Just beyond the border between the Empire and the Church State, a large mountain looms over the area.
　It's called the Palm Spiritual Mountain, a dangerous place where demons naturally arise.
　Beyond the Palm Spirit Mountain for a while, the Holy City of Schmerz exists.
　"It's one of the proud holy cities of the Church State, which is said to be associated with the Holy Light God.

　--I'm not sure if I've ever heard of this, but I'm sure I have.

　We've set our sights on the Holy City of Schmerz for now.
　We wanted to see which side of the avenging target is living on, but preparation is necessary before doing anything else.
　Equipment maintenance and gathering information about the orphanage.
　In addition, we also need to do some preliminary research on the five generals' labyrinths that exist in the Land of Faith - the "Abominable Light Labyrinth".

　That's why we were climbing up Palms Spiritual Mountain in order to get to Schmelz first.
　I'm used to climbing, but climbing this mountain is hard enough.
　The footing is poor and the ground is hollow in places.
　Perhaps because of the natural magnesium spewing out of Ling Shan, the trees and flowers were unusually large, and visibility was poor.

　Besides.

...... Three from the front.
Yes, sir.

　Because of the influence of the magical element, we often encounter demons in this area.
　The most common types of monsters are the spear monkeys, which have sharp tails, and tree-like trees.
　I used Elfi's "magic eye" to locate them, and I'm the one who cuts down the monsters that come close.

It's not as many as in the labyrinth, but there are a lot of them. We don't even have time to eat.
You'll have to wait until dinner.
Mmm. ......

　The sun, visible through the bloody trees, is tilting.
　We'll walk for a while longer and then we'll find a place to camp.

There's a monster tree up ahead. Yes, one after another!　Iori, kick it to the curb!
"...... Aah!

　We've only taken a few steps and we're in the presence of a monster.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

"If I were still the demon king, I would have subjugated all the demons here.

　Looking at the wreckage of the demon he had defeated, Elfie muttered so evasively.
　So it's the demon king, huh?
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
Yeah. That's the way it's supposed to be set up.
What's the principle behind this?
...... I have no idea.
"Don't be a pussy.

　...... This guy is no good.

''Elfie still has the demon king crest on his body, right?　If it's not a labyrinthine demon following the Demon King, but a demon born from natural magic elements, then we can make it follow him, right?
......!

　I didn't know you had that idea!　I'm sure you'll be able to see that.
　It's not true, this guy is a liar, haven't you ever tried it before?

You'll be able to find out more about the best way to get the best out of it. I'll praise you for coming up with that idea, Iori.
............
Don't look at me like that!

　This is .......

...... and you're going to do it?
"Who do you think I am?

　Elfie sneers at me.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find the best way to get the best out of it.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

''I command it in the name of Elfiszak Guildegard!''

　Elfi shouted with a voice and spirit that seemed to echo throughout the mountains.
　His majesty could be felt by me watching from behind.
　This could be a go.

''--Obey me!''

　With an imposing gesture, Elfi gave instructions to the tail spear monkey.
　The spirit that is worthy of being called a former demon king, the tail spear monkeys--

"Kiaaaaah!
Whoa, Iori!　It didn't work!''

　They all thrust out their spears at Elfi at once.
　With a change in blood, Elfi acrobatically ducked the spears.
　The demons who had heard Elfi's shout earlier were coming over here one after another.

''............''
Don't look at me like that, Iori!
............

　It wasn't going to be easy after all.
　Letting out a sigh, he pulled Elfie and left the place at full speed.

◆

　The sun, which had been visible through the trees, had completely set and the moon had climbed into the night sky instead.
　We had found an open space, warding it off and camping out in it.

　We made a seafood stew with ingredients that Elfi had bought in bulk in the city, and that was our dinner.
　From the way he gobbled it up with his tongue burned and teary eyes, Elfi seemed to like it.

'See,'
Hmm.

　After gulping down the offered water in one gulp, Elfie ate the stew again with great relish.
　Well, I don't feel bad about it.
　I remember that I used to serve a few dishes like this on my travels in the past.

　Even then, ----.
　That time.

　--Wow, Amatsu. You're a good cook. I didn't expect this.
　--What's this? The food is better than anything they serve in the castle!
　--It's amazing that you can even cook, Amatsu-san.

