Ayaka Azurite.

　Giken Laguna.

　Ursula Utgarza.

　KUMON Festival.

　Sydney Sky Sheep.

　Cryer Berch.

　And Klimt Berch.


　These are the names of the seven men who are honored as the Golden Generation in Onigashima, and at the same time, it is a table showing the pecking order of the Golden Generation.

　Much to Klimt's chagrin, Klimt was the seventh of the seven.

　It's not that Klimt alone was particularly inferior. Objectively speaking, Klimt was excellent and his mind armor was powerful. His achievements since he was assigned to the Eight Blue Lined Banner were also outstanding, as evidenced by his seventh place ranking in the seventh flag.

　The reason why Klimt was at the bottom of the table was because the other six were even better than Klimt.

　Aside from Ayaka and Laguna, who are certain to be promoted to vice commander in a few years, Sai, Sydney, and her sister Crya are also better than Klimt in the seating order.

　Ursula's order of seating is still the tenth, but the first flag she belongs to is the most elite unit under the direct control of the head of the family, and it is an out-of-human demon world where the senior class of the other squadrons are flatbearers. Klimt understood what it meant to worship the tenth rank there.

　Klimt had a sense of camaraderie with his peers, but he had a stronger sense of rivalry than that. Even if difficulties arose, he had no intention of relying on them unless there was something very wrong.

　However, this one incident, in which his sister Cryer was taken prisoner, was a "good thing" for Klimt. He can't just sit back and watch the situation unfold, even though his brother Diarte had kicked him in the foot in public.

　So, Klimt decided to bow to his peers with a sense of shame.

　Not to mention Laguna of the Goken sect, the Nine Gates family of the Festival (Sai) is a famous Onigashima family with a three-hundred year history, and the Sky Sheep family of Sydney as well. The Azurite family is renowned as one of the most famous families in the Empire. The Azurite family is one of the most prestigious families in the Empire.

　Klimt's first stop was Sydney Sky Sheep. The reason was simple: Sidney was the most genial and amiable of the Golden Age.

　The Skysheep family was deprived of their position as priests by Gilmore, and they are sometimes on good terms with the Berch family, but Klimt couldn't help but choose his own means. But Klimt can't afford to worry about the eyes of his parents' (Berch) family now. In order to save his sister, Klimt was prepared to get down on his knees and do anything to save his sister.

　-- but the petite peer, who was told of his resolve, laughed with a huff and then shook his soft golden hair from side to side.


'You don't have to do that, you know. She's a sister to you, and a friend to me. There's no reason not to lend a helping hand. Well, it will take a bit of a bone to convince your grandfather to do it.

I'm sorry, Sydney.

'Klimt. Would you like me to say 'thank you' instead of 'I'm sorry' there?


　She had shoulder-length golden hair and blue eyes. Sidney, whose mother was an imperial aristocrat, had inherited the aristocratic look of blond hair and blue eyes, just like Laguna, but the impression he got from that was the exact opposite.

　Unlike Laguna, who had the dignity of an aristocrat at a young age and often looked older than his actual age, Sidney often looked younger than his actual age.

　It was normal to look two or three years younger than Klimt and his peers, and sometimes even younger than that. Also, he was often mistaken for a man of the same gender, partly because of his neutral voice.

　It's not uncommon for a person to be mistaken for a female because of the neutrality of her voice, and because she sometimes acted as a female, the theory of Sydney's being a female is believed by a good percentage of the blue-linen banners.

　Anyway, Sidney promised Klimt that she would help him, and as she said, she called on her fellow classmates to help her rescue Cryer.

　In response to this, the Kumon Festival openly rejects the idea.


"Don't do it, don't do it. Don't do it! If you make a wrong move now, you'll cause more problems than you can handle.


　Sae, the younger brother of the second-ranked first-ranked Shukuya of the first flag, rebuffed Klimt's entreaties with a sarcastic expression on his brother's same shallow black face, the exact opposite of his brother's.


You can't meddle in what your brother decides to do, this time you won't just get your head stepped on, Klimt. You're not allowed to go to your parents' house (Berch) anyway, right?　If you save Cryer's life, you'll only disown him.


　That's why I'm going to tell you to keep your head down and not to do anything else," the priest told him in a cumbersome manner. I'm not going to be able to get into it," he said.


I'm sure you've got the wrong person holding Cryer, right?　There's no way that coward is going to go against Mikado-sama.


　When Sydney heard that, she raised her eyebrows in annoyance.


I don't mean to sound like a coward, but I don't think Sora would disobey Gokan-sama either. But sai. Sora cut down Klimt and Shima (Goz). I guess we should consider him a different person than the old Sora, both in terms of strength and personality.

As far as I'm concerned, I'm wondering if the two of them were really cut by the sky in the first place.


　With that, the festival took one look at Klimt, who was silent.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.


"Do you think I'm lying?

'Klimt, put yourself in the opposite position. When I went out of the island, met Sora for the first time in five years, and came back after being beaten to a pulp - when I reported that to Mikan-sama, would you believe it?　Can you believe it?

