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[Wha, what is that……]

“That guy’s secret technique……He covers his whole body in stones with the density of Orichalcum and changes his surrounding to something like a swamp, submerging his opponents in it. A disadvantage of this is, because this area is too wide the swamp’s effect is kind of weak and because he covered his whole body in stone he can’t really move…….”

“The dense rock secures his body and the swamp keeps one from approaching……Although it has its draw backs, this is troublesome.”

　Even so, we can’t just stand by and keep watching like that either.

“Hey, Bertra, if you send all your magical power to Zankoutou are you able to cut through Orichalcum?”

“Orichalcum, is it?…… I don’t know because I never tried but it’s probably impossible even with all my magical power. I just…… heard that grandfather, the Sword Master Edgar, cut a monster with a crustacean with the density of Orichalcum in two using this Zankoutou……”

　Hmm, she isn’t sure, but it seems like it’s possible to cut through that stone amour with Zankoutou, huh?

　However, it’s impossible with Bertra’s magical power……

“Fumu, Erin, I wish to confirm something.”

[Hm? Whaaat~?]

※

《 Heh, heh, s̲h̲i̲t̲! Those b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲s̲, really went, and did it……Being in this state is humiliating, but, I can’t, turn my back to, them…… This area, was too wide, and I couldn’t, swallow them. Well, it’s fine, I’ll slowly…… Aah?》

“Sir Hero! Are you sure this is going to work?!”

《What?　……Some old fart joined them. Is he, coming running, my way?…… Did he go mad? Guhehehehe! …… It’s foolish, to step into my bottomless swamp, on his own!》

“What do I know? We won’t know until we try!”

“Did you just say we won’t know until we try?! Oi!!”

　How should I know things I’ve never tried before?

　However, this is the only thing we can try…… because that is the last thing I can think of.

“Darryl-sama, his previous strategy succeeded a little while ago as well…… It’ll be fine…… Maybe……”

“Nonono! The surprise attack ended in failure, right?! And what do you mean with Maybe?! Maybe, you say!…… Kuuh~! To look at an elderly person with those extremely dangerous eyes! Fine, it won’t fail! It absolutely won’t fail!? –Here I goooo! Hold on tiiiight! Doryaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!”

　Uoh!? Even while he was carrying Bertra and me over his shoulders he was able to exert such great force to jump. That old man had such herculean strength. As expected, he used body strengthening, didn’t he? Hm? But that means…… No, I have to focus on defeating Figueroa in front of me now.

《Wha!? Are you, telling me that, old fart, is going to jump, to where I am?!》

　Alright, the landing position is perfect! ……The old man was buried up to his waist though.

“–Well, it won’t be an issue”

“It will!!”

　Wups, did my thoughts leak out?

“Nuooooh! I’m sinking! Bertra hurry up and do it!”

“I got it. Suu~…… Haaah!”

《Hah, are you, going to slash my armour, with that sword?…… It’s useless! I understood, in the battle just now, that it, doesn’t have the strength, to cut through the stone……. You should just rot away in this stone swamp like this!》

　It certainly is impossible with just Bertra’s magical power.

“But how about this?!!”

　The arm Bertra is holding her sword with and the parts covered in armour are no good.

“Grit your teeth, Bertra! Let’s go!”

　If it’s like this, this is the only place.

“Come, with all you got!”

　I prick Bertra’s thigh with Absohaze!

“Hmpf!”

“Guh!”

《Wha!? That guy stabbed his own comrade!?!》

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

“Erin, I wish to confirm something”

[Hm? Whaaat~?]

“Is it possible for you to send other people magical power like you do with me?”

[Yeah, I can~. Though same as when absorbing magic you have to stab Absohaze into that person.]

　Like I thought, that lass doesn’t only have the ability to absorb but also to send it to others, huh

“If that’s the case, would Bertra be able to cut through this using Zankoutou if you send her magical power? What do you two think?”　

“Raising my magical power, huh?…… I don’t know until I try it out, but……”

[I don’t know either. I hope the magical power is enough to cut through it……]

　So it’s a 50/50 chance, huh?

“However, what do we do about the footing? We will sink into that swamp before we even arrive and even if we get there the footing is too unstable to slash properly……”

“I thought about that as well. Regarding the footing, let’s first go and support the old man who is fighting against—– Wait……Eh!?”

　While we were fighting against Figueroa he annihilated dozens of low ranking demons alone and is taking a rest now?!

“Fuu~……Hm? What? Just when I was taking a short break”

　……Well, fine, like this we can avoid the trouble of supporting you.

“Footing…… Wait…… D-Dale-dono…… You can’t possibly mean, using Darryl-sama!?”

“Exactly that, Chohaha”

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

[Bell! Since it’ll be quite the burden for Bell’s body to receive all this magical all at once, please do your best and endure it!]”

“Understood!”

