You receive the right fist of a giant that attacks you while gutting the wall with your left arm.
　A heavy impact is felt with a thud.
　But it's not unbearable.

　--I'm not going to be able to get a good deal more than that.

　I squeeze my left arm with all the strength I can muster.
　The giant now unleashes a left fist.
　I smashed my clenched left hand into the approaching fist.
　Our fists collided with each other.
　The sound of a faint crack.

　The crack in the shape of a spider's web ran from the giant's fist.

　I push my fist forward with more force.
　A black mist gushes out vigorously from the hole around the elbow of my left arm, which has turned into a deformed shape.
　At the same time, the momentum of my fist increases.
　The sense that the power increases even more.

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

　Rags.
　The giant's arm disintegrates as if it could no longer bear it.

　The other day when I was accompanied by Makina-san for a trial run, I tried to punch the wall of the Holy Ruins with this arm.
　I was able to smash through the wall with ease.
　This left arm is probably the most powerful weapon I have right now.
　Moreover, by building up power in my arm and releasing it, I can make my fist accelerate rapidly.
　If this doesn't work, a bit of anxiety flashed through my mind, but--

　--I'll take the stance again.

　I take a stance again.
　I just took a stance that seemed to make it easier to move on to the next attack, though.
　Naturally, there's no way I have any knowledge of martial arts.
　Even so, I have a feeling that in this state of affairs, I can push it on specs alone.
　Above all, the current state.
　My body is moving more than I thought it would.

　The crumbling fist of a giant is being restored.
　Self-healing ability.
　It can regenerate at this speed?
　Its speed is astonishing.
　It's incomparable to the regeneration speed of smaller species.
　

　If Currier-san is following the analysis, there are two weaknesses.
　The target is either the head or the heart--.

　The Titans begin to break the ceiling.
　It also swings its arms around like a whip and crushes the surrounding walls.
　It seems to have created an environment in which I can move around easily.
　Still, my foothold is fortunately intact.

　I stomp on the floor.
　Then, while chanting the ninth ban spell, I pounced on the giant's head.
　In this state, my physical abilities have been raised to the bottom.
　His leaping power had also jumped up significantly.
　The chains of the ninth forbidden curse restrained the giant.
　In the meantime, the distance between the giant and the giant, at a stroke.

　The chain is torn off by the giant.
　But I can already reach my bosom--

　The giant's right hook struck from the side.

　The speed is also increased due to the fact that he was unleashed from the small space.
　He struck the attacking fist with his left arm.
　Fists collide with fists.
　As expected, this one has better attack power.
　A crack extends to the tip of the elbow and the giant's right arm shatters.

　But the current collision kills the momentum of the leap.
　I clench my fists tighter.

　--Remember what happened when I tried it.

　The momentum could be adjusted by the amount of force you put into it.
　Gulp, I make a hoarding.
　And the image of unleashing it all at once from here--.

　A black mist-like substance erupts vigorously from my elbow.

　A thumping acceleration like a jet engine occurs.
　Rapid acceleration.
　It takes a trajectory to the giant's head while accelerating in a way that seems to be pulled by a fist.
　The giant, whose right arm is being repaired, quickly guards its face with its left arm.
　Again I change the angle of my arm and spray fog.
　I change my trajectory--my aim is the heart!

What--?

　But the giant twisted its body to deflect the attack.
　My fist gouged a part of the giant's body, but it failed to catch its target.
　And immediately, I began repairing the gouged parts.

　It was surprisingly quick.
　The Titans seem to be able to 'move' better than I thought.
　At least it's not slow.

　Since there was no suitable foothold, I was thrown into the air and landed on the level one level below me.
　I look up at the giant.
　Thanks to the "Demon Eater" that is deeply lodged in its neck, it doesn't seem to be able to absorb any more holy elements and power up any more.
　A few times the giant has tried to pull out the sword from its neck.
　But it seems to be impossible to remove it, probably because of the deep plunge.

　The right arm of the crushed giant had already regenerated.
　The playback speed is phenomenal, if not instantaneous restoration.
　Then.

