Recently, Illtimina-san has been getting stronger and stronger.

　The sight of her overpowering the 'Immortal Ogre' and the 'Winged Knight Statue' in the Great Labyrinth was fresh in my mind. I thought she was as strong as the 'Golden Seal'.

　On the other hand, Kilt-san.

　She is still an incredibly strong woman, but this is the first time I've ever seen her holding the "Great Sword" in her hands during practice, even though it's made of wood.

　A familiar weapon.

　You can see how serious she is about it.

　--I'm not sure I've ever seen such a thing.

　I was already intrigued, and I was excited to watch their every move, so I didn't want to miss a thing.

　And yet...

..........
..........

　They faced each other and didn't move, holding each other's weapons at the ready.

(????)

　Thirty seconds has passed, a minute has passed, and there has been no change.

　Um...?

　As I was about to call out to him, I noticed something wrong with me.

(!?!)　(No voice...?

　No, it's not just my voice, I can't move my hands and feet.
　What, what is this?

　Confused, I looked up at their faces, and at that moment I realized why.

　A devilish expression on their faces.

　Even though their faces are almost expressionless to each other, there's something incredibly tense about them.

(..............fighting.

　I realized that.

　It's not that they're actually making a move.

　But for a preliminary movement that is moving, or a hint of it - for some premonition, the two of them are each emitting a corresponding premonition.

　In short, to the eye(s),(s) were (s) seeing(s) a (s) not(s) offensive(s) and (s) preventing(s) were taking place.

(....that's why my body doesn't move.)

　With the two of them in the center, a strange 'pressure' filled the area around here.

　It's not the kind of 'pressure' that blows you away.

　When you notice it, the pressure is as fleeting as smoke, yet as heavy as steel, as if it could crush you in place.

(I've never felt such 'pressure' before...)

　I wasn't fighting them, but I was desperately trying to keep my spirits up and my mind from pushing me over the edge.

　In my vision, it was as if the air near the two of them was distorted.

　And then.

.....

　Mr. Illtimina's expression changed to one of bitterness.

　Kilt-san didn't change.

　Gulp.

　And then, suddenly, Mr. Illtimina fell to his knees, collapsing in place.

''Ha, ha, ha.''

　Sweat blew out of his beautiful face and raspy breaths leaked out.

　Mr. Kilt drew his great wooden sword and exhaled heavily, "Whew.

　Settlement.

　Apparently, it seemed that the order of battle had been raised to Kirt-san.

(Ah........the air became lighter.)

　My arms and legs also move.

　I quickly ran over to Illtimina-san's bottom.

'Are you okay?'
Yes.

　She smiles and stands up with my help.

　Her forehead is drenched in sweat.

　We were just staring at each other, but it was unusually draining.

'I lost, Kilt,'
Hmm.

　The 'Golden Seal Demon Hunter' nodded hawkishly to Illtimina, who bowed her head.

''I raised my arms, Irna.

　Kilt-san laughed.

　Iltimina chuckles while borrowing my shoulder.

'I can't really feel it when I'm dealing with you.

　Do we lose all the time so we can't make decisions?

(But I know the feeling.)

　Mr. Kilt cowered his shoulders.

'No, it's definitely getting stronger. A few months ago, you would have been uprooted in less than thirty seconds.

　This time, it lasted about three minutes.

　But either way, I hear that Mr. Kilt is supposed to win.

　At that, Illtimina chuckled again.

"They're both getting really strong.

　Looking at us in line, Mr. Kilt muttered with deep emotion.

　Then he nodded widely.

That should not be a problem. I'll ask for a letter of recommendation from the Emperor, via his general.
A letter of recommendation?

　What are we talking about?

No, no, it's nothing.

　Mr. Kilt waved his hand in front of his face.

''Well, you can look forward to it when you return to the Kingdom of Shumuria.
?
?

　Me and Illtimina-san look at each other.

　Looking at us, Kilt-san was alone, just laughing in the blue sky in an amused manner.　


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　After that, we practiced normally, and eventually it was afternoon.

