The mages who were preparing to intercept it on the defensive line would have been shrugged off in a good way.
　There were countless mages who had seen it. Countless raging serpents passed through the burning tree heads, undulating wide and diving into the sea of fire. They must have looked different from the snakes as they swarmed around their prey. It was the embodiment of evil, and everyone thought it was nothing more than a nightmare, with a sense of dread.


　After the appearance of the unidentified serpent, the number of demons that had invaded Alpha had been drastically reduced.

　According to subsequent statistics, the number of invading demons was an unbelievable number of over a thousand. It was a number that made it seem like all the demons in the vicinity of Alpha had been attacked.
　Due to the success of the magicians who struck out, the number was reduced by half. Although the number of damage was less than predicted, it is impossible to be happy that the number is less than expected since there were deaths.

　The credit for this is undoubtedly due to Froese Fevers, who was in overall charge of the whole operation. However, this was a consequence, and in reality it was not a situation that could be optimistic: the appearance of a new type of A-rate in addition to [Rosokalg], a new type of A-rate, [Siren], who was clothed in wooden leather like a robe, caused the loss of many high-ranking magicians.

　The genesis of this great invasion was caused by the degraded bodies called Arnia], the half-body of approximately 300 Arachne. If they showed a large movement at once, it's no wonder that some of the demons would be inspired, and some individuals would appear to rise to the occasion. That's why it was 【Cyren】 and 【Rozocarg】.
　However, if the misfortune was compounded by this invasion, it was undoubtedly the appearance of 【Cyren】. Even now, the analysis hasn't caught up with the analysis, but it was found that the sound waves emitted by the siren act on the demons. It was the general opinion that a few 【Rozocarg】 were dragged out by it. Originally, a high rate as high as 【Rozocarg】 was a small number of individuals, but because of their habit of swarming, it was on a disaster-class scale.

　The highest rate that was invaded, A-Rate, was in unprecedented danger with six 【Rozocargs】, if you exclude the 【Siren】.
　As a result, only two [Siren] and [Rosokalg] were reported to have been defeated. This caused the army to lower the front line to the vicinity of the defense line in order to regain its position.
　The demons that actually invaded defended against the low rate and almost no damage, but for Froese, who was in overall command, and some of the people who were in charge of the defense, it left the rest of the A rate in doubt.




　Even days after the demon's massive invasion, the vigilance had not been lifted, and the army was still busy and noisy after the crisis had passed, treating the wounded.

　Ars came not to the military headquarters, but next to it, a vast, vacant cemetery. He had visions of playing with Nique by the side of this place, but the memories from his few days held enough emotion to crush his chest.
　The myriad of grave markers, but fortunately the troops were able to give them a proper burial, which was probably the only thing that saved them.
　It's not uncommon to find coffins that only contain relics in them. The hundreds of grave markers should increase in number every year.

　Ars said nothing, but added a bouquet of white flowers.
　Behind him, Vizayst and Lindelph were dressed in mourning clothes and their eyes were downcast.

　Second class specialization was no consolation to the mages. Rather, they say it's an honor to say, "Well done defending them" on this occasion.
　This special magician's unit's achievements this time included a lot of confidential information, but as a result, they will be regarded as a great achievement. Viziest is a major general and Lindelph is a second-grade lieutenant colonel.

　Lindelph had let slip that it was a dishonorable promotion, but he gritted his teeth and said, "Still, if I move up a few more ranks, it might be possible to reduce casualties to the extreme with the coordination of the various units. I'm sure we can give these guys a good report as a parting gift," he responded as he fixed his gaze straight and looked into the distance.

　A small prayer of silence is offered by Vizayst.

We still have some cleaning up to do.
I know, sir.

　Responding wordlessly to that, Lindelph suddenly shifted his gaze to the side. It's as if Ars, who wouldn't have listened to the story, had already turned his small back to Tobotobo and left.
　Not since that day. When he woke up, Ars was like a shell, torturing himself repeatedly, "If only I had done it alone.
　Lindelph scratched his head, unable to find words to say to Ars. Since his enlistment, Ars had shared his days with Nique like a real child. It was probably synonymous with losing his family.

(If only Elina were here...)

　What a weakness to spit out even though I know what it is. I suppose I should be nearly killed as usual for this kind of thing.

　It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of this.
　He opened his mouth with a bitter face, as if to say he disapproved.

'We shouldn't be doing anything right now. We're men, and we're not very good at it, much less handy. But Ars is a man, too. So, for now, we'll watch over him like adults.
Is that all you can do?
Well, that's all you can do for now. Lindelph, you'll be in charge of sweeping an area from tomorrow morning. The operation to clean up the demons will begin, but Ars...
I know.
As much as I'd like to give you a break, though.
'I understand. We're in such a shortage of wizards right now that I'd like to help the cat.

　Viziest reminded him again about the matter he had told Lindelph alone.

'Don't let it slip about Nike-no, don't let it slip about the detection dogs.
Yes, sir.

