-- it was in the midst of the burning Eternal Fire.

　Cries of pain and resentment resounded in the city that was wrapped in the hands of the fire.
　Humans slaughtered the fleeing demons with a look of hatred.
　Old people, babies, men, women, warriors and residents make no distinction at all, staining the city red with their blood.

''Don't let even one of them escape!　Kill them all!

　Without any mercy, the humans kill the demons.
　One by one, the death knell overlaps on top of each other like a chorus.
　The girl hiding in the shadows thought that hell is probably this place now.

　The demon tribe has multiple bases in addition to the Demon King's Castle.
　A 'fortress' to monitor and stop the invasion of humans.
　A 'city' or 'village' to protect the helpless demon race.

　The city protected by the demon tribe called "Levatein of Struggle" was attacked by humans.
　The humans acted with such efficiency that they seemed to know everything about the city, and the warriors were killed in the blink of an eye.
　Even Levatain, who was leading the warriors, was defeated without being able to fight back much.
　The humans then promptly pounced on the residents.

'......!'

　A young girl with dark green hair is cowering in the shadows of a building.
　Her parents had been killed, her friends had been killed, her acquaintances had been killed, and all the girl could do was run away.
　The only thing she could do was tremble and pray for the humans to leave.

...... Why did you do this?

　A murmur that seemed to soak up blood.
　The girl had already obtained the answer to the question that overflowed from her mouth.
　Because humans and demons are hating each other, raising their arms against each other and killing each other.

　What is the struggle.
　What is Levatein.
　What an abominable name for that which makes struggle a good thing.

"Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee?

　Somewhere in the city, the roar of the demons that ruled as a labor force could be heard.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　The demons disciplined by the girl's parents have probably already been killed as well.

　It reminds me of the demons that my parents used to use.
　At first, they were rebellious and even directed their killing intent at us.
　Demons have a violent temperament, sometimes even pointing their fangs at the demon tribe.

　Hence, the demons teach the demons a lesson.
　Which one is superior and which one is master.
　By disciplining and thoroughly managing them in this way, the demon tribe lives in harmony with the demons.

''------- Ah.''

　What on earth was the girl thinking at that moment?
　The girl doesn't notice that her mouth is distorted, the girl doesn't notice that her mouth is distorted.
　At that moment, the girl does not realize that the girl's existence has been distorted without the same specification.

　But whatever transformation there is, it is meaningless in this place that has become hell.

'Hey, are you there?'
No. But he must still be around.
......

　The girl's small body bounced at the sound of a man's voice coming from close by.

''The Melt cult was right. I didn't expect them to be able to bring down a city of demons so easily.''
Yeah, it's amazing. From the structure of the city to its strength, it's a perfect match. It was a sign from above, wasn't it?　I used to think the idea of God's existence was an eyebrow-raiser, but now I feel good about believing in it.

　The voices of the humans approaching.
　The girl, who had no way to fight, could only tremble under her breath.
　She closed her eyes and prayed to the heavens not to come...

I've found it.

　Two human men were looking down at the girl.
　Their armor, and the swords in their hands, were stained red with the blood of the demon race.

"...... kid, huh? Tsk, it doesn't feel good to be close to a person and shape.
I don't care how old you are. If even one person escapes, they will kill dozens of people. We have to kill all the demons. Otherwise, the fight won't be over.
...... Yeah. It's a necessary part of the peace process, right?

　The man looking down at me has a strong will to 'kill all of the demon race' on his face.
　How foolish and ugly it is.
　No one understands the people or the demon tribe.

I'm not sure if there is any peace in the world after 'killing all of them'.

...... If you hate me, hate yourself for being born a demon.

　A man swings his sword down.
　Death falls on the motionless girl.
　The end is nearing, just enough to splatter the blood and splatter the guts.

"--It's not right.

　She hated them.
　The girl hated humans.
　She hated all the conflict in the world.

　--She hated her name, Levathain, which stands for "The Struggle".

　In this hell, no altered way of being, no burning hatred, nothing is meaningless.
　Nothing was to be done, nothing was to be worthwhile, nothing was to be crushed without a ripple.

