Phew......


　As Claire said that, she thrust the Invisible Sword 《Invisible Blade》 into the opponent's brain. At the end, she heard a voice that sounded like she was begging for her life, but that's not the point. There was no pity or mercy for her. In the first place, when you are participating in this war, you should be prepared for your own death.


　That's not even close to the shamefulness of begging for one's life now.


　She thought to herself.


'Clyde~, it's over~'
Claire. I just finished this one too.


　Claire lightly wiped the blood that was clinging to her and walked over to Clyde, who was close by.


　We are currently in the middle of a unification war. Demons, subhumans, and demons. Which of them will take supremacy under this twilight? This war has already been going on for over 100 years. The previous structure was that of humans versus demons. In other words, humans were fighting against all of the demons, subhumans, and demons. But humanity was defeated and driven to the poles.


　So, from there on, did those three races rule this world? No. It was impossible. They were highly combative, and those three species were the next to fight with them. Additionally, the influence of twilight would further increase their abilities.


　A number of other factors intertwined to create a muddy battlefield and the war would last for more than a hundred years. Lacking a decisive edge, the two sides killed and slaughtered each other, and after their numbers had dwindled considerably the demons had finally won, it seemed.


　However, the sub-humans and the demons could not give up, or perhaps they did not care about what is already out there, so they formed a coalition army. This is how the current war is structured: demons versus subhumans and demons.



''Huh........Small fry are small fry no matter how many groups they are.......''
But after all, numbers can be a pretty powerful force. And we're having to deal with it ourselves.
Well, that's true, but you know what, I'm tired of being a mook all the time... is there anyone strong enough?
'There are probably some, but they haven't come out yet. Besides, we've already slaughtered quite a few powerful enemies. It would be doubtful if there are any left.
'What?　How is that possible?　Could it be that we're just going to keep hunting small fry forever...?


　Claire has a serious expression on her face. It's as if the child is depressed because there is nothing to look forward to......it seems so, but what she is looking for is a battlefield next to death. She is tired of just laying waste to the enemy. The only thing she wants now is pure struggle. I'm not sure if I can kill it or not. Claire's craving had become even more insatiable after her fight with Julia.


''There's no chance of that happening. Maybe they're a small fry and they're taking measures to prolong their lives.''
Yes........well I want to fight my brother again....
'This time it's up to Aurir to deal with the humans. Give it up.
Nice........I want to go there too........
But they're in trouble over there, though. They don't have as many pieces to move as we do. At best, they'll barely be able to stop the humans' progress.
'If I remember correctly, you're fighting on the ground?　I heard it was some kind of massive operation.
''According to Auriel's research, they are marching in with all the special class anti-magicians. It seems that this time, they're serious about attacking that land.
What?　All the special class antagonists!　That's some big brother and some other strong guys!
...but don't go.
Stop holding your head down I'm not going to go anywhere and I've got some work to do right now.
Okay. All right then, but...

'I'm pretty sure it was. But it was only a matter of time before it was too late. Perhaps this human operation will be somewhat successful this time.
Really?
In terms of strength, they could already be as good as witches. Part of the Dusk Lands are already powerful enough to rule it.
Well, you have an older brother, too. They're no match for those above them, right?
You're right. It's more important not to let them progress into this world for now.
Hmm. That's about it.
Okay, come on, Claire. The next horde should be here any minute now.
Okay.


　As he said this, they proceeded to take their steps.



　◇


　Aurir walks through the royal castle. Next to him is Lina, as usual. The two of them have been entrusted with dealing with the humans and are now fulfilling their duties, but the wind has changed.


　As such, only one of them is allowed to borrow the Holy Twelve Apostles in case of an emergency. Of course, those who are currently fighting, and those higher up in the pecking order, can't be taken out for a reason.


　That's why Aureel had come to ask for help from a certain person.


''Mr. Alfred, this is Aurir. I've come to talk to you.


　A careful knock on the door, and the door opens with a gee-yi as it is. Then Aureel and Lina enter the room. The only thing there is a chair and a table. It's almost impossible to believe that someone is living there. In the corner of such a room, there is a man polishing a sword. Carefully, carefully, carefully, he polishes the sword. The sword's blade is bright red, but only its blade is completely black. It's just the opposite shape of the demon sword that Belle is holding, the Oboro Tsukiyo.


''What........aurir.''
'Mr. Alfred was just off duty, wasn't he?
'Oh...'
'We want to slow the human progress. Will you follow me?
...human beings.
'What's wrong, I thought you'd be happy to oblige. After what happened before.
....


　Alfred falls silent. The previous case was so ten years ago. He had fought a human he had happened to encounter. It was a special-grade anti-magician, a high ranking human, but the problem was Belle. Alfred was able to kill the special class antimagician. However, he had fallen behind Bell. At that time, because he was completely caught off guard, he was deeply injured.


　As it was, when Alfred returned to his home country, he was lowered in the pecking order because of his blunder. At that time, humans were insignificant beings. Even if he was a high-level antimagician, he was not allowed to lose. And even more so, to be defeated by a mere antagonist.


　Especially with the Holy Twelve Apostles, losing to them was unacceptable. And so, the pecking order continued to drop, and now he was in tenth place. They used to be in third place.


　Alfred's hatred for Belle was quite high. If I blame the former, it was because of my own carelessness and blunder. Besides, he hadn't brought a magic sword with him at that time. Because of that, he almost escaped in defeat, but for the past 10 years.......Alfred has been training just to make up for his failure at that time.


　And so the time has come.



''This is the person you fought, but if you compare it with the information brought back by Silas-san and Claudia-san, including his external characteristics, he's a special class anti-magician. That's also the pecking order, since Silas-san is out of the pecking order, he's probably ranked first.
Oh... the strongest of the human race.
'Technically, there are people like Julia Curtis and others but in terms of pure humanity, they're definitely the strongest of the bunch.
''I see.......the little girl from that time is the strongest of the human race now.......''


　Although he was caught off guard, Bell was still rough around the edges at the time. I don't think he is showing all of his talent. If he had been dealing with the current Bell ten years ago, he wouldn't have been caught off guard.


''All right, Auriel. Let's go, shall we?
Thank you.


　Alfred sheathed his sword and walked out with it alone, following behind Aurir with it.


　Thus the battle in the twilight was about to begin in earnest.