At the end of the room was a dimly lit passage.
　As soon as I walked through the door, a sweet, fishy odor that made my head tingle was wafting through the air.

''Absolutely, no matter how many times I go through this place, it smells terrible.
I hope you're gonna be able to clean up your own mess.

　Me and Elfie slowly follow behind the complaining men.
　On the way forward, we see a myriad of prisons across the passage.
　...... Naturally, the women who are being kept in them.

...... terrible.

　I silently agreed with Elfi's spitting mutterings.

　It was mainly sub-racial women who were being held in prison.
　A variety of subraces, ranging from man-cat species (warcat), werewolf species (warwolf), fairy species (elf), and even earth fairy species (dwarf).

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

　All the women had been stripped of their clothes, exposing their skin.
　Also, everyone was lifeless and empty-eyed, shrinking in a corner of the prison cell.
　Some had been drugged with some kind of drug, some were muttering something with no expression, and some were even giggling.

　After advancing for a while, I saw a row of small rooms this time.
　From inside the rooms came the sounds of winsome voices, shouts, and men's lowly laughter.
　The disgusting smell seeping into this passage is apparently the reason for what is taking place in this one.

'...... You're burning some kind of incense. My nose is going to be degraded ...... oy.

　Smoke of a noxious color was leaking from the doorway.
　Elfie sniffed the smell with a snort and held his face to hold back the nausea.
　Indeed, it's an odor with a disgusting sweetness that makes the back of his head tingle.

'It's an aphrodisiac. It's also only intended for the werewolf species (warwolf) and the man-cat species (warcat).''
'It's like an aphrodisiac ...... stimulant. You know?
'I once caught a criminal dealing illegal drugs on my travels. I saw them using something similar to this one.

　There is an aphrodisiac that does not work on humans, but only on the sub-race of the animal kingdom.
　It is often used by those who try to make the sub-race lustful and work badly.

It would still be a relief if the sub-race who are sniffed by this aphrodisiac were only forced to lust after .......
What's the catch?
...... Oh. This aphrodisiac has a strong effect on the brain. The side effects of it can cause brain damage.

　They say that once or twice it's enough to cause a memory loss, but repeated use causes a significant decline in the ability to think.
　However, repeated use of the drug causes a significant decline in the ability to think, and eventually the drug becomes obsolete.
　Naturally, it is designated as an illegal drug in many countries and its handling is strictly prohibited.

Kah, I didn't know you were doing this while we were working.
Hopefully, Mr. Marx will give me permission.
'You're going to pick another broken woman anyway, aren't you?　It's really bad taste.
You're all the same, aren't you?

　The lowly laughter of the men walking in front of me echoes down the aisle.

　I wonder what the Melt faithful would think if they saw this.
　Half of the Melts still have an anti-subhuman agenda.
　Will they chuckle at the idea that sub-humans who are not human can be subjected to any kind of punishment?

　...... Either way, it's rotten.

　Then on the way down the aisle, we passed a few men.
　Using the brainwashed men as cover, we moved on without being noticed.

　In the process, we saw multiple rooms.

"Ga...... ah!
'......!　Aaaaah!

　Two women of the werewolf breed were clashing in a large circular room.
　There was no reasoning on both of their faces, they were just biting each other like animals.
　On their exposed arms, painful injection marks were visible.
　A drug that would make them lose their reason and increase their violent nature, or a drug that would abnormally increase their appetite.
　Perhaps he had used such a drug.

　Several people were watching such a horrific scene from the safety of their homes.
　They seemed to be shouting something at the two fighting men, as if they were betting on it.

''Ahhhh!''

　Then the game was soon won.
　One of the women used a body-strengthening magic to bite off the other woman's arm.
　The woman whose arm was shredded twitched in her own pool of blood, while the other woman crumpled to the ground after being hit with a sedative magic.

'Don't lose, dude!

　The man sprinkled the liquid in a vial onto the fallen woman.
　Immediately afterwards, the section of her arm bobbed and swelled up like a bubble and regained its original shape.

'Nonsense,'

　The deficiencies in the human body should not be able to be healed by magic.
　No matter what kind of magic or potion is used, it will at most be enough to close the wound.

''It's a 'God's Drop'.''
"God's Drop?

God's Drop.
　Elfie says that it is made from herbs that can be found in lands that are related to the "Fallen God" Hadeer.
　The mountains and valleys that are related to Hadeer are probably home to powerful demons.
　Around here, it's probably a sacred mountain.

　The 'God's Drop' made from the potion has a healing effect on wounds like a potion.
　It is said that the effect is so great that even missing limbs can be restored.

However, 'God's Drop' has a strong side effect.

The part of the body that had been restored by the Divine Drop would rot away in a few days if the user did not continue to use the Divine Drop.
　And if the body could not endure the strong effect, the user's life span would be greatly reduced.
　Apparently, this was no exception even for the demon race that had a strong body.

