The next morning, me, Mr. Illtimina, Mr. Kilt, and Solstice, along with Frederica, our guide, and three Shumurian knights, came to the rehearsal room in the courtyard of General Dardios' residence.

(Ah, they're already here.)

　There, along with General Dardios, are those two men.

　Rapt, a beautiful boy with blond hair and blue eyes.
　The beautiful woman with purple wavy hair and crimson eyes, Recto Alice.

　Unlike when they met me, the atmosphere of the two of them was somewhat cold, and their expressions were expressionless, like mechanical dolls. Maybe that's why the two of them, without any human-like qualities, are strangely divine, with a quiet power that doesn't let people in.

(Nah, it's like they're different people.)

　I'm a bit confused.

　The three of them were seeing the two 'Divine Fanglars' for the first time.

"Law.
Is that Merle's people?
I don't get it, but I don't get it, you know.

　I spill such impressions.

　Frederica-san, whom I've already met, remains silent, and the three Shumurian knights look interested.

　I approached the two, who are also 'Divine Knights', and spoke to them with a smile.

''You're here, Rapt, Recto Alice.
Oh.
Yeah.

　The two of them reply briefly.
　Then his and her gaze turns to my three companions, as if assessing the goods.

''Let's see, the one with silver hair is the leader, Kilt-san. The tallest one with green hair is Illtimina. The girl over there with glasses is Solstice.

　I'll introduce it that way.

"Sayaka.
"Hmm.

　He didn't seem too interested in the reply.

(Uh-huh?)

　I got my bearings, and now I was trying to introduce them to the three girls.

Well, you see, this boy...
Yeah.

　pesh

　I was stopped from speaking by a back fist to my chest.

(Huh?)

　Rapt takes a step forward.
　Behind him, Recto Alice also folded her arms and looked at the humans in the area.

　Kyoton humans.

　Rapt says, ''I'm sorry.

''I'm sorry, but Wai and the others don't want to get along that well with us humans. The reason we came here today is to teach ourselves our place in the world.
Huh?

　I'm as stunned as you are.

"Wait, wait, Raptor?　What do you mean?
I can't help it.

　It was Lect Alice who answered.
　She looked back at the three of them with a cold stare.

I've heard all kinds of stories from Marle, but I've heard that there are some people who misunderstand the kindness of Marle and treat him, the 'God's Dog', as if he were a pet?

　I'm going to say something like that.
　Instantly, Mr. Illtimina looked terribly surprised.

'No way!　Who would do such a thing to my little Merle, who is a pet!
..........
..........
..........

　Unintentionally, all eyes are focused on them.

(.................Apparently, it looks like they're serious.

　The sister who was petting me, bathing me, and using me as a hug was very upset with Recto Alice's words.

　Co-honk!

　I cleared my throat.

'Recto Alice, that's not true. They're all very kind to me, aren't they?
You're too good for people, Merle.

　A concerned Recto Alice grabbed me by both shoulders.

(Nope.)

　Rapt exhales as I laugh in annoyance.　
　He quickly looks up.

Well, if Marl doesn't mind, that's fine. But I don't want him to think that's how he feels about us.
Hmm. I mean, what do you want to do?

　Mr. Kilt's golden eyes looked back at the boy.
　The boy with the power of divine power showed his double teeth and smiled a slightly fierce smile.

''--Fight with Wai.

　A short word.

(La, rapt?)

　He held out his infant hands in front of us in amazement.

This is the rehearsal room, isn't it?　That's just fine. From now on, we'll be hiding out in the Great Maze together in search of the Divine Armor. Before that, we'll find out with our own eyes. I'm sure we'll be able to show you some of our strengths as well. --What do you think?
"Hmm.

　Mr. Kilt ponders.

(............)

　Our gaze naturally turned to her alone, who was probably the strongest in the place.
　Eventually, she nodded.

'Very well, let's do one thing for a change.
"Sayaka.

　Rapt smiles with a spare smile.

(Yes. Is that okay?)

　I was a little troubled.
　But from my experience so far, I've learned that the act of 'matching swords' is a very intense conversation. Maybe we can understand each other much better than just talking and interacting normally.

　With that in mind, I decided to let the flow of the moment take over.