----
What's wrong, Iori?
...... No, I was just remembering a few bad things.
You okay?
Yeah.　

　Elfie, who has flattened more than half of the pot by himself, puts his hand on his stomach in satisfaction.
　...... d*mn it.
　Because I was remembering something stupid, Elfie took the stew with him.
　I'll have some for myself before it gets cold.

'Yes, Iori. I thought after the fight with the demon, you're getting your strength back in your own way, aren't you?

　Elfie, who was also staring at my stew, suddenly asked me that.
　I remember the feeling of battle and shake my head.

'...... Not so much. I've used three magic cores, but I've only gotten back less than half the magic power I had in my prime.

　"By repeatedly adjusting the magic powers such as Demon Sealing (Il Ataraxia) and Magical Skill Usurpation (Spell Divoua) for my current self, I was able to use my magic power satisfactorily without using magic stones for the time being.
　However, it's still far from the heyday.
　Even if you use all of the Demon Core, it seems like you should consider the possibility that you won't be able to regain your original power.

''Besides, I haven't even been able to handle that mind-image magic to my satisfaction.

　A mastery of the art of magic that he learned during his battle with Dionis.
　A good amount of time has passed since I learned it, but I still haven't mastered it.
　I tried it a few times, but even if I could activate it, it was only for a moment.
　Sometimes it's a good one, and sometimes it doesn't even activate.

I can't use mental magic, so I can't say for sure: ......

　Elfie put a hand over his mouth and snorted thoughtfully, then

All right, we'll see if we can make peace now.

　He said abruptly.

'The last time it was activated would have been in combat. Maybe you could activate it while fighting.'
'I've tried to use it against demons a few times today, but not once with any success. ...... No.

　All of the demons they fought were opponents that didn't need to use mind-blowing magic.
　They were all mooks that couldn't be compared to Dionis.
　Against an opponent who couldn't win with their bare strength, they might invoke it.

''Alright. Let's do it.

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

　--The wards are chirping in the blowing wind.

　I barely catch the silent, approaching wind with my jade taiji.
　That's right -- it's like the wind that's against you.
　By the time you notice its presence, it has already passed by.

''--"Demon Legs, Windless Flash"--''

　One of the abilities that resided in the third part of the body that Elfi regained, "Both Feet".
　It's the power of instantaneous speed, moving with the speed of a raging wind.
　But it's not just that speed that's a threat, Elfi's superior skill makes him come at you with 'silence'.

...... Once again, it's outrageous.

　"I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any of them.
　The reason why you are able to respond to this is probably because of the sensing ability you acquired during your time as a hero.
　"I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what I'm talking about.

"What's the matter Iori. What's the matter with you, don't you want to use that "demon sword" that you used on that demon?
You don't have the muscle power or magic power to use it!

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.
　"I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to get the most out of it.

''Demon Arm Breaking and Severing.''
"Ugh.

　He steps backwards to avoid Five Claws being thrown down.
　but

Kuhn: "Kuhn: ......

　Elfi's blow gouged the ground wide open.
　The foothold was taken away, and our stance was greatly disrupted.

''--"Magic Eye"
----!

　--Behind.

　I noticed that Elfie had taken my back.
　In the dark night, a scorching red lotus twin eyes gleam in the dark night.

　I can't duck with this stance.
　"Usurpation of Magic Techniques (Spel Dibaua) and Demon Sealing (Il Ataraxia) won't be able to be done in time.

　You can feel the magic power from Elfi that makes your skin tingle.
　We can't prevent it with our equipment.
　I could see Elfi's cheeks loosen as if he was convinced of victory.

''--"Ashburst."

　Red Lotus is approaching.
　This idiot, he's not showing any restraint.
　It's not good, but if it hits you directly, you won't get away with it.

----

　A noise runs through my vision.
　I see that backward figure.
　It's only a moment, and both the noise and the back of my head disappear quickly.

　That one moment is enough.

　The magic power that overflowed from the "Proof of Valor" was carried on the jade taiji, and he swung his sword head-on at the approaching Red Lotus.

"Jujutsu Ken, the Second Demon Sword--'Divergence'

　He swung the sword with magic and power down from the upper level.
　The jade sword cut both sides of the red lotus that was coming towards him.
　The blast shook the trees and sent dust flying.

