Olivia Eliesteel is a sorceress.
　Not to mention combat magic, Olivia is an all-around sorceress who can master all fields of magic, including healing magic and psychic magic.
　Because of her skills, that woman was a member of the Imperial Army's magic unit.
　At the same time, she was also apparently researching magic to stabilize the mind and improve physical abilities.

　I met that woman when I came to the Empire with my party.

"I (I) am Olivia Elie Steele." Dear "Heroic Amatsu" ...... It's a pleasure to meet you. I have been wanting to meet you for a long time now.

　He didn't seem to be a nobleman, but his language was beautiful.
　He was well-groomed and personable.
　Her magic skills were good, she was beautiful, and she was polite.
　That was my impression of Olivia when I first met her.

　Well, as an example, I just didn't see the true nature of that woman.

　It wasn't until a few weeks later that I discovered Olivia's true nature.
　The magic unit she was commanding was wiped out, except for Olivia.
　Instead, they had succeeded in defeating the entourage of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's Army.

　The empire is a country that values competence and results.
　Even though he had annihilated his troops, the fact that he had defeated his entourage was a great achievement, and Olivia was greatly appreciated.
　If that was all, it was good.

''I have a magic that I would like you to see, Amatsu-sama.

　In the mission to defeat her entourage, she used a certain magic.
　It was called "brainwashing magic".
　The effect was to remove fear and pain from the subject's brain, so that they could only think of defeating the enemy.

Brainwashing ...... witchcraft?
''Yes. With this achievement, this brainwashing spell has been proven to be effective. I'm going to propose the use of this magic in the plan to defeat the Four Heavenly Kings.

　Olivia spoke of the effects of brainwashing magic.
　She seemed sincerely happy.
　Unaware of my hardened state, Olivia continues to speak.

I'm sure that with my (my) magic, the human side's chances of winning will be greatly increased. So when we have a strategy meeting, I would like to ask Amatsu-sama to help us get my proposal to pass.

　I can't keep up with my thoughts on Olivia's words.
　What is she saying ......?

'It's not like that ......'

　In my mind's eye, I could see the faces of the people in Olivia's unit.
　Before this mission, I'd had conversations with them.
　A man who said he joined the army to protect his family, a sub-human who is fighting to provide for his brother.

"Don't tell me you're going to share that magic with your friends at ......?
'Yes, of course. It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what to expect when you're in a position to do something. Well, it was a necessary sacrifice.

　It's a completely different value system than the world I lived in.
　Olivia didn't even show any signs of sadness after wiping out her troops to win.

"Did they agree to be ...... brainwashed by a spell?
'Consent ......?　Why are there such things?　They are just ordinary sorcerers with nothing to show for it?

　A necessary sacrifice.
　They're just ordinary sorcerers with nothing to offer.
　With even a smile, she said of her dead companions.

'And there were sub-humans and adulterers among them. The filthy cattle were willing to die for me (me) and my people. So there is no need for your consent. Forget it: ----

　I could see the look in Olivia's eyes, if I listened to her words.
　She doesn't consider the people in her unit to be her friends.
　She only sees them as tools to be used.

　I'm a blind man, but I understood that.
　This woman only cared about herself.
　That she only cares about preying on her friends to get ahead in life.

　When I was dreaming of ideals and full of righteousness, I impeached her.
　'What do you think of your fellow man,' she said, 'that such a joke of a sorcery could be approved?

'Hey, I don't know what you're mad about,'

　Olivia had a look of incomprehension on her face.
　On the contrary, she was ripping off her clothes and trying to seduce me.

　I told the Empire about this.
　I'm sure they thought it would be troublesome if the brave man turned his back on them.
　Olivia's research was banned and brainwashing magic was designated as a forbidden art.

　And some time has passed since then.
　Olivia was complicit in my murder.
　She did it on condition that I gave her my body as an experiment.

"Using my magic, I am going to break the chain of command of the human army. Well, hundreds, maybe even thousands, of people will die, but it's a necessary sacrifice.

I will use that man's body to get him to admit to my work this time.

As long as the Demon King is defeated, the "Heroic Amatsu" will be no more use to you. Being betrayed and dying in cold blood is a necessary sacrifice.

