"Wind.

　I went outside and took in the night breeze.
　Earlier, he'd heard everyone's reports, put them together, and then planned for tomorrow.

　The research on Iris had been somewhat difficult.
　There was a mountain of lore and other information, but there wasn't much in the way of credible information.
　As they were passed down from person to person in the form of lore, the accuracy of the information became less and less accurate, and it became vague.
　So, we were unable to obtain information about the seal.

　So far, there have been no dazzling results.
　Well, we expected this to happen to some extent, so I'm not discouraged.
　It's just that I'm lucky if I can find something.
　So, I'll continue to work steadily and steadily.

　The defense of the village has been working rather well.
　We set up a wall on both sides of the village to prevent the monsters that walk on the ground from entering.
　Nina's material creation was very helpful in building the barriers.
　By working together with what I use, I think we were able to save a lot of time.

　I set up a fence made of wood and a trap with a thin steel wire wrapped around it.
　A low-ranked demon would be injured just by approaching it and would not be able to make it in.

　Also, I set up gates at the front and back of the village.
　Even though it's a gate, it's just a simple one made from a bunch of logs.
　It's different from the ones made of iron, like the ones in big cities.
　It's not very strong, but....
　Nevertheless, it can still limit the infiltration of demons to some extent.
　Without it, the damage to the village would be very different.

''Is it fair to say that things are going well?

　I look up at the night sky.

'....well, what happens now?

　It was evident that Iris was in this vicinity.
　The battle would take place as soon as the strike force arrived.

　Well.....
　I'm not sure I'm still around because of my bullshit physical abilities and special abilities.

　Be that as it may.

　There's nothing more we can do.
　I won't say it's zero, but it's certainly infinitesimal.
　The only thing we can do is to find a way to seal it up in case the strike force fails.

　That's it.

　Defeat them.
　Or seal it up.
　Either way, that would be the end of Iris.

　No matter how powerful it is.
　No matter how powerful they are.

　No matter how powerful they are, they won't get away with it by fighting with their country.
　It won't be long before the case is settled.
　And it will come to an end in the form of the defeat of Iris.



　There was something that stuck with me.
　My heart is pleading with me to keep it that way.
　But I don't know what part of it is uncomfortable.

''Fwiw ... you're a tricky opponent.
Oh, dear. Do you think that might be me?

　A familiar voice came from behind me.

'Who else is here?'
Oh, you're not surprised.

　With a peek, Iris showed her face.
　She's smiling as usual...

　Is it my imagination?
　I feel like I'm sulking a little bit.
　Could it be that he thinks it's boring that I'm not surprised?

　That could be Iris.

Do you remember the first night we met?
'Yes, yes. Of course.
I was wondering, since it was such a night I was wondering if I would ever see you again.
Hmmm, this is doomed.
Is it fate...?
Wouldn't it be nicer if you said that?
Maybe.

　Iris stands next to me.
　She held a hand in her hair, bathed in the night breeze.

　........Looking at her like this, she's just like a normal girl.
　Like the strongest species.
　Like a celestial race.
　Or demons.
　It doesn't look like that.

'What's going on today?'
'Oh, I don't suppose you've forgotten?　Lady Rayne said she wanted to see you again, didn't she?
I remember but you kept your word.
I'm a very stubborn person, you see?
Arios betrayed you?
Hmmm, I'm going to hit you where it hurts.

　Giggling, Iris laughs.
　I didn't get the vibe that she was up to something or anything...
　He seems to be enjoying a normal conversation with me.

'But I did listen to that brave man, didn't I?
"You think Arios saved the villagers of Pagos...
'I suppose he wanted credit and bravery. He offered me such a deal. To be honest, I could have repelled him, but since he set me free, I accepted the offer. Also, I was told that it would be boring if I hunted my prey all at once.
That last word ruins it....
I'm the Devil.

　Iris laughs like a normal girl.

　Looking at her like this, really, she's nothing like a normal girl...
　Why would he do that?
　If I could, I would like to look inside Iris' mind.

'There is one thing I'd like to ask you... if you don't mind.
I'm all yours.
You are an adventurer, aren't you, Miss Lane?
Yeah, I do.
Did you interfere with my operations on this occasion at your request?
Well I guess it's close enough.

　Having undertaken an investigation of Iris.
　Looking for a way to seal it.
　I told him those things.

　There's a question of whether or not I'm allowed to talk to Iris herself about such things, but....
　I had a feeling that Iris could easily expose me even if I was hiding it, so I decided it was futile and decided to be straightforward.

'I see, I see,'

　Iris nodded, looking very pleased with herself.

What's wrong?
If I'm wrong, please point out that I'm not?
Yeah.
Master Lane has undertaken an investigation into me, but his request does not include the defeat of me. Isn't that right?
No, you're right.

　What does Iris mean by that...?

Well, then, no need to force me to fight you.
Iris...?
''So there's no problem if we continue to turn around and pass the time appropriately and report that unfortunately we didn't get any notable results? It's not something to worry about too much, is it?
What's your point?
Will you please step aside?

　Iris looked at me.
　Her eyes, which seemed to suck me in, almost made me faint.

''It's...''
I'm asking you to leave my case.
"...why would Iris say that?
Hmmm, you're right.

　Gently, Iris strokes my cheek.
　With a bewitching smile on her face, she whispered to me.

"It's because I like you, Miss Lane........
Is that a true statement?
Oh, that's too bad. I always tell the truth, don't I?
I'm sure it's just a lie, but...
Hmmm, what is this about?

　He laughs like a naughty child.

　Sometimes with a bewitching smile...
　Sometimes he laughs innocently, like a child.

　Which is the real face of Iris?
　Suddenly, I think about that.

'I'm wondering... why do you care about me so much?　Our first meeting was mild, but then we hooked up and... I don't think there was an element of care in it that I could have cared that much.


　Iris spun those words as she stared straight at me.