First of all, he wears a sturdy "travel suit" all over his body.

　The body is clad in the Armor of Fairy Iron, and the jacket of the travel suit is worn like a coat.

　The silver cuirass, which bears the spirit of the earth, is worn on the left arm, and the belt is tightly fastened.

　The right wrist is loaded with an armband type "magic activator".

　On the left side of the belt, the "fairy sword" is placed, and on the left and right sides of the belt are pouches containing props, and on the front and back of the belt are six knives for throwing.

　Finally, on his back, he carries a backpack full of luggage.

''--Okay.''

　With such full equipment, I slowly opened my closed blue eyes.

　Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a staircase stained with darkness.

　I was standing in front of the staircase that led to the eleventh level, where 268 of Arun's elite knights had been wiped out.

　Beside me, there are seven companions.

　Illtimina-san.

　Kilt-san.

　Solstice.

　General Dardios and Frederica.

　Rapt and Recto Alice.

　All seven of them are fully equipped.

　There is no fear or hesitation to be seen in the eyes that are filled with determination.

　Behind us, a hundred of our transport soldiers stand saluting and watching our backs as we depart. They had been given strict orders by General Dardios to return to the ground as soon as we left.
　The rest is left to the commander of the ground troops, the one-eyed old knight Berland-san, who is in charge of the ground troops.

　I say with my face forward.

Let's go then, everyone.
Yes, sir.
"Mm.
Yeah.

　Three of us answered.

Yeah.
Let's go.
Oh.
Let's go.

　The father and daughter of the Dardios family are followed by the two members of The Divine Fangra.

　Gasp!

　Then we creaked our armor and took a step toward the darkness.

　Gasp.

　Echoing sound in the ancient labyrinth, the eight of us proceeded into the darkness behind the stairs.

　--The first thing that happens is that we are swallowed up by a hundred of the transport soldiers, and then we disappear into the pitch blackness.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


Let our path shine through. --Lightum vaadum!

　ping

　Immediately after descending to the eleventh level, in response to my chanting, three birds of light flew out of the magic stone in my bracelet. It circled overhead, dispelling the darkness around it even more than the lantern lights.

'Oh, brilliant,'
"Way to go, Mister Merle.

　Father and daughter of the Dardios family are amazed at me using my magic.

(I see, it's the first time I've shown them.)

　Until now, you've only shown me your swordsman's form.

"Huh?
Well, it's beautiful.

　Rapt and Recto Alice also looked up at the light birds in the sky, looking up at the light birds in the sky with a rare look.

''Three light birds........Is your magic power okay, Marle?''
Yes.

　I laugh at Illtimina-san who is worried about me.

　Tanatos magic has already been activated using 'divine energy' instead of 'magic power'. And right now I was filled with 'divine energy' to the point where I could say that it was inexhaustible.

''Well, it's good that I'm comfortable with it.

　Thanks to that, Solstice's magic power can be preserved, but her usual role is taken away and the girl looks a bit sad.

　Sorry?
　But when it comes down to it, you're the only one who can use a high level of recovery magic.

(So, I can handle the light bird.)

　ding (sound of a bell)

　In order to activate it, I put away the 'Fairy Sword' with Thanatos magic letters drawn in the air, into the sheath.

　Once again, I turned my gaze to the brightened surroundings.

　Eleven levels.
　In particular, there's nothing unusual about it.

　The same 30-medium high-ceilinged corridor as before, with beautiful black stone pillars and walls.
　From time to time, a red 'divine script' flows through the walls.

Hmm. Then let's all move on.

　Kilt-san's command flies.

　She was the natural leader of this party of eight.

　We nodded and started walking.

　The formation is a two-row vertical formation.

　At the front are Rapt, who is more sturdy than anyone else, and the two 'Divine Fangirls' of Recto Alice, who can see through various things with her third eye.

　The second row is the strongest duo of two swordsmen who are strong in close combat, Kirt-san and General Dardios.

