The bristles of Berserker Bull flare up.
　As we watched, we returned the bellows.

"Will could easily take down a monster like that.

　It's Zinga who asks the question, but I respond calmly.

"A man of that size. But there's an unsettled air coming from deep in the forest.

　Nodding seriously, Lunamaria nods.

"There's a very large object approaching from deep in the woods. Tear down the trees and take the shortest possible distance.

"Lunamaria's hearing is accurate.

Does that mean that the one you just beat is still in the depths of the forest?

It could be bigger than the last one.

　Lunamaría nodded seriously.

"Then it's a getaway move. It's a way out.

　Avoid battles that can be avoided. We don't have the sensibility that the only way to be an adventurer is to fight powerful demons, so we run off without hesitation.

But the unicorn is deep in the forest where they come from.

"Then when the giant species arrives here, we will take advantage of the gap and head deeper into the forest to switch places.

That's an odd move. But if you go any further, you might get pulled into the gates of the other world.

"Can you tell that line to Mile's mother, Mr. Zinga?

"...... was a silly question. That was a stupid question. You've come this far and there's nothing to be afraid of anymore.

That's true. The only thing to fear is your inner cowardice.

　Lunamaria says without fear.

　The gate of the other world that appears deep in this forest is said to be invisible to ordinary humans. It is said that no brave man would be able to return if taken in by it, but that was no reason to run back.

　Lunamaria says.

"By offering my sight to God, I have been able to hear his voice. And the power of holiness dwells in his body.

So you can detect the gates of the other world?

"To some extent it is ......

　Nodding. He says he learned it from the High Priestess of the Earth Mother. There's a gate to the other world and a way to detect it. It seems that she, who dedicated her light, is able to detect such supernatural things.

Then we'll advance with Luna Maria at the head. Now, when Belsel Bull appears from deep in the woods, we'll run in as one.

"Yes!
"Oh!

　They responded without hesitation, so I unleashed my thunderbolt spell and defeated the Bersel Bull. At the same time, a giant berserk bull rushed into the area we were in, knocking down trees.

　We traded places and entered the forest.

　It seems that the big nose and ears of the berserker bull sniffed out our presence right away. He's quick to turn and follow us.

"You're obsessed with us.

You must have hunted quite a few of them, they must hate you.

　But Berser Bull grabbed his companion in front of him and bit him on the head. Fresh blood leaked out and drenched the trees.

You're not fighting back, you're just hungry.

It seems so. A boy raised by the gods and an unblemished priestess. It sure smells good, doesn't it?

　When Zinga insists, he spins his upper body around and pulls out an explosive arrow from his back.

　You'll be able to hit the big one in the face. The accuracy was superb. It was non-lethal, but it was enough to frighten the enemy.

　I would have liked to close the distance between them, but it's not easy. This was no ordinary forest.

"Sir Will, you are in danger. There's an air different from this world.

　I have full faith in Luna Maria and I will take her at her word. I will avoid that path. Then a small Berserker bull that was about to be flanked by two dimensions swallows the space between dimensions and disappears.

"...... Is that the Gate of the Otherworld?

Yes,

　Lunamaria nods.

'It won't be easy to come back to this world if it gets you.

We have to be careful.

　And then Lunamaria tells us that there is a further gate ahead.
　We avoid that path, and the larger species avoid it.

"Will it be possible that it can hear our conversation?

"I think they hear but do not understand. I think the larger species have an instinct to avoid them.

　Zinga agrees.

I agree with Will. I was going to invite him to the gates of the other world and ask him to leave this world, but I don't think our dealers would be so willing.

"That's . It's impossible to find a unicorn on the run.



　It is said that the unicorn is a phantom creature that hates noise, or even the sound of its clothes being rubbed against it. It seems impossible to capture a unicorn in this situation.

　--And we can't keep running forever. We're only slightly faster, but Bershel Bull has nearly infinite physical strength. At this rate, we'll be supplemented at some point.

　We've got to change this.
　So I ask Lunamaria.

"Lunamaria, your hearing is as keen as an owl's.

Thank you . This is also the grace of God.

