Why? Why ...... why don't you do what I want!　Why do you look at me like that!

　This was Gracia's first word after receiving Elfi's words.
　She scratched her head, shook her hair, looked into her eyes, spat, stepped on the ground, and screamed like a madman.

　Why don't you understand?
　I'm doing this for you, why do you say such terrible things?
　He rolled up fast, tears streaming down his face, and then turned his bloodshot eyes to me.

'It's you, ....... You've misled my Elfiszak-sama, brave man!
'Well, come on. But at least this guy isn't your property.

　After I got through the siege, I came up next to Elfie.
　I put my hand on Elfie's cheek and use magic to heal his red, swollen cheek.
　The swelling subsides and the cheeks return to their original white color.

　It seems that such an act was even more counterproductive for Gracia.

''Kit, sah, maaaa!　Don't touch my Elfiszak-sama!　Not a speck of dust is left behind, just a piece of flesh--

　Her eyes bleed and she tries to scream something in a backwards voice.　
　However, the words didn't last until the end.

"--"Demon Eyes, Heavy Pressure Crushing.

　This is because the gravity created by the magic power rained down from above Gracia's head.
　The demons who were around were also caught in the middle, and were crushed, leaving a dozen or so people standing on their arms.
　Gracia was not included among those crushed.

''......ssh.''

　Immediately afterwards, Gracia appeared away from the range of heavy pressure crushing.
　Is this the same instantaneous movement magic we've seen before?

You are very unrecognizable. Tallulah!　Elfiszak-sama, seal him up again!

　The yellow-haired demon tribe with a vacant expression - Thor gushes out magic power from his entire body.
　Following this, the other puppets also began to move.
　Those four people are in the way of defeating Gracia.

　That's when I stepped forward to deal with the dolls.

'Good,'

　Elfi interrupted me with a hand.

'Gracia and those four I will take down.
...... Are you okay?

　Thor, Abel, Faye, and Musubel.
　I've heard those four names many times from Elfi.
　That's how important they are to Elfie.
　Fighting those four men would mean giving them a second chance at death.

　I'm not so sure about that.

Yeah. Who do you think I am?

　Elfi replied.

'----'

　The look on his face made me swallow the words that started to come out of my throat.

'All right. Then I'll take care of the dewdrop.
...... umm, please.

　Besides Gracia and Thor and the others, there are also many other demons left in this room.
　Those who heard the commotion will have rushed in as well.
　This is not my place to do anything from here on out.
　So, let's leave with the people who are in our way.

Fourth Demon Sword Zan Fan.

　He aims at the remaining demons and fires a slash at them.
　The demons evade each of them with their high physical abilities.

''--The Great Whirlwind (Whirl Blast)''

　That's where I tapped into the magic of the wind attribute.
　The demons couldn't duck and were swallowed by the wind and blown out of the room.
　I followed suit after setting up a ward at the doorway of the room to prevent others from entering.

　The place where the demons were blown away was a large hall.
　As if it was a place to invite guests, a red carpet was drawn on the floor, and magic power granting items like chandeliers were installed on the ceiling.

　Many of the demons who were blown away are lying on the ground and moaning.
　But there were two demons who were pinned down by the great whirlwind.

''Unawareness. I can't believe I was knocked out of the room with just two blows.''
'Tch. I've heard about it from Gracia, but this is the brave one. I don't know if you're human, but you're a pain in the ass.
Warning. This is a brave man. Be on your toes.
I know.

　They are the white snake type demon race and the mixed dragon and lion type demon race that we fought a little earlier.
　They seem to be Gracia's close associates, and they seem to have a high level of competence among the demon race here.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea to be a part of it. That guy, even though he's a demon race, joins hands with a human, it's repulsive.
'I agree. Don't think you're going to get out of here alive by interrupting Lady Gracia. I will rip you and that woman to pieces.

　They said, as if to spit it out.

What. You guys don't hold Elfi sacred, unlike Vanishing, do you?"
Of course. That woman is a distraction. She's not worthy of Lady Gracia.

　I see.
　They're his subordinates, and they're not in agreement with the Lord.

