Thirty years ago, the strongest opponent he had fought was Ortegia.
　Enormous magical power, overwhelming offensive power, and desperate defense.
　He was stronger than anyone he had ever fought.

　But if you ask who was the most troublesome, the answer changes.

-- "Thousand Changes" Hilda.

　This one was the hardest to beat.


Even after we fought her on the road to church, we fought her many times.

　She would use warding and traps to undermine our forces.
　We'd have our men make suicide attacks and reduce our strength.
　Then he would appear and lay waste to the battlefield.
　If I'm at a disadvantage, I'll flee the scene of the attack without a care in the world.

　This was Hilda's usual method.

　It was the fourth time I had engaged Hilda in battle.

　We put a perimeter around the battlefield to disperse our forces.
　Dionysus had been isolated.
　Then, Hilda appeared on the scene.

"--I think there's one in here!　There's a child I don't want!

　Hilda transformed her own body and turned into a giant-like figure and flailed about.
　Dionis, whose abilities were reduced by the warding, was blown away by Hilda's blow.

''Ku, so .......''

　Swearing, Dionis rolls around on the ground with a rumble.
　Then, Hilda approaches with a spinning smile.

''Anta, you're weak!　Why are you in the company of the heroes?
"--

　A furious Dionis tried to get up, but Hilda wouldn't let him.
　Blinking back to human size, she slams her knee into Dionis' face.
　With a grunt, Dionis falls to the ground again.

''But I don't hate a fool working hard with a tiny vessel like you, a**h*le?

　With a joke, Hilda transformed her body.
　The lower half of her body swelled up more than it was, and a huge oral cavity was born in her abdomen.
　Opening her mouth enough to swallow several humans whole in one bite, Hilda attacked Dionis.

''Don't be ridiculous!　I am the strongest "water demon" of the demon race and ......
'Ahhh!　That stupidity is cute ssss. Cute, cute, cute, cute, cute, and I've eaten it!

　A huge mouth is closing in on Dionis.

"One person, oh die!
'You're underestimating me too much, you eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ......!

　He took the sword from his pocket and Dionis swung it over.
　Then, in an incomplete stance, he swung the sword down from the upper level.

''First demon sword, decapitation!''

　The sword shimmered.
　A moment later, Hilda was cut in two halves with her entire giant mouth.

''Ughhhh!''　

　Hilda's eyes widen as she is cut in half.

'I'm surprised, you can use such a technique?　And yet that small thing!　It's not a good idea.　You'll have more fun later on if you keep them alive!
You're ridiculous!

　Dionis is furious and tries to slash at Hilda.
　However, Hilda's interest had already shifted to something else.

''--But you can't do that, Lucifina Emilior.

　With those words, the wards that covered Lucifina disappeared.
　Hilda transformed her legs like a spring and leapt up to Lucifina in one breath.
　Lucifina intercepted her with the Tenri sword, but she was gradually cornered by Hilda's onslaught.

''You are Tsumaranai. Tsumaranai is death. Understand?
......

　Saying that, Hilda tries to put a stop to Lucifina.

''--I won't let you.

　At the right moment, I stepped in between them.
　I broke through the warding with all my might and came here.

"Impact Mirror."

　Hilda's attack, which was reversed, became twice as powerful and tore Hilda herself apart.
　When she stopped moving for a moment, I hit her with an ice magic.

''Cold!

　As it is, Hilda freezes.
　I attack the ice block and break it into pieces.

"Are you okay, Lucifina?
Yes, sir. You're a lifesaver. Thank you.

　It was almost at the same time that he took her hand and made Lucifina stand up.

'Hilda-chan, returns!　Fuhi, for a moment, I saw your grandmother who went to the underworld.

　Without a care in the world, Hilda stood up as she melted the ice and pieced her dismembered body together.

'Well, I don't even have parents, let alone a grandmother!　A lifelong perfect beauty!　That was Hilda-chan!
'Can't you freeze it: ......

　We've tried many different ways to kill Hilda.
　Crushed heads, crushed hearts, shattered, burned, froze and sealed - and still not killed.
　It's due to his incredible regenerative abilities and his magical skills to break the ice and seal.
　The only thing I can think of after that is to make it disappear without a trace.

