It was Sa-san who first noticed something strange.

'Takatsuki-kun, do you smell something strange?　It's like something is burning...
No, I don't particularly...
　By the time we left the Devil's Forest and reached the Great Forest, it was probably before dawn.
　It had been several hours since we went out to explore.
　To be honest, I was no longer tense.

　That's why I didn't notice anything unusual until later.

'Hey, look at that. There's smoke...
That's the direction Lucy and her friends are headed!
　The closer they got to the village, the more uncomfortable the feeling grew.
　The dry air and the strange smell of smoke irritated his nostrils.

'Let's hurry!'
　I ran out.
'Takatsuki-kun!　Hold on!
　Sa-san took me by the hand and we hurried to Canaan's village.
　As we approached the village, we could clearly see the flames rising up.

(d*mn!　(I didn't have time to be carefree and explore!

　The great forest is burning.
　The hard-to-burn demon tree is engulfed in roaring, burning flames.
　We were on our way to the village of Canaan, avoiding the flames.


　--We found a charred corpse.


　My heartbeat, beating loudly.
　The sound of spit rang in my ears.

　I approached the body fearfully.
　I watched.

(The village elf who welcomed us at the banquet yesterday was sacrificed... hmm?
　Then I realized.

"Takatsuki-kun!　This burned body is a zombie!
It's like...
　It wasn't an elf.

　They were blackened and charred and hard to recognize at first glance, but when I saw them up close, I could easily tell the difference.
　They were the undead I'd encountered a lot in the Demon Forest.
　What do you mean?
　Did the undead attack the village of Canaan?

Come on, let's go!
Yeah!
　Further into the village.

''Wow........''
　It was like a hellscape.

　Everywhere there were charred burnt bodies lying around.
　All of them were originally immortals.

(Didn't immortals mean that mere fire magic doesn't work?)

　I think I got it from the Water Temple.
　The most effective thing against the immortals is sun magic.
　I've been thinking about this for a while now, but I've never heard of it seriously.

　While I was thinking about that, I came to the back of the village, around Lucy's parents' house.

''Mako!　Aya!
　A bright red-haired elf rushed over to me.
　It's Lucy!

Luu-chan! Lucy!
　Saasan and Lucy hug each other crisply.
　Thank goodness they're safe.　
　I can see Furiae, Prince Leonard and Janet's troops behind them.
　Also, Lucy's family and the elves in her village seem to be safe.

Lucy, what happened to you?
''A senior demon named Shuri, the Immortal King's confidant, attacked our village with his men, the undead.
"The Immortal King's bellybutton, Shuri...
　Another executive under Demon King Biflons, Setaker said.

'So?　Damage?
　How many people will be affected by this........

'Huh?　No one in particular has been hurt.
"What?
　Lucy said, "I'm just fine with it.

　Wait a minute.
　Zero injuries?
　All this in a fire?

Your village is on fire!　And Shuri, the demon race, did you come in such small numbers?
'Oh, the village is burning...'
　Lucy averted her gaze as if it was hard to say.
　I looked beyond that gaze.

Everyone put out the flames lest they spread to the trees!
'Yes!　Grandpa!
''It's not good if the village wards are broken!
My mom's fire magic doesn't go off at all!
What do we do about the burning house?
Give up the house!　With wood magic, you can regenerate right away!
'For that matter, could you tell Rosalie to hold her magic back a bit more...'
Well if you can do that, we'll have no trouble...

　I heard that conversation.
　Hmm?

Lucy, this isn't...
That sparks?
　My village is on fire, it's your people!

''I've heard rumors about it, but the magic of the 'Red Lotus Witch'-sama is beyond standard. To be able to intercept an army of more than 5,000 undead, all by yourself...
For one? Five thousand!
　At Prince Leonard's words, me and Sa-san let out a surprised voice.

''I was going to join in, but they stopped me from getting involved and just dying...''
　Miss Janet is mindlessly sullen.

'Ah!　Look over there.
　Saasan pointed to the air.

