What's the meaning of this?

　A hole in the back of the ruins.

　Angier held up his lantern, but he couldn't see behind it.

　He could hear some shots being fired, and a battle was going on inside.

　Zilk immediately begins to prepare to go down.

''I'll get the ropes right away!

　Greg carried the spear.

I'll go down first. I'm going down first, because Marie and Baldfart may be down there. I'm going to go downstairs and get them out of there as fast as I can.

　Livia also came forward.

'Wow, I'm in!'

You can't. Stay.

I'm going!

　Angier was just about to get off himself, when the village chief, who had come running, raised his voice.

'What are you doing!

　Angier glares at the village chief.

'Who said there's nothing there?　There was a hole in the ground here that led underground.

Well, that's not- I'm sorry, sir. We'll be right there. You guys go outside.

　Greg, who was worried about Marie, couldn't listen to the village chief's opinion.

'They could be fighting down there!　What are you going to do if something happens to Marie!

Okay, I'll do it.

　The village chief held the rifle he was carrying in his hand and slid down the hole.

　Ange felt uncomfortable at the sight of him.

(That village chief, are you heading out alone when you don't know what's out there?)

◇

　We fell into the basement.

　Me and Marie walked down the passageway as Luxion lit up the surroundings.

　Part of it had collapsed, and dirt and rocks were coming out of it, blocking the passage, making it a maze.

　If I only turned my face back to look at Marie.

'You did use your healing spell, right?　You're walking too slow.

　I complain to Marie, who is limping, but I have to match her walking speed.

　Marier, who is pissed off, doesn't seem to be aware of this.

'Your injuries will hurt for a while even after you heal!　You need to walk slower.

Libya could make the pain go away. That's why it's fake.

'Ha!　You look like an idiot for getting in there just because she's a little cute. A mobster like you, no one is going to take you for a ride.

'I'm sorry, but this is still just starting to become popular with the girls. I get a lot of letters and stuff.

　All the letters are not very happy, but when I tried to be strong, Marie looked really frustrated.

　I try to bring up the topic on earth again.

''Well what made you think of a reverse harem?''

'Complaints?　If there's any happiness out there that's available, it would be human to pick it up.

　Happy?

'Feels great to kick other people's asses, right?　You owe Libya an apology.

　Marie muttered as she looked down into the dark passage.

'What do you know about it? I wasn't happy in a previous life. What's wrong with living a second life as you please? I am!　...I just want to be happy.

　The way he did it was so bad it was not funny.

'Interrupting Libya and trapping Angier in a trap. You're an a**h*le.

　Then Luxion, who was lighting up the surroundings, said the same thing to me.

''I can say that word to Master. And he said that it was Master who discovered me and took me away from Olivia. Furthermore, it feels good to beat those five people up in public!　

　Now Marie calls me out on it.

"You're a jerk," she says. "You should look in the mirror before you complain.

'I don't want you to tell me what to do!　After all, you're the reason we're in this mess!　In the first place, what are you going to do about the final battle? The odds of the Principality attacking us are slim, though.

　As long as the kingdom has Mr. Hertrude and the lost item, the Magic Flute, it should be fine, but if it's still taken away, it's over.

　If the final battle starts from there, it will be very troublesome.

''That kind of thing can be dealt with by my saintly power.

What?　How can the power of a saint alone help?　What are you going to do with all that Libyan power?

...What are you talking about?

No, so!

　As we were talking to that point, Luxion interrupted our conversation.

''........Master, it seems that one of my doubts has disappeared.''

　The door opened, and the view spread out there....

　Tubular capsules filled with liquid lined up, and inside was something close to a human form.

　The elves were waiting for us, pointing their rifles and pistols at us.

　The reason I went in front of Marie is because this guy has a lot of things that I need to ask him. That's why I have to protect it.

　I held my rifle up and the elf laughed as he looked at me.

'What, human males and females some of them are weirdly round.

　He spoke as if he was looking at a laboratory animal.

'Was it you guys who were making the monster?'