　--with a speed that exceeds the speed of regeneration, you can slam your attack into it.

　I thrust my left fist up toward the foot of the giant attacking to crush it.
　A crunching sensation.
　The next moment, the giant's left leg crumbles.

　And from this point on, it won't stop attacking.

　I raised the spirit of the cleavage and continued to slam my left fist into the giant without pause.
　I continue to hit the giant's leg thoroughly.
　The leg tries to return to normal, but the speed of the giant's repair can't keep up with my attack.
　The giant is unable to keep up with my attacks and drops to its knees.

　But not yet.

　They continue to attack.
　Pull back and strike, then pull back and strike again.
　

'Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh!

　I'll end it here.

　I continued to unleash my fists without a break.
　As expected, it was getting hard to breathe, but the attacks unleashed in succession were definitely exceeding the giant's regeneration speed.

　As a result of continuing to slam his fists into it, the lower half of the giant's left body was finally gone.
　The giant, now on one leg, loses his balance and leans his body languidly forward.
　The giant thrust his left arm out and somehow managed to support his body.
　That's when I suddenly realized that the regeneration speed...
　The regeneration speed is ... slowing down?
　The pale lines running through his body somehow seem to be getting thinner and thinner too - it's as if he's becoming more comfortable.

　The giant opened its mouth wide.
　The light gathers in his mouth.
　But ... this time the lines don't get any thicker.

　I see.
　Perhaps you need the holy grail to repair it.
　However, because the Devil Eater is stuck in me, I can't store the necessary amount of holy grail in my body.

　I strike the giant's left arm.
　I'm not going to be able to get a good deal more than just a few hours of sleep.

It's the last straw!

　He focused on his left arm again.
　And--

　A raised fist dug into the giant's heart.

　A black mist is sprayed from the elbow.
　The fist plunged further into the fist.
　My arm went all the way to the base of my arm, piercing the giant's left breast.
　A handful.

''Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh........''

　The giant's roar gradually gets lower and lower.
　The lines running through its body thinned and returned to orange.
　Then the giant collapses and collapses to the ground.

　In the end, there's only me, breathing on my shoulder, with my arms raised.

'Did you manage to.....................yes!　Mr. Currier!

　It was strangely quiet, so I didn't immediately become aware of it.
　I hurriedly leapt after retrieving the 'Demon Eater' and landed on a foothold that was still safe on the upper level.
　And then........I closed the second realm.
　My left arm returns to normal.

　The reason I released the second realm of the eighth forbidden curse was because the battle was already over.

''Haha........''

　A laugh escaped me.
　In front of me was Currier-san, who had already sheathed her sword.
　Huffing, I wiped the sweat from my chin with the sleeve of my clothes.
　She noticed me.

''You ... from the looks of it, it looks like you did it. I just knocked you down too.''
Currier-san, you just knocked him down like a normal person.
I know better than you do. I could have done it on my own.

　I could have handled it.
　With just that one word, it's all over, right?
　It doesn't matter if the use of the holy element is interfered with.......
　She's still exceptional, she's still exceptional.
　Anyway.........how did she defeat him?
　I asked him if he had any questions.

'Even though the concentration of the saintly element is thin, that doesn't mean it can't be kneaded into the body. Of course the burden will increase. However, unfortunately, we didn't gather enough holy elements to use the magical armor, so the magic was only a battle aid at best...............................That's why we attacked and defeated the weak points.

　He said.
　He simply says that he attacked and defeated the weak point of the game, but I had a lot of trouble attacking that weak point.

But I had a lot of trouble attacking that weak point.　You're sweating like crazy, huh?
''Haha.......Actually, the second stage of the new forbidden curse is the same as Currier-san's magical armor, and it seems to have a large load on the body.''
Okay.

　With a pop, Currier-san slapped my waist.
　Her mouth was slightly relaxed.
　It's the kind face she sometimes wears.

''Good job.''
Hi, how are you? Well, Currier-san, too.
"Hm.

　I wonder.
　It was kind of nice to be treated with so much respect.

