It was two hours after we left the castle that we arrived at the place where we could see the Tower of Zanma.

　The famous horse "Zanku Kokuyou" carried Yukino and me to the hill near the tower without any hesitation. The ride was not too bad. The only problem was that I couldn't see General Hulka's white horse for some time, but I'm sure he'll come around.

That's a big tower, by the way.
By our world standards, it's about the size of a five-story building.
About the width of a convenience store.
The technology in this world is amazing.

　We nodded our heads on the back of our black horses.
　The tower stands in the middle of the forest. There are no roads to transport materials. There's no sign of a clearing in the forest.
　Maybe it was built by magic or something in the time of the Dragon Emperor. It's amazing.

There really might be a magic circle left.
...... What the heck is ...... that? What's left of ...... and ......?

　General Hulka caught up with us.
　Breathing on his shoulder, he rode up the hill on a white horse.

No, I was wondering if there were any artifacts in that tower that I could use.
There were others who thought the same thing. There were others who thought the same thing, but none of them made it to the top floor.

　General Hulka pointed to the Tower of Lingering Demons.

"According to legend, that tower has five floors. But even the best swordsmen and wizards can barely make it to the second level. Some have made it to the third level, but they were so badly wounded that they died after saying, 'I heard a hellish scream .......
"What kind of demons are there?
"There are records of a goblin lord on the first level and a two-headed wolf on the second.
Have you ever seen a magic circle, or any relic from the time of the Dragon Emperor?
"There are no such things on the first and second levels. But legend has it that a long time ago, a light flooded the top floor of the tower.
"Then the relic is on the top floor.

　That's the general of the Kittle family.
　You have given me valuable information. You've given me valuable information that will make my search much easier.

Thank you for your cooperation. "Thank you for your cooperation. "This is General Hulka of the House of Kittle.
Are you sure you want to go exploring the tower?　"King of the Frontier.

　Hulka looked at me, his face hidden by his helmet and faceplate.

I may look like this, but I am a good judge of character. I know that you are a trustworthy man. I know that you are a man worthy of trust. I also know that you have the power to subdue the wild horse Zanku Kuroyoku. If you have that much power, it would be helpful if you could just lend it to me in the usual way. ...... You dare to head off to explore a dangerous tower. Why?
...... No, it's easier that way.
You don't have to recruit your own troops, I can entrust you with one at my discretion. ......
No, it's too much trouble.
I'm being answered like a child!
I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on. That's why I'm going to support you.

　I replied.
　I don't know how an ex-junior high school student can stand in the front line and say, "Hey, I'm the one.

　Besides, in this world, there are official heroes who were summoned by the goddess.
　If you meet someone who has the same attack power as Yukino and wields a sword in the vanguard, you are in trouble. If you were to compare him to a hero in a turbulent era, he would have a strength of 100. I don't want to go head to head with such a guy. Aside from me, Lisette, Haruka and Yukino are in danger.

　That's why I've decided to focus on commanding and supporting the Heyi this time.

I'm not sure, but does that mean the King of the Frontier doesn't want to go public?
Yes. My Lord's power is meant to be kept secret.

　Yukino replied to General Hulka on my behalf.

This Yukino-Dragonchild will be enough to deal with the enemy army.
"Are there others like you in the ranks of the ...... King of the Frontier?
"Well, yes.

　He put a finger to his lips and thought for a moment.

This Yukino-Dragonchild is the weakest of the three under the command of the King of the Frontier!

　He said... With a smug look on his face.
　He's got a very satisfied look on his face as he turns his tiny body around.
　I'm sure he's been preparing for this ...... line for a while.

"......My dream has come true. Thank you ...... Shoma.
"Don't get complacent, let's go. Here we go.

　I got off the Zanku Kokuyou first and reached out to Yukino.
　I picked up her slender body and put her on the ground.

I'm sorry, General Hulka, but you'll have to watch the horses. I'm sorry, General Hulka, but you'll have to wait here for a while. We'll be right back.


"...... Bururu
"Wait!　You two are going to explore the tower alone!

　General Hulka shouted.
　Before you know it, the other soldiers have caught up with you. Two men on horseback. They were armed with swords and spears. Perhaps they were going to accompany us to the tower?

"I'd feel bad for Princess Sylvia if I put you in danger.

　I said.

"I'll be right back. I'll be right back. The general needs to be back at the castle by this evening.
Didn't you listen to my explanation?
I was listening. There's a demon in the tower. The relics from the Dragon Emperor era are most likely on the top floor, right?
Yes. There's a goblin lord on the first level. The second level is the Two-Headed Wolf. On the third level... according to the testament of those who have reached it, there is a demonic scorpion.

　General Hulka pointed to the Tower of Lingering Demons.