　It was supposed to be.


----

　A moment, which seems like an eternity.
　Death chose the men, not the girls, but the men.

What the--?
Hee-hah!

　With a short decapitation, the two men scattered their lives like dust.

----

　The hell of the red lotus that devours the world.
　The claw of death that tears people who hold the weapon.
　The existence of a being whose body is light, like the god of death, scattering death to the people who attack the city.

　--I'm sure the girl will never forget that scene for the rest of her life.

'Oh, ......'

　Shining silver hair. Twin horns that pierce the heavens. The twin eyes of red lilies. A jet black dress.
　That woman, the girl thought, was the most beautiful and righteous person in the world.

Wherever you go, there is always conflict. Didn't we always have the answers we wanted?

　With a glance at the human wreckage that she had erased herself, the woman murmured with a cruel expression.
　That face, with its rarefied emotions, melted the girl's heart hotly.
　Red eyes caught the girl's.

''------ Ah.''

　--that this is the man who is worthy to embody my ideals.

　When I saw Elfiszak Guildegard.

　--Gracia Levatain thought.


◆

I'm the one who made Ortegia kill Thor and the others.

　Elfiszak could not understand those words from Gracia.
　No, he didn't want to understand them, and his brain refused to understand them.
　The expression on Gracia's face as she spoke of having her friends in her hands was so out of place.

　It wasn't a malicious sneer, that he had betrayed her and killed her friends.
　It's not a big smile from hatred, hoping to knock him down to despair.

　It is a pity, as if it were a painful thing to see, and a compassionate acceptance of even that painfulness.
　Elfiszak couldn't help but stiffen at the expression that was so divergent from what he was talking about.

'I did not mean to plot against you. I just wanted to keep the noise, which is only annoying, away from the ears of the thoughtful and gentle Elfiszak-sama. It's just that.

　He looked apologetic.
　Still, he didn't have the slightest idea that he was at fault.

''Miscellaneous, sound ......?''
''Yes. Those people are just noise that can only confuse Lord Elfiszak. Even the nonsense that leaked out of their mouths and the consequences of their deaths were nothing but meaningless and worthless noise. It was heartbreaking to see that ruthless Elfiszak-sama become sullied. Ortegia's existence was, in a way, a blessing in disguise. Thanks to that man, we only had the strength to kill all those people.
You ...... what, what are you talking about? Grey, Shea.

　It was as if Elfiszak could not understand the intentions of his former subordinate, who continued to speak with a tone of devotion and civility.

''Did you really ...... kill Thor and the others?''
'Yes, sir. I am not foolish enough to tell Lady Elfiszak a vapid lie.
............

　A slight sense of guilt can be seen in Gracia's expression.
　But it doesn't come from the fact that she killed Thor and the others.
　Gracia regrets not telling Elfiszak, and 'making him listen to this nonsense'.

'You ...... have betrayed me, have you betrayed me?'
'Because since that day when you saved me from that hell, my body has been for the ideals of Lord Elfiszak!

　　For once.

　I would have understood if Gracia had laughed at me, like Merwin and his friends who betrayed me to satisfy their own desires, like Dionis who betrayed me in a misguided rage to protect his diminutive pride, like Liuzas who betrayed me by turning his grief of mourning for those he cared about into hatred, and said, 'You've been tricked. Yes.

　But it's not.
　Gracia believes that he 'did not betray'.
　He is still convinced that it is an action that is in the best interest of Elfiszak, even though he tells us that it is true that he killed Thor and the others.

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

　Gracia gives me an expectant look, somewhat ashamed.
　It's something I've seen many times before.
　It's Gracia's indication that she wants me to praise her.

'...... Ah. That was it. I can't even receive a compliment without a detailed report. I'm sorry I didn't think about it.

　Gracia bows her head to Elfiszak, who has fallen silent, with a convenient interpretation.

'I will tell you at ....... How I put those fools to death.