　If it was a monster, it would disappear if he defeated it, but the creature in the basement didn't disappear when he defeated it.

　What I've defeated so far is that it's not a monster.

　An elfish man, like a representative, answers me.

　He had a pistol in his hand.

'You are quick to understand. I didn't think you guys could even imagine it.'

　The man touched the capsule.

　Inside was a large plant flower - with a human face in the center of it. It was creepy to look at, and the elves were creeped out as well.

'We have stepped into the divine realm of the birth of life in these ruins. You humans do not understand this, but in ancient times there was an advanced civilization. It was probably a time when we elves, not barbarians, ruled the land. We have proof of this. There were bones of elves in this basement. There were not a single human bone here.

　I shudder to think that the elves have been making these monsters here for ages.

　When I looked at Luxion, he shook one eye and denied it. Apparently, Luxion doesn't know.

　But the bragging doesn't end.

'We have reclaimed the world that was stolen by humans, and the elves are the ones who unite and guide all races--'

　It was Luxion who interrupted the self-intoxicated elf's story.

''That's not true. It was humans who ruled the ancient civilization you speak of. And what was being created in this facility - you elves.''

　Marie picked up my clothes with her fingers and tugged several times, looking up at Luxion.

'Hey, what's your messenger?'

This is the Luxion of cheat items. You know what I mean?

'I don't know about that. I mean, it's not fair, like a cheat item or something. Give it to me.

'Well you have a really good character,'

　The elves' expressions distorted.

'What's with that weird talking round object?'

"We've accessed the management AI that resides in this room and shared the information. This island is a testing ground. An island where man has dabbled in the forbidden in order to combat the new mankind the elves have been artificially created as creatures capable of handling magic.

　You can hear the voice coming from around you.

　It's a different electronic voice than Luxion's, and it sounds more feminine.

''That's right. The elves on this island are individuals created here that have gone wild.''

Is it an artificial intelligence?

　I looked around, but I didn't see him.

''Yes. We were lucky to meet you, who has the genes of the old humans. It's proof that our fight wasn't for nothing.

　The elf is looking around and is panicking as he hears a voice for the first time.

''Wha, who is it!　You're such a liar!　We elves are superior to men. We have longer lifespans and are better at handling magic than humans!

　The management AI tells us in a matter-of-fact manner.

The reason for their longevity is so that they can fight for that long. You can't let them die too soon. Also, it is skilled in handling magic because it was created that way. However, perhaps it's the effect of going wild, but they seem to have deteriorated more than the early elves we created.''

　While the elves were stunned, only the man who stood in front of us became more angry.

''Screw you!　That's not true. We are the ones--

　I turned around when I heard a sign from behind me and saw the village chief there.

　It just doesn't look right.

''What on earth are you doing!

　

''Ah, village chief.......what?''

　The village chief, with his rifle at the ready, was holding the muzzle of his gun in Marie's face.

　Luxion seemed strangely convinced.

''I see. It seems that what that village chief said wasn't all a lie.''

　The village chief gives the order to the confused elves. It seems that this is the real deal.

"Take care of them here. We'll make it look like the artificial creatures did it.

　The elves released the capsule, and then the monsters came out of the capsule as the liquid was drained out.

'Should I praise you for just getting the device to work?'

　Beside a calm Luxion, I held my rifle at the ready.

''You're killing us and destroying the evidence. Elves are just as black-hearted as they look.''

　The village chief looks at me and laughs.

'Don't get your humanity in gear. You lowlife like you should just keep your heads down to us!

　The management AI said sadly, "...

'....emergency response in progress.

　Immediately afterwards, the weapons from the walls of the facility were pointed at the artificial creatures that jumped at me, and they were shot and killed as they came out of the walls.

　While the elves were confused, I shot the village chief in the shoulder with my rifle.

''Aaah!''

　He dropped his rifle and stepped in front of Marie and punched her in the face with the floor of the gun.

　The elves shouted.

'Ugh, shoot!'