“Pl-please! Hu-hurry up, please!! I’m gradually siiiiiinkiiiiing!!”

“[Haaaaaaaaah!!]”

　Go! Cut through that stone armour!!

《Wha, what?! This magical power!?》

“Please! Cut through it!!…… Grandfather! Lend me your strength!!”

《Krg!? I, it can’t be–》

　She did it! The blade has started to cut though the stone!

《 Tha, that’s impossible!? F-for my armour to be, cut through!?》

“[Uoooooooooooooooooh!!]”

《Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat! ?》

　Alright!! She was able to cut through the stone armour and now we’re able to see Figueroa’s bare skin!

“Impossible! Impossible! To cut through my armour with that kind of sword!!”

“Sorry Figueroa, but your magical power! I’ll gladly receive it!!”

“Gufuh! Ooooooooooooh!?M-my magical power gets absorbed!?…… S̲h̲i̲t̲……So this is it…… for me, huh? ……Dale……Watts……Sama……My……apolo……gies……”

　As Figueroa collapsed, not having any magical power anymore, the red stones around us returned to their original colour.

　In other words – -.

[Haah, haah…… Did we defeat him?]

“Haah, haah…… Somehow…… looks like we did.”

“……Well then, both of you……Could you get down from me, I’m at my limit already……”

　The demon who swore loyalty to me…….

“The first of the Four Demonic Heavenly Kings “Red Stone Figueroa”…… huh.”

---

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---

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[Though you were talking all cool, you’re just going to attack from behind……]

“Shut up! Didn’t we plan to launch a surprise attack attacking behind in the first place? Besides, there might be a possibility of hitting Bertra if we attack from the front.”

　Though I don’t think this will hit Figueroa in Battle Mode. However! I have experienced fighting that guy when I was unifying the Demon Realm.

“Fireball!”

　Alright, the fireball flew out well this time! It’s a big difference from the Lighter Fire a little while ago…… It’s a great difference, but its size was completely different from the one I used in my former form…… It’s around 5 times…… smaller.

“N? —-Yo!”

　He blocked it with a wall after all. That was my aim!

“Guhehe! Attacking from behind again? You’re really a guy without…… Dignity!?”

　He can’t see me behind the wall. After that I closed the distance in an instant by using body reinforcement and from the wall’s side–.

“Taste my sword!”

　What perfect movements! As expected of me!

“–Like hell, I will!”

He blocked it! One of his arms was wrapped in stone, huh?

　Crap, one of his fists is close to me! I can’t avoid it like this!

“Funnu!”

“Gufuaah!!”

[Dale!]

“Dale-dono!”

　Guooooh! That punch to my stomach was effective! If I hadn’t used body strengthening all my internal organs would have exploded…….
Did he read my movements while also watching out for Bertra?

“When I was defeated by Dalewatts-sama he told me that “I should know about my own weaknesses”, that’s why I try to observe my surrounding with these four eyes of mine”

　Whatever I said back then became a painful memory for him……

　When I fought him in my original body I pinned him down with magic, but this body is so useless. S̲h̲i̲t̲! If I knew this would happen I should have found out more things about Figueroa.

“Are you alright?”

[He’s alright. I’m raising his regeneration speed right now after all.]

“Don’t say…… it’s alright or something…… cause the one who took that……. was me, you B̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲. Guuu……”

“Haaah~~~~~ it became like this because you have too many useless movements”

“Oi, don’t give me that long sigh. I told you I was bad with the sword. Moreover, you B̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲, didn’t the King tell you to teach me swordsmanship or something? I haven’t learned a thing since then, though?”

“……………………Were you able to notice something while fighting with Figueroa?”

“Oi, don’t change the subject…… Aah, whatever. What about you, you B̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲? Were you able to get something?”

“What’s the matter?! Looks like ya can’t defeat this almighty me, huh? Oraoraoraora!”

　That a̲s̲s̲h̲o̲l̲e̲, can’t he show some lenience while I’m in pain and not able to move?! Rather, of course he acts like that in this situation.

“Fuh! Hah! To some extent…… Hah!”

　Amazing~, that Bertra, she’s deflecting these stones he threw precisely…….

　Mu, Erin’s healing is also perfect, there’s almost no pain anymore either.

“At first, I tried to turn that red stone into a sword with Evenral, but I couldn’t do it”

　Fumu, it’s probably simply because of the difference in magical power. The magical power Figueroa wields is top notch after all.

“Before I was able to cut it with Zankoutou to some extent, but, as you’ve seen, he has raised the stone’s density just now and I can’t even put a single cut to it”

That’s also a matter of losing in terms of magical power…… That means…….

“……You’re magical power is low, isn’t it?”

“Wha!? Far from being low it should be rather high! I’m different from you who can only make a small flame come out from your finger tip!”

“What?! Even I can make a fireball two times your size if my magical power wouldn’t get absorbed, you b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲!”

