Now that we're united, can we talk about the future?

It doesn't get any deeper, but that's what it's about in the first place.

　--How do we get to the gates of the underworld?

　Ryusas began by talking about the topography of the underworld.
　This world has a terrain that is extremely close to this world - Latesia.
　In other words, it is said to have a large diamond shape divided into north, south, east and west.

''We are at the southern end of the underworld. Hardia's magic disappeared in the northern part of the continent, which means our destination is in the exact opposite direction.''

Oh, so that's what it is.

Hmm?　Didn't Lucifina know?

'Yes. I've collected information since I came here, but I've been more concerned with helping people in need. Where did you get this from, Mr. Liuzas?

It was determined by integrating information gathered from people and magic. To begin with, suppressing information about the enemy's terrain is the very basics!

　Lucifina, who clasps her hands together as if impressed, and Liuzas scratches his head in dismay.　
　Certainly, what Ryuzas is saying is correct.
　It's very typical of Lucifina to be obsessed with helping people, though.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. I'm sure it's not that easy to talk about, although if you use your magic and keep running straight, you'll be able to get there in less than a few days, but it's not that easy, is it?

Yeah. I'm sure that if they are gathered by the wreckage that is scattered around, they won't be able to move forward properly. Besides, we can't pass through the center of the underworld to begin with.

　The center - I'm sure it was in the direction the purple crystal was sticking out of.
　The fact that it was visible even from a distance suggests that it is quite large.
　The fact that it's in the center means it must have some important role to play.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. I'm sure this is the reason why the wreckage is generated and why the souls of those who come here are melted.

'So long!　Why don't we just go through the middle and destroy that wedge as we head for the gate?

That's why the brainiacs...

　Lucifina laughed at me through her nose and protested to Liuzas, puffing out her cheeks.
　Liuzas didn't deal with it, and didn't look at me either, but continued to speak.

'Look. You wouldn't leave such a valuable thing intact, would you? I don't want the wreckage or anyone else who worked for Hardia to get close to that area. It's because they have a great monster guarding it.

"......化物?

It's the first demon king.

　The Demon King, that's the first one too.

　The Demon King of the successive generations also have differences in ability, of course.
　According to what Elfi told me, she and Ortegia are also one of the five most powerful of all time.
　But the one who is considered the strongest among them is the first Demon King.

　The nightmarish being who devoured Melt's army, accompanied by the four demon clans, the four original demon kings, and the Dead Heaven, who were the source of the Four Heavenly Kings.
　In the end, the story goes, he betrayed Hardia and took Melt's side.
　It is said that the first Demon King thought about what would happen after he was gone, and used his own psychic magic to create the 'Demon King' and the 'Demon King's Castle' system that the Demon King could handle at his disposal.

　I guess being in the underworld means he could have died a satisfying death, but ...... I don't know why he's under Hardia again.

It's a good thing that that monster doesn't show itself unless you get close to the wedge. It's not just a matter of time before there are too many enemies, and we can't afford to take on any more bad guys.

.......

''Liuzas is right. We can't afford to deal with even the first Demon King. It's Hardia's fault for the devastation in the underworld, right?　If that's the case, then if you go back to this world and kill Hardia, even the underworld should return to normal.

　He seemed reluctant to say it, but Lucifina nodded slowly.
　Certainly, it's not that she didn't have some thoughts about the devastation of the underworld.
　But after dealing with an opponent who was considered to be more than Ortegia, I don't think I can even think of a decent fight with Hardia.
　It's better to just think about getting out of the underworld than to do something halfway and fail to finish everything.

　In the first place, I'm trying to return to this world in order to get revenge on Hardia.

''As long as I stay away from it, right?　Then I guess we'll have to detour west or east to continue on.

The question is, which way do you want to go - and while I'm at it, I'll tell you about the Demon King, the one who's currently running the gamut in the Underworld.

　First of all, our destination, the north side.
　It seems that a former Demon King who came here in the past has put down roots here.
　His name is Megina Van Deerdred.

''...... another demon king?''

''It's the Demon King from a long time ago. I've read in a book before that he privatized the Demon King's army and rampaged around as he pleased, eventually leading to a rebellion. As I recall, they called her the 'Evil Traitor Empress'.

