Berthogaa......!

　The appearance of the object of revenge almost makes my head spin.
　Relax.
　Get excited, and you won't be able to kill him.
　Calm down so you can kill him.

"............

　The man in the full-face helmet was also among those wearing the magic power granting item (magic item).
　However, he couldn't notice it because his magic power was normal in Elfi's magic eye, and most importantly, his appearance was human itself.
　And he was too wary of Zorkin, who was dressed in full body armor.
　d*mn, it's a blunder.

''U......g......''

　Even though a horrible amount of blood was flowing from his forehead, Elfie was still alive.
　Apparently, Elfi protected him and Zorkin is safe.
　...... Thank goodness.

I've been told by Merwin that you're the one who sent me the news about you, but I was surprised when I saw you in person. I've been thinking about it for a while now, but that guy did a pretty good job, too.

　Well, we haven't heard from you, so it's like you're dead, right?　I'm sure you'll be able to find it," said Bertoga, cowering his shoulders.
　...... After all, it's the guy in Merwin's letter that was the right one.

It's not just a matter of time before you get to the bottom of it. Hey, hey, hey. What's up, man?
You can go to ......
Well, I'm going to kill you now, aren't I?

　What Beltran is holding is a golden rod that is as big as one person.
　I'm not sure if it's a magic grant or not, but it reacts to Beltran's magical power and is covered in flames.

You're going to be able to get the most out of it. You're ......,
Demon. ......?　What the hell?

　The adventurers retreated, overwhelmed by Beltranga's majesty.
　Seeing the scene, Beltranga sneered.

''Aristocrats, dull as they are,''
...... You've gone out of your way to blend in with the adventurers to kill me.
What?　Coincidence, coincidence. I came to town to see what the Allies have to offer.
...... So that's what it is.

　With those words from Bertoga, I was reminded of a story I heard in the Adventurer's Guild.

''--, was it about the day before yesterday?　The materials for the defeat of the labyrinth were brought to us.''

　I didn't pay much attention to it, but I guess that was this guy who blended in with the adventurers.

''I thought it was such a boring mission, but thanks to you, everything is going to work the way I want it to.
''...... what?''

　Bertoga spat towards the Flame Demon General's wreckage and laughed with a clutches.

It's a good thing that you're in the middle of this. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. So, thank you for killing me!　You're the reason for my promotion!

　Bertoga is in a very good mood and is twirling his metal rod.

"So, you know what?　So, all I have to do is kill you and the b*tc* in the corner!
Ugh!

　The giant metal rod is swung down with a light touch.
　The moment it jumps back, the amount of flames covering the metal rod increases, doubling its attack range.
　The flames enveloped me and my vision turned red.

''Hey, why do you think I came out at this time?
''T--''
That's because I was sure I could kill it!

　Like a storm, the cudgel is swung around.

　The jade tachi sword prevents it, but I can't get to the flames released from the golden rod.
　You can find that the flesh is being burnt through the defenses of the equipment you are wearing little by little.
　Every time I surpassed a blow, my magic power was whittled away by maintaining my body strengthened.
　The furious attack has no time to take out a magic stone.

"What's the matter?　Hey, fight back!　You are a legendary heroic person, right?　Hey!

　The attacks themselves aren't that skillful.
　But the power of each strike and the flames spewing from the metal bars leave no room for counterattack.

You're not going to be able to find out what's going on.　You're tired, right?　Do you want a potion?
".......
But it's poisoned!　Didn't I tell you that?　It was a long time ago, so my memory is a little fuzzy, but you were tricked by me into taking poison once.　It didn't do much good, though!
I know, you son of a b*tc*!
Oh, yeah.

　The blow that is struck is parried by a soft sword.
　At the same time.

Ha!

　With a cough, he spat out blood.
　d*mn, the wear and tear of the double acceleration is taking its toll on my body here.

"Oraa!

　Meanwhile, the gold bar is swung at me.
　I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

"But the ......

　Mekkies and bones creak.
　I couldn't prevent it from happening, and I was blown away.
　With that beat, the shoulder of my left arm made a disgusting gurgling sound.

　Unable to take a passive position, I was knocked to the ground.
　My vision turns white with the pain of the dislodged shoulder and the back I've struck.
　I bite my lip and stomp away as my consciousness nearly flies away.

　What the hell am I doing?
　The guy who betrayed me is right in front of me.
　I don't have time to sleep.

　At the same time as I get up, using the jade taiji as my staff.

''Ola, yo!''

　The gold rod was thrown vigorously.
　It's not directed at me.

It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

　It was thrown at Elfi and Zorkin, who were lying on the ground.
　I ran as fast as I could and caught it with my jade taiji.