　The third row is me and Solstice. In order to protect our precious wizards, we'll be placed in the middle, and I'll be their bodyguard. I'm not sure if this is an intentional move on their part to protect me.

　The fourth row is Illtimina-san, who can attack from a distance, and Black Knight Frederica-san. This sisterly duo is safe from enemies from the rear.

　Clash!

　He's wearing armor, so he's making quite a lot of noise as he goes along.

　However, there are no demons in sight.
　To some extent, I wonder if the people of the preceding troops have eliminated them?

　With that in mind, I go on.

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

　What is it?

　The scenery remains the same.
　And yet, the air seems to be getting heavier and heavier.

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

　They don't talk.

I feel like I've been swallowed up by a giant creature.

　whispering

　The girl next to me muttered.

　...........
　Indeed, this strange oppressive feeling might be like that.

　Then, we walked for about 20 minutes.

''--This way.

　Every time we hit a fork in the road, Recto Alice will find the right path with a red glow in her third eye.

(Really, it's an awesome eye.)

　And so the search continues.

What?
Hmm?

　The dubious voices of Rapt and General Dardios ahead of him echoed.

　Light.

　A different light from the light bird leaked out from a bend in the back passage.

'Wait here.'

　Mr. Kilt gives instructions and he and Rapt go ahead.

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

　Eventually, they stood in a position where they could see the back of the bend, and when they did, they looked simultaneously anticlimactic and beckoned us to join them.　

(What's that?)

　I looked at the sisters and the six of us proceeded to look at each other.

　There was a lighting device called a magic light.

　But the pillar was bent and the light was on the ground.

　But I did understand something.

"........everyone passed through here.

　I muttered.

　The people from the earlier unit had definitely gone ahead of us through here. It was probably the work of a demon that was broken. Was there a battle here, or did they chase after the thirteen Arun Knights who were trying to retreat to the tenth level and bump into them in the process?

..........

　The general's large hand touched the magic light lamp.

　The illuminated expression on his face was very painful, biting down on his regret.

　And - that's when.

''--Kyaa!

　Frederica-san, who should have been at the back of the line, sounded a scream.

(!?!)

　Everyone turns around in a hurry.

　Garryin'

　Sparks flew at the back of the bend, and I saw Illtimina-san leaping towards us with a white spear at the ready while carrying Frederica-san on her shoulder.
　Eh?

It's "Medusa"!

　A warning voice.

　If you look, Frederica's left arm and left leg are about to turn gray from the tip - to stone!

Fiddy!

　The general's cry.

　Then, from behind the two fleeing men, from the depths of the darkness where the light could not reach, a slimy demon emerged.

　The upper half of a woman's body in human form.

　In contrast, the lower half of the body, which glistened with wet scales, belonged to a snake.

　The length of the body is about seven meds.

　The hair on their heads is long and thin, and their faces are too ugly to be human, and their faces look horrible, as if the heads of the snakes were forcibly crushed into a human face.

　For me, it's the first time I've seen a labyrinthine monster.

(This is Medusa!

　He's an odd-looking being with a terrible eye that is famous in the world of the previous life for petrifying those who see it.

　Pulling out his greatsword, Mr. Kilt shouts.

''If the eyes turn golden, they will release a petrifying light!　Everyone watch out!

　Golden eyes?

　Light of petrification?

(Did that get you, Frederica?)

　I look at her as I draw my fairy sword.

''Ugh....

　Her limbs were slowly being eroded by petrification as she was being dragged backwards by General Dardios, sheltered by Illtimina-san, and her limbs were slowly being eroded by petrification.

　Solstice rushed towards them.

''I'm undoing it now!　Don't worry, the heart and lungs aren't going to be affected.　I'll get you well soon!
I'm sorry, okay?

　The father gave the girl the place.

　He stands up and a fiery fighting spirit rises on his back.

　Mr. Kilt gives his instructions.

