The feeling of being submerged in a deep ocean.
　The moment you perceive it, your consciousness is pulled upward.
　Eventually, you slowly wake up.

'...... Ouch.'

　Every part of my body ached and I was lazy, as if I had a cold.
　It's a muscle ache I haven't felt in a long time and a lack of magical power.

'This is ......'

　Looking up, I saw a craggy rock ceiling.
　It's a dimly lit labyrinth landscape.
　Apparently, I'm lying in the maze.

　Oh, I see.
　After winning the battle against the demon lord, I lost consciousness due to lack of magic power.

　When it occurred to me that this was the case, I realized that my head is very soft for someone who is sleeping on the floor.
　Soft, elastic, and warm.
　I slowly look up and see Elfiszak looking into my face.

'You're finally awake,'
"Whoa ......!

　Apparently I had fallen asleep on this guy's lap.

You shouldn't be too surprised.
...... No, I didn't think I was being knee-jerked.
You don't think we can just throw him out there?
Yeah, but ....... No, thanks. You're a lifesaver.

　Even though there were no more obstacles blocking the way to the transition team, Elfiszak didn't leave me behind.
　I thanked her honestly for that and got up from her lap.

'Mmm. You can brag about being kneecapped by me by retelling the story.

　And Elfiszak was still the same.

　He let the words flow lightly and checked his body's condition.
　His body is heavy, but not to the extent that he can't move.
　It seems that his magic power also recovered somewhat while he was sleeping.

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

　As always, most of the functions of the bravest proofs are still lost.
　However, the absorption of the labyrinth core is not entirely useless.
　Some magic power can be drawn from it.
　With this, it would be possible to exercise low-grade magic without using the magic stone.

You can't get rid of it," he said, "At any rate, I'm glad I was able to defeat that dragon. I wouldn't have let him stop me on my own.

　'Thank you,' says Elfiszak, thanking him.

'...... No, no, I was the one who was saved,'

　The truth is, I have no right to be thanked like that.　
　Because I tried to betray Elfiszak once that time.

''The shield that prevented the Earth Demon General's magic, that was a surprise to me too.

　Whether or not he knows about this one's inner feelings, Elfiszak is amused.

　Demon Sealing (Il Ataraxia).

　Even if I look back, I don't know how he was able to use that magic.
　Even if you ask me to bring it out again, I can't do it again.
　What in the world was that?

'Yes. And that's why I thought of it.

　In a light tone, Elfiszak continued to speak.
　And the words that jumped out at me caused me to freeze.


''--You're Amatsu, right?


◆'


You ......

　He stiffened at her words thrown at him unexpectedly.
　'Amatsu,' she said.
　'Me?

'I knew it,'

　...... It's gone.
　I look at Elfiszak, who narrows his eyes at this one's reaction and realizes his failure.
　There will be no more excuses.

Ku......!

　I take a distance from the sitting Elfiszak.
　I'm not going to be the only one who can do that.
　If your identity is exposed, you won't get away with it for free.

It's a surprise ....... You came out of nowhere.

　I thought.

　Elfiszak didn't move, rolling his eyes at me as he jumped back.

'Did you think I was going to attack you?
'That's ...... true. On the other hand, why haven't you attacked me?
'First of all, I couldn't stand up to attack you because my legs were numb from having you on my knees.
............

　I wonder.
　I feel like an idiot for jumping away.

'Besides, I have no reason to fight you now. I don't care if it was in the past, I'm out of the Demon King's Army now.
............

　Really, there doesn't seem to be any hostility towards her.
　If she had any hostility, she would have been killed while she was unconscious.
　She would never have taken a knee or anything like that.

''...... How long have you been aware of this?''
"When I stopped the demon general from striking you. Your magic is the same quality as that of Amatsu.

　'When you're as big as I am, I can tell by your magic,' Elfiszak said proudly.

'You've changed your appearance so much, I didn't even notice. Totally, since you and I are on good terms, you should have called me when you saw me.

　I'm not sure I'm comfortable with someone who's killed each other.

But it's been a while, hasn't it, Amatsu? It's been 30 years since I last saw you.

　Elfiszak says happily, "I still have some of the scars you put on me.
　It's quite familiar, even though they realize that this is Amatsu.

It's just a matter of time before you're ready to go. I'm surprised.
"...... sort of.

　'I survived, although it's more correct to say that I found myself surviving.

I can't speak for other people either, but it looks like Amatsu is getting weaker and weaker. You used to be able to easily defeat a dragon, didn't you?
It's just a matter of time before I was able to use my powers to do so. I've come to this labyrinth to get my magic back.
'Yeah, I see. So that's why you were using the labyrinthine nuke.
It wasn't enough after all, though.

　One labyrinth core is not enough, which is quite troublesome.
　I wonder how much magic power will be needed.

It's been a long time since then, are you still fighting as a brave man?
...... No.

