?
You felt it too, Chiyuki. This is a hint of what I felt in Roxx's kingdom.

　Rage, moving forward, answers my question.
　If you ask me, it certainly sounds like that.

''Could it be that there is an evil god with that mask on? If so, it's dangerous. That black cloud could come up again.

　I remember what happened in the Kingdom of Roxx.
　It was a real close call at the time.

'Yeah, they might come out. But I'm sure we've learned how to deal with that black cloud.

　I nodded at Rage's words.
　The black cloud of the evil god Zarxys is not particularly problematic as long as you don't touch it.
　If you put up a ward or build a wall with magic to prevent it, you won't lose your power.
　In short, it is the first time killing.

''Yes, now we should be safe even if the evil god Zarxys comes out.
That's what I'm talking about. Chiyuki.

　Rage and I laugh.

''A brave man of light who should not be caught off guard. Even though Zarxis was defeated by the Demon King and lost his power, he is still one of the former three great evil gods. We don't know what he'll do.''

　Tona, who was behind me, overheard our conversation and demanded my attention.

'The Three Evil Gods? I've never heard of that.
"Don't you know, dark-haired wise man? A god who once tried to destroy us with the Demon King. I've heard that many gods have died under his power.

　Tona gives me a strange look.
　Is it knowledge that we should know?

Really? Tona. By three major, does that mean there are still others?

　Totoona nodded at Rage, who turned around and asked her.

The rest are Deirdre, the serpent queen, and Ferion, the wesen wesen. Don't you know who they are?

　I shake my head as I walk.
　To begin with, I had thought that the only gods were the gods of Elyos.
　That's why I was surprised to find the gods of Gypsiel this time.

'I don't know. I've heard of snake queens, but I've never heard of a wesen before. And it's Zarxis, but it's okay since he's now antagonizing the Demon King, right?
There's no doubt about it. The Demon King Modes and the Three Evil Gods have had a falling out.

　I knew it when Tona said it.
　I met Zarxis and looked up the details in the literature, but I couldn't find out more.
　Why did they split up?

It's just like being in the company of the Demon King, isn't it? I don't think there's any reason to doubt it. I don't think there's any need to wonder about it.

　I've been thinking about it for a while now, and Rage says.
　It's true that Rage is right.
　I'm not sure I'm going to be able to say that I'm going to be able to do that.
　Besides, the companions must have hated the Demon King on the inside.
　So, it's not funny that they split up.

''That's true ....... I'm not sure how dirty the demon king is. It's a good idea to put your own s*xual desires ahead of your own and betray your friends. Isn't that right?

　I look at Tona.

'What am I going to do ....... There's no denying it: ......'

　For some reason, Tona seems to be in trouble.
　Why is that?
　I have my doubts, but I don't have time to think about the Demon King right now.
　We move on.
　Suddenly, the mammy soldiers in front of us stop.

''What's the matter? Was there a trap?

　Rage asks quizzically as he suddenly stops.

''No, hero. It's okay, because my friends have been disarming the traps up to this point. But from here, you will enter the passage to the Duamtoef room. The companions are not advancing from here. Please be careful.

　The Mummy soldier leading the way says.
　Originally, this pyramid belonged to Gypseal.
　Some of the Mammy's know the location of the trap.
　However, they are off the path between the heart, which is their destination, during Duamtoev, where they will be heading.
　The first mammy is going straight to the heart, so he will not take the side road in front of him.
　Therefore, it seems that the trap may remain in place.
　There is a hostage trapped between the Duamtoevs.
　If your priority is to regain control of the pyramid, you should ignore them.
　But if it is necessary to destroy the pyramid, it is better to help them in advance.
　We proceeded to the Duamtoev Room.
　There are no traps on the way, and we easily reach the Duamtoev's Room.

''What?!　What is this?!

　It was when I looked from the aisle to the Duamtoev Room that I couldn't help but speak out.
　Various species are chained in the large space inside.
　Sphinxes and humans. Ogre. Centaurs. Various other beastmen (beastmen) have been shoved into the room.
　On the floor of the room is an eerily glowing magic circle.
　The chained ones moan with each pulsing glow of the magic circle.
　Their bodies seem to be gradually becoming thinner and thinner.
　Some of them have not retained their original form and have completely melted away, not knowing what their original race was.

'They are sucking the life out of you ......

　I feel like the expressionless Tona's face is turning blue.
　Even I know what the captives are going through.
　I don't know why, but they are being sucked to life by the pyramid.

