Beyond the adventurer's guild and inn is a residential area beyond the adventurer's guild and inn.
　At the farthest end of it, Merwin's mansion is located.

　Werewolves (werewolves) creep in and out there day and night.
　It seems that most of the werewolf species in this city fall under Merwin's control.
　In addition to his own skills, Merwin is regarded as a hero by the werewolf species for his defeat of the Four Heavenly Kings, so they have been embraced by him.
　I'm sure they know that Merwin's own evil intentions are being followed, so they have no room for consideration.

　Late at night, we make our way through the residential area under the cover of darkness.
　I'm using an air-blocking spell to avoid being seen, but so far there are no people on the streets.
　Even so, we proceed with great care.
　The evidence won't be left behind because it's completely burned out by Elfi's magic eye, but it's troublesome if there are witnesses.

''Here it is. It's a big mansion in its own right.

　A large gate rises, with statues of wolves standing on either side of it.
　The stone-paved path leading to the entrance, the well-appointed garden, and the fountain in the corner.
　It is a large mansion that stands out in the residential area.

　This alone is normal, but what is worth mentioning is the security of magic items that have been placed throughout the place.
　Disguised magic items are embedded in the gates, statues and fountains.
　If you step into them, you'll be discovered in one shot.
　That's just as troublesome as it sounds.

''Compared to the Demon King's Castle, the equipment and security is no better than a shack.
I'm not surprised.

　It's wrong to compare it to the last dungeon.
　Well, it's true that the security is only a 'reasonably nasty' thing.
　It's not that difficult to break in.

"Elfi. I'm sure you understand, but don't let your guard down.
Of course.

　We were being watched by Merwin's men before we even got into action.
　Me and Merwin had only met once in town, though.
　It's only a possibility, but if my guess is correct, it's a bit troublesome.

Let's go.

　I enter the mansion with my air blocker activated.

''--"Magic Skill Usurpation (Spel Dibauer)"

　Magic items are naturally powered by magic.
　That's why if you dissipate the magic inside, it will stop moving by that amount.
　If you stop it completely, there's a risk that the other party will hear about it, but if it only stops moving for a few seconds, it won't be noticed.

　Lightly breaking through the security's magic power-granting item (magic item), we entered the mansion.

◆

　There were magic power granting items (magic items) installed in places in the mansion as well.
　They stopped their movements while receiving the assistance of the magic stones and walked by them without a hitch.
　The number of people patrolling the mansion was quite small, as they seemed to be relying almost exclusively on security with magic power granting items.

　The detection ability of the werewolf species (werewolves) is troublesome, but since they use air blocking, they won't be noticed unless the other party uses search magic.

　The inside of the mansion was normal except for the fact that it was stocked with magic granting items.
　It was well-cleaned and clean.
　I followed the signs of people and looked for Merwin's figure.

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

　So far, so good.
　That's why we can't let our guard down.
　He's doing whatever he wants, so of course he's taking into account the possibility of retaliation.
　With this level of security, will he be relieved?

　Eventually, we arrived at Merwin's study.
　However, there was no one inside.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot of important documents on the desk and elsewhere, but there are no important documents on it.

''...... Iori.''

　After a while, Elfi discovered the basement.
　There was a mechanism on the floor that opened a passage to the basement when the magic power was passed through it.

''Elfi. Just do as I told you in case it happens.
...... I'm not too keen on it, though.

　We exchanged glances, and we descended the stairs that led to the basement.
　There were light sources set up at regular intervals on the walls, which reminded me of a labyrinth somehow.

'Oh, hey Iori. Don't get too far away.
......?

　I got to the bottom while I was tilting my head at Elfie, who was sticking close to me somewhat.
　The room is spread out at the end of the stairs.
　It's goofy, but it seems that there is a basement underneath the mansion.

　It's also quite large.
　As soon as I got down, I arrived in a large room.
　It's a dark room with no lights or anything else.

　However, there is a hint of magic and people.

　Then it's time to make the first move.

----

　As soon as he stepped in, he launched an attack.
　As I was about to use my magic, I noticed something strange.
　Magic power is rapidly being sucked out of my body ----.

