"Well, ...... ready?　Everyone

　Everyone gathered here nodded silently before the final confirmation.
　There was a determination without hesitation in their eyes.

"All right, then, let's go.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time in the city.

Of course, Locke is going to be there with you. We'll get Lily back with me.

"Yes!

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that the detention team is very happy.
　I'm sorry, but low-powered demons like Dora-chan will be staying behind this time.
　But they too have their roles to play. To protect the castle and most importantly, to protect our place of return.
　Now that you've seen how painful it is to be deprived of your place of return, you understand its importance.

Dora will be back soon, just wait for me. We'll have a celebration party when we get back, so be sure to get ready for that too.

　Dora nodded at my words and replied loudly.
　Then, seeing that each of us is ready, Tsurugi steps forward.

Then we will now begin the transition to the imperial castle. As we said in our prior information, the place I can currently go is the first floor hall of the castle. Past there is a grand staircase to the second floor hall, and at the same time, the path to the detached palace is next to the grand staircase. Each of you must move and then head to your respective places of responsibility. The position of the brave men guarding it is as I told you.

　We all nodded at Tsurugi's confirmation.
　From here on out, it's just a game. We can't lose and we can't back down.
　We win everything and we win until we get our friend back.
　And that's why...

"Let's go, guys!　Let's get fired up!

　I yell out to myself to give myself a pep talk, and everyone in the room agrees with me.
　Then the space we're in becomes distorted with Tsurugi at the center, and finally the decisive battle for the imperial castle begins.






We're all here.

　In front of the Demon King's Castle, the Empire's army gathered there with about 100,000 men and women.
　It was almost the entirety of the Empire's army, and it was certain that this battle would be the end of the Demon King's army.

''Now is the time for us to destroy the Demon King of this continent!　After the demon king's army is gone, the demon that threatens us no longer exists!　This continent will be ruled in peace by us humans!　Now is the time for a decisive battle!

　So, with the shout of the general commanding the legion, the morale of the imperial army is lifted at once.
　It is said by the emperor, who commands them from afar, that there are few forces in the castle of the demon king that can be the main force and few people to command these demons.
　By making the castle of the emperor's castle less defensive, the main body of the enemy invaded there. However, it is a natural consequence that even the enemy's stronghold will be thinly defended.
　The emperor used himself as bait to give the imperial army victory in this battle.
　In response to this opportunity, the imperial soldiers gathered here take their swords and raise them toward the demon king's castle.

Let's go!　Now is the time to destroy the evil demon king's castle!

　The war that will start with their shouts.
　A-ranked to B-ranked demons surround the Demon King's Castle.
　Even skilled soldiers have a hard time dealing with those monsters, but the number of troops on the imperial side makes up for it.
　Soon, the imperial army's invasion was about to reach the demon king's castle.

"Hmm. Then let's start with the plan!

　A dignified voice echoed on the battlefield.
　At the same time, unfamiliar troops emerged from there to surround the left and right of the imperial army.

What was that?　Foolishly, there is no such thing as a force to support the Demon King's army?

"Report!　An army of mysterious demons, mainly ogre, from the right wing direction!　We have identified up to three S-ranked demon hydra among them!

"Silly?　A hydra?　And ogres are supposed to be a fighting race that only exists in the eastern continent!　Why is that?

　As the panicked imperial soldiers panicked, the demons Kyou had raised turned into an avalanche of demons that struck the flanks of the imperial army.
　The heads of the hydra blow dozens of soldiers together, the feet of the cockatrice trample them, and the ogre's blow blows away the returning soldiers.

"Rest assured, Mine Strike.

　Kyou asked for help, and the army of ogres came across the continent to fulfill their promise to him.
　It was a match made in heaven. And they weren't the only ones drawn by Kyou to support him.

"Oh dear, I've been fed up with those guys from the Albrus Empire for a while now, but I never thought I'd get a chance to cross swords with them, so I guess I have you to thank for that.

That's ......!　No way are the troops coming from the left wing side!　Soldiers of the Kingdom of Arabian, led by the brave and genius Sin-de-Bard?

　The soldiers of the Kingdom of Arabial, a great power comparable to Albrus and Valkyries on this continent, are commanded by the Singh-de-Bird, a young genius of the Arabian royal blood.
　And it is commanded by Sin-de-Bird, a young genius of the Arabian royal blood.
　He was also one of those who responded to Kyou's request for help.

But is that all right, Your Highness? Let me lead my army.

"That's fine. They're my private army. It's up to me how to use them.



"Yes, that's fine,

"Besides, ...... I've done some bad things to that guy before, and I'd like to at least pay him back with this one.

"What?　What did you say?

　A warlord next to Shin, who was whispering to himself, asks him what's going on, but he denies it in a hurry.

"Hey, it's nothing!　But don't miss out on any more instructions from him.

"Ha, yes.

　Then further orders are given from the communication stone held by the strategist.

Your Highness, it looks like we have a chance to attack. What do you think?

"Of course--I'll be there!

　With sword in hand, the genius also rushes out to the battlefield.

　And amidst the chaos of the battlefield, the imperial general also began to notice that the cooperation between the demons and the Arabian kingdom was at a level that was not a coincidence.

This is ......!　No doubt, the enemy forces have good strategists!　We attacked and threw in reinforcements from both sides when we were caught off guard. Furthermore, this siege and annihilation formation. How can such tactics be done by a demon ...... who could do such advanced tactics?

It's me.

