It's still all white. It's always in poor taste.

　Demon King Ignotus looks up at the main gate of Fischanatica and complains about the exterior.

''Beatrice Ficianatica is such a great name, Polo~. How can you say you're a great mage while building a white building with no personality or anything like this, Polon~

Absolutely.

　Ignotus agrees with Bishas' critique.

'Hmmm, but a mage is only a human-created standard, and that's not a concept for us demons. Early on, magic is an idea.

　Felsen agreed with him.
　Bishas and Felsen, who unusually agreed with each other, were grinning at each other as they looked into each other's eyes.

　The three of them left the demon kingdom of Lagupalos and landed here in Fischanatica.

''This is how humans are after all.

But I'm pretty sure its counterpart, Heilkwaite, is in pretty bad taste too, don't you remember, Pollon?

'Hmmm, if I remember correctly, it was a shade that made my eyes flicker...'

I don't care. Let's go!

　Ignotus blackmails the two men, who are forever talking in vain.

'Brother!　Wait, wait, wait, wait.　I'm going to find a pretty girl, Polo!

　Then he immediately switches, skipping after his brother, Vicious. His pace is slow and furious.
　But to Bishas, this is a natural way to run.

Humans are such a lowly species, they have no concept of 'pretty'!

　Felsen walks behind him as if to match Vicious' pace.

''Then moe polo~''

No!

　Ignotus' footsteps slowed down a bit as he looked back for a moment while listening to the two of them talk in such a trivial manner.

　The three of them walked through the main gate.



*



　The three of them invaded the school building without being noticed by anyone, and under this clear blue sky, they were looking at the interior with light steps as if they were taking a walk.
　There was no sign of being discovered because the three of them were controlling their magical power and eliminating any signs of their presence.
　Right now, those around them are unable to detect the magic power of the three of them.

　Then, in front of me, I saw a female student walking towards me.

''Leave it to me.''

　Ignotus mutters that as soon as he checks on the girls. Then Felsen steps forward.

'You f*cking human being there! ........it wasn't. There, girl, can I have a few good ones!

'Yes, yes. How can I help you?

　Even though I've rephrased it, calling her "daughter" is rude and insane to someone you don't know. The girls must be suspicious of Felsen, probably including the two behind him.
　But there is nothing but confusion on their faces, and they don't seem to dislike them.

　Right now, the three of them don't have two twisted horns on their foreheads. In other words, they are not much different from humans in appearance.
　Even though their skin color may not be healthy, there are some humans like that.

We are teachers who have arrived at this school today, and we have heard that there are actually some students enrolled here who are called the Greberg's Brave Men. So we would like to know where we can find them?

Well, I mean, I think those guys were always on the exercise field...

　She didn't know too much about it.
　The schoolgirl's explanations were wordy, and for some reason she also seemed to be nervous.
　Perhaps she's not used to being interpersonal. The conversation was also very terse.

'I see, a training ground? That's a good thing I've learned. Thank you. Then--

　The two of them bailed lightly and walked behind the student, with Felsen leading the way as they passed by the student.
　Then, at a point a few steps away from the student, Bishas stopped and then turned around.

''........something funny Polon hey?''

　When Bishas turned around, there was a female student who stopped to stare at them.

''You've been acting strange since a while ago, Polo~''

　The wavering in the girls' eyes is confusion, doubt and fear.
　And as my eyes meet Bishas's as she turns back to me, those emotions become a flurry of emotions.
　Vicious, smiling at her who doesn't understand anything about it, puts her left hand in front of her and matches it with the student.

''Hmm?　What's the matter, Vicious?

　Ignotus stopped in his tracks and turned around, curious about Bishas. Next to him is Felsen, who has the same question on his mind.

'I don't like a woman with a keen intuition, Polon.

'Oh?　As soon as you get here, it's a pain in the ass. You're on your own.

　As soon as Ignotus said that, he left Bishas behind and started walking again.

''It's up to you, second brother (Aniue)!

　Felsen walked to the back of the schoolhouse again as well.

'Would you rather be Me's pet, or die here, Polon?'

What?

　The schoolgirl, perhaps having difficulty hearing the sudden question, chokes on her words and looks puzzled.

'I'm asking if you'd rather be a pet or die, Polon!

'What?　Peh, pet?