''Go......ggaaaah!''

　My left shoulder is burning hot.
　I can't get it right.
　My vision is flashing.

　That's when I couldn't catch the goldenrod and tried to change my stance to at least deflect it off course.

'You're tired, aren't you?'

　Bertoga's fist, which had been approaching before I knew it, dug into his side.

''Ha .......''

　I stop breathing.
　I was blown off the ground with no bounds for many meters and landed on the craggy ground.
　I slipped on a rock that had been a splinter and felt my flesh being scraped away.

"Hey, what have you been doing for thirty years?　Did you sleep?

　The pain is so intense that I really want to fall asleep, and it's hitting me all over.
　I put the potion in my clothes in my mouth, but it's only a comfort to me.
　Thanks to the jade taiji, my magic power is recovering, but my body is not moving anymore.

''To think that I called a guy like you, 'Amatsu-san! I get goosebumps when I think of what you used to call him.

　Bertooga sneers with a look of smugness on his face.
　This is a man who flatters the strong and thoroughly abuses the weak.
　I'm sure he came out confident that he could win, based on how tired Elfi and I are.
　Abominably, we're pretty much outnumbered.

Good nerve to turn your ...... back on me.
......!

　Elfie, on his knees, stared at Beltranga, his eyes red.
　For a moment, Bertooga looked upset, but

"Elfiszak, right?　We've seen what Elfiszak can do with his magic eye so far. You know what that is?　What do you need magic for?
......
You can keep your head down, you know. I'll kill you in a heartbeat.

　Bertoga was right, there was little or no magic left in Elfie after the battle so far and the blow she had just delivered.
　There is an occasional noise running through her limbs.
　It must be tough for her to even maintain her minute body anymore.

''O...... hey, wait!''

　A voice comes from the adventurers.
　It's a good idea to finally understand the situation.

If you do any more, we'll be the ones to deal with you!
He's our benefactor!
You're not gonna get him killed.

　A red wind blew.

'What about ----?'
Hee.

　Magic power erupted from Bertoga's body.
　The adventurers who were stroked by it screamed.

　The magic magic passed down to the demon tribe, the "majesty of the demon god".
　It's a magic that forcibly reduces the mental state of those with weak magical powers to fear.

　The defense with the magic-granting products doesn't work for me.
　I'm sure Elfie is no different.
　But...

It's not a good idea.
"Baa......bade.

　The adventurers were not.
　They were intimidated and panicked as they were being intimidated in the midst of their free strength and magic power.
　Misha, too, was on his knees, shaking his body with a wobble.

''The lower-ranked ones,''

　As soon as he spat disdainfully, Bertoga snickered.

'Hey, boys. This guy's your benefactor, right?　You want to help him, right?
'What ......?'
Then come at me. Do your best to be helpful, okay?　But if he comes at you, you're dead.

　Bertoga beckons to the adventurers.
　His smile is as ugly and rotten as Liuzas and Merwin's.

''In exchange, if you're going to kill this guy and that woman, I'll let you guys off the hook, okay?
......

　With a gulp, someone gasped.
　I can see the anticipation on their faces.
　Yeah, the same move I did to Merwin and the others.

　Beltranga has no intention of letting the adventurers go.
　As long as they haven't taken the labyrinth core, there are still demons in the labyrinth.
　With their exhaustion, there is no way for them to escape.

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

　The eyes of the adventurers are on me and Elfie.
　If I kill those two, their eyes speak ...... and their eyes speak to me.

'Oh ......'

　In his gaze.
　Misha was in the mix as well.
　She reached for the sword at her waist and looked at me.

　Zorkin was also looking at me, perhaps recovering from drinking the potion.

''Ha...... ha.''

　Oh, I knew it.

　It's in their nature.
　No matter how much I tried to help, if it was for me, people would just as easily betray me.
　It was pointless to try to save them.

　It's funny and it hurts my stomach.

"d*mn ......!

　You've got to be kidding me.
　You gotta be kidding me.
　I'm not going to let you kill me.

　With the jade sword as support, I get up again.
　With the effect of the potion, I am able to move.
　The magic power was restored during the conversation.

　I will kill Bertoga.
　If you betray me, I'll kill all the adventurers too.
　I'll kill Misha, ...... and Zorkin, too.

......

　The adventurers remain frozen and look at us.
　Are they scared or do they have some kind of plan?
　Hmm, Bertoga sniffed boringly.

I don't care if I have to 'see you off' or not. You guys don't move.

　Grulli, Bertoga turns to me.

It's a good thing that Lucifina and Dionysus are so lax. It's time to put an end to this.

