Nuguuuuuuuuuuuck!

　The flaming sword is swung down by No. 19.
　The place is a narrow corridor.
　The place of escape is limited.
　Furthermore, a surprise attack.........

　19 had no choice but to be exposed to the red lotus light.

　The one-eyed demon let out a rare scream.
　As it was, it was crushed by the flames.

　A roaring sound arose, and the air became hot at once.
　The tremendousness of the situation caused even Matelus to widen his eyes.

''Yay........or.......''

　Mucha also narrowed his eyes as he was covered in flames.
　This method of attack, which uses [Spirit Summoning] and further brings down spirits into his own body, is a rough technique that is quite taxing.
　In the past, Mucha was saved by Lacelle when he was wrapped up in his own flames and almost died.

　But now he is stable.
　This is also thanks to the precise guidance of Lacelle.
　He doesn't breathe hard, but looks beyond the flames he has released.

　Eventually, in the midst of the flames, a shadow decayed.

　Seeing this, both Mattelus and Mucha exhaled.
　Mucha released the [Spirit Summoning] and returned to his original form.

''You did it, Mucha.''

Yes...... But, as expected, it's Senior Lacelle.

''That's right. To us, the Numbered Children of the Tenth Number was a true celestial being.

It's not just the strength against it, even though it was a surprise attack, it became strong enough to defeat it....... I can't even begin to get mad at Lasell-senpai.

'Well..... More importantly, Mattelus. I'm going to meet up with senior Lacelle.

Yeah. The raid on the safe house went faster than I expected. I was expecting it to take longer. I've got a bad habit of saying 'I want to fight a strong guy as soon as possible', says Lacelle.

Senior Lacelle doesn't talk like that...

　A killing spirit swirled around the two people who were about to leave the place.
　It was Mucha who reacted first.

''Mattelus!

　He pushed Matellus, who was beside him, off his back.
　Himself flew forward.
　Immediately after, a sharp pain as if a burning iron had been applied to Mucha's back.
　With a thud Mucha fell to the floor.

''Guh!

Mucha!

　Mattelus got up quickly.
　But Mucha was not.
　He clenched his fists and endured the pain.
　There was a deep cut on his partner's girl's back, and blood was spilling out of it in a thud.

''That was a pretty good attack.

　A dark voice echoed.
　A wavering shadow moved.
　Flames continued to smolder on its back.
　It was like the wings of an angel, but it would be the devil that should be described.

''№19, still alive!　Oh--

　Mattelus notices.
　That the 19 ship's eyes are glowing red.

''【Maniacalization】.......huh.....

　It is a spell that magically reproduces a state of extreme excitement and amplifies every sensation and muscle.

You're numbing the pain itself with excitement?

　Sweat drips from Mattelus' chin.
　It's easier said than done, but one wrong move and the pain itself could be amplified.
　It's a rough move that you don't want to try for the rest of your life, even if it crosses your mind.

　But the fact 19 was standing.
　Even if part of his skin was burned, seared, and turned to charcoal, the intense life in his eyes would not be lost.

'Run away, Mattelus!

'Baka!　That's what men say.

　He was strong in front of Mucha, but Mattelus just couldn't move a single step.

　Even though they were the same mage and were trained by Lacelle, their physical abilities were far superior to 19's.
　In addition, the combination over there was 【Mage (Wizard)】 and 【Warrior (Warrior)】. It's a complete combat specialization.

　Mattelus is a [Mage (Wizard)] is the same, but the other one is a [Scholar (Professor)].
　Rather than combat, it can be said that they are a combination of the same espionage orientation as Mucha.

''(Do you want to use [Compulsory Recognition] to control it like we saw earlier........ No, it's no good. The other side has already used 【Madness】 and their reasoning has been blown away. Psychological magic doesn't work. (Then, this place is...)

　Mattelus was poised.
　He had to take it one or two at a time.

'Do you want to go head-to-head with me? 'Interesting.'

You talk a lot, 19, but I didn't think you were so talkative.

　If you're going to talk, talk--.
　Mattelus prayed.
　Lacelle should be here soon.
　We'll try to hold on until then.

"If necessary, at the cost of my life.

　Mattelus stood against 19, with Mucha at his back.
　19 grabbed his gain.
　The great sword was raised like a snake with a sickle-neck.
　And then he inhaled heavily.

''Ooohhhhhh!

'Guruhhhhhh!

　Mattelus's rippling spirit and 19's barking coincided with each other.

　The man who was once called №83 twisted the magic power with all his might.


　【Bomb Roaring Divine Thunder】!


　It is a lightning attribute advanced magic.
　It's the largest offensive magic that Mattelus can use right now.
　A blue-white lightning spirit rises up the corridor like a flame.
　With just a touch, 19 unabashedly rushes in against the magic that is loaded with enough power to stop the heart.

