Masamune's magic of separation was annoying.
　It cannot be adjusted and can only be divided equally.

　If it is split into two, each level is halved and the status value is also reduced by half.
　Three of them would be a third.

　The day after he decided to intervene in the war, he was in Biyoment.
　His level of sipping cocoa in the house of the Khalifa is halved to 1004,5.

　It must be borne in mind that this expedition would be a long one.
　In order to hide his intervention in the war from the Toa and the others, Masamune was unable to leave the demon country and had to leave half of his body in the demon country.

　This sorcery of separation had troubled Masamune many times before.

　When separated, the state is divided into the main body and the other half of the body.
　The main body is not a complete separation because it plays a role like a nucleus of the separated halves.
　In other words, it is not independent.
　During the separation, only the main body can go through the dungeon's vortex, and the half body can only use transference magic.
　The half-body cannot do anything other than make the entrance to the dungeon appear.
　Hence, Masamune has never separated into more than three people before.

　When he leaves the demon kingdom, he leaves his half body in place and dives into the dungeon with his main body.
　In order to restore their levels and values, they had to return to the side of the half body each time or break the magic of separation.

''Regarding the matter of bringing the two of you back to life, let's call it a day.

This is so short notice. What's going on?

I will stop the war.

...the war between Adolf and the Eightfold?

'Yes. ...I think it's just fine, and Zephyr can take care of the rest.

　It also solves the problem of the level being halved during the separation, since he won't be involved with Adolf.

'As for Oliver, well, I guess we can leave that to him. Anyway, I'm heading to the Underworld now.

I don't mind, but are you okay?

What?

You've really thought this through, haven't you?

''Of course. I think it's for the best. It's just like Zephyr said, it's definitely in public. I'm sure he won't have any complaints either.

'Complaining about...'

　Khalifa was skeptical at first, but then she understood.

'All right. I'll give you a moment to finish getting ready.

　We have accepted our decision.



*



　The front line of the war was in the northwest of the Vanome continent, the territory of the Underworld Sigma Deus.

　This war, started by Zemeckis, now belongs to the Underworld.
　But the Underworld did not try to attack the heart of the continent, or even other countries, and did not change the direction of the wind, even if the front line was moved to the Underworld.
　They are defensive. They will only attack the Yakis indiscriminately as they continue to attack.

''Their roost is right in front of us!　Strike it down!

　The armies of Latosphilia are often considered the strongest.
　The lineage of the warrior king, Gram, is a family of warriors that has been around since before they became royalty.
　According to an old history book describing their origins, Latosphilia originated as a peace with the beastmen, and it is unclear how long ago this was, but Latosphilia and Artemias are the oldest in the eighteenth century, and if Artemias is a magical tool, Latosphilia is known for its "beastly arts.
　Their martial arts incorporated the wisdom of the beastmen.
　That's the secret of Latosphilia, the strongest in martial arts.

　Gram led his strongest knights through the plains.
　Ahead of him, he could see the defensive wall of Sigma Deus.
　But Yaki hadn't closed this distance for six years.

　A clash with the encroaching Underworld Beastmen.
　His body was swallowed by the battlefield and dust enveloped the area.
　People are powerless in front of the governed beastmen, and the only thing that is superior to their massive bodies is magic.
　But the beastman does not give you time to chant.
　If you start chanting, a few seconds later your own head will fly in the air and you can only silently close your eyes in front of the upside-down battlefield.
　Gram rushed forward with his tremendous fighting spirit.

　But the underworld's strength was not the beastmen. It's the king.
　But the world does not know the king of this country.
　Those who did know were limited to a very few, such as Masamune.

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

　Masamune and Khalifa stood on the precipice named Hill, looking down on the battlefield.
　The two of them were there.

'So what are you going to do?'

We'll bring them back to life first, and then we'll end this war.

You mean, you're going to kill Adolf.

'I don't understand that, that's why I'm reviving Zephyr. Besides, the Adolf thing was originally the Khalifa's problem, right?

They're killing your men.

That's all right, that's all right.

　Masamune feared that he would lose his place in the conflict.
　If he got too deep into it, there would be no turning back.
　He feared the possibility of losing Toa as a result.

