"It was shortly after I was assigned to fight against the Demon King's army as the Heroic Amatsu.
　When I was advancing towards the Demon King's army base with the kingdom's sorcerers, I was attacked and fell into a deep valley.　
　Because of the wards put up by the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's Army, I was unable to use my magic, so all I could do was fall.

"Amatsu-dono!
"d*mn it, ......, if only they could do magic.

　The sorcerers and knights around me couldn't react to my falling, and I was standing on a stick.
　Naturally.
　They can't use any magic, just like me.

''d*mn, so .......''

　You can't even use body strengthening magic.
　No matter how much power you receive from the 'Proof of Valor', you won't be able to save yourself if you fall from this height.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

"Why is ...... I'm not like this--

　The end of the stupor.
　The fall, as if my guts were being lifted, drew me away from consciousness.
　In the midst of all this, I heard Liuzas' voice.　

''Hey!''

　I looked up and saw Liuzas just above me.
　He jumped off the cliff and came after me.

'You idiot!　''Don't be a bossa!''

　Ryuzas shouted and grabbed my arm with a rough hand.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say about this.
　In the blink of an eye, our falling speed slowed and we fell safely to the ground.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.
"Sorry, Liuzas. You're welcome. Thank you.
"...... tch. We don't want you to die in a place like this. ...... here.

　I chuckle at Liuzas as he spits it out, and then move through the valley.
　Quickly, we must meet up with Lucifina and the others.
　A large number of demons in the valley are being burned away by Liuzas using his magic.

'Hey, Liuzas. How are you using your magic in this ward?''

　As he walked, he suddenly asked Liuzas.
　Like the wind magic during the fall earlier, Liuzas was using magic as a matter of course in the wards.
　Even though the other sorcerers and knights weren't able to use magic at all.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that ...... this valley is filled with wards of a thousand variations. I'm sure there's no way to break such a large scale warding. That's why we're going to make a hole in a small portion of the warding.

　Saying that, Ryuzas stuck out his arm and dug his claws into the empty space.
　Upon closer inspection, only the space that Ryuzas touched had lost its wards.

''If you create a space without wards like this, you can use magic for a moment.''
"............

　I try to imitate Ryuzas, but I can't break the wards.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it happen.

You can't call yourself a brave man if you can't even do this.
"...... bad
"Stop doing that already. What's the name of the hero?

　Yes, we made our way through the valley, with Liuzas cursing us repeatedly.
　It was only a few hours later that I was able to get out.
　After all, I couldn't make a hole in the wards at that time.

'...... dumbass.'

　This was not long after I had been called a hero.
　I remember when I looked up to Liuzas for risking his life to save mine, even though he had a bad mouth.


◆

　He swept away with the worm that clung to his arm and clawed at the space in front of him.
　Inside the hole, five different wards were developing at the same time.
　He drilled holes in all of those wards, forcing the space without the wards to be created.

''--"Whirlwind (Whirlwind)."

　Within the gap, I forcefully activate my magic.
　A whirlwind blows through the hole, slowing the falling speed of me and Elfi.
　At the same time, it blows away the worms that are wriggling around us.

'It's ironic, isn't it, Liuzas?'

　It's because of the magic you taught me that I can deal with your traps.

"Just hold onto those people, Elfie.
Mm, I'm on it.

　He instructs Elfi to drill a hole in the wards again.
　Thinking back to Ryusas's character, I aimed at the place where that guy was about to set up a trap and unleashed a spell usurpation (spell dibauer).

　The walls to the left and right, and the landing spot.
　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you're going to be able to get your hands on it.

...... This is a tough one.

　It seems that you put a lot of care into setting up your wards, Liuzas.
　Even though he only used a light magic, several times more magic power than usual was taken away.
　There seems to be a warding that inhibits action, and the movement of the body is slow.

　A few seconds later, we landed on the ground.
　After confirming that there was no sign of anything around us, I immediately let the women down to the ground.

"...... ah.
............

