Naze Boku no Sekai wo Dare mo Oboeteinainoka? - World 6

TL, ED: Pascal’s Wager

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　１

　Like ants building a nest in the ground──

　That is, they had been secretly accumulating power far beneath the surface of the earth and had begun their invasion of the terrestrial world. 

『……Ooo…………』

　A deep bass sound that I couldn’t tell if it was a word or a signal. 

　The voice that came from the steel lifeform was not from its head, but from the exhaust port of its chest armor like the roar of an engine from a driving car. 

『…………』

　A centaur whose whole body was covered in steel armor. 

　It was reasonable to compare the shape of the whole body, but the head was triangular and pointed like a dragon’s, and the upper body had four arms growing from the shoulders. (TL: Probably two on each shoulder)

　The four-armed, four-legged steel lifeform spread its hands. That’s its battle form──

『D,…………em, on…………』

　The metals rubbed against each other to produce a 「voice」.

　What did that word mean when it was said by a different steel race? Kai felt something cold dripping down his back. 

　Speaking of the demons──the steel monster clearly knew about the race that ruled this land. It knew and invaded head-on.

『Cryptid mosquitos!』

　The demon bellowed. 

　For the demons, who didn’t know the circumstances, it would not be unnatural to associate the centaur-like appearance with the cryptids.

　……The demons shouldn’t have thought of it. 

　……I don’t think this guy in front of me is one of the five races. 

　Kai would have come to the same conclusion if he hadn’t received the pronouncement from Fang Emperor Rath=IE. Was this a new species of cryptid?

　That’s why. 

　That is, the sign of it invoking its magic was more than enough to make the demons tremble. 

    “Open-Air mining spell『The Secret Word of the World is「Steel」』.”

　Bun-, a rippling sound shook the atmosphere. 

　A magic circle created under the steel monster’s feet expanded at a terrifying speed and spread to the feet of Kai and the demons. 

「What kind of magic is this?! Rinne do you……」

「I don’t know either. I’ve never seen any magic like it!」

　The surface of the earth beyond Rinne’s eyes was quickly being painted the color of steel. The ground turned steel as if paint had been spilled on it. 

　The hard texture felt from the tip of the shoes was not soil, but real steel itself. 

「Steel? No way.」

　Jeanne muttered to herself. 

「The soil in this area must have been rich in metals. In other words, this technique brings the metal components of the soil to the surface……?」

　Barrier system? 

　But what did it mean to cover the surface of the earth with a thin film of steel? 

『Cryptid, magic?!』

　The demon had already lost sight of the humans. 

　He glared at the other race that invaded the Urza Federation with a form that exuded rage. 

『Extinguish.』

　A gush of light erupted from the demon’s fingertips. 

　A dark ring of demonic calamity spread out, and dozens of purple lightning bolts were released as streaks of light. 

　The powerful destructive energy enveloped the entire body of the different steel race──

『Open-Air Mining Spell「Iron Wall of Sorrow」.』

　At that moment. 

　The metallic components that emerged on the surface of the earth manifested as giant crystals that protected the steel machine species. 

　──A wall of iron sand. 

　The bullets were repelled by it, and the lightning strikes fizzled out.  

　A dry sound like a tire bursting echoed in the air, and the purple lightning released by the three demons disappeared by the wall of condensed metal crystals.

『……Wha-!?』

　It must have been incomprehensible to the demons. 

　Cryptids couldn’t use magic. Even if the cryptids could use magic, it wasn’t powerful enough to defend against the demons’ mighty magic. 

『ooo-』

　The steel machine species raised its four huge arms in the air. 

　It was a gesture like a lion raising its forelegs overhead. It made it easy to imagine a carnivore attacking its prey. 

「It’s going to accelerate. Jeanne, Rinne, avoid it!」

　The huge steel body glided across the surface of the earth. 

　It slipped next to Kai with such speed that it created an afterimage, and then went to the three demons. 

　──The targets were the demons. 

　The new race of steel didn’t even see the human race as a target. 

　Screaming.

　Being blown away by the destructive arm like a cannon, two demons were blown away like dead leaves. Both were ancient demons that were one size larger than Kai. 