　　　　　　　　　　********

　I didn't want them to be too targeted, but it seems that the small species were aiming for the surface just as I had predicted.

　Ira, Rei, Sieg, and Hyrgis managed to run up the upper level and arrive at the entrance of the holy ruins while defeating the small species they encountered on the way.
　Ira and Rei went to the ground.
　The remaining Siegfried and Hyrgis defeated the small species that climbed up to the surface without letting them shoot.
　The reason why they didn't use the transporter is because they were worried about the possibility that the different species would rush in due to the recent anomalies in the ruins, in addition to the fact that it would take five minutes to transport them.
　It seems that because the hierarchy is shallow at three levels, they decided that the stairs are less dangerous and faster.

　And at the same time that Curie-san and I defeated the giants, the smaller species seem to have stopped appearing at the same time.
　My prediction was correct, too, and I was able to breathe a sigh of relief.
　If the small species kept popping up even after we defeated the giants, we'd be in big trouble.

　So, what about Cecily and the others?
　This one returned with a transporter.
　First of all, in their case, the most important thing was that they found a transporter room as soon as they left Ira-san and the others.
　In addition, Cecily seemed to want to avoid making them walk for three levels because the former Phiburg students, including Veosa, were injured and fatigued, and they were moving at a remarkably slow pace.
　Also, unlike Isla and the others, there was no need to hurry, so when Cecily entered the transporter room, she went ahead and treated the deeply injured students with a first aid treatment method to heal them.
　The girls then activated the transporter and returned to the ground.
　Incidentally, it seems that Cecily defeated all the demons that came in.

　This is what I heard later from the members of the group that split up.

　However, no one had expected that the defeat mission and the match with Fibruk and the others would turn out like this.
　Nevertheless.

　There was no overflow of small species on the ground.
　The survivors of the old Fibruk team returned safely.
　Of course, Aila's group is also safe.
　We also managed to defeat the Titans.

　Looking at the results alone, I'd say we did well.

　And those students who died in the Holy Ruins, including Bashkatha and Fiburg.......it seems that they were transferred to the transfer point in the Holy Ruins Square while they were asleep.
　The resuscitation transfer of the Holy Ruins seemed to have worked properly.
　However, if Bashkatha, Phiburg and the deceased students followed the school's rules, they should be expelled from the school.
　Moreover, they are not supposed to wake up from their slumber for at least two years, so even if they wake up in the shortest period of time confirmed to date, it will be two years before they are reunited.

　In addition, not a small number of high-ranking members of the Little Sage Order had been expelled from the school due to this series of events related to the Titans.
　It was apparently a rare occurrence in the school's history for such a number of high-ranking minor saints to be expelled from the school in such a short period of time.
　Some of them seemed to be the children of famous nobles.
　Occasionally, when their own children 'died' within the Holy Ruins, some parents would yell at them unreasonably for not being managed by the school.
　After grasping the situation, it was impressive that Makina-san sighed with a sigh that seemed even more troublesome than usual.
　Are there people like monster parents in this world?

　Well.
　After we defeated the giants, Curie-san and I ran up to the ground right after that.
　We met up with Sieg and Hyrgis at the entrance and waited for a while to see if a small species would come.
　But even if we waited, the small species did not appear.
　After a while, a group of people from the Public Safety Commission and the guards arrived.
　After explaining that the small species might have disappeared after we defeated the giant, we left them to it and returned to the ground.

　Many of the instructors could be seen in the Holy Ruins Plaza.
　Even though it was a holiday, many of them seemed to be able to convene relatively quickly as many of them had residences within the school grounds.
　And although many students were evacuated, we could see people who seemed to be the student council in the square.
　We explained the situation to the instructors.
　While we were explaining the situation to the instructors, Makina-san emerged from the hall with Ira and the others.
　In the meantime, Cecily and the others were sent to the transfer point.
　Veoza and the others were carried into the hall with Lisa's escort.

