At my question, the Scarlet Monument King Girisilis huffed and laughed.

''Very well. However, please do not think that you have won with this. If it weren't for the Ridiculous Sword, you would have lost for sure.

　I said to Gillicilis, who showed some leeway.

'Is it because you worked on your answers?'

　At those words, Girisilis was crestfallen.
　Then, he glared at the magic eye of that magic circle.

You don't think I haven't noticed? You can't cheat in the Enyeunian tree. I've been convinced that I can't cheat in the Enyeunian tree and you've been tampering with the answers of everyone under your command except me. I was trying to make sure that the answer would never be correct, and that the score would be less than ninety.

　As if in mockery, languidly, Girisilis transforms her gelatinous face.

'Do you have proof of this?'

　I pick up the white book that was there.
　It's Zecia's answer sheet.

　I flick it with my finger and the pages are turned one after another.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

''It doesn't look like you're cheating, though.

You made the evidence disappear.

　I held the page with my finger and used the
　Then the question text on the page changed.

　The first question.

'Look carefully and think carefully. A genie is a genie, but what is a genie that is based on a rumor?

　The original question sentence was, 'What is a genie that is not based on [a] rumor?' It is.

　This makes the answer as if the answer is not clear.
　Other sentences in the question also have some changes in the text, making it impossible to answer correctly.

I'm surprised. This is surprising. But do you have any proof that I did it?

　Gilisiris says as if he's a bastard.

"You're the only one who would do this kind of trickery.

That's not proof, is it? Doesn't it?　The Great Tree of Enyeunyen.

　When the Scarlet Monument King asked that, Enyeunyen snorted.

I will not punish those who suspect, and I will take care to prevent such injustices from happening in the future.......

　Then, proudly, the Scarlet Monument King said.

''As you heard, Demon King. That was a false accusation.

　Good grief, you're still a man who hates to lose.

"I don't need to listen to you sore losers. "I don't have time for your sore losers. Now, get on with it.

　As he glared at me, the magic eye of the magic circle flashed, and he said.

''My 'up' is the Spirit King.

　Hmm. I had a hunch.
　What was crucial was the fact that I had to work on Leelan the Book Fairy to keep her from being noticed by the Great Tree of Enyeunien.

　You'll need the help of the Spirit King to make it work.

'I never thought you'd be in the service of the spirits.

You're not going to have to worry about it, as long as you can do your research. As I said before, this place is just right for studying magic. By studying the power of the spirits, my magic will be able to peer into further depths.

I see. Then how would you like to stop working for the Spirit King and join my crew?　I'll show you an abyss of magic that far surpasses your two thousand years of research.

　The gelatinous face contorted violently, as if Gilisilis was expressing his anger.

'Don't get your head up, Demon King. Did you think I would team up with thee who despises and blasphemes magical research?

Well, I just thought I'd ask you out. If you want to surpass me in magical research, you'd best be working for me.

　Girisilis' body glowed black and the grass and flowers around him popped.
　Inside his body with the bees, particles of magic power collided, sending violent sparks flying.

''How long are you going to look down on me?　I told you that in the last two thousand years, I've surpassed your old magic.

You don't need to throw a tantrum if you think you're better than me. You don't need to react to every little thing you say, it's just a matter of how well you know your vessel.

　I proudly accept the Scarlet Monument King's gaze as he glares at me without hiding his anger.

''Remember, it is not you who will reach the bottom of the Abyss. It is not you who will arrive at the bottom of the unseen abyss. It is I, this me.

　Well, I don't dislike that research-intensive aspect of it.

'Interesting. But there's something else that bothers me more than the depths of the abyss right now.

　Gillicilis' face contorted languidly as she expressed her irritation.

''What kind of spirit is this spirit king?''

You'll have to find out for yourself. Answering that question is not in the realm of a contract.

　With that, Girisilis sat down in his own seat.

　He was under the Spirit King's command, and according to his orders, he had his lieutenant used by Delzogade. Assuming that it was for research purposes that he aimed at Eleonor and Zesia, the statement that would allow for that comparison of wits to take place could be considered an instruction from the Spirit King.

　The fact that the Subterranean King and the Underworld King's subordinates also acted in such a way that they could compare wits, means that the three of them must have been on an alliance at that point in time. If that was the case, then it was probably the Spirit King's plan for the whole affair.

　Is the Spirit King cooperating with Nausgaria?
　Or are you being threatened?

　In any case, it seems that the reason why my men were made godless two thousand years ago is not necessarily because they just followed the rules of this spirit schoolhouse.

Hmm. Then let's continue learning.

　The Great Tree of Enyeunien echoed his voice.