''Iori--''

　The moment I realized that, the wind blew.
　I drew my sword and popped it.
　At the same time, the head of Elfi, who was standing next to me, was flying off.

　The blade of the wind had sliced through his body and torso.
　With a thud, Elfi's torso fell to the ground, and his head fell off belatedly.

''......!''

　The magic power in his body completely disappeared.
　The feeling of intoxication caused by the lack of magic power struck me and I fell to my knees.
　Looking at his feet, he saw a bright red glowing magic circle carved into the ground.
　Perhaps because the target's magic was made to disappear, the magic circle disappeared from the glow.

''...... wards.''
"Your answer.

　Crackling applause echoed and lights lit up the room.
　Several werewolf species (werewolves) were standing in front.

'I figured it was about time they came, so I got ready and waited for them.

　Smiling with a smirk, Merwin said.

''It's been a while, Amatsu (...) Ki Iori.


You're not going to be able to do that.

　Roughly speaking, all of them were of the B to A rank adventurer class.
　There were five werewolf species whose individual abilities were probably higher than the knights that Ryuzas was leading.
　Lining up the five people who seemed to be elite on either side, Merwin spoke to me in a nettish tone.
　From the nuances of calling my name, I knew that guy was aware of my identity.

...... How did you know we were coming?
I got a call from someone I know in the Kingdom. We just wanted to be on the lookout for you, just in case.
...... liuzas.

　The answer is as expected.

　With the presence of the werewolf species that had been following us, we had some idea of what to expect.
　That Merwin was aware of our presence.
　In addition to that, for some reason, Liuzas only knew exactly where Merwin was.
　That would mean that these guys were still connected.

''I had my men constantly monitoring your movements. From the lack of communication, though, it seems that they've already been disposed of. That's very disappointing.

　Despite his tone, he has an expression that doesn't remember any pain or itch.
　I guess those guys were discarded from the beginning.

''Although their appearance has changed a lot, ah, they certainly have a face. I didn't expect to see that fearless face after thirty years.
I'm glad to see that you haven't lost your nerve, too.
Yeah, thanks to you.

　Kutuksu, Merwin sneered.

''As for you, I knew that if you burned down those cat race warcats' shops, they would come to you that day.
...... Did you burn down Misha's shop to lure me in?
Yes, of course. Yes, of course. I've always been a bit of a pain in the ass, so I had to warn you. That way, they're out of the way and they can lure you in. So we can kill two birds with one stone, right?

　I'm reminded of Elfi's words about choosing your friends.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

　The fact that he didn't let us join the guild was a provocation.
　They say that as long as you are there, you can't achieve your goal.

"-The Demon Robbing Wards. How does it feel to have your magic power sucked out of you?

　Seeing me unable to move due to the lack of magic power, Merwin sneered with a cluck.

　Warding.
　I'm sure you've been using it for a long time.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it.

　It's the warding that Merwin used to call it.
　It must have been an advanced warding spell that needed to be prepared in advance.
　There must be a device to activate the warding.
　Perhaps it's around the back side of this room.

　The effect is to continue activating until the target's magic power is absorbed.
　Right now, though, it seems to have finished its job by absorbing all my magic power.

　It seems that the magic stone hasn't been deprived of its power, but it requires a minimum amount of magic power to use it.
　Once it's completely empty, you can't use the magic stone.

''However, it's a letdown. Even though this ward was prepared for your friends there, it's a shame that you're going to die, not to mention taking away their magic power.''
".........
Oh, she's not moving. It seems that you are able to see things more or less dispassionately, isn't it?

　Pointing at Elfie, who is rolling around losing his head, Merwin laughs disgustedly.

　He is provoked.
　But with a body that's lost its magic, it can't move as it should.
　He tightens his grip on the hilt of his sword, but he still can't move.

''Oh, yes. -- "Flame Bullet."
"Ugh.

　Flames shot out from Merwin's arms with great vigor.
　He caught it off with his sword, but the heat burned his skin with jizz.

