Lili and Diares decided to take a walk around the fort.
　Lili watched a few members of the group cross the street and opened her mouth.

'They've all worked hard, but I'd like to give them a break when this is all over.
It was a hard march, you know. Let's take a good rest on the way back.

　Diares smiles gracefully with an air of aloofness.

　Diares Arkwright.
　Although they've been rotten since they were candidates, Lili still doesn't really understand this man.
　People praise him as a genius.
　In fact, he's probably worthy of being described as a genius.

　Lili Sigismos.
　Ramsus Fallonteza.
　René Wynfort.
　Node-horn.
　Diares Arkwright.

　These five men joined the Order in the same year.
　Among them, Diares quickly rose to the second rank of holy rank and the position of deputy commander in the blink of an eye.
　The other people had also achieved remarkable results, but they would be hazy in front of the success of Diares.

By the way, Diales, who is that Rokiah person you mentioned earlier?

　Then Diares looked at the holy sword in his hand as if he were thinking in the distance.

''That man is my enemy who must be defeated one day. What an unpleasant man, that one. If I hadn't met Sogut, I might have followed that man and rode into the apocalypse alone.
...for someone else?
Yes, sir.

　Diares smiled.

'My own, avenged.'

　His eyes are not smiling.

'I've never been humiliated like that in my life. To mock me so badly.......in a way, that was a talent too.

　He exuded bare, bare emotions, which was unusual for a man who usually mixes acting with acting.
　A man who could bring out his true nature.
　Who the hell is this Rokia guy?

''By the way, I've been wondering for a while now.......Dearles, is it not the case that you are attracted to women?''

　This was a question that came out of pure curiosity.
　The woman who was called a female spider just now was a bewitching beauty, even to Lili, who was of the same s*x.
　But even though he was tempted, he showed no signs of being moved.
　To begin with, Lili had never seen him flutter with a woman.
　Even since he was a candidate, he rarely talked about any particular woman.

'I grew up watching my mother and Cecily,' he said. I recognize that women are a terrible thing. And there are few women who can match Cecily in looks alone.

　The standards are too high when it comes to appearance, or so it seems.
　His sister, Cecily Arkwright, was one that Lili had also seen on several occasions.
　Indeed, if you see those beauty crystals every day, it's no wonder that the standards of beauty are off.
　Above all, she herself is more beautiful than a badly made woman.
　A half-heartedly beautiful woman is no match for a half-heartedly beautiful woman.

What about you, Lili?
Me?
You're one of the most brilliant women I've ever seen in my life, but you don't float by.
You're still a flatterer, Dearest.

　Lili has never thought of herself as a beautiful woman in the first place.
　She may be a little well-groomed, but her hawk-like eyes, like those of her brother, seem to give her a severe impression, and the people she is talking to often look away from her.
　She is not particularly good-natured, nor does she have a body like Rene's, which makes her more attractive to men.
　In fact, I'm often told that I'm rather brusque.

''Hmm........Well then, let's change the question. If you were to dare to name a man you like, what kind of man would you be?

　Hmmm, Lili thinks seriously.

''Dare I say it's someone like Gaiden-sama or Wagnus-sama?
'Hahaha!'
What's so funny?
'I see!　You do have a taste for older people, don't you?　Haha, it was that way!
'And older people aren't my hobby!　The reassurance of an experienced man...
'No, no, there's nothing wrong with that, is there?　It's a great hobby of sorts. But if that's the case, then this isn't dominated by men your age courting you.
'Courtship?　What are you talking about?

　'Kukku,' chuckles Diares.

It's a good thing that you have this insensitivity. You're a sinful child, after all, you are.

　Lili is dumbfounded and looks at Diares with half-lidded eyes.

'Which one of you is the guilty one? How many women do you think you've made cry, you.'
I still think it's better as long as you received the favor and clearly refused it.

　By the way, when he was a candidate, Lili had once made Diares, who had dumped his best friend Rene, eaten a slap in the face that was too much for him.

