The fault-like scars left behind after the earthquake were carved deep into the earth.
　The roots of the great tree that had been blown away had cleaved the trees, leaving only the shattered remains scattered all around.
　Behind the masked mage and the large man with the war axe, eerie sounds and a thin seven-colored light were being carried from the dynamic mechanical door.

''What is the meaning of this at all?

　The man was just standing there, emitting an unspeakable pressure.
　His physique was well over two meters tall. His red-hot, steel-like muscles were taut and swollen, and the huge battle axe supported by two log-like arms shone magnificently with red magic.
　The most striking thing was the two horns that pierced the heavens.
　The jet-black horns had red lines running through them like magma, and they were gushing with magic power as if they were expressing wild emotions.

"Well, well, well, isn't that General Gailzak, arriving so early - the general seems to have been mistaken.

I have warned you repeatedly to keep your peace with the mage master, and now this is what happens?
　Although they were supposed to be allies, the two were in a swordsmanlike atmosphere.
　Olivier was puzzled by the unexpected reinforcements, but he and Lulu had been working on their magic, and were maintaining a tense face as they prepared for battle.

''We are not attacking at all, right?　All of this is the work of your dubious little ladies who tried to eliminate you.
　I feel badly about the mask's argument, but he certainly didn't just take aggressive action.
　However, there is no doubt that they had an attitude of eerie magic and words and actions that provoked our attack.

''It's said that the damage is minimal - this village is a hindrance to say the least, isn't it?　One village at a time, it may seem like the least amount of sacrifice necessary for the future, don't you think?

But still, had it not been for your indiscretion, I would have done something other than conquer.

I understand General Ghailzaak's ideals, I do. However, to the people on our side, we are nothing more than invaders. So I see no other option but to fight, either way.
　A little bit of Olivier wondered if he should try to dialogue with Gilesak's mannerisms, including irritation.
　However, he would learn that such an idea was so naive that even the man in front of him didn't hold it.

　Because the edge of the war has already been cut open.

　A blue gust of wind that drifted out of nowhere and swirled in the sky, a moment later--

What--!

Grrrr...

　The storm came down from the sky.
　Olivier is a spirit king who knows his way around. The storm's hammer, which kills everything, rushed in without a shred of mercy.

　The onslaught continues.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time with the help of a few of the elves.
　The orthodox shot of the bow, made up of thirty elite men, was supposed to pierce the invaders, who had no way to escape at all, with a violent sound like a squall pouring down.

　A large man, catching the wind and looking up at the rain of arrows, gripped the axe so tightly that it broke. The muscles in his entire body expanded, and as he sat down deeply and held the battle axe at the lower level, he took a step forward with his left foot--

"--Skills--Demon Strike--Magic Arts--Blood Life Cut!

　-- The red-dyed battle axe was swung out in an arc.

　Cutting through the falling wind, the red blade rose into the sky.
　The remnants of arrows scattered like tree leaves fell lazily to the ground.

''-- Chieftain-sama, are you safe?''
　Floria, dressed in her battle gown, lined up next to Olivier.

'You're very welcome, Floria.

I'm not sure what the hell is going on here. At any rate, the chieftain had his sword out, so I led my company in a preemptive attack, but the enemy?

Yes, it's a nasty piece of work.
　Floria seemed to have gotten the general idea of the situation when she looked at the colorful circular door.
　She looked at the battlefield, where fragments of arrows were falling like shooting stars, and a grim expression appeared on her face.

''That big man looks a bit bad--''

You're looking at it, but the real problem is...

　Olivier's words were cut off as he was about to utter a warning.
　It couldn't have been more sinister, because the masked mage - had received an arrow in his body and was lying on the ground.

''--Lies, what do you mean--?''

　The masked mage who was not injured by Olivier's sword couldn't possibly be hit by an arrow.
　Even after seeing the masked mage fall painfully, Olivier's anxiety only increased. That thing is planning something - that's what Olivier was convinced of.

　The ominous premonition that crawled up his spine soon became a reality.
　The limb with the arrow still stuck in it began to clatter around like a mechanical doll.

