The explanation about Sofia took about five minutes. As a result, Radi looked at Sofia and let out a voice of admiration.

“The Princess of the Barx Kingdom… I see, no wonder you can’t show your face at the castle.”

“If it’s known at this stage, it will also be understood that the King is alive, and there’s a possibility that the Demon Race will be harmed. As long as the Human Side’s preparations aren’t complete, it’s better not to reveal it.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Radi shrugs. Then he meets my gaze again and says,

“…Honestly, I didn’t think you were a Princess, so I’m a bit confused, but… you’re going to keep fighting, too, right?”

“That’s the plan.”

“To liberate your homeland?”

“Yes.”

Sofia nods. Radi mutters “I see” and then continues to speak.

“Understood… I’ll make up an excuse that Ruon and the others didn’t come due to circumstances.”

“Sorry, Radi… Given this commonality, there might be another opportunity to fight together in the same way someday.”

Radi and Nestor nod simultaneously at my words.

“That’s right.”

“I’ll be counting on you then.”

—We leave the castle while talking. There are no people around the entrance, and it’s clear that the Knights are heading to report.

“…Well then, Sofia, Sylvie. Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

“Alright.”

“See ya, don’t die.”

As the two nod, Radi also calls out to us and starts to move away to leave. It’s a casual farewell, but I’ll be fighting alongside them someday… Thinking that, it felt strange somehow.

“Well then…”

When I entered the Forest, I spoke.

“What’s the plan from now on? What should we do?”

“First, we should complete our training.”

It was Sofia who said it.

“Because Eiley’s training isn’t over yet.”

“I can’t shake the feeling that they might say it’s enough, especially since the training has proven we can defeat the Demon Race… but if Sofia says so, then let’s go back to training. By the way, what about Sylvie?”

“I agree too.”

“Then, let’s return to Ganaize.”

It was decided—and so, we were to return to Ganaize.

On the way back, I thought about the future.

Two of the Five Great Demons have been defeated. There are three left, but if the scenario progresses as planned, defeating two of them will trigger a Defense Event in the Southern Region. However, that’s probably still a long way off… For now, I’ll strengthen my observation, including whether the other Protagonists will complete the events to fight the remaining Five Great Demons.

And… it’s a big problem, but the Sage’s Power has been dispersed between Sofia and Radi. This means the scenario is definitively set for the Demon King to use Mighty Magic and for the Continent to collapse. Furthermore, the Demon King will also be strengthened.

The biggest problem with the Demon King being strengthened is the fact that by using a Barrier made of Sage’s Power, attacks will only be effective if they come from the Sage’s Bloodline. I do have a counter-strategy in mind for this, but… I need to verify it a bit.

Next, what to do about the Mighty Magic unleashed by the Demon King… even if I’m strong, I can’t handle it alone. I need to consider it along with a strategy to defeat the Demon King. To do that—

While thinking about various things, we returned to Ganaize. We entered the Training Ground, reunited with Eiley, and when I told her we participated in the Five Great War with Demons,

“Isn’t that enough training?”

Such words leaked from Eiley… I had somewhat expected it.

Sofia shook her head at her words.

“No, it’s not over yet.”

“You’re so diligent… Well, fine. Then let’s start training to complete it.”

“Please do.”

Sofia and Sylvie began their training. I started watching them silently, but… immediately after they started sparring, Eiley approached me.

“Did something happen?”

“Something, what do you mean?”

“Your expression is quite stiff, isn’t it?”

Apparently, it had shown on my face without me realizing it.

On the way here, I also spoke with Lefin. We need to devise a counter-strategy, but what’s necessary for that is—

“You defeated the Demon Race, so it should be a joyous occasion, shouldn’t it?”

“…That’s true, but…”

I asked a question while looking at Sofia and Sylvie.

“…Eiley, how long will it take?”

“Based on the training, it won’t be too long. Three days should be enough.”

“Then… during that time, can I go out for a bit?”

“You may.”

I told her, “Thank you,” and left the building. As a result of my discussion with Lefin, we concluded that Divine Spirit Power would undoubtedly be necessary to deal with it.

Perhaps it’s fortunate that I happened to know the Spirit God… but what if even that doesn’t work out—

“Lord Ruon.”

Lefin’s voice. I looked and saw her beside me.

“Are you coming with me?”

“Aren’t you going to consult with Lord Garuku?”

“Ah. Is Sofia alright?”

“It’s probably the final training, so I won’t be needed. I went outside, saying I’d check on my brethren.”

“Then it’s fine… just to confirm, Lefin, you haven’t met Garuku directly, have you?”

“I thought my power might be needed to apologize for sneaking in and to explain the situation…”

I can’t help but feel like things might actually get worse, but oh well.

“Alright… let’s go consult him.”

“Yes.”

I left the Town, used Movement Magic, and then hurried to the Forest where Garuku was.

On the way to the Forest, I started to examine Sofia and the others.

“So, the light didn’t dwell in Sofia because her Magic Power rejected it, just as Radi said, right?”

“I think that’s correct.”

“But Phili, the Story’s Protagonist, also rejected it…”

“That’s the problem. Perhaps we’ve been making a big mistake.”

“A mistake?”

When I asked again, Lefin nodded deeply.

“According to Lord Ruon, there are many Protagonists in the Story, and each of the five has their own Story, correct?”

“Yes. When you say ‘Story,’ you might imagine novels or such, but strictly speaking, it’s different. However, it’s difficult to express with things from this world, so… for now, just think of it as each Protagonist having their own Story.”

“Understood. And the mistake was that, even though we knew that a person’s Magic Power changes qualitatively, we assumed that if someone was of the Sage’s Bloodline, the light would naturally dwell within them.”

…Oh, I see. That’s what it is.

“A person’s Magic Power changes little by little as they grow. Furthermore, as Lord Radi mentioned, there’s also the issue of compatibility… Lady Sofia, like the others, has continuously changing Magic Power. It’s likely that this change led to cases like what happened in that castle.”

Magic Power is such that it’s common for magic not to work as intended due to one’s physical condition. For the Sage’s Power to all have the same properties and obediently follow our thoughts—indeed, that might have been nonsensical.

“However, it’s difficult to determine at this point exactly how that light selected its host. But considering the future, it’s something that needs to be investigated… and you can leave that to me and Lord Garuku, as Spirits.”

“Understood. I’m counting on you… So, we’ve been walking on quite a tightrope, haven’t we?”

“During the battle against Redras, we lacked the knowledge to do anything. Fortunately, the power awakened within Lady Sofia. And during the battle against Belluna, it awakened within Lord Radi… That must be how it works.”

“Indeed… and now we have another task.”

“Yes… that’s also something I’d like to discuss with Lord Garuku.”

Lefin replies—meaning we need to confirm with those of the Sage’s Bloodline whether they are compatible with the Sage’s Power.

This is another difficult problem… I thought, as I continued to head for the Forest.