“Yeah, yeah, I see! Then fry that Figueroa in that gigantic fireball of yours!”」

“Gunununununu! You know that I can’t do it noooooow”

　While complaining like that I became angry at myself for admiring Bertra for deflecting Figueroa’s attacks.

[Come on! Now’s not the time for you two to quarrel, is it?! We have to think up some strategy!]

“That’s right! Isn’t that right? This situation gets worse and worse! A strategy! I can only block the attacks now!”

　Uguuh……It’s frustrating, but she’s right, now’s not the time to quarrel…… Some good strategy……. Making walls and blocking vision……I let you make a wall and block up the view……Although he looked through it, there was still a slight gap, so–.

“Alright, a good idea has occurred to me!”

“Looks like it will fail, doesn’t it?”

[I think so, too]

Bertra looked at me with cold eyes…… Though Erin was invisible she seemed to look at me in a similar way.

“You B̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲s̲…… Anyway, listen. –whisper, whisper”

“An? What, a time out? Guhehe, no matter what you do it’ll be useless, though!”

“How is it? Perfect, isn’t it?”

“Looks like it’ll fail, doesn’t it?”

[I think so, too]

Don’t repeat those same words! How is my plan not good?

“Eei! We won’t know if we don’t try it out! Come on, go!”

“Why are you acting so haughty now…… We have no other choice! — I’m going!”

“You should have listened to my words from the start! Fireball!”

　As I thought, a bigger fireball didn’t appear, huh~

“Tch, again with that! Hmpf!”

　First I’ll let him make a stone wall, blocking Figueroa’s view.

“Oryaaaaa!”

　Then I sneak around it!

“This time you’re coming from left and right since you’re two, huh?……It’s no use, I have ya both in my eyes…… Wha?!”

　Chohahahaha, The one you see with me…… who is it, I wonder.

“A blue haired woman!? She wasn’t there just now!!”

“Take that! Ice Shot!”

“Guh!”

　Chohahahaha, as expected, he got agitated getting hit by magic! Alright, I’ll giving him a strike of my sword as–.

“– I know what you are planning, you b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲!”

　Eh?

“Bubera!”

　He sent a backhand strike into my face…… Because I didn’t strengthen it this…… hurts…….

“S̲h̲i̲t̲! That blue hair evaded, huh?”

　Oh well, I played my part as decoy well enough.

“Hah! That female knight isn’t there!? Just where the hell–”

　I’ll take this injury as a badge of honour……

　However, as the demon lord, how did I end up playing a supporting role like this?

“HaaAAAh!!”

“Guha! Cou, could it be…… from above?!”

Alright, that just now decided it!

“Ooh! It succeeded! A miracle!”」

“What miracle? What are you calling a miracle?! That was my perfect–”

“…… Kuh, you….. Used the wall, as stepping stone, huh?”

　Hey, didn’t you take him out just now?!

“This is the end!”

“Ugooooooooh!! Don’t f̲u̲c̲k̲ with meeeeeeeeeeeeee!!”

Crap! The whole ground turned red!

“Tch! Erin, return to the sword!”

“Eh? Why?”

“Bertra! Get away from Figueroa!”

“What are you saying?! I should waste this good opportunity?!”

“It’s fine so hurry up!!”

This is–.

“Uoooooooooooooooooooooh!!”

“Wha, the ground is sinking in like a swamp?!”

　No doubt about it, that guy is–.

[Look! Figueroa’s whole body is covered in red stone as well!]

“S̲h̲i̲t̲, it got troublesome”

　This means he’s going to use his secret technique!

---

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Figueroa is right below us…… He wouldn’t even dream that I was standing on the cliff right behind him either.

[Dale, I can turn the magical power into physical reinforcement at any time so you can go ahead, you know~?]

　With things already like this…… I can’t help but do it! Tooh!!

　Alright, I’m right above him. Like this I can stab that guy in the back with my sword if I continue like this…… Stab him with my sword? Should I really stab him? He’s my subordinate, you know? What’s more, but–

“Wai!? Dale! We are off target!”

“Eh? –Crap!”

“Nuo!?”

　Perhaps because I hesitated I came off course unconsciously, like this I can’t neutralize his magical power!

“Woah, dangerous, dangerous. Could it be that ya fell from the cliff behind me? Guhehehe, did ya piss ya pants cause of that height?”

　S̲h̲i̲t̲, he took his distance. If that’s the case then–!

“Fireball!!”

　Eh, That Lighter Flame came out of my fingertips again!? Why? I’m strengthened now so shouldn’t it be different from the time I fought against the low ranking demons?!

[Dale! Because I drained all your magical power to strengthen your body your magic is still weak! If you want to use magic then you have to redistribute your magical power!]

“Hah!? Why are body strengthening and magical power two separate things?! Shouldn’t they be one and the same thing?!”