　Rapt looks at the Golden Mark Demon Hunter.

''Is she the woman named Kirt Amandes who said she made Merle cry in a trance yesterday?
I don't think I made you cry.

　I don't think I've ever cried in my life.

"Just because you beat Merle, who just learned his divine nature, doesn't make you a bad person.　I'm going to show you the power of the Honmah's Divine Attendants, so come on, give it your all.
Hmm.

　Rapt's provocation.
　But Kilt-san nodded calmly and picked up the wooden sword in the training room.

　Rapt's eyes narrowed.

　His slender arm lifted and snapped his small fingers, with a snap.

　Thump.

Nuh-uh?

　The wooden sword in Mr. Kilt's hand blew off halfway through.

　Flying in the air, a piece of wood.

　Around it, there were white sparks from the dissipation of divine energy. If you look at it, a white glow remained on the tip of Rapt's thin fingertips as well.

　Perhaps it was an attack by 'divine energy'.

　Rapt's low voice echoes in the ears of all of us who are surprised.

"With all your strength, you say?
..........
First, go get your gear, human. ...and lick the Deity's Family, to hell with it.

　A strong 'pressure' spreads around the boy.
　It's just a sign, but a feeling of pressure, as if there is a physical pressure, hits all of us.

　General Dardios's eyes narrowed sharply, and Illtimina-san hurriedly supported the staggering Solstice's back. Frederica-san and the three Shumurian knights involuntarily held their hands in front of their bodies as if to protect themselves.

　Myself, if I had put the 'Fairy Sword' in my waist belt, I might have reflexively pulled it out.

　Basa........

　The birds in the courtyard and roof of the mansion took off in unison.

　Amidst the sound of frenzied feathers, I stared at the raptor.

(.........This is the true power of the 'Divine Military'!

　The power of "God Fang Rao" as a complete being, different from the imperfect me.
　It's like a volcano on the verge of erupting.

　Kirt-san also opened his golden eyes and looked at the boy of light in front of him.

''Alright. Let's go get ready right away.''
Hurry up.

　He turned himself around and left the rehearsal room.

(..........What fun?

　When I saw Ms. Kilt as she was leaving, she looked like the most excited child I'd ever seen.

　Ten minutes or so later, she returns.

　Black full body armor.
　And what she is carrying on her back is the 'Great Sword of Thunder'.

　That was exactly what it was, fully equipped as a 'Golden Seal Demon Hunter' for hunting demons.

(Now, to hunt a god, I guess?)

　sploosh

　He grasps the huge great sword in his white hand.

'I made you wait.'
Hmm.

　Rapt's attitude remained the same.

A boy of light, who is the 'Divine Guru', and the strongest 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter' of humanity face each other at a distance of about five meds.

(Wha, what is it?)

　Only the place where they are together feels distorted by the dense air.

　Brrrrrr.

　My limbs began to tremble of their own accord.

'We'll see to it, Merle.

　Iltimina's white hand, whispering in a quiet voice, touches my shoulder, as if to support my heart.
　Silently, I nod.

　With strength in both blue eyes, I stare at the two figures, trying not to miss a single move of the events that are about to begin.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　Rapt's eyes, like gemstone emeralds, stare at Kilt's 'Great Sword of Thunder' - the sword's blade like a huge black ore and the blue lightning that is bouncing inside it.

''Huh. You have a pretty powerful-looking weapon, don't you, yourself?
..........
It's a little cramped for you to use that, isn't it?　--Hey, Recto Alice.

　Rapt's call.
　Recto Alice nodded, and her white forehead peeked out a curly, third eyeball.

''Ho?''

　Kilt's surprise.

'Oh, the third one?'
What is that?

　Illtimina-san, Frederica-san, and the three Shumurian knights are also staring at the impersonal figure, and when it comes to Solstice, the research girl, she is leaning forward with curious eyes.

　Regardless of them, Recto Alice's third eye emits a red light.

　Bow.

　When the ground where Kirt-san and Rapt and the two men stood was illuminated, a huge magic circle emerged there. A hemispherical red light about thirty meters in diameter enveloped the two of them. On the surface of the light, mysterious magic letters flowed across the surface.

