On the way to the big training ground, I wasn't able to talk to Galba-san.
　It was because Catherine, who was giving off the same soft air as when we met back then, was talking to Galva-san at length.
　My instincts told me that if I interrupted that thing, I would be in big trouble.

　I gave up and tried to talk to Nadia and Lydia, but the mood was heavy here, as if I was worried about my homeland, the Duchy of Blange, so I decided to let it go for now.
　As I walked, I wished the world was simpler... and as I thought about it, I decided to digest what had happened to me over the course of the day.

　If all of the contents of Dongahaha's will are true, then there are a lot of things that are unsettling.
　The first element of anxiety in the empire is that we don't know how many of the people who were implanted with the magic stone and turned into the demon race are unknown.
　If possible, we want them to come to their senses without killing them. However, if the number is ten or twenty, it's still not easy, but if it's more than a hundred, it's not easy due to the problem of my magic power.

　Next, I have to think about what will happen after I ride into the Empire and seal off the demonization.
　If the emperor is involved in this matter, it would be like going to war.
　If that happens, we'll have to take down the emperor.
　As for what happens after that, I'll have to talk with Lionel, who knows the inner workings of the situation, about what to do.
　If possible, I hope they can only stop people like Cloud, who promoted the transformation of the demon race on their own.

　I'm not sure if only the royal family is involved in this matter as well as Branju, or if Count Kamiya, who has been watching us, is also involved, but it's hard to tell without going there.
　I've been wondering why you don't use that power to attack Yenis when you have the power to rule the world.

　The more I think about it, the more anxious I become.
　In the past, when I heard that an empire or duchy had begun to turn into a demon race, I would surely have felt like it was just a fire on the other side of the shore and would have just stood by.
　However, even within the St. Schuler Cooperative, there were rituals within the St. Schuler Cooperative that turned entire villages into demonic clans.
　Considering that, if they left it any longer, there was a high possibility that the world would be flooded with demonic tribes without them knowing it, leading to a critical situation.

　It would be easy to throw it all away.
　But if I do so, I know I will regret it in the not too distant future.

''It's a hard thing to do.
　I muttered softly.

　When we reached the large training ground, Catherine looked up at the amphibian and then went back to her room by herself.
　Garba-san started talking to his master, and I moved to my room, which was assigned to me by the amphibian.

　As I lay in bed, I pondered what I would ask the Pope and Forenoire tomorrow.
　First of all, why did Dongahaha have the spirit crystal?
　The Pope said that without the blessing, he wouldn't even be able to touch the spirit crystal.
　If that was true, then it would mean that Dongahahaha had a blessing.
　Considering that, Dongahaha still left many mysteries in his mind.

　And speaking of the Empire, what to do about Estia.
　If the Dark Spirit managed to escape through the use of his powers, there's a chance that he knows about the darkness of the Empire.
　And with Forenoir there, the dark spirits should be able to use their power as well.
　Originally, I didn't take her with me because Nerdal had limited numbers and her spirit was not stable, but she was also a follower.

　However. She could become emotionally unstable again if she went to the Empire, and it would be better for her to be with the Pope than to have him come with her to the Dead Lands.
　If she or the Pope was in danger, the dark spirits would surely take care of it.　

　In any case, you'll have Lionel to do your best in the Empire.
　I made up my mind to get through this phase of my life so that no one else would die, and then I drifted off to sleep.


　How long had it been since I'd fallen asleep?
Suddenly, I felt a chill and opened my eyes to find Dongahaha standing there.
''What?! Whoa.
　Come to think of it, the hermit's coffin was designed to allow him to get out once he regained consciousness.
''It shouldn't be that surprising.
　Dongahaha was calming down.

　But usually I stutter, because I usually stutter.
　I deal with it calmly, screaming in my mind.
'I wouldn't even turn on the light, and I'd be surprised if he was suddenly beside me sleeping.
　........I couldn't handle it calmly.
　He was a hostile opponent, and in a way, he felt more scared than Toretto-san.

'Looks like I failed to die on that spot.
　He spoke to me as he pretended to check his body.
'I don't want you to die that easily.
'Alas, I will die in the near future. The summoning of the demon race is a soul contract, so there is no way for me to escape at the earliest.
　Is this a different level than a soul contract or a pledge?

''Well isn't it fine now that the demon tribe you signed the contract with is gone?''
'The soul contract doesn't appear in the body, it's inscribed in the soul, so it can't be cancelled.
''If you knew that, then why did you turn into a demon race or summon a demon race, no matter how weak your body was?''
'Well you've read the will. If you've read the will, you know it's because I knew there was no future for me. And I thought the Pope would make me disappear and feed off of it.
　How selfish of me, and if I do that, I can only wonder why I didn't demand responsibility from the Pope.
　But saying that would make it moot to him now, and that's my self-interest.

　I have a lot more questions I want to ask you.
Normally I would continue to push and answer questions here, but I had a question for you.
I'll tell you what I think I can tell you.
　Dongahaha nodded lightly and sat down in a nearby chair.

