Rowan!　Why are you here...?

　Cecil finally raises his voice.
　Finally, her consciousness has become clearer--.
　Rather than that, it would be more accurate to say that her body was awakened by the appearance of an unexpected person.

　He slowly stands up, using his sword as his staff.

　Then, Rowan scratched his head and cowered his shoulders, scratching his head.

''What is it?　I'm not here to save you, are I?

Fool!　You have your own team, don't you?

Yeah. Then, you see....

　Rowan only scoffed at his chin.
　Cecil looked behind him and noticed Rowan's team joining his team.
　Rowan's team had several people injured.
　Apparently there had been a battle.
　And yet, the reason they are here is probably because they won.

'I think they called themselves nr. 27. It was a bit fiddly, but we beat them to a pulp.

　Nicely, Rowan gives a thumbs up.
　Is there still a lingering feeling of victory?
　There is no doubt that it was a satisfying victory for Rowan as well.
　He was smiling like a child.

　The person who stood in front of Rowan was No. 20.
　He stroked his chin and seemed to be impressed, "Wow.

He stroked his chin and said, "You beat that 27. The number is lower than me, but that guy's combination of [Mage (Wizard)] and [Blacksmith] should have been quite troublesome, but...

I'm sorry, but I'm extremely strong against [wizard]. If you were to start out with only the magic of the [Blacksmith], it would have been a bit awkward.

Tch!　24's analysis is sweet, too. I didn't know there was still a hidden ball like this.... Oh well. Looking at your body, you're a [Warrior], right?

So do you.

　Rowan composed himself.
　He sensitively felt 20's wariness rising.

'I like your reaction. That's very good. Then, let's have a friendly firefight for the first time in a long time, shall we?

　20 also held his sword.
　And it was the 20 that set it up.
　The moment it was set up in the middle, its figure disappeared in a flash.
　A moment later, 20's figure was in front of Rowan.

''Oraa!

　He swung his rigid sword down.
　In contrast, Rowan was calm.
　He crossed his arms and raised them up to catch the 20 swinging down.
　The broken stone floor screamed.
　The tremendousness of 20's attack was evident.

　Naturally, 20's attack doesn't end.
　Even if the first attack was blocked, they would swing down from all angles, one after another.
　However, Rowan had been hit by all of them.

''Ho. You're good.''

Thank you. You're a pro, but it's nothing compared to the discipline of our little instructor!

　At last, Rowan played 20 attacks.
　Jumping in front of the ragged front, Rowan thrust out a right fist.
　Rowan's fist stretched out as if to be sucked into 20's heart.

　A moment later, it hit hard.

　20's body was blown away.
　Rowan felt a response.

　But--.

　20 lands on the ground.
　He wobbled slightly, but with a beastly smile on his face, he showed some leeway.

'That's a pretty good fist strike.

　Pang Pang and 20 brush the dust from his chest.
　It was faintly congested, but it didn't seem to be a fatal wound.
　In fact, 20 is pinging and smiling, showing his gums.

　Rowan's face, on the other hand, is mysterious.

''You too,''

　Rowan's direct strike was perfect.
　The swing, the squeeze, and the timing of the impact.
　Any of these would have been the highest I could reach right now.

　Still, he couldn't reach the twenty that was in front of him now.

　If I were to simply analyze it, I wasn't aggressive enough.

　Rowan was a singular constitutionalist who could counteract the power of magic, but could not use it.
　Fixing a distorted magic circuit is difficult even for Lacelle.
　Even with such a handicap, Rowan has been able to overthrow the strongest people.

　This is the path he has chosen.
　And I had no intention of pulling it off.

　However, even if they were equal in basic ability, they would still be a step or two behind in front of the strengthening magic of the demonesses who boasted of their enormous magical power.
　There was no way for Rowan to bridge the hopeless gap right now.

''What's the matter?　You've suddenly become so quiet. Maybe it's over?

　20 approached unceremoniously.
　Rowan, on the other hand, took a step back.
　One would think that Rowan would be able to erase the strengthening magic on 20 and fight the opponent without it, but it's not that easy.

　The strike just now also sent Rowan's magic power at the moment of impact, trying to blow away the magic that 20 was putting on it.
　However, 20 seemed to notice it right away.
　It immediately raised its magic power output and responded.

　In that instant - that is.

　The battle sense is outstanding.
　It's a good match with Lacelle.
　If the demon in front of me right now is 20, what kind of monster is the top level?

　The 20 gets even closer.
　Just as Rowan was about to take another step back, he heard a voice.

''It can't be the end, can it?''

　A commanding voice rang out.
　With a zap and a cloud of dust, it was Cecil who appeared.
　With his sword at the ready, he battered his cochineal eyes at 20.
　His battle spirit had not yet waned.