　Dogan, a dragon zombie was blown away by a bright red burning figure.

(What, what?)

With the "clairvoyant" skill, when I look at the crimson figure, I know it's an elf like Lucy who was there the other day.
　It looks like that person was Rosalie-san after all.
　However, her entire body is flaming red.
　Or rather, isn't it burning?

'Lucy, is that Lucy's mother?　What's burning?
It's a trick my mom used to call 'Spiritual Clothing'.
What's that?
　I've never heard of this skill.
　Is it a special skill?


　--Summon the spirits of fire and wind!　


As I was using my 'listening ear' skill, I heard Lucy's mother's voice.
　At that moment, I felt an illusion of boiling magic in the air.

(Wow. The summoning of a spirit?　(Can you do that...?
　I couldn't see it, but I could hear the spirits rustling.
　Maybe they're with Lucy's mother.
　Spirits of fire and wind.

　And Lucy's mother glowed even brighter red.
　Suddenly, a huge pillar of fire appeared.
　A magic that was tens of times more powerful than the advanced fire magic flame storm (Firestorm).

　Many demons caught up in it burned.
　And the houses in Canaan's village also burned down.

''Ah!　My house!
　One of the elves screamed.
　Did it include his home...?
　I'm sorry....

　More demons are swarming around Lucy's mother.
　All of them seem to be undead, but there are also flying dragons, griffons, and zombies that look like harpies.
　There seems to be more than a thousand of them....

　I could see Lucy's mother niiii, and her mouth smiling widely.
　She's a happy fighter.


　--Fire magic, flock of phoenixes!


　Dozens of flaming phoenixes appear.

''Hahahaha!　Burn down!　Katumbo!

　I can hear the Red Lotus Witch's high-pitched laughter.
　Wow, she's laughing for some reason and doing a series of royal grade magic.
　Scary!

You kind of look like her, don't you?
'Oh, sure. Around getting high.
Mako!　Aya?　I'm getting like that?

　Lucy gave me a look of disapproval.
　But you look a bit like her, okay?
　I wasn't blown up that far.


　Not long after, the magical blasts quieted down.


'Is it over?'
Have you defeated the Demon King's confidant as well?
How did this Senior Demon Shuri guy get here in the first place?
　There are hundreds of settlements in the Land of Trees.
　Why are they in the village where we are, of all places?

It's probably my fault.
　The one who came over apologetically was the tree goddess priestess, Flona.

''Sister Flona?'' Lucy asks.
'The Demon King's beloved Shuri said he was here to take care of the brave men and the priestesses.
I see.
　Even the Beast King's executive, Zimbal, said he's going to intercept the brave men.
　After all, key players like the brave and the priestesses are targeted, right?　　

''I'm sorry ... the village chief. It's my fault that we're in this situation.......
　Flona, the priestess of the tree goddess, bows her head.

'Good!　The fire is not extinguished!　Watch out and put out the fire!　It's Flona. Don't worry about it. It is a maiden's fate to be targeted by the Demon Lord's army. We are a family. We must help each other.
"...yes. Thank you.
　The chief of the village gently gives Flona instructions on how to put out the fire.
　She's a hard worker.

'I mean, isn't Lucy's mother coming over here?
　I want to see you again.
　And I want you to teach me some spirit magic!

Not at all!　You'll clean up your own fire!　Let it burn all over the place!
''Well, well, Grandpa. Thanks to Mother Rosalie, we were able to fight off the demons and...
　Lucy's sister soothes the angry village chief.


　The air is slightly relaxed.
　When the tension loosened.


Maiden of the Wood Goddess!


　A demoness fell from the sky!
　She had black hair and pure white skin.
　She had dark hair, pure white skin, and red eyes.

A demon?
That's Shuri!
Protect Flona!
　We and the village elves rushed to protect Miss Flona.

'Too late!'
　Shuri, the Demon King's confidant, swings down his red-bladed sword!
　He's faster!

