--On the battlefield, humans and demons alike were frozen in place as if time had stopped.

　Until a few moments ago, the battlefield was a place where magic was blowing, blades were crossing, and blood flowers were blooming madly.
　Now, it had changed dramatically.
　On the front lines of the battlefield, destruction was being scattered as if a localized storm had occurred.

''Wow!''

　An unintelligent demon tried to enter the storm, and it instantly turned into a blood mist.
　The demons that have been standing there will be shattered by the aftermath of the destruction.
　People and demons alike fled to avoid being consumed by the storm and watched the battle like a disaster in a daze.

''Ola-la-la-la-la-la-la!''

　In the center of the storm, "Distorted" Volk roared.
　He handled the two-handed naginata as if it were a part of his body at will, wielding a blade loaded with magic power.

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

　While shaking her blood-soaked black hair, Iori used her 'Jade Tathagata' to repel the continuous blows.
　The slashes that were struck flowed backwards, and the demon that was watching the scene was caught in the middle.
　The Volk's rigid sword, which shatters even the robust scales of the dragon species, was slipped by Iori's soft sword and had not yet been snatched by it.

''----''

　Iori parries the attack by the naginata and fires a return move at Volk.
　A precise strike, as if between breaths.
　At the same time that Volk was blinded by the overwhelming speed of the sword, Iori had finished swinging his sword.

''Tsk. ...... That's dangerous.

　Volk's mouth twisted into a grin as he dripped sweat.
　The blade that should have sliced through Volk for sure had cut through the sky again.
　Volk still remains unharmed.

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

　Iori's eyes narrowed at the strange sensation as if the blade she swung at suddenly turned in a different direction.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

''Ola-yoo!''

　Iori's blade approaches him from up and down, left and right, from every direction.
　I'm sure you'll find a lot of people who have been in the market for a while now who have been in the marketplace for a long time.
　The ground cracks as the battlefield shakes with every blade that crosses it.

''What is that ...... thing?''
Is it really a human fighting the Four Heavenly Kings ......?

　The knights who were watching the battle situation couldn't help but murmur at Iori's movements, which were so inhuman.
　It's no wonder.
　Iori's strike has caused dozens of demons to get caught up in it and be blown away.

''That somewhere, that guy is pushing the Four Heavenly Kings: ......

　Ahead of the knights' gaze, Volk, who had crossed blades with Iori, was forced backwards many meters, losing power.

''Ku...... oooh. Hey, hey ...... what kind of power is that, dude?

　Immediately reversing, Volk moves to counterattack.
　To prevent him from realizing the trajectory of the attack, he spins his naginata around and then strikes a blow from a left angle.
　Without changing a single color, Iori reads the trajectory of the attack and moves to deal with it.

''----''

　Instantly, the trajectory of the naginata was distorted in a gnarly manner.
　The attack changed from a slant to the left, to a sideways cleave.
　Iori dropped backwards with an inhuman leaping force and avoided the attack from an impossible trajectory.

'...... I see.'

　Iori quietly opened her mouth while annihilating the demon that attacked her as soon as she landed without even a glance.

''Is that your 'mental image magic'?''
Great answer.

　Iori who guessed the ability, Volk whistled in a good mood.

It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with them. It's a good idea to be able to bend the space with a gnarled, gnarled, and bent.

　Imaginary magic is the art of giving form to the human mind.
　In Volk's case, it manifests itself in the form of "distortion.
　No matter how heavy the attack is, it deflects the attack by "bending" its trajectory.
　The reason why no attack has ever come close to hitting him is because of the power of psychic magic.

You can find it at ....... Now that you know the story, what do you want to do?

　Volk has absolute confidence in his own mental image.
　Even if his true identity is discovered, this distortion cannot be broken.
　While toying with his naginata, Volk provokes Iori with a relaxed attitude - but

''--Whoa!''

　Immediately afterwards, I was greatly upset by Iori's blade that was approaching in front of me.
　With an impatient look on her face, she managed to avoid the blade.
　The reason is because the attack has broken through the space that was supposed to be "distorted" and is approaching.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

"What does ...... mean?
'I watched you fight from the air. In the course of the battle, you defended your opponent's attacks directly with your cleave.
!

　Those words startled Volk in a double sense.
　The fact that they were able to see us from that distance, and that they had detected the weakness of the distortion.
　And that he could see through the weakness of the distortion.

