But that doesn't mean that ...... is the end of the problem.

　Some of the people in the city were smiling, relieved that the cloud of gloom was gone.
　But as I said, this is just a relief to people's anxiety, so to speak.
　In order to solve the problem from the root, we need to get rid of Bugnuba.

Let's get to the labyrinth!

　Marise said, her voice still tense.

You're right. We're not going to solve anything by staying here. But ......

　As she tried to continue, a voice rushed out, "What the hell is going on? came rushing out of the room.
　We both turned around at the same time.

"Avril?
"Kurt, what was that cloud just now?　I think something bad is going on. ......

　Avril came in gasping for breath.
　She is also known as the Great Sage, and is a high-level wizard in this world.
　I've been living in the middle of nowhere, but now I'm living in the capital with my parents.

I don't have time to explain everything, but ...... does Avril know about the labyrinth that has suddenly appeared near the royal capital?
"Yes, I've heard of it.

　Avril nodded her head.

"There's something nasty going on there.
What do you mean?
I don't know everything that's going on in King's Landing. I'm going to the labyrinth now to find out and solve it.

　It would be too long to explain about Bugnuba, so I explained it in a nutshell.

　Then Avril, with a determined look on her face, said.

I'll go with you to ....... I'm sure I can do it without dragging you down.

　I should be able to do that without dragging you down.
　From the way I said it, he must have sensed that it was going to be a tough fight.

　But.

"You don't have to do that.
"Oh?

　When I restrained him with my hand, Avril almost fell forward for a moment.

But why?　You think I'm not strong enough?
No, that's not it. I'm glad you're here, Avril. I appreciate the sentiment.
You're worried about me, aren't you?　I can't put you in harm's way. ....... Don't worry about that. That's what I'm prepared to do when I master magic.
Not really. ...... I want Avril to be in charge of protecting King's Landing.
"Hmm?

　Avril rolls her eyes.

Let's split up.

　I looked at Lara and Marise and held up my index and middle fingers.

"Until we get rid of Bagnuba completely, we still think it will have a negative impact on King's Landing. I'm going to have Lara, Marise, and Avril take care of it as the ...... so-called King's Landing Defense Team. I'd like to ask Lara, Marise, and Avril to be the three of you.
I'm ......?
Do you mean there will be another phantom-like demon outbreak?

　Oh, Marise is so perceptive.

Marise, you're right. We can't be sure that there won't be other outbreaks besides the Phantom that will endanger King's Landing.

　It will probably manifest itself through Bagnuba's influence.
　Normally, it might be difficult for Lara, Marise ...... and Avril to handle it.

　However, both Lara and Marise have mastered the "mind's eye" in space-time.
　The two of them and Avril should be able to fight off any of Bugnuba's assassins.

"I trust the three of you. Two of me would've been enough. I don't think so. ...... How about it?　Can you do that?
I'll do my best!　I'll do my best!
It's a shame that I can't go to the labyrinth with you, but I'll protect the capital!

　The two of them clenched their fists tightly.
　The two of them clenched their fists.
　In the past, they might have been reluctant to say the words 'protect the capital'.
　But now, I'm sure they'll be able to accomplish that task with ease.

...... I was not wrong in my assessment.
"Kurt?　What did you say?

　Lara looked into his face, but he didn't respond to her.


　--You have to teach me magic!


　As soon as I entered Rosangrila Magic Academy, Lara asked me to do that.
　The same goes for Marise.
　Before I was reborn, I was lonely. I had no friends to lean on.

　But these times are really good.



　There was potential in these girls that they didn't even know existed.
　I saw it and decided to teach them magic.
　I don't mean to say that I did a good job teaching them.
　I'm just saying that it was their hard work that brought them to this point.
　Thanks to their efforts, the girls have grown in strength so rapidly that they can finally be trusted with the royal capital.
　Thinking of this, I was deeply moved.

"Now I leave you three in charge. Protect the capital for me.
Yes!
Yes!
I'm on it!

　Lara, Marise and Avril replied strongly.

"Well, ......... Cynthia.

　Hearing this, he now looked at Cynthia's face.

Cynthia is with me. I'm going to need Cynthia's ability to analyze magic. Cynthia's magic analysis skills will be the means to solve this problem. So will you follow me?
"...... Yeah. Cynthia, I'll follow you anywhere.

　And with that, Cynthia grabbed my arm tightly.

　It's settled.
　Lara, Marise and Avril's Royal City Defense Team.
　Cynthia and I will split up into the labyrinth squad, and we'll make our move for now.

I'll see you later.
"Yeah!


　After waving to Lara and the others, I activate the transfer magic.


　The entrance to the underground labyrinth.

...... Now, let's head to the far end. You can't use transference magic from here.
"Yes.

　Cynthia took a step forward.

　...... Hmm?　
　What's that presence?

"Cynthia.

　I put my hand on her shoulder and stopped her.
　Then a black spear pierced the ground in front of Cynthia.

"Darkness Arrow.

　I look in the direction the spear came from.

What ...... is that?　What is that? It's the evil .......

　When Cynthia sees this, she hides behind my back.

　As I watched, a person emerged from the labyrinth.
　He walks slowly and leisurely, approaching us.

"How dare you try to hurt my people? What do you think you're doing?

　I ask, but there's no sign of an answer from him.
　I can't even see his expression.
　Because ...... he was covered in black armor.
　His face is also hidden by the armor, so you can't see his face.
　A thousand years ago, in the Empire, there was a man who called himself the "Dark Knight. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you.
　...... Well, I defeated him with one little finger as a handicap.
　Anyway, it looks a lot like the dark knight.

"......

　This time, the dark knight fires ten Darkness Arrows at the same time.
　I immediately deployed my wards to block them.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

　Just as well.
　I held out my hand to the dark knight and announced the start of the war.

"I've regained all the power I had a thousand years ago. Let's test that power on you first.