-- the sight of the fort blowing up smoke is gradually moving away from us.

　We left the fort on the back of Verdia, who had returned to her dragon form, and we left the fort.
　Although there were pursuers, in aerial combat, Elfi's magic eye boasts a foul power.
　The demons who were chasing us on dragon species and bird-shaped demons were shot down without even being able to resist.

　We don't know what happened to Lucifina and the distortions.
　The reason I chose them as my escape route was because they were coming from the exact opposite direction from the way they came.
　There was a good chance they were still in the vicinity, but fortunately they didn't run into them.

　It was a while after we applied a healing spell to the exhausted Verdia and flew a false and deceptive flight.
　We swept past our pursuers and found a deep forest in our direction of travel.
　We decided to rest in this forest for the time being while keeping an eye out for surveillance.

　It's all over now.

　We succeeded in retrieving Elfi, which was our original goal.
　We also succeeded in bringing down one of the Four Heavenly Kings, which would be an obstacle to our future activities.
　The Demon King's army would be topsy-turvy for a while, as the defenses of the fort that had been protecting the invasion from the Empire had dropped significantly.

　Elfie was also able to get revenge on the person who betrayed his friends.
　Although there are a few questionable points, such as the whereabouts of the idler and the fact that the Four Heavenly Kings' entourage was too weak, but even if you take that into account, the result is still excellent.

　But that was only if you only look at the results.
　The feelings of the parties involved are not included.

◆.

　The deep forest is naturally inhabited by many demons.
　Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be any demons that strong, but the amount is quite high.
　Just to be sure, I put up a fairly strong ward around it.
　Overlap, I'll also use magic to hide the existence of the wards.
　With this, no one will be able to find me for a day or so.

''...... haha ...... haha ...... haha.''

　As soon as they descended into the forest, Verdia fell to the ground with all her strength.
　Naturally. He had flown for half a day, fought in the fort, and then flew again from there.
　I'm rather surprised that he held on so long.

　That's probably because of Elfi's presence.

'Good work, Verdia-chan.

　Elfie gave the limping Berdia some words of comfort.
　He gently stroked Berdia's head with a loving hand.

'...... master ah ......'

　Berdia, too, made an indulgent sound and rubbed her head against Elfie's with a zipper.

'I'm glad you're alive. I'm so happy.
"...... I've been missing you for a long time.
'Verdia, ....... Hush.
"...... Hush!

　With sound effects, they are embracing each other.
　No, Verdia is still a dragon, so technically they're not hugging each other.
　Indeed, this is more of a pet than a subordinate .......

'But ...... I'm surprised. I didn't think you could be a person, Verdia.
"...... I worked hard and I got it done.
Oh. That's my pet!

　With a big smile on his face, Elfie was as proud and happy as he was to take credit for it.

'Yes, it must have been a long journey up here. Are you feeling okay?
"...... Yes, I'm fine. Are you okay, Master?
'Hmm. As you can see, I'm on pins and needles!　My torso is back and I'm doing great!
"............

　That's when Elfie turned his attention to me, who was getting ready to make camp.

''Iori, thank goodness you came, too. I thought the quicksilver was going to be no better.
...... Yeah.

　He nodded and moved his hand.

'A lot happened along the way. I'll explain that too, later.
'Mmmm ....... That said, I'm feeling a little hungry!　I want to eat dinner, Iori!

　Then Elfie rubs his belly.
　Well, he wouldn't be able to get a decent meal in a fort like that.
　He fishes out his pouch and takes out his cooking tools.

　I'm trying to get the ingredients I've been storing.

"............

　I noticed Verdia's gaze, gazing at me gingerly.

''I might need a few more ingredients to make ...... for three people.

　I muttered.

'Mu...... Really?　Now for the best meat I'm saving.
'Nope. As we descended through the forest, we saw nuts and other beasts all around us. Since we're going to be here, let's use that one.

　Then he turns to Verdia.

'Verdia. Can you go and find me some food?
Mmm, hey Iori. You don't need to use Verdia-chan. We're tired on the road.

　With a dubious look on his face, Elfie recoiled.
　Well, that's a natural reaction.

'It's ...... okay,'

　But Verdia sluggishly lifted herself up.

'...... I'm off.'
You don't have to do it, you know.　And I've got my own ingredients.
'...... no. For some reason, I'm suddenly eager to get the ingredients. It must be a black flame dragon's instinct. I want to go so badly.''
Well, if you want to go that far, I'll be happy to go to ......

　Berdia slinked away from the base in search of foodstuffs.
　In the meantime.

"...... please.

　That's what you said.

'Mmm, he's gone.'

　Looking at Berdia as she left, Elfi muttered in frustration.