　I'm not going to be able to stop just by cutting off both sides of the ashlar blast, this one hit Elfi, who was standing in front of it.

"Whoa!

　"It is a very good idea to have a good idea of what to expect when you go to the beach.
　The wind is blowing in from the hole in the ward.
　No other sounds could be heard.

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

　Ah, he's back.
　As I repaired the wards I broke, Elfie quickly approached us.

"...... You're going to kill me!
"That's my line!

　I'm not going to be able to say it.
　I'm sure you're not the only one.

I purposely increased the power of the shot to give you a chance to use your psychic magic!
Even so, you should have lowered the power: ......!

　You can use it for just a moment at that time.
　It's a very short time compared to the time of Dionis.
　After all, does my psychic magic activate when I'm fighting an opponent stronger than me?

''My clothes are dirty now. I'm sweating and I'm going to wash up at the fountain I found earlier .......
In this temperature?

　It's not so much winter, but it's a mountainous area, so it's reasonably cold at night.
　You'll catch a cold if you get into the cold water.

That's okay. I'll boil a spring.
"?

　!" ...... This guy is a real whack job.

Iori, stop peeking.
Peek-a-boo.
''Since you're a minute body, I don't mind if people see your naked body, but the heat that boils the fountain will make the surroundings a scorching hell. If you, a human, get anywhere near it, you'll melt.

　He's building a purgatory labyrinth just to bathe in it, you know.

Yeah, I know. Come on, get going.
Mm, I'm off.

　The wards were partially released and Elfie walked out again.

'...... totally.'

　I don't feel so good about being dirty in a fight either.
　When we get to town, we'll wash up slowly.

Well, ......, I'm going to go to bed.

　I set up the sleeping bag I purchased and crawled into it.
　It's hard to be in a bed with just a cloth pulled over the fallen leaves like before.
　I yawned and was about to meditate when I heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

　I heard footsteps approaching with a tattling sound.
　It was Elfi.

'Iori, I forgot my towel!
'Tattling ......'

　He picks himself up and turns to Elfie.

'----'

　There were freaks.

　A raw head was floating.
　Arms were floating on either side of it, and two raw legs were moving on the ground.
　Neck, arms, legs.

　A complete monster.

''Ahhhhhhhh!
''Ohhhhhh!''

　Me and my shout, and Elfi's cry of surprise at it, echoed.


◆

　The next day.

　We packed up and left.
　On the way, we were attacked by a few demons, but we fought them off lightly.

'It was pretty horrifying even when it was just a raw neck, but when you add arms and legs, it gets even creepier. Honestly, that was creepy.
f*ck you!　That's rude!　It's because Iori got angry at me for letting her see you naked, that's why I've removed the body part of you!
Still, there are other ways to do it: ....... They just look like monsters.
"I don't understand." ......

　Hopefully the next part of the body you get is not the heart.
　It's going to be an awesome picture plane without the torso.

　We continued on for several hours, with several breaks in between.
　Finally, we arrived at the summit of Mt.
　In the distance, we could see a small city in the distance.

"Oh, so that's the Holy City of Schmerz.
Yeah. Distance-wise, you'll be there tomorrow.

　This is the turnaround point.
　All you have to do now is descend, and it will be physically easier.
　If we don't get lost or in trouble, it shouldn't take long.

Let's get as far down the mountain as we can before it gets dark.

　With that, I was about to descend from the summit.

'...... Iori!'

　Elfi shouted.
　Instantly, the air around us changed.
　A ward was set up to surround us.
　The flow of magic around us became extremely difficult to understand.

''----''

　As if in conjunction with the activation of the wards, the outside flashed.
　An attacking spell slipped through the warding and came toward us.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

Iori, this is ......!
...... "Interfering Wards (Magic Disturbers)"

　It's a warding that disrupts the workings of the magic inside and interferes with the detection of magic and the use of magic.
　Because of this ward, I can't tell where the attack is coming from.

　However, there was something that bothered me more than this warding.

　It.

'This ward is ...... kingdom-style (...)

　There are only a few sorcerers in the kingdom who can wield this.　
　I quickly realized who had set it up.
　The Selectmen, the pursuers from the kingdom.

　And perhaps the one who is leading it--

''...... rüzasssssss!''

　Magic poured down from outside the ward.