　As bullets and magic try to rain down on us, Marie holds her head up.

'I hate it already!'

　I command Luxion, thinking that it's May.

'Do it,'

'You can't hurt your master with this kind of damage, can you?

　All bullets and magic are played by the wall of light generated around us.

　As I point my rifle at the village chief, I look at the elves, who know that neither guns nor magic are effective.

'Do you still want to do this?　Do the noble and wise elves prefer the beauty of perdition?

　When they realized that they couldn't win even if they tried, the elves dropped their guns and raised their hands.

'We'll take them all into custody. You too, help me.

Hey!　I'm still a saint. I'm your boss!

'Well I can blame them and shoot you in the head.

　I don't mean to do it, but when I threaten her, Marie smiles.

'Don't be mad at me anymore. 'Cha, I'll do it right, please don't shoot me.'

　........You should have said that from the beginning.

◇

　When the elves' restraint was over.

　The management AI spoke to me and Luxion.

''........I understand that we have been defeated. If that's the case, then this facility will have to self-destruct.''

'You guys love to self-destruct. You have the same reaction as Luxion.

　The management AI spoke of the role of this ruin - the facility.

''Originally, it was a facility to counter the newcomers. Now that it has become meaningless, there is no point in leaving this facility. If we leave it behind, there will be people who will abuse it like the elves here.''

　The elves who created the artificial creatures.

　It would certainly be a facility that should not be left behind.

''As a ... management AI, are you okay with that?''

　The artificial intelligence that had managed this place all along had to choose to self-destruct when it woke up for the first time in a long time. For some reason, I feel lonely then.

''No problem. Luxion, I will hand over all the data I have to you. And then you will receive this. You will need it as a migrant ship.

　Out of the floor is something with several cubes attached to it.

　It floats and it appears to shine.

'Let's take it. Now I can be even more active.'

What's this?

"It's a treasure. It's very valuable.

　When Marie heard this, she jumped up.

''Treasures!''

''Yes. It has value to us, but we don't even know how to use it in this world, so it's only worth a shiny ornament.

''It really sucks. There are no treasures, and I wonder if it's different from the game after all?　For the most part, I thought it was fantasy, but I didn't hear anything about science fiction.

　........It was humans who created the elves.

　The elves were created to compete with the newcomers, and to think that the other subraces were created for the same reason ... it's a bit of a strange world indeed.

　Where's the fluffy, sweet, gentle fantasy world of the damsel in distress?

Do you have any other treasures?

　Since Marie is visibly depressed, I checked with the management AI - and for some reason, she answered with great disgust.

''I don't know if you can call it a treasure, but there's one thing that exists. If you're willing to take it back, I'd love for you to take it back.''

　Marie is back.

'There isn't!　Don't hide it anymore, give it to me.

　This guy has a really nice personality.

◇

　A place away from the ruins.

　In that place, we--

''Kuuwse drftgy fjiko!''

　-- I was struggling to calm the furious Luxion.

'So calm down,'

''I am calm. Calmly destroy this object, grind it down, grind it to ashes, and annihilate it at a level where not even dust remains anyway - giiiiiiiiight!''

　...Is it broken?

　Marie was lying on the ground in despair, a depressed expression on her face.

''........I'm not happy to receive this.

　Zilk and Gregg were really relieved to be encouraging Marie.

''I'm glad you're okay, Marie.

That's right, Marie. You don't have to go looking for the treasure again.

　What we have in front of us is the last thing the Ruins Management AI gave us.

　It's the armor - the right arm of the power suit. It's from the elbow to the end of the arm.

　In front of the stinging arm, Luxion is broken.

　Marie laments that such junk parts are not worth the money.

　Livia cringes in front of Luxion.

'Luxion-kun, calm down!　Here, take a deep breath, deep breath!

"I can't do it because I don't need to breathe.

Oh, yeah. Hey, I'm sorry about that.

　It was cute to see Livia get a calm response and get in trouble for the opposite.

　Ange approaches me to check the situation.

