Abel the Brave's point of view.

I'm heading to the Demon King's Castle to rescue him.

　The man told him simply.
　It was as casual as saying that he was going to go for a walk there for a bit.

'Nonsense!　It's suicide to head out there alone!
'Yes!　We'll be on our way with you!
When you die, my oracle is a failure.
''Huh?''
　At his coldly said words, the brave man of the earth (Wolf) and the brave man of the wood (Julietta) shushed him down.

''Ugh....
　He - the man who received the oracle of the sun goddess who calls herself Makoto - is looking (at) me (at) me straight in the eye.
　Why is he looking at me........
　I'm not going to let you get away with it....



　--I'm not going to be able to get my hands on them.

　The strongest unit (team) led by the Fire Brave.
　I was confident that this time we would be able to defeat the Demon King.
　But.....

　Before we could reach the Demon King's Castle, we were crushed by the Demon King Cain and the Demon Eye Setaker.
　Half of the heroic coalition unit was killed by Demon King Cain, while the rest were petrified and captured by the Demon Eye Setaker.

　At that time, the captain of the troop and my teacher, the Fire Brave, died.
　I was helpless to do anything about it.
　My confidence that I was regarded as a brave man of promise and had slaughtered many demons and monsters was shattered.
　A demon king........is such a horrible, unreasonable existence....

　Impossible.........
　Even the brave men of fire who had guided us, couldn't stand up to Demon King Cain at all.
　There was no way we could win........

　And my heart was broken, and even when help came, my heart remained sunk like mud.
　The brave man of earth (Wolf) and the brave man of wood (Julietta) didn't seem to have given up, but I had already lost the energy to challenge the demon king.
　So even if I was attacked by my pursuer's demons, I thought that I could "do something about it".

　But as a result of that, the girl was kidnapped.

　It was my fault.....
　The fact that he was trying to save me instead of her.
　I don't know why, but....


Well, I'm going to go back. The three of you will have to wait for me in the Great Maze.
　He said, and is about to turn back the way he came from.
　Alone.
　Are you sure?
　Are you sure you want to let him go alone?

'Wait!　Me too, I'm going with you!
　The words were uttered unconsciously.



　◇



Are you mad at me?　Makoto-san.
　I timidly spoke to him - Makoto-san.
　Currently, we're running backwards towards the Demon King's Castle.　


　When I said I was going to go with you, the previously calm expression on Makoto-san's face became distorted for the first time.
　I'm sure you'll be able to get a clear, disgusting look on your face.
　You don't have to look like that.....

I appreciate the offer, but I'm going on my own...
　Mako-san refused without hesitation.

'Wait, wait, Mako-kun!　Me and Wolf are the vanguard, so we're not strong enough to fight without weapons and armor, but Abel is good at recovery and support magic. I'm sure it will come in handy!
　The brave man of the tree (Julietta) followed me.

　Mr. Wolff insisted that the four of us should go back together.
　We struggled for a while, but when Makoto-san said that he wanted to go after Momo as soon as possible, Wolf-san and Julietta-san backed off.
　I hadn't fought much against the demons earlier and was less fatigued, and since I could use my recovery magic, I decided to accompany Makoto-san as a support person.

　After passing through the forest, I could see the tip of the huge demon king's castle in the distance.
　It's dawn, and the view is getting better.

''Um, Makoto-san........''
...What is it?
No....
　Since a while ago, Makoto-san has been silent for a long time.
　I'm still angry.........
　At that time, a large shadow crossed the sky above.

'Stop.'
Yes!
　Mako and I hid in the shadows of the nearby trees.
　The true identity of the shadows in the sky above was a flock of dragons.
　A flock of more than a dozen flying dragons and a lone red dragon flapping its wings gracefully.
　That was.........

The Rider of Demon King Bifrons........
The Witch King has returned.
　My trembling voice was overridden by Makoto's indifferent voice.
　Does this man have no feelings of fear?
　The herd of dragons grew smaller and smaller towards the Demon King's Castle.

''Then let's go.''
　Mako-san slowly walked forward.

'Well, wait!　The Demon King came back. It's impossible. I can't save her anymore.......
Mr. Abel.
　Mako-san turned around.
　His eyes were clear.
　They were emotionless eyes that could sense no tension, no anger, no fear, not even justice.

'I knew you'd have to go back to Mr. Wolff and Ms. Julietta.
!
　You think I'm getting cold feet?
　But anyone would find the Demon King terrifying!

　Makoto-san is advancing towards the Demon King's Castle in silence.
　I have to go, too.
　He didn't even look back.

(Does he not care whether I'm there or not...?)

If you're coming with me, please don't leave me too long.
What?　........yes!　　
　He shouldn't even be looking at me.
　He's a strange man.
　Even though his voice is emotionless and cold, I could tell that he cares about us.

　Unlike my master and the brave man of the soil (Wolf), his back is not large by any means.
　And yet, looking at that back, I felt safe.
　I followed Makoto-san's back.



　◇



Shall we take turns taking a nap in the evening?
Yes, yes....
　Near the Demon King's Castle, there is a shrubbery with enough space for two people to lie down.
　I thought they were going to ride right into the castle, but Makoto-san said he was going to wait here for the night.

''Please go to sleep first.
No, no. I'm sure Makoto-san is tired, too. I'll take care of him.
''Well I see. Let me know after an hour.
　Then he lay back down and a few seconds later I heard him breathing in his sleep.
　He must have been quite tired.