''Mm?''
Don't worry. It's only a ward.

　Rapt told a wary Mr. Kilt.

"We won't lose our power. No one outside will get in on the action. --How so?　Now you can give it your all.
"Hmm.

　I watched for a while, and the silver-haired beauty laughed.

'Sorry, that helps.'
Stupid. Now you won't have any excuses if you lose.
So it is.

　squeak

　He gripped the hilt of the great sword in his hand tightly.

　Solstice looked up at the red wards of Rectalis, as if dumbfounded. When she touched it with her tiny fingers, a ripple of light was created on the surface and bounced back.

''What is this?　I've never seen a magic circle like this, or magic letters like this.

　A trembling voice.
　Recto Alice snickers, "Huh.

''It's divine art by divine writing.''
'The Divine Script!　Sorcery!　There is such a thing!

　The girl's wide-open eyes are sparkling.

'Oh, you can tell me about it later!
Okay.

　Opening her third eye, Recto Alice is a bit confused by the girl's unafraid of things.

(So, Solstice, isn't that awesome?)

　Even a shy mind seems to lose in the face of overflowing intellectual curiosity.

　And.

You people have to stop this.

　General Dardios chastises in a low, warrior-like voice.

　We gasped.

　Within the crimson wards created by the divine magic, the Divine Fangora and the Golden Mark Demon Hunter were releasing a tremendous amount of fighting energy. In an instant, the consciousness of everyone who noticed was sucked into that direction.

　Kirt-san slowly held the great sword at the upper level.

''Demon sword--''

　A quiet voice.

　The unarmed Raptor is not even poised, just watching it.

''-- Thunderbolt Slash.''

　With the end of his voice, a violent bolt of lightning gushed from the blade.

　Shoo!

　Instantly, the sword disappears.
　The divine speed swinging down falls precisely on the head of the 'God Fangra' named Rapt.

　A direct hit.

　Bati'in.

　Blue lightning struck the inside of the wards, spreading out countless ripples.

(La, rapt!?)

　I was struck by a direct hit, and I went rigid.

　But.

What's all this?
Huh.

　The great sword slammed into his forehead, bathing him in a blue discharge, but the raptor remained unharmed and unperturbed. And before he knew it, his forehead was covered in two horns.

''Ridiculous...?　The kilt sword.

　Illtimina's astonished murmur.

　Solstice, General Dardios and Frederica-san are all surprised.
　So am I.

(.........this can't be possible.)

　It didn't seem like reality.

　The Red Fang Dragon Gad, the ogre, the tattooed woman, and the Son of Darkness, if they were struck directly by the Demon Sword Thunderbolt Slayer, they wouldn't be unharmed. And yet, Rapt didn't prevent, dodge or regenerate, he was simply unharmed.

　Recto Alice says.

''We're the 'Divine Fangra'?　This is as good as it gets.

　An indifferent voice.

(........................Is this the power of a complete 'divine Consort'?

　I'm too different from the imperfect me.

　Kirto-san also draws his great sword with his eyes looking at the incredible being (thing). However, there was a happy joyful look on his face.

''Are you a monster?''
'Ha ... it's just 'God's messenger'

　Rapt laughing through his nose.
　With one hand on his hip, he looks down at Mr. Quilt, who is taller than him (........)

What's up?　Are we done?
No.

　Mr. Kilt shook his head slowly.
　Once more, he held it upright.

I'm sorry. I had a bad habit of trying to gauge your strength. --Next time, I'll give you the full force of my Kilt-Amandes.

　I said.

Okay. Well, get on with it.
Hmm.

　Rapt urged comfortably.

The 'Golden Mark Demon Hunter' laughed a small laugh - and all expressions disappeared from his white beauty.

　Extreme concentration.

　The atmosphere begins to gather densely, and the flow of time distorts.

''........Mm.''

　Rapt's expression changed.
　Even Recto Alice's always thread-like eyes widened, and she also had a surprised look on her face.

The electrical discharge from the Great Sword of Thunder converges silently.

　A blue ball of light floats in front of the sword blade.

(-- That is.)

　Before, I saw it once.

　A night of twinkling stars, splitting vast seas of sand, shattering rocky mountains, and cutting a man with a demonic tattoo in one fell swoop, the final profundity of the Golden Mark demon hunter, Kilt Amandes.

