Dionis Herberg.
　The most highly skilled water demon of the demon tribe, skilled in water magic.
　A former companion who represented the demon tribe and joined the party of the heroes.

　That's right.
　The one who betrayed me, my former comrade.
　And he's the one I most want to avenge.

　--I don't want to see any more of my people get hurt. That's why I'm fighting with you, Amatsu.

　The first time we met, Dionys told me he would fight for his people.
　I admired Dionis for his steadfastness of will, even though I had always been adrift in the past.

　Dionysus agreed with me in my ideal of creating peace in the world.
　He said he would do whatever it took to make the world a better place.
　He told me that he would do whatever it took to create such a wonderful world.

　He was a great friend and colleague, fighting for the same goal.
　That's what I thought.

　And then, lo and behold, my trust was shattered.

　The battle for the Demon King's Castle.
　What was waiting for me was a betrayal from my friends.
　Dionis was caught off guard and pierced my chest.

　Then, with a smirk, he said

　--When you weakened the Demon King and brought us here, your role is over.

　--Even if you don't have the power of a brave man, you can still kill the Demon King if you transfer your magic power to Liuzas.

　--I don't know what to do. Do you understand?

　I still dream about that time.
　My friends who had fought side by side with me up to that point in my life, and they laughed at me with malice on their faces.
　Dionis said as I told him that we had fought for the same goal.

　--I think it's better to dream in your sleep, don't you?

　This is what Dionis really meant.
　Up until then, I had agreed and said repeatedly that I wanted to help you, all in order to deceive and take advantage of you.

　It's good that I rejected your ideals.
　Because now I can see how naive I was back then.
　But I won't forgive you for taking advantage of it, using it, and throwing it away while sneering that it was useless.

　I don't care if you're a spy for the Demon King's army or a sub-human, it doesn't matter.
　I'll pay back this debt of gratitude that I was mocked and killed for.
　In order for me to move on.

◆

We'll be back in a minute.

　When Dionis said that, the demons around him stopped moving.
　Being able to control the demons in this way must mean that they were approved by the Demon King, as Elfi told me before.

''......ssh.''

　His head turns white with anger at the sight of that expression, almost unchanged from thirty years ago, disguised as a gentleman.
　I gnash my teeth, clenching both fists and stifling my anger as I almost slash at myself with my sword.
　That's right.
　Acting in anger won't reach that guy.

----

　And I'm not the only one who's pushing back my anger.
　Elfi has had his men killed by Dionis.
　It's impossible not to be angry.

'...... It's been a while, water demon. A man who was a party of brave men is a water demon general, which makes me laugh.
Hello, Elfiszak. I have my own set of problems. I'm more surprised. You've broken free of Lucifina's seal. Congratulations.

　Dionis claps his hands in the air, looking down at us in the air.
　It's the sound of his voice with a friendly expression, but I can tell that he's being ridiculous.

''Hm. Did you think you could keep me sealed with that level of sealing?　You've been licked pretty good, haven't you?
Oh, I'm sorry?　I thought that level of sealing was enough for a loser who was robbed of his position as the Demon King, lost the life of his most important subordinate, and got his body ripped apart afterwards.

　While looking down at us from the air, Dionis provoked Elfi.
　However, Elfi only narrowed her eyes slightly and passed off the provocation.
　In response, Dionis made a slightly uncomfortable expression and removed his gaze from Elfie.

　A made-up, sickening smile is directed at me.

''You too. It's been a while, you know.''
You can go to ...... and say, "What?
You don't have to keep pretending you're an idiot. I know everything that happened in that basement.

　Dionis said with a smile that seemed to be directed at his old friend.

''--Long time no see, Amatsu.''

　...... So that's what you mean.
　By underground, I assume you mean Olivia's mansion.
　That water eyeball was the magic that Dionis had released.

I've been keeping an eye on that woman (Olivia) because she was acting strangely, but I was keeping an eye on her. I was surprised to see you guys show up there.

　Olivia was trying to manipulate the demons to defeat the labyrinth.
　I've been watching Dionysus knowing this, and that's why we've been mirrored in his magic.

I'm not sure if the injuries inflicted on him are completely missing, and his appearance is different than before, right? I see, I see, it seems that Ortegia's plan has backfired.
...... You think this is Ortega's idea?
Oh, no. Don't worry about it. Don't worry about it.

　Dionysus smiles, holding his mouth in the air as if he's misspoken.
　His gestures and demeanor don't show much surprise that I'm still alive.
　It's just a reaction to meeting someone unexpected.