"I see. I understand that it is a dangerous tower.
"I don't doubt your power. But it's impossible for two people to conquer the first to the top floor. We'll have to wait for another day.
"We don't know when the army of the Ten Sages will arrive. Things are urgent.

　I looked up at the tower and said in a High King-like tone.

"Thank you. General Hurka. Thank you for the information. Let's go, Yukino.
"Yes. My Lord.
You can't do this!　King of the Frontier!
It's all right. If I can't get in, I'll come back.
I'm telling you, there's no way we're going to make it from the first floor to the top!　Wait for me...

　General Hulka raised his voice.
　I shook him off and awakened.







I'm not sure what to do.

　Don't make a fuss, general and soldiers.
　You don't want the demons in the tower to notice you.

"Okay." "Okay.

I'm not sure what to do with it.
　I'm not sure what to do with it.

The entrance to the roof was at .......
There's a rusty door on the floor.
I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it.


　It opened.


　It opened.
　You'll need to have a good idea of what you're doing.

"...... vaa?
"The true darkness is within my grasp. It is the beast from the shadows. It is the darkness that bears the names of eighty-eight. It is the blade of the last days that will devour my enemies. The blessings of the heavens above are gone. The throne of the High King is decaying. The king's blood will awaken the beasts of the underworld and turn many fools into flesh and blood. "Awaken the demon species.　
　From the shadows emerge the double-headed dragon...


　Voila!


　I threw the summoned "double-headed dragon" into the tower.
　I closed the door and took out the wall from the King's Vessel and covered it.



"GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Gua!　Kizama!　What the hell is this?　Gua?　Gu-ga-ga-ga-ga!　No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!

"Gu-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!



　I'm not sure what to do.



　There is the sound of demons and double-headed dragons rampaging on the top floor of the tower.
　Yukino and I took a break to drink tea from our leather bags.

There really is a demon that looks like a demon.
"It was more like a cow, wasn't it? A minotaur, perhaps.


Chi You in the Orient.
There were many Chinese gods and goddesses in the other world, weren't there? For example...
We don't talk about it.
That's what you get for getting my hopes up?
Why would I expect that?
We're wearing matching outfits. ......

　Don't get your cheeks all red. I'm the one who's embarrassed.
"Awakening the Demon Seed" will be in a black coat, one eye covered, bangs and bandages. I'll be in a black coat.
　Let's turn him into a dragon or a demon.
　Besides... it's been almost three minutes.


　Boom!


　The roof of the tower shook.
Looks like the double-headed dragon blew up.
　I returned the fence to the King's Vessel and opened the door to the roof.
　I peered through it to the top floor of the tower...


"Ha...... huh. Do, do, do. The great Kuro Flame Emperor is worshipped before me ...... as a two-headed dragon .......

　A bull-headed human demon was kneeling down.
　One of its arms was nearly torn off. His left calf was bleeding.
　Nice work, the double-headed dragon.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's had it.
"Naming Breath"... "Seiken", then "Seiken"... "Seiken".
"────────!

　The cow-headed human demon was cut in half.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that... ......

　I'm not sure what to do.

　The demon collapsed on the floor and disappeared, leaving behind a black crystalline body, the "evil crystal".

"Shoma-san!　I hear footsteps. It seems the demon from downstairs is coming up!
Yes. A fence.

　I summoned a fence from the King's Vessel again.
　Turn it sideways and use it as a cover for the stairway.
　If you use it as a mere ornament, it doesn't consume any of the King's magic power. Fences are surprisingly versatile.

Yukino. Just in case.
I will!　In the name of Yukino-Dragonchild, the Witch of Freeze, I invoke the permafrost. Stop the vibration of the great life and become a barrier to all!　The Icicle Wall!


　Boom.


　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
　The ice wall with the stone walls completely blocked off the top floor and the fourth floor. The demons below are pounding on the wall, but the ice wall is unmoved.

　It should be safe for the time being.
　And now...

"There it is, the magic circle.
There it is.

　Yukino and I were looking at the magic circle on the floor.

It's in better condition than the one in the abandoned castle, or rather the one in Ryuujujo. More than half of it is still intact. We can reboot it right away if we connect the dragon vein.

"Let's repair the magic circle first. Yukino, help me.
Yes, Shoma-san.

　Yukino and I took our enchanted swords and began to fix the magic circle.
　I'm an ex-chuunibyou.
　Yukino is an active chuunibyou.
　We both have a wealth of knowledge about this kind of thing.

Yukino. Isn't that crest facing the wrong way?
"What?　In kabbalah and numerology, it should be this way.
The magicians of Castle Dragon Tree and Hazama Village used clockwise crests to activate them.
Oh, so it's an oriental configuration. Then...

　That's why...
　The two of us started to repair the magic circle, and it was completed in no time.