Elfiszak Guildegard.

　I don't know his position in the Demon King's army, but he was a demon race that was powerful enough to surpass the Four Heavenly Kings.
　He was the opponent he fought before he was betrayed by his comrades, so he remains in my memory.
　The reason why his appearance hasn't changed is probably due to the slow aging process due to the demon race.

　I didn't expect that he had survived that situation.

''--Hmm.''

　Elfiszak looked at me and had a serious expression on his face.
　The same intimidating feeling that made the opponent tremble was there as when we fought in the past.
　Those golden eyes are looking through me as if to see through me as I increase my vigilance.

''No way, you--''
----

　I winced at Elfiszak, who opened his mouth.
　Don't tell me that he realized what he was?

　Elfiszak said with a serious expression.

Have you fallen in love with me at first sight, staring at me so intently?
'...... what?'

　I didn't expect it, and I couldn't help but ask back.　
　I'm not sure what that means.

I'm sure many men have always been attracted to my appearance. Are you one of them?
No.

　I answered immediately.

　What is he talking about, this guy?
　The words were so misguided that I was caught off guard.
　If this is an act to disrupt our pace, she's a horrible woman.

...... Mm, I see.

　Why are you looking a little boring?

　I'm starting to wonder if you really are the demon tribe I fought against 30 years ago.

''...... who the hell are you?''

　I broke the weird air and started to talk.　
　I know who you are.
　But I don't know why he was fighting with the earth demon general.

　Elfiszak belonged to the Demon Clan - the Demon King's Army.
　It's strange that he's fighting the same Demon King Army, the Earth Demon General.

''Perhaps you've already noticed, but I'm a demon race. My name is Elfiszak Guildegard.

　It's not an inch different from the name I heard then.
　Although it was an unexpected character, but it seems to be the real thing and it's definitely the real thing.

''If it's the ...... demon race, why were you being chased by the Earth Demon General?
''I'm out of the Demon King's army. I'm not the only one who's been in the same boat as you.
　The rude dragon attacked me when he saw me.

　Out of the Demon King's army and hostile, huh?
　The fact that they were targeted by the Earth Demon General, at least it's not a lie.
　When I was escaping, the dragon shouted 'traitor' at me.

　I don't intend to take it at face value.

As a result, I'm trapped in an impasse.
　It's just because you came down there that I was able to escape.

　In the past, Elfiszak would have been able to win against that dragon, but it seems that he has been weakened.

　The foothold collapsed because of the aftermath of these guys' battle?
　I don't know what the circumstances are, but it's getting messy.

"So ...... who are you like that?

　I don't have any hostility towards Elfiszak who asks me.
　He has no intention of fighting us for now.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

''It's ...... Iori. I have business in the labyrinth, and I'm here.
Huh. I don't think he's from the kingdom. Some kind of adventurer, I suppose.
Well, sort of.

　I see, I see, and Elfiszak nodded.

'Was it you who caused the labyrinth to stop moving?
''Yes. I took it while I was running away from that dragon.

　Elfiszak took out a sphere from his pocket that was large enough to fit in his palm.
　It glowed suspiciously with a thin, iridescent light.
　It's definitely a labyrinth core.

What is it? What do you want with a labyrinth core?

　As if he noticed my gaze, Elfiszak asked me this while showing me the sphere.
　I must somehow get the labyrinth core from this demon tribe.

　Either answer honestly or hide it.

''Then I'll give it to you.''

　Elfiszak said that in a light tone to me, who was troubled.

...... is this okay?
'Yeah. It's good that you brought it, but I didn't need it. Take it graciously.

　Pong.
　With a distracting lightness, Elfiszak handed me a labyrinth core.
　The labyrinth core he received conveyed an enormous wave of magical power.

''...... All right. Thanks.''
Uh-huh.

　For now, I put the labyrinthine nucleus away in my pouch.
　It was surprisingly easy to get the target.

'So, you said Iori. Do you still have something left to do in this labyrinth?
'No, the labyrinth core was the objective, all we have to do is get out of here.

　Technically, there's another one, but let's leave it at that.
　If I can use the Labyrinth Nucleus to regain my power, I'll be able to do most of the things I need to do.
　If that happens, revenge will be easy to proceed with.