　……It beat the demons with a single blow. 

　……It’s comparable to the cryptid race. What unfair strength!

　There was only one demon left. 

　The last ancient demon that tried to escape stopped moving as if it had been frozen. This is because the arm extended by the steel behemoth had caught the demon’s tail. 

　A fist of steel was raised in the wind and swung at the brain. 

『—–?!』

　The devil’s scream. 

　Magic did not work. In addition, its tail was grabbed, and there was no escape. The future left was to have its head smashed by a fist like a large printing press.

「────I won’t let you do that!」

　The fist of the steel machine species slashed the sky. 

　The demon’s tail that it was supposed to be holding onto was torn off like a lizard separating its tail. As a result, the ancient demon that had escaped its restraints flew back into the air at full speed and retreated. 

　It wasn’t like the ancient devil had detached itself. 

　Just before, Kai had cut off the demon’s tail with the tip of his Drake Nail. 

「It’s better than having your head smashed.」

『……Human?!』

　Saved by a human?

　The ancient demon who escaped into the air looked down at the ground with a stunned expression at this action. 

「Go!」

　I shouted the devil.

『……?!』

「If you are killed, this attack could be the fault of the humans. I’ve never seen a monster like it in the wilderness. Go quickly and tell your friends!」

　It would be worse if all five demons were wiped out. 

　If the anger of the demons were directed at the humans, the imperial capital Urzak, which had finally been regained, would be engulfed in the flames of war again. 

「Go!」

　Kai lost sight of the ancient demon above him. 

　A giant he raised his eyes to──

　The legs of the steel machine species were approaching. I jumped away from the blow that shattered the hard ground and blended into the thick smoke. 

　Aiming at the back, which was the blind spot, Kai slammed the Drake Nail with all of his might. 

「Burst!」

　The short-form drake bullet exploded. 

　It destroyed the target from the outside with a powerful blast and flames. However, if the centaur of steel’s whole body was as metallic as it looked, it must be difficult to kill with a single blow. 

　……I wasn’t after the steel shell. 

　……It was your bare cables!

　The part that corresponded to blood vessels of animals. 

　What seemed to be a power cable that connected the lower and upper body moved like a real blood vessel. 

　Kai’s blow was aimed at it from the start. 

『────』

　The machine turned around unperturbed. 

　The dark grey cable Kai tried to cut was not scratched. The gunpowder from the short-form drake bullet should have burned it. 

　The fire did not work. 

　Even if I hit it with the Drake Nail, there was no scratch. 

「Carbon fiber cable!?」

　This was a composite cable that was developed in the canonical history. 

　In the alternate history, where production plants were rare, humans had not yet developed this material. And yet, it was created in the body of a new race?

　Life and machine. 

　A bizarre species born of a history distorted by the world reincarnation──

「Kai, retreat!」

　Jeanne held up her spiritual elf bow. 

　She pulled the bow to the very limit so the bowstring quivered and shot an arrow of light. 

　──Crossbow of moon. 

　An arrow of magic power that cut through the atmosphere was aimed at the chest of the new race of steel. 

『…………』

　Two steps. 

　The two front legs of the four legs retracted slightly, and the upper body bent backwards. That was all. There were no scratches on the dull luster of the metal shell. 

「No way?! The armor of this thing is harder than a tank……?」

「Jeannya, switch.」

　Feathers danced. 

　Rinne, spreading her tenma wings, held out her hands. They were lit by a spiritual pattern of mixed colors. A dreadful force of lightning surged out of the magic circle where the magic power of many races mixed together. 

「I, will do this with all of my strength!」

At a glance, I saw its mighty magic power and brilliance.

　The steel giant, which had remained as immobile as a mountain, turned around with tremendous momentum.

「Blow up to the horizon!」

『Open-Air Mining Spell「Diamond Mantra」』

　Heaven’s sacred earth. 

　But diamond crystals do not conduct electricity. The hardest ore in nature served as a beautiful gem shield that repelled the torrent of lightning strikes. 

