“For now, could Phili and the others come here?”

“Understood.”

I heard Phili’s voice in response to my suggestion.

“Well, Sylvie has already informed me of the situation. That the Princess of the Barx Kingdom is alive.”

“Sylvie, you told them?”

“It will spread to the public once the War with Demons is over, so there’s no problem, right?”

“Well, that’s true… Anyway, please proceed with that policy.”

After discussing for a bit, the conversation ended. The communication cut off, and I thought about getting ready to sleep, but then I received another message from my Familiar.

“Ruon, there’s something I’d like to confirm.”

It was Sylvie’s voice again. This time, I’m sure Phili, Radi, and the others aren’t around.

“Yeah, alright.”

“So, the Southern Invasion is finally starting, right?”

“Yeah. That said, the war probably won’t start immediately after defeating four of the Five Great Demons. From now on, I’ll need to observe the Demon Race’s movements and talk with King Kanan and others.”

“Understood. What should we do after we regroup?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve explained about Phili and Radi to King Kanan, and Sofia also understands the situation, but… we need to discuss it with the Knight Order. Still, I don’t think things will turn out badly.”

“Then what about Ruon?”

“I haven’t decided yet, but if there are any deficiencies in the Demon King’s Magic versus Strategy, I might have to deal with that.”

Or perhaps, I should still focus on Spirit Creation now.

“Either way, from now on, it’s not just my decision. I think I’ll have to gather information and deal with things as they come.”

“Understood. We’ll head your way for now.”

“I’m counting on you.”

The communication cuts off. The problem of a simultaneous capture operation arose, but we managed to get through it somehow. However, an even bigger problem stands in our way.

There will probably be some time until the Southern Invasion begins and the full-scale attack starts. What should I do during that time? I have a feeling that if I make the wrong choice, things could go badly.

What I should do now is… as I’m thinking, there’s a knock.

“Come in.”

When the door opens, Sofia appears.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’d like to consult with you about the future.”

Sofia says with a formal attitude. In response, I ask her a question.

“The future, are you talking about me? Or about yourself, Sofia?”

“About myself. I assume Lord Ruon intends to act separately from me.”

“We did talk about that beforehand… but I can’t confirm it without seeing the situation.”

“What about Sylvie and the others?”

“They’ve been defeated, I hear. The Southern Invasion will begin soon.”

Sofia nodded at my words.

“Well, I’m not relying on Lord Ruon’s power, but… I think we have enough fighting strength for the Southern Invasion and can counter it.”

“The problem is we don’t know what the Demon Race will do. I think we should establish a situation where things will be fine even without me. So, Sofia. Are you dissatisfied with acting together with Eina and the others?”

“No, the fact that I’m alive will spread before long, and it would be bad if I were to disappear. However,”

“You’re more concerned about me, then.”

Sofia nods. Her face doesn’t show anxiety, but—

“I think worrying about Lord Ruon is overthinking it, considering his power.”

“…Currently, things are progressing according to the Flow of the Story. I don’t want to disrupt that, and I won’t overdo it.”

Sofia nods slightly at my words, but her face doesn’t brighten.

So she’s feeling some kind of anxiety… perhaps her premonition-like ability is involved.

“…Sofia, how do you want me to act?”

“Me?”

“Since you’re making that face, you must have something on your mind, right?”

At my question, Sofia seemed a little intimidated. She shrugged her shoulders and looked embarrassed.

“I’m sorry, I was out of line…”

I’m not worried. I just want to hear your thoughts, Sofia.

Sofia pondered my request for a while… and then,

“Well, as for me—”

The moment she was about to speak, Lefin suddenly appeared beside Sofia. I was surprised by her abruptness and was about to open my mouth, but Lefin began to speak first.

“Excuse me, Lady Sofia.”

“…Lefin?”

“I have something to discuss with Lord Ruon.”

“Did something happen?”

“I don’t think it’s a bad development… No, this is probably in preparation for the Southern Invasion.”

At Lefin’s words, my expression hardened slightly.

“Good or bad, the Demon Race has made a move.”

“Yes. To put it simply—”

Lefin glanced at Sofia and me, then spoke.

“It seems that multiple Demon Races… the Demon Races that occupied cities like the Capital City, are retreating.”

—Several days later, information also reached the Knight Order and Kanan. Many of the Demon Races that had occupied cities like the Capital City were retreating as if the tide had begun to recede.

Kanan explained to the Knight Order, “They must be doing this to avoid further reducing their forces after being defeated by us.” Since he had heard the circumstances from me, he apparently interpreted this as a prelude to the Southern Invasion.

However, several important strongholds, including the Capital of Barx Kingdom, are still under their control. The Demon Race probably thinks they can’t give them up. Some argued that they should attack those strongholds, but Kanan said he “wanted to observe the situation,” so it was decided to investigate the movements of the Demon Race.

In the meantime, the fact that Sofia was alive began to spread among Humans. Naturally, her existence as a Sage’s Bloodline was significant, and perhaps because her cousin Eina was also present, the standing of the Knight Order itself rose considerably.

There’s no need to worry about her… So, how should I proceed?

“…There are various options, but why don’t we begin with Spirit Creation?”

Lefin was the one who suggested it. She left Sofia and came to my room to discuss it.

“It is true that the Demon Race is steadily preparing for the Southern Invasion, but the Human Side is doing the same. King Kanan is acting to respond because he knows the situation, so there’s no need to worry too much.”

“So, since we have time, you’re suggesting we create Spirits now?”

“Yes. First, for the Magic Power that will be the foundation of the Spirits… we’ve found a suitable location.”

“Where is that?”

“Near Nagutrad, a town in the Northern Region… It’s a town, but it’s a ruin, so there are no people there.”

“Are there Ancient Ruins near that town?”

“Yes. To be more precise, they exist beneath that town, underground.”

…The Gnomes must have found it when they were exploring underground.

“Understood. It would be best to do it while we have time.”

“—However, Lord Ruon.”

Here, Garuku’s voice entered my head.

“That place is particularly strong in Magic Power… but there’s also some inexplicable Magic Power present.”

“Inexplicable Magic Power?”

“It’s something different from the Magic Power of Humans, Spirits… and even the Demon Race or Angels. Lefin recommended that place considering Lord Ruon’s power, but I’m not entirely without worries.”

“If Garuku, the Spirit God, says so, then it must be troublesome.”

I replied that way… but I had a certain premonition.

“Well, it’s fine. If the power I seek is there, I’ll just go.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Garuku, can you guide me to that place?”

I don’t mind.

Alright, let’s head there. Lefin, please take care of Sofia.

It was at this point that I remembered her intervention when Sofia was about to say something. I hadn’t had a chance to ask about it for the past few days, but… it was definitely strange.

When you were talking with Sofia… did you intentionally intervene?

…I can’t say anything myself, but it’s solely a matter of Lady Sofia’s feelings.

I understand.

I didn’t ask anything further and went to Garuku and Lefin.

Then, let’s go. To the Angel Ruins in the Underground.