　After a light lunch, we prepared for our audience with His Majesty the Emperor.

　We all took a bath to clean ourselves up and then changed into the costumes that Frederica and the rest of the Dardios family had prepared for us.

(?)

What's with all the dark clothes?

　I mutter to myself as I get dressed, looking at the many costumes laid out in the large room.

　Illtimina, who is helping me dress, tells me.

'It's for mourning.'
'Oh....'　

　The audience we're going to have was also a debriefing session for the results of the great project called 'The Search for the Great Labyrinth', the Arun Divine Kingdom's main body.

　The sacrifice of 300 Arun Knights.

　The sad event is also being reported on.　

　After I finished dressing, Illtimina-san wrapped a black armband around my left arm for the last time.

　It's a mourning badge.

(I see....)

　I close my eyes as I touch them.

　The amount of time I had contact with them was small.

　Maybe Kirto-san and General Dardios were concerned about me, so that I would have less contact with their troops, who were sure to suffer casualties.

　Still, I remember helping them cook out on the tenth level.

　They received the stew I served them with a smile and ate it with relish.

　At the lowest level, he helped me to defeat the 'Tyrant Turtle' (Tyrant Turtle) while being only a soul.

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

　Let's tell them properly.

　To His Majesty, the Emperor of the Arun Divine Kingdom, to whom they were loyal, their courage and strength, firmly.

　All of them changed into their black-colored costumes.

　The ladies even pinned a 'black ribbon' to the left breast of their dresses.

'Alright, let's go.'

　We nodded at the command of our leader, Kirt-san.

　After leaving the mansion, we all rode in a luxurious nobleman's dragon carriage, and headed for an audience with His Majesty the Emperor, who was waiting for us - the emperor's castle.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　After passing through the main streets of the divine imperial city of Astilio, we arrive at the Emperor's Castle.

(It's a gleaming castle, as always.)

　It's like a palace, a beautiful, large castle - we stopped at a checkpoint, had our identities checked, and walked into the parking lot.

　Then we walked into the castle on foot.

　As we walked down the high-ceilinged corridor, with our guide, a lady in the lead, people were looking at us and whispering about what was going on.

'Hey, you're kind of getting a lot of attention, aren't you?'
The heroes are back.

　I was puzzled, but Frederica smiled and told me.

　I see.
　It seems that successfully exploring the Great Maze is quite an accomplishment.

　Then the seven of us were ushered into the waiting room.

　We waited for about 30 minutes.

　After a while.

Oh, you're all here.

　General Dardios joined him in the anteroom.

　He was wearing more ornate armor than usual, and his luxurious cloak seemed to be somewhat difficult to move around in. It's not for actual battle, but apparently, it looks like ceremonial armor.

　Incidentally, Frederica-san, an Arun Knight, is in military uniform.
　Several medals are lined up on her chest and shoulders.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time in the city.

　As it was, we all waited for another fifteen minutes or so while we had a cup of tea together.

　Just when Rapt was starting to get bored.

You are now up for an audience with the Emperor. Ladies and gentlemen, follow me.

　Finally, the call is made.　

　The eight of us move along with the guide.

(Oh, I'm so nervous.)

　As for the arrangements, it seems that the general and Mr. Kilt will still be in charge of the reception.

　But in this audience.

"You will be presented with your 'divine armor' before His Majesty.

　He said.

　Of course, there will be a lot of people there. And that's where I'm going to show off what I've done on this trip.

(I don't like being the center of attention...)

　I want to run.

　Honestly, I feel like it's easier to fight.

(But I can't afford to embarrass everyone, so let's go for it.)

　I looked at the other seven faces and told myself that.

　Then he went to the great door.

'-General Adobald Dardios and the party that trudged through the Great Labyrinth, you have arrived.

　Gorgon.

　With a voice, the heavy door opens in a Kannon opening.

　Beyond that, the audience room spreads out.

　It's a large space that resembles a majestic temple, with many nobles and knights lined up on either side. On the wall in front of us is a huge Arun national flag.