Flona!
　Lucy's mournful voice rang out.
　All we can do is watch the tree goddess priestess, Flona-san, get killed....


Too bad it's too late for you.


Guffaw!
　A bright red-burning elf suddenly appeared and grabbed Shuri's neck with one hand.
　When he came to his senses, the sword in his hand was knocked off.

''You are the legendary Demon King's subordinate Shuri?　I heard that he is the confidant of the Demon King Bifrons, who is said to have ruled over half of the western continent.... I was expecting him to be stronger than that, but I was disappointed.

　Lucy's mother tightens her neck with a lecherous smile.
　Let me correct you.
　Lucy doesn't look like that.
　She doesn't look like that at all.


　--Dark magic dark robe!


　Senior Demon Clan Shuri's body was enveloped in a black fighting spirit.
''Oops.''
　Lucy's mother let go of her strangling hand.

'You.........'
　Shuri, the demon king's bellybutton, glared at Lucy's mother, her beautiful face twisted with hatred.
　A stagnant black magical power (mana) oozes around her.
　Slowly, an unpleasant air spreads.

''........Ugh.
　The miasma of the miasma can be a very powerful and powerful miasma.
　The miasma emitted by strong demons is said to have the effect of reducing the energy of weak minds.

The miasma is a miasma that can only be used for one reason.
Uh-huh. I'm trying, but...
Are you okay, Mr. Saunders?
I'm not going to be okay. But that demon tribe is so strong.

　Sa-san, I assure you.
　My hazard-sensing skills are also giving me headaches and alarms.
　That's a disaster designation.

　But the person who's in charge of the Demon King's crush is Rosalee J. Walker, the Witch of the Red Lotus.

You're fine, Rosalee. I'll take care of you.
　The Red Lotus Witch beckons with a spare expression.
　The Demon King's bellybutton Shuri glares at it with eyes that contain killing intent.

　The black magic power (mana) released by the demon tribe Shuri is suffocatingly intimidating.
　When I look, the elves in the village and the people in Janet-san's unit are also backing away with blue faces.
　The only ones who are able to endure it are Sa-san, Friae-san, the village chief and Flona-san.

'Lucy, Prince Leonard. Behind me and Sa-san.
　I'll stand in front of them.
　It's unreliable, but it's better than nothing.

Thank you, Makoto.
Excuse me, brother Makoto.
　With the Demon King's executive class, can't I keep my composure even with my 'calm' skills.......
　This might be a challenge.


　While I was doing so, Shuri, the demon race that emits black miasma, and Rosalie-san, who is wrapped in bright red fighting spirit, were facing each other, radiating a sense of tension as if a fight to the death was about to begin at any moment.


''Die!''
　The demon tribe Shuri closed the distance to Rosalie-san in an instant.
　A huge claw-like slash shot out from Shuri's right hand.
　Rosalie-san receives it decently!

''Mom!''
　Lucy screams.
　But Lucy's mother only staggered a bit.

Well that might hurt a little bit. Okay, I'll see what I can do next.
What?
　A dubious look, before Shuri could say anything.

　Doggah!　With a sound like a traffic accident, Rosalie's bright red-burning fist pierced through the demon tribe Shuri.
　The moment the fist made contact, an explosion-like blast occurred, and the poor demon race disappeared in the explosion.


''..........''

　Even those of us who have been watching the fight are stunned by this.
　Is it a blow, Lucy's mother.

　Shuri was blown away, and the blast of fire was still rising.

'Yes, it's over!
　Rosalie waved a fluttering hand.

'As usual, you still use monstrous magic, Yatsume.
Horrible, Dad!　He called my daughter a monster.
Mother!　You've burned too many villages!
'Oh, sorry, sorry. But Flona's here, so it's okay, right?
It's been a long time, Rosalie, my stepmother. I'll help you restore the village of Canaan to its former glory.
Stupid!　Flona is a maiden to the Goddess of Wood!　I can't have you doing that kind of chore!