''Unpleasant. If only Lady Gracia hadn't been so concerned about you, I would have hurt you more.
...... more?

　A white snake-shaped demon tribe muttered while wagging their tongues in a chirpy manner.
　The other one nodded in agreement with it.

''Ah. It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time. We had to shake it up a bit. You should have seen the look on her face when she was crying. It's a good thing that the old days were filled with cowards.
LOL. That's why Lady Ortegia beats me.
........................
You're his guy, right?　If so, aren't you wondering what they did to that woman?

　The mixed-form demon race smiled with a nimble smile.

I punched him a little. Just like this--nay!

　The mixed-type demon race jumped at me, crushing the floor violently.
　It slammed its arm, which was enlarged by muscle growth, into my right shoulder.
　The bones in my right shoulder shattered from its power that transcended humans.

'Ha, what the hell!　It's not much. What's the matter with you--

　I interrupted his words and crushed his mixed arms in my grip.

''Oh, hi, geez!''

　The mixed type screams at the sight of his arm, which has been crushed to the point of not retaining its prototype.
　He falls to the ground while holding his arm and struggles in pain.

''The Four Heavenly Kings' entourage is this much ......?

　I turn my right shoulder, which has already been healed with healing magic, around and around.
　Then, he turns to the other demons who have finally begun to stand up and advises them.

I'm not here to kill you guys. If you don't want to die, if you don't want to fight, stay back. If you do, I won't touch you either.
'Barren. Die ......!

　The white snake type shouted and held its arms out in front of it.
　Immediately afterwards, its arms turned into countless white snakes and rushed in like a tidal wave, stretching the ground like a tsunami.

''Second Demon Sword, Divergence.''

　He swung his jade sword and cut both sides of the group of white snakes.
　Without any particular resistance, the white snakes were dumbfounded and crushed by the slash.
　As it was, the slash severed the right arm of the white snake-type demon race.

''Eee!　Aaaaaaah, my arm!''

　The white snake type loses one arm and screams out.
　I try to chase after it, but something stops me in my tracks.
　When I look, I see the mixed type grabbing me with one hand.

"Now, Snail-uh!

　The white snake type jumped at me in answer to my friends' cries.
　It opened its mouth wide and bared its fangs, apparently trying to bite me.
　...... That's too lousy.

'Die, brave!
'Your tone is changing.'

　Shaking off the mixed type's restraints, I stepped forward.
　Then, I slashed the white snake type that jumped at me from the front.

''Aappa!''

　It was cut in half and the white snake shape fell to the ground.
　It doesn't seem to have the ability to regenerate, so it doesn't move even a twitch.

...... Well...
Hi, hi. Hi, hi. ......

　I look down at the mixed type, at my feet.

'I won't touch the one who backs down.
Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

　He stomped his face with his magic-clad feet.
　The mixed type screamed like a crushed frog and died out.

''But if you're going to fight, be prepared.

　He says to the demons, who are pale at what they've been hit with.

''--I'm a little angry,''

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

　-- and the seven people left in the room are seven people who know each other.

　The former Demon King, Elfiszak.
　His subordinates, Gracia, Thor, Abel, Faye, Musubel and Verdia.
　These former squires are all together for the first time in thirty years.

...... I, too, will fight with my master.

Berdia stood next to Elfiszak in his human form.
　Elfiszak nodded silently at the fullness of his fighting spirit.

''You think you're going to fight with me?　Don't get your head in the clouds, Verdiaaaa!

　With that shout as a signal, Thor and the others began to move.
　Thor and Gracia unleashed an attack towards Elfiszak.
　In the meantime, Abel and Faye charged towards Berdia.

''----''

　Attacking from left and right, the magic of fire and water.
　Gracia foresees Berdia's death and twists her mouth, but

......!

　Abel and Faye's attacks never hit.
　With his limbs on the ground, Berdia was ducking the attack with spider-like movements.
　Abel and Faye chased after them in time, but their coordination was not able to reach Berdia.
　Belldia's body language was like sliding on the ground, and she avoided successive attacks without danger.

