The hole enlarged by the mallet.

　Zied walks across the charred ground to check out Yusuf's body.

　The battered corpse was not what it once was. It was missing or even charred.

　But there was definitely a body.

You're dead. ...... is dead after all that magic, and yet the body is still there?

　Jade looked down with a slightly admiring look.

　The body strengthened by magic power had lost its main body and had nowhere to go, but it still clung to the body while releasing an enormous amount of magic power.

　When it was over, it was an overwhelming victory.

　However, what was Yusuf still has so much extra magic power left.

　If he had been someone experienced in combat, the situation would have been different.

''Did you call yourself the Seven Great Demon Lords or something, or even the next Demon King?''

　Zied was in the service of his country, even temporarily.

　That's why I can somehow see where this is going to go after.

　Even if it was just for free, there were many people from different countries. This matter definitely created a rift between the human race and the demon race.

　Whether it was a performance or an act of concern for the people, there must be countries that would try to move. And that's more or less multiple.

　Zied turns around.

(...... No matter how many Soria and Sufi are on the rescue mission, I'm sure many of them are dead.)

　Collapsed walls.

　The people affected by the demon tribe.

　Only a few were able to hold off the demons that came from outside.

　They must have died from those who were trying to escape first. There was a line of people who had stopped from a certain place.

　You can never blame the person who tried to escape first. That's the natural reaction.

　This time it was a one-sided attack.

(Human morale will be boosted, no doubt. There's nothing to stop them from reasoning anymore.)

　Astaireism should have been lost.

　Religion isn't just about giving hope. It doesn't just share a place where you can escape and depend on it.

　It also plays a role in pointing out a way of life.

　It creates reason and morality. This situation was very bad.

　Youssef had left a huge claw mark even after his death.

'Mr. Zied!

　A girl's voice comes from behind her.

　Jade turned to see Sufi running up to her as she ran.

'What?'

　He looked at Sufi and at the people behind him at the same time.

　The demon race had been defeated across the board, and everything had already been spent on rescue operations.

　It seemed that only Yusuf was left.

''What happened to Zai Fonde?

He's dead. You shouldn't look at .......

'No, I'm fine. I'm used to it.

　Sufi looks at Yusef's body.

　He doesn't sting, nor does he turn pale.

　It's a good thing that you're able to have a great deal of fun with this kind of corpse, because you've crossed many fronts.

　After checking the corpse, Sufi nodded once.

''With this, we can rebuild the Astaire Faith. Good. I'm really glad. ......!　Thank you, Mr. Jide!

Don't thank me. I'm just passing through.

'And yet, you have saved the people here. We couldn't have helped so many people on our own. ...... Thank you so, so much!

　Sufi bowed her head and thanked him from the bottom of her heart.



◇



　The pedestal of the square barely survived.

　The crumbling statue of the goddess hadn't retained its original form, though.

　Nevertheless, Sufi stood on the pedestal, picked up a loudspeaker and called out to the people who were still staying inside and outside the square.

''Ladies and gentlemen, listen up!''

　Everyone turned to look at Sufi's voice.

''Just now, the seventh Demon Aristocrat Yusuf and the entire Demon Clan have been swept away!　By the Knights of the Holy Republic, Master Swordsman Phil, and Master Jade!

""Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. !!!!"

　We were waiting, and the people raised their voices in sympathy with Sufi's voice.

　Everyone was fighting.

　They saw the knights fighting the demons and cheered them on. Or some helped in the rescue efforts. Some tried to escape.

　All of them were fighting.

　That's why this joy was enjoyed.

''Everyone, it's okay. Even if the demon race attacked us like this, there is still hope for the human race!　Lady Soria the Saint who is rescuing the wounded. There's Lady Knight and Lady Jide ...... and all of you who are overthrowing the ones who have attacked you!　There is always salvation--!

　Such are the words that give people hope.

　Zid walks away from the square alone, with Sufi at his side.