　The proof of bravery is still on your arm.
　But I'm not a hero anymore.

"Elfiszak. I'm not going to be able to get it right. I've already discarded that name.

　"Our hero, Amatsu, is dead.
　The sweet ideal of wanting to make the world a peaceful place is gone.

...... That's right. Then I'll call you Iori as before.

　With our attitude, he guessed that he didn't want us to talk about the past too much.
　Elfiszak didn't step in with a giggle about the past.

　Oh, I see.
　This guy saw where I was betrayed by my friends, didn't he?

　At any rate, if there is no hostility, that's fine.

Hey, Iori. What are you going to do after this?

　Elfiszak asks as he sits down.

"...... after this, huh?

　The objective this time was the labyrinth core.
　I succeeded in getting it, but in the end, I didn't get my magic power back.

　From that feeling, taking in the labyrinth nucleus was the right method.
　The problem is the amount of magic power needed.
　To fully regain my power, I would probably need two or three more labyrinth nuclei.

　My goal is to get revenge on those who betrayed me.
　First, we need to verify the authenticity of Ryuza's words.
　I stole a magic power grant for that purpose from the treasure room, but it was a shame I couldn't use it on Ryuzas right then and there.

''Maybe I'll go to ...... another country and take on the labyrinth just like here.

　He kept the revenge thing under wraps and explained that to her.

　This time, the Earth Demon General Balguild was a far more troublesome opponent than the previous Earth Demon General.
　''When we take on the next labyrinth, we need to come up with a plan other than just getting our equipment together.

''Hohoho.''
It's .......

　Hearing my words, Elfiszak grinned at me.
　Something tells me I have a bad feeling about this.

'Odd, Iori. In fact, I too have business in the labyrinth.
Well, good for you. Well, I'll just rip the scales and stuff off that earthen general.
Wait and see.

　I was about to escape, and he grabbed me.
　d*mn, what a stupid force.
　It doesn't even budge.

Iori. In recognition of your success in the battle just now, I will allow you to accompany me by cooking three meals a day.
"No.
''Eh!''

　Elfiszak raises his voice in surprise with a face that seems to say that he did not expect it.
　No, I did fight with him, but it's a pain in the ass to be followed outside the labyrinth.

''Well then, accompany me for two meals a day and polishing your nails.
No, thank you.
Then eat one meal a day and get your nails done.
No.

　He's quite persistent, this guy .......

I'm the good guy!
Who the f*ck are you?
It's the Demon King, Ex!

　What is this guy talking about?
　He's so intimidating when he's fighting, why is he usually so disappointing?

　I'm grateful for the co-op, but I can't keep up with him that much.
　Pulling off the spoiled Elfiszak, I head to the wreckage of the earth demon general.

''Ah, geez, Iori!''

　You can get some good materials from the large demon.
　I'm not going to be able to get the same amount of money as it is, but if you process it, you can make sturdy weapons and armor.
　Since it's such a huge dragon, it must be able to get some good materials.

　It has deep wounds, so if you cut off the underlying flesh, you can strip it off.
　The scales, fangs and other parts of the body that could be used as good weapons will be uprooted.
　Among them, the Demon Crystal, which can be said to be the heart of a demon, is an exceptional item that was obtained.
　With these, it would be possible to make a weapon that surpasses the treasured sword.

　When I picked up the magic crystal and was about to put it in my pouch.

''Shuppa!''

　While speaking the sound effect by himself, Elfiszak snatched the magic crystal from me.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future.
　At a height that I couldn't reach, he stabbed his arm into the wall and hung on the wall.

''Hmph, it looks like you're a pretty good demonic crystal, just because you call yourself the Earth Demon General!　Iori!　If you want this back, come with me!
Shut up!
No!
Oh, my God, you're a f*cking kid!

　What the f*ck are you doing? !

I just have to get to the end of the maze!　You want the maze, don't you!　Then can I come with you?

　The child jitterily swings his arms and legs while hanging from the wall, as if he were a spoiled child.

　From the looks of it, it's unlikely that he'll give me back the Demon Crystal if I don't listen to him.
　It's not that I absolutely need it, but with the current state of weakness, I want to wear the best equipment if possible.
　It's a shame that they're taking that thing away from you.

...... Okay, I get it. Anyway, I'll listen to what you have to say.
Really?
! Yeah.

　I'm just saying.
　I'm just gonna listen and tell them what they want to hear.

So, come on downstairs and do what you have to do.
Um, okay.

　Elfiszak nodded with a coy smile.

'............'
............
............
............
No, get the hell out of here.

　Why are you hanging off the wall and looking at us?

Iori. There is one thing I need to say to you.
It's .......
Yeah, as a matter of fact, I'm stuck in here.

　With a straight face, Elfiszak said.

'Drop ...... off, Iori.

　I wanted to hold my head up and let out a sigh.