　The worm was inside the women who were dropped into the hole by Marx.
　It was probably one of the traps against us.
　The women were already dying from having their bellies bitten off.

...... terrible.

　He takes out the potion he had bought from the porch and sprinkles it on his abdomen.
　At the same time, I used a healing spell to seal the wound.
　Healing magic isn't that good at it, but it was the right decision to learn it at the very least during my time as a hero.

　This should no longer mean that he's going to die right now.
　Taking him to the hospital outside would help.

'Iori, it seems we're the only ones in this room. Apparently, that sorcerer isn't here.

　Elfie, who was wary of his surroundings, said this as he finished patching up.

'...... I see. If that's the case, I hear you chose to wait and see this time.

　The most alarming opponent in the process of taking revenge on Marx.
　That's Liuzas with the Selectmen in tow.
　In our conversation before I came here, I talked about that with Elfi as well.


''What do you think those sorcerers will do?''

　As we walk, Elfi asks a question.

　We'll give Marx something to put in, and we'll observe it ourselves.
　Or they use Marx to beat us directly.

'These are the two things that could happen in this case,'

　To which I replied.

'Isn't there an option that he's not involved?'
"Unlikely.

　Liuzas, that's why he's so cautious.
　He would never challenge you if he wasn't confident that he could win.
　The attack in the Abyssal Labyrinth with his friends and the surprise attack at Lingshan were all actions that were motivated by a chance of victory.

''That guy must have been quite alarmed when he saw me using the Psychic Magic at Ling Shan,''

　So, that guy won't attack me directly until I finish checking the difference in strength between him and me.

''The reason why he didn't touch us while we were fighting in the orphanage is because he was looking at us.

　You served as a wait-and-see for the last time, but it's time for you to come see what we can do in person.
　If Marx, the perfect tool, is there, we have no choice but to take advantage of it.

The question is, what will he do after seeing that battle?

　If he sees the fight in the orphanage and decides he can beat us, he'll set us up.
　He will try to stop us from breathing down our necks, even if it means using Marx as an abandoned pawn.

　But if we weren't sure, that guy would come to find out what our limit is by using Marx.

''So, we need to find out how that sorcerer will work before we mess with that side-loving man, right?
'Side ....... Well, that's what it comes down to. It's pretty messy.'

　Then, after envisioning a few traps that would be set if Ryuzas had intervened and making a foothold to deal with the aftermath, I rode into this mansion.

　So when he sensed Liuzas's magical power, he had to be wary of the attack.
　As a result, though, it backfired on them.

　Apparently, this time Liuzas chose to take a wait-and-see approach.
　Otherwise, he wouldn't have intervened in that situation to alert us.
　Perhaps he was protecting Marcus from my attack.

...... Well.

　It was in the basement where we were dropped.
　They must have been connected to the basement through Marcus's private room.

　In addition to the Magic Disturbance Warding, the room is also equipped with other wards such as the Demon Robbing Warding, Demon Binding Warding, Motion Blocking Warding, and Magic Consumption Doubling Warding.　
　I wonder how many magic stones were used to set up these wards.
　Without a doubt, the one who set this up is Liuzas.

"Elfie, how is your magic power?

　Other warding effects are also a hindrance, but the most troublesome to Elfi is the doubling of magic power consumption.
　Just by using the magic eye, it takes away so much magic power that an ordinary person would be dried up.
　Furthermore, just by maintaining the body, it always consumes a considerable amount of magic power.

''It's not a problem yet. It's not a good idea to stay for too long, though.

　My magic power has been sucked out, but the magic items I am wearing have halved the effects of the warding.
This is because of the effects of the Armor of Magic, Jade Blade and Red Lotus Armor.

　But even with these effects, you can only endure for a dozen minutes or so.
　The women won't be able to hold out for long either.
　There's no point in staying here, so let's start moving as soon as possible.

'Sorry. Can you carry those people over?
'Hmm, it's going to be tough with Iori's thin arms.
............

　Nodding, Elfie lifted the woman lightly and held her by her sides.
　She was as strong as ever.
　Together with Elfi, they walked towards the exit of the room.