　In response to my doubts, Dionis opens his arms and says, "It's nice to see you again.

'It's nice to see you again, Amatsu.
...... Oh.

　To that, I can only agree.

'Me too, Dionysus. I've missed you too.

　How do we make them suffer?
　How do I make him truly regret his betrayal?
　How do I make him apologize for his mistakes?

　And.

I've been thinking a lot about how I'm going to kill you.

　The object of my revenge came to me.
　I couldn't have been more grateful.

'I don't know what the hell you came out here for, but it saves me a lot of trouble. Let me avenge my men here.

　While saying that, Elfi also stepped forward.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it.

It's a good idea to have a good time.　I'm sorry, but I'm not interested in that kind of thing. I just came to correct my mistakes.

　The tone of voice is one of admonition to an incomprehensible child.

It's said that 'Amatsu is the strongest and bravest man in the world', right? It's a laughable mistake, isn't it? You're the strongest person in the world. That's why I've always wanted to correct that mistake. I'm going to crush you and prove to you that I'm the strongest.

　From there, the fake smile disappears, a distorted smile that conveys a sense of malice, and Dionis shouts that.

　Then, Dionis, too, while floating, entered a combat stance.
　At his signal, the demons around him begin to move again.
　It's a bit tricky to deal with demons and fight Dionis at the same time, but depending on how you do it, you can fight him.
　That guy and his fighting power are things from thirty years ago, but I've got a grasp on it.

　We're facing each other and the battle is about to begin.

"Dad...... dad...... dad.
----

　At that moment, the voice of the girl who was clinging to her father's wreckage behind her came into my ears.
　The girl's presence, who had lost her father, dissipated the elation that had been present.
　Dionis's appearance had left me completely disappointed.

''-- Do you mind?''

　At the same time, I saw Dionis's face distort into a sneer.

''Hahaha!''

　With the floating state, Dionis swings up.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　And immediately afterwards, with a smile on his face, Dionis swung his arm down vigorously.

''----ssh.''

　Countless water bullets fell like rain.
　The aim of all those water bullets was not aimed at us, but at the girl who was still crying on her knees.

　We don't even have time to judge.
　I pick up the girl and run from the spot.

'...... tch.'

　What the hell am I doing?
　Dionis isn't the kind of guy you can fight while defending someone.

'Uh-oh ......'

　In my arms, a little girl is crying.
　You'll be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
　We should abandon her.

　--The crying girl?

"......

　Before that, why would I help this girl?
　You think it will help you get revenge?
　Are you saying it will help you fight to kill Dionysus?
　No, it's not. It's not going to happen.

　If it was, you should just throw it out now.

...... Why?

　I gritted my teeth.

　My unconscious self, I don't know.
　There was not a single reason to protect the girl.
　I should have cut her off, no matter how horrible her death was.
　And yet, I--

You're still sweet as ever. But I don't know if you have that kind of time.
Yeah.

　Dionysus' voice, mixed with mockery, interrupts my consciousness.
　An explosion occurs directly behind him.

''Ha--zuh.''

　The impact slapped me on the back and I almost jumped into consciousness.
　I bit my lip and managed to stay conscious.

'See!　If you don't stick it out, that boy will die?

　I slipped past the blocking demons and just kept my distance.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one.
　Without a breeze to pay attention to it, Dionis' grating humor can be heard from behind me.

''Oh......!''

　A girl screamed.
　Destruction rains down on the place where the man's wreckage had been.
　Without needing to look, the male's body will no longer be in its original form.

"Oto...... Usan, dad, aaaaah!

　The girl watched the scene as I held her in my arms.
　In her arms, the girl was crying and screaming and flailing about.
　At this rate, she won't be able to cope with the water bullets.

...... ah!

　He poured magic power into the girl's head and sent her consciousness flying.
　Losing her powers, the girl fell asleep in her arms.

　...... You shouldn't make her lose consciousness, though, you should abandon her.

'You really are getting weak, aren't you, Amatsu? I can't believe all I can do is protect a girl from this level of attack.

　That's what Dionis sneered at, and just as he was about to release more water bullets.

"Demon Eyes Ashburst."

　Elfi's magic eye, which had been accumulating magic power while surpassing the water bullets in the same way, exploded.
　We were moving in a different direction when Elfi's attack swallowed Dionis, who was laughing.
　It's the biggest blow with the disguised magic power granting item (magic item) fitted.

　A flash of red lilies covers the vision.　
　The blast blows and the earth shakes.

''How's that ......!?''

　At the same time as Elfi muttered that.

''...... haha!''