''Anyway, Lili, what do you think about the matter of the occupation of the fort this time?　I can't help but feel that I've been lured out.
'Yes, it definitely felt unnatural. It's a strange sense of control, and it bothered me too. Each person acts as he or she wants to, but in this way, there is an agreement on one point.
You think I have an agenda?
''Yes. There's something not quite right about sitting around after taking over the fort...
Of course.

　Diares ponders silently.

'The place most disadvantaged by the absence of the Order of the Holy Tree, huh?

　Diares said as his head swirled around to his subordinates as they passed by.

'I hope there's not something going on around King's Landing,'
But it's all right, Dearest. Ramsus and Rene are in the capital. There's Ramsus and Rene in the capital, as well as Lord David. And, above all, there's Lord Vanstoss.

　Ramsus Fallonteza.
　The man who, along with Diares and Lili, formed an attack team when he was a candidate.
　He is the eldest son of the Fallontessa family, which has produced many people with excellent talents in magic.
　He has always had an eye for beauty.
　Perhaps attracted by his beauty, Ramsus readily accepted Diares' invitation, and the three of them, including Lili, set a record for reaching the largest holy site in the world.
　Lili recalled her conversation with him.

''I will protect beautiful things, even if I have to pay for this life. That's why I'll protect Dearest and Miss Lili with my life, too.''
'How hard it must be for anyone to marry you in the future.
"Ha, ha, ha, what do you mean, Miss Lili? There's a difference between loving beauty and being in love with the opposite s*x.
''........is that so?''
"The love of beauty is a concept!　Because love is a passion!'
I can't quite tell the difference.
'I mean, they're both great!

　He has some strange notions and high self-esteem, but he's not a bad guy by any means.
　Such is the case with him, but he seems to have become close to Rene since he joined the Order.

　Rene Winfort.
　He is the best friend of Lili for the longest time.
　When she was a child, she was bullied by some of the city's bad boys just because she was a Berk, but Lili defended her every time she was bullied.
　It is inevitable on this continent that people are prejudiced because of their race.
　It's impossible to abolish it per se, or to protect all sub-humans.
　But we can't overlook what we can't overlook.
　Because it's frustrating to watch.
　So Lili decided to protect Rene.
　And with Lili always reaching out to her, Rene was very fond of her.
　Rene was a goofball, and even when she was a candidate, she made a lot of mistakes (although most of them were laughable and could be passed off).
　However, she was most of all a very kind girl.
　Often, before attacking the ruins, she would even help me mend tools that might be useful in the attack.
　Lili recalls the day just before the last holy ruins attack, when graduation was imminent.

''This, for me?''
"Yes. I just wanted to wish Lili a safe return.
"The crystal with its healing magic formula this one cost a fortune, didn't it?
"You can't put a price on Lili's life, you know.
Thank you, Renee.
"Good luck, Lili!　And be sure to come back!　I'll wait for you!

　Lili clutched the crystal Rene had given her that was fitted into her necklace.
　Rene wasn't a good kid in terms of caliber, but he was more of a hard worker than anyone else.
　Particularly after joining the Order, his hard work has paid off and he has made amazing progress.
　Meeting David Hamonis must have had a positive effect as well.

　David Hamonis.
　He was especially fond of Ramsus and Rene.
　As if they were his own father.
　David was also an excellent coordinator in the Order.
　When Sogut and Diares were elected as the leader and deputy leader of the Order, the old members of the Order alienated the two of them.
　At that time, it was Davido who successfully appeased these old-timers.
　He was a master at assuaging such complaints.
　Even the older members of the Order always accepted with a bitter smile in the end, saying, "If David says so, it's no wonder.
　With regard to the current management of the Knights, his presence would be essential as he would deftly bridge the gap between the old and new.
　He was a shadowy figurehead for the Holy Tree Knights to become what it is today.

