In the earliest times, there was one of the most caustic and most horrific battles of all, the Man-Monster War.
　In the history of mankind, many say that it was in this battle that humans began their rise to prominence.
　Also, in the history of the great religion like the Church of the Holy Dragon, which holds that humans are the superior species, this is the battle that successfully put down the ancient demon race, and it is said that only because humans were chosen by the gods, they were able to defeat the evil demons who were so powerful.

　Why was it so horrible?
　It was because of the type of war.
　The wars that were fought in the olden days were all-out wars.

　They had a reason to come together as one.
　They had a cause.
　There was purpose.
　There was discrimination.
　There was contempt.
　There was hatred.
　There was delusion.
　There was ignorance.
　There was common sense.
　There was jealousy.
　There was envy.
　There was fear.
　There was dearth.
　There was friendship.
　There was hope.

　
　That's why there was justice.

　And most of all, there was malice.

　There was an enemy, the demon race.
　They were labeled as the grudge enemies of humanity.
　It was because the Electionists defined it as a battle between humanity and the demons, a battle for their existence, that they had a reason to fight, even in an era when feudalism was prevalent.

　After all, the war was a quagmire.
　What if.
　If the war had continued as it was, the demon race, with its powerful individual strength, would have won over humanity, whose absolute numbers were tens of times greater.

　But in the end, that was not the case.

　An isolated island in the apocalypse.
　The two of them fought to decide the fate of the world on a barren, isolated island full of death, where no living creature has ever settled.

　The one and only, the one and only, the one and only, the one and only with god-like power, the one and only brave man who loved people.

　The one and only Demon King who was able to unite the demon tribe with great power.

　The battle between the first brave man and the Demon King of Misfortune was the destiny of this world.





◇




　The forest was filled with a dense wave of magical power.
　The depths of the Jorno Forest were filled with the magic of the twin moons (mana). Among them was a spring that contained a particularly dense power - there was not a drop of water in the area where the spring had been.

　The flaming red hair stood upright as if it had a will.
　A single unsuitable sharp horn on the head increased in brilliance.
　The overwhelming flicker of magical power made even the awe-inspiring large gryphon, called a celestial messenger or demon, tremble.
　The eyes of the girl who slept against it, with its fluffy fur aligned, widened.
　The purple-crystal eyes were a blur, the eyes of a now loose girl, but they became sharp the moment she regained consciousness.
　It was as if she was a different person.

''Good morning, young lady--how are you feeling, my dear?
　It was one maid who approached the girl.
　Few people would be able to look at it, with its revealing maid's outfit and slender physique, and guess that it wasn't a living thing.

''Mmm, that's a good feeling. Now, Sakura--how much have you gathered?
　The cherry-colored hair that bears his name danced brightly.
　Sakura reverently told the Lord.

''There are four ogre troops, two rich troops, two flying dragons (wyverns), one cannibal ogre (man-eater) and one griffon. I thought we could drop a small country or so.''
　The maid said it indifferently, like a machine.
　She was like a cold doll.
　But no.
　There was a color of emotion in her eyes.
　It's the deepest and most compassionate love for your master that's ever been there.

"I see... well done...
　It's not the power of the cherry blossom, but the power of the demon girl, but it was definitely the cherry blossom that managed all the demons and kept all the demons close to her while she was asleep.

It's a long time to be asleep. I'm sorry to make you wait, cherry blossom. I have never known a greater treasure than your loyalty. I thank you--
　The cherry blossom takes a flowing bow.
　A single drop on the ground is not reflected in anyone's eyes.
　When Rinoa, a girl of the demon tribe, wakes up, the demonic control doll (automata) Sakura, who was sleeping in the cave right beside her, is covered in moss and buried in the dirt, only her eyes are closed.
　It sat in the cave, in a state of low activity (sleep mode), in order to reduce the magic power to be applied to repairing accidents to natural effects.
　It was a torture that was close to eternity.
　It wasn't that cherry blossoms didn't have emotions.
　It's just a rarity, and the demonic control doll (automata) - the relic left behind by the Demon King of Calamity - has a solid heart in its chest.