　His lips move faintly.



''-- Demon God Sword, Zetsuzane.''


　Linn.


　The great sword was swung off - immediately afterwards, the entire interior of the red ward was filled with blue light.
　The sheer brilliance of it was dazzling.



　Recto Alice's impatient voice.

　Cracks run through the red wards in several places, and blue lightning bolts begin to flood out as a rampaging giant dragon. It destroys many places in General Dardios's mansion, sending debris flying and hitting the ground where we stand, blowing the ground apart.

(Whoa, whoa!

　The blast rages on.

'Merle, Sol!'

　Ms. Illtimina hugged both of us, her children, tightly.

　General Dardios also stood in front of his daughter, Frederica-san, protecting her from flying debris and trees.
　The three Shumurian knights, one of them almost blown away, while the other two grabbed their hands and struggled to stay down on the ground.

　Gogo.........Gagaan.

Tsk.

　Recto Alice's third eye glows and she spreads her arms out.

　In front of us, a crimson magical shield appears, bouncing off flying objects with a ripple of light to protect us. The thick stone pillar also bounces back and leaps across the roof.
　Oh.........

　Gun Galala........

　Eventually, the discharge stopped, and the dirt smoke was swept away by the wind.

　Beyond that was the

..........
That's a shame, isn't it?

　It was the same scene as before, the unharmed figure of the boy from God Fang Luo, who was catching the 'Golden Seal Demon Hunter''s great sword with his forehead.

(.........It's not true, right?)

　Me, Illtimina-san and Solstice are stunned.

''It's impossible.''
...quilt...?

　Drawing his greatsword, Mr. Kilt put it back on his back and exhaled heavily to the heavens.

'A complete defeat for the strawberries, I see.'
"Sayaka.

　Raptor responds like it doesn't matter.

　...for the first time.

　That Kirto Amandes was defeated, I........well, I think it was the first time we witnessed it.

　But Kirt looked strangely refreshed.

'But I'm not bad for a human, am I?　I'll give you credit for that one.
Hmm, okay.

　Rapt shakes his hand and starts to walk away, turning his back to her.

　The horns disappear.
　Even on the forehead of Recto Alice, the third eye closes and the magic shield disappears from in front of us as well.

　The two line up, looking at us.

We know what we can do. --Now we must go back to our rooms. Let's go, Recto Alice.
Yeah, Rapt.

　They stare at me one last time for a moment, and then they both leave.

　The glowing figure disappears at the end of the hallway.

'Mr. Quilt!'
"Quilts.
Kilt.

　Instantly, the three of us rushed up to our own party leader.

　When she spotted us, she hatched her silver hair in an embarrassed manner.

'Oh dear, we've lost.'
..........
..........
..........

　Uh.....

(What do I do?)

　I don't know what to say to him.

Are you hurt?　What about recovery magic?
No, I'm fine.

　She laughs at Solstice's question.
　Iltimina-san muttered, feeling a little stunned and self-conscious.

''Even you, well ... you can lose, can't you?
Isn't it obvious?

　Mr. Kilt chuckles.

　But maybe Mr. Illtimina's words probably speak for all of us.
　Somewhere in the back of our minds, I'm sure we all thought that this Kirto Amandes person would never be defeated by anyone.

(...it's kind of frustrating.)

　But our own Mr. Kilt is wishy-washy.

''But that's the 'Divine Fangra'? If it's an enemy, it's terrifying, but if it's an ally, it's reliable.
Uh-huh.

　Honestly, I don't think she's as strong as me, the same 'God's Belonging'.

　As she looked at the two disappeared.

It must be quite a challenge to reach that area. I still have a lot of work to do.

　I laughed.

(............)

　I asked.

"So, Mr. Kilt, are you still trying to be strong?
I'm not surprised.

　She looked back at me and nodded as a matter of course.

''The warrior is still inexperienced, and that's something I've learned the hard way. Then we'll just have to work out again from now on, won't we?

　He clenches his fists and laughs.
　His smile was unclouded and his whole body was filled with supremacy.

　The three of us couldn't help but look at each other.