'Mm.'
......

　The cobblestones spread across the floor.
　From the gaps in the floor, long, thin red objects appeared one after another.
　These are the worms that came out of the women's bellies earlier, having eaten through their bellies.

　They moved their circular mouths in small increments and crawled across the ground to get closer.
　By then, I had never seen these creatures before.
　I've seen quite a few demons in my travels, but I've never come across a worm like this before.

'What are these guys. Are they demons?
'...... That's funny. I don't know of any of these kinds either.
A new species ......?
...... No.

　Elfie activated his magic eye for a moment and then muttered, "I knew it.

I can sense the magic power unique to demons, but ...... these guys are more like homunculi.
'Homunculus ......?　These guys?
'Also, I know you don't want to hear too much about it, but ...... this guy's magic, it's faint, but Iori's is in the mix.

　With those words, I could see the general situation.
　A creature similar to a homunculus, mixed with my magical powers.

...... I'm guessing it's an experimental creature created by George and his team.
Let's call them bark beetles.
f*ck you.

　The number of worms that have crawled out of the cobblestones is already over a hundred.

"...... It's a pain in the ass, but I'm gonna have to use my fire magic to make it go away.
Good. I'll take care of it.

　Elfie grinned and smiled ferociously.


...back.


　He glared at the worms and intimidated them.
　In the next moment, the worms fled into the cobblestones like a receding wave.

'From the looks of it, there is no intelligence in that thing. It's a mass of instinct.
You have an instinct for danger.
'Hmm. You're lucky the Amatsuzumi doesn't have as much backbone as Iori.
Don't use that name.

　He proceeded through the room and opened the door at the back.
　At that moment, something flew in from the other side without a sound.

"...... and...

　Immediately after evading, the thing that flew over with a squishy sound hit the cobblestones behind me.
　A disgusting sound resounded and part of the stone pavement melted.
　It's probably acid or something.

　As I stepped inside, I immediately knew what it was that had attacked me.
　A huge worm stood in the center of the room.

　It was also different from the snake-like shaped worms I had seen before.
　From its round body, eight necks stretched out.
　Each of the necks was swaying, and countless fangs were opening and closing their mouths.

'How curious. I didn't know a homunculus could make something like this.''
...... Elfi, are there any other traps in this room?

　After a moment of eyes glowing red lotus, Elfie nodded with a cocoon.

'That giant Amatsumu ...... giant worm must be the real deal. There are no other tricks in this room other than warding.''
...... Right. If that's the case, then maybe taking that guy down will put an end to the trap.

"----

　As if to say, "I won't let that happen," the worm leaned back on its sickle-neck.
　The three heads opened their mouths wide, and a green liquid was released vigorously from inside them.
　Was that the attack that melted the cobblestones?

　The speed of the acid bullets is not that fast.
　Together with Elfie, I evade it without difficulty.

''----!

　The worm dragged its torso in a cheating motion, approaching at a speed not commensurate with its massive body.
　Several necks twitched like whips and the worm swung down.

''...... hook!''

　He slashed up the falling head from directly below.
　The worm's body flew through the air and fell to the ground with a heavy sound.
　The severed head flailed around on the ground with a chittering, and immediately stopped moving.

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

　Not caring that the heads were dropped, the heads came at him one by one.
　One or two heads coming at him were severed in succession.

''----''

　At the stage where he had five heads left, he realized that if he didn't, he would only get his head cut off.
　Once the worm tries to distance itself, it tries to retreat by dragging its torso.

''--"Demon Eye, Ashburst."

　But it was not Elfie who would allow it to happen.
　The magic power that had been stored up until then was released towards the worm.
　The explosion with a slightly suppressed magical power to be used attacked the worm.

''----!''

　A moment later, the remaining head opened its mouth wide.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

"It's the same device that absorbs magic power from the orphanage. It is said to be based on my "spell usurpation" (spell divouer).
...... You can't use the magic eye.

