This is....

　A long sword in a brown sheath.
　It would be slightly shorter than the one we used in combat class.

'Pull it out,'

　At Currier's suggestion, I pulled it out of the scabbard.
　Then, the sword blade appeared.

''Oh........''

　I put down the sheath and grip the hilt.

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

　Well the grip isn't too bad either.
　Perhaps it's because of the change in my body, but I don't feel much weight.
　.........hmm?

The blade seems to be glowing faintly... what is this?

　Currier answers my question.

When the blade is sharpened well with special crystals, the sharpness of the blade is less likely to be dulled. The light green part is the part that has been processed. The first thing you can do is to get the best out of it. Don't worry about that.
Well.....

　I couldn't help but gasp at the beauty of the blade.


..........
What's going on?
...did I have enough money for this?
Oh, I see. Yeah, it's good. Here's your fishing.

　He handed me two coppers.

"Until the change...
It's just that I'm lucky to have found a moat. Besides, I've been traveling alone for a while now and I'm used to small negotiations about anything and everything.
Well, thank you.
No need to thank me. It's not like he used that money to buy a holy sword or a magic sword.
''Ha ... well, holy swords and demonic swords aren't something I'm familiar with, you know.

　I learned about holy swords and magic swords in class.

　The holy sword is a sword in which crystals are embedded.
　By pouring the crystal into the crystal, it is possible to improve various abilities of the sword, such as its sharpness - that is the holy sword.

　On the other hand, the demon sword is a sword with a magic formula carved into the blade.
　By pouring the holy element into the engraved formula, the sword becomes clothed in the power of a special technique - this is the demon sword.

　If you listen to the explanation of this holy sword and magic sword, you will think that it's surprisingly easy to make.
　In fact, I thought so too at first.

　However, according to the crystal processor, both the holy swords and the magic swords are actually made up of a miraculous balance, and it's almost impossible to create a holy sword or magic sword by hand.
　In the past, many people had tried to create sacred and magical swords.......but in all of them, the swords themselves had collapsed just by pouring the sacred element into them.
　The special material, the suitability of the crystal to be embedded, the location of the magic formula.......I've heard that there are many other factors that stand in the way of the creation of the sword.

　However.........'There is a rumor that there is a blacksmith in Doomsday Township who can create holy swords and magic swords' - there is also a rumor about that, but.......well, this is irrelevant right now! It is a story without a

　What's important is that both of them can't show their true value if the holy element can't handle them.
　There's a lot of admiration for cool-sounding swords like holy swords and demon swords... but unfortunately, even if I had them, they'd be a waste of treasure.

　Above all.

..........

　I hold the sword in front of me.

　Currier fixed it for me.

　That's enough for me.

"I'm sorry, but I haven't even gotten around to the armor. So you can borrow the armor from the Holy Ruins Hall. If we're lucky enough to find some crystals during the attack, we'll get it ready then.
I understand.

　Currier-san picks up a sword for a mock match.

It's time to get started, but let's keep the seriousness of the fight short today and do the rest of it lightly with that sword. .........sorry, I had to get the sword on the day of the meeting.
It'll be fine. You'll get used to it.
Huh ... good gusto. Now--let's do it.
Okay.

　Then I used the processed long sword to lightly match my sword with the processed long sword after I had a mock match with Currier-san.

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

　........I think my sword skills are improving as well.
　

　The reason I was able to feel that way was because of Currier-san's good training skills, after all.
　Every day, she was taking me to the next level by steadily stepping through the steps.
　Even I could see that.

　The fact that she could spontaneously raise and lower the level of her sword is proof of her great skill.

　
　This is probably because I've become stronger than before, and that's why I've been able to feel her 'strength'.
　Before, Currier-san said, 'Even if I'm alone, I can afford to go up to the 20th level or so'......................In fact, I might really be able to go it alone.

　On the other hand, when it comes to the control of the 'senses' as an example, I can feel that you have clearly improved from yesterday.
　Compared to my sword arm, I've become more confident that I can 'do it'.

　While enjoying the benefits of that 'power' - the time to sustain my awareness is longer than yesterday.
　The time from the time you detach your consciousness to the time you take your next action is shorter than yesterday.

　..........
　Yup.
　I can do it.

　With this--I'm sure I can fight in the Holy Ruins without relying on the forbidden spell.

　After the battle lesson was over, I felt a definite sense of confidence in my hand.

　　　　　　　　　　*.

　Today's lunch will be in the cafeteria with Curie-san while we discuss today's attack on the Holy Ruins.

