156 The next thing I'm going to end is...

The revival of the Demon King and the invasion of the Scarlet Demon King were announced simultaneously by various countries. The pope and the archbishops of the Yugra religion acknowledged these facts, and many people were forced to admit it.

The Demon Lords are the bitter enemies of the humans who created the demons, and their resurrection should come as no surprise.

However, there are no major changes in the streets. Only the people who hold the real power of the country are moving at present.

As a priest, I have no orders of my own. But I'm sure I'll be called upon to organize the troops in the near future.

I have fought against demons several times. They are stronger than beasts and have no hesitation in attacking humans.

But their magic works, and their individual strength is not worth fearing unless they are in a unique class. Or so I thought.

During the invasion of the Blue Demon King, not only the Kuama soldiers but also many of the Yugra clergy were sent to fight.

I was waiting in the wings. That's when I saw it.

A huge undead that could outrun the walls. That monster that regenerated indefinitely even after being hit by a purification spell and destroyed the barrier.

If that's the Demon Lord's hand, then we should think that his threat is unknown.

But it's not all doom and gloom. There were also results that showed that humans have enough power to resist.

Yugra the Brave, there is a visitor from his homeland. He has succeeded in subduing three Demon Lords, including the Blue Demon Lord.

Although I couldn't see it from the angle, there was someone who fought evenly against that giant undead. I'm sure it's that person.

The Demon King is back, and a new hero has appeared. The times are showing signs of a new beginning. I'll do what only I can do.

Her words took away my evil thoughts. So--

"Oh, it's Masetta.

"Hyah!

Suddenly a voice from behind me made a strange sound. This won't happen if you just call out to me.

The reason is simple. I turned around and saw that person standing there.

Beside her is the same female knight as before. Only there's no subhuman child.

"Did I startle you?

"No, no. I'm sorry. ...... To tell you the truth, I was a little surprised. I was just thinking about something. ......

There's no point in hiding things from him. It's best not to make a fool of yourself.

Yes, a name. I have to ask him a name.

Uh, you're...

Yeah, that's right. Are you free right now?　I'd like a little company, if you don't mind.

Uh, yeah, sure. I'm fine. And your name is--

Great!　Then let's get going!　Ilias, come on!

He took my hand and we walked into Morgana's guild.

I wonder if he's from Morgana.　I don't recognize him. Is he the one who came to ask for help?

...... I'll ask her name when I'm done. I can't let this opportunity go to waste.

I'm not sure.

You'll be able to show the receptionist the parchment you've prepared and enter the guild without difficulty.

When you get to one of the doors, knock a few times and wait for a response from inside.

"Come in.

The owner of the room seems to be there. Then open the door without hesitation.

This is the private room of the guild master of Morgana, Ritual-Zentry.

Needless to say, it's Ritual himself in there.

I've never seen him like this before. I exchange a glance with Ritual, who doesn't seem phased at all.

Oh, so that's the type. That makes sense.

"......, who are you? I didn't expect you to come here in person.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Lytal. You seem to know your way around here.

Yes, my eyes tell me as much as your appearance does. You share the same homeland as the famous Yugra, do you not?

Thank you for understanding so quickly.

What?

Ms. Masetta, the woman I brought in behind me, is surprised. I don't think I told you my name. Oh well.

When Lytial saw Masetta's figure, he reacted slightly.

It's a very small thing, but from my point of view, it's very obvious.

"So, what can I do for you?

"I'd like to ask you a few questions about King Zenotta's request. It's about Chenillas Morganides.

I've heard of him. That's not very good news. It could affect Morgan's dignity. What is it you want to ask me?

I have a straightforward question.

Anything.

You are a member of Rhaetys, and you conspired with Rahite to induce Jestaff-Heliodoras, Lobito-Goshenites, and Chenillas-Morganides to overthrow the state, did you not?

Litiar's expression did not change . The only thing I can see is that Ms. Masetta is frozen in place behind him.

Yes, I went in convinced that Ritual-Zentry was the one who was helping Raheit.

I brought Ms. Masetta along for a little intimidation. If there's a Yugoslavian priest who can see through a lie, he can't be fooled by it.

"That's outrageous. It is true that I belong to Reithis, but I would never do anything to hinder the prosperity of my people.

"That's your opinion as a Rhaetian, isn't it?　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to muddy the waters without lying, but that's not going to work. I'd like you to make it clear that I have nothing to do with the overthrow of the state.

"You're being very bold. Do you have any proof?

"If you want something other than a confession, you can bring Harkdock.　He sensed you using the invisibility spell. Compare that magic and you'll get a shot.

"Harkdock ...... was the right-hand man of the Jest Staff Heliodora. I don't think the testimony of a criminal's handmaiden has any credibility.

"Criminal?　What are you talking about?

