Ars and the others are marching in one mass towards Alpha - the line of defense.
　They were already approaching the 20km mark, but the ominous scene told us that the situation was leaning in the wrong direction.
　Despite the fact that there were traces of a battle from earlier, only the corpses of some wizards were left without a trace. It was a devastating situation where it was hard to believe there were any survivors.

　The members of Special Squad 0 had already come here and defeated countless demons. However, a sense of frustration at not being able to see the front line yet is burning the area around the section. The strong expression on his face indicates the bad situation.

　From the situation, Lindelph predicted the progress of the battle.

'This area is the first front line. And if that's the case, we are now in a considerable retreat. Let's hurry.''

　With only his ears tilted up, the squad member pulled his chin back and moved his feet even more quickly.
　The fact that the demons we've defeated so far aren't just spider-shaped, what does that mean? There will be no one who does not understand.
　It was certain that the other demons inspired by the spider-shaped demon - Arachne's half - had started to progress all at once. But to progress on a large scale, there should be a high rate of existence to drive it.

　Immediately after feeling a chill, Nikeh echoed a howl in response, announcing the threat with a deviant quickness. The troopers waved their gazes at the proximity of danger to keep a watchful eye on the alert. It's already nearly impossible to distinguish between the numerous demons with the way that Nikeh is barking. That's why they were only alerted to the approaching demons.
　The squad that changed its direction to a place where the warfare was intense made the creepy body tense up there. The large amount of blood spat out by the mages on the trees that had been burned to bright red reflected the heat in the orange.

　A hellscape of demons who are not afraid of fire devouring the mage.
　The predation had already shown that there were no survivors in this area. That's where Ars and the others landed.
　The situation was bad. No matter, they should be able to get through if they only had nearly 40 low-rate demons.

　However, the team members clenched their navel at the same time as they pulled out their AWRs when they saw the huge demon screaming in the center.

　At the front, Elina overflowed in astonishment.

''How could an ogre species [Rosokalg] be here........''

　Dimpled crimson spots in the eye sockets reflected the flickering flames. The mane of hair ran down his back, and strands of hair were raised on his swollen limbs. Furthermore, black pointed claws were sticking out from the tips of his fingers.
　The A-rated [Rosokalg] is a demon that is encountered particularly frequently. And the fact that it is appearing here means that it has evolved at the end of absorption, or did it take advantage of the spider's progress to attack us?
　The blood and yells of demons have the effect of attracting demons, so I guess that they are probably driving this massive progression.

　He said that he was keeping his feet on the ground in the horrific devastation as if time had stopped.

''Target [Rosokalg], we will now strike out to defeat them!
...

　The squad member who came back to himself to Lindelph, who raised his voice, nodded without averting his gaze with a tightened expression. If we defeat the high rate here, the demons should be more than a little delirious. If they were only being dragged along by [Rosokalg], who existed at a higher level in this place, they wouldn't think of breaking through Babel's protective barrier.
　However, it was immediately painted with astonishment.
　This was because Ars entered the view of the entire squad. In a straight line, without any hesitation, he ran towards Rosokalg while drawing his sword.

''Ars!　After controlling the troops who were about to utter "Wait, coordinate......." with his hand, Lindelph looked at Elina and then uttered, "Leave Rosokalg to the two of us, the rest of us will sweep the perimeter.

　The troops should have been fighting the good fight as they were surrounded by flames. The number of demons is definitely decreasing........but from wherever they sprang up, they attacked from underground and overflowing from the sky.
　As expected, the members of the squad were also exhausted until their fatigue could be seen, and their pale faces were complaining of the depletion of their magic power.

　Nikeh definitely chewed out the demon just before it mutated under Lindelf's direction. Although it cannot replace the magic power absorbed immediately, but still, individual differences make a difference, so a demon that shows signs of mutation, such as its body starting to transform, may increase its rate by more than one step. Nikeh made sure to slaughter that moment of defenseless rigidity.

　And Ars, as for Ars, he and Elina were engaged in a close battle. He dodged Rosokarg's attacks with the burning flames on his arms and wounded the hard outer shell. It was so fierce that even Elina, a double-digit magician, could barely keep up with it.
　The fire dust burns your cheeks every time you engage in sword fights, but Ars doesn't even blink and focuses on the demon's every move.
　A moment after the flame dust clung to the demon's legs as well, it was reamed off to the side.
　It bends down and avoids it, but the demon's vicious legs scatter an enormous amount of flames, and in a hurry, it almost burns its members to death from behind.