...it's

Unbelievable. Most people think they're up to something. At the very least, you two are in an awkward position in an awkward family called Belhi. It's not surprising that they're trying to pull off a comeback and play a game of charades with Shima to get out of the sky--that's what you'd think. In fact, the Shishu (Gilmore) said something similar to Shima (Goz), right?


　It's a good idea to have a good time with your friends.

　Of course, he doesn't seriously suspect that Klimt is the one who gave them the sky.

　It's just that it's possible to see it that way. If this is the case, then there will be people like Gilmore who will use this as a means of ostracizing others.

　Even though it is a favor from your peers, you cannot nod your head lightly as a member of the Kumon family.


And besides. I'm not sure if Klimt's story is true, but that guy in the sky didn't kill Klimt or Shima in the end. As for Cryer, he didn't even kill him. I'm sure the root of the matter hasn't changed.


　If the Festival was serious about negotiating with the Gokensha, he would have one of Goz or Klimt fired and brought back, and some of Cryer's fingers would be smashed and cut off as bargaining chips. It's hard to believe that someone who can't do that much would harm a hostage.

　The first thing he said at the beginning, "Don't do anything unnecessary and stay quiet" was unmistakably the true intention of the Festival.

　When Sydney heard the festival's direct and honest opinion, she had a difficult time thinking about it. His opinion was wild, but it was not wrong.

　If the head of the family, Shikibu, is working on a similar idea to the Festival, then what Klimt and Sidney are trying to do would be counterproductive.

　--It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you can't help but move on. When Sidney twisted his head around to see what was going on, he said, "What's going on?


'You're talking a lot of stuff,'


　The one who appeared with such a voice was Miken Laguna. Behind him was also the figure of Ayaka Azurite.

　When Sydney was surprised by the timing of the event, Laguna shrugged his shoulders.


'It's not a coincidence. I came here looking for Klimt.'

Me?　What do you mean?


　When Klimt tensed up, wondering if he had come here to rebuke yesterday's disrespect on the master's orders, Laguna said it was nothing.


Father has given us permission to move the four flags to rescue Crya. We can't leave the island, of course, but you can calm yourself down with this, Klimt.

What?


　Klimt exclaimed in surprise. Laguna's words were completely unexpected to Klimt.

　Like Jijinbo, most of the blue-linen banners operating off the island belonged to the fourth flag. Laguna says that he will mobilize his troops to rescue Cryia.

　Although the fourth flag is often underestimated by the other eight flags, it is still one of the eight flags. No matter how much Laguna was the legitimate son of the sect, he couldn't move it easily. Moreover, Klimt has not yet said anything to Laguna.

　What this shows is that Laguna had begun to act to rescue Cryer regardless of Klimt's wishes. Perhaps he had been working since yesterday.

　Klimt thanked Laguna while being at a loss for words.


''Well Laguna, well, I'm sorry--no, thank you.''


　Following Klimt, Sidney bowed lightly.


'Thank you, Laguna, from me as well. Thank you.

It's not a thank you, it's a way to help your peers.


　The coolness with which he responded certainly showed the graciousness of one who stands above others.

　And then there was the one who attempted to claw at Laguna's poised appearance. It's Sai.


"To help out your peers, huh?　You were so distraught yesterday when you heard that your classmate was alive and well, weren't you, Laguna?

"...the one you thought was dead is alive. It's amazing.

I'm surprised, huh?　He looked impatient in my eyes, though. I'm worried that my former fiancé will show up and take away my beloved Azurite--Fuga!


　The Golden Generation knows that Laguna, who is always calm and collected, bares his emotions when it comes to his brother (Sora).

　The words of Sai, who was gloating at that point to break Laguna's clear face, were abruptly interrupted.

　The white cilium was pinching his cheeks as hard as it could.

　It was the work of Ayaka, who had somehow moved to the back of the festival.


''Sai?　Is this a mouthful of disrespect to Laguna for all the hard work he did for his friends?

Ow, ow, ow, ow!

It's pinching. It's supposed to hurt. Look, what do you have to say to Laguna?

'I'm sorry, I'm sorry!　It was a bit of a mischievous joke, I'm sorry!

'Ayaka, stop it. If it continues like this, the cheekbones of the festival will be hanging down. From now on, it's a pain in the ass to hold back your laughter every time you see it.


　With Laguna's restraint, Ayaka let go of Sai's cheek.

　She put her hand on the reddened cheek and complained.


Oh, it hurts. You're still very stupid. I mean, when did you get behind me?　I didn't see that at all.

'I was next to you and I couldn't see you either. Looks like Maihime is getting faster and faster.


　Sydney nodded in admiration and Ayaka, hearing this, responded happily.


'On that note, Sidney is getting cuter and cuter. The rumors of the Siren, who has been captivating the banners of the Six Banners, are echoing all over the world.　Last time we met, Ursula said she wanted to hear you sing for the first time in a long time.