You don't have to play dumb. I've heard that Quama soldiers surrounded the residence of Jestaff Heliodora the other day. It's a shame that all of the guild's advisors are involved in scandals. ......

"Oh, so it was just a misunderstanding and Jestiff was released?

Oh, is that so?

Hey, can we stop this pointless discussion?　You can't say anything to prove your innocence anyway. And you know that, don't you?　You know what kind of man I am.

"...... Yes, I do. Rahite told me you were a nasty piece of work, but I didn't think you were my kind of guy.

I knew as soon as I met him. I knew as soon as I met him that this was Raheit's collaborator.

It is often said that a master of martial arts can detect the hidden abilities of his opponent just by looking at him.

I don't mean to flatter myself that I'm a master, but I can tell from experience.

This guy is a pro at deceiving people. How can a guildmaster in a serious position stink like this?

Lytiar laughs quietly. Even though he doesn't know the details, he knows that we have the materials to prove that he is black.

No, from the words "using a disguise," he must have figured out that we had an idea in that direction.

I had Ecdysius and Lakra check the movements of the contact. The person was using a concealment spell, but he was headed in the direction of the guild here in Morgana.

Ecdysium embedded a chain around the guild and conducted a similar stakeout, and confirmed that the person using the disguise was also coming and going.

After that, there was no trace of a person using a figure-hider until the door was locked. He must have come home from the front door.

The identification was easy. We staked out the guild from morning to night, checking every person who came and went in the guild in a normal manner. Once it was confirmed that the person had used a concealment device, the guild could be searched with detection magic.

The person who came to light was Ritual-Gentry.

"I don't want to be lumped in with you. I don't believe in anything.

Oh, what do you think I believe in?

Well, you're a bastard.

Hmm. ...... Let me ask you if you're bluffing. Do you know what a bastard is?

"I don't know the details. But I have some idea.

Let me give you the answer. I'd like to know how much you know.

You're talking about people who are born with a sudden and unique talent, right?

May I ask what ...... is based on?

I'm not sure what you mean by that. In this world, there is no word for bastard in the regular sense. But in this world, where bigamy is allowed and the number of heirs is to be increased, there is no opportunity to use the word ......, although you might be able to use it if you impregnate a prostitute. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.

It was King Zenotta who made the discomfort clear to me. When he heard the word bastard, he asked, "What is a bastard? He asked me. If we assume that the word exists and ask the right question, it is natural to ask, "Who is the bastard? It is a natural question to ask.

I checked and confirmed the existence of the word "illegitimate child," but the term "bastard" had not been established in any country.

The word "illegitimate child" was left by Seiya Yukura, which means that "illegitimate child" itself was left by him. At this point, I can sense that he is not a normal person. Secondly, Ritual, the fact that you were strangely obsessed with Harkdock at the Jestaff compound.

"I'm certainly amazed at his talent. He was able to detect my use of invisibility without the use of detection magic. But don't you think that was simply a compliment?

"You're the one who was so careful not to lose any information about us?　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do and how you're going to do it.　This is the reason why I connected the "bastard" with a being with an abnormally developed talent like Harkdock.

That's quite a leap of faith.

There were a number of other factors, too. At first, I only thought of the meaning of the word "bastard" and wondered if it referred to the descendants of Seiya Yukura. But the plan to overthrow the country and have the government search for them in return negated that. If you want to search for a single individual, you should use the dark side of the country, which is capable of working in secret. There is a possibility that the other party will flee the country if the three countries alone extend the siege. In other words, the "bastard" is an unspecified entity that can be found by having people search over a wide area. Then, it is possible to meet them by chance.

"How can you be so sure?

I can only reply that it is because I live in the same world as Shigeya Yukura. And your talent called "true eyes" that can see it at a glance. ...... You are also a bastard, aren't you?

There are many legends of Litiar-Zentri, but the one that stands out the most is that he discovered many talented people one after another.

But a talent with such a keen eye that he can determine that Harkdock is a bastard just by looking at him is clearly different. So it makes more sense to think that it could be one of them.

"Well done. It's hard to say whether the people of Yugra's planet are superior or you are superior, but you should have met them a little earlier.

If I'd met you before, I'd have doubted you from the start.

That's true. By the way, let me ask you something. The reason you are so confident in your theory is because you have reason to believe that Yugra would have done so. Can you tell me that?

I don't see the benefit of giving you that information.

I'm sorry. But I can make a rough guess. I'm guessing it's the Colorless.

You're right, I'm older than Lahite.

The list of contraindications that the colorless showed us before. Most of those items can be said to be dangerous even on Earth.

It would be natural to violate the contraindications if you use magic to realize research that is dangerous even on Earth.

One of them was an entry on genetics.

This indicates that Seiya Yukura is conducting research on genetics, and that he has concluded that it is worthy of contraindication.