''Is this ...... you the one who burned the store?''
Well, I'm not sure.
...... It's not the same thing. Who did this to you? Answer me.
You must be joking. Now I'll personally burn you down like in the shop.

　Immediately after declaring this, a series of flaming bullets fly in succession.
　The only thing I can do is catch them with my sword.
　The werewolf species (werewolves) are enjoying watching me, whistling at the sight of me.

　But it doesn't last long.
　Eventually, the flamethrower took a bite out of the flames and I fell to the ground.

It's not a good idea. If the old you would have seen it, you would have been very sad.

　Merwyn stopped his magic and sneered.

''...... you...''
Oh, that's the one, that's the one. Your savior face makes me sick when I see it. I like the look on your face, the one with no room to spare.

　Even as he falls, he doesn't let go of the hilt of his sword.
　With his sword in his grip, he glares at Merwin.

''I bet you'll have a great look on your face when you see a human destroyed.

　When I laughed at such a situation, Merwin said with a look of insufferability.
　The humans will be destroyed?

The Demon King Ortegia will soon regain his power. When that happens, the human race will be destroyed.
"Are you ...... going to switch sides with the Demon King?
'I will only reach the powerful. I don't want to die yet.

　My companions already know that, and I'm not upset with the refrained werewolf species.

''The first target is here - the United Kingdom. We're going to help with the invasion, and then we'll be able to join the Demon King's Army.
...... So that's how you try to sell others again to save yourself.
Yes.　I'm the most important person in the world. Is there something wrong with that?
............
Well, that's fine. I think we should end this now. Let's ask the ghosts of 30 years ago to leave here.

　With that, Merwin turned his arm towards me again.

''Well, are you ready then?''

　Apparently, he doesn't want to make any more conversation.
　It's time.

"Flame Bullet."

　Flying fireballs.
　And I'm not going to.

"Our magic usurpation (spell dibauer)"

　Exercise magic.
　I saw the power of the magic released decrease and lightly cut both sides with the sword in my grip.

''What......?''

　He slowly gets up in front of Merwin, who is astonished.
　He was morosely hit by a fireball, but there was no significant damage.
　It's because the robe's magic resistance and the effect of the 'Anti-Magic Armor' has drastically reduced its power.

All of the ...... magic power should have been taken away.

　The one I've been clutching onto for a while now is the 'Jade Tathagata'.
　One of its effects is that as long as you have your feet on the ground, you will recover your magic power little by little.
　Now that the absolute amount of magic power is low, most of the magic power has been recovered during the conversation.

''It's ...... warding!''

　Merwin raises his arm and urges the warding to be activated.
　However, the warding does not activate.

''What do you mean ......?''
What's up? Is the deception over?
...... You'd better not get too carried away. ......!

　Merwin snapped his fingers.
　He must have given a signal to the ambushers in the back of the room.

　But no one came out.

''...... Why hasn't anyone come out!

　Finally, Merwin revealed his agitation.
　Apparently, the trick is over.

Haven't you figured it out yet?
What do you mean ......?

　You've been concentrating on shaking me too hard.
　Elfi's head and torso were decapitated and lying on the ground.
　Both of which are now gone.

"You can come out now, Elfie.
...... Mm.
''Ha!''

　The door leading to the back of the wall opened and Elfi appeared from inside.
　The head that was supposed to have been cut off is connected and there is not a single wound.
　Merwin looks at Elfie with an expression as if he were looking at a ghost.

'You went out of your way to pretend you were killed because Iori told you to be vigilant. There were just a few dozen bad dogs waiting in the wings.
'Yeah, my bad. We could have fought this one head-on.
What is ...... huh?

　Elfi currently only has a neck.
　All other parts of the body are minute body.

　I was wary of Merwin's trap, so I used my altered body to pretend to be dead and asked Elfie to do something about the trap that was being set while my attention was diverted.
　It seemed that they had set up various wards for me versus me, but it seemed that Elfi had destroyed them so far.

　Now only Merwin and the elite werewolf species are left.

''Now, are you ready?''

　Alongside Elfi, he pointed his sword at Merwin.