''It's lukewarm!

　Kicking it off.
　In fact, it was true.
　No matter how many times the lightning spirit clung to 19, it never stopped on its feet.
　It even looks like it is eating the magic of rather.

''d*mn!　You're a monster!

　At the top of the cube, Mattelus turned to the ceiling.
　He was determined to make it collapse with magic and crush the 19 with rubble.
　'Yourselves, gentlemen,' he said, 'I'm sorry, Mucha.

I'm sorry, Mucha, but this is the only way I could think of. It's the only way I could think of.

　Mattelus muttered.
　He pointed the [Explosive Roaring Divine Lightning] at the ceiling.
　But it was too late.
　It was already in the kill zone of 19.

''It's too late!

　With the blue lightning spirit in the background, 19 appeared in front of him.
　The figure with its one eye glowing red-black was so powerful that even the God of War was horrified.

''(Yikes!)'

　Mattelus realizes that he has made a mistake.
　But this is not the time for remorse.
　Already, the 19 sword flashes blinked all the more strongly in the blue-white glowing corridor.


　[Gravity Sphere (back)]


　A cold spell echoed.
　It was that moment.

''Goooooooooooo!

　19 away.
　No, to be more precise, it was blown away.
　The hulking body finally comes to a stop at the end of the corridor.
　The impact itself was apparently light.
　19 immediately got up.

　It bared its teeth like a beast and howled.

''Who are you?!''

　That's right.
　It was not the work of Mattelus or the magic of the deeply wounded Mucha.
　What was cast was a super advanced magic.
　There were supposed to be only a few people besides Lacelle who could use it.

　Click.........

　There was a sound of leather boots.
　They must be very hard and tight.
　A rather hard sound echoes through the corridor.
　With each sound, the burning air froze.

　Mattelus turned around.

　What appeared in the darkness was the uniform of Branch 5.
　And it was a schoolgirl's uniform.
　Looking at it, he was sure it wasn't Lacelle.

　Eventually, the full picture was revealed.
　Her blonde hair stretched to her waist and her large, deep green eyes.
　Her elegant mouth now has a graceful curve and a smile on her face.

''Sh, Sheila-senpai...?''

You okay, Mr. Mattelus?

Yes, yes!

　You will be upright and immobile.
　Sheila was the person Mattelus admired.
　Hence the tension, but Sheila had a peculiar kind of dignity to her that Lacelle didn't have.
　Hence, her body reacts on its own, and she stretches her back like a new soldier.

　Then Sheila hands the recovery potion to Mattelus.

''Take care of Mucha-chan, please.

Yes, sir!

　In a natural motion, he walked past Mattelus.
　He confronted 19 across the darkness.

''Sh, Sheila-senpai.......are you going to do this alone?''

Yes. Of course he is. He's not the only one. I'm on my own. Who'll be in charge of the safe house?

"Huh?

　Now, how...?

Didn't you hear me?　I will take control of this hideout by myself. And then, as soon as possible, I'll go around the store with my brother.

"Huh?

　Once again, Mattelus tilted his head.

　But stopping him didn't help, and Sheila closed the distance between her and the 19 unguarded.

'One man to subdue them!　Nonsense!　You can't do that.

What is your number?

'Nineteen.... What about it?

Well..... Then it's not a problem.

"f*ck you...


　[Long Emperor's Great Fire]


　By the time I noticed, Sheila had unleashed her signature flame attribute magic.

　19 was not intimidated when she saw the red lotus flame.

''Ha!　With such advanced magic.................

　The flames that enveloped the entire hallway bared their fangs at 19.
　The figure was, as its name suggests, a single dragon.
　It opened its large jaw gate and let out a howl.

　Nineteen understood.
　No, reason should have been blown away long ago.
　And yet, I understood.
　That the fire wasn't sane (I'm not sure if I'm going to get it right)....

　"Death."

　When I had a strong premonition, ironically, the instincts amplified by the [Madmanization] made the decision.

　He turned his back to the flames and fled.

''Gyaaaaah!　I'm coming!

　A disgusting scream that is disillusioning to hear.
　But that wish will not be granted.
　The flaming dragon swallowed 19 and sucked on it to the bone.

　It happened in an instant.

''You're lying.....''

"Teenage 'number kids' (numbers)......... In an instant.....

　Both Mattelus and Mucha, who has regained consciousness, can't help but be stunned.

　Flutteringly, the uniform of Chapter 5 danced.
　Sheila smiled against the still burning flames.

'Well, let's go. Let's take out the bad guys quickly.''

　Finally, Sheila Girell Stark's true colors were about to come into play.