The setting sun shone through the trees and dyed the ground a deep red.
　Relying on this light, we continue on our precarious footing without stopping.
　We are still far from our destination, so we have to get out of this forest for now.

　Our direction is southwest.
　From the Churchland in the eastern part of the continent, we will proceed southwest towards the Empire, and along the way we will reach the center of the Latesia continent.
　The central part - that is, we were now walking towards the direction of the Demon King's Castle.

　Two days had passed since the battle with Ryusas and the Four Heavenly Kings.
　The wounds have already healed and the magic power that had been consumed has recovered.
　Since I had experienced many times these unstable paths of footholds during my time as a hero, my speed of progress was reasonably fast.
　To the extent that a person with no experience would probably not be able to keep up with me.

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

　There was someone who followed my steps silently and perfectly.
　It's a dark-haired woman dressed in a large kimono-like garment.
　She is standing alongside me without panting, swinging her back-length black hair like a tail.

　This woman's name is Verdia.
　It takes the form of a human, but this guy is not a human.
　It's a black flame dragon (karth dragon) that uses magic to disguise itself as a human - a demon.

　He calls Elfi, the former demon king, his master, and calls himself that guy's pet.
　There are no discrepancies between the two stories, and it's safe to assume that it's the real Berdia.

...... The demon swarm is coming.

　In the midst of these thoughts, Verdia unexpectedly opened her mouth.
　A few seconds later, just as she said, the wolf-shaped demons appeared in a pack.
Since entering this forest, Verdia had guessed the demons' approach several times.

''The dragon species' sense of smell is quintessential.

　According to Berdia, it seems that they can tell the approach of a demon by its smell.　
　Not only dragon-types, but demons have a high sense of sight and smell.
　It seems that this doesn't change even if it takes human form.

''...... Hmph.''

　At this one's words, Verdia sniffs somewhat proudly.
　Because of her expressionlessness, her face and movements don't engage with each other, though it's somewhat eerie.
　Perhaps she is imitating Elfi.

''A-o-on!''

　The wolves, who had been breathing wildly in front of their prey, started to move with the cry of an individual who looked like a leader.
　As if to block this one's escape, they split up into two hands, bared their fangs and started running.
　Under the movement of such demons, Verdia stepped forward with an expressionless face.
　And when she widens her small mouth as best she can--.

''Oooh-ooh-ooh ----!''

　The roar of the dragon species was slammed into the approaching wolves.
　The wolves screamed and rolled on the ground at the cry that even had mass.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make your life easier.

'...... big deal.'

　...... The roar of the dragon species.
　A shout with intimidating capabilities, equivalent to the "Demon God's Majesty" used by the higher level demon race.
　I've been attacked by demons many times since I entered the forest, but all of them were repelled by Verdia's roar.
　If he was not good enough to deal with every single one of them, Verdia would be more skilled at dealing with demons than Elfie, who was dealing with every single one of them. ......

It's handy because if you ...... shout loudly, people will run away. It's a bit sad.

　Sad ......?

'But the master wasn't afraid of him. Instead, he said it was cute. So I like it.
...... Right.

　The sunset that was coming through the trees had become completely unreliable.

'...... The sun will be going down soon. We'll camp here today.

　I want to make a base and get up before it gets completely dark.

...... All right. I'll help.
Yeah.

　It was only a few minutes after he and Berdia had begun to prepare for the encampment.

'Oi ......!

　I heard such a faint voice from behind me.
　The owner of the voice slowly, taking his time to get a little closer to us.
　Eventually, we saw a sweaty girl who was breathing hard.
　When the girl sees us, she runs up to us for the last time.

　Gasping for breath, she tidies up her messy pink hair for a dozen seconds.
　Finally, the girl opens her mouth.

'Hah ...... hah ......!　You're both ...... too fast!　You need to work on my weaknesses a little!"?

　The name of the girl who cries out in exasperation is Idler.　
　"It's the demon race that calls itself the Grim Reaper.

...... you're just too slow.
It's not your fault you were running around in a huff to begin with.
Guguugu ...... Yeah, but come on!

　When they first entered the forest, the idlers were like, "Hee Haw! He was running around shouting and screaming.
　It lasted for the first five minutes, though, and I was out of breath the rest of the time.
　The sight of this woman who was flailing about somehow put on that guy and made my heart buzz with excitement.

'I don't care about ......, just help me get ready.'
Guh. ....... All right. I'm going to set up a perimeter.

　The idler was discouraged by Berdia's caustic words, and the idler toddled off.
　'I'm not sure what's going on with these guys,' he said.　

'...... well good. Let's get started.

