Come on, things are going to move. You just don't know when to interfere.

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


　The extreme light of the Demon Heaven Disappearance (Eclipse) engulfed Liuzas.
　It still didn't stop, and finally disappeared after breaking through the labyrinthine wall.
　The sensation of having squeezed all the magic power out of me made me fall to my knees.
　The mental image magic is unraveling.

''Haha ...... haha ......''

　It's done.
　You're done. I killed him.
　He was the second party member, after Dionis.

　I burned his body, poisoned him, and cut him down repeatedly with my sword.
　With the magic he used to fight me, that guy must have been in constant pain like hell.
　It wouldn't have been long before I didn't have to lay my hands on him due to the unworthy use of magic.

　But still.

"I killed him.

　I crushed everything he had in store for me and I killed him.
　I didn't let him get away with anything.
　I smashed everything, everything and anything he had in store for me.

"Kuhn ...... kuhn.

　--You're a real goof.

...... Hmm.

　--You can't even do that.

"Ha-ha-ha.

　--d*mn it, man.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha.

　--Let me help you.

　He's a hero, and he wants to be a hero.
　This kind of irony wouldn't be the case.

"Hahahahahaha!

　It's good to be alive. I feel great.
　I don't know when I've felt so good in my life.
　I'm so happy to be here.

　Because I am.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha ......

　It's so much fun, and I'm here.

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

　He cheated, used, betrayed and killed people.
　He was violent, abrupt, a scumbag.
　He betrayed me just so he could be honored for being a "hero."
　That's what I thought. And he was.

　I thought he lied about his sister, the one person he sometimes talked about in his travels, and I thought it was all a lie.
　To make me feel sorry for her and make it easier to take advantage of her.
　I don't know the facts.
　Maybe he really was just talking to take advantage of my sweetness.

　This guy's revenge is nothing more than a vendetta.
　He took the blame for my sister's death without my permission, expecting it, holding a grudge against me, and putting the blame for my sister's death without my permission.　
　I'm not sorry for being a good nuisance ....... It's the worst.

　That's why you betrayed me at the Demon King's Castle.
　It was nothing like Beltran, or Olivia, or Dionysus.
　They were just people consumed by lust.
　But whatever the reason, it doesn't change the fact that I was murdered.　

　I will not compromise my quest for vengeance.
　So I killed them.
　And that's the end of it.
　It's the end, supposed to be.

Iori.

　Elfi's words brought me back to my senses.
　I heard that the wounds that were inflicted by Ryusas had healed a lot.
　Before I knew it, Elfie was right next to me.

...... Are you okay now?
Yeah. I can stand and move around. I'm fine.

　The part that had been blown off had already begun to heal.
　It didn't seem to have regained its vision yet, though, and it was still closed in one eye.
　That, too, would heal soon.

'I see. Then let's find your body.
Iori.
We need to get a move on. Don't stay too long: ......

Iori.

　It was quiet, but hard to ignore.

"Sit down. We're going to take a break.
...... still not feeling well?
It's not me. You're the one who needs to rest.

　...... Me?

Just like when I killed that werewolf in Hot Springs City.

　Elfie put his hand on my cheek.

'You look ...... terrible,'
............ Right.

　...... Yeah, yeah, you're right.
　You know, I think I might have that look on my face.

"What do you care about that sorcerer?

　Putting a hand on my shoulder, Elfie sits me down on the ground.
　Then he asked quietly.

'I don't have an ounce of regret.
............
'No matter what the circumstances, it doesn't change the fact that he betrayed me. No matter what he said, I could never forgive him.

　I had to get revenge on that guy, no matter what.
　There's no doubt about it.

......, but for a second I thought about it. What if I could have saved his sister?

　If I had listened to Liuzas' pleas.
　If I'd been willing to fight a little sooner.
　I wondered if it would not have ended like that.

''--Don't get cocky, Iori.

　With a calm tone of voice, Elfie said that with a pizzazz.
　The scene that had been floating around in my brain fogged up at his words.

