Eliza deployed the water spirit's water attribute magic, covering both hands with a water film while taking a passive position.
　Alicia, on the other hand, extended a fox's tail from around her waist, which gave Eliza a gaping attack.

''I see, so that's why that tail is the one that sent us flying just now?

　But there was no response from Alicia.
　Alicia didn't care about Eliza's expression, she was just devoted to blaming her. That was largely because of Amadeus.

　'Do you want to try?' And Alicia was desperate to meet the expectations of Amadeus, who had encouraged her to engage in this battle.

'You are utterly persistent,'

　Alicia's attacks are tremendous and Eliza is unable to touch them.
　Eliza continues to be forced into a defensive position. But an opening comes at that moment.

　Could it be due to lack of stamina?　For a moment, Alicia stopped moving.
　Eliza didn't miss that moment.

''Rejection of the Water Spirit [Rejected Undine]!

　Eliza increases further water barriers by activating more water magic that had already been deployed. The barriers can be turned into swords or spears, depending on the situation.
　From there, Eliza's counterattack began.

　Changing all the barriers, Eliza held up eight water spears.
　In the next moment, all of them attacked Alicia.

''You seem to have strong magical power, but you're still not used to fighting, are you?''

　Eliza tries to provoke and condescend to her. But there's no room in her expression.
　And there was no response from Alicia to that.
　There is only the same expressionless 《Desmask》.

　Left and right, and above. A spear of water looming from everywhere.
　Alicia instantly judged the situation and used the fox's tail and both arms, which were tinged with magical power, to play those spears.
　But they are magical spears. Especially when it comes to spears that are tinged with the magic power of spirits, it is a little short of preventing them with one hand.
　There was a part that simple granting magic could not prevent.

　The position is reversed and Alicia is dedicated to passivity. That's when it happened.
　Suddenly, when something like a black shadow appeared in front of Alicia's eyes, it fluttered like a curtain and bounced off all of Eliza's magic at the same time.
　The impact caused all of the spirit magic that Eliza was deploying to disappear.

''Kuch!''

　Eliza immediately distanced herself from Alicia and took a look at her.
　However, she soon realized that the shadow was an intervention from somewhere else.

'Alicia!'

　The one who shouted so loudly was Amadeus, who was currently engaged with Alford. Apparently, the shadow just now belonged to Amadeus.

''Reveal your identity!　No need to hesitate!　No matter what the others say, you are beautiful!　That's what I'm saying!　So there should be no complaints about that, right?!

　Suddenly, Amadeus asks out loud something that doesn't make sense. But it seemed to resonate in Alicia's mind.

''........Yes. I understand.''

　Alicia puts her hand on her mask in response.
　In the next moment, the death mask on her face is removed along with her white robe, and then Alicia's true identity is revealed.

'That's it!　Light the magic on every tail and meet them with all your might!

Yes!

　She has long, clear, straight white hair that gives the impression of mystery, and equally clear, white skin. On his head, he has pointed fox ears, and his hair is as white as his hair, and the most impressive thing about him is his "Nine Tails".
　The most impressive feature of the fox is its "Nine Tails". It has nine tails covered in white hair.

"You're a mutant, aren't you?

　Eliza asks.

'The fox race is usually supposed to have one tail; I've never seen or heard of nine.

　But as soon as she heard those words, Alicia's physiognomy changed, and she bared her sharp fangs and turned her gaze threateningly sharp.

''You're a human! ...You are disrespecting us!

　An angry shout flies through Hirono.
　Then, Alicia's figure disappears for a moment as the soil gouges out the watery ground beneath her feet, and the dirt flies in the air.
　And the next time Alicia appears, it's right in front of Eliza.

''Guh!''

　Eliza was momentarily horrified by the tremendous momentum of the fight, which bared its fighting fangs.
　But the movement seemed to be visible.
　Eliza manipulated the eight water spears and reflexively blocked the nine fox tails.

　Alicia unleashes a spirited rage. It is truly a beast.
　Alicia freely manipulates the tails with various attack styles, such as striking and poking them.
　The tail, hardened by magic, was as strong as steel.

''Kyaah!''

　Then, in a close fight, the steel tail struck Eliza, whose guard was momentarily delayed.

