There have been experiments at Babel, including the mixing of Cronos' bodily fluids with human beings. But that's not the problem. Considering the timing of Babel's construction, some kind of research had to have been done even earlier. It's easy to imagine what was going on based on the earlier experiments. Well, it wouldn't be good news for humanity.

　Fanon held his mouth and showed a pretense of making his thoughts spin at high speed. Fanon's expression that she showed at times like this had the distinctive air of a skilled magician. It was easy to predict what she was drawing and trying to derive an answer from.
　The same was true of Exeles' divine face.

　Garginis didn't look much different than before, but still a single stripe passed through his thick arms. The only faint sound was the scrape of his robes as he re-crossed his legs.

'To paraphrase Ars where the specimen that was laced with Kronos' bodily fluids was discarded.

　The only people who saw Latifah's deformed form would be the heads of state who were present.
　Human demonization. If that was apt, who would guarantee that the subjects discarded as failures were truly dead?

　Following Ilyce's words, they all ended up at the disposal site.
　Yes, it is this deposit, I think.
　I saw with my own eyes a strange human tactic and a species that was distinctly different from the demons I had seen before. I've seen enough reality to consider it as a possibility.

'But, Chairman Ilyce, isn't that unrealistic?　Considering the distance to the deposit, it's too far to bother hauling the body out.
'Exeles or whatever it is, Ars and I are both aware of it. I'm sure that's why it's still too much of a guess for you to know. Or maybe you prefer to talk about it before you leave.

　However, currently the deposit has been closed so far, and the presence of high purity mithril. The abundance of resources can never be said to be meaningless. It should be considered that there were enough grounds to be chosen for disposal.
　No one knew what course the corpse of a subject who had been laced with the body fluids of a demon would take after death.

　A normal thought process would not want to keep such an unstable body, even if it is a corpse, beside you for the rest of your life.

　If possible, put it somewhere far away, out of sight and out of mind.

Then what if it's not a waste, but an experiment?

　It was Fanon, who had been lurking earlier, who suddenly threw the seed of such a question at her.
　Ilyce's face changed at her question.

　In the deposit, she could confirm the existence of a demon that was, as she said, far from common sense. The appearance of a demon that defied the existing common sense brought a leap of imagination to the girls.
　It was certainly a possibility that could not be noticed by lumping them all together as demons.

　Regardless of Fanon's words being wrong, this deposit was a kind of territory for the demons, the Dominion. Therefore, the evolution and growth of demons might have been unique inside the deposit, which was isolated from the outside world.

''Hmph, thinking about that here and now doesn't get us anywhere.

　That's what would be a meaningful agenda only in a forum with Ars.

　However, it is also true that there is a familiar presence to end such discussions here.
　Suddenly, Loki, who is next to Ilyce, spins out some strange words.

''Well ... the research means that humans have been laced with information about demons, right? And in many cases, they turn into demons. So isn't it possible that the demons inside the deposit are originally human?
..........

　At first glance, Loki's statement sounds careless. She was definitely standing on Ilyce's side. The point is that she is an ally, at least Ilyce thought.
　At the stage where he said those words, Loki huffed and unintentionally brought his hand to his mouth.

　It was Ilyce who let out a huge sigh. She cowered her shoulders in self-mockery, I guess I can't blame Loki. Because this story is a discussion of justice that will prevent future disasters for all of humanity.
　Hence, it is Ilyce who is acting treacherously, choosing her words and nitpicking the information.

　Loki, who is beside a thoughtful person named Ars, would naturally be in the habit of thinking deeply. The information she passed on would eventually be known to Fanon and the others, but at least it was not something they needed to know now.

　Ilyce took over Loki's words naturally, taking care not to let them realize that it was information she wanted to keep hidden.

'Perhaps Ars was concerned about it. I'm sure he didn't intend to tell you guys either. It's too ridiculous ... but not impossible.