'You're not all-powerful. Neither am I.' There are things that are out of everyone's reach. It's called arrogance to feel responsible for that.'
...... I am.

　The words beyond that didn't come out of my mouth.
　The golden eyes with only one eye looked at me as if they could see through me.

'Thirty years ago, you didn't have the strength to fight like you do now. You would have been summoned to a strange world, and you would have been confused. No one can blame you for that. Iori didn't do anything wrong, you know.
...... I know.

　There was no way I could afford to help anyone at that time.
　Even if I had fought, I would have been killed in a daze.
　Ryusas's scream was a total recrimination.
　I was killed at the end of it, and there's nothing for me to worry about.

...... I know.

　Still, there's something I can't put into words.

　Everyone I've ever known has only betrayed me because of their own desires.
　He, Liuzas, is a bit different.
　He just wants revenge.
　...... I was the one who left his sister in the lurch.

Does that make you feel guilty?

　Quietly, Elfie asks.
　Really, he can see right through me.

"...... I don't know what that is,

　I couldn't answer Elfi's question this time.
　I don't know what this feeling is, I don't know what I'm feeling.

...... There are things that everyone can't do. That will always be the case. As for that man's sister, Iori is not to blame.

　Elfie piled on the words to me who didn't have an answer.

'...... but,'

　I reflexively tried to say something to my unrelieved emotions.

----

　Elfie put his hand on my head with a pop.
　Gently, softly, his fingers moved.
　It wasn't until a while later that I realized I was ...... being stroked.

'...... Iori is so sweet,'
Huh.
"Because of you, ...... I can still work with you like this.

　The former Demon King had a compassionate look on his face as he said that.
　His words, his expression, made me gasp.　　

''It's fine to care. But don't forget.''

　A familiar face with an unfamiliar expression on it.

It's not your fault.

　Elfi said.

　I felt like I was able to accept something I knew inside, but couldn't swallow.

　...... Oh.
　Really, I'm simple.

　...... I wonder how many times this guy can help me.

"How are you feeling?
...... It's all good now.

　It's not that I don't feel like it.
　I'm not in a pleasant mood.
　I still don't have an answer for my feelings.


　--Still, I can move on.

◆

　He drank the potions and restored his magic power.
　After drinking all the potions I had prepared, my magic power finally returned to about a third of what it was.
　My wounds have almost closed up, but I can't help but feel this fatigue.

''I wish I had some of the ...... labyrinthine core left.

　Unfortunately, the labyrinth core was used by Liuzas.
　I couldn't get my magic power back this time.
　Well, it's good to know the conditions for activating the mind-image magic.
　I can't help but think that ...... the desire to help is a condition.

　Then, I survey the room with Elfi.
　Near the entrance, the magic core of the thunder demon general who was killed by Ryuzas had fallen.
　It had been shattered in the aftermath of the battle, but I retrieved it just in case.

　The arm that Ryuzas had, my arm, had been erased without a trace.
　It would be funny to remain after eating that much magic.
　It was a complicated feeling, but now it was impossible to misuse that arm anymore.
　I was able to put an end to another past causality.

I found .......

　Suddenly, Elfie muttered to himself.

　Reaching into the empty space, Elfie clawed at the empty space.
　With a shattering sound, the seal that had been made invisible was lifted.
　Suddenly, something fell from the air with a blur.

''It's my body.''

　It was the torso of a woman covered by a black cloth.
　The bare skin peeking out of the cloth was covered with a black crest that was as taut as her limbs.
　As Elfi had told me, there were no limbs, but a cross-section of mixed red and white peeked out.
　From the clean cut surface, I could see that it had been cut off by the blade.
　This was what Lucifina had done, wasn't it?

　It had been sealed here for nearly thirty years now.
　Nevertheless, I could see that her skin was shiny and bloody.

'It's a pity it wasn't the heart.
...... It's going to be a pretty grotesque picture.

　It's still grotesque enough, though.

'Yay!'