　And if it is--.
　Who would want to endure the loneliness of 2243?
　Who would want it?
　But who will be able to find value, meaning, and meaning in those days of waiting for the Lord to awaken at any moment?
　Sakura had only one thought.
　Rinoa understands that.

'Welcome home, my Lord--'

　Just that.
　Just one word.
　She waited, now and then, for an eternity, for an illusory time, just to say those words.
　No, she waited and waited--

　It's been a long time.
　That would be too long.
　I didn't wake up today.
　Then tomorrow, I'm sure. Maybe the Lord won't wake up again.
　But still - I felt like I had to continue to watch over her - just by her side - right beside her - just so she wouldn't be left alone, if she woke up.
　Just one more day.
　Just one more day.
　I guess that's what I kept thinking and waiting for this day.

'Well, let's get started. Let's start with the ideals your grandfather wished for - let's start here and now...

"As you wish, my Lord.

　Rinoa jumped on the griffon's back.
　The griffon, who is inherently proud and said to be impossible to train (tame), bows his head and prepares a seat.
　He is sincerely giving in to the only girl.

'How may I be of service, then?　Do you want to start attacking the neighborhood?
　At Sakura's words, Rinoa signals with her eyes.

'Yeah--but first--let's ask our rude visitor to show us around--'
　The forest bushes swayed slightly.
　In an instant, there was a hint that he chose to escape.

'As you wish--'

　And so, the demon tribe began to move.




◇




　Houseman was a long-time adventurer in the Adventurer's Guild, an adventurer who was active in the Free Trade City.
　Having risen to the rank of B adventurer at the young age of twenty-four, he was undoubtedly a gifted adventurer.
　He had never had any weaknesses.
　He was able to use daggers and swords for close quarters, spears, chain-scythes, throwing knives and other customary weapons for mid-range, and bows and magic for long range. He was truly the party's all-rounder, able to demonstrate top-notch abilities no matter where he was undertaken.
　But that wasn't enough.
　The realm of genius.
　A grade A is not accessible to Houseman in any field.

　It was when he was forty-six that he rose to A-level.
　This was another promotion at an unprecedented age. Age is not a major issue for a person who would normally be promoted to A grade. Their talent was truly different. They are in a different league, and age and experience are only necessary for them to excel in a different dimension.
　Just look at Krista. She rose to the A grade when she was nineteen. It only took two years. And a year later, she had two names.
　It was a different dimension of talent.
　Of course, the strength level is also different.

　However, it doesn't mean that Houseman was inferior to the A-class fighter.
　Of course, it's impossible to compare their fighting abilities, but Houseman's efforts, his relentless efforts, had entered the realm of genius.
　He had given up strength the moment he rose to the B grade.
　He knew that if he trained any further, he would never be able to rise to the A grade.
　That's why he changed his policy.

　You don't have to stand out.
　It doesn't have to be good-looking.
　Just look at the city I was born and raised in.
　The guild.
　Your people.
　If I could protect it, I would be okay with that.
　I was looking for the power to help in that small way.

"Sir, there's quite a lot of it, isn't there, and it's full of magic...
　A girl walking next to Houseman said.
　Fuuka, a girl from the East, followed Houseman while dressed in black clothing, which is typical of the family tradition.

''And the number of demons--this is something that I have a bad feeling about.
　Kite agreed with Huka.
　The two men followed Houseman's lead.
　Even though both of them were top-notch scouts, they called Houseman a teacher.

'As soon as we check the spring, we'll return to the guild. From this point on - you'll never leave my magic?

Yes, sir.

　The path that Houseman chose was one of scouting, not fighting.
　Originally, he was also reasonably adept at the skills of the bandit type.
　Although not a jack-of-all-trades, the dexterous Houseman specialized in only one point of his own magic - concealment.

