''Lie........I've heard of a demon from the Holy Ruins attacking a demon within the same ruin.......''

　I can't believe the scene that is happening in front of me.
　The one who made such a sound was Ray.
　She had just stepped out to fight the small species.
　In the front, Cecily, who had taken the lead, was wielding a sword against the smaller species.
　Cecily and Cecily are working together to accurately strike at the vital points of the small species, while Zeke and Hyrgis are the ones who strike at the small species.
　Both of them seem to have gotten the hang of the battle arranged by Currier-san.
　Ira-san was fighting back against several small species that appeared from a side passage.

　Meanwhile, I'm swinging my sword and approaching the small species with my holy sword in a single step.
　The small breed also swings its sword at me to intercept me.
　The holy sword with the holy element poured into it attacks me.
　But a trajectory that can be easily discerned.
　I lightly defeated the sword that was coming at me.
　Then I swivel my body to the side to gain momentum and cut off the head of the small species as it is.
　The small species that had lost its top from the neck began to melt as it collapsed.

　The way it melted was the same as the demons in the Holy Ruins.
　However, since Ray-san from the second year mentioned 'I've never heard of it', should I consider it to be an irregular existence in this holy ruins?
　No, there's something else I'm more concerned about right now.
　If these guys are really aiming for the ground--''

It's so easy to take them down.

　I turned around and saw Currier-san looking at me with an impressed face.
　She said she was praising me.

''When you say that.......isn't that one so much better?''

　I turned my head to see Cecily brilliantly cutting down the approaching small species.
　Her movements appear to be more refined than before.
　It looks more like a dance or something.

''--But this is too beautiful.''

　That was how Hibigami described Cecily Arkwright's sword.
　I thought she would change her sword's shape because of that review.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to find a way to make a good impression.

I will refine my own weapon in my own way.

　The strength of her sword, in my opinion, lies in its precision and flowing continuity.
　I'm not an expert, so I can't find the right words to describe it better than that.

If you could increase the speed of your sword, that precision and seamless movement would be a weapon. If you can acquire a speed so fast that your opponent can't keep up with your reactions, you'll be a very difficult opponent to deal with.

　I guess he decided that there didn't seem to be a need to lend his strength, and Currier-san relaxed his battle stance.

''Even if you can see the sword's taijutsuji, if you're too fast, you can't prevent it from happening even if you know it?''
Yeah. The question is, do we have a sword that has the ability to match that guy's imagined speed?
I see.
It's just that the hesitation that flickered in the past doesn't show up in his swordsmanship. It's a bit more lively........has he lost his temper?

　Was it a good thing that she had revealed her true nature?
　She was certainly wielding her sword with a lively attitude.
　Most importantly, I feel bad for Sieg and Hyrgis-san who are fighting together, but they are not just one head, they are two or three steps ahead of me in that one.
　That's a clear difference that even I can understand.

　If you were asked to try to imitate Cecily's movements, I don't think I could.
　It's impossible for me to move that efficiently.
　Once again, I felt like I had caught a glimpse of why I was called a genius.
　No matter what she says, she's still amazing.
　And she - she still intends to go "further".

　There was no need for me or Currier-san to step forward against the small species that came in.
　The few animals that came out of the side passage were destroyed by Ira-san and Ray-san.
　The small species that appeared from the back of the room, which seemed to be following Asaro, were mainly wiped out by Cecily-san.

'Um, Currier-san,'

　I called out to him after I watched the last of the small species dissolve and disappear.

'Hmm?'
I was thinking, if the small species is going to be grounded--

　At that moment, several more figures emerged from the back bend.
　One person from among those figures rushed towards us.

''Are those.......students from the Fibruk Squad?''

　The faces are familiar.
　One of the girls rushed over to us.
　The schoolgirl took Cecily's hand, who was at the front of the group.

''Ta, help!　Like a golem that turned blue........oh, those guys.......!

　A female student pleads with tears in her eyes as she looks behind her.
　If you look, your armor is damaged in places.

　I saw a light at the end of the aisle.
　Is it the light of a surgical procedure?
　Beoza and two of his students appeared next.
　They seemed to be in the back row, dealing with their pursuers.

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

　I check the number of students.
　Eight.
　From a quick look, the number of injured that would interfere with the battle is seven, including Beosa-san.
　Or rather, it seems that only the first female student who ran up to me was barely able to break her armor.
　They all had exhausted faces.
　Their bodies were injured and walking seemed painful.
　They didn't even have time to use a healing technique.
　They seemed to be able to walk somehow, but.....

