'Oh my God!　Why is this happening!'

　Bastet couldn't help but complain as he watched the mutant species dissolve in a cloud of black smoke as it thudded and dissolved.
　Sheathing the crystal sword that pierced the nucleus, Albus went on alert again.

''You've been exposed already, haven't you?''
"Why is there a mutant wandering around here?

　To say that we were out of luck would be an understatement, but the three golems that had been sent to plant and protect the 'Holy Tree', Bastet, Anubis, and Albus, had been promptly discovered by the mutant species.
　It had only been a day. With the annihilation of this mutant species, the chances of another mutant species coming here have increased considerably.

''If you want, I'll turn back to Brunhild for now. ''Using the sight that the king granted me the [Gate],''
''I can't just leave "Holy Tree" behind. I'm already growing so much.''

　Bastet turned his attention to the figure of the Sacred Tree, which had already grown to no more than one meter in length.
　It's a good idea to use the mirror with transference magic stored in Anubis's collar to turn back to Brunhild, so Bastet and the other three will be safe.
　However, if we retreat now, the defenseless 'Holy Tree' will be cut down by the mutant species. If that happens, we'll have to start over again from the beginning.
　Besides, it's not certain that the mutants will still attack. Even if they do attack, Bastet decided to think positively, as long as there were only a few of them, he might be able to manage it. ........It would be better if they didn't come.

I'm going to be able to tell you what to do. I'm sure you'll be able to find them. There are five of them.

　Albus tells Bastet and Anubis in the rear while drawing his crystal sword. Bastet looks up to the heavens at the fact that his fleeting wish has been shattered earlier, but he stands on four feet in front of it to protect the 'Holy Tree'.
　In front of Bastet, Albus and Anubis stood in front of him. They are completely outnumbered. It might be a little tough.
　Although Albus is the highest peak of Golem, one of the "Crown" series, but his master, Yumina, is a temporary master, and furthermore, he is not even here.
　This would not allow him to display even a tenth of his abilities. Golem's true power can only be demonstrated by working with a master. In that sense, Bastet and Anubis are the same.
　Even so, there's no choice but to do it.

"The first move is a must.

　Just as the mutant was approaching a few meters away, Albus started to run. The golden metallic lifeform with a crayfish-like form pointed its scissors at the small white knight coming towards him.
　A ball of light gathered out of the scissors as it snapped open, and a laser beam of light shot out.
　Albus dodges it just before and slashes off the arm of a crayfish in close proximity with his crystal sword. He continued to turn to the side and stabbed the crystal sword deep into its body.
　However, the crayfish mutant didn't stop moving and tried to chop up Albus with the remaining scissors.
　It sliced off its arm as well, and this time it thrust the crystal sword into the head-like area from the front.
　Then this time the crayfish mutant stopped moving and its body began to dissolve with a sloshing motion. It seems that they were finally able to destroy the nucleus. Unlike Frayes, the nucleus of the mutant species is invisible. It took some getting used to until he grasped its position.

''Mister Albus!　Don't let us do anything about it either!

　I hear a call for help from Anubis. It seems that they are doing their best to duck the attacks of the two mutants.
　In addition to 【Storage】, 【Accel】, 【Shield】, 【Fly】, 【Invisible】, and 【Invisible】 are granted to Anubis and the others, but 【Invisible】, which makes them invisible, is ineffective for mutants that have no vision, and these are basically defensive abilities.
　Although 【Paralyze】 and 【Gravity】 are enchanted to the claws of the forefoot and other parts of the body, mutants cannot be paralyzed, and 【Gravity】 is basically to increase the power of the claws made of crystalline material, which is not a decisive factor.
　Instead of the two that can't pierce through the nucleus, Albus tries to finish off the mutant species, but it doesn't work very well.
　Bastet was also doing his best to protect the "Holy Tree".
　The mutants' goal (for now) is themselves. It's not a good idea to have a newborn baby.

''This isn't good...!

　As Bastet managed to flick the large scissors extended by the crayfish-type mutant with his own claws, Bastet was gripped by a feeling of slight despair.
　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

'Whoa, whoa, there's a cat and a dog fighting?　Sounds like fun!　We're in the mix!
Wha...

　A girl with glasses, also out of place in a purple frilly dress, stood there. She had twin eyes like amethysts, long hair, and a small parasol.
　But it wasn't the girl that surprised Bastet. The purple golems in front of her, holding a scythe like a grim reaper, larger than her height.
　The figure was too much like the white golem fighting in front of him.