　He makes a sound of footsteps and approaches us.
　I hold the jade taiji in my right hand and hold the magic stone with only the fingers of my left arm off my shoulder.
　Elfi is shouting my name.

''It's the old time goodness. I'll at least listen to your will.''
Kill ----
I don't think so!

　Bertoga's golden rod approaches.
　Stepping backwards, he manages to throw a magic stone, causing it to explode with a demon.
　The intense movement of his body is accompanied by intense pain, causing him to jump in and out of consciousness.

Wha-ha!

　From the smoke of the explosion, Beltoga, clad in flaming armor, flew out.　
　The golden rod is swung down from the large upper level.
　I've been trying to catch the club with a technique that can be used with one hand, but it was flung away in a daze.
　With a clang, the jade sword falls to the ground.

''Go to hell!''

　Bertoga's golden rod looms in front of him.

　There are no weapons.
　I can't reach the magic stone.
　You can't even activate your magic in time.
　Elfi can't move.
　There's no way to stop the metal rod.

"In a place like this .........

　Death ----.


◆

　It wasn't the sound of crushed meat that rang out.
　It was the high-pitched metallic sound of something colliding with something else.
　A lone cat race (warcat) stood in front of me.

　He held his sword at the ready, his arms catching the golden rod that was being swung down with both arms.
　His hair was scorched and his flesh burned as he ate the flames.
　Still, with an expression of anguish on his face, he was desperately blocking the golden rod.

''Huh?''

　At the same time as Bertoga tilted his head.
　Countless sorceries flew in from behind him.
　It's a low grade magic without much power.

''...... you guys.''

　The moment Bertoga's consciousness turned to the back, Misha was moving quickly.
　As soon as she thought she had put her sword away, she forcefully held my body and started running like the wind.

''The scum!''

　A great sword strike was struck by Bertoga, who raised his golden rod to prevent him from escaping.
　Bertooga's skin, which can shatter rocks with his bare hands, pounces on it, but he retreats from its power.
　Zorkin was standing in front of Beltoga with his great sword at the ready.

'...... Eh?'

　Misha carried me near the entrance to the room.
　Some adventurers run up to me and give me a potion to drink.

''Iori-san, are you alright!　I'm sorry for being late to save you!

　Misha apologizes to me.　
　Why?

"...... Iori.
Elfie: ......

　Before I knew it, Elfie had been brought over here as well.
　She's been given a potion to drink as well.

'What the hell do you think you're doing, you f*cking mooks?

　"While invoking the majesty of the demon god, Beltranga is terrified.
　In response, the adventurers are shaking their bodies.
　Some of them were even leaking.

　And yet, all of them were standing in front of us, facing Beltran.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I've been too scared to move.
It's a shameful sight.

　Trembling, the adventurers apologize to me.
　Why?
　You guys weren't going to betray us.

Why: "Why: ......

　The majesty of the demon gods is definitely at work.
　The adventurers must be terrified.

''Fool. Can we leave our lifesavers behind?
''What good is running away from here without the actor who defeated the Flame Demon Lord?
I'm not going to let that demon do this to me.

　The adventurers show their strength and smiles.

If it weren't for you, the Fire Lizard would have killed us.
　So, now it's my turn to save you, right?

　One of the people I saved on the way here said that to me.

　Because he saved me.
　Because I owed him.
　Because you covered for me.

　And that's why I'm not gonna sell you out ......?

What are you looking at me like that for?

　Before I knew it, Zorkin was standing there.
　His armor was heavily dented and blood was flowing through the cracks.

'All of us here are being saved by you two, man.

　The adventurers nodded at Zorkin's words.

'Yeah, we can finally repay that debt. We're lucky.
I can't let you two take all the credit for my coolness.

　He's strong.
　Their voices and their legs are shaking.
　Some of them are clacking their teeth.

'And what did I tell you?　I hate watching kids fight. And even more than that, I hate watching kids die. That's why I'm not gonna let them die, you guys.
----

　At the adventurer's state of affairs, Bertoga slammed the gold bar to the ground as if he was annoyed.

'Hey, hey, you know you can't beat me, right?

　He's right.
　I'm sure you're not the only adventurer who is exhausted and tired of being slaughtered.

　And yet.

　---- no one is running away.

"I know. But...

　Misha, who stood up, stared at Beltranga and said.

You are adventurers. When are we going to have an adventure, if we don't have an adventure here?

　The adventurers were aroused by this shout.

We've rested enough after the battle with the flame lord!　We're going to work for it around here!

''----Oh!''

　With your tired body, you grab your weapon and begin chanting with your remaining magic power.

...... Why?

　The adventurers' unwinnable battle has begun.