'Recto Alice, probe for other demons in the vicinity!　General, protect your daughter and Sol until the cure is complete!
Okay.
Huh?

　Rect Alice nodded and opened her third eye.
　The general looked disgruntled for a moment, but then he looked down at his suffering daughter and the girl who was using magic and nodded.

'Rapt, be a shield for everyone there. ''The power of the 'Divine Fangra', I'll show you here, okay?'''
Ha, yeah, it's all yours.

　Rapt peeks out his double teeth and smiles fiercely.

'Irna stand by, and if you do, join us!
Yes, sir.

　The Silver Seal Demon Hunter also nodded.
　And.

Merle!

　The Golden Mark Demon hunter called out my name.

I don't know what's going to happen next. "You don't know what's coming next, so let's skip the God Mode. As you are, I will hunt this huge snake with my straw hat!
!

　I was surprised to hear Ms. Kilt's words.

'Line up beside yourself,' she had ordered, 'and stand on the dangerous battlefield together.

　That meant that I was recognized as one swordsman.

(Ah!)

　I'm glad for that, even at a time like this.
　It's enough to make my heart tremble.

　I nodded loudly in that fury.

''Yes!''

　Then, I hold the 'Fairy Sword' in my right eye and stare sharply at the deformed demon.

　Kilt-san laughs and stands beside me like that.

''Alright!　Let's go, Merle!
Yes, Mr. Kilt!

　When I replied sharply, we master and students attacked the 'Petrified Demon Snake Woman' towering in front of us at exactly the same time - the same time.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　With the two of us approaching at the same time, Medusa also seemed to be unsure which one to intercept.

　Julli.

　He wiggles his snake body and retreats backwards at an angle.

(Whoa, that's a weird move!)

　The strange movement, which was different from moving with his feet, disrupted his sense of timing and pacing more than usual.

'Don't be confused!　Trust in your sword!
!

　That's right.
　Disturbances of the mind are disturbances of the sword.

(Trust yourself and Mr. Kilt, me!)

　bang

No!

　He lowers his stance and accelerates to close the gap at once.

　There!

　galleryin

　A flurry of sideways swipes hit Medusa's snake body, sending violent sparks flying between the blue-greenish scales.

(Huh?)　(Hard!)

　The snake part was too hard for the blade to pass through.

　I thought Medusa's ugly face smiled.

　The arms of the woman's body part are about to be swept down to me with long, sharp claws - just before, as if expecting my attack to fail, Kirt-san stepped from my side and deeper into Medusa's bosom.

'Nunn!'

　baggy inn.

　The blue-green scales popped and a black great sword was plunged into the body of the snake.

''Gao!''

　Medusa screams.

　Blue lightning burns the flesh as the blade of the great sword digs into a third of her torso.

　Bushuuuut.

　Purple blood spurts out of the gap between the great sword and the flesh in large quantities.

　Medusa, who has a look of anguish on her face, tries to drop one of those vicious claw blows on Kilt-san this time.

(Don't let him!)

　bang

　I leapt to step on Mr. Kilt's back.

'Hey!'

　Huw Zakun.

　He counters and slashes Medusa's approaching arm away.

(Good!)

　The strength of the humanoid part isn't as strong as it could be!

　Medusa holds the wound on her arm and retreats back in a form of rage.

　Bohut.

(!)

　No, as it retreated, its long, thick snake tail flew towards us. Whoa!

No!

　Boom.

　Kilt's great sword intercepts it and smashes it between him and the ground.

　Medusa stiffens in pain.

　Hush.

　Jumping out from behind that quilt-san, I cut off the other Medusa's arm as well.

''Gugaaaaah!''

　A screaming roar.

　No, a shockwave!

(Whoa!)

　The moment I thought it was bad, the 'silvery white cuirass' of my left arm made a sound.

　Jiji, Ji Gagaaaa.

　His left arm, covered in white silver ore, swings out from underneath and upwards on its own, severing the shockwave.