　When it comes to leading the way in the shadows, Vanstos Troia's presence is also indispensable.
　He was always available to newcomers and troubled members who didn't fit in with the Order, and sometimes he would listen to their problems until the end of the night.
　There are many members who were saved by him.

　Thinking about it this way, Lili realized once again that she was very fond of the current Holy Tree Order.
　Even though she had only been away from the royal capital for a few days, Lili strangely wanted to meet them.

''That's right. Especially with Van Stos, they would be able to deal with most of the threats. Well, if it comes down to it, they'll be there too.''
"They?
A girl named Currier Versteen and a boy named Sagara Kurohiko.
You're from the House of Six and the Conjurer.
I've decided with Van Stos that I'll ask them to help me out if something goes wrong. And since I met that boy, Kurohiko, that difficult-to-please sister has changed a bit. You don't think that Cecily--

'Mmm!　A blow to Lord Hibachi of the Cliffs!　Don't you dare!　I am... one of the Ten Dead Ends, Grunburna the White Spear!　Here we go!
Shut up and get your asses to hell.

　From the corner of a somewhat remote passage, a man with a dagger in his hand who fell down while spewing out a fountain of blood, a white-robed man with a spear at the ready, and a man with burning red hair - a node horn - flew out from the corner of the passage.
　The node took a swing of his glowing magic sword.
　Then his figure appeared to be blurred in multiple layers.
　The spear released by the white-clad man misses its target due to the blistering of his body.

''Nuh!　Did you take the body off?!
Yeah, you're way off.

　A moment later, a half-moon of sword flashes gleam and the white-clad man is cut down.
　While wiping the blood from the demon sword, a node walks over to me.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a lot of experience in this field. Well, if it's that bad, the group members here should be able to handle it, but it looks like there's one person in trouble. As I recall, Rose...something.
Roselle Bion, right?

　The node raised an eyebrow uncomfortably as Diares took over the answer.

''Well Dearest, I didn't tell you.
Excuse me.

　The air is grim.

"I hate you to my core, Diaz. I don't like you at all, Dierace. I don't like your attitude. Ever since I was a candidate.

　Node Horne.
　The eldest son of the Horns.
　The Horns have always been compared to, and fallen behind, the Arkwrights.
　Node has been an enemy of the Dearth since he was a candidate.
　Just.

But you're the real deal. That's what I said. And I'm going to surpass you one day. So....

　Nodd said as he passed Diares.

'Until then, don't let anyone but the Commander beat you to it, okay?　Okay?
Yes, I'll try.
God, you're such a lousy f*cking guy.

　At first glance, Node seemed rough, but he also had an honest side to him.
　In fact, when one of Node's cronies had tried to insidiously harass Diales when he was a candidate, Node himself had come to apologize to Diales.
　And after his apology, he told his cronies

'I appreciate what you guys did for my sake,' he said. I appreciate what you guys did for me, but I want to deal with this guy fair and square. Please, don't make me a coward.

　It was because of this aspect that Lili couldn't dislike the node either.
　However, he is still a beautiful man, and there are many female corps members who like his wild and graceful temperament, but the problem is that they only have their eyes on Diares.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends.

It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

　Boom.
　The wall just ahead shattered.
　A huge man wearing a noxious speckled armor jumped out from behind the collapsed wall.
　The next one to jump out was a

My brother!

　He swung his sword, Sogut.
　In addition, three men and women carrying weapons jumped out of the hole and chased after Sogut.

　At this time - Diares, Lili, and Nord moved immediately.
　Each of them remained silent and ran towards the three who appeared from behind the leader.
　Sogut's gaze only caught a glimpse of us once.
　If his companions were in danger, he would act immediately.
　It could be said to be an acquired reflex action.

　Lili and the others shoved the three people behind them who had jumped out of the way at almost the same time, killing them.
　Without a moment's hesitation, they caught the vital point.
　Sogut plunged his sword into the joint of the giant man's armor, which fell from his waist.

''Ggaa!''

