Five days after leaving the divine imperial city of Astilio, we arrived in the Cocudo district and saw a strange scene from the window of the airship.

''.......What's that?''

　A huge rock was floating in the sky.

　It is a huge egg-like rock, 300 meters in diameter and 700 meters long, floating in the air, connected to the ground by thick chains.

　There are green plants growing on the rock surface.

　It looks like a floating island.

　A number of huge wedges were shot into the hard rock, and the chains connected to it extended to the ground, where there was a circular, sturdy-looking building - the defense fort of the Cocudo area.

''It looks like ... like a floating stone.''

　Solstice muttered.

　I've seen them used before on a sand ship in the Kerra Desert, but they weren't of this unusual size.

　Not only us, but Kilt-san and Illtimina-san are also surprised.

(Ah.....)

　Numerous red light letters flowed across the surface of the rock surface.

　Divine letters.

　The same phenomenon that had been seen on the walls of the Great Labyrinth was happening here as well.

''What a huge 'divine art'?　I don't think I've ever seen a composition of such density.

　Recto Alice's exclamation.

(Then I knew it........)

　I stared at the huge rock.

　I noticed that apart from the flowing red light, a purple light, like a haze, was leaking from the surface of the huge rock.

　Boom!

　My heart leaps.

　The emotions of the Godgu arcane arcane appeals for strong vigilance, while at the same time burning with intense hostility.

　Aura of darkness.

　Demonic magic.

　When the red divine letter touches it, the purple light disappears.
　However, if the red light passed by, it would resurrect its devastating glow again.

　That's the proof that an unseen dark power is spewing out, and that's why we can have faith in it.

"So this is really where the 'devil' is sealed, isn't it?

　I muttered in a low voice.

　Everyone else fell silent and stared at the huge rock.

　Four hundred years ago, the ancient demon that tried to lead the world to ruin is enclosed here.

''Ha, I can't stop shaking.

　That raptor says while holding his trembling left arm tightly with his right hand.

　He had experienced the Divine Demon War, and he has seen the threat of real demons. That's why it was like his heart was screaming fear when he remembered those days.

　Recto Alice also has a hard expression on her face.

''Hm. Don't be mistaken, everyone. The beings you're dealing with aren't the ones in this rock, are they?

　Mr. Kilt, who noticed us, tells us so.

(Hmm, it was.)

　The strange scene and the presence of the enemy was so strange that I almost made a mistake.

　The enemy was 30,000 demons and the God Blood Order Nakes.

　And the forces of the 'Son of Darkness'.

　Although it wasn't as easy as the existence inside the giant rock, I could still feel the hope of victory.

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

　Once again, I looked up at the huge rock.

　There was a crushing pressure and an instinctive sense of death, a 'something' that felt like it was about to be crushed.

　We can't win.

　At least, we don't have a one percent chance now.

　I can see that.

(..............This is the 'Devil', huh?

　The airship entered the shadow of the huge rock and suddenly the surroundings darkened.

　Yet my blue eyes continued to stare at the sealed rock.

　--The airship eventually landed at the defense fort in the Cocudo area.


　◇ ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇


　The two airships drop their wheels to the takeoff and landing field in the central portion of the circularly built defensive fort.

　Gogon.

　There was a vibration, and soon the people on the ground would moor us up with chains.

　We carried our bags and got out of the airship.

(Huh ... this is a defense fort?)

The defensive fort defending the Land of the Seals was a rude, unadorned building.

　Pragmatism.
　That's why there is a unique sense of tension.

　The soldiers in line to greet you all have a stern look on their faces.

　Since they were soldiers guarding a place of state secrets, I thought that they must be more elite than ordinary soldiers, who were trained both physically and mentally.　

　Zah.

　Especially when His Majesty the Emperor showed up, all the soldiers saluted without any disturbance at all.

　Some of the soldiers were even crying while saluting.

(Soooo, great charisma........)

　I'm a bit stunned.

　We were led to the war room built inside the fort.

　The room was divided by a combination of me, Illtimina-san, Kilt-san and Solstice, and Rapt, Recto Alice and Frederica-san.

　We walked down the stone corridor and arrived at our rooms.

''It's so small!''

　Solstice yelped.

　Yeah, it was just a room with two bunk beds and one window, and the rest of the room was just space for one person to pass through.

(This........where should I put my stuff?)

'Merle can sleep with me, so we'll make one bunk and a luggage area.
Yes, that's true.

　The two adults nodded to each other.

　.........Well, don't you ask my opinion?

　Then I put away my stuff, and I was called into another room, just me and Kirt-san.

　I heard that the captain's class people are gathering for a meeting.

It would be good for you to show your face too.
Uh-huh.

　It takes a bit of courage for me, a child, to go to a gathering of adults, but I have no choice, so I'll do my best.

　As I was walking down the aisle, I met Rapt and Recto Alice, accompanied by Frederica.

　It looks like the three of them will be attending the meeting as well.

(It's reassuring to know so many people.)

　I was a little relieved.

　Soon, I was led to a conference room-like place.

　The people inside were all strong-looking soldiers. I could feel the 'pressure' from all of them, so I figured that they were all extremely skilled people after all.

　Several female captains, including Frederica, could be seen as well.

　The person who would be facilitating the meeting was, after all, Arun's strongest general, Adobald Dardios himself.

　When everyone had gathered.

"This is Kirto Amandes, the Golden Marker demon hunter of the Kingdom of Shumuria. He has agreed to fight for us in this war.

　The General introduced Mr. Kilt so.

