"It's been a bit of a long story. You'd better get back to it. Unlike me, you are flesh and blood. It's time to take a rest.

　It felt strange to be treated so well by a demon lord.

"Especially Crom Walker. Your body is weaker than most. I don't want you to fall ill too soon before I can grant you my wish.
"That's very kind of you, Demon Lord.

　I smiled sarcastically.

"Because I am a benevolent king.

　I'm a benevolent king,' he said in a tone that was neither joking nor serious.

"Then we will meet again.

　With those words, the black skull disappeared from my sight.
　Of course, it didn't disappear, but I guess it meant that we could continue our conversation after we rested.

"Chrome-sama, are you really going to do as the Demon Lord says?

　As soon as the Demon Lord disappeared, Shea came at me.
　Her expression is half concern and half frustration.

　Ulin is looking at me anxiously.

It's not that I believe in the Demon Lord. I just think it's in my best interest.

　I soothed them both.

　Sort out the situation in your mind.

　First, the Demon Lord's goal is to resurrect himself, to materialize in this world again.

　He can't wield much power now because he's in a state of residual thoughts, but once he's resurrected, he'll reign as a powerful demon who will spread fear throughout the world again.
　Of course, we can't let him do that.

　And in order for him to revive, it seems that he needs a lot of darkness.

　The means to supply it is to activate the Altar of Darkness.
　To activate the Altar of Darkness, a strong power of darkness is needed, and he asked me for it.

　However, even with my Darkness, the final activation of the Altar could not be achieved.

　That's why he asked me to explore the ruins as the next step.
　If we go to the ruins, we can obtain the means to activate the altar to the next level.

　He also told me that there were tactical records for use against Chaos in the ruins.
　If I can get that, it will be enough of an advantage for me.

　It would be beneficial for both of us if we finish exploring the ruins safely. .......

That's assuming that the Demon Lord is telling the truth, right?

　Shea closes in further.
　It's not that I don't like it.

"Don't you want to suspect him?
You're not mad at me, are you, Shea?
I'm just worried!　I'm worried about you, Chrome.

　Shea's face twisted.

　Is it sadness or something else?
　The eyes that stare at me have thin tears in them and a strong glow.

　But I couldn't read the emotion in them accurately.

Even with your powerful skills, your own body is much weaker than that of a normal human. That's why I'm... still worried. I'm afraid that something unexpected will happen, that something will happen to me.
...... I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable.

　I put my hand on her shoulder.

"Master Chrome, .......

　She puts her cheek against his hand and kisses it gently.

I'm your [subordinate]. I will obey your decisions, and if there is any danger in the ruins, I will protect you.
"Thank you, ...... Shea.
Thank you Shea." "Oh, me too!

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

I have the same feelings for you, Chrome. And I owe him the same.
You're right. Let's protect Chrome-sama together, Yurin.
"Yes.

　The two girls nodded to each other.

"Then we have a plan of action for now. Both of you, please.

　I look at them equally.
　And then.

"So... you're here, Chrom.

　I'm sure you're not the only one.

　It was the vampire ancestor's bewitching beauty, Franjuras.
　The black robe she wears is torn and blood is trickling from her white skin.

"...... What's wrong?

I was wounded in a fight with an intruder. It should heal in a while.

　Franjulas.

　An intruder.

Mr. Margot has already taken care of it.

　Franjulas replied and looked at me.

What are you doing here, Mr. Chrom? This is a restricted area.



　Eyes that slash.

　The eyes wavered as if startled.

"This faint lingering presence... isn't that the Demon Lord ......?
If it's residual thoughts, I've seen them before.

　I said curtly.

I'm not sure if you've already materialized and made contact with Chrome.

　Franjulas bit his lip.

"So you met him before we were ready. You met the Demon Lord before we were ready.
"Prepared?　What do you mean?
"Well, actually...

　Franjulas began to speak.

　It seems that she was originally trying to summon the Demon Lord through a ritual.
　Of course, she couldn't resurrect the main body, but she could materialize the residual thoughts for a limited time.

　But before I could complete the ritual to do so, I encountered the residual thoughts.
　Frangoulas said that if I came here, she could show me clues that would help me acquire more power.

　The "hint" she had prepared was the summoning of the Demon Lord's residual thoughts.
　As a result, I was able to meet the Demon Lord without waiting for that.

　So I fulfilled my original goal of getting the hint.

　Now what to do with him...
　I looked at Franjulas again.