'...... just wasn't running away from you guys for thirty years.

　Using both arms on the ground as an axis, Verdia spins like a frame.
　At the same time, both of its legs changed from a person to that of a black flame dragon (Karth Dragon).
　Abel and Fay, who were closing in from both sides, roared and hit the legs of the spinning dragon species with a direct hit.

''...... Even I'm strong for my master!

　Like a ball struck by a stick, the two of them were blown up with no bounds and crashed into the wall of the room.

''Nah, ni......''

　Gracia's expression distorts in astonishment at the way Verdia carries herself beyond her imagination.
　Her consciousness turns elsewhere, and Elfiszak doesn't miss the large gap created by Gracia.
　A fist clad in magic power left the sound behind and headed towards Gracia.

''---''

　The moment the fist hits, Gracia's figure disappears in the blink of an eye.
　At the same time, she appeared behind Elfiszak's blind spot.
　From behind, Gracia was reaching out to Elfiszak, but

...... You need to be a little quieter.
''Ga-ba!''

　Swinging back with a grunt, she was struck on the cheek by the back fist Elfiszak released, and was blown away while spitting blood.
　Gracia rolled on the ground, unable to even take a passive hit from the unexpected back fist.

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

　After taking one look at Gracia, who groaned and fell to the ground, Elfiszak turned his attention to Abel and Fay.
　The two of them had already healed their wounds through Musubel's healing magic and were fighting against Berdia.

''--!''

　In front of the two of them, Elfiszak interrupted them at high speed.

『--Thunder Bullet』.

　Thor then shoots a lightning strike, but it is stopped by Berdia's breath.
　As if to pass the baton, the two opponents switched places.

'Long time no see. Abel, Faye.

　Elfiszak speaks softly, but Abel and Faye do not answer.
　With a face that has lost its expression, they titillate the target standing in front of them.
　You will find that you will be able to get a good idea of what is going on in the world.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. The words and deeds were always the same, and I still remember the time you both worked hard and encouraged me to do my best.

""----"

　Without twitching the muscles of their faces, Abel and Faye bared their fangs at the Lord.

''--Purgatory Bullet.''
"Deadly Swamp Bullet.

　Fire and water.
　The magic they created fused together to form a giant sphere.
　The two men's magic far surpasses even advanced magic.
　However, it does not reach Elfiszak.

''It's a nostalgic technique.''

　While the two sorceries were being combined, Elfiszak shot his magic eye into the center of it.
　The great magic, which would have disappeared the moment it was touched if it was an ordinary magic, was easily extinguished with just that one strike.

"This is the link between the magic in the fusion process. This is the weak point.
''--!''

　Abel and Faye, who have been defeated in the depths, stepped on two feet.
　At that moment, the cooperation between the two without a single thread was slightly disrupted.
　Elfiszak had closed the distance between them.

''--"Demon Arm, Break Breakaway (Kairetsu Dan)--"

　Magical power flows from both arms, producing a total of ten giant claws.

''I'm happy to have met you guys.

　The ten claws that were swung down sliced through both of their bodies at the same time.
　Did the attack cause their bodies to reach their limits?
　Abel and Faye's bodies turned to ashes and fell to the ground without regeneration.

'Good night. Abel, Faye.

　Elfiszak's words echoed quietly in the room.

"Gu...... Musbelch!　What are you doing, fix me!

　Gracia, who was still crawling, shouted to break the aftermath.
　Following the messenger's words, Musubel held out her hand to exercise her healing magic.

''-- "Demon Legs, Windless Flash"

　As if to interrupt it, Elfiszak appeared in front of Musubel's eyes without a sound.

''--Musubel,''
"----

　Elfiszak's kind words, as if he were laboring.

'I can always remember the comforting words you gave me. Because you pushed me back, I was able to step forward. That's why I was able to stay on my feet.

　　In the face of the enemy, Musubel still builds his magic to heal Gracia.

'Your sorcery is not what you got to ...... heal someone like that, is it?'

　Staring at Musubel, Elfiszak smiled sadly.
　Then, with a kick clothed in magic power, he calmed Musubel's torso.