　I've been told that heroes who have lost their usefulness are just "food".

　The image of Olivia laughing like that is still burned into my mind.

The image of Olivia laughing at me is still etched in my mind.

　That his father, Gash, has gone missing.
　That the labyrinth has been sealed by Olivia.

　After explaining those things to us, Karen said.

'...... You two were adventurers, right? I have a request to make.
''Master Karen!''

　Karen's name is uttered by Squire Jean in an accusing voice.

''Requesting these people?　What in the world do you think you're doing!
So you want me to sit back and watch the situation?
But ......!

　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're talking about.

'I'll leave it to Iori.'
...... Got it.

　Elfie said, keeping his eyes closed.
　He nodded and thought about it.

　Just like he could ask for Olivia's name, he might be able to get some promising information.
　It doesn't seem like she's going to snap and do something just because she refused.
　Okay.

'I can't grant your request if I don't know what it is. Why don't you tell us what you want?

　I decided to just listen to what he has to say for now.

◆.

　I had to stand there and listen to Karen's carriage to hear what she had to say.
　Jean was silent, but I could tell he was in a very bad mood.
　Karen began to talk about the circumstances she wanted to request, as if she hadn't noticed.

　The Rayford family has been ordered by the Emperor to seal the labyrinth.
　This is because the Dead Swamp Labyrinth is very close to the Rayford territory and because Gash is an excellent warding magician.
　Ever since Ortegia created the Five Generals Labyrinth anew, Gash has been setting up wards ever since.

　Thanks to the warding, no demons were harmed, and there was peace for the time being.

　But a few months ago.
　Demons overflowed from the labyrinth where the warding was supposed to be put in place and attacked Rayford territory.
　Some of the people in the territory lost their lives, and it is said that Karen's mother died as well.

　A few days later.
　Even though Gash had reestablished the wards, the demons began to go out again.
　This time it wasn't in Rayford territory, but in the next territory.
　It was Olivia Eliesteel's territory, and the demons had caused damage.

　After the war was over, she had apparently made an achievement and had become a noblewoman.

''Since Rayford's wards are untrustworthy, Olivia-sama has told me that she will set up her own wards.

　Gash refused and was about to ward the labyrinth even more tightly, but he was lost in the process.

'That's why ...... I warded the labyrinth on behalf of your father ......

　Once again, there was damage from demons in Olivia's territory.
　There, it seems that Olivia took over the labyrinth and set up the wards on her own.
　Since then, there hasn't been any damage from demons.

''There were no flaws in my father's wards or mine. It had hardly caused any damage for more than ten years before that: ......
............

　While searching for Gash, Karen commented to Olivia to return the labyrinth she was occupying to Olivia.
　I told her to see her several times, but she didn't seem to be taken seriously.　

On the way back, I was attacked by a demon on this street: ......
That feels like an ...... artificial thing.
...... Yes. I believe that your father's disappearance and the damage caused by the demons ...... has something to do with Lady Olivia.

　I have a general idea of what's going on.
　I'm starting to get an idea of what this is all about.

So, what do you want us to do?
f*ck.

　Karen stops Jean from yelling at Elfie's language, as he tries to yell at her.
　In a revised tone, Karen announced.

'I'd like to request a search for your father ...... and an investigation into the sequence of events.
............
Of course you'll be compensated accordingly.

　I remembered.
　I remembered Gash, Karen's father.

　He had saved my life once.
　Now that Gash is missing and his daughter is in some kind of trouble again.
　I thought for a minute that I could help.

　But this isn't a journey we're on right now to help people.
　We must not misjudge our purpose.
　To reclaim our power, to exact revenge.
　That is the purpose of this journey.

　So.

"A fitting reward," you said.
Yes, sir.

　Nodding to Karen, I mentioned the conditions for receiving the request.

　One, you must let us into the labyrinth after the request is completed.
　Two, use the power of the house and give us the information we asked for.

　These are my conditions.

Okay, sir. I promise you that reward.

　This request involves Olivia, of all people, nine times out of ten.
　It's the perfect way to get revenge on that woman.
　In that case, there's no way you can avoid taking advantage of it.

In that case, I'll do what I can to fulfill your request.

　Thus we decided to take Karen's request.