''Oh dear. It seems that I'm a mutation of the shape-shifter, so I don't have any immediate family. But still, since I have such a fun personality, I have had many friends who love me. ...... The past tense is because I killed them all for fun!
'Hey ...... Hilda.
What's the matter, b*tc*?
No family. No friends. So what are you ...... fighting for, anyway?

　This guy enjoys using his friends as decoys and discards.
　It's not a very good idea, but I didn't think he was fighting for the demon race or the demon king's army.

''That's because I want to see something interesting near Ortegia Sama.
...... What?
It's a good thing that I'm a battlefield enthusiast, so it's fun to watch what those revolutionary kids do in the special seat. I'm excited to see what would happen if Ama and Ortega-asama fought each other.

　Disgusting, I thought.
　This woman is hiding her true intentions by joking around and acting like a joke - it's not like she's hiding her true intentions.
　Right now, this guy is speaking the truth.
　That was inexplicably creepy.

''Don't be silly,''

　Then Lucifina shouted in anger.

''You're sacrificing a lot of people for such a joke!
...... Ah, that's cold. It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time. To put it simply, I don't like you.
...... I don't like you either.
"Yay, we get it!　You did it!

　After all that crap.

Well, I have some sword training to do, so that's good for today.

　Hilda spun around and turned her back to us and started running.
　We chased after her, but were blocked by wards and attacks from other demons.
　Again, Hilda managed to escape this time as well.

　After that, we engaged in many battles, and Hilda got away from us again and again.
　Time passed, and it wasn't until much later that we came to an agreement with this woman.

　The place of the decisive battle was the Empire.
　It was shortly after we had invaded the dead swamp labyrinth.

◆

　--the idler appeared with his tongue floating out of his mouth.

'...... you, how did you get here?'
It's all quiet.

　Shutting off all the signs, huh?
　I'm sure he's loosening up a bit now, but even I might have a hard time noticing if he gets serious.
　You can at least get through the guards of the human dog breeds without any problems.

''I came to this forest thinking that Iori-kun would come to crush the void labyrinth.
Did you come after me?
Yeah. I just want to make sure you're okay. You see, if you don't kill Ortega, I'll be chased by a demon for the rest of my life.

　As I recall, Idler said before that he was cursed by Ortegia to be chased by demons.
　He wants to kill Ortegia to lift that curse, right?

'Well, good. By the way, you fell headfirst into a river, are you okay?
'I thought I was okay, but I missed my landing and almost died for a bit. I was out for a while. It's a miracle I'm such a sweetheart and I wasn't attacked while I was unconscious.
Tell him to go to .......

　Talking to this guy is exhausting.
　It's like he's made Elfi several times more troublesome.

'We've been on the Verdia, how did you get here?'
"I used a summoning formation to do a little bit of that. When I came to this forest last time, I used to secretly set it up. This time it's broken, though.
Can you make a summoning team: ......?
With a lot of magic stones and auxiliary magic granting items (magic items), we can manage. Well, it will take several months to complete.

　To create a summoning formation, a group of dozens of talented sorcerers would have to gather together and take nearly a year to create it.
　You can make that by yourself and in a few months: ......?
　As expected, this guy's talent for magic is extraordinary.
Even I, the holder of the Proof of Valor, is unable to master a large amount of magic like this guy.

''Where in the world did he learn all this magic?
I wondered if there was a place called ....... I went through all the old records of lore and tradition to see if I could use it myself, and as a result, I became the genius I am today. And as a result, I became the genius that I am today.
That's great. "Did you recreate the magic called 'Underworld Divergence' from the lore?"

　It's a spell that Ryuza learned from the God of Death.
　I'm sure it's a loss spell that displaces a person's existence in the underworld and allows them to avoid the attacks of their opponents.

Hmm, that's right.
Would it work on me?

　That was quite useful magic.
　It could be used to evade any attack.

　But Idler shook his head with a stern face.

'You shouldn't do that. I realized after I taught Ryuzas that that is a forbidden art that eats away at the bodies of those who have mastered it. Even if you're as talented in magic as he is, you won't get away with it if you learn it.

　Come to think of it, you said something like ...... that the Grim Reaper made it impossible to use magic properly.

''And even if you could use it, every time you use it, your soul will be cut down. It might have seemed like useful magic, but it's risky.
...... I see.
'The Underworld...... Oh, it's called the Underworld these days. The underworld rejects flesh and blood and tries to make them disappear. Just going over there for a second is a lot of work.
............

