Abel the Brave's point of view.


'I've lived for thousands of years and have witnessed many moments of darkness and light being switched...'
　Master White Dragon's narrative began with such words.
　What in the world is he talking about?

What the hell are you talking about?　You have a look on your face.
No, no!
　He tightened his expression in a hurry.
　Hakuryu-sama can easily read my expression.

''Let's put it plainly. The dark age ruled by the Demon Kings has lasted for more than a thousand years. I thought it was time for a 'hero of salvation' to appear to overthrow the world's system.
The Salvation...?
　I didn't know what it meant, so I asked back.

'The demon race and the human race. When one of them continues to rule for a long time, the one who will defeat the ruler of the world will emerge from the other. That's how the dominion of the human race and the demon race has repeatedly switched over the years. It's a cycle of roughly a thousand years or so.
..........
　The human race, which has a mere 100-year lifespan, cannot understand this.
　To be precise, I'm a mixture of the human race and the Heavenly Winged Race, but my lifespan is not much different from that of the human race.

"When I came face to face with the Spirit Master, I thought he was the 'Hero of the World'.
!
　I hurriedly turned my attention to Makoto-san's sleeping face.
　Makoto-san?
　Great!
　I never thought that the legendary White Dragon would think of me that way!

But I've been getting the impression from our interactions that you, Mr. Spirit Master, are in a hurry to get out of here.
You're in a hurry...?
'Impatient, I guess you could say. It looks like it's in danger.
　That being said, I had an idea too.

　Since the first time we met, Makoto-san has been talking big about defeating the Demon King and defeating the Great Demon King.
　At first, everyone was surprised and taken aback.
　However, Makoto has proven himself to be a solid performer.
　He defeated the Demon King's entourage, defeated Demon King Cain, and had his power recognized by White Dragon-sama.
　So at some point I stopped caring about it.

　But it's true that Makoto-san is always busy.
　According to Momo-chan, she spares no time in her sleep to train.
　She often looks exhausted.
　I don't know why she works so hard.
　I'm already so strong.

''You don't need to train so hard, do you? I said, "You're one short," he replied.　
　What does that mean?　I asked him if he wanted to raise one more level of proficiency.
　For just that?
　Magic proficiency doesn't mean much once you get past 50, when you can destroy chanting.

　Ever since we met, Makoto-san has been practicing magic as if she was possessed....
　I had gotten used to seeing that, but was that because I was in a hurry, or was it?

''To be honest, I told you yesterday in the Great Maze about the 'Holy Sword'. That was just stalling.
What?
　Lady White Dragon's words surprised me.

''What do you mean?''
Perhaps the current genie masters are capable of defeating the demon king.
What?
　I'm shocked.
　You can defeat the Demon King?
　I froze in place, and then White Dragon-sama let out a sigh.

''You are too honest. You're too honest, human hero.
What?
''I'll tell you one thing, I'm not powerful enough to be called the Demon King just because I'm living a long life. In other words, I'm weaker than the Demon King and weaker than Spirit Master-kun. Don't take my assessment of things like that too seriously.
Yes, yes....
　That said, they are all far above me.
　I believe in them.........

''My prediction, which is only that level of ability, is that even a spirit user who can beat the Demon King is nowhere near as good as the Demon God (Eveleth).
　I felt my body tense up at those words.
　The lord of the demon race, who rules this world.
　An existence that follows the demon king.

''Have you ever met the god of the demon race (Eveleth)?''
I have. Just once.
What's he like...?
　I'm not sure I even have the courage to fight the Demon King, but I can't imagine it.

It's just horrible to remember. That thing doesn't belong on earth. I don't want anything to do with 'that thing' at all...
　Lady White Dragon's voice was trembling.
　''Is it that terrifying, Demon God (Eveleth)?

''So you see I don't want you to be in a hurry to build up your strength. You're the only brave one in this party, right?
I'm going to...
　I do indeed possess the 'Hero of Thunder' skill.
　And although I haven't told this to Makoto-san yet, I also possess the 'Sun Priestess' skill.
　It's a secret that I've been hiding for a long time because if I tell you that, you'll know that I'm a woman.

　Because of this, I was raised as a special being.
　My parents took good care of me, being born with the skills of a hero and a priestess.
　But as soon as I can remember, my parents were killed by the Demon King's minions.
　The next person who looked out for me was the man who raised me, Shishou the Fire Brave.
　He told me that I would be the one to save the world, and he had high hopes for me.
　That master was killed by the Demon King.

　My heart was broken.
　When the fire hero was killed, I could only run away.
　When the avenging Black Knight appeared in the Great Maze, I was useless.
　Weak.
　I'm weak.

You can't become........like Makoto-san. I can't become that strong....
I'm not surprised.
What?
　White Dragon-sama kicked my worries to the curb.

The spiritist master who is sleeping there uses the 'Undine' spirit. That thing can destroy a country with just one piece. The five great spirits that appeared in the Great Labyrinth. If those guys get serious, the whole country will sink...
Well, you're not gonna...
　A dry laugh came out of my mouth.
　I'm just exaggerating, no matter how much, right?

''Well the sinking of a continent is an exaggeration. But that's how terrifying the power is. The magic of the Spirit Master is.
....
　From the tone of Lady White Dragon's voice, I couldn't believe it was a joke.