　A single blow can lead to instant death. Knowing this, Ars's movements increased in speed and began to overwhelm Rosocarg, who was returning fire. You're going to be able to see an opening and attack, but you're biting your teeth that you're becoming unable to respond.
　It was at this time that I stepped out with my maximum magical foot while leaping over the side of Rosokalg, who was frightened by Ars's blow. A few turns vertically in the air, and with centrifugal force, he dropped on his heels.

　A moment later, Ars sensed what Elina was about to do by a sign, and he sensed what Elina was about to do.

''What!

　Just before she dropped on her heels, Ars thrust his arm out from the side and pushed Elina away.
　Elina bit her lip as she rolled to be sent flying directly to the side and immediately raised her gaze to the ground. Rosokarg was about to unleash his magic on Ars when he opened his mouth and jumped into the line of fire. It was unclear how much damage he could have done if he had just unleashed his magic like that, but he didn't think he could take him down in one hit. It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're going to do with it.

　The same seemed to be true for Ars, who took his place. I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more information on this topic.
　But the cost was too great. I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what I'm going to do with it, so I changed my grip on the sword horizontally and struck it up with my back. This caused the AWR to shatter from the midsection with a crushing sound.
　This wasn't due to the AWR's fragility, but rather the fact that it couldn't withstand the power output because it was condensed as magic to just jump up. The chin part of Rosokarg's jaw is shattered as if it were cracked and dripping dusky fluid.

　Looking at Ars, who threw away the broken AWR, Elina regretted that she had become a liability. From the point of view of others, it's not a blameable blunder, but the results really condemn her. Because losing a weapon is a fatal thing in the outside world.

''Ars!''

　Ars firmly grabbed the sword that flew through the air with a voice like that. Even with the new AWR in his hands, his frustration was not only unending, but growing. At first he thought it would be easy to wipe them out with top-tier magic, but at such a close range, there was no way he could use it with an eye to the possibility of getting them involved, so he had no choice but to bring them into close combat inevitably.

　He threw over the AWR that Lindelph had lowered as he watched the attack and defense, but originally, it should be useless if he didn't have an aptitude for the system.
　However, Elina was stunned by Ars, who started handling Lindelph's water system AWR with ease of intent, and patted her chest in dismay.
　Huh.

(But Ars-kun should have been a fire system.)

　The reason I feel that this is a good idea is because Ars usually only came to use the fire system.
　The other hand, Lindelph on the other hand, was dimly aware of this. Of course, there were times when it was better than nothing.

　The sword fight unfolded again as Ars surpassed Rosokalg's onslaught without any thanks. He evaded it, as if he could see through it, even though it was a fragile body that would run out if he received even a single blow. Lindelph is less than third-rate as a mage, and most of his ranking is a credit to his skillful tactics - and that's what he's done since he joined this unit. He was only competent enough for patrol duty to be suitable for the original. Knowing that, the AWR was only considered for emergency use. It's like they only have it to protect themselves in the first place.

　As proof of this, the sword blade begins to creak as if it were screaming against the wound that ran thinly across Rosokalg's outer skin. Even though it is covered with magical power, the difference in material is huge.

　It was frustrating that Erina could only watch, but she couldn't actually do anything about it. If something happened more than the pride of being a double-digit mage, to force Ars back home if something happened, of course, that would be the last thing she would do. The priority is Ars's life.

　However, as you stare at him as if you were monitoring him, your back gradually becomes creepy and milky. The gaze was directed not to Rosocarg but to Ars. What's more, it's at the mouth.

''You're smiling.......''

　It was a lecherous smile that was inappropriate considering his age. It was as if he couldn't see his surroundings, giving him a sense of danger. In the outside world, this was a symptom that could be seen when one's mind was deranged in the face of a demon, but in this case, he seemed to be enjoying the battle.

''Lindelphu!

　The voice rose like a scream, belonging to the squad members who were confronting the low rate around them. The voice that followed was a decapitation.