　The feeling of despair that is uniformly drifting across their faces is a sense of despair.
　What in the world had happened?
　If it's only a small species, though, Beosa could handle it with him.
　..........
　I knew it was a giant.

　Beosa-san, whose mouth is bleeding and her entire body is drenched with sweat, is approaching me while borrowing the boys' shoulders.
　There is no life in her eyes.
　Blood vessels were floating painfully in his hands.
　How much of the procedure was drawn.
　Even moving his fingers seemed to be painful.
　He looked like he was at his very limit.

　A small species appeared from the bend at the end of the road.
　I'm not sure if they were taken from Beosa-san and the others, but there is also a small species holding a sword in their hands.

"Currier-san.

　I call out to Miss Currier with intent.
　She takes a breath.

'Well, it can't be helped,'　

　First, we'll take down the small species that are chasing after Beosa and the others.

Ira!

　A voice came from behind me.
　This voice is........Asaro?
　Before I knew it, Asaro was walking in the opposite direction from where I came, a dozen meters away.

'Follow me, follow me!
What?

　Ira makes a face that doesn't understand what is being said.

'Hey, what are you talking about, Fibruk!　I mean, don't get away from us, Attah!
Shut up!　I'm going back down to earth now!　But I don't know if I'd be able to win if I ran into those monsters!　So, Ira, you're coming with me!　I'll leave the chase to them!
'Hey, what's that?　You're just going to run away first?
Don't you dare run away from me!　I just need to temporarily regain my position...!
It doesn't work like that.　They all fought for you!　And yet you're going to run away before me?
Shut up, shut up!　What?　You're going to choose a man from a foreign land over me?

　Asaro's face contorts into anger and points at me.

'Huh!　I don't even know what that means!　Why are we talking about that now!
...Oh, it's you!

　With a look of hatred, Asaro thrusts his fingertips at me and Currier-san in turn with a look of hatred.

''Everything went wrong because you guys were in the Lion Clan!　If it wasn't for you guys, I'd be enjoying my life!　You've made everything so boring!　I don't like ... I don't like it, I don't like it, I don't like it, I don't like it!
Fibruk you....

　

'Especially you........Kurohiko!　You're the most annoying person I've ever met!　The very fact that you came to this school was a mistake!　I'm mad at you for everything you do!　Die ... die!　Die!　You're gonna die now-- you're gonna die!　Get out of this school!

　Snap.
　A crack appeared in the ground of the ruins.
　Look at the source of the sound.
　A crack ran under Currier-san's stepped foot.

　--Ugh.

　A chill ran down my spine.
　Her expression.
　Because it was filled with an indescribably strong killing intent.

''Don't go to help me, Ira?

　Mr. Currier said in an icy tone of voice.

'Leave him alone. Leave him alone. That's the best concession I can make.
Kyu-curie...
'Honestly, I feel like chopping off his head right now. I've seen all sorts of rubbish in my life, but it's rare to see rubbish so unaware of it.

　I quieted Currier-san, who was about to cut off Fibruk's head with his sword at any moment, and I quieted him down.

''Well, well, well, Currier-san he's excited now too. Um, well, I'll be fine.
"...why?　How can you stay so calm?
Well, I'm used to being told I'm a former, so I'm used to people making fun of me and making fun of me.
I'm used to that, you know...

　I chuckle.
　It's not that I'm a saint.
　Although I'm used to it, of course I feel bad when someone says that to me like that.
　
　Because that should be more important than me right now.

'Isla-san.
What?
Excuse me. I'll take it from here.
Leave it to...?
I'm sorry, but I can't afford to keep up with Phiburg right now. But if Ira-san wants to help him, I won't stop him. And I don't disapprove of Ira's actions. I know you're a good guy.
Blackberry....
But I...

　The ones that come to mind are Makina-san, Mia-san, and all the people who have been kind to me like this.
　If the demon goes to the ground, there is a possibility that they will be in danger as well.
　I have to act now to prevent that from happening.

''Wha... what are you ignoring with a relaxed look on your face!　Hey, Blackbeard!　When did you become such a big shot?　Aah!　You're the one who's well-liked around here in the first place because you learned a forbidden curse!　How could you be so wrong about that?　I can see it!　You ... you're not much of a guy!
Yeah, I do.
...
I'm not much of a guy. I'm not a big guy, and I know that. That's why I'm desperately trying to change and do what I can. Well, I think I've got something to gain from the ban.

　Then I say, "Well," and I put my hand over my mouth.
　Think.
　What are we gonna do?
　Mr. Beoza and the others are in no condition to fight.
　But we can't leave them alone when it comes to them.
　The number of small species is unknown.
　Considering our experience with the Blue Goblin War, it would be dangerous to estimate too few.
　Shall we divide up our assault teams?