Zukun!

　Immediately after that, without answering the question that spilled out of the female student's puzzled mouth, Bishas shouted that unintelligibly.
　And the ray of light emitted from the index finger of the left hand, which was set up beforehand, caught and landed on the body of the student.

What?

"You're being rude, Pollon.

　The moment she heard the student's question mark, her body swelled up from the inside, and when she did so, she burst into tiny pieces of wood.

'You rejected Me for a moment, Pollon. That's why Me also rejected your existence, Poron. Poron,

　Pieces of flesh and blood were splattered around the area, hitting and sticking to the pillars, walls and ceiling as they slammed down.
　Bishas looked no different than before, even in the face of the scene.

''Ghahahahahahaha!　I told you to be moderate!

　Ignotus greets Vicious with a smile as he joins the group.

He says, "But you said you were going to leave it to me, Poron?　This isn't Me's fault, it's Polon, okay?

What the hell do you think I'm going to do?　Even an idiot would notice that.

That's what we expected!

　Ignotus was giggling, Bishas was grinning, and Felsen walked with a light gait of amusement.
　The three of them were enjoying the human school in their own way.







Hey, Sonoda?　You've never been much of an athlete, have you?　Because, as I recall, you lived in the library, right?

　--Fishanatika's third training ground.
　Sonoda was reading a book and watching the match between Iida and Sato, who were having a mock fight on the field.
　Iida held a large lance, while Sato held two swords in each hand, not long enough to fit their stature, with a familiar hand.
　Sonoda was still their teacher, as usual.

　It was Hiiragi who was talking to Sonoda. Sonoda keeps his eyes on the book as if to disguise his lax attitude.

You are a resident of the library...come to think of it, you guys always looked down on us like that, didn't you?　Huh........more importantly, do you realize that those mindless words and actions hurt Hidaka?

I didn't mean to say that...

'Huh ... next time you see him again, you can say so then, right?　I'm sure he'll forgive you. If he's a good guy who's good for you, right?

　Sonoda looked down at Hiiragi completely, looking at the book with a sarcastic smile on his face.
　Hiiragi sighed at Sonoda's out-of-character tone, but swallowed his rebuttal, saying that he still had to rely on him for now.

'Hey!　Now that was....

　But at that time, Hiiragi's expression suddenly became cloudy.
　At about the same time, Sonoda also stopped its eyes, which had been following the print, as if noticing something.

''The magic disappeared........an intruder?''

　But there was no sound in the area.
　The training grounds were relatively quiet.

''This is........''

　When I look, I see that the two people in the field have also stopped the mock battle and are looking at us.
　They are looking to Sonoda for instructions.

'The match is over!　Something's not right....

　But at that time........that's when Sonoda gave the order.
　The figure of the Demon King's group could be seen at the entrance of the training grounds.

''Bishas, isn't that the one?''

'Hmmm ... there was no picture of Polon on it. So I don't know Polon.

No, that's the one.

Do you have a basis for this?

It's a hunch.

'I see!　That's enough!

　Felsen's high-pitched, gentlemanly voice echoed lightly in the training grounds.
　The group then descended the stairs and approached the brave men who were monopolizing the training grounds.

''Reliance~!

　Ignotus said that with a joking tone and a smile, yes, as if to say that he was a dojo-breaker.
　But the joke doesn't seem to be getting through to the brave men.

''Keh!　You're boring! What is it with people?

It's human!

Pretty girl zero polo...

　Ignotus took a good distance and stopped in the middle of the stairs.
　Then he looked around, looking at them, sitting scattered in the nearby spectator seats, looking at them.

''Are you the brave men of Greberg?''

''Well yes, but who are you guys?　You're not from this school, are you?

　Perhaps he is accustomed to being called the hero of Greberg.
　It was Sonoda who responded.

''You're the leader?''

　In that instant, Ignotus realized that the student in front of him was the leader of this group.

''........just in case.''

Yeah, yeah. It's not like we're related to the school. I'll know the difference, won't I?

　Suddenly, those two twisted bull horns begin to grow out of Ignotus' forehead as he said that.
　Following the Demon King, similar horns began to grow from the foreheads of Bishas and Felsen behind him as well.

It's the demon race. Do you understand that?

