A few days have passed since the wounds have healed.
　Normally, there was no need to continue staying in this village anymore, but Elfiszak was still allowed to sleep in Ferna's house.　
　Elfiszak was a little surprised at himself for trying to stay in this village for some reason.

''Haha ...... You're as powerful as ever, missy.
The men in this village would be out of shape in front of her.

　The villagers shout in admiration at Elfiszak as he effortlessly lifts a large amount of wood.
　It seems that this wood was brought in from the surrounding forests and is used to be milled and used to refurbish buildings.
　This year, many of the buildings seem to be particularly rickety, and there is more wood needed than in previous years.

　Elfiszak had bought the transport for them.

''Gu, Ug.''
'Oh, come on, Rae. You're losing it, girl!　Put your back into it!

　Behind Elfiszak, Rai, who was holding a large amount of wood, wore a look of anguish on his face.
　The villagers who were working in the fields were flying teasers at Rai compared to Elfiszak, who didn't change his face.

''Shut up, that guy is crazy!　How can you have that much in your hand and not get upset?
Hm?　This much is normal. You can have a few more times as much if you get serious.
That's ridiculous!

　Rai quickened his stride as he bared his fangs, but the distance between him and the front was not as close as it could be.
　Sighing as Rai nearly fell over trying to stick it out, Elfiszak slowed his pace.

'Good work, both of you!

　In the meantime, Ferna, who had finished her own work, came in from the other side.

''Haha, Elfi is amazing. If I held that much wood, I'd be crushed by Mugsy. Are you okay?　You're not pushing yourself?
"Mm. I have no problem with that. But,

　Elfiszak glances back.
　He turns back to look at Rai, who has more wood than usual, and Ferna's lips quirk up at him, "God.

'You're competing with Elfis again?　You can't. People have their own pace. Don't try to force yourself to fit in with Elfie. Rae has a pace that suits her.
'You're right. I appreciate your willingness to compete with this me, but there's no point in ruining your body with it.
There's nothing wrong with this ......!

　Rai is stung by their kind words, and he increases his walking speed more.
　He passes Elfiszak and walks ahead of him.
　The adults in the village laugh at this.

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

　I've seen this scene many times since I came to this village.
　But strangely enough, no matter how many times he saw it, it always warmed his heart.
　Elfiszak did not dislike the interactions in this village.

　After the sun went down and work was done, he would return to his home in Ferna.
　The hot water that one soaks in after work feels so good that it soaks into one's body and mind.
　The food we eat afterwards is so good that our cheeks fall to the ground.

　After eating, I go to bed early to prepare for tomorrow.
　I'm in the same room as Ferna.
　We talk about the day's events, old times, and other trivial things, and when we get sleepy, we go to sleep.

　That day was just another ordinary day.

　--It was around dawn that something strange happened.

　Elfiszak was awakened by a violent banging on the door.
　When he and a sleep-deprived Ferna opened the door, they found Rai standing outside with a grim expression on his face.

'What's wrong, Rai?'
'Part of the wards were destroyed not long ago. The warriors on guard are dealing with a demon that has avalanched inside.
......!　Is anyone hurt?
It's not out yet, but it's only a matter of time.
I'll be ready in a minute!

　Nodding, Ferna darted into the house.
　After a quick glance at it, Rai turned his attention to Elfiszak, who had been quietly listening to the conversation.

'You're not a warrior of this village, you're just a guest. But .......
'Of course I'm coming with you. I'm indebted to you.

　Rai bows to Elfiszak, who says, as he should, "I'm sorry.

'Thank you ...... for that.'
Don't thank me. More importantly, are these kinds of demon attacks common?

　Rae immediately shook her head at the question.

'None. To begin with, there are very few demons that can destroy the wards around here. I've been attacked outside the wards, but this is the first time they've broken through the wards and entered the village.
So it's a random event that never happened?

　Rai nodded to Elfiszak, who put his hand to his chin and muttered with a thoughtful face, as if he had guessed.

I'm thinking the same thing as you. It's probably the monster that destroyed the wards and led this attack. So far, though, I've heard that we haven't been able to confirm the appearance of that guy.
'Most likely, they drove the demons in the vicinity to the vicinity of the wards, then destroyed the wards and made them flee into the village. Now they should be in hiding and watching the warriors fighting the demons.
...... What the hell is that demon?

