The terrain around the fort is a wilderness.

　After passing through the roadway between the forests, it is a vague wasteland that unfolds in front of us.
　While exchanging horses at cities and lodging stations on the way, about a hundred holy warriors headed straight for the fort.
　Although they couldn't leave the royal capital empty, and although the Holy Tree Eight Swords had left five of them behind, the ones who would be lined up here with their horses' necks were the most elite of the knights.
　And when they finally arrived at the distance of the fort occupied by the inhabitants of the apocalypse, they were able to see the fort - the

　I saw the inhabitants of Doomsday Township with their weapons leaping out of the fort, shouting a battle cry.

''You came out so easily.

　The deputy commander, Diares Arkwright, pulls his horse up beside Sogut Sigismos.

'Are you not going to hunker down or is it a trap?

　Sogut looks nonchalantly at the approaching inhabitants.

'A fury of rapture. It's like a beast unchained.'
What do you want to do?　The way she looked, she doesn't look like she's planning anything.
If they keep running into us, we'll have to intercept them.

　Sogut raised his right arm.

''First, Allen's archery unit and Sol's artillery unit will fire a mixed artillery salute. Keep the nodes and realida troops lurking in reserve on either side of the woods. If they continue to come head-on and stupidly honest, let them pinch them from both sides.
I understand.
If you got a better idea, feel free to tell me, Diales.
No, it's just the right thing to do.
Lili.

　Lili Sigmsos, who had been holding back, settled in on his horse.

'Yes, brother,'

　Lili Sigismos.
　She is fourth in line of sanctity, after Vanstos Troia.
　She is the daughter of the Dukes of Sigmsos and the older sister of Commander Sogut.
　Lili has received the deep trust of her brother, and is often tasked with organizing and commanding the troops together with Diares.

''You heard me. I ask you to command the forward troops.''
I understand.
Back of the line, Diaz. You're in charge.
Yeah, I'm on it.
So....

　Sogut in the saddle, sheathing his sword and pulling it out.
　A long sword with a red-black sword barrel and jet-black crystals inlayed into it.

　The Holy Magic Sword Levatain.

　Its black flesh, tinged with deep red, gleamed in the blazing sun.

"We are now at liberty to retake Salem Fortress and exterminate these blithering fools.

　Pointing the ship arm holding the sword forward, Sogut said in a sharp tone.

''-- Remind them which country and to whom they've been fighting,''

　The inhabitants of the apocalypse who run to the township while blowing up the dust.
　They are holding clunky shields made of various materials.
　They received a rain of fire arrows falling from above their heads, the shield pointed upwards, and advanced further.
　Those who were using flammable materials discard their shields and increase the speed of their sprint.

　Lili gives the command.

　The technical troops who thought that the enemy was in range of the range, simultaneously unleash a flaming technique.
　Then another technical unit invokes the wind technique.
　The force of fire extended all the way to the middle line of the approaching enemy.
　Still unafraid of fire, a number of excited-looking men rushed in.
　Sogut dismounted.

''Sogut?''
Break off the attack. I've changed my mind. I'm going in there by myself.

　Lili and Diares looked at each other once and then gave the order to stop the attack.

'There must still be quite a few inside the fort. Apparently the number of enemies doesn't match the number of those who escaped and the number of those who were talking about.

　The reason Sogut dismounted, Lili thought, was probably to avoid getting his horse involved.
　Sogut stretched out one arm right beside him.
　Stepping on the sand, he walked alone to the approaching inhabitants of the apocalypse.
　There is no one in the Order to stop Sogut.

'What the hell is that?　You want a one-on-one fight?　Do you want to f*ck with me, Mr. Bishu, whose astringency is so appealing?

　The inhabitants stopped advancing.
　A bald-headed man with a holy sword in his hand jumped to the front of the line.
　As he walked forward, Sogut pointed the holy magic sword forward.

''Do you guys at least know the word 'one-on-one combat'? What is it?　Do you want to go toe-to-toe with me?
'Hmmm ... a question, a question ... who are you?　Who the hell are you to be talking to me?
"Commander of the Order of the Holy Tree, Sogut Sigismos.
Are you saying that only one of you should be dressed in black because you are the Commander?　Uh ... hey, guys!　This guy is supposed to be very special and important!　He seems like a great guy!　Let's give everyone a big welcome here, shall we?

　Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
　When the shouting dies down, the inhabitants of the doomsday village collectively raise their weapons.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that you are an idiot, you...........................There is no way I would fight a single combat. Do you think that knights value pride and formality after all?　Surrounded by a bunch of them, you're going to be left to die. And when I kill them, I'll expose them. We'll show them. We're going to show our brutality. Yeah, just like that.

　A man thrust his arm up behind him to signal him.
　Then, from the back of the line, a huge flag made of dried, blood-stained clothes pieced together was raised.
　Lili frowned and bit her lip.
　Those clothes and blood must have belonged to the soldiers and holy warriors who were in the fort.

''What a brutal thing to do ... outcasts ...''

　The other members of the group also have shock and anger on their faces if they look around next to each other.
　However, Diares is the only one with an expression that is somewhat difficult to grasp, and he is still observing the course of events with his white hand over his mouth.

