Looking out at the vast forest that stretched out in front of him, Allen let out a breath.

　Just by looking inside from its location, you can clearly see that the forest is much deeper than those found in remote areas.
　I'm sure this place is in many ways suitable as a place where the devil has set up his base.

...... For now, there seems to be no problem as far as I can see, right?
Well, you're not really wasting your time monitoring the entire forest, are you?
No sign of the monster. I mean, it's not a problem, but I don't see any of the guys who are supposed to be watching this place, either.
"Hmm ...... It seems that surveillance is surveillance, but it's specialized for demons. Is it the type that puts a ward around the perimeter of the forest and only informs you when a demon touches it?

　By limiting its functions, it seems to be able to run for long periods of time without the need for adjustments, and also to be less prone to mistakes.

　No town or village has been built around this forest as a precaution.
　This must have been designed to eliminate the need for constant visual surveillance in such a place.

I'm not sure if that's what ...... surveillance is all about, if it's so lazy.　But that allows us to enter the forest without any suspicion.
...... but is it too much to ask to sit here and watch?
You can devote your time to that sort of thing. I think that's the only way to go," he said.

　Well, this area isn't even the Duke of Westfeld.
　It's not for Aren and the others to think about, and we've gotten along quite well with it so far.
　It's not something that is worth mentioning.

Well, let's go anyway. Well, we're in a hurry to get here.

　There's no point in goofing around here.
　They looked at each other, nodded to each other, and proceeded into the forest.

...... I could tell just by looking at it from the outside, but it's a very deep forest. It's not only that, but it's also that this forest is much more remote and uninhabited.
It's not so much a frontier as it is an unexplored area.　There are no good animal trails or even a dim light as you go further in, and there's even a sense that something is about to appear. But there's actually a demon stronghold up ahead.
"...... Wouldn't it bother you if the atmosphere was conversely cheerful?
Well, sure, if it's weirdly well maintained, or if it's moderately clear-cut and cheerful, that's suspicious.

　If there was a proper path, it seems unlikely that you would pass by it suspiciously.
　Well, whether there is such a thing or not, in the end, we are still cautious, so it may make no difference either way.

　While talking about this, Allen and the others continue to move deeper into the forest.
　Of course, we are cautious, and considering that, we probably shouldn't be talking to each other.
　Even if you keep your voice down, a demon might hear you, or the person you hear might be a demon.
　If you were careful, you should have proceeded in silence.

　But we have a long way to go and one's concentration is not designed to last that long.
　There is also the question of whether we need to be so focused and alert here in the first place.
　Considering the fact that the real work begins when the demon's stronghold is invaded, we should keep talking to each other in order to maintain a good level of alertness.

　This is why Allen and the others continued to talk in spite of the current situation.
　It's not surprising, or perhaps because we are now in a situation where there is no problem in talking.

　--The Omniscient Authority "Code Akashic": Tenkan Tsu.

To ......

　A moment later, Allen raised his right hand on the spot.
　Immediately, everyone simultaneously closes their mouths and begins to look at their surroundings with probing eyes.

　This is one of the signals that we decided in advance, that a demon is nearby.
　However, even though it's close, it's far enough away that our voices can't reach it, and the trees are so thick that it's not visible to everyone, and it's unlikely that we'll be able to sense its presence.
　It's doubtful that Allen would have been able to understand if he hadn't used his omniscience.

　This is because this forest seems to have a cognitive blocking effect.
　Moreover, it is not due to warding, but naturally formed.

　Otherwise, even though you can't see it, Akira would have been able to sense your presence.
　Or perhaps it was because of this that the demons had built their base here.

　The inhibiting effect seems to be indiscriminate, that's why you would not notice the demons here unless you went deep enough or were certain.
　This really seems to be a good place to establish a stronghold.

　But the effect does not only work in the devil's favor.
　Rather, in this situation, it's more advantageous for Allen and his team.

　They already know the demons are here, and that effect makes it harder for the demons and monsters to find them.
　Fortunately, you keep your mouth shut as you carefully move forward.

　After walking for a while, they came to a slightly open area.
　There is just a little more sunlight coming in from overhead, just like a resting place that exists in the deep woods.

　But it really wasn't such an easy place.
　Letting out a breath of relief, I look at Henriette and the others and indicate with just my fingertips to look to my left.

　You'll be able to see that you're not the only one who has the ability to do this.

......

　In that direction was a demon.
　It was a huge turtle-like demon, so big that it could have been ten meters tall, and it was sitting less than five meters away.
　It would be impossible not to be surprised.

　But at the hurriedly directed gaze, Allen shrugged his shoulders and returned it.
　If you don't do anything unnecessary, there seems to be no need to worry about being noticed.