　To Rai's question, Elfiszak didn't have an answer.
　However, in the past few days, a thought had begun to cross his mind.
　The idea that the monster might not be a demon.

　The monster's magical power was the most alien thing I've ever seen.
　It's a mixture of multiple magical powers, yet its existence is somewhat diluted.
　If I were to give you a strong resemblance to the magic power, it would be that of the current generation of demon kings, which I have seen only once in the distance.

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

　Elfiszak's eyes narrowed as he had a bad feeling about this.

'Good evening!　I'm ready!

　Then Ferna, wearing battle gear and a staff, ran out of the house.
　He said a few words to Ferna's mother and the three of them headed towards the wards that were destroyed.
　On the road, when Rae tells him that it's "probably the work of a black monster,

'But how do they know where this village is? It's warded off and shouldn't be easy to find, right?

　Ferna tilted her head in wonder as she ran.
　To that, Rae replied with a pained expression.

'He was following us. The only reason we didn't find the black monster was probably because we were being watched by that guy from the beginning.
Such as .......
That's how intelligent he is. As I've already explained, that monster is very strong. The warriors of this village are also highly skilled, but if you go head to head with them, you won't stand a chance.
Anyway, I guess I'd better join the other warriors before things get too big--

　Can-can-can, the bells echoed throughout the village to match Rai's concerns.
　The bells are meant to be rung in case of an emergency.

'Tch, by the way you're saying.
Something's wrong. I'm worried about the others. Let's hurry!

　As if hurried by the ominous sound of the bell, the three of them picked up speed.


◆

　--It is not only a good idea to have a good time, but it is also a good idea to have a good time.

　The warriors surrounded it and attacked it from all sides, but the monster was undaunted.
　With a careless wave of his hand, the well-trained warriors were easily blown away.
　It's not even ten minutes since the battle began, and many of the warriors have fallen to the ground here and there.

　The warriors fighting were also being overwhelmed by the monsters and their formations were crumbling halfway through.
　They were clearly outnumbered.

　Then Elfiszak and the three others came running in.

''We're in time!　"Extensive Healing (Area Healing)."

　As soon as he rushes in, Ferna activates a higher level of healing magic.
　The wounds of the injured and fallen warriors on the spot are healed in the blink of an eye.

''Hah!
''Magic Eye, Ashburst.''

　Elfiszak and Rai, who have entered the aide-de-camp, slam their attacks into the raging monster.
　The two attacks hit the dusky giant body and stopped its movement.
　Without missing a beat, the warriors got away from the monster and rebuilt their crumbling formation.

'That was a close call. All three of us were saved!''
It's a magical eye. No, sweetheart, I'm sorry I'm not a fighter.

　Nodding to the warriors who thanked them, Elfiszak and Rai joined the battle lines.
　Ferna was in the rear, treating the wounded warriors and providing support for the battle.
　Then, when the formation was in place, the monster that had stopped tilted its head towards Elfiszak.

''--Lulu, le.''

　Elfiszak's expression grew more grim as he listened to the strange voice escaping from the monster's mouth.
　Keeping his gaze forward, he warned the warriors around him in a low voice.

''It's much larger than when we encountered it a few days ago. The magic power contained within it is also an order of magnitude larger. This monster ...... is quite strong.

　It should have been about the size of a medium-sized demon, but now it had transformed into a huge body that could be looked up at.
　A few fangs peeked out of its mouth, and two eyeballs that shouldn't have been there a few days ago were wriggling where they hit its face.

'Looks like it. Nevertheless, our warriors can't escape. Whatever happens, we will buy the others time to escape.

　With a determined look on their faces, the warriors readjusted their weapons.
　Sensing the warriors' hostility, the monster began to move in a low, neighing motion.

'Rai, miss. His body is constantly clothed with magical power, making it almost impervious to attacks. I tried to find a weak point, but it covers its entire body. So we have no choice but to break through to the next point. I'm going to concentrate on his face and break his magical power!　You two need to help me!

　They nodded and the battle resumed.
　The monster runs in the direction of Elfiszak and the others as it writhes on the ground.
　The sorcerers in the rear guard raised the ground and blocked the monster's movement.
　The light-weight warriors approach and disrupt it with their quick body movements.
　Elfiszak also released his magic eye and stopped the monster's movement.

''Now!''

　Immediately afterwards, the warriors who had been building up their strength unleashed an attack all at once.
　The face of the monster was slammed with the full force of the warriors' attack.

　But.

"Le.