　At those words, a tense air flowed through the exercise area, as if he couldn't even breathe properly.
　Sonoda's eyes widened, and then he stared at Ignotus with a nervous gaze. He couldn't look away. Ignotus won't let him.

'Well, don't be so uptight, okay?　If you don't give me any trouble, I'll just run my errands and be on my way. Why don't we get on with it before anyone else dies?

　There was no way to put their minds at ease, and the students continued to be nervous.

　So Ignotus sat down on a seat by the aisle.
　With a grin and a calm atmospheric smile, he looked around at the brave men once more.

''Twelve hey........five missing people and one guy who was killed. And that's why they were killed by Nito?

　Ignotus didn't want to start talking.
　He considered the students, observing their expressions and numbers, and comparing them to the information he had heard from Bishas along the way, and the result was an enlightened smile, as if he was smiling.
　But that smile quickly faded, and then he seemed to be thinking about something.

　Then he gained momentum and got up from his chair and Ignotus smiled at him.

''Shall I take one ... or maybe five people home with me?''

　Those words further increased the tension that had been flowing among the students.

　Majima and Kihara, still dressed as eccentrically as ever with their gals, have the same relationship as ever. They're both frightened as they freeze together.
　Kamii holds a mediocre grimoire in one hand. Mitarai hides in her shadow.
　Iida, who had regrasped his lance, and Sato, who was holding his twin swords, fixed their gaze on Ignotus.
　Near Hiiragi, who has no bow at hand and is in a defenseless state, is Kato, who is staring at her with a frightened expression.

　Haruhiko Chosokabe (Chosokabe) Haruhiko, who didn't match his feeble nature, stepped forward to protect his girlfriend Jessica with his back at the same time as Ignotus smiled at him.
　But contrary to his actions, his body was trembling and his expression was frightened.
　You can't pull the sword out of the scabbard you carry around your waist, but you're too scared to do so.

　And Kida was standing alone in the same training ground as everyone else, but he was standing in front of his seat, a little farther away from everyone else.
　He was not frightened, as if he was the only one not in this tense atmosphere, nor did he have the slightest awareness of the sword at his waist, nor did he try to hold it up.
　He may be somewhat cautious.
　But especially when compared to Sonoda and others, I get the impression that they are somewhat left to their own devices.

　Since Saeki's departure for Greiberg, Kida had been somewhat lacking in sense.
　The National Treasure (History) grade magic tool that was a parting gift from Saeki--the Guardian's Robe--gives the user a perception-blocking effect, but it is no longer a treasure, and even without such a thing, almost no one notices Kida's recent signs.

''What do you mean by that?''

　It was Sonoda who spoke up in a tense atmosphere.
　All of the people here had just heard Ignotus say "I'm going to bring you home" and they were all aware that they were facing a crisis of kidnapping.
　I'm sure you'll be able to see the inner workings of these brave men and women, who are relieved to see Sonoda take the initiative in speaking to them.
　But one of them, though he didn't seem to be sick, Kida was expressionless.

"What do you mean by 'bring them home'?　Besides, this is a human school. It shouldn't have anything to do with the demon race. What are you people?

What kind of messed up polon?

　Vicious stared at Sonoda with a cool look on his face.

'But I suppose it's a natural reaction!　Who would know exactly what that means when they show up out of the blue and say they're going to take you home?

　Ignotus looked at Sonoda with his two younger brothers behind him as he gave his thoughts one by one, and then a short silence passed.
　As usual, the pause seemed to be a time for Ignotus to think.

'We're looking for someone related to Hidaka Masamune.

...What?

　There was an agitation among the students.

'You heard me.　Don't make me say it again.

What do you mean by "concerned" exactly, Poron?

　Suddenly, Bishas asked.

'Oh?　Well, that's that... then let me put it a little more plainly, okay?

　Prompted by Bishas' joking question, Ignotus rephrases his question.

'Come forward, friend of the Hidaka Masamune!　You guys came into this world with that kid, right?　Then one of you would have been close to one of you.

　But the students were more concerned about why Masamune was related to the demon race than that question.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with it.
　But none of them stepped forward.

"Hey, you kid!　You're the one in charge, right?　What's your name?

Yeah, this is Sonoda.

Sonoda. Yeah, I guess so. They all have ridiculous names.... but that's okay. I'm not going to get anywhere, Sonoda, so I'm going to ask you. Are you a friend of his?