"I would like to rely on the grace of that god. Is there no gate of the other world near here?

　Lunamaría closed her eyes and cupped her hands to her ears. It was as if her whole being was focused on her hearing. A dozen seconds later, you get an answer.

There is. There's a cliff at the end of it, and a gaping gate at the bottom of it.
　I couldn't help but let out a smile when I heard that.

　Because there was a gate in the best place.

It's perfect. This is all thanks to the prayers that Luna Maria says to the Mother of Earth every morning.

You've come up with a good plan, haven't you?

Sort of.

　I say that and point to a large beehive hanging from a tree branch in front of me. It's a beehive as big as an anthill.

That's a killer beehive. A very ferocious bee.

I know. But the honey that can be collected from that hive is exquisite.

"I know. Lunamaria often accompanies my tea. By the way, do you have any Killer Bee honey on hand?

　Nodding at Luna Maria. I borrow a jar of honey from her and lick it with my index finger.

"Yes, it tastes good. Now, I'm going to throw this in Bersel Bull's face, okay?

It is against the teachings of Mother Earth to waste food, but Master Will would not waste food for no reason.

"Of course.

　and I aim the jar of honey at Bercel Bull's face and throw the jar. The viscous amber liquid spreads across Berseru Bull's face.

You blinded him with honey, Master Will.

"As expected, Will is early.

　It is true that Berserker Bull is blinded by honey, but it is only for a few seconds. Wipe with your arm and immediately regain your vision. It won't slow you down. Lunamaria and Zinga seemed to think so, but this is where I come in.

　I remember the words of the Vandal, the god of magic.


"Listen, Will. You are the strongest man here in the Table Mountain.

Thank you. It's all thanks to my mom and dad's training.

Hmm. But the strongest one is 'human'.

"Yeah. We're not very good at our fathers.

Oh, we're still gods. Ronin, the god of the sword, taught you the best swordsmanship. But in swordsmanship you'll be no match for Ronin. You're no match for Myrian in the art of healing.

"Not even witchcraft can beat Father Vandal.

But you know what you're missing. But you know that you are lacking. You are humbly aware that you are lacking in ability. You have reached the state of knowledge of ignorance.

"Knowledge of ignorance?

That's right. The knowledge of ignorance is the humble admission of what one does not know and the willingness to make up for what one lacks. Few people can have this spirit. People are easily conceited.

"You're going to train yourself to death. You'll have to be diligent.

Yes, but you have a weapon that we do not have. But although you have no power, you have a weapon that we do not have.

"Weapons?

"Yes. The weapon is the Almighty.

"Almighty?　That's a bit of an exaggeration. ......

"It's an exaggeration. If you don't like it, you can call it versatility. No matter how much knowledge or skill you have, there are many things you can't use. But you're not. You have the wisdom to use your knowledge and skills.



"I don't know. I don't think I can hold a candle to my dad Vandal.

I can think on the table, but I'm not good at fighting and thinking. I'm not naturally athletic. Ronin, on the other hand, is quite good at fighting and thinking. And he has a pretty good grasp of the art of war.
"What about Mother Militia?

"He doesn't think about anything.

　I couldn't help but chuckle at the time.

But your intuition is quite good. I often choose the best solution without thinking.

　That's right. When Mother Militia lost her salt and sugar jars, she would take the correct one about ninety-nine percent of the time. She also had a special skill that allowed her to pick the right path and get back on track when she got lost (although if that one percent failed, she'd be cooked in a witch's cauldron).

　Father Vandal lets out a wry smile as he sees me contemplating Mother Militia's traits.

Thus we gods have the strongest abilities, but we each have our weaknesses. But you don't have one. Will, you have knowledge that rivals mine and yet you have unparalleled athleticism. I can move around with agility and versatility.

My dad Ronin trained me since I was a kid.

"Moreover, you have the instincts of a Miria. You unconsciously judge the best move. You have the ability to use what is in the place (the field) to defeat something stronger than you, a kind of giant killing.

　Squinting Vandal. It was as if he was truly pleased with my growth.


