(...a sign of God?)

　I don't know what that means.

　It wasn't just me, but everyone else as well, and everyone had a look of confusion on their faces.

　However, I could imagine that if I couldn't show it, this four winged knight statue would surely respond mercilessly to us.

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

　Fighting this statue?

　Just imagining it makes me sweat in a disgusting way.

　The extraordinary 'pressure' from the statue of a knight is the biggest thing I've seen since my reincarnation until today. Without a doubt, it will be the strongest enemy in my history.

　Even that Golden Mark Demon Hunter Kirt Amandes had a very stern expression on his face.

''........How can I avoid the fight?''

　Desperately trying to get my head around

...I see.

　Suddenly, with a flutter of purple wavy hair, Recto Alice stepped forward.
　Eh?

"Hey?
"Lectoris?

　Rapt and I can't help but call out to him.

'It's okay, Rapt, Marl.'

　She smiled gracefully.

　Then she stood in front of a huge statue of a knight with four wings.

　If the sword raised to the heavens in her hand were to be swung down, it would certainly be within reach.

　In front of our bated breath, she tells us, "I am the Great Justice.

''I am Alzeus, the great god of justice, the 'Divine Fangra', my name is Recto Alice!　-Come on, judge the testimony of God, won't you?

Yes, sir.

　A voice without inflection responded.
　And.

　vo on

　Like the third eye of Lectoris, a radiant light radiated out from the red eyes of the knight statue, illuminating the entire body of the beautiful 'Divine Fangra' woman there.

(Lect Alice.........)

　I brace myself so that I can jump out at any time.

　Ohhhhhhhh....

　But the radiant red light fades away without incident.

'-- I have confirmed the testimony of God. I will allow you to pass.

(Oh!)

　Our eyes widened at the voice of the knight statue that solemnly told us.

　Recto Alice held her ample bosom with one hand and exhaled heavily, ''Whew.

''I knew it.''

　I muttered.

'Hey, what's this all about?'

　Rapt asks her the question of all of us.

　Recto Alice looks back at us.

He's the gatekeeper.

　I replied.

(.........gatekeeper?)

Yes.

　Nodding, she looked around at this vast white space.

''In the first place, this labyrinth is a life support system for storing the 'divine Armor'. And a place for the 'Divine Attendants' who seek it out. ........In other words, it's a realm that humans are originally not allowed to enter.

　Ah..........

　Rapt says, surprised.

''Is that it?　In short, when you say, 'Show me the proof of God,' does that mean you want me to confirm that you are one of the gods?
I guess so.

　Recto Alice looked up at the four winged knight statues that did nothing for her and nodded.

(.........then, no way.)

　If we, the Divine Attendants, had accompanied them, would the 195 Arun Knights not have had to die?

　It's too much of a fact.

　Both Kilt-san and General Dardios make their expressions tighten and then show regret that they've scattered so many lives because of their bad decisions.

(.........but I can't blame the two of them.)

　I think.

　Anyone can complain after the results are in, but no one has the right to blame them if they are wrong.

　But when you have to choose an answer that you don't know the right answer to, no one has the right to blame you if you make a mistake.

　Because none of us have any way of knowing the future.

　We both tried to do what was best for us.

　And none of us are going to stop them.
　The onus is on all of us.

...I'm sure the 195 Knights of Arun aren't mad at us either.

　I'll never forget those proud backs I saw off then.

I see.

　Rapt muttered.

　Pang, pang.

　He then slapped Mr. Kilt and the General hard on the back, and with two startled stares, he started to walk in front of the four winged statue of the knight.

　He stopped in front of the knight statue and looked up at it to glare at it.

''I'm a raptor. I'm not going to be able to get it right. --Hurry up and check it out.

Yes, sir.

　ohoh.........ohoh....

　A red light is emitted and then disappears.

"God's testimony is confirmed.

"Sayaka.

　The blond-haired, blue-eyed boy cowers his shoulders lightly and looks at me.

"Next up, Merle.
Uh-huh.

　I start walking.

"...Merle.

　Illtimina-san's worried voice hit my back.

(.........it's okay. It will be fine.)

　I stand in front of the giant statue of a knight, not so much to her as to myself.

　I take a big breath.
　And.

'I am Marle. And I'm also the 'divine dog' arqu'in of the hunting goddess Yacour. --Come on, check your god's proof!

Yes, sir.

　A heavy, emotionless voice responds.

　And.

　oooh-ooh

　The red light shone on me.

　ohoh ohoh ohoh...

(...hmm?)