''--Thanks for your efforts, Musubel.

　Without a sound, Musubel turned to ashes.
　Elfiszak bit his lip at the ashes that fell to the ground in a smooth manner.

''-- Electric Lightning Strangulation (Bolt Chain)''

　With a flat chant, the chains constructed of lightning quickly closed in on Elfiszak in the blink of an eye.
　Elfiszak, who had been looking down at the floor, didn't even pretend to avoid it, but was tied up by the chains.

''Come on, ...... I've caught you, Master Elfiszak.
............
'Destroying three puppets in the blink of an eye is quintessential, but we can't tolerate any more sacrifices.

　Gracia sneered as she held her swollen cheeks.
　Verdia, who had been engaged with Thor, had been flung into the corner of the room by lightning.

'Stronger?　Why can't you realize that your conceit is getting in the way of Elfiszak-sama? Dragons should just be dragons and fly silently through the air.

　Gracia sneered at Berdia, who was in anguish at the power of the lightning.

　For a long time now, Gracia didn't like the existence of that dragon.
　It stuck close to Elfiszak because it was a pet, despicably begged for food, and was nothing short of shallow.
　They have half-intelligence and so on, so they have a bad influence on him.
　But that ends today.
　If you make them into a speechless doll, they will be far more useful as vehicles than they are now.

　Gracia gloats like that, but she suddenly felt uncomfortable with Verdia's attitude.

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

　Even though the Lord was bound in chains, there was no impatience in his expression.
　On the contrary, he was sad, turning his red eyes to Thor.

''You, what's with that face?''
...... you're not seeing anything.

　Gracia, who doesn't understand, has a pitying look on her face.
　That's when Gracia was almost enraged by that attitude.

''-- Thor. You were wise and strong.

　Elfiszak's words echoed in the room.
　He turned his compassionate gaze towards Thor, still tied up.

'You assessed the battle situation properly in any situation and you made the best move you could. I can't tell you how many times that tactical eye has helped me. And you never neglected to train. You had mastered the lightning magic to the extreme, and finally you had risen to the level of the Four Heavenly Kings.

　Elfiszak looks down at the chains that bind him.

'That's why it's ...... regrettable, isn't it?'
"----
You were definitely not this strong.

　A bakin, the sound echoed.
　Elfiszak's arms, with all his strength, were tearing the chains apart with ease.

'You have always supported me. I will never forget that devotion. Your words, I will never forget.

　The restraints are released and Elfiszak releases his magic eye.

''-- "Demon Eyes, Ashburst."

　Thor's defense was not in time.
　Even his judgment before he was alive would not be exercised now that he had become a puppet.
　Hence, it was inevitable that he would be defeated by Elfiszak.

''----''

　It was just before the Red Lotus Hellfire engulfed Thor's body.

''Master Elfiszak.''

　That mouth, which should be motionless, moved.

"We were happy to serve you, sir.

　Thor smiled as if he were alive.

'--....... Yeah, me too.

　And Red Lotus swallowed her Thor.

'Thank you. Goodbye, Thor.

　When the world turned red with a roar and the light went out, there was nothing left.
　Thus, the dead were gone.
　All that remained were three of the living.

"Ba...... idiot, you know. No matter how much Elfiszak-sama is against you, my doll is so easily .......

　One of them was inexplicably dismayed.
　Those four puppets, no matter how much they were underestimated, should have had more than the strength of two Four Heavenly Kings.
　The existence of the four of them was one of Gracia's proudest trump cards.

''Don't you understand, Gracia?''

　Elfiszak has the answer to that question.
　Even Berdia has noticed it from the beginning.
　The only one who doesn't notice is Gracia, who doesn't look at others.

'Even as a corpse, the four of us were strong, to be sure. But. But the thing that made them so strong is their will. I'm not sure how they can use the power they had when they were alive if you take that away from them.
......
'And ...... did you think that I, here, didn't know the weaknesses of my men?　I know the power of the four of them better than anyone else in the world. How could the attacks of four people who were only manipulated by me be effective against me?