　Ayaka said and shook her head ruefully.


''I'm hiding in the demon gate right now, though, so my wishes won't come true. Yes, when Ursula and Crya return, we should all get together and have a tea party.''

I'm looking forward to it. I'd love to be invited to join you - by the way, from what you've told me, you're pretty sure you're going to get Cryer back safely.

'Sora told me not to mess with the demon man if I wanted Cryer to return safely. Gokan-sama said that if Sora's power was true, he would be willing to leave the demon man in charge. Since their demands will be met, there's no reason for Sora to hurt Crya.


　Sidney nodded his head inwardly when he heard that. She felt uncomfortable with Ayaka's tone of voice, as if she was telling the obvious truth.

　Shikibu's words meant that if the story of Sora's single-handedly avenging the illusory species was true, then he could leave the demon man's treatment to him.

　Of course, Sidney is not suspicious of Goz and Klimt. It's not that I'm doubting them, but that doesn't mean I believe in them a hundred percent.

　Even more so because I know the Gokensora of five years ago and the Gokensora before that.

　But Ayaka, who knows the same thing, does not seem to believe and doubt the reports of Goz and the others. No, this was more of a "knowing" thing to say than a "believing" thing, it seemed to Sidney.

　And then, as if to interrupt Sidney's thoughts, the sound of a bell rang out from the west.

　First one, hard. Then three in small increments.

　Coded so as not to alarm the inhabitants, it was a signal that a demon was approaching from the west direction. In addition, normal raids would be handled by the respective units without the need to ring the bell. The reason why this bell was used was so that troops who for some reason were lacking in defensive forces could request reinforcements from the flagmen of other units.


'West, so that means the eighth flag. There's a lot of new recruits there. I'm sure you'll have a lot of trouble dealing with three groups, including a large one. Everyone, let's head out as soon as possible.

Yes, sir.

You are a pain in the ass.

Okay.　


　Sidney, Sai, and Klimt responded to Laguna's words, in that order.

　Speaking of Ayaka, she was already preparing to pull out her mind-suit.


''--shinso excitation (reiki).


　A bright scarlet sword appeared in response. Its sword's peak was in the shape of a bird with its wings spread. Gripping the hilt with both hands, Ayaka moved to draw the sword.


''Flap your wings, Carla!


　As soon as Ayaka shouted, those present heard the flapping of the phoenix's wings.

　The next moment, two swords were in Ayaka's hands. Ayaka's body, which held two pairs of heart-dressing swords that resembled wings on either side, floated softly in the air and remained stationary in the air.

　It was not a leap using jingo. Nor is it levitation in the air. He is a natural talent who can fly or fly through the air if he wishes. An even rarer type of flight among the rare mind-armor users - that was the ability of Ayaka Azurite's mind-armor Carla.


''I'll go ahead.


　As soon as she called out to her peers, Ayaka flew through the air like a saya and headed towards the west wall.

　When Ayaka disappeared from sight almost instantly, she held up her hands as if she had no idea what to do with them.


''It's still a joke of an ability. The sword arm alone is troublesome, but to be able to attack from the air as you please, there is no way you can beat that thing.

'Don't blame me. You know it's powerful and therefore difficult to control. It can only be handled by Ayaka. We'll use the leg you got from our parents.

Yeah, yeah. Don't take it easy, Klimt, okay?　The empty ones must have broken your bones.

He's long gone. Don't worry about it.

Look, you two, I'm going to leave you two chattering away.


　While each of them spoke as they pleased, the four members of the golden generation activated their juju at exactly the same time and kicked the ground.

　As if the four of them couldn't bear the pressure of their power, the ground creaked greatly.





　The demon that approached Hiiragiuto on this day was the Coral Worm.

　As its name suggests, it was a coral-colored long worm, or in other words, a snake, on the outside. However, it has no scales, and its face is shaped like a mouth, which is specially designed for its long subterranean life, so it is more like an earthworm than a snake in reality.

　Off-island coral worms can only grow up to about two meters at most, and since they live deep in the ground, they rarely come out to the public.

　However, the Onigashima species, under the spell of the demon's gate, can grow up to five meters or more, and they appear on the ground in search of food.

　Worms, like wyverns, are considered to be members of the dragon family and possess powerful regenerative abilities. Because of this, it was not easy for even a blue-linen bannerman to defeat a large worm, let alone a small larvae. After all, it would not stop moving, whether it wanted to burn its body, freeze it, or cut it in half.

　Therefore, it would take several mind-dressers to defeat the large coral worm.

　However, on this day, there was no need for that. The reason was that Ayaka Azurite had buried all the large ones by herself.

　The worms slashed by Ayaka's mind gear did not activate their regeneration abilities and died easily compared to the usual reluctance.

　Of course, this was due to the ability of Ayaka's mind-dressing.

　Carla is a spirit bird that flew through the skies of the gods and is the natural enemy of all dragons.

　It is the name of a dragon eater, a dragon eater who has eaten dragons that have turned against people.