　We took out cloths, pots and pans and other tools from the porch and proceeded to prepare for the encampment.
　It was a good thing Elfie and I had spread out our packs.
　Most of the food was in that guy's head, but we stashed a few days' worth of food in the pouch, just in case.
　Today I decided to cook with pork, vegetables, cheese and red wine that I had stocked up on in my country of origin.

　I fry the chopped onions, potatoes and pork with salt and pepper and red wine, seasoning them.
　Then I put them in a pot and threw in the water and the tomatoes, cut into pieces.
　Boil for a while, adjusting the seasoning with salt and pepper.
　Finally, sprinkle cheese on top and it's done.
　The pork and vegetable tomato soup is simmering in the pot.
　This and barley bread are my dinner for today.

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

　After I finished preparing the meal, I suddenly realized.
　I couldn't help but make it for a few people, just as I treat Elfi.
　I'm sure they have at least a few meals to prepare, and I have no reason to make them for them in the first place.

...... Juri.
............

　I could see Verdia, who had smelled the smell and was getting ready, sipping on her drool.

'...... it, Iori eats all of it ......?'
There's enough for everyone at .......

　I let out a sigh to Berdia, who asks with a greedy look on her face.
　As expected, I can't eat it all by myself, so it's not a problem to share it.
　We decided it was time to eat when the idler who had finished warding off came back.

　He poured the soup into a bowl and handed it to them along with a spoon.
　Berdia sips her drool again and stares at the contents of the bowl.

'Are you going to share it with us?'

　Idler asked with a curious look on his face as he accepted the vessel.

'I've made too much of it,'
Oh, ha-ha. Now it's time to pay tribute to the lovely me, isn't it?
...... You don't have to eat anything else, though?
I'm going to take it, I'm going to take it, I'm going to take it!

　Idler hurriedly put his mouth on the soup, but he had a cat's tongue or something. he exclaimed, "Hot!" with tears in his eyes.
　Sticking her tongue out, she blew on the soup to cool it down.

　Ignoring such idlers, Berdia is silently sipping the soup.
　Her expression is expressionless, but she seems somewhat happy.
　However, the barley bread he gave her was eaten with a bitter face.
　It's hard and crumbly.

You can dip the bread in ...... soup and eat it too.
.......

　It softens, and the soup-soaked barley bread is surprisingly good.
　Even Elfie seemed happy to dip it in the soup when I told him.

...... delicious.

　After a while, Verdia spilled out her thoughts with a pout.
　Her long black hair buzzed around as if to show her emotions.
　She doubted if the dragon species could eat this dish, but apparently she liked it.
　Since it is in human form, is its taste buds closer to humans?

I'd love for Master to have some.

　He seemed to appreciate it a lot, and Verdia muttered something like that as she got another drink.

'I've made it to ...... Elfie before,'

　I remember him rejoicing in the delicious, delicious taste, and then he flattened out my portion.
　Berdia looked up as if an idea had suddenly occurred to her to fill her bowl with a third cup.　
　His eyes sparkled as if to say he had a good idea.

'Yes, Iori. You can be your master's cook. I think cooking for three meals and polishing your nails will be enough for you. ......!
...... decline.
......!

　Berdia looks astonished that she doesn't understand.
　I remember having this exchange before.

'Why ......?　Then no nail polish. Just make three meals: ......!　...... And I want you to make one for me, too.
No, thank you.
......!

　Verdia trembles with an expression of impossibility.
　Or rather, don't add your own to the list without further ado.

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

　Looking at Berdia is a bit complicated.
　Maybe it's because they were in a master-slave relationship, or maybe it's because every verse of Berdia's words and actions remind me of Elfie.
　I don't mean to be distracting, but it's a little distracting, just like when I met Elfie in the Abyss Labyrinth.

...... moggy.

　After all, Verdia looks like that guy.
　I remember hearing when I was in Japan that pets are like their owners.
　The reason why Verdia is trying to reach for my soup is probably because she looks like Elfi.

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

　I wonder if he's okay.
　I mean, he's not a guy who's going to die so easily, but I can't help but wonder.

...... Are you thinking about your master?

　Berdia, who has finished her fourth cup of soup, looks at me.
　She nods silently into her reddish-black eyes.

''I hope you're okay.
Master will be fine.

　Without a pause, Verdia assured him that.
　Her eyes were full of belief in that guy.

'...... Oh, yes.'

　He's an annoying former demon king who can't die even if you kill him.
　He's probably screaming that he's hungry right now anyway.
　And besides, our deal with that guy is not done.
　I can't let these people get in the way of my business.

Let's go get him as soon as possible.
...... Yeah.

　That's when Berdia smiled slightly and nodded.

'...... delicious!　Hey, Iori, this is delicious!　What is this!?

　With a bowl in hand, the idler shouted out, his eyes sparkling.
　This guy has been letting the soup cool all this time?
　Now, after all this time, he's gushing about how delicious and delicious it is.