[That would mean that the magical power would disperse and you’d just become a slightly stronger person, you know?]

　Daaaah—–! It’s a cursed sword! No doubt, this is a cursed swoooooord!!

[Dale! More importantly, look in front! The front! Watch out!]

　The front?

“Uoh!?”

　That was fricking dangerous! That Figueroa, he hurled a stone at me with all his might.

　I was somehow able to dodge it…… The stone behind me was blown to pieces. Just thinking about what would have happened if that hit me…… just imagining it is frightening.

“Ah? Did you say Dale? I see…… I heard about this from Alfred”

　He heard about me? If that’s the case he knows about my matter—.

“Hero Dale! The enemy of my Master, Dalewatts-sama, those who oppose our Demon Army shall all die! With this—- Oryaaaaah!”

　Eh……What is he saying…… I’m an enemy……?

[He’s hurling stones again!……Dale? Dale!? What’s the matter?! You’ll be in danger if you continue standing there! It’ll be bad if you don’t avoid this!]

　Dead……? What the hell did that b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲ Albert…… say…….

“Watch out! Haah!”

[Ah! Bell! You saved us! Thanks~]

“Dale-dono! What are you doing?! Pull yourself together! —-Erin, what’s with him?”

[I don’t know, he suddenly stopped moving……]

“We’re in the middle of a battle now!? Dale-dono!”

“What? What’s the matter?”

“Darryl-sama, it’s……”

“Oi! With the almighty me as an opponent you don’t get any leisure to look away! Stop palyin around!!”

“–Kuh! If this continues then we are all done for. We have no choice, I’ll be Figueroa’s opponent so I’ll leave him to you Darryl-sama! —-Figueroa! I’m your opponent, you b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲!”

“Erin, why on earth is Sir Hero in this absentminded state? Was it such a huge shock that the surprise attack failed?”

[I don’t have any idea…… He just stopped moving suddenly]

“Fumu…… Well then, if something isn’t moving this is the best method to get it back moving! Jaah!!”

“Gah!? Gaaaaaarg!!”

　Guooooh, something hard like a stone hit my heaaaad!!

“Old fart!! You b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲, did you just hit my head with all your might?!”

“Alright, alright, your consciousness returned……”

Guh!? He grabbed my collar with incredible strength…… Eh, that old man’s face turned into that of a demon all of a sudden!?

“Don’t be absentminded on the battlefield! Do you want to die?!”

　!? What’s this strong pressure?! My body is shrinking away. So this is the Master Fighter Darryl…….

“If a surprise attack fails you’ll just have to move on to the next plan of action! Will you just let Bertra fight on her own out there!? Aren’t you a Hero?! Wipe your own a̲s̲s̲!”

“No, even if you say that……”

　I didn’t want to be a Hero or something, moreover I wasn’t shocked about the surprise attack failing…….

“Ka~ Still alive, still alive…… Hm?”

“Oi! Did you hear that loud sound just now?”

“I did! Something might have happened to Figueroa-sama! Let’s return!”

“Some demons came back after hearing this uproar……”

　While I just heard some light murmuring, how could you hear those far-off voices so well?

“I’ll go play with those fellows, so Hero-chan should go back to support Bertra! Good!”

“But I’m…… Ouch!”

　That old man threw me and then disappeared, s̲h̲i̲t̲! What do you know about me, you b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲?! I’m…… What am I……? What did I want to say? What did I want to do?

[Dale? Let’s hurry up and support Bell]

　Am I scared of turning my sword against my brethren? Did I want to save my brethren even while I’m in this form?

“If things continue like this Bell will be in danger!”

　However, those same brethren said I’m their enemy, my subordinate Figueroa did…… Albert did…….

[Come on, Dale!!]

…… Oi, oi, scared? Wanting to save them? Being called an enemy? Chohahaha, what am I even thinking about.

[Dale!!]

　How pathetic getting preached by that human old fart. Looks like I grew soft after all. What need is there to hesitate? Isn’t it just like when I unified the Demon Realm…… If you b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲s̲ regard me as an enemy, then I’ll regard you as my enemies as well!! I’ll throw away all mercy!

“You don’t have to shout like that, I can hear you”

[Dale!]

　Fumu, even 100 groups of such small fries wouldn’t be enough to oppose that old man.
What I have to say now is–

“Erin, let’s go support Bertra!”

[—-Yes!]

　I’m the Demon Lord Dalewatts! I’ll run over anyone that will disturb me!! No matter who the opponent is!!

　Just you wait, Albert!! I’ll make you regret having turned me into your enemy! Chohahahahaha!!

“Hah! Daah!”

“Guhehe! You’re quite something, human! From this point on you won’t be able to resist so easily– woah”

“I am not happy to get — praised by you, you b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲!!”