　Eliza was sent backwards and slammed to the ground in the muddy water of the swamp, her body dirty.

''Eliza!''

　Alford's grief-stricken voice, which had caught the figure with a side eye, was heard from behind Alicia.

　Alford cut into Amadeus with his brave sword - 《Excalibur》 in his right hand, with his well-honed sword skills. Again and again.
　But from somewhere, unidentified black shadowy things appeared, and they turned Alford's sword into a stale one.

''d*mn!''

"The Sword of the Brave.......it's really quite fantastic. I've never seen a sword of gold, or anything else like it. I envy you, being a brave man.

　Alford didn't listen to Amadeus' words.
　The only thing on his mind is to kill the white madman in front of him and, above all, to somehow rescue Eliza and deliver her to Zeke.

　But then the sword flicked loudly at the shadows, and in a quick decision, Alford distanced himself once.

'Are you worried?　Eliza Crossford?

'Huh ... huh ... huh ... huh ...'

　Alford listens to the question, breathing uncontrollably.
　But his heart was turned to Eliza.

''Huh ... not at all, I'm not getting into it. This is a travesty.''

　Then Alford smiles at the lack of room in his face.

'It's a farce from the start, isn't it?　You're ready to kill us all. Isn't that right?

'Yes, you're right. But I would like to see the power of a brave man before I kill him. Knowledge is important, and even though this battle itself is a travesty, I will always absorb what is beneficial. Brave men are a rare profession. Even from you, a weak one, I can learn from you.

What the hell's wrong with that one?　What was that for?

What was it all for?　Well if I may say so, I'm just curious. I've been told that you brave men and women will become more than just demons and dragons when you unleash all of your power. That said, though, it's not worth the caution, is it?

Do you want to know what you don't need to be warned about?

　When Alford asks this, he smiles and plays it off as if Amadeus is a fool.
　But Amadeus knows his spirit.
　Alford's mind has always been on Eliza. It is no longer an exaggeration to say that he has given up on his own life.
　In other words, this is stalling. Alford also asks something he doesn't need to hear.

'-- insurance.

　Alford doesn't know the meaning of those words.
　Of course, Amadeus doesn't seem to have any intention of answering in detail either.

　But at that time, Amadeus' mask - two black holes that can be seen exactly where the eyes are. Behind them, two red lights appeared.

''-- of vengeance.''

　Alford felt a chill for a moment in that crimson gaze, but he killed his weakness with his energy and reasserted his sword.
　But in the next interval, that red light also disappeared with a faint flicker.

　Alford broke out in a cold sweat from the moment he saw the red eyes.
　But he doesn't understand the meaning of Amadeus' 'revenge'.

"I am a coward, and knowledge is the medicine that makes me forget my fear.

What?　Cowardly?　Are you kidding me?

I don't know.

　For a moment, Alford is distracted by Amadeus' strange solution, but then he turns a sideways glance at Eliza again.
　When he looked, he saw the fox tribe standing in front of Eliza.

　Alford thinks, and then, it's now or never, he begins to move with 《smile》, while becoming more wary of the Amadeus in front of him.
　It's a 《smile》 of resolve.

''I'm sorry, but I don't understand your words now. I don't even want to understand. But you want to see it, right?''

Oh, come on!

'Cause I'll show you.　I'll give it to you as a souvenir of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The underworld?　Isn't that a joke?　The consequences are obvious.

　And when Amadeus said that, along with the words "I know", Alford started chanting.

''【Sealed Light Sword (Ketom de Light)!

　Following the voice to Alford, a white magic circle appears at Amadeus' feet.

''Hmm?　Is this what Heavenly Attribute Magic is all about?

Huh, you know it well.　But it's not. This is light-attribute magic. I can't use the heavenly attribute.

I see.

　At that moment, seven glowing swords appear in the sky above Amadeus.
　They formed a circle and stabbed into the edge of the magic circle that had been developed to surround Amadeus and blocked Amadeus' movements.

''【Flashing Protection (Solitude Light)!

　After chanting more, a magic circle appeared at Alford's feet.
　Then a white light covered Alford's entire body.

''I see.''

　Amadeus didn't move a finger, just observed the scene.