　Then, the black flames emitted from inside the armor began to envelop the armor.

''Goooooooo--!

　The man in armor pointed the armor with the stake-shaped weapon attached to it at Sogut, but he quickly lowered his arm slack and ran out of power.

''Commander, are you alright?''

　Node was the first to run up to him.
　He respected Sogut as much as anyone.

'Yeah, no problem,'

　Sogut glanced at the bodies, including the man in armor.

It seems that the Ten Dead Ends wanted to kill me first. I'm sure you're not the only one," he said.

　Diares, Lili, and Nodd looked at each other alternately.
　Node drops his breath in admiration.

"So the leader defeated the strongest man in the end of the tenth death in an ordinary way.......as expected, the leader is amazing.

　The node turns its adoring gaze to Sogut.
　When Sogut lowered his sword and the light disappeared, the flames that enveloped the man in armor also disappeared.

It looks like the fort is all over the place.
Yes, my brother.
I wouldn't mind a little more than that.

　Diares asked, smiling.

'You don't care about me, Sogut?'

　Huh, and Sogut twists the corners of his mouth to kick back.

''A twisted man like you can't die fast enough.
"...why is this person only cold to me?
'That's where the part about feeling cold is twisted, dearest.
"Okay. Oh, well, I guess I'm missing out on some help.
I didn't ask for your help. But I will say thanks.
Yeah, it's a little late for that.
What node?　Twisted, right?
''Well I overwhelmingly agree with you about the twisted nature of Dearles' personality. Because this guy has been that way since he was a candidate.

　Diares, who had even received a chase from the node, put his finger to his forehead and bit his lip.

''I want to go home I want to go home as soon as possible to King's Landing, where the conscience of the Order, Vanstos, is.

　Pop, Lili put her hand on Diares' shoulder as a sign of comfort.
　And inwardly, she was determined to ask why she wasn't in the frame of 'conscience' when she returned to the royal capital.
　Nevertheless, Lili was grateful to Diares as her sister.
　It was a good thing for her brother Sogut to have someone to talk lightly to, Diares. ,.
　In fact, since meeting him, Sogut feels a little less steely.

　Sogut looks down at the corpses of Ten Deathsome and the others.

''It was a good decision to bring the most elite of the knights with you. They were a group to be reckoned with.''
Well I was never a small fry.


No, they're small fry.


　Everyone reacted in unison to the voice.
　A lone robed boy stood across the aisle.
　He had soft golden hair and fine threaded eyes that looked friendly.
　A beautiful boy, I guess you could say.

'Who are you?'

　Lili asks, and the boy smiles.

Nice to meet you. I'm Nemesisia. "I'm Nemecia, and I'm from Hell, so you have no idea what I'm talking about.
Hell?
''Doomsday Prison...'' It's a huge underground prison in Doomsday Township where the most inaccessible people in Doomsday Township are placed. The people of the apocalypse call it 'prison'.

　The boy stepped over the rolling corpse and stepped forward.

I'd like to make a special exception for you," he said. This is how I was freed to join the attack on the fort, but to be honest, it was a bit boring for me.

　The raider of the fort.
　Apparently, he's an enemy too.
　But still--

You're the Order of the Holy Tree, right?　That name has reached the prison. It's a pleasure to meet you.

　What was the suffocatingly intimidating feeling that was emitted from the boy?
　Looking at it, it seemed that Lili wasn't the only one who was feeling intimidated.
　Sogut held his sword at the ready.

''Looks like you're an opponent that can't be compared to the Ten Dead End.
''Huh, as expected of a 'Black Saint Jury',''' he said, ''It's very important to find out what your opponent is capable of. It's very important to find out what your opponent is capable of. So--

　The boy's threadbare eyes opened slightly.

'Because if you can see how dangerous they are, you might be able to live a little longer, right?
-Oh!

　Cringing.
　Lili felt a chill run through her body.
　It felt like her heart had been grabbed.

　That's when - the node moved.

