We run through the red metal columns and transition to two levels. The time changes - the sky is pitch black, but it's bright in front of me.

".........this......wasn't like this before.......

　The Monkey Prince's fort occupied a large area on two levels. However, he would not have found it if he hadn't entered the two levels and searched for a while.

　The outer walls of that fort could already be seen after a short walk. It was illuminated by the orange light in the red-burning forest.

(That party... good, we caught up with them...)

Hey... you heard the man.
"The equipment is the same as it was when I was captured, or even better... what, isn't joining the 'Marquis of Monkeys' better than being a normal explorer?
It's called self-defense.

　They say things that I can't bear to hear, and then they laugh. If these people find Lurie - I don't even want to think about it.

　Hiding behind a tree to avoid being noticed, I follow the party of four.

　In the labyrinth, a river runs through it - the Marquis de l'Ape's fort is built across the bridge and beyond. It seems that different forts were built on the west and east sides of the river.

　The Marquis Monkey is a very cunning demon that has taken us by surprise. I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what I'm looking for, so I'm going to be able to allocate my increased strength to the new fort so that it won't be easy to identify my location.

''Isn't this fort bigger than I've been told?''
It's like trying to build a country in a maze.
But he's just a monkey. Look, there's a trick that opens the gates to the fort. You may think you're hiding something, but you can't fool my eyes.
I'm sure they went in here. Now, let's help those who are under the control of the demon.

(Hiding ... really...?)

　I move the gate mechanism and the men enter the fort. I'm sure they're using their skills to keep an eye out for the area, but I still can't shake the feeling of disgust.

　There's a reason why it's so easy for them to get in. I have to go and find out if the figure they saw was Loury or someone else - even if it's dangerous, I have to go and find out.

'Hey, I know you're in there!　Stop hiding and come out!
'Fool, if you scream that loud, the other demons will notice.

　The gates of the fort begin to close once more - I have no choice but to slip in as the men turn their attention to the interior of the fort. I lower myself and barely make it inside the gate, which is made of wooden stakes.

　The men are in the square just past the gate. Before they notice me, I hide behind several stone statues placed in the square.

　--then a voice like a scream went up.


There's a weird pattern on the ground behind me... ooooh!

　Current Situation
　The Blazing Monkey King activates Purgatory Barrier. Terrain Effect: No Escape, High Heat

　--The color of that, the color of the flames that burned as red as blood.

　How could I forget it? The symbol of the devil to me, shown to me in my dreams many times.

　The demon that I encountered ◆.
　★ Cauterizing Monkey Marquis Level 12 Flame Resistance Drop: ?
　The Monkey Prince's Household and Martial Artist Level 11 Drop: ?
　Monkey Hou's Attendants, Dancers, Level 11 Drop: ?
　The Monkey Prince's Household and Terrainist Level 11 Drop: ?

　Searchers wearing black equipment and strange monkey masks - and the one who appeared in the back of the room.

"Oh, shit, that guy's not good...!
"d*mn, she used that dancer as bait to catch us....
The Scroll of the Return is not working!　How did you get into this...!
It's getting hotter and hotter.......we'll be steamed if we don't do something about it.......
Boys, look out for the front they're coming!
What...?

　Current Situation
　The Blazing Monkey King activates his War Drum. The attack power and speed of the Marauder's Guru's Attendants increase.
　The Shining Monkey invokes Horizon Loa → The Gulfs are stunned
　Elitia activates "Sonic Raid".
　The Monkey King's Household Dancers invoke Bewitching Dance →Gulf and Kazan mesmerize Gid and Regan resist the mesmerization.
　The Monkey King's Family Martial Artist activates Fierce Tiger Strike → Guido is hit by a knockback.
　The Monkey King's Military and Terrainer activates Partial Collapse → Regan is disabled

Ooohhhh...!

　The man with the curved sword, who was the leader of the group, is blown away by the blow - I can't even get in to help him, and I'm covered in his blood as he's blown away.

　In an instant, the four of us are unable to fight. The person named Garf and Kazan no longer even has the will to fight, and approaches his fallen comrades - he is trying to bring them all into the fold.

　The reason why few seekers approach the "Monkey Prince" was obvious. It wasn't just demons that were frightening to the searchers - how much danger was involved in fighting other searchers.

''........I'll end it here. It has to end.

　Current Situation
　Elitia activates Berserk.
　Elitia activates Red Eye.
　Attack power increased due to the Scarlet Dance effect.

I've been waiting for this moment since the day you took it all away from me...!

　I wonder how many people this demon has been tormenting. I wonder what the friends of these manipulated people are feeling - even me.

''Gaggle-geeks.......!

　A big monkey, several times larger than a man. He looks at me as a small thing - he puts his servants in front of him and uses them as a shield, as if he doesn't have to deal with them himself.

　I don't want to fight them. The only thing I'm after is the 'Monkey Prince'.

　As long as I can do that, I don't need anything else. I don't care if I lose all of them - just the Ruilly.

"Gaggle-gya........
...Don't laugh.

　I know better than most that I am a fool.

　But you have all walked with me to this point for me. They never laughed at me.

　-- that's why. I'll come home with you, Louie.

　If you can, I hope you'll forgive me for being a fool again.

''--Wow...!

　Current Situation
　Elitia activates "Sonic Raid".
　Scarlet Dance effect activates → Elitia gains Red Shadow and further decreases health.
　The Monkey King's Family Martial Artist activates the Gale Rotating Kick and hits Elitia's Red Shadow for no damage.
　Dancers of the Monkey King's Household and Dancers invoke Enketsu-Throwing Blade to hit Elitia's Red Shadow for no damage.
　After Squall' is activated by 'Marquis Monkey's Attendants, Terrainist'. Terrain Effect: Muddy
　Elitia activates the Air Raid.

