.......

　I opened my eyes and saw the white ceiling in my vision.
　Apparently, I was asleep in bed.
　The bed creaked as I raised myself up.

'Good morning, Iori.'

　I turned toward the voice and saw Elfie sitting on the side of the bed.

'...... Oh. How long have you been asleep?
'A whole two days.'

　Since then we were rescued by the adventurers and transported to the hospital, it seems.
　The wounds had already been healed by healing magic and all that was left was to wait for them to wake up.

''What happened to the ...... adventurers?
''There were many serious injuries, but miraculously there were no deaths. That cat lady and the man in full armor are also safe.

　Thanks to the fast movement of the backlogged adventurers, Elfie said.
　He said that some of them were in considerable danger.
　But thanks to the swift arrival of the rear-guardians and the treatment they provided, no one died.

'I see. ......

　I exhale and lean back against the bed.
　Oh, good, .......

...... Yeah. What happened to the fact that I knew you were a demon?
That's a stupid question. It's a silly question. If someone else knew, you or I wouldn't be here right now.

　None of the adventurers mentioned the fact that Elfie was a demon.
　It is said that the defeat of the labyrinth was accomplished through the great efforts of two human beings.
　No one betrayed us.

　We were betrayed by the friends we trusted and rescued by the adventurers we doubted.
　...... I guess I'm still blind to see.

'I suppose that means not everyone is as lowly as your former companions.
............
'It means that there are some people like those adventurers who are willing to lay down their lives to repay the favor.

　Who and what do we doubt and what do we believe?
　Who and what are the people we can trust?
　You and I both have to take a good look at that.

　That's what Elfie said.

What about you, ......?
You're an idiot. It's your call, isn't it?
...... It is.

　Then I asked Elfie again firmly about what happened after that.
　It seems that Bertoga's body was recovered by the guild, and the materials for the flame demon general and the flame dragon were divided among the adventurers.
　It seems that we have been called out by the guild to hand over the rewards.

''...... that's right. My body, I retrieved it earlier.
Oh.

　Ja-ja-ja-ja, Elfie whispered the sound effect, and two arms grew out of his head.
　The picture plane is too much of a stone.

'My two arms were sealed in the Purgatory Labyrinth. I retrieved them until help arrived.''
...... What are you going to do about it?
Here's what you do.

　When the body seemed to disappear for an arm's worth of arms, Elfie attached his arms to the section with a cupon.

'Good.'
You stick together like that: ......

　He swings his arms around and checks the movement.
　It seems that the arms are completely attached to each other after that much of a process.
　What in the world is going on with this guy's body?

The rest is 'legs', 'torso' and 'heart'.
That's how it's divided: ......

　That's rather sketchy.

'I hope to get my heart back as soon as possible. Most of my magic is in my heart.
What happens if we get it back without a body?
......?　It would feel like your heart was in the air.
Don't ever come near me at night or anything like that.
Yeah, .......

　We were in the middle of such an exchange.
　The door rattled open and someone came inside.
　It's Misha and Nyammer.

"It looks like you're okay, what--

""...... Iori-san!"

''Whoa!''

　As soon as they saw my face, Misha and Nyammer jumped on me like a dog.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

I'm sure you'll be able to find it.

　Elfi is shouting something as she looks at them.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get the best out of it," said Misha and Nyammer.
　It took the next few minutes for their excitement to melt away.

'S-sorry, Iori. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I was so excited I made an accent. ......
I haven't heard your accent in a while.

　Misha blushing and changing his language, and Nyammer looking surprised.
　That meow was an accent. ......

'I was worried because Iori-san wouldn't wake up.
Well, I'm sorry you had to worry about that.
No, I'm glad you're okay: ......

　Misha and Nyammer seemed to be worried about her and came to visit her.　
　For the next few minutes, they talk about how glad they are to see each other safely.

Hey, listen to me. Don't ignore me.
Oh, you crazy customer!
So I'm not crazy!

　Elfie is upset that he can't join in the conversation, and Nyammer looks like he just realized it.

It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends. This is a great person who is known as the "explosion" among adventurers.

　A light poke to Nyammer's head, Misha warned.
　I had heard quite a bit about it in the labyrinth, but it seems to be fixed because it's called "explosion".
　In this world, there are quite a few two names and so on.

Thank you for rescuing the lady!　You're the guest with the blasted head!
You're trying to pick a fight with me, aren't you?

　It's a good idea to have a good time with your friends.
　It's a good thing that you're not running away right then and there, but thank you for coming to the rescue.

I'm the one who wants to thank you .......

　It's hard to believe people.
　It's true that I felt saved at that time.

It's not a good idea to go to the store and buy a new one. It was cool!

　Misha blushes and twitches her ears.
　The ears on the head are said to be moved by emotions.
　You will find that the ears of the Nyammer are always moving.

That's right. I'm sure you'll be able to find the time to visit us. He said he'd like to make you something to thank you for it.
No need to thank me. ......

　But, thanks aside, I'd like to buy some new armor before I move on.
　I want to increase the scope of battle and, most importantly, my defense.
　For now, let's just pay Zsoltz a visit.

◆

　When I went to the Adventurer's Guild, all hell broke loose.

''Hey you guys!　"The Demonslayer is here!"
Hey, you guys!　We were worried when he didn't show, but we're relieved to see he's okay!
I heard you were in the hospital, but I'm glad to hear your flash is okay!

　It seems that quite a few people were released before me.
　When we entered the guild, adventurers crowded around us.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　I'm sure the "General Killer" is a reference to me and Elfi.