'Rion, what's the reason for not releasing the restraints on the village chief while he's injured?　And where were these elves in the ruins?　Don't tell me you've been held captive?

　He was suspicious when he saw the elves in captivity.

　He couldn't tell them about the ruins.

　If I reported it, they would blame me for destroying the ruins.

　I can't punish the elves without permission, and I'm in no position to do anything about it.

''Oh, these guys are a bit -- oops.

　I felt the ground shake and I looked towards the ruins, supporting a startled Angier. Apparently, it had safely self-destructed.

　I don't know if I can call it safe, but this means that the ruins will never be able to create an artificial creature again.

　This was good.

　As I was thinking that, a large airship appeared in the sky.

　.........It's a Luxion.

　It was hidden by optical camouflage, but I could see its unnaturalness. I could see the airship - the main body of Luxion - in the faint sky.

''Hey!''

　I glare at him, and Luxion says, without taking offense.

'You will be rewarded for cheating me. How dare you push this stuff on me!''

　A blow from the enraged Luxion's main body rained down on the ruins as a pillar of light.

　The village chief rattled and trembled at the light.

''Don't tell me that's what the village chief was talking about? It's the Demon King. The Demon King is angry with us!''

　Sorry, that's what my partner did.

　I'm not a demon king.

　The elves are looking like it's the end of the world.

　While everyone here was transfixed by the pillar of light, only Hertrude was looking at the right arm of the armor.

　Nevertheless, I feel like I've seen this shape somewhere before.

　Where have I seen this black and piercing right arm from somewhere........

''Hey.''

Hmm?

　Monsieur Hertrude is going to talk to me.

"Will you-- will you help me?

　He seemed to be up to something, but I refused to get involved.

'Just kidding. I don't like it.

"I'll give you anything you want. I promise to treat you better than the kingdom.

I don't want it.

　Mr. Hertrude muttered a little regretfully, "Yes.

◇

　When they returned to the village of the elves, the village chiefs were waiting for them.

　The elves went out of their houses and asked heaven to forgive them as they prayed.

'Demon King, please forgive us,'
You'll miss our island.
'So I said no!　Because the chiefs will destroy the ruins!

　When Kyle saw the state of the village, he smiled stupidly at me. He quickly reverted to a blank expression, but I'll pretend I didn't see it.

　This guy must have a lot going on.

　Greg was looking at his surroundings while carrying the right arm of the recovered armor along with Zirk.

''There's something different about the atmosphere.''

'I thought they would resent us for the collapse of the ruins but it looks like they're okay.

　I'm the one who broke it, though.

　As we come in, the village chief approaches us.

　He looks at the captured elves and mutters something to them.

　The female elf supporting the foster chief next to me speaks for me.

''They want to talk to you about the treatment of these men. If possible, he would like you, the representatives, to come to the village chief's residence.

　I decided to talk to him, as I'm sure he'll need to explain a lot of things.

　The foster chief looks at Marie.

'Should I call that guy too?'

Yes, sir. And the dark-haired woman and you two would like to come with us.

　Greg and Zilk, who hadn't been called in, were taking a break to unpack and take a break.

'Go talk to the guys alone. We'll carry this guy.

It's going to take a lot of work to get it on the airship.

　Luxion makes a disgusted sound when he hears the two men's words.

''You're going to put that filth on my partner?''

You need to snap out of it. Let's go.

◇

　The village chief's house.

　We are sitting there facing the village chief, and we are being thanked.

'The village chief thanks you all for your help.

　Marie is embarrassed.

'You shouldn't have thanked me. Preferably a treasure or something--'

　The one who glared at Marie and silenced her was Angier.

''........I'm sorry too. We destroyed the ruins as a result.''

　The village chief shook his head.

''The foster chief says it's fortunate that the Old Demon Lord's wrath was only this bad.

　Livia interrupts our conversation.

'Oh, um!　Changing the subject, what is a mixture?　Umelia-san said that........and Kyle-kun is acting weird too, so what does that mean?

