After receiving the [Blood Cup], the [Black Sword Hero] took a breath - the crimson liquid poured into the [Blood Cup] was slowly poured down his throat.

　The two of us and Kanon watch over the 'Black Sword Hero'.

　The crimson liquid poured into the 【Cup of Blood】 is bitter, or is it? With a bitter expression on his face, the 【Black Sword Hero】 tilts the 【Cup of Blood】 and slowly pours the crimson liquid down his throat.

''Sion-san........ Is it a good thing that you lied like that?
Really?　What are you talking about?　I told you the truth in good faith, okay?

　I nod my head at Kanon's question, which is asked in a whisper.

'What?　What I told you was....
That's what the canon says, right?　It wasn't me.

　If they're going to hate me, it's canon. Not me.

"Huh?　So, but Mr. Zion ordered me to....
What?　Where is the lie in that content?
'What?　Gentle--
'What?　What?

　I smile benevolently.

'Nah, it's nothing,'

　Once Kanon was satisfied, I approached the soon-to-be-drunk 'Black Sword Hero', waved my hand over its head and reminded him.

　--The Contract (Contract)!

　A faint glow envelops the 'Black Sword Hero' and the glow gently converges.

　I operate my smartphone while the Black Sword Hero looks around at his hands and body as if to confirm the phenomenon that has happened to him.

　Did I succeed?

　He checks the screen on his smartphone.

Name : Lina Sion.
　Race : Human
　Rank: C
　LP : 50/50
　Body : D
　Knowledge : G
　Magic power: H
　Special: Swordsmanship (C)
　slash (e.g. in boxing)
　Subordinates :.

　[Organization]

　Confirming the 'Black Sword Hero' - Lina's name that was added to the [Military] column, I chuckled.

　But that's a thing.

　I suppose what is worth noting is the value of LP and the rank of swordsmanship.

　Looking at the status, Lina calls out to me, who is depressed.

''Is this........good?''

Maybe. Have you noticed anything unusual?

Well if I had to say it, I'd say I'm feeling less of averse to you - the Demon King.

　Lina answers carefully, as if searching for the right words to speak.

　According to the canon's explanation, humanity instinctively has an aversion to the Demon King. Is this some kind of brainwashing by the mastermind-led?　Did becoming a member of the family make that disgust disappear?

　What bothers me, though, is the word "faded". When that word comes out subconsciously, it seems that your dislike for me is not zero.

　He's a person I've had to work hard to get under my control. I think we should build a friendly relationship.

　The first step in building a friendship is to introduce yourself?

'Again ... nice to meet you, if that's okay?　Zion.

　I give a friendly smile and offer my hand to Lina.

'Nice to meet you. I'm Lina. From a standpoint........should I call you Sion-sama?

　Lina squeezed back the hand I offered her, confused.

'You can call me Zion, or Mr. Zion as in canon, or whatever you want. You don't even need a salutation.

Yeah. Then I'll call you Theon. You can call me Lina, too. It's nice to meet you.

The woman called 'The Black Sword Brave' - Lina was the first to smile at me.

''Huh?　Is it just my imagination that you seem to have a different attitude than when I was under your command?

　Some of you volunteered to work for me, and some of you I wanted to work for me. It's inevitable that there will be a difference in response.

　It's a good thing that I'm able to pass off Kanon's voice that I heard from behind me.


　◆


　As I exchanged a light greeting with Lina, I remembered to clean up afterwards.

　Ah!　What happened to the escaped heroes?

　After telling Lina no, I operate my smartphone to check the live footage.

　There were three survivors of the retreating heroes' party. Led by a large man, they were running through the two levels at a terrific pace.

　Now, let's see what I'm going to do. It's impossible to make him a family member because he lacks CP. In the first place, from Lina's point of view, they're the friends who escaped. Even if we were to bring them under our control, it would complicate our relationships.

　I'd like to kill them to end any hindsight, but.......

　The ghouls would be too slow to run away, and Wolf wouldn't have enough offensive power. Even if I mobilized all the giant bats and rats on one level, it would still be difficult to kill them.

　In that case, I'll have no choice but to go directly to them in transition.

"Lina?　An ex-comrade who got away, do you mind if I kill him?

　It's strange for my master to ask permission from Lina, who is under his control, but right now, my priority is to build a friendly relationship with Lina.

I'll leave it up to Theon.

　Lina replies in a muttered voice, with a pained expression on her face.

''I see. They're the enemies who invaded my area of control. Kill--''
'Wait!　Don't you give those people the option to take over?

　I was about to conclude and transition, but Lina made me stop.

'I could give it to you but I've come to the conclusion that I can't, I don't have enough CP.'
Shippee?　I get it. I don't know what Theon meant by that, but I understand that those people are not given a choice. ...I'm sorry for calling you off.

　I was sent off by Lina's powerless voice as she looked down and I transitioned.


　◆


　The place I transitioned was by the side of the rat that was wandering near the far end of one level. Immediately after the transition, I was attacked by a slight dizziness, so I decided to ambush him on one level.

　We waited for 5 hours for the surviving heroes.

　We moved too quickly......... Even if I try to go back, the transition requires 8 hours of cool time (waiting time).

　I was lonely and waited alone, giving the slime garbage and thinking about my future plans.

　Then.

Huh-uh ... finally, one level up.
''The hazard rank of this dominant region needs to be modified...''
'Almost ... almost ... almost ... college ...'

　Two young men and a woman appeared from the stairs leading to the second level, out of breath.

''--!''

　Ah!　I was so caught up in my thoughts that I forgot to use the Book of Darkness.

　The three of them, who met my eyes, make astonished expressions.

''Oh, you are........''
Why are you........here.....
What are you doing here?　What are you doing here?

Hey, hey. You don't just barge in here and not say hello to your hosts.

　--!

　Suddenly, a shocking sound pierced my ears and a violent flash of light caused my vision to white out.

　A flare?　It's an item that can be created with the Alchemy D.

　Some stupid demon king planted it in a treasure chest, or perhaps humanity created it with its special ability...

　d*mn it!　I was completely caught off guard.

'Now!　I'll run through it!
I'll run through it!
Wait, wait!

　I swing Mithril's spear bullshit in the light with zero visibility.

''--?

　That's a good response!

　When the blinding light that covered the surroundings converged - a large young man, bleeding from his side, crouched down.

''Yuya........I've left the rest to you.
''Yuya-senpai....I'm sorry...''

What--?　Wait, wait!

　The young man with glasses and the brown-haired woman turned their attention to the young man who crouched for once - Yuya - and ran off. The remaining Yuya reached out in the direction of his companion who walked away as if clinging to him.

　After killing Yuya........can you catch up?

　There are only three hours left in the cool time for the transference, so we have three hours to defeat it and transfer.......will we make it?

　Can't get wiped out in the simulation........ I failed.

　I let out a light sigh and confronted the remaining Yuya.