By "he," you mean Hidaka-kun, right?

Are you an idiot?　Can't you understand what I'm talking about now unless I explain to you in f*cking detail?

　Ignotus turns a lightly murderous look at him, as if irritated.

I'm....

　But Sonoda had been thinking about it. Sonoda wondered if it was appropriate to answer that question.

　Sonoda believes that the relationship cannot be easily described as a friend.
　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good conversation with them.
　But apart from that problem, there was also the fear of what on earth would happen afterwards if he answered with a friend here.

''It's not like ... friends.''

　That was Sonoda's answer.

'Yeah, right. Then I ask you next to that, are you his friend?

No, no...

　Ignotus clicks his tongue lightly at Holly's answer.

''So how about you?''

'Ha ... I've never spoken to him.

　It was Hiiragi's best friend - Kato - who managed to answer that, choking on his words from fear.

''Huh?　You haven't even talked to him yet?　You over there, and then you!　How about that!

　Gradually, Ignotus's voice grew rougher and rougher, but Iida and Sato's response was vague...
　-- "We weren't even close enough to call each other friends...

　The same was true for Chosokabe and Jessica.
　For Jessica's part, "We're not friends........ We only pass each other occasionally........" replied Chosokabe.

　Then, leaving one person behind, Ignotus sighed deeply when he had finished listening to everyone's answers.
　But it wasn't as if he was dumbfounded or angry.
　When I looked, I saw Bishas and Felsen behind me, hiding their faces with their arms and stifling their laughter.

'Gyahahahahahahahahahahahaha!'

　Suddenly, Ignotus starts laughing with tears in his eyes, clutching his stomach.

'What's that?　Gahhhhhh!

"Does he have any friends at all, Polone?　BGHHHHHHHHHHH!

'To have so many friends, and not one of them to call a friend! My sympathies are with the enemy. What a lonely boy you are!　HUHHHHH!

　The three demon brothers couldn't stop laughing and kept holding their stomachs.
　The students were just watching them.

　But the fact that the three demon brothers' abs have collapsed to this extent is a bit strange.
　But that's because the three of them had a certain preconceived notion of what they were talking about in the first place.
　The information about the brave men of Graysberg is no longer available to the world.
　The three of them had a nasty preconception that there must be some laughable reason for the fact that Masamune was the only one in the demon kingdom.

''Gah-ha-ha!　Sighhhhhh........that's right. What kind of life do you want to live?　Heroes, on the other hand?　What are you guys?　Are you kidding me?

　Ignotus' sharp eyes caught the students in the mistaken belief that the students were telling a convenient lie.
　But whether Sonoda or Hiiragi, the students are not lying.
　Also, it was not something that came out of their mouths out of fear.
　And although Ignotus glared out of habit, secretly he didn't think they were lying either.

'Hey, Bishas?　What's wrong with the information?　According to you, when they were in the other world, they were the same students as now, eating from the same pot as him, right?

'I don't know if we were eating the same kettle of fish, Polo~?　But I'm sure it was the same student, Polon~. One of these guys said that in an interview with the Magical Communications, Polon~

　Once again, Ignotus was briefed by Vicious and then turned back to his students once more.

'And then?　My brother says, "What's this all about? .... no, wait?

　Then Ignotus seemed to notice something there, and after the usual silence, he opened his mouth.

'Vicious?　Wasn't it said that he was banished by transference right after he was summoned?　The fact that he was a healer was enough to make us demons unable to kill him, so the Greyberg princess banished him from the kingdom.

Oh, yeah, polo ralph lauren?

I see.

　Then Felsen nodded, as if he understood something, and stepped forward.

'So you're not lying, and in fact you're not his friends... even if you're in the same situation, he's not his friend, I mean, is that what you're saying?

　That's why Nito was exiled, Felsen interpreted it that way.

'Or something happened between you and these guys. If that's the case, it's no wonder he's not with you guys. I don't know why he's next to Toatrica, but they just happened to run into each other at the transfer point or something.　And that's just in its prime, right?　And at least he's strong enough to allow Lucius to stand by him. It's not funny if he's in love with you. Right?

　Bishas and Felsen nodded to Ignotus' consideration without a shred of doubt.
　Ignotus had gradually begun to understand 《Hidaka Masamune》 through his students.