　It was Marie who gave Livia a blatantly disgusted look as she worried about Kyle.

'I wish you wouldn't interfere with people's personal servants.

I didn't mean to. I just thought it was weird.

　It's certainly not normal.

　When I looked at the woman who was speaking on behalf of the village chief, she replied while keeping her eyes down.

''Did you know that the beauty and ugliness of elves is judged by their magical powers?''

　I remember Zilk bragging about something like that.

　I nodded and the explanation continued.

'Each magic power has its own characteristics. It's difficult to explain to people, but we judge it as a color. But in rare cases, a magical power is created that seems to be a mixture of multiple colors.

　We don't know, but I suppose that means they are ugly to the elves.

The magic they use is powerful, and their magic is special. The magic they use is powerful and special, but we can't help but feel disgusted by it. "They are powerful and their magic is special, but we can't help but feel disgusted by them.

　Does that mean you can do some unusual magic?

　If that was disgusting to the elves, there was nothing they could do about it.

　It would be physiologically impossible for them to do so, or something of that sort.

'Kyle's mother, Humelia, left her village for a time and used her magic to imitate a traveling performer. In doing so, she had a child with a human male.

　Angier's eyes widened in surprise.

''Well I've heard at least a little bit of gossip. ''So he's a half-elf, huh?''

　The female elf nodded.

'The position of the half-elf is a delicate one. The birth of a half-elf is a problem that can't be neglected by the men who migrate.'

　The elven slaves are bought for a high price as full-time servants.

　One of the reasons they are so well liked is because they can't have children with people.

　If it were known that there was a slight chance of that even the one who buys the slaves would hesitate.

　Hesitate?

　I don't feel like I'm hesitating.

　In fact, some people might even buy it because of the thrill of it.

'So, that's why he said he's a half-elf?

　Leaving Marie in some kind of cold sweat, I cut the conversation short.

''You're the bane of the elven village. Let's leave that story for now.

Mr. Leon, please don't change the subject so easily.

　Livia blames us, but there's not much we can do about it.

'You can't solve the problem by getting deep into other people's home affairs. And I can't tell the elves not to feel bad about it in the first place. I can see why Kyle is in a delicate position. He doesn't like this island, does he?

　The woman nodded.

'I'm sure you're right. This is the one thing you guys can't fix.

　The chief spoke something to the woman.

　The woman looks at us.

'The chief of the village told me that he was divining you all. He said he was going to tell you the results. This is the only way I can thank the foster chief for what he's done for you.

　There were few things in the mansion, which was more modest than the village chief's mansion.

　Life did not look wealthy.

''Then let's start with the saintly lady.

Divination?　Well, I'll listen to you. Just tell me the best outcome.

　This guy has a really big attitude.

　But when I see that he's interested in the fortune telling itself, he reminds me of my sister from a previous life who used to check the fortune telling every morning.

　If she didn't get good results, she was the kind of guy who would change to a different channel and check a different horoscope.

　

'They say he's under a strange fate. And they meet and cross paths with their fate.

Who's the one?

'I don't know about that, but they've already met him. He said he was embittered and would not be able to be with that person. And then--

What?

There is no escaping what you have borne. He says there is no escape from what you are carrying. They say there are only two ways for you to get what you want or lose it all.

　Marie was stunned and gradually began to be angry.

'Start over!　I demand a redo!

Now, you with the dark hair...

You need to listen to me!

　Mr. Hertrude, who had remained silent, listened to the results of the fortune-telling in a disinterested manner.

The chief of the village tells me that there will be a great turning point for you sooner or later. The chief of the village tells me that great difficulties will appear in front of you.

Yeah. Life is more interesting that way.

And you will meet the man of your dreams. If you can walk with him, your difficult path will be illuminated by the light and he will be your reliable support.

Yeah, yeah. Well, I'll keep an eye out.

　It's a girl to see that she's a little happy.

　She's happy to hear that she's the one of destiny.

　I'm jealous that you can be happy about that.

You're next.

"Me?