　And on the topmost throne, which looks like a staircase, from our gaze, there is a

...Your Majesty.

　The beautiful, blond-haired, blue-eyed Emperor Azanad Rafen Arnstadt will be here.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　We proceeded on the red carpet.

　Then General Dardios and Mr. Kirto knelt side by side, and behind them, the six of us also fell to our knees, face down.

“--Gentlemen, raise your faces.â

　A beautiful, glossy voice.

　I couldn't help but feel a shiver run down my spine as I buzzed.

　We look up, as His Majesty wants us to.

　Even I, as a man, think she is truly beautiful.

　The King of the Kingdom of Shumuria looked like a warrior, robust and reliable. He's a strong king who protects everyone.

　But Emperor Arun is different.

　His Majesty's neutral face gave him a holy atmosphere, as if he was not a floating man.

　A celestial figure that must not be violated.

　That was my impression of His Majesty Emperor Arun before us.

(If we don't get it together, our minds will be sucked out.)

　If I glanced at them, I could see that General Dardios and Ms. Frederica looked more impressed than I'd ever seen them before.

　I could tell that they were truly enthralled.

'It must have been a long and arduous journey. You've all done very well.

　A soft, labored voice.

'Ha, that's too good to be true, Your Majesty.

　General Dardios falls more deeply into a flat position.

　Then the debriefing began.

　A total of around 800 people had been mobilized for this 'Search for the Great Maze'.

　If you include the backstage work of preparing food and equipment and organizing the remaining knights, the number of people involved was over 1500.

(Yeah, was that so?)

　I am still surprised and shuddering after all this time.

　General Dardios's cheerful voice reports at length.

　It's like a long story from the principal.

　He went on to talk about the manning, the movement and the search, and mentioned the loss of three hundred men.

'It's all my fault,'

　The general said.

'No one could have done it, not even our best general, Adobald Dardios. No one else could have done it. --I am proud of the noble courage of those three hundred knights of Arun who made such a noble sacrifice.

　His Majesty's clear voice.

　A single tear spilled from the general's eyes.

　No, even among the people gathered during the audience, a sobbing voice could be heard.

(Why is that?)　(I want to cry too.)

　Is this the charisma of His Majesty?

　Just hearing his voice was enough to shake my heart.

　It seemed like His Majesty's words would surely make the souls of the three hundred Arun Knights rejoice and rest in peace.

　Unknowingly, they all said a silent, silent prayer.

　There was no signal from anyone. It was just a spontaneous, spontaneous silent prayer for the deceased.

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

　It was a quiet, beautiful time.

　Eventually, like the snow melting in the spring, everyone opened their eyes.

Come on, my dear Adobald. Go on with your tale of heroism.
Ha!

　In response to the Emperor's voice, the General continued his report again.

　The ruins of the Grey Goddess Coalwood.

　The horrible statues of knights and the influx of demons that were inside it, and the sad underground city and people abandoned by the goddess.

　The truth of the Great Labyrinth was told, and all those in the audience room were amazed.

　Finally, the threat of the 'Tyrant Turtle' (Tyrant Turtle).

　He spoke about the being that would have caused immense damage to the Arun Divine Kingdom if it had been on earth, and the being that defeated it.

　The being that defeated it - that is, me.

(Ahh....)

　I have mixed feelings, both proud and embarrassed.

　And the Emperor.

''Ho. So you were able to get your hands on the 'Divine Armor' safely?
Yes, Your Majesty.

　General Dardios nodded his head.

　Then his gaze turns to me, Rapt and Recto Alice.

(Tu, it's finally your turn.)

　Kilt-san and Frederica-san are also glancing at us. Solstice is so self-conscious that she doesn't look at me.

　Illtimina-san next to me is watching me closely.

"Hang in there, Merle.

　Her beautiful crimson eyes were encouraging me to do so.

(Yeah.)

　That gave me courage, and I took a deep breath.

　As I looked at Rapt, Recto Alice and I looked at each other and breathed together, the three of us, the 'Divine Family', stood up in unison and slowly stepped forward.