It is because he knows about the contraindications that he knows exist that he was able to reach this point even with only circumstantial evidence.

"I see we both dislike that 'colorless'.

"You dislike him because of his personality, but I dislike him because he's under Ygras' command. We, Leitis, have no intention of forgiving Yugra's sins.

He's done a lot more than just create the Demon Lord, hasn't he?

Yes. But I don't think your knight will let you off the hook if you tell him about it here.

In the midst of these conversations, the Iliad is always ready to swing his sword. I don't feel that he has any intention of letting his guard down.

However, despite the fact that Ilias is staring at him like this, I can sense a lot of leeway from Ritual.

Now that you've heard what's going on, Masetta, you'll have to cooperate with us. ...... Oh, no. He's confused.

"Just out of curiosity, are you willing to be caught?

No, I'm not.

That's a lot of confidence, Rittal. Are you going to get away with this?

Ilias takes a step to the side of me.

Ilias takes a step to the side of me, observing me with nostalgia.

"Your armor is that of a knight of the Tars, of Salve's company. It's a bit like your father, to be in that company at such a young age.

You knew the Iliad when you spoke to me.

But a half-hearted provocation will only anger Ilias. I don't think Iliad will be caught off guard by that.

If you're trying to upset me, you're wasting your time.

"I don't expect you to be upset by this. I don't expect this to upset you, but it's easy enough to say to upset you.

For a moment, the image of Rytal seemed to blur, and then there was a violent crash in front of him.

There was the figure of Ilias catching the sword of Ritual.

The speed at which Ilias is moving now, it's no wonder he's called a living legend. Well, to be honest, I can't see beyond a certain level.

Both of them were pressing their swords against each other. Ilias defended himself from Lytial's surprise attack without difficulty.

Judging from Ilias' attitude, Ilias is probably the better fighter in terms of pure combat power.

"---- ---------------------?

"What?

As soon as I thought that Lytiar had muttered something, Ilias' body stiffened in an obvious way.

Although he couldn't make out the content of the words, he understood that they were not magic, but purely words that had upset Ilias' spirit.

See, my mind is disturbed.

Ilias was flung towards me.

From the motion of Lytiar, it seemed that he had kicked Ilias away.

Ilias quickly regains his stance. But Ritual had already jumped in front of him.

I don't need to hear Raheit's words to know that you're a threat. I'll take care of it here... you really are inexperienced in combat, aren't you?

It's all over your face. I'm an amateur.

The sword that Lytiar aimed at her never reached her. Because Duvraeori, who had been lurking there using a disguise spell, was waiting for him.

Ritual is a legend, and the guild master of Morgana. Even if the Iliad was intact, he knew that it would be possible for him to create an opening.

That's why I asked Murasaki to bring Duvraioli. With Ecdysius injured, we needed someone with the best cover.

Duvraeus is grasping Ritual's sword firmly in his right hand. It looks like it hurts just looking at it, but there's no sign of a scratch.

He is not a man. "It's not a man, and yet it mimics the form of a vulnerable man. Ridiculous, demon.

This is the form my master wanted me to take. Your words will not reach my heart in the slightest.

Duvraeus kicks Ritual away with his Roaring Right Leg. There was a huge shockwave around me, or rather, I was blown away. Nice catch, Ilias.

The important thing is that Ritual is blown out of the window.

Duvvreoris, at least use your left arm. ...... That right leg is pretty loud at close range. ......

"That guy was trying to pull some kind of trick. I just decided that my right leg was the best leg to use at that distance.

Yeah, I'll tell that to Purple.

Wait. I did exactly what you asked.

You should be more considerate of the weak. And Ilias, are you all right?

I'm fine. I just got kicked out of range.

No, you didn't. You got something on Lytiel, don't you?

...... Oh. I'm sorry, can I talk to you later?

It was unusual for the Iliad to try to keep his thoughts to himself.

It's unusual for Ilias to keep his thoughts to himself. If that's the case, it's not worth the trouble.

Even if I leave him alone, he'll want to hear my opinion, and until then, I'll leave him alone.

Well, that's what I call being old. How'd it feel, Duvvlei?

"I gave it a few wounds, but it killed most of its power. I only helped you escape.

You're not happy.

You let a nasty enemy escape. I deserved it.

That's all right. Now let's get this over with.

But a "bastard. I'm not sure what to make of this.

...... Probably the same is true for Wolfe. This is why you need to go to the dark side to see if you can confirm the details.

But first we have to deal with this one. Let's move quickly.

Oh, Mr. Masetta. Thank you for escorting me. ...... Mr. Masetta?　...... Oh, no.

I'm completely freaked out by the sequence of events that just happened in front of me. I guess I gave too much information to a serious person at once. ...... I can't help it. I'll thank you another time.

I left Masetta quietly and moved on to the next thing.