　I avoid all of the attacks that are released at high speed, using only my senses. All of them are sucked into the remnants of my creation - I don't stop even if they turn the ground into mud. With the skill of the Air Raid, I leap and make the final acceleration.

　Above the head of the Monkey King. His eyes widen, he is astonished, and his fangs are bared - I swing my sword out while spinning.

''...........Hah!

　Current Situation
　Elitia activates the Blossom Blade.
　Attack power increased due to the Scarlet Dance effect.
　A 24-step hit on The Cautious Monkey
　Elitia's additional attack hits eight levels on the Cautious Monkey King

"Geez..........!


　If only Alihit had lent his strength from behind. This attack could have been more powerful - but not powerful enough.

　I will repeat until the 'Monkey Prince' is defeated. Avoiding all attacks and only aiming at the enemy that should be defeated - I will continue to scatter the blade petals.

"Fall...!

　As the "dancer" unleashes a kick, the blade planted in the shoe flies out - it can't reach me either.

　◆Current Situation ◆
　The Monkey Prince's Attendants Dancers activate Dancicule and hit Elitia's Red Shadow for no damage.
　The Scarlet Dance activates a series of attacks.
　Elitia activates the Blossom Blade.
　Attack power increased due to the Scarlet Dance effect.
　A 24-step hit on The Cautious Monkey
　Elitia's additional attack hits eight levels on the Cautious Monkey King

'Aaaaahhhh...!

　Current Situation
　The Monkey King's Family Martial Artist activates Fierce Tiger Shuang Palms → Elitia's Red Shadow is hit for no damage.
　The Scarlet Dance activates a series of attacks.
　Elitia activates the Blossom Blade.
　Attack power increased due to the Scarlet Dance effect.
　A 24-step hit on The Cautious Monkey
　Elitia's additional attack hits eight levels on the Cautious Monkey King

G..............................

　The Monkey King loses his balance - to the ground, to his knees.

　One more hit is all it takes. One more time - but. As soon as I was conscious of using the "Blossom Blade", my eyes darkened in front of me.

　I can't activate it as it is, I switch to another technique. Even so, you can defeat it.

　Even though it's one more blow.

　--even though it was supposed to be.

　◆Current Situation ◆
　The "Shadow Warrior" of the "Cautious Monkey" is released and changed to "Evil Monkey".

　The figure of the demon in front of me changes. From a monkey marquis with red body hair to a demon with black body hair - and its body also becomes smaller.

　I don't know what happened. I was definitely fighting with the Marquis de Saroo - and yet.

　The opponent that I had showered with the 'Blossom Blade' three times was laughing, blood bubbling from his mouth, as if he had done his job.

　And then I realize. Knowing that it was very late.

　A wall of fire engulfed the square. With the back of it, the newly appeared demon and - standing beside it, that person.

　◆Current Situation ◆
　Ruilly activates "Open Woon's" → Target: "Elitia
　Elitia" is bleeding.

Ahhhh.........!

　I shouldn't have received a single wound. The wound I received from the attack of The Calamity hurts - the wound, is open.

　This, the attack. The kind-hearted Ruilly was always hesitant to use it - the only method of attack that 'The Healer' can use.

　◆Current Situation ◆
　Ruilly activates Heelwind → Target: "Prisoner's Demon Monkey".

　I fly backwards, not wanting to be attacked by the 'family members'. In the meantime, the black monkey demon that was injured is recovering.

　I miss it. But now I can only feel sad.

　Perhaps the real 'monkey marquis'. He is with a demon that is supposed to be an enemy to us, and he is using his power for the sake of the demon - unmistakably.

　We don't even know what kind of face Loury has. He wears a monkey mask and a black leather cloak of sorts - but he is holding it in his hands. It was a wand, the healer's equipment that I knew, and that Ruilly always used, the wand.



　Loury points the wand at me. If he uses "Open Woon's" once more, I'll--.

　I'm afraid of my best friend's attack. It's as if he's going to take pity on me.

　The "Cautious Monkey King" suppressed Loury with a smile - with the corners of his mouth raised.

　This was nothing more than an act to show me that the Marquis de los Muertos was controlling him.

''I won't forgive........I won't forgive, I won't forgive, I won't forgive......I will never forgive......!

　I couldn't defeat even the counterfeit Monkey Prince by myself. Even if the wounds don't completely heal, the monkeys that can move will still come over here with their three dependents.

　◆Current Situation◆
　Elitia's health and magic power remaining is reduced.
　Elitia's Berserk and Red Eye are released.

　The red-tinted vision returns.

　The violent power that had filled my body and the same amount of loss is no longer felt. All that is left is the leaden and motionless body and the Scarlet Emperor's Sword, which feels terribly heavy.

　I become distant from consciousness. The pain of the wounds opened by the power of the Lurie increases in intensity.

　Finally, the emotions that filled me.

　To my friends, I must say. And to Loury, who I couldn't save.

"I'm sorry. I ... nothing ...

　If the Marquis de l'Ape is going to make me follow him - the last thing I need to do is to do it.

　I put my strength into my hand that holds the hilt of the sword. Ever since I was chosen for this sword, I've been lost for a long time.

　But at least in the end. To never point the sword at the arhites - by myself.

　And yet, my hand didn't move.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

　--I'm not going to be able to get out of it. The lost sensation returns.

　And the first thing we heard was his voice - the one that always gave us strength from behind.