「What a lie! Wh, what is the magic? I’ve never seen it?!」

「Is it a force that interfes with inorganic matter……？」

　This was also the first time Kai witnessed this kind of magic. 

　It was said that the sidhe fairies could interfere with plants in nature, but there was no group that freely manipulated these inorganic substances. 

　……Even though its physical strength and defense were extraordinary under normal circumstances because of its steel body. 

　……Could it even use magic that was this powerful?

　I couldn’t find anything that could be considered weaknesses. 

　Furthermore, it still seemed to have a lot of energy left in it. 

「Kai, what should I do, my magic will be blocked!」

「……It is its first barrier.」

　The surface of the earth, which used to be reddish-brown sand, was now repainted in a steel color in a radius of about 50 meters centered on the steel machine. 

　So was the ground where Kai was standing. It was covered in a thin film of steel. 

　──Open-Air mining spell『The Secret Word of the World Is「Steel」』。

　When that barrier was activated, the enemy’s formation was complete. 

「In the first magic, it called the underground ore of the earth to the surface. Without it, the ironsand wall and the diamond shield couldn’t have been created. So──」

「What, what are you going to do……」

「Do this!」

　He pulled out the magazine of the Drake Nail and reloaded it. 

　There were two magazines in the bayonet. The first magazine was for short-form elf bullets. And the short-form drake bullets were stored in the second magazine. 

「Kai, what are those bullets?!」

　Jeanne squinted her eyes. 

　The commander of the humanity rebellion resistance saw through it in an instant. The bullets that Kai reloaded with were darker than the previous short-form elf bullets. 

　From clear white to bright blue crystals. 

「It’s a new weapon. Though, it’s going to be used without testing.」

　The bullets contained in the first magazine. 

　This was──

　Originally, it should have been bullets to counter the flames of the sub-dragon. 

  “There’s something I want to make sure of.” 

  “We don’t know when Fang Emperor Rath=IE will appear. If possible, before it becomes a full-scale battle.” (TL: I don’t remember where this is referring to, but it seems to be referring to the completion of the bullets)

　The machine steel bent down and kicked the ground. 

　While holding the materialized shield of diamond, it pushed to trample Kai. 

「Kai, look out!」

「Convenient.」

「Eh?」

「Rinne, please repeat your magic. If you can use it, use ice magic.」

　He shouted to Rinne in the air. 

　Kai held the freshly loaded Drake Nail and pressed the trigger toward the giant body that was approaching in front of him. 

「This is the last time it’ll be able to use its magic.」

　The steel machine species couldn’t hear him. 

　Rinne and even Jeanne wouldn’t be able to instantly realize the significance of this. 

　Only one bullet──

　Destroy all magic.

「Holy Light Elf Bullet.」

　Blue shining crystals were released. 

　The landing destination was not the steel machine species, but its feet. I aimed at the steel-colored barrier, but shot through it. 

　The blue bullet shattered the steel barrier──

『……?!』

「Is this the first time you’ve seen an elf magic tool?」

　It’s not a short-form elf bullet. 

　This wasn’t a human product. It was a genuine「elf-made」product.

　A bullet designed by the elf shrine maiden Reirin. The ore used for these bullets had the property of diffusing magic power, and the higher the purity, the stronger the effect of counteracting magic.

「And as expected, Reirin.」

　The high-purity crystals that humans couldn’t replicate──the holy light elf bullets, had left the steel machine with no way to manipulate the underground minerals. 

「Rinne!」

「『Echoed Winter』, freeze that big thing!」

　Rinne’s kotodama called for the frigid wind. 

　A column of frost formed on the ground──

　Starting from there, ice vines climbed the steel giant as if entangling its steel legs. The ice covered the lower half of its body, then the upper half of its body. 

　Immediately after. 

『────────！』

　The steel machine species roared. 

　The entire steel blue body was dyed bright red as if the engine had burned, and the ice blocks that covered the shoulders were swept away with tremendous force. 

　This was not a magic defense. 

　It brought its fist down with its race’s specially characteristic strong arm, breaking the ice that clung to its body. 

「It broke the ice?! Kai, no, get away!」(TL: This machine would be great for meet and greets)

「No.」

　Kai himself stepped on the ground and swung his Drake Nail up to the centaur. 