　For now, I'm going to try to fight the demons that will appear on the way to the fourth level and see how I'm growing.

　That's the purpose of today, she told me.

''Come to think of it, I heard that Cecily and the others are going to be hiding in the Holy Ruins from today.

　Currier said as he took a wild bite of the bone-in meat.

''We can't lose, either, can we?

　Currier-san looks at me intently.

What is it?
"I have one question for you, okay?
Yeah, go ahead.
What about the curse... well, how good is it?
How much, sir?
I don't really know what that is. So ... I mean, you know ... I was wondering how much it's costing you to use it.

　Oh, I don't know, are you worried about me?

It's not a burden.
''But, for example, if you handle the holy element to activate a jutsu, you will be more or less fatigued. That's why everyone preserves the jutsu where they can... but in that regard, what about the forbidden spell?
It's okay. I never get tired of using it or anything.
M....is that so?

　I don't want you to worry too much.
　...you don't get tired of it.

''Yes. Well, that's as good as it gets, it's forbidden!　Maybe it was a 'forbidden spell' because it was too convenient to use as much as you wanted to!
Hmm....
'Huh?　By any chance, Currier-san........are you worried about me?
Yeah, I'm worried about you. Because it's all about you, isn't it?
..........

　It's so easy to say it outright.....
　I couldn't help but blush.
　And Currier-san dropped her gaze.

''About the forbidden curse........actually, I'm not sure if I should ask or not.......you see, everyone has things that are hard to talk about, right?''

　The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that it's a good idea to have a good time.

...

　After saying it toothlessly, Currier-san's mouth twitched a bit.

''Is the forbidden curse a topic you don't want me to mention...?''
'What?　Perhaps you were being reserved?
Because you never told me about the forbidden curse until now. That's why I thought you didn't want me to hear about it...

　Oh dear.
　In Currier-san's own way, she was paying attention to me?
　Come to think of it, come to think of it, if you ask me, I can hardly remember her ever bringing up the subject of the forbidden curse.
　.............

　

'No, don't worry about it. It's perfectly fine to bring it up!
Yeah, well...
'Yes!　So, please, go ahead and ask!
Mm-hmm, so tell me about it.
Yes!

　As I placed my arm on the table, Currier-san asked with a curious look on her face.

'What is that weird black chain, what is it?'
I don't know.
..........
..........
You're the user, but you don't understand.
I'm a user, but I don't know.
Okay.
Yeah.

　Silence.

That's ... food, it's getting cold. Why don't you... eat it?
Oh, yes.
...Is it good?
It's delicious.
Well that's good.
Yes.

　Today's lunch thus ended very quietly.

　I wondered what they were going to ask me........there....

　　　　　　　　　　*.

People are still declining...

　After school.
　Me and Currier-san had come to the square in front of the Holy Ruins.

　Yesterday, when we came to the Holy Ruins Hall to prepare for the preparations, I thought as well, but the number of people was clearly decreasing.
　The reason for this is still........it's probably because of that rumor.

''I suppose we'll have to wait and see, though.

　Looking at the square as well, Currier-san said.

''Waiting for the information to come up from the students who dived, right?
''I suppose ... well, a confident student will still dive. Above all, if you're frightened by the number of different species and demons, a holy warrior would be a dream come true.

　Today, Currier-san's attire was the same as the attire he had seen when he first dove into the Holy Ruins, except that he was not wearing a uniform.
　A belt with a glove compartment, a long sword, and an armband to indicate the hierarchy that he had reached.
　As expected, today, it looks like I'm not in uniform.

　I, on the other hand, am equipped with the 'Crystal Blade Sword' (which I named without permission) that Currier-san had mended for me, the black leather cuirass that I borrowed from the Holy Ruins Hall earlier, and a small hand to prevent demons from biting and hitting me.
　Then there's the shoulder bag containing the attack tools.
　Of course, he also has a neatly fitted bracelet to indicate the hierarchy.

　However, all of these were also made to look like Currier-san........

''You look pretty good doing this, don't you?

　Humph, I sniff, and Currier-san looks at me.

''Eh?　Is that so?
Well, yeah. You're a very tall man.

　I'm carrying a sword on my back right now... yeah, I'll be honest, I wanted to carry a sword on my back for once.
　Maybe it's the influence of manga and video games, but for me, it's a 'cool' image.
　I'm kind of happy when people compliment me on my appearance.

