The mud that enveloped Ortegia spread to us as well.
　I moved back with Elfi and escaped from its range.
　But our eyes are glued to the top of our heads.

'What do you mean, Iori? "What's the Reaper doing here!"
...... I want to hear it. In the first place, the idler should have died protecting me from the attack before coming here.
What did you say?

　The idler, still floating, looks down at us with a happy smile on his face.

The idler looks down at us with a happy smile. I was just playing dead. I just pretended to be dead," he says, "because I just had the perfect moment to get off the board. How did it go?　In my opinion, it was a pretty convincing performance.

That's not what I'm asking. 'What the hell is this mud?　What the hell do you think you're doing?

You ask a lot of questions. This is the mud of the underworld that I have been tapping into with my magical powers. I can only achieve my goal if I wrap the core in this mud.

　Mud in the Underworld?　
　It's like I don't understand what you're saying.

'Oh no, I really want to send you guys a big thank you. You've done a great job of weakening Ortegia to this point. If you poured mud on this overgrown guy, he would've gotten out and that would've been the end of it. Thank you, Iori-kun. Thank you, Elfiszak. Thank you so much for working for me.

　Immediately after saying that, Idler reached out into space.
　Zupu and a ripple seemed to spread in space, and Idler's hand sank into it.
　Then, Idler took out a sword from space.

　I cringed.
　Why.

''...... Why are you, with the 'Tenri Sword'?

　It was the sword that Lucifina had in her possession.
　It was the sword that should have been taken away from her by Ortegia.

''If it's Iori-kun, you don't need to bother asking me, right?

You ...... are the one who killed Lucifina.

Yeah, I do.

　Naturally, Idler nodded.
　When he thought he held his hand over his own body, a change appeared in Idler's appearance.
　In the form of Ortegia (・・・・・・・), it changed.

''-- In Ortegia's form, it was me who killed Lucifina.

　It was the exact same voice as Ortegia's.
　If there was a difference, it was that the voice sound contained an unconcealed joyfulness.
　In the blink of an eye, he found himself back in his original idler form.

'----'

　I remember a conversation I had with an idler that night in the Great Aldrin Forest.
　When I asked him if he knew of any magic that could take over someone else's body, he replied, "I don't know if it's possible to turn into someone else or create a doll that looks just like them.

I don't think even I can create a puppet that looks like you, or even a doll that looks like you," he said.　

　In other words.

'You disguised yourself as Ortegia, killed Lucifina ...... and made a doll that looked like you and pretended to be dead.'

Yeah, yeah, it's nice to know you understand it so quickly.

Why did you do that? Why did you do that?　You wanted revenge on Ortegia, didn't you!

　Confusion came before anger.
　This situation is hard to swallow.
　I don't know what the idler's intentions are.

I guess there are three reasons. The first is because that timing was the best time to get the 'Tenri Sword' back. All of us were weak, and I didn't think there was any other place I could take it easily, except for that place. I couldn't let the opportunity pass me by.

----

Secondly, I wanted you to hate Ortega.

...... What?

You heard it all in the Great Forest. You didn't seem to hate Ortegia, but what were you going to do? You replied that you were going with Elfiszak to kill Ortegia, but I thought that was naive. I wanted you guys to absolutely kill Ortegia. I wanted to give you the motivation to hate Ortegia from the bottom of your heart and kill her by any means necessary - that's what I wanted to give you.

　Did they kill Lucifina for that?

'Well, the third is purely because I wanted to kill her. I'm not going to let a half-elf, a mortal half-elf, get his hands on the sword Melt had made. That's why I killed Lucifina right there. I hope you're satisfied with that.

　Idler is laughing.
　He's laughing and talking with amusement.

　A sword made by Melt.
　Idler said, as if it were someone else's business.

'You're not ...... Melt, are you?

No?

　Snorting, Idler replied.

'Yeah, I don't remember us having that exchange on our deathbed. But I don't think I approved of what you said. I don't even remember saying my name, Melt.

So you'll be...

　That's when I was about to say that much.
　The mud exploded vigorously and splattered around them.
　From inside, Ortegia, smeared in mud, emerged with a desperate look on her face.
　The lower half of his body is still wrapped in mud.

''You are quite stubborn.

Jesus Christ. Who the hell are you!

　Ortegia shouted in a voice that sounded like it was spitting blood to the idler, who dropped his gaze downward with a half smile.
　While doing so, the mud is still flowing, trying to swallow Ortegia.
　Scraping through it, Ortegia glared at the idler.

'Well, you've made it this far. Now that we're in front of an incompetent child, let's just introduce ourselves.

　The color of the idler's eyes changed.
　They shifted from a blackish peach color to a deep red.
　In the center of it, a pattern like a white cross emerged.

　The idler spread out his hands as if to scratch and embrace the world - the idler said, "I am the ruler of demons.

I am the ruler of demons.
　He who violates and corrupts the light of life.

　Therefore, my name is ----.



"-- "Fallen God of Light" Hadeer.



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


　-- It is said that there were once two gods in this world.