　Bulli and the worm's torso trembled, and the severed head regenerated in an instant.
　Apparently, they have a high regeneration ability.

　Magic doesn't work.
　Even if you damage it with a physical attack, it will regenerate immediately.
　Even while we are doing this, our magic power is being consumed.
　We don't have the time to take our time fighting.

　There's also a way to use [Heroic Reproduction (The Wraith)], but if we use it within this ward, the magic power consumed is not ridiculous.
　Considering that Marx is waiting in the wings, it's not a good idea to wear out here.

''Iori, you were able to use your magic even within this ward, right?''
...... Yeah. Not that many of them work, though.
So can you create ice?

　With those words, I understood Elfi's intentions.

'A nine-headed dragon (Hydra)?'
'Hmm. The number of heads is different, but it's very similar to that regenerative power and the number of heads.

　If they're similar, then it's possible that the same coping mechanisms could work, right?

'Good. Elfie, hold the woman and stand back.
You're on your own?
''It's nothing compared to a real nine-headed dragon (Hydra), you know.

　The worm begins to move.
　All eight heads shoot acid bullets at the same time.
　At the same time, it approaches furiously, dragging its torso.

''----''

　While evading the acid bullets, I thinned out into the worm.
　Not wanting to allow it to get too close, the worm moved its three heads simultaneously and attacked me from multiple directions.

　I ducked the first attack.
　It dodged the second attack and severed the third's head with the returning taijutsu.
　Green blood gushed out.

"Freezing attack."

　To the wound, he slammed his magic into it.
　In the blink of an eye, the wound froze, blood by blood.

"----

　The worm swings its head down to block my escape.
　But it's too late.
　It sneaks through the gap and drops its head as it passes by.
　At the same time, I don't forget to hit it with an ice-cold shot.

'...... Yahtzee,'

　The worm writhes, but its neck doesn't regenerate as it did earlier.
　This is because even if you try to regenerate it, the wound has been frozen.

''--!''

　Worm doesn't seem to understand why the wound doesn't heal.

"Once you know what to do, the rest is easy.

　I wonder if he instinctively understood his danger.
　He stiffened his body as if to warn us.
　Ignoring it, I slashed at the worm.

''--There are five left.''


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

　The worm, which has lost all its heads and is now only a torso, falls to the ground.
　Its torso quivered slightly, but there was no sign of it starting to move.

　Avoiding the worm's wreckage, we walked out of the room.
　As we pass through the door, the warding suddenly disappears.
　The room you just saw was the real deal, after all.

...... You've set up your wards very carefully.

　When I looked at the door I had entered, I saw that the outside wall was carved incessantly with magic.

'Shall we destroy it just in case?'

　He shook his head at Elfi's words.

'You shouldn't do that. If it's Liuzas, he could have planted it to explode the moment it's disarmed.'
"...... Mm. Oh, it's true." "Explosions are mixed in with the art of explosions.

　I knew it.
　The moment it interferes with the ritual, the trap is set.
　Well, it's all part of the kingdom's little ritual pause, isn't it?

I'm sorry, but you're the only one who'd fall for that, Liuzas.

　We leave the wards unattended and move on.
　Just to be sure, I walk around to be on the lookout for traps, but there are no traps.
　It looks like this place is just a passage.

　After advancing for a while, I find a heavily sealed room in the middle of the passage.
　I stop at the door that I let the ostentatious management of the door.
　You can use magic to release it and look inside, and what you find is a medicine cabinet.

Mugu, it smells like a nose job.

　Elfi held his nose and frowned.

'It looks like the room where they keep the ...... pills.

　The medicine cabinet is stocked with a myriad of illegal drugs.
　I found a few that I know of.
　There are a few drugs that I know of, including the Onion Claw that I used on Beltooga in the spa city.

...... Hmm....

　He grabbed a few pills from the shelf and closed them in the pouch.

'Hmm?　What are you going to use it for?
Yeah.

　"I laugh at Elfie as I pick up the God's Drop.

'I've got an idea,'