'Are you okay with the weight?'
Yes, it doesn't interfere with the movement.
Okay.
Rather, Currier-san is the one who's dressed lightly but... are you okay with that?
''Well if it comes down to it, there are defensive techniques. Most importantly, I don't think an attack from a four-level demon could hit me.
Haha ... you're good.

　By the way, there are surprisingly many students who don't stiffen their protective gear.
　Of course, there may be a reason for the ease of movement, and as Currier-san said, there may also be a reason for having a defensive jutsu, as Currier-san said.
　However, it seems that the reason they choose to wear light clothing is largely because of the holy element.

　Simply put, it is easier to take in the holy element if the skin is relatively exposed.
　That's why many girls choose to wear skirts in search clothes.
　However, there are many daughters of the nobility at this school.
　Since clothing that is too revealing is considered to be indecent, each of them seems to be balancing their choices.

　On the other hand, I heard that most of the boys expose their arms.

　This is something I learned the other day.
　Well, I've been wondering about this for a while now.
　For going to the dangerous Holy Ruins, there were a number of students who were dressed very lightly, or even more so, in short skirts and armor, which might be considered unbalanced depending on how you look at it.
　But when I learned about the ease of taking in the holy element, my doubts were cleared up.
　It's a good thing that those female students had other reasons for their appearance other than tickling the male mind.

　Of course, there are many students who prioritize protecting themselves with protective gear, and those who are afraid of it are said to have a stiff armor.
　In short........to sum it up in one word, it is different for each person.......

　And what Currier-san is wearing right now is an outfit that looks like a black dress.
　I recognized that dress.
　That's right.
　It's the clothes she was wearing when we first met.
　As I recall, I was in a daze and I described it as 'a stylish black dress for battle'.
　This is also.........

Mr. Currier.
Hmm?

　I'm going to give you a thumbs up.

That outfit looks fantastic on you.
...from the bushes, for God's sake.
You don't have to be shy!
I'm not embarrassed!　Don't say ... random ... things!
..........
"...Hey, what are you grinning about?
No.

　I just heard your voice turn inside out, didn't I?

Forget it!　I'm going!　I'm going now!

　Currier-san walks off with a stutter.

''Totally ... you're too nervous, dude.

　Currier-san is angry with Punsuka.

'Currier-san's here to make me feel safe.
'Oh, okay!　Good for you!
Yeah, I'm... it's really nice to be working with you, Currier-san.

　With a crunch, Curie-san's knees bent.

'So, you know........'

　Currier looks at me with a vindictive look.

"Come on, Mr. Currier, let's go.
Yeah.

　And so we turned to the Holy Ruins.

　　　　　　　　　　*

　Currier-san's long sword slices through the goblin's neck.



　--From behind, another one.

　I cleaved my crystal-blade sword to the side.

"Gee, gah...!

　The goblin's chest cracks open and blue blood gushes out violently.

　The corpses of the two goblins that had fallen to the ground melted and disappeared.
　Currier-san said while sheathing the black sword in its sheath.

''.........Hmm, this seems to be enough for a while, even without the forbidden spell and magic formula.''

　I stare at the sword in my hand.

　--Light.

　And it's clearly less 'threatening' to the goblin than before.
　At some point........the goblin's movements seemed to be so slow.

　Finally, the realization dawns on me.

　I'm getting stronger.....

Are you confused by your own growth?

　Currier-san, who seemed to have figured out my inner feelings, huffed and smiled.

''Humph I'm surprised too. It's enough to make you seem like a different person than you were a few days ago at the Holy Ruins.
...thanks to Mr. Currier.
Good luck with that. Okay, let's find the next level of stairs.
Yes, sir.

　Mr. Currier began to walk and I followed behind him.

　Then we found the stairs and went down two levels.
　During that time, we didn't meet any other students.
　It may be due to the Holy Ruins' characteristic of 'dividing the party from each other', but the small number of students was probably due to the rumors as well.

　At the second level, we encountered Twin Kobolds several times.
　Twin Kobolds are demons that appear in sets of two.

　They are short, humanoid demons with dog-like heads.
　They attack with their oddly developed claws and fangs.

　The kobold with big right ears and the kobold with big left ears.
　They are called Kobold Right Kobold and Kobold Left Kobold.

　They are so nimble that they are in danger of getting a cut or bite if they're not careful.

Gui.......................
Guh.....

　Currier-san and I cut down the Twin Kobolds almost at the same time, under a single sword.
　The Twin Kobold melts away.