　It was a lean and refined strike.
　Furthermore, an altercation attack by the power of the magic sword that was difficult to read.
　But that blade easily cut through the sky.

''Haha, that's scary.''

　Nemesia, I noticed, had moved behind the node.
　The boy was laughing, carapace and innocence.

　--as if I couldn't see him.

　I couldn't follow Nemecia's movements with my eyes at all.

''Hmm?''

　This time, Diares, who had moved to attack in conjunction with the node, was closing in on Nemesia.
　A quick slash with the holy sword.
　The preliminary movements were eliminated to the extreme - the 'No Way Sword'.

''Heh.......lady, you use an interesting sword. Oh, no - you're the older lady. Sorry, I'm sorry, you look so pretty, I thought you were a woman.

　Lili regripped the hilt of her sword as she felt her blood drain away.
　Nemesia was standing about one lathal away from Diares' sword, with a generous look on her face.
　Not even Diares' sword could catch it.
　Lili felt a shiver.

　--Their rank, different.

　An opponent of a different dimension from the tenth death end.
　Both the node that attacked her and Diares seem to feel it.

The beautiful lady there seems to have gone up in arms after seeing that. But there's nothing to be ashamed of, is there?　I'm from the third level of hell. I don't know if you can understand the word "third layer"...

　Sogut's Levatain growled.
　But--.

Oops, that's not safe.

　Sogut's sword was unable to slice through Nemesia.
　Nemesia, who dangerously dodged Sogut's sword and jumped back, sat down on top of Roselbion's armor while fluffing her robe in the air.

''Huh, as expected of a 'black holy warrior', that's what it is. I'm sure you'll find that you're far more skilled than the other two. But the holy magic sword is not yet in your hands.
...Is this what the Jailers are capable of?

　Sogut frowned.
　Diares and Node also looked depressed.
　Lili, too, was painfully aware of her own helplessness.
　At the same time, what they remembered was a sense of despair.
　Is this guy from hell a better opponent than even Sogut Sigismos?

　Nemecia puts her hand over her mouth and smiles with a chuckle.

It's a good idea to have a good time.　Staying in the apocalypse is boring, isn't it? It would be interesting to deal with the three major organizations, but we have become free like this. I want to get out of the apocalypse and have fun.

　'Yeah,' Nemesis nodded.

''Well then, let's go to the royal capital, Christophia, shall we?

　The node gnashes its teeth.

'Hmm?'
''The Holy Tree Knights were a disappointment, but there's something called the Holy Ruins over there, right?　Moreover--Didn't I hear that the King's Capital, Christofia, has that forbidden curse user?
You know?
Yes, just in case. And since I've never seen a holy tree in person I've been wanting to take a look at it. Okay, I've decided!

　Nemesia clapped her hands together as if it was a good idea.

''Let's go to Christophia, the royal capital, which is said to have a holy tree!　But before that--

　Nemesia opened her eyes thinly and her cheeks twisted into a ny.

''Let's take the souvenir of the Holy Tree Knights' annihilation, shall we?

　A painful killing spirit on her skin gushed out of Nemesia.

''Ah--''

　Although his expression was smiling, the sharp killing intent radiating from him sewed Lili to the spot.
　A cold sweat ran down her cheeks.

　--I can't win.

　I can't win against this boy.
　What to do.
　What should I do?
　If we don't, King's Landing--

Nodes.

　Diares called out to the node.

'..........'
I'm afraid we're going to have to be on the same page.

　Nodo bites his teeth with a girly smile.
　You can't help but notice that blood is dripping from that mouth.

You can't help it. I'll give you a ride.

　Nodd looks over at Dearth.

'The Commander and Lili must run. This one's going to be me and Diales.
It's a way to go but it's the only way to go.

　The two men held their swords.
　Lili gulped and gripped her sword.

''I, too, will stay.

　Sogut lowered the arm holding the sword.

''You ... idiots.''
Beautiful camaraderie. Huh, it's wonderful. Yes, at least when I kill you, I'll kill you painlessly.