　　　　　　　　　　◇ ◇ ◇


Evil god...?
"Yes, sir. No, they call him that, he's not a god. If you think of me as the boss of the mutants I'm the leader of the mutants.

　A room in Brunhild Castle. On the stage of the World Congress, where the East and West are gathered, I report to the representatives of each country on the current state of Isengard.
　The master of the mutant species has taken up residence in Isengard and is now on the verge of awakening. And with it, mutants are infesting Isengard. The whole of Isengard is under a special curse, but the curse will be lifted soon.

''What will happen to this world if this evil god or whatever it is awakens?''

　The Beast King of Mismid leans back a bit and utters a question.

The mutants 《they》 eat souls. The devoured creature turns into a mutant and becomes their brethren. I believe their ultimate goal is to mutate all of humanity, or rather, all of life in this world.

　No one said 'it's a lie' to my words. They've fought the mutants many times before, and they've seen the footage.

'Of course, we don't intend to get beaten up either. Currently, there is something like a 'poison' floating around that evil god that we can't get to. But we have planted the Sacred Tree in Isengard to purify it. When the cleansing is completed to their home base, I will ride directly into their home to defeat the evil gods.
Can you beat it?

　I nodded vigorously at the words uttered by Her Majesty the Queen of the Strain Kingdom.

''We will defeat it. I'm sure. I'm not even married yet. I can't die here. I'm going to go over there in a flash and beat them a little bit.
'Hahaha!　Surely that wouldn't kill me!

　The king of Felsen, a muscular, macho magic kingdom, took advantage of my light-heartedness and smiled vigorously. The representatives of the other nations smiled as well.

So what do we do now?
Once they realize that the Sacred Tree is purifying the curse, all of the evil gods' men will turn to the Sacred Tree to get rid of it at once. We will go to the evil gods. In the meantime, I'd like you all to use your Flame Gear to protect the Sacred Tree.

　I don't know how many armies will be rushing in. I don't think there's that many left....
　If it's a soul-eaten golden skeleton, there's likely to be quite a few of them, but those guys aren't the enemies of Flame Gear.

''I see. Protecting that 'Holy Tree' will lead to protecting the world, right?

　His Majesty the Emperor of Regulus stroked his long beard and murmured in amusement.

'Isn't it easy to understand? We will all join hands and do everything in our power to protect our world. We can't let an evil god have his way with our new, reborn world!

　Everyone nodded at His Majesty the King of Belfast's words. We may be forced to cooperate if we are pulled out of such things as the destruction of the human race, but I feel like it's more like a survival instinct when we get to this point. No creature is going to be silently destroyed. The same is true for the other side.
　It's either kill or be killed. Maybe it's certainly easy to understand. And they are not someone you can talk to.

"We don't know what they're going to do when they're cornered. Although we have planned enough countermeasures, there is a possibility that we won't be able to give instructions after we go in. Therefore, first of all...

　I asked everyone to listen to the secret plan I had prepared for such situations. If you don't want to use it, it's no big deal, but it's better to be cautious on top of being safe. I don't want to use the convenient phrase "it was unexpected" as an excuse.
　After the meeting, the party, as usual, will begin, which will be called a social gathering. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, pushing down the feeling that this could possibly be the last time they'll have a party.

I'm beginning to think that Fuyao-dono's secret plan will lead to a solution. But how could you think of a move like that?
I'd rather not have to use it.
Really?　For eagles, though, I'd be excited to try it. It sounds fun.

　The Beast King of Mismid replied, his eyes shining like a prankster's boy, "That's because you and the Warlord of Raze are more interested in fighting than eating three meals a day. That's because you and the Warlord of Raze are the kind of people who prefer fighting to eating three meals a day.
　Laughing, His Majesty the Beast King went. I hear he's going to have another fight with the Warlord of Raze in the training grounds. He felt sorry for his attendants who were sighing.

Hey, Your Majesty!

　As I watched His Majesty the Beast King leave, His Holiness the Pope of the Lamish Church State ran up to me this time in a hurry.
　I knew it was dangerous for him to run so fast since he is so old, but I'm not stupid enough to say such things about a woman.

'Suddenly, I heard from the head maid here earlier that your grandfather is here!　I'd love to say hello to you!

　Close, close, close. Because the holy knights behind me are also anxious to see what's going on.
　In a way, she's the World God's best follower in this world, so it's not hard to see why they're distraught.

''Well, I think she's probably having tea with the Hanakoi sisters right now, but...''
Where did that happen?
I thought this was the common room of the castle.
'Then say hello!　Excuse me!