　Knowing the situation that Latifah had turned into a demon, he would naturally come to that possibility.
　There was no one to blame, and that fact did not make the situation any better. However, the shock of what he had received would force him to take an emotional hit to seek the brunt of it.

　It was a life and death situation in the outside world, an unnecessary doubt.
　At least the magician on the scene is confused.

'Well, that's the way it is. Is the question cleared up?

　In an effort to end the topic, Ilyce laced it with a nuance of anticipation, soothing the scene as she announced.

''Yes, yes, it was shocking, but...''
Yeah. It's good that we've convinced ourselves of this. Anyway, even if the original was a human being, as long as we don't have a desk together like this, it's just harmless. In short, kill them and be done with it.

　While slurring his words, Fanon let out a very simple comment, with Exeles going to calm down.
　And Garginis is the only one who continues to maintain a small, difficult face.

　Looking at him, Ilyce reaches out to him, his emotions palpable. No matter how much times change, it's a problem that won't end until the war against the demons is over.
　I'm going to toss out a question that has long since passed from my point of view, a question that I've learned through experience.

"Don't worry. "Don't worry," he said, "as Ars said, it's not going to change. There are ways to turn people into demons, but I don't think there will be more of them. All I can say is maybe, though, is that it's a bit unreliable.

　Garginis opened his mouth heavily, recalling the fight that had been so painful for him.

'Of course, that's not my business. But I say this to my own shame, if such a high rate is being mass-produced, will you and our head of state be able to achieve the counterattack that you and our head of state have set as your goal?

　Garginis changes the subject and overflows as a mere fact, not a weakness.

You're worried about that? You're a good judge of the big picture for a man in the field. Well, it's understandable. It's just that if we let this opportunity pass us by, we'll never see it again.

　This was Ilyce's subjective view. Never in the past had such a force emerged on the side of humanity. Looking back to the old days when he himself was a single mage.......
　There are nine single wizards, like Arus, and nine single wizards. Their power will be unparalleled in the past.
　And the big problem is that inside the seven countries, there is currently no unsettled existence - an organization - which is also a big problem. Now that the biggest and worst of the masses, Krama, is gone, there probably won't be many better opportunities.

　The cancer in his belly - a hostile force - can be cured, but the risk of recurrence is always there. There was always the possibility that another criminal group like Krama would rise to prominence.
　The decision of the heads of state to take advantage of this time was nothing short of a wise one.


　Then they heard information from Fanon and Garginis, including the engagement inside the ore deposit, and this discussion was coming to an end of its role.
　The scorpion-shaped demon [Serket] and the monster [Shava] that came out of the Record Great Books. Both of them were too high rate to stay in one place. Of course, the structure of the deposit, the hierarchy, probably prevented unnecessary conflicts between the demons.

　But the most daring of these information sharing came from Loki.

　The words of Ilyce, muttered like such a monologue, "taking in humans without preying on them," called for a slight silence.
　This is also an unthinkable situation for normal demons.
　In recent years, the rapid growth of demons has been whispered in secret in the magician circles. The military couldn't ignore it and took steps in the form of their own investigation, but they have yet to produce a single result.

''It really is all a problem that doesn't get us anywhere even if we think about it now.

　Ilyce spat complacently, but at the same time her thoughts were running elsewhere.
　Yes, perhaps she could be a valuable sample, whether Ferrinella was alive or dead. Of course, it wasn't meant to be a human experiment.

　The information about the demon is not something that can be unraveled, even with the current technology. There are methods, but it is undeniable that the various rules and laws associated with it are hindering research.
　Bringing a demon back to the interior is an unforgivable act. Babel has completed its role and the situation in the country is still unstable. The whole nation has mistaken the immediate threat of demons for some kind of mythical monster. Much farther away, to the extent of a conflict that has nothing to do with them, the fire on the other side of the river is good.

　It was also something Ilyce had been made more acutely aware of by becoming the head of the Association.

''Now that we don't have that divine tree........?

　No one could understand exactly what he had just said. Ilyce was the guardian of humanity, and he thought positively that there was something he could do now that his weaknesses were gone - now that Babel was gone.