　The magic technique (magic arts) - magic element hiding.
　The art of generating an area around oneself that naturally contains the same magic element, and the art of becoming one with the surrounding landscape.

　Wind Magic--Silent Sound Disappearance (Silent)

　Combining these two together, exploring his own walking techniques and methods of killing signs, Houseman stepped into the A-level - genius realm.
　At the very least, if he could kill signs at this level, even the same A-level person wouldn't notice Houseman.

　He ran through the poorly maintained and poorly footholded forest.
　As we entered the deeper levels, the forest changed color.
　A deep, eerie feeling hung in the air.
　It was a realm that even the housemen rarely entered.
　Everyone felt as if their bodies had become heavy.

　A moment later, after advancing, the enhanced vision shifted it.

''Stop--!
　In a whisper, but still the house mangas said so.
　He stopped and hid in the bushes.

'Gryphon!
　What I saw was a huge body.
　A high-ranking demon with the body of a lion and an eagle.
　It rarely appears in human settlements and rarely attacks people, but it is a proud, lone king flying in the sky.
　It is a demon that can be defeated by a party of A-rank adventurers and other adventurers if surrounded by multiple adventurers.
　Fuuka and Kite were pressured by its presence alone.

''No.....................''
　It is true that the gryphon is attracted to me, but that was not the problem.

''The sealing fountain is........dead, you say.......!
　That's right, there is no fountain anywhere.
　The gryphon is lying on the spot where the spring used to be.
　However, the gryphon is not the only one lying down.
　A little girl was sleeping, as if her back was a pillow.

Well, well, well, well, well...
　Kite makes an inarticulate noise.
　Houseman is tempted to say it's a lie, too.
　But now that we're in the middle of an unknown situation, there's not a second to panic.

''One, or maybe two........''
　Houseman murmurs calmly.
　At the same time - the three of them see an unbelievable scene.

　The griffon hung his head towards the girl.
　The lone king.
　A demon in the sky.
　He bowed his head like a vassal.
　The meaning it reveals is--.

　His thoughts were interrupted there.
　A thin, faint hostility seemed to emanate for a moment, and then a sharp gaze turned to the bushes.

''Hee!''
　Fuka and Kite's voices overlap.

'Go!　I'll hold them off--!
　Houseman said instantly.

'Sir!'

"Tell the city--tell the Guild Master!　Hurry up or else!

But--!
　The girl's exclamation reaches Houseman.　
　But there is no time to listen to it.

'You're slowing me down!　I can't get away with it if you guys are around!
　Houseman shouted strongly.

'Hey!　The teacher is with you...!

'Kite oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!　Get me out of here!
　Wordlessly, Kite pulled Fuuka's hand and started to run.
　The shadows of the two men appear in his vision for a moment.
　With his back to the two apprentices, Houseman draws the sword he carried on his back.
　The sunlight of the suspiciously glowing forest chasm dyed the dull color of the sword's blade to white and silver along with his resolve.
　And a few seconds later, it appears in front of Houseman's eyes.

'You have an auspicious mind--protect the weak, human--'
　Leisurely, just a step.
　The creatures around her swayed in the wind, as if to make way for them to reach the grass and trees.
　There was a little girl there, with the air of a grim reaper.
　A single horn reflected in her eyes.
　Looking at it, Houseman prepared himself.

'You guys will never know--'
　It was ironic as best I could.
　Houseman has something to protect.
　That's family.
　He's not immediate family. There is no blood relation anywhere.
　And yet, the friends who lived and walked with him, the students who looked up to him as a teacher, are the treasures he wants to protect, even if it means risking his own life.

　The girl just smiled.
　And then she said a few words.

I understand--
　It was a mournful murmur.
　It was an ephemeral eye that was drained of its venom.

''How could I not understand my grandfather's feelings - I, myself, could never not understand!　So, human beings, be our foundation--

　That was the signal to start the war.