--This is the only gate that leads to the fifth labyrinth, disguised by the illusion of lava, deep in the fourth level of the Ark of the Elements.

　In the center of the inorganic vestibule that surrounds it, a dark elf stood quietly, looking up at the ceiling of the fourth level through the crystal-clear illusion.

　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you're going to be able to get the most out of it.

You are going to be able to have a great time. It's not a good idea for a person who is supposed to be His Majesty the Demon King to be walking around in the night without an escort.
Ail Sesshomnir. I thought they'd be long gone by now, but they're surprisingly persistent.

　The dark elf standing in the vestibule - Demon King Gandalf didn't even move his gaze and answered the sudden intruder with just words.

　The owner of the voice was the Northern Elf, Ail Seslumnir.

　To put it more strictly, it was the spirit body of Eir Sesroomnir, who had once infiltrated Luke White Wolf's 'Right Eye' and censored information.

　During a meeting between the Kingdom of Westland and the Demon King's Army, when Gandalf, the Demon King, was about to reveal the secrets of an ancient magical civilization, this spirit body was ejected from Luke's Right Eye because it no longer needed to be hidden.

''I left it alone, thinking it would disappear naturally if left alone, but I guess I shouldn't have skipped out on the cleanup after all.
'Please don't do that. I've done my best to keep this from spontaneously disappearing. Also, it's an after-the-fact report, but I was able to use the castle's facilities to share information with the main body.
...... She's as rude as ever.

　The Demon King Gandalf let out a sigh of resignation and turned to face Eil's mental body.

　Ail stood at some distance behind Gandalf, arms folded against the main gate of the fifth labyrinth.

　Whereas Gandalf had the mature body of an elf, Eil's spirit body was deliberately set up with the stature of a girl.

　Only those who knew the whole situation from the beginning would be able to see that both of them were high elves who had survived from the ancient magical civilization.

We will not be disturbed. We will not stand in the way, we will take down Ivaldi and his puppets, even if it means joining forces with the humans on earth.
"Yes, I won't interfere with that. I'm even thinking of supporting you via the main body in the northern part of the continent. But hey, ...... there's one thing I don't understand about you.

　Eil looked at Gandalf with his arms folded, not moving an inch from his spot.

'What kind of feelings do you have for people on earth?'

　And then, as if he had anticipated Gandalf's lack of an immediate response, he made a series of statements.

'Just when you think you've invaded the earth and destroyed one of the earthly kingdoms, now you're going to join forces with the kingdoms that ruled the earth and ...... humans want to destroy them, but you're going to temporarily join forces with Eavardi because he's even more hateful than you are?
For me, everyone else but Al-Fazlur was too much of a burden.

　Demon King Gandalf's cold-hearted reply did not show any deceit or pretense at all.

　It was neither too much nor too little; quite literally, Demon King Gandalf paid no special attention to humans.

If they are useful, he uses them to a great extent. If it's useful, use it a lot; if not, discard it. If it's useful, I'll throw it away. If it's a hindrance, we kick it out. He's no different than any other animal or plant.
...... Yeah. So different from me.

　Ail's gaze grew sharper in his young form.

'I want to protect the humans that Alfazul loved. I don't want him to acquire any unnecessary knowledge either. So although I let him mess with the white wolf, I don't think he needs any remorse or regret.
Typical of parents who get shafted by their children.
That's unusual. That's such a common metaphor coming out of your mouth.

　Eir returned the sarcasm, but his face was contorted in displeasure at being hit with a figure.

　In contrast, Gandalf didn't lose the slightest bit of his cold-hearted expression.

''Then why did you invade the ground or anything?　If Yvaldi hadn't exploited the gap, I would have led the Tree Sea Coalition to raise an army, though?
...... known. This earth today is not the world Alfazul loved.

　Then Gandalf looked up at the ceiling again.

　The destination to which the demon king's consciousness was directed was not the canopy of rock, not even the third level ruled by Agart Ram beyond, but further up - the real sky and the surface of the earth beneath it.

'Remember, Eir Sethlumnir. What kind of men were there around Alfazul?　There were elves of light and darkness, dwarves, and tree people (dryads), ...... when both people and demons mixed and lived ...... that was the world Alphasul tried to protect.
............
Therefore, the shelters we now call dungeons contain people, plants, animals, demons and monsters alike. Because that was the kind of world he was trying to protect.

　Gandalf's eyes narrowed.

　A faint sentimentality seemed to hover in his profile.

'But the humans have lost their power and forgotten their past. I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say. Neither will you.
......, but that's because the magic is too thin on the ground right now: ......
The environment of the past can be recovered. In fact, plants and animals are thriving again.

　Eil stared at Gandalf's back, at a loss for an argument, and then painfully.

'Okay, ...... you're not any different than you were before. I'm a little relieved and ...... a little sorry for you.
That's an unpleasant thought. I only did what I wanted myself to do. I'm an invader to the people on the ground, and now I'm joining forces with them to fight further threats ...... and that's all I need.

　There is no hesitation in the words of the Demon King Gandalf.

　Although his mind recalls his former earthly form, his appearance is certainly focused on the enemy he must defeat.

　A group of dolls created by the Demon King Ivaldi - Agat Ram.

　At least until they are defeated, the dark elf demon king will not be avenged by man--