　I’ll engage the enemy. 

「Haven’t you noticed? Even if you think you’ve withstood Rinne’s magic.」

　A strong arm of steel swung down. 

　He bent to the ground and dodged the blow with the margin of a single sheet of paper. Kai hit with the bayonet again to the unprotected chest with all of his might. 

　──It burst and exploded. 

　Kai saw the moment when the metal shell cracked with a crisp sound from the impact as the explosion of the short-form drake bullet swelled.

「Your steel no longer has the strength of steel!」

　And burst. 

　The dark gray parts were destroyed by the Drake Nail, and the dark gray parts shattered. 

『…………』

　The steel machine species collapsed. 

　As it collapsed with a roaring sound, the steel giant may have still not understood. How would a single blow from a human destroy the metal body so easily?

「Steel is not invincible.」

　Low temperature brittleness──

　Metal exposed to extremely low temperatures was significantly less strong. 

　Rinne’s magic had already altered the body of the steel machine. As long as an impact was applied, its body would naturally shatter. 

「……Did you defeat it?」

　Jeanne, out of breath, was still holding her bow and pursing her lips. 

　I don’t feel like I’ve won. 

　This was probably because the new enemy was a race of「half-machines.」I didn’t feel like I was fighting a living thing. 

「It looks like it’s been severely damaged.」

「I think I defeated it. If it was a machine, it would have completely broken down.」

　The blow also severed the power cable.

　If the energy supply was cut off, it couldn’t move. However, I don’t know if this was a so-called biological death. 

「Ne, this thing is creepy……」

　Rinne landed on the ground. 

「I’ve never seen anything like this. What about Jeannya?」

「Neither have I.」

　Rinne and Jeanne looked down on the huge dark gray body. 

　Both of them escaped injury from the battle, but there was still a strong sense of caution in their eyes. 

　……This thing attacked the devils first. 

　……I shuddered to think if it was the case that we were the ones to bear the brunt of the attack. 

「Kai, what happened to your bullets?」

「I asked Reirin to make them. I can’t waste shooting them as I only have a few bullets.」

「As expected, it was a sidhe. I thought it was like that.」

　Jeanne exhaled heavily.

　With slightly relieved expressions, they turned around to look behind them. 

　──Four devils.

　They were still breathing. The blood that flowed down from the four bodies dyed the ground black, but the vitality of devils was not comparable to those of humans.

「What should we do with these four bodies?」

「The one who had just fled should bring back his friends soon. I think we can leave it to them. We can’t afford to waste any more time.」

　What happened to the war situation in the Schultz Federation?

　In order to make contact with them as soon as possible, we had to go to the imperial capital Urzak. To that end, we had to push forward through this vast wilderness. 

「Let’s go.」

　Just as we were about to turn on our heels. 

　One of the four bodies that had fallen to the ground stirred. 

『……Ka………………』(TL: I don’t think he’s saying “Kai”)

「Have you regained consciousness? Oi, you shouldn’t get up.」

　Kai stopped the demon as it tried to get up.

　The wounds were not light. Rather than forcibly getting up, lying down on the ground would put less strain on his body. 

　……There was no reason for a human to call out like this, but.

　……The situation was the situation. 

「Your companions will fly in soon. Keep quiet until then. One more thing. We’ll keep going through the wilderness. Sorry if we’re being a disturbance.」

『────』

「I’ll take your silence as consent. Again, if we are being a disturbance──」

　I lost awareness. 

　To the devil who was about to get up. For a moment, the gaze and awareness of Kai, Rinne, and Jeanne were focused on it. 

　Tearing the emptiness. 

　The sound of a gunshot roared. 

　The intense pain of burning heat, like being burned by fire, appeared and disappeared from the side of Kai’s torso. 

　The wound was on a piece of skin. 

　Although there was no bleeding, the impact felt on the skin was reminiscent of a large pistol bullet. 

　……What. Did I just get shot by a gun?

　……? I’m such an idiot. 

　A gun was a weapon only humans could use. 

　No other races could use them. At least among the five races. 