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

　Even if I don't get to that 'feeling', I can do more than enough on this level.
　For now, I'm able to do it without sharpening my nerves to the extreme.
　I wonder if that's how much my strength has increased.....

You've been able to keep up with me........is this also the result of your training?
I guess.
What do you think?　Can we go on like this?
Yes I'm ready.

　We kept the momentum going and headed up to the third level.

　On the way, we encountered imps and unicorn ants, but they weren't much of an obstacle.
　In the next three levels, we also encountered a small cyclops and a lizardman - but this, too, was easily defeated.

　However, this is only the beginning of the Holy Ruins attack, as the essence of this Holy Ruins is said to be from the tenth level.
　It is said that the difficulty of capturing the ruins will increase dramatically from the tenth level onwards...

　By the way, statistically speaking, it is said that most students on average make it to the tenth level in a year.
　So, in the second year, they go back and forth between the tenth and fourteenth tiers.
　Then, in the third year, they may or may not be able to reach the nineteenth level of the guardian species before graduation.

　So even if it feels easy to get to this point, it may be normal.
　Still........it was enough to make me feel that I was getting stronger.

　I look at Currier-san, who is slightly ahead of me.

　Most of all.........Currier-san, she's too strong.
　To be honest, I don't even have a chance to get out of the forbidden spell.

　However, be careful not to be caught off guard.
　You don't know what's in store for you.

　However, we easily reached the fourth level, which was the objective of today, without any particular difficulty.

　The scenery from the first level up to this point is not all that different.
　At best, the demons that appear are different.

I'm not sure if it's a gargoyle or not. I'm sure you're not the only one.

　I overheard the words in the square once.
　The image of a gargoyle flying around in a cage came back to me.
　I guess those things come out on this level.

　While paying attention to his surroundings, Currier-san suddenly cut him off.

''By the way, you were spotted by the headmaster to come to this school, right?
Yeah, well.
You want to be a holy warrior, too?
Do you want to be a holy warrior, or do you want to become one?
Well, when you become a holy warrior, you get the honor... hmmm, but an upstart... I don't know about that.
Well, it's kind of a goal for now...
'For example ... maybe it's a moonshot, but don't you ever think about having a family and living in peace?
Family...

　I never thought about having a family.
　...........

'Oh, hey, don't look at me like that.........................what did I say?
'What?　No, I never thought of having a family....
Yeah, right.

　That's when it happened.

"- Mm?

　The stone floor began to vibrate.

　Gradually, the shaking became louder and louder.

What the hell...?
The earthquakes...?　I don't care if it's just a slight tremor when the inside of the building changes, but I've never heard such a loud rumbling on the fourth floor--

　--This year's Holy Ruins was somewhat strange compared to the previous years.

　Suddenly, he remembered those words.

　Today, we haven't encountered any different species until now.
　We haven't been attacked by a strange number of demons either.

　

　But, or perhaps this too--

We need to find the feedback device as soon as possible.　So that's it for today--

　I said, and as Mr. Currier was about to start running.

　The inside of the ruins shuddered greatly.

　My body tilted heavily.

　The next thing that comes to me is a feeling of - a tremor.

　Something, but--

Mr. Currier!

　I quickly regained my position and pushed her back, as hard as I could.

　I caught a faint glimpse of her back as she almost fell forward, tripping over.

　Immediately after.

　Thump!

　And then there was a sound.

　A wall of stone 'appeared' in front of me and Currier-san.

　No - to be precise, it 'rose' from below.

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

　If I hadn't pushed him there........Currier-san.......
　While the shaking doesn't stop, something cold runs down my spine.

　What is this.........

　Continuing on, the sound of an explosion.
　The sound.........comes from behind the wall that separates me and Currier-san.......?
　Is Mr. Currier trying to break down the wall...?
　Or - no way - you're fighting an enemy that can't be dealt with by sword alone!

　Forbidden--no, no!
　It's not for inorganic material!
　f*ck!
　I had to find another way around, and somehow, I managed to get around--

　Rags,

"--What?

　My feet, crumbled.

　There was no time to jump back, and the floor around me collapsed at once.

　And what immediately struck me was - a sense of floating.

　　　　　　　　　　*

Ugh....

　I wake up.

"...where am I?　........Ugh.

　A room in the ruins...?

　As I recall, my footing has collapsed and...

　I look around.

　Red.........yi?
　Hmm?
　The walls around it are glowing red...?
　Red, crystal?

　What is it?
　This dark, red, dismal atmosphere....