'The Jishi's bloodline isn't mine, and I'm not really a symbol of that organization. I'm just a leader. Leaders will be replaced eventually....''

What in the world did you set up that organization for?

'Come on........maybe he felt sorry for her. To the oppressed beastmen, the way I used to be........ I thought I could protect everyone. But it wasn't so. No matter how strong I got, if I got involved in a fight, someone would die. I just kept repeating that.

'Well it's none of my business, but I don't think it's a very good idea. You started it, do you think they'll let you get away with it?

'I wasn't the one gathering the information, and I wasn't the one coming up with the plan. I was just playing the role of the Supreme Leader by directing. I'll leave the rest to you.

So....

Let's get this over with.

　Masamune has always had doubts about his decisions.
　It comes from fear.

　He thinks--.

　The self in the prophecy he once saw should have been like his old self, setting up an organization and taking revenge, and thinking of ways to protect Toa from an unknowable threat.
　But I couldn't.
　Isn't that exactly the same thing happening to me as he did?
　If so, then I would be losing Toa, just as he had predicted.
　The past six years have returned him to the coward he was in the beginning.

　His condition is not desirable, of course.
　For if he doubted himself, the abyss would try to swallow him up.
　But Masamune had a reason why he hadn't been swallowed up yet, and it was due to the separation that ironically bothered him.

'Wait a minute--'

　As Masamune was about to ride out to the battlefield, the Khalifa hindered him with her hand.
　Her gaze was looking far to the east of the battlefield.

'That's........'

　East of the battlefield - hordes of them begin to emerge one by one from the horizon.

...Graysberg.

　Masamune gazed at the flag raised by the cavalry in battle.

'It seems that Yagi intends to end this war.

　Masamune hid his clouded expression behind a red-black Nito mask.



*



　A dense, thirsty killing intent - a battlefield.
　Khalifa and Masamune were struggling not to be swallowed up by the hustle and bustle.
　They wanted to reduce the number of beastmen and create as much open space as possible.

''Wave of Erosion, Disappearing Aura!

　Masamune stepped forward.
　The wave motion instantly expanded in range, obliterating the multitude with a single use.

　However, the mixing of Greberg's soldiers in the conflict between the Underworld Beastmen and Latosphilia made it impossible for Masamune to use his magic successfully.
　This is because Greiberg is still an abomination to Masamune. It's not a matter of logic.
　Furthermore, the battlefield is filled with people.

''Hey kid!''

　Masamune looks back.

'Why is the hero of Radshausen in a place like this?'

　The one who was there was Gram the Warrior King.

''Now that Schneizel is gone, there's no reason for you to join the eighteenth.

　Schneizel is missing.

"I'm here to end the war.

What's the matter with you-- Well, suit yourself. Don't get killed.

　Gram ran into the fray again.
　Masamune faced the Khalifa and the herd again with a sober look on his face.

'Khalifa-san, it's going to be hard to reach the castle in this case. Let's go from above.''

Okay.

　The Khalifa took Masamune's hand.
　And just as Masamune spread his private wings of laziness, a white curtain covered the sky of the battlefield.

　Masamune clicked his tongue.

'He's here.'

"....Adolf.

　It wasn't long after that that Adolf emerged from within the walls.



*



　Against the Underworld Beastman Army in the north, Latosphilia in the west, and Grayberg in the east.
　A triangle of death had been created on the battlefield.

　They gathered towards the center of the battlefield.
　Yakki, aiming for a pincer attack, failed and continued his invasion to push the Underworld Beastmen to the north.

　However, the situation that seemed to have potential changed drastically with the appearance of Adolf.
　A white curtain covered the sky. The liquid dripping from it attacked the army of the eighteenth.

　It was as if countless waterfalls were flowing.
　Adolf looked at the battlefield from above.

''Come out now!''

　Adolf echoed to the battlefield.

'That's what you've come for, isn't it?　Now, why don't you and I settle this matter?

　But Masamune would not obey his voice.

'Khalifa-san, it looks like you won't be able to fly away.

I guess so.

　Khalifa's eyes were drawn to Adolf in the sky ahead.

''Adolf........''

　That murmur is almost a question.
　He wanted to know why this was happening, and he wanted to know the truth about it.

