It was four hours later when the members of Special Squadron 0 left their headquarters and stepped into the exclusive territory of the Krebdito. The time was around noon, considering that it was early morning when they were called up.
　The reason we arrived so early must have been because the other squads made the shortest route from Alpha. It's not hard to imagine that in the background, Bellick had issued a mission to each squad to defeat the demons.

　Along the way, Nikeh only barked once to warn them of the demons, and they were able to reach their destination without encountering them due to the distance between them.

　It wasn't long after that that they discovered Arachne. The Clevidites were not as active as Alpha in expanding their territory, and this area was close to the virgin forest until this area. There would be few places within 100km of Alpha's outer borders that didn't already show signs of combat.

　In a nutshell, the Arachne's appearance is a giant spider's body part with a human-shaped object that appears to be its main body. This is thought to imitate the appearance of a predatory wizard, but they all retain their feminine features. The only thing is that they look like slouchy dolls, and that is limited to their silhouette.

　The length of the body is easily close to 10 meters. Its entire body was covered with a black outer shell that looked like it was cracked open, and the belly that could be seen on a spider looked abnormally shriveled. Normally known as a vicious demon, Arachne seemed to be dying. Its legs were covered in wounds to the point that it could not recover, and not a few of them were cut off from the middle. The main body in its upper body was lying on its back with its long hair hanging down all over its body as if it was connected directly from its head.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on, but I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on. The rest of the squad is responsible for lurking on all sides and assisting from mid-range.
　Naturally, Lindelph is waiting in the background with Nike, giving out instructions with the consensors everyone is wearing.
　As a side note, the AWR that Ars is using is a military-issued dagger. Of course, it is the highest level of equipment among the issued items, and is only issued to double-digit wizards. However, everyone knows that it is still not enough for him to use it.
　Since he joined the army, Ars has purchased a new AWR more than 20 times.


　However, when it was over, he was able to defeat them with little or no resistance. Erina's explosive blow sank it, and Arus slaughtered it in an instant with his top-tier magic. When it was over, the most alarming steel-strength thread in Arachne had never been seen.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make your life easier and more fun.

　You will be able to get the most out of it.

''What do you mean, Lindelph-san?''

　Erina asked, unconvinced by the strange sight too. There was no dirt on her body, or even her clothes.

''Hmmm...unnaturally weak for an A-rate. And I could see countless scars on your body.''

　The reply to Elina created an opportunity to ponder. It's not worth it to simply rejoice by saying that they succeeded in defeating it.
　Then, seeing Arachne, who has turned about 60% of her body into dust, the troops gradually gathered around.

''Lindelph, I think it may be the Krebdito's squad that engaged them!
Or maybe Lieutenant General Morweld's squad was hunting them down.

　Lindelph rubbed his chin at their speculation and denied it, "That's not true.

'Why, Mr. Lindelph?'

　He didn't know why Erina thought the same thing or why she was in denial.

　While the troopers opened their mouths to dispel the dim premonition, Ars just looked at the dissipating Arachne. Even though he was a demon, he still possessed the instincts of a living being. That's why they will fight to the death if their lives are cut short. Of course, this is knowledge gained from experience.
　Theoretically, demons are not defined as living creatures. One reason is that the principle of their behavior is not life-supporting predation. They are acquired and rewrite their genes, such as self-propagation, on their own, so they cannot be traced back to primitive life forms. Of course, it's hard to define, so we can't generally deny it, but it may be that we can't equate it to a natural enemy to humanity.

　Lindelph offered a reason for the two speculations.

''It's that Lieutenant General Morweld's troops are insufficient to deal with an A-rate class demon.

　Erina went back to the memory of the troop list that had missed the demon and said, 'Ah.

''I checked, too, but if we'd been properly engaged, we'd have been wiped out.　I thought it was out of vanity that he said he let it go, but I guess he really did let it go.
You mean you were fighting the good fight?

　Lindelph nods in affirmation at the solution he has arrived at. It was a further stepped-up thought that made his expression one of bitter concern.

'They were indeed hunting him down, but if he was able to escape within the Crebidito, they wouldn't be able to get to him anytime soon. Or we really lost them. It's hard to imagine that we've been attacked by a demon from the road to this point, either.

　It's unlikely that there was a threatening demon in the area because of the presence of Nikeh. If it's not a high rate, if it's cannibalism, one of them is likely to be eaten, but there's no wreckage or evidence of a struggle.
　I also reject the other speculation.