That's convenient. Iori, help me.
"...... cooperation?

　I couldn't help but ask back at the abrupt suggestion.

'You can call it co-operation.'

　According to her, the transition camp leading to the outside is on the 14th floor.　
　We're on the fifteenth floor below that.

　After Elfiszak took the labyrinth core from this fifteenth floor, he headed to the fourteenth floor to transition.
　It seems that the reason he was fighting that dragon on the fourteenth floor was to escape.

''Probably, that dragon will be waiting for me to come in front of the transition camp.
"You didn't follow ...... because you thought you'd come to the transition team.

　Judging by the fact that it was using language, that dragon's intelligence was high.
　It wouldn't be surprising if it had an ambush.

　While examining Elfiszak's words, he thought about his future actions.
　That dragon seemed to be aiming at Elfiszak.
　I was caught up in it.
　If that's the case, then I should just run away from Elfiszak by a different path than Elfiszak.

''If we want to get out, though, we could climb the upper floors and escape through the labyrinth entrance.
'That's not realistic. That dragon can use its magic to move around the ground at will. Even if it escapes upstairs, it will catch up with you before you can escape.

　'Besides,' said Elfiszak, continuing his words.

'That rude man has a rather nasty disposition, by the way he says and does things. I, of course, wouldn't miss it, and neither would you who were there. Even if we split up, he will still go after the other one after crushing one of them.

　It's as if he could see through our thoughts.
　But it doesn't seem like I'm telling a lie.
　It's true that a rock cave dragon with such a huge body, even if I escape with my feet, there's a chance that they will catch up with me.

''Since you can come to the lower levels of the labyrinth alone, you must be good at it, right?　If you work with me, you have a better chance of escaping.

　Then Elfiszak holds out his hand to me.
　'Fight together,' his eyes say.

'...... I can't use an attack strong enough to damage that dragon, you know.

　By the time I got here, I had a complete grasp of my own abilities.　
　It's not even close to the level of his heyday.
　The inherent magic that he used to be able to use in the past was now only a fraction of the power he was able to produce even with the use of magic stones and magic granting items.

''No problem. My magic can also damage that dragon. Iori just needs to stall for time.''

　Elfiszak shakes his head that it's okay.

　It's certainly not a bad story.
　But it's too convenient.

'How can you offer a co-operative fight to a human you just met ...... and yet you're human?

　From this guy's point of view, I'm a stranger who's never met him before.
　Moreover, he is a human being who is hostile to the demon race.
　And yet he shows no caution.
　It's just too suspicious to be true.

　What are they planning to do?　
　If it's going to be an obstacle to our escape, would it be better to take care of it here and now?

　Elfiszak looked at me squarely in the eye as I thought about it and said, "You have to help me.

You have saved my life. What do humans and demons have to do with it?
'----'

　That's the way it's supposed to be, isn't it?

"What?

　Humans and demons have nothing to do with it?
　What does this guy say?
　I don't know what he's talking about.

"And I'm a good judge of character. I know you're good enough to fight with.

　As usual, says Elfiszak, pompous as ever.
　He wasn't trying to cajole or take in.
　He was saying that with a sincere look on his face.

　At least, that's what it looked like.

'----'

　Do I accept the story or decline?
　I thought about it for a while and eventually came to a conclusion.

"...... Okay. I'll work with you until we get out of this labyrinth.
Yeah, that's a wise decision.

　Elfiszak's face broke into a happy smile and he nodded in a pompous manner.

'............'

　It's not that I trusted him.
　Rather, the words I just said made it even more difficult to believe.

　A similar thing was said by my former companion, Lucifina.
　She said that humans and demons are the same.
　With her mouth as she said this, she scoffed at me, "Did you really think of that?

　If you're up to something, so be it.
　If you plan to betray me, fine.
　If that's the case, all you have to do is betray me first.

　I won't be fooled again.
　I'll never make the same mistake again.
　We'll use them to get out of here alive, at best.



Elfiszak. Are you really capable of using enough magic to defeat that dragon?

　After making arrangements to get out of here, we were walking towards the upper floor where the transition camp was located.

Hm, who do you think I am?
I don't know, I'm asking you.
Mu......