I haven't seen him, but I've heard he's got a bunch of guys over here working for him, living the life of a maid. The Hardia was walking out of the gate, and they were nearby. They're probably imitating a gatekeeper by now.

　Then the east side.

There's a guy in this building you might know by name.

　There is a demon tribe that rampages in the east and has a number of men under its command by force.
　Hearing that name reminded me of a bad past.

"-'Judgment' Alphard Regendair. That battle-crazed scumbag in the east is turning it into his territory.

　Thirty years ago, I defeated the Four Heavenly Kings.
　The weak can't complain no matter what the strong do to them - he was a man who had rejected humans, sub-humans and even demons under such a value system.
　In the end, he and I fought a one-on-one battle, and the game was decided.
　Even though I lost, I still have bad memories of him dying with a satisfied smile on my face.

　Besides, I'm sure of the judgment.
　It's the one that attacked the village where Ryusas lived.

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

　Lucifina looks at Liuzas with a pained expression on her face.
　There is no change in Liuzas' expression as he mentions the cutting.

''Don't stare at me like that, it's disgusting.

　Spitting, Liuzas continued to talk as if nothing had happened.

'So, the west side. There is a forest over here, but there are no gangs like in the north and east. But there's a bastard named 'Kongo' deep in the forest. Just like the first demon king, if you don't approach him, he won't attack you, but most of the people who come into the forest look like they've been killed by Kongo.

After all, you'll still have enemies no matter which way you go. In that case, you should choose the one you've already beaten once, the Judgment. I know his fighting style and the techniques he uses.

...... No. If that's the case, the east side should be avoided the most.

Yeah.

　But Lucifina and Liuzas shook their heads at the same time.

'Why?'　You should choose the one with the most information about the enemy. Or is "Kongo" such a bad guy?

Yes. That's why you're so naive, Amatsu. You better figure out what you're up against.

...... in my situation?

It's funny that you're here in the first place. You can only visit the netherworld for dead people. If a flesh-and-blood human being comes to the netherworld, their souls are usually melted away immediately and they disappear.

Why I'm not dead and I can stay in the underworld: ......

　That's when the thought finally came to me.
　Come to think of it, Liuzas had once used a magic that displaced his existence in the underworld for a moment, and each time he had done so, he had suffered great damage.
　The reason why I won't be--.

...... 'Proof of Bravery'?

I'm afraid so.

　As soon as I arrived here, the light that leaked from the 'Proof of Valor' enveloped my body.
　So that was like a barrier to protect me from the air of the underworld.
　I look down at the crest on the back of my hand and notice that the color is fainter than before.

　This means.

I'm not going to be able to get it right. I'm sure they've been using a lot of energy to protect you. It's a good thing that you're doing well for a few more days, but there's no guarantee it will last any longer. Try fighting over and over again under such conditions. In the blink of an eye, your strength is used up and you're dead.

'In order to avoid that, we should reduce the burden on Iori-san as much as possible. For that reason, we should avoid the east side only.

　I understand.
　If I have to save my strength, then the east side should not be chosen.
　We should choose a battlefield where Lucifina and Liuzas can fight together.

　"I killed Alfard Regendare, Judgment, in the end.
　Technically, I couldn't have killed him if it weren't for me.

I'm going to kill Judgmental. I'm not going to let anyone take that away from me.

　The reason he finally relinquished the decision to cut down is because...

I can't defeat the Judge, you know.

　It could be said that in the fight against that demon tribe, Liuzas is almost useless.
　If that's the case, we should at least choose the one who has the information to fight with the three of us.

''It's settled. "It's settled. We'll go around the center and continue on the west side. If we're lucky, we won't even have to fight that "Kongo" bastard.

All right. I'll do it. So, Lucifina, Lucisus. How much can you two fight now?　Has anything changed since you've been here?

　Lucifina's appearance has not changed.
　Even the clothes are the same as when I last saw them.
　However, what she carries is an ordinary sword, not the 'Tenri Sword'.

''I don't see anything unusual about it. Although I don't have the 'Tenri Sword', I can still fight just like before. And the sword was made by Liuzas-san with magic, too.

