From south to north—after many detours, we finally reached the Salamander’s Lair. It looked similar to a Gnome’s Cave, but perhaps because it was located at the foot of an active volcano, there were few trees and mostly rocks around.

We proceeded inside, following Lefin’s lead. The temperature inside the Cave was quite high, so we used cooling Magic as we advanced. Unlike the abodes of other Spirits, there were Monsters here, but to be honest, they were weak. Thus, we reached the depths quite easily.

Well, for me, the main event will probably be when I go to Feus’s place… Thinking this, I looked around the Cave Interior. There was lava, making it a very characteristic place. As we remained silent, Spirits emerged from the lava.

You seem to be guests, but you have a different air about you than before.

The Spirits who appeared, speaking, were red-haired Spirits clad in red clothing from head to toe. Their features were refined, but their face, so perfectly crafted as if made to evoke the image of a handsome man, seemed almost uncanny.

Hello, Rezadi.

Lefin greeted the Salamander who had appeared… Rezadi.

“Salamander, a spirit comparable to the contractor, steps forward… It seems you’ve appeared after all.”

“You look as if you expected this. Your attitude is a little unsettling, but… it seems there’s a reason for it.”

“Yes.”

At that moment, Rokuto and Amaria also appeared. Then I called out to Young Garuku to appear—and upon seeing the materialized Garuku, Salamander was surprised.

“Even the Divine Spirit Hall… It’s as if this group is going to defeat the Demon King.”

“It’s not ‘as if,’ that’s exactly what we intend to do.”

From there, Lefin’s explanation began. Rezadi’s face changed rapidly—and eventually,

“I see. Then I must cooperate as well.”

He spoke in a rather theatrical manner. Then he showed his gratitude to Sofia,

“To defeat the Demon King, I, Rezadi, will cooperate.”

“Oh, thank you…”

Sofia was also bewildered, as if he were acting. Rezadi, however, didn’t seem to care at all.

“For now, a new spirit has joined without incident… but isn’t the real challenge just beginning from here?”

Kuuza spoke. What he meant was likely about the battle with Feus.

Rezadi was silent for a while, then began to speak.

“We, the Book, do not have any interaction with Lord Feus, the Spirit God. We know his dwelling, but from there…”

“I understand. I’ll take it from there.”

When I said that, Rezadi replied, “Understood,” and told us the location.

The Cave on the Volcano Mid-slope seems to be his dwelling. Rezadi said that he apparently uses magic power from the entrance to ward off monsters and people, so there probably won’t be any battles with monsters.

“However, what will happen once we make contact…”

“I understand. So, Sofia and the others—”

“We’re going.”

“I’m coming too.”

“I intend to accompany you as well.”

My companions said in unison. I don’t know what will happen… or rather, what will we do if we end up fighting Feus?

“There’s no need to worry so much.”

Here, Garuku began to speak.

“I know because I’ve had some dealings with Feus. If he were to fight, he would likely create a barrier or something to protect his companions.”

“…Is that to fight fair and square?”

“No, it’s more like his hobby.”

“Huh?”

When I asked again, not understanding, Garuku told us, looking somewhat reluctant.

“To put it simply, he has a notion somewhere in his heart that his power is supreme and all other beings are inferior. Since he acts this way even towards me, he would naturally look down on humans.”

“…He sounds troublesome.”

“Perhaps ‘arrogant’ would be the right word. From his perspective, Lord Ruon’s challenge would be reckless, and he would likely think of teaching him a lesson, showing him he absolutely cannot win.”

“Is setting up a barrier related to that personality?”

“I merely thought that he would act to make Lord Ruon give his all, engrave the fact that he absolutely cannot win, and make him lose the will to defy him.”

Ah, I see… As for this, it’s a matter of waiting to see what Feus does. Well, even if he attacks us without question, we can probably buy enough time for our companions to escape.

However, thinking about it again, everyone here is talking as if a fight is inevitable. It’s possible that Feus might listen to our circumstances and cooperate without incident… No, considering Feus’s personality as described by Garuku, the chances are slim.

Well, somehow, I also feel like I’m going to end up in a fight… Amidst our anxieties, we set off towards the cave where Feus resides.

Several hours after leaving Salamander’s Lair, we arrived at our destination. An inconspicuous entrance existed slightly below the mountainside.

This entrance was kept hidden from humans and others through the use of illusion magic, but guided by Rezadi of Salamander, we entered the cave.

The moment we stepped inside, I sensed a faint presence. I’m not sure if it was Feus’s, but it’s certain that we’ve been noticed.

After a short walk, we reached a dead end. They must be using Illusion Magic to make it seem like there’s nothing here.

“How do we dispel the Illusion Magic?”

“I’ll handle this.”

Lefin stepped forward. As I watched, she used Wind Magic to create a vortex of wind.

A refreshing wind, unfitting for a cave, swirled. Then, the rock face in front of us suddenly vanished, revealing a passageway.

“……Can I ask something?”

Kuuza spoke up.

“I don’t doubt that Feus is in this cave, but Feus is a Phoenix, right? I have a very large image of them, can they really get in and out of this cave?”

“When they go outside, they shapeshift into humans and various other forms. That’s why these narrow passages are not a problem.”

“Oh, I see. Well, now that I think about it, they probably do possess that kind of skill.”

Listening to Kuuza’s satisfied voice, we moved forward. I didn’t feel any temperature increase like in the Salamander’s Lair. It was just an ordinary rocky cave. It’s quite plain for a Spirit God’s dwelling.

“It’s likely that our arrival has piqued Lord Feus’s interest.”

Rezadi began to speak.

“However, whether that means they will be cooperative with us… it’s more likely that they are agitated by us entering their dwelling.”

“It can’t be helped.”

I shrugged my shoulders—if we can get Feus on our side, all that will remain is the Holy Tree Coronarecion related matters.

After securing Feus’s cooperation, we should head to the Academia, and then assess the situation on the continent to make a decision… The remaining Five Great Demon Races Event hasn’t ended yet, and the timing of that will be the next focus.

I don’t know what we’ll learn at the Academia, but if we’re going to use Spirit Power, Sofia’s combat strength will undoubtedly increase. If we continue to level up smoothly, we should reach a level where we can fight the Demon King. The same will probably be true for Sylvie and Kuuza.

Since Kanan is defeating the Demon Race and working to secure military strength, we should be able to counter the Southern Invasion to some extent. In some cases, we might even utilize Divine Spirit Power—no, considering the information that the Spirit Gods, including my power, have started to move, I don’t know what the Demon King will do. It’s not impossible that they could devise a counter-strategy against the Spirit Gods when using Continent-Shattering Magic. I should hold back here and conceal the existence of the Spirit Gods until the magic is activated.

So, it’s best for me and the Spirit Gods to prepare without the Demon King finding out for now… Is this the best course of action?

“—It’s finally time.”

At that moment, Rezadi murmured. I could tell too. I could feel a strong magical power from ahead.

This is my third meeting with a Spirit God, but Sofia and the others are silently nervous. How things will turn out with my companions and spirits accompanying me… While I was thinking, we reached what seemed to be the innermost part.