　Magic was flying around them, and the sound of swords clashing was concentrated around them.
　Everywhere such scenes continued.
　There was room to move around between them.
　But the visibility is so poor that it's possible to lose sight of the front.

'Let's do it here now, Masamune,'

Yeah.

It's now or never.

Do you mean here or there?

'All you have to do is cast a summoning spell. If you ask me, the karma of naturalization citation isn't that difficult of a magic. You can do it.

But....

It's the only place to be. Come on, let's get both of our bodies out.

　After some thought, Masamune pulled their bodies out of the dungeon's vortex.
　He wasn't convinced.

'It's in public, like Zephyr said, and it should be fine.

People love to kill each other in public.

Anyway, we're supposed to do it in a public place, right?

I don't know.

Maybe that's what I meant. Don't worry, I know him better than anyone else. Trust me.

Well let's get this over with.

　Masamune left them to the Khalifa.

''--Do you want me to kill everyone in this place!

　Adolf still agitated Masamune.

'Then it can't be helped. I shall join in, and I shall be entertained.'

　Adolph's body glowed white.
　Then a huge magic circle with multiple layers of magic appeared towards directly below him.

'Now people will die again. No, you didn't like people.'

　Adolf chanted.

''Summoning spell, the Jukai-man (Ent)! --

　From the light brown magic circle that fell on the battlefield, a huge bipedal monster appeared.
　It's entire body was wrapped in trees, and it was nature itself.

　The Yagi soldiers stopped moving and froze at the sight of the giant monster that was shaking the earth and running from the north.
　But then a light fell just below Khalifa and Masamune.

''Masamune-kun, I'm going to summon you!

　Immediately after, Zephyr and Oliver Joe.
　Along with the two bodies, Masamune and Khalifa were enveloped in a dazzling light.



*



　In a world of white, Khalifa and Masamune opened their eyes.
　In front of them was Zephyr, who had regained his form as the adventurer he once was, and Oliver, wearing a grey coat that was different from his former thieves' impersonation.

''I'm sorry for making you wait quite a while...''

　Tears streamed down Khalifa's cheeks.
　It was because the one smiling in front of me was unmistakably Zephyr.
　Gently touching his chest, a hesitant fingertip caressed Zephyr's body.
　Khalifa realized that it was not an illusion.

''You've been waiting too long...''

　They walked over to each other and hugged each other.

'I never thought I'd be rescued by the man who killed me. There are so many things in the world we don't understand.

　Oliver gives Masamune a slightly disapproving look.
　He looks complicated and a little irritated.

'I won't thank you,'

You've got that thug tone. I'm sorry I killed you. That was an act of God.

Don't remind me.

　It was a strange feeling even for Masamune.
　After all, it was Masamune himself who had killed Oliver.

'Masamune, thanks for the help.

　Facing the God of Vengeance in the flesh, Masamune's heart suddenly became tired.
　It had been six years since he came to this world.
　He had finally returned the favor.
　For Masamune, it could be said to be an end point.

'I've repaid the favor now.'

'Yeah..... But to put it bluntly, what you've done from then until now--

It's my problem.

''Well yes, it's just that it's my fault too. Was I wrong to give you courage or was I right...?

...the avenging potion.

Yeah. That one was made from the blood of a cageta.

Didn't you say you had your blood in you?

I'm not in it.

.....

'My blood has no such power. That one was based on the Rogue Joker Rabbits' book of magic and made from Kagetra's blood. It was an accidental creation. It was placed there for such a lame reason as to open up the dungeon to adventurers and send it to those who reached the deepest part of the dungeon. The dungeon changes its shape based on the memories of the intruder.... And then, by some coincidence, you transferred there.

...I see. So I've transmigrated to the deepest part of the world, by accident.

'Part of me regrets it a little. Fear clouds my eyes, but do you remember what happened to me after I drank that blood?

...as I recall, I can see in the dark.

Because I got the courage of the cageta.

....

'Masamune, I appreciate that. I'll take care of Adolf.

I'm going to.

I'm sorry for getting you involved. It's about time you went back to being with the people you love.

....

　Zephyr could see right through him, but Masamune wasn't surprised.
　More importantly, he was relieved.
　He was free of himself now, and he didn't have to get involved.