　I felt like it was scarcely longer than the two of them. Is it because I'm nervous?

　vo on

Hey, man, what's taking you so long?
Yeah.

　I can hear Rapt and Recto Alice muttering.

'Merle?'
Are you sure you're okay with this?
Wow, you have no idea.

　You can hear the buzzing from the five people waiting behind you.

　And.

　oho.... oho... oho...

　The red light went out.

"I've identified the body as that of Arkwin, God's Dog of Yacour.

(Ho!)

　A stern voice reassured him.

'However, that soul is laced with a foreign substance. You will not be permitted to pass.

(Huh?)

　The unexpected words that went on made everyone stunned.

And this is the White Sanctuary created by the goddess Callwood. And this is the White Sanctuary created by the Goddess Callwood, and the sin of defiling it must be atoned for through death.

(-- what?)

　Gagiiin.

　The huge sword of the knight statue, which had been swung down before I knew it, but stopped in front of me with a grand spark.

　Immediately in front of me is a two-horned boy with his arms crossed and the figure receiving the sword.

''Guh ... are you safe, Marl?''
Raptor!

　Snap. Snap.

　The strong divine energy he emitted became a white radiance, scattering around him.

　Recto Alice shouted at him.

''Stop it, gatekeeper!　He's one of us!

"No.

　The knight statue responds inorganically.

　Bekki, bakko.

　No matter how much pressure is applied, the floor under Rapt's feet that prevents the sword from being used is depressed and both feet sink as white stone fragments are scattered.

The only thing I ask for is the "Testimony of God". The iniquitous people who stepped in without a testimony must atone for their great sins through death.

Are you an idiot?

"If you interfere with my condemnation, I will regard you as enemies of God, and I will execute the Death Penalty.

　voong

　The 'pressure' of the four winged knight statue swelled up.

''Ugh!''

　Both of Rapt's arms, which were receiving the sword, were bent in a strange direction.

(--Raput!)

　I'm going to draw my "fairy sword

"And don't underestimate the 'God's Fangirl'!

　Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.

　Suddenly, Rapt's entire body shone and the giant knight statue was flung off.

　The giant body slammed into the back wall.

''d*mn.....

　Rapt falls to one knee and raises his voice.

　Sparks of divine Qi are still violently scattered around him.

''La, Rapt!''
"Rapt!

　Me and Recto Alice quickly run up to them.

　Rattle, rattle, rattle.　

　With white debris dropping to the floor, the 3-medium tall knight statue raised his body from the wall he was slumped against.

　There was no sign of damage now, as if he had been damaged.

(Nah, what a guy........)

　We stepped back, giving Rapt a shoulder to lean on.

　Kirto and his friends also rushed to our side, and then stepped forward.

It seems that they had to fight after all.
Looks like it.

　The Golden Mark Demon Hunter holds his 'Great Sword of Thunder' and Arun's strongest general also pulls out his small 'Sword of Flame'.

(I really don't know what the right answer is.)

　The godly-looking gatekeepers of this ruin seemed to have been programmed to kill everyone the moment any being other than the 'Divine Family' set foot in here, to the horror of it all.

　If the 195 Arun Knights were accompanied by us, it would have been impossible for them to avoid the battle.

''We have confirmed your hostile actions.''

　vong

　A giant knight statue announced with a glowing red eye light.

　Instantly, six red divine letters of light streamed through the white stone walls and were sucked into the six human-sized 'two winged knights' statues that were lined up there.

　''Von, Von, Von, Von, Von, Von.

(.....)

　A tremendous 'pressure' could be felt from those six knight figures.

　Zunn.

　A 3-med tall, one of the largest 'four winged knight statues' shakes the ground and steps forward.

　With a huge, divine sword pointed at us.

"I execute your sentence.

　He told her this in a ruthless, emotionless tone of voice.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　Against the seven approaching knight statues, we slowly retreated, holding our weapons at the ready.

　Joooooo.

　Both of Rapt's broken arms heal with a self-repairing function that causes them to billow white smoke.

'd*mn you,'

　Rapt, who swears.

　Mr. Kilt stands in front of him as if to protect him, and asks while pointing the 'Great Sword of Thunder' at the 'Four Winged Knight Statue'.

'Can you still go, Rapt?'
Of course!

　He replies with a bark and stands up.

　The Golden Mark demon hunter nods and gives us all instructions.

Good. --The first one is the big guy. The other six are also strong, but that one has two or three heads missing. If we don't take out the other six, there's no way we can beat them.

　We nodded.

　Indeed, that single large statue of a knight is the only one that radiates a tremendous 'pressure' from more than six other statues.