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

"Lord Elfiszak is as ruthless as ice, and yet he is the one who gives me warmth and love. It was as if my ideals had taken on ...... such a presence. And yet, Master Elfiszak has changed. The icy ruthlessness has disappeared, and the love he was supposed to have for me alone has unexpectedly begun to be directed at humans and subhumans alike. That's not right. It is wrong. Lord Elfiszak should remain in his rightful form. Therefore, I looked for the cause of His change in Himself. It was easy to find. Because it was so close to me. That it was Thor, Musbel, Abel, Abel, Fay, Verdia, Gregoria, and other incompetent subordinates who had defiled Himself. Not a single one of them understood the true ideals that Master Elfiszak was to uphold, and not a single one of them realized that Master Elfiszak was wrong!　On the contrary, it melted Master Elfiszak's ruthlessness and led him to be bonded to such lowly people as humans!　I can't forgive them, I can't forgive them, I can't forgive them, I can't forgive them, those people harm Master Elfiszak just by being alive!

　As if he was drunk with himself as he sang, as if he was drunk with himself as he spoke, as if he was cursing, as if he was proud of himself as he resented.
　Spitting and looking into her eyes, Gracia spat that out.

''--That's why I've decided to kill every single one of those people and bring back the real Elfiszak-sama.

　In front of the silent Elfiszak, Gracia exhaled roughly and wiped her dripping saliva with a towel in shame.
　Then, as if proud of her own accomplishments, she continued to speak.

'-- The first person I killed was Gregoria.

　False Gregoria.
　A man who inherited the magic from the first "Ame" and devoted all his power to the prosperity of the demon king's army and demon race.

...... This is ridiculous. That man was killed by my opposition.
''Yes. In fact, it was the demons who had driven Gregoria into a corner against Master Elfiszak.

　On the day Gregoria died, Elfiszak and the others were not in the Demon King's castle.
　They had raised an army and vacated the castle in order to suppress the humans who had attacked them.
　Gregoria had been left in charge of their absence.

"The power of the rain is revealed when you link the path of the Demon King's Seal. But that day, Elfiszak-sama was far away from Gregoria. That's where I poked him.

　Gracia dared to inform the opposition forces and urge them to act.
　Just as she had planned, the opposition attacked Gregoria that day.
　They set up a powerful ward that blocked the path between them and their surroundings, reduced Gregoria's "rain" power to the limit, and attacked as a group.

It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. He was willing to help me if I could see something fun.
''...... even if the Four Heavenly Kings did cooperate!　That's the extent of the petty tricks that couldn't possibly get Gregoria killed: ......!　That man had the power to close in on me and Ortegia!
Yes. That man single-handedly killed every single person who attacked him.
So how did Gregoria die: ......

　As he tried to ask, Elfiszak understood.
　Understand, I did.

'You ...... did this, didn't you?'
'That's right!　I've dealt with that man. Gregoria is not a man who can be easily dismissed in his exhausted state. But I, who belong to the same faction, can stab that man in the back!　I can stab that man in the back!
----
I drove it through his chest and slit his neck. Gregoria was drowning in her own blood, screaming nonsense and dying. It was a fitting end for a fool who had always, always, always failed to praise the Lord Elfiszak and repeated his insults.

　With his chest heaving and proud, Gracia assured him.

''...... Hey, demon king,''

　Elfiszak remembered Gregoria's words.
　It was a time when Elfiszak was exhausted by the humans attacking, the monolithic Demon King's army, and the hard work, and Elfiszak was exhausted.

''Don't try to do everything by yourself when you don't have the skills.''

"What?　What do you mean I'm not good at this?

The same. It's just the way it is. You think that the Demon Lord can do everything?　Don't be smug. It's arrogant not to distribute the burden to your subordinates.'

'...... Yeah, right. Right.'

Yeah. All right, shut up. I'm taking over this job. Out of the way.

　He is rough, venomous, and has a bad temper.
　An extreme man who was quick to get his hands on you and would kill everyone without mercy if he felt the slightest hindrance.
　He never had a personality to be admired.

　Still.
　Still, Gregoria always thought of the Demon King's Army.

　--They understood and supported us.

''--The fools who don't understand Elfiszak-sama and only rebel against him, I have taken care of them!　That man's existence is nothing more than a hindrance to Elfiszak-sama!