　Lindelph shook his head as if he had been played, but by the time he did, the gobbled up and vomited blood on the corpsman's body was covered in deep, irreparable lacerations that ran through his military uniform and dyed it bright red. Suddenly, the pale complexion plays out the worst possible outcome.

''Elina! She raised her voice to tell him that she was going to retreat at once, but it was only when she called out for the third time that she came to herself.
　Even though it was in the midst of the heat, there was a thin, cold sweat sticking to her cheeks and forehead.

''A, Ars-kun, we're retreating.............................Ars-kun?

　His voice was taut, but not so quiet that I couldn't hear him. The lack of response is still filled with a sense of foreboding and compromise.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

'It's no use. I'm going to force you to pull it off. I'll step in, and while I'm doing that, you're going to take off with Ars and leave. I don't care if I knock him out.
"--!　Then Mr. Lindelph.....

　The words that followed because I understood the importance of the role that needed to be carried out. At the same time, there was a nod, but it was Elina who stepped forward.

Miss Lindelph can't create an opening.

　Saying that, I grabbed Elina's shoulder forcefully to control her wit, which was poised to look for an opportunity.

''........!
Captain's orders. I will give you an opening. I've been useless as a wizard, let me do the captain's thing for the last time.

　Her hands, which were getting stronger, were shaking in small increments. However, the expression on his face did not allow Elina to refuse. Looking around, none of the members of Special Squad 0 were standing. There wasn't even a voice, not even a call for help.
　He had only called out his name to advise Lindelph at the end. He would certainly have gotten the intent.
　They were supposed to be the only two who had received instructions from the Viziest, but it was probably a wish they all shared.

　Lindelph dwelled on his unwavering determination to go into the dancing flames at a distance. He twisted the trembling of his body against his will with the force of his consciousness alone.

'So you were a man too, Lindelph-san,' spun as if to bite down on the obvious, Elina faltered slightly, then returned her gaze.

'Naturally. What if, if the three of us make it out alive...'

　To Lindelph who scratched her cheek.

'I don't like it,' responded Elina with a smile, "I'm not interested in people wagging their tails at anyone, you know," she muttered quietly.
　Lindelph lifted her cheeks and foolishly ran off.

''Ooooooooooooh!

　He rushed forward through the flames, not feeling the slightest bit of heat. But the demon that the squad members thought they had annihilated even if they had risked their lives was attacking behind Ars, covered in wounds, with its mouth open to tear from the flames.

''d*mn it!''

　Just as he thought he wouldn't make it in time, a nickel with white and silver body hair roared from the side and swung its claws down against the demon, catching the demon core.
　It was immediately afterwards that Ars turned around.
　The majestic body covering his vision landed from the air while dominating the glittering hair.......but.... Before the four feet reached the ground, the silvery white body rose up to push up in several places, and tentacles as long as an arm broke through the body in front of Ars's eyes, showering him with blood.

　Nailed in midair and stagnant, Nikeh fell to the ground with a thump as the tentacles dripped an enormous amount of blood and the tentacles returned.

''Ni, Nike-........''

　The words spat out of Ars's mouth without force, completely ignoring Rosokarg's presence and breaking his knees in front of Nikeh.

　A gritted-toothed Lindelph plunged in without slowing down. Because Rosokalg hadn't been distracted by Niké, he had raised his huge arm in flames.
In a moment of time, Lindelf covered Ars with his back to him, holding his head in his arms.

　He closed his eyelids forcefully and waited, but the time never came. In a moment, I heard an unbelievable voice that I couldn't believe my ears.

''It's still too late, Lindelph-san........''

　Elina is standing upright between me and Rosokarg. We knew that.
　Smoke was rising from her abdomen due to the heated claws.

''Hey, what are you doing Elina........''
The right person in the right place.

　Immediately after the huffing and puffing breaths that were exhaled along with the blood, Elina's body floated slightly and Rosokalg swung out to pull out her claws. The body that was lightly thrown away rolled to a little before the flames, spattering blood.
　With her face turned to the side, Elina's hair unraveled and scattered like a spider's web.

　With a clatter, Lindelph's teeth rattled and he bit off his lip repeatedly.

'd*mn you!