(...... Looks like it won't be too rough with that guy. (I guess it was a no-brainer.)

　Jide was thinking about that.


◇


Wait, Jade. Where do you think you're going?

　A while after leaving the square.

　I was called out to a place in the forest.

Where? I'm going home.　What can I do for you, Phil?

　He must have been in a hurry to get after it.

　There was Phil breathing on his shoulder for a bit.

'It's hard to answer when you say what you want, because there's so much going on: ......

'Is this about the apology?　Then you really don't need it. As long as you apologize to Kåñëa and Sheila.

Oh, yeah. I'll do it. It's a little awkward.

'Then you want me to come with you?　And I owe you an apology, too.

Why Jade?　This is my problem.

I owe you an apology because I'm the one who indirectly got you into this mess, don't I?

　I think I understand that much moderation.

　Then it would be easier to apologize together.

　Phil snickered and looked away from me.

'Yeah, right. I didn't know I was still in such trouble with you.

Yeah, that's indirect. You're bringing me into this.

'I'm really sorry ...... but that doesn't mean I'm going to miss Lady Soria.'

'Why is there a Soria in there?'

'It is!　Because I will always be by Lady Soria's side. So my impression of Lady Soria is also .......

It can't go down. You're really messed up in your head, aren't you?

...... ugh.

　I know it's a terrible thing to say, but he doesn't even come up with a counter argument.

　He knows he doesn't have the energy or the cause to do so.

"Don't get too hung up on one thing. Think about something else and get comfortable.

　I give him some advice for now and continue with my words.

'And that changes the subject, but you said there was a lot going on.　Is there anything else you want to tell me?

Oh, yeah. You see, Lady Soria has been wanting to talk to you for a long time. But I can't seem to find the opportunity. So why don't you meet with me now that you're close by and talk to me?

　So now's your chance.

　After all, this guy is putting Soria in first thoughts.

　That's probably why it's all messed up.

　Even the matter of the Charisma Party should have been directed to the guild, but they came to me. Well, that's probably because of the influence of his voice and such.

　Even if that was the case, it would be a bad idea to pick a fight with Kåñëa and Sheila in order to measure my strength.

''You know that charisma party thing, right?　Don't bother going there now that you're busy. I'll see you sooner or later.

　If Soria is not here, then she must be on a rescue mission.

　If that's the case, there's no way I'm going to go and interrupt her.

　I don't have time to wait until the rescue operation is over.

That's one thing: ......

Oh, God. Stop pouting. It's not in your nature. Just say what you mean.

"...... Yeah. Okay, I'll say it. All right, I'll admit it. I'll give it to you. Jade's good at what she does!　He's better than me!　But you know what?　In fact, I have more feelings for Lady Soria than you do!　Because I was the first one to run out to save Lady Soria!

　He says, pointing at me bishfully as if to declare war.

'That's because there's a difference in the distance between Phil and I, right?　You were right underneath the pedestal and I was away from the center. That's because you could move faster than me, by all accounts.

Oh, yeah, you're right. ......

　Ugh ...... and Phil is blocked.

　This guy is a pain in the ass. Can I leave it alone?

　No, it's just that if you leave it alone, you'll have people coming after you after you.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one who can make the same decision. I'm sure you have a lot more feelings for Soria than you do for me.

!　Isn't it?　You're right!　You're a good guy!

Oh, yeah.

　He suddenly got up in high spirits.

　You're an emotionally unstable guy, this guy.

'Oh, I've got an idea.'

It's ......, okay?

　He suddenly popped his hand again and Phil said with a big smile.

''I actually had a scout from the guild as well. I'm going to ask them if they'll let me join their charisma party!

......

'What?　What?　Where are you going, Jed!　Hey!

　A voice comes up behind you.

　It's not gonna work. This guy is going to be a pain in the ass.

　Let's just leave it at that.

　I'm going back to the inn.