(.........we might be wiped out because of that one statue.)

　I have a feeling that this is the case.

　Kirt Amandes, a fierce warrior of all time, would feel that threat even more.

''Rapt, Recto Alice, you two come with the straw, the three of you will take down the decapitator.

　She said.

'Raptor, be a shield and create an opening for the Decapitator. Recto Alice, like before, use the wards to contain the Warawa and the Rapt, that decapitant. -- In the middle of it, Warawa unleashes the 'Demon God Sword, Zetsuzane' and takes care of it all at once.

　A prepared voice.



　We all realize the magnitude of the threat.


Okay.

　Rapt made a Buddha's face but did not refuse, and Recto Alice nodded honestly.

　Illtimina-san asked.

''What about us?''
Take down the other six.

　Mr. Kilt's answer was succinct.

'Don't think about the rest, give it your all. Marle, I want you to fight in 'God Mode'. We've got to get past this point or there's no way out anyway.
Yes.

　I nodded widely.

　Thush, thush.

　The movements of the seven statues of knights approaching towards us have quickened.

　The eight of us, too, make up our minds and take up positions with our respective weapons at the ready to meet them.

　One last thing.

I want everybody to stay alive.

That's what the Golden Mark Demon Hunter tells us.

　And the next moment, she attacked the gatekeepers of that fearsome labyrinth faster than anyone else.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


"Demon Sword and Thunderbolt Renzang!

　Buzzy, buzzy-yin.

　A series of attacks from Kilt-san, who attacked hard, aimed at the 'four winged knight statue' that was at the front.

　A blue lightning bolt dyes the white world blue, but the attacks are all blocked by the giant sword. However, due to the power of the sword, the giant knight statue was flung backwards in a big way.

　The distance between it and the other six bodies was empty.

''Now!''
I know!

　Rapt and Lectoris run towards it.

　The six swords that are swung down on the way are all prevented by the red light shield created by Recto Alice.
　And then, Rapt thrusts out his hands to catch one of the huge sword blows from the 'four winged knight statue' that aimed at the gap between Kirt-san, who was forceful, and received it.

''Recto Alice!''

　Kilt-san's cry.

　At the same time, Recto Alice opens her third eye and flutters her purple wavy hair, creating a hemispherical red magical ward.

　Kirt-san, Rapt, and the giant knight statue - two people and one body are completely enveloped.

　With this, Mr. Kilt can deliver an all-out blow.

　There are also countless divine letters and magic circles flowing on the surface of the light wards.

　Perhaps because of his experience at General Dardios' house in the past, the wards this time seem to be more solid, and because of their high density and dark red color, it's impossible to see what's inside.

　Bash, Bashu, Bashu.

　The red light of the magical wards occasionally grew stronger in response to the inner impact.

(Mr. Kilt!　(Rapt!)

　It's scary to imagine what kind of battle is going on in there - but

Focus on this one, Merle!
!

　Illtimina-san's blackmail brings me back to reality.

　In front of us, six human-sized "two-winged knights" existed.
　All of them emit a tremendous amount of pressure.

　In contrast, there were five of us.

　One of them is Solstice, a wizard who needs a protector.

(........disadvantageous in terms of numbers, right?)

　No, no.

　Ms. Illtimina held up her winged open-winged spear.

"Hagenshi, White Dance!

　From that magic stone, I summon three 'women of light with spears in their hands'.

(Even me!)

'Spirit of the earth, help me!

　The 'silvery white cuirass' of his left arm is thrust high.

　

　Just as the white and silver radiance seemed to tremble, white and silver ore overflowed from the magic stone, and the noble and beautiful 'White Silver Wolf' appeared.

　Over here, there are now nine of them.

''Let's go, Marl!
Yeah!

　I'm going to start running with Mr. Illtimina.

(All right!)

　I release the 'divine faucet'.

　Gyuoh........

　Burning magma-like energy flows through my body, and my ears and tail grow.

　Time slows down around me and, conversely, I become faster than anyone else.

　Overtaking Illtimina-san, I attacked the 'two winged knight statue' closest to me.

　Huh, Kakin.

(!)

　The sword is easily flicked.　

　I was surprised at the speed of the sword.

In my world where I've released the power of the 'divine dog', that knight statue looked like it was moving normally. If I had been in 'normal mode', I might not have been able to see that sword.

　That's how strong an enemy it is!

d*mn I'm losing!

　Hukkang, giggin, gariin.

　Countless sparks pop.

　He's fast, powerful, and his sword skills are solid.

