Inside the ward in front of the church. After Sechs confirmed that Kaito had passed through his ward, he stopped fighting and clapped his hands several times.

  [Good gracious, I guess we lost. Everyone, I thank you for going along with my selfishness. Those of you who can use Recovery Magic, please heal those who were injured.]

  [………………….]

  Lilia and the others looked a little confused when Sechs quickly admitted defeat and ordered the gathered Demons to stop battling as soon as Kaito passed through, but only Shea pulled back her scythe without looking surprised.

  [……It’s hard acting as the “villain”, isn’t it, Great Sage of the Dead?]

  [Hohoho, good gracious, it’s the duty of the elders to push the back of the youth…… Did I go too far?]

  [I dunno. Well, you acted really bad though.]

  [Oya oya, that’s harsh of you.]

  When Sechs said that with a leisurely smile on his face, Shea told him such with a faint smile on her face.

  It was as if Sechs’ actions earlier had all been an act……


  [Regardless of whether it’s for good or bad, becoming someone’s family makes them close to you…… Because of this, things can sometimes be difficult. I will also have to thank Miyama-dono later.]

  [It’s still too soon to tell, isn’t it?]

  [No, I’m sure that Miyama-dono will be able to pull it off…… Neun-dono seems to have actually come to her senses……. I guess there is some merit for my pitiful act. Good gracious, I also have to thank you, God of Disasters, for your “cooperation”.]

  [……I don’t know what you’re talking about.]

  [Surely, you jest…… If you had fought seriously, you could have neutralized us in an instant, couldn’t you?]

  [……Tsk.]

  When Sechs bowed his head to her, Shea clicked her tongue with a sincerely troubled look on her face. However, she didn’t deny his words. It seems she was really holding back in the fight.

  [I’m just grateful for your compassion.]

  [……Don’t get me wrong. I certainly am a compassionate Goddess. I respond to those who seek help…… but I’m not so good-natured as to go out of my way to save a big idiot who doesn’t even ask for help. The only reason I helped…… was because that human asked me to “help him”…… To begin with, the reason I saved “those three” was all because of that softhearted person.]

  [I see.]

  [……Well, in the end…… It’s kind of irritating that even that is “just as that fellow had expected”……]

  [Ahh, I knew that was the case……]

  After telling him that she had no intention of getting involved in this matter in the first place if Kaito hadn’t asked for help, Shea spoke about how someone pulled some strings for this situation to occur.

  Sechs seemed to know that too, and nodded without looking particularly surprised.

  [……To begin with, the situation we’re in is just too convenient. The information that my favorite brand would release a new product today reaching the God Realm, and the location of its launch being conveniently near here…… Then, the depressed Kaito, after being faced with the antagonism of his friend for the first time, just happened to walk by.]

  [That’s right. I’m sure it’s easy for that person to get the information to me. In addition, the perfectly-timed reinforcements…… One of them is even the King of another country.]

  [……That’s just a misunderstanding.]

  [ [ Mhmm? ] ]

  As Shea and Sechs talk about the existence that had pulled the strings in the shadows, the topic of conversation appeared beside them.

  A special hood making her face not visible and a multitude of chains dangling on her robe adorned her body……


  [……Phantasmal King, No Face…… As I thought, it’s you.]

  [If it isn’t Phantasmal King-sama…… And, what were we misunderstanding?]

  [No, no. First of all, you see, the major premise for that not being the case is that…… Hikari-san and Vier-san are both “insignificant people” for me. Ahh, please don’t misunderstand. I certainly have some affection for them…… But well, it’s only to the extent that even if they ask my help, I might only make things slightly advantageous for them.]

  As the sound of the chains on her robe echoed, No Face nonchalantly spoke.

  [……There is only one person I would unconditionally side with, not caring about advantages and disadvantages, and that is Kaito-san. That’s why I didn’t prepare this stage to save four people…… However, isn’t it obvious that…… “I would prepare the stage that would have the best outcome for Kaito-san”? Everything is for Kaito-san’s sake~~]

  [……Well, I suppose so. If that wasn’t the case, you would have done something about this a long time ago……]

  [Yes, that’s right. If I wanted to do something about those three’s relationship, I could have done it before. I just didn’t feel like it though. Well, I owe Kuro-san a debt of gratitude too, so I’m glad that it turned out this way.]

  [……Putting aside the Great Sage of the Dead, you’re also quite hasty in your thinking, aren’t you, Phantasmal King? We’re still not sure what the outcome will be yet, right?]