　His Holiness the Pope left the playroom like the wind. The Holy Knights of Lamish hurriedly followed after him.
　It was a bit scary........
　The World God also said it was fun to talk to His Holiness the Pope, so it's probably okay.

''Was that His Holiness the Lamish Pope?　What's going on?
No, no, it's okay. It's nothing.

　He replied with a light wave of his hand to the Holy King of the Holy Kingdom of Arendt, who spoke to him with a glass in hand.
　This country is also a religious state in a sense, so I wonder what would happen if I found out about the World God.
　In the Holy Kingdom of Arendt, which has a strong belief in spirits, spirits are called holy spirits, and they offer prayers of thanksgiving as God's angels.
　I hear that the current Holy King's reputation is soaring because he can communicate with these spirits thanks to the technology we provide.
　Well, he's done something that the previous Holy Kings couldn't do, so that's a big achievement.

''Speaking of which, has His Majesty the Holy King been able to call up spirits?''
No, not yet. I don't think I have much of a talent for magic. The language of spirits is not easy to pronounce.
You had an aptitude for magic, right?
Hmm. I had my piece of magical stone checked out. I've heard that I have an aptitude for wind. But I still can't even use elementary magic.

　The wind......... Aside from the magic one, if it's a small wind spirit, it should be curious and willing to listen to me.
　If you have the aptitude, then it should be easy for the wind spirits to like you. He said the spirit language is difficult to use, and that's it.

''Could you use that spirit language for a moment?''
Here?

　He was a little embarrassed, but the Holy King spun the words to summon the spirits in spirit language. ''Oh, I get it.

''It's true that it's not pronounced well, but it's a word that comes across well enough. There's only one problem: I can't pronounce the 'wind'.
The 'wind'?
'Yes,' His Majesty the Holy King says, 'Listen to me, O Spirit of the Wall. Spirit of the Wall.'
A wall.....

　His Majesty the Holy King opened his mouth angrily. The knights of the Holy Kingdom who were standing behind him held their mouths and held back their laughter.
　No, there are, sometimes. The fact that you end up talking to a different spirit than the one you were trying to talk to.
　Well, most of the time, I'll understand, "Oh, this isn't talking to me," and leave. Especially with the little wind spirits, my interest shifts from one to the other. They probably left as soon as they decided it wasn't about them.
　By the way, there is no genie called the Wall Spirit. There is a spirit of the material the wall is made of.
　For the next ten minutes or so, we said 'wind' and 'wall' in the spirit language, and finally His Majesty was able to pronounce the word 'wind'. It was suspicious, like 'kajie' to be exact, but I think this will still get the message across.
　We're indoors, but the window is open, so it meets the requirements. When I suggested that we try it out immediately, a small spirit of wind appeared in response to His Majesty the Holy King's voice. She was a palm-sized, three-headed, chatty-looking girl.

''Ki, you've come!''

　He urged His Majesty the Holy King to make a contract with the excited King. Although the words were faltering, there was nothing funny about this one.
　The little spirit of the wind nodded a small nod and spun around His Majesty the Holy King, eventually disappearing with the light on his hand.
　What was left in his hand was a small, light green spirit stone.

''You've done it. The contract is sealed.''
'Yes!　We did it!　The Holy Spirit came to me, too!
''Grab that spirit stone and call the little spirit from earlier in your mind. Ask him as a friend, not as an order.
Uh-huh!

　It may seem like a watered down version of joy, but it's easier to get to the point if you call it out while you're still feeling it. It's not a good impression on the other side if you've signed a contract and left it up all the time.
　It's easier to understand if you think of it as a girl who's asked to go out with you and you say yes, but you don't get asked out for a month. No, wait. That doesn't mean that "Well, let's go on a date right now then! And how about that?
　As if to blow my thoughts away, the little wind spirit from earlier appeared again, spinning around His Majesty the Holy King in a twirling dance.

''Oh!　You're here!　He's here!

　Looking at the excited and frolicking Holy King, I'm convinced that if he's the king, he won't treat the spirits badly.
　Well, if he treats them badly, the spirits will probably be more affectionate towards him, though.
　Come to think of it, Isengard is currently without spirits........ Perhaps the earth is emaciated, the water is muddy, and the wind is stagnant.
　Can people survive in a place like that........
　We have to make a decision soon. I thought about the three golems that would be guarding the 'Holy Tree' in the land of Isengard.
　At that time, I had no idea that Bastet and the others were in such a state.