Hey, Julia.
Yes..........................


　As always, the senior's smile remains the same. But it speaks eloquently of one truth. That is ... that senpai is still angry.


''It really didn't happen, did it?''
'It's true. She wanted to hear about the outside world, so we just talked all night. Well well, you know, there was a bit of a buzz about it...
Hmm. So why did that elf want to know about the outside world?
The elves have apparently lived in a fairly enclosed space, just like humans.
'Well it would be, especially since the elves were neutral.
''Yes. But I think it would be mutually beneficial for both of us to form an alliance at this time.
Does that mean I can learn magic over there?
''That's right. I'm sure that their magic skills are better than ours, if you only look at the boundaries. Although the level of the special class antimagician is not the average, the overall average is probably higher than theirs.
So, what's this place got to do with the infrastructure and stuff?
In the future, we might be able to live together in a warded city. It is well known that elves are not hostile to humans.
Well, maybe.



　We talk as we go. The current plan is to build a base of operations in this danger zone level 2, but before that, we need to discuss how we should deal with the elves. The first thing we need to discuss is whether or not we should build it right next to the elven village. If we build it close to the village, it will be easier to interact with them, but there is a possibility that other demons will find out. But that doesn't make it any less convenient to build it at a remote location.


　The question is how much concessions can be made to each other. This is what we call a diplomatic issue. This is the first interaction since humanity was confined to the warded city. And if it's an elf, I want to maintain my friendships. That would be the opinion of not only me, but also those above.


　And so we act as guards for the elves participating in the meeting. However, the number of elves participating in the meeting is small, and there are no demons at all. We will only act as a form of bodyguard.


　Then we return to the first base of operations, which is located on Level 1 of the danger zone.



　◇



Hey, Julia. How's it going?
You're not bad. How's Sherry?
I was uptight, but now that the demons aren't there, it's kind of like I'm shrugging it off, you know?
Yeah, I guess so.


　Participating in this meeting will be Bell-san and Gil-san in the Special Class Counter-Magician. And a few people from the operations command center, that's how it's supposed to be. I still don't know what they're talking about with the elves inside the tent. I was just looking at the skies in a daze, thinking that I would get the notice soon anyway.


　By the way, I tried to guard the perimeter because I was bored, but the other antimagicians stopped me, saying there was no need for a rank zero person to do such chores. It seems like I'm wielding my power and making it easy for them, but well... that's what they say. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to find the time to do this, but Sherry has just arrived.


'Sherry's in the third platoon, right?'
Yeah. Now it's just time to take a break from the rest of the platoon. But you've discovered something amazing. I didn't know you were an elf.
'I was surprised too. Noah found it, and I didn't realize there were sub-humans this close.
Noah, you mean the genius.
Yeah. Its existence is a mystery to me, but, well I guess it's true. Even I uncovered a ward that I couldn't perceive and disarmed it.
'Well what about the elves?'
What do you mean?
Ummm, well, you know...belligerent or friendly?
'They're friendly, I suppose. I was pretty wary of them at first, but they weren't hostile to the elves, even among the sub-humans to begin with. Even during the past wars.
'Hmm. What was the village like?
'It was a small, simple village. It was...
What's the matter, stagnant?
Nothing.


　I've been reminded of something. I've encountered a similar situation in the past. An ogre village. I met Edgar and his friends, and they were very kind to me. I'll never forget the people who treated me so generously despite the fact that these incomprehensible people came here.

　But that village is probably already........overrun by Claire. They must have killed everyone. Because with Claire's strength, such a thing would be easy to do.


　I don't think it's insolent to say that I couldn't protect you....... It was just bad luck, I can only describe it as such. But if one day I meet a survivor of theirs, it will be my turn to help them, I thought.


　But for now, I have to deal with the elves at the moment. Even if we were to form an alliance, does the Elf side have the will to try to capture the twilight? It was true that they were lamenting the old status quo, but are there enough people among the elves to rival the special grade anti-magicians? That kind of question was never-ending.


''Are elves strong?''
''Well, what do you think? Even if you specialize in magic, I still think that if you just think of it in terms of survival rate, then I think the proximity specialization is stronger.
Yeah. You're not going to be a part of the mission, are you?
Isn't it?　It's hard to put it this way, but humans are well educated. How to fight in the twilight is something I hate to say. You could say it's ingrained in them. But I don't think elves have that kind of education system, and...
Well, I guess we'll just have to take our own people on this one.


　We finish talking around there and go back to our platoons. But when I return, I find an unexpected person in the platoon.


'Ah!　Yulia, Miss Yulia!
What?


　It was Aries who came fluttering up to me.

　'How did you get here?'　

　More importantly, why are they mixed in with the people of the first platoon?


''Well, I'll be joining the first platoon, so I'm counting on you!
Well what does that mean?


　The summary was this. First of all, there seemed to be no doubt that the elves and the humans had become an alliance. That's where the discussion came in to what they could offer each other. On the human side, the supply of food and the development of infrastructure. On the elven side, the disclosure of magical technology. It's not just that the human side has more work to do, it's that the magic of the elves is called a mystery, and it's well known that it's highly secretive. I'm sure the human side should be happy to have that disclosed.


　But the elves felt sorry for that, and they were willing to share a bit of their strength with us. And apparently a few elves were sent to each platoon, but Aries-san was to come to the first platoon. But since the first platoon would be advancing on the front lines, it was obvious that there would be the most fighting and the probability of dying would be high. In other words, it takes a lot of skill to come here, but........no way, Aries-san is the most skilled among the elves?


　When I asked her about it, she answered shyly. Apparently, Aries-san's magical talent is the best in the history of elves........


　To be clear, I didn't feel that way at all. My impression is that she is very humble and the most beautiful elf of all. It's hard to believe that she has abilities comparable to or greater than that of a special class antimagician, but I'll find out from now on how naive that perception is.


''I will do my best with all my heart and soul, so I'm looking forward to seeing you again!


　Yes, her face was somewhat clean. I accepted Aries-san without knowing that it was a mask that had been affixed to her.