''But it's none of our business. I don't care about your piss-poor situation. Even if it's a distorted relationship, it should have some value.......hmm?　What are you?

　At that moment, a student appeared in front of Ignotus, passing through the audience.

'....A cognitive inhibition. So?　What about you?

　As soon as Ignotus checked the robe that the person was wearing, he realized that it was a magic tool that had been given a recognition blocking effect.

''It's Kida,''

　Kida, alone and unaware of the Demon King, faces the demon race.

''So what's the matter?''

What?

You're a kida, for Christ's sake!　You know how Question Time ended a long time ago?　I ain't got time for this shit. Why don't you just say what you want while I'm still alive?

Well, I'm ... the Hidaka ...

What?　Can't you hear me?

　Ignotus is more agitated than he needs to be.

'I am! --

　At that time, Kida's voice, which seemed to be a reaction to the tension, echoed through the training grounds.

"--I'm a friend of Hidaka's,

　Ignotus grinned and smiled wickedly at the reply.

'Hey friend........really?'

Yeah, it's true. I'm not going to lie.

'Then why didn't you tell me?　Why did you use that thing to distract me?

　Ignotus walked up to Kida, who remained silent, not knowing how to answer that question.
　Then he looked into his face.

'I am, huh?　I hate being lied to, you know?

　Kida was in awe.
　But Kida's words weren't a lie.

　The fact that Kida had disappeared from existence in these robes didn't mean much in itself.
　It was a gift from Saeki, and to Kida, it was a sign of friendship that allowed him to stay connected to Saeki.
　That's why he only wears it on his skin.
　Ignotus' deep reading was off.

'Humans are quick to lie, aren't they?　You humans are such ugly creatures. You lie as if you don't know it's a lie. It's funny that you humans exist, isn't it?　Right?　You know what I mean?　I don't know why you humans still rule most of this continent. If it weren't for Lucius, I would have eradicated you guys a long time ago. I don't even know why I'm the only one who's wondering why. I should have noticed. And I'm not the only one who would notice. But no one else is going to destroy you.

　Ignotus stares intently at him at close range and threatens Kida, who comes late.
　But then, out of place, Kida opened his mouth.

'What do you mean by "hero"?'

...What?

　It was a genuine question for Kida.
　And it was something that none of the students here had heard, and usually, metaphorically speaking, Sonoda would have definitely noticed.

'Did you say something?　Kida~?

　Ignotus provokes him to exhale. But Kida, for some reason, seems completely unfazed.
　The demon tribe in front of him is still keeping a blank expression on his face.

"Earlier, you said that Hidaka was a 'hero', didn't you?

　Her voice has no inflection.

'What?　Heroic, huh?　What the hell are you talking about?

'You said so, didn't you?　It's as if Hidaka is a hero, on the other hand, a hero, he said.

　Kida looks down as if he is talking to the ground and asks questions nonchalantly.
　Ignotus looks down on Kida with a sharp look.

　But there is one person who has noticed the essence of Kida's question - Sonoda.

　Sonoda's eyes widen powerfully, but his point of view wavers as if he were upset.
　He's aware of it, but he's not yet convinced of his thoughts.
　But he knew only Kida's true intentions.
　And a few seconds after the question popped up, Ignotus' expression gradually changed from angry to calm.
　Then finally, it was back to his original cunning, grinning, big smile again.

'Hey, wait a minute?　What do you mean?

　--Ignotus noticed the discrepancy.

'What do you mean ... so, you know ...'

　Kida's small, dark voice was trying to figure out how to get it across well, but Ignotus already knew.

'No, no, no, no, I know what I want to say. 'No, no, no. Not so, but you guys don't understand what I meant when I called you a hero?

　At those words, "Polon! And behind him, Bishas presses his hands to his mouth, surprised as if he were playing the cute little boy.
　Felsen, on the other hand, says, "My God! His eyes widened in astonishment.
　They both realized at the same time what it meant.

　No one answered Ignotus' question, but only silence passed.
　Then Ignotus realized.
　That silence again gave the demon king time to think.

　And on Ignotus' face after he finished his consideration, he was even more fearless than before, and a full, sinister smile spread across his face.

''You guys.......you didn't know that little shit was Nito?''