　A woman appears before the general with a phrase that sounds like it's from somewhere else.
　With a beautiful nice body and black hair dressed in an exotic outfit, she is the most wise person known to man.

"A wise woman, Kasarina?　Why are you on the side of the demon king's army?

　Kasarina returns a smug smile at the name.
　The next question from the imperial general is answered with a dumbfounded voice.

"Demon King's Army?　It's not. I'm here to help you because of a friend named Kyou.

"A friend?　Ridiculous. You want to fight our Imperial Army for that reason alone?

　It was a word not only for Kasarina, but also for the Arabian army led by Singh, who was gathered here. But..." "Don't you know, my lord?

"Don't you know, my lord?　Popularity is one of his powers. He may be weak by himself but the bond he has forged and the demon is his power. Then I am one of his power. I don't need a reason to wield it.

　That one word was a thought shared by all the people who knew Kyou and the others gathered on this battlefield.
　The imperial general neither mocked nor ridiculed them, but simply nodded quietly in front of them.

...... I see. It's only with the approval of our emperor. I'm also intrigued by this particular Kyou who you trust. Then let's fight with all our might for those who believe in us.

Oh, I don't know why you're working for the emperor. You haven't been brainwashed, have you?

"Of course. Just as you trust and lend your strength to Kyou, we also believe in the ideals of the emperor and will fight for them.

I see. It's hard on both of us. Well, if that's the case, I won't hesitate. It's been a while since we've had a real fight.

I don't mind. I'm counting on you to do everything in your power to keep me company!

　The swords of the wise and brave twinkled and the spears of the imperial generals ran.
　The battle that had begun in the Demon King's Castle was becoming a fierce battle in a matter of hours.






　Meanwhile.
　Through Tsurugi's transference, Kyou, the Four Heavenly Kings, Amanes, and Jack instantly moved to the Imperial castle.
　At the same time, they rush to the place where each of them is headed.

　It was a formation that had been drilled into their heads even before this plan was implemented.
　Tsurugi's map of the castle is a combination that they had visualized and discussed many times.
　At the moment when the Four Heavenly Kings led by Kyou were about to leave the first floor's hall.

I've been waiting for you. We can't let them through from here.

　There was a brave man, the brave man of Mansoor. The strongest force the emperor has now. Heroic hero Ferid.
　As soon as he sees him, Kyou smiles rather relieved.

Hey, Mr. Ferrido. Long time no see. I would have liked to have a cup of tea and a good chat with you, but I'm sorry. I'm just going to go get my partner. So it's up to my partner to keep you company.

　At the same time as I announced this, a group of people jumped out from behind me and attacked Ferid in front of me.
　A split second later. Without missing it, I and the others walk past him and head for the main staircase at the back.
　He flicks the swords of those who attacked him and confronts them anew.
　But there is still some doubt in his eyes.

I've been reading that ...... knew that Keogh and his friends would be coming, and that they would be there to prepare the main force. But when you think about what kind of men and women you're going to be using to hold me back against the first hurdle, this arrangement may well be called an abandonment.

　There were the Four Heavenly Kings . The vampire tribe Alucard, the Holy Lion Spin . And then--



An abandoned pawn. I suppose that's true.

　Kyou's partner, Jack, was standing there.
　Felid also knew about each of them and their abilities, leaving two of the Four Heavenly Kings as the lowest of the low, but the pumpkin standing in front of him was a C-ranked little thing.
　What use would such a person be in the fight against him? That was Ferrido's question. But.

But..." "Don't underestimate me. I'm the first demon you've given me. I was my brother's partner who stood by him more than anything else.

　Then Jack quietly holds the rapier in his hand.
　It was far more intimidating than Jack's old strength oozed from his stance.

"Ferald the Hero. It was we who defeated you--the role of the demon.

...... interesting. Can a demon defeat a hero? You should try.

　In response to Jack's declaration of war, Felid also nodded.
　Here begins the fierce battle between heroes and demons.
　And then--

I see it!　The grand staircase to the second floor!

　Passing through the corridor and seeing the huge grand staircase ahead, Kyou turned around once and nodded to a person waiting there.

Then let's focus on our targets from here!　Let's each get our friends back!　Definitely!

"...... yes!

　Kyou's confirmation is met with an unprecedentedly emphatic reply from behind him, and before he can finish, he's already looking forward.
　The members of the team led by Kyou climb the grand staircase, from which a person runs towards the detached palace.
　In the dark corridor, the girl runs towards her destination and finally arrives at the detached palace. She arrives at the door.
　There, the girl's goal, her trapped friend, is there too.
　But the person placed in front of the door is the same one with the same title as the heroic hero in the first floor square.

...... surprisingly, one of them is ......

　The figure appears as if assimilated into the dark passage.
　With jet-black clothing and jet-black hair, he is truly a full-body jet-black hero.
　But even in front of the person, the girl bit her lip tightly and for the first time took a stance of attack, ready to take on a fight she should have been uncomfortable with.

...... first, I want to know your name. I want to hear your name to bring back Phytis, who is trapped here: ......

　The Jet-Kuro Brave. Sacherk, who is also the brother of the imperial hero who rules this empire, asked the girl in front of him, and she replied without hesitation: "The Snow Witch, Ys.

The girl answered without hesitation: "The Snow Witch, Ys . I'm here to help your friend ......!

　Ys would never know it, but for the first time in years, Sachaque smiled a smile he hadn't shown in years.






　And then - in the upstairs hall, past the grand staircase.

Hey, we're here for you. Lily.

　The beast hero Lily and Hel, led by Kyou, and Amanes were confronting each other.