　Gracia said as she trampled on that past.

　I will never forget the day Gregoria died.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it.
　And so, pushed back by the wobbling Gracia, Elfiszak moved forward over the corpses of his friends.

　He felt such a past darken like a photograph seared by fire.

'I was able to successfully extinguish Gregoria ...... but there were still many pests. No matter how much I would be caught off guard from my position as a fellow human being, I have my limits. Thor seemed to have been exploring a lot of things because he was suspicious of me, and I decided to use a quicker method.

　The outspoken opposition was all but killed by Gregoria.
　However, not all were gone.
　There was only one person who could be compared to Elfiszak, who had become the Demon King, and he was looking for the time to revolt with an eye on the tiger.

' ...... Ortegia Zahlefeld. I have decided to take advantage of that man.

　There were multiple reasons why the opposing forces still appeared even after Elfiszak became the Demon King.
　One of them was the existence of Ortegia.
　Although Ortegia had a power comparable to Elfiszark's, he did not participate in the battle for the Demon King's crest that he had started.
　Because of this, there were a small number of demons left who were trying to carry Ortegia, who did not participate, on their palanquin.
　That's where Gracia had her eyes on.

''A few days before Ortegia rebelled, I made a deal with them. In exchange for me passing on information about Elfiszak-sama, he asked me to leave the treatment of Elfiszak-sama and his men to me.
----

　Unaware of Elfiszak's exclamation, Gracia continues.
　Ortegia accepted Gracia's suggestion.
　The reason Ortegia came to kill Thor and the others was because Gracia asked her to do so.

''-- The first one to die was Musubel. The demon race called Dionis wanted to join the Demon King's army, so I had him fight Musubel to test his abilities.

　However.

''--I didn't want them to escape, so I cut off both of Musubel's legs first.

　Naturally, the fight was one-sided.
　With Dionis attacking fiercely, Musubel was unable to escape and was slashed all over.

''I used my signature healing magic to heal my own wounds, but I'm only a pest. In the blink of an eye, his healing magic couldn't keep up with him, and he died miserably like a piece of trash.

　The sound of Gracia's voice was full of amusement as she said this.
　It stuck to Elfiszak's eardrums and never left.

''The only thing I have going for me is healing magic.

　I remembered the words I once exchanged with Musubel.
　It was when Abel had been injured because of Elfi's mismanagement of the situation.
　That time, when he had talked big and felt self-hatred at himself for letting his friends get hurt, that time.

''That's why I can't be a sword fighting for Elfiszak-sama. Many times, I wondered if I was qualified to be the Four Heavenly Kings.''

No, that's not true!　There's a lot of things you can do that only you can do!
"...... Yeah. I'm not going to be able to fight. I can't fight, but I can heal. But I can heal the wounds. I'm going to make sure that whoever gets hurt gets healed.

"Musubel: ......

'So don't be discouraged. So, Elfiszak-sama, you just need to keep moving forward. I'll heal every single one of your friends who gets hurt in the process.

　That's what he said, and it comforted him.
　Even Musbel would not know how much those words, that night, had lightened Elfiszak's heart.

　Musubel is not a good fighter.
　However, he acknowledged this and did what he could wisely.
　He regretted his inability to come forward, but he still pushed Elfiszak's back.

'-The coward who could only heal and hide behind Lord Elfiszak's back, thus died.

　Gracia said, as if to mock his resolve.

　The days she had spent with Musubel were seared into her memory.
　That boy who was kinder and stronger than anyone else, and who had the courage to be strong.
　The high-pitched ringing in her ears made her feel the memory fading away.

'-- The next to die were Abel and Faye. Abel was cut in both directions by Lucifina, and Faye was made to disappear by the hands of Ortegia.

　After Musubel, the twin brothers were the next to be tested.
　Abel and Faye were supposed to fight Lucifina together after the commandments were lifted.

But Faye got ahead of him and jumped on Ortegia, saying, 'At least you're not the only one. ...... Well, before I had time to do anything, I was made to disappear by Ortegia. I'm stunned.

