We're almost there.

　Rona's words made Aldis more alert to his surroundings.
　In order to ascertain the location in question, Aldis and the others walked through the meadow with Rona guiding them.

''I don't feel any strong magic anywhere, but...''

Of course you did. I didn't know that either.

So?　Is that the creek you see there that came out?

　Aldis kept his face to Rona, fixing his gaze only on the small river that came into view.

'Yes, I do.'

　There was an unremarkable, calm creek there by the looks of it.

　There was no special magical power to be felt, nor was there any sign of danger.
　If I hadn't heard the story beforehand, Ardis would have passed by it as it was, and it was a scene where not even a trace of discomfort existed.

''Here it comes,''

　As if triggered by Rona's words, a change came to that ordinary landscape.
　As the color of the creek changed to dark blue, it began to take on a three-dimensional shape, as if it had a mind of its own.

You've just turned tail and run away, and now you're back. You are more foolish than I thought, four-legged.

　With a mocking tone in his voice from on high, the dark blue water shoots provocative words at Rona.
　With that alone, the power relationship between the two sides could be seen.

　However, Rona lightly snickered and kicked off Darkon Water's words.

''What are you talking about, stupid polluted water who can't even understand this situation, what are you talking about?''

"Hooray!　I won't miss this one!

　When challenged by Rona, the dark blue water instantly became agitated and pointed out dozens of water needles created from his own body.

''Your opponent is over here.

　Aldis jumped out and broke into the line of fire.

　As she created a magical barrier as she breathed, she flicked off the water needles that were headed for Minerva and Moore.
　Some of the water needles flew in a different direction, and some of them exploded as they slammed into the lush green ground.

'What power: ......'

　In front of the destructive power of the water needle that was gouging out the soil with a diameter of about fifty centimeters and disappearing, Moore couldn't help but speak up.

　It's a good thing that you're not going to have to wait for a long time from the deployment of the barrier to approach the dark blue water with the sword pulled out of its sheath in your hand.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

''Ho, you slice through my body with a single sword!

It's not something to be impressed with, though!

　However, dark blue water doesn't care if it is cut in half up and down.
　As long as it was a formless entity called water, it would immediately return to its original form even if it was physically split apart.
　Of course, Ardis was aware of that.

　Without a moment to breathe, the dark blue water points the water needle again against Aldis at close range.
　This time, countless water needles surrounded them in a circle.

　The stab of the water needles didn't bother the dark blue water itself, which had no fixed shape.
　He narrows the envelope of the water needles in a way that engulfs him and launches a saturation attack.

''It's useless.''

　After a short declaration, Aldis created numerous ice needles to counter the water needles and intercepted them one by one.
　The water needles that collided with the ice needles disappeared one by one.

　Seeing this situation, he must have sensed Ardis' strength.
　The dark blue water spat out in mockery.

I see, I see, so it has occurred to you that the two of you can defeat me!

Well, it's a pain in the ass, so I'll pass. There's no need for two of us to fight.

　However, when the words are directed at her, Rona passes them off in a matter-of-fact tone.
　Apparently, he really decided to focus on protecting Minerva and the others.

　They must have decided that they couldn't lash out with a small needle.
　The dark blue water now compresses the water from the creek, causing a water ball to float around it that is the size of a hand.
　The distortion brought about by the pressure created five of them that were about to explode out of control, and then unleashed them on Aldis, who was poised in a leisurely manner.

　Aldis uses a magical barrier to prevent the three waterballs that he deems unavoidable, and leaves the remaining two flowing.
　Even if one of them is headed for Rona and the others.

''Kyaah!''

　Minerva screams involuntarily.

'Don't move!'

　After issuing a short warning, Rona deployed a magical barrier to intercept the water ball.
　The moment the water ball touched the pale purple color of the barrier, an intense pressure was applied to the barrier.

　In an instant, the water ball released its energy and with a deafening sound, even the air in the area around it trembled as if frightened.
　The pressure emitted from the waterball eroded the ground along the barrier and blew away the top layer.
　The area around Rona and the others has turned to an earthen color that you wouldn't expect from a grassland.

'Hey, Aldis!　There's a stray bullet coming!

Work a little harder!

　When Rona complains that the promise is different, Aldis replies that he doesn't know about it.

