The back of my brain ached with a twinge.
　My brain refused to comprehend the devastation in front of me.

　The smell of stinging iron spread through the aisle.
　I stepped forward and the pool of blood jerked as I stepped forward.
　Blasted guts were steamy in the cold passage.

'Ugh, ah, ......?　That, Boku: ......

　The idler on the ground tilted his head and looked at his lower body.
　There were no legs and buttocks where they should have been, only large amounts of blood and the viscera that floated on them, shaking.
　He let out a twitching breath and the idler pulled his head back without effort.

'Ahhh ....... I thought Iori-kun's death phase would be ...... like this when I saw it. Ah, haha, I see. I didn't think it would really be ...... like this.
Shut up!　I'll cast a healing spell on you at once!
Yea, yea, ......, but the next one's coming up.

　From the other side of the wall with a large hole in it, countless lights could be seen flying towards us.
　The moment I used the magic technique Usurpation (Spell Divoua) and Demon Sealing (Il Ataraxia) at the same time, the light bullets burst through the wall and littered the castle.
　The violent dragons that were coming towards us were also caught in the light of destruction and were seen to disappear without a trace.
　The light bullets laid waste to the castle for a few seconds, and stopped when the demon sealer cracked.

''It's probably a 'rain' attack, right? The reason they were evacuating the demon tribe is because they were planning to blow up the entire demon king's castle. ...... I thought we were fine ...... as long as we were fighting the allies, but ...... I was caught off guard.

　After creating a new Demon Sealer, I immediately try to get to work on healing the idler.
　However, I knew at a glance that the healing magic I could use wouldn't be able to help.
　I used all the healing magic I could find, but the idler's wounds were never closed.

''d*mn it!　Do you have a healing spell to heal that wound?　I think you know what you're talking about!
Haha ....... As I said, even I can't help you with this one ....... Maybe Elfiszak would have been different, though.

　Choking on his own blood, Idler laughs in resignation.
　'There's nothing I can do about it.

'Why did you cover for me?'

　From inside the magically blocked castle, it was impossible to notice the attack outside.
　However, Idler had noticed the attack just before it happened.
　On top of that, he covered for me at the expense of himself.

That's ....... There's nothing you can do about it if you're the only one who survives the impotent ......
You could at least run away from this castle, couldn't you ......?
Well. But... ...... See?

　Idler smiles with a bloody face.

'We're ...... buddies, aren't we ......?'

----

　Friends.
　Me and an idler?

You don't have to look so surprised ...... really, Iori-kun is terrible. ......

　Because of the coincidence of interests, we acted together.
　We thought of the relationship as a mutual use of each other, and that was the extent of our relationship.

'You ......'
Well, you can tell by his attitude, can't you?　You ...... have been on the lookout for me to betray you at any time, haven't you ......?

　That's right.
　I don't think I ever trusted this guy, the Grim Reaper, or the Idler.

"But you know what? I've had a lot of fun with ....... It's been a long time since I've had ...... someone to act and behave like this, so it's ...... been a long time since I've had a chance to make some noise with someone like this. The person who could do that ...... has been gone for a long time. ......

　With that, Idler spat out a large clot of blood.

"...... d*mn it. ...... I'm going to die?

　For a while, Idler had been smiling in a strong way, but his breathing was gradually becoming shallow.
　His complexion was also changing to an earthen color.
　The idler squeezed my hand weakly.

'...... Oh no,' he said, 'I don't want to die. I don't want to die.

　Smaller, idlers poured out the words.

"I've come all the way here ....... This isn't too much. ......

　A polo drop spills out of her peach-colored eyes.

I don't like ...... Iori-kun, help me!　I don't want to die.

　There's nothing you can do about it.

......

　The idler was sobbing and there were no words to speak.
　All I could do was squeeze the idler's hand back.

...... Hey, Iori-kun.

　After a moment, Idler wiped away a tear.

'You already know who I am, don't you?
...... Yeah.
I'm sorry for calling out to a world like this ......

　Oh yeah, .......
　I knew you were.

"I lost all my authority, all my divine energy, and I can't do ...... anything because I'm useless and useless. I'm sorry I can't lead you properly.
'That's not true. You made it work when we rescued Elfie and when we rescued Hilde Garda, thanks to you. So I'm not useless.
"As a colleague ...... you can trust me ......?
Of course.

　Good," he said, a smile on his face.

I'm ...... not going to be able to make it because of my recklessness, but I'm sure you'll be fine with ....... I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you. I'm sure that the rain that attacked us from the outside will be stopped by Maria ......

　The strength slowly slips out of my fingers that were gripping my hand.

'Is there anything I can do for you now?'
...... for this.

　It was a white ring that was handed to me.
　The moment I received it, I was amazed at the amount of magical power contained within.

''Frame, te.''

　As I was told, I put it on my finger.
　Immediately afterwards, my body felt light.
　I'm not going to be able to get the same thing done.

I'll give you my blessing ....... Iori-kun. ...... please. Defeat Ortegia, ...... that guy, ...... and defeat him, .......
Yeah, I'm on it. You're on it. Me and Elfi will take down Ortegia.

　As he exhaled heavily, the idler's entire body relaxed as it was.

'See you at ....... Melt.

　At my words, a small smile appeared on his mouth - a small smile.