　As he said this, Elfie pushed his torso against his own body.
　With a pop, the minute body fell to the floor and the real torso stuck to it instead.
　The black cloth disappeared and the dress covered the torso.
　The body of the minute that fell to the ground rolled around and just disappeared.
　...... Is there any way to do it a little more decently?

''Hmm ...... hmm ......''

　Elfie seemed to be flattening himself and checking his condition.
　He nodded widely after a moment to see if he was satisfied.

'How are you feeling?'
''...... so-so. With my torso back, my total magic power has returned to almost half of what it was at its peak. The healing speed is also much different than it was before.

　Even after we've recovered everything but the heart, we're still close to halfway there.
　It seems that the heart was a very important part of the body.
　No, it's a matter of course.

'Even so, the damage done by that sorcerer is too great. Getting my eyes blown out was especially painful.
Doesn't your sight come back yet?
I'm sorry. Only this one's eye can't even use its magic eye. But with his body back, he should recover fully in a few hours.

　Truly, the demon race has a very convenient body.
　It's going to take me a few days to get rid of my fatigue.

"Tsk.

　As I was feeling Elfi's bullshit again, he looked at me with a weird sound effect.

''Mm, you look good. Until just now, Iori looked like a drenched kobold (goblin).

　...... Was it that bad?

"Uh-huh.

　As if he read my inner thoughts, Elfi laughs with a nasty expression on his face.
　Normally, he's so mischievous, but at times like this, he gets his point across.

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

　Elfie said that I'm the reason we're working together.

　And so am I.
　The only reason we've been able to work together so far is because it was Elfie.
　...... I'm not going to tell you this because it's too annoying.

　The morning sun shines through a hole in the ceiling and a hole in the wall.
　The Abominable Light Labyrinth has lost its power and is now bright.
　On the way back, it looks like I can walk down the road easily without having to put in eye drops.

　It's time to go.
　It was when I was about to say so.

"Iori.
...... What's up?

　His silver hair, unraveled from the battle, glistened in the morning sun.
　As I squinted at the glare, I wondered at Elfi's somewhat reformed appearance.

'...... Now you would, I'm sure.'

　With a pretense of being somewhat troubled, Elfie opens his mouth as if he has made up his mind.

'...... Iori. I'm you and ----.

　The words were never spun.　
　The sunlight that had been shining in from above shaded.

'----.'
----!

　Immediately after, a shining what rained down from above us.
　Me and Elfie reflexively jumped back from the spot.
　Something that landed on the ground spread across the room as soon as it exploded.

"'Whirlwind'!"

　At the same time as the wind blew it away, the effect of something that had fallen down appeared.
The movement of the 'Proof of Valor' slowed down and the output of magic power weakened.
　The same thing seemed to be happening to Elfie from the way he frowned.

''Huh.''

　-- A voice came from above me.

"Hmm.

　It was a woman's voice.
　Gentle, gentle, and gentle, as if to sweetly melt the hearts of the listeners.

''Hmph, hmph, hahahahahaha!
'Oh, Mae-......'

　A large hole in the ceiling.
　From there, a woman was peering into the labyrinth.

　It was a half-elf.
　Her habitual blonde hair and silver eyes that gave her a gentle impression.
　The woman, dressed in a pure white dress, was shaking her shoulders in a funny and unbearable manner while elegantly suppressing her mouth.

　--Lucifina Emilior.

　Thirty years ago, we traveled together and the woman who betrayed me.
　The last party member.

'Hmmm, oh, I've seen some of the funniest things I've ever seen. I don't think I've seen anything this funny in thirty years.
Luci, Fina.
'Too much of a silly farce, phew, phew!　I couldn't help but cry.

　With tears in her silver eyes, Lucifina is giggling and sneering.
　It's just like the figure I saw thirty years ago.
　It's a very good thing that you can't hide the malice on your face, though it's gentle and kind .......

It was a great decision to miss Liuzas-san at the Demon King's Castle back then. I thought you were a silly person for a long time, but I didn't expect you to go this far.　A hero?　Pfft ...... I couldn't possibly be a stupid, childish, disgusting, pathetic person like Mr. Liuzas in the first place. Really, it makes me laugh.