''Well. Aside from the new students who have scored one hundred points, this time everyone in the classroom is eligible to take the spirit's ordeal. If you want to take the test, you must leave the classroom and go up the stairs to the test room before the next bell rings.

　Then the Scarlet Monument King Girisilis, the Underworld King Iges, and the Cursed King Kaihiram's alternate personalities Jiste stood up in unison and walked out of the classroom.

''Let's go.''

　I called out to Misha and the others and I got up from my seat.
　I left the classroom and went up the stairs that were right there.

　On the way, a arrived.
　It was from Melhäs.

"What's up?

"We are finally ready to inform all of Dirheid about the ceremony of the Demon King's return. As you have requested, I will not mention that the tyrannical demon king is Lord Anos at the notification stage, but will announce that Avos Dilhevia is a fake. It is planned that we will introduce you, the real you, at the ceremony. The ceremony will take place exactly one month from now, as planned. If all goes well, I will announce the news on my magic broadcast today.

　Melhayes is currently hiding out in a different part of the city than Midhayes. I don't know why, but it seems that they are being targeted. The people who are making preparations are his subordinates, including the Unificationists. As for the other Seven Demon Emperors, I've asked them to go into hiding as well, just in case.

　This is why they have been a bit late in giving notice of the ceremony.

''You are not to show yourself. Let Elio take care of the notification of the ceremony.''

"As you wish.

　In a month, this mess will be settled.
　This is a peace ceremony. I want to do it without any worries.

''Speaking of which, it seems that Delzogade's magic power has disappeared from Mid-Haze?

Yeah, I'm on an errand. We'll be back in place shortly.

　＜The Demon King's Castle Summoning (Delzogade) will allow you to move the Demon King's Castle for five minutes. After that time, the delzogade will return to its original location. I summoned Delzogade before grading, so it's about time.

　If you continue to summon them and use the Ridiculous Sword, it may be easy to get to the Spiritual King, but the magic power will be consumed too much.
　Since we don't know what's still ahead of us, it's best to save some of our magic power so that we don't run out of it when it's crucial.

　It's not the end of the world when you meet the Spirit King.

"Is there anything else?

No. I'll be sending you a transmission via remote viewing when the magic broadcast begins.

Please.

Yes, sir. Now, if you'll excuse me.

　＜The telegraphic communication is being cut off.

Hey.

　Sasha says as if it suddenly occurred to her.

'I was just thinking, Delzogade is in the middle of a class of other students right now, right?

Yeah.

When you summon Delzogade, what happens to the students inside?

''Oh, while I'm being summoned, a fake demon castle made of is supposed to appear in the original location. There's no need to worry about whoever is inside traveling with the real Delzogade.

　In short, they are replacing the real one with the fake one, leaving those inside untouched.
　Unless you have a very good magic eye, you wouldn't notice that Delzogade was summoned and replaced with a fake Demon King's Castle.

''It's on.''

　Misha said.
　When I finished climbing the stairs, there was a wooden plaque on it with the words 'Trial Room' inscribed on it.

　If you look around, there are about twenty stairs leading upward, and in front of them is a large tree that looks like a pillar.
　I suddenly saw a face in the big tree, just like in the classroom.

Hmm. You have come a long way. Now let me explain to you the ordeal of the spirits.

　The voice of the great tree of Enyeunyen echoed.

If you try to ascend to the next level, various spirits will block your way and impose various trials on you. If you can successfully pass through them all and get to the top of the Anyunien, where the Spirit King resides, you've passed. However, the rules of the trials set by the spirits must be strictly observed. If you violate the rules, you will never reach the top of the world and will be forced to climb the stairs forever.

　Does that mean it's useless to try to find a loophole?

There is no violation of the rules regarding discussion between candidates. You are free to cooperate with each other or cheat each other. It's all part of the ordeal.

　A tester can be both friend and foe, right?
　I don't think the Four Evil Clans are on my side, but it's convenient to be able to talk to them.

Then let me introduce you to the first part of the test. This is the staircase of Gunier. You must now choose one of these twenty staircases and proceed to the upper floor. One staircase per man. We can't have two different staircases.

　Does this mean that each staircase has a different ordeal?

"Of the 20 steps, there are only five that lead to the top where the Spirit King resides.

Well, what happens to people who choose to do things the other way?

　Eleonor asks curiously.

'Woohoo, if you take the wrong path, you will be returned to this place. In that case, you will not be accepted.

But then you'd have to be lucky to get to the top before the ordeal.

"Dear left.

　The Great Tree of Enyeuen said proudly.

The staircase is also known as the staircase to test one's luck. The first test of luck, as the name suggests, is to try your luck.

　Hmm. It's quite an ordeal, and it looks like a formidable challenge from the start.