　This is the first time Allen has seen this demon, but even with such a demon, omniscience can provide accurate information.
　And according to omniscience, this demon seems to be insensitive to sound.
　As long as it is facing away and does not talk or make loud noises, there is no need to worry about being noticed.

　However, it is said that it is naturally sensitive to their presence, so if it weren't for this forest, there would have been a battle.
　He is a bloodthirsty demon in his own right, and will attack any creature that comes into his territory without question.
　The turtle-like appearance gives it a hard shell and makes it a pain in the ass to blacksmith.
　Its level is also 50, so we should ignore it and move on.

　I'm not sure if our intentions were understood or not, but when we restarted our feet, everyone followed silently.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find the best way to get the most out of this article.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you.

It's okay to talk now, guys.


"...... haha. You're right, I have a bit of a cold feet.
"I thought I'd have a strange sensation since I got here: ...... I see, my sense of presence is getting fuzzy, isn't it?
"...... reclusive?　We were so close, and I didn't even feel a hint of it until Allen pointed it out to me.
"Well, it's all very similar. It's just that it's limited to a hint of presence, so if we were to go into a battle, it would be easy to find out.
I would have liked to have fought him because he looks like a guy who would have been worth fighting: ......

　Let out a wry smile at Akira's impressions, as expected.
　Since the holy sword seemed to be effective, Akira would not be defeated in the fight, but a loud battle sound would definitely be played.
　As expected, I couldn't allow this to happen.

"Well, the only way to relieve the sorrow of not being able to fight is to have the demon relieve you of the sorrow of not being able to fight?
I know. But when this is all over, you could come visit me here.
"Well, that's all you need to know: ......

　I'm sure you'll be able to find the right hand again, and you'll be looking at me again as if I'm looking at you, but there's nothing I can do about it, even if you tell me.
　I'm going to be able to squint and look forward ...... and let out a breath.
　It's not likely to take the same approach as the one you just took.

　The demon ahead seems to be the same kind of being as the demon that was named Fenrir.
　And that species seems to be constitutionally unaffected by the force field: ...... In short, the cognitive distraction here is only half affected.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.
　It's not only that, but it's also a bit of a hassle to move around to avoid being trapped by ......, so there's no choice.

　When you conclude that, Allen keeps his right hand up and his palm horizontal, and then he drops it.
　That's the signal to stay here.

　And then--

　--The power of the sword, "World's End": the speed of God.

　The color instantly disappears from your vision, and you run at once through the slow passing of time.
　I dismissed the feeling that I could feel eyes on my back as my imagination and closed the distance between me and the demon in an instant.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about the best way to make your life easier.

　--The Power of the Sword, "World's End": a sword strike.

　I cut it off without question before it could do anything unnecessary.
　Immediately afterwards, the color returns to your vision, and the flow of time returns to its normal speed.

Phew. ...... Okay.

　The demon that was cut in half fell on the spot, causing the earth to shake slightly, but that can't be helped.
　I took a look around, but there didn't seem to be any problems, so it's OK.

　While I was doing this, Akira and the others seemed to have caught up with me.
　When the four figures appeared from behind, I thought to myself, "Huh?　And nodded his head.

"I don't think the wait is lifted yet?
You'd have finished it in the meantime if you'd gone after it right away. ...... d*mn, you're still the same bastard.

　While looking at the demon that was cut in half, Akira let out a vaguely regretful lisp while looking at the demon that was cut in half, but even though it was Fenrir's own kind, its body size was a size smaller and its level was 10 or so lower.
　Frankly speaking, Akira would be a normal opponent for a head-to-head battle.

　Even though he could win, it was impossible to kill him in an instant, so Allen beat him.

I'm sure he's frustrated by the difference.
"...... insane as ever?
"Well, okay. If you can feel the difference, it means the gap is closing. See that?　One of these days I'll be able to do the same thing you did ...... or better.
...... It's going to be fun.

　The words were sincere.
　I even wish that this would happen sooner rather than later.

　Being able to do more than Allen means that everything can be left to Akira.
　That's how much more likely it is that Allen will be able to live in peace, so I really want him to do his best.

　But right now, Akira hasn't reached that point yet.
　Then Allen needs to hang on for a while now.

　Anyway.

Well, ...... so let's continue on. Pull yourself together, okay?

　Even though things are going well up to this point, the two demons we encountered were opponents that could be troublesome depending on the situation.
　The state of the forest was also unexpected, and you can't relax just because things are going well.

　Since we didn't know the situation on the ground, we only decided on a rough strategy and policy, but it was the right decision.
　I'm sure we'll need to be flexible in the future as well.

　After nodding to each other with that thought in mind, Allen headed back out into the forest.