　That's not the point.
　Idler changed the subject with a serious look on his face.

'I think ...... distortion is dead.
......!

　Distortions.
　Demon King's Army, Four Heavenly Kings.
　Volk Granberia.

...... How did you die?
I think Lucifina killed her.
----

　That guy was dealing with Lucifina, saying he owed her a favor.
　You don't think he was killed on the spot?

He was killed a short time after you guys left the fort.

　Idler said, dismissing my thoughts.

'Lucifina had her own people sneaking into that village. So he killed all the villagers and the distortions that came back with them.
"I'll send my man to the village at .......

　I huffed at those words.
　I remembered what Idler had said and done when we were in that village.
　Just before leaving the village, the idler was staring at the village, and he was saying to Berdia, "What is it?
　And when Berdia asked him what was wrong, he replied

'Hmm ....... No, it's nothing. And it's not anything that can be done about it.'

　I stare at Idler and ask in a low voice.

'Idler. You've noticed Lucifina's men.
Yes.

　Without a care in the world, Idler nodded.

'Why didn't you tell me?'
There was nothing I could do about it.
If you'd told me, maybe those people wouldn't have died in that village.

　The idler's face was filled with disappointment.

You don't think I'm going to know that Lucifina is going to kill a twisted version of herself by breaking ranks?　And those guys didn't seem to do anything in particular. Is this something I should be blamed for?
...... Well, no, I guess so.

　The words cooled my head.
　I was wrong about that one.
　It's an accusation.
　In the first place, this guy had no reason to side with the Demon King's Army guys.
　It was wrong to blame the idlers.

''Iori-kun. I'm sure you'll find that sweetness ...... of yours is comforting when you're with us. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you. You know that, I'm sure you know that.

　The idler admonishes me in a gentle tone of voice.
　You're right.
　I'm sweet.

"...... bad.
'Nope, don't worry about it. Like I said, your kindness is comfortable, Iori. I like it. That's why ...... my coldness is so pronounced, though.
............
You see, Iori. I've decided to kill Ortega by any means necessary.

　The idler looked at me with her peach-colored twin eyes and said in a clear tone of voice, "As you can see, I'm not strong.

As you can see, I'm not strong. I can do a lot of small tricks, but that's all. I can't use any means to kill Ortegia.

　Indeed, it would be impossible for an idler to kill Ortegia on his own.
　On the contrary, it would be difficult for him to even beat the Four Heavenly Kings.

''That's why I'll do whatever it takes. So I don't care if I'm treated like a coward or called a coward, I will do whatever it takes. I have to kill Ortega and get my revenge, no matter what.

　Nowhere near the antics that he always displayed.
　Quietly, but certainly exuding an inner hatred, Idler stated.

'Is that revenge for being ...... cursed?'
That's part of it. But that's not all.

　Idler had said before.
　He didn't like to fight, and he had only kept his registration in the Demon King's Army.
　However, when Ortegia became the Demon King, he was kicked out of the Demon King's Army and made into his current constitution.
　I didn't hear anything more than that.

''Iori-kun. Have you ever had someone you care about on your hands?

　Suddenly, Idler asked such a question.

'It doesn't matter if it's a family member, lover, or best friend. Have you ever killed someone you care about with your hands?
There's no .......
I am.

　His tone was surprisingly cold.

'...... I had a best friend. My one and only best friend.
...... best friend.
I was happy just to be with him. That's what made me happy.

　--But the happiness didn't last.

He was a purebred. He's a naive guy, and he's just a bad guy who fell for it. He did so many things wrong that he didn't even know he was wrong.

　Idler tried to stop it.
　He convinced his best friend and also shouted at those who were instigating his best friend to stop.
　But that didn't stop his best friend.

　When Idler realized he couldn't stop his best friend alone, he turned to his friends.
　Together with his friends, he went to defeat the bad guy who was seducing his best friend.

'But ...... but you know what?'

　With tears in the corners of his eyes and a shaky voice, the idler continues to speak.

"I've been betrayed by my ...... buddies, and I've been betrayed by my ...... buddies.

　The idler bit his lip hard, not caring if it bled.
　He rubbed his face with a scrub and wiped away the tears.

'The people I thought were my friends were connected to the people who seduced my best friend. I didn't know what was going on, but I was so easily tricked, I almost got killed!