'Hey, hey, hey, what power!'

　Moore was horrified by the destructive power created by the palm-sized water ball.
　At the same time, a look of resignation appeared on her face as she saw Rona's ability to prevent it with her barriers and Ardis' ability to prevent all three at the same time with a cool face.

''It's not on a level I can understand anymore.

　While Moore shrugs his shoulders, the battle continues to grow fiercer.

"What's this all about?　It's not exactly a subspecies or a mutant?

　Ardis muttered to no one in a claptrap tone, and imparted hot heat to the blade by allowing magic to pass through the tattered sword, which is now a blunt instrument.

''You nuked it!　You have no respect for me!

　In contrast, the dark blue water spawned multiple tentacles from its cloudy body and was ready to intercept.

　Ardis kicked the invisible scaffolding set up in the air and jumped up.
　He tried to dive into its bosom while deflecting the dark blue water's aim with a three-dimensional movement.

　Dark blue tentacles attacked from both sides.

''End here with your ego!

　The dark blue water stretched out its tentacles to catch Aldis around.
　The tip of it is sharp and shiny like a polished blade, and it closes in with a predator-like movement.

''Which is egotism.

　Coldly, Aldis slashes away its tentacles carelessly.
　Its fighting style is not dangerous.
　It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

"It makes that demon look like it's not a big deal.

'Yes. ...... I know it's just an illusion.

　Minerva, who struck a phase, calmly denied it.
　While she was doing so, tentacles were created one after another and attacked Ardis, but the person in question was cutting them down without a care in the world.

''Nonsense, nonsense!　It doesn't matter how much you cut me up, it won't hurt or itch!

So?　Do you think I don't know that?

　Ardis asks with a blank expression to the victorious Dark Blue Water.

　The true identity of the dark blue water is an intangible creature that lives on liquid.
　The dark blue water you see is nothing more than water from a parasitic stream.
　Of course, no matter how much you slice it with your sword, you won't feel any itching or pain.

　The most effective way to eradicate the parasite is to eliminate the liquid itself, but if the parasite is infected by a large amount of liquid, it will be very difficult to destroy it, let alone a pot of water.
　If the parasite occurs in the oceans or lakes, it's a real hassle.

So why don't we just wipe out all the parasites?

What?

　Ardis increases his magical power.
　As he reaches toward the heavens, a huge mass of heat manifests around him.

　Three, then four, the masses increased in number and slowly began to rotate around the axis of Ardis' hand.
　The initially red mass gradually lost its color and turned white.

'Thank God it's not the ocean. You can't make the ocean disappear, as expected.''

You can't mean...

　The voice of the dark blue water that sensed Ardis's intentions was unnerving.

　Masses of white heat left the surgeon's hand and were released into the sky.
　A total of seven white-hot masses eventually dispersed, drawing a curve and changing the direction of travel to the ground.

''Stop!''

　Without regard to the voice of restraint, four incandescent masses were sucked upstream of the stream, two downstream, and one under the feet of the dark blue water.

　After a few moments of silence, a roar that seemed to slice through the air in the surrounding area resounded.
　The water in the creek instantly boiled and quickly dissipated into the air.

　All that's left is a single ditch that was once a stream.
　It had never been rich in water to begin with, but now it was a shadow of its former self.

'Oh, you!'

　The dark blue water that managed to protect its own body with a barrier, but its voice no longer shows any room for it.
　The existence of the parasitic liquid is equivalent to its own life force for Darkon Water.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

''Well, wait. Wait, wait, wait!

　Finally understanding her predicament (Kyuuchi), Dark Konsui tries to stop her with a panicked tone, but of course Ardis has no reason to obey.

''What's the point now?''

　When he speaks only that briefly, Aldis lights a white flame on his fingertips and points it at the dark blue water.

　Dark blue water tries to escape, but the surrounding area is a grassy field as far as the eye can see.
　There was no liquid anywhere that could be parasitic.

"Ta, help--!

　A white flame shoots from Aldis' fingers.
　Far less than the white-hot mass that dried up the creek, but enough heat to destroy the dark blue water.

　When the dark blue water penetrates the magic barrier that it has put up with its desperate resistance, the white flame burns its body and evaporates.
　After the four scattered vapors drifted away on a faint breeze, only the remains of a dried up stream were left behind.