　The remaining Abel also tried to attack Ortegia, but was blocked by Lucifina.
　From the front, Abel was torture to death by the less powerful magic after having both his hands and feet severed by the great sword.

'Abel's cries were deafening and unbearable to hear. He cried out in pain and pain, and even if he was a subject of Elfiszak-sama, I would have wanted him to die gracefully, at least when he died.

　Gracia's eyes, which spat that out, were twisted into the shape of a crescent moon.
　In those eyes, Elfiszak had seen it all before.

"'It hurts me to see my friends get hurt,'

　He remembers Abel and Faye's grief.
　When Elfiszak himself had gone to the front line to fight to keep his friends from getting hurt.
　That day when he stepped forward to say that I was the only one who could be hurt and was cut off by a human knight on his arm.

''...... Mm. It's the same for me. So, I'll protect you guys--'

"'...... It's not the same. We don't want to see Master Elfiszak get hurt, either.''

"Am I ...... too?

''Yes. Even Master Elfiszak is one of us, you know?　So I don't want you to get hurt. I don't want Master Elfiszak to think that he's the only one who needs to get hurt.''

"You guys: ......

''No one can fight without getting hurt. It's ......, so we're all wounded and we want to fight together.

　They told me that I had misunderstood the idea of fighting for my friends, and they told me so.
　I want my sturdy self to get hurt. I want to be a shield for my loved ones.
　That kind of desire remains unchanged to this day.
　Nevertheless, thanks to the words of those two, Elfiszak understood the true meaning of fighting together.

''--That's how those two selfish people, who had nothing but fighting in their brains, died.

　Gracia said, as if to desecrate that devotion.

　The boisterous voices of Abel and Faye were still ringing in their ears.
　They often held their tongues when Gracia accused them of fighting.
　Angry at this, Gracia joined the fight and was rebuked by Thor.
　Elfiszak liked to watch such scenes.
　He felt the stabbing pain shattering the scene from those days.

'And finally.' --Thor, I killed him.

　Quietly, but with a voice that could not hide the amusement within, Gracia said.

'The worst treacherous man who misled Lady Elfiszak the most. That man was the only one I had to kill to make me feel better. He made a proposal that was far from Elfiszak-sama's ideals and ruined Elfiszak-sama's ideals!　That's why I'm going to do it!　With my own hands!　I made him experience such regret that he regretted being born, and I killed him!

　The last one.
　Thor held his breath with his own hands as Gracia took him into another room.

'First, I ripped off all the hair and scalp that was only in the way. Next, I stripped the nails off of both hands and feet. Next, I slashed off the fingers of both hands and feet. Naturally, I didn't drop them all at once, but finely, in rounds, and slowly. Because the crime of misleading Elfiszak-sama was a serious one. Then I peeled off the skin all over his body, shaved off his nose, gouged out his unwanted eyes, pulled out all his teeth, ripped out his lips, and bit by bit, bit by bit, shaved off his flesh so that he would not die ---- And then I killed him.

　'Oh,'
　Elfiszak remembered.
　The wreckage of his friends that Elfiszak had seen after the fight with Amatsu.
　The state of the wreckage matched what Gracia had told him.

You always talk so smartly, but in the end you were crying and screaming. 'Please, please don't kill Master Elfiszak,' he said. There's no way I would have done that. What is it, Counselor ...... couldn't even lead Elfiszak-sama, the most treacherous of them all.

　Elfiszak knew Gracia's face well as she said this.
　I'm sure you've seen this face before, to the point of being disgusting.
　The sneer on his face is exactly the same as the one on the face of those who betrayed Iori.

　The sneer of Gracia is not directed at Elfiszak, though.
　I wondered if this is how Iori felt when she was betrayed and laughed at by those people.
　It's a good thing that you're able to do that," Elfiszak thought, after all this time.

''...... If that's the ideal you stand for, I can only support it.''

　Thor's smile, I remembered.

'...... Are you sure you're okay with this? I understand that it would be terrible for you to accept my ideals. If you refuse, I don't mind.''

"Yes. Your ideals are not half-hearted. Maybe there are more demons who won't accept it than you.''

