After retrieving the two heads of the Four Feathers, Aldis heads to the ruins near the royal capital, watching the sky as the sun begins to set.
　It is said that this is the last stronghold of the great lords who once enjoyed prosperity and rebelled against the royal family.

　The identity of the "Red Eaters" who haunt the fort is unknown.
　According to one theory, it is said to be a grudge born of the grudge of the great lord who died a regrettable death in the fort.

　Aldis walked deep into the burnt-out wall of the fort alone.
　The room was black and sooty here and there, and not a single piece of furniture or ornamentation could be seen in the room anymore. There was nothing but green grass and ivy growing in the room.

''This is about right?''

　When Aldis came to the fightable hall, he took a ripe apple out of his sack and put it on the floor.

　It is said that the "Red Eaters" will attack red-colored objects without looking.
　If they didn't have anything red, they wouldn't encounter them.

　But it would be inevitable if the first military defeating squad formed did not know that.
　It is said that the red-cloaked captain of the first strike force was the first to be killed.

　The Red Eaters seem to react to human blood as well, so if they are wounded even slightly, they become the target of an attack.
　As long as you don't wear anything red when fighting and don't make your allies bleed, it's not as easy as it sounds, of course.

　Even though they only react to the color red, if you attack them, they will counterattack.
　If they bled in that counterattack, the rest would be a hellish scene.

　That's how the Red Eaters were defeated three times, and three times they failed.
　The last time a strike team was formed was about twenty years ago.

　Pichan, pichan, and pichan can be heard in Aldis' ears as he waits at a distance from the apples on the floor. It sounded like a lump of water spilling and bouncing on the floor.

'You're here,'

　It came from the entrance of a passage that opened into one corner of the hall.

　An object in the shape of a woman whose entire body was bright red.
　But it was not a human being.

　The red body was slightly translucent and looked like a moving sculpture carved out of red crystal.
　But contrary to its appearance, there was a sound in the hall that sounded like water hitting the floor every time the foot stepped on it.

'I don't understand.'

　The red-eaters kneeled down and smashed the apple with both hands in front of Aldis, who couldn't decide whether it was solid, liquid or soft jelly-like.

'Well, you'll find out when you cut it.

　On cue, the shortsword flies.

　In the blink of an eye, the shortsword reached the top of the red-eaters' heads and swung with its momentum to the part of the neck that is called the human neck.
　A high-pitched metallic sound rang out in the hall.

''Is it harder than I thought?''

　The blade of the shortsword that looked like it was going to cut off his neck was defeated by the hardness of the Red Eater, and it broke off from its base and rolled to the floor.

　The Red Eater's face turned to Ardis.

　Of course, being in the form of a woman, it was impossible to tell if the Red Eater was recognizing an object with her face.
　But it is certain that she is at least aware of Aldis.
　He seems to know that the shortsword flying through the air is moving at his will.

　The Red Eater stood up and began to walk dazedly towards Ardis.

''I think this one is going to snap too if I don't strengthen it.

　He drew his broadsword and covered the blade's body with magical power.
　The sword was enveloped in a pale light.

　Aldis designates the starting point next to the Red Eater and releases a magic of fire.
　From right to left, hot violence runs through the red-eaters, enveloping them.

　However, the Red Eater does not react at all to the flames released in check, and the Red Eater continues to walk slowly without showing any signs of damage.

''No flames,''

　He added ice, water, rock, wind, and magic attacks in rapid succession, but none of them were effective.

''Then how about this one?''

　A strong light appeared in front of Aldis, and as it contracted into a small dot, it shot out as a single, cohesive ray of light.
　The ray of light went straight to the red eater and instantly pierced its chest.

'It seems to work,--if it does!

　The magic power clothed in the broadsword was transformed and added light properties.

　Aldis' foot kicked the floor.
　With a single foot, he closes the distance and cleaves the broadsword to the side faster than the red eater can react.

　With a crunch, a feeling like a sword cutting the surface of the water was felt in his hand.

　In front of Aldis, who is momentarily confused by the inexplicable feeling, the red-eating head is cut off from his body and falls to the floor.
　Then the red-eating body, which had lost its head, fell to the floor and spread out as if it had been splattered with red liquid.

　On one side is the head that rolled over with a thumping sound. And on the other side, something that was formerly the body of the red-eaters flowing across the floor like a liquid.
　A distinctly different ending to what had been one before it was cut loose.

　Aldis's thoughts are disturbed.

'What ......, what is this?'

　A sense of inexplicable eeriness made Ardis step back.




　It was dusk in the royal capital, Gran, in the middle of the city.
　The main street that runs through the center of the city is enveloped in a strange buzz.

　The cause was a dark-haired, dark-eyed boy with dark hair and dark eyes who walked slowly, drawing attention to himself.
　He had an ordinary face with no distinguishing features other than a fine violet-colored cloth wrapped around his forehead.
　From the wisteria-colored robe he wore and the way he carried himself, a peer would immediately recognize him as a mercenary.

　Even though his appearance may look young, it's not unusual for him to take his first steps as a fledgling mercenary when he's about the age of a boy.
　The only thing to look at was the object he was carrying on his back from his shoulder.

　The boy was carrying four heads of beasts on his shoulders.

　No, if one looked closely, one would recognize two of them as the head of a bird connected at the base.
　But whoever noticed it would know in the next moment that its size was too unorthodox to be called a bird.

'Hey, isn't that ...... a 'four-feathered' head?

What?　No way, that's not possible: ......

It's a white mane with two bruises ...... 'bell-nearer'

Maybe the red one is a 'red eater'?

