The strike force, led by Fanon, had left early at noon on the third day via a relay point, leaving some of their supplies behind and healing those wounded in the earlier battle.
　Roen was among them, but all of them were able to get away with minor injuries.

　The base, which is the relay point, is at the stage where we are about to move on to construction, including supplies from 【Krevidito】, and the development of the supply line is also left as an issue. Of course, this is not something that can be established quickly, so in order to connect to the relay point, new security and guard duties in the vicinity of the supply line will be added in the future.

　There was almost no distance to [Orbanen Cathedral], and all the troops had shifted into a combat stance with light equipment. Almost all of Fanon's luggage was left behind as well.
　However, due to the nature of her AWR, the healing mages and detection mages were carrying a large tube at their waists as an assistant. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it.

　Only Fanon, who is overwhelmingly good at defensive magic such as barriers, can easily use magic without AWR. But she's a magician, and it's only natural that she'd want to be equipped with the best possible equipment.

　If I were to make a difference from when I came, Fanon would be carrying a lovely black frilled parasol.

　Roen himself was in a relatively light state regarding this mission. The multiple hooks on his waist were equipped with items in the outside world, but he had left them all behind as well. Only the hook was swinging lonely.
　This time it is because we are assuming that we will retreat to the relay base if something happens. The relay base has a certain number of mages and engineers deployed at the relay base.
　There are no castles to bask in, or even defensive walls. However, the view is good, and the moat is quite deep, so it's a great place to wait for them.
　When Fanon is there, the usual strategy is to attack from the safe zone while being protected by the barriers she has put up. It's more of a necessity than anything else.

''Fanon-sama, according to the coordinates, it's about time.
Okay.

　Fanon's expression, running next to him, has not changed since the incident. Still, compared to yesterday, it's probably better that he replied to me.
　The distance is mindlessly distant.

　That too will be solved by time. I'm relieved to hear that I'm lucky to be a child, in the sense that I'm more forgetful and savvy than I am a drag queen.

'Come to think of it, Roen had a dream, didn't he?

　Although it was abrupt, he didn't feel bad about being approached. Roen replied happily to the indifferent voice that just showed signs of repairing the relationship.

''Yes!　I would like to have my own unit at least once. I'm not quite at my actual strength yet, but eventually...

　Fanon glanced at Roen as he talked about his dream, and Fanon snickered, "I hope you can have it," he choked out with an eerie smile, and Roen had to weakly phase in the implied words, "Yeah, yeah........

　Then he realized that yesterday's incident was still reeling.
　Roen was the kind of race that typically couldn't be promoted, though inexplicably.


　He'd had several encounters with demons. It hadn't been that long since the previous sweeping battle, so he still seemed to be okay in this area. Originally, when there was an S-rate class, they often used an area as their territory, and if they took out the ruler there, they would naturally scatter. Of course, most of the demons should have been defeated by Fanon.

　The group reached a rocky mountain that looked like it had been cut down as they moved forward with a quick kill by detection magic.

　It's the [Orbanen Cathedral]. This is a cathedral that was built by excavating the rock face and is deep.

"Do you?

　Fanon's question is answered by a detecting mage woman with a large tube at her hip. The detection mages of this unit use their hearing to detect.

It's pretty muffled, but it's there. It's hard to tell if it's the mutation rate or not, but there's a steady rhythm in the back of the unit. According to the searcher, they were just moving towards the cathedral, so there's no doubt about it.
Hmm. Well, we're going to have to go anyway.... you know, Roen.
'What!　Yes!
Okay, then.

　A half-step off, Fanon pointed the tip of his parasol at the entrance of the cathedral as if to give way.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to help, but no one will look at you. There is even a thumbs up at the end of the day.
　You can't help but notice that they're not looking at you. My legs were shaking and I was pulling back. Then there is a thump and a pinch as if he is being pushed in the ass.
　The pain was like a stab in the buttocks.

'You're slutty. You've got it on properly, consider it an honor.
Well, I'm a man, so I'm with you, but I don't have a lot of use for this kind of thing.
Oh, my God, I always thought that's where a man's courage would come from.
No, of course not.
Oh, by the way, I've heard that one before when I was little.

