I knew it wouldn't work...
　Urs spat out those words while correcting his slightly disturbed breath.
　Definitely, the elves led by Urs had attacked the demon race's defense base.

　However, one more push was not enough.
　Their bodies are in better shape than usual, and the abilities (potentials) they have raised through training are not inferior to those of the demon race.

　Still, the difference in physical ability - more specifically, the difference in toughness can be said to be quite wide.

''Don't shut yourself away, cut it out fair and square, Gora!

I'm busy, I'm busy, I'm busy!

　The bull-headed demon race and the horse-headed demon race.
　Ursu knows that they are both demons who are skilled in melee attacks.

　That's why Urs and his rangers were taking on the bull-headed horseheads with a thorough out-range strategy.
　They would never get within the range of their opponent's long objects, but would seal them off with a barrage of spirit magic and bows.
　They continue to attack as if they are slowly tightening the cloth, and in that moment of frustration and slight distraction, Urs never misses the moment.

''Ortho-Shot!''

　A wall of arrows without a thread.
　At the same time the first shot is released to block the escape route. Ursus shows off a feat that he has refined and reached the level of skill.

　It's a simple rapid fire.
　Within tenths of a second of the first shot, he takes the arrow, turns and finishes shooting.

　The targeted bull's head ignored the arrows that missed the vital point and slashed off three arrows to show it.
　Even so, the main aim of Ursus's shot should have been sucked into his forehead without missing an inch and pierced through his huge frame.
　But--.



　With a fierce yell, the golden rod that was thrown boldly crushed not only the arrows, but also the simple defensive wall, and the fatal blow disappeared in the air.

''Hey, hey, hey!　You're doing what you want, aren't you, ah?

　The cracks still run so hard that the simple barrier that they had struggled to control has been destroyed by just that much, as they leapt boldly and landed where the gold bar was stuck.　　

You're not going to let your guard down, if you're going to challenge us, kill us without mercy, that's our way, isn't it!

　A voice that could be considered both a pep talk and an abuse shakes the earth.
　The stress that has been built up may have been there, but the mischievous specter that rises up is creating a terrible menace.

''I'm sorry, Jin-san........''
　Jin clicks his tongue at the two threatening demons.

You know what? You're in my way. I don't want to get involved in this for the time being, so stay out of it.

　As soon as he said it, Jin tightened his grip on the metal rod and made the slightest hint of a hush.
　And then the figure blurred.
　An unpleasant sensation crawled up Ursus's spine and he took a giant leap to the side.

　Less than a tenth of a second into the night, a gold bar passed in front of Ursus. Even though he was thrown off his stance by the terrifyingly strong wind pressure, Urs avoided the attack in the nick of time.

''You do--but--''

　The gold rod, which was as tall as an adult man, was swung around like paper.
　At the same time, a dull sound echoed repeatedly. Urs barely reacted, but the rangers were not so sure.
　A terrible sound that made him want to cover his ears. Next, an out-of-this-world scream rose.

''--A pain augmentation blow (pain hit), whoever can raise their voice is lucky!

　Among the elves, the rangers were the most elite.
　That's why they barely resisted the djinn's attack, even if it was only slightly. No, I did.

''UGHHHHHHH!　

　Djinn's skills, which concealed an increase in knockback effects and painful senses, easily penetrated even the spirit gear, rendering the elite elves incapable of fighting with a single blow.

''What--!　You--

What?　Don't let your guard down, gulp!

　Jin comes in to close the gap again.
　Urs takes his hand off the bow and draws his sword from his waist.
　Catching it is out of the question. Match it, deflect it, and catch it.
　The senses expanded by the spirit of wind and the blessing of the spirit of water are received by the floating blade.

Haha--!

　That was as far as my thoughts caught up with me.
　The impact I felt in my right hand, as if I had been hit by a meteorite, swallowed me up, unable to resist the resistance of resistance.
　Like a kicked-off stone, Urs's body rolled back and forth to the earth.

''Phew...''

　The impact was so great that his consciousness was blurred.
　Exposing that too big of a gap, Urs was prepared for even his own death.
　However, contrary to expectations, there was no pursuit.

