--Get out of here.

　I freeze at Elfi's words.

　All we have left now is to retreat.
　I understand that.

　But...
　I'm sure the person who said that has no intention of escaping.

"...... What are you going to do, Elfie?
If we run, he'll come after us. So one of us needs to stay behind and stall for time.
...... so you're going to stay?

　I put the whip into my weak body and reached out to Elfie to protest.
　Before it could reach him, Elfie flipped his body around vigorously.

''......!''

　Immediately after, countless swords flew towards us.
　In front of me, the gravity of the magic eye knocked me down to the ground.

''Ha!　Do you want to consult with me at this point in time?　You're not taking your time!

　Having been tricked by Elfi, Dionis had lost a lot of his composure.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

''Iori. Run away quickly. I can't hold it for too long.''
...... What are you going to do? You know what happens to you if you stay here?
Yeah. I know what's gonna happen.

　Curtly, naturally, Elfie nodded.

'But have you forgotten?　I'm a former Demon King. Even if I'm killed, I can still come back if I take the time to do so. So don't worry. I'll be fine.''

　A demon race that contained an enormous amount of magical power could be revived even if it was killed.
　That's why Elfi was sealed in the wards.
　But .......

'How long does it take ...... to revive?
'Yes. In his current state, he should be able to revive in six hundred years. If I wanted to break the seal, I'd say a thousand years.

　How could it be?'' said Elfie in his normal tone of voice.

'What, the demon race is long-lived by nature. It's nothing to worry about for a few hundred years or so. But Iori, you're not like me. You're dead, you're done.

　You're dead.
　Sure, it does.
　But being sealed up is harder for you than dying, isn't it?

　When we stepped outside the labyrinth, Elfie said.

　--The inside of the seal is isolated from the world, so it's pitch black. There was no light, no sound, no nothing.

　In a curt tone, as if he didn't care much about it.
　But it wasn't.
　In Karen's mansion, Elfie was saying.

　--I don't like ...... it, I don't like it. I don't want to be ...... dark anymore.

　--Don't leave me alone, please.

　This must have been Elfie's true intentions.
　For a long time, he was trapped alone in a world without light or sound.
　I can't even imagine how painful that must have been.

----

　And to hide it, Elfie wants me to run.
　There's no way I'm not scared.
　I noticed the tremor in Elfie's voice.

'...... Don't be silly. I can't leave you alone. Come with me!
'Don't be stupid ......!　I told you I won't last long!　Now go!
"--Amaz. Do Elfiszak a favor, will you?

　Dionysus interrupted the exchange in a sticky tone.

'It's not that he won't run away. Elfiszak can't run away.'

　With a grin, he picked up one of the swords Dionis had created.
　Then, making a gesture as if to slash something.

I've shaken things up so hard, he doesn't even have the energy left to run away!
"......

　When I looked at him, I saw that Elfie's legs were trembling.
　He had barely moved since a moment ago.

　d*mn ......!
　If you think about it, you would have known that!

　Even though it's a minute body, it's still painful.
　Besides, he also said that every time he repaired his wounds, it would consume his magic power.
　He was blamed by Dionis for that long.
　You can barely even stand up. ......!

'Elfiszak, who betrayed my warmth, will be killed after I've scattered and shaken him like a rag.
"...... Iori!　Please, get away from me quickly ......!

　Dionis snaps his fingers.
　Instantly, a water ward was created at the entrance.

''Yes, I'm sorry!
''......!''

　I'm sure you'll be able to find it.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one for you.

'Surprisingly useful, this stone. It's almost too good for a human.''
The keystone or ......!

　Dionis plays with the keystone in his hand.
　A magical power-granting item (magic item) that strengthens and maintains the effectiveness of the warding.
　The retreat was completely cut off.

'Fools ......!　That's why I told you to run away quickly!
I ain't gonna run away from you in the first place. ......!
Well, that's very kind of you!　But you know what, I'm not going to let you get away with it in the first place!

