'Finally, the end of the raiding war is coming to an end!　Well!　How about looking back on it so far - Mr. Aerial!'

　This is a more extensive raid battle than when attacking the Fenix Party.
　So the interview before the tenth layer battle was also held on a stage set up in the town square.
　Only the members participating in the tenth layer battle were up on the stage.

　Is this because they are interviewing the people who will be fighting on the tenth layer?
　I was mixed in with the general public and came to watch.
　There were so many people watching that I couldn't even move.

''Yes, I have the impression that they are very skillful,''

　Aerial-san put her hand to her chin and made a thoughtful gesture before she said.　

'Skillful, sir?　What do you mean?'

　The moderator nodded his head.

''The raid battle I once challenged the Demon King's Castle was bizarre. After all, the Demon King came out of the deepest part of the castle into the first layer and wiped us out.''

''Ah, it's now a legendary episode. ''It's also famous for the fact that many adventurers gave up on this dungeon because they thought that they would never be able to completely conquer it if there was such a Demon King.''

　This was the time when the master annihilated the adventurers, including young Aerial-san, in the first layer.

''Thankfully, it didn't suddenly turn into a demon king this time.

　When Aerial-san smiled, there was laughter in the square.

''There are many powerful demons in the Demon King's Castle. They are very good at using this. Especially this time, the seventeen people participating in the raid battle, the strategy and manpower allocation to fight off these was brilliant. For example, instead of defeating one enemy, clearly setting an aerial into a trap,''

I see...?

'We are able to stay at the top of the ranks thanks to our viewers, but that still means that there is more information that we can obtain. There are a lot of strategy videos available to the public, so they can research as much as they want. On the other hand, the deeper the Demon King's Castle gets, the less information you can get.''

"Oh, no!　'Do you mean that the enemy has built into its movements even the difference in information available to it?'　

　The moderator clapped his hands with a clap and said.

''That's right. If it was merely a mere reinforcement of our strength, we would have all been able to fight the Demon King together. However, the raid battle in the Demon King's Castle didn't end there.''

But even if we could study it, would it be that easy?　I've been researching potential attackers for some time now, and it's possible,

　The demon side isn't just honing their skills, either.
　The adventurers are checking and looking deeper into their opponents from the booking stage.

''Yes, personally, I think they have an excellent brain on their side. Someone who is familiar with the adventurer, who would cover individual abilities, personalities, and even spur-of-the-moment moves.''

　Astute.
　Well, I'm pretty sure he's an adventurer-informed person. I'm just an adventurer's nerd.

"Hoo-hoo!　Then, is it possible that Wraith-san and Fran-san were very successful because there was not much information...?''

　The presenter glances at Wraith-kun.

'I'd like to say it's a skill, though. I think it is. There were hardly any attacks or traps that pinpointed me and Fran in the first half, were there?　I suppose there was a part of me that was just looking at how to gather information. That's why I was able to move a bit more aggressively than the others. In the last half of the game, there were more and more surprises. But still, we didn't get out.

　Lace-kun and Fran-san's abilities were an unknown quantity.
　If we don't figure it out, we can't take measures.
　With the strategy up to this point, I've learned a lot about the two of them.

''Haha, that's really encouraging.''

　Then the interview proceeds, shaking the story to Skaha's party, which was the only three people left, and Helu, who was the only one left, and vice versa.
　Then, we got to the main topic.

''The next tenth layer will be, after all, the layer where the fourth-ranked party led by [Flame Brave] Fenix was wiped out.''

　Well, that's why I went out of my way to conduct the interview at this time.

''Aerial-san has activated the 'Celestial Box Garden' at the ninth level. From what I've heard, this is a very high drain on the spirits as well.''

''Yes. However, I usually use spirit magic with my own magic power. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for, but it's not as if you can't use it anymore because the range of activation is small and the time is short. Don't worry (...)''

　I took this as an appeal to the audience.
　The other thing is to tell the demons that the trump card has not disappeared.

　However, even if it's true that it's no longer useless, that doesn't mean it's usable at its best.
　If there was a maximum deployment time, thanks to Mr. Agares, he succeeded in cutting it down.

''However, I think many viewers were surprised by the activation of Deep Depth, which is really the first time in over twenty years. The authority of the spirits beyond the realm of attribute magic, its reproduction. It is a technique that is truly beyond magic, which is only allowed to the contractors of the four great spirit bodies. 【Devil of Time】Is it true that Agares was such a powerful enemy?

　There are several techniques called the depths of the spirit arts. There are at least two of each per spirit body.
　After the tenth layer, the one that Fenix is working hard to learn is also one of the depths.

　None of them are attribute magic.
　Even Fenix's 'Flame of the Gods' is not a fire attribute magic.
　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

I'm sure you're right. The magic is the same, but the wielder is really tricky. As I'm sure the viewers felt as much as we did, this time the Demon King's Castle has a new addition to the existing form. I find this ... honestly, fun.''

　She smiled in anticipation, like a child in front of a present.

''........Fun, huh? It's rare for Aerial-san to be called that, isn't it?''

'No matter how old you get, men don't change that much. The other man and you give your all to each other and decide who is better. I don't know of anything that fascinates me more than this exaltation, at least not for me. This raid fight has reminded me of something I had almost forgotten.'

　Because of the strongest, the raid battle rolled in front of [Storm Hero], who had long since lost the place to give his all.

　Standing at the top, he dabbled in the training of his backers and refined his skills.
　I can raise adventurers who might overtake me, but I can't do anything about my enemies.
　You can't just raise a strong enemy. You can only hope and wait for them to meet you.

　Aerial-san has high hopes for this raid battle.
　I'm hoping that the battlefield will be provided with a place where I can do my best.

''I'm really looking forward to the battle with the Demon King.

　Oh...!　And the square was boiling.

''Then you can capture the tenth layer.

Because, in the words of a respected friend, "In the end, the brave always win.

　Those are the words of [Indomitable Brave Man] Altrito-san.
　Aerial-san's friend, Wraith-kun's father, and the brave man I admire.
　And a similar phrase was even indirectly passed down to Fenix, who grew up with me, as well.

　I slowly leave the hall, which is still buzzing with excitement.
　Those words are deeply engraved in my heart as well.

　Therefore, (....), it's us who will win.

　We're going to fight off the strongest adventurers and prove it.
　It's okay if the demons win. We will not be the ones to be killed.

　When I turned around, I felt my eyes meet with Aerial-san's.

''However, it won't be so easy. Before the Demon King, there is a battle with the general staff who defeated Fenix. I'm really looking forward to this as well.''

　His lips were twisted in the exuberance of the battle to come.
　I mutter in my chest.

　--Me too, Aerial.

　When was the last time I was invited to his party?
　I was so happy and honored, but I turned it down.

　I figured first place wasn't something you could get in, it was something you had to reach.
　Best of all, I had already found a place for myself then.
　It's unlikely I'll be able to surpass him in the adventurer's rankings, but I'll have the opportunity to decide who's better.

　The raid battle was nearing its end.
　I will definitely stop the enemy's invasion at the tenth layer.