Humanoid but non-human demons.

　Large fangs.
　Pointed ears.
　A full belly.
　Thick arms and legs.
　In his hand he holds a weapon that is comparable to one held by a human.
　The distinctive feature is its dark green skin.
　What does the color of that skin indicate?

　A different species.

　A demon that hasn't received the blessing of the Holy God.
　It hasn't been weakened by the blessing, which means it has the strength of the original.

''The orc species is said to be a very intelligent race of demons. Because of that, unlike other demons, there are reported cases that don't end with a simple predatory kill - since ancient times, their danger level has been considered to be a very high category.

　Sticky drool dripped from her mouth and made a pitter-pattering sound on the floor.
　The sound of spit-up was terribly uncomfortable.

　Loud footsteps in particular.

　The orcs split off to the left and right to make way for the master of the footsteps.

'Du--'　

　The one that appeared was an orc larger than the others.
　Perhaps that is the guardian species of this room.

''Zuga, mae ... deja, lu ...''

　You said, "I'm gonna get you.
　Kill, not.
　The next thing you know, you find yourself sandwiched between a pack of orcs on either side.
　That's not all.
　A swarm of orcs also appeared from the destroyed entrance door.

　This reminds me of the time of the Blue Goblin........

''As for me, I wouldn't say they're a very desirable race.

　From earlier, Currier-san's gaze is unpleasantly cold.
　A little bit, even scary.
　Her gaze went back and forth across the room a few times.
　What is she looking at?

"Oh--

　I understood.

　The torches were lit, revealing a place that looked like a prison.

　There were tattered clothes, armor, and what looked like weapons scattered about there, which seemed to be for humans.

　If he died in the Holy Ruins, he would be automatically sent back to earth.
　But if you were not killed after being captured, but were kept alive as a prisoner of war - then

I haven't had this kind of anger in a long time.

　The orcs looked frightened, perhaps overwhelmed by Currier's rage.
　The owners of the clothing probably died after being tormented.
　A stain that was likely blood-colored in origin, found on what looked like a torture device in the prison, on the walls of the room, on the armor and clothing.
　That dull stain proves it.

　That there had been an act of torture of some sort.

　It's not a candidate's uniform by the looks of it.
　Could they belong to the people who had attacked the Holy Ruins before the academy was founded?
　Maybe they were members of the Order of the Holy Jury Knights from a long time ago.
　Or maybe they are adventurers who explored this hierarchy even longer ago.
　From the feeling I can see with my eyesight, they look quite old.

''Bu, g--g--g--bug-o-o-ooh!

　As if the intimidating feeling was no longer bearable, an orc leapt out, swinging his club.

''Bwogo?''

　With unseen speed, Currier-san was moving in front of the leaping orc.
　His posture after he swung his sword away.

''When I was in Doomsday Township, I used to be made to feel like this.

　As soon as the words were released, the orc's belly split in half at an angle.

'Sorry for the complacency, but I'm sorry. Now that I've gotten my eyes on it--it seems that this irritation can't be contained so easily.

　After it fell silent as if struck by water, the orcs bellowed, spitting and spitting.

　Had they turned their fear into anger?

I've heard that one of the strengths of the orc species is its ability to paint over other emotions with aggressive emotions.

　Cecily-san, who explains it that way, is already in a fighting stance.

''Can I leave it to you, Currier-san's back?
I understand.
''I think the guardian orc will be defeated by Currier-san as it is. No matter how I estimate in favor of him, I don't think that guardian orc is a stronger monster than Currier-san in his magical armor.
Where's Blackbeard?
We will cut down the orcs at the entrance and to the left, as many as we can.

　We don't have the luxury of talking at length.
　The fact that we can act with a quick exchange of ideas is another advantage of being able to communicate with each other easily.

'I left the right hand side and the omission of the strike to you two.
Yeah...

　Before he could finish, Miss Cecily sprang into action.

'I'm in charge!

　When Cecily-san steps in to turn to support Currier-san, I'm jumping off the head of the first one of the orcs.


　　　　　*


B......................

　Revelgate's blade was thrust into the back of the back of the head of the guardian species orc, who was lying face down.

　Zak.

''--Bugoye!
You look like the last one.

　In the end, without needing to use his magical armor, Currier-san defeated the guardian species orcs with overwhelming force.

''Phew.''

　Cecily took a breath and wiped the sweat from her chin with her sleeve.

'If it weren't for my melting nature, this room would be an amazing sight by now...'

　The only thing left in the room right now are crystals of various sizes.
　I sheathed the Mad Cherry Blossom.

　I knew one thing.
　In the Holy Ruins, the Mad Sakura cannot show its true value.
　This demon sword is a sword that uses blood as energy to increase its sharpness.
　However, the blood of the demons in the Holy Ruins would melt away after a while, just like a corpse.
　The increase in sharpness with the demon's blood is really only temporary.
　If you continuously slash around, you can maintain it somewhat........

''After I've checked out all the other rooms.................So this is the lowest level after all. There doesn't seem to be anything special about it, though.

　Certainly nothing happens when you kill the orcs that look like guardian species.

　I've already checked the room with the transporter for the return trip and the room near the stairs for resting.

　Cecily put her hand on the iron fence of the rust floating prison and looked inside.

''Thinking about the time when some candidates reach the lowest level in the future, it would be better to report the information about the lowest level, which is the dwelling place of this orc, to the academy.

