Teralbart is a dark forest that is still dark in the daytime.
　The interstices are narrow, the trees are densely packed together, and the dense branches and leaves form a natural roof that blocks the sunlight that should be pouring down to the ground.
　I knew all this information from my "strategy book" and it came with illustrations.
　But it's still a big difference between coming and seeing it.
　This heavy, stuffy, eerie atmosphere is indescribable.
　If I didn't need it, I would never enter it.
　It's that kind of forest.

　But we didn't get scared as we made our way through the forest.
　It's a good thing that we have a thousand golems under Sharon's control, because they are the ones who will be leading the charge.
　The metal warriors, who have no fear or anxiety, are invading the dark forest in a reliable and careless manner.
　Me, Chocolat, and the Magical Firepower Support Squad under the direct control of the warlord, we just need to follow the safe path after they pass.

However, this is already the territory of the Beast Maniacs. An attack could happen at any time.
'Ha! Everyone is ready to fight at any time!

　The one who answered crisply was Nevis.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

The magic catalyst is well distributed throughout the team.

　Below that Nevis, the entire squad took out a sachet to check it.
　It goes without saying that the inside of the bag is filled with consumption items that increase the power of attack magic by one shot.
　I'm sure it's a ridiculous amount of money, but since it comes from Vivera hara's defense fund, we don't have to worry about it. The White Queen can't be too stingy when it comes to witches' country, either.

"Well, well, well, well, it's just what Mr. Magnussault predicted again.

　Pauli said in a frightening manner.
　This guy, who had no combat power, didn't listen to her when she said she would follow him, when she should have stayed in Requisem.

''It would be the end of the world if the Demonic Firepower Support Unit was attacked directly anyway, right?　So you're always scheming to make sure that such a situation doesn't happen. If that's the case, it doesn't mean you're safe with me there as an amateur.

　Pauli smiled at that before he went into battle.
　In theory, yes, but it's your life that you're betting on.
　He really has a lot of guts.

　And now Pauli, who had served, stroked the trunk of a terrestrial tree playfully.

'For fifteen days it really hasn't rained!　It's drying up nice and dry thanks to you. It's going to burn very well!
It's a fire meter, and it needs to burn. They're being very loud. I've told you this is now Beast Maniac territory.
What do you think he might have been listening in on an errand boy or something?　Haha, sorry, sorry!

　Pauli laughed and asked for forgiveness, saying it was a mistake.

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

　I didn't say anything.
　Yes, I didn't offer words of forgiveness, but I didn't scold him as well.
　I know that.
　It's not just that Pauli is not careful, it's that I've never seen anyone else as cautious as he is.

　Anyway, we continued our march, while listening to Pauli's light talk.
　Deep in the forest of Teralbart, we set out for the Beast Maniac's residence.
　Contrary to the eerie atmosphere around us, Nevis and the other members of the team were light on their feet.
　It's the pace of a human who is confident of their victory.

　Then suddenly, it stopped.

　The first person to stop was Pauli again.
　Caught in the act, everyone, including Nevis, growled.

'What's the matter, Pauli?'
Hey, could you just... hear the rain?

　The squad members buzzed.
　And then they immediately stopped talking and listened carefully.
　But there was no need for that.
　But it was no longer necessary, for soon we could hear the sound of the rain hitting the branches and leaves of the trees above us like a roof.
　The rain was getting fiercer by the minute, penetrating the branches and leaves and falling on us on the ground.

"Well, this can't be...!
It's raining!
I think it's showering.
I can't believe...

　The troops began to buzz again.
　The commotion no longer subsided, and they were floating.
　Moreover, there was--.

"Enemy attack!　Enemy attack!

　I heard a screeching report from Kate, who was going ahead with the golem army.
　The timing is as if it was measured.
　No, in fact, they must have tried.
　In order to shut down our fire meter, the Beast Maniacs have set up a plan at this time of heavy rain!

　　　　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.

　I - Elise Barrick - couldn't stop laughing.

A fire meter is impossible in this downpour, isn't it?　I wonder how you guys plan to fight in this wooded area with the advantage of the chimera and the disadvantage of the golem?

"From a special seat on the fifth floor balcony of the Beast Maniac's castle, I look out at the cloudy sky covered with dense rain clouds.
　There is a large sofa that doubles as a couch with cushions to relax on.

　Across the table from a table full of drinks and food is a beast-maniac on the other side of the couch.
　She's lying on the couch with a seductive body that a man would drool over.
　However, from her neck up, she's a lioness.
　Well, that's what you'd expect from one of the most famous witches in the country, and she's got a racy look. Interesting.

　That witch, wetting her mouth with blood-red wine.

You're right about this, aren't you, ma'am? They've really been plotting a scheme.

　I said, completely impressed.

　Everywhere in Terralwalt, squirrels and wild birds and this witch's messenger keep an eye on you.
　You can hear everything Magnus and his friends are saying.
　To be precise, it seems that only Magnus' words can't be heard because of the effect of the Magic Bullet General's bracelet, but Pauli is over there, and that prince of light-heartedness is in the army.
　Even if you can't hear Magnus alone, you're not stupid enough to guess what they're talking about if you hear the conversations around you. Neither am I. And neither is this witch.

How did you manage to see it all?
Well, I'm a female soldier.
"I can't tell you how I found out, or how I got the information out of him?
Well, it's a trade secret.
Kukku, well, that's fine. Anything as long as you can beat them.

"Beast Maniac" laughed with a graceful gesture that didn't match his scary face.
　I laughed along with him.
　There was room to laugh.

　Because if you know Magnus is coming with a fire meter, you have a way of dealing with him.
　Like this rain.
　For the record, it's not a natural phenomenon.
　Magnus seems to be able to predict the weather for some reason, but I can't do that. I can't.

　That's why I invited him here.
"I invited a Rainmaker.
　Witches who can manipulate the weather and make it rain.

　The Black Witches are so independent that I'm having a hard time matching them up, but Magnus and the others thought they could win with a fire meter, so I thought, "Why not use that against them and give them a shot? Both "Beast Maniac" and "Rainmaker" replied with a resounding "Sounds interesting".

"Well, Magnus?　Isn't it about time you showed me your crying face?

　Or are you going to bounce back from this crisis in a way that I can't believe?
　Are you going to entertain me?