　The monster was unharmed.
　He dusted off his hands like he was dropping insects and blasted the warriors away.
　Rai jumped at him from a blind spot, but he ducked as if he could see him, and then slammed Rai into the ground with a sideways blow.

''Rai!''

　As he heard Ferna's screams, Elfiszak understood.
　He couldn't win against this monster as it was now.

　The monster of a few days ago would have had a chance to win if he cooperated with the warriors here.
　But that's not possible now.
　We don't have enough power to break through that monster's magic.

...... It can't be helped.

　There is no time to get lost.
　Elfiszak removed the 'Disguise Armlet'.

　The magic power that had been trapped in it is released in an explosion.
　The monster stopped moving due to the magic power being blown around, and the warriors' gazes were also directed at Elfiszak.
　With the removal of the arm bands, the warriors would be able to see the black twin horns.

　With a startled gaze, Elfiszak stared hard at the monster in front.

''--Lu. Le, lulu, lulu, lulu.''

　The creature wore a low neigh of a horse.
　A series of crunching sounds, like breaking a twig, caused the monster's body to transform.
　Countless arms protruded from its back, eyeballs multiplied, and its hollow mouth expanded to twice its size.
　As it is, the monster runs out to swallow Elfiszak whole.

''Hey!　Run!

　Rai screams at the monster, which is running at a speed that has been unmatched so far, while he remains prone.
　Elfiszak does not move.
　Only to quietly open her red-tinted twin eyes.

''--fade away.''

　The sound disappeared from the world.
　With a dazzling glow, the monster's body exploded.
　The blast of fire contracted to crush the monster without involving the warriors.

　Seconds later, the flames disappeared without a trace.
　Instead, the ground was gouged out and parts of it boiled like lava.
　There was no sign of the monster there.

　But Elfiszak's expression remained grim.

''Get away from that ......?''

　Immediately after the monster was engulfed by the explosion, its body was cut in half.
　Half of it was obliterated by the explosion, but the other half could be seen fleeing noiselessly into the forest.
　Elfiszak, who had raised his eyebrows at the monster's impenetrability, noticed that his gaze was drawn to him.

'I couldn't finish it off now, but it must be weak. Go after them immediately. ......'

　He was about to say, and noticed a mixture of fear in the gaze being directed at him.

''Oh, you were ...... a demon tribe, weren't you ......?''

　In the midst of the silence, someone let out a small word.
　Shin, the warriors quieted down.
　Ferna and Lai also seemed stunned by the devastation created by the magic eye.

　I'm not sure why my chest was buzzing with a different gaze than before.

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

　I tried to say something, but I couldn't get the words to come out well.
　It was the first time I'd ever felt that way.
　I just didn't want to be here.
　I didn't like the way he was looking at me.

...... has been very good to me. As a thank you, I'll take care of that monster.

　After saying that much, Elfiszak ran out of the village as if to escape.


◆

　--What's wrong with me, I am.

　As he ran through the forest, Elfiszak was puzzled.
　Strong power can sometimes leave others in awe.
　With his previous experience, he should have understood that.

　Even in the village of the demon race, there were those who looked at the overwhelmingly powerful Elfiszak with fear.
　If he hadn't felt anything at that time, why was his heart buzzing so much now?
　Lately, I just don't understand.

　Demons, humans and subhumans.
　The warmth of that village, where everything is living together in harmony.
　Maybe before I knew it, I thought I was a part of it.

　You don't laugh, Rai's words came to mind.
　At what point, Elfiszak didn't know what to laugh at.

'...... At least not now, I suppose.

　With that murmur, Elfiszak switched his thoughts and focused his attention on the search for the monster.
　Into the depths of the forest, the residue of the murky magical power continued.
　Carefully, he followed it.

　The forest was thin and quiet, and even though it was dawn, not a single bird song could be heard.
　The air was unpleasant.

''

　Eventually, Elfiszak caught sight of the monster in his vision.
　It was leaning against a large tree, trembling its half-formed body in small increments as if it were enduring pain.
　It seemed to have noticed Elfiszak approaching, but it didn't show any signs of moving, as if it had run out of energy.

　It's a trap, Elfiszak immediately judged.
　They may be pretending to be weak and waiting for you to approach.
　He stopped his feet and stared at the monster from a distance.

''--!

　Looking into his eyes, Elfiszak gasped.
　This is because as soon as he strengthened his magic eye, the monster lying in the great tree disappeared like an illusion.
　Until then, what had been reflected in my field of vision was an illusion woven by magic power.