　The sustained potion has helped heal the wound in my leg.
　I can at least get up.
　I'm going to use the magic stone to somehow counterattack--.

''

　Dionis' magic swords are swept out.
　There were over fifty of them, and all of them emitted a devastating light.
　They broke through Elfi's demon eyes and exploded in front of him all at once.

""Demon Sealing (Il Ataraxia) ......!"

　The shield that was put up as soon as possible was also shattered and the vision was dyed with light.
　The sound disappeared.
　The body floats in the air.

"Ku......ah!

　He slammed into the ground with such force that his breathing stopped.
　Still trying to get up, it was at the same time as I reached for the ground.
　I'm not going to be able to get rid of it.

I'm not going to be able to get rid of it.

　Both hands and feet.
　Four swords were pierced through the four limbs.
　The blades pierced the ground and I was stuck to the ground.

"...... ah,

　I can't speak.
　The cold sensation of steel penetrating my body and the heat the wound gives off hits me at the same time.
　Cold. Hot.
　I can't breathe.

"It's a specially made sword with plenty of magic in it. It's not going away anytime soon.

　I could see Elfie lying on the edge of my vision.
　The only reason I was able to maintain my shattered consciousness was because I was able to confirm Elfi's presence.

'...... Elfie, Fi.'

　He strained his body to pull out the swords that were thrust into him.
　But the four swords did not move even slightly.
　The blood that began to flow out was raw and warm and slippery.

I'm surprised you can still worry about other people. Are you that worried about that whore?
......
Well, then, draw your sword quickly. If you can stand up, I'll let you off the hook for Elfiszak.
......!　......!
Time's up!　I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to abandon Elfiszak in a hurry!

　Dionis released water into the fallen Elfie.
　The water released slams Elfi against the wall of the room.
　The next moment.

"Yes, right hand!

　It was thrust into Elfi's right hand, which was floating.
　It's a good idea to have a good time with your friends.

It's a good idea to have a good time.　Right foot!
......
"What's the matter, Amatsu!　Your beloved Elfiszak is suffering!　We have to do our best!
Te......emeet!

　I don't care if my flesh is torn to shreds, I put all my strength into drawing my sword.
　Even if you grit your teeth, scream, and strengthen your body with magical power, the sword will not move.

'Elfiszak. It seems like Amatsu doesn't want to help you, right?　You're a heartless guy, aren't you? You risked your life for it for nothing.　Then I'll move on to the left foot!
You can go to .......
"Come on, left hand!　Ha-ha-ha!　A specimen of a former demon king is complete!

　Elfie's limbs were sewn to the wall.
　A great deal of blood flowed from the arm that was not a body.

Stop it. ......
If you want to stop me, you should just pull out your sword! Why don't you pull it out?
......
Okay, well, I'll continue.

　A sword is produced and skewers Elfi's entire body.
　Elfie doesn't scream, he just lets out a muffled cry.

''Just stabbing the sword in is no trick, is it?

　A small sword the size of a knife appeared around Dionis.
　It was ejected and stabbed into Elfi's abdomen.

''Yes, boom!
''Ka-......!''

　The knife that was thrust into him caused a small explosion.
　Elfi's abdomen pops up.
　The abdomen is a partial body, but the pain is there.
　The pain of having his belly blown off is being tasted by Elfie.

"Ahhhhhh!

　I can't pull my sword out.
　I don't have enough strength.

''Ah-hahahahahahaha!''

　Dionis's mockery can be heard.

"See, it's going to explode!　Boom!
'.........!'
You!　I told you!　You don't listen to me!　It's your fault!

　The sword explodes.
　The blade splits Elfi's cheek.
　Dionis relentlessly thrusts both arms, not the minute body, over and over again with the small sword.

I'm not going to be able to say it. You can not do anything without the borrowed power of the "hero".

　He scrambled to deny it, but the sword still didn't move.