　The smoke from the explosion dissipated, revealing an unharmed Dionis.
　A water barrier could be seen covering his body.
　Was that enough to completely cancel out Elfi's magic eye?

''Hey, Elfiszak. Elfiszak Guildegard. Do you think you can damage me with that level of bombing?　If that's the case, you've made a fool of me for a long time. Don't you have a rotten magical eye?
...... not enough firepower.

　With a bitter expression on his face, Elfie took a distance from Dionis.
　And that was when he was about to remove the 'disguise bracelet'.
　Slightly irritated, Dionis snapped his fingers.

''Nah, na......!
''Elfi......?''

　Immediately after, Elfie unexpectedly showed a look of anguish and fell to her knees.
　If you look, you can see a single sword deep in her right thigh.
　There was plenty of distance, and Dionis shouldn't have been holding any weapons in her hands in the first place.

　I can't understand what Dionis did.

'Look, Amatsu. Your friends are in trouble, do you have to help them?　Or are you just going to abandon them because they're demons?

　Dionis tries to fire a water bullet at Elfie, who kneels down and stops moving.

''......ssh.''

　With the girl in his arms, he flies one hand to the pouch and grabs the magic stone.
　"That's when I tried to stop Dionis's attack using the Break Magic (Break Magic).

'No!　I'm aiming at you, Iori!

　Elfi's shout.
　At the same time, Dionis snapped his fingers.
　Even though she has her back to us, the water bullets that were floating in the air are fired behind her.

''----''

　He threw the magic stone while leaping backwards as if he were falling down.
　At the same time as the magic stone made contact with the approaching water bullets, he activated "Kekima".
　You can't escape from the range of the blast with just a leap alone, the scorching wind knocked you down hard.

''Ka, ha-......!

　He slams to the ground and stops breathing.
　The burned skin is sizzling and aching.
　Because of the girl's protection, I couldn't take a good pass at it.

　With my blurred vision, I manage to catch sight of Dionis.

'Unfortunately, I don't have time to sleep, okay?

　Through the blurred vision of pain, I saw Dionis use his magic.
　At this point in time, there is no way to duck.
　...... Is there no choice but to surpass it with a degraded Demon Sealing (Il Ataraxia)?
　With that power, though, it would be impossible to offset it.

　That's when I was prepared to take the damage.

''--Haaaah!

　Elfie, who pulled out his sword from his thigh, jumped at Dionis.

　-- "Demon Arm, Break Breakaway (Kairetsu Dan)--"

　Five magical claws struck Dionis.
　The target of the water bullets changed from Dionis to Elfi.
　The claws and the water bullets collide and a violent explosion occurs.

''Tsk......''
Ku, u......!

　We were both blown away by the blast.
　Elfie dropped back towards us, regaining his position in the air.

"...... You okay, Elfie?
It's all right.

　The wounds on his legs have already been sealed up.
　He said before that except for his arms and face, he can be reconstructed if he puts his magic power into it because of his minute body.

''That water demon, he's in a different league than the previous demon generals. Even if it's rotten, it's still a party of former brave men.
...... You're not a winner if you don't fight with everything you've got.

　If Elfie doesn't take off his 'disguise bracelet' and do something about this girl he's holding, he has no chance of winning.
　But .......
　A grating voice read that, or maybe it was a grating voice.

''Hey, Amatsu. It's a good idea to abandon the child. You can't fight properly if you're protecting them, right?
There's no need for ....... It's a good thing you're able to fight in this condition.

　He's a strong man.
　You can't win in a situation where you can't give it your all.

You know what?

　Dionis let out a sigh as he played with his own brown hair with his fingers.
　He raised his eyebrows and said in dismay.

''How dumb are you, how dumb are you?''
...... What?
All those years of betrayal, and you're still helping people?　It's been 30 years, and you haven't really grown up.
...... not.

　No, no.
　Absolutely not.

　I don't help people.
　I've given up that luxury.
　I've decided I'll do whatever it takes to get revenge.

So why don't you just give up on this kid?
...... It's a...

　You're right.
　Why haven't I just given up on this girl after all this time?
　She'll only slow me down, and she understands that.

　Why haven't you gone to ----

Iori, don't listen to me.

　My thoughts are interrupted.
　Elfie's hand clapped me on the shoulder.

'It's not worth listening to the ravings of a traitor. What are you seriously dealing with, you fool?
'...... Oh, oh.
Don't lose your cool. Look at the enemy. Face forward.

　Shake your head and discard any unnecessary thoughts.
　Hesitation on the battlefield is suicide itself.