''Illusional eye?''

　It was at the same time that Elfiszak was astonished to understand the true nature of his power.

'Le ---- la.'

　He was climbing a tree, and a monster fell from above his head.
　Elfiszak was upset, but immediately shot his magic eye at it.
　However, the monster opened its large mouth and swallowed the magic eye.

''----''

　He activated his demon legs and immediately jumped backwards.
　Slightly unable to evade in time, Elfiszak was bitten off on his left shoulder.
　Frowning in pain, he takes a distance from the monster as it is.

''...... hapless.''

　From his left shoulder down - his left arm was completely gone.
　I closed the wound with magic power, but it was still slow to regenerate as usual.

　The monster doesn't chase after it, but is chewing on the left arm that was bitten off.
　It swallows while making a sound and looks up.
　One of the eyeballs on its face, the monster's left eye, was glowing red.

''I knew it was a demon eye.''

　The monster's left eye has the same color as Elfiszak's eye.
　The "demons" such as the evil eye are basically inherent in the body.
　It's not possible for them to appear suddenly.

...... Don't tell me you took my magical eye that I ate and gave it to yourself?

　When we first met, Elfiszak had his entire eyeball gouged out of his head.
　If that monster could use the power of the one it took in, it's no wonder that the demon eye is manifesting.

''What the hell are you?''

"c----ia

...... what?

　The snatched voice that emanates from the monster's mouth makes me squint.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

''Aaaaaaah, lululululululu--!''

　With a scream, he bared his fangs at Elfiszak.

''Let me!''

　Elfiszak made the first move and unleashed a heavy pressure crush.
　But the monster was faster than that.

'----'

　As it popped, the monster leapt.
　Immediately after, the monster was right in front of Elfiszak's eyes.

　Due to the loss of his left arm, his body was unable to move as usual.
　Elfiszak gave up on his evasion.
　In an attempt to intercept it, he put his magic power into his remaining right arm--.

"E....lulu...lulu.

!

　I noticed that the monster's left arm wore a tremendous amount of magic.
　The same, a demonic arm.

　Elfiszak was quicker to swing his arm down.
　The five claws produced by the magic power gouged out the monster's body in a big way.
　However, the monster did not stop.
　The monster's magical arm pierced Elfiszak's abdomen.

''Gah, phew.''

　It blew a huge hole in his body, spraying a lot of blood as it blew away.
　It finally stopped after snapping a few trees.
　If I looked at the monster while spitting out blood, that one was also suffering from the same deep hand as Elfiszak.

''Le ...... le .......''

　Shaking its shredded body, the monster squealed weakly.
　Its eyes were staring straight at Elfiszak.

''----ssh.''

　Elfiszak unleashes his magic eye.　
　The monster evaded it by cutting off half of its body just like before.
　The body is now small, but the open mouth is more than big enough to swallow a single demon.

　I've taken a blunder, Elfiszak realizes.

　His mind had been disturbed by the events in the village.
　Still, he was overconfident in his own ability to defeat that monster if he gave it his all.
　The first ambush could have been prevented if I had been more careful and vigilant in my surroundings.

　No matter how much magic power they possessed, there was no telling what would happen if they were devoured by that monster.
　Perhaps all the magic power would be taken in and he might not be able to revive.
　Gasping for breath, Elfiszak prepared himself for his own death.

　-- later, Elfiszak would tell Amagetsu Iori.

'It's not much of a story.'
　Because what happened afterwards was really a commonplace event.
　Because it was so common and natural.


　A moment later, the ground rose vigorously and thrust the monster's body upwards in a big way!

"Le ---- Le?

　The monster is puzzled as it flies through the air.

''Ra--aahhhh!

　With a roar, a single shadow plunged into it.
　It slammed blows against the floating monster, striking it with its grasping naginata.
　Like a bounced ball, the monster was blown away.

''Good, you were in time!''

　Elfiszak's eyes widen at the sound of a familiar voice.
　He rushed over to us, out of breath.

Fer, na: ......
I was very surprised to see you go off on your own so suddenly. ......, Elfie!　My hand!

　Ferna shouted and invoked her healing magic.
　The sound of many footsteps approaching.

''Hey, are you alright young lady!
You guys: ......

　It was the village warriors who came.

