And the day has come.

　We are here again in the Dungeon of the Beginning.
　Of course, we are here to participate in the Festival.
　Part of this dungeon has been rented out for the festivities.

　Before entering, we in the Wraith Party can hear the cheerful voice of the event.

'Now, now, now, this day has finally arrived!　The final round of the All Sky Festival competition will now begin!

'The main competition will be divided into three stages. First of all, this first stage!　'We're reducing the number of parties from five hundred to a hundred!'

The second stage is a tournament.　It's going to be a party versus party battle in several blocks!'

''Only the top performers in each block will be able to challenge the third stage - the fight against the legends!

"The third and final stage awaits the former 'impregnable Demon King's Castle' demon army led by the 'Unbeatable Absolute Monarch' [Demon King] Lucifer.

It's the Altrito Party, led by the former first place [Indomitable Heroes]!

Two groups that once roused the world on both sides of the fence, adventurers and demons, have joined forces to attack the greatest of our time!　I wonder which party will be the one to grab the challenger's spot!

"So, that's it!　First of all, I will explain the rules of this first step........''

　This time, though, it's quite simple compared to the qualifiers.

　First of all, only five parties can participate in one match.
　There is no time limit.
　Only the last party left on the field will advance to the second stage.

　This is how it works.

　The number of participating parties has been greatly reduced, so the screen will be easier for viewers to see.

''It will be a rule called --!

So, it's time for the players to enter.

　We're the fourth one to be called up, I believe.

　The first is the 130th adventurer rank party. Although not in the top 100, there are only people with solid abilities at this point in time.

　The second is a unique party made up of people with only a certain position (job).

　And the third--''

''Next is the I.M. Party led by the Four Heavenly Kings of the Southern Demon's Castle 【Fire Manipulator】!　The qualifying points earned are "880"!　He appeared on stage with the demons of the same dungeon, including 【Flame Spearman】 Amie, who is also a fire attribute user!''

　You can hear the cheers.

'And now for the next one!　Wraith party led by [Lake Brave]!　The qualifying points are '1,150' and by simple calculation, you've beaten one hundred and fifteen people!'

'In fact, the number of players sent off is probably higher than that because of the points due to support!　After withdrawing from the fourth place party, we have a diverse group of members with [Black Mage] Leme as brain, who has expanded his activities to include winning tag team tournaments and participating in original dungeon research.

　[Destroyer] Fran, [White Mage] Joss, [Miner] Melania and the introductions continue.

''Brain, that's good. I'll be using it too. It's nice to meet you, Brain from my party.

　Lace-kun said as he nimed.

　

　I'm somewhat embarrassed.

''It's nice to meet you too, my party's leader.

Ha-ha, you can count on me. We're all strong. So let's win and move on.

　This year's stage was different from the qualifying round.
　While the last stage was based on the image of nature, this time it was an artificial one.

　To be more specific, this stage was based on the image of the city where the Beginner's Dungeon is located.
　I wouldn't say the entire city, but it's quite vast, and there's enough space for multiple parties to clash.
　The second level of the Demon King's Castle was also made with the city in mind, but it feels strange.

''All the parties have arrived!　Let's get the first stage of the All Heavenly Festival Competition--start!

　While we were talking, we had already introduced the fifth party.

'What was the plan that Blaine Lemme-san set up?'

　As you will remember, Mr. Wraith says.

"...to the nearest enemy.

　He smiled happily.

'I like that, I like that plan.

　The people here are the ones who made it through the qualifiers.
　No one is going to avoid a fight until the last minute just because they need to stay last.
　They will actively go to battle and clash with each other.

　The information about each party and the way they fight when they collide is already shared within the party.
　Then there's no need to worry about the order of them.

　Only the stage information was unknown until the very last minute, so that's the only thing that needs to be adjusted.



　Wraith-kun says.
　He must have noticed it because of the magical reaction. I've noticed it too, so I nod.

　It's the terrace of a coffee shop facing the main street.