'Then why. Your family is all about the people ......'

"...... Yeah. But I like you. I like you guys.

"You still have a crush on me, don't you, ......?

"You, sir. It's not a heteros*xual favor. It's not a heteros*xual favor. ...... I'm fine with that as long as you, Musbell, Abel, Faye and Gracia are smiling. So, I'll follow you wherever you go. I will do my best to make you happy wherever you end up.'

"...... Okay.

I love it when Abel and Faye make a fuss, Gracia gets angry and makes a fuss, you get carried away and Verdia and Gracia agree with you, but they get shoved by us and are depressed. ...... That's the kind of everyday life I like. The hatred for people, so much so that you can forget about it.

　Seeing Thor smiling at him, Elfiszak was able to think that the path he was taking was not a mistake.
　That the path he was trying to advance on was not a mistake.

''-- The treacherous person who has only foolish thoughts that are less than monkeys, that's how I held my breath!

　Gracia said that, as if crushing the memories of the days gone by.

　I can't help it, it has faded away.
　The brilliance of those days will never come back.

◆

　Liquid runs down Elfiszak's cheek as he remains bound.
　The overflowing drops fall to the floor with a plop.　
　How did Gracia interpret those tears?

'Oh, don't cry, Elfiszak-sama. I have done everything for you. My efforts are nothing.

　Gracia said in a gentle, caressing tone of voice, saving Elfiszak's tears with her fingers.

'And finally,'

　Gracia snapped her fingers, and a demon tribe with a dolly entered the room.
　There was something on top of the dolly, but a sheet was hung over it, making it impossible to see inside.
　But Elfiszak understood.
　He was not allowed to see what was under there.

'--that's what I've done.

　Gracia stripped off the sheets.
　Something underneath was revealed.

'What do you think?　Ugly, right?　This is the end of the apostates.

　--there were four heads.

'I couldn't get my hands on Gregorian's head, but I still saved the others.

　They were still in the condition they were in at the time when the magic of preservation was cast on them.

　There was Musubel's head, left in anguish and desperate.
　There was Abel's head, torn to shreds by the blade and covered in wounds.
　There was Faye's head, dismembered as if a bomb had gone off inside.
　Stripped of everything, there was Thor's head, no longer in its original form.

''-- ah, ah.''

　His eyes widen and Elfiszak lets out an inarticulate moan.
　How many lives had been lost to the torment?
　Their necks were so horrific that it was impossible to imagine.

'I kept them for thirty years to show the end of treachery and to use them as a catalyst for certain magic.

　Gracia took Musbel's head in her hand.

"You treacherous bastard!

　He slammed into the ground with great force.
　With a wet sound, Musubel's head rolled on the ground.
　Gracia stomped on its neck, again and again.
　The neck, which was covered with the magic of preservation, did not crumble, but a dull sound echoed continuously.

'What ...... thing?'

　Meditating, Elfiszak looks down.
　There is no one here who can guess what is going on in his chest.

''Haha!　What do you think, Elfiszak-sama!　Doesn't it make your heart feel a little tight!　The incompetents are literally on the goose chase!　Hahahahaha!
".......
'And that's not all!　By using this neck as a catalyst ----
It's okay.

　Elfiszak interrupted Gracia, who was in a good mood and wound up talking fast.

'...... already, good. Gracia.
"Elfiszak, my Lord?

　Gracia froze as she looked at Elfiszak's laughing face, tears still streaming down her face.
　Because that look was not who she wanted to be.

'I guess I didn't see anything, after all. It was as if I didn't even understand the thoughts of the subordinate who was closest to me. ...... Huh. This wasn't something I could tell that guy about how to see, was it?
What's wrong, Master Elfiszak? Are you not feeling well?
'Oh, I was desperate. I wasn't seeing anything, at myself.

　'Sad,' he smiles.

'I loved it, too. The painful, painful, but lively and happy days spent with you guys. I also liked the days with Iori that I met after I mourned everything ...... and then met her. Nervous, mean, depressed, helplessly kind, I loved spending time with that guy.

........................ What are you talking about, Mr. Elfiszak?