I had no idea what was going on when you ran out of here so suddenly. ...... Hey, are you okay with your injuries?
d*mn it, they were right on top of each other!　Sorry girl.
I'll never forgive that black guy for turning my little girl into a wounded animal.

　A worried voice, an indignant voice at the monster.
　The warriors form up in a formation to protect Elfiszak.

'Nah ...... why ......?'
Why would I let Elfie fight alone?　You shouldn't have gotten yourself hurt!　Will it work?　Are you okay?
'Ummm. With time, it will heal the same way the eye does, but ......
'Oh!　Good!　Guys, Elfi's arm is going to be fixed!

　As the warriors breathed out one breath of relief after another, Elfiszak's understanding of the situation could not keep up with them.
　Elfiszak was hiding his identity against them.
　On top of that, he suddenly showed that much power.
　He deserved to be frightened.
　So why did you come to my rescue?

You're a surprisingly stupid person, aren't you?

　Rai, carrying his naginata on his shoulder, let out a disgusted breath.

'Who would jump out of the blue? Well, of course they would freeze if they were suddenly shown that much power. But that's all. You're a good guy, as we've seen over the last few days. It's only natural for you to come to our aid.

Rae: ......

　People, sub-humans, and demons.
　It didn't matter what race they were, they lined up around Elfiszaak.
　This was a common sight in this village, and it was commonplace for them to come to his aid.

''I'm sorry.''

'Elfie. I'm glad you said thank you, not sorry about that part.

Yeah.

　Ferna announced softly as she squeezed out the words, and Rae gave a small nod.

'Okay,'

　It wasn't long before Elfiszak nodded.

''Le......e.''

　As if to break such a smiling scene, the monster's voice echoed.
　After shaking his body loudly with a brunette, the monster got up.

''Well, we'll talk about it after we defeat that guy.

　Raising their weapons, Rai and the others stared at the monster.

"But our attacks may not be enough to kill that thing.
...... Three minutes. Just buy me three minutes. Then I'll use my magic eye to wipe that thing out.

　Even though he had split his body in two twice and was in a state where he had been subjected to a demonic arm, he still seemed to have plenty of room for the monster.
　With that ungainliness, Elfiszak decided to give it his all.
　For that, three minutes.

'Alright, here it comes.'
I'm on it.
He uses his magic eye to create illusions about his victims. Those with low resistance to magic should not be carelessly approached.

　Then he asks Ferna, who continues to use healing magic at his side.

'Can you put a ward around it so that the monster can't escape?　If we can't finish him off here and now, things will get out of hand.
'You can. But I can't use it at the same time as my healing magic: ......
I'm good to go. Warding, please.

　Ferna used warding magic to create a translucent wall around it.
　The monster took one look at the warding and growled low.
　If he tried to destroy the warding, the monster would show Elfiszak and the others an opening.
　That cunning monster would not be good at it.

''Lulu--''

　The monster removes his gaze from the ward and starts running towards Elfiszak.
　It is because it understands that Elfiszak is the only one who can kill it.
　But the warriors won't allow it.

''Olao!''

　The monster's foothold rose significantly, blocking its movement.
　However, the monster also learned, and used its diminutive form to lightly evade it.

''Sweet!''

　A gust of wind blew at the end of the monster's leap.
　The monster stepped on the tatara and Rai slammed a slash into the monster.
　There is no damage, but the monster takes a few more steps back.

　From there, the same attack and defense was repeated over and over again.
　The warriors used a variety of magic techniques to keep the monster from closing the distance.
　The monster, unharmed but unable to hold its ground due to its small stature, was forced to retreat many times.

　However, the antagonism didn't last long.

　When the monster understood that it would not get anywhere in this situation, it used its illusionary eyes.
　Elfiszak immediately sent out a warning, but the warriors, confused by the change in vision, slowed down.
　The monster does not miss it.

　It dives through the magic and approaches the warriors.
　With a swing of his arm, he easily kicks the warriors away.
　As it is, it heads straight for Elfiszak in a straight line.

　He hasn't reached the third minute yet.

'I won't let you!

　Ferna moves.
　She unleashes a series of magic, but the monster doesn't take a bite out of her teeth.
　It leapt up to the front of my eyes, trying to eat Ferna to death.

''

　At that moment, the monster's figure disappeared with a zinging sound.

''Yes!''

　It was caught in a pit that Ferna had secretly created with magic.
　As it was, Ferna and the other warriors slammed a huge rock into the pit.
　At the same time, they set up a ward to seal the entrance.