　No, I know what he's capable of.
　It doesn't seem to be the Four Heavenly Kings, and I wonder what this guy was in the Demon King's Army after all.

''Don't worry. I can't give it my all right now for a reason, but I can still use enough magic to slaughter that dragon.

　You can't give it your all, huh?
　Well, with the strength at that time, it should be easy to defeat that dragon.

You're a partner with me. I'm sure you'll be able to find your way out of the labyrinth. You're going to feel like you're on a big boat.
...... Yeah. I'm counting on you.

　He says that, but I don't know how much I can trust him.
　Of course I'm thinking about what would happen if I was betrayed.
　That dragon seemed to be targeting Elfiszak, and there's a way to use that to your advantage.

　We're in a co-operative relationship, but we're not friends.
　They just use each other.
　You can't trust them when they are enemies of the human race, no matter how friendly they pretend to be.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you.

　I'm always prepared for this guy to change his mind at any moment.
　I won't be caught by surprise.
　On the other hand, if he shows any suspicious behavior, you can cut his head off with a single sword.

''What's the matter. You've been watching my behavior for quite some time now.
No. ...... It's nothing.

　He seems to be teasing, but his instincts are sharp.
　It seems to be weakening, but you still can't be too careful.

"Hmm ...... I knew you had a crush on me at first sight.
I didn't.
M. ...... Okay.

　We can't be too careful.

　We walked up the stairs with that exchange.
　We climbed to the fourteenth floor and walked toward the transition team.

"We're almost there. Brace yourself.
...... Yeah.

　Due to the influence of the magic element being diluted, the demons have completely disappeared.
　The weaker demons have died out, and the stronger demons are probably heading out of the labyrinth in search of magical elements.
　It's nice to know that the only opponent to fight is the earth demon general.

　She led me to a large circular room, and the one I proceeded to was a large circular room.
　Like the small room mentioned earlier, it was made with walls that had been rolled out.
　At the back of the room, a path made of a different, sturdy-looking material led to a path that was different from the rest.
　Perhaps there is a transition camp at that end.

　We stepped into that room.
　There was no sign of anything inside.
　But I can tell.

"You are in there, aren't you?　"Come on out of hiding.
"Law.

　A voice seemed to echo throughout the room, and then a huge, rock-covered arm protruded from the center of the room.
　With a zubzub, the earth demon general appeared, creating a ripple on the ground as if it were going out of the water.
　A huge dragon that far surpassed the earth spider towered in front of him.

''It looks like you've made up your mind to be killed by me.''

　He grabbed the magical stone and pulled out his treasure sword.
　All of the Earth Demon General's body is covered with stubborn rocks, and even if he used the 'Breaking Demon', he wouldn't be able to do any damage.

"Fool! You are the one who will be defeated by us.

　Elfiszak provoked the Earth Demon General with a scowling smile.
　Snorting unpleasantly, the Earth Demon General turned his gaze towards us.

''Dwarf human. You will have to pay the price for interrupting me.

　Elfiszak was right, he's got his sights firmly set on me, too.
　That's expected.

''Excellent, Earth Demon General. Elfiszak, stay back. I'm enough for this one.
"...... What did you say?

　In advance, I heard about this dragon's personality from Elfiszak.
　From the words and actions from earlier, I knew that this guy is confident in his own power.
　That's why this provocation.

''Don't you understand?　I'm telling you that I'm enough for a dumbass to take away the Labyrinth Nucleus by myself.''
Yeah!

　This one's provocation seems to have succeeded.
　The Earth Demon General's huge body was shaking with anger.

''Iori. I asked you to follow the plan.''
...... Yeah.

　With that said, Elfiszak drops backwards.
　I don't know how far he'll go according to the plan, but for now, let's move according to the prior plan.
　In other words, I have to fight alone against the earth magician.

''Very well. ......

　The demon general stared at you with his huge eyes and shouted, "My name is Balguild!

My name is Demon General Balguild.　Crush it immediately, human!

　The roar of the demon general echoes.

　Yeah, that's right.
　I've got the labyrinth core, now there's no use for me here anymore.
　So disappear immediately, Earth Demon General.

　Thus, the battle against the Earth Demon General began.