'All of that has been destroyed, too. Just remembering it, I tremble at my own helplessness, at the regret of not being able to save my friends. ...... Still, all the memories of those glorious days have faded away. The lives of the accomplices I swore to walk with have been destroyed along the way.

　Still," said Elfiszak.

'...... I have things to accomplish. Break this seal, Gracia.
'I don't understand what you are saying, sir. I don't understand what you are talking about, you told me just now. In order to kill Ortegia, you will enter the Demon King's army. If I dictate to you, there's a good chance--
Gracia.

　I understood what would happen if I said it.
　Still, as the Lord - as the former Lord, I had to say it.


"-I don't want that to happen.


　It was a definitive rejection.
　Gracia's eyes widen, as if she can't understand.
　Then a rutting mouth trembles, and the trembling goes around her whole body.

　And then.


'What about ......?'　Huh?　Huh?　Hah! ????


　A high-pitched exclamation burst out, contorting his well-formed face into a vicious expression.

''My Elfiszak-sama is ah!　That kind of thing!　You won't tell me!　There's no way I'm going to tell you!　There's no way I'm going to tell you!　He won't tell you, he won't tell you!　You're supposed to be praising me!

　A powerful fist clad in magic power slammed into Elfiszak's face.
　A dull gurgling sound resounds, and the head that received the fist crashes into the wall as if it were popping.
　It didn't matter that the wall shattered while making a horrendous sound, Gracia continued to burst into a tantrum.

Why do you say that?　Why do you say that!　I killed all the culprits of the defilement!　Why!　Where the hell did Elfiszak-sama go at that time!　Don't play around with me, you know how I've been waiting for Master Elfiszak for the past thirty years!

　Gracia let out a hysterical scream as her face turned red and spiteful, to the point that the veins in her entire body were about to be torn to shreds.
　Not caring that the skin on the back of her hand had torn off the face of the Lord she worshipped herself, she continued to beat him relentlessly, over and over and over and over and over again.
　As if embodying the will of the enraged Gracia, magic power raged through the room, shattering the furnishings to the point of cruelty and turning them around.

''Oh no, no, no, no!　Master Elfiszak is still tainted. He hasn't cooled his head yet!　It's not normal to be buoyed by the heat. No, no, this is not my Elfiszak-sama, no!
Gray, Shea, I am--
'Don't pronounce nonsense in the face of my beloved!

　Gracia grabbed Elfiszak's head as he was about to open his mouth and slammed it against the wall.
　Her forehead was cut and Elfiszak's face was stained red with blood.

'...... Ah!'

　At the sight of the blood, Gracia stopped, as if a switch had been flipped.

'...... Ah, I've done it again. Maybe it's my fault that my bloodline talks about struggles and such, but it's my fault that I lose my cool so quickly.

　When he murmurs that, he pulls Elfiszak into his arms with a reverent hand.
　Then he crawls his tongue across her red, wet forehead and licks away the blood.

''I love you. I love you more than anything else in the world, and I love you, Himself. I am the only one who can understand His ideals. So--'

　With a smile on her blood-soaked mouth and enraptured cheeks turning red, Gracia said.

I'm going to put ...... Elfiszak-sama into the dark seal for another hundred years or so this time. Then surely this time you will return to my Elfiszak-sama.

　It was a word that came from an understanding of Elfiszak's suffering after thirty years of remaining conscious in the empty darkness.
　Gracia smiled, saying that thirty years or so of suffering was not enough.

'There are preparations to be made and ...... yes, tomorrow at about noon, we'll apply the seal again. Nothing, nothing, nothing to see, nothing to hear, and the world will be dedicated to Him again.

　Gracia turned away as she kissed Elfiszak's forehead.

''Ma, teh. Wait ...... Gracia ......!

　The Lord's voice called out to her.


"--I love you, Master Elfiszak.


　I told him, and closed the door.
　Heavy, the sound of the door closing.
　The lights in the room went out, and the world of Elfiszak was covered in darkness.


''--, ----''



　No faint sobs, no voices calling someone's name.

　


　-- dissolved into darkness and never reached anyone.