-- We returned to the front of the Great Hall earlier than we had originally planned, but there was an unexpected earlier visitor there.

'Sakura?　And the noir!　You guys were back, too?

　At the entrance of the great tree (mane) where the Great Capitol is located, Sakura and Noir are talking to Populus, the squire of administrator Flaxinus.

　Indeed, the two of them were planning to leave the garrison before us and come back just to take a look at Algernon's living quarters, so it's not surprising that they are returning early.

　...... but something is not right.

　They both had serious expressions on their faces and seemed to be giving Populus a report that was never short.

'Ha, Lord Luke!

　As soon as Sakura and Noir noticed our presence, they rushed over to us, their faces changing color.

'You're in the right place!　I have something to tell you right away!
You too? We're making progress too, or rather, we just got some unexpected testimony at .......

　In this case, there was no longer any need to discuss what to do next.

　Me and Sakura reported the information we got from each other from either side.

　--Testimonies that the dwarves of Asropolis had once fallen victim to Agart Ram on the second level.

　--Scouting that Bran was definitely in the living quarters.

　--Sakura's and Noir's subjective impressions that although Algernon's whim allowed them access to the living quarters, they felt the air was not conducive to a large group of people living there.

　While everyone here was surprised by the new testimonies, I could feel the several pieces of information I'd gleaned so far slowly meshing together in my head.

"(A few more ...... almost to come to a definitive conclusion. ...... If the last piece fits, I should be able to assure you ......)

　This is the true enemy that defeated the forces of the Demon King Gandalf, who was deeper than the second level, and drove him to the first level - the level that the people on earth named the Demon King's Castle Realm.

　In the capital, a bizarre serial killer was hired by Algernon to kill adventurers who had explored the thousand-year corridor of the Abyss - the first labyrinth of the Ark of the Elements, as the demons in the dungeon called it. The Night Ripper is the real enemy lurking deep in the dungeon.

　Our investigations have led us to believe that the one who sent the Night Ripper to earth was the true enemy lurking deep in the dungeon, and that the source of this information may have been Algernon, who disappeared in the Thousand Year Corridor of the Abyss.

　And this time, we learned that Algernon was not captured by the true enemy, but was free and sitting on the council of the neutral city of Asropolis. ......

The weapons and identity of the (...... humans who settled before us...... living quarters with no sense of life...... Night Ripper (Night Ripper) (......)

　Maybe. Maybe.
　If that's the extent of your concern, you've got nine minutes to think about it.

　What we need is a final push to make a definitive statement.
　This is the piece of the puzzle that will bring a hypothesis that could be called ridiculous to the truth.

''Hey, White Wolf's,''

　I was standing there, lost in thought, when Garnett spoke to me unexpectedly.

　Her voice sounded both powerful and weak, and she was looking straight up into my eyes with a face that seemed to be holding back her anger and crying out.

I've been in a messed up state of mind for a while now, and I don't know what to do about it,....... I don't even know where they are, but I'm going to run into them wherever they are ......

　A testimony that could be a clue to avenge his mother's death, struck with no time to prepare his mind.

　If there had been a compatible prelude, Garnett would have been prepared to calm his feelings, but in reality, he was left defenseless and vulnerable to the simmering emotions that were being stirred up.

　The anger that has no place to go is raging inside, and it must be painful to stay still.

'There's still plenty of time before the ...... appointment with Fraxinus. Populus, could you ask me to take one message for you?　I need to gather information and permission to visit.
I don't mind, sir, but where will you be going?
The Dark Elves' quarter. I'm on my way to see the Warlord Norzli.











　As soon as I received the council's approval, I hurriedly made my way to the dark elf's living quarters.

　My two companions were Garnett and Populus, the errand boy.

　Because of the location, Sakura and Ezell wanted to go with us, but we were told by the council to avoid contact with a large number of people.

　We and the Demon King's Army were at war with each other until just recently, a race that is in conflict, so to speak.

　To the Aslopolis Council, it is impossible to overlook the fact that a group of people with a certain level of combat ability would storm into the residential area of an opponent with such a relationship without prior notice.

　That's the danger of an uncontrollable clash occurring.

　That's why I'm the only main visitor, and I'm taking Garnett with me as a minimum guard and Populus as a message to explain the situation to them.

　As I rushed through the streets in a great hurry, the area where the dark elf trees were gathered was coming into view, when a cold voice came out of nowhere, "Stop!

I'm not sure what to do. What do you want, human?

　The next moment, a wall of ice appeared on the street, blocking our path.

　I stopped abruptly and looked up at the top of the wall, and there, just as I thought, the opponent was standing in a humanitarian position looking down on us.

　A dark elf girl wearing metal armor - one of the four demon generals of the Demon King's army, the Ice Norzuri, who uses her body as a vessel.

''If this is a declaration of war, I will accept it. If you want to use force from your side, it's convenient.
'Wait!　Not so!　I've got a question for you!　This is how I got the council's approval!
"The Council?　Hou......

　Norzli looked at Populus next to me, loosening the killing spirit slightly.

'But do you think you have the right to answer?　What good will it do us if you're smart enough to help us?
...... even if that's what Councillor Algernon is all about?

　The moment he utters that name, Norseli's eyes, which had been filled with caution, twitch.

　Alright, I'm relieved in my heart.
　If this didn't bite, there was finally no way to strike.

　Even though Algernon had the help of Sakura's father, he was the one who had outsmarted the four demon generals, broken through the demon king's castle, and escaped to the second level.

　He couldn't be a desirable opponent for them.

''Tell me what you want to ask me. ''Depending on the content of the question, I may be able to answer you.''