"Phew--ah, that's all clear!　And hey, you're a pretty big guy, aren't you?　What the hell is this fog doing in here?　You're a pain in the ass, and I'm going to save your life if you teach me how to turn it off?

...?

No, I'm just asking - I'd love to shoot whoever made this thing, but it's a coward's job to screw things up. I'm just going to kill you.

　After saying that, Jin turned to leave, not caring about the collapsing Urs as well.

''What are you trying to do, ah?
　Urs staggered, not even dazed on his feet, pointing the cut end of his broken sword at Jin.

''What........I thought I'd let you have some more fun with it.......''

So you're saying you want to die?

Well, we'll see about that, won't we?

　Not wanting to move even a single step, Urs whipped his body into thinking so, and Urs further separated himself from the distance.
　At the same time - earth, water, fire and wind, all spirits received Ursu's will and launched an onslaught.

''Shara, d*mn it!

　The club, wielded by the Great Cleave, dispelled the raging fire and knocked down the gusts of wind.
　The rising spear of earth crushed and the blade of water pierced with its horns.

The first time I saw him, he said, "You're no match for me!

I know.

What?

I know I'm not as good as you, but...

　Urs tells him, as if to let it all out, the longest thought of all.

''- I don't doubt our victory.






◇





　Running out ahead of me and not even looking at the djinn who disappeared in the blink of an eye and preceded me, Filnelia paced alone and with a tired face.



　Still, it doesn't change the fact that we've been screwed over.

(Even after exiting the dense fog, there is still fog all around us--)

　He had underestimated the power of the Great Spirit of Water.
　Perhaps, or rather, first of all, it was the work of that monster's followers.
　It could be said that they were relentless in exploiting the demon race's weaknesses, even with this. Our guys over here are all brainiacs. We knew it, but not even half of the fortifications we built were effectively used.

　But even so, we have the upper hand on the battlefield.
　There are only two places that are pressed for space.
　The first one is where Jin has rushed in and should be overrun in no time.
　There are two problems.

　The white beast rampaging in front of Filnelia's eyes.

　And most importantly.

I don't know where the surgeon is--

　Even though I've been outside the wards, I'm still spreading my exploration magic as much as I can, but I can't get a hold of the sorcerer's location.

(Feeling like I'm being cheated on again... haha... well... okay...)

　If they don't directly launch a battle, then that alone will reduce the strength of the other side.
　The victory condition for Filnelia and the others is not the destruction of the enemy's main camp - or rather, it's impossible as long as that monster is there - but the defeat of the invading forces.
　We can crush all the others while the best forces are hiding in the shadows.
　Even if the main camp is raided, as long as this one is over here and the great demon who is close to the monster is the general, we won't be defeated so easily.

(--I think........maybe.......)

　Besides, since the surgeon couldn't be found, there was only one choice that Filnelia could make.

'Destroy each one........that's it.......'





◇




It's so nice to meet you.
　The sword and the axe collided, and fierce sparks scattered and disappeared.
　It is indeed a dagger in appearance. But its attack range (reach) was at Silphy's mercy now that he was armed with the Spirit King's blessing.

　The wind let out a roar.
　Silphy shrank as if his body was a single spring, and he instantly exploded and swung his dagger. The slash line seemed to split, or rather, the blade of the wind actually caused the swordsmanship to spread out in multiple directions, slicing the enemy to pieces.
　However, the opponent was the general of the demon tribe, a man who had defeated the greatest wielder of all time, Floria, and Ulis and other elven warriors at the same time.

　It's a good thing that you're able to get the best out of the game.

I would not have liked to see you if I could - I did not want to fight you, hateful elf girl.

Call it what you will-- avenging Ulysse Nietzsche...

　That's the only word you'll exchange.
　Sylphy had only one purpose.
　The fog that surrounded them was even colder, as if condensing, and stopped its movement. The ruthless killing intent pressured the space left behind, and only silence filled the air.

''Die!''