　It's simple.
　Elfiszak knows the strength of the four of them better than anyone else.
　There is no street that the four people who have lost their willpower from the beginning can fulfill to her.
　A puppet that is only mended on the surface will not reach Elfiszak.

''This kind of ...... thing,''

　And so, the only one left is Gracia.
　Her subordinates have been knocked out of the room, and she is unable to call for support due to the wards that have been put up in the room.
　More than that, Gracia can't bear the state of being trapped at the hands of her loved ones.

"Elfiszak-sama!　I have done everything for you!　Why can't you understand that?　How can you not understand that I love you so much?　Please wake up already!　It is not I to whom you should direct your enmity!　The useless Verdia, the unholy hero, and Ortegia, the deceiver of kings!　You understand, don't you!

　With tears, Gracia cries out her vindication and Elfiszak's uncertainty.
　He points to Verdia and screams hysterically.
　She was a far cry from the Gracia Elfiszak knew.

　However, in the course of thirty years, Gracia had not been transformed.
　From the beginning, she had been standing next to herself, holding this idea, this thought, in her heart.
　The only difference is that he is not afraid to put it out there.

'I can't point out to Iori how this is a good way to look at .......

　He muttered to himself.

Don't you ever get it?
...... Yes?
I'm not a puppet in the way you want me to be, Gracia.

　Gracia exclaims at the words that shunned her.
　After a moment of silence.

"Huh, f*ck you. ......!　Who do you think I've been living for all this time?!

　Gracia exclaimed in a high-pitched voice.
　There is not a trace of his usual calm and taciturn appearance left.
　The way he shakes his hair and screams, there was no other way to describe him than as a madman.

""Lost Magic, Instantaneous Disappearance of Body (Shunshin Shoshitsu)."

　And then Gracia's figure disappeared.
　In the blink of an eye, she moved around the room, leaving behind an afterimage.
　It's an instantaneous movement that she's shown many times before.

''Saaah!　Can you catch my image, Elfiszak-sama!''

　Gracia's voice can be heard from all over the room.
　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　--Loss magic, instantaneous body disappearance--.

　It could instantly appear anywhere within the user's sight.
　By acquiring this magic, Gracia had risen to the level of the Four Heavenly Kings.

''I am!　With my hands, I will punish you!''

　An enormous amount of magic power gathered in Gracia's hands as she repeatedly moved in the moment.
　The thing formed by the magic power is a staff.

"Dance (Levatain)."

　The secret of this art has been passed down from generation to generation in the lineage of the Levatein family, which stands for the two words "Struggle".
　It is the greatest magic to annihilate the enemy by condensing magic power in the shape of a staff and releasing it all at once.

It's a good idea to end it. Elfiszak-sama-ah!

　And Gracia appeared behind Elfiszak.
　Berdia couldn't follow him with her eyes and didn't notice Gracia appearing behind the Lord.
　Even Elfiszak himself couldn't possibly notice Gracia.

　You'll be able to see that it's not the same as the one you're used to.

Fools.

　With such a voice, Elfiszak disappeared from sight.
　At the same time as his eyes widened in astonishment, a tremendous shock came from behind him and Gracia was knocked to the ground.
　Both wands in her hands would dissipate with the impact.

'......?　......!

　Gracia looks up, agonizing over the pain in her back.
　If you look, Elfiszak was looking at you with a kick out of the air.

'Wha...... what?'
"Your magic has a flaw. As soon as it disappears, a faint magical force appears where it appears.
Na............
I just need to use my magic eye to see where you'll appear.

　Gracia's ruffled head was oblivious to the weaknesses of her magic.　
　A fatal mistake that she normally would never make.
　It was inevitable that it happened because she lacked composure.

''Gracia.''

　Elfiszak's eyes glowed red.

''Wow, I am!　All this time, I've been working for Elfiszak-sama ......!
I told you.

　He interrupted the painful words.

I didn't want that to happen.

　Elfiszak activates his magic eye.

''I am, I am--''

　A screaming Gracia was swallowed up by the Red Lotus Inferno.