This was before Elfi and Ortegia became the Demon King.
　At that time, the demon race was on the side of the demon king's army.
　As the Demon King's subordinates, they fought against hostile races such as humans.

　However, they had doubts about the Demon King's cruelty, so the demon tribe eventually broke away from the Demon King's army.
　From then on, they didn't get involved in the war and always remained neutral.
　As a result, they were stared at as a former enemy race by the humans and a traitor by the Demon King's army.

　Time passed, and when Ortegia became the Demon King.
　In order to change this situation, the demon king's army is committing all kinds of atrocities all over the world, the demon tribe has decided to break their position of neutrality and join the side of the humans.
　In fact, they wanted to get rid of the situation where they were treated as enemies by both the humans and the demon king's army.

　Dionis, who was the strongest of the demon tribe, will be joining our ranks as the representative of such demon tribe.
　Bertoga is Dionis's subordinate.

　Humans and demons worked together several times and ended up clashing with the demon king's army.
　The demon tribe has high physical abilities and a high resistance to magic.
　The success of the demon tribe was remarkable.

　However, it was probably because they had a history of being attached to the Demon King's army in the past.
　Even though they fought together, many humans disliked the demon tribe like a snake.
　They discriminated against the demon tribe by blatantly changing their attitudes and treatment.

　Even if you were with the demon king's army in the past, you are on the side of the humans now.
　And yet, I don't like the current situation of being discriminated against.
　When I saw them fighting back and trying to change their situation, I thought I wanted to do something about this discrimination.

　So I didn't change my attitude like the rest of the human race, and I actively interacted with them.
　That's where I was used by Bertoga.

◆

"Amatsu-san!

　It was not long before we rode into the Demon King's Castle.
　We were getting ready for the final battle when Beltranga came in.

''If you'd like, you can drink this!

　He said, bringing a potion that was passed down to the demon race that was effective in recovering fatigue and the magic power consumed.

''Amatsu-dono. It's best not to drink such an ungodly thing.
''Would you like me to bring you a proper potion?''

　Looking at Bertoga, the people around him blatantly frowned and said so.

''After all, you can't drink anything we've made, can you ......?

　Bertoga says, his face falling and sounding depressed.
　Now that I think about it, it was an understandable trifecta.

　But I didn't see it coming.

No, I'll take it. Thank you.

　Not wanting to discriminate, I took the potion from Beltranga and drank it down.
　It's probably true that it restores fatigue and magic power.
　It was just that there were demon claws in it, which were highly poisonous.

　My body was hardly affected by the effects of the demon claws.
　Every time I exercised my magic power, my body would get a little heavier and heavier.
　That's the extent of the effect.

　Bertoga and the others probably didn't think that they could kill me with poison.
　In the moment of betrayal, in that moment, my reaction should be delayed even a little.
　That's why he had me drink the poison.

　In reality, I was not even thinking about being attacked by my friends, so even if I hadn't been poisoned, I would have been killed.

'That bastard Amatsu would drink the potion I gave him without examining it carefully.
　You can't drink anything made by the demon tribe, if you say ...... or something like that.'

　Since the incident where the demon race was mixed in with the humans, I had certainly been paying attention to what I was using.
　I wasn't careful enough to let down that caution so easily just because they were my friends.
　It was naive and stupid, that's absolutely true.

　But even so, I can't forgive him for just scoffing at and taking advantage of our favor.
　If you say it's the fools who are deceived that are to blame.

　Yeah, I'll do the same thing.
　I'm just going to do what was done to me and make up for it.


◆

　The day after I applied.
　As I had heard, the screening process for joining the defeating party was held at the guild.

　Unlike the screening for joining an adventurer, this time they had to pass three items.

　First, a physical examination was conducted to see if there was anything wrong with your body.
　Elfi and I passed it without any problems.

　After the physical examination, a magic power test and a combat ability assessment would be conducted.
　The sum of these two evaluations will determine whether or not you can join the strike force.

　First, the magic power test.
　A stone called "Demon Stone", which measures the amount of magic power, is used for the test.
　Line up in front of the stone and measure the amount of magic power one by one.

　Touch the stone and release the magic power.
　The amount of magic power flowing through the stone is checked, and the color of the stone changes based on the results.

''Iori-san is rated ......D.

　My rating was one step short of the lowest rating of E.
　A D rating.
　In other words, the amount of magic power was less than humanly possible, barely enough to use magic power.
　If he had gotten an E with this, it would have been impossible for him to join the defeating team.

''Ha, D? You have almost zero talent in magic. You'll only be able to use elementary magic like that!
If you don't get an A in the next battle, you won't be on the strike team!

　The judging process was being watched by the adventurers who had been selected to participate in the strike team.
　When I got a D, the adventurers' jeers flew at me.

　As if to drown them out.

''Elfi-san, I give you an A rating!''

　Elfie, who was standing in line behind me, easily hit the highest rating.
　Even though the amount of magic power has been reduced due to the magic granting product that hides the race, it's still an A rating?
　If I inspected it with its original amount of magic power, the stone would have been shattered.

''Awesome, Elfi-chan!''

　The adventurers hissed and whistled.
　Elfie ignores the adventurers and turns his smug face towards you.
　It's a bit annoying.