　After hearing the situation from us again, Makina-san began to talk with the instructors around the table in the square.
　As a result of the discussion, it was decided that we would stay in the square until evening.
　We were asked to stay behind as well, so Ira's group stayed in the square.
　Ray-san was the only one who joined up with the windbreakers in the ruins.
　Currier-san was

You must be tired. You get some rest. I'll go explain everything to the Headmaster.

　I said and headed to Makina-san's place.
　Cecily-san went inside the hall to treat Beosa-san and the others, as she could use the healing technique.
　Zeke and Hyrgis-san also accompanied her.

　So I sat down on a bench by myself, unhappy with the situation.
　As I was sitting on the bench and taking a sigh of relief, I saw that Bashkatha and the other students who died in the Holy Ruins were being sent over.
　Somewhat later, Fibruk was also being forwarded.
　They were carried away by the instructors and the hall staff.
　I watched the scene in a daze, probably partly because I was distracted.

'Next door, if you don't mind?'

　It was Ira-san who called out to me.

'Oh, come in,'

　She chuckled as she looked at Currier, answering questions from Makina and the instructors.

'As for what happened after I broke up with Anta and the others, Atashi, I didn't get a chance to go.

　Ira sits down next to me.
　She keeps her sword and armor on because she doesn't know what's still out there.

'Thanks for this time, Kurohiko. You've really helped me with a lot of things.''
It's just that Ira's hard work paid off. I'm just trying to help.
'Nope, not really. If it wasn't for you, Currier, Cecily and the others wouldn't have been able to help me... I think it would have been just Attah and Ray, who were left, left and right.
"But it was Ira-san who made me think, 'I want to help this person,' right?　I don't know if I would have cooperated with you if it wasn't for Miss Ira?
Hahaha... what a humble guy you are, huh?

　I gave one joking coughing cough.　

'No, I'm just an octogenarian,'

　Pfft, Ira wiped out.

'What's that?'
'I don't want people to hate me. I told you inside the Holy Ruins.　Basically, I'm not a big guy. So you want people to think well of you. Right?　It's not a 'nice guy' at all, is it?

　I said as jokingly as possible, trying not to be sneaky.
　Ira wiped out again.

''Huh, weird. A really bad guy wouldn't say something like that to himself, you know?'

　Isn't that right, Miss Cecily?
　Suddenly, Ira-san, whose expression returned to her face, released her gaze into the air.

'I want people to think well of me, huh?

　He looks somewhat pensive.

'You know what, Kurohiko?'
Yes, sir.
I'm sorry about Phiburg.
Fibruk?
I'm sorry I put you and Currier in a very unpleasant role.

　Oh, that.

Don't worry about it. Besides, it wasn't me who was trying to get in the mud, it was Mr. Currier.
But I think I'm probably also a person who wants to make myself look good to others. That's why I tried to be a 'good guy' in that place...

　Ira-san, with a smile on her mouth, lowers her gaze as if to warn herself.

"If you think about it rationally, what Currier was saying was right after all. And that, Atashi--
I don't hate Ira-san for saying 'I want to help,' though.
What?

　Ira-san looked up.
　If Ira-san didn't hesitate there, ''Let's get rid of this guy quickly! If I had said that.......at least I would have changed my view of her.
　What can I say........in her case, I was rather relieved to hear her say 'I want to help you', or something like that.

''I don't dislike Ira-san's inability to be so ruthless,''
Blackberry....
'Of course it's necessary sometimes to let go of the sweetness. But Ira-san, you changed your mind immediately. It's enough that you didn't go into a stupor over there. You did your job.

　After I said it, I thought, oh.
　That's because Ira-san got down on her face and choked on her breath.
　Hey, did I say something bad...?

Oh, I'm sorry to be so pompous...

　Ira looked up.
　She was smiling.
　But there were a few tears in the corners of her eyes.

''.........You really are a 'good guy', aren't you?''

　Then Ira took my hand.
　Then she sat down and slid closer to me.

"Thanks.
No, no.

　I'm close.
　And my chest is a little bit against my arm........

"Hmm........and that was pretty cool, Kurohiko.
It's a pleasure.
You know what?