''It seems that a few generations ago, the Demon King had his subordinates use the 'God's Drop' ...... and the demon clans that were consumed by the effects of the potion experienced the torment of hell.

　'Look,' said Elfie, pointing at the woman with a bitter expression.

'Ahhhhhh!'

A woman who had grown an arm in "God's Drop" suddenly started screaming.
　The men laughed at it and poured a bucket of water on the woman.
　Immediately after, the woman stumbled around on the ground screaming.

'...... 'God's Drop' from the wound will make every nerve in your body acute. Just like that.

　Even if they were merely doused with water, the side effects of the medicine would cause extreme pain.
　For this reason, even the Demon King's Army banned the use of 'God's Drop' and apparently all the medicinal plants were burned.

...... I never imagined that I would use 'God's Drop' for pleasure, even as a stone.

　It must be fun to watch a woman squeal at the mere touch of a woman.
　I see the men giggling and laughing.
　The men dragged the screaming woman and slammed her into the jail cell.

'......!　Are you okay ......?　Hey ...... hey!

　The others inside call out to them, but the woman just screams in pain.
　With a heartfelt sense of enjoyment, the man calls out to the people inside from outside the prison.

'Sorry to worry about you, but this is going to happen to you tomorrow, isn't it?
......
Have fun with it.

　With that smile, the men walked away from the prison.
　Inside the jail, the women could be seen trembling with pale faces.

'......ke.'

　A woman was clenching her fists and crying.

'...... help me (...)'

　That call for help was overheard.

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

　Turning my back on the women, I move on.
　I'm not going to stop walking when they ask for help.
　I came here for revenge.

　So.

Wait for me at .......

　I'll definitely be back after everything,
　He muttered to the women and walked on.
　The door to Marx's room was visible just beyond.

◆

　Marx's private room, located at the end of the underground passage.
　Marx was in the middle of working in his own room.

'...... late,'

　Marcus turns his narrowed eyes on the three men as they enter the private room.
　With cold sweat on their faces, the men reported what happened to Marcus.

　That they had broken into the orphanage and captured both 'Michelle' and 'Meena'.
　Then they killed them and brought their bodies back here.
　He explains that no one has seen him, and so on, so as not to spoil Marx's good mood.

　After hearing the report, Marx lost his chemistry.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that you've done your duty safely. As for the matter of being late, let's not question it. ...... I'd have eaten it if I was already half an hour late, though.
'...... ha. Thank you.
You don't need to worry about it. I'm a good boss who cares about his people. Don't you?
Ha. That's right.

　The subordinate's words put him in a good mood, and Marcus grinned as he propped his elbows on the desk.
　Then he pointed to the bag that one of the men was carrying on his shoulder.

'Do you have a bunch of kids in that bag?
"Yes. Would you like to check?
Yeah. Just in case.

　A man carrying a sack walks up to Marx.

'Ha ...... Mr. Marx.'
Yeah?

　One of his men opened the bag in front of the man.
　What came out of it was a single sword.

''-- Here you go: ......!

　A man slashed at Marcus, who peeled his eyes away.
　Behind him, the remaining two men drew their swords to follow suit.

''...... hmm.''

　Immediately after Marx gave a small sniffle, the subordinate who was about to swing the sword down fell down, spewing fresh blood.
　When had he pulled it out, the knight's sword, wet to the ground, was in Marx's hand.

''Whoa!''
''Haaaaa!''

　Stepping over the corpses of his friends, the two men behind him slashed at him at the same time.

''You ...... idiots!''

　The sword in Marx's grip blurred.
　At the same time, the upper body of one of the men shifted and fell to the ground.

''Kah.''
Ha! ......!

　Showing no reaction to the death of his companion, the last man swung his sword down.
　Faster than that, Marx grabbed the man's arm with one hand.
　As Marx twisted his arm, the man's body spun around and slammed into the ground.
　Immediately afterwards, the sword swung by Marx slashed off the head of the man who had fallen on the ground.

''Did you think that the extent of you guys could kill me?

　He says coldly, and Marcus pays off the blood on his sword.
　You've taken a surprise hit from three men, and you're completely unharmed?

'...... I see. So you weren't exactly a decorated captain.

　After making sure the men were wiped out, we stepped into the room.

'What ...... you guys. What are you doing here?
What? I just wanted to get back at you. --Markus Pietro Sandalphon.
......

　When I unleash my intimidation, Marcus gives a small gasp.
　I guess he decided it wasn't good enough to deal with the two of us.

'...... intruder!　Whoever you are, come on!
"Ha.

　Marx yells out loud, but there is no response.

'...... What do you mean?!'

　Well, that's just as well.

'Your men who were waiting outside were allowed to clear out long ago.
...... stupid.
All that's left is a bunch of a**h*les who are willing to play nice.

　That means no one is coming to your rescue.
　So whatever happens here, no one will notice.

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

　There is no sign of any other humans in the room.
　Even Elfi's demon eyes confirmed it.

