A short time after I started my retreat, I heard the sounds of battle behind me. It seems that a player from the other side has joined the fight. Then my role is over for now. I decided to return to the ancient lake.

When we returned to the ancient lake, everyone shouted.

''That's not fair!''

The first thing that comes to mind is this.

'I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know what you're talking about.　I don't take kindly to being called a cheat by a captain who has carried out a mission with a high risk of returning to death.

G...

Yes, I won. I won. I think we should be okay if we come out of this one. I'm getting Lily and the others back on their feet when Luin-san and his friends arrive.

"We made it back safely.

'That was nice, but you made the mistake of coming back with the point all to yourself. Well, it was hilarious for us to see the people over there in a hurry.

Mr. Ruin is quite a character...we take a break for now. That's where we discuss the future development.

''So you think the enemies are going to get stronger and stronger from now on, Tact-kun?

''Yes. I don't think there will be a legion of forty, though.

Well, I don't think we're going to have time...

You can't take them on. It may depend on the number of your army, though. So I explain a certain plan to Lewin.

"Actually, I have some friends on the other side, and I would like you to pass our plan on to other people who might be interested in joining us.

At this time?

''Yes, sir. The information from Mr. Full Moon and the others has convinced me that our strategy is more solid, and if the information is passed on to the leaders on the other side, it will be too late in time.

"...you certainly can't be overstretched. The coordination problem is... okay. I get it. I'll let everyone know and you, Tact, please contact your friend.

Yes, Ma'am!

Don't do that!

Mr. Lewin apparently doesn't like shouting. I contacted Arleigh via communication.

'Seriously, you know how to attack?　I didn't see that information on the board!'

We're done with each other. So. What do you say?　Lots of points and a good chance of survival if you come over here, huh?

Of course I'm going, right?　So what am I supposed to do?'

This guy is surprisingly perceptive, isn't he?

I want you to reach out to a party that might be willing to join you with this information.

"Got it. But still, isn't this a pretty good time to release the information?

That's a compliment. Well, good luck getting your people together. I'm super excited for you.

"Don't put pressure on me. Well, I'll give you what you want, but next time, give me the information sooner rather than later.

That's up to you. Go for it.

So we've done our backstabbing. The rest is up to Arleigh's performance.


When we're taking a break after the backstage work is done, Yugues asks me.

'What kind of demon is Astaroth?　I don't know much about it. I know it from the game, though.

Well, maybe most of them are like that, Lewin explains.

'It's hard to say because it comes up in so many different religions and stories, but Astaroth is said to be one of Solomon's 72 pillars, an angelic figure straddling a dragon and holding a viper in his right hand.

'How... they're stuffed with settings... I mean, he's a demon and he's an angel?'

'There's a story about how it was originally a goddess. And they say she's also the demon who talked about the fall of the angels.

Heh. I didn't know that.

'I believe you have the ability to see the past, the future?

Yes. If he really had that kind of power, he'd be dead in the water because he knows what we're up to.

That's the thing, isn't it? Well, you don't have that power in stone. Neither did Nebilos, because he didn't have it. The problem is the angelic forms, they don't have vipers, but they are poisonous. So where are the dragons? I said.

"Do you think there will be dragons as enemies?

It was written in the mural, so it will have something to do with it... Anyway, since it's an impromptu event, we have no choice but to assume a lot of things and move on. What are you going to do now, Takuto-kun?

'I'll stay put until it's my turn. I'll have to lend you some liqueur, too.

It would be nice if you did.

Then we took a break for an hour or so and Mel and the others came in. The waiting members take turns taking a break. Then Hikage-san, who was on his way to reconnoitering, returned and reported to Ruin-san.

''Good work. How's the situation over there with the boss?''

The boss seems to have been summoned by a mysterious daemon after all the daemons were wiped out, that it was. He was carrying a sword, and seemed to be quite a difficult enemy, that he was. Takuto-dono retreated at a good time, that he did.

I was pretty worried about it. I'm glad it looks like it was the right decision in the end.

By the looks of it, did they do any damage to the other side?

I think it's just a little out, that it is. It seems that the other side is planning to attack Astaroth at the pyramid where King Kong was located, that it is. They have set up troops in various locations to guide the boss, that they have, but players who want points will be heading towards the enemy.

So they were affected.

That makes sense. But the pyramids are definitely a good place to intercept them, aren't they? It's a big enemy, and we can use the pyramids as shields when we are attacked.

When I'm impressed, suddenly the sound of an explosion and a tremendous impact arrive from the forest. The sudden impact throws Rico and Mirai off balance, so I support them.

'Are you okay?'

"...um...

The quintessential twin... they react together. So, a look from behind.

「「「「 Moo! 」」」」

Lily and her friends were swollen. And Mel is swollen too.

'I'm out of balance too?　Besides, how long will you support it?

Don't be ridiculous. Two is the limit! I let them go for now. Then every footstep and sound echoed with a shock from the ground. When I looked at Astaroth, he was slowly moving.

So the attack just now was Astaroth's attack? How many players were killed... and it was Astaroth, but he wasn't heading this way. He's apparently heading in the direction King Kong left off.

Did they just pick it out because it's a good interceptor? Or do they have a plan, just like us? We'll see what happens.

While I was thinking this, Tristan came in.

I'm going to go check out the information. You'll be able to find out more about this. Give me the liqueur.

I will come with you. It is the duty of a ninja to be the scout. I would appreciate it if you would lend me your horse if you could.

I'll look at the Commander-in-Chief.

"You two are the right men for the job. I can't make a decision without knowing what I know first.

Well... we'll send out a party application, then.

I submit a party application and they accept. I immediately call up Liquor and Darley.

'This is the horse of the game!　It's still super real!　...that is.

Oh, you're wrong.

I'm gonna have to borrow your liqueur, then.

I owe you one, that I do!

You'll have to give it back to me.

I say so, but they leave without answering. I'm afraid they won't get back to me.