　The eyes are filled with hatred and murderous intent, but the heart remains cruelly calm - conveying a desire for help to the people with whom you are fighting.
　The blue wind is blowing.
　A dwarf-like girl smiles as she sits on Sylphy's shoulder.

　The sound of the wind that neighs through the atmosphere cuts through everything and returns it to dust.
　The power of that too ridiculous spirit, the man--

It's so warm!

W--

　A flash of energy.
　A slash and a sharp sound stood for a moment, followed by the sound of an explosion.
　The Legendary-class equipment (Legendary Weapon), the Blood Sipping Evil Demon's War Axe (Blood Axe) that Gail Zark possessed drowned out Sylphy's slash as if he was eating it.

''Ringing War Demon's Strike (Crib Row)--''
　Gilesak stomped the ground.
　Just like that, the ground rumbled as if it were this.
　Utilizing that resilience with his entire body, a powerful blow that could easily reap the life of Sylphy--

...magic arts...

　It was unraveled.
　The slash that was unleashed in return for Silphy's attack was too huge.
　There was nowhere to escape.
　That said, it was instantly clear to me that it was impossible to receive and prevent that one.

　At this point, Sylphy finally understood the true meaning of the word.

''That big demon is too strong.''

　That's what Nacht said.
　The one who led the answer to the slightest time of conflict was not Silphy, but the great spirit of the wind.

''Whew!

　Sylphy's body, which was half forced to accelerate, flew through the air regardless of his intentions, and he was almost forced to roll forward in the sky, barely managing to evade the attack.

　The blade, which seemed to be dyed in blood, dispelled the fog and broke through the wall of thick fog, and even tore through the outer wards of the perimeter to the utmost of destruction.

''Ha--!　If you're going to do it, say you're going to do it!

Nah-ha-ha-ha-ha... Sorry, but you're welcome.

You're the one who--

"Yes, yes, intensive, intensive, Mr. Contractor.

　For some reason, the spirit king's split body, which represented a dwarf-like figure, demanded attention in a distracted voice.
　Even Silphy had no intention of taking his eyes off Gailzak for even a moment.

''You're not going to pull back?''

Do we have to have words now?

　The sword in his right hand goes from the middle to the lower level.
　They lightly controlled each other and spoke words as they bargained with each other through their weapons. Even such words were now a bargaining game with a mixture of falsehood and reality.

'You understand now. You must understand now that you are no match for me. Is it proper for you to waste your life for nothing?

You!

　I know.
　He said we should focus on the fight now. There was no need to listen or respond to the enemy's nonsense.
　But even so, he couldn't help but shout out the emotions of the blazing fire that coated his heart.

''You who killed Yulis don't want to say that!

　A gaze that bleeds with too much vindictiveness shoots through Gailzak.
　Despite being exposed to such a gaze, Gailzak lowered his axe slightly and opened his mouth.

'Twenty years ago, on that day, twenty years ago, I promised the warriors who fought with us to the end - that I would not make any needless sacrifices - that I would not touch the women and children of my village. One of them told us, after we invaded like outlaws, to leave our families alone.

　Gailzak speaks quietly.

He says quietly, "We only wanted the door, and we had no interest in the elven village. I do not believe that there is anyone still guarding the door after all this time, but they have no intention of invading it. In the olden days, the elves were even among those who were persecuted.

　The look in his eyes was one of deep regret.

''But you people, Chieftain-sama!　Give me Floria!　You take my Ulysse.　I can't forgive you for killing them, can I?　

"....You are right the evil is definitely with me - but still, to repay the warrior who scattered his life, I have twice I missed the master.
　A clear hostility dwells in Gailzak's eyes.

''However, all my loyalty is to the Demon King!　So I will not retreat, whatever path I take.　Know there will be no third time, Elf girl!

　The ancient demon race, which is comparable to a dragon, unleashes its full force and intimidation.
　It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with your friends.
　But even so, Sylphy thinks it's no match for him.
　It's not at all as if it can reach that monster, and Silphy laughs at the realization.

"It's you who should be prepared for this, Gilesaak!

　Sylphy shouted that, and the next moment - the fog that had filled the battlefield cleared as if it were an illusion.