　They seemed to have moved on to family conversations.
　The village was still burning as usual, though.
　Thanks to the efforts of the elves, the fire was slowly being extinguished.


　Everyone took a breath, then.


''Fool!''
　Suddenly, a black blob jumped in!
　The black shadow collides with Miss Rosalie.

'Mom!' Rosalee!
　There are screams from Lucy, the foster chief and the other elves.

　In Shuri's hand was a red-bladed sword, which was lodged in Lucy's mother's chest.
　Rosalie slowly fell down, looking a little startled.

''Hmph, it's a ridiculously powerful magic. .... but I guess I forgot that I'm immortal.
　Rosalie-san is still lying on the ground.

　The white skinned, red-eyed, black-haired demon Shuri was dressed in tatters, but there were no noticeable wounds on her body.
　All regenerated?


Well, now that you're out of the way. Let's kill the tree goddess priestess.
　Guillory, Shuri the demon tribe stared at Flona-san.

''I won't let you!'' Everybody, protect Miss Flona!
　The warriors of the Elven Village, Janet-san, and Prince Leonard also held their weapons while trembling.


Then it's my turn.


　Slowly.
　Surrounded by flames, Lucy's mother stands up.
　The blade in her heart slips out and falls to the ground.

"..........
　While I, Sa-san, and the rest of the people in the Elf Village were left in a state of shock.

''Nonsense.......you're immortal.......''
　Stunned, the Demon King's belly murmured.

''Excuse me, it's the Holy Grade Fire Magic 'Rebirth Flame'. Haven't you heard of it?
　While asking the question, he lightly brushes away the area of his chest where he was stabbed by the blade.
　I can't find the wound already.

"But. You can't kill me with fire magic!
　Shuri, the demon tribe, holds up her sword as if the game is not yet over.
　But Lucy's mother doesn't break into a relaxed smile.

''Really?　Well, how about this then?
　Rosalie extended her right hand toward the heavens.
　She quietly chanted a spell.
　This may be the first time she has ever chanted a spell.
　An enormous amount of magical power begins to gather in Rosalie-san's right hand.

''No!　Rosalie, that's it!
　The chief of the village shouted impatiently.
　I look and see that the elves are backing away.

(Is this the one we should evacuate too?)
　Thinking about such things.


　--Holy Class Fire Magic and Right Angel (Principality)


　That magic gradually revealed itself.

　Floating in the air was a humanoid shape with large wings - an angel of fire.
　Compared to a king-grade phoenix, it is a small magic.
　However, the intimidating feeling one feels is not comparable to that of a king-grade phoenix.


(Holy class, 7th rank angel........)


　Magicology taught in the Water Temple.
　Holy class magic is a miracle that takes the power of the Holy God family.
　Therefore, the magic takes the form of a divine messenger 'angel'

　-- Holy class magic burns out regardless of whether the enemy is immortal or not.

''Poof!''
　Realizing that they are no match for him, the demon tribe Shuri runs away.
　In an instant, he disappeared from sight.

''Ah!　He's gone!
　I heard Sa-san muttering.
　You got away.........

　But Rosalie-san smiled wryly.
''Destroy that demon race, Right Angel (Principality).
I know the drill.

(Well, the magic spoke!)

　In an instant, the figure of the Angel of Fire disappeared.
　She went after the demon tribe Shuri?
　Seconds later.

　--Gohhhhhhhh!

　In the distance, a terrific pillar of flame crisscrossed the sky.

Aaaaahhhh!
　I heard a scream.

(Exploding in the shape of a cross is just like Sakurai-kun's Sword of Light!)
　I vaguely remember that.


'Mom did you do it?'
　As if in response to Lucy's voice, Rosalie-san's bright red-burning fighting spirit (aura) weakened.

　Her red hair gradually returned to its original beautiful blonde color.
　The red eyes became clear blue eyes.

　A beautiful face without a single blemish turns around to look at you.

''It's easy, right?''
　Snickering, Lucy's look-alike face was too innocent a smile to be called 'The Red Lotus Witch'.