'So they encountered a squad of Krebdites? That's going to be hard to do, too. It's hard to imagine that the Crebidites would come this far away on a routine mission, and if it's an operation to retake territory to the outside world, it's strange that our neighboring country, Alpha, can't know about it. I have a bit of a bad feeling about this.

　Lindelph raised his gaze at the fact that the person who should be listening to his opinion at a time like this wasn't participating in the conversation. Although he wasn't the type of person to participate by nature, it was Ars's position to be wary of his surroundings without being isolated.
　And even though Lindelph is a child, he is as knowledgeable as an adult and often asked for his opinion.

　He walked up to break up the squad members to see that Ars was still looking down in amazement at the demons he had defeated. There was already no body of Arachne, only black powder.

''What's up, Ars?''
Did you find something strange, Mr. Ars?

　Elina, who noticed that Ars wasn't there anecdotally by the movement of Lindelph's gaze, ran up to her at a small run and patted her shoulder.　

''No, the demon's wounds ... that wasn't a magical attack.
...
'There were scars all over the place, as if he'd been eaten to pieces. But they are all small, shallow wounds. If the outer shell was that hard, it would not be possible for two demons to bite off each other at a low rate. If it's to the point where they can't recover...''

　No member of the squad doubts the results of Ars's observations. This is because he is a known member of the squad who is skilled in demons, magic and other such sciences and is in the hall.

'Wait. Mr. Ars, that doesn't mean you've been wounded by a magician, does it?
'It will be. I can't say I was fighting the good fight. They must have moved away and made a remote attack. Isn't that why you were able to escape?

　It was shortly after that.

""-------!!!"

　A short distance away from the squad, on the raised roots of a huge tree, a nique barked high in the air with her head up in the air.
　It was a howl that had not been taught in training.

'What!'

　Lindelph's voice made them all look at Ars. If it was a signal that wasn't part of his training, it was natural to ask him who was sharing the most time with him.
　But

'It's a bark I've never heard before either. But it's probably at maximum alert level.
"....!　Direction.
'You're an Alpha!

　Lindelph asks as if he senses the danger, but Elina shows a startled expression on her face. Ars nodded and agreed.

'Let's get back soon.'

　Lindelph moved his squad to Alpha for guidance and resumed his action. Before he could do so, he approached Ars and broke his hip to ask the squad members without being heard.

'Ars, there was something interesting in the material I was looking at earlier about demons in the past... is it true that demons breed!

　Ars only moved his gaze to the right side. That was because he could see what Lindelph was concerned about.

'It seems to be true. It's just a peculiar phenomenon that exists in those with a clearly defined species. We can't be sure because there are few examples, but it seems to have been seen in demons with well-defined archetypes, such as insects. Didn't Mr. Lindelph see it too?
'Oh, ah...'
'Even though it's Arachne, it's still a spider. We can't completely deny it, but as far as the situation is concerned, it's possible. It's because it's thought to have exhausted its energy, or in this case, its magic power, in order to give birth to a child. Considering that the outer shell is also a good conductor of magical power, it makes sense that it would soften at birth.
That would mean that the wound was made by a spider.
A little spider...
What?
''No, demons can't produce offspring, so in this case, I guess I should say it's the half of the body that I shared my magical power with.

　At the quizzical gaze of the squad members who were trying to hurry onward, Lindelph said he would try to run and reached the back of the line.
　As he did so, Ars thought he saw the anxious expression on Elina's face, but he didn't pay any attention to it as he led the way without saying anything.
　Nikeh is on the outside, Elina's, just behind the lead. This is a fixed position for the move.

　Special Squadron 0 then headed for Alpha as they winded their way.
　The only conversation on the road was a few additional additions from Ars, but Lindelph listened to them in silence, silently trying to think.

　In about an hour or so, they were able to penetrate within forty kilometers of Alpha, but the scene that unfolded there was unbelievably miserable to the eye.
　The sky was dyed red in the far distance. A dazzling magical residue was distorting the atmosphere.
　Returning fire at more than 10km above the defensive line, but the obviously disturbing scene in the outside world kept Nikeh roaring throughout.

　A crunching sound unique to the arthropods that flickers from right beside the troops' run sounds like a ground slamming sound, and under Lindelf's direction, Ars and Elina immediately eradicate it.
　However, Lindelph's face twitched when he caught sight of the demon's wreckage.