　……The elf bullets were still working. This thing couldn’t use its magic. 

　……Besides, that gunshot from a while ago. No way…….

　A chill crossed my mind. Humans were the only race that used guns because magic was more powerful than guns. That’s what I thought. 

　But this steel lifeform could be the only exception. 

「Jeanne, Rinne, get down!」

　Clang, the faint sound of a connection echoing. 

　The part corresponding to the abdomen of the steel machine species had caved in, and in the back Kai saw a small spark. 

「It’s its own moving gun battery!」

　A mechanical lifeform that contained the structure of a gun inside its body. 

　A piece of steel was used as a bullet, and then it was shot out with intense air pressure. No magic was involved there. 

　Because it was not magic, it couldn’t be nullified by the elf bullets──

『Open-Air Mine Bullet』

　Faster than the roaring sound. 

　A super speed bullet shot through Jeanne’s body. Her knight’s armor, from her chest to her shoulders shattered, and silver pieces fell to the ground.

「…………Ugh……！」

「Jeannya?!」

　As she was about to run to her, Rinne stopped for a moment. 

「Rinne, crouch────」

　Gunshot.

　By the time the sound was heard, a piece of steel faster than the speed of sound had already shot through Rinne’s wing as a deadly bullet that could pierce the skin of the demons. 

「──────ugh!」

「Rinne?!」

　Rinne knelt, unable to raise her voice. 

　Even though she had strong muscle tissue due to the factor of the cryptid race, her wings were those of a tenma. If she was hit by a bullet, she would not be able to put up a fight. 

「…………U……gh, hurts………………」

　And the earth shook again. 

　Leaving a huge footprint, the steel machine kicked the ground, and first went over to the collapsed Jeanne. It hardened its fist, which itself was a huge iron ball, and swung it down. 

　Rinne was shot in the wing and couldn’t move. 

　Kai was too far away. 

　Neither would make it in time. Kai bit his molars and kicked the ground toward Jeanne──

「Could you please step aside?」

　A young lady’s lively voice. 

　A girl with jet-black wings leapt into the air ahead of Kai. 

　──Dark Chant『My Kotodama, Explosion Gone Crazy』」

　The earth boiled.

　The steel that accumulated on the surface of the earth melted, and the fire repelled the steel machine species high into the sky. 

　Sparks spouted. 

　In the flickering light of the flames, one of the succubi flapped its wings. 

「This is returning the favor. Because you saved my demons.」

　The girl seemed about fifteen or sixteen years old. 

　She had pale blue hair and golden eyes. As you would expect from a succubus, she had a slender yet bewitching glamorous body. She wore a flashy outfit and earrings that showed off her devilish limbs. A black wild-like magic surrounded her. 

「……You.」

「We’ll talk later. I’ll punish this guy first.」

　Succubus Princess Hinemarill. 

　There were only a few『Hero Class』demons. The number two after Dark Empress Vanessa glared with a smile of ice. 

「You have stepped into demon territory. You messed with the messenger demon. Both deserve capital punishment.」(TL: “demon territory” also is referred to as “my territory”)

『…………』

　The centaur rose silently. 

　The earth had been scorched by a fire so strong it could boil the earth, yet this monster had not stopped moving. 

「You’re not telling me you’re going to let me take care of this alone, right?」

　Kai realized those words were directed at him. 

　Kai sensed the gaze of Succubus Princess Hinemarill. 

「I’m not allowing you, a human, to be a leisurely spectator. Follow me.」

　The bewitching Succubus Princess spread her wings. 

　Kai grasped the Drake Nail, following her as she soared into the air with brilliant steps. 

　……That’s probably right. 

　……Demon, you can’t help me with everything!

　This succubus princess had no intention of giving a hand to a human. (TL: referring to Kai)

　If humans wanted to survive, they had to fight. 

　Those words were the only charity the demon race could offer. 

『Open-Air Mining Spell「Demonic Steel Blade」.』

「Magic?! Did the effect of the elf bullet expire?!」

　According to the kotodama of the steel machine species, the metal components in the ground were attracted to come above the ground. It became a huge battle axe and fit into the giant arm of steel. 