　There was a small thud at the moment.

　Apparently everyone knew the name of the woman who had defeated General Dardios in a single combat seven years ago.
　Awe and surprise gazes focused on her.

''Best regards,''

　As if he was used to that kind of look from people, Mr. Kilt greeted him with a clear, clear voice.

　Then.

''And these three are the 'Divine Attendants', Marl, Rapt, and Lectoris. These three divine messengers will also participate in this battle as allies of our Arun Divine Kingdom.

　They indicate the three of us and introduce us as such.

　All eyes are on us at once.

"Yo, nice to meet you.

　pecking order

　Nervously, I lower my head.

　But Rapt and Recto Alice didn't intend to be lower than humans, so they didn't bow their heads like I did, but instead passed their gaze with a cool face.

(Ah.....................This feels like I'm the only one who looked bad, right?

　Cursing.

　I sit down in my seat, dejectedly.

　Kilts-san laughs and pats me on the back.

'These men will basically be a free army,' he said, 'and they will be free to move about freely on the battlefield. They will be free to move freely on the battlefield. Please keep that in mind, too.

　Everyone nodded at the general's words.

　Then he explained, using a diorama of the area around the Cocudo district built in front.

'According to the news from the watchtower, the Divine Blood Cult Nekes are heading towards us from the south of the fort. The number of demons they are believed to be using is approximately 30,000.

　There was no agitation on everyone's face, as if the report had already been given.

　The general then goes on to explain the point of interception, the composition of that unit, its placement, and other details.

　Somehow, here's what I understood.

　First, the basics are defensive warfare.

　The first shot is with the fort's artillery.

　In a white army battle, the infantry troops stop the enemy, and from the rear, long range troops with bows and arrows, magic, etc. attack.

　Then, the cavalry chases them from the flanks.

　Also, the priority is not to aim at the demons, but rather the magicians who use the demons of the Divine Blood Cult Nakes.

　Incidentally, this is because from our information obtained in the spirit world, it has been confirmed that if the surgeon is defeated, the demon's control over them will be released.

(I hope this helped a little.)

　I didn't expect all the hard work in that spiritual world to be rewarded in this way.

　And we are, as the General said earlier, free to act on that battlefield.

　But we weren't really free.

　We can't make it public, but if the Children of the Darkness or the Tattooed People are there, we have been given the task of defeating them.

　If they are there, it would be easy to overturn the game.

　It's our job to prevent that from happening.

It's a big responsibility.

　The fear is there.

　But I was determined that it was something we had to do. The divine arcane arcane in me is also a fierce fighter.

(Yeah, let's go for it!)

　I clench my right hand tightly.

　That's how today's meeting ended.

　There are currently 5,000 soldiers in the fort.

　The plan is for another 30,000 to come in 10 days.

　But the demons will be here in ten days at the earliest.

　If that were to happen, they would have to fight with 5,000 men, and they had a plan for that, as well as a plan for the army. Of course, a case with 35,000 men was also considered.

　Resourcefulness.

　The general would be the one to handle that.

(Come to think of it, I remember Kirt saying that before.)

　He said that General Dardios's true value is best demonstrated in group battles, not individual combat power.

　That's reliable.

　But in this battle, General Dardios and Frederica will not be leading their own units, so they won't be fighting alongside us.
　That's a pity.

''But on the same battlefield, I'm also fighting alongside Mahr-dono.

　Frederica-san said with her hot eyes and voice while holding my hand.

　.......Yes.

''Yes. We'll do our best together, Frederica-san.
"Ah, Lord Merle.

　We were laughing at each other.

　Incidentally, there was also an act where Illtimina-san, who had come to pick us up outside the room, saw us and pulled us away in a hurry.

'You're not at all careless or careless, are you?
What are you talking about?

　whipping

　Sparks flying and sisters glaring at each other for some reason.

　Um, get along, get along, right?

We're in this fight together.

　I was a little shaken up.

　And so the day went on.

　Fortunately, 30,000 soldiers arrived first.

　Thank goodness.
　There is one thing we can do in our favor.

　It was exactly on the tenth day, as originally planned.

　Gah, geez, geez....

　The defensive fort, which had become more crowded with more people, was occasionally filled with loud, dull metallic sounds.

　Floating in the sky above, a huge sealing rock.

　It's creaking violently as it's swept away by the wind, held back by the chains that hold it together here.

'It's noisy again tonight,'

　Solstice, lying on the bed in the army room that night, muttered.

　Yup.
　But I've gotten used to it lately.

　While being held in Illtimina-san's arms and being stroked on my head, I think like that.

''Hmm........''

　Suddenly, Mr. Quilt raised himself from the bed.

(Hmm?)

　She looks out the window, her rich silver hair swinging and glistening in the moonlight.

'A quilt?'
How can I help you?

　The sisters ask.

　Mr. Kilt said shortly, with a distant look in his eyes.

'The decisive battle may be to-morrow.

　Huh?
　It's possible that

Is that what the demon princess thought?
Yes.

　She laughed at my words.

'I think the wind is more ruffled than usual tonight. Perhaps the demons will come tomorrow.
..........
..........
..........
We'll all go home alive.

　With his back to the moonlight, the 'Golden Seal Demon Hunter' said that while looking at us.

''Yes,''
Yes, sir.
Of course.

　We nodded.

　Mr. Kilt smiled with satisfaction at that.

　Then night fell and morning came.

　Kilto's prediction came true, and the next day, with the morning sun, an army of 30,000 demons appeared beyond the horizon.