''This is........''
Sounds like it's the right thing to do.

　Exoskeleton similar to Arachne, the size was quite small and about the size of a human, but this demon is known as a spider type [Alania]. However, this time, the possibility of it being the half-body of Arachne has increased.
　After all, Arakune is the mature body of Arania. Based on its size, I would say its rate was a C.

　The remnants of the four demons were lying at the feet of Ars and Elina, who had been killed in the blink of an eye.

　Immediately after, though, Lindelph pressed his finger against the consensor to grasp the situation.

''No. No, it's all pretty mixed up. It looks like we won't be able to contact them even closer.'
'What do you think, Mr Lindelph? 'The command of this squad is entrusted to you, sir.

　The squad members nodded at Elina's words. It is true that Lindelph as a magician is not worthy of being a mage, but his ability as a commander is outstanding, more so than anyone else in the squad. I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say about it.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say about it.
　Normally, you would want to avoid getting involved in something unrelated to your mission. However, if we are being attacked up to the defense line, we can't afford not to join in.
　It was impossible to judge because the threat level could not be ascertained right now.

　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

(You could make an achievement out of picking up chestnuts in the fire, but...)

　I remember what Vyseist asked me to say just before I left.

(Our biggest priority right now is Ars but that's not good enough. It's not a ball to be protected, and if it was a situation where we lose the alpha we're supposed to protect above all else, that would be bad).

　I dismiss the idea of thinking that, but at the same time dismiss the idea of approaching them to see how they are doing, as out of the question. With such a naive idea, I could easily get my foot in the door.

(I'm sure Elina is thinking of waiting or bypassing them without interfering.........

　It's a good enough job considering this mission, but if you don't participate in the war here, unnecessary feuds such as being blown away by the winds of cowardice will arise and you will not be able to escape pursuit.

　Lindelph was hoping that if Ars was there, he would be there, and before he knew it, he was even thinking that what was supposed to be a gamble might not even be a gamble. It could be taken as a paralysis of thought in a state of tension.
　Honestly, no matter which way it turned out, it was neither good nor bad. In the worst case scenario, it can't be the worst just because Ars is alive.

''Okay, we'll bypass........'' right after I was about to open my mouth.
'Mr. Lindelph. If we don't go quickly, we'll have quite a few casualties.''

　The expression on Ars's face that came out of his mouth, as if it were so obvious, reflected nothing. It was a face that didn't know if he was really worried.
　However, Lindelph was stunned and bit down on the words that came into his chest. Yes, maybe Ars wasn't worried about anything. But it was a painful shock to Lindelph, who had lost sight of the significance of it and the significance of being a magician.

''Hahaha!　Right, let's hurry up!

　Lindelph spun the exact opposite answer, wondering what hesitation there would be in helping his friends. If he was thinking about Ars's future, it would be better not to choose to pull out here.

''Lindelph-san!

　Lindelph is aloof from Elina's angry, reprimanding voice.
　The other members of the squad are not going to open their mouths and are waiting for instructions.

Well, don't be so brave, Elina. You can't know what to expect, no matter what you choose to do. So why don't we do what wizards do? I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.　Don't think about if it's a big deal for the country or something. What if there's a wizard fighting a demon right now and you're not going to join him?
But then, the captain's.
I'm in charge. You're breaking orders, Elina. That's fine with me, though, and I know what you mean.

　Erina looked at Ars with a sigh. The expressionless, childlike rarity, it was a danger to the sense of danger.
　She understands that.
　Her role is not to hold Ars in bondage. It is not to defend him. So the act of narrowing the course of action was selfish selfishness on Elina's part.
　If they were threatened, then defend them, that's the only role that Elina was assigned to do.

''I understand. But is that enough for you, Ars-kun?
As Captain Viziest said, if you don't know what you don't know, you should try it. So I thought it would be a good idea to clean up the rear of the ship first.
'Oh, I see..... You don't know what the right choice is. I think it's up to you to make the right choice, Ars.

　With a forced smile on her face, Elina spins out the words as best she can. She has to go that far because she knows it's sophistry after all.
　Still, she decided that she should respect Ars's arguments, because she thought he might really be able to change them.

'All right!　Shall we get on with it where we're supposed to?

　Lindelph looks around as he says to hasten the feeling of deviation. I know that there are no demons within visual distance, since Nikeh is here, but I know that there are no demons in sight.