Creon took a deep breath to calm his anger.
　Then, when he regained his composure, Creon said.

'This operation will be executed in three units.

It's a structural problem with the site.

　Creon nodded at my words.
　The reason why attacking the Necropolis is so difficult is not just because the enemies are so strong.

　If you don't conquer them from three different paths at the same time, the demons will come back up to the attacked level from another path and cut off their path of retreat.

　The brave Pericles didn't know this, and he was exhausted and killed in the process of returning.

'So we will advance in unison from three roads and conquer the ruins. Then we will meet up at the lowest level, the twenty-second level, as far as we know at present.

　Creon then ordered the formation of three units.
　Surprisingly, Creon added me to the unit under his direct control.

　There is Filia there, of course, and also Arte.
　Arte seemed a bit dissatisfied.

　He probably thought that he would be entrusted with the command of a separate unit.
　But Arte is definitely not suited for it.

　The unit under Creon's direct control includes Notaras the Summoner and Flora the Astrologer, as well as Nasha the Black Mage and the others who are on my side this time.
　It's safe to assume that there are enough people to protect Filia.

　On the other hand, one of the separate squadrons will be led by the guardian warrior Galerus, and another squad will be commanded by Leticia, the former leader of the Basileus Adventurers' group.

　Creon smiled.　

''Now, I would like to have a few words for His Imperial Highness Filia.

Me?

　Filia points to herself and panics.
　Indeed, Filia is the general commander, even if it's a formality, so she needs to declare the beginning of the battle.

　Filia looked around at the two hundred-plus adventurers with a slightly nervous face.
　Then, in a clear voice, she declared in a high-pitched voice.

''I will make it back alive. And with the help of all of you, give me victory!

　In response to Filia's words, the adventurers said in unison, "Long live the Princess Filia, Your Highness! In a fervent voice, they chanted, "I'm not going to let you go!

　There must have been some euphoria about their unprecedented strategy to capture the ruins, but at the same time, I think they were genuinely answering Filia's call.
　But at the same time, I think there was also the aspect that they were genuinely answering Filia's call for help.

　As expected of an imperial princess, or perhaps I should say, Filia is quite popular as well.

　There is the fact that she is a noble member of the royal family, and I think there is also the fact that she is very good-looking, but even more than that, I felt that Filia had the power to attract people to her.

　Incidentally, the other princess, Iris, seems to have abruptly cancelled her participation in the Necropolis campaign.
　I don't know what happened, but considering the danger, it was a reasonable decision.

　From Creon's point of view, the only thing needed is Filia, a descendant of the Demon King, and it would be fine either with or without Iris.

　Divided into three units, we began to advance through the ruins.
　The first level of the ruins that we had already captured was already inhabited by humans.

　However, as we crossed the narrow, square-shaped residential area, the inhabitants all looked pale and poorly nourished.

''Solon I heard that people live in the ruins, but it's true.

'Yes. We are releasing the site as a settlement to relieve the shortage of land for farming and housing...

　It's not a desirable environment by any means.
　I know this because I've walked through the living areas of some of the ruins.

　Not many people would want to live crammed into a small space, relying only on a magically powered artificial sun.
　When they saw us, they shouted their welcome.

　Because adventurers are considered heroes who liberate the ruins for the people of the Empire.

　As we proceeded, the neatly laid out path broke off and soon we could see the stairs to the lower levels.
　It was made of marble and gave the atmosphere of an ancient palace.

　The conquered levels and the lower levels were separated by a heavy door.
　This is to prevent the demons from attacking the residential area as often as possible.

　Creon opened that door with the key entrusted to him by the imperial government and proceeded to take the lead.
　This is an expression of his will to take on the most dangerous role.

　I, on the other hand, was right beside Filia, right in the middle of the line of adventurers.

　Dozens of adventurers slowly make their way down the stairs, holding torches over their heads.
　They hadn't even reached the second level yet.

　That's when the air around them changed.
　Suddenly, all the torch lights went out at once.

　It was the work of the demon tribe. They probably used fire elimination magic or something like that.

It's pitch black. Solon.

　Filia hugs me tightly.
　I squeezed Filia's hand back, then let go and put my hand on the sword sheath.

　The adventurers around me are buzzing.

''Filia-sama, it's an enemy attack, so please don't leave me.''

　I drew my treasure sword, the Tetracord, and flashed it right through the darkness.
　It's responsive.

　I swung it down again, right above me.

　At about the same time, one of the adventurers seems to have magically brought the lights back on.

　My vision opened up in front of me.
　There was a purple sphere-shaped creature there.
　It was a demon race.

　It was cut in two by the Treasure Sword Tetracord.

　Several of the other adventurers had also defeated the demon race in the same way.
　Karelia seemed to have smashed through about three demon clans and looked at the demon clan's blood-soaked sword with satisfaction.

''Ku, it's amazing how accurately you can aim at them despite the darkness.

'We've all been fighting the demon race all our lives. I know them by feel.

　Nevertheless, the lower levels will make the enemies stronger, and we won't be able to defeat them easily like this.
　We have to brace ourselves.

　In order to protect Filia.
　I told myself and sheathed my treasure sword tetracord.