--It's not just a matter of time before you're able to get your hands on a new one.

　Among them, what was being promoted extensively was the preparation of the third level exploration plan via the waterway leading from the island of the lake at the second level.

　This was also a diversionary tactic to distract Agart Ram from the main mission, and there was no problem if the plan was known to Agart Ram, and in fact, it could even be said that it would increase the success rate of the diversion.

　However, apart from that, there was another thing - preparations for a top-secret plan to infiltrate the third level from the fourth level, the de facto lowest level, by passing through a secret pathway, were also being carried out unnoticed -










　Dungeon -- The fourth level of The Ark of the Elements.

　It is a deadly environment filled with rocks, heat, flames and lava that refuses to allow any living creature to survive.

　Unlike the other levels, the ceiling does not even have a luminescent function, and it is a large cavity where day and night are not recreated, with only flames spewing from cracks in the rocks and lava like a lake to illuminate the dimly lit hierarchy with scorching light.

　However, even if these hierarchies are only inhabited by demons that have adapted to the extreme environment, they are no exception to the adventurer's spirit of inquiry.

　The adventurers who are recognized as having sufficient ability are wearing the coat-type heat-resistant protective clothing made by the white wolf store and continue to search this hierarchy where even the demons cannot operate satisfactorily.

　And now, in the depths of the hierarchy that had been unreachable until just a few days ago, several young adventurers could be seen.

''...... Suzli. I'm sure we're really going in this direction.

　The adventurer at the head of the party, Shiranui Sakura, voiced her doubts to the demon tribe that was guiding her.

　Although he was a rare Eastern person in Green Hollow Town, right now his usual Eastern-style attire was covered by a thick coat, and his long black hair was tucked under his hood, making him indistinguishable from the other adventurers in his appearance.

''Your Majesty's orders. I'm going to take you to this place. Or do you doubt His Majesty's will?
'I was just wondering if you'd gotten lost. I'm sure your body isn't used to it.

　Cherry blossomed with a sarcasm that she normally wouldn't utter, and she quickened her pace to catch up with the demon tribe that was guiding her.

　Demon General Suzuri. He is one of the four demon generals of the Demon King's Army, the highest ranking officer under Demon King Gandalf, and an exceptional user of fire and swordsmanship.

　At the same time, he is also the one who uses the body of Sakura's father, Kurahito Shiranui, as a vessel of primordial proportions.

　The cloth-covered true face is not the true face of a dark elf, but rather the persona of Shiranui Kuranjin, which is left intact.

　Although he is an opponent who could be called the avenger of his father to Sakura, he understands that his priority is to join forces with the Demon King's army and defeat Agart Ram, so he shelves his personal feelings.

"...... Hey, Sakura. You still don't feel good about working with that guy. You didn't have to follow me. ......

　One of the adventurers gave a concerned earful.

　The relationship between Sakura and Suzuri was a well-known fact, at least in this party.

''Thanks. But it's okay, Melissa. I've learned the importance of keeping things in order from Luke-dono on many occasions.''

　Sakura returned a soft smile to Melissa, who looked into her face with concern.

'My skills should prove useful in this mission. Small things before big things ...... because I can't drag my friends and the kingdom down for my personal feelings.

　Of course, a friend is Garnett.

　Agat Ram is not only a foreign enemy that puts the kingdom in danger, but also a criminal organization that killed Garnett's mother.

　Targeting the entire organization, Garnett's vengeance may not be the next opportunity if he misses this opportunity.

　Or his own revenge, which targets one individual and will have an opportunity even after the battle with Agart Ram is over.

　Which should take precedence will be clearer than the fire.

'You still have the same lost character, Shiranui.
'Kirigakure, I don't want you to be the only one to say that.

　The other party member, Kirigakure Nagi, gave her a dumbfounded remark, to which Sakura replied in a similarly dumbfounded voice.

''I just thought you were going back to the east early, but before I knew it, you were neck deep in it.
'If you're going to use the godsend in this fight, someone's going to have to keep an eye on it. Besides, it's pretty fun to be an ...... adventurer, too.
I only agree with you on the second half.

　Sakura showed a rare willingness to sympathize with this boy, who tended to antagonize him in some way.

　Being an adventurer is fun.
　That's a different kind of frank feeling than a sense of mission.

　If you actually try it, you will understand why this profession attracts so many people.

　We train ourselves, challenge the unknown, and rise through the ranks of the organization.

　It may be simple to put into words, but for Sakura, who had always been interested in training herself, this system that gave her tangible results was quite interesting.

'And. If I'd gone back to the East, I wouldn't have been able to make the guise I'm wearing under that cloak. Controlling the gods' descent without letting it run amok, you couldn't have done it all by yourself, could you?
M...... I've already thanked you for that.

　Cherry Blossom and Nagi's blunt, toothless argument is met with a disgruntled glance from the side by Melissa.

　You'll be able to find a lot of people who have a lot of experience in this field.

　The fourth level, a vast underground space - at the edge of the wall.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to get to one of the finite great caves by the shortest route known only to the demon king's army.

''We're here. This is the loophole to the third level.
I see. ...... That's exactly what I'm talking about... not just a way to get rid of it, but a hole in it.

　This is the entrance to a huge vertical hole in the surface of a large rock wall that reaches up to the ceiling of the underground space.

　It is narrow enough to allow a single human being to pass through, and the deeper you go, the higher the path seems to get.

This is a crack in the vastness of the Ark of the Elements. Think of it as a breach(s) that didn't exist in the design stage. It's not just a matter of time before you're able to get your hands on it. Leave those who would make a noise here.
Don't worry. We're the advance team that's been given the task of scouting the route of entry and the destination. That's not an easy thing to pull off.

　Sakura dares Suzuri and takes the initiative to step into the cracks herself.

　Beyond that, the third level of the Ark of the Elements awaits.

　The original base of the Demon King's Army, the headquarters of Agat Ram, and the last territory of the ancient magical civilization -- the third level of "Elemental Ark" is waiting.