When we got to the ground, we were right in front of the old castle.
　Me, Kanade, Tania, and Rifa jumped out of the hole, in that order.
　Then I pulled up Nina, Sora, Luna, and Tina.

''Wha...?

　The place I left was right in front of the old castle.
　And there were multiple demons in front of the gate.
　One of them........the golem sounded surprised.

　Well, no wonder he was surprised.
　If a person suddenly came out of the ground, I would be surprised too.

'Humans and the strongest species I see, you are the intruders.

　The golem had quickly regained its composure.
　This intimidation, this calmness........probably a famous demon.
　Since he wasn't a demon race, it would be someone who was charged with guarding the old castle, right?

How in the world did you come under my siege?
As you can see, we've been moving underground.

　Perhaps because the demon race lived in Krios, the magical power they leaked out had changed this place into a special environment.
　Because of this, many animals had grown bigger than normal.

　We tamed the large moles together and had them digging through the ground.......
　However, digging a hole that even a large mole can pass through is very difficult for one person, so it took some time.
　But thanks to that, we were able to cut deep into the enemy's camp without encountering any enemies and without consuming any unnecessary strength or magic power.



　When I told him about the mole, the golem spilled out a voice that sounded aghast.
　I couldn't understand it because his expression didn't change, but he even seemed dumbfounded.

''Maybe I know how that guy feels.
Normally I wouldn't expect them to come through the ground.
Rayne has some crazy ideas as well as some crazy abilities.

　For some reason, everyone was understanding of the enemy, too.
　Strange?
　Me, I think I've come up with an idea that deserves a pat on the back...

Hey, boy.
Hang in there.

　I was comforted by the younger group of Nina and Rifa.

'But I've received reports from my men that you guys suddenly went ballistic and were lost without a trace. What about it?
Uh ... that's just a decoy.

　I don't know if I could teach you everything, but these anomalous moves basically only work once on the first time you see them.
　It would never work again with someone who had seen it once.
　Deciding that, I decided to teach them honestly.

''I had Sora and Luna use magic to create an illusion of us.
A phantom?　I've never heard of an autonomous operating illusionary magic.
I set the projection position of the illusion magic to the back of the monitor lizard. I tamed the monitor lizard and made it run at random. You have to be very careful because of the vegetation underneath your feet to notice that the illusion magic is set on the back of the monitor lizard. It ends when the magic's effective time has passed........
....

　The golem made a gesture as if it were holding its head and then wobbled as it was.
　What was wrong with it?

'I think you're dismayed by Rain's insanity,'
Hmm. Even those of us who are well versed in magic couldn't think of something like placing illusionary magic on a lizard's back.
That spirit girl is right. To think like that you, where have you left your common sense?
Don't make people sound like they have no common sense.
No.
No, you don't.

　Kanade and Tania said that without hesitation.
　If you've been listening quietly for a while now, which side are you all on?

Of course, we're on Rain's side, but we're also appalled at how insane she is!
Even though they're enemies, I know what it's like to be surprised and dismayed.
Totally....

　I thought these interactions were less common these days...
　They still have a difference in perception between them.
　I'd like you to get used to it.

Well, enough small talk can we get through that?
Stop laughing. I am the guardian of this gate. I won't let a single antling through to that man.

　The golem readied its fist.
　As if in response to that movement, the demons who seem to be my subordinates expand around them.

'I know we just met, but I don't rather dislike you.

　They don't try to take you by surprise, they don't use cowardly hands, and the golem is only facing us straight up as a gatekeeper.
　It's like a warrior with a noble soul.
　Although he is a demon, I liked his character.

'Odd. I like you too. It would be a shame to leave you as a human.
Thank you.
'If you're going to turn back now, we'll let the moment pass. What do you think?
Do you think I'll turn back?
I don't think so.
Well let's do it.
Oui!

　The barking golem answered and the battle began.



----------



'Kanade, Sola and Rifa with me!　Everyone else, take care of the rest!
"'Roger that!!!!

　Responding quickly to my instructions, everyone took their places.
　Kanade, Sora and Rifa beside me.
　Tania, Luna, Nina and Tina deployed behind me to deal with the other demons.

'I won't let you get in Rain's way!
You can eat this too!

　First, Tania fired a fireball and Luna shot the same fire magic.
　The raging karma fire enveloped a few demons and turned them into charcoal.

''Ikudei, Nina!
Yeah...!

　Tina settled into her usual position, above Nina's head, and generated a rod of light and a ball of light with her magic power.
　Shooting the ball of light with the rod of light....
　In addition, he also swung out the light stick and threw it at the demon.
　The demon was caught off guard by the two-step attack, and although it could avoid the ball of light, it couldn't avoid the rod of light, so it fell with a direct hit to the head.

''Good..............''

　The demon tries to distance itself once from Tina's anomalous attack, but Nina won't let it.
　She connects the sub-space and grabs the demon's legs to get in the way.

　In the meantime, Tina's attack bursts with a rainstorm...
　It was a brilliant partnership.
　They seemed to be breathing more and more together these days.
　Would Tina be most comfortable on Nina's head too?

Lane, we're going.
Yeah. Rifa, too!
Yes.

　We have to do our best.

　I ran alongside Rifa and we ran together.
　At first, we were close enough to be shoulder to shoulder.
　When we got close to the golem, we took a large distance and expanded to the left and right.
　As it was, I attacked as if to pin it down.

''Fireball!''
Bloodsize!

　I burst my magic into the golem's feet, stopping it from moving, and at the same time, blinding it with a cloud of dirt smoke.
　Taking advantage of the opportunity, Rifa generates a blood scythe and slashes at me.

　Geez!

What?

　As the dust cloud cleared, he could see Rifa's blood sickle being played.
　The golem isn't doing anything.
　It was just standing there leisurely.
　Its armor was too hard and thick, so the blade couldn't get through and must have been played.

''Sweet, daughter of the demon race!

　The golem's large body moves.
　He swung his arm out, trying to punch Rifa away with his giant fist.

''Rifa!''

　Quickly, I ejected Narkami's wire towards Rifa.
　Rifa read our intentions and grabbed the wire.
　
　Gosh!　and the wind was born, and I shuddered just thinking about how powerful it would be.

''Vortex Lance!　Ignitorance!　Icicle Lance!

　Sora unleashed three magics at the same time.
　A spear of lightning, fire and ice struck the golem, causing the magic to interfere with each other and explode.
　A huge blast of flame rises to the sky.
　My hair and clothes rustled as the heat wave blew up, causing my hair and clothes to shake.
　If you don't keep your head down, you'll be blown away as it is.

''With this much power........!
No, not yet.

　Rifa held the blood sickle up again.
　Out of the corner of his eye an unharmed golem stepped out of the flames.