"So I guessed. I'm sure you're not going to be able to catch an attack with a certain amount of power or magic power.
----
Looks like I'm on to something.
"Ugh.

　Without showing any emotion at all, Iori coldly said.

''Then all you have to do is slash with your magic.

　From there, Iori's attacks intensified.
　The amount of magic power that covers the blade jumped up and down, up and down, left, right, left, right and diagonal, the attacks came from all directions, almost simultaneously.
　There is a lot of magical power in each of these blows that can break through the distortions.

"Really?

　Just put enough magic into it to break the distortions.
　It's a simple, but solid coping strategy.
　As Iori said, too powerful an attack cannot be passed off with distortion.
　Even the slash that Leo unleashed was not able to be dealt with by the distortions, so he received it with his naginata.

　However, the only attacks that can break through Volk's distortions are those of advanced magic or higher that specialize in firepower.
　It's not the kind of power that a human being can unleash with impunity.
　Even Leo, who can use psychic magic, couldn't break through the distortion without a full blown blow.

'Hey, hey, hey, hey!　What kind of kid is that?!

　Feeling sweat gush out of his entire body, Volk desperately blocked Iori's attack.
　It's not dependent on distortion for its fighting power.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you're in the market.

This is the hero ......!　Isn't that seriously at the monster level!

　--and he was left defending himself against Iori's attack.

　The jade sword flashes flashed.
　To an ordinary person, it would appear as if countless lights were swimming in the air.
　Volk was doing his best to receive such a sword strike.
　However, every time Iori's arms blurred, the flesh of her entire body began to chip away a little more.

''Help Volk-sama--''

　The demon tribe, who had been watching the battle, tries to move to help Volk, who is being hunted down.

''Gap!''

　It had turned into a lump of meat at that moment.
　Even while cornering Volk, Iori still had room to let the slash fly.

''Tell me where Elfiszak is. If you don't interfere, I won't kill you.''
...... haha. I love a guy like you, after all.
----

　In response to the warning, Volk still smiled wryly.
　Iori's vision distorted greatly in comparison to the previous one.
　Wary of the movement of magic power of different quality, Iori jumped backwards in a big way.

...... Your precious friends are the ones you want to protect even at the risk of your life, right?

　Volk readies his cleaver.

''--and so do I,''

　An enormous amount of magical power concentrates around Volk.
　With Iori's twisted vision, only Volk maintains a normal shape.

''----''

　Around the protruding naginata, magic power began to rotate at high speed.
　The rotation twisted through space, creating a throbbing black space.
　I could see the rolled up grass being swallowed up and disappearing without a trace.

''-- Let's go!''

　Iori realized that the blackness was the result of the twisting of space.
　The blackness was the result of the twisting of space.
　I don't understand the principle, but that is the secret of the mental image that Volk had arrived at.


"Bending but unbreakable, I proclaim the sword (Vane)


　The emptiness twisted and turned.
　Spinning like a tornado, it began to thrust towards Iori like a spear point.
　The grassland touched by emptiness is scraped away and disappears in the blink of an eye.

''We don't have time to stand around like this ......

　Letting out a short burst of frustration, Iori raised her hand to the front.

""Demon Sealing (Il Ataraxia)."

　A huge shield appeared and received the [Bend but do not break, I claim the sword] from the front.
　A violent shudder ran through the Great Sacred Gate, and the impact shook even Schmelz.
　Both the knights and demons could only cling to the ground to avoid being blown away.

　Catching the emptiness is a shield that catches, shaves, and seals all attacks.
　The power is killed and the momentum of emptiness is diminishing.
　But the shield wasn't safe either.
　It cracks wide open and gradually begins to disintegrate.

　--eventually.

　The shield collapsed, and the emptiness that barely had any power left pierced through it.
　The entire space Iori was standing in disappeared, leaving a large hole in the ground.

　He finished it off.
　It only took a moment for Volk to think that.

''Nah--''

　A shadow cast a shadow and Iori's figure spread across his vision as he looked up above him.
　She hid her own figure with her shield and came right in front of Volk with a huge leap.
　Reflexively, Volk took a defensive stance with his naginata.

''-- Demon Sword, Shattering Impulse.''
''Gah, gah!''