『────』

「Huh! The sheer stupidity. You think you can challenge me with magic?!」

　The Succubus Princess howled. 

　Her eyes, filled with magic, shined brightly like the moon. 

「I will teach the newcomer who has no sense of courtesy the true magic.」

　Her hair shook roughly. 

　Each strand of hair wriggled like a snake. It was due to the enormous surge of magic that rose from the devil girl. 

「Dark Chant『There Is Fire in My Abyss』.」

　My vision was enveloped in「red.」

　A flower of flame, so beautiful, majestic, and condensed, wrapped around the giant body of the steel machine species. The battle axe in its hand was instantly incinerated and turned into dust. 

　Turning everything into dust──

　This was the quintessence of the demon race that specialized in offensive techniques. 

「Insane blooming.」

The crimson lotus flower burst into bloom. 

　The monster made of a massive steel body was swallowed by the explosion and burst. 

『────』

　The steel machine kicked the ground whilw being burned by flames. 

　With the last of its strength, it clenched its fist and prepared to leap at Succubus Princess Hinemarill──

「It’s over.」

　This time, Kai’s Drake Nail completely cut off its persistence. 

　The mechanical lifeform of steel, which was cut in half at the top and bottom, broke into hundreds of parts, then rolled into the ground and disappeared. 

　It disappeared into the earth as if it was being sucked into the ground. 

　　　　　　　２

「……I’m glad I’m a commander in men’s clothing. Thanks to the armor.」

　In the wilderness overlooking the Devil’s Graveyard. 

　Jeanne sat down on the ground and touched her shattered armor fearfully with her hands. 

　The armor from her chest to her shoulders was caved in. She had just been shot by a bullet fired by the steel machine, but the thought of not having this armor sent chills down her spine. 

「Jeannya, are you okay?」

「……I’d say the same to you.」

「It was only my wings. It hurts, but I’m fine.」

　Rinne looked at the scars anxiously. 

　She also stroke her own wing while in pain. 

「At the time, I was worried that Jeannya couldn’t be saved……」

「Don’t say such dark things.」

「If this was going to happen, I should have let Kai and you be alone for once. Sorry, Jeannya.」

「What do you mean?!……Come on, as you can see I’m fine!」

　She coughed and cleared her throat. 

　Standing up with a slight blush on her face, the commander of the Urza Humanity Rebellion Resistance immediately stiffened her expression. 

「Hey, don’t look at me like that.」

　Succubus Princess Hinemarill murmured. 

　Of course, it was probably said on purpose so Jeanne herself could hear it. 

「I can’t believe people are so wary of me when they first meet me. I’m such a cute devil.」

「Kai told me about you.」

「Ah, is that so. That saves me some talking if that’s the case. It seemed like Vanessa was interested in you, but I’m not at the moment.」

　The Succubus Princess continued to float a few centimeters above the surface of the earth. 

　Just at eye level with Kai. 

「I’m interested in, this one.」(TL: no grammar typo)

「You’re not interested in me. You’re interested in what I have to say.」

「Yes. I like that. You understand your position as a human.」

　The Succubus Princess Hinemarill and the four ancient demons waiting on her. 

　All of them were victims of the steel machine and were about to die, but the Succubus Princess was able to resuscitate them carelessly. 

　……I had never heard of demons being able to use resuscitation magic.

　……Was this another unique evolution not in the canonical history?

　Would Rinne, with her mixed demon race factor, be able to use it?

　When Kai asked her about it, Rinne had just said「can’t do it」. This was magic that Rinne, who existed in the canonical history, did not know. 

「So. Kai, I want to hear more about what you said earlier. You all were fighting the cryptids in the Western Federation. During the battle, you were transported by Fang Emperor Rath=IE.」

「Yeah.」

「You’re saying the cryptids used magic?」

「That’s exactly what I said earlier. I think it was the power of the monster fused with him, not Fang Emperor Rath=IE.」

「The rasterizer, huh……」

　Small frustration was mixed in with the words.