　Anyway, with this, Elfie's entry into the strike force is almost a done deal.
　All I have to do now is to take care of the rest.


　The next step is the measurement of my combat ability.
　Just like before, I'm going to fight against adventurers, and I'll be evaluated based on the process and results.

　My opponent was a big man with strong muscles.
　When you see your prey is an axe, he seems to be the type of person who will use his own strength to beat his opponent down.

"Unfortunately, you'd probably get an E. I'd get an E for that. I'll crush you with a single blow, you know. ......!

　The man with an axe at the ready says this while holding a stance that makes him proud of his muscles.
　The adventurers who help in the judging process are all B or higher, so they must have a lot of confidence.

''Then let's begin!
Nuh-uhn!

　As soon as the order is given, a man who uses body strengthening magic runs into the room.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the comments below.

"...... "Shaking Sword

　There was a high-pitched sound that sounded like a keening.
　Next, the axe left the man's hand and fell to the ground.

'Ha......?'

　The man looks like he has no idea what happened.
　At that moment, he thrust his sword at the defenseless throat.

'A......?'

　After a delay, the man has a look of shame on his face.
　Soon after that, the order to stop was given and the review was over.

'...... What did you do, now?'
''It's a sword technique called the Shinden, do you know it?''

　The man shook his head silently.

　The Shinden.
　The shaking sword. It is one of the anti-personnel swordsmanship techniques I learned in this world.

　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.
　By transferring the impact through the opponent's weapon to your arm, you greatly disrupt the opponent's posture.
　You need to have a very high level of skill to defeat this impact.

　Well ...... it's a technique I learned from watching the demon race use it, so it might not be surprising if the humans don't know about it.

　A few minutes later, everyone's review was completed.

◆

　The results of the review were communicated verbally.
　I'm a magic power D, combat A.
　Just barely, but I broke through the passing line.
　Elfie got both A's, and he was happy to hear that I won.

　Most of those who were judged failed to reach the mark by one step.
　Only a few, including us, got accepted.

　This time, we didn't have our evaluations unfairly dropped like we did last time.
　From what Elfi has explored, it seems that the magic power is a D. ...... and the staff with ties to Merwin had some difficulty with it, but it seems to have passed in the end.
　If it had been dropped, I would have had a few ideas.

　Anyway, that's why we were able to join the strike team.
　Shortly after that, we were briefed on the strike team.

　Basically, the reward is divided among us.
　However, the amount you receive depends on how well you perform.
　The labyrinth core must be taken back and submitted to the guild.
　In order to align with the adventurers, you must attend the meeting that will take place tomorrow.
　At that place, the guild will give you potions, weapons, and other support items.
　If you wish, you can become an adventurer after the defeat of the labyrinth.
　The guild is not responsible for any injuries or deaths.

　Here's how it works.
　As for the Labyrinth Nucleus, I'll be the one to collect it, giving a reason for it to be lost.
　It's the very reason for entering the labyrinth.

　Everything else is fine.

　After receiving the explanation, I went back to the inn and read the labyrinth materials distributed by the guild.

　It describes the interior in more detail than the materials I saw in the library.
　It was not just once or twice that such a defeating party was formed, but it seems that quite a few labyrinth defeats have already taken place.
　It seems that there have been quite a few deaths due to a series of failures, but there is also a lot of information about the inside from the information obtained from those who have survived.

　After reading the materials and discussing the actions in the labyrinth with Elfi, the day ended.


◆

　The next day.

　We were at a strike team meeting.
　There were dozens of adventurers gathered.
　Every one of them was a skilled adventurer, and their average age was quite high.
　Misha was also participating in the meeting, but even she was quite young.

　So naturally, we, who are only about sixteen years old in appearance, float.

It's a good idea to have a kid like that participate in the ......?　Are you okay?

　One of them looked at us and said that, which made the adventurers start talking.

I haven't seen them, but from what I've heard, they're both excellent at what they do. And they've passed the screening for the strike team.
Hey, wasn't that a bunch of would-be adventurers?
...... Are you sure you're okay with this?

　They didn't rate it very well either.
　Even that guy in full armor seemed unhappy with the two of us joining him.

"Whoever saw these two fight, you know what I'm talking about.　These two are the real deal.

　Then Misha covered for us.

"Gaston. Didn't you get blinked to death yesterday?　Why don't you tell me how you feel?
Oh ...... ah. Sure, it was strong.

　The axe man who had fought yesterday nodded awkwardly as Misha approached him.
　Although there was a buzz about it, the meeting was to proceed for now.

　A review of the materials distributed yesterday, such as the characteristics of the Purgatory Labyrinth and how to fight the demons that appear, would be reviewed.
　After that, each position was discussed.

　It seems that the positions have been decided to some extent for some time.
　Therefore, me and Elfi were sent to the back of the ranks without a moment to interrupt.
　The intention of "I don't have high expectations of you two" was clearly evident, but I don't have any objections.
　It's never better to be comfortable, you know.

　About two hours later, the meeting came to an end.

"Don't pull my leg,

　When I left, the adventurers said that to me.
　Maybe it's because his magic power was D, but he's more of a hit than Elfi.
　Well, I don't really care about it.

　At best, they'll be bulletproof.

◆

　The next day.
　Finally, the attack on the Purgatory Labyrinth began.