　That said, Lucifina is stroking a simple single large sword.
It seems to have no special abilities like the Tenri Sword, but there is a lot of magic power contained in it.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

It's not something you can say anything about.

　Unlike Lucifina, there is a change in the appearance of the hated Liuzas, unlike Lucifina.
　That is, she looks like she did thirty years ago - the appearance of her youth.

''You're still young, but are you using that mind magic?''

I didn't use it. I've been unable to use that mental image magic since I came here. I don't even have to use it now, though.

　From the looks of it, he doesn't seem to be in any physical decline.
　I wonder what the logic is.

'Perhaps, but it seems that the person's 'soul' is what they envision here.

Ah, this makes perfect sense. The reason you haven't changed in appearance is because you think you'll always be young.

What?　No, it's not!　To begin with, I'm a half-elf, so I've only been young longer than the rest of you!　I'm not trying to make you young or anything, Iori-san!

Oh, yeah.

　Anyway, both of them seem to be able to fight just as well as before.
　Although there is a difference in weapons, Lucifina is still a top-notch mage swordsman.
　As for Ryusas, it's annoying, but it seems he's regained the power of his prime.
　As a fighting force, it seems to be fine.

''How about you, Iori-san?''

　Then Lucifina asked with a worried look on her face.

''I'm fine. After the fight with Ortegia, I'm a little weaker, but my body hasn't changed.''

No, not that way: ...... compared to thirty years ago.

　Thirty years ago, compared to ......?

''Before, Iori-san should have been able to draw power from the 'Proof of Valor' without doing anything. But now, you can't use the power you once had without using mental magic ......?

　Why can't I use my powers like I used to?
　That's something I've been thinking about ever since I came back to the kingdom.
　Once I died, I had a magical problem - so I had been collecting labyrinth nuclei and trying to get my magic power back.
　But in the end, no matter how many labyrinth nuclei he used, his previous power never came back.

''There's nothing wrong with the ...... 'Proof of Valor'

　Liuzas, who had been listening silently until then, muttered as he dropped his gaze to my arm.

The problem is probably you, Amatsu, the one with the problem. You are not able to connect the path of the "proof of courage" well. I'm not sure if it's a good idea for you to be able to get your hands on it.

I'm not...

　Physically, there was no significant change.
　The only thing that had changed was the loss of muscle that had been put on during the fight and the return of the gray hair to its original color.
　If it wasn't a physical change, then

It's a change of heart, I suppose.

　That's about the only major change I've seen in my life.
　The me who fought to save many people, and the me who fights only for revenge.
　It's true that there is a clear difference between Amatsu and Iori Amatsuki.

You're only using your mind magic to go back to your old self and forcibly connect your path with the proof of valor. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

That's what I'm talking about.

Ah. As long as this guy doesn't have a major change of heart and returns to his original state of mind, he won't be able to connect perfectly with the "proof of courage".

　So that's it.
　You can see the back of my former self every time I use mental magic.
　So that's the true nature of this magic to recreate a hero.

　As it is now, I can't completely recreate my former power.
　But even if that's the case.

"I have no intention of going back to the old me.

　At my words, Lucifina looked down sadly.
　Liuzas sniffed boringly.

◆

　By the time they finished talking, the sun had gone down and the area was shrouded in darkness at night.

　Rousas suggested that we move now, but Lucifina stopped him hard.　
　It was out of consideration for me.
　It is true that my body and mind are exhausted after a series of battles since the Demon King's Castle.

　In the end, we decided to stay there and rest until the night dawned.

''As soon as the night dawns, we'll leave.

　With a click of his tongue, Liuzas created a blanket with his magic.
　Bluntly tossing it to Lucifina, he leaned back against a tree and closed his eyelids with a grim expression on his face.
　Seeing this, Lucifina chuckles.

''They only gave me one piece. I'm already harassing you like a child. ......

It's not much of a chill and Lucifina can use it.

　It's not a good idea to get a blanket applied to you by Liuzas.
　I mended a suitable tree and rested my back on it.
　It seems like a long time ago that I had to lie down to sleep.
　After the journey, I've learned to sleep to some extent while standing.