'-- You stay here,'

　The moment he said that, Alford's figure disappeared.
　Fast enough to draw a line of light in the air. Alford had left Amadeus' presence.
　And where he appeared next. It was right in front of Alicia's eyes.

''Nah!''

　Alicia is surprised to see Alford suddenly appear in front of her.

''【Lightning (Lightning)!

　Then Alford immediately chanted and unleashed a blitz in an attempt to keep Alicia away from Eliza.
　A yellow magic circle appeared at Alicia's feet, and with a thunderclap, a bolt of lightning appeared from the sky.
　Alicia deftly maneuvered her tail, instantly covering herself and building a protective barrier.
　But there was no need for that.

　Just as Alford's lightning bolt was about to make contact with Alicia, there, a black shadow appeared.
　The shadow swallowed Alicia in an instant, protecting her from the lightning bolt. It's like a black sphere.
　Then the lightning that was played by the shadow's membrane was lightly scattered around her, completely disabling it.

'Eliza, can you stand?'

　Alford doesn't even look at such a situation and calls out to Eliza behind him.

''Yeah, I'm fine.''

　Then Eliza slowly gets up.
　Apparently, Alford seemed to know from the beginning that his own magic would be prevented.

'Utterly rude. I thought you were going to show me?

　Then a question was heard that made the air tense, and Amadeus appeared next to Alicia.

'Master Amadeus,'

'Good, do you get the feeling of the fight?　Side-stepping is common. Always be vigilant of your surroundings and shed your arrogance. No matter how much of an advantage you have?

I understand. I'll keep that in mind. Thank you.

　Then Amadeus flips his hand to Alicia with a wave of his hand.
　I noticed that Alicia was wearing the same white robe and death mask that she had been wearing earlier.

''Enough with the farce. I'll take it from here. Alicia, get ready for the execution of the King of Nuts, and tell Romero that it will be easier this time.

I'm sorry, sir.

　Then Alicia took her orders and left Amadeus for the moment.

'Missions, beliefs, values, you all have a lot of rubbish to justify your actions, but that's not my problem. That's not my business. Nevertheless, that's how you've been getting your hands dirty. Halfway through, eh?　That's why there are so many beastmen!　The dwarf!　The elf!　I was to be tormented!

　Then Alford scoffed at the words.

'You don't see the forest for the trees - that's what you're talking about, so to speak. We can't save everything. But our deeds have saved a lot of lives.

It's just an excuse. You're just taking it easy. You have chosen what you can do within your power and have been indulging in it. If you don't save everything, it's useless. That's why it's a halfway house. We are all here to prove it, aren't we?　The reason for your existence has been destroyed long ago. If you can't save them, then don't do anything in the first place!

　Then Alford got angry at the words and fired a blitz from the palm of his hand.
　But when it hit Amadeus, it spontaneously dissipated as it struck Amadeus.

'This world needs some fantasy, you know.

　Amadeus did not move slightly.

'Juan...?　What?

Don't you know?　Huh, right?　You don't even know what magic is. This world is already saved. But what's missing is fantasy. So what do you think we should do?

Do what?

'It's a fantasy!　One way to make this happen!　There are things in the world that we don't need. By eliminating it, the fantasy would be complete.

What are you...

Then Amadeus looked at Alford and Eliza behind him with that crimson gaze that was faintly visible earlier.

''--Human.''

....

....

　Alford and Eliza were left speechless by the answer.
　Because the two of them could predict the true meaning of Amadeus that his words indicated.

'No way ... you ...'

I'm going to make sure that every single human being in this world...

　But then, unnaturally, Amadeus' words suddenly stop.
　And for a while, Amadeus remains motionless, staring at the sky.

　The two of them felt a sense of discomfort there, and from such an action of Amadeus, without warning, they felt a sickening feeling that was hard to express in words.

''You're crazy........''

　Alford's words spilled out naturally.

　Then in response to the words, Amadeus turned his gaze back to Alford.

'Crazy?　Me?

....

　But other than a wary look, there was no response from Alford.

'That's not--'

　We can't see Amadeus' face because the mask is in the way.
　What kind of face is this guy looking at us now? --Alford thinks about that for a moment.

'-- It's not me that's crazy, it's this world.

　There was a hint of loneliness in that voice of Amadeus'.
　But of course, the two of them couldn't understand it.