　Nikeh was an integral part of a genetically engineered experimental dog, but the ethical issues raised other issues as well. They had been created to be treated as expendable, with a lifespan of two months' life because their forced growth was too much for their developed bodies and brains.
　This, of course, was a fact that was discovered within a month or so of taking in Nikeh. Viziest immediately accused Bellick of the research, and both the project and the project were aborted. Although the disposal of the lab dogs was handled privately for the sake of the data in each study (they were only released from the military warehouse, but they were treated no differently than dogs), the Viziest allowed Nique to stay with Ars.
　It could be said that he couldn't pull her away now, though.

　So he was surprised that Nike had lived beyond her lifespan. And when I heard the end of her life, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement. In the center of the gravestone is the biggest one.
　There is a white flower with a large flower on it, and the petals are swaying. And if you lift your gaze, the collar made by all the members of the squad is attached so that it is buried in the tombstone, and the plate that emitted a silver glow in the center is beautifully polished. Two rugged letters that looked like they had been carved with a knife were clearly engraved on it.


　♢ ♢ ♢


　Two figures walk briskly through the headquarters. One of them is wearing a military uniform with a white base, and his long hair is tied to one side and hanging down in front of him. The white cloth attached to her waist gave her a bewitching look.
　The military uniform seemed to accentuate her ample breasts, but it wasn't made to be a hindrance, but bounced in time with her yuttiness and gait as she pushed her clothes up.

　The other one seems to be following from a step back, rolling up her materials as she reports.
　Mages passing her in the corridor were a sight to behold as they shifted off the edge and bowed their heads.

''Thank you for your hard work, Sisti-sama. You have been in charge of defending the place day after day, Sisty-sama is the reason why. The invasion of demons....''
Stop with the flattery and get to the point.
Yes?

　The disgusted single mage's voice jumped up in the background with a jolt.
　The man apologized awkwardly as he walked away and continued his report.

'Under Commander Froese's command, a sweeping operation will be carried out starting tomorrow morning. The demons that survived in the outside world will eat the uncollected corpses of the... well... eat them... so... They could turn into mutants, so to avoid causing a secondary disaster...
'I've heard that. More importantly, how many units do you have to mobilize?
I don't know about that, sir.

　Sisti let out a grand sigh with a huff~.

''That Sisty-sama, which way...?''
I'm a little concerned about this one, and I want to know how he's going to operate.
What about him?
You're old enough to call him that. It's Lord Vizerist.
...

　The operation that brought the three titans together is now a thing of the past, but when it comes to reuniting, it's no wonder the man is sniffing around.
　A rare commander, Froese Favell.
　The disaster-grade heretic Visayst Sokalent.
　Sisti Nexofia, aka the witch.

　In the last few years, Vizaists have been less and less active in the outside world itself, but Sisti is definitely in her prime now. Froese had been retired from the military, but had been temporarily summoned to this one event.

　Sisti - and Froze must have noticed - had been left wondering about the disappearance of the remaining four A-rated demons. Precisely who had defeated them. It was unnatural for them not to attack immediately. High-rate demons were supposed to be intelligent, but he didn't know why he would have a second thought here, considering that he had led a low-rate demon.

　If they hadn't defeated them, then the crisis hadn't left yet. So there would already be a notification regarding the request for cooperation - in case there was a request for cooperation - but for Sisti, who was defending on the front lines, she had to know how he would work.

　So it was astonishing that Viziest had established a new unit, but it made me wonder even more. It was a question of why now.
　There were many wizards who admired him, but the man himself did not form a squad and ignored his advances from above. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get it right.
　So, Viziest was always assigned to be the captain of a temporarily formed squad. Many wizards have experienced the history of his professorship and his reputation as a triumvirate.

　So after a bit of research, Sisti became even more suspicious of the inclusion of one boy - or should I say child - in the squad.
　It wasn't disbelief. It was hard to believe that he would violate military discipline only for Vizaists, and if that was the case, it was inevitably the Governor who was involved. It's not an easy thing to tolerate because of the ethical issues that stand in the way of a child joining the military, but that's where Sisti remembered an incident.

　It is a shelter that takes care of children who have been killed in the military, but apart from that, children who decide to become mages can also be given an early mage training program.
　That was highly criticized within the military, though, and the first stage of the program was wiped out.
　Sisty still hadn't heard of the freezing of the program.

　And when he came to the front of the Special Demon Attack Unit's troop room, the door was slightly open. I peeked through the gap to see if it wasn't absent because the light was leaking out from inside.

''That's........''

　There was a boy hugging his knees in the corner of the wall. The vacant eyes are the same sort of thing that Sisti has seen numerous wizards show when they've been cast down to the depths of disappointment. It's easy to guess by looking at the clothes. Especially since it's not long after the demon invasion.
　But Sisti was more confident than any other magician that he would not just do it.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get a good look at it, it's also a matter of when you'll be able to get a good look at it.

　Sisti turned her face away from the door once she realized there was no one else in the room and turned back to the man.

'That's enough. You go back.'
Yes?
'It's going to be a bit long so I suppose you can go and find Lord Vizayst since he doesn't seem to be home.
Yes, yes!

　With a small wave of his hand off the man's back, Sisti opened the door.

'It's nice to meet you...'