　That Figueroa, he skilfully moved his four arms, using flattened rock as shield and using long, thin rock like a spear or a whip. He has as much variety in his battle techniques as always…… Responding to this shouldn’t be easy for Bertra, right? As expected from the Sword Master’s grandchild, huh?

　Alright, I can’t fall behind either!

“Okay? Erin, listen well, first strengthen my magic for long distance attacks and then strengthen my body for close combat. Got that?”

“Roger that!”

　I wonder why my blood is boiling like this! I felt through the sword that Erin was boiling as well.

“Well then, I’ll leave it to you! Erin!”

[Leave it to me! Master–!]

“Choha! — Let’s go with all we have at full force!!”

[Nihi! — Let’s go with all we have at full force!!]

　With this, it began my…… No, our battle with the Demon Lord’s Army!!

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“Achoooo!!!”

　Uu~ Sniff……Hm, it’s already morning, huh……Yaawn~. However, the ground was hard and I couldn’t really sleep.

　Though I’ve had to sleep on the hard floor for the last two days…… Why did it turn out like this?

“Haah~……”

　Today is the war with my brethren…….

　I was determined to fight, but I’m inside a human’s body. Maybe my thoughts have become too naive. I tried to talk to those low ranking demons yesterday and I still want, in a corner of my heart, explain these things to Figueroa who belongs to the top brass…… Just what the hell happened to me?

“Ku~ ku~”

　That sleeping appearance of Bertra…… Her body was curled up, her mouth looked like that of a cat’s and her hair looked like cat ears. No matter how I look at her she looks like a cat…… Could it be that she was actually a Cat Beastman?

　So, what about the old man–

“Guga-Gu……………Ga”

　He’s sleeping while sitting in Seiza?! Don’t sleep so well while in that posture. How nervous was he?……Hm? Wait a second, for how long were you asleep? What about keeping watch?! Oi!!

　Huh? Erin should have slept next to the old man. Though the sheet is there why can’t I see her? Where did she g– Cold, what is it? Something dripped on my face. Could it be rain? It’s sunny though.

“Kuka~”

That s̲h̲i̲t̲t̲y Spirit!! Did you sleep in the air because you didn’t like sleeping on the ground?! How are you so dexterous…… — Wait a minute, that water dripping from above of me is coming from her big mouth……! This is saliva, isn’t it?!

“Huueeeeey!!”

“Wha, whas nya matter?! Ish it an enyemy?!” ¹

“Guga~”

“Uurg……No more of Bell’s soup~……Munya”

　You, were you forced to eat this, not only in reality, but also inside your dream?!

※

“……”

　It has become reality……

“As we’ll have to lie in wait close to Figueroa’s hideout, please eat with haste”

　We started the day with Bertra Soup. I can’t escape it anymore, can I?

　Eei! I can’t fight on an empty stomach! I don’t know if one can even call this food, but I’ll just pour everything in all at once!

“Ugu- ugu–Upuh”

“Oh, as expected from Sir Hero. Having a good appetite starting off in the morning”

　I actually don’t want to eat this, but there’s no way around it!

“D-Dale……Don’t overdo it……”

“Now then, Erin you should also eat quickly”

“Ah…… I don’t really have– Eh, Wait! Dale! Why did you grab my face?! Doh ohen ma mouh!! Stoooh! Nhooooooooooooo!! (Don’t open my mouth!! Stop! Noooooooo!) Ugu- ugu— Upuh……Gaku”

　I can’t be the only one who has to taste such pain! I shall share that feeling with you, you B̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲! This is revenge for this morning!

“Don’t play with food, good grief. If you’re done eating, please clean up and prepare for departure…… Hm? What’s the matter? Is there something on my face?”

　Hmm, I’m really curious about Bertra’s “Cat Ears”. Are they real?

“Bertra, could I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“What’s with that hair……”

“Bu———–!?”

Ah, she covered those ears at the same time I said that…… So that means it’s what I thought it was.

“Thi-this is just bedhair”

　What kind of bedhair is that?

“Why did it turn out like this? I usually fix it, but…… I couldn’t do that because there’s no water in this place……”

“I think it looks rather cute, though…… Eh, ouch! Stop! Don’t scratch me!” (Darryl)

“Hiisss–!!”

All I can see is an old person playing with a Cat Beastman…….

※

“Good grief, because you were dawdling the battle on the plains has already begun!”

“It’s not my, huff huff — fault! It’s because, that Erin huff huff– has fallen asleep again! Haah, haah”

“I didn’t fall asleep again! It’s because of Bertra’s soup!”

“Wha!? What does any of that have to do with my soup?!”

“Shut up, you brats. If you have time to talk than continue running!”

　S̲h̲i̲t̲! It took a while to wake up Erin so we ended up having to sprint all the way to Figueroa.

　Moreover, we couldn’t use horses inside the forest. What’s with this? Like this we will be exhausted even before the battle. I mean, I’m the only one who’s out of breath, how shameful. I’m angry that I don’t know how to fly like that Erin!

