There is no noticeable change in the lily that faces us.
　But as soon as you see this, Lily's body changes just as it did sometime ago, with beast ears sprouting from her head, a golden tail sprouting from her hips, and her arms transforming into claws of a strong beast with golden body hair.

The ...... imperial hero is just down the road. You came here to defeat him. Then in order to do that, you'll have to defeat me first.

　The moment you think you've said that, the moment you think you're poised, you immediately kick the ground to get closer to us.
　I'm not sure what to say, but it's just as I expected, and at the same time it makes me sad.
　I really don't know what to say to this guy.
　But contrary to my thoughts, Helu, who had anticipated the battle with Lily and told her how to deal with it in advance, is the first to take action.

I've already seen through your actions, beastman hero. Your weapon of choice is your proximity to the enemy. Therefore, allowing it to get too close will diminish our chances of victory. But did you think that last time you were so close to your weapon that you had no idea what to do?

　In a moment, a wall of scorching flames appears from the floor as a barrier between us and Lily, and the scene in front of us transforms into a full-blown fire.

"--!

　Instantly, Lily's feet stopped.
　If she had just rushed forward, her entire body would have been consumed by a wave of fire.
　It's a fire that surpasses even the flames of the underworld that Jack releases.
　The strongest purgatory flame of the flame-heat system that burns even the hellwalkers out of their existence.

This is the flame of Megiddo, the great power given by my mother.

　It is the ultimate flame that surpasses even the fiery hell.
　The attribute Hel possesses is fire. It is an ability inherited from our mother, the SS-ranked Favnir, that there is no being in this world that cannot be consumed by that flame, the very flame that condemns all beings.

You think the word 'flame' is a commonplace ability?　It is true that in a confrontation between people with these special abilities, there are plenty of flaming abilities to be had.

　My sister, who knows a lot about the kitchen, seems to be enjoying herself so much that she immediately went into her signature ability-solving mode.

But don't you think the opposite is true?　That the ability to be eccentric does not necessarily transcend the high road. When people gain a certain amount of experience and knowledge, they tend to become nihilistic and reject the royal road. But the royal road is the ability that makes the most sense, and that is why it is called the royal road. The simpler the world is, the stronger it is. In other words, it can be called pure strength without impurities.

　You'll be able to see in the palm of Hel's hand a mass of divine fire that far exceeds the mass of the previous one.
　The quality and power of the mass breaks through the wall of fire in front of you and blows away even the lily in front of it.

You are one of the seven great heroes, so this won't kill you. Let's have you rest for a while!

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's been in this situation.

It's a good thing that you're not a fan of ....... I think you're right. I don't need the ability to get weird. Such a clever ability is just a game for those who like to play word games. There is only one thing needed in battle: simple power, overwhelming destructive power. That one thing--that's all it takes.

　I saw an unbelievable sight.
　The divine flame that was shot at Lily was definitely the strongest spell I had ever seen.
　It's a substandard purgatory flame so strong that even an S-ranked demon would be able to decide the match with a single blow.
　But as expected, Lily used that flame to strike a blow with all her might in her right arm. With that alone, he crushed the flames that were headed for him with a single blow.
　Of course, it wasn't completely unharmed, but it still contained the fatal damage, and the right arm was still functioning, and even the wall of flame between us and Lily was instantly extinguished by the aftermath of the impact.
　There is literally no strange ability or special power contained in it.
　Just simple power. That's exactly why it's so overwhelmingly strong, according to Helu.
　It's the beastman hero Lily, who is right in front of you.

But we've had enough time. We'll fight my way from here on out, lily.

　But as soon as we cleared the wall of fire, we had already made our next move against her.
　Amanes' creation skills take time to refine due to their quantity and performance.
　But Helu had given her plenty of time, and now, with Amarnes at the center, the myriad of weapons, swords, spears, axes, bows, clubs, sticks, and every kind of battle armor that could exist in the world, numbered in excess of a hundred.

Such a hall. I will not hesitate, I'll go in like a warrior!

　At the same time Amanes' declaration, countless weapons are fired at Lily.
　If Lily's fighting style is specialized in close proximity, then Amanes' fighting style is specialized in long distance.
　Once you keep your distance, there is no way to avoid all the weapons that come at you, and while you're dealing with them, you refine new weapons one after the other with truly endless refinement.
　You'll be able to see that there is no way to avoid the weapons that fly in, or to strike them down with force, but you will not be able to prevent the overwhelming number of weapons, and you will receive wounds all over your body.

I'm sure it's very convenient for you to defend against all these weapons without being hurt. I'll be prepared to rush through them at .......

　At the same time as Lily's declaration, she flew up to the ceiling and kicked the floor, simultaneously kicking her body beyond the speed of sound as a single bullet, catching or bouncing countless flying weapons with her own body, or smashing them into pieces as she approached Amarnes in one fell swoop.
　Just as you are about to enter her bosom and slam your fist into her with all your strength, the moment you are about to do so...

"I ate that hand before. I'm not going to eat the same hand, lily.

　At the same time as Amarnes' smile, a shield is formed in front of her, surpassing her previous accuracy.
　The shield that does not receive a scratch from Lily's full-bodied blow.
　As expected, even Lily can't help but express her astonishment at that.
　It's just as it should be. All of Amanes' tactics were built for this occasion.
　The weaponry that comes ahead of us is also refined with reduced precision to make it easier for Lily to break through.
　All in order to lure Lily into the bosom of this bosom and have her focus on creating armor that would be able to catch her full blows.
　And one more thing. Lily wasn't the only expert in close combat.

