I'm a foolish, brave man.

　While Arios and Rhys are in secret talks...
　Someone was sneaking a peek at the scene.

　It was Iris.

　Using magic, she was sneaking a peek at the room.
　By the way, it's not summoning magic. It's just ordinary magic.
　Since she is the strongest species, she can use that much magic.

''Totally.......don't you ever think that you are being tricked?　No, as expected, he's probably thinking about it. Even if you've been tricked, you can just use the other person.......is this what that brave man was thinking?

　Even so, it's stupid, Iris thinks.

　Even if it's using them....
　On the other hand, haven't you considered the possibility that you could be taken advantage of?
　Have you not considered the possibility that they are better at it than you are?

'Well, you're not thinking about it. If you were thinking about it, there's no way I'd take you up on your lease proposal.

　Iris let out a disgusted sigh, "Oh dear.

　The thing that Reese is trying to coexist with humans is a downright lie.
　There was no way such a demon race existed.
　It was just a way to get Arios on his side.
　How could you even see through such a simple lie?

　That brave man, maybe not as long as I thought.
　Iris thought about that.

''I don't really care about that brave man. What matters is ... me. It's time for me to decide where I'm going too.

　I don't feel the desire to kill all humans.
　I haven't lost my hatred of humans, but....

　But some people are like Rain.
　Some people are warm.
　Now that he knew that, he wasn't going to live only for revenge like he had done before.

　Hence, I will not be on Reese's side.
　The reason I'm with you now is to get some kind of information about Reese as a way to repay you for your debt to Rain.
　There's no other reason.

'Although, yes, it's not going to work.

　Reese doesn't completely trust Iris.
　It's partly because Iris is withholding her reply on whether or not she'll join him...

　But more than that, it's because Iris' attitude has changed.
　I don't remember him hesitating to kill humans before.
　In fact, I used to be willing to do it.

　But now Iris is different.
　I don't kill humans at all.
　On the contrary, he even avoids getting involved.

　With an attitude like that, it's no wonder he can't get any trust from Rhys, but.......
　However, there was nothing that could be done about it.
　The vengeance that was in Iris had been cleaned out in the fight with Rain.
　I don't want to kill humans indiscriminately anymore, like I used to.

　After meeting Rain, Iris changed.
　Nope.
　I was made to change, I should say.

　Changing the minds of the most powerful species.
　That's how powerful Rain is.
　Iris thought so.

''However, it's troubling, isn't it?

　I would never take Reese's side, but that doesn't mean I can't say that I want Rain to be my friend.
　Of course, I really want to work with Rain.
　It would be so much fun to do so.

　But after all that, what kind of face should I put on to say that?
　And....

I'm not like you, Miss Lane.

　I've already killed a number of people.
　Unlike Rayne, these hands are stained with blood.

　I never used to care about that in any way, but....
　It bothered me terribly now.
　Compared to Rayne, I was starting to feel like I was helpless.

'Hmmm ... I can't help it. Nevertheless, I think it's best to consider that there's no more respite.

　It's been a good amount of time since he's huddled with Reese.
　As for Rhys, it's probably time to hear Iris' response.
　He doesn't want to say anything to rush her, but still, there is no doubt that he is waiting.
　Also, he will have some sense of Iris's true intentions.

　If they don't side with us, what will they do?
　It's normal and they'll just take care of it.

''I don't mean to lose, but... no. That human has a nasty feeling about it.

　Iris considered Monica more dangerous than Reese.

　In terms of simple combat power, Reese would be far superior.
　It's hardly ever the case that a single human has more combat power than a demon race.

　However, I felt something eerie about Monica.
　It was as if she instinctively didn't want to make enemies....
　Such a sense of urgency.

Hello.

　While I was thinking about this and that, Reese came over.
　It seems the meeting with Arios is over.
　Seeing that he was smiling with a satisfied smile on his face, it seems that he has succeeded in getting Arios to join him.

''Good day to you. How was the brave man?''
'Yes. He promised us that he would join us.
Isn't that the deal?
'There was no sign of that, but... well, either way, Arios-san can't turn back now. There's no other way for you to stay with us.
...I see.
So ... it's time for me to hear your answer, Mr. Iris?

　It came.
　Iris was inwardly bitter.
　'Of course, I won't show it,' he said.

'I suppose so. I'm sorry to keep you waiting, but I think it's about time I had an answer for you.'
Can I get my hopes up?
Yes, of course.
That's a relief. But ... but before you do, I need to ask you to do one thing for me.
Work?
Yes, it's my job.

　Reese chuckled.
　Iris had a bad feeling about this.

'It seems a new brave has appeared recently.
'The new brave...?　Not Mr. Arios?
'No, it's a different person. From what I've heard, it's a female brave.

　Has there been a generational shift?　Iris thought.
　A change of heroes doesn't take place unless there's a lot of work to do...
　Well, that's no surprise, Iris agreed, after all that he'd done.

'So, what's wrong with this new brave?'
Go kill them.
...Yes?

　The request was so straightforward that Iris couldn't help but spill out a goofy voice.
　However, Reese's expression remains the same.
　Carrying a smile, he repeated the same line.

''Please go and kill the new brave.
...Why is that?
It's obvious, isn't it? We demons are a hindrance to them.
It's...
'Of course, there will be other brave candidates. If we kill them, there will be new brave men again. However, the fact that they were sent to the next one means that the quality must be inferior. Also, it would take time. There's no harm in killing them here.

　It makes sense.
　Iris thought so, but on the other hand, she was bitter.

　He was being tested.

　Rhys was finally getting to grips with his own unwillingness to be proactive.
　As long as he killed the new brave man, that was good.
　If not, I'll give up there.

　Thinking about this, Iris is lost for an answer.

"I........

　Iris opened her mouth softly after a moment's hesitation.