''.........Kirt-san, that's amazing.
Really.
Well, that's what we call our Quilt-Andes.

　Yeah, I guess so.

　We finally laughed and nodded, too.

　And then...

Good grief, it's going to take a lot of work to repair the house. Did you do it, demon girl?
Are you all right, Mister Kilt?

　General Dardios and Miss Frederica will be here.

Sorry, General.

　The general laughs at Mr. Kilt, who apologizes apologetically.

''I'm sorry about the guy. Honestly, I can't believe that wasn't even a scratch, even with my own eyes.''
Well.

　Nodding.

But we'll win next time.

　Kirto Amandes, the Golden Mark Demon Hunter, assured him so emphatically.

(Yes, I'm sure he'll do it.)

　I believe that, too.

　After that, Kilt-san and Illtimina-san, together with General Dardios, helped clear the rubble of the mansion, and Solstice went into the mansion with Frederica-san and the three Shumurian knights to see if anyone was injured in the mansion and to treat them.

　In conclusion, everyone in the mansion was protected by the shield of the red magic circle that suddenly appeared in front of them, and they were all safe.

(........Recto Alice)

　I thanked them for their kindness.

　Then, having parted from everyone else, I headed alone to the guest room where those two 'divine fanatics' had returned.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　When I entered the guest room, I found Rapt, slumped over on the bed.

(Huh?)

　In the same bed, Recto Alice is sitting on the same bed, patting him on the back with a slightly worried look on her face.

''What's wrong, Rapt?''

　The two of them look up.

'....Oh~, Merle?
Thanks for coming.

　As he approached, he raised his upper body heavily and scratched his slightly disheveled blonde hair with a rough hand.
　And a loud sigh.

''Well that was really bad earlier.
What?
What the hell is she doing here?　You almost died, didn't you?　Is that really human?!

　He held out his hands and suddenly said, barking.

　I'm a little stunned.　

(Maybe.)

Was that Rapt, or was it that hard to afford?
It's here!

　I was pissed.

'If one person can produce that kind of aggression, he's a bad guy!　The wards of Recto Alice have been destroyed, too!
..........

　I look at Recto Alice.
　She nodded divinely.

'Honestly, I'm shocked.'

　Oh, really?

　Rapt says in frustration, biting his thumbnail.

''d*mn it~. I licked him for being human. That strength is honestly not something to be underestimated.
Yeah.

　Recto Alice nodded.

''If we weren't the 'Divine Fang Luo', we would have died for sure with that one blow.
?

　What if it's not Godzilla?

　She told me in a strange way.

　In fact, she told me that even though they were both members of the Divine Family, the Divine Dogs and the Divine Fang Luo had different characteristics.

　The Divine Dog is a hound that hunts God's enemies.
　The divine Attribute' is the robe that protects the god from his enemies.

　In short, the specialization is the attack-oriented 'God Dog' and the defense-oriented 'God Fara'.

(Well, what if it were me?)

That one hit was a sure-fire way to die.
..........

　That's what they say.

(I knew you were too awesome, Mr. Quilt...)

　I was even somewhat dumbfounded beyond my pride.
　Rapt's lips twitched.

I'm sure there will be heroes in every age.
Really.

　Lect Alice smiles bitterly.

　Judging from the nostalgic voices of the two of them, in the 'Divine Demon War' four hundred years ago and the 'Battle of Calamity' three hundred years ago, there may have been a person called a 'hero' of that era.

(In this era, would that be Mr. Kilt?)

　I seem to be with someone more awesome than I thought I was.

　Rapt was trying to get up out of bed.

Aitaita....!
You okay?

　He held his hips and plopped down on the bed.

'Oh no, he's doing his hips...'
I guess we'll just have to lay low for a while, huh?
f*ck.

　If it's only a few injuries, his body, which heals automatically, has been damaged to this extent.

(Should I go get him, Solstice?)

　She's a specialist in recovery magic.
　But...

No, it's too dangerous for humans to know!
..........
..........

　He is a stubborn Mr. Raptor.
　Me and Recto Alice looked at each other and smiled bitterly.

　I had no choice, so I spent some time with these "Brethren of the Divine World" for a while longer, casting a Heelio spell that would only serve to ease their minds.