Having obtained information, we decided to hold a Strategy Meeting in our room. The location was the men’s room where Alto, Ignos, and I sleep. The women sat in chairs, and we sat on the beds, starting to talk in a relaxed state.

“…I obtained information, and there was something I found questionable.”

Sofia started the conversation.

“The Demon Race is likely Executive Class since they even have a Stronghold, but considering the information we heard, they seem quite cautious. Also… among the Executives, there were some who destroyed Nations, but this Demon Race remained silent until the Extermination Army moved. What could this mean—”

“—In addition to having another objective, there’s also the possibility that they are weakened.”

I spoke. Then the other members turned their gaze towards me.

I think it’s definitely an Executive Class. But considering that we can somehow deal with the monsters it creates, and that we’re keeping humans away because we can’t use the barrier, it might be executing some strategy and its power might be weakened.

Oh, in that case, I have a suggestion.

Kyarun raised her hand slightly.

The Gnome I contracted with started saying that the state of the earth was strange as we got closer to the Demon Lord’s Castle.

So, it seems certain that something is being set up.

I suddenly wondered if the Gnome Kyarun contracted with and the Rokuto Sofia contracted with were conspiring, but… well, I can ask about that during the investigation.

Lord Ruon.

Then Sofia offered her opinion.

Rokuto wants to speak.

Understood.

As I nodded, Rokuto, who was contracted with Sofia, appeared and began to speak.

As we approach the stronghold, the quality of the magic power sleeping in the earth is changing. This is probably because a demon race called Redras is injecting magic power. Therefore, it is highly likely that its power is weakened due to focusing its energy there.

…Into the earth? Isn’t that dangerous?

Alto asked. Rokuto nodded.

The magic power of the demon race invading the earth… it’s definitely a bad thing, isn’t it?

Either way, wouldn’t it be solved if we cut off the source?

Stella asked. She seems eager to fight. Quite aggressive.

From here on, we should leave it to each person’s judgment.

This time, I opened my mouth.

Stella seems to want to fight… Alto and Ignos, please discuss it among yourselves. I’ll also talk with Sofia and Kyarun.

What about Lord Ruon?

Sofia asked. I looked back at her and said,

…If there’s a possibility, I think we should go to the stronghold.

Then I’ll go with you too.

It was an immediate decision. Then Alto nodded in agreement with Sofia, and said,

…Well, it’s a story that humans might be able to do something about the demon race. If there’s no one else to go at the moment, I feel like I should just try it. And besides—

Alto stared at his own palm.

I have to do it… I feel that wind in my heart somewhere.

Perhaps the Sage’s Bloodline is making him make such a judgment.

…Honestly, I don’t know if we can defeat this Redras guy.

Alto said. Everyone, including me, focused their gaze on him.

But if it’s a chance… let’s do everything we can.

It seems I was able to give them the push to head to Redras. Preparations to head to the Five Great Demon Lords’ Castles are complete. And if things continue this way, Alto will act as the protagonist… I have to witness that.

We’ll start acting tomorrow… is that okay?

Alto confirmed. We all nodded in unison, and decided to rest today.

Late that night, I slipped out of the inn alone to act on my own. For now, I succeeded in getting out without being seen by anyone. Lefin and Rokuto were waiting outside.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Then, let’s go.

Yes… but before that, one thing. Rokuto, have you talked to the Gnome contracted with Kyarun?

To some extent. But I haven’t told her about Ruon, and I’ve made it seem like I’m the one doing this investigation.

Understood… Then guide me.

I’m starting. At the entrance of the town, I’ll use “Bird Soar” to head towards the passage that Rokuto said the Gnomes use to travel.

It would probably take about fifteen minutes using magic. It’s a long distance on foot, but with magic, I was able to reach it without much effort.

“Here it is.”

It was a small, elevated mountain cliff. There was a small, inconspicuous hole.

It was a bit narrow for humans to pass through. Still, it seemed possible to enter.

“Once you pass through the entrance, it opens up enough for even humans to walk around.”

“Understood. Let’s go in then.”

Saying that, I conjured a light and entered the narrow entrance. After a short while, I came out into a large hall. It was a space made entirely of rock. There was a passage directly ahead, and I entered it without hesitation. It was a gentle slope downwards, and I understood that I was heading into the underground.

“The path, however, is not necessarily safe.”

Here, Rokuto began to speak.

“Especially this place, as the path is formed along a cliff that could be called an underground fissure.”

“So, we need to be careful not to fall, right?”

I passed through the passage. The first thing I saw was an iron railing to prevent falls. To the right was a path formed by carving out the rock face. And directly beyond the railing was a cliff, with a terrifyingly vast underground world of dark darkness spreading below.

I tried to illuminate below with my light, but I couldn’t grasp the overall picture at all. There was a gigantic space here that was completely unimaginable from the surface.

“Then, I will guide you.”

Rokuto said. I nodded and began to walk down the passage with him in the lead.

With each step, my footsteps echoed significantly. Since there was a railing, there was no need to worry about falling unless something extreme happened… Suddenly, I heard a groaning sound from below. At first, I thought it was the wind or something, but it seemed to be something else.

“A monster, indeed.”

Rokuto spoke. At the same time, we arrived at a point where the path split into two.

One path continued along the wall as before. The other was a path carved out of the wall. Of the two, Rokuto pointed to the carved-out path.

“If we go this way, we can go even further down.”

“So, this is the way if we want to investigate?”

“That’s right. However, it seems there are monsters.”

“…It seems different from ordinary monsters.”

Lefin began to speak. When I looked, she was gazing at the dark underground.

“It’s not like the demons created by the Demon Race… but it’s also not like the monsters that exist on the continent. What in the world is this–“

“It’s probably a monster born from the Five Great Demons pouring their magic power into it.”

I spoke. The first to react was Rokuto.

“Born as a result of pouring magic power into it?”

“In the story, when the Demon King unleashed mighty magic and caused the continent to collapse, a large number of monsters appeared along with it. They were monsters born from the fusion of the Demon Race’s magic power and the magic power of the earth… monsters with the physique of what humans would call a boy. Their name was ‘Dark Doll,’ I think.”

They were supposed to be monsters that looked like black imps. In fact, if each of the five protagonists defeated one of the Five Great Demons, these monsters would start appearing in various parts of the continent. However, the protagonists didn’t directly fight these event-only monsters, and most of them were only strong enough for an average warrior to defeat. But because they appeared in large numbers on the collapsed continent, humans were forced to fight the ‘Dark Dolls’ after the Continental Collapse, suffering considerable damage.

And the Demon King was unaware of the existence of these monsters… they were a byproduct born from the strategy to activate magic. They wouldn’t appear on the surface unless the Demon King activated it, but it seems they had already appeared when the Five Great Demons poured their magic power into it.

“…Even if we defeat them, it shouldn’t affect the War with Demons. They’ll just get in the way if we’re investigating. We’ll have no choice but to fight them. Well, they’re not that strong, so leave it to me.”

“Understood… Then, let’s proceed.”

Rokuto said. I nodded and, just in case, drew my sword… and began to walk down into the underground.