"...Hey, Dane."
"Yeah."
"Do we really need to step in here?"
"...Probably not."
Dane shook his head at Eri's question. The two were overwhelmed by the scene unfolding before them. Eri was trembling all over, and Dane, though outwardly calm, was incredibly tense inside.
They were awestruck by the colossal White Whale they had just seen. Its majesty was truly overwhelming. It reshaped the terrain in an instant and swallowed countless enemies. It was an unbelievable power, a force that defied common sense, and that was all they could think.
"That whale just now... it materialized in an instant and vanished just as quickly. How is something like that even possible? Magic?"
"It wasn't magic."
As a Thief Class, Dane had studied and trained extensively. As a Rogue who operated in the shadows, Dane had naturally honed his senses to react keenly to Magical Power.
Yet, Dane hadn't felt any Magical Power from the white whale he saw earlier. If that had been magic, he would surely have sensed a corresponding amount of Magical Power. But the fact that he didn't...
"It was really alive, that thing."
"...Are whales normally that big?"
"They're big, but..."
Not like that. Where would you find a whale larger than a mountain? He could understand why Nahen had pulled the army so far back. It was large enough to potentially endanger their own allies.
Dane narrowed his eyes for a moment, then drew the Dagger from his waist.
"Eri."
"Yeah?"
"Let's help too."
"What? I don't think we need to."
"We need to prove our worth. We must assist him, even if we're not needed."
"......"
Dane was certain. His and Eri's choice was definitely not wrong. Entering that man's command might have been...
'The choice of a lifetime.'
To remain under his command, they had to prove their usefulness themselves. Even if Nahen didn't order it, they had to be helpful to him on their own initiative.
"Support me."
"Got it."
As Dane leaped down below the Ridge, Eri immediately took a round Orb from her Back Pocket and inserted it into her Staff. Then she used Magic Art.
"A sturdy shield for thee."
《 Protect shield 》
Shields made of Magical Power appeared beneath Dane's feet and in front of him.
Thump! Scraaaape!!!
Dane stepped on the shield and slid down the Slope as if sledding.
As another person began descending the slope, Kruahe and Dahak didn't remain idle. Rallying the remaining soldiers, Dahak led half and Kruahe led the other half.
Dahak drew his sword towards Dane, who was coming down the slope.
"Stop him from coming down! Prepare bombardment magic!!"
The surviving magic combat soldiers chanted in unison, converting vast magical power into spells. Giant fireballs, swirling winds, sharp Ice Masses, and large boulders rained down, heating the surroundings.
Even seeing this, Dane didn't stop. If anything, seeing the magic raining down on him seemed to snap him to attention. He calmly righted himself.
Eri had created two shields, one under his feet and one in front. Dane intended to use the front shield. He trusted the skill of his only surviving childhood friend, his only remaining human companion.
Boom! Kaboom! KABOOM!!
Magic rained down like a bombardment. Seeing it hit Dane squarely as he descended, Dahak was about to quickly issue the next command. But then, something shot up rapidly from the smoke-filled slope caused by the magical bombardment.
"He's alive...!?"
It was Dane. The shield was broken, but Dane, taking almost no damage from the magic, kicked off the slope and leaped up.
"Hssssp."
He took a deep breath. His heart beat fast, blood flow surged through his body, and his muscles underwent significant contraction. His heart pounded, supplying blood flow and raising his temperature, but right now, Dane's mind was colder and calmer than anyone's.
"Hoo..."
Clenching his teeth, Dane exhaled through the gap, his eyes changing. He stepped onto a Magic Barrier Eri had created in mid-air, using it as a foothold to launch himself forward. It was like a single arrow shot forth.
Slash──!
"......What."
It happened in an instant. Dahak saw his own ear, already severed, and, recognizing the incoming severe pain, shouted.
"Kuaaack!!"
"Dahak?!"
Because of Dahak's sudden scream, Kruahe had no choice but to turn his horse around. And what he witnessed was a man landing on the ground, holding a blood-stained Dagger.
"...A human?"
"Sir Nahen!!!"
"Good job drawing their attention."
The distraction caused by the man who ambushed Dahak lasted only a moment. 30 seconds at most, not even close.
The master of the White Whale had already appeared right before their eyes.
"How... already..."
"Don't be so sad."
Nahen held a sword in his hand. Not a particularly special sword, but one that looked to be of very high quality. A sword crafted on the 70th Floor, made according to Nahen's own plan.
"I'll send Decarabia to your side as well."
#
Eri let out a sigh of relief seeing Dane arrive safely. Then, someone tapped her from behind.
"Human, where is Teacher?"
"!"
It was Seere von Devata, a beautiful girl with snow-white hair and eyes like the blue moon. Her question flustered Eri considerably. Before she pointed downwards and said,
"Th-There he is."
"Aha... Teacher did all that?"
The earth and Ridge bore marks as if devoured by something immense. Huge bursts of Magical Power erupted as members of the Demon race shot into the sky, with corpses strewn across the ground. It was all the work of one person.
Eri nodded slightly at Seere's question.
"...As expected."
"Pardon?"
"Teacher is so cool..."
Eri was completely taken aback. Seere's eyes and expression were beyond admiration, soaked in ecstasy. Eri had never seen anyone make such an ecstatic face in her life.