That's the Blood Banner of Victory!　It's a hobby of mine to build and display those things. It's the purity of blood. I'm sure this is going to be a great way to get some blood. Heh heh heh, Odysoguzeer, thank you for this encounter!　--?

　The arms raised by the man in the front row were detached from his body and fluttered in the air.

'Oh?　Oh, oh, oh, oh!　My arm? My arm?　She's gone!　Lost!　Lost, you lost, huh?
A hobby, huh? Well one of the hobbies for me and the Order of the Sacred Tree is...

　Sogut appeared in front of the man with his sword drawn.

'To go around killing rubbish like you,' he said. Huh, it's not in our best taste.
EEEEEEEEE...

　He had a magic tool in his throat.
　The man who had lost both arms spat out a vortex of fire from his mouth.
　A surprise attack.
　But Sogut effortlessly avoided the fireball.
　And then - he stabbed the man's throat with his sword.

''Gosh, buh, buh, buh........?''

　The man gurgled blood out of his mouth and lost his life with a white eye.
　The sword in his throat glowed dully.
　Immediately after pulling the sword from the man's throat, Sogut jumped in a single step into the crowd of inhabitants, who were standing there in a blur.
　While jumping in, he slashed three more people.
　And - Black flames rise from the wounds of the slashed men.

''Gee!　What the hell?　What happened?!
'Oh no!　What is this?　No, no, no!　I'm on fire!　Hot!　Bitter!
Wow, wow...!　I can't extinguish these flames even if I flap them!　Whoa!

　The black flame increases in momentum and begins to crawl around the bodies of men.
　Then, they scream.
　One man screams with his head in his hands, another slashes off his arm to prevent the flames from crawling up his arm, and the remaining man rolls around on the ground trying to put out the fire.
　But none of it was in vain.
　The three men were burned to death by the black flames, their entire bodies burned to death.
　The smell of burning flesh hangs over the area.

　Although he was the only one in the crowd of enemies, Sogut was so intimidating that it made the people around him flinch.
　The black commander's uniform.
　The armless sleeves on the left side were dominated by the winds of the wasteland that blew in, like a flag.

'When in the world did anyone want a single combatant?

　The inhabitants of the Doomsday Township each one of them are once again in a fighting stance.

''Kill!　Kill this man and expose him to the fort's tower!　Make him realize what he is!
Oh!
I'm going to kill him!
Kill them!

　Sogut's low, astringent voice was powerful enough to reach the ears of Lili and the others.

''Don't think all of you are going to die easy.

　　　　　　　　　　*

　An hour had already passed since the Holy Tree Knights and the Doomsday Township dwellers who had invaded the Salem Fort had entered a state of battle.

　After that, Sogut destroyed the Doomsday Township dwellers who came out of the fort alone.
　He immediately divided the main force into three, and first set up in the front with himself and the troops led by Nord Horn.
　In the meantime, Diares' and Lili's squads entered through different entrances.

　For a while after they entered, it was a mixed battle.
　However, although they were inferior in numbers, the Holy Tree Knights were clearly superior in strength.
　So far, there were few reports of damage on their side.

''It looks like it's only a matter of time before we retake the fort.

　As he said coolly, Diares put the finishing touches on the enemy that was being hunted down.
　Lili inspected the condition of the blade of the magic sword in her hand and asked Diares.

''Come to think of it, were those 'people with an alien atmosphere' that the Commander was talking about.......among the enemies you defeated?''

　They were in the corridor leading to the center of the fort.
　There were corpses of the inhabitants of the apocalypse lying everywhere.
　The fort was losing its hustle and bustle of warfare.
　If nothing happens, they will be able to retake the fort without difficulty.

"If that's the case, it's a bit of a anticlimax... hmm?

　A woman appeared from across the aisle.
　She carries a sword at her hip.

Is that a katana from the east?

　What she wore was a kimono, or was it called a dressing gown?
　And she had a lustrous beauty that made me sigh, even from the woman's liri.
　Huh, the woman patted her chest.
　Her eyes are not looking at Lili as if she were looking at him.
　Her gaze is focused solely on Deares.

'You are a sweet, s*xy man.

　The woman traces her lips seductively with her fingertips.

Oh, I'm glad I'm not dead yet I'm glad I caught up with you. When I caught a glimpse of him, I was in love with him.

　Lili held her sword at the ready and looked over at Diares.

'Dearest,'
'Yes. She's not like the enemies we've had.

　The tingling air that the woman gives off is not the same as the inhabitants of the apocalypse who fought before and after the raid.
　It could be seen as quite a handful.

''You're called Dearth, right?　Mmmm, that's a lovely name.

　The woman fell to her knees.
　And.

Please, Dearest!

　The woman suddenly fell to her knees.
　The woman rubbed her forehead on the floor and screamed frantically.

'Be my, mistress!

　This was something that Lili hadn't expected.
　Diares also seemed to have been somewhat struck by the void.
　They involuntarily looked at each other.
　The woman looked up.
　Her eyes were moist.

''Are you at ease?　When I get bored I'll sell you properly to the right place when I get bored. Right?