　The moment the attack was received, a tremendous impact was sent to both of Volk's arms.
　This technique was familiar.
　It was a technique that Dionis had used before.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on.

''.......''

　Then, he got a blade to his neck.
　It's a total dead end.

"You're a tough guy .......

　Clenching his teeth at the humiliation of being ducked from a killing blow he had absolute confidence in, Volk sends words of praise as he squeezes them out.　

'I'll ask you one last time. Where is Elfiszak?''

　Volk couldn't help but loosen his cheeks at Iori's question.
　It was because he knew that if he answered honestly and didn't interfere, Iori would really miss him.
　The gap between the fearless expression of an evil demon and the gentleness visible in his words and actions was somewhat funny.

　However, he also understood that if he didn't answer, he would be mercilessly beheaded.
　He is kind, but not sweet.
　This man is also cold-hearted, mercilessly cutting down anything that gets in his way.

...... I lose.

　Some would say, 'I'd rather die than speak' in these circumstances.
　Volk thinks that's an admirable aspiration, with high pride and a strong will.
　But that is not the case for me.
　I would rather bend than break.　
　You can't die here in order to protect your precious family members (...).

"Elfiszak--

　That's when I was about to mention the former Demon King's whereabouts.

...... sorry.
----
Time is up.

　A chill ran through Iori's body.
　Immediately after leaping according to the premonition, a blade pierced the place where Iori had been standing just now.

''Do you want to duck the ...... that one?''
Well, I'm a brave man, even if I'm rotten.

　Before I knew it, two shadows had appeared on the battlefield.
　The demon race with green hair and twisted horns, the "Vanishing" Gracia Levatain, and the blonde half-elf, Lucifina Emilior, the "Tenpaku".
　And then there was the blonde half-elf, Lucifina Emilior, the "Heaven Piercing".

　Both of them were bleeding from every part of their bodies and their clothes were dirty.
　Iori immediately realized who they had fought against and the result of that.

''Hey, what happened to that guy!
Kuss. You're so pissed off, don't you still love that guy, Amatsu-san?
Oh, I used to go to ......

To the irritated Iori, Lucifina, who had a mocking smile on her face, coldly tells her.

''--I killed it, right?

　Instantly, a killing spirit erupted from Iori.
　The horror of it made even the less intelligent demons begin to flee from the spot in instinctive fear.
　Even though he was fighting Volk, there was still no such killing spirit as this one.

''.......''
----

　Even Volk and Gracia gasped at too much of a kill.
　The only one who hasn't moved is Lucifina with a thin smile on her face.

''Don't be so angry. It's okay.''
...... what.
'Because you can go to your side too. Elfiszak and I were in the underworld ......, oh yeah, that's right!　You can't very well go to the underworld if you die in such a miserable way. Ufu, I'm sorry.


　The moment Iori stepped out in a furious moment.

"--

　With a gulp, the power left Iori's body.
　The mental image magic disappeared, and all the magic power Iori was wearing disappeared.
　And that was a fatal gap.

''Tenri sword.''

　Lucifina lifted the great sword, which shone purple.
　The magic power was amplified and a purple light pierced the heavens.

''Don't feel bad, hero. Irregulars like you must be taken care of before Ortegia-sama wakes up.''

　At the same time, Gracia also focused her magic power on her arm.
　A high-pitched sound resounded, and the magic power condensed into a wand-like shape in her hands.

''This time, it's really goodbye.''

　Lucifina swung her Tenri sword down.

"--"Dance (Reva), struggle (Tain).

　At the same time, Gracia waved her magic wand down.

''----''

　The sound faded from the world.
　Two exquisite techniques swallowed Iori, who was not moving slightly.
　A blinding light illuminates the battlefield in every corner.
　When the light disappeared, Iori's body, which was beyond that point, did not retain its original form.
　The pieces of flesh that were barely left were lying on the grass field without a trace.

''You made sure you got him this time.

　Gracia nodded as she checked Iori's piece of meat.
　There was no way to escape from that distance, and the residue of magic power felt from this piece of meat was also Iori's.
　Without a doubt, that man is dead.

''Huh. I should have told you. That a persistent man would be hated.''

　Lucifina laughs as she takes a grizzled step on a piece of rolled meat.

'I've always hated you, even if you weren't persistent. You really held up this boring ideal of world peace and interrupted me many times. Ever since the first time we met, and ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever since.