'That's not how it works. You must be more tired than Iori-san, right?

I'll be fine as long as I can sleep.

'Iori-san would be stubborn too, if it were .......

　I gave her a miffed look and Lucifina sat down right next to me.
　She laid down the blanket and draped it over herself and my lap, "This is good, right? He smiled at me forcefully.
　I had no reason to disrespect his generosity any more, so I had no choice but to nod.

'............,'

　Side by side, but there was no conversation between us.
　The only sound I could hear was the occasional rustling of leaves from the wind that was blowing.

　Honestly, I didn't know how to speak to Lucifina.
　Lucifina is here after that kind of parting, and Lucifina is here.
　And it's also strange that the person sitting next to her isn't the familiar silver-haired former demon king.

　I can't help but feel a mixture of regret, loss, and hatred.
　I'm feeling tired after the battle, but only my eyes are bright.
　It would be easier if I just fell asleep.

Iori-san.

　The silence was broken by the sound of a gentle, whispered voice.

'Are you okay?'

　I looked next to him and saw his silver eyes staring at me, shaking with anxiety.
　I paused for a moment, wondering how to answer that question in the abstract.

...... I don't know.

　It was such a vague word that came out of my mouth.

'...... I've seen bits and pieces of what happened in this world. But if you ...... would like to hear what happened from Iori-san's mouth, can you tell me what happened?

...... Yeah.

　We talked about what happened after Lucifina and I parted ways.
　About Elfie, about Verdia, and about the idlers.
　I was going to tell him the facts in a matter-of-fact way.

　And yet.

I'm covered up again.

　I found myself talking about it.

"I was covered up, by Elfie. I was the one who won Idler over to Hardia. I screwed up again. I should have been the one to pay for it.

...... She kept her promise to me, didn't she?

'Promise ......?　Oh, .......

　--Please take care of Iori-san, please.

　Did Lucifina say that to Elfie in the void labyrinth?

'...... I'm constantly being sheltered. Lucifina saved me, and Elfie saved me.

Was that hard for you, Iori-san?

......

　His words stopped as his throat tightened.
　It would be too insensitive to affirm it in front of the person in question.

'-- I was happy,'

　Lucifina smiled benevolently at me.

It's a good thing I believe that if Iori-san is around, it will be fine. I'm sure you'll be able to connect it to the next one.

　What if I stay?
　No, I don't think so.
　What in the world can I do?

　I was the weakest and most courageous person in the world, and all I did was dance on the palms of Haldir's hands.

　Ever since I came here, I've been losing it all.
　How could I think that it wouldn't be so in the future?

''--Iori-san, you saved me.

　As if to see through my thoughts like that.
　Lucifina cupped my cheeks with her hands and said.

'Iori-san is my hero. Fragile, fragile, vulnerable, pure, stumbling many times - and yet she's a gentle hero who stands up and does her best for everyone.

----

I'm sure that's true for everyone you've helped. I'm sure it was for Mr. Elfiszak as well.

----

　Besides.
　Lucifina's cheeks flushed.

It's for the love of my life. I have no regrets about the way I died. I'm sure Mr. Elfiszak would have done the same.

　--I love you, Iori.

So I hope Iori-san will move on rather than grieve -- I'm sure Elfiszak-san and I will too.

　I believe I can connect to the next one - said Lucifina.
　Then Lucifina connected with me.

　Elfi told me to live.
　He said so, and he was willing to let me go.

　I wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for you two.

　Hardia said, 'My plans were screwed up.
　He was going to take me into the gates.
　He couldn't do that, so he dropped me into the underworld.

　If they had taken me into the gates, it would have all ended there.

　I'm the weakest of the brave.
　Lucifina is right, I keep stumbling over it.

...... Thank you, Lucifina.

　And yet.
　I'm a believer.

"-- are you all right?

Yeah.

　I nodded at Lucifina's question.
　It's in my nature to think wistfully - but for now, let's just think about moving forward.

'Long time no see, Lucifina.

　Finally, he looked into Lucifina's eyes and said

''--Yes.''

　With a big smile on her face, Lucifina nodded.