　Roen regretted badly that he had gone along with this story. Especially because of the pressure from behind.

''As I recall, there's a hidden ball of gold or something like that.
Hey!
'Oh yes, I was taught that when a man is in need of money, he sells one to make a living. That's why I have another spare or something, you know?

　Roen followed Fanon's gaze and hid it with his hand on his inner thighs. It was because he had a fear that he would be poked with a parasol at any moment.

''There's no way you can buy and sell that kind of whizbang!　Who told you that?
'Master Baba, but I also have the backing of Exeles.

　He seemed to have a firm confirmation of the information, but he was wrong to begin with.
　And although Roen looked with a dumbfounded face at the detection magician who is also in charge of detection in this unit, the man himself, Exeles, shrank between his forefinger and thumb and told him outright that it was "just a little bit".

　Only Roen shook his face from side to side, while the rest of the squad all nodded in unison.

　Annoyingly, Fanon let out a sigh and expanded his umbrella.

''Hmph, it's okay. We'll follow behind you, or what?　Are you too freaked out to go in if they don't protect you?
No, no. No, of course not. A wizard doesn't have to be jittery.
Shit, I'm so glad to hear that.

　Fanon pointed to the entrance with a big smile on his face, "Quickly".

　There was no longer any choice left for Roen. No, he should have already realized this after yesterday's blunder. I'm not going to let my dreams be cut off in a place like this!　I was inspired to start walking.
　But about three steps up the entrance stairs, are you sure you want to go?　I looked back to check again with a look on my face.

　But I didn't need to actually check it out.
　There was a drop-off that he didn't immediately notice, but Roen dropped his gaze and looked at his wisteria-colored hair.

''What?!''
No, no. Nothing.

　This is the most relieving moment of his life for Roen, who had assumed that he would be forced to go in alone as if it were some kind of punishment game.

　Roen was in the lead, Fanon was behind him, and the rest of the squad was in a circle, looking for the perimeter. This is a formation that is normally not recommended, but with her barrier magic, it is perfectly natural for them to gather in one place.

　The detection magician focuses on detection, and the team members move into a combat stance so that they can use their magic at any time without the AWR. The man who checked his surroundings analyzed the current situation with a smile.

'The outer walls are about to crumble, but the interior is surprisingly solid.
I thought it was going to collapse at any moment...

　They all stared uncomfortably at the complaining Fanon. The dusty interior had sunlight shining through holes in places.
　The destroyed horizontal chairs are in pristine condition, and anachronistic ritual clothing and dry bones are lying at their feet.

　It was a sanctuary, and there was an altar missing in places in front of it as you entered. On it lay a dusty liturgical book with its pages open.

'Apparently, God didn't help us,'
'Punishment is something I rarely say.

　The trooper scratched the back of his head after Fanon's scolding, though.

'Then would you like to offer a silent prayer?
'Just kidding, you're not a devout believer, and if you have time to dedicate to someone you don't know where, it's a good thing you're defending yourself.
You're right.

　Roen, who had gone to check the altar earlier, sends a gesture as he proceeds in vain.

'I see you found it. I think you guys are done wasting time around here.

　Nodding silently, the troopers tensed up and paced warily in the direction indicated by the jittery Roen.
　Simple doors on either side of the altar opened slightly with the clinking of lonely hardware.

　Fanon shifted his gaze to the detecting mage woman and received a strident nod of the head. In other words, bingo.

'It's a pain in the ass, so let's get going. We won't know if it's a mutation rate anyway until we see it, and if it's a mixture of mooks, it's easier.
My prayers are with you, sir.

　Roen leans back and begins to open the door.

　A caged air is leaking out, the scaffolding is cool and cobblestone, and the walls have a somewhat eerie atmosphere, as if piled with stones.
　The team members can hear a strange sound when they get to this point.

What is it? What is this laughing sound........