'You didn't try hard or do anything special. You just happened to be summoned as a hero and got a foul grade power by accident. That's not your power or anything else. So if it's gone, you'll be nothing more than a small fry.

　The sword hurts Elfie.

"It's a masterpiece. I'm dressed up with the power someone else gave me. If it were gone, all I could do was show my haplessness like this.

　The sword is stuck.

'You said before. You said before that you've spent your whole life being swept away, and that you want to change that in this world. Aren't you a baaaaaaaahhhh?　You haven't changed at all. You were just being pushed around by the power of a borrowed item that was given to you by chance.

　Elfie was also being wounded by the sword.
　His body was unable to maintain itself for a minute, and noise was starting to run through it.
　Relentlessly, the sword is gouging out Elfie.

　All I could do was watch as I was stitched to the ground.

I'm sure you were only influenced by Lucifina's dream of ending the war and making the world a peaceful place.　Even though you yourself don't think about such a grandiose idea.

　I couldn't argue with that.
　I was already aware of it.
　I only admired the words of Lucifina, whom I respected.

I'm not going to be able to say that I'm a chosen "brave" person, but I'm just being euphoric and raising a cheap hypocrisy because I'm a chosen "brave" person. That's why you were betrayed by us. You didn't see anything, you know!　Saving the world?　Peace?　Say that again, come on!　This is your dream, isn't it?

　I knew it was the right thing to do.
　You'll be able to find out what you're looking for.

　Dionysus' sneer echoes.

'You can't tell me ......!　Hahahahahaha!　For you to know your own haplessness, your own dwarfism!　You can't say something so undeserving, can you!
............
'Always!　I've always hated that kind of sweet, naive, repulsive thinking of yours!　It's not even your own power, not even an ideal you've earned!　You're not going to save the world by holding it up with a self-satisfied look on your face, you're beyond presumptuous!
.........
You said it, didn't you?　You said you didn't want me to get hurt, my friend. I don't like the way you say that. You make it sound like I'm inferior to you: ......!

　So," he said.

I'm going to trample everything about you. As it is, you can crawl on the ground in a haphazard manner and watch Elfiszak get humiliated. I'll strip him of his clothes, expose his nakedness, and f*ck him in front of you. Isn't it hard, isn't it frustrating, knowing that your beloved Elfie is going to suffer so badly?　But such a shame!　I can't do anything to you, who has no power!

　...... That's right.
　I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.
　I'm not even sure I have the power to get Elfie out of there.

I'm not going to be the only one who can do that. This is the end of your drifting life.

　Dionis was right.
　My powers and ideals were borrowed from others.
　I didn't get it myself just to be swept away.

'Ah ...... ah.'

　My body is losing strength, from my body.
　Did too much blood flow?

　No, no.
　In Dionis' mind, his energy was broken.

''I was just ...... shed after all, and I was ......shit.

　I could see Dionis smiling a big smile on his face.

　But I can't say anything back.
　I can't do anything about it.

　I was about to pull out the power I had been putting into my sword, and that's when I tried to pull it out.


Are you sure?


　I heard a small voice.
　It was the same words I had heard in Gash's archives.

"Are you sure you're just a ...... floater?
'Shut up, .......'

　The sword thrusts into Elfie, who opens his mouth.
　Kafu...... and then let out a small breath.
　Still, Elfie continued to speak.

''Thirty years ago ...... you were only fighting because you were really swept away?
''Shut up!''

　The sword hurts Elfi.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one.

"You didn't abandon me in the Abyssal Labyrinth that time.

　It must have been when I was fighting the Earth Demon General.
　I had once tried to run away from Elfie, abandoning him.

"If I had run then, I might have been able to save myself.

　An exasperated Dionis attacked Elfie.

'You really are ......!　If you're just drifting off, you've abandoned me, haven't you ......!'

　It's ----.

'I know you fought against the Demon King's army for years ......!

''It's ----.''

I'm not going to be able to keep fighting.　There's no way we can keep fighting!