''I've only heard of it in mythology, but this is the first time I've seen it in person. I know that the art of controlling spirits has been passed down in detail among the elven and dwarf tribes, but in my lifetime I don't think even my parents have ever met... no, not even my parents have ever met one in my lifetime to use a great spirit.
....
　White Dragon-sama who spent 10,000 years of time........

Who the hell is Makoto-san...?
....
　Suddenly, Bai Long-sama became silent.

''Master White Dragon?''
I'm being kept in the dark.
What?
I'm getting a bad feeling about this. That water genie is staring at you. You should have just come out but it's abominable.　



　--What do you see now? You must not dwell on my king.



　Suddenly, the Great Spirit of Water (Dea) appeared from the middle of nowhere.
　His figure was faintly transparent and I didn't feel his usual magical power.

''You're suppressing your existence. You must have been angered by Spirit Master-kun, right?
　White Dragon-sama said to return the meaning.

''I was forbidden to use my power without permission. I did it for the sake of my king.''
　The Great Spirit of Water puckered his lips.
　She seems to have been scolded by Makoto-san.

'Brave boy. Ask him about the identity of the spirit user.
Huh....
　What does it mean to be an identity?

I'm allowed to tell you.
　Master White Dragon slowly opened his mouth as if choosing his words.

''If the power of the Water Great Spirit (Undine) is used by the human race, its soul will be cut down. It's a life-shortening technique.''
''Lifetime?!''
　I couldn't help but shout at Bai Long-sama's words.

''It's a power that can destroy a country. Did you think you could handle it without any cost?
But Makoto-san didn't say that.
You didn't say.... But I do know. It's a deadly skill.
My king doesn't care about such things.
...............　
　I was crestfallen at the words of the Great Spirit of Water (Dea).
　Mako-san was under such a load on one person?
　Without realizing it, I was carefree....

The problem is that I don't care about it..... Hey. Brave boy?
Yes, sir.
Do you want to fight with all these people, Spirit Master?
It's...
　It can't be good.
　If Mako-san is risking her life to protect me and Momo-chan, then it can't be good to continue taking advantage of her.

'I'll save Mako-san. Even if I don't have the strength right now, I will get the strength to support you.
It's a good idea. If the spirit user is in a hurry, admonish him or her. That's your mate, isn't it?
　Hakuryu-san smiled gently.
　Alright, from now on, if Makoto-san becomes reckless, I'll stop her!
　....I wonder if I can do it.
　In the Great Maze, Makoto-san's magic nearly killed me.
　I'm worried that I'll be alone....

''Oh, um........it's not just me, but White Dragon-sama and the Great Spirit of Water (Dea), too, please.
Not me.
　To my offer, Hakuryu-sama flatly refused.
　''Why?

''Ancient dragons don't go against an opponent who has accepted defeat. I was defeated by the Spirit Master. That's why I follow the Spirit Master's lead.
　Lord White Dragon said with serious eyes.
　''I've heard that.
　He said that if he could get the old dragon to admit defeat, he could get the old dragon to follow him.

''So, White Dragon-sama is willing to listen to Mako-san, right?
It's just pride. You live long enough, you're stubborn.　
　Lord White Dragon huffed and smiled to himself.

''For my king, it would be enough to have the Great Spirit of Water (I)!　I will support my king, no one else is needed.
　Dea interrupted the conversation.

''The great spirit of water and the little vampire are no good. They are delusional about the spirit user. Rather, I'd rather have them kerbed.
I don't mind.
"This is why spirits are all impotent and inconsiderate.
What?
　Dea-san was pouting and angry, but White Dragon-sama ignored her.
　He turned a meaningful gaze in my direction.

''It seems that the spirit user-kun is .......paying you 'respect'. It's a bit of a transgression but I'm sure he'll listen to what you have to say. You will be the 'stopper' for the spirit user-kun.
Did you do what I said, Makoto-san...?
　Indeed, I had always felt that Mako-san was always looking out for me.
　I thought it was because I was unreliable.
　Makoto-san has respect for me?

"And I think there was a different 'keeper' than you and me, I guess.... I don't think he could have lived long with that personality.
Someone was supporting you, Makoto-san?
'This is the world we live in. There are many goodbyes. Maybe the reason I'm in such a hurry to defeat the Demon King is 'revenge' for the loss of someone important...
　Did you lose someone important to you like I did?
　No, no.

'Mako-san said that she received an 'oracle of the goddess'
But you, Spirit Master, are not a member of the Holy Tribe of God. In fact, he doesn't believe in any gods.
It's...
　That's right.
　Mako-san said she received an oracle, but she doesn't have faith in Lady Altena.
　I, with my appraisal skills, know that.
　There's a lot I don't know about Mako-san.　

'You should get to know the spirit user better. And support him. You're not a defeated follower like me, not a servant like the great genie here, not a disciple like that little guy over there. You are the only equal companion of Mr. Spirit Master.
Yes.
　Hakuryu-sama's words slid into my mind.
　He felt like he knew Mako-san.
　He believed in Mako-san's strength.
　I believed in him, so I thought it was okay.

　I didn't know that she was protecting me while she was cutting down on her life span.

　Is it because of the 'oracle' that Makoto-san is protecting me?
　Or does he have some other purpose?

　I looked at Makoto-san's face.

　His quiet sleep.
　A calm expression.
　The sleeping face that didn't twitch.

　Looking at her sleeping face, I felt a little .............................nervous.