　It was only a short time before Elfiszak was impressed by their deftness.

　The monster burst through the rock and the warding and jumped out onto the ground.
　Ferna immediately surrounded the monster with a ward, but the monster tore it apart with its "magic arm".
　In frustration, the monster swings its left arm down at Ferna.

Wow! ......
Run, Ferna!

　The evasion was not in time, and the magic arm tore Ferna apart - just before that.
　Between the two sides, Rai jumped in between them.

"Don't touch Ferna!

　The moment Rai's cleaver touched the magic arm.
　The trajectory of the magic arm shifted unnaturally.
　The magic arm swung wide open without hurting the two of them.

　Rae may have used some kind of magic.
　But there was no time to find out.
　Three minutes had passed.

"Thank you, warriors. You can take it from here.

　The twin eyes of the Red Lotus caught the monster.
　As if aware of its predicament, the monster runs without a care in the world to tear Elfiszak apart with its magic arm.

''Do it, Elfi!''

　A moment later, the magic eye was activated.


"--"Magic Eye, Void Hole


　What appeared was a black hole.
　The moment the leaping monster touched the hole.
　The moment the monster touched the hole, its body was swallowed by the hole.

"Le--la, la, la, la, le.

　The monster fought desperately to escape from the hole.
　Magic power gushed out.
　The resistance lasted only a few seconds.

''E, Le----''

　Eventually, the monster's body was completely engulfed by the hole and became invisible.
　Suddenly, the hole disappears too.
　And that was the end.

　The figure of the monster and the traces of the hole all disappear and silence returns to the forest.

　The warriors were stunned when Elfiszak said, "We have won.

'We have won!'

'Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!

　The warriors' cheers rose late.

　--And so the battle against the black monster was over.

◆

　Afterwards.
　The post-processing was done at a rapid pace, treating the injured and repairing the wards protecting the village.
　Elfiszak was also being treated for the wounds he had sustained and the arms he had lost.

''It was the first time I had ever worked with someone like this to fight with someone else.

　When Ferna and Rai visited the healing room, Elfiszak said to them as they lay there.

'There was no one closer to me who was stronger than me. I didn't see any need for anyone to help me.

What about now?

'Not bad, I thought. It's nice to put someone else's back to fight.

　Maybe I've always despised the idea of facing others.
　I had been conceited that I was the strongest and wisest person in the world.
　It was only when I came to this village that I was able to face others firmly.

　Seeing the faces of Ferna and Rai, Elfiszak thought.

''No matter what kind of power you have, there are some things you will never be able to do. It's not a bad thing to have others fill in for you there.''

'Yeah, I agree. Rae used to try to do everything on her own, and she pushed herself a lot, you know?　And that's how he got into a fight with me.

Ferna!　That's none of your business!

　Rai shouts to Ferna, who looks nostalgic, with a change in her blood.
　Perhaps it's a story that he doesn't want people to hear too much about.
　While doing so, Elfiszak suddenly remembered.

'This is a different story, Rai.

What?

'You, I wish you hadn't called me Elfie when we were fighting.

　Gee," said Rai, who blatantly scowled.

'Until now, you would have only referred to me as 'you' or 'Elfiszak'.

'Come to think of it!　You didn't call me Elfie for a long time!

'Your name is so long for every single one of them. I was just calling you short in my haste.

Oh my god, Rae is so embarrassed. You want to get to know Elfie better, don't you?　Why don't you call me Elfie?

I'm not embarrassed!

What's the matter with you, Rae? Why are you so shy?　Here, you can call me Elfi.

I told you I'm not embarrassed!

　Rai blushes and shouts, and Ferna laughs, holding her mouth shut.
　I look at Rai, who speaks quickly and excuses himself for this and that.

Rae, I got it.

　Elfiszak finally understood.

'...... what?'

　Elfiszak said to Rai, who asked back.

''-- At a time like this, you should be laughing.

　I choked on that smile and Rae turned away.
　Then.

'Well ...... what a thing to say. You'd be better off laughing at it.

Hmm. I agree.

　Elfie nodded widely at Rae's embarrassed words.

''You two seem to be getting along rather well, don't you?

I don't mean... I don't mean to imply that. This is not what it looks like, man!

　Rai hurriedly denies it to a happy Ferna.
　Seeing that, a smile also appeared on Elfiszak's face, strangely enough.