----

　The blade bites Elfie's head.
　Blood spurts out and drips onto Elfie's face.

''I told you to shut up!''

　Ignoring the noise, Elfie asks me one last time.

"-- Are you sure you just got swept away?

　I am.

　I'm ----.
　---------- ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ---------- ... ------------------------.



...... I just wanted to help.

　"As long as you're a survivor, there's still hope.
　Someone died defending me.
　People have been wounded for me.
　I watched the people I fought with get hurt over and over again.

　I thought.
　All the people I've fought with.
　Hurt people, suffering people.
　I wanted to help Lucidus, Dionysus, Lucifina.

　That's all that mattered, that's all that mattered to me.

　And I've seen so many people since then.
　Humans, subhumans, demons.
　I've seen so many people hurt in the war.

　Saving the world, making peace, ending the war.
　I didn't really have such a great desire to save everyone, though.
　But those ideals were all borrowed after the fact.

　--I saw so much tears.

　I saw the hurt, the death, the loss of loved ones, the grief, the sadness, the pain on their faces.
　I saw them and I thought.
　How much better it would be if I could turn those crying faces into smiles.

World peace was certainly an afterthought ....... But it's true that I wanted to help people when I saw them grieving in front of me.
Oh, now, why would you say something so sweet?　You really can't help it, can you?

　The people hurting in front of me.
　The people grieving in front of me.
　Because I thought I had to end the war to make them smile.

　I had to be a hero.

"Wake up, Amatsu, for God's sake. Your hypocrisy is just a bunch of rubbish in the lap of compassion.

　Already, the noise was deafening.

　Power is borrowed.
　Ideals are an afterthought.
　Though now I've lost both and laugh at the idea of heroes being silly.

　It wasn't borrowed, it wasn't an afterthought.
　It's not someone else's fault.
　I'm sure I was.


I made the choice to be a hero.


　I heard the sound of iron shattering.
　The sword that had been sewn to the ground by his limbs was shattered to pieces when he found himself.
　I lifted my free limbs.

''Nah ...... my, my sword.''

　He tried to move towards the astonished Dionysus and almost fell down.

　His legs are wobbling and shaking.
　There was no strength in his entire body.
　I didn't even have any magic power left.

You're ...... surprising me with your dead body. It's fine. If that's the case, I'll kill that woman in front of you now!

　"With the broken blade loading (blade trigger), countless swords are created.
　A storm of swords filled with serious magical power, different from the previous playfulness.
　They are shot at Elfi.
　As if resigned, I see Elfie meditate on his eyes.

　I can't do anything about it now.

　Don't be silly, I say, and put some strength into my body.
　I can't afford to kill Elfi.
　I don't want him to die.

　--I want to help.

----

　A noise ran through my vision.
　The world turned gray, and the movement of the visible objects changed to a sluggish one.
　So much so that the sword shot at Elfi appears to have stopped.

　A moment later, a man's back appeared in my gray vision.
　Seeing that, I can't help but mutter.

''Ah ...... right.''

　That back I had seen several times since I was summoned for the second time.
　An ash-haired young man who only looked forward.

　It was the being that seemed to be closest, yet farthest away.
　He was just driven by a rambling rage and avoided facing himself, so he hadn't understood it until now.

　But now.
　I finally realized who the man was.

　--Amaz, the hero.

　 That was me when I was alive a long time ago.
　Wielding silly ideals, wielding borrowed power.

　And yet, it's my power to help someone else.

　--He reached out to the back of me (Amatsu).

　I've lost my power.
　I've lost my ideals.
　But I still want to save Elfie.

"So...

　Recreate my power.
　My old strength.

　Every inch of it, every inch of it.
　And then my power will reach that man.
　I can help Elfie.

　The proof of my bravery shines like a searing light.
　The hot urge in my chest takes shape.
　With the guidance of the magic power, I uttered the mental image (words).




''--【Hero Recurrence (The Wraith)】''