　Apparently, they've been eavesdropping on us through the hole above us.
　I didn't notice it at all.

"Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm!

　Looking down at us, Lucifina is sneering to the point of tears as she looks down at us.
　I've never heard this guy's voice, this guy's words, so irritating.
　I can't help it, it's uncomfortable.

''Hey, Amatsu-san. Don't you think so?　Mr. Liuza--
Shut up.

　I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get away with it.
　The violent flames ejected from the air were extinguished before they could touch Lucifina.
　It's not long before she pulled out a large sword.

'From your conversation with Ryuzas-san, ...... you're Amatsu-san, right? I'm surprised you're still alive.

　I guess he knew I was an Amatsu.

...... I'm sure I killed him.

　The sneer disappears from Lucifina's face and is replaced by a look of contempt.
　It was a tone that was imbued with killing intent, malice, and a slight anger.

''It's been a while, Lucifina.
'It's been thirty years since I've seen you. When I heard you were brave, I was expecting to see what kind of person you were, but ...... I didn't think it was you again.
You couldn't kill yourself over there. I've come back to avenge your death.

　Lucifina's eyes narrowed and her mouth twisted in mockery.

'Well, you certainly can't die like that, can you? I still remember your face right before you died. I still remember your face just before you died. Hmm, it was very funny.

　Giggling, Lucifina's smile echoes through the labyrinth.

'And yet, ......'

　With a glimpse, Lucifina turned her gaze to Elfie.
　Elfi stared at Lucifina with one eye.

' ...... terrible, Amatsu-san. You were such a good friend to me, and after only thirty years, you've already found another woman ......?　I think I'm going to cry.

　With a hand over her eyes, Lucifina pretends to wipe away tears.
　Her mouth is distorted with malice.

'When it was just the two of us, you said something so adorable like 'I want you to call me Iori'!

　As she rambles on with her nonsense, Lucifina holds her breasts down and twirls around like a pretentious tragic heroine.
　She's shaking her dress and her acting out attitude.

Disgusting, half-elf.

　Faster than I can move, Elfi's magic eye is activated.
　Swinging the great sword down, Lucifina cuts off both sides of the ash bombs from the front.
　It seems that the power of the magic eye has been reduced after all due to the inability to use one eye.

''I don't like ...... it, Elfiszak-san. Are you jealous?''
"Did you come all the way down here to spout this crap?　Then that's enough. As a reward for entertaining me, I'll cut off those limbs.
...... You're a boring person.

　Lucifina turned her gaze towards me again.

''What's so good about someone like this, 'Iori'?''
...... Is that who you are?

　They get on our nerves at every turn.
　It's nauseatingly unpleasant.

'Well, I don't know. It's all an act, and secretly you might be really eager to create a happy world where everyone can laugh, don't you think?

　Lucifina cowers her shoulders in a frightened manner.
　She doesn't want to have a proper conversation.

'...... obnoxious. Now shut up.

　The battle with Ryusas is very draining.
　Unlike usual, it seems to be difficult to activate the mental image magic for a moment.
　In order to activate it properly, the conditions will have to be met.

　Elfi's wounds haven't fully healed either.
　We need to think of something to do.

'I'm uncomfortable, too. I enjoyed the comedy of Mr. Liuzas, the court clown, but the fact that Mr. Amatsu was still alive was the worst.

　Lucifina holds up a great sword.
　It's a sword with a mysterious shape that shines purple.
　The magic sword she used thirty years ago, a magic sword that can only be handled by the chosen one - the 'Tenri Sword'.

''Since it's ...... unpleasant,''

　...... what?
　Lucifina's attitude makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable.
　It's as if she's in a hurry to do something--.

''-- Please die again.''

　The 『Tenri Sword』 instantly jumped up the magic power of the wielder by several times.
　Raising its own magic power, Lucifina released it as a slash and lifted the great sword.

　Naturally, I won't let her shoot that kind of thing.