　The group that returns to the ground first to tell Makina and the others.
　The group that prevented the demons from going to the ground at the entrance of the holy ruins on the first level.
　The group that aims to return to the ground while protecting Beosa and the others.　

　And - this is one of the possibilities I've thought of.
　If the main body, or the command tower, is a giant.
　If we defeat the Titans and the smaller species disappear, then we'll need a team to defeat the Titans.

　Now there are four.

　We should divide up the attack team into these four.
　What do you think?
　There's things this crew could do that I can't...

Kurohiko, were you born a nobleman?　You're not!　Ha!　You've got the blood of a scum that doesn't belong to any horse's bones anyway!

　Phiburg is screaming.
　But we can't afford to be concerned.
　Once, he checked the situation around him.

　Cecily-san was looking at Phiburg with a very cold face while attempting a healing technique on the seriously injured Beosa-san.
　But when I smiled at her with the intention of showing her that it's going to be okay, she made a face and her mouth was agape with a look of, "Oh my god.
　Incidentally, Zeke, Hilgil-san and Ray-san all had a cold look in their eyes at Fiburg.
　I don't need to say anything about the ex-Fibruk squad students pouring out on Fibruk, who abandoned them and fled alone.
　...................
　On the other hand, it's an amazing talent to make them turn on each other to that extent in this situation.

　Anyway.
　I looked at the back of the passage again.
　I also looked at the other passages.
　I can't see any other small species yet, but...
　Are there any more small species heading to the ground from other routes?
　I don't know.
　Hmmm.
　Well........let's talk to Currier-san for now.
　That's when I was about to open my mouth to talk about the idea I'd thought of.

''Fibruk!　You've got to have a good time!

　Ira spoke up, as if he couldn't hold back.
　Then she stepped forward to walk towards Fibruk.
　When I looked, my fists were tightly clenched.
　From the atmosphere.............Is that a punch?

!

　As soon as I could, I grabbed Ira-san's shoulder and made her stop walking.


No. What is it?

　Next thing you know.

　Boom!

　The floor behind Fibruk burst into the air.

''........What?''

　What's going on, Fibruk turns around to look behind him.
　There it is.

　There was a giant with his upper body forward.

''Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!　What the hell is this guy doing here?
"Wait, a giant...!　You've climbed all the way up to this guy's level!

　Ira's eyes widened in astonishment.
　Fibruk stumbled on the spot as he tried to get away as quickly as possible.
　Then he fell over and slumped over, then looked up and looked at us.

'Hey, do something!'

　His eyes caught Ira-san once and then went to me and Currier-san.

''Oh, you guys can handle it, can't you!　This place is friend or foe!　Do something about this giant first!　Use the curse.　Help!　Help me!　You'll help me--

　Fibruk turned around fearfully.
　Behind him, the giant was waving his arms in the air.

"Ta, help--

　Thud!　And.
　The giant's arm crushed Fibruk, who reached out to cling to it.

''Kyah!''

　Isla covered her eyes with her hand.

'Fibruk ... how did you get up there ...'

　Ira-san bites her lip as she looks at what was Fibruk with a bitter face.
　............
　I don't know.
　How do I feel right now?
　Due to the nature of the Holy Ruins' 'even if you die, you will come back to life', I don't know how I should perceive Fiburk's 'death' that happened in front of me.

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

　Nope.
　Now is not the time to get bogged down in things that don't make you feel any emotion.
　I turn my attention once again to the giants.

　It looks like a small species made bigger as it is.
　The same is true for the pale lines running across its dark body.
　Its round brain and back rubbed against the ceiling, and grains of stone were falling on its body.
　

　It seems that the giant has set its sights on us.

"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh...

　It comes at you, howling and screaming.
　The giants are approaching, destroying the floor between the levels with blows.

"I invoke the curse...

　First I activated the ninth forbidden curse.
　A chain appeared from the dimensional rift and restrained the giant's upper body.
　The giant tries to break the restraints.
　That's a lot of power.
　Is this more than Cyclops?
　If it continues like this, the restraints will be released--.
　I slammed my hand down hard.

"d*mn it...

　I don't think it's going to last long...

Oh, Ira-san, I have a proposition for you.
Uh-huh.

　You understand that the current situation is dangerous.
　Ira-san shook her head, then her expression tightened.
　She seemed to have somehow regained her composure.

'What?'
I think we should split up the squad here, sir.
Divide?
Yeah.

　While paying attention to the struggling giants, I quickly told Ira-san the idea I had thought of earlier.
　In order for Cecily and the others to hear it too.