　Melt, the God of Holy Light, who is said to have created mankind.
　And Hadeer, the fallen god of light, who is said to have created the demons.
　This world was created by these so-called "Two Gods of Creation".

　The Idlers claimed to be the other half of these two gods.

"Hades. If this is true, then you are trapped in the Underworld.

The d*mned thing is, it's true. For hundreds of years, I was trapped deep in the earth, but that was until today. But that is until today. And now, thanks to you, I can come back to this world.

　After answering Elfie's question in a voluminous manner, the idler turned his gaze back to Ortegia in the mud.

'From what I've heard, you're eager to find out what you were born for. I'll tell you who you are and what you were born for - I'm your parent.

Parents?

That's right. I'm the one who made you, remember?

----

　Regardless of Ortegia's exasperation, the idler continues to speak.

It's a good thing that you're not a demon or anything else. That's right, to put it simply, you're a 'gate'.

The gate?

Yes. That's right. This is the gate between this world and the underworld. It's just one of the tools that I created by kneading magic power into the mud of the netherworld.

　When I heard those words, I understood the meaning of the words I heard in my dream at that time.


'Ortegia's (・・・・・・) true identity is the Gate to the Underworld (・・・・・・・・)'

　Was the owner of the voice trying to tell me this?

'My body is enclosed in the underworld. That's why I needed to create a gate between this world and the underworld in order to come back here. After accumulating magic power for hundreds of years, I succeeded in sending my alter ego to this world. The application of this is the gate I made in the underworld, which means I sent you to this world.

----

It's just that to open the gates, you'll need an enormous amount of magical energy. It would be a shame if the gate were to be destroyed before I could prepare the magic," he said. That's why I've given you a strong survival instinct and the ability to grow. On top of that, I sent you to an area that no one would ever go near - I didn't expect you to eat the body of a Demon King-grade demon race.

　After hearing that much, Elfie turned his gaze to Ortegia as if he was playing along.

''No way ...... Ortegia. You're the black monster from that time, right?

　The black monster - we heard about Elfi's past before he came here.
　An unidentified monster that eats and grows on demons and demonkind.
　I was told that the monster was defeated in a battle between Elfi and his friends.

----

　Ortegia just opened her eyes and remained silent.
　However, his expression was very similar to Elfi's.

　The silver hair that looks as if it were trapped in a starlight, and the twin eyes that shine with gold.
　The jet-black horns sprouting from the side of his head.
　I've always thought that the two of them looked similar.

　Even after being defeated by Elfi, Ortegia had survived.
　Using the growth ability that Idler had given him, he had evolved to his current form.
　With that in mind, it makes sense that Elfi and Ortegia are similar in that they are not related by blood.

'By eating Elfiszak's flesh, the gate has acquired intelligence and has grown to a form close to that of a demon race. On top of that, Ortegia is such a big name, and he infiltrates the Demon King's army. ...... It was completely unexpected, and as expected, I had my head in the sand too. It's not easy to get close to you, and even if I could, I wouldn't be able to compete with you. You've caused me a lot of trouble.

Then ...... the meaning of what I was born to do. The reason I thought I had to continue to live, even if it meant eating and sacrificing others--

Yeah. I'm going to recall me from the underworld to the living world. That's the only reason you had to live. That's the only reason for your existence.

　Ortegia asked in a trembling voice, and the idler told her the answer as a matter of course.
　Ortegia's eyes widened in stunned disbelief, and she closed her mouth as if she had given up trying to run her mouth to say something.
　Seeing this, Idler nodded with satisfaction.

Thank you for your service. Now go do your part.

　This time, Ortegia's body was consumed by the mud.
　Countless bubbles emerged on the surface of the mud, as if they were boiling.
　The mud continued to move slowly, gradually changing its shape.

　What the mud formed was a distorted rectangle that was just a name for a gate.
　The square was split in two from the center, and something black and opaque was pouring out from inside.
　The moment that something touched the air, it turned into countless particles and headed towards the idler.

''Hmph. At last, I can return to this world.''

　The idler smiles euphorically as the black particles envelop it.
　As the particles touch the idler, the bubbles pop and disappear.
　No - they are taken in and taken in by the idler.

'Magic.'

　Elfie muttered.

''What's pouring out of that gate is a high concentration of magical power. It's being absorbed into his body.

　The vast amount of particles blew around like a storm.
　The beret that Idler was wearing was blown away in the distance.
　Without showing any pretense of concern, Idler spread his hands and smiled.

'----'

　--A change appears in the body of the idler.

　Above its head, a red, disastrous circle is composed.
　The pink hair that had been aligned at the shoulders is dominated by a large swath of hair, and before you know it, it has grown to your knees.
　From its back, four wings composed of magical power appear.

''--I'm home, the abominable world that rejected me.

　In his transformed form, Idler - Hardia said with a smile on his face.
　Even as she did so, throbbing black particles continued to flood out of the gate.
　Was that all of Hardia's magic power that had been sealed in the underworld?

　--The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that the gate is collapsing with a giggling sound.

''Ah. After all, there wasn't enough magic power to form the gate completely.''