　--I've been to this shop with Nikola-san and Kash before.

　What a thought for a moment.

　To my surprise, there was someone sitting in a chair there.

　It's in full view of the surroundings, so much so that it's possible to aim at it from high places, such as the roof of a building, for example.
　They are sitting rather than stopping at such a place, which seems like a bad condition to choose for a pathway.

''Those guys are the closest, though?''

Yeah, no change of plans.

Okay.

　We, too, make a grand entrance.

'Oh, look who's here.'

　A demoness.

　She has long, smooth burgundy hair and eyes of the same color. Considering her career in the industry, she's in her mid-thirties, but she boasts such good looks that a boy in his mid-teens would have turned bright red just by meeting her.

　Unusually among demons, she doesn't hide her face, and there are many fans who want to be pierced by her cold gaze.
　She was dressed in a dress-like outfit of blood-red hue - one of the four Heavenly Kings of the Southern Demon Castle - [Flame Manipulator] Aime.

　Earrings in the shape of stars hang from her ears and she has a staff in her hand.
　The staff is designed to look like a snake clinging to it, and the tip where the snake's head is located is always on fire.

　Her exact [Position (Job)] is unknown, but it is certain that she has the aptitude for both [Wizard] and [Trainer].

　There is a large snake at her feet and a cat on her shoulder. The cat's ears and tail are on fire and it's not a normal cat.

'I don't suppose you'll get any tea sitting there?

　Wraith-kun called out.

'Yes, boy. But that's okay. It's not the tea we're waiting for, it's the enemy.

'You don't need to go looking for it?　You're bullish.

He's strong. Don't you know me?

　There are party members around her, including [Flame Spearman] Amie.

''I know. You're the one who's about to lose to us, right?

　Eim's gaze narrows for a moment.
　A child would be incontinent just from that.

"You're the one who's bossy.

He's strong. If you don't know, I'm going to teach you a lesson now.

'That's a cute little boy. I'm looking forward to it I'd say, but may I ask you what's on your mind first?

　Her gaze turned to me.
　The sharpness of her gaze wasn't comparable to the one I had seen earlier.

''........It was [Black Mage] Reme, wasn't it? Why do I smell that person (...) from you?

I'm not sure...

　There is only one person whose words come to mind.

　This is something that those who are familiar with her know.

　There was a time when Ms. Aime worked at the 'Impregnable Demon Castle' when she was still young and unknown.
　So yes, I know that.

　My mentor, directly.

　Rank number one [Storm Brave] Aerial-san once said.
　He said that when he met me, he thought he could sense the presence of [Demon King] Lucifer.

　If you're as strong as he is, I could understand why he felt the presence of his master's horns that he once fought against me.......
　However, apart from such exceptions, even the top-notch people are not supposed to know that.

　I'm sure my master did a lot of things to help me get my horns in place.

'Ah, the horns in your partner. It's a clever disguise, using lots of nostalgic techniques. They love you.''

　Dirk the Black Chick appears and says.

'The ones who notice are the exceptions. What's that, like a sixth sense?　The surgery is perfect, so I think that's just a hunch. That girl also says things like smell and things that don't make sense.''

　I don't know if I'm not very interested in everyday life anymore, but when it comes to qualifying and a good fight, I show up. From the timing, does he always look at me, for one thing?

　Even using an ancient art form, my master made me, a human, inherit the horns.
　Beyond those things, did he feel a glimpse of his master from me?

　In Aerial-san's case, he was still regretting losing to his master in the raid battle.
　If Aym-san was a former subordinate, the emotions he's holding are - awe and respect, right?

''No way........you, you.....

　After saying that much, Mr. Aime shook his head.

'No, let's not. We'll just have to find out in a fight, not in words.'

　Fortunately for me, she didn't say more than that.
　Instead, I felt a strong sense of wariness.

'Let us fight. In the end we will bury you gently with our red fire.

Well, let's fight. In the end I didn't think of anything cool like that. Anyway, I'll put you out of business.