'....I see. Yes, I understand. I agree with you. I'm sure you're right. If there's any chance they'll be on the ground, we'll have to deal with it. We'll do ... what we can.

　Ira-san's decision was quick.
　Currier-san, who was listening nearby, quickly suggested.

''Me and Kurohiko will stay here. The one with higher strength should deal with the giants. Considering the damage they can cause on the ground, there's nothing better than being able to defeat them within the ruins.''
'Yes. We don't have time to discuss it here. 'I think I should do the same. Are you okay with that, Cecily and the others?
''It can't be helped. There's no room for objection, even though Kurohiko and Currier are the right choice for the giant's opponent here. What about selecting the others?
You want me to take care of him, Cecily?

　Currier-san pulled out her holy magic sword while asking in a trusting voice.
　Cecily-san smiled with a huff.

''Then........shall I leave it to you?

　Cecily-san begins to give quick instructions.

''Ira and Ray, please go to the ground first and report this to the headmaster and the student council and the wind society. The headmaster will contact the Holy Tree Order. Then, if possible, go to the entrance of the ruins to cover the group that is preventing the small species from going to the ground. Siegfried and Hyrgis will head to the entrance of the ruins and intercept the small species as much as possible to keep them off the ground. I'm going to aim for the upper floor while protecting Beoza and the others.
Cecily, you would leave them alone?

　Zeke called out with concern.
　It's true that with the exception of one female student, the old Fibruk squad is not in a state to fight properly.

''If there is only one person to report to, there is a risk of slow transmission. And if there is only one person, if that person is unable to achieve their objective, that's the end of it. So we decided to take every precaution and decided that we needed two reporters. In a way, it's the most important role. And - even if the annihilation of me and Beoza and the others could happen, 'it will not interfere with the operation. That's not wrong, right, Currier?

　Cecily-san sniffed at the smiling Cecily-san who asked her a question.

''Humph ... as good as it gets. But if you're there, you won't be annihilated. If you're dealing with a small species, that is. It's a good thing, that giant - we'll take care of it here.

　With those words, everyone begins to move to fulfill their respective roles.
　Together, I finish the chanting of the second realm.

The Second Realm is now open!

　A black spear pierced the giant.
　But it didn't pierce deep.
　Hard.
　And........the spear is being pushed back?
　Is it because of the natural restorative power that Currier-san was talking about?

''d*mn........I can't break the restraints......!

　And finally - the chains were released from their restraints.
　The giant shook off the shredded chains and opened his large mouth.
　Light gathered in its mouth.
　What is it?
　Are you collecting ... the elements?

　The pale lines running across the giant's body increased in thickness.
　At the same time, the sense of intimidation also increased.

'Oooh, oooh, oooh!

　A roar that shakes the air.

　--coming.

　I held my left hand out in front of me.

"I am the king of the shield, I am the shield that will change in the end of time, I am the hand that holds my life in its hands.

　Finally, it's time to go.
　A new curse.

"Eighth incantation released.

　A red-black oval hole appears in front of me.
　A black slime-like object jumps out and wraps around the arm I held up.

''Is that the new forbidden curse?''

　Mr. Currier asks.

''Yes. 'This ... is ... the new power.'

　And the slime shaped black thing in his hand turned into a diamond shaped shield.
　The hardness also increased at once.

　That's right.
　The eighth incantation is the "shield" incantation.
　You can't deny it's a little plain, but it's a thankless curse for me right now, in a way.
　The reason is that I've always been worried about my defense.
　Even if you think about the Blue Goblin battle, depending on your opponent's offensive power, they could rapidly take away your fighting ability with a single blow.
　Also, if there are multiple opponents, even if it is just one on one, there is no confidence that you can avoid them.
　I have a bitter memory of a blow from outside the Blue Goblin's consciousness that turned out to be a deep blow.
　It is also a lesson from the Blue Goblin battle that the sword's inherent power is compromised if you continue to catch it with your sword.
　In that sense, if you have a shield that specializes in defense, you can fight for a long time without worry.

　Above all--.

　I gripped the Shesho sword in my right hand and sprinted towards the giant.
　Currier-san followed me.
　There.
　The giant thrust out a fist toward Currier-san, who jumped at me.

　I split off part of it from the shield in my left hand and let it fly, and put up a "shield" in front of Currier-san.

　The shield protects the giant's fist.
　Currier-san glanced at me, then twisted her body in midair and slashed the giant's arm with her holy magic sword.
　But the slash only ripped through about a third of the giant's arm.
　I also slashed at the opposite arm with the shesho sword, but it didn't have enough effect to be called an injury.
　Currier-san lands on the ground.

