I made a promise.
　A sad, tender promise.
　Because he had sworn to keep it, no matter what.

　--he had to be a hero.

*

----

　I woke up with a ragged breath.
　I was sticky all over, sweating in a disgusting way.
　I felt like I was having an old dream.

　A feeling of habitual blonde residue lingering behind my eyelids.
　I rubbed my eyes lightly at the disgust that rose up.
　Picking myself up, I try to forget the lingering ache in the back of my head.

'Ngh.'

　In the bed next to me, Elfie was sleeping in the bed next to me, drinking and snoring.
　He's not sleeping well, and the blanket has been blown far away from his bed.
　He may be hungry, but the clicking of his teeth is noisy.

'...... totally.'

　Can't this guy just sleep a little more peacefully?
　Inwardly dumbfounded, I find myself smiling a little at Elfie.
　Before I knew it, the pain was gone.

　Today is the day that Michelle and the other orphans will be moved to an orphanage elsewhere.
　As soon as I got my revenge on Marx, I asked Leo for a few favors.
　One of them was to move Michelle and the others to a safe orphanage as soon as possible.

　Markus and his men were taken care of, but there was a chance that it would be just in case.
　It's not a good idea to keep Michelle and the others who know what's going on in this town any longer.
　It's a personal sentiment, but I don't want to involve the girls any more.
　There's also the whole thing with Ryusas.

　Right now, the orphans are probably being transported by the septic knights Leo has selected.
　They will have a good amount of bodyguards to ensure their safety.
　Ostensibly, George, Lily and Marx are still on the run.

　After Marx's incident, Liuzas hasn't shown up.
　I went out to look for him, but I couldn't find him.
　Perhaps they've already decided when to launch their attack.
　As long as we don't fulfill our conditions, there's no way they'll come out.

''That timing will probably be--''

　I'm assuming it will be after we stepped into the Abominable Light Labyrinth, or after we finished defeating it - I'm stepping on it.
　At the very least, they won't attack us while we're at our best.
　They should try to strike at a time when we're exhausted or when we're letting our guard down.

　Naturally, we have already prepared countermeasures for the attacks that he will make.
　In addition to preparing potions, I've also brought certain items from Marcus' mansion for countermeasures.
　The only thing left to do is to execute it.

'Hn...... muu'

　Elfie turned over with a rumble.
　The figure disappeared in that beat.
　It must have fallen under the bed.

'Ugh.'

　I could hear him groaning from under the bed.
　I thought he was awake, but soon I heard him snoring again.
　Elfie still doesn't look like he's going to get up.

　I prepared myself as best I could.
　We've got Liuzas, who can use lost magic, and the kingdom's elite Selectors.
　Even considering the abilities of both of them, we have a chance to win.
　Elfie, who has regained his arms and legs, and me, who can use psychic magic.
　I'm sure that even if we are caught by surprise, it should be possible to deal with the situation sufficiently and make them pay back.

　As long as there are no irregularities.


◆

　Tapping.
　The sound of three footsteps echoed in the dimly lit corridor.

''-- Are you sure it's safe for three people to leave?　The rain is all that's left of us.

　A low male voice echoes softly down the hallway.
　He has inverted blue hair and three sullen-looking white eyes. Sharp, wolf-like fangs peek out of a small open mouth.
　The man who carries a naginata, which is as big as an adult's height, is the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's Army, "Skewed".

''I don't mind. I'm sure you'll be able to find no better security than the fact that she's there.

　"Distorted" is answered by a crisp and interesting female voice.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it. You can see that there is not a single wrinkle in the military uniform she wears, and you can see how meticulous the woman is.
　The name of the woman with two short horns twisted like a goat is Gracia Levatain.
　She is one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's Army and has the title of 'Vanishing'.

Oh, I see. And where is the rain?　I haven't seen you off, and I haven't seen you since this morning.
...... Come on. I didn't see it.

