After leaving the magical city, we proceeded to the west, saving the city that was occupied by the demon tribe on the way.
　And we arrived at a vast valley area.
　We found the stronghold of the demon king's army there, where there are countless dangerous cliffs, which if you step off your foot, you'll end up at the bottom of the valley.

I see, so that's the Demon King's castle.
Wow, it looks like I'm floating in the sky.

　Leila says happily.
　We are covered by a fog that erupts from the bottom of the valley, making it look like a disastrous giant castle is floating above the clouds.

　As we proceeded to get closer on the rocks, we saw a group of people standing in front of us.
　It was made up of demons and monsters, about two hundred in total.

''Hey! I was expecting to see what kind of people they were, and now they're one man and a woman and a child!
Well, I see you've put on a big show.
Hey, stop talking!　I hear that in many places our military leaders are suffering one mysterious defeat after another!　Don't underestimate the human race!
But that doesn't mean it's these guys for all intents and purposes.
Yeah.

　Apparently, in order to get into the Demon King's Castle, they have to defeat this group first.
　However, although the commander is the one raising his voice to urge caution, most of the demons are not tense at all.

''Let your guard down and give them a shot, a big one.
Okay!　I'll do it, Ark!
Yes.

　Leila and Ark unleash their magic together.

'Cyclone.'
"Permafrost.

　A huge tornado of absolute zero swallowed up the demon race and the swarm of demons.

''Bah, idiot!
A human sentiment could do this kind of higher magic...?
"Soon, as soon as the red magic--

　The demons couldn't take it as a countermeasure or escape, and they were frozen one after another.
　Before I knew it, there were only countless ice sculptures scattered about, and there was nothing left to move.

''Well, let's move on,''



　　　◇ ◇ ◇


　The innermost part of the Demon King's Castle.
　A demon tribe sitting on a mischievous designed throne asked a subordinate demon tribe who was beside him.

''It seems like it's a little noisy outside the castle.
''Haha, Demon King Veerbeem-sama. We have been informed that a group of humans have approached the castle, and the castle's outer guard is currently taking care of them. There are only a few of them, and we should be able to deal with them without any problems.
Oh, I see. "You're not a hero, are you?
"If he is the hero the humans claim he is, he suffered a crushing defeat against Lady Luciel the other day.
I know that, of course. I know that, of course, but aren't they the real ones? There may be others, summoned by the goddess.
''Yes. But no matter what we're up against, there will never be anyone who can stand against our newborn Demon Lord's Army.
....

　At that time, the information from outside must have arrived by some means, and the demon race under my command raised their eyebrows.

''Just now, we have received a new report. A group of humans have defeated the guard outside the castle and are continuing to approach our castle.
What did you say?
But there is nothing to worry about, Your Majesty. The gates are guarded by Ganerja. He stands guard over the gates because of his intelligence, but in terms of fighting ability alone, he is one of the best in our army. It would be absolutely impossible for him to enter the castle.
....


　　　　◇ ◇ ◇


　They reached the entrance to the Demon King's Castle.

''The gate is open.

　The huge gate was wide open, as if to welcome our intrusion.
　However, as I was about to pass through the gate, something was falling from above.

　Zudo-O-O-On!

　The one who landed with a loud earth shaking was a huge beastly man with an elephant's head.

'I'm Ganerja. I am the guardian of this gate. I won't let anyone through without a permit.

　An elephant beastman who declares as he raises his long nose lazily.
　He is over five meters tall, and combined with the thickness of his width, he stands in a way that completely blocks the gate.
　Well, compared to Befi, it's cute.

''Ark, let's go!''
Yes.

　The twins sprinted from my side.
　Without fear, they rushed into the giant man.

''I'm going to twist and crush that winged bug!

　The elephant beastman swung his long end around to try to fight it off.
　The two used their small bodies to duck under it and slash at it with their swords when they got close to the flesh.
　However.

It's not working!　I have very hard skin!

　The blade barely got through, just a thin scratch on the surface.

'It's tight!'
But not as much as Befi.

　Then the two of them relentlessly aimed at the elephant beastman's right leg.
　The beastman, who had been taking it easy at first, seemed to be starting to feel pain as expected after being wounded in the same area over and over again.

''Ow, that hurts!　We're not going to be in the same place all the time!

　They appeal with tears in their eyes, but of course they don't let up in their attack.

'Don't twitch!

　I dexterously maneuvered my long nose to target them, but I couldn't quite catch their agility.

'How about this one!'

　Boo-hoo-hoo!

What?
Ark!

　Ark's body floated in the air.
　Then it was drawn all at once to the elephant's nose.
　It's a tremendous suction force, as if it were pulling the entire space around it.

　Ark was caught in the tip of the nose.
　The elephant's nose is designed to hold things like a hand.

That's it!

　Ark's small body is raised wide, as if he's trying to hit the ground.

'Explosions.'

　But before he could do that, he stuck his hand in his nose and Ark blasted out his magic.

''Pa-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh!

　The elephant beastman let out a scream as a powerful explosion erupted behind his nose.
　His eyes flipped around and his huge body slumped to the ground.

''You're dead.''

　When I got closer to check it out, I saw that the elephant beastman was doomed, probably because his nose was his weak point.


　　　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


...that Ganerja has been breached and allowed to enter the castle.
What?
But the Dark Elf King Gerlord and his men are already in action. I believe their march will be short-lived.
....