The 'true enemy' that defeated the Demon King's army in the past.

　The study of controlling dragons as a force to be reckoned with.

　The result of his research, a modified soldier, a composite of a human and a dragon.

　A golem weaponized with a ground invasion in mind to collect materials--

"(Jesus Christ ...... connected, all in one line ......!)

　Still, it was ironic.
　Falcon's failure to do so on his own, and Noir's successful escape, resulted in an opportunity to prevent the Demon King's Army's plans from happening.

　It was a small story about a sneak thief who had snuck in as a burglar, but when he learned of the great crime planned there, he rushed to the knight's garrison in a panic.

So you want revenge on your true enemy and now you've picked a fight with the humans too? I wonder if they look down on humans, but they have a lot of room to maneuver.

　Garnett, while blurting out provocative words, remained alert and unguarded, moving his gaze to search for a means of escape.

　Of the smooth rectangular underground space, there is nothing that looks like a doorway within the range I can see.

　The only pathway to the upper level is through the darkness that is not illuminated by the light from the ceiling, which is spread behind the demon king.

　If that's the case, you'll have to break through the Demon King at all costs to get away, or you'll have to reach the ceiling as high as three floors of the building and make a hole in it through [disassembly] - both of which seem to be extremely difficult.

　Alternatively, there's the possibility of stalling for time until rescue arrives, but that would be a bit too optimistic, wouldn't it?

''Teaming up with humanity?　I can't do that. Your side will never accept that.
'What?　What do you mean?
"There is a nation that was destroyed by a demon king: ...... Isn't such a history passed down among you?　Even though humans are extremely short-lived, I'm sure the individuals who lived back then have not yet reached the end of their lives.

　Gandalf's brows deepened into a crease.

Gandalf's wrinkles deepened. "Once, when the nations of men were killing each other, I saw the confusion as an opportunity to attack the earth and destroy one of its nations. It was not a labyrinth, but a route that we cannot now use.
Nah. ......!

　Garnett and I both let out a cry of surprise at the same time.

I've killed most of the people in that country, but if I was the head of another country, I would have at least heard of me. Hmm, so you were too afraid to spread the word about my existence to your subjects.

　A demon king planning an invasion of the ground, and a country destroyed by a demon king - even I, being from the countryside, know at least that 'such a thing once happened somewhere on the continent'.

　I knew it as a past event, but I never thought I would be facing the culprit for it.

It's a good thing that I'm not the only one," he said, "but in the middle of preparing for a further invasion, our home country was attacked by the 'true enemy'. I hurriedly returned with my troops and tried to intercept them, but ...... there is no need to say more about it.
I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the decision to dispatch the Golden Fang and build a fortress too soon. I'm not sure how many people know your name and how little they know about you.

　Captain Hazel had told the detained Falcon, 'The kingdom gave the opportunity for a diplomatic solution, but the Demon King's army was all silenced.

　However, that doesn't necessarily contradict the Demon King's words.

　This is an unfounded imagination, but what if, for example, the demand of the survivors of the country that was once destroyed by the Demon King Gandalf had added the Demon King's head to the terms of the peace.

　If that had been the case, even if I was in the position of the Demon King, I might have done my best to silence him.

''Well, that's how we have created a chimera with the human side's soldiers.
That's who Bran, the White Wizard, was controlling.
'Right. But they didn't excel all that much. I wouldn't say they were a disappointment, but compared to the second specimen, which had been subjected to the same procedure, the difference was obvious.

　It was only a small amount of time, but I thought I saw something that looked like a smile on Demon King Gandalf's mouth.

　It was as if he was comfortable with what he was about to say.

'Even if you take into account his body performance, there's still too big a difference. Do you know why?
What do you want to ask me at ......?
It is because of you that I dare to ask you this.

　It's easy to cut it off as ......, which makes no sense at all.

　But I was subconsciously running my thoughts.

　The first cause that comes to mind is simply that there was a difference in the fighting ability of the brave men and knights, but the demon king denies that.