「You don’t believe me?」

「Thirty minutes ago, yeah. I might have yelled 『This human isn’t going to trick me!』If I hadn’t seen that steel race earlier.」

　The true nature of Hinemarill’s frustration──

　It was in response to the fact that the world was changing without her even knowing it. 

　……The demons thought it was a five race war. 

　……But the situation was more complicated, and it wasn’t just five races. 

　There was a monster called the rasterizer. 

　And the same went for the steel machine that seemed to have been born under the influence of the world reincarnation. We only defeated one here, and we still don’t know how many were underground. 

　……One of them nearly annihilated five ancient demons.

　……It’s a monster as strong as the cryptids, but also has enough magic to defend against Rinne’s magic. 

　Ten of them would be enough to destroy a humanity rebellion resistance base. 

　I want to hope that one was the last. 

「Yeah. Kai?」

　A sexy sigh spun from her bewitching lips. 

「Are you worried about the humanity rebellion resistance left in Western Schultz? That’s why you’re in a hurry to the imperial capital Urzak. You said so.」

「You’re not wrong. So to be honest, it would be helpful if you could stay out of our way.」

　Besides the imperial capital Urzak, the rest of the world was demon territory. 

　There was no doubt demons would find us even beyond this wilderness. But for Kai and the others, it was a needless battle that should be avoided. 

「You should be able to order your subordinates to overlook us.」

「Hmー, that’s true. If you humans are willing to fight the cryptids, I’m willing to do so. I wonder if you’ll miss the imperial capital.」

　The Succubus Princess narrowed her eyes as she placed her fingertips on her lustrous lips. 

　She looked amused. 

「──I’d like to say that, but I have another suggestion.」

「What did you say?」

「That’s right.」

　The Succubus Princess continued to speak in a manner that kept them in suspense.

　No, when I tried to continue.

「Wh……where is this aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?!!!!!」

　A scream filled with anxiety echoed in the wilderness. 

　A towering graveyard──

　In the official history, the graveyard was closed with a plug called a sealing stone, but now a small elf suddenly appeared from the hole. 

　She looked at the wilderness with a frightened gaze. 

「Wh, what is this! After running and running, I thought I was finally able to escape from that creepy space, but I don’t know this wilderness. Where is this in the Schultz Federation?!」

　A kimono with seven layers of thin silk. 

　Despite her small height, her blue hair was long and beautiful enough to touch the ground.

　There was no way the appearance could be mistaken. 

「No matter how you look at her, it’s Reirin……」

　Jeanne looked up at the black pyramid. 

　She looked as if she had been pinched by a fox, but so did Kai, and so did Rinne. (TL: Not sure what this means, probably shocked or something)

「She seemed to have been dragged into the transition as well.」

「Yeah. I’m glad she wasn’t trapped in the same place we were earlier. Did she find the same door as us?」

　A space that had changed strangely──

　I was also worried about the flirtatious laughter of「someone」that we heard just before we escaped. 

「Reirin, come down. We’re here.」

「Gulp. What is this, all of the humans?! Kai is……where did Kai go? Rinne and even Rikugen Kyoko……」

　She didn’t notice she was just below the graveyard. 

　She was too absorbed in looking around at the horizon with impatience and anxiety to see the nearby Kai. 

　……It’s darkest under the lamppost. (TL: A figure of speech that basically means the previous sentence)

　……Well, it was amazing she was depressed to the point where she didn’t notice us. 

　From under the graveyard, Kai waved to the petite elf. 

「Hey Reirin.」

「Is there anyone in this wilderness?!」

「Like I said, I’m in front of you. Oーi.」

「……Hm?」

　Staring blankly, the elf shrine maiden blinked her eyes. 

　She moved her long ears dexterously. 

「Is it just my imagination? I thought I heard Kai’s voice just now──────…………Kai?!!」

　As soon as the elf standing in the middle of the black pyramid spotted us, she ran down at a glance with her arms outstretched. 

「Uwaaaaaaaa!!!!」(TL: crying sfx)

　And then she hugged me.

「……Reirin?」

「You accursed person! Where have you been up to now, leaving me alone……Don’t let go, don’t let go of my hand!」

　She must have been very lonely. She wrapped her arms around Kai’s back and refused to move away.