'You're going to hold on to that child and deal with it as best you can. I'm going to outwit his attacker. I'll use that window of opportunity to--
Oh, I'm sorry. I can't do that!

　While interrupting the conversation, Dionis waved his hand down.
　A lot of water bullets are released again.

----

　He shoots down with Elfi's magic eye and defends himself with the Demon Seal (Il Ataraxia).
　However, Dionis doesn't slacken in his attacks.

　Knowing that we can't escape, he's focusing on me holding the girl.
　Forced, I was forced into a defensive position.
　I didn't even have time to drink the potion, I was just being drained of my magic and strength.
　Even Elfi has not been able to remove the 'disguise bracelet'.

　Eventually.

''--gah.''
Huh.

　He broke his defenses and a water bullet exploded in front of him.
　I was blown away by the impact and rolled on the ground.
　Elfi is also on his knees, breathing heavily.

''No way?　Hey, hey, even if the former hero and the former demon king are this weak, what in the world is this a joke?　I don't know. I've prepared a lot of things, you know.

　Dionis lifts his arm.

'I'm not killing you yet. For now, I'll kill her in front of you and then I'll give her a good shake.

　And then a water bullet was released ----.


"--Just in time ......!


　A ward arose around us.


◆

　I saw a woman shaking her red hair and shaking her shoulders as she let out a ragged breath.
　Behind her, several armed soldiers were waiting for her.
　Warding and saving our lives is ----

...... Karen, Ms.

　I remember a time one day.
　There was a man who once helped us out of a jam.
　A good-hearted, red-haired man.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I'm sorry I'm late.

　That woman, with her gash face, saved me again.

............

　Dionis, who frowned uncomfortably, released a water bullet.
　A series of explosions occurred in succession as they hit the wards that had developed in front of him.
　The wards creaked and eventually cracks spread.

　However.

''----.''

　Faster than the destruction could spread, Karen developed a new ward.
　Another layer of wards appeared from the top of the cracked wards and bounced off the water bullets.
　Exhaling roughly, Karen repeatedly reattached the wards over and over again.

　The exchange continued for several minutes, and eventually Dionis stopped attacking.

'...... Oh, I know you. The woman whose father was killed by the neighboring lord?　You're the girl whose father was murdered by the neighboring lord, right? I knew your father. You know how it is. If you get rid of your warding and get the hell out of my sight right now, I'll let you off the hook.

　Dionysus's murderous atmosphere can be felt even through the warding.
　It's not just a matter of time before you're able to get your hands on a new one.　
　And even Karen, who is being directly directed by that deadly air, trembled with her body.

''I refuse to .......''

　But Karen replied, in a shaky voice.

'...... Huh?'
'I am the Lord of House Rayford - Karen Rayford. I will not allow you to hurt my estate, my people, or my valued guests.

　I could clearly see Gash's figure superimposed on his back.

'Isn't that what you're doing anyway?　It's like my mission is to protect what my parents left me, and that's what I have to do. Oh, it's miserable, isn't it? I'm putting my faith in something that was left by dead people. I hate people like you who don't know their place. So get out of my way, human.
I will not.　I don't care what you say, I'll defend my property.
............

　Meditating, Dionysus is silent.
　Then he made a move, "Oh yes.

'You wanted to protect this territory and its people, right?
.......

　Dionis' expression twists into an ugly one.
　Karen gasps at the viciousness of the situation.

'Then let's do this.'

　Dionis, who had been floating, took a big leap when he thought he had landed on the roof of a house.
　The leap was in the direction of the labyrinth.
　Beyond that, a large pedestal had been set up.

'...... no way,'

　An orange stone, the size of a man's head, rested on its pedestal.
　Dionis destroyed the pedestal and picked up the stone on it.

I heard this is called the 'keystone'. It's a magic item needed to seal up the labyrinth, right?　I'll confiscate it. I could have destroyed those wards at any time, but they're in my way.

　Clomping and fiddling with the stone like a ball of hands.

Do you know. The Dead Marsh Labyrinth contains a large number of poisonous swamps. Creatures dying, plants dying, a poisonous swamp that kills everything.

　With a theatrical gesture, Dionysus ruffled his hair and smiled gently, with terrible amusement, Dionysus declared.


''--I'll let that poisonous swamp hang over this territory.


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

If you don't like it, you can come down to the maze to stop me. Just like that, I think the two of you over there are the right people for the job, don't you?

　After saying this unilaterally, Dionis disappeared with a loud laugh.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say about it.

'...... sono, na.'

