...?
　In the middle of going from the front side of the World Tree, where the Elf Village is located, to the back side, where there is a door that goes around it, Aisha said anxiously.
　The diameter of the World Tree is probably several hundred meters at a quick glance. Its total height is no more than a few kilometers, given that it penetrates the clouds with ease.
　It was quite a long walk just to go around it.

'Don't worry, Aisha - we're not setting up anything right now. It sounds like a declaration of war, but the reality is that it's just an extension of the walks that Stel and Aisha were doing - you should enjoy this fantasy scene more.

　Nacht carried the shtetl on his back and walked with ease.
　While shifting his eyes to the greenery he was trampling and the fantastic glow of the world tree, he was genuinely enjoying the present.

There's no way you're going to declare a proclamation or...

　Nacht thought about whether or not to take Shtel, who was breathing heavily in his sleep, with him, but since he insisted on following her, it was inevitable. He is now completely tired and asleep, though.
　Besides, it wasn't such a bad choice, since it was harder to find a safe place than Nacht's back.

'Aisha's a bit of a worrier, isn't she?'

''I think Aisha is quite normal.......because there are a lot of demons camped up near that door now, right?

　It is said that it was once a ruin, but the battle that took place on the night of the tragedy has left little of its original form, and the demon tribe that rushed in has now set up camp.
　The doorway was probably the first foothold for the demon tribe to invade.

"I can't say that there are too many of them. I've heard it's only about a hundred people at most - although they must be elite because of their small numbers.

'It's a lot, that's why!　

Too bad it's too late. Look, I can see it now--

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot more information on this in the future.
　It is too poorly constructed to be called an enemy camp. There are no ramparts, moats, trenches, or turrets to be seen.

"It's kind of - simple, isn't it?
　Perhaps the purpose of the other party is to make Aisha feel that way.

''It looks--but it's moderately well done--''

What?
　Nahat says to Aisha, who looks at him blankly.

You can look into their eyes and feel their magic on your skin and see--
　The guards in place in Nacht's dragon's eye could see the defensive measures that were secretly put up. The danger detection was sounding a warning against the lurking trap.


　If it is Aisha's perception, it would be possible to sense the hidden magic power that fills the surroundings, albeit vaguely.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I think it's a good idea. I'm not going to be able to get the same thing for you.

''If you bypass it, you'll be in terrible trouble.

Hee!　And why do you seem to enjoy it so much!
　Aisha, who was almost ahead of him, stopped her steps and hid behind Nacht's back.
　Nacht, on the other hand, looked around the camp in a curious manner.
　Various devices could be seen, such as a long-range type of magic formation that would counterattack the attack, a simple pitfall, and a device that would make an earthen wall appear. It could be said that they are well prepared for ground-to-air.

''It's moderately difficult to attack this normally--''

Oh, um........what was it that Aisha and the others came to such a place.......?
　Aisha said, half-as an escape from reality.
　Nacht responds to that with a smile.

'That's of course--'
　I took a deep breath as I broke off one voice.

'--Listen!　You have illegally occupied this land, you invaders!　We are messengers from the land of the elves!　If you people have any reason and pride in yourselves, open the gates promptly!
　A loud voice that shook the heavens and earth resounded out.
　The guards opened their eyes and guarded their arrows, and a panicked voice could be heard at the back of such a camp.

''Why are you so quarrelsome!

...unyuu, mama ...morning ...?
　Shtel, who had been asleep in his slumber, opened his eyes thinly in response to the bustle. She had made a little too much noise, apparently.

'Good morning Shtel, was it a little too noisy?

'You are so fluent!　It's some kind of a bow or something pointed at a person with eight arms or something, Aisha and the others!

Daddy ... shut up ...

'Well, the bad guy is Aisha again!　Is it Aisha?!

　Nahat couldn't even leave Aisha, who had started to moan about this is absolutely ridiculous, etc., and opened her mouth softly.

''There's nothing wrong with that, Aisha--I'm quite peaceful, but if they want to, I'll just talk to them with all my strength after subduing them once.

''Uh........Elves, you picked the wrong messenger.......''
　For some reason, Aisha, who had spat out some severely disheartening words, had an exhausted look on her face.
　A sardonic voice sounded in the midst of the Nachtas' banter.

''Oooohhhh!　Three kids are too much of a joke to be playing around with, ladies!

　The one that released a wild voice was a single ogre (ogre).
　Although it may be the same species as the ogres (ogres) that Aisha would have fought in the past, it is clearly different in rank. The expectation of being an elite is transformed into certainty just by looking at it appearing in front of you.

''Is this a joke?　Ha, makes me laugh. Most of the time I joke around when I'm making fun of Aisha, okay?

Then I knew you were teasing Aisha earlier!
　Aisha, who is able to plunge in, even when looking at a demon, which is probably a higher species of ogre, has a lot of heart. It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what's going on.

"Look, look, look, Shtel, it's not scary - if you want, do you want to try hitting it with a bean?
　With that said, I tried to get the beans from storage for a sectional event that could damage the demon system.

'Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!'
　He was interrupted by such an angry voice.
　Shtel let out a huff.
　That voice caused Nacht's consciousness to switch quietly.

'If you're going to screw around, do it somewhere else!　Or else...　
　With that said, he put his hand on the prey at his waist, and the moment the demon was about to utter a threatening statement--

Shut up for a minute.

　--Nacht was already done moving.

...........................

　A crimson claw was attached to the throat of the demon, who was dumbfounded, as if he couldn't catch up with what had been done to him.
　As long as Shtel is on his back, Nacht can't accelerate rapidly. That's why he was using a single skill (skill) in a relaxed manner as if he was entering the space between consciousness.