Seere clasped her hands neatly and murmured.
"Will I be able to become like that someday?"
"...O-Of course! Your Majesty is a great Demon Lord."
"You, you know how to say pleasing things too, huh?"
As Seere chuckled and Eri relaxed slightly, she asked a question she shouldn't have.
"But Your Majesty... Does Sir Nahen know you've come...?"
"No, he doesn't know. How would he know if I didn't tell him?"
"Is that really alright...?"
Seere glanced sideways at Eri. Eri flinched at the look. She was still a child, younger and shorter than Eri. But the Pressure was no joke.
"What does that have to do with you?"
"My... My apologies! I spoke out of turn...!"
"...Since you said something pleasant earlier, I'll let it slide this once."
Seere relaxed her expression, then smiled faintly as she looked towards the battlefield where the situation was winding down.
"I came out to meet him."
"...Meet him?"
"He's 'My own Teacher'. Of course, I have to come meet him."
Seere smiled purely. Eri, however, looking at her, couldn't help but feel a chill.
'...My own?'
What did that mean? As Eri's eyes darted around and she fell into thought, Seere spoke.
"You."
"...Yes?"
"You don't harbor any strange feelings for Teacher, do you?"
Eri looked at Seere, wondering what she meant. Did strange feelings mean fear, perhaps? If so, she was correct. Eri worried Seere might be displeased to see her fear Nahen. She quickly prostrated herself on the ground, bowing her head.
"I-I apologize for fearing Sir Nahen!!!"
"...What?"
"W-Wasn't that why you said that?"
Meeting Eri's eyes for a moment, Seere let out a Dry Laughter and said.
"No, I misunderstood. Sorry."
"...Huh?"
"Ah, looks like he's finished."
As she spoke, the battlefield explosions subsided, and the turbulence of Magical Power faded. Eri looked down just like Seere. A man spotted Eri and waved.
"Dane! You're safe!"
Dane was safe too. He was covered in blood, but almost none of it was his own. And in front of him stood a man completely clean.
"Teacher~!"
Seere leaped down from the Ridge. Startled, Eri was about to cast Magic Art for Seere, but Seere nonchalantly slid down the slope.
Nahen narrowed his eyes as he watched the child running towards him and said.
"...Seere?"
"Teacher!"
"You... Why are you disobeying me again?"
"I came out to meet you! I didn't intend to fight against Teacher's words."
Seeing Seere's beaming smile, it seemed she probably wasn't lying. Nahen chuckled softly and patted Seere's head.
"Yes, coming all the way out to meet this Teacher. I'm happy."
"Hehe..."
"Commander Rin should be waiting behind with the army. Could you go and call her?"
"Okay~!"
Having received the pat, Seere cheerfully climbed back up the slope. Despite being steep enough to slide down, Seere leaped up lightly, ascending the slope in just a few bounds.
"Human."
"Yes?"
"You come with me to Commander Rin. Teacher said to bring you."
"Y-Yes!?"
Seere gave Eri a simple command. Unsure what to do with Nahen and Dane below, Eri followed Seere for the time being.
Nahen glanced around once and said.
"Dane, where did Eri go?"
"...She was right there until a moment ago. Before Her Majesty went up."
"Did Seere take her?"
Nahen raised his sword and beheaded Kruahe and Dahak, also cutting off the head of Rubia's corpse, whom he had impaled and killed.
Then he handed the three heads to Dane.
"I understand your worth well."
"Yes?"
"You've worked hard. You've diligently improved over the past five years."
"...!"
Nahen was satisfied. The one meant to be the Hero's Comrade and a nuisance had instead become a subordinate, growing significantly. Naturally, he smiled with satisfaction.
Although Eri didn't fight directly, her perfect protection of Dane, a Rogue with low defense, using just one Magic Art, showed her skill.
"Dane."
"Yes."
"You and Eri will go to the Human World from now on and act as spies."
"...Yes?"
"I need someone to monitor the activities of the Human World in real-time."
Dane slightly furrowed his brow at Nahen's words. He feared Nahen, and knew he had to follow his words, but...
"Sir Nahen, if you send us to the Human World, what do you intend to do next?"
"What do you mean?"
"If we simply lose contact, won't Sir Nahen's plan fail?"
"...Perhaps. Will you really cut off my contact?"
"How... can you be sure?"
"You two haven't forgotten Luke, have you?"
Dane seemed greatly surprised. His eyes widened as he looked at Nahen, who had grasped his psychology.
"If anything, you might try to use my power more for your revenge. Cutting off contact doesn't make sense."
"...You know us too well."
"I have no choice but to know."
Nahen let out a light laugh.
"Who do you think supported and watched over you until you grew this much?"
"......"
Dane lowered his gaze slightly. His stiff expression had already softened. Dane knelt before Nahen, bowing his head to him.
"Your orders."
"Return to the Human World with Eri, disguised as Adventurers, and make sure to occupy a position among the S Rank Adventurers."
"...That doesn't sound difficult."
"Once you become S Rank Adventurers, you'll have more opportunities to learn about World Affairs, and you'll hear more things. You just need to relay that information to me."
"Understood."
Nahen nodded slightly at Dane's obedient attitude, then clapped a hand firmly on his shoulder.
"I trust you two."
"Yes."