　The words of each leader are the signal for us to start, and we begin to move.

　◇

　One of the men had just dried up in front of me.
　He cut off his arms and then let the bloodsucking bat I was using sucked the magic power out of him.

''Ku........so, bloodsucking, demon.......''

Yes, human (normal). What's wrong with that?

　Dressed in the dress of my magical body (avatar) costume, I catch a glimpse of the enemy, who has become like a dead tree, scattered with magic particles, and check the condition of the pig.......my subordinate.

　Not good, not good. Some of them were entrusted to me by that person, so I must refrain from calling them pigs all together.

'Lady Carmilla, I've taken care of them as you ordered.

　The Lamia woman whose eyes are covered with bandages is 【Magic Eye Assassin】 Botis.

　Her scales and long hair are pure white, and even her skin is white.
　She's under the direct control of Remegeton-sama, but this time I welcomed her into my party with permission.

''Yes, you did well.''

　She successfully thrust behind her enemy and drove a knife through his heart.

'Ha!'

　Normally he doesn't seem to be very good at speaking, but in his magical body (avatar), he is a man of few words, but he has no problem communicating with me.

''d*mn........I'm late.......!　My Queen!　Me too!　I, your beloved servant, have just defeated the enemy...!

　It's [Skewered Lady] Hagenty.
　She also has a different tone of voice than usual, and is somewhat more polite when she's a magic body (avatar).

　Nevertheless, they both share the same personality.
　She's an exemplary pig.

''I saw it. So?　Do you expect me to give you a compliment?

　I know that it's more effective to rush it, so I do.

''~~~~...!　No, no!　I, who have been second in line, do not deserve the honor of being honored by your praise!

'Yes. If you want a reward, contribute to the final victory.

Yes....!

　The other subordinates will return after a bit of a delay.

　With one hundred and thirty ranks, it was not easy.
　I took it to the point where I used my vampire physical abilities to create five one-on-one and aimed to destroy each one.
　It was successful, but it seems that all but the three of us took a fair amount of damage.

　With the vampire's regeneration ability, we are apparently as good as unharmed, but even regeneration has its limits.
　Nevertheless, it's within our expectations, and it doesn't interfere with our party's actions.

''With this, there are three parties of enemies left. I heard that the Wraith Party and the I.M. Party have clashed, what should we do?

　Hagenty says.
　I'm tempted to intervene now and join that man.

　But we won't do that.
　We are not the Chief of Staff and the Four Heavenly Kings now.

　He once told me.

　He told me that we are rivals against him.

　And now we are enemies.
　We are vying for victory.

　So...

Let's hunt the one floating party first. After that, if they were still in the middle of a battle, we will only interrupt them unapologetically.

Yes, my lord. Everything is as the queen says.

　The men all bowed their heads.

"By the way, my queen, who do you think is going to win?

　I ignored Hagenty's words.
　She shuddered happily.

　I don't need to answer her.
　Still, if you dare to say anything.

''Well this is the second time today that you've fought him.

　He muttered in a voice so quiet that no one could hear him.

　The first time was when he was still in the Fenix Party.
　As the floor boss of the third tier, I had experienced the horror of his black magic firsthand.

　I am proud to say that I have the highest opinion of him in the world.

　........Somehow, various words like 【Brave Man of Fire】 or 【Brave Man of Silver Ridge】 or the Demon King's grandfather, although I've never met him, come to my mind, but I force myself to suppress them.

　That's right, I hold him in the highest regard in the world.......!

　Still, because we don't want to, we are going to fight and win for real.
　We are both aiming for the final battle, but there is only one party that can move on.

　I think I know how strongly he wants to fight his mentor, because I've seen it so closely.

　But that doesn't mean I can't do something stupid like cut corners.
　That's an insult to him, and a serious fight is what he and I both want.

　He is my benefactor, my companion, my sleeping companion ... and my rival.

　To this day - he is also an enemy.

　Then, as [Queen of Vampires] Carmilla, I will only fight with all my might.