''Even so, I didn't expect you to listen honestly to anyone other than me, Berdia-chan.

　Apparently, he was pretty repulsive to everyone but Elfi.
　Somehow, though, I could tell by the way he was acting towards Idler.

'You've gotten along quite well, haven't you?
Well.
'Hmmm ....... But really, I'm hungry. I want to eat something like the ba-nya ka-da I had with Iori before. Is it tough because there is no sauce? Mmm.

　Crossing his arms, Elfie speaks in a cheerful tone.
　He's spinning around, oblivious to my silence.
　I couldn't look at him anymore.

"Elfie,
Hm?　What's the matter, Iori?
I don't work for you.

　He looks into Elfie's eyes and says

'So you don't have to toughen up.'

　There was a moment's pause.

'...... Hmmm, what's the rush. I'm not trying to be tough.

　'What is Iori talking about?' chuckles Elfi.

'Not at all, as I told you, Verdia, I'm pinging like this. I'm not so thin that I can't handle that much. I'm more hungry than that, you know.

　Elfie laughs as usual, talks as usual, and claims to be hungry as usual.
　But.

You look like crap.

　Elfi's eyes wavered at those words.
　Still trying to maintain his composure, Elfi tried to spin the words.

No, no, no.
I'm not your man. I'm just a weak man who has managed to get this far after showing you so much pettiness.
............
So you don't have to be so tough.

　I threw in the same words as the first.

"Wow, ...... I'm not.

　As he was about to say this, Elfie was at a loss for words.
　Her mouth quivered, and her golden eyes narrowed as if she were enduring something.

　--A strong woman, I thought.

　She'd been kept in the dark for thirty years, with her promises betrayed and her friends slaughtered.
　And yet, Elfie was always smiling.
　Even in front of me, who was supposed to be his nemesis, he would show it off and act like a clown.

　That's why I thought Elfiszak was a strong woman.

　--I don't like it ...... I don't like it. I don't want to be ...... dark anymore.
　--I don't want to be alone, don't do that.

　But it was different.
　I wasn't strong.
　She was a demon king, and she wanted revenge.
　This woman had to wear a mask of strength.

"............

　The woman in front of me looked terrible.
　She smiled, trying desperately to hold back tears, and let out a loud voice to hide her trembling lips.
　I'm sure I looked like this, too, I thought.

　What rose in my chest at that moment was an emotion that I couldn't put into words.
　It was something different from anger or sadness.
　I couldn't hold back that emotion.

'Elfie,'

　I found myself holding Elfie in my arms.

'It's okay,'

　In his arms, Elfie gasps.

'...... ah.'

　Elfi lets out an unspoken voice.
　Bikri, and a small shudder.
　He lets out a few breaths, and then.

'I killed .......'

　Slowly, Elfie said.

"I killed that guy ...... Gracia,
...... Yeah.
"He killed my friends at ....... He betrayed me. That's why ......

　Drops spilled out of her golden eyes.
　One of them fell and gradually increased in number as if it had been dammed up.

That's why ......, I had to kill it!
...... Yeah.
He is ...... serious and always worried about me. ...... He also cooks a lot of meals for me ....... I love that guy .......

　Elfie says, his voice trembling as he breathes uncontrollably.

'And yet ...... Thor and his friends are ....... Kill them and turn them into ...... dolls.
............
I was happy ....... I was happy ...... to be able to fight alongside these guys for one purpose!　That's all it took to make me ...... I was ...... happy, but I was ...... happy. Aaaaahh ...... ah ...... uuahh.

　Sobbing, Elfie buries his face in my chest.
　She wrapped her hands around my back and hugged me tightly, pressing down and crying.
　I slowly stroked her silver hair as I combed it.

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

　How long had it been since then?
　Elfie calmed down a bit, even though he was sucking up.
　As I stroked its head, I asked Elfie the question.

　Or maybe it was a cruel question.
　Still, I had to ask.

"Do you regret taking revenge?

　Elfi gave a small shake of his head.

'I have decided ...... to go on. I will definitely get my revenge and go ...... ahead and move on.

　He hugs me tightly, but still makes it clear.

'So I don't regret it.
...... Right.

　Again, there was silence.
　All I could hear was the sound of Elfi sniffing.

'...... Iori.'
What?

　Elfi slowly looked up.

'--Thanks.'

　Elfie said, smiling as he looked up at me with teary, swollen eyes.
　The look on his face left me speechless.

'If it weren't for you, I would have been trapped in the dark again. I couldn't do anything, I couldn't get revenge ...... and this time it would have ended. So thank you ...... for helping me.
'It's ...... mutual. I wouldn't have ever been able to get my revenge without you, either.

