“First, we need to start by disposing of the useless ones.”

The Demonkin, Daniele, spoke. The next moment, Marion’s face showed an expression of astonishment,

“W-wait–“

Immediately after speaking, the Demonkin snapped his fingers–a scream escaped Marion’s lips instead of words. Furthermore, the traitorous Knight also showed a similar reaction.

Just as I wondered what was happening, the two collapsed. There must have been some trick in the device they were given.

“…I thought it was some kind of useful device, but…”

I said, shifting my gaze to Daniele.

“I never imagined it was for disposing of the Humans you appeased.”

“I told these guys it was a very useful device. They happily accepted it.”

Daniele replied to my words with a twisted smile.

“In the end, we Demonkin are everything. It’s ridiculous for Humans to try and establish an equal relationship through a deal.”

…I don’t know what Marion and the others’ intentions were in cooperating with the Demonkin, but in the end, they were only destined to be discarded by Daniele, huh.

“…Is that all you have to say?”

Arete said. I warned her, as her voice was mixed with no small amount of anger.

“It’s better not to attack carelessly. Since there’s an insider, all your information is being leaked. They might still have one or two traps prepared.”

“It’s helpful that you’re so perceptive.”

Daniele responded without any attempt to hide anything.

“I was going to tell you, who are about to die. You could say it’s my way of a farewell offering.”

Immediately after those words, the ground suddenly vibrated.

“What…!?”

Someone behind me groaned. I could clearly feel it too. A sensation of Magic Power surging up from beneath my feet.

“This is magic I constructed quite carefully so you wouldn’t notice. It’s not powerful enough to kill you instantly. I’ll enjoy watching you writhe in pain.”

Immediately after those words, the Magic Power from beneath our feet surged all at once. It felt as if a large number of Monsters were emerging from underground, and I could predict that if we hadn’t taken countermeasures, it would have been quite dangerous.

But—just before the Magic Circle’s effect activated, I heard Garuku’s voice.

“We win… obviously.”

The next moment, the Magic Power surging from underground suddenly dwindled.

“—What?”

Daniele frowned.

Next, there was a diffusion of Magic Power. This was fundamentally different from the previous movement, which had been aimed directly at us. The Magic Power twisted in strange directions, and Magic Powers clashed and canceled each other out, their strength diminishing.

“Impossible, why—”

“Isn’t it just that you underestimated us?”

I spoke to the surprised Daniele.

“It seems your magic failed… I don’t know how it works, but isn’t it true that your abilities can’t be unleashed on land inhabited by Spirits?”

“Impossible—even though their Magic Power is being poured into the earth.”

“Into the earth?”

Arete spoke out at Daniele’s hurried remark.

“What do you mean? Are you doing something?”

I asked, but Daniele, perhaps realizing his remark was a mistake, showed a bitter expression before staring at Arete.

“You don’t need to know… because you’re going to die here!”

The Monsters roared in unison. Immediately recognizing that they were attacking, the members of the Extermination Squad responded instantly.

They began to counterattack. It wouldn’t be strange for them to be flustered by the series of unexpected developments, but the members of the Extermination Squad were responding steadily.

“…There’s no doubt that our information was completely leaked.”

Amidst this, Arete, confronting Daniele, spoke.

“But it seems you weren’t able to analyze our combat strength effectively… No, perhaps, like Humans, your logical thinking stops working in critical situations?”

“—Tsk!”

Daniele clicked his tongue and immediately turned his back. Arete raised her staff and fired several Light Bullets, but the Demon Race avoided them while turning their backs, as if sensing their presence.

The surrounding Monsters were being reduced in number by the members of the Extermination Squad. There didn’t seem to be any reinforcements, so it would probably be fine to leave them to it.

If that’s the case… Arete began to chase Daniele, so I followed her. The exit of the Forest was visible directly ahead, and Daniele rushed towards it.

Arete followed him. As I passed after her, there was—

“You came back quickly, didn’t you?”

It was Sylvie’s voice. In front of the Cave, she, along with Sofia and Kuuza, stood blocking Daniele.

Naturally, the Demon Race stopped moving at the sight of unfamiliar opponents… but they seemed to have realized quickly.

“Companions of the man who was hiding…!”

“That’s right. We’ve mostly dealt with the Monsters near the Cave entrance. No more reinforcements for you.”

Kuuza declared. Daniele then exuded killing intent, saying,

“You all…!”

“Ah, I think you have something more important to deal with first, rather than directing your anger at us.”

By the time Kuuza spoke, it was too late. Arete was mercilessly about to unleash her magic from behind Daniele.

As a Demon Race, they were caught in a pincer attack, and their response was critically delayed—and not just that. The magic power Arete released was so dense it changed the very air around them.

“It’s over.”

Simultaneously with her declaration, magic power overflowed from her Iron Staff. Numerous Light Bullets appeared… their number enough to fill the surroundings.

“Y-you humans, how dare you!”

“You, who are defeated by those humans, were, after all, worse than the humans you scorned.”

Along with Arete’s cold words, the Light Bullets were unleashed upon the Demon Race. The light, which filled the space as if to overwhelm it, gave Daniele no chance to move—the countless Light Bullets struck the Demon Race directly.

I heard a death scream. When it was all over, the battle was surprisingly brief, but if I hadn’t intervened and Garuku and the others hadn’t countered the magic circle strategy, the entire Extermination Squad could have been wiped out.

Eventually, as the Light Bullets disappeared, Daniele, the Demon Race who had been there, was nowhere to be seen. They were certainly annihilated, which is why Arete let out a sigh of relief.

“…First, thank goodness we’re safe.”

Words directed at us. Then Kuuza shrugged her shoulders and said,

“As long as you are safe, we are satisfied.”

“…There are many things I want to ask, but—”

A monster’s roar. Daniele was destroyed, but the monsters hadn’t disappeared. Moreover, with their master gone, they were likely in a berserk state.

“First, we’ll exterminate the monsters.”

“We’ll go into the cave. Please take care of the forest.”

“Are you sure?”

“Trust us.”

Sofia and Sylvie nodded silently. Arete seemed to ponder for a moment after seeing their expressions, but then said,

“…Alright. If you judge it to be dangerous, return immediately.”

“Understood.”

Arete returned to where her comrades were. After seeing her disappear into the forest, Kuuza said,

“Ruon, the plan was a success, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. Garuku, how was the magic?”

“Excellent. Some issues were found, but they had no impact this time.”

“Will those issues be fatal when confronting the Demon King?”

“It needs to be verified. But I will definitely fix it.”

“I’m counting on you… Now then.”

After glancing at my comrades, I said,

“Most of the operation is over… but the monsters remain. Don’t let your guard down until the end. Let’s go!”

With my shout, we entered the cave. A scene unfolded where monsters, who should have been deeper inside, rushed toward the entrance, vying to be first.

Kuuza and Sofia’s magic held them back. I also intercepted them with magic, and Sylvie was fully active with her sword techniques.

The actions of the monsters who had lost their master were terribly simple; we only had to keep defeating the charging monsters. Sofia and the others had the power to win even when facing them head-on… it didn’t take long to defeat the monsters inside the cave.

Then, we returned to the forest. Arete and her group were already there, having exterminated the monsters.

“…Well then, next, I need to hear your story.”

She spoke… and thus, the Extermination Squad’s battle ended.