''Don't lick it, intruder. Did you think I wasn't prepared for this?

　With a dunk, Marcus puts his hand on the desk and lets the magic power flow.

''--"Magic Skill Usurpation (Spel Divaur)"
"?　Why doesn't ...... trigger it?

　Of course we thought so.

　I've already checked the interior of the room with Elfi's magical eye before stepping into the room.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing.
　It seems to be a mechanism that works in conjunction with Marx's flow of magic power.
　That's why it can't be activated once the magic power that it sheds is dissipated.

Let's go ......, Marx.

　He drew his sword and stepped forward with Elfie.

'----'

　Creepy, I thought.
　Something unpleasant came over me.
　The same sensation of cold running down my back as when I was trapped by the Demon King's army.
　Following that premonition, the timing was right as I was about to distance myself from Marcus once.

''Kuha, I didn't expect you to really come ......!

　I saw Marx's expression contort into a gnarled expression.
　It's a smile filled with victory, a smile full of composure.

　--No, more than that.

'Elfi.'
...... Yeah.

　It was right after I shared my awareness of the chill with Elfie.

'...... you idiot!'

　Marx slammed his hands into the ground of the room.
　With that, the floor of the room shattered and the collapse spread throughout.
　Even though Marx doesn't wear any magic power.

''What the ......!
''

　The floor collapses and me and Elfie fall down the room.
　I felt a sickening floating sensation, as if my insides were floating.

　I wonder if some kind of work had been done to it, but the part of the floor where Marcus was standing hadn't collapsed.
　Marx is looking down at us as we fall, with a generous smile on his face.

'Iori, hold on!'

　--"Demon's Leg: The Tempest of Wind"

　I kick the empty space and Elfie moves through the air.
　I grab Elfie's hand and rise toward the foothold, too.

'Come on, try to save me!　Oh, ghost of a hero!

　It was then.
　Marx sneered and kicked something down the hole.

'.......'

　We soon found out that it was a human woman.
　Two women are falling in succession.
　The women, bound hand and foot, can only fall, screaming.

'No, ...... help me!'
......!

　...... Shit, we're f*cked.
　If we don't, we and the falling women will collide with each other.
　But if we ducked, the women could only fall down.

　I didn't want that guy (...) to see me defenseless, but .......

''Guh.......''

　The impact of the collision hits, and me and Elfie fall again, holding the women.

''El...... fic. Can you use your magic legs again in this state?
I can do that, but it's not impossible: ......

　With that, that was when Elfie tried to channel the magic into his leg.
　The air inside the hole changed in an instant.
　The magic power that was about to gather on Elfie's leg dissipated unnaturally.

"...... 'Interference Warding' (Magic Disturbor)?"

　The meaning of the kingdom-style wards being triggered at this time.
　I knew it, and at the same time as figuring it out, ----

'Kah ...... aaaaaaaaah!'
Hi ...... but the ......

　Suddenly, the women who were holding them began spitting out a lot of blood from their mouths.
　Before we could react, the sound of shredded flesh could be heard from their bodies with a buzzing sound.
　Before long, countless worm-like things appeared, biting through their abdomens.

''What......''

　A large circular mouth with countless fangs peeking out of its long, slender, snake-like body.
　The worm comes out of the women's bodies and bites us, pulsating through the reddish-black blood vessels.
　The worm's fangs are blocked by the "Red Lotus Armor" and do not pierce my body.

　--I'm not going to be able to get to the bottom of it.

They are ...... sucking magic.

　I'm sure you'll be able to feel the magic power being sucked out of your body just by being touched by the circular mouth.
　It seems that Elfie, too, is being sucked up by the worms to use his magic power to use his "magic legs".

　The physical contraption that Elfi's magical eye cannot find.
　The women who can't move.
　The Magic Disturbing Worm (Magic Disturbers) that blocks our magical power.
　And then there is a worm inside the women's bodies that feeds on their magical power.
　It's an unusually effective trap for blocking our movements.

　...... I see, you've done it.
　The trap was expected to be just a pitfall.
　That's probably why the timing of the "intimidation" is so important.

"Liuzas......!

　We were falling headlong into a deep hole.

*.

It's easy.

　Looking at Iori and the others who disappeared into the hole, Marcus sniffed.
　"I doubted Liuzas' sanity when I heard the story that the hero Amatsu was alive, but it seemed to be true.
　Just to be sure, it was a good idea to follow that man's lead and set up a number of traps.

　Right now, Iori and the others would have been knocked to the ground and turned into mincemeat.
　I'm not going to be able to get the best out of it.

　With a smile on his face, Marcus went out through the hidden door that he had made behind him.
　We're on our way to the ground.
　It's almost time for that Kirie I called for to arrive.

The power of the "Heroic Amatsu" ....... Kuku, yeah, I'll eat it later.

　But first, I have to deal with Kirie first.
　Nicely, the sound of Marx's tongue licking echoed in the basement.