　With a look of even madness on her face, Lucifina stomps on the pieces of flesh over and over again.
　A squishy sound resounds and blood seeps into the ground.

' ...... But because you're like that, I was able to enjoy it.

　When I said that, I scooped up the crushed chunk of meat and Lucifina looked at it lovingly.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it look pretty when it becomes a lump of meat like this. I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say about it. Hmmmmm.

　With her whole body trembling, her stomach, and even tears, Lucifina sneered.

''Haha, you're getting excited ....... Huh, hey, isn't it?　Uh-huh!

　Heartily amused, blah, blah, blah, blah.

...... I'll leave you in charge afterwards. I've got some work to do.

　Gracia took one look at Lucifina with an indescribable expression on her face and then disappeared somewhere else, leaving Volk to say so.

'...... tch.'

　They're all selfish, Volk couldn't help but click his tongue.

'...... out of their minds.'

　I had to say that when I saw Lucifina, who was flailing around with a piece of meat in her hand.
　Even though he was an enemy, that brave man was an opponent to be respected.
　Volk couldn't understand Lucifina who trampled on that and ridiculed him.
　He felt it even during Dionis, but how on earth can he live so ugly?
　He removes his gaze from Lucifina's words and actions, which are difficult to understand, and flies instructions to his subordinate who comes closer.

''-- Withdraw.

　Under Volk's command, the Demon King's army began its retreat.
　Thus, the battle that took place in Schmelz ended.
　This battle triggered the war between demons and humans to accelerate to the end.


◆

　From the top of the hill, far from Schmelz, I could clearly see the marks carved by the battle.
　The grass was scattered, the earth was cracked, and it looked awful, as if a giant beast had gone on a rampage.

Hmmm," I said. Look, I was right, Elfiszak was there, right?

　Looking down at the scene, the pink-haired girl muttered to herself with pride.
　She was dressed roughly in a black tube top, gray skirt, long knee-length boots and knee socks that covered her thighs.

'...... yeah. Sure, there was.

　A dark-haired woman stood in the corner of the pink-haired girl's eye.
　The woman was dressed in a loose-fitting, kimono-like garment.
　Glaring at the battlefield ruins with her reddish-black eyes, the woman nodded, shaking her back-length black hair.

'It's too late for ....... I couldn't help. I knew I should have called out to them in the city. ...... useless.
"You're so merciless with me, aren't you?

　The pink-haired girl, who had been puffing out her chest in a good mood, exclaims in frustration at the woman's half-hearted muttering.
　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with them.
　Unable to watch such a trivial exchange, I (.) opened my mouth.

''-- So, who are you guys?''

　I stared at the two women as I sat on a rock.

　Just before I slashed at Lucifina.
　I had been interfered with by these guys and suddenly transferred to this place.
　What was blown up by those two was an elaborate doll that was made to look like me, no matter how it was made.

　According to the pink-haired girl, "It wasn't a good idea to fight like that, so I had to intervene.
　It seems to be a decision made after seeing me rush in without considering the level of wear and tear as my blood climbs to my head.
　It's true that I wasn't calm at the time, as I couldn't stand Lucifina's words and actions.

"...... n. I'll explain,

　At my words, they turned to me.
　A woman with black hair - no.
　The black flame dragon (・・・・・・・・・・), which has been transformed into a human form by some kind of magic (・・・・・・・・・・), opens its mouth.

　I was knocked down to the ground from the Abominable Light Labyrinth by Lucifina's slash.
　Just before I was knocked to the ground, I was saved by the Black Flame Dragon that suddenly appeared.
　That's this black-haired woman in front of me.　
　I'm watching with my own eyes as she uses her magic to become human.

I can't blame ...... for this situation.

　After muttering something and pretending to be convinced, the Black Flame Dragon called out his name.

''--I am Verdia. Master ...... Elfiszak-sama's pet.

　It was a name that sounded familiar.
　Berdia - it was the name of the Black Flame Dragon (Carth Dragon) that Elfi had.
　I don't think this guy is lying, as I've actually seen him change from black flame dragon to human form.
　This guy apparently escaped from Ortegia and survived.

　Berdia continued to speak in a flat, emotionless voice.

''...... the brave man of this generation. Please help me to rescue my master.''
"I'm gonna get Elfie out of there." ......?
...... so. The master is still alive.