''--Uh, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh, I'll pay you back--Big Liar's Swearing (Bat Joke)''

　With the words, things moved quickly.
　First.

I'm sorry.　Uh, what--?

Aaaaah!

"Phew! "Phew! Hey, hey.....

　For some reason, the elves who had surrounded them fell down in a scream. Roughly half of the elves were rendered unable to fight with wounds that looked like they had been pierced by arrows.
　Next.

Hey...

　The splintered body of the Spirit King, which had been floating in the sky, was upside down in a big way.
　Olivier looked at Lulu and Floria, but they, too, were bewildered.
　Even with the perceptions of Olivier and the spirits, at this moment - it was as if they couldn't understand what had been done to them.
　Finally.

'Oh, dear, dear, dear, dear, really - they do terrible things - some of them are lucky, but unfortunately they don't get a chance to laugh at their neighbors. --

　A voice that sounded like it was mocking people reached my ears.
　In contrast to the painful figure from earlier, the mask that jumped up and down didn't have a single scratch on it.

"--You all died here...

It's over.

　It was Gailzak with his battle-axe who interrupted him.

''I will take care of this war. You are no longer to move from here.
　There was a heavy echo of reluctance there, behind the rough mouth.
　The masked mage reverently stepped back and, contrary to his expectations, easily withdrew.

''-- As you wish.''

　Geilzak took a step that deeply engraved his footprints on the earth.
　Dignity, such a word was a behavior that was comfortable to use.

''Hear me!　I am Gilesark von Crimson, sent by His Majesty the Great Demon King to guard the gates of the land. I have only one request of you elves: open this gate, and I swear that I will not take your lives.

　A loud voice rang out that shook the battlefield.
　Olivier, as the head of the clan, stepped forward and looked into Gailzak's eyes.

''-- Those words are too late. If you were the only one who visited here, I might have had a seat at the table to discuss it. But as long as you have that unknowable thing behind you, your words are not worthy of trust.

'And they come one way and demand one way or the other. That's the way invaders do it...
　Floria said, following Olivier.
　'Either way, it's not a situation where you can say yes, I see.

'Retreat, huh?'

You're the one I'd like to see bring back that sinister mask in the back.

I'm sorry, but we have our own reasons for not retreating. But I, too, have no desire to fight women and children as a common soldier. I will only deal with those who are ready to fight.　Come on, come on, come on, come on.

Floria!

Yes, chief. We'll take care of it - you are to evacuate the wounded - and those who can move and are prepared to do so - follow me at the risk of their lives. --!

　The sound of the wind hitting my ears.

'Noo--!

　It was a stiff wind that blew in a sideways puff of air. A cannonball of violent air tore through the ground like paper and blew Gailzak away.

'Then don't die--Chieftain-sama.

Yes, you're the one who's gonna die a virgin.

You're the one who has to--

　The group of Floria and the elves moved on the wind.
　And so - only the three of them were left behind under the World Tree.






◆






Kahaha...

'Lulu!　Ahhh--!

　Olivier and Lulu are slammed into a large tree.
　I don't understand what they did to me, but I think they used some kind of magic on me.
　The difference in power is obvious.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one for you.

He told us not to move, but he didn't tell us not to kill. Now, now, what shall we do?

　Even in the middle of the battle, the masked mage, who hadn't moved even a single step, lowered his head as if he had assessed his prey and turned towards Olivier and the others.

''Ha--!　You--

Don't move.

AUGH!　

　Just when Lulu was about to desperately try to fight back, an extraordinary overload hit her body and she was easily blocked from moving.

"I know I overestimated you two a bit to have the "Barrier of Reason" pulled out, but how should I thank you--

　The masked mage points a finger at the two girls who are falling down.
　As it is, he stabs those fingers in turn.

Do you really want to...

　What an ominous word to spell out.

"Ka-mi-sa-ma-ni-ni-ni-ni-ni-ni-ni-ni-ni-ni-ni-ni-ni-ni-ni-ni...

　Such fingers snapped to a halt in front of Lulu.
　Something like a dark flame gathered on the stopped fingertips and shook vaguely.

''No!　Lulu...

　A surge of unusual power is released from the pointed fingertips. For some reason, something that could be launched at any moment towards Lulu stopped with a snap.

