The biggest problem with challenging the Five Great Demons now is Radi’s presence. At this rate, we’ll almost certainly be fighting alongside him, but—

“Nestor.”

“Yes, I know.”

Nestor responds to Radi’s voice.

“You’re talking about joining the fight, right?”

“Yes. It would be wrong to leave them alone.”

“So, you’re saying we’ll fight together?”

Sylvie asks. Radi nods and says,

“Yes, I suppose it’s a situation where we should be grateful.”

If we fight alongside Radi, then the Battle with Belluna will naturally be with him as well. This means fighting with two Sage’s Bloodline members, just like with Redras. We need to consider what would happen if we defeat Belluna.

When we fought Redras before, Alto and Sofia were both there, and Sofia ended up inheriting the power. There are many possibilities, such as level, who dealt the finishing blow, the distance from the Five Great Demons at the time of defeat, and the amount of Magic Power possessed.

If Radi were to inherit Magic Power, it would mean the Demon King would wield large-scale magic and the Continent would be devastated. To prevent this, we must ensure that Sofia inherits the power.

Since there’s a non-zero chance of it being completely random, the best way to ensure it is for Radi not to participate in the Battle with Belluna… but even if we say, “We’ll act independently” here, they will likely go to the battle separately.

Should we act separately from the two of them, or should we let them accompany us? In the Battle with Belluna, it will be a chaotic battle until we enter the Castle. I’ll also try to get to the Castle as much as possible, but if we act separately, there’s a non-zero chance that Radi will enter the Castle before us… and in that case, there could be irreversible situations, including his death.

This decision is extremely difficult… the best way to ensure Sofia gets the power is for him not to be there, but—

While thinking about various things, a thought suddenly crosses my mind. What about the other Protagonists?

“Let’s gather information tomorrow and move to join the battle.”

Radi suggests while I’m contemplating. Sofia and the others agree… and for now, the meeting adjourns.

At night, I tell Radi and the others in the same room that I’m “going out” and walk through the Town. As I walk silently through the quiet streets, a voice comes from beside me.

“Do you need something?”

It’s Lefin, whom I had called in advance. I nod slightly, step off the street, and we talk standing in a suitable spot.

“About the Five Great Demons…”

“You mean about Radi, right?”

“Yes. When Redras Was Defeated, Sofia inherited Magic Power. We need her to inherit Magic Power, but…”

“Even so, I think it’s difficult to exclude him given the situation.”

“Well, that’s true… And there’s another concern.”

“A concern?”

To Lefin, who asked back, I begin to explain—it seems that Phili is also on the move, in addition to Radi.

Moreover, he is following the flow of an event that existed in the game—the place where one joins the Battle with Belluna in the game is a different Town. Phili and his companions are visiting that place and trying to participate in the battle.

“If these Phili people get ahead of us, it will be all for naught.”

“Yes. The Battle with Belluna will initially be a chaotic battle. In the Story, the Protagonists reached the Castle smoothly, but other Knights and Warriors are obstructed, so he and his companions enter the Stronghold alone. We don’t know what kind of situation we’ll be fighting in, but we don’t know if we can go as smoothly as Phili. If we are obstructed, it will be tough without enough fighting power to quickly defeat the Monsters.”

If I were to unleash my Book-like power, that part would be solved, but then there would be the danger of the Demon King knowing about my power, so it’s better not to. Of course, I will do my best while controlling my power, but since it’s a chaotic battle, Sofia and the others’ power will also be necessary. Moreover, since we don’t know what kind of situation it will be, it’s better to have more fighting power if we consider Sofia’s safety.

It’s still a difficult decision… As I’m thinking this, Lefin asks a question.

“Do you have any information about the Monsters led by the Five Great Demons?”

“At this stage, the Monsters in the Castle Surroundings are only those that originally inhabited the area. In other words, we can’t judge yet.”

“Then let’s cooperate with Radi and his group and do our best to go to the Castle. Once we’re inside, we’ll have no choice but to put all our effort into ensuring Sofia inherits the power.”

“…Is that all we can do?”

I sigh. What I can do in battle is to level up Sofia even more. Since I don’t know how the person who inherits Magic Power is chosen, I have no choice but to do everything I can.

“…For now, let’s also try to guide the Magic Power.”

Lefin says—if the Sage’s Power could be changed by Spirits, then I wouldn’t have to think about various things.

“Can you do that?”

I don’t know. We didn’t have a chance to try it during the Battle of Redras.

Understood… For now, let’s anticipate every possibility and join this battle.

Yes… but Lord Ruon, I think we should also consider the worst-case scenario.

The worst… that Radi or Phili might gain power?

Yes.

Defeating Beluna is just a stepping stone; the biggest problem is preventing the Demon King from becoming stronger, which is what I’m concerned about… but it’s better to think about what to do if that happens now.

While my head aches, I also bear some responsibility for how things turned out. I will take responsibility. And I will take appropriate measures for any situation that arises—

Lefin… I will prepare myself. In any case, the best course of action right now is to be the first to enter the Castle amidst the chaos and defeat Beluna.

I understand. However, if this Phili person arrives through the Flow of the Story, won’t they just follow behind even if we go ahead?

The one who enters first will take the initiative, right? However, we should consider both success and failure…

The problem with this battle is that various Nations are attacking simultaneously, making the war situation very difficult to predict… Unlike Redras, we need to adapt on the fly.

Lefin, I know it’s a lot to ask, but please.

Understood.

With the conversation concluded, I took a deep breath and returned to the inn.

The next day, we began our actions—we would go to a different location than in the game for the event, but the battle would likely start without issue.

Gathering information, we headed to the Ramseed Kingdom’s Encampment, prepared to defeat Beluna… Beluna has established a Stronghold where the borders of various Nations converge. However, some Nations have also suffered damage from Demon Race assaults… That’s why the Human Side compensated for their insufficient forces by forming an alliance.

The Allied Forces launched a simultaneous attack, encircling Belluna’s Castle… The enemy also fought back, but here she attempted to divide them. For example, Redras used an absolute Barrier powered by Sage’s Power to protect herself. However, Beluna, engaging while surrounded, considered defense alone insufficient and redirected her power to attack.

She scatters her Magic Power not only deep within the earth but also on the surface, and through it, she wields a Barrier with Sage’s Power. This is a Strategy to seal the cooperation of the Allied Forces; the absolute defense Barrier prevents the Armies of each Nation from coordinating, allowing the Demon Race’s assaults to inflict damage.

However, this also has a good side for the Human Side. Since Sage’s Power is diffused externally, Beluna herself cannot use a Barrier like Redras. Within this situation, the Protagonists break through the fierce enemy attack and reach the Stronghold. They confront Beluna and defeat her… that is the flow of the battle.

We reached the designated Encampment before noon. Knights and hired Warriors were already preparing for battle, and the atmosphere was tense.

Now, who should we talk to?

Radi muttered, looking around. A regular Soldier noticed us and approached.

Are you Extermination Squad Volunteers?

Yes, we are.

When I responded, the Soldier bowed and began to explain.

We appreciate your assistance… We ask Garnaize Warriors and Mercenaries to follow our Army as we march.

Understood.

Then, let’s proceed with the formalities.

Prompted by the Soldier, we completed the procedures… With this, we successfully joined the Extermination Squad. We were told that we would move when the Warriors from Ganaize arrived this afternoon, so we were to wait until then.

Well, once the battle begins, I’ll need to constantly grasp the war situation… especially Phili’s movements. I decided to maintain close coordination with my Familiar and wait until the march began.