◆

　After staying until his wounds healed, Elfiszak decided to leave the village.
　He says goodbye to Ferna and Rai and the others, who seem to be a little sad, and returns to his village without begrudgingly saying goodbye.
　After the events in the village, he wanted to face everyone in the village once and for all.

　But that wish was never granted.

　The village was gone.
　It had been raided and burned by the Knights of the Holy Hall.

　It was said that they had attacked a number of human villages while Elfiszak was gone.
　He was followed by the Cathedral Knights on his way back and attacked.
　Most of the people in the village had been killed by the Cathedral Knights.
　Including Elfiszak's parents.

'...... I see. So they're dead.

　In front of a simple cemetery built in a corner of the burned village.
　Alone, Elfiszak looks down at his parents' gravestone.

'I'm just starting to learn to smile.

　I can't say that the family was close.
　We didn't have a close relationship with the people in the village either.

...... This is not funny, is it?

　Still sad, Elfiszak cried.

　Elfiszak, along with the surviving villagers, spent time in another village controlled by the Demon King's army.
　After that, the conflict between the Demon King's army and the humans gained more momentum.
　They killed each other, hated each other, and took revenge on each other.
　Such barrenness continued.

　After that, every few months or so, Elfiszak would go to the village of Ferna and the others.
　At one point, Elfiszak went to the village as usual, to warn them that the war was raging.
　There, Elfiszak saw the wreckage of a burnt-out village.
　Traces of magic and sorcery had clashed with each other and were still there.

　Whether it was the demon race or humans who did it, it was impossible to tell.
　But Ferna's village was gone as a result of the conflict.
　I had to trust that they had escaped somewhere.

　Why did they have to be attacked?
　They were just going through the motions in peace.
　I thought it was ironic that they had coexisted with all the species and were now caught up in inter-species conflict.

...... This stuff is just wrong.

　After seeing that village, I understood.
　Demons, humans, and sub-humans are all just different in their appearance and their strengths and weaknesses.
　Each race has its own advantages and weaknesses.
　Therefore, the idea that any one race is superior is wrong.

　Right now, the demon race, humans and sub-humans don't face each other, they just hate each other.
　Every race thinks that they are superior and they are right.
　I don't like that, Elfiszak thought.

　He wanted everyone to face each other as firmly as they did in that village, he thought.

'You're a lost cause: ......

　I understand that this kind of thinking is a dream come true that a child can see.
　I know that the world is complex and that it doesn't revolve around right things and ideals alone.
　And yet, Elfiszak wanted to create such a world.

　That's what it is.
　He said it was his 'meaning of being born' that was slightly better than others.
　Yes, he decided for himself.


　-- that's why Elfiszak Guildegard became the Demon King.



◆

Farewell. Elfiszak Gildegard.

　Ortegia swung the great sword down.
　The great jet-black sword drew a trajectory, and the magical power that it wears was released as a slash.
　The extreme light blinked and the slash sliced through the entire space of Elfiszaak.

　The blow blew away a room of the demon king's castle without a trace, and the storm blew violently.
　As the extreme light that had been painting the world receded, the torn space was slowly being repaired.
　The blow was indeed powerful enough to kill Elfiszak Guildegard.

　But.

You'll make one correction.

----

　A voice rang out.
　Ortegia's eyes widened in agitation for the first time as she spotted a single shadow beyond the fading polar light.

'Ridiculous.'

　Spilling out a small word, Ortegia noticed two anomalies.
　Two of the objects he owned were missing.
　Having noticed the anomalies, he understood the reason for the scene in front of him.

　The words continued beyond Ortegia's vision as she looked up painfully.

'Don't get my name wrong, Ortegia.

　Beyond the polar light completely disappeared, a demon tribe was standing there.
　It was a girl with long silver hair that shook, and a strong will to fight in her golden eyes.
　From the side of her head, jet-black twin horns stretched out as if they were poking the heavens.

　There was only one thing that had changed in her appearance.

　The emblem that crawls across her bare skin like a snake - the "Demon King Crest".
　That crest, which should have lost its color after being forced to leave the throne of the Demon King, had regained only half its color.
　And in the same way, the demon king crest on Ortegia's body had lost half of its color.

''You ......!''

　What that means is that.

'Listen to me. My name is--

　And then the girl tells him.


"-- 'Demon King' Elfiszak Van Gildegard."



　The Demon King's second coming sent a tremor through the Demon King's Castle.