No, no, no, no!　Why are Gran's three strongest demons (Sandaigouma), and their heads are right there!

Is he the one who killed it?

Don't be stupid. You can't beat that little kid.

Then what the f*ck is that head on your neck, huh?

　All sorts of speculations were flying around, and voices trying to quash them in the same way.
　Without paying attention to such surroundings, the boy walked leisurely towards the entertainment district, as if to show off the head of a demon.

　The boy's name was Ardis.
　He was secretly rumored to be a wizard of sword and sorcery, and his name began to reverberate in the royal capital, Gran, on this day.

　The reaction of those who looked at him from afar led Ardis to a tavern, and he ended the day with a drink.
　Then he stepped into a tavern where people were gathering to end the day with a drink.

　The tavern's waiter screams at the arrival of a newcomer to the tavern as he tries to talk to him.
　When the customers noticed Aldis's presence, they fell silent.

　In the silence, which would not normally be possible, Aldis alone pushes his way between tables, making the sound of footsteps.

''Hey, brother. It's not a good idea to bring such a thing into a barroom.

　From a passing table, a bearded man who was tipping his mug and fizzing barley wine calls out to me.

　The 'such a thing' the man says is probably the demon's head that Ardis carries from her shoulder.
　Indeed, if it was originally a violation of manners, it would be a good thing.
　Although the cut is burned to stop the blood, it is still the raw head of a living creature.
　You can't say that it's a good thing to bring into a place where meals are being served, especially a bar where people are having a good time and enjoying themselves.

　Aldis is fully aware of that.
　Normally, he would not do this kind of thing.
　But for today, I'm doing it because it's necessary.

I'm sorry. I'll be out of here as soon as I'm done with my business.

What can I do for you?

I need to ask a question to a man named Cesare.

　In the silent tavern, people's gazes converged on a single point.
　Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cesare sitting there with a mixture of awkwardness, fear and surprise on his face.

　The first thing to do is to take out a copper coin from his pocket and hand it to him with his fingers before opening his mouth.

''Cesare, where do I get the bounty?''

　Cesare squeezes out his voice with a blue face.

'Oh, well, no way. ....... That's ...... that you're carrying on your shoulder.

'Oh, this white one is 'bell-nearer', the bird's two heads are 'four feathers' and the red woman's neck is 'red-eating'.

　Hearing this, there was a commotion in the bar.

'Because ......, it was this morning when we talked about it ....... It hasn't even been a day since then.

Isn't that enough time?

　Ardis laughed absentmindedly.

'Nah ......!'

　As for Cesare, he would have to be immensely disappointed.

　Several times the Kingdom of Naglas has organized a strike force with its regular army. These are the demons that they have tried to defeat for decades and have been beaten back each time.
　And not just one, but three at the same time.
　Defeating them all between the time the sun rises and sets might be beyond Cesare's comprehension.

''So?　Where do you want me to take this?

　Aldis says, showing a person's evil smile.

　Cesare, in contrast, looks bitter.
　He must have noticed it too. The fact that Aldis is deliberately asking Cesare.

　Even Aldis knows where to bring the head of the prize.
　But the reason why he came all the way here carrying the demon's head is to show Cesare.

　Cesare is an excellent informant.
　He can provide you with information that is worth the price.

　However, this is just business, and it is questionable whether he can be trusted as a person.
　As long as they are not linked by heartfelt trust, it is necessary to show them the advantages of having Ardis as an ally and the disadvantages of having her as an enemy.

　Cesare would know of Ardis' strength, but it should be limited to a perception of 'dangerous if you turn him into an enemy'.
　To change that perception from 'dangerous if you turn him into an enemy' to 'unthinkable if you turn him into an enemy' and make him understand the danger of betraying or falling into the hands of Aldis. That was the reason why he dared to show the demon's head to Cesare.

　Such an understanding of Aldis's intentions is the reason why Cesare has a bitter face.

''I think we can take it to the guards' stuffing station or the knight's headquarters. If you want, I could have offered it to the gatekeeper before entering the city.''

　It was inevitable that Cesare's answer would contain a few spikes.

'Right, okay. Thanks.

　After a brief thank you, Aldis returns the kibisu and turns to leave the tavern.

''Oh, hey brother. Are those really the heads of the three strongest demons?''

　The bearded man who accused Aldis earlier asks.

'Yeah. You won't believe it when I say: ....... Well, you'll find out in a few days.

　The existence of the three powerful demons had been a headache for the country for a long time.
　Once they were defeated, there was no doubt that they would be widely publicized both inside and outside the country.

"Hey, waiter over there!

Yes!

Here, give everyone a drink. Apologies for disturbing the place.

　Aldis stops the serving woman and hands her a sack full of silver coins.
　When the waiter opened the bag and looked into it, he found that it contained so much silver that the entire tavern could drink the whole night away and still make change.

"This much?

　The waiter's surprise soon infected the entire tavern, and it didn't take long for it to turn to cheers.

'Hey, brother!　Are you sure?!

'Seriously?　Free booze today?!

'Ooh!　Let's drink!

　The drunken crowd came to a boil, a far cry from the silence of earlier.
　When Aldis was about to leave, having seen the reaction he was aiming for, a bearded man stopped him.

'What's your name, brother, what's your name?'

It's Aldis.

Well, we're gonna have a feast tonight.

　The man grins at Aldis and shouts out in a loud voice that echoes throughout the tavern.

'Hey, boys!　Today, it's on Aldis, the mighty destroyer of the three great demons!　Let's drink enough to empty the store's brewery!

　With the loud cheers in response, Aldis turned his back on the sun and headed for the royal capital, which was enveloped in the Awazora.