A few days passed.....

　The Inferno defeating team was in the forest.
　A forest in a certain section of human territory.

　The chain of trees was large and deep, and they proceeded along an unreliable beast path that stretched between them.
　The inside of the forest was tranquil and did not rub against the shadows of people such as hunters and soma people.
　The sounds of wild birds in the distance only stimulate the ears at best.

''........Is there really a Dristmegian in a place like this?''

　Ida asks, numbly.

　Ida, who has gained a reputation as the Four Heavenly Kings, has been keeping a low profile to avoid trouble, and it seems to have caused him a lot of stress.

There's no sign of anyone at all," he said. It's true that he's being pursued, but even if he were to go into hiding, it would be better than that...
If you have a problem with that, you can leave.

　It was Selmet who retorted sharply.
　She was the field officer in charge of the intelligence network that was secretly set up in the human territory.

　Why she was accompanying him was at Dariel's instruction.

　Since there was still some concern about the movements of Ida, who had previously caused a fiasco, it was with the utmost consideration that Selmet, who could make full use of all the information, was assigned to support her.

　There is nothing we can do about it if it gets us into trouble.

　However, thanks to our concern, there was no major disturbance. The Ida of "Heaven and Earth" and her companions were originally able to penetrate deep into enemy territory.
　That might be a problem....

　The party in progress was led by Ida from "Heaven and Earth" and her assistant, Valhalla's Apostle Estelica, who accompanied her.
　The four heavenly kings of the day, Droyer of "Iodine" and Zebiantes of "Huafu", who were forcibly asked to move on.

　It's simply a warrior force that can easily destroy a city.

　The feelings of Selmet, who serves as their guide, are mixed.

''In the first place!　Why should I support you people?　I hate you guys!
You're a woman who isn't afraid of her superiors, aren't you?

　Although it was a mix of old and new, the other party was the Four Heavenly Kings who stood at the top of the Demon King's army.
　It's not someone that Selmet, who is only an agent, can lose his courtesy, and at the very least he needs to be respectful.
　Even so, he still says what he wants to say without regard to the matter.

''I am!　I'm sick and tired of my home country.　The Four Heavenly Kings are all incompetent!　We're not going to make use of any of the information we've risked our lives to acquire!

　For an agent who infiltrates enemy territory, hiding his identity and lying while his mind is worn out, there is nothing more empty and infuriating than this.

"I babysit you and your friends all the time, under Lady Dariel's orders!　Dariel, whom we should really be serving, tells us to do so, so we have no choice!　Don't forget I'm showing you around!
I'm sorry.
''Kugikku!''

　Selmet choked on the apology that came back without a moment's delay.

''It's all like you said. We are not competent enough. If you call us incompetent, I can only say that you're right.''

　It was Droyer, the current Four Heavenly Kings, who said in penitence, "I'm sorry.
　He took the outbursts that would normally be forgiven for being rude to him seriously.

That's why we must change. That's why we must change. With that, we will return to the standard of the previous Four Heavenly Kings, which was normal. ...I want you to cooperate with me.
What...?
Dariel told me about your intelligence work. I value everything he says.

　If it was Droyer's position, he could have put all the blame on Bashbursa and got away with it.
　The severity of his self for not doing so.

''Well, when you say that much,''

　The other party has no choice but to settle the hostility.

'You can trust them a little. There are a few things to look at in our generation, like Droyer's seriousness and Bezellia's harmony, too.''
Thank you.
'But don't forget!　Only the biggest reason is that Master Dariel told me to do it!　Dariel-sama's wishes are paramount, you know!

　Dariel had instructed me that the intelligence network controlled by Selmet would continue to cooperate with the Four Heavenly Kings from now on.
　In a sense, it's just a return to normalcy.

''Hey, hey, hey,''

　We've just gotten the story out of the way, but Zebiantes intervenes.

'What's so good about me?
What?
'You've made good points about both Droyer and Bezelia, so it would be perfect to mention me as well. Feel free to praise them.
Shut up!　Hey, I don't have anything nice about you!

　It was Selmet who couldn't contain his verbal knife.

As much noise as it makes.

　Ida, who should be the oldest, sighed.

'But what is Inferno going to do, hiding out in a place like this?

　Estelica, standing in line next to me, says.

''This is a forbidden area of human territory called 'Orochi no Mori'. Because dangerous monsters live here, the entry of ordinary people is restricted. That's why it might be convenient for hiding out, but...''
There's someone here who knows what to do.
'I'm a human by nature...'

　The human race intermingled among the demon race.
　Normally this would be strange, but any insane thing could happen when Dariel was involved, and Selmet himself didn't care since he was an alien race that sneaked into human territory.

'As a matter of fact, I intercepted information that that red cloak is here. From the Center Guild.
From the Center Guild?

　Selmet is a spy.
　There is no reason for him to overhear the public information that the Center Guild is transmitting to various places.

''About three days ago, that red cape appeared in the Center Guild's special prison.
"Special prison?　It's a facility dedicated to the incarceration of people with aura abilities, isn't it?
You really know your stuff. The special prison they raided was a total loss, especially the prisoners.

　We are all silent at the wretched report.
　After a few seconds of silence........

''I know because I've seen that red cloak in person too. No one else could have done such a terrible thing but him. You can't understand his abnormality unless you see it in person.
I see. But with that kind of information, wouldn't it be better to head to this particular prison?　What's the point of hanging out in the woods like this?

　Selmet didn't flinch at Ida's protests.

'The killer can't stay at the scene of the crime forever,' he said. There's no point in running to the site of the escape. I've got more important information to share with you.
"Newsworthy information?
The survivor of the raid on the Special Prison heard about it. The attacker, the Red Cloak, had a conversation with his comrades, and they discussed going to the 'grated forest'.
So this is where...

　I look around at the dense trees around me.

The Center Guild is busy trying to rope the attacker in. Thanks to that, we were able to overhear the situation as it flitted through the various guilds. If we really wanted to catch the Red Cloak, wouldn't it be more efficient to get ahead of where we're headed?
Okay, I understand the situation.

　Ida made her way through the dense forest.

''But are there any survivors left after the Drismegian attack?　And conveniently eavesdropping?　It's like too much talk...?

　Beyond mumbling to himself, he encountered some people.

　The information they used as a clue in the first place emanated from the Center Guild.
　It was Inferno, who had finally caused clear and immense damage to the Center Guild by destroying the special prison.

　The Center Guild would be pursuing the culprit with all its might.

　It's not hard to imagine that they're turning their attention to the Oroshi-no-Mori (Oroshi Forest), where they are believed to be on the run.
　And the ones who will be in charge of the chase are the elite among the elite who have been chasing the inferno for some time.

◆

What?
Are you...?

　The brave man of the day, Radey.
　He led his friends into the Oroshi Forest.

　Their purpose is, of course, the Inferno.

You are?　Have you invaded human territory again without a single thought?

　Seeing Ida's appearance, Radie's vigilance is revealed at once.
　In the past, he was almost killed by an overwhelmingly powerful opponent. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.

"You encountered this guy while chasing after a bandit, so you are related to him, aren't you?
Don't be so sure!　I won't be late this time!

　Sesha and Zester are also very excited.
　The memory of being overwhelmed by Ida once must be very fresh.

''........This is foolish. You're still thinking that you can fight me after being shown such a difference in ability?　Do you think the form of the battle is viable?
''Even if you can't win against an opponent, since you carry the name of a brave man on your back...!

　Just before the battle was about to begin as a matter of course, just before it happened.

''Ah!　It's Radie-chan!
No way, Zevi-chan!　What's going on here?

　The battle was successfully averted by one a**h*le.