　Nemecia sat up.

They say it's beautiful when a person decides to die, but I don't think it's beautiful. I don't think it's beautiful, but it is pleasant. There is nothing more ridiculous than standing up to an opponent you know you can't win.

　From the pure white robe, Nemesis produced a raw white arm.
　The arm was fitted with a magic tool.
　His hand began to emit a faint luminescence.

''Let's........begin, Holy Tree Knight--''


　Zuban.


"--What?
Fun I find your presence amusing I find your presence amusing.

　The right shoulder was slashed in a straight line from Nemesia's stomach to her right shoulder.

''Gah........!　Wha.........?

　Levatein's blade had caught Nemesia.
　Before he knew it, Sogyut had moved to the front of Nemesia.
　Like a whirlwind, Sogyut quickly spun sideways.
　With the momentum of the rotation intact, he slashed at Nemecia's chest with a sideways cleave.
　With a swoosh, Nemesia's blood spurted up.
　The cross-shaped wound is carved into Nemesia.

You are able to.....................
Did you really think that was my real power?

　Soght looked down at Nemesia, who was clutching her wound and falling on her ass, and asked

You thought you'd found out what I was capable of with the first blow," he said. That's why I thought I could avoid the second attack with the same sensation. But when I saw the movement of the attack, I tried to avoid it, but it was quicker than I expected, so I couldn't avoid the attack - could I?
So that first strike wasn't really your true strength, was it?

　Nemesia giggled, with a lot of sweat running down her face.

''But you're stuffy ... sweet, Sogut Sigismos.
...What?
You've come this far. You shouldn't have let me waste my time talking to him if it was the last thing you wanted to do.

　Nemecia's eyes were discolored.

'Huh, it's too late.'

　His eyes had turned a rainbow of colors.

'Come on, let's go. "The perfect rainbow of--

　A moment.

'--Goof!　What is this........!

　Black flames enveloped Nemesia's body.
　Sogut slashed Nemesia's eyes.

''Guaaaah!　Gah........gah!


When did I let go of my end of the bargain?


　Nemesia is weaving in some kind of a technical formula.

''Guhhh!　Shit, why?　Why does this fire not go out!　It's one of the biggest disarming techniques!　Why does the release technique, which can override any technique, not work!
That flame will not be extinguished unless the user disarms it himself.
Oh, God d*mn it!　I'm out of prison.　I'm not going to let this--d*mn it!

　Diares, who had been watching the events in a daze, smiled as he broke out in a cold sweat.

''Sogut.........how much stronger will you become, you? Really, disgustingly far.......no, that's why I--
I need help!

　Nemesia clung to Sogut.
　By the way, the black flame has no effect on the user, Sogut.

''What?''
No, no!　I don't want to die but I just got out of prison!　I don't want to die here, and I don't want to die here...!
I'm sorry, but I'm not gonna do you any favors.
Jeez, have you no mercy?　You'd be a proud saint, wouldn't you?　Any proud man should listen to the pure begging for his life!　Isn't that right, Sogut Sigismos!　Yes!　Hey, if you want, I can join the Order of the Holy Tree!　I-I can be useful!　So--
Do you have any idea how many people you've killed in this fort?
I don't think that's--
I will not forgive a man who has killed more of my people than I can count.
Gee ... outsider!
"You have your own ideas and I have mine. And I'm an enemy of yours and you are an enemy of mine. That's the only thing that matters.
"Oh, geez I hate you!　I hate you!　I'm going to curse you to death, Sogut Sigmousossssssssssssssss!
And...

　Sogut's voice was laced with a merciless cruelty.
　But it also sounded a little lonely.
　Its desolate tone seemed to drag out the reverberations of the distant past.
　And then.

I can't...

　Levatein's blade pierced Nemecia's forehead.
　Sogut said quietly as he drew his sword.

'I left all such things as mercy for my enemies on that day.