'Huh ... huh ... huh ... huh ...'


　Holding her arms down, Claire was taking her steps. She had pretended to be completely unfazed when she left Julia. However, in reality, she was wounded in the body. In particular, the singular ability she invoked, Extra, was a problem.


　Death Lust (Thanatos). It was one of Claire's trump cards. It is indeed quite powerful. Because if it is activated, the opponent will almost certainly die. Still.........there was a reasonable price to pay.


　Death's Appetite (Thanatos) is a type of peculiar ability 《extra》 that can directly transfer the image of death it has to the opponent. However........it causes the same pain to me. In other words, a battle between myself and my opponent with mental power. Claire is used to the repercussions because she has already activated it many times..............but it doesn't mean that she doesn't take damage at all. Furthermore, in the earlier fight, Yulia is otherwise a threat again, even in pure close combat. She thought she was an expert in a hundred battles, but as expected of a fully awakened Yulia's opponent was quite bone-jarring.



You're back, Claire.
Clyde, you've been waiting for me?
Yeah. We thought we'd get you back. Silas and Claudia have already returned to the home country. And, although incomplete, I heard that the Sefirot Tree was recovered.
'I see... well, in that case I guess it was worth the effort...'
Whoa, you okay?
Sorry I can't walk anymore.


　Clyde holds Claire as she tries to fall to the spot. He had expected this to happen and was waiting at the meeting place beforehand.


　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you're in the market. His physique was also quite large, standing well over six feet tall. He supported Claire with his body and carried her up as it was.


''........Haha, I miss it. This way of holding it.
Yes. But still, were you that strong to get to that point.......after all, were you that strong?


　Clyde starts walking towards a certain point as it is. He can also use transference magic, but there is a place in this twilight where he can do transference magic directly to lead to the home country. I'm in the middle of walking towards it now.


''You're strong. If it's only close combat, I don't think it's an enemy. Probably a class above the third rank in the pecking order?''
As good as me?
'Yeah ... maybe he's stronger than Clyde ...'
...I see. You've worked hard.
".........I got too excited and used that one too....... I'm really tired....
"Thanatos. It's not effective on its own, it's more suitable for a group fight, and it's especially dangerous when you're fighting alone. It's a good choice for group battles, and it's especially dangerous when you're fighting alone. You're not going to be able to get away with it.
Because I want to use it!

Is that right?
Who do you think raised him?
'Hmmm, so that makes Clyde my dad?
'Talk about a fool but, well, he's a father figure, I'm sure. People say things like, 'What's wrong with my daughter?'
'Hmm. Yeah.


　Claire smiles at me. That smile isn't as wicked as it has been in the past. It was purely a smile directed at something close.


'So how does it feel to be with your immediate family?
''Hmm........well, it's obvious when you look at them with the Twilight Sight 《Twilight Sight》 that they have the same components. And more than anything else, they were identical twins, so they looked a lot alike.......but after all, my brother is a human. His thoughts are completely human. Roughly speaking, it's incompatible with me, who grew up among the demons.
Can you kill him next time you see him?　You don't have any feelings for him?
Do you think I'm like that?
No you're not. You'd be happy to kill him.
That's right. My brother and I will meet again. And until one of us dies, I'm sure we'll be incompatible.
'Well but here's the unfortunate news. I hear we have to destroy the demons thoroughly.
What?　Did they finally do that?　That's silly.......no, it's really silly. Do you think you can win if you get the numbers out?
But to tell the truth, if sub-humans and demons team up, it's tricky. However, we already have the Sefirot Tree, albeit unfinished, here. It might take some time, but there's no chance of losing.
I don't know much about it, but is the Sefirot Tree so amazing?
''Ah, it was used during the Great War of Human Demons 150 years ago, but that was terrific. Back then, there were more than a dozen beings, including saints, who could be called non-humans. We were pretty much cornered by them, but with the temporary release of the Sefirot Tree, we were able to eradicate them. We succeeded in driving the humans into a localized area.
Hmm. Well, whatever works, I guess.
Well I guess we're getting close.


　Clyde packs magic element into the magic circle embedded in the ground. Then it generates a shifting magic circle in front of him, scattering golden particles.


''Let's go back.''
Yes.


　And so the two of them were sucked into that magic circle and moved on.



　◇



Welcome back. The two of you.
Aurille. What are you doing here?
They've got you. They've got you.
Aurille!　Hi!
Well, well, Miss Claire it's been a while.


　A demon dressed in a pitch black suit. Her hair is neatly pulled back all the way back, as if she's using hairdressing materials to keep it in place. Also, a pitch-black tail extends from his waist. And it's not just his appearance, but his behavior is also polite. He bows nicely, even though he's older than Clyde and Claire. That said, there's no idea of seniority for a demon, but Auriel still values courtesy as a way of life.


''I'll take care of Claire-san,''
Thank God.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry you had to go through all this trouble.
'No, no. It's proof that you've been working hard, isn't it, Claire? Now, I'll treat you right away.


　Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Then he lightly waves his right hand from side to side.


''........finished. How is it done?''
It's perfect. That's Auriel!　That always helps!
No. Let me know if you need anything else. Well you two Mr. Claudia and Mr. Silas are already at that place.
Is the call coming up?
'Yes, sir. A coalition of sub-humans and demons. And we have recovered the Sefirot Tree, albeit imperfectly. An emergency meeting will be held.
All right. Let's head out.
Conference - It's so annoying...
Miss Claire. Please, I won't take up any of your time.
''Hmm. Aurir has always been a great help to me, and I can't help it.......
Thank you.


　And so the three of them walked through the huge castle. At the far eastern end of the continent, in that underground space, the home country of the demons exists.


　The three of them climbed the stairs of the castle, illuminated by the twilight. The twilight, which also exists in the underground space, continues to illuminate all of this world, as it always has. And when Aureel opened the door, there were already seated faces at the long, vertical desk.



''I've brought you two here.
Forgive me, Auriel. So, we're all here now ... all of the Twelve Holy Apostles.



　The twelve Holy Twelve Apostles 《Seijyuu Nihito》. That was the general term for the twelve people who stood at the top of the demon race. Thus, the demon side also began to move in a big way, just like the humans.