''Ho........''

　20 laughs.
　Rowan, in contrast, panicked.

'Cecil!'

What are you so scared of, Rowan? You're not going to give up on me now, are you?

No, it's not that-- Ow!

　Suddenly, Cecil hit Rowan with a low kick to his shin.
　The modest pain caused Rowan to involuntarily squirm in agony.

''We haven't done our (sic) job yet.''

Do we work?

It's frustrating, but if you ask Lasell, we're half the man we are. But...

　With that, Cecil thrusts his fist out.
　Toward Rowan.

"You and me, we're gonna be two halves of one.

　At that time, Cecil was not in the mood to get along.
　It was as if he was challenging Rowan with a sharp look in his eyes.

　On the other hand, Rowan's face breaks out.

''Apparently, I........ I guess I was dressing up a bit too much.)

　I'm sorry.
　Then--.

'Ooohhhhhh!

　Rowan barks like a wolf.
　As if to dispel all fears.

　And once again, he turns his serious eyes to his partner (Cecil).

'Right. We're always on our own, aren't we?

　Rowan aligned his fist with Cecil's.

　Eventually, he stepped on the earth.
　He set up to face 20.

　The 20 laughed, as if he was going to be pressured by that spirit.

'I love it. Great!　All right, boys!　That's the kind of partner I've been waiting for. You're the same as I am, aren't you?　You've been dying to be strong, haven't you?　I know what you mean. Come on, let's go out and fight!　Let's make this a great battlefield!

　Hahahahahaha, 20 laughed.

　But Cecil and Rowan didn't keep up with 20.
　A terribly lonely expression appeared on their faces, and the first thing they did was to take a swipe at the words.

''I refuse.''

Yeah.

　Rowan also cowered his shoulders.

'We're tired of being the strongest like that, or wanting to be stronger than anyone else.

Yeah. We've got an insurmountable task ahead of us.

You'll see the top of it if you're chasing that thing rather than becoming it yourself.

It makes us stronger.

Yes. I'm going to go with him.


　With Lacelle!


　Cecil and Rowan jumped out at the same time.
　With the two of them, they could formulate a plan to defeat the enemy in front of them without a meeting.
　What's more, he could understand his opponent's condition.

　Already Cecil's magic amount is almost at the bottom.
　Probably, there's only one more time left to shoot [That's (R) the Flame God Hammer and (V) one swing of it (Ting)].

　But one time is enough.
　Hence, the two of them set up.
　If they fought together, they could leave the line of fire.
　The reason they didn't do so was because they thought they could win.

　Cecil activates his magic.
　In the moment, a large sword covered in flames was held in his hand.
　He jumps up greatly.
　Furthermore, he activates [Object Acceleration] and attacks from above 20's head.

　Opening his big mouth, Cecil shouted.

　''That is (Rae) the Flame God Hammer, which is (V) one swing (ting)!

　The fire, the mass, the speed of the swing, and even more magical acceleration.
　And then Cecil's soul was swung down.

　The 20 easily received that attack.

　But that was to be expected.
　Hence, Cecil doesn't panic.
　Just like before, I raise the output of [Object Acceleration] and magic power and push 20 into it.

　The movement of the 20 stops.
　The one who appeared there was Rowan.
　While lowering his body, he makes contact with 20.
　His fist had already been drawn down.

''Ha!　Look what it is, a simultaneous attack!

　20 laughs.
　A moment later, Rowan's fist pierces 20's side.
　20's face contorted for a moment.
　But he still stood.

　Catching the extreme magic with one side and a fist that could pierce even rocks with only the power of his body and magic with the other side. Naturally, with Rowan's magic power playing off of it.

　What a battle sense.

　If Lacelle had been here, she would have clapped her hands and praised 20.

　But the real praise should have gone to the two men and women who had gone through the reckless special training Lacelle had imposed on them, at the age of 14.

'What!

　20's face was distorted for the first time at this time.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it.

"What?!

　20 shouted.

　No matter how much 20 forged it, it was still a hard sword without strengthening magic, and it was no match for the magical sword Cecil had forged.
　No matter how high the magic power output was, it couldn't always bounce off the magic power output of Rowan's stormy wind in a stable manner.

　The simultaneous attacks of the two of them slightly surpassed the overall power of 20.

''Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

'Ooohhhhhh!

　The zeal of the ripple effect pierced the streets of the Sow Trading Company.

　And----.


　Giiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!


　A hard sound echoes.
　The one that broke...


　It's a diva!


My sword?

　20 let out a pitiful scream.
　But what came immediately after was a huge mass of fire.

''Ugh!　Ughhhh!

　Twenty decapitated screams rang out.