　Idler managed to get away from the scene.
　As he fled, his best friend was waiting for him.
　He says that he attacked him.

"Didn't you see my back before?　Those big wounds were made by my best friend when he cut me.

　From there, Idler said, his memory is vague, too.

But one thing I do remember clearly. I remember the feeling of killing that thing with my own hands.

　Selflessly, Idler resisted.
　As a result, the idler killed him.

...... I've decided that I will never forgive the people who cheated on me. I've decided that I'll never forgive the people who screwed over that guy ...... and betrayed me.

　Then it seems that Idler has been secretly working in the dark to get his revenge.

'I joined the Demon King's Army because it was more convenient for me to get my revenge. In a manner of speaking, it would allow us to come under their protection and make it easier for them to act.

　Idler continued his revenge while joining the Demon King's Army.

'And now I'm stamping my feet on the verge of completing my revenge.
...... I mean, the last person you'd want to have your revenge on is
Yes, Ortegia. Well ...... not just revenge, but after being kicked out of the Demon King's army, I'm being chased by demons.

　As if to mock himself, Idler laughs.

'...... Would you laugh at me as an idiot?　You betrayed me, you killed my best friend ...... and then you're weak and you want revenge.
It's not funny.

　How can it be funny, it's not.

...... You're so sweet.

　Then Idler put his own hand on mine, and my own.

...... Yeah. I knew I'd be comfortable with you.
............
Mine went something like this. I'm sorry I'm boring you, okay?
It was me who asked you about .......
Hmm. That's right.

　For the first time, I felt like I was hearing the voice of an idler's mind.
　Maybe the reason he usually takes a joke is to catch them off guard.
　It's also possible that they are just plain, just like ...... elfi.

I'm pretty excited about the anti-Ortegia Elfiszak. I'm with her, and with you.
I see.
Even at ......, it just occurred to me that Iori, you're going to join Elfiszak in killing Ortegia?
Why do you ask that?
'Hmm. You seem to have a strong hatred for Lucifina, but I was wondering ...... what about Ortegia. From what we've talked about, Iori-kun doesn't seem to hate Ortegia. I wondered if he really wanted to kill Ortegia.

　It's true that ...... I don't hate Ortegia.
　Because although he was an enemy, he wasn't betrayed like Lucifina and the others.

'Indeed, I have nothing against Ortegia. I'm an enemy, but I'm not an object of revenge. ...... Still, I'll go with Elfi to kill Ortegia.

　That was the deal.
　I'm going to help him avenge his death.
　I said I'd be there for him until the end of time.

"Yeah, right.

　With a subtle look on his face, Idler nodded.
　He seemed to understand, but not to be convinced.
　That part bothered me, but I remembered there was something else I needed to ask Idler.

'Hey, Idler,'
Yeah?
Have you ever heard of a thousand changes?

　"A thousand changes, Hilda.
　Thirty years ago, the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's Army.

"Ah yes, I know you, in case you didn't know. As I recall, you're the Four Heavenly Kings who died in the Empire.
Yeah, yeah.
What about it?
No. Okay, idler.
Yeah?

　I'm not.

Do you know what ■■■■■■■■■■■ is?　Or something close.

　I asked.

'------'

　Idler's eyes widen.

'...... Why do you ask that?'
I'm gonna win this thing.

　After a moment's thought, Idler replied.
　I know, he said.

◆

　Then we talked for a while.

　I know that guy well.
　And because of that, he knows my weaknesses as well.

　My conversation with the idler convinced me of that.
　The one waiting for me in the void labyrinth is Lucifina.

Can you ask for ......?
I'll be fine. It's a bit risky, but I think I can handle it as long as there are people willing to help me.
Sorry.

　After the conversation, I decided to go back to my room.
　It would not be good to talk any longer than this.
　It's getting deep in the night, and I'd better get to sleep for tomorrow or later.

'Hey,'

　Idler asked as he saw me standing up.

'Will it hit or miss? Which one (...) do you prefer, Iori?
...... Either way, it doesn't change what I do.
Oh, okay.

　As I was about to leave, the idler picked at the hem of my clothes.

'...... be careful,'
Yeah.

　I nodded.

　Maximum, we'll have to be careful.
　I don't want to think about which one (...) is better, because it's too bad.
　If I was right.

　--Because I can't beat him.