The next day.

　As beforehand, a strike force arrived at the village of Zith, as previously reported.
　A mixed unit of adventurers and knights.
　Their number is more than a hundred.

　There was no way such a number of people could fit into a small village...
　The strike force had set up an encampment in the square outside the village.

''Nya ... that's a hell of a lot of people.''

　Kanade spilled those impressions.
　He seemed surprised and rolled his eyes.
　It's not hard to understand how you feel.
　It's not a normal occasion for all these adventurers and knights to gather together.

　This incident........
　How heavily the top is weighing in on this.
　How serious they are.
　It's a sight that shows that very clearly.

'Oops, oops!'

　I turned around and saw Axe and Cell.

''The strike team is going to have a meeting now. They want us to attend.
We're an investigative team.
We're the only ones who've dealt with the devil directly. He wants that opinion.
'And you also said you wanted to talk about it because it might change your plans for the future in a big way.
Well okay, I'll be there. I'll be there in a minute. Will Kanade stay back with the others?
Oh, will you come with me, Kanade?

　Cel added.

'Nyan?　Me too?
''Perhaps, as the strongest species, they want to hear your opinion. Because the more information you have about the person you're about to fight, the better, as much as possible.
Nah we're not going to fight.
What was that?
'Nah, it's nothing. Rikkai!
So, can you wait a minute?　I'll go tell everyone waiting at the inn that I'm going to the meeting.
Yeah. I'm sorry, but you have to hurry.

　I left Axe and Cell and headed to the inn with Kanade.

'Rain, Rain,'
Yeah?
I wonder if we're going to be part of the strike force after all?
...that's a strong possibility.
What are you going to do?
I will resist.

　I'm not going to fight Iris, I'm going to let her live.
　That's what I've decided.



----------



　After returning to the inn and giving everyone a message....
　Me and Kanade moved to the large tent the strike team had set up, where the meeting was to take place.

　When we entered, Axe and Cell were already there.
　The others were adventurers and knights.
　And.........

'Oh, it's Rain. It's been a while.
Stella.

　Stella, who was supposed to be the Knight Commander of the City of Horizon, was here for some reason.

''Why are you here?''
I got a call for backup. Originally, there should have been someone else more qualified for the job, but for some reason, I've been given the task of organizing the knights.
Stella should be fine. She's got the right stuff, she's got the right stuff.
'Don't tickle me. I'm not quite ready for this.

　They shook hands in a reunion.

'But I knew that Rain and the others had left town on an urgent request, but to see them again in a place like this... it seems like a small world.
Quite so.
'Well I'm sorry, but we'll start the meeting right away. Would you mind sticking around for a moment?
Okay.

　Me and Kanade sat down at the seats we were led to.
　And not long after, the meeting began.

　First of all, the information about the demon.......Iris was to be shared.
　Me, Kanade, Axe, Cell and others gave testimonies and talked about Iris' abilities.

　A summoning magic that has no restrictions and can be used indefinitely.
　The tent was buzzing when he spoke of that tremendous ability.
　Although some adventurers and knights bit back, saying that such a thing was impossible.......

　Axe and Cell are A-rated adventurers.
　And I'm called the 'Hero of Horizon', if I do say so myself.

　Stella silenced everyone, saying that there was no way we were going to tell a boring lie like that.
　The adventurers and knights who had bitten us were probably just upset.
　He was immediately convinced and calmed down.

　Then.........

　We're going to discuss our future plans.

'Well, about the future I'll tell you the decision upstairs first. The survey team has been suspended. We want you to join our strike team.
Hmm?　What does that mean?

　To Axe's question, Stella slurred the question as she had expected it to be asked.

''The demon's power is so powerful that it cannot be left unattended. Even if you succeed in sealing it, there is a fear that it will be broken again one day. We've come to the conclusion that we must defeat it here and now to avoid leaving a legacy for later.
I see ... well, it's not hard to see why.

　I knew it was going to be...
　I knew it was coming, but it's not going to be good for me.

"The other units are going to join up with us. And then we will use our full strength to defeat the demon.
That's not a good idea.　If we concentrate our forces in one place, the other defenses will be stretched thin, right?
'Axe's got a decent opinion... are you a phony?
Why?

　Axe and Cell were rambling.
　After all, these two might be good friends for some reason.

　Stella replies with a wry smile.

''I think I know that,''
Then why?
''The more we spread out our forces, the less likely we are to be able to defeat the demons. Or rather, if we don't challenge them with maximum strength, they'll be kicked to the curb. Leaving only the minimum amount of guards and searchers, the main body will wait here. If we find a demon, we'll rush to it as soon as possible and bring it to a decisive battle.......
It's also kind of...
It's so haphazard, it's not really a strategy.
I know. But even if you divide your forces poorly, each one will be destroyed. I'm not sure how many times I've heard the story of Rain and the others, and even more so when I learned of the power of the demon. There is no other way.
Well, that's one thing.
If you're saying that's what the top brass has decided to do, I'm not opposed to it.

　Axe and Cell seem to have a point of view, but I tried to convince them, for a change.

　Stella looks at me.
　Is there a problem there?　His eyes ask, "What do you mean?

　To which I say........

I'm sorry.
What?
I'm sorry, but we can't work together.

　To the surprised Stella, I clearly told her my intentions.

''.......What does that mean?''

　Stella was surprised at first, but she quickly came to her senses and turned her strong gaze to me.
　It's a questioning, demanding gaze.

　I didn't expect that Stella would be looking at me like this.
　Feeling some heartache....
　Still, I'll make my intentions known.

　No......
　In this case, it's our decision...

We're going to find a way to keep Iris sealed up.
I thought you said the option of sealing is gone?
I know.
'If we seal it up, it might come back. It's just a postponement of the problem. Rain would know that, wouldn't he?
I know, but I don't know.
Hmm?
I'm not going to believe that killing is the answer to anything.

　It would be difficult to convince Stella, who didn't know about Iris's past, that she was a good friend.
　Nope.
　Even if she knew about Iris's past, she might not be able to convince him.
　At worst, he might end up making an enemy of Stella.

　But still.
　I've decided to do what I think is the right thing to do.

"Rain.

　Kanade, next to me, gently squeezes my hand.

　There's nothing wrong with what I do.
　I'm supporting you.
　It's like receiving those words, and it warms my heart.

'....I get it.

　After a moment of silence, Stella gave a small nod.
　Her face was........smiling as if she had no choice.

''Then Rain, you'll act as an investigation team as before. Upstairs, I'll make arrangements for you.
Thank you. That's very helpful.
You helped me a lot with Horizon. Now it's my turn to help Rain. Although, I don't expect to owe you anything like this.
Good enough.

　Me and Stella smiled at each other.