“– Stop, we’re already close to Figueroa’s base. Let’s advance with caution.”

　What a relief. If I had to run any further than this I might really have died before the battle.

　Hm? The old man is beckoning me. It can’t be, this cliff……

“Apparently the demons around Figueroa also went to the front line as planned. It’s really almost completely unguarded…… That’s good, I was worried that we were too late.”

“On the contrary, it might have been a good thing, you know? Figueroa, concerned about the front lines, is looking around irritated.”

　Figueroa skilfully crossed his four arms and tapped the floor with his foot, which was that guy’s habit when he was irritated.

　Aah, for that guy to look around that much he must be pretty concerned. It seems Alumgam’s soldiers seem to push him back more than expected, for some reason.

“……So, who will execute the surprise attack?”

　I’d be glad if it were Bertra or the old man who would do it, but–

“Of course, it’s this strongest combi of me and Dale!”

I knew that lass would go and say this, Hooowever! That’s why I came up with a way to properly answer to her.

“Rejected. What are you saying? My swordsmanship is bad, the possibility of the surprise attack failing is pretty high…… How about Bertra or the old man……”

　That’s what I said, but…… As I thought, talking bad about myself makes me pretty sad.

“Come on, Dale, how about you use your head a little~?”

　I don’t want to hear that from you, you B̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲!

“Even if your swordsmanship is bad, Absohaze can absorb magical power from anywhere you stab it into, so if you convert magical power to physical power you’d be able to jump from that cliff and come out unhurt. It’s an easy win!”

　I want to hit that gloating face of yours so badly. I so want to knock you off of your damn feet.

“Fumu, I see. If you stand straight and jump head first down that cliff with the sword held above your head, sword skills don’t really matter and it’s not clear that Darryl-sama or me could decide it in a single blow.”

　Huh? This progression…… I have a bad feeling.

“That’s right, it may be better for Sir Hero, who has a sword that can absorb and neutralize magical power wherever it’s pierced into, to do it”

　Guaaaaaah! How did it turn out like thaaat?!?

“Dale-dono, you and Erin doing this is the more certain option. Please prepare yourself”

　I seriously want to pull on those cat ears…….

“Pleeease leave it to uuus!”

　I want to kick that spirit with all my strength and send her flying…….

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How strange to see that person, who was supposed to be called a hero, being made to sit in seiza ², looking small.

“So? Darryl-sama, why on earth did you run away?”

　Bertra looked at the old man with extremely cold eyes.

“I had too much on my mind…… So I ran away……”

　I was wondering if Bertra could already kill a person just with her look. Crap, are those eyes even a human’s anymore?!

“So, what’s the deal with the demon?”

　As I thought, the old man was also scared of Bertra’s eyes. He got incredibly frightened. I get it~ I get that feeling.

“While I was escaping I ran into it and vented my anger on it……”

　Wait a sec, Oi! Don’t just hit my brethren to vent your anger!

“So, when you encountered us…… The thing about it stealing vegetables from your field and eating it was a lie?”

“You know, I thought it was rather uncool to say that I ran away because I felt my wife was too scary and vented my anger on the demon, so I lied.”

He switched to polite speech pretty quick……

“So that demon didn’t snatch food then~”

　What a relief, like this the image of the Demon’s was restored…… right?

“Then, the thing about going to tomorrow’s battle was also……”

“As soon as I encountered the Hero’s Party I thought I could use accompanying you on this subjugation mission as an excuse to not go…… Yes”

　You were just using us as a reason to bail, didn’t you, you old fart?!

“Haaaah~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~”

What a long sigh. Well, I would probably also suffer like that if I had such a relative……

“I roughly understood the circumstances, so go back home immediately”

“A judgment, already!?! Bertra! Shouldn’t you think about this a little more?!”

“Of course it’s like this! And did you even think about what you would do if Salisa-sama comes to this place?!”

“You’re right, but…… You know?”

You know? You said…… Hey, don’t look at me!

“Dale-dono, don’t go easy on him”

　Hey! Don’t direct the argument my way! I didn’t even say anything about this, so don’t you think this is just too unreasonable?!

“Sir Hero~”

“Dale-dono!”

　Don’t look at me like this, you two! Why are you involving me? Shouldn’t family problems be handled by the family?

　Though is there really no way for me to settle it?……My true intentions right now are that I want this single person holding so much war potential to act as my shield in case of an emergency, that’s what I thought.

“Bertra, shouldn’t it be fine for the old man to go together with us?”

“Wha!? But!”

“I know what you want to say, but the surprise attack might fail so I want to increase our force even just by a little, is what I think.”

“But……”

　It was a face showing reluctance~……

“I’ll take full responsibility. How’s that?”

　I don’t want to say something like that, but it can’t be helped……This is also a way of survival.