　Berdia said with a look of conviction on her face.

'How do you know,'
He's not someone who is ...... going to die. Besides, I saw Gracia ...... taken away by the Four Heavenly Kings.

　He's certainly not an easy guy to kill.

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

　Lucifina said she killed him, but ...... maybe that was a lie.
　To provoke and taunt me.

Why did you call out to me ......?　If you wanted to help them, you should have gone ahead and helped them.
...... I can't help my master on my own. I need your help.
"Who didn't you talk to in town?
I didn't understand the ...... situation. I was surprised to find myself working with a human.

　...... There are too many points that I don't understand.
　I can't find any inconsistencies, but I can't trust it, not very much.

'...... please. I need your help.

　With that, Verdia takes a step closer.

'...... stop.'

　He drew his jade sword and directed his killing intent towards Berdia and the pink-haired girl.

''Hee.''

　The pink-haired girl pretended to be frightened and hid behind Berdia.
　Immediately, though, she was pushed out of the way, and pushed away.

'I appreciate your help. But I can't trust you guys.

　It may be true that he wants to help Elfie.
　But that's not a reason to trust him.
　It's because he might be trying to use me for something else by offering to help me.

'...... Why. Because I'm a dragon?
I don't care. I don't care if it's a human, demon or dragon. I can't be in business with someone I don't trust.

　I don't know when they will betray me, because I don't know when they will betray me.
　Unless you can find out if they can be trusted, you can't bypass them.

...... Irrelevant. Yes.

　Berdia caught my killing intent head-on and started staring at me in silence.
　I can't read what she's thinking from her expression.

'Untrustworthy, huh? Well, you're right.

　As if to break the silence between me and Berdia, a pink-haired girl came forward in a huff.
　This woman looks familiar.
　That's another reason why I don't trust her.

'...... You're the girl I bumped into in Schmelz, aren't you?'

　We met him not long ago, just before the city was attacked by the Winged Dragon (Wyvern).
　Since he was working with Berdia, it seems that he wasn't just a human after all.

''That's right. Totally, it was painful!　What would you have done if my innocent body had been hurt?
...... So. Do you want to help Elfiszak too?

　The tone and sound of his voice is different, but this guy's words and actions remind me of Elfi somehow.
　The out-of-place words and actions are irritating now.
　I ignore the teasing and pose a question.

'A little different, I suppose. I certainly want to help Elfiszak, but my goal is beyond that.

　With a small shake of her head, the girl replied.

''-- I want to kill Ortegia.

　The girl's peach-colored eyes narrowed and a thin smile appeared on her face.
　A faint hint of hatred peeked out of those twin eyes.

''How could that possibly help me and Elfie?
'I'm sure Elphiszak will end up killing Ortegia. I want Elphiszak to win and Ortegia to die.

　Unlike Berdia, this girl is very expressive.
　Even in the midst of conversation, her expression is changing from one to the next.
　And yet, I couldn't see through it to see the true intention.
　I'm not sure if I'm telling a lie or telling the truth, but I can't read it.

'Hey, hey. Don't look at me with such a scary look on your face,

　With a panicked wave of my hand, the girl backed away.
　She bumps into Verdia behind me and pushes back, "...... get out of the way," and comes back in front of me.
　The flailing girl doesn't give off the vibe of a strongman, like I feel from Elfie, the Four Heavenly Kings, and others.
　The way she turns her attention and the way she uses her body is amateurish.　
　That's why this unobtainable feeling is unpleasant.

''Ah, yes.''

　The girl held up a finger as if the silence was unbearable.

'I'm sorry it's too late to do what I did.

　The girl proudly announced her name, beating out her chest.

'My name is Idler!　With awe and respect, I think I'd like it to be an aye and a girl!

　Idler.
　It was a name I'd never heard before.
　Unlike Berdia, it didn't seem to be Elfie's man either.

'Well, this just doesn't feel right, does it?

　Idler nodded.

"...... I hope you think I'm adding this as a sign of my sincerity to you.
...... what?
You'll probably be more careful of me if I say this to you.

　Idler is still smiling.

'I'm sure you've heard of this one (・・・・・・) before...'

　However, that quality has changed.


They call me 'The Grim Reaper'.


　Idler said with a penetrating smile, as if peering into the depths of this one.