We passed through the lava field and entered the next layer.

"This is .......

　I shouted as I looked around.

It's like a theater.
"This is the only place that doesn't look like an underground labyrinth.
It's a magical place. ......

　Lara, Marise and Cynthia also looked around curiously.

　A theater is a place with an audience and a stage where plays and other events are held.
　There are a number of theaters scattered throughout the capital, and all of them are said to be a great success every day.

　This place is just like that, and we're standing in the "audience seats".
　We are looking down at the stage, wondering what's going on. .......


"Welcome to the show.


　I hear a man's voice.

　As I looked, a spotlight was shining on the center of the stage, and someone appeared there.
　The head was a bird, the body a man.
　He was dressed in a tuxedo and looked peaceful.
　Hmm, this is .......

"Demon.

　I spoke to the demon, and it moved its head vertically.

Good answer.
"I didn't know there were demons here. I didn't expect to find a demon here. Mostly because you're the only one who can get to the lower levels of .......
I'm not going to do anything crazy like that.

　The demon smiles broadly.

I have only one suggestion. I have only one suggestion: why don't you present us with a song that will move us?　It's called .......
"We?

　Lara tilted her head and made a puzzled face.

　That was the moment.
　At that moment, demons appeared one after another in the audience seats where no one had been sitting before.

「「「「 squeak! 」」」」

　They raised their voices.
　They look similar to the demons standing on the stage. But they were much smaller and looked like his children.

"Oh, we're surrounded by demons!
"Kurt!　We have to fight them now!
Cynthia ...... will do her best.

　Seeing this scene, Lara and the other three get into a fighting stance.

　If you're surrounded by demons all of a sudden, you can't help but react that way.
　But...

"Don't worry, you three. They're hardly capable of fighting. Well, ...... they're still like chicks. There's no need to be so cautious.

　I moved my mouth to reassure the three of them as I analyzed the demons that had suddenly appeared in the audience.

"What do you want?

　I asked the demon standing on the stage again.

I told you. I told you to impress us with your song .......

　The demon grins and raises the corners of his mouth.

"Sorry I'm late, I'm Amt. As you can see, those in the audience are my children. We are a demon tribe that loves to sing. We are a demon tribe that loves to sing, and although we have a very strict view of singing, ...... if you can impress us all, I will show you a shortcut to the lowest level.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that," he said, holding out his arms.

　I suppose you mean the shortcut ...... "Secret Path".
　But still, a song.
　It's not a battle or a battle of wits. It's a pattern we haven't encountered in the last thousand years.

　But...

"Interesting. I'm in.

　No matter what happens, I will trample down the obstacles that stand in my way and move on.

"Kurt. Are you a confident singer?

　Marise asks.
　I blurt out, "Huh.

"I'm not that confident in my singing. Even if I did, I doubt it would end well.
So, ......, why are you so confident about your chances?

　Marlies raised her voice and shouted at me.

I don't think it'll matter if I don't sing. I'm not here to conquer dungeons alone, because ...... I'm not. I'm not here to conquer dungeons alone, I'm here with you.

　He said, and looked at the other two.

I'm not that confident in my singing either.

　Lara waved her hands in front of her.

I think I'm about as good as anyone else, though I did learn to sing when I was ...... younger.

　Marlies replied with her arms crossed.


　All that remains is .......

What about Cynthia?
"Cynthia?

　I turned to Cynthia and she squeezed her hand in front of her chest.

Yeah, I'll try ....... I like musicals and stuff, so I sometimes sing by myself .......
That's reassuring. Cynthia, can you help me?

　Cynthia nodded.
　I used my transference magic on Cynthia and transported her to the stage.

"You're a singer?

　Amt gives Cynthia a ridiculous look.

"Yes, .......
"Then you should sing. I don't think you'll be able to satisfy us, though.

　Amt smiles slyly.
　It was an uncomfortable motion for me to watch.

"......!

　Cynthia places her hands in front of her chest and sucks in a breath.
　Eventually, .......

"~♪

　Cynthia placed her hands in front of her chest and inhaled.

"Oh, .......

　I couldn't help but shout in admiration.

　Cynthia played and echoed throughout the place.
　Cynthia, with her small body, is not able to produce that much volume in her voice.
　However, the calm and soothing pace of the song made us ...... and Amuto close our mouths.
　I just want to keep listening to Cynthia's singing.


　But the good time passed in the blink of an eye.


"......

　At the end of the song.
　At the end of the song, Cynthia gave a small bow.

「「「「 squeaky ......」」」」

　I looked around and saw that all the children of Amuto were in tears.
　It seems that Cynthia's song has successfully touched everyone's heart.

　Except for one person.

"Hmph!　It's quite a song, isn't it? But it's not enough to impress me.

　Amuto says, his face contorted.

　But it's obvious that he's upset.
　He probably didn't expect Cynthia to sing as well as she did.

"You've lost your nerve, Amt. While Cynthia was singing, you seemed to be listening in silence. What's with the tears in the corners of your eyes?
"......!

　When I pointed it out, Amt hurriedly wiped his eyes.

I'm not impressed if I say I'm not impressed!　This battle is ours to win. This battle is ours to win, since your only condition for victory is to impress us all. Ho-ho-ho!

　Amuto smiles broadly.

　And.

"You'll pay for losing the game with your deaths.

　And then he attacked Cynthia standing next to him.

　That's what the demon tribe is all about. It was quite fast. Cynthia couldn't react fast enough.
　But ...... would not allow me to do that.

"I'm not so sure about my singing.

　Just before Amuto hunts down Cynthia's head, I cast a spell I've prepared in advance.

　And then...

"Gu-guaaah!　What the hell is this song?

　Amuto grabbed his head and started screaming in agony.
　Eventually, Amuto could no longer stand, and began to suffer, cowering on the ground.

"My gift to you. I hope you're impressed.

　With the transference magic, I transfered to Amuto and asked him that.

　But there was no answer from Amuto.
　He's dead.

"Ku, Kurt!　Cynthia!　Are you okay?
"What the hell is going on?　The demon race suddenly started to suffer. ......

　Lara and Marise also rushed over to us from the audience.

It's just a sound wave at a frequency that only Amuto can hear. We humans and Amuto's children can't hear it, but it's ...... poisonous to Amuto himself.

　Unable to bear it, Amuto suffered a mental breakdown and died.
　If he refused to admit defeat, he would have done the same to my precious friends.


　This is as natural as it gets.

"Whoa?

　Since I defeated him normally, I thought it would be impossible for me to get the "Secret Path (Secret)". ....... 　
　I'm not sure what to make of it.

It seems that if you jump into this light, you can shortcut the layers and go further down. Amuto was right, the next step is the lowest level?

The "secret path" has appeared.
　The fact that this appeared means that impressing Amuto with a song was not a requirement for the Secret to appear, but defeating it was.
　Or...

Or maybe he was really moved by the song I played. Okay, guys, let's go.
"...... I'm sure that's not the only thing.

　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your time with your family and friends.