　We greeted the noisy adventurers and went to the receptionist's office.
　The receptionist also explained this and that with a slightly excited look on her face.
　The basic rewards are divided up, but it seems that a significant amount of money is being allocated to the two of us, depending on the adventurers' wishes.

　The amount of rewards is quite a bit, and there are also a lot of materials for demons.
　It even included a flame dragon and a flame demon general's magic crystal.

''...... for the two of us to get this much.''

What are you talking about?　You're the ones who beat up that Fiery Pokémon.
Even without those, I'm bringing in enough money to keep us alive for a while.
Yeah. I'm gonna go get a hooker in my arms every day this month.

　They've been paid quite a bit of money for them as well, apparently.
　Well, ...... accomplishing the defeat of the labyrinth is quite an accomplishment.
　Not only the guild, but also the country must have received quite a bit of money from the country as well.

''It's the consensus of all of us. Please take it.''
...... Mr. Zorkin.

　Zorkin seemed to have already recovered.
　He is wearing the same full body armor as before.

''We're here because of you guys.

　In the end, I decided to get the reward as it was.
　The money I stole from the kingdom is more than enough money, but if you include the money from this time in there, it's an amazing amount.
　Well, there's no need to be troubled by the money.

''Hmm ...... Iori. This is how much money you have. Can't you at least spend a little bit of it?
Yeah. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. It's Elfi's money.

　Then I nodded and said.

Celebrate the completion of the labyrinth!　I'm buying you guys a drink today!　We're going to the tavern!

　He shouted something like that.

"Hyuuuuhhh!　You're the bomb!　I'm back in love with you!
Yeah!
Yeah!　Liquor!
Marry me!

　And the adventurers are in an uproar.

Can't we just do the same thing?
...... We're all a bit sick, though.

　A banquet was held on the spot that day.

◆

　Three days have passed since then.
　In the meantime, I was called out by a high ranking member of the Confederation and other things happened, but I let it slide well.
　The adventurers have frequently asked me to join their parties, but I have refused all of them.

　That day, we came to Zoelz.
　It seems that he is temporarily working at another blacksmith shop with the adventurers' message.
　The owner of the place welcomed us with open arms, saying how we were going to kill a demon lord.

You're here.

　Thanks to the healing magic, Zoortz doesn't have a single burn left in his body.
　It seems he can smith just as well as before.

"As good as the last one.

　I had Zsoltz use the materials he got from this reward to make this armor.
　"The magical crystals from the Fire Fiend General were used to create this armor.

Here it is!

　What was shown to me was a clothing-type armor, a magic suit.
　It's a kind of magic item that is made by carving magic and other things into special cloth.

　It's a black-based coat with a crimson lotus pattern in some places.　
　It's not just a matter of time before you get your hands on it.
Just like the Jade Tathagata, it's quite an impressive substitute.

''Not to mention its defense against physical and magical attacks, this is quite resistant to flame attribute magic. It's even able to endure a high-level flame magic technique,''

　As Zoelz explained to me, I put these clothes on.
　It's a lot lighter than I had imagined.
　It's also quite comfortable to wear.

"If I had to name it, it would be 'Red Lotus Armor'."
Red Lotus ......?

　From what I've seen, there are more areas of black.
If I had to name it, it would be jet black armor.

''Put some magic on your body.

　I did as the old man told me, and a change came to my armor.
The pattern of flames gradually increased in size.

''The more magic power that flows through that armor, the more it will be dyed in red lotus. That's how much its defensive power will also increase.''

　Does the amount of magic power increase the defense power?
Even though it's quite sturdy in its current state, it's an extraordinary piece of armor.

　Then, I'll have them mend some weapons that seem to be easy to use.
　The number of magic stones left is quite low, so it's time to find another way to fight.

''The bill is...''
I don't want your money.

　I was piqued.

'Misha was taken care of this time. It's just not enough.'

　He crosses his arms and signals that he's not going to bend his will.

'Take it and give it to him, Iori-san.
'Get it, thief nya!'

　Misha and Nyammer would say that too.
　In the end, I ended up getting it for free again.

'You said Iori,'

　As he was leaving, Zoortz spoke to me in a whisper.

'I haven't seen a werewolf species from the city for the last few days. Not long after my shop caught fire.
...... and what about it?
'No ....... I just wanted to say thank you to whoever did that ...... if those guys are out of control.

　With that much said, Zoortz went back to the forge.

'...... You're as astute as ever, aren't you?'

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

　The next three days were spent recuperating, gathering information, and preparing.
　He also gathered information about his next destination.

　Two days later, we were done with our preparations and ready to leave the spa city.
　Two days later, we were done with our preparations and ready to leave the spa city.

We're leaving. Goodbye.

　I thanked Zorkin and the other adventurers and left the Adventurer's Guild.
　I also thanked Zoltz for his armor.

'...... If you have any business coming to the Confederacy, I hope you'll come back.
Welcome Nya!

　Misha and Nyammer even gave me a send-off.
　For some reason, Misha seemed to be quite depressed.

'Misha, I wonder what's wrong?'
............, come on.

　Elfie looked like he knew something, but he didn't answer in a curt manner.

◆


　Merwin and Bertooga.
　In the Confederacy, they were able to get revenge on the two traitors.
　I still haven't found Liuzas and the others, my former companions, but I will find them and kill them.

　We also got a little bit of information about the other revenge partners.
　Our next destination is the Empire.
　It's also where we'll find the traitor.

"The Empire. What's good in there?

　Elfie is walking ahead of me with such a swallow.

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

　He who believes in something, sees for himself.
　I found out after I was betrayed, but apparently I'm a blind man.

"......?　What's up, Iori?
...... No.

　As for this guy, let's get a grip on ourselves.




　I don't want to be betrayed again.