Haha!

　In a moment, the earth shakes, and Lily quickly turns around to look behind her, but it is too late.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the next few weeks.



"......!

　Taking the blow in stride, Lily is slammed into the wall behind her.
　With a jolt that shook her brain, she was on her knees, unable to move.

You're certainly very much on the same page with thee. My true value is not in long-range battle by fire. The martial art of my mother's homeland, the Eight Polar Fist, is my true weapon.

　There, in Lily's eyes, was the orderly figure of Hel, taking a unique stance and adjusting her breath.
　So since his childhood, Helu had learned the Chinese martial art of octogenarianism, one of the traditional Chinese martial arts, under the guidance of his mother, Favnir.
　Among the many martial arts, the octal is touted as the strongest martial art of close combat.
　And it is safe to say that there is no martial art as refined as this one in this world.

　Lily's close combat is overwhelming force with overwhelming force.
　There are no techniques, but simple brute force to push everything through, and that's exactly why he boasts overwhelming strength.
　In contrast, Hel's close combat is a technique of softness that conquers rigidity.
　The relationship between the two is incomparable when it comes to simple power alone.

　However, Helu has a technical destructive power that simple destructive power of the Octagon cannot produce.
　The increase in attacks by shifting the center of gravity, the accompanying rapid expansion movements to increase her own power, and most importantly, the skill to accurately aim at the opponent's vital points had all the secrets of the millennia of interpersonal combat that could never be reached with mere barbaric techniques.
　It's not just a simple matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to get the best out of it.

...... Sure, we're on the same page ...... but you don't think that's the extent of it.

　But even after the blow, Lily still stands up and tries to block our path.

It's a shame, because I'm sure they wanted to make me unfit to fight. ....... If you want to defeat me and move on, then don't be shy about throwing yourself into it: ....... If you don't plan to defeat me seriously at ......, it won't do you any good. You're here to defeat me, now that I've become an enemy ......!　Then I'm going to kill you and take it easy on me at ......!

Come on, man.

　I said that without thinking.
　I found myself standing between Helu and Lily, staring at Lily's eyes from the front as if to provoke her to back off.
　I'm sure it's the first time they've heard my voice, and Rock, who is on my shoulder, Hel, Amaranthe, and even Lily are looking at me in surprise.

　I've been watching her for a while now, trying to figure out what she might be doing.
　Last time it was just a blip. I was so distracted by the astonishment in front of me that I didn't even have time to observe.
　But the fight just now. The earlier provocation. And now, even as you stare back into my eyes, I'm convinced to see that your gaze has somehow wandered.
　If that wasn't the case, I thought that I should have killed the imperial hero and then gotten Lily back as I had originally planned.
　But that's not the case.
　I'm not sure how much of a fool he is, but that's what he's doing, and it makes me angry.

It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with your friends.　Don't make me say it again, but if you want to get to this point, you need to seriously beat me. ......!

"Lily. You're a terrible actor.

　The expression on Lily's face froze at my unintentionally blurting out a line.
　Oh, that's right.
　This fellow wasn't brainwashed.
　He was fighting with us of his own free will.

What do you mean by that? ...... I don't know you guys. You're the enemy in your way: ....... Then don't be afraid to get more serious: ......

I said, "I'm telling you, that's enough!　Who do you think you are, dropping yourself to heels like that?　Is this your idea of redemption?!

　The next thing I knew, I was right in front of her, grabbing her arm and screaming at her.
　It's a very good idea to have a good time with your friends and family.

What do you mean by that ......

I don't know everything you're thinking. But I do know this. I know you're sorry for everything you've done. You're feeling sorry for the crimes you've done. But hey!　It's so convenient to have your people pay for it!

　I found myself screaming as I went.
　The anger at Lily, the anger at the friends that have been with me all these years, just kept pouring out.

Do you think that just because you've been lying to me up until now, our relationship is also a lie?　Or do you think we'll reject you when we find out who you are?　That's it, you gotta be kidding me!　Enough with the hubris!

"Huh!　Oh, you, what do you know about me?　I'm not the Lily you know!　I'm more of a monster than you think, and I'm a sinner who doesn't deserve to be with you!

"What about it!　You think I don't know that?　I already know that you're not really Lily!　I don't know what the hell you've been doing!

　At my comment, Lily's face is frozen at this time.
　But it's a different look, a true look that has been sleeping deep inside her.
　It's an expression of despair and fear that your friends will despise and abandon you when they learn the truth about you.
　Yes, seeing that, I really thought.

"Don't you dare lick my ass!　That's not how I'm going to fail you!　The best thing about the Lily I know is that she was the Lily that you became.　What does it matter if it's before or after!　No matter what you do, "whatever" you do, I won't leave you behind!　Don't you dare!



　At my heartfelt rage, however, Lily held back her tears and screamed back.

But I'm holding back tears.　I killed ......!　Friends!　I am, I'm just a monster!　I'm one of the pawns in this world that was prepared to be killed by people!

　Say, Lily confesses. I have committed an unforgivable sin.

I killed my only friend ...... and that's 'lily'!