Beyond the door was a dome-shaped room. The floor was different, but the material used for the walls was similar to the place where the teleportation magic circle had been, and we could see the blue world where we live.

“Welcome.”

A cunning voice. A demon wrapped in a black robe. He had a face with fangs like demons, but his physique was far from muscular; he was thin.

He wasn’t hunched over, but his voice gave the impression of an old man.

“Oh dear, to think that existing defenses couldn’t eliminate you.”

With a grumbling voice, the demon—Gudis—said with an air of great annoyance.

“Nevertheless, since you’ve come this far, I must respond with due courtesy. Welcome to my stronghold. My name is Gudis.”

“If we defeat you, the monsters will stop moving, right?”

When Alto asked, pointing the tip of his greatsword, Gudis nodded.

“Indeed… but it won’t happen that way. Because all of you will die here.”

After uttering the customary line, the door behind him closed. The presentation was just like in the game… Now, what will happen from here?

I’ve given all my companions devices with fire resistance. So they shouldn’t take much damage, but—

Suddenly, Gudis spread his arms. With that, white spheres of light appeared to the left and right of the demon. They were about the size of basketballs.

Just as Alto and Eina became wary and entered combat stance, Gudis declared,

“—Prepare yourselves.”

With his words, the battle began. The moment Alto and Eina tried to step forward, magical power emanated from the spheres, and a wall of flame appeared directly in front of us.

Of course, Alto and the others showed caution—but at that moment, Sofia unleashed ‘Lightning.’ An action born from hearing the situation from me.

The lightning flash went straight towards the white sphere of light. As a result, the light was crushed by magic, and the wall in front disappeared.

“Oh, you’re quick to understand.”

As soon as Gudis said that, he created more white spheres of light—their pace was much faster than in the game.

A wall of flame formed again, blocking our path. It would be simple enough to force our way through—Alto swung his sword, but it was blocked with a sound like hitting metal.

“Damn it! Is he creating a barrier or something?!”

Gudis created even more white spheres of light. Walls of flame randomly formed everywhere, filling the hall. I considered the idea of jumping over the walls from above, but the barrier probably extends all the way up, so it would be impossible. In that case—

Sofia unleashed another ‘Lightning.’ Alto had been unable to pass his weapon through earlier, but magic penetrated it effortlessly.

“It seems magic can pass through normally.”

“—I know your battle tactics well.”

Here, Gudis begins to speak.

I’m not good at manual labor. I apologize, but I’ll have to take measures to keep you all away.

So, unlike in the game, he’s acting with an understanding of our tactics. It’s certainly true that we’d be at a disadvantage with only close-quarters combatants.

We have no choice but for everyone to destroy the White Sphere of Light.

Kyarun spoke. That would be the case if it were Book, but… I moved at that moment.

I’ll do it.

As I spoke, I stepped forward. Immediately after Alto and the others looked at me, I activated the Light Intermediate Magic, ‘Durandal’. Of course, it was a toned-down version, but considering Gudis’s abilities, it should be enough.

I’ll destroy the White Sphere of Light. The rest of you, charge at Gudis.

What are you going to do with a Light Sword?

I responded to Alto’s question with action. I swung at the Wall of Flame—there was a slight resistance, but the slash obliterated the flames in front of me, barrier and all.

Oh, you’re good.

The flames tried to regenerate with increased intensity. But then, a follow-up slash.

Let’s close in at once!

I shouted and ran. I easily broke through the Wall of Flame with my Light Sword. Furthermore, Sofia unleashed her Magic, and Ignos also began his attack.

Alto and the others followed. Sofia and I continuously obliterated the Walls of Flame blocking the path to Gudis.

Gudis’s presence changed here. It seemed he recognized that we were approaching—he further increased his Magic Power and generated more flames.

So he’s determined not to let us get close.

I muttered, mercilessly swinging my sword. Alto and Eina also pushed forward from behind, steadily closing in on Gudis.

Of course, if we get close, his attacks will become more intense, but since we’ve implemented a fire attribute counter-strategy, there shouldn’t be much of a problem—

So you can easily push through with this much, can you?

Gudis mumbled. Immediately after sensing he had something in mind, his Magic Power increased even further.

In response, I concentrated my Magic Power into the blade—the next moment, red light emanated from Gudis’s hands.

There was no name for it, but he was creating red Light Bullets to attack—I assumed this was his normal attack, and I braced myself to deflect them. Alto and the others also stopped in the same way,

First, yes. Let’s gradually reduce their numbers.

Along with his words, more Light Bullets appeared around Gudis. Immediately after thinking they would all come at once, they flew towards us.

Evade!

Shouting to my comrades behind me, I blocked the attack with my Light Sword. Since deflecting them might hit other comrades, I nullified them with light Magic Power.

You are an excellent Swordsman. I can surmise that you are likely the leader among them.

Words evaluating me—

However, if such Humans are defeated, you will be in a predicament.

Just as I wondered what he intended to do, Sofia, sensing something, moved beside me.

Lord Ruon—

It was then. A Wall of Flame suddenly appeared behind me. It blocked my coordination with Alto and the other comrades, resulting in only Sofia and me being trapped inside the Wall of Flame.

Lady Sofia!

Eina cried out. At this, Sofia found the White Sphere of Light and unleashed a Lightning Strike.

The Magic was able to obliterate the White Sphere of Light—but then it immediately regenerated.

It’s a bit tough, but it’s possible to remotely infuse Magic Power.

Gudis told us. In the meantime, I tried striking the Wall of Flame with my sword, but I couldn’t destroy it like before.

I have grasped your abilities. Indeed, that sword and magic are a threat, but with my power, I can suppress them.

—If I were to go all out, I could easily destroy it, but what would happen if I used my full power here? It’s a very difficult decision.

And Gudis is leaving a path open, as if to invite us. Since there are only two of us, is he planning to meet us head-on? No, this is—

Is the Wall of Flame meant to seal us in, the best he can do?

I’m only maintaining a bit of power to kill you all. I’ll make you realize that thinking you can win if you get close is a mistake.

Lord Ruon

Then Sofia’s voice. I looked and she was holding her sword, seeming to have a plan.

I’ll handle this. Lord Ruon is still…

She probably wants to tell me not to go all out. And I understood what Sofia was thinking.

She’s trying to use her new skill, ‘Spirit World’.

Can you do it?

It will take some time, but…

Understood. Then I’ll buy you that time.

After saying a word, I step forward—it’s the perfect opportunity to test if it works against the Demon Race.

Have you decided how to fight?

In response to those words, Sofia concentrated her power. Compared to when she announced her results before, her Magic Convergence was going well.

Oh, you’re doing something interesting.

He seemed to understand what she was going to do. But he didn’t show any signs of caution. It didn’t seem like he had completely seen through the essence of her power.

You can try if it works.

Gudis’s words. In response, I readied my sword.

Yes, I will—