'I wonder why you talk to yourself so much more as you get older, Exeles.

　Asked to agree with that in a voice laced with contempt and exertion, Exeles made a soft face and smiled. It was a neutral face that neither affirmed nor denied.

'That's rude, Fanon-sama. As for me, I will always admire your age.'

　Exeles followed up well, but Ilyce was no longer tired of the hassle of caring.
　No single mage had ever been decent at any time.

　He must have grown up with Fanon and others who were chipper to look at, he thought with such masterfulness.
　Then it would make sense to be an adult here.

In a few years, you will have deep wrinkles on your face. It's only now that you can be chic!

　Ilyce raises her fist inwardly to say that she has won, and she notices the pitying look that is directed right at her from the side.
　Since she knows what Loki is trying to say, it seems that getting older isn't always a good thing, after all, getting wiser.

　Fanon wrinkles his brow with a quick miffed look, and before he can start the next round of repartee, Ilyce claps his hand hidden in his sleeve.



　We are all aware of the noise outside. A stronghold in the outside world, there is always only one reason for the noise there.
　Fanon gave Exeles a look, and Garginis stood up slowly.

　Among these, Loki was the only one who was unable to stand up. That was a consideration due to a simple lack of ability.
　He tries to try to detect it, but he realizes after making so much noise, it's not that no one used detection, it's that he couldn't use it.

　The healing mages currently focused on healing, and the delicate healing that Ars and Flynn were doing, would be affected by the excessive rush of magical power.
　Detection methods such as magic sonar can be a hindrance to healing magic.

　If it's just a simple treatment, the healing magic being practiced here is extremely delicate. It is best to avoid any actions that might cause you to make a mistake.

"Maybe those guys out there couldn't handle it alone. "You guys get some rest. I'll go out there by myself. I'm the only one who will be unharmed anyway.
''In that case, I'll go with you. I'm confident in my ability to manipulate magic, and with my detection, it won't affect you too much.

　Ilyce nodded at Exeles' offer and allowed it.

　The [Crippling Bruise (Eilvennifus)] is unable to be fully effective now because of the temporary transplantation to Fanon, but it's Exeles' decision that it's better than nothing.

　If we ignore the face of Fanon, the captain, who seems to have chewed up a bitter bug.
　Both as Exeles personally and as a mage in Crebidito, he felt the need to confirm her abilities as the president of the Seven Nations Magic Association in person.

　In the first place, the battle in that deposit should have been an uphill battle for everyone. It's the same with the first place.
　It would not be in vain to see the true value of Ilyce, who was even said to be comparable to a single magician.

　In Exeles' opinion, the estimates of strength against the associations of each country are mainly Ars and Ilyce. It was assumed that they were played out by these two.
　As an indicator, Ars is the current number one. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get away with it.
　But the fact is that she is also a wizard, and she can be a single-digit player.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about Ilyce if you're in a higher position.
　For Exeles - no, including Fanon and Galginis in this place, the mage called Ilyce is even more unknown than Ars.


　No one could say that Ilyce lacked a sense of urgency as he looked at Ilyce, who put his arms around him as if to untie his shoulders.

''Ilyce-san, I know you understand, but Arus-sama's treatment is still going on, so please think about it properly.

　Only the silver-haired girl is the one who nails the president of the association.
　And Loki doesn't separate his words there, but continues to speak in a way that the rest of us can't understand.

If you need me, call me. In that case, I will leave this base.
Don't worry about it. Let's take it easy. We have a request from the guy, I'll take care of it, even if it's at an SS rate. I'll take care of it, even if it's at SS rates.
No, that's why I'm worried about you, sir.

　Ilyce scratched her cheek from inside her sleeve, but she cowered her shoulders and raised her hand lightly. It was a light mixture of inevitability and tediousness, like taking out the garbage every day.

'You just have to be careful at best, don't you?

　Saying that, Ilyce left the Tabernacle. The one who followed behind him was Exeles.