"-It's boring, isn't it?

　And the masked mage said this.

"Now you are relieved, aren't you?

What's the...

Thank God I'm the one being attacked. The little girl next door is going to be okay, thank goodness - well, that was a relief.
　The expression underneath the mask, which was supposed to be invisible, seemed severely distorted.
　The tone of his voice was filled with an unparalleled grumpiness.

''I've changed my mind--''
　The fingertips that had been pointed at Lulu move leisurely.

''Mmm--''

The Curse of Death.

　Something black, disastrous and vindictive - a mass of vengefulness - made the place alive.

''Ah, gah--aghhhhhhhhh!
　Olivier let out an out-of-this-world scream. His whole body squirmed and convulsed, and blood spat out of his mouth.
　Knowing it was pointless, Olivier moved his hands, legs, and struggled to shake off the unrelenting black haze that clung to his body.

'Ki, ki, ki, ki, ki, ki, ki!　How dare you - how dare you - how dare you - how dare you - kill!　I'll kill you!　I'll kill you!　I'm going to kill you, I'm going to kill you!

　Lulu's vindictiveness explodes.
　Still held down by the force field of gravity, Lulu manipulated the roots of the great tree to forcibly cause her body, and then tried to attack the masked mage, forgetting the pain.

''It's a mayhem, please be quiet for a moment.

Guh--

　But the weight of the swinging weight increases dozens of times, and this time the entire root of the great tree that supports the body is sewn to the earth.

It's a good thing. Lulu will definitely make you.........
　Lulu spat out a curse word as the earth caved in and crushed her entire body into the cratered bottom.

"Mmmmmmmmmmmm, it's miserable, isn't it, well, it's all right for you weak people to laugh at your senseless deaths as long as you're laughing at me.
　A sneer echoes from beneath the mask.
　It mocks Lulu's vindictiveness with petulant mockery.

'I'll let you off the hook, that's more amusing. Someday, when this one dies and you are the only survivor, and happy events come in your day-to-day life - I'm sure you'll think this too - that you're glad it was your friend who died then! --Humans are like that, sir.




You're not going to be able to do that.





　Lulu, who has lost her magical power and her substance has become thin, carries her body as if she were dragging it.
　Just straight away.
　It was accompanied by incredible pain to move the legs, but Lulu didn't even mean it.

Ori, Vier...

　The small little girl, who collapsed limp, was covered in black spots all over her body and occasionally spilled out her voice in pain.

''Olivier...!

　Calling his name.
　As Lulu was about to approach the cursed Olivier, Olivier's hand moved with a twitch.
　The hand was spread weakly, and it felt as if it was telling him not to come to me.

'Olivier!'
　Lulu is about to run out, when a voice reaches her.



What, and I'm helping you now!　Lulu will get Olivier out of there, I promise.
　Olivier looked up with the last of his strength, even though he was in no condition to move.
　With her half-open eyes, she faintly reflected Lulu's figure and spilled out a voice that seemed to disappear.

........and.......

Not good at all!　
　The eyes of the spirit born from the plant were flooded with tears as large as they were within any more.

.........

I don't care about that!　I promise you, Olivier, that he's going to keep his word--

"That was... that was... .........
　As Olivier closed his eyes quietly, Lulu was running out without a care in the world.

''No!　No, not by yourself, ever!　Lulu--I'll get you out of there, I promise!
　Lulu grabbed Olivier's hand.
　The black curse tries to encroach on even Lulu's body, but Lulu doesn't care and lifts Olivier up and flies through the air.

　Using the best she could, she used her magic power as best she could, and the power she lacked carried Olivier to the great tree while cutting down her life force.

Olivier, I said - from birth to death, I'm with you - that's why Lulu is also with you, Olivier!

　Under the Great Tree, Lulu's body unravels.
　She replenishes all the magical power sent through the World Tree as life force and pours it into Olivier.
　All of this body, every drop of magic power, gathers strength - and lips.
　The last moment when this body disappears and is assimilated into Olivier.

(Lulu's, stranger.)

Yeah, I know.

　--I felt like we had exchanged such words.