(Spirit!)

　With my left arm, which is exultant and grateful, the 'White Silver Left Hand' returns to the 'White Silver Hand Armor' as if it has completed its role.

　Then, the shockwave, which was parted to the left and right, passed by us and sent the magic light in the corridor bouncing to a height of more than 10 meters.

　Gashan.

　The falling and broken magic light flickered in a series of flickering lights.

　In the midst of it all, me and Mr. Kirt stood side by side again, facing Medusa.

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

　What a relief.

　Maybe it's because I've been practicing all my life, but I know everything about Kirt's breathing and timing. That's why I can boldly challenge Medusa.

　Maybe it's the same for Kirto-san.

(As it is, I'm going to hunt and kill him!)

　We tried again, with the same intent.

　In that moment.

　Hyn.

　All the snakes on Medusa's head of hair turned towards us, and the eyes of that human-faced snake turned golden.

(!)

　The light of petrification!

　We hurriedly split up, left and right, and tried to avoid them.

"You can't make me!

　bang

　A boy of light dressed in white leapt across the center of the room.

(Rapt!)

　Medusa's gaze was drawn towards it.

　And a thin golden ray of light instantly connected Medusa's eyes with the boy of light.

　Vikiin'

　From the boy's lighted area, it turns gray, and it quickly spreads throughout his body.

(Ugh, you're lying!)

　In front of my impatient face, Rapt had become a stone statue.
　All of us were stunned.

　Medusa stared at the petrified Rapt and smiled wickedly.

　But the next moment.

　with a snap

　A crack appeared on the surface of the stone statue.

　Paki Paki Paki........

　The cracks spread out in myriad ways, and divine light flooded through the cracks.
　And.

　Paciiiiiiin.

Stupid!　Put that snake away, now!

　With a shout, the raptor revived, scattering stone fragments. Two horns sprouted from his forehead, and particles of white light of divine Qi danced around him.

(!)

　At the shout, me and Kirto-san ran.

　Rapt, who risked his life to create an opening.

　Thanks to that, Medusa, right after releasing the petrifying light, was completely defenseless and standing on a stick.

　Thang.

　I kick Mr. Kilt's running back and I leap.

　In the air, the stance is in the upper level.

　On the ground, Kilt-san running, lower stance.

　The eyes of the medusa, the gold color of which has disappeared, widen and reflect our approaching figures.

　And.

Hey!
Nuh-uh!

　We release two sword flashes.

　Huh, zachun.

　Medusa's neck and the torso of the bordering humanoid and snake were cut off with aplomb.

　I dwell, and then I land on the ground.

　Without being caught off guard, I quickly turned around, holding my sword upright in my eyes.

　Dodun.

　In front of them, the giant body of Medusa, which was divided into three parts, crumbled to the floor with a heavy sound.

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

　I point my sword with Mr. Kilt for a while and continue to hold it up.

　There is no movement.
　Only purple blood spreads to the floor with a thud.

　Kirt-san drew his sword.

''Mm, defeat.

　Hearing that, I finally drew my sword too.

(Yo, that's good...)

　With a release of tension, a wave of relief washed over me.

　Everyone who was watching let out an "oh" and a cheer.

　As I was breathing heavily, Kirto-san came over to me. His white hand stroked my head.

'Good job, Merle,'
Yes.

　crumpled

　As usual, he pats me on the head a little roughly and praises me.

　Ehehe, I'm extremely happy.

　Looking at it, Frederica-san's petrification seems to have been successfully cured. The gray on her left hand and left leg has already disappeared.

　As expected of Solstice.

　The girl sat down on the floor and wiped the sweat on her forehead, "Fu~".

''Merle!''

　And a happy Illtimina is waiting for me with her arms outstretched.　

　Mr. Kilt chuckles and

Here.

　I give him a light push on my back.

　I was a little surprised, but quickly laughed and ran off towards the person I love waiting for me.