  When No Face told her that she is only moving for Kaito’s sake, Shea quietly spoke her thoughts.

  However, No Face easily denied Shea’s words.

  [No, it’s already decided.….. At the very least, it’s already confirmed that Vier will meet with Kuro.]

  [……Hohhh, why is that? Excuse my discourtesy, but would you please tell me what you’re basing this on?]

  [Yes, the reason is actually simple…… If Kaito-san just uses his “trump card”, he’s already won.]

  [Trump card, is it? Does he have such a thing?]

  [Yes. You could say that I might’ve even saved Sechs-san’s life~~ After all, if Sechs-san had pushed Kaito-san too hard and made him use his trump card…… I don’t think that even you would be able to ensure everyone’s safety, you know?]

  [For his trump card to be that powe——– Wha!?]

  [This is……]

  Shea and Sechs looked skeptical as No Face talked about how powerful the trump card Kaito possessed was but…… those thoughts immediately disappeared.

  They felt a tremendous torrent of magic power gushing even through the ward.

  [This is impossible! What is this magic power……]

  [C- Could this be…… Miyama-dono’s trump card…… Guhh!? Ju- Just a fragment of this magic power feels like it would be able to crush me……]

  [U- Unbelievable…… The grade of this magic power is comparable to Shallow Vernal-sama…… Other than Underworld King…… H- How can such a monster exist!?]

  [Oya? I see Shea-san doesn’t know about her huh…… That should mean that the Supreme Gods also don’t know about her. Well, anyway…… You should understand now, right? As long as this being is on Kaito-san’s side, there’s no way that Vier-san can win.]

  With the appearance of Eden-san, Dr. Vier moved immediately.

  Realizing in an instant that she was no match for Eden-san, she escaped as fast as she could.

  However……


  [Disrespect.]

  [Gahh…… Aahh…… can’t move……]

  As Eden-san muttered a few words, Dr. Vier’s body unnaturally stopped with her posture looking like she’s trying to run.

  Yes, Dr. Vier decided that she couldn’t win against Eden-san and that she was no match for her, so she tried to run away…… but she was mistaken to think she could.

  Once Eden-san showed up, there was no way for Dr. Vier to even fight anymore.

  [……Eden-san. Can you “forcibly teleport Dr. Vier, Neun-san and I to where Kuro is”?]

  [Easy.]

  The main reason why I considered Eden-san as my trump card…… is because I remembered how she forcibly teleported Alice when they fought before.

  So, I asked Eden-san if she could teleport Dr. Vier, regardless of her intentions, without hurting her, and Eden-san said that it’s easy.

  [……Dr. Vier. I’m sorry for being forceful like this. I’ll listen to your complaints as much as you want later. Eden-san, please!]

  [Acknowledged.]

  With my words as a key, a flash of light shot out from Eden-san’s wings and the scenery around us instantly changed.

  What should have been a church turned into a small hill where the gentle breeze could be felt…… And there stood the person we were looking for.

  A sword was stuck in front of a huge stone monument and Kuro was standing in front of it, looking at the stone monument. Now then…… Where am I?

  [……Could this place be……]

  [Neun-san?]

  [This is where the Demon Lord’s castle used to be, and where the Treaty of Friendship was signed. For me, and for Vier…… This is the place where the battle began and ended…… The place that is now called the “Hero’s Hill”. H- However, why is Kuromu-sama here……]

  I see, this is…… the place that Lilia-san told me about. This is where Neun-san’s message and her beloved katana were placed huh.

  This place may certainly be appropriate for our current situation, but why would Kuro be here at this time?

  As these questions came to mind, Kuro spoke without looking back towards us.

  [……Kaito-kun, Neun, and Sechs…… I know that everyone is moving around. That’s why I’ve decided to wait here. I believe in Kaito-kun after all…… I thought it would be best to wait here and not do anything else.]

  After calmly telling me this, Kuro looked towards us.

  I don’t know if Eden-san’s magical restraints are still in place, but Dr. Vier wasn’t moving. No, she may be unable to move…… but I knew that she looked very pale and was slightly shaking.

  [……It’s been a while, Vier.]

  [……Kuro…… mu…… -sama……]

  I’ve done all I could for this moment to happen. I still don’t know what the outcome of their meeting will be…… But even if that’s so, Kuro and Dr. Vier, at this moment…… for the first time in a thousand years, they met again.

  **********