'Shut up ....... Shut up and eat.
"Isn't it a little bit different between me and Berdia?

　Of course. I didn't trust this guy.
　It's the same with Verdia, though.

　As I stare at the teary-eyed idlers, I remember.
　Why I'm working with these guys.


◆


I'm also known as 'The Grim Reaper'.

　Two days ago, on a hilltop in Churchland.
　The girl who called herself Idler spoke of herself as the "God of Death".
　I'm not going to be able to get out of it.

　--The Grim Reaper.

　I had heard that name a few times.

　The first time was when Elfi had mentioned the word in the Abyssal Labyrinth.
　"He said that the only person who could use Causal Return Burial was the Reaper who was Ortegia's subordinate.
　I also heard the word "Reaper" from Ryuzas.　
　The Grim Reaper taught him magic.

　If the idler is indeed a Reaper, then he's a dangerous person to deal with.

----

　Shaking her pink hair and smiling a friendly smile, the idler reaches out her hand towards me.
　I ducked that hand and glared sharply at the idler while gripping the jade taiji.

''Wah-hyah!''

　As if sensing our killing intent, the idler screamed and rolled backwards as if rolling backwards.

''Wait, wait, wait!　Why don't we settle down for now?　I don't have any desire to fight with you, you know!

　His panicked appearance gives no hint of Takeshi.
　When it comes to combat, it was clear that he was an amateur.

"Are you really the 'Grim Reaper'?"

　The Reaper is Ortegia's man, Elfi said.
　But this guy has just mentioned that he wants to kill Ortegia.

''Even if you ask me that. I don't have the means to prove it: ......
Liuzas told me your name. He taught you magic, didn't he?
...... hmmm, yes.

　After raising his eyebrows and showing a pretense of being troubled for a while, the idler took out a small stone from his pocket.
　If you look closely, it's a magic stone.
　While holding the stone, the idler drew something in the air with his finger that looked like a letter.
　Immediately after that.

Lost magic and reburial.

　The area he traced with his finger glowed and formed a sigil.
　It was the exact same one that had been on Liuzas' robe.

----.
My magical capacity is too big to be effective in drawing a sigil like this.

　One moment the crest was floating, and the next moment it dissipated into a haze.

I remember teaching you the 'underworld divergence' besides this one," he said. It's not very useful for me either.
You certainly sound like a real grim reaper.

　But even if it was real, there are still questions.

You said you wanted to kill Ortegia." I heard that the 'Grim Reaper' was Ortegia's man?"
"...... I'm his guy?　Is that what Elfiszak said?　If so, it's not a funny joke.

　Idler's expression twisted at my question.
　The idler turned his twin eyes to me, squinting uncomfortably.

I'll tell you again, I want to kill Ortega.

　He repeated his earlier words as he spat them out.

It's because of that guy that I have a troublesome constitution. It's just a normal part of my life that attracts demons.
"The demons are coming to you. ......?
It's like having an acute case of licentiousness, wherein I'm constantly releasing magic into the body. The trouble is, I always seem to give off a kind of "smell" that attracts evil to me.

　I've never heard of such a constitution, he said, planting it in his mouth and suddenly remembered.
　That right after I met the Idler, a swarm of pterodactyls came to the Holy City, which was supposed to be free of demons.

''Do you remember?　Indeed, it was my fault that the pterodactyl attacked Schmelz.

　As if he had read our thoughts, Idler affirmed them.

But don't blame me for that. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time in the city. I'm sure you're not the only one who has had to deal with this.
How can you attribute that constitution to Ortegia?
I've always hated fighting. I never cared about humans or demons," he said. I was a member of the Demon King's army and roamed the continent, but when Ortega became the Demon King, he told me he didn't want me around. But when Ortega became king of the demon, he was kicked out, saying that he didn't need you.

　At that point, Idler said, he was made to be in his current constitution.

'I tried to find a way to break the curse, but I could only find one solution. The only way to break this curse is to kill the person who caused it - Ortegia.
And that's why you want to kill Ortegia?
That's right. I can't tell you how many times I've been almost killed by a demon that comes close to me, no matter what it wants to do. I can't tell you how many times these demons have tried to kill me. I can't live in a place with so many people and I can't stay in one place with such a poor constitution.

　'Tedious,' said Idler, shaking his head in disgust.

'Then you taught Liuzas the loss magic to make him kill Ortegia?
'Yes, he did. He wanted power, and I thought it was just right. I was hoping that even if we didn't win, we could at least get into a fight. It didn't work out in the end, though.
............

　For now, I understand Idler's point.
　Ortegia has put a curse on him and he is trying to kill Ortegia in order to break the curse.
　He said he couldn't win on his own, so he helped me and Elfie, who are hostile to Ortegia.