　The two of them were wondering about the whereabouts of "Rain" Lefise Gregoria, the Fourth Heavenly King of the Demon King's Army and Acting Demon King.

'-she's been stuck in the bathroom with a stomach bug since this morning, isn't she?

　A sweet, brain-melting voice entered the conversation.
　The owner of the voice chuckled, poor thing.

　The owner of the voice, walking at the back of the hallway, was a half-elf woman.
　She is dressed in a pure white dress that gives off a sense of purity as she sways her habitual blonde hair and steps merrily along.
　Her large silver eyes give an impression of serenity, and her small lips are filled with a gentle smile. She has a well-groomed face that even the same s*x would look back at her if they saw her on the street.
　Her name is Lucifina Emiliole, who boasts a beauty so goddess-like that you might believe it if you were to call her the embodiment of the "Holy Light God" Melt.
　It's the fourth heavenly king of the demon king's army, who holds the title of "Tenpaku".

"Mm, not again.
'Oh?　What's wrong with him?
I've heard that when you're stressed, you get an upset stomach, right?
Hmm.

　The three of them talk about it as if it's someone else's fault, but they are half the reason for it.
　If Lefise had been here, she would have shouted, "It's your fault, though.

'Then, well. It can't be helped.

　When they passed through the long corridor, they found themselves in the open air.　
　The three of them stepped out of the Demon King's Castle and looked down at the scene spreading out in front of them.

　A large number of demons were waiting there.
　The screams of raging beasts and the piercing screams of dragons were roaring.
　And apart from that line, there was a line of demons.
　Some have wings sprouting from their backs, others have horns sprouting from their heads, and so on.

''Well then. --Then we'll go hunting for the heroes and former demon king who are avenging the demon king's army.

　The roar of the inhuman ones resounded under the sky covered with dark clouds.

◆

Is it true that the hero, Iori Amatsuki, is heading to the Abominable Light Labyrinth?

　A nervous-looking man in the robes of a selectman makes a quizzical noise.
　The man's name is Harold Ravens.
　It's a sorcerer who serves as the "first seat" for the selectors of the kingdom's elite troops.

Oh, there's no doubt about it. I've been keeping an eye on them just like you asked, and they're getting ready to head into the labyrinth.

　A man with a hoarse voice answered as Harold glared at him.
　A man in his fifties with dusky red hair pulled back all the way. His dark red eyes showed the fierceness of a hungry beast.
　The man wearing the black robes given to court magicians, his name is Leuzas Gilburn.
　He was once known as the "Great Magician" who fought alongside the heroes against the Demon King and was even called the strongest magician in the world.

And from the way they've been walking so far, it's clear that they're going around defeating the labyrinth.
Oh, I see. Now, Master Liuzas, you will continue to keep an eye on those two men.
...... Yeah.

　I'm not going to be able to get it right.
　I'm not going to be the only one who can do this.
　The current kingdom is supported by its selectors.
　With this pride, Harold looks down on Liuzas and gives him unilateral orders.
　Perhaps embarrassed by his own failure, Liuzas obeyed it quietly.

''Huh.''

　Smiling with satisfaction as he looked at Ryuzas returning to his surveillance, Harold turned to the other selectors.

''Amagatsuki Iori is a hero, yet she has abandoned her role. He betrayed the kingdom, stole the national treasure, and even worked with the demon race. That man is no longer worthy of being a brave man.

　Flapping his robe, Harold declares.

'Therefore!　Our selectors will pass judgment on Tenzetsu Iori--!

　Tenzetsu Iori would soon learn the truth.
　The horror of having the kingdom as an enemy. The folly of abandoning that role.
　You will regret being left out of our selection and go to hell.

"Now, the end is near.

　Then Harold laughed.

　And.

'--oh.'

　Liuza agrees with him behind his back.

'- I'll end it. All of it.

　Each with their own agenda.
　With every second, the time was getting closer.