Hmm.... as expected, it must be hard work to move all these people at once.

　Cephiro wipes the sweat from his forehead, a rare occurrence.

　It's not unreasonable. Most of the demons that were packed into that conference room were all transferred at once. Even though she is more than a top-notch sorceress, it would be difficult for her to do such a mass movement.

　What we were brought to was a shack built on top of a small hill.

　In terms of location, it's like the frontier of the Demon King's direct control. Barenzere's residence can be seen in the distance.

''Cephiro-sama, what is this place?''

Yes, it was my old workshop. It has been neglected since the current research building was built.

　Cephiro answered Lilith's question honestly.

　For a sorcerer, especially one as intellectually inquisitive as Cephiro, a workshop has a very important meaning. It is a sanctuary that contains all of one's research results and should never be raided by others. It would be impossible for an ordinary magician to leave it so easily like this.

　I don't remember my grandfather ever taking me to the workshop either.

　Well, in Cephiro's case, it's not that he has deep pockets or anything like that, it's just that he's easy to heat up and cool down like a child and doesn't have any more regrets about the research he was doing here.

'Your first mission to the brigade, you said?　I thought I was going to be sent to a war zone or something.

Why are you enjoying this? The Monster Brigade is a bunch of ruffians, that's for sure, but although it's not a battle, the thrill is greater than that. The real value of this workshop is not the building. The true value of this workshop is not in this building, but in the subterranean labyrinth that stretches tens of meters beneath the ground, where the results of the mistress's research lie.

Underground.....

　Well, I thought to myself.

　The passage to the basement must be tightly concealed. I thought the building was too small to be used as a workshop for a high-ranking witch like Sephiro. Probably most of the research facilities are also located underground. As expected, there would be few people who would try to steal the results of their research by going underground. I think I understand why the workshop was neglected without a care in the world.

''So, Commander. What do I have to do to show off my abilities?

　I didn't want to be a brigade commander, but I had no choice but to push myself this far.
　We're in a boat. Besides, as the saying goes, if you eat poison, you'll end up paying for it.

　I have no regrets about my current unit, and if Cephiro had set it up so well, it would be rude to kick it. I might be better suited to be a commander than a frontline fighter.

Hmm. As a matter of fact, there is a dragon I captured in the innermost part of the labyrinth that stretches underneath this workshop. Well, I'm sure he's dead. After all, it's been a long time since we left it here.

Quite a few years, huh?

Hmm?　Ike, were you just thinking about your age as a concubine?

"Iesonna annihilate monaydes.

　It was dangerous, it was a figurehead, and I was lightly impatient.

　But this witch of indeterminate age says "quite a few years". As a human being, I can't even imagine the number of years it could be, quite seriously.

I want to use the dragon's fangs for my upcoming experiment. What we want to ask of you immortal brigade is to collect the dragon's fangs. Does it sound good if I tell you that we will capture the underground labyrinth and obtain the dragon's tusk, the treasure?

So you're not just using it for your old workshop, are you?

'Mr. Cephelo!　I'm not convinced of that!

　Sure enough, Lilith bit the bullet for this seemingly simple task.

　She claimed to be the commander of the sword-fighting unit, and I wonder if she thought she was the one who would be the brigade leader in this brigade formation. If so, I feel somewhat sorry for him. It's mostly a connected promotion by Cephiro.

　Nevertheless, Cephiro doesn't change what he does once he gets there.
　He is stubborn.

''One or two underground labyrinths, even this Lilith can break through!　That doesn't mean you've shown your ability!　Master Cephiro, don't you have a soft spot for this man Ike?

Don't underestimate it, Lilith. She is not in the habit of playing tricks on her acquaintances. Such injustice will only divide the brigade. I will not do that.

Well, then...

"Of course, the underground maze has been pre-installed with various security devices and traps to repel intruders. A half-hearted warrior would be dead in a heartbeat. Do you want to see how one of them is doing?　Perhaps you'll be dead in a few minutes.

　Cephiro licks his lips as if to provoke her.
　Of course, no one is foolish enough to take advantage of that provocation. Even if he were to do so, he is the head of the 7th Legion.

Cephiro's ability is extraordinary. If she speaks such a word that foretells death, it will come true in the not too distant future.

　Perhaps because everyone knows this, they are all rather shy about it.
　In such a situation, this one person was unconcerned.

"Commander, just to make sure, it's okay if we just go to the deepest part of the labyrinth and get the fangs from the dragon's corpse, right?

Mm, that's all you need to know. Can you do that?

Well, you're right.

Hey, hey!　You're really going to...

　Lilith curses me for my self-centered attitude.

The subterranean labyrinth is filled with traps made by Master Sephiro...⁉ In such a situation, if you go in with this many people you will not escape casualties!　And yet--

What, Lilith? You getting cold feet?

No, no.

Then you'll just follow me. Then you'll know for sure what I'm capable of.

　I follow my mentor, Cephiro, and say to him to provoke him.

　And sure enough, Lilith said, "Eh, yeah, then I'll go! And then he came on board. He's an easy guy to maneuver.

　

　He's not going to do anything to make me die for real.
　But that doesn't mean he's the kind of person who would do anything to hurt you.
　In short, he'll be setting the difficulty level just right.
　In any case, I'm used to traps that come to take your life.

　I've been nearly killed by a fickle battle golem, and that's not something I'm willing to deal with just once or twice.

　It would be difficult to protect everyone here, but the magic of the "Barrier" will help with that as well.

　Or rather, there's no choice.

　I have to lead the brigade, taking the men here with me.

"Then let's go for now. Everyone.

　I was in such a light mood.
　Me and my party of demons decided to go into the dangerous underground labyrinth.