There's not much I know about the Golden Empire (Imperium).

　When I visited Belka before, I heard a rumor that there was a Golden Empire protected by a ward in the middle of the desert. Another rumor is that beyond the desert, there is an ideal land full of water, greenery, and magic power, which should probably be included in the information on the Golden Empire (Imperium).

　Initially, I didn't take much interest in it because I thought it was a legend that was common in the demonic world.

　But now that I know that this is a mystery that one of Belka's greatest adventurers has pursued all his life, my interest in this desert legend is growing.

　To put it more simply, I was thrilled. To put it simply, I was thrilled to be on the edge of adventure, even though the word "Nora" was on top of it. I have the same interest in mysteries and legends as anyone else.

　It's an inappropriate interest for Katia, who is desperately looking for the whereabouts of the "Silver Star". Since I knew that, I refrained from showing it to my face. However, since their leader, Arrows, was looking for the Golden Empire (Imperium), there's a possibility that this information could be useful in the search for the 'Silver Star'.

　So I asked the sparrows to search for information on the Silver Star while I was conducting a test flight in the Catalan Desert. Incidentally, this also served as a study of the sparrows' characters.

　I also asked Cardinal Saira about it.

　As a result, what has emerged is the shape of a huge empire that existed in the old age - an age even older than the three hundred years ago when humans and demons fought.



　The Imperium is said to have been a superpower that amassed the wealth of the world in the Old Age, and its capital was covered with gold and silver, and its lights never ceased to burn, even at night.

　The prosperity of the empire lasted for a thousand years, and its people indulged in gastronomy and pleasure. Morality and ethics were shunned, and many pleasurable events were held and enjoyed by the people.

　God, lamenting the decadence and decadence of the nation and of mankind, repeatedly called for self-examination, but the voice of God failed to reach those who indulged in vices, and as a result, the golden empire of the Imperium was destroyed by the rain of light that fell from heaven. Buildings crumbled by starfire, the inhabitants were burned to death by sulfur, and the land was reduced to a barren land where not a blade of grass grew for a thousand years..........


　-- and well, this was the legend of the Golden Empire (Imperium) that I had newly learned. Needless to say, the last barren land was the Catalan Desert.

　Most of the material from the old era was lost in the war with the demons three hundred years ago, so there was no way to confirm whether this legend was based on fact or not.

　Well, from my point of view, it's either a fraud or a dreamer's game to bring up the old era.

　It was Cardinal Saira who told me about this legend, but the last part of the story has a temple-like preachiness to it, and that's one of the reasons why I judged it to be an old story. I don't know if the god who destroyed the Golden Empire (the Imperium) was the God of War, the God of Law, or the Mother God of Earth, but if he has the power to turn a country into a desert, I'd like to see him destroy the demon gate as soon as possible.

　Of course, I didn't say such a thing to his face. I don't think he even expressed it. But as expected of the supreme head of the legalistic religion in Belka, the cardinal seemed to have gotten an accurate insight into my inner thoughts.


'Unbelievable,' he said.

Well to be honest with you, yes.


　I frankly admit that there was no point in cheating. When I was bracing myself for a reprimand, as expected, the cardinal continued to speak without a wry smile on his face.


'I can't blame you for thinking so. But Alou believed in this legend. At least it's not a total lie. Not only does he believe it, but so does his father, and I believe it.

'I've heard of Lord Arrow, but is his father also?　And your eminence, too.

I myself was once an adventurer in the desert. Along with my father in Arrows.


　The cardinal narrowed his eyes as if he were thinking of the old days.

　He said.


There are traces of the old days in the Catalan Desert. But there is more to it than that.

Something more than that, sir?

Hmm. It's difficult to understand this unless you've stepped into the desert, but as you go deeper into the desert, you can feel it. There is definitely something here, something beyond our control.


　The higher the rank of the adventurer, the more he is captured by its magnetism. That's what the Cardinal said.

　Alou's father was a typical example of this, and he continued to challenge the desert without regard for his family. Without the admonition of his companion Cardinal Sairala, he finally left the Cardinal and continued his adventures, and finally became a man who did not return.

　Hmmm, I crossed my arms inwardly.

　I guess one of the reasons why White Knight Arrow was so obsessed with the Catalan Desert was because of my father. Aside from that, I thought about the meaning of the cardinal's words.

　I certainly felt something as I stepped deeper into the desert - I tried to apply those words to my experience.

　Then the forest of Titis appeared in my mind. To be more precise, the dragon-hole in the deepest part of Titis came into view.

　At that moment, as I stepped into the deepest part, following Hydra, I sensed that there was something here. Maybe it was a similar feeling that the Cardinal felt.

　If there was a dragon hole in the Catalan Desert, then the possibility that the King of Beasts (Behemoth) was an illusionary species would be raised, which was quite interesting. However, a large amount of magic power (mana) overflowed from the dragon hole in Titis, creating a terrifyingly dense forest. On the other hand, here, a desert without a single blade of grass grew.

　After thinking that far, I gave a small shake of my head to stop myself from thinking.

　I shouldn't do this. Drawing conclusions by piling assumptions on top of assumptions is a bad idea. The reins of my mind, which had been running ahead of me, were tightened.

　If there really is a dragon-hole deep in the desert, then I'll be able to sense something about it. It shouldn't be too late to make an inference then.


◆ ◆ ◆


　At first, our base of operations in Belka was the inn where we used to stay.