　Then what was the difference between the brave men and the knights?
　What does it mean that you dare to ask the question because it's me?

It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.　(No, no way: ......)

　There is. Just one thing I can think of.

''The Millennium Corridor of the Abyss'' ...... We went through that labyrinth, but the Golden Fang came to the 'Demon King's Castle Realm' through a loophole. ......
"And you, after wandering around the labyrinth half-dead, evolved an ability that humans call 'skill'.

　It's obvious why the Demon King knows how it happened.

　The information on the ground that Bran gathered by remotely controlling the Mad Golem must have included me.

'That labyrinth was once created by Alphasul. Then it's not surprising that there was a factor that could have changed the human constitution.

　Alfazul--one of the objects of worship of the dwarves living in the 'Demon King's Castle Realm' and the god who is considered to be the creator of this dungeon.

　But the Demon King's manner of speaking sounded as if he knew him as an actual individual.

''This is a hypothesis, but haven't you been drinking the water that seeps out of the labyrinth?　Particularly you, whose water alone seems to have been the lifeline to life.

　I can understand what the Demon King is trying to say without denying it.

　The underground water that seeps out of the labyrinth's inner walls is rich in magical power.

　It's not just a simple matter of how much time you have left on the clock.

　Or what if the mithril that had received Alfazul's magic had gradually dissolved into the underground water?

'The four specimens only had an increased aptitude for 'fusion' with other creatures, but what was different about you? Is it a simple matter of quantity?　Have you ever been in a life-threatening situation?　Or maybe it's an inborn affinity: ......

　I feel dizzy. I can't help but be astonished.

　I've spent half a month - more than that if you include the time I accompanied Falcon - filling my stomach with water tinged with the magic of that 'something' called God, and unwittingly remaking myself. It was.

　I didn't understand the logic, but I couldn't help but be strangely convinced.

　Perhaps that's the reason why my 【Restoration】 skill has evolved so suddenly.

　Some kind of influence via the underground water accumulated in my body, and the moment it crossed the threshold, it brought about a change.

You've inherited a part of Alfazul's power. You will not be able to get away with this.
You, because ......, you're going to make me ......!
That's why you went after the white wolf's!

　Me and Garnett shout the same thing at almost the same time.

''Right. In the first place, our creature fusion formula is an imitation of the power once wielded by Alphasul!

　Only when they reached this point did Demon King Gandalf let out a voice filled with strong emotions.

　It was joy, excitement, and nostalgia.

''Descend to my gates, O follower of Alfazul. With your strength, we can create a more perfect army.
"You son of a b*tc*!

　Before I could refuse, Garnett barked with fury.

The only thing that matters is that you get to go down to the military.　You're about to be crushed by the Golden Fang and you don't know what you're talking about!　There's no reason in the world for a white wolf to follow you!
......, that's what I was trying to say.
Sorry. I couldn't resist.

　When I look at Garnett's face, which looks so badly battled, I can't help but feel tense and almost loose.

　Yeah, that's right. What I want to be is not under the demon king, but--

'Don't misunderstand me. This is a mercy.

　But the Demon King's words have a cruel ring to them.

I'm merely honoring the residue of Alfazul that has manifested itself in you by giving you the option to serve as a formal vassal," he said, "and if you refuse, I'll do what you don't want me to do. If you refuse, I will do something you don't want me to do.

　The expression on Demon King Gandalf's face disappeared and his eyes seemed to freeze his soul.

''There are many ways to bend humans to your will. Even the worst case scenario, as long as you have it from the neck down, you'll be able to get some back. And one more thing--let me correct a factual error.

　In the next moment, the ceiling of the underground space emitted light all over, illuminating every corner of the darkness.

　What was in the vast space behind the Demon King.

　It was a large number of battle golems neatly lined up.

''A battle golem unit for the ground invasion. It's a shame to use them up for defense, but if it's your [repair], there's no problem?