!

　There's something there.

　And more than one.

　I stare at it.

　Those wriggling things ... demons.

　Blue skin.
　Arms that have been transformed into axes.
　Bright red eyes.
　Humanoid.

　I know.

　A different species--blue goblins.

　As an example of the name of a different species, they are vicious demons that cannot be compared to goblins.
　Most of them have been confirmed at the ninth level, but it was mentioned in the illustrated book that they also appear around the fifth to eighth level on rare occasions.......
　Nope.
　The hierarchy doesn't matter right now.

..........

　How many are there?
　It's hard to see much in the dark, but ... fifty?
　Or is it a hundred...?

　There was a heavy, thumping sound.

　The eyes, which had begun to get used to the darkness, caught that huge body.

''--?

　Its shape was no different from that of the Blue Goblin.
　But it was at least four times the size of the other Blue Goblins.

　A giant species.
　It is said that they are rarely seen in the Holy Ruins....
　Moreover.

A different species of giant...

　I quickly checked my equipment.
　Nothing is missing........but.

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

　Let's leave the sack and the sword sheath behind.
　I drew my sword and left the bag and the scabbard on the spot.

　The blue goblins, who have been watching me for some time, have seen me start to move, and are closing the distance between us.

　Wary, I stand up.

　I raise my sword.
　And then.

I am the King of Chains, the last of the chains I will wear in prison and the last of the chains I will wear by my life to bind my enemies. --The Ninth Curse--Release.

　A swarm of black chains appeared from the rift in the dimension, restraining the giant species that was coming towards us from the front.

"I desire to kill the evildoers through the chains and the black demon spear.

　Continuing - several black spears pierced the giant species.

''Gu........geh?''

　まるで何が起こったのかわからないといった風に、巨大種はその場に倒れ伏し……そして溶けはじめた。

　全身から、どっと、汗が噴き出る。
　噛みあわなくなりそうな歯を、しっかりと、噛み合わせる。

　まずは、一匹――。

　俺は、ひゅっ、と息を短く吐いて、前方へと駆け出した。
　その際、周囲に視線を走らせる。
　ブルーゴブリンたちは呆気にとられているようだった。

　が、すぐに奇声を上げ、こちらを目指して襲いかかってきた。

　ボスめいた巨大種を倒せば、恐れおののくかとも思ったが……さすがに、そう上手くはいかなかったようだ。

　しかし、その一瞬、ブルーゴブリンどもが呆気にとられている時間を稼げただけでも、十分。

　どうやらここは、大部屋らしい。

　ここで一気に囲まれたら、かなりの劣勢となる。
　だから、巨大種の身体の向こうに見えたあの通路まで――このまま、一気に駆け抜ける！

　溶解する巨大種の死骸の横を、通り抜ける。

　後ろからはブルーゴブリンの群れが追いかけてくる。

　どうにか、阻まれることなく、通路に到達。
　通路の広さは、四階層までの通路より少し天井が高く、やや、横幅が広い。

　息を切らせながら、走る。

　このまま、なんとか出口を見つけて――。

「…………」

　俺は、立ち止まった。

　なぜなら、

　前方から、さらにブルーゴブリンの群れが、押し寄せてきたからだ。

　これで……挟み撃ちにされた、わけだ。

　俺は通路の壁に背を預けた。
　ブルーゴブリンたちも一定の距離を保ち、様子を窺う。

「…………」

　いいだろう。
　やって、やるよ。

　視界に入るブルーゴブリンを、連続でマーカー指定していく。
　ドラッグ＆ドロップの要領で一斉に範囲指定でもできたら楽なのだが……どうも禁呪は、こうして俺が一々マーカー指定しなくてはならないらしいのだ。

　そのため、まとめて発動させるとしても、どうしても数に限りが出てしまう。
　しかし、だとしても――

「…………」

　だとしても、俺は必ず、生きて戻る。

　何より今は、まず、キュリエさんの無事を確かめなくてはならない。
　急がなくては、ならない。

「我禁呪ヲ発ス我ハ鎖ノ王ナリ」

　絶対に、帰る。

「最果テノ獄ヨリイデシ万ノ鎖ヨ」

　セシリーさん、マキナさん、ミアさん……そして、キュリエさん。
　みんなの、元へ。

「我ガ命ニヨリ」

　だからそれを阻むやつは、一匹残らず、
　ただ一つの、例外なく――

「我ガ敵ヲ拘束セヨ」

　――殺ス。

「第九禁呪、解放」