　But now we've pulled out of the inn and moved into the Temple of Law. This was on the expectation that if the dragon slayer's presence is obeyed, visitors of all ranks will flock to the temple.

　In fact, since the other day, there has been an incessant stream of such visitors and invitations. As expected of a legalistic religion, or perhaps it should be called a legalistic religion, but for the most part, I'm grateful that the cardinal blocks them off.

　Incidentally, I also received a letter from "The Desert Eagle". The contents of the letter can be roughly summarized as, "We would love to meet you once. Depending on what you have to say, we would be happy to assist you in your search for the King of Beasts (Behemoth) and the Silver Star.

　I'm not going to take this statement for granted, but it seems that the Desert Eagle has no intention of antagonizing me, no questions asked.

　I've also spoken briefly with the other survivors of the "Silver Star" besides Katia. They're thinking about reviving the Silver Star, especially the younger members, and they're pleased to hear that it's unexpectedly lucky to have the Dragon Slayer as their backer.

　It seems that they have quickly come to the conclusion that cooperation with Katia means cooperation with the Silver Star (Jibun-tachi). When I refused to help you, he complained to me verbally that he had no intention of helping you, but yeah, I don't care.

　I don't want to do any extra work now that I have so much to do.

　So, I headed to the training ground with Lunamaria on the night of the day I returned from the test flight to take care of one of the 'things to do'. The place is usually used by priest-warriors, but it was already dark and there were no other users in sight.

　Why did I bring Lunamaria with me, it was to practice fighting the 'Illusionary Itto-ryu' that we had talked about the other day.

　Tomorrow we'll be heading to the desert so we can't practice in earnest, but we should make good use of the free time we have. Besides, it was also a way to show that I had a promise to keep.

　So I borrowed a wooden sword from the temple and faced Lunamaria for half an hour (an hour). In front of me was a sweaty, breathing elf, a demon man (sparrow) and a human (Ilaria) slumped in front of me - the reason for the increase of two people is because they requested to join us on the way.


''Well then, since there's more to come tomorrow, I guess we'll leave it at that for today.




　A voice emanates from the elven wise man's mouth, a voice with a strength I've never heard before. The current Lunamaria was dressed in her practice leggings (trousers), barely standing with her hands on her knees. She gasps and gasps, and if you look closely, you can see that her legs are also trembling.

　--Okay, did I go a little too far?　I don't think there was any trauma, but I could have had a bruise or two because I poked and prodded with the tip of my wooden sword and made my feet crawl on the ground.

　I could have been more tame, but that wouldn't be practice. It's because Lunamaria has experience fighting Klimt that she needed to put some serious effort into it.

　Well, as far as I can see, although Lunamaria is exhausted, she does not have any complaints about the practice itself, so it's good.

　It's a good thing that you're not the only one.

　This one, too, is wearing the same leggings as Lunamaria, and the way she is chirping and whimpering is no different. However, the reason why there are fewer stains on the clothes than Lunamaria is because - yes, I was holding back.

　I didn't give a d*mn about such inner feelings, but I spoke to the sparrow with admiration.


I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. I knew you were studying magic and building up your strength, but did you also train in body arts?



Yeah, sure. Yeah.


　I looked at the sparrow who was talking under her breath and nodded in a panic. I should have waited until he had caught his breath to ask a question.

　The last one, Ilaria, is on one knee, unable to stand anymore. My body is trembling because my fist, which I fired at the end of the practice, felt really good and went into my groin.

　While I was fighting Suzume and Lunamaria at the same time, she threw a full-body spinning kick in the air, and I counter-attacked her.

　The pain has finally subsided, and Ilaria slowly opened her mouth.


''The martial art you use - I think it's called jinjutsu, or Keigi. Is it something that can only be used by people of your school?

No, the jin (勁) is, in essence, an individual's magic power (ADO). It's not just a matter of time before you find yourself in a situation where you can't get a job. It's a good idea to use it, even if you don't have anything to do with the Ittoyo Itto style.


　The higher-level power techniques require a tremendous amount of magical power, making it impossible for those who have not yet mastered the mind attire to activate it. However, that's not the case with rudimentary power techniques (Keigi).

　As he responded, a strong light flashed in Iria's eyes.


''If I can learn the jade technique from you, I can practice a little more decently if I can learn the jade technique from you. Can I assume that?

''Well, you see. In addition to the power technique, I'm sure you're not aware of the effectiveness of any other takedown martial art.


　I shrugged at that.

　I knew what Ilaria was trying to say, and what the other two were asking for, albeit modestly. But I wasn't going to nod my head at that.

　After all, I was using my own style of jujutsu until just recently. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new pair of shoes.

　To begin with, in order for the power of the power technique of the Illusory Itto-Ryu, the manifestation of the same source of existence (anima) is essential in order for it to be able to exert sufficient power. Even if Iria and Lunamaria were to cultivate the jade technique, they would not be able to see a marked improvement in their abilities.

　The only possibility for the demon sparrow is this - Illusory Itto-Ryu is a martial art that is not to be found outside the gate, and the power technique is one of its basics. If the onijin learned that the demon man had practiced the Illusory Itto- style, it would be clearer to see what would happen to Onigashima than to the fire.

　It's not a good idea to give them an excuse, even if they will eventually turn against you.

　--It's a different story if the day comes when Suzume herself really wants to do so.

　I was thinking about this as I looked at the exhausted trio.