“……Understood”

　It’s still a face filled with reluctance~…….

“Sir Hero~~”

　It’s a face filled with joy~…….

“Ah, right, Dale, let’s absorb that demon’s magical power even if it’s only a little.”

　Don’t tell me those things so suddenly all the time…….

“Why must I do such a thing?”

“I absorbed Dale’s magical power and stored it now, but it’ll run out if I go into combat! If that happened that would be troublesome, right?　Therefore, you should let Absohaze absorb that magical power even if it’s just a small quantity, also it will lock that demon’s magic conversion, rendering it unable to do anything.”

　I didn’t hear about the Angel’s Sword requiring to accumulate magical power neither did I know about that lock…… More importantly.

“……You didn’t say anything when we encountered the first demons”

“Dale charged ahead before I could say anything and after that Bertra finished them off with one blow and since magical power is converted from life force, it’s impossible to extract anything if it’s not in a living condition.”

“Uhh”

She hit a sore spot.

“S̲h̲i̲t̲…… So? What should I do?”

“Just keep stabbing it with the Sword’s tip. The deeper you stab the more you’ll be able to absorb.”

“I see…… Hm? Wait a minute, magical power converts from life force and collects inside the body……But why isn’t any magical power collection in my body?”

　That Erin who tilted her head as if saying “What are you saying?” made me…… Angry!

“Eh? The converted power is directed to Absohaze, of course.”

“Oi! That’s again something I heard for the first time! You had so many opportunities to tell me such important information, you know?!”

“……Ehm……Ah, we absorbed enough magical power from the demon and locked it, so it’s fine~”

“Oi! Don’t change the topic!”

　She escaped into the air again! S̲h̲i̲t̲!

※

“Well then, should we slowly start preparing to sleep? The sun will go down soon and the preparations for tomorrow…… Yes, it’s for two people.”

“””Eh!?”””

“We were 3 people before, so how should that work?”

“I have to sleep on this scrap of cloth lying on the ground like this?! Isn’t that any different from directly sleeping on the floor?!”

“That’s right! If we’re talking about sleeping, it has to be the castle’s fluffy and soft bed!”

　No, that’s impossible.

“If they at least have soft beddings any hotel will…… Ah……”

What idiotic things am I saying? We’re in the middle of the mountains…… There’s not one house around here let alone an inn…….

“Judging by that expression you seem to have understood what I wanted to say. More importantly, if you want to be a little more comfortable you should clean the area around you.”

　Bertra quickly prepared the area around her…… She’s serious, she really plans on sleeping here.

“Wait a minute! Bertra! What about my sheet?! No! How long do I have to sit in seiza……”

“I’m also–”

“Originally there were only three people, so Darryl-sama will stay like this until tomorrow! How great! That’s all! Good night!”

“”Wai!?””

　Bertra wrapped herself in the cloth in no time, turning herself into some kind of worm…… That’s what one would call unapproachable. No maybe this is Bertra’s last resistance.

“Uuuh……Sniff……Dale~……”

　Erin is crying but it can’t be helped.

“Erin, give up….. I also gave up……”

“That’s~……Uuh, as I thought, it’s hard~ the stones hurt~”

It’s good that you gave up and ley down, but shouldn’t you have at least moved the stones out of the way? I won’t care anymore.

“Uuh…… Sniff, Sir Hero~”

　Was it really such a good idea to take that old man with us? Was my judgment wrong……?

“Old man, don’t you think it’s already good enough that you can go with us? Give up”

“But that’s~……”

　What the hell kind of hero are you……?

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It’s strange. Something truly strange has occurred. In front of me and Erin is a container with Bertra’s soup which should have been spilled in the commotion just now.
How did it turn out like this–.

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

“So, why is Darryl-sama in a place like this? Didn’t you decide to live in the heart of the mountains after you retired?”

“Ye-yeah, Ehm…… That’s right! That Demon fell from the sky and stole vegetables from my field so I ran after it to teach it a lesson.”

“This again…… It’s a demon after all, huh?”

“……”

Because of you, you b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲, the image of the demons might fall……

“Now that you mentioned it, why are you here, Bertra? And those two people behind you are–?”

　――Guu~.

“Dahahahaha! I got hungry, because I chased after it before I ate breakfast.”

“That won’t do, ehm……As the soup spilled–”

　Oh, Bertra reached for the preserved food.
What a relief, the preserved food is much better…… I can see that Erin had the same thoughts. I can really understand those feelings.

“Please use these and wait a little while I’m preparing the soup. In the meantime I will explain out current situation to you”

“”Eh!?””

　What did you say you would prepare now?!

　What’s the sense in making a new soup in the first place?!

“Oh, Bertra’s soup, huh? It’s been a long time~ I’m looking forward to it!”

“”Haah!?””

What are you saying, you old man!! Are you getting senile, for you to look forward to that?!
～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

“I see, so that’s what happened? Zuzu”³

　Why are you eating it with such relish, you old man.