'Forgive me, Your Majesty the Queen ....... We will not fail next time ....... So please forgive us .......

　It was a thin voice.
　We are surprised when we see the owner of that voice.
　A Gorgon is trapped close to us.
　It could be the one who attacked us.
　Gorgon's body was emaciated and he seemed to have lost his evil eye power.

''Nonsense! They would do this to one of their own?!

　Rage shouts.
　Gorgon is a member of the Serpent Queen's household.
　In other words, he is one of her enemies.
　Gorgon is being held captive and his life is being sucked out.
　If you look closely, you'll see that Lamia is there too.
　He seems to be feeding the failures to the pyramid.

'Mr. Rage! Let's help!
'Ah! Of course!

　Rage is basically gentle with women.
　Rage draws his sword and dexterously slashes off only the chains of his captors.

'Hurry! Let the living out!

　Rage said and went inside and hurriedly carried the living Gorgon, Lamia and Sphinx outside.
　Only women! I think, but we'll get to that tweak later.
　Me, Totoona, Medjed, and Mummy and the others go inside to help the other captives.
　It feels like a life sucking sensation, but it doesn't seem to matter for a short time.
　Soon after, they bring out all of the living.

"Looks like this is all that's left of the living: ......

　Most of the captives were dead.
　Only a few were still alive.

'Lord Sage. What shall we do with these men?

　One of the mammy's asks.
　We can't take the captives ahead of us.
　But we can't leave them here.
　Their bodies are so emaciated, they will need rescue.

"You will call for help and carry them out. We'll take care of the rest. You'll be okay with that, won't you, Raige?
Yeah, sure.

　This is where we say goodbye to Mummy and the others.
　From here, it's me and Rage. And Mejed from Tona, we'll continue on.
　We will go back the way we came and aim for the Heart Room.

We're almost to the Hall of Hearts. We're going to have to go through here to get to the Hall of Hearts.

　Totoona explains.
　Totoona is right, after a while we come to a large space.

'Good to see you, brave man. I've been waiting for you.

　The one at the back of the Happi Room sees us and calls out to us.
　It's a red-haired man with a long spear.

'Dahak, Prince of the Serpent!

　I exclaim involuntarily.
　And beside her stands Zafarada, the goddess of corruption and pestilence.
　Behind her are men with good faces.
　From the atmosphere, they are probably not human.
　Perhaps they are vampires (vampires).
　When I look at their feet, I see that the wreckage that would be the mammies are scattered around.
　Some of them are black and melted mummy remains.
　The mammy that preceded them seems to have been wiped out.
　Mummy is not weak by any means, but it's not good enough against Dahak.

''One battle! Brave men of light! Zafarada, keep an eye out for the women behind you so they don't get in the way!
All right. Mr. Dach.

　As Dahak points his spear at Rage, Zafarada gives us a bewitching smile.

'Oh good. I'm going to pay you back.'

　Rage holds his sword in both hands.
　Rage and Dahak slowly advance to the center of the room to confront him.

'Hmph! I got in the way before, but I can fight to my heart's content here! I'm going to feed you the poisonous spears of Pisar!

　As he says this, Dahak pulls out his spear.
　Fast!
　My eyes couldn't see it.
　But I guess Rage can see it.
　I ducked and ducked.
　Just then, a spear grazed Rage's shoulder armor.

''What?!''

　Rage makes a startled sound.
　Black smoke rises from the spot where the spear grazed.
　It's melting.

''This Pisar's poisonous spear blade will rot with just a touch! Even armor can be corrupted if it's not a jewelry implement (adamant)!

　As he says this, Dahak unleashes spear after spear.
　Rage dexterously blocks the attacks with his right hand sword.
　Rage's right-hand Sword of Radiance (Clave Solish) is a gemstone tool (Adamant), but his newly acquired left-hand sword is made of a magical alloy (Orihalcon). The left-handed sword cannot prevent Pisar's poisonous spear.
　This makes it difficult to bring out Rage's original power.
　However, even so, Rage is able to prevent that attack with a single sword.

''Can't I help you somehow?''

　I look at the fight between the two sides and consider the spear.

'Sure. But she's not going to shut up.

　Tona looks at Zafarada.
　Zafarada is looking at us without any guards.
　If we try to move, she will move too.
　I can smell the sweet smell from earlier.
　I look up into the air and see black rose petals dancing in the air.
　The smell comes from the petals.
　The scent of this flower is probably poisonous.
　I took measures against poison before entering this pyramid. But it's best not to smoke it.