　I dwelled on the past for a moment, but I wasn't old enough to dwell on the past.

　Besides, now I had to think about the monster in front of me. Bersel Bull was not a monster to be dealt with sentimentally. It was a monster that could not be defeated unless you deal with it with all your might.

　Pulling yourself together once again, you present your inner plan to Lunamaría and Zinga.

Luna Maria and Zinga, can you help me take him down the cliff?

　Lunamaria answers immediately.

Of course. But the demon is smart and cunning. How do you take it off the cliff?

It's easy. We just have to be more cunning than he is.

　In return, I point to Berserker Bull.

"I didn't throw honey in his face for a beauty pack. It was to exploit the habits of certain creatures in the forest.

　At the same time as explaining this, a heavy "bang" can be heard from behind. Lunamaría, who has a good ear, immediately recognizes it.

It's a hum. "That's the sound of wings. ...... Master Will uses the habits of a bee to his advantage.

"Correct. I threw a rock at the killer bees' nest on the way here. I even smeared some killer bee honey on his face--

　After that, Lunamaria said with a flourish.

The angry killer bees thought Bersel Bull was the enemy and attacked him.
That's right.

　And the word is true. Angry bees, provoked by the hive, are swarming in the face of Bersel Bull. The killer bee is a large species, but it is not a strong fighter. But for its small size, it is a fierce fighter and will relentlessly chase after its enemies once it has identified them. It is a true killer bee.

　The killer bee was about the size of a berserk bull's thumb, but it was able to cling to them.

　He was attacked in the nostrils and eyes, and Bersel Bull reeled.

　Zinga saw this and laughed, "That's nice," but he thought it would be difficult to lead Belsel Bull down the cliff with just this. A quick quick shot with the bow and an attack to the eye.

　Belsel Bull goes "Whoa! She looks up as if she can't stand it. Seeing this as an opportunity, Lunamaria collects holy magic in her right hand and goes to the front.

　She must have thought that if she could just make it stagger back a few more steps, a dozen meters, she could drop it under the cliff. He would attack at the drop of a hat. I joined the attack, but my magic struck his leg, and that was the decisive moment.

　He staggers a few steps and falls off the cliff.
　Seeing this, Lunamaria's expression relaxes.

"That's what I'm talking about, Master Will. The quickness with which you used the killer bee's nest, and the precision with which you added your magic, it was like a wise man.

　Lunamaría complimenting my virtues afterwards. The usual "Here Will" has begun. But I think it's also proof that the battle is over. As expected of Luna Maria, she only compliments me when she has time.

　--Was I wrong to feel that way? Or have I underestimated the life force of Berserker Bull? Or maybe it was both, but I was pretty sure that everyone in the group, including me, had let their guard down.

　The roar of the monster that should have fallen off the cliff is deafening.

　I saw that Bersel Bull had not yet fallen off the cliff. Beneath it a gaping maw had not yet been captured by the gates of the other world.

　He was still in this world, holding onto the cliff.
　He had jammed his right hand through the cliff and didn't fall.

　It was horrifying in its stubbornness, but even more horrifying was the fact that he was more interested in satisfying his vengeance than his own.



　Rather than extend his free left hand to the edge of the cliff, Berserker Bull used his free hand to destroy the cliff. He strikes the cliff with his left hand. He delivers a full blow.

　Then the cliff cracks and falls.

　It was only a moment. We were too quick to react to Berserker Bull's unexpected action.

　Hence, Lunamaría, who was closest to the cliff, was being swallowed by the cliff.
　It was like watching slow motion.

　She didn't seem to understand what was happening either. Just reach out and let gravity take over.

　Zinga was just stunned, but I couldn't sit idly by and do nothing. I reached over the edge of the cliff to save Luna Maria. I was millimeters away, but I couldn't hold her hand.

　Soon, Lunamaria is small and fading away.
　She is being sucked into the gates of the other world at the bottom of the cliff.

　When you look at her, Berserel Bull, so massive in stature and presence, has already disappeared from this world.

　It was as if he had never existed in this world at all.
　So has Lunamaria.
　The world was impossibly quiet without her.