It's not important. I think we've got a visitor.
"Mm, looks like it.

　Avril nodded at my words, her voice tense.

What do you mean, Kurt ......?　What do you mean?

　The moment Lara was about to ask her question.


I'm not sure.


　Just as Lara was about to ask her question, she heard these words from outside the hut, and then the earth shook.

What the hell is going on?

　Marise shouted, leaning against a nearby wall.

It looks like they're attacking us.

　Normally I would not be able to stand.
　But I remained upright and said calmly.

"An attack?　So, ...... is this magic?
That's what it is.

　This is ...... earth quake magic.
　It is a magic that magically causes a massive earthquake.

　The hut made a creaking sound, as if it was about to fall down.
　But.

But it looks like it's built pretty strong. I'm sure it will hold up to this level of magic.
Of course it will. You never know when someone might try to kill you. I'm prepared for this.

　Averill's chest heaved with honest praise.

Now, it's time for me to go and lecture my impudent guest.
I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that coming from you, but ......

　Avril was saying something, but now would not be the time to answer.
　In the shaky hut, I moved with ease and opened the front door.
　Then.


"Are you Avril the Hermit?


　A large man with a staff was standing there.

Is that the first thing you say to me when you're doing this?
Answer me.
I'm surprised. I didn't know you could be so rude.
Answer me. Answer me or I'll make this whole valley fall apart.
...... Let's stop this annoying earthquake first.

　I point my palm at the ground.

　I point my palm at the ground and activate my earth quake, just like he did.

"Mm...... my magic has been counteracted......?

　The man's face was puzzled.

I didn't counteract it correctly. I just canceled it out by swinging it to the other side.

　When the ground moves to the right, it moves to the left, and when the ground moves to the left, it moves to the right.
　In this way, by timing and artificially moving the ground, he offset and stopped the movement.

What are you talking about? You can't do that with an earth quake. It's magic that causes earthquakes, but it doesn't allow you to control the shaking at will.
What are you talking about? Earthquakes are magic that allows you to shake the earth at will.

　I let out a low-level sigh.

　When the shaking stopped, Avril, Lara, Marise and Cynthia came out from inside the hut.

What are you doing to my house?

　Avril gives the man a sharp look.

The house?　I thought it was a stable or something, it's so small.
You're all talk and no talk. You just shook the ground a little bit, and now you're in a good mood?　What are you?

　Avril asks.

　The man couldn't hold back his laughter.

I am Zamuel. I'm Zamuel, one of the Four Wise Men, and I'm God's representative. I understand. You're Avril the Hermit, right?

　I replied.

"Well, I guess I'm famous now.
"From what little information I have, the hermit takes the form of a woman. And ...... thy magic is too different for one person. If you had my eyes, you'd see that.

　Zahmuel continued, looking pleased with himself.

You stopped the earthquake, didn't you, not the boy?　I must have been in the building doing something to look like a boy. Before me, all your tricks will come to nothing.

　The man was spouting off, but everything he was saying was wrong.

　But I'm not so naive as to assume that he's an idiot ...... just because of that.
　His real goal is something else.
　He's probably saying these seemingly dumb things to make you think less of him, or to mislead you about his aims ......, or both.



　I could point it out now, but I think I'll let it slide a little longer to see what they do.

What the hell do you want?　It doesn't sound like a good idea.

　Avril turned her sharp gaze to Zamuel.

"To get rid of the false wise men.
"False?

　Without answering Avril, Zam-el raised his staff.

"Hence .......

　"Therefore, ," he continued, forming a magic formula.


"Thy life I take.


　Iflete Flare was triggered from the tip of his wand, and a huge explosion took place around Avril.
　But...

"This much magic can't even give me a minor burn," Avril said in an instant.

　And in an instant, Avril set up a ward around us, preventing any magic from the man ...... Zamuel.

I'm not sure what to say.　I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.

　But even seeing this, Zam-el had a relaxed attitude.

　In the event that you're not sure what you're looking for, it's possible that you'll be able to find a great deal more information on the web.
　I'm sure there are only a few wizards who can do that in this day and age.
　It is indeed a wizard who has reached the lowest level of the Treasure Labyrinth.

I ask you again. What do you want?　You're not here to seduce me, are you?
"Hmm, little woman, you talk nonsense. I say again. I have come all the way from the Empire to kill you.

The air becomes even more tense at the mention of the word "kill.

"Avril the Hermit. The woman who calls herself the False Sage.
"Not that I call myself one. I don't call myself that. People say it all the time.
That doesn't matter. Whether it's you or just the people around you, there can be only one wise man in this world. The other "Four Wise Men" who are in the way are all gone. Now all I have to do is kill you and I'll be on top.

　Zahmuel continued in a tone of self-absorbed euphoria.

What the hell are you talking about? That's .......
"Kill the false wise man. Kill the false wise man.

　As if to interrupt Avril's words, Zam-el said a few words.

　At the same time, a magic formula was deployed.
　A magic circle appeared on the ground, from which a jet-black dog-like creature emerged.

"GOOOOOOOOO!

　Something in the shape of a dog howls.

　Is this a ...... shadow?
　It's a spell that creates a being like a follower.
　It's a spell that creates a being like a follower, and the demon-like thing created by it is called a shadow.

It will deal with you first.

　As soon as Zamuel said this, the demon kicked the ground and attacked Avril.
　It was a lightning fast demon.

　The moment the demon's fangs pierced Avril's neck and blood was about to splatter.


"I'll deal with this dog.


　I leap in front of Avril and stop Shado with one hand.
　No matter how fast she moved, it was enough to make me sigh.

"Hmph.

　Grabbing Shado's face, I toss it far away.
　As Shadow writhed in agony from being knocked off the ground onto her back, she rose to her feet on shaky legs and redirected her hostility towards me.

"Averill. And Lara, Marise and Cynthia. I want you to take care of those Four Wise Men. Okay?
"Hmm, are you sure you can handle that dog alone?
No need to worry.

　Lara and the others are still too much for the Four Sages, but with Avril, I can leave that to you.
　It'll be a good experience.

"Well, ......

　I run to the front of Shado.
　I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

"I was just about to give it a try. You can be the rust of the magic sword.