　Then he stroked his head again.
　Elfie was tickled, "Hmmm," she breathed out.
　Seeing her like that, I remembered an exchange we had sometime ago.

...... We're a lot alike, aren't we, Elfie?
...... Yeah.

　Did Elfie remember, too?
　Smiling sadly, Elfie nodded.

''I will be the Demon King again.''

　Looking at my face, Elfie quietly declared that.

''I will become the Demon King, and this time I will--''
...... this time?

　Same exchange as before.
　But Elfi spoke up beyond that.

"-- Humans, subhumans, and demons. We will stop the war and create a world where all races can live hand in hand.

　Elfie looked at me from the front and said.

'I believe that with you, this time I can end the war - and I believe that I can.

　End the war.
　A world where all species can join hands.

　A world where all races could join hands.
　It was a sweet dream, laughed at by my friends, and I laughed at myself.

I knew.
......
I knew you were going for it.

　Elfie has never told me to my face what he wants.
　Why is that?
　It's because I hated the idea of world peace.

　If Elfi had told me that when we first met, I would have scoffed at him.
　I'm sure we wouldn't have been able to act together.

'- Impossible. Nonsense.
............
Even if I regain my former strength, I still feel that way.

　That's not going to change.

...... but I'm not going to laugh at your mental image. If it's impossible, I won't step on it.
............
Still, I can't accept ...... and cooperate with you. I'm no longer a brave man who saves everyone.

　In everything, I was disappointed in myself.
　I stopped being a brave man, and down the road, I teamed up with a former demon king to get revenge.
　I'm not the hero anymore.

　If there was a reason for a brave man to return to being a hero, that would be...

"Oh.

　At my words, Elfie nodded gently.

'That's fine. But I believe that a world of peace awaits you when you have finished your revenge.
----

　...... I can't believe that word.
　I still can't imagine what happens after revenge.
　I don't want to be a hero to create a world of peace.

　But even if I did.

"Elfie.

　I stare into those golden eyes and stare straight ahead.

"I will have my revenge until the end. I will kill every single person who betrayed me, who used me, who trampled on me.

　That's why.

'If you'll help me, I'll help you.
　If you help me get my revenge, I'll help you get yours.

　Betrayed and lacking.
　We'll need his help to get our revenge.

"As long as you're on my side, I will not betray you.

　So...

"Until the end of your revenge, you're coming with me--"Ex-Demon King".

　I said, extending my hand.

Yeah.

　The former Demon King takes my hand.

"I will, ex-brave."

　I couldn't help but laugh at those words in return.

◆

　A short time later, Berdia returned with a large number of wild rabbits.
　I received it and after processing the skin and draining the blood, I used it as an ingredient in the stew.
　While I was guzzling and simmering the ingredients, Elfi asked me.

'Do you know where you're going next?'
Of course.

　I think we still have someplace to go.

To the final labyrinth, the one we call the void.

　The last labyrinthine core in the void labyrinth.
　And Elfi's heart.
　Take it and we'll regain our strength for a decisive battle.

...... I'll be along for the ride.

　When Verdia, who had returned to her human form, said this, Elfie spluttered happily.

'Oh, I'm so happy for you, Verdia!　If you're here, it's the Ten Dragons Power!
....... That's good.
Good, good, good. ...... good, good, good.

　Elfie was stroking her, and Verdia was happy to see her.
　After a while, she looks at me.

'...... I did my best. Iori, praise me too ......?
No. Let Elfi pet you.
...... hmmm. Mean ......

　As she says this, Verdia's cheeks are dyed with joy.
　What the hell is this guy .......
　Then, Verdia huffs and laughs.

...... Iori.
What?
...... Thanks, man.

　He said, looking at me with his red eyes.
　I chuckle, understanding the meaning of that thanks.
　'You've got a good pet, Elfie.

'Mu...... you guys really seem to be getting along. What are you talking about?　Mix me in.

　The important thing to remember is that Elfie looks a little boring, though, with his cheeks puffed out.

'A lot of things happened before I could save ...... my master.
Hmm. I'm curious. What's going on?
...... It is.

　I look up at the sky as they talk happily.
　The sun is setting and the sky is beginning to turn reddish brown.

　I can't agree with Elfi's ideals.

　I can't accept it and cooperate with it.
　But the road has not yet been divided.
　Our vengeance is far from over.

　--Lucifina.

　Lucifina. ...... Wait for me.
　You're next.
　You're going to be the one who pays for trampling me.


　You're done.

　"A former demon king and a former hero.

　The journey of these two, who were never meant to cross, continues.


　--I'm not sure what is waiting for me beyond that.