　The time was past noon.
　It's certainly too bad timing to sneak in.
　As I was gazing blankly towards the Demon King's Castle, something suddenly passed by in front of me.

(What?!)

　It was a blue butterfly.
　With fluttering, transparent wings, it was dancing around Makoto-san.

''Is this... a creature created by water magic?''
　I felt a faint magical power (mana).
　No, but........who?
　Mako-san must be asleep.

　And I realized.
　She's not sleeping, but she's using some kind of magic.
　I was creeped out.

　I thought we were resting?
　No, this is unconsciousness.
　He is constantly practicing in his sleep.


'You ... what in the world are you?'


　He easily rescued us who were trapped in the Demon King's castle and tried to return alone, unafraid to save the girl trapped by the Demon King.
　He said it was an oracle of the 'Sun Goddess (Althena)'.

　But Althena didn't say anything to me.
　My 'Hero of Thunder' skill was a gift from the Sun Goddess (Althena) and yet....

　On the way, I asked Makoto-san, "What heroic skill do you have? I asked him.
　Then he replied, "I don't have any heroic skills. I only have three beginner-level magic skills," was the incomprehensible answer.

　That's ridiculous.
　That's impossible.
　I have the 'Appraisal and Holy Grade' skill.
　I surreptitiously checked Makoto-san's skills and.......it's true.

It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　That was the only combat skill.
　The rest was 'Clear Water' and.......what the hell is an 'RPG player'?
　It was also shocking that his physical abilities were terribly low.
　And most of all.........　

(Not a follower of the Sun Goddess (Althena)?

　I'm not a believer, but I received an oracle...?
　I can't keep up with it.
　What the hell is this guy?

　Even though we're so close to the Demon King's Castle, his profile is sleeping soundly.
　I wonder what kind of nerves he has.....
　I've given up trying to understand him.　



　Takatsuki Makoto's point of view.



Okay, let's go.
I know it's late, but are you okay?
　Abel the Brave asked with concern.
　Surely it would be more certain to wait for midnight, as it was yesterday when I snuck in.
　But..........

I'm worried about Momo.
...Yes.
　There was no rebuttal to my words.

'You can wait here, Mr Abel, if you want.
Hey, you can't do that now, can you?　I'm coming with you.
I understand.
　As for me, I don't want the brave Abel to die, so I don't mind having him stay at home.......

　Anyway, I slept well for the first time in a long time since I arrived a thousand years ago.
　When I first arrived, I didn't feel comfortable until I was able to confirm the life and death of the brave Abel, and I was sleepless for more than 24 hours after I went to the rescue.

　
　I'd do something wrong, like getting my peaches kidnapped.


(Genie?　(Are you there?)
((((Yes))))
Yes, I am the king.

　My call was answered by the usual water spirits and the Great Spirit of Water (Undine).
　Alright, I'm ready.



　--Water magic, fog.



　Since it was yesterday today, they are alerted to the quicksilver.
　The number of demons on guard is high.
　Using the 'Searching' skill, I look for a place where there are few lookouts.

　Furthermore, use the 'Covert' skill to eliminate their presence.
　It's a pattern, but it's the most reliable way to do it.

　The brave Abel had also acquired a similar skill.
　Well, in this day and age, it's essential.
　We slowly closed the distance from the back of the Demon King's Castle.

　Of course there are guards at the back gate as well.
　Isn't there somewhere we can hide...?
　The demon king's castle is large, and the demons are huge.
　If it were a human alone, it would be good to have an opening to get in....

(Even so, there are a lot of demons and demonkind........)
Reacting to the 'Searching' skill is not as good as yesterday's.
　I expected them to be out looking for the escaped heroes but I was wrong.

　But yeah.
　They're taking a peach as a hostage.
　Of course we should be wary of them.
　What a mess.

　That's when it happened.


"Makoto-sama...?


　I was wandering around exploring the area around the Demon King's Castle when my name was called.

"?
　There are currently only four people in this world who know my name.
　So, the owner of this voice.　

　I looked desperately for the source of the voice.
　That's him.
　That's Peach.

Huh?
　I'm speechless with shock at the sight of him.

　She was dressed differently than the last time I saw her.
　It was dressed like a maidservant, or rather a maid's uniform, but it was definitely a peach.
　But I don't care about the clothes.

''Mako-san!　Nah, I can't. I didn't get there in time. That boy is no longer....
　Abel the Brave's words fell on deaf ears.
　I wobbled up to Momo.

''........Mako-sama. You can't. You can't come........
Momo....
　That's right.
　I owe you an apology.　
　Even though it was for the sake of the oracle, I couldn't protect peaches as I promised, and I put Abel the Brave in front of them.　
　But I can't think straight right now.

'Mako-san, please get away from me!　That child ... has been turned into a vampire (vampire)!
　Abel the Brave shouted.
　Momo's face contorted sadly.
　Vampires (vampires)........?

I am now a follower of the Demon King Bifrons. I have become your enemy...
　Momo turned over and said in a squeezing voice.

　Momo's hair was pure white.
　His crisp, black eyes were dyed a deep red.
　Canine teeth were popping out of his tiny lips.

　But that wasn't what surprised me.
　Momo's face was familiar to me.
　I knew him well.
　A benefactor who had taken care of me many times.

　Why hadn't I noticed it?
　Because I didn't sound like you?
　Because you look at me differently?
　The man was always so sure of himself.　

(You said you never met me...)
　A liar.


　For all intents and purposes, Momo was - the 'Great Sage' himself.