There had been no enemy raids since the massive raids just now, and we were well on our way to invading one level.

　--!

　The figure of the one living mail that was walking at the front suddenly disappeared.

　The reason for the disappearance - a pit.

　We approach the place where the living mail disappeared and look into the pit, which is about 3 meters deep. Inside, the Living Mail was clattering and trembling in the form of a buttock.

　Fortunately, the traps set inside the dominant area - the 【Pithole】 were bare of killing intent, and there were no traps such as sword mountains or other devices. Even if there was a trap inside, it was only a manure pit (with feces and urine) that Sion had somehow installed in the control area.

　If it was a dungeon type like Sion's dominant domain, the 【Pithole】 would be easy to find because of the different colors of the floor......but in the forest, it was difficult to find because it was hidden in the dirt.

　We rescued the living mail that fell into the pit. We filled out the location of the 【Pithole】 on the map and then proceeded onward.

　After that, we fell into [Pitfall] three times and repelled several small-scale enemy attacks. As I proceeded deeper into the forest without any defections from my friends--

'This is what Theon was talking about...'

　In front of our eyes, a dark space that blocks all vision - a dark (dark) zone has appeared.

　According to Sion, there is a 【Transition Device】 installed in the Dark (Dark) Zone, and it seems that it can be transferred to other controlled areas. As a countermeasure, he said, ''Hold hands and move on. When the first person steps on the 【Transition Device】, calmly step on the 【Transition Device】 again at the transition destination and return.　I thought back to the words Theon had sent to us.

　I looked around at the faces of my companions, exchanged glances, and then we held each other's hands and stepped into the dark zone.

　Inside the dark zone, there was zero visibility. It was a space of darkness, completely different from the darkness of the night, where everything I could see was covered in darkness. I walked cautiously through the darkness, step by step, relying on the feel of my companions in my hands.

　--Halt!

　Suddenly, my body trembles lightly at the Lord--Sion's command that echoes in my head.

　Perhaps the Living Mail who was walking at the front stepped on the 【Transition Device】. I follow Sion's order and continue to wait in the darkness.

　After a while, I felt a faint trembling in the hands that were connected with my companions.

　''Have you returned?

　But no orders come from Zion.

　I continue to wait. From beyond the darkness of zero visibility, I can hear the sound of metal scraping repeatedly - the sound of the Living Mail taking some kind of action.

　What is it doing?　What does Theon have the Living Mail do?

　--turn back.

　An exasperated voice's Zion command echoed in my head.

　I was cautiously getting out of the dark (dark) zone while being led by my companions at the rear.


　◇


(Theon's perspective)

What do we do?　What do we do? !

　I was frustrated. The source of my frustration is what happened earlier in the dark zone.

　I was observing the vision of the leading living mail on my smartphone, but once inside the dark (dark) zone, I couldn't see anything.

I can grasp that I stepped on the 【Transition Device】.......but the destination of the transition is also a dark (dark) zone.

　【Dominant Domain Creation】 cannot, in principle, close the path from the entrance to the stairs leading to the next level. In other words, if you proceed ahead without stepping on the 【Transition Device】, it should always lead to the path that leads to the second level. That's why I kept giving various instructions to the living mail that was walking at the front of the pack, asking them if they could avoid the 【Transition Device】 and proceed ahead.

　It's impossible to go around it, impossible to jump over it....... What do you want me to do?

　Is there no way beyond the dark zone?

　--Lina, ignore the dark zone and proceed with the mapping of the perimeter.

　I gave Lina new instructions.

　I then observed Lina and the others who were searching the surroundings.


　◆


　Six hours later.

　As a result, I didn't find the stairs leading to the second level. Instead, I found a treasure chest, but it was a wooden sword. Now I can understand a little bit how the late Eewww felt about throwing the sword away.

　Chloe and the others, a separate unit, were also stagnant, like Lina and the others, unable to get past the trap of the Dark (Dark) Zone + [Transition Device].

　I look down at the simple map I drew on the ground using Gaybolg.

　○○?
　Entrance XX XX XX? stairs
　***?　　　
　*○ = Traverse Zone ● = Dark Zone ◎ = 【Transition Device】? = unexplored area


　Is it best to transition everyone and have them all invade the dominant territory they are transitioning to?

　However, in some places, even if I dominate it, it could be taken back quickly. If possible, I'd like to spread my control over my territory and the ground.

　--?

　Hmm?　Wait a minute.... Yikes.

　I was looking at the map and the strategy came to me.

　--Lina, follow me to the Dark Zone.
　--Chloe, follow me to the Dark Zone.

　Orders are given to the two invading forces at once.

　Chloe and her team, who are closer, will reach the Dark Zone first.

　Following the same procedure as before, the Living Mail and its subordinates enter the Dark Zone. As they walk carefully, the Living Mail at the head of the group will shift.

　--Take one step forward.

　The shape-shifting Living Mail follows my instructions and takes only one step forward.

　--Only one step forward, then shift.

　Next, I give instructions to the Living Mail, which was the second in line, separate from the one I just gave. The Living Mail, given the instruction, takes a step forward and shifts.

　--extend your hand.

　Following the instructions, the sound of metal touching each other echoes as Living Mail reaches out its hand. It was a sound that indicated success in making contact with the Living Mail that had shifted earlier.

　--Hand in hand, take a step forward.

　The two transplanted living mails hold each other's hands and take a step forward.

　The same procedure was repeated 21 times. This left one Ogre Soldier, and all of them have been transferred. At the destination of the transition, Chloe and her 23 subordinates are holding hands and waiting.

　I then give an order to Noir, who was the last to transition.

　--Noir, take a step back and transfer.

Yes, sir.

　A heavy voice echoes on the smartphone, and Noir takes a step back and transitions again.

　--Shout!

　I give the order to the remaining Ogre Soldiers.

#&%$!

　I can't understand the words, but a wild scream comes from my smartphone.


　--Noir, take a step in the opposite direction of the shout.

Yes.

　With this, Noir moved to the other side of the [Transference Device] installed within the Darkness (Dark) Zone. All that was left was to repeat this process 23 times.


　30 minutes later.

　It took a lot of effort, but Chloe and the rest of the group succeeded in moving to the other side of the Dark Zone.

　When they were about to give the same instructions to Lina and the others

　Out of the dark zone where we were headed, humanity emerged.