　Did the woman just say that if she gets bored, she'll sell out.
　I don't know what that means.
　Lili felt perplexed.

'What--'
"Male Whore.
What?
When I get bored, I'll sell her off as a male prostitute.　Something worth it!　And that's why you'll be my lover until then!　Right?　Because I love you!　Until I got bored!　Dude, I really need it!　Look, I want it!

　Diares picked up the small axe that the body lying on the floor was holding.
　And then--

Yikes!

　The woman rolled to her side and quickly got to her feet.
　The axe Diares had thrown was stuck in the floor.　

'Watch out, I almost died. 'W-what a mess!　Dearest!　I'll never forgive you!　Do this!

　The woman chattered and chattered.
　Diares thrust the tip of the holy sword at the woman.

''I'm not sure what you're talking about, but........I see, this is indeed what I would call an 'alien atmosphere', isn't it? He's actually quite amusing and creepy.
Oh, I shouldn't have said that. I don't want to be creepy. That's disrespectful and offensive.

　The woman pulls her sword from its sheath.

'If you can't get it by getting down on your knees, then, well, whatever. If you can't get it by worshipping it down, then it's too much trouble--yeah, I've decided to kill you now.

　What was the earlier impassioned plea?
　The woman showed a quick change of pace and said in a disinterested voice, "I am one of the 'ten dead end' spiders.

''I am the one 'ten dead end', the female spider. At the very least, that beautiful face I will take home just the head and display it in my room, right?
I understand you are a resident of the apocalypse.

　Diares asked.

'So what?'
Do you know the whereabouts of a man named Rokia?
You know what?　I don't know, though?
...I see.

　Diares showed signs of disappointment.
　Although it seemed obvious, it still seemed to Lili that it was unusual for him to show such an expression of disappointment.

'Now is not the time for you to be thinking about others. I'm angry.''

　As soon as she entered the stance, the woman's air suddenly changed.
　This was no mere oddity.
　He is far more skilled than any of his previous enemies.
　Gulping, Lili gulped down her spit.

'I'll join you, Diales.
Yes, so if you decide that I'm a danger to you, do you--

　Before Diares could finish, the female spider moved.　

　--fast.
　And powerful.

　Diares somehow managed to deflect its upper body and avoid the attack.
　A bit of her hair was slashed by the blade and she flew through the air.

''If you had accepted me, you wouldn't have died. Foolish man.''
'Yes. I am a foolish man. That's why--

　With a huff, Diares swung his sword.

This is the kind of person I've become.

　The tip of the sword aimed at the female spider's throat was just barely missing her aim.
　However, her expression was stripped of all the leeway she had ahead of her.

''This man--''

　The female spider held her throat with her hand as if she was unconsciously protecting it, and her eyes widened as she looked at Diares.

''No preliminary movements for attack, you mean...?''

　No - it's not that he doesn't have a 'no' reserve action precisely, it's just that he looks that way because he's stripped down his reserve action to the extreme.
　His sword is also called the 'motionless sword' within the knightly order.

''You don't have time to be surprised, do you?''

　Diares gives chase.
　The female spider bites her crimsoned lip with a devilish look on her face.

''Cheeky...!　I'll make you regret it!

　Diares steps in as the female spider holds her sword with both hands in a motion.

''Chi!　I hate men who talk too much!　But I can see what you're after--what?

　Diares' sword was thrust into the heart of the female spider.

'Ba, I wonder...?　The aim is.... the neck, not...

　Lili recalled the words she had heard from Sogut before.

The strength of Diaress is not only in the 'unmoving sword'. His sword is the culmination of his fine craftsmanship.

　Diares probably made her believe that the 'neck is the target' with her gaze and other movements.
　The female spider was also convinced that she had read Dearles' attack.
　But the actual target was the heart.
　Diares has the skill to 'make the opponent think that'.
　It could be said that he is a genius at deception.

''I'm not a combat-specialized type, you know. This is the point at which you can finally mix in some magic tricks to see if you can compete with the hand-to-hand combatants. It would have been better if I had the same level of swordsmanship as my sister.

　Gulping, Diares gouged out the sword's stab wound and moved to finish it.
　How dare he say that, Lili thought.
　The 'handlers' he was referring to were, in other words, Sogut Sigismos and Gaiden Arkwright.
　In Diares's eyes, he only saw that dimension of 'tinkerers'.
　A streak of blood extends from the edge of the female spider's lips.

...except for the most powerful man in the world, Roselbaeon the only one who will die for Rose-le-Bio... Kill me, kill me, baboon...

　Gulp, and the female spider hung her head.
　Lili ran up to Diares.

''You're very good, Diares.
''The end of the tenth death, you said, but at this level, even those from the Order could fight each other. The only thing I'm a little concerned about is this man Roselbion.

　Then some of his men came to report in.
　As Lili flew instructions, the men went back to their posts.

'The fort is close to being overrun, is it?

　Diares, who had been checking to see if the female spider was completely dead, stood up.

''Then ... shall we look for Roselle Bion or something like that? If it looks like we can finish him off, then we'll finish him off ourselves.