　His first question was set to be asked first.
''How did you get that spirit crystal that was in the desk drawer?''
'Spiritual crystals?　Those jewels are called spirit crystals?
Did you have it without knowing it?
Yeah. That room was originally my father's room. I inherited it.
　I see. If that's the case, then the necklace he mentioned when he was fighting at the big training ground must be the one.
　However, that would make Dongahaha's father the one who applied the seal, but Dongahaha wouldn't remember what happened back then either.
　But there's no doubt that the Pope had a lot of trust in him.
　I guess I'll have to ask the Pope directly about this, too.

　Still, to be honest, there are many things I don't know about the Church.
　But I can only assume that two generations in the executive branch is because they are excellent.
　Furthermore, being the head of an organization shows that he has contributed to the church that much.
　That's why it's such a shame that he caused such a short decision this time.

　I shake my head and ask a new question.
'I'm going to ask you more questions now, but if you can't answer them, you're welcome to remain silent.
'This one could run out at any time already. Let us answer for everything.
　It's still clean.
'You told me to go to the Empire first, but do you think you have a chance?
"Unless Luciel the Wise and his followers who can break the demonization, no, unless it's the Lord and others, I'm sure they will be captured before they reach the heart of the Empire.
'Right. Then you'll have to tell me everything you know about the Empire.
　Dongahaha nodded and began to speak.

'Let's talk about the information Lady Luciel wants to know first.
'I'd like to know about everything. I'd appreciate it if you could tell me without being too precious.
''Right, now let's talk about the rumors of a war demon general that are spreading throughout the Empire.
Lionel's?
''Yes. The Warlord is said to have attempted to poison the General in the city he ruled during the war against the Kingdom of Rubruk, when the inhabitants attempted to poison him. It is said that the general was left wandering in the depths of death as a result of this, and his memory is said to have been blurred.
But you're still on the front lines, aren't you?
'No, it's said that he hasn't left the Empire much since then, focusing more on defending the Imperial City.
What would Lionel think if he heard this?　A man who looks like a bunch of warriors running away from the battlefield sounds like he's going to die gracefully.

"You know that Lionel was a warlord, don't you?
''Of course. Such rumors have been circulating within the Empire, but it seems that they have forced the rumors to sink in by beheading the rumor-monger at the Emperor's behest.
　The fact that they are forcing an oppressive government means that the Emperor is likely to know about it.

'Incidentally, in the last two years, has there been any change in the border with Rubruk?
''It seems that the Empire is being pushed somewhat right now. As I thought, the lack of a war demon general has affected the morale of both armies.
　It may be that it's because we're losing that we can't give out information........

''Do you think the Emperor is also involved in the Lionel case?
''That's not entirely true in some ways. After all, there have been times in the Empire when there has been a lot of noise about demons in the Empire.
So that's it for you, Brange.
...I have a feeling that it's the sole discretion of the Empire. It seems that this fake war demon general is plotting various things.
　Wouldn't a reincarnated person be a little more mature?　If I'm going to study this whole demonization thing, it's healthier to be a warrior or aim for a harem.

　However, I had one concern here.
　Lionel's level had fallen, and I was thinking about going one-on-one with that fake Lionel.......but I felt like I had to take care of this all at once.
　The quickest thing I could do would be to descend from an amphibian to the imperial capital's royal castle, but would it really be that easy to go there?　There's a pterodactyl squadron waiting for us over there to protect the skies, and I'll have to make more plans.
　As I let out a sigh, I suddenly remembered something.
''Yes. How did Brange know that I had defeated the demon race in Grandle?
''I heard that Luciel the Wise and others came while I was pretending to be an adventurer. Incidentally, I heard that this is being led by Sir Camilla, but I haven't been able to confirm the fact.
　It's great to get this much information, but is it really just for the church executive?
Did you get that information from the executive office, too?
No, they were sent from Brange.
　The fact that he's talking about it means that he must have a neat backstory as well, but I also found it a little hard to believe Dongahaha.
　So I decided to ask him about that messenger's characteristics.

'I see. But why was this contact person so flippant?
'She had a grudge against Luciel the Wise. That he had seduced his own sisters.
　I was confused by the words I hadn't expected to hear back.
　

''........sisters?　Maybe Nadia and Lydia's?
'Yes. Yes, the two brothers who are Master Luciel's followers. They don't seem to be very good at conspiracy, and they get emotional easily, so they were easy to get information from.
　Dongahaha was not amused, but stated so matter-of-factly, and it turned out to be true.
　Knowing such a fact, whether or not I should tell the girls or not, I would have more trouble again.

''........I see. Then what about the power to rule the world?''
That's exactly what you didn't say.
Is that so?
　Even though he's light-mouthed, I'm not sure he'd give away that much secrecy.
　As I was racking my brain, Dongahaha bowed to me and said.
''If you are going to the Irimasia Empire, the Duchy of Blange, then please traverse the labyrinth. And please protect the Holy City.''
　I nodded with a sigh, thinking that there was too much to do with the empire, the duchy, the demon race, and the labyrinth.