　Moreover──

　The eyes of Rinne and Jeanne watching over them were sharp. 

　As for how sharp it was, they should have been glaring at Reirin, but Kai was more uncomfortable when he saw it. 

「You flat elf! You immediately cling to Kai!」

「Yeah. If such a daring act was done in front of me, I can’t really overlook it.」

「Wh……what Rinne. Jeanne was here too?」

　Reirin came to her senses. 

「You are here too, aren’t you? If that’s the case, let’s talk quickly. Where is this? Where are we in Western Schultz?」(TL: you referring to Kai)

「Unfortunately, this is Northern Urza.」

　She whispered to her. 

　It was Succubus Princess Hinemarill who put her hand on Reirin’s shoulder. 

「This is the demon’s soil and land. Understand? Sidhe, you have no place here.」

「~~~~~~~?!!!」

「The sidhe who trespassed here needs to be punished, right?」

「Demon?!」

　With a soundless scream, the elf shrine maiden jumped down. 

　She forcibly removed the fingertips of the Succubus Princess who was touching her, and lowered her back to prepare for battle. 

「You────」

「Wait Reirin!」

　The sidhe Reirin tried to brace herself, and the demon Hinemarill looked on with amusement. 

　Kai stepped between them. 

「Get a hold of yourself! This is Urza territory. If you fight, demons will just come one after another.」

「……gulp.」

「Also, the situation is unique right now. These guys don’t want to fight us either.」

「Yeah. Rejoice in your good luck?」

　While Reirin’s expression stiffened, Hinemarill sighed heavily, seemingly disappointed.

「The sidhes are so filled with holes and so stupid, I’m dumbfounded. This doesn’t seem worth the fight.」

「S, stupid?! Are you trying to taunt me?」

「And you have a small chest. Elves really are thin.」

「What’s wrong with a flat chest?!」

　I’ve heard this conversation before. 

　However, there wasn’t the time to be bothered with such conversational disputes between their races.

「Reirin, let’s briefly talk about the situation.」

「Hmph.」

「I’ll repeat, we’re in Northern Urza. I think that Rath=IE guy transferred us. I want to go back west and join with the humanity rebellion resistance.」

「Ye, yeah……」

「But to do that, we’ll have to pass through the demon-watched area. We were talking about that.」

　We wanted to go to the imperial capital Urzak. 

　Don’t interfere with the journey──Kai’s offer was met with a giggle from Succubus Princess Hinemarill.

　She had another proposal. 

「Hinemarill, the conversation a short while ago. Let me know your proposal.」

「You’re in a hurry, aren’t you? It would take days to get to the imperial capital of Urzak on human legs. You might not be able to make it in time?」

「…………」

「If the cryptids are willing to do so, the humans in Western Schultz will be annihilated.」

「……What kind of proposal do you have?」

　Giggle.

　Containing a forced charming sigh. 

「I’ll help you.」

「What?」

「I’ll send the three of you to the imperial capital Urzak. It’s faster than humans moving on foot.」

　At those words.

　Kai silently looked at Jeanne. Rinne and Reirin were also stunned as they couldn’t understand what was going on.

　Send us to the imperial capital Urzak? Ourselves?

　What was this Succubus Princess planning? It really couldn’t be guessed.

「…………」

「Ara, what’s wrong? Such sour looks.」

「It seems there is going to be compensation after all.」

　The devil whispered.

　It was obvious that it would not be a cheap exchange. Especially if she knew we urgently needed help.

「No.」

　That’s why──

　Kai couldn’t believe his ears at the completely unexpected answer. 

「That’s what I’m ordered to do. So don’t worry humans, what I want from you isn’t compensation. It’s something even more delightful.」

Seems like Kai forgot about the earthquakes happening in Agito that would probably mean there was another steel machine there….lol. Also, you might notice I tend to use demon and devil interchangeably. As far as I can tell, devils are a subspecies of the demon race, but I have yet to see a demon that isn’t a devil. So until I do, I will probably continue to be lazy and use “devil” when I know devils are specifically talked about and “demon” otherwise.