　The demons in the holy ruins will not disappear.
　It has been confirmed in the past that even if the demons in the hierarchy are eradicated, they will still be born again from somewhere.



　The faintly breathing guardian orc has run out of power.
　After fighting the Orcs, I realized the toughness of their life force.
　In short, it's a tough demon.
　The fact that they can live for a while even if their heads are pierced by swords is a testament to their life force.

　Currier-san looked at the color of the bracelet to indicate the hierarchy.
　The color of the bangles increased in clarity as one went down the hierarchy.

　It was almost colorless and transparent.

''Well, I guess that clears the way to the Special Grade Holy Ruins. Now, let's collect the crystal and go to the return room--

　A moment.
　The body of the guardian species Orc that had begun to melt began to emit light.
　Continued, a rumbling of the ground accompanied by a slight vibration.

''Wha, what........?

　The rumbling of the Holy Ruins.
　I don't have good memories of this.

''Tch!　Kurohico, Cecily!　Quickly, in the homecoming room--

　A moment.
　A wall appeared between me and the two of us from below.
　Before I had time to react, the wall split us apart with the force of a stakeout.

''Kurohiko!''
Are you okay?

　Two muffled, distant voices.

'Kook.'

　I can guess that the death of the guardian species orc triggered this.
　But what is it........
　It's as if the Holy Ruins were waiting for this moment.

...

　Living ruins, huh?

　A heavy cracking sound.

!

　A floating feeling.
　But it wasn't a hole in the ground like it was then.

'This, ha,'

　The only place I'm in is going down like an elevator.

　I look up at the ceiling.

　The blocks of stone fold over one after another to form a ceiling from both sides.
　Even if you fly with the wings of the fifth forbidden curse, you can't return with that one.
　Do you want to draw a circle with the third forbidden spell and make a cylindrical hole?

　No, no.

　If the first wall was already gone, and Currier-san or Cecily-san were looking down, there was a chance of getting them both involved.

　I was the only one who was ripped off.

　You're trying to kill me, aren't you?
　Are you trying to get me to join you?

　The room stopped moving.
　A large passage stretched forward.
　An old-fashioned smell.
　Powdered stone pavement.
　The path leads to the other side of the gaping darkness.

　I quickly look at the rings.
　A ring that shows the position of each other as an example.
　I had it charged before entering the guardian seed room in case I had to.
　Good thing I had assumed the worst from past experience.
　A thin streak of blue-white light indicated a slight tilt upwards.
　Considering the speed and time of the fall, it shouldn't be that far open.
　The distance to that guardian species room is at most three or four levels.

　Hm?



　The first one to appear from beyond the darkness was the Blue Goblin of old.
　And then the one that slithered out from behind the causal demon.

Gu, le le...
'Pguea!'

　The different kinds of demons we met at each level.

　There is not a single white demon.
　They are all original demons.

Suu.

　Breathe, catch your breath.
　Remove the rhetorical sword and the demon sword from their sheaths.
　Holding them in place with both hands.
　I take a step forward.
　It's strange.
　I'm not in as much of a hurry as I was then.

"I'm sorry, but--

　I have a feeling now that I'm sure I'll be able to get to them.


"If you interfere, I won't spare you.


　At the same time as the lead Blue Goblin stepped in, my Shesho sword slashed its throat.

　Controlling my tactics as my opponent stepped in was now a near-reflex action.
　He slashed down one - two or three demons before the surrounding demons could get into position.
　While advancing forward, he kicked away the crowd of demons, kicking them away.
　None of the demons are even close to the final ten-indicator army that fought during the Holy War Festival.

　However, I'll keep my movements to a minimum.

　In order to conserve a little energy.

　Cut.
　Cut it down.
　I cut them down.

　The pure and unadulterated intent to kill is upon me.
　But I've gotten used to having murderous intent directed at me.
　I don't think I will ever be frightened by the intent to kill me again.
　Rather, I fear the murderous intent of those I love.

　I'm more worried about those two people than I am about falling here.
　Isn't the Holy Ruins bare their fangs at those two?
　It just bothers me.

　I have to be back as soon as possible.
　We need to make sure they're okay.

　I have to run through.
　Bathed in blue blood, I search for something that leads upward.

　The luminescence on the wall is getting stronger.
　I guess it's like we're returning to the main route.

　On the other hand, demons are rushing in one after another.

''-----''

　It's a distraction.
　The search.

　I looked back once toward the demon rushing in behind me.

"Get out of the way.　

　It stopped.
　The demon's movement.
　..........
　Huh?
　What is it?
　The voice now.
　It was like the voice of a beshugam when he was releasing his killing intent.
　Or rather, I was even a little frightened by my own voice.
　

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

　Oh, well.
　It may be temporary, but the demon has stopped moving anyway.
　Hurry onward.

　So far, this level has yet to see a door.
　Does the stairs themselves exist?

　Suddenly, I stop.
　I see a hole in the distance....
　It appears to be leading upwards.
　Should I just climb up that?

　I ran again, feeling the presence of a swarm of demons behind me.

　But after running a few dozen meters, I slammed on the brakes.


　There was something.


　Something that looked like a door.
　Somewhere, it was a familiar crest.
　What was it?
　Where did you see it?

Yes.

　I remember.
　That cryptic altar in the clock tower.

　The coat of arms on that altar.

　It was in the basement of that clock tower where Machina-san and I went there.

No way--

　I looked back toward the aisle I'd passed.