Bravo! I'll be there for you! Eat it, spear-snake (Yakulus)!

　Dahark plucks a piece of his own hair and throws it to Rage.
　Each piece of hair thrown turns into a winged snake in the air.
　The snake's head has a blade like the tip of a spear. It is truly a spear-snake.
　This is a very good example of a spear snake, or yakurs, flying through the air and attacking Rage.
　It's not only that there are so many of them, but there are also Dahak's spears, and Rage seems to be in great pain.
　I can no longer hold back.
　I try to jump out of the way.
　But Mejed stands in front of me, blocking my way.
　Mejed looks at me and shakes his head.
　It's like he's saying it's still all right.

'Flatten all the beasts! Come out of the fiery sun wheel! Farinish, the Holy Dog of Light!

　Rage summons a medium-sized spirit of light while dodging the attacks of Dahak and the spear snake (Jakurus).
　A glowing dog emerges from Rage's body.
　The invoked light holy dog, Farinish, strikes down the spear snake (Yakulus) with a quick movement.
　This allows Rage to focus on Dahak's attack.

''You'll do it! Brave men of light! Well then, how about this! The snakehead of Mushmache!

　Dahak screams, and snake heads sprout from his shoulders.
　In addition to the spear, the snake's head attacks Rage.

'Heh!　That's a very funny trick!　The Snake Prince!

　Incredibly, Rage is laughing.
　I've been thinking about it for a while now, but the screws in my head are flying off.
　We've been together for a long time and I still don't understand it.
　He doesn't seem to have any intention of losing.
　Could it be that Medjed knew that this is what Rage is like?
　Maybe that's why I stopped them.
　Rage and Dahak continue to attack and defend.
　Neither would give in. It seemed to go on indefinitely.

'Let's go!　Flashbang!

　In a split second, Rage unleashes a lightning-fast sword.

''What! That's ridiculous!

　The Sword of Splendor (Clave Solish) and the Sword of Magic Alloy (Orihalcon) slash Dahark's body.
　Dahak falls backwards as it is.
　He has really won.
　All that's left is Zafarada.

"The Snake Prince is dead. How do you like it? You still want to do it?

　With a triumphant look on his face, Rage points his sword at Zafarada.

''You really are so strong to beat that Daha-kun, aren't you? But I wonder if it's really the end?
What?

　That was the moment Rage tilted his head.

'It took! Brave men of light! Circulation of reincarnated snakes, Ouroboros Regeneration!

　With a shout, Dahak wakes up.
　Incredibly, the slashed wounds are restored in an instant.
　Dahak swings his spear.
　Turning towards Zafarada, Rage fell completely behind.

'Die! The Courage of Light: ......

　However, Dahark's spear never reached Rage.
　Suddenly, Dahak was blown away.
　Dahark grunts as he hits the wall.
　This time Zafarada has a look on his face that says he can't believe it.
　I look and before I know it, Medjed is standing at Rage's side.
　In an instant, he seems to have closed the gap and blown Dahak away.

'Who are you before you! You cloth bastard!

　Dahak gets up and raises his spear and attacks Medjed.

'Don't forget me, serpent prince!

　This time, Rage attacks Dahak from the side.
　The Sword of Splendor (Clave Solish) slashes through Dahak's body.
　Dahak collapses again.
　Rage does not follow up.
　He is wary, thinking that he will regenerate again in an instant and fight back.

'd*mn! d*mn you!

　Dahak spits blood and grunts.
　It doesn't seem to regenerate like it did earlier.
　Maybe he can't use it again and again.

''Daha-kun! It's Evil Blood Mist!

　A red, bloody mist blows out of Zafarada's body.
　Rage and Medjed escape backwards.
　The red mist covers Dahak, making it impossible to see in front of him.
　And when the fog disappears. Dahak and Zafarada are gone.

'Looks like we didn't make a thwarting move. It was close.

　Rage muttered and looked at Medjed.
　His eyes were the eyes of an enemy.

'Tona-chan. Who is this guy?'

　That's what I wanted to know too.
　Mejed's move earlier was unusual.
　I wanted to thank him for saving Rage, but I was more concerned about who he was.

'No. I can't tell you. We need to go further than that. It's right between your hearts.

　Totoona shakes her head at Rage's words and looks in the direction he's going.
　She doesn't seem to be willing to tell him who Mejed is.
　Totoona's condition makes it impossible for Rage to hear any more about it.
　There are a lot of things that are bothering me, but it seems we have no choice but to move on.
　I look at the path that leads to the heart.