'...... Idler and I have different goals. But our interests are aligned.

　Verdia, who had been silent until then, entered the conversation.

''Yes. I want to help Elfiszak to kill Ortegia. Berdia wants to save her former master. We are all in agreement that we want to save Elfiszak.

　And that goes for you too, right?　The idler extended his hand.

"You, too," said the idler, "I want to help my friend Elfiszak. We have different goals, but we all have one thing in common. So, wouldn't it be more efficient if we worked together?

　Idler thrusts out his hand as if to shake mine.
　Behind him, Verdia is coming to stare at me with glee.

　The sorcerer who is trying to kill Ortegia, and the dragon species who is trying to help Elfi.
　In light of the circumstances on both sides.

I appreciate what you've done for me, but I don't need your help. I'm going to go get that man alone.

　I turned down their suggestions.
　Aside from Verdia of the dragon species, Idler was unlikely to be useful as a fighting force.
　In fact, the chances of them becoming a liability would be higher.
　I can't see the advantage of taking action, even at the risk of being betrayed.

'I'll tell Elfie about Verdia. Come and see me after I've helped you.

　That's when I turned my back on them and started walking away.

'Hmmm. Well, that's a choice you have to make. You'll be terribly sorry when you don't save Elfiszak as a result of that choice.

　I stopped at the sound of a cold voice behind me.

'--What?'

　Looking back, Idler laughed somewhat mockingly as he stroked his pink hair.

'Where do you think you're going with this in the first place?　If you're going to head to the Demon King's Castle to help Elfiszak, I can only say it's a waste of effort.
...... What does that mean?
It's a simple matter. Unfortunately, there are no Elfiszarks in the Demon King's Castle.

　As Idler said that, Verdia behind him gave a small nod.

'...... Master is being taken by one of the Four Heavenly Kings.

　Was it that dark green-haired demon race called Gracia?
　Verdia had just told me that Elfie had been taken by that guy.

"I know where Elfiszak is now. I put a tracer spell on Gracia when I saved you.
How is that possible?

　Suddenly, Idler held up his index finger.

'I'm proud and it feels good to be overrated, but I can't afford to be underrated.

　It's like when a teacher teaches his students.

This is how I've been able to see all the battles, gather all the information I can, and make the best use of all the tools I have. This is how I've predicted the demise of people, sub-humans, demons, villages, cities, castles, countries - everything. --And that's why I'm the Grim Reaper.
----
So, to answer your question. -- this much is justifiably possible, right?

　I gulped.
　It doesn't come from absolute power, like Elfi or Ortegia.
　Nor did it come from an endless obsession, like Ryusas.
　It was a pressure I'd never felt before.

'You could try to locate her on your own, but it wouldn't be very wise to take your time. Isn't that right, Verdia?
...... Yeah. We have to hurry.

　With a slight hatred in his twin eyes, Verdia spoke.
　We have to hurry, and I'll tell you why.

'-------'

　I cringed at what she told me.
　If that was true, then Elfie was ----.

'...... the brave man of this generation. Whatever I can do, I will do. So ...... please, I will. Please help me, Master.

　Berdia bows her head to me deeply, her face contorted in frustration.
　Beside the pleading Berdia, Idler says, "I can show you where Elfiszak is.

I can get you to where Elfiszak is," the idler says. "I can get you to where Elfiszak is, and he'll get you there quickly. And you can use your powers to help Elfiszak.

　--What's your choice?

----


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

　Thus, I made the choice to join forces with these guys to help Elfie.
　But I'm not going to let my heart go.
　The only person I trust is Elfie.

...... Don't look so scared. I hope you're directing your awe and respect at the precious me.

　The idler sips his soup while making a funny comment.

"Well, let's put it this way. I'm going to use you, and you're going to use me. You'll use me, and I'll use you, and we'll use each other for our own good, just like merchants making a contract. Is that all right?
I'm not complaining. I'll just say one thing.

　I'm going to look at you both and say.

"As long as we're working together, I will never betray you. Never. So I need you to swear that you won't betray me either.
...... Hmm.
'You can use it. You can treat it as you see fit. But I will not allow you to betray me.
Yeah. Just out of curiosity, what happens if I betray you?

　That's exactly what's going on.

I will do everything in my power to make you regret your betrayal.

　Regardless of how long it takes, absolutely.

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

　Verdia nods coyly at my words, and Idler smiles silently.

"...... do you understand, 'Grim Reaper'?"

　I reminded the idler, who remained silent, and after making him pale slightly, "...... I'm scared,

Yeah. Once again, Iori-kun. I'm sure this will be a short time, but I'm looking forward to working with you.

　I accepted the idler's handshake that he offered me, and this time I nodded.