　The Ents trample the eighteenth soldier and ravage the battlefield.
　Adolph watches the screaming scene with amusement.
　The light and nostalgic atmosphere that suddenly appeared behind his gaze.
　Adolf felt as if time had stopped.

　As the light converged, the two revived figures appeared on the battlefield.

　Adolph was startled by Zephyr's figure from the sky and smiled in excitement.
　One glance was hard to believe, but without looking into his eyes, he knew it was Zephyr.

'Welcome back, Zephyr!'

　Adolph's silly, loud voice echoed across the battlefield.
　He spoke with a big, happy smile on his face.

'Adolph........'

　But Zephyr's expression was sympathetic.
　He seemed to be pitying her.

'It's been a long time since we've seen each other, what's wrong with you, it's been a hundred and fifty years since we've seen each other!

　Zephyr's feet left the ground.
　As it was, he surfaced silently into the sky.

''Seriously ... you're flying without any magic.

　Oliver chuckled at the situation.

　Adolph and Zephyr faced each other, keeping their distance.

'Reminds me of the old days, Zephyr...'

"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can save you. If I could I would.

Save it? ...Is this some kind of joke?

"When Kagethras learned of your condition, he forgave you. And I tried to help. But ... I'm not strong enough to do that. Only by killing you...

　Adolf's eyes settled.
　It's a very cold gaze.

You can rest easy, you fool. You have taken everything from me. Just keep your head down in the face of that stark fact. Help me out?　That's my line. I'm going to rid the world of the evil that is you. The objects will never get a second chance. I thought you were dead for a long time before that. I don't know how you managed to stay safe for 150 years, but you'll regret having acquired your body.

　The two men continued to stare at each other for a while.
　Suddenly, Zephyr's attention was diverted to the right.
　And Adolf, who followed her gaze, also noticed her.

''Oh, you're here too........''

　Adolph smiled inappropriately at her figure floating in the sky above.

　It was Guinevere who appeared.
　Her white hair and dress were swaying in the wind.

　Zephyr looked upset at her appearance.
　The consciousness that had been focused only on Adolph was lost to her.

''.........''

　And I'm trying to talk to him about something, but I can't quite get him to speak.

'I don't hold a grudge against any of you,'

　Guinevere said.

'I can see sense now. But I cannot forgive him. He may be a fool, but I will not forgive him.

'Huhhahahahahahahahahahahaha!　I'm surprised you didn't think...

　Adolf laughed stupidly.

'I am Guinevere.

''........as expected of a white dragon. It's one of the three great dragons. You didn't mean to share your life span with a human, locking him up inside your body!

　Immediately after, a flinching wind pressure hit Zephyr and Adolf.
　The dragon's roar. She raised the wind with only intimidation.

''Hidaka-sama!''

　She shouted.
　She called out to Masamune, who was looking up from the ground.

'Give me strength, he's here!

　Masamune did not ignore it.
　Although there was a pause, he spread his private wings of laziness and surfaced.

''Oh come on, even you can fly without magic!

　With a shocked Oliver looking away, Masamune went to the three in the sky.

　The four of them faced each other, and after a moment of silence--.

'Masamune, don't mess with me.

So deal with it.

Poor dragon. Don't you think so, Zephyr?

Shut.....

Because she's been doing it for the last 150 years.

I'm telling you to shut up!

　The conversation stops and there is silence again.

''Well you'll have to give me back what you took from me!

　Then Guinevere's voice sounded dubbed as something else.
　It was as if there were two voices emanating from Guinevere's body at the same time.

'Are you still mad at me?'

　Adolf speaks to her with a subtle smile.

'That you killed Naaschenka.

　Veins rose to the surface of Guinevere's face.
　She glared at him in a form of anger.
　The anger is so hazy that even the killing intent is hazy.

''I've already forgotten everything that happened. Kagetra's death, the death of her, and the events that took you away from the observer, Zephyr, are all in the distant past. I guess that means that although we are long-lived, our concept of time is the same as humans...150 years is a long time...and you are too late.

　Expressionless words.
　Adolf drops his cold gaze.
　The gaze he turned again was tinged with a lonely killing intent.