Hmm.

　I'm currently on the seventh layer.
　I think we're progressing at a rather good pace, but I'm not sure how Elfin-san and Finia are doing.
　Therefore, it's hard to judge whether they are dominant or inferior.

　Not that I'm hoping to clash with the two of them, but....

　Even if they continue to win without incident, will they really be recognized by the phoenix tribe?
　I feel like I can only show my power if I can manage the elfin-san and the others who are obstructing me.
　However, I don't want to fight as I please, and if I can, I'd like to keep it that way.......

''It's a dilemma........''
Wufu?

　Sakura, walking tote tete next to me, looks up at me curiously in response to my mumble.
　While patting its head, I hurry onward.

　Can you show your power or not?
　Will they recognize me or not?
　I don't know which way it will turn out, but the minimum requirement is that I must win this race.

　First we have to win the race....
　If it works, good.
　If it doesn't, then we'll think about it again.

Grrrrrr...!
In the meantime, we've got enemies. There are more and more of them as we move down through the lower levels.

　They are high level demons in their own right, but thanks to Sakura's presence, they don't suffer at all.
　It's simply because of the strength of Sakura, but...
　Not only that, it's as if he's reading our thoughts, and he always provides support where we want it.
　It's a breath of fresh air.

'You're amazing, Sakura. How do you make it work like that?
On!

　Somewhat proudly, Sakura squealed loudly.

''Pyaa!''

　In response to Sakura's voice, a familiar voice comes from a little distance away.


Oh.

　I meet eyes with Finia as she appears.
　My body and thoughts freeze in surprise at the suddenness of the situation.

　Furthermore, Elfin-san appears from behind Finia.

''Huh?''

　Our eyes meet as well.
　And .....

Human!
Oh, no!

　A wave of fire is created and spreads out as if to fill your vision.
　There's no room to avoid it!
　Then.

Fireball!

　I cast a spell and offset the flames with flames.
　The attempt worked, and I managed to escape from Elfin-san's flames.

''Do you want to prevent my attack? That's quite a feat for a human.''
Don't you think it's a bit harsh to attack out of nowhere...?
What's the problem with the rules?　If a mere mortal dies here, who cares?

　It's only human.
　The misanthropy of the phoenix tribe is much higher than that of the spirit tribe.
　I could understand what Sigre-san meant about seeing people as enemies, I could see it firsthand.

　It can't be helped if this happens.
　Or rather, in a sense, I wish for it to happen.
　If we could clash head-on and subdue the two of them on top of that, there was a good chance that the other phoenix clans would recognize us.
　I'll take advantage of this situation to the contrary!

Sakura, I need your help!
Finia, I'm coming!

　Me and Elfin-san call out to our respective partners, but they don't respond well.
　I look at Sakura to see what's going on, while being ready to move at any time...

Glululu...!

　He looked in the direction of the day after tomorrow and let out a low growl.
　Finia also looked in the same direction as Sakura and made an anxious face.

''What, what's this sign........?　I have a very bad feeling.......ugh.
'Finia?　What is the matter with you? In front of a human being, such as....
Oh, mom, there's something very unpleasant about this........oh, what's this, this is very malicious.......human?　But it's more than that...

　Finia was rattling and shaking as she hugged herself.

　'What is it?'
　And what's going on with Sakura?

　In an obvious anomaly, me and Mr. Elfin and I released our battle stance.
　Then we moved to our respective partners.

'Sakura, what's going on?　Could it be that the demon has appeared again?
Grrrrrr...!

　Sakura continued to growl, as if she didn't have time to answer my questions.
　I followed the tip of her gaze.

　Then I heard the sound of knocking footsteps.
　That number was for two people.

　After a little while, I see a shadow, and I can see its main body.
　Its true identity is.........

Haha.... I'm really here.
Lean!
Long time no see, little trash.
How are you doing?

　Monica appears from further back.

'You guys, why ... no. For that matter, how did you get here!

　How did they get inside the dungeon under the watchful eye of the phoenix tribe?
　How did Leanne and Monica know about the phoenix race in the first place?

　Since they went through the village of the spirit race to get here, it should be unlikely that they followed us.
　If that's the case, did they get the information on their own...?
　And then they started planning and working on something unrelated...?

　Should I lament the timing of this........?
　Or should we rejoice that we happened to have an opportunity to squash their scheme?
　Either way, it's extremely troublesome.

"I'm sorry to tell you so early, but I'm going to give you a really nice present.

　Lean grinned.
　Then the transparent wand in her hand glowed black.