''A shield that can be moved freely?
Yeah.

　The split shield was returned to his left arm.
　The shield that came back became black mucus-like again and was absorbed by the shield on his left arm.
　However, and Currier-san looks at the giant.

''It's hard,''
Look, Mr. Currier.
Hmm?
That holy demon sword seems to be very weak in light...

　The holy magic sword in Currier-san's hand didn't emit a dazzling light like the last time I saw it.

''Ah... apparently the concentration of holy elements is thin in this area. It's probably because that giant absorbed an extraordinary amount of it that the concentration in this area has become thin. Well, it would be better if it wasn't for the fact that I was originally fatigued when I was in that form, but I would have liked to use it in this situation.

　Hmm.
　I decided to ask her while chanting the Ninth Forbidden Spell again.

''There's one thing I've been thinking about since a while ago.
What was I thinking?
''If you use the 'Demon Eater' here... what happens?
Well, I see.

　I hadn't thought of using 'Demon Eater' as a basis because it would interfere with the use of the surrounding techniques and holy magic swords, but if the concentration of the holy element itself was no longer thin.......
　Wouldn't it be fine to use it?

'That might be a good move. It's worth a try.

　When the currier gave me the go-ahead.

　This time the floor on the other side of the room bursts open with a flourish.

　We turned around at the same time.

　At the spot where Beosa and the others had been sitting a moment ago - a giant has already appeared.
　This one's body is also glowing blue-white.
　The only other person in this area is Currier-san and myself, so that's a relief, but--

How many of these things are there...?
I'll take that one. The lines running through your body are thinner than this one. It will still be easier for the blade to pass through that one do you mind if I leave this one to you?

　I put my hand on The Demon Eater.

I'm on it.

　They turn their backs on each other.

'Tell me if it looks like 'demon eaters' won't work.
Yes, sir.

　And as indicated, they each moved towards the giants at about the same time.
　The giants were right after they had broken free of the ninth forbidden chain that they had just unleashed.

　The giants seem to have the holy element as their source of power.
　Before, the chain's forbidden spell had blocked Makina-san from activating her magic formula.
　So I expected it to weaken the power of the giants, but from what I saw, it doesn't seem to be effective.
　The chain's forbidding effect is probably like blocking the entrance to the organ that handles the holy elements.
　It doesn't seem to be able to absorb the holy elements that have already been taken into it.
　If that's the case, then it's still--

　I pulled the Demon Eater out of its sheath as I approached.
　The black blade appears.
　The blade begins to emit light.
　I defended myself from the approaching giant's blow with my shield and then aimed at its neck and swung my Demon Eater.
　This is a great way to get the best out of your own life.
　And then the blade suddenly begins to glow strongly.

"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!

　He felt the sacred elements he had taken in flowing backwards.
　The giant howled.

　--Can we go?

　He draws his sword once.
　Then he re-holds it in his reverse hand and stabs it into his neck.

'Ooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!'

　The giant roars again.
　Do you hear me?
　..........................
　It's not.
　This guy, more holy elements!
　It's more absorbent and more powerful.

.....

　The giant shakes its head in an attempt to shake me off.
　I don't feel that his strength is weakening.
　From the looks of it, the absorption power of both the giant and the "demon eater" seems to be balanced.

　d*mn.
　I thought I could weaken it by using the Demon Eater to take away the holy element that it has captured, but....
　I didn't expect it to absorb as much power as the Demon Eater.
　This giant is still something unusual.
　This isn't just a cyclops that appears at the 15th level.
　It's more than that.
　More than anything else, it's hard.
　The only way to break through this hardness is to--.
　I jumped backwards with my sword in my neck and jumped backwards, landing on the ground and facing the giant.

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

　--Let's do it.

I am the recipient of a curse and I desire to commit sins in the arm of hell, the eighth curse of the second realm, to be released.

　The shield on his left arm returns to its mucilaginous form again.
　And then - it wraps around the 'arm'.

''Gu, uh--''

　My left arm heats up.
　The feeling of something crawling up my arm.
　It's as if several thin snakes are crawling up from the inside of my arm into my body.

''Gugu........gah........''

　His left arm turns into a black arm.
　The size is obviously larger than the right arm.
　Mysterious left arm.
　I'm not going to be the only one who has been transplanted with a demon's arm.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I think it's a good idea.
　I'm not going to be able to get the same amount of money as you.

　--I'm not going to be able to get the same thing.

　I lowered my posture and stomped on the ground.
　The ground screamed with a screech.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

"Let's go--