　Muttering, Hardia turned her gaze to me.
　He held his jade taiji and stared back at Hardia.

'You've been tricking us, haven't you?'

No. I was just using them to get by without telling them the truth.

...... Don't be silly.

　I mobilize all the magic power that was about to be exhausted and activate 【Hero Reproduction (The Raise)】.
　I don't know what he's planning to do.
　But now that I know that this guy killed Lucifina, I can't let him live.

　Concentrating the magic power into his legs, he tried to leap to the bottom of Hardia--and

Yeah, it's no use.

　The white ring I was wearing flashed.
　In an instant, the power left my entire body with a thud.

What .......

It's a ring I made with my own powers. It is a ring that I made with my powers to give my blessing to whoever wears it. Didn't it come in handy in the fight against Ortegia?　But the moment you turn that power on me, you'll have your power locked away.

"--

'Of course. Don't you think it's convenient to be given blessings unilaterally?

　Immediately after, Elfi moved.
　He activated his magic eye and tried to shoot the idler out of the air.

- "Tears for the Death of a Loving Star (Her Death Teardrop)"

　Hardia swung the 'Tenri Sword' down.
　What was released was a slash that was more controlled in scale than the one I saw in the Void Labyrinth.
　The slash blew Elfi away faster than Elfi could move.

''Ga, fu...... Iori!''

'You can deal with it later, Elfiszak. You can lie down there. The longer you stay quiet, the longer your life will be.

　He rolls to the ground and Elfie spits out blood.
　It doesn't work.
　That guy is at the end of his rope, too, after the fight with Ortegia.
　No more .......

''Proof of Bravery'' ...... I can't let you live with some of Melt's authority on your person. I need the magic power to maintain the gate, and I'll make sure you die, Iori-kun.

　He scratched his feet, but could only act as slowly as if he were in the water.
　While he was doing so, Hardia snapped his fingers.

''-- 'Authority, Foolish World Creation (Collapse Hades End).
Come out now, 《Eater Snake (Belgrande Anguis)》

　The mud bubbled up and changed shape as it bobbed and bubbled.
　What appeared was a huge snake with ten slightly smaller necks attached to the center of a huge neck that could swallow even a dragon species.
　Jet-black scales as sharp as glass fragments cover its entire body, and every time it twists its body, it reflects light and shines.

''Die, Iori-kun,''

'O...... ooohhhhhh--'

Making the most of the 'Proof of Valor' and releasing all magic power.
　Slightly, my body is now free.
　I invoke Il Ataraxia.

　However.

It's useless.

　With a blow, the shield was destroyed.
　One of the snake's heads pounced on him, baring its fangs.
　It swung its jade taiji sword and swung it down towards the head with all its might.

''Kuh.''

　The blade is blocked by the strong scales and flicks off.
　I managed to duck the fangs, but was violently hit by the giant body and slammed into the ground.
　That's where the other heads come rushing in.

''Thank you, Iori-kun!''

　A single head is avoided by using a windblast.

'Your death will not be in vain.

　A single thrust of the neck is taken in stride. You're out of it.

So just let it go.

　A single neck bite is prevented by wielding the power and deploying the Demon Sealer. The shield shattered.

''Get comfortable.

　The remaining head was swung down like a whip at the same time.
　Unavoidable.
　A direct hit.
　The sensation of the scales and the flesh of my entire body being rubbed down.
　My vision turns red.
　An iron-smelling liquid rises into the air.
　I unleash my magic.
　It doesn't work on snakes.
　Hardia is laughing.
　The center of the snake, its largest head, moved.
　It slowly approaches to finish me off, unable to move.
　My hands don't move.
　I can't move my legs.
　I'm running out of magic.
　My consciousness is about to run out.
　There's nothing to do.

"--bye.

　I heard Hardia's voice.
　The snake looms.



　Death ----.


　Someone grabs me by the collar.
　With great force, I'm thrown.
　It hits the ground and rolls with a rumble.

　I look up and realize.
　The person who threw me was Elfie.
　The snake's lunge was caught by Elfi's magical arm.

''Hey, Iori.''

Elle, fi......

I was happy to be traveling with you.

　What are you talking about?

'Despite the burning hatred for Ortegia, only when I spent time with you did I feel at ease. For thirty years, I was able to forget the fear that kept me in the dark. You spoke things with me as an equal, and you even got angry with me at times. In fact, I enjoyed being mad at you for being reckless, and I liked it.

Elfie: ......

We had dinner together, we took a bath in a hot spring, and he even saw skin that wasn't his own. That was the first time you showed your skin to a man.　Totally ....... Traveling with Iori was all new to me. It was not an easy day. But it's a good thing that you can't get away from ....... In retrospect, I was still happy to spend time with Iori.

"Elfi.

The time I spent with you is the best part of my life.

　Elfi's magic power is draining from his body.
　My limit has come.

''And then. ....... I was actually going to tell you this after the whole thing was over, but ......

　Elfie said, his cheeks flushed and a big smile on his face.

'--I love you, Iori.

　So you live.

E----

　Boom.
　Elfie got swallowed by a snake.
　And it was over.