　-- Illusionary Dragon.

　It's a skill (skill) that mingles with illusions and hides the activation of an attack.
　Normally, it is used to mix magic attacks with falsehoods, but this is an extremely extravagant use of a skill (skill) that has a limit to its use.



You and I have different speeds.

　I don't mean simple speed, I mean the speed of thought.
　When he puts his hands on his hips and his brain gives the command to say something - Nacht, who knows the signs, the action, frame by frame, begins to act many times faster.

　In other words, the initial reaction is overwhelmingly different.
　This clear difference appears as a difference in speed as if time had flown by when it comes to actual action.
　While he's trying to think and act on one thing, Nacht has completed thousands or tens of thousands of thoughts and is ready to act.

'Well--so, can you show me around?

'Tsk!　I've been planning on it from the start - if you're serious about it, you know.
　The demon gives you an inquiring look.

'Didn't you get the message now?　I've heard that the demon race values strength--

I--kay!　Okay, I'll show you around.
　Saying that, the demon handed me a piece of paper with some inscriptions on it. It must be a tool for getting out of the warding.
　Nacht and the others each stretched the paper with the inscriptions on it over their bodies one by one.

''Hmm--''

　Perhaps this is a type of warding that is identified by magic power.
　This paper is probably a pass, so to speak.

''Hmm, follow me.''

I wouldn't want to go there if I could.

　Only Aisha's voice was left behind like that.　




◇





　Nacht and the others were surrounded by curious gazes on the flatlands lined with tents of various sizes.
　That was as it should be.
　Two young, childish-looking girls and a young girl. It can't be helped, since such a trio is walking through a military base, which is probably enemy territory.

　What you see in their eyes was something that looked like a person in various forms.
　It's not just a matter of how many times you've been in the past, it's also a matter of how many times you've been in the past, but also how many times you've been in the past.

''Hmmm, a haunted house is a downright terrifying experience, this is.
　Nacht said, sounding truly happy.
'Then you should be a little scared, Nacht-sama...'

Look at them, Shtel, there's a lot of funny looking ones out there!

Huh... no bites?

Don't worry, he's supposed to be basically docile.

'Whoa, whoa, whoa!　Family trip, you bastards!　If you're a messenger, then shut up and follow me!
　A fierce demon shouts angrily.

'You're the one who's the May Fool--and come to think of it, I haven't heard your name yet.

'What?　I am Jin, the Great Demon Jin, remember!　I'm running this deputy here, man.
　Nacht is surprised by such a line from Jin.

''Ho--even a brainiac like you can serve as a deputy.

You try to pick a fight, I'm gonna take it, okay?

You lost brilliantly earlier, but you need to be quiet.

'Tsk!　It's a good thing that the demon tribe is only able to become the second in command if they have the brawn to do so - the only thing they can do is open their mouths and make a fist. I'm the one who can control myself, you know?
　The djinn, who frankly withdraws from the defeat just now, tells me the inner workings of the demon race.

''Things are so disturbing........''
　Aisha spilled out with a grin on her face.

'Well, I guess he saw me lose so badly!　They won't give a d*mn about it.
　With Aisha letting out a breath of relief, they followed the djinn for just a few minutes and arrived at their destination.
　Nacht and the others were ushered into a tent, which was noticeably huge in comparison to the surrounding ones. The exterior was quite stylish, but the interior was quite simple, with only a large desk and a simple bunk.
　Shtel wandered around curiously.
　A huge man, sitting with a thud at a desk with various old books and stacks of papers recording something, looked at Nacht as if he were assessing him.

'Hmm, I guess the guy over here applies more correctly to the Great Demon, not you, Jin.

Yes, sir, I've got him, captain.
　The djinn who said this proudly stood to the side, avoiding his body.

''I am Gilesak von Crimson, who is entrusted with the command of this place.
　The bass is solemn, hitting my ears.

"Ho-ho-so you are, but that's a bit puzzling.

What do you mean?

"If you were here, I'd expect some idiot to be on a suicide mission to the side of the road...
　Nacht said with the silver-haired elf who had lunged at Nacht in his mind.

''Gahahahahahaha!　I've got an idea for that!　As I recall, there was an idiot who rammed into this place twice over a decade ago!　But don't get me wrong - I haven't fallen so low as to torture women and children. I made a promise to my late friend and lied to him about one thing: I've already pretended that I wasn't here.
　Geirzak laughs boldly.

'How dare you fool me?

The Elven home is inviolate, and that is what we have in common. And what can I do for you, messenger?
　Gilesak's voice lowered in amusement.
　A vicious gaze that could kill a man with just a glance is directed at you.

"Of course, I'm declaring war on you - if you want to return everything you took from me 20 years ago, I'll let you off with it. But if your demands are unacceptable, then...

What if I tell you?

Let's fight.
　Nacht tells him leisurely.
　To cut off all other choices.

'If you can't compromise, then you have no choice but to fight - don't worry, I'll take it easy on you because I'm kind?
　At Nacht's provocative words, the place became tense at once.
　The mingled gazes sparked, and there was only an air of a flash of inspiration.
　That kind of tension--

"brain

　--Gailzak laughed it off.

'Our response is set in stone--I will not give in to your demands!　We cannot back down!　Nonnegotiable!　Hence!　I'm willing to fight for you--
　Nacht also laughed happily.

'Then let us declare war once again - a week from now we will attack this land. You will be well prepared and ready to defend yourselves.
　Nacht opens his mouth quietly.

'Let us hope that you and your men can fight hard.