　But I have to defeat this guy within three minutes, which is the limit of the 'Divine Body Mode'.

''Oh, oh!''

　With unprecedented gusto and concentration, they continued to attack.

　And the battle had already been sparked elsewhere as well.

　Illtimina-san was repeatedly attacking with the 'White Spear' while carving out steps that left an afterimage, while the opposing knight statue was pushed back when she tried to forcefully step into the 'Sword Room', and the battle for control of the space was being fought over.

''Shhhh.''
...and condemnation.

　Right now, Illtimina-san has the upper hand, but if it's a long-term battle physically, she's going to be at a disadvantage.

　Beside her, the 'White Silver Wolf' who dodged the knight statue's sword was biting at its throat and spinning and throwing.

　''Zgaaaan.''

　The power to crush the floor and make it cave in like a crater.

　But

　whistling sound

　The flash of a sword that was delivered while he was down severed the front legs of the "Silver White Wolf".

　The silver wolf leaps backwards greatly - the expression on his face shows his astonishment at having his strong body severed so easily.

　Bumping.

　The paws regenerate quickly.

　Then, spilling white shards, the 'two winged knight statue' raised itself from the floor.

　The red eye light behind the helmet shines sharply.

The 'Silver White Wolf' attacked again, roaring with joy as he fought with the strongman.

　A short distance away, General Dardios and Frederica-san were fighting in cooperation with each other.

''Nunn!''

　Gah! Geeky in.

　The General's accurate and inexact 'Sword of Fire' was playing back the sword of the attacking 'Two Winged Knight Statue'.

　From the back of his father, Frederica-san was holding a bow at a considerable distance.

　It's a black bow.

　The string was like a steel wire, and the tension of the bow must be that strong.

''--Huh.''

　With unflagging discipline and skill, she pulled it as if it were a matter of course.

　As the arrow was turned on, a small part of the arrowhead came off and

　bow (e.g. of a gun)

　The arrowhead was engulfed in flames.

　The next moment, an 'arrow of fire' was released.

　It precisely hit the helmet of the knight statue slashing with the general.

　do-gooder

　It caused an explosion.

　Unfortunately, there was no damage, but General Dardios' 'Sword of Fire' attacked the tilting giant body. However, the knight statue also quickly regained its position and began to return fire.

　Frederica-san also raised her bow again.

　Behind her, the three 'women of light with spears in their hands' were fighting the two knight statues as they protected Solstice.

　Gah, geez, geez, geez.

　In the depths of that fierce battle, the girl closes her eyes and concentrates her mind.

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

　In front of the small body, while holding the large staff in both hands and holding it at the front of the small body, beads of sweat bled on his forehead due to extreme concentration, and the condensation of magic power created a shimmering shimmer around it like a shimmering flame.

　The magic stone of the great staff was emitting a tremendous light.

　Waiting for the activation of that great magic, the 'Women of Light with Spears in Hand' continued to fight the two knight statues without taking a step back.

　--everywhere, it was all a back-and-forth attack and defense.

　But.

(If one of them wins, an avalanche of wins should decide the winner!

　If the victor joins another battle, he or she will win there as well.
　The process repeats itself.

　So, we'll definitely draw that trend our way!

　ta-da!

　The knight statue's sword grazed his cheek and fresh blood flew.

　It doesn't matter.

(Smaller evasive moves, more offensive!)

　Geez. Geezin'

　Thanks to this, my sword began to hit the knight statue's armor and sparks began to fly one by one.

　Go!

　Go, go, go!

We're going to take him down!

　hiccup

　The knight statue's right ankle was struck by a perfect blow. With uncanny ease, that ankle is severed.

(Good!)

　If you take away its mobility, I've already won.

　With the returning sword, I aim at its torso.

　Scuttlebutt.

　Even though he had one leg missing, the knight statue leapt to an impossible height and the sword slashed the sky.
　Eh?

　I look up in a panic.

'What?'

　The statue of the knight was floating in the sky.

　No, to be precise, it was flapping its two wings on its back and staying in the air.

　...just like an angel.

　I was gawking at it, and he swooped down on me.

(...........

　Gagiiin.

　Although it was barely taunted, the one blow that added momentum to the descent was powerful enough to gouge out a large portion of the floor.

　Then, the knight statue with one blow went up into the sky again.

(Ugh, it's not true, right?)

　I can't get my hands on it.

　It fell repeatedly, but I had my hands full dodging those attacks and didn't have time to match the counter-attack counter-technique.

　Gaang, gagaan, gigiin.