''--"Magic Skill Usurpation (Spel Dibaua)."
"Demon Eyes Ashburst."

　Faster than that, me and Elfie's magic burst forth.
　The magic technique usurpation suppressed the effect of the great sword for a moment, and Elfi shot the magic eye without addition or subtraction.
　Lucifina was swallowed by the explosion before she could deal with it.

'...... Joke of a woman,'
'It wasn't like that when we were traveling together.
...... Did you really have a proper trip?
I'm starting to lose confidence in myself, aren't I?

　Right now, Elfi's magic eye was definitely hitting.
　Even though its power was reduced, if that thing took a direct hit, it would be free--.

''--You can afford to be an afterthought.

　From behind me, Lucifina's voice.
　Suddenly, a presence appeared.
　And that's for two people (...).

"----

　Behind Lucifina, a demon tribe could be seen standing behind her.
　It's a dark green-haired woman dressed in military uniform.
　The horns, twisted like a goat, sprouted from the head.

　She swung down the 'Tenri Sword' with its magic power raised to the maximum.

''--"Demon Sealing (Il Ataraxia)!"

　Quickly, he deployed his shield.
　But this kind of thing won't prevent Lucifina's attack.
　It's only going to buy time.

"Elfi, use your magic legs to evade--

　I called out to him, but he didn't answer.

'Why, you're ......'

　Next to him, Elfie was in raptures.
　His eyes, which were wide open with astonishment plastered on his face, caught the dark green demon race.

''El--''

　A slash was unleashed.
　The Demon Sealer endured for just a moment.
　Immediately after, we were morosely hit by Lucifina's slash and blown backwards.

----

　The hole in the back was a large hole opened by the Eclipse.
　We were thrown out of the labyrinth.

　The cloudy sky fills our field of vision.
　Immediately after, with a floating sensation as if all of our internal organs were floating, we began a rapid fall towards the ground.

''Ugh, oh ......!''

　The sensation took my breath away.

　The Abominable Light Labyrinth is in the form of a tower.
　The topmost part is quite high.
　If you fall, you won't get a free ride.

　Just like me, Elfie was also falling towards the ground.
　I manage to catch her silver hair swaying on the edge of my vision.

''Iori!　Grab my hand!

　While shouting that, Elfie reaches out his hand.
　If it's demon legs, I can manage to fall from here.
　In the midst of my wavering vision, I somehow tried to grab Elfie's hand--and

You won't?
"--!

　From above his head, a great sword fell down.
　I managed to prevent it with my jade sword, but it knocked me down in one fell swoop.

　The next thing I knew, I saw Lucifina and the demon race above me.
　Again. Without any warning, they appeared in front of me.
　It's not in the dimension of high-speed travel or anything like that.

''......ck.''

　Elfie tries to activate his magic legs to save me from falling, but

...... The cage.
Nope.

　The moment the demon tribe chanted something, Elfi's body was trapped in a black cage.
　Wrapped in some kind of magic power granting item (magic item), Elfi's movements stopped.

''El--''
I don't want to be missed. Look at me.

　He tried to use the magic technique usurpation, but Lucifina wouldn't let him.
　In the air, our vision crossed.
　Lucifina lifted the 'Tenri Sword' while falling just like me.

...... Ah, it's still unpleasant for you to see.
"The hero...
Fall down and die.

　My mental image magic didn't arrive in time, and I was swallowed by the slash.
　I took a defensive stance, but there was no way I could prevent it, and I was struck with an impact that felt as if my whole body had been torn apart.
　My vision is disrupted and I fall rapidly.

'...... el, fi'

　In the midst of the fall, I caught sight of Elfi trapped in a cage far above my head.
　I can see Lucifina and the demon tribe grabbing Elfie's cage.

'----'

　Immediately after, the three of them disappeared from sight (...) in an instant.　
　I searched overhead, but I couldn't find even a shadow.
　And there is no time for me to worry about where the three of them disappeared to now.

''S-...''

　I couldn't even move my arms and legs.
　I was falling to the ground at a tremendous rate.