By the time I arrived at the Forest, night had fallen. I entered the Forest, thinking it might even be past midnight. The Monsters seemed to be asleep, as their presence was much fainter. If Garuku’s previous words were true, they shouldn’t attack even if they were awake.

The problem was where to find Garuku, but just as I thought of going straight, Magic Power suddenly drifted from ahead.

“It seems he’s noticed our presence.”

“It appears so. I’m getting nervous.”

Lefin said. I walked towards the direction where the Magic Power was drifting, and eventually, I came out into an open area where I could see the Mountain Path, where I had fought Garuku when I visited here before.

The Magic Power stops here, so it must mean to wait here. I look around vaguely, but it’s quite dark with only moonlight. I use Light Magic and wait for a bit, and then Garuku appears from deep within the Forest next to the Mountain Path.

“Since you have visited here again, do you require my power?”

“I came to consult you. This time, I have a companion.”

“The Queen of Sylphs, I presume.”

With those words, Lefin stepped forward.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Garuku.”

“Hmm, I will not particularly fault you for sneaking in here before. Let’s have you explain the situation.”

“Yes… Lord Ruon, how much does Lord Garuku understand?”

It’s to the extent that there are conditions for defeating the Demon King.

Then, may I share the same information as you?

Alright.

I agreed, and Lefin began to speak. I entrusted it to her, thinking things would go more smoothly than if I spoke… but when she finished, Garuku’s gaze turned to me.

“So you didn’t tell us everything before?”

Well, I didn’t think you’d readily accept a story about me being reincarnated.

“I see. Indeed, if you had said something so outrageous, I too might have looked at you with suspicion… But, the Demon King’s Magic, you say.”

Garuku narrowed his eyes and questioned me.

“What is the Demon King’s objective?”

In the story, there was no scenario where the Demon King conquered the continent, so I don’t know… but some Demon Race members said he wanted to destroy this continent and create a paradise for the Demon Race. However, the Demon King has never directly stated his objective.

“I see. But does he think we will remain silent?”

His ultimate goal is probably the Spirit God. In fact, there’s a possibility he’s maneuvering in various ways to deal with Garuku and the others.

“Hmm, I see… So this is just a preparatory stage, then?”

Probably.

When I replied, Garuku asked me, deep in thought.

“So there are two problems we need to address?”

Yes. A counter-strategy against Magic, and how to defeat the Demon King… I do have an idea for how to defeat the Demon King, though.

At my words, Garuku and Lefin looked surprised.

“What is that method?”

First, when using Mighty Magic, the Demon King himself is greatly strengthened, and most attacks other than those from the Sage’s Bloodline become ineffective. If I had focused my power on Sofia, I could have dealt with the barrier the Demon King emits, but I can’t do that anymore.

So someone like Lady Sofia is essential.

Lefin said. I gave a small nod and said,

Yes. And on top of that… we create a martial vessel with the power to defeat the Demon King and give it to the Bloodline.

“A martial vessel, you say?”

I nodded—in the game, the Sage’s Bloodline is an important factor, but there’s no equivalent to something like the Legendary Sword of Demon King’s Bane or a martial vessel. There is an Exorcism Treasure Sword in a certain nation, but it was never obtainable in the game.

The absence of a martial vessel needed to defeat the Demon King means we can create and utilize one to bridge the gap in power. Of course, now that it’s reality, handling a martial vessel with that much power requires considerable skill, so they will need to become stronger.

Something that could defeat the Demon King in one blow would be ideal, but that might be difficult.

I shrugged and explained to Lefin and Garuku.

During my training, I also created martial vessels and, as a result of various trials and errors, I concluded that it is theoretically possible to create a martial vessel that can instantly destroy the Demon King. However, that is only theoretical. It would need enough power to defeat the Demon King… which means it would need to hold that much magic power. There’s a question of whether there’s a material that can withstand that.

In the game, any material could become the strongest martial vessel, but now that it’s reality, there’s a limit to how much magic power a material can hold.

“Material, you say.”

Yes. If there’s a material that can hold an enormous amount of magic power, it can be achieved.

Well, at worst, I’ll have to make do with the materials I have… Then Garuku replied, “I understand.” He seemed to have an idea, but then he suddenly changed the subject.

“Do you have a strategy against Mighty Magic?”

At the very least, I don’t think I can suppress it alone.

…I see. Regarding that, I have an idea.

What is it?

When I asked back, Garuku smiled.

Before I tell you that, a quick confirmation: have you verified the magic power present underground?

His Majesty, the King of Gnomes, has.

Then I shall investigate a little myself.

Are you serious?

Yes. I can think of a number of ways to deal with it, so I should be able to manage.

Those were reassuring words. But Garuku’s story continued.

However, there’s a high possibility I can’t handle it alone.

What do you mean?

The Demon King is using the power of his trusted Five Great Demons to cast magic. To counter these demon races, I might not be able to handle it alone either.

Then there’s only one answer, isn’t there?

Lefin said. That’s when I understood too.

So… cooperate with other Spirit Gods?

Indeed. However, if I were to move directly to persuade them, it would cause a stir, and the Demon Lord’s side would be on alert. Besides, they are not the kind of people who would readily agree just because I persuaded them.

…In other words, that means…

Garuku laughed again at my words. So that’s what that earlier smile meant.

You just need to use your power to make them submit. Just like with me.

You say it so easily… but it’s going to be pretty tough, isn’t it?

But I have my limits in dealing with it alone.

…Alright. So, I need to persuade the Spirit Gods, right?

Compared to me, the other Spirit Gods have fierce temperaments. It would be quicker to subdue them rather than persuade them.

That’s quite a task… Well, I guess it can’t be helped.

I see… So, what else is needed for the strategy against the Demon King’s magic?

As long as we get the cooperation of the other Spirit Gods, we’ll be fine. Leave the handling methods to me. I won’t do anything foolish that would expose us to the Demon Lord’s side. You can trust me.

If there’s any problem, I’d like you to contact me immediately, but…

Very well. Then I’ll leave a duplicate with you.

The moment he said that, with a pop, something appeared in front of Garuku’s eyes.

It was a palm-sized puppy.

Huh… what is this?

It’s my duplicate. It has no combat ability, but you can talk to me with it.

It came closer, so I put it on my palm. It looked like a miniature Garuku, but its round eyes were quite charming… It’s kind of cute.

Normally, like the spirits you contract with, it can enter your body. It shouldn’t get in the way.

Got it. Thank you.

At that moment, the young Garuku disappeared. Here, I said to Garuku,

Regarding the magic, I’ll leave it to you for now, Garuku… Next, for the means to defeat the Demon King, is my plan alright?

Your method should be fine. There are candidates for the material aspect. And it would be better to inject more powerful magic power.

…I understood what he wanted to say. As I waited for his words, Garuku continued.

If you can subjugate the Spirit Gods, we will pour our power into the sword. In addition to the Power of the Sage’s Descendant, the power of spirits and us Divine Spirits… it will truly be the ultimate trump card against the Demon King.