　In a fit of rage, Lindelph was about to strike with his bare hands, but his instinctive fear tempered him and he stopped moving. This was because more fear than the demon in front of him had eroded his mind from behind. The enemy, the kataki, was right in front of him, but he could feel a threat right behind him that outweighed it.
　Rosokarg didn't look at Lindelf either, but backed away, fixing his gaze behind him.

　

''...........!

　The profile of Ars, who looked at Elina dumbfounded as she was thrown away, and the tears that were shed reflected the flames, or maybe Lindelf looked like tears of blood.

''I should have done it alone from the beginning...''

　As if a thread was taut, only those words were emitting sound in this space. No, on the contrary, the sound around them had disappeared and Lindelph noticed, "Ars! Because I couldn't hear it with my own ears because it didn't come out of my mouth as a sound, even though I should have raised my voice.
　I put my hand to my throat, but I realize that I'm not considering it. There was no sound of burning flames or any other sounds. Nevertheless, only Ars's words came through well.
　Still, Lindelph continued to move his mouth in a voice that did not come out.

　It was then. The wavering shadow behind him moved away. Did Rosokarg have an instinctive sense of danger?

''----!　Ars!

　The unspeakable astonishment was because I turned around and looked into Ars's eyes. Cracks appeared in both eyes, and a black, cloudy liquid-like substance covered the eyeballs as they went through the cracks.
　When he looked back at the vibration that followed, which shook the ground, Rosokalg had broken his knees.
　His leg, which had swollen up like a log, was spurting dusky blood as if it had burst.

　Turning again, Lindelf shuddered to see that both of Ars's eyes were as black as eye sockets. Nevertheless, once he regained his composure, he took a step forward to approach Ars - when he took a step closer to Ars.
　Seeing Ars's arm pointed at him, he felt his vision gradually distorting, and in fact, his vision was twisted and distorted. The hand extended to the faintly visible Ars ended up hollow and unable to grasp anything.


　The scene that Lindelf saw when he stepped on the tatara... when the distorted view returned, his thoughts were unable to keep up with the hectic bustle around him and he shook his head as if looking for Ars.
　He should have been in the midst of the war fire, but why is he in this place.......................I wonder if he's lost his mind.

'Hey, I don't know what squad you're from, but what are you doing in a place like this? Get back quickly, Master Sisti is getting ready on the defense line.
Where am I?　Where is it?

　Lindelph grabbed the wizard who rushed over and grabbed his collar and pulled him in, and Lindelph wound up without saying a word.

''What are you talking about, where...''
Just answer the question!　How far is this place from the barrier?
"We're at the 3km mark but that doesn't matter, you can't wait to start your own retreat. I'm sure you've been notified, but it's been some time since the decision was made to lower the front line, and there's no one else left alive, right?
'No, no, wait, wait... there are still wounded...'

　In response to Lindelph's words, the man grabbed his shoulder with a sad face.

'Give it up, there's nothing you can do about it now and no, you know that. That's what this place is all about.
'Shit!　I'm not going to talk to you, I'm going to talk to my superiors.

　Immediately after releasing his collar as if to push them apart, Lindelph intercepted the noise-infused communication and hurriedly put his hand to his ear.

''Kiko.........can you hear me.......respond......''
'Yes, Captain it's more than that, Ars and the others are still...'

　This was right after I was about to tell them the requirements because of the urgency of the situation.

"What the hell was that........you've got to be kidding me. Hey, man!　This place is not good either!

　Looking at where the man was pointing, Lindelph could only open his eyes to the limit and look dumbfounded as he left Vizayst behind.
　The sight of a jet-black serpent flying around the outside world in countless numbers, it was unclear if that was a snake or not, but to Lindelf's knowledge, there were no other words to describe it other than that.

''Lindelph!

　The reprimanding voice brought me back to myself and I responded with a pulsing reply.

'You're watching too, aren't you?'
'Yes, it's probably Ars. Better yet, send a medical team over immediately.
All right. I'll tell you the details later. You're not with Ars...　
It's...


　After scratching and reporting on the current situation, Lindelph and the medical team are just barely close enough to get close to it. However, he was still unable to get close to the unidentified black snake, and only frustration was causing him to burn incomplete.
　I can't wait even one more second. There was also the fact that he had left Ars alone (...), but Elina, Nike, and the squad members were still left in that place.

　Oddly enough, the snake disappeared at the same time as Lindelph couldn't bear it and started running.