“Yes, and so we decided to launch a surprise attack on Figueroa, tomorrow. Zuzu”

　Why are those knights eating this with great relish?

　Wait, maybe the one before was a failure and this one is fine? Let’s see, let’s see–
Though the ingredients changed it tastes the same as the one from before. Is it just me? Is it my weird sense of taste that makes this soup so disgusting?

　No……I don’t think that’s the case. Looking at Erin’s face at least I’m not the only one that’s weird……Let’s put aside that s̲h̲i̲t̲t̲y, disgusting soup for now and focus on that old man.

　The master fighter Darryl, together with Bertra’s grandfather was part of Alumgam’s Strongest Pair……was it? It seemed to be a story from about 40 years ago. Was it around the time when I had a fierce battle with Alfred and made my first step to the unification of the Demon Realm? At that time I didn’t care about the Human Realm at all.

　However, the lower ranked demon’s face had the imprint of a fist on it, which means that old man hit him barehanded, so it would be great to see his real abilities at some time…… Therefore, I’m curious.

“Old man, I want to ask you something”

“What? Me?”

“Why did you retire while still having these abilities? It wouldn’t be weird if you still were in the King’s Guards, no if you were on the frontlines fighting against the Demon Lord’s army.”

“Dale! That’s–”

　Bertra seems to panic, but why? Was it such a strange thing to ask?

“Bertra, I don’t mind. It’s a question from Sir Hero after all……Let’s see”

　As soon as he finished eating he lay down. You’ll get fat like that, old man, you know?

“It might be a long story though……”

“Yes, yes!”

Don’t act so important…… — Rather, I understand that Erin is also interested in this but she sticks too close to me.

“- – ckd out”

“Eh?”

“I was kicked out, because I cheated on my wife! Dahahahaha”

　That’s an amazing laugh, but…… Eh? Eh?

“Wait a minute, that’s all?”

“That’s right?”

　That story you said might get long was over in one sentence! What’s the meaning of this?! Why was it for that reason in the first place?!

“Kuh”

　Kuh, you say. Why did Bertra turn her head down?

“No, no! Weren’t you part of the King’s Guard?! Weren’t you part of Alumgam’s Strongest Pair?! Why because of something like infidelity–”

“My wife was one of the former king’s daughters.”

　Ah, I get it now.

“……You did well not getting decapitated”

“Just before I was sent there my sons and the current king persuaded him to just exile me to the middle of the mountains until my wife’s mood got better, because of my past achievements, so I’ve been reflecting while living here until now”

“How embarrassing……”

　Bertra was seriously crying.

“There, there”

　Erin……Don’t pat Bertra’s head. Bertra looks strangely miserable

“Bertra, you don’t have to cry for that b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲, do you?”

“……Darryl-sama’s wife, Salisa-sama, is the younger sister of my grandmother……”

　So it’s a relative’s shame. Even if that’s the reason that’s not a reason to cry.

“Well, I already grew old as well, so I left the rest to my sons and decided to retire to the heart of the mountains! Well~ my wife at that time is the most horrible thing I’ve seen in my life! Dahahahaha!”

　This old man is useless.

“–Well then, enough of those old tales, about the thing tomorrow”

“The thing tomorrow, you say?”

　The speed at which he changed that topic.

“It seems this was also a fated encounter. I intended to take part in that war.”

“But, Darryl-sama!? –Agu!”

“Pugya!”

　Oh boy, because she stood up so quickly she hit Erin’s face with her head. That looks painful……

“Hey! Though I might have grown weak I can still act as a herald”

Even if you strike that pose to show of your muscles, old man. Hm? Something fell down.

“Oi, old man, you lost something. –Is that a letter?”

　It was a very luxuriously decorated letter.

“!? That’s! Return it!”

　I was robbed of it at such a tremendous speed I wasn’t able to see his movements at all just now……

“Eh? What, what? Show me, show me!”

“Ah, that! Give it back!”

　The movements of Erin, who was brimming with curiosity, were amazing as well. She snatched the letter back in flash. I couldn’t see them either just now as well……

“Eehm, what is it, what is it~”

“Heey! Don’t read that out loud!”

　As expected if she escapes into the air that old man cannot reach her. That bouncing figure of his looks ridiculous.

“To my dear Darryl. I have something to inquire about tomorrow morning, as it’s an important matter don’t! I repeat DON’T run away under any circumstances! From Salisa. Is what is said.”

Didn’t the sender of that letter, Salisa, appear in that old man’s story just now?…… Ah, the old man froze up.

　With this everyone understood what happened.

“Old man, you ran away, huh……”

“Darryl-sama, so you ran away……”

“Grandpa Darry, you ran away, right~……?”

　At that moment the man called the master fighter, Darryl, fell to his knees, which was a rare sight.

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