"~~~~

　One-sided, torture.

(Crap.)

　I tried to force a counter to meet it, but on the other hand, I almost got my whole arm smashed.　　

　It's almost three minutes.

　If that time runs out, I'll be killed for sure.

(I'd rather be beaten silently........)

　We're going to be attacked again from above.

　I just barely avoid it.　

　Zugan.

　The floor was gutted.

　The debris blew away.

　Something inside me snapped as I watched them approaching.

...

　A moment later, I run to my feet.

Using the tremendous leg strength of the 'divine dog', I ran up a nearby pillar, and from there, I leapt towards the 'two winged knight statue' that had returned to the air.

　Voong.

　The red eye light behind the helmet catches me.

　A sideways sword comes at me, unavoidable in the air and wingless.

(-- even though I have no wings.)

　whoosh

　I wagged my thick, fox-like tail that grew out of my ass.

　The posture changes with a whirlwind.

　The knight statue's sword passed right underneath me with tremendous force.

　Ta-tah.

　On top of the helmet, landing.

　Behind the helmet of the knight statue that looks up, the red eyes, the red glow

　with a grinding noise

　I stabbed the beautiful translucent blade of the 'fairy sword' there with all my might.

''Oh, oh, oh, oh........!

　crunchy

　A decisive voice that makes my eardrums tremble.

　As it is, I fall from a height of more than fifteen meds.

　Just before the collision, I leap and

　Gagaaan.

　The knight statue crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces and sprinkling debris around the area.

''Whoops!''

　Delayed, I manage to land on the ground.

　At that moment, one of the statues of the knights who were fighting against the three 'spear-handled women of light' suddenly turns to face me.

　DON'T!

　They kicked the floor and attacked me right after I landed.

The "Women of Light" were fighting for the purpose of stalling Solstice in order to protect her, so they were unable to react to the sudden change in behavior.

(--Heh?)

　Just as he was about to raise his sword in a hurry, he felt his ears and tail disappear.

　Time is up.

　Well, not good!　

　When the fear of death tried to capture my heart.

'Guard Marl, O sun-god bird!　--Lah Valfrair Vadoo!

　A girl's cry was heard.

　In the next moment, a huge 'Fire Bird' that was 10 mead in size appeared from the magic stone of the great staff.

　''Joooooooo.

　In an instant, it melted the upper body of the knight statue in front of the girls and made it disappear, and then it flew from behind the knight statue that was approaching me with a terrifying speed as it was.

　The noticed knight statue flaps its wings and escapes into the sky, but I chase after it, easily catching it with my beak and swallowing it down.

　Gyurung.

　The bird of fire changed shape, becoming a sphere like a sun.

　Inside, the drunk knight statue was flailing about, repeatedly thrusting its sword and shaking its fist in an attempt to get out.

　However, the sphere didn't freak out.

　Joooo.........

　The interior is so hot that it glows white.

　The knight statue's fingers, hands, feet, and torso began to melt.
　In the end, its entire body turned into syrup and flowed down the inside of the sphere.
　Eventually, even that was swallowed up, and the sphere emitted a strong, white light, and then disappeared without a trace.

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

　I sat down on the floor and looked up at it, dumbfounded.

'Duh, I'm fine, Merle!

　And when I look down, the girl who saved my life arrives with the three 'women of light' in tow.

　In front of me, on both knees, my shoulders are grabbed tightly.

''Are you hurt?!''

　He asks with a great swagger.

"Oh, um, yeah, I'm fine.

　thickly

　I couldn't help but nod my head a few times.

　Solstice exhaled heavily.

'Well thank goodness you made it in time.'
..........

　Upon closer inspection, she was sweating profusely.
　Even her glossy purple hair was so moist and wet, and her white skin was so bloodless that it even looked pale.

　That's all the great magic.

(.........Great, Solstice)

　Once again, I respect the girl who can use such great magic.

　And to the girl who worried about me, I smile and stand up.

　That's three bodies.

　But there are still three of them, half of them left.

　I won't be able to use 'God Body Mode' for a while, and Solstice will have a hard time using magic of the same power again.
　Even so, the form leaned in our direction.

(They're here, yeah, we can handle it.)

　I looked at the three 'glowing women with spears in their hands' who looked very similar to Illtimina-san and nodded to one of them.

'Solstice, can you stand?'

　Me holding out my right hand.
　Solstice's crimson eyes stare up at it.

Of course.

　She nodded vigorously, took my hand, and stood up.

(Come on, we're almost there.)

　We summoned all the strength we had left and started to run to join our friends.