　I looked at Angier, who was waiting a little expectantly, and he looked different and cute.

　Is fortune telling good sometimes?

　The woman was a little confused when she heard the foster chief's words.

'Hey, what?　Tell me quickly.

　The woman says to Angel, who is hurrying, "You and your side seem to be guarded by a brave man who follows even the old demon king.

''I heard that you and your side seem to be guarded by a brave man who can even follow the old demon king. They don't know if he has already appeared or if they are about to meet.

...Brave?

　Angier nodded his head and Livia was a little confused.

''It's from a boy's story. The brave man who defeated the demon king... er, well, I don't know anyone that awesome, but...'

　The whole thing started to smell bad.

　It's the Demon King again.

　And isn't the old Demon King the one who said something about anger?

　If he was defeated, he wouldn't have come out.

　Is it that thing?　Does the chief feel like he's running out of steam?　Didn't the village chief say the target rate was dropping?

　I mean, if you're brave, come on out. Why am I working so hard on your behalf?　The really useless heroes and the demon king who follows them. They are useless.

"If the chief is tired, why don't you let him sleep.

　The woman stops me.

''That's okay. Um, we'll continue with the two of you.

　I'm sure he's a little suspicious too.

　We hear the rest of the conversation in the air that has become delicate.

"The fates of the two of you are intertwined and seem to have deviated from the path that you should be on. And others have already taken on the burden that you should be carrying.

　Livia was puzzled.

'Well, um, did they help you?'

Yes, sir. And you've already been helped.

　Angel turned to look at me.

'Well, well, I've been saved a lot of times.

　The woman was troubled.

'The chief of the village is also too complicated to see clearly. However, I hear that the two of you can see the blessings of the brave men near you.

　Angel and Libya both glanced at me.

　Livia asks the village chief.

'Please tell your fortune too, Rion-san!

　So is Angel.

"Ta, please. We'll miss this one, won't we?　Not in the sense that I care or anything, because, after all, we're all good together in these things!

　I looked at the foster chief.

''Chief, if you're tired, you can go to bed. I don't want to do anything about the island...

　The foster chief straightens his posture in front of me.

　He makes a small but audible noise that I can hear.

　It sounds wrinkled and painful to speak.

　...Don't be reckless, Grandma. You make it sound like I'm doing something wrong.

''Thank you for saving this village. You seem to be a very kind person.

　The ones who were surprised to see their eyes widen at the foster chief's words were Marie and Hertrude.

　........You have a complaint?　No, there will be.

　I'm not a kind man, as far as these two are concerned.

"Nor can my reading of your future predict your future. It's just that sooner or later you will lose something very dear to you, something very bad.

　Suddenly what was told to me was the worst kind of fortune telling that I couldn't get everything I wanted.

　I whisper to myself.

'Well, village chief?'

　I asked her to divine it one more time, but the foster chief remained silent.

'What?　A village chief?

　A woman supports the foster chief.

'Well, you look tired. He has fallen asleep.

　I stand up and grab my foster chief by both shoulders.

'Wait!　Open your eyes, for God's sake!　For God's sake, just tell me what to do!　Don't go to sleep with something disturbing to say!

　Ange and Livia pulled me away from the village chief.

'Rion, come on,'

"You gotta take care of your old man, 'Meh! That's right!

　I know, but I don't want to admit this result.

　I can't admit it!

　Marie and Mr. Hertrude looked at me and smiled very happily.

'That's a nice touch,'

It's true. I feel sorry for you.

　Ms. Hertrude is laughing while saying that she feels sorry for him.

　This woman is still a bad character.

'I don't like this!　I demand a do-over!

　Luxion, who had been listening to the conversation in silence, muttered sullenly.

''You said you don't believe in fortune telling or anything, but you really don't like it very seriously. Master, it's not cool.''

'May!　No one wants this kind of result!

　It's not about being cool or bad, it's not about that.

　I don't want to accept these consequences for me to enjoy my life!

　What do you mean, like losing something important in the first place!