　The idler drew its last breath as it was.

◆

There is one question I would like to ask you.

　Sitting on the throne, Ortegia said this in an intonation-free voice tone.
　With hatred and murderous intent in his eyes, Elfiszak, who was about to pounce on him, silently urged him onward.

'Elfiszak. What were you born for?''

　Ortegia's question, which she hadn't expected, caused her to raise her eyebrows quizzically.
　He hadn't expected such a philosophical question from the man in front of him.

''What is known. I am a demon king, to end the war between the demon race and the humans and sub-race. I was born to bring about a world where all my people can live in peace.

　Without a trace of stagnation, Elfiszak speaks of the reason for his birth.
　Ortegia's golden eyes narrow slightly.

I see. You find meaning in your own birth.
......?

　Ortegia's murmur that was somewhat filled with envy.
　What meaning did the man in front of him have in asking such a question?
　Elfiszak's questions would be resolved by Ortegia's next words.

I have not been able to find the meaning of my birth. For what purpose was the individual Ortegia born? I thought that if I listened to your answer, I would be able to find some answer.

　Seeing Ortegia's slightly disappointed expression, Elfiszak snorted.

''Nonsense.''
...... what?
'What was I born for?　Don't make me laugh, Ortegia. You're quite a joke.

　It's so silly that I want to let out a sigh.
　If Iori were to ask me such questions, I would have to preach for hours.
　On the day that such a question is asked by my nemesis, I can't help but be stunned beyond anger.

'The reason I was born is not something that can be found by looking for it the way you are doing.
How do you propose to find them, then?
Do you think I'm the one who has to answer to you?　You don't need to find out what it means to be born. You are now going to die.

　Immediately after those words, Ortegia, who was sitting on the throne, was swallowed up by the explosion.
　The Red Lotus Inferno manifested, and explosive flames gushed into the room.

''--That's right,''

　With a chilling voice sound, a blast of flame popped out.
　Ortegia, who was still sitting on the throne as before, nodded, unharmed.

''Unfortunately, I can't die either. And the meaning of your birth will never be realized. The reason is that it is you who will die here. Elfiszak.

　Ortegia rose up from her throne.
　It was immediately afterwards that a great jet-black sword was swung down from above Elfiszak's head.
　The figure of Ortegia holding the great sword was in front of Elfiszak in an instant.

''----''

　A gasp, not a pause.
　Elfiszak evaded the blade as fast as he could, smashing the floor in his steps.
　The rear of the room was cut in two in half by the power of the slash that was generated.

''Magic Eye, Ashburst!''

　The magic eye shot in time, but Ortegia didn't take it into consideration.
　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　-- Ortegia's characteristics, the overwhelming defensive power of magic power.

　The magical power that covers Ortegia's body becomes an armor that repels all attacks.
　Even if you shot the magic eye without a pause, it would not work against Ortegia at all.
　With that understanding, Elfiszak shoots his magic eye at Ortegia one after another.

''It's useless.''

　Muttering in boredom, Ortegia swung her great sword.
　Elfiszak activated his magic arm and immediately took a defensive stance.
　However, a jet-black slash shimmered, and a moment later, he was forced to retreat significantly while spewing blood from his arm.

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

　As if to deny his words, Elfiszak rushed in a cheer.
　He closed the distance in the blink of an eye using his demon legs and slammed his full-length demon arm.
　However, what was transmitted through the arm was not the response of destruction, but the impact of being played.
　The bones in his arm shattered with a dull sound as Ortegia used his great sword to receive the counter that he had unleashed.

　Deciding that it would be fatal to stay in Ortegia's space any longer, Elfiszak took the distance while releasing his magic eye.
　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it, but I'm going to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

''You, who have no heart, are not my enemy.

　The words were not uttered in contempt of the downtrodden Elfiszak.
　It was a pure fact.
　An Elfiszak who didn't have a heart and couldn't give his full strength would not even be a match for Ortegia.
　I knew that even before I came here.
　That's why he had made a plan to tag team with Iori to fight Ortegia.

　The current Elfiszak is no match for Ortegia.
　If that's the case, the action I should take is--.

''--I could have remained under your command.

　Ortegia said abruptly to Elfiszak, who was planning a strategy in his head.

''As the Four Heavenly Kings, I could have followed you like that.
What did you say?
But you were naive. Lethal as it is.

　It's not a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to get your hands on a new one," said Ortegia.

It is impossible to coexist with humans and subhumans. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. Following you will not make the threat of other species disappear. I do not want to die. Your ideals have prevented me from eliminating the danger of death.
'I don't think so. Humans, demons and subhumans can live hand in hand. Just as I, the demon race, and Iori, the human race, have been able to walk this far, we should be able to coexist without conflict among other races.
It's idealistic.

　To Ortegia, who spat it out briefly.

That's right. But I am the king of all demons. What would I do if I couldn't achieve my ideals?
............
I want to create a world where all races can live in peace. --That's why I wanted to be the Demon King.

　Understanding the overwhelming difference in strength, Elfiszak's battle spirit did not wane in the slightest.
　The magic power that overflowed from his entire body was even higher than before.

''You're ...... stupid.''

　As if disappointed, Ortegia's eyes narrowed.
　A moment later, Elfiszak's magic arm and Ortegia's magic sword collided with each other.