　The wards that had been spreading in my vision quickly disappeared.
　At the same time, Karen, who was trembling but didn't take a step back, collapses from her knees.
　A soldier runs up to him, but Karen restrains him with her hand.
　However, his face is pale and bead-like sweat is floating on his face.

'...... Let's rescue and evacuate the residents.

　Staggering to his feet and with a pale expression on his face, Karen gave him a crisp instruction.
　Following that, the soldiers began to move.

　Shortly thereafter, we were treated with healing magic.
　At that time, I explain the situation and hand the girl I was holding over to the soldiers.

　The soldier leaves in a hurry.
　As I watched his back, I thought about it.

　A girl who had lost her family in just a few hours.
　She had witnessed her father's death and shown her where his wreckage was laid to waste.
　What will happen to the girl's mental state?

"-- Hey, Iori.

　There, I was lightly slapped on the head and came back to myself.
　I turned around and saw Elfie standing there with a grim expression on his face.

'I didn't give it my all either, but you're floating around too much.
...... Oh, bad.
I know you've had your revenge partners before, but ............, are you talking about that kid?
............

　It was alluded to and there were no words.

'Oh, those sacrifices will be made when the fight comes. You know as well as I do that.
...... It wasn't that way. I was that time .......

　Why didn't you leave that boy behind?

'...... No, nothing. For that matter, let's go to Miss Karen's.
............

　Elfi didn't pursue and nodded, "Okay," and followed me.
　I looked around, but there was no sign of Karen.
　I search for a while and find her standing alone behind a half-destroyed house.
　On its back, I call out to it.

'Karen-san saved my life, thank you very much.

　Turning around, Karen nodded, "I'm glad you're okay.
　But his face is pale.
　Her eyes are vacant.

'...... are you okay?　You look pale.''
...... Yeah?　Yeah.

　He was looking up at the sky, and it was like the sky was above him.

'...... Ms. Karen?'
'My home is,'

　In a thin voice, Karen spouted off at length.

'We've been sealing the labyrinth all this time. Your father was proud of it and your mother supported it ....... I've always wanted to be like that, too.
............
''That's why ...... your father and mother were gone and ...... I had to properly seal the labyrinth.

　Karen holds her head down.

''And yet, they broke the order to seal the labyrinth and took the keystone from me ......!　Wow, I did!　I had to do it right!

　Gallivanting, Karen scratches her head.

'Karen, Ms. ......!'

　His remaining self had to defend the territory.
　Karen was almost crushed by this heavy responsibility.

''I have to defend the fiefdom, but ......

　After his parents were killed, he was released from the order to seal the labyrinth and became a lord.
　On top of that, he was attacked by a water demon general.
　There was no way he could be in a normal mental state.

"I have to seal the ...... labyrinth when I shouldn't be ......!

　Did something that had been suppressed begin to overflow?
　Tears poured out of Karen's eyes.

'----'

　-- lots of tears.

　She scratched her head and cried as she sobbed.
　I was supposed to be here to tell her that I would get a reward for solving my problems with Olivia.

　The next thing you know, I was grabbing Karen's hand as she scratched her head.

'...... Iori, Ms.'

　I put my other hand on Karen's shoulder.
　I looked at the surprised Karen in front of me and said.

''-- There's no need to seal the labyrinth anymore.
'What ......?'

　The words came out on their own, even though I wasn't thinking of anything.

''Dionis--the Water Demon General will be defeated by us.
----
So I'm fine now at .......

　In a reassuring tone, I quipped.

'So, but ...... no, it's too dangerous.'
We're adventurers. An adventurer I know once said to me, "What's the point of not having an 'adventure' here? What's the point of not having an 'adventure' here?
Iori-san: ......
'Leave the labyrinth to us, Mr. Cullen, and do what you can.
Why: "Why: ......

　With a shaky voice, Karen asked me.

'Why would you ...... do that much for me?'

　No answer.
　All I had to do was say a few words, "Let me enter the labyrinth as a reward for solving the problem.
　So why did I say something so superfluous?

"Because ......, I'm Gash and ...... and also because Karen-san helped me. Let's just say I want to repay that debt .......

　With that, I turned my back to Karen.
　Without turning around, I proceeded toward my destination.
　I'm headed for the dead swamp labyrinth.

...... You're really stretching yourself, aren't you?

　Elfi, who is walking next to me, said mischievously.

I'm sure you're not surprised. After all, your revenge is just ahead of you.

　I even said something that didn't need to be said, but the purpose remains the same.
　Vengeance.

　You just wait and see, Dionysus.
　I'm coming to kill you.