　Then Ira, whose cheeks were dyed vermillion, lowered his gaze and asked hesitantly.

''Are the rumors about you and Cecily true?''
What?　Me and Mr. Cecily's rumor?
'Huh?　Don't you know?
...Is there a rumor going around?

　Is it possible that... the whole school is about to find out about our nastiness?

I mean, you know, we've been talking about how they might be in love with each other.
Gee-ho, gee-ho!

　Oh, my God, you're going to blow your windpipe...!

'There's a rumour about that!
'Uh, yeah. But from the way you're reacting to it... no?
'I'm not saying we don't get along, but we're not in love!　I mean, just look at me and then tell me!
'Well, I don't know what that last one means but does it mean they're not in love?'
Of course you do...
'Hmmm, I see.........

　Ira's cheeks are cherry-red and he looks kind of happy.
　What is it?
　I stare at her.
　And then Ira-san smiles as if she's mending her smile and starts gesturing with her hands.

'Oh, that's it!　You are so easy to talk to, aren't you?　I'm dependable and........so, um........well.......here, I'm looking forward to working with you in the future!

　It's nice to meet you, okay?
　I said in a sluggish tone, and Ira-san stood up.
　Then, with an awkward smile, she popped me on the shoulder.

Okay, bye!　Again!

　And walked away.
　............
　What was that?
　Whoa.
　Makina-san and Currier-san around the table are kind of staring at us!

...What's that?

　A figure ostracized near the entrance of the plaza caught my eye.
　Violet hair, beast ears, and a maid's outfit.

''Mia-san?''

　I sat up and headed for the entrance to the square.

''Ah, Kurohiko-sama........''

　Mia found me with a look on her face as if to say help was on the way.

'Maybe she heard the commotion?'
'Yes, sir!　I heard that Kurohiko-sama is heading to the Holy Ruins today, so I was... well, I was worried.

　Mia squeezes her hand to her chest.

''Are you okay?''
Yeah, that's right.

　Indicating a safe body.
　Haha, and Mia lets out a big breath of relief.

''Thank goodness.......if something happened to Kurohiko-sama, Mia couldn't stand still.......''
Thank you for your concern, sir.

　I smiled bitterly and thought again that it was one of the most important things I could do to get back safely.
　I then told her that I was still going to stay here today and that I didn't know when I would be returning.
　'Very well,' Mia nodded.

'Then Mia will be waiting for you, ready to rest at Kurohiko-sama's house.
Thank you.
Lady Blackbird.

　Mia bowed politely.

'Thank you for returning safely,'
Ms. Mia....

　Looking a bit embarrassed, Mia left the square with dancing steps.

　After that, the Knights of the Holy Tree arrived just after noon.
　Then evening.
　The Holy Ruins remained silent.
　There was no sign of any small species coming out.
　As the sun was about to go down, Makina-san told us to end the day here.

　At this point, we Ira's group, with the exception of Ray-san, were finally allowed to return home.
　Rei-san is still working with the windbreaker.
　Incidentally, from what I overheard, it looks like the attack on the Holy Ruins at the school will be on hold for a while.
　Until now, the academy hadn't felt much of a crisis in the abnormalities of the Holy Ruins, but they are taking this matter very seriously and the Holy Tree Knights will take the lead in investigating the ruins for the time being.

　Since everyone is tired today, we decided to have a light victory party in the cafeteria after school tomorrow, and then we left the square to head home.
　First, we said goodbye to Cecily and her friends as they headed home, and then we said goodbye to Currier and Ira in front of the girls' dormitory.

　I'm really tired, too.
　I finally arrived at home and opened the door.
　It was completely dark outside by that time.

I'm home.
Welcome home, Mr. Kurohiko.

　Mia, who had been sitting in the chair, stands up.

'What shall we do?　Would you like to take a bath first?

　When I saw Mia's smile, my body suddenly relaxed.

''Yes, I will.

　Mia nodded happily and said she would be ready in a minute, and headed for the bathroom.
　I sat down on a chair.
　............
　Anyway, I'm tired.

　Let's take a good rest today.