　Yes, it sounds like utterly inchoate laughter. It was inorganic, yet in a constant rhythm.
　Roen peeked through the door. He squinted at the creepy shadow that wiggled in the center of the room, though he couldn't see if it was dust or not.

''You're not getting anywhere!

　Pushing ahead of him, Fanon stepped in with a high-pitched sound as his heels hit the cobblestones. He takes out a handkerchief from his pocket and suppresses his mouth.

''Ugh, it's disgusting to look at... Roen, just mess with me a bit.''
'Wow, I did?　Fanon-sama can do a lot of damage in one hit, don't you think?
No, I don't want to use my big move on a guy who doesn't know what he's doing...

　While Fanon can use defensive magic, such as barriers, regardless of strains, he does not possess any specific strains, so there is little magic that can be converted into attacks, and a single strike consumes a ridiculous amount of magic power. Instead, though, the power is immense.

　There were still various concerns left for use here. It would be impossible to escape collapse in a sealed room.

''And if you want to be a captain, isn't this the place to show your man?
Would you say that, sir?

　Someone pushed Roen back. It was also multiple hands.

　He looked behind him grudgingly, but it seemed to be unanimous already. Despite having a bad premonition, Roen took two or three steps to close the distance.
　As expected, it won't be until it hits like a chicken race, but if possible, I'd like to be spared with a single shot.
　At a certain distance, the outline of the demon can be seen faintly.

　The scorched black body was at least two meters long. It seems to be growing out of the gaps in the stone pavement, and its arms, like long roots, are wrapped around itself. There were countless holes in the protrusions that could not be determined if it was the head. It must have made a sound as it swayed.

--The first time I've seen it, it's still a mutated rate. If that's the case, take it easy and go for the first move!

　He poured his magic into the AWR and swung it to the large upper level as he positioned himself along the midline, and then switched it upside down.

　The troopers seemed to have an idea of what he was going to do, and he was close behind Fanon.

　Roen brought his sword down to his chest, and a light dwelt in his blade.

''[Cremation 《Incineration》]

　A sound like scraping flint together with a click resounded around the demon, and immediately afterwards, an explosive blue pillar of fire instantly turned the demon into charcoal.
　The reason Roen was assigned to this unit was probably because of his personal ability, after all.

　He exercises fire system magic and at the same time controls the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere through wind system magic. The demon is surrounded by a high concentration of oxygen in a dense state. It ignites it, creates an escape route in the sky to prevent it from exploding, and spirals up around it with a film of wind.

　The magic created by this is [Cremation 《Incineration》, a momentary incineration.

　Pusps and the smell of burning accumulate in the upper part of the room.

''You're a Roen, you do it!''
That's pretty good.

　A man three years older than me, who joined the same class as Fanon, raised his cheeks and said such a thing, as if to undermine Fanon's unexpected praise. You can see a glimpse of jealousy, as if he is not worthy of praise because he can do that well.

　When the team members saw that they had beaten him for the first time, they relaxed their tension. In any case, the words of praise for Roen out of hand are supported in the throat area.
　At any rate, if it's that much firepower, it would be scorched black together, no matter if the demon core is inside the body.

''Yes, done. You didn't need me after all. I'm sure you'll be able to find out what kind of nuisance the mutation rate is, but it seems to be a combination of small fry without having to check. I'm going to complain to the Governor if I find out that's the case.
I agree.

　Fanon with a bad human smile, but still not the slightest bit scary, not even neatly cute. Following her, Roen affirms it as a breather.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　She is the keystone of the squad, the detection magician. This is still the highest probing position holder in Crebidito.

''Ecclesiastes?　--!

　Fanon turned around at the same time as he called out that. There was a demon that still had smoke rising out of its gaze.
　The time it takes to annihilate is too long for it to capture the demon core. Depending on its body size, but if it's at that level, it should be able to crumble away instantly.

''Fanon-sama........''

　The woman called Exeles was staring through the cobblestone floor with a strong hand on the large tube at her waist.

'Well, it's right below!

　Immediately afterwards, a large vertical tremor hit the cathedral. The cobblestones were overturned as they crumbled and rolled up.