The Red Lion Mercenary Corps.

It is not known exactly what it is, but it seems that it is a mercenary group that is quite famous among mercenary groups.

I knew this as a game setting, so I don’t know exactly what kind of activity it does… … .

The reason they made their name is because the boss of Chapter 4, ‘Scar the Red Lion’, was that strong.

That’s why it could have been used as an escort for surveillance purposes near the border of Chrysos.

At this point, they may have moved away from each other without extending their contracts, but they will approach Chrysos again.

And that’s because he tricked the innocent Eleanor.

Originally, they approached after grasping the fragments of Eleanor’s power.

However, this time, it was not at the level of convenience, but the power was clearly revealed.

Will they give up? No, the policy of approaching and bringing Eleanor will not change.

“… … It’s colloquial.”

“Is there information control?”

He’s passing on information to me, but first of all ＜Tenebris＞ is an intelligence agency belonging to the Empire. Originally, it was strange to give information in this way.

It was only because the information I passed on to them was of good quality, so the deal was established. However, if the empire controls national information, there is no way he can tell me.

“no.”

“Then what’s the point?”

Discre said with the sharp eyes typical of a cat beast.

“They are already dead.”

“… … dead?”

“To be precise, I should say that I was caught up in a natural disaster. They were caught up in the middle of King Myeong’s forces and fell into the underworld.”

“What… … .”

It’s natural to be a dead person, but it wasn’t just in ＜Underworld＞.

[Pyeongwang] Thanatos basically opened the door and connected the two worlds. At that time, countless undead would pour out, but most of the cases that caused damage were small.

It was because it was an action to show the way to the souls who are wandering without being able to go to ＜Heaven＞ or ＜Underworld＞.

It is said that he is also carrying out his mission as a manager in charge of the flow of the world.

“Is this something the king did?”

“Maybe I just got caught up in it.”

“Well… … .”

If it was simply getting caught up in it, it should have been the same flow in the original work.

I can’t help but think that the [Myeongwang] intervened in this.

To be optimistic that Chapter 4 is over, I am too concerned about the opponent who has been playing tricks.

It would have been better if the flow of the original was better, but I don’t want to deal with that crazy guy. I still have to get involved with him in earnest when chapter 5 is over, but you want me to mess with you beforehand?

Oz’s laughter bell is going to start from chapter 5, but now he might just be killed.

“What would you like to do?”

As I was organizing my thoughts like that, Diskrae started urging me.

Eleanor will come back soon, so it’s a pity that time is running out.

We can meet again later, but I also want to save time as much as possible.

“In case you don’t know, investigating the King’s movements… … .”

“It doesn’t pay off.”

“I guess so.”

It is difficult to check the trends of [Myeongwang]’s forces that suddenly appear throughout the country.

If that’s the case, you have to provide important information that fits the balance sheet… … . It was questionable whether it would be possible to give the empire that much power.

Information that is important, but the Empire will not be able to use it to orchestrate the situation.

“If you have nothing more to say… … .”

“Devil.”

It refers to important information that I managed to come up with while holding on to Discre who was about to leave.

But seeing Eleanor start walking out of the restaurant, there isn’t much time.

I wanted to tell you later, but it won’t be long.

“A new demon king will be born soon.”

“What is that… … ?!”

Disbelief opened her eyes wide in disbelief, then nodded with sharp eyes.

The demon king already exists. But a new demon king is born. That means the death of the former Demon King.

“I’ll give you instructions to get moving.”

After saying that, Discre passed by Eleanor, who was running towards her, and disappeared.

Eleanor didn’t even notice him passing right beside her.

It’s an absurd stealth ability.

“teacher! This is a service! So, will you give me a lot of tips?”

“yes… … .”

Responding appropriately to Eleanor who is full of energy, I think about what just happened.

Where the hell did you get it twisted?

Because you saw Eleanor’s power?

Or because of my holy magic?

Or because of the key that was cut in half?

Either way, it’s a force against him, so there’s a possibility.

However, in the end, it’s just an opportunity, and I don’t know what the purpose is.

So, in order to collect as many cards as possible, I had no choice but to solve the information about the [Demon King].

“teacher! How about a tip?”

“Don’t rush. I will give you. Come on, I’ll give it to you, so go and work.”

“thanks. teacher! After all, rich aristocrats are different no matter what!”

“… … .”

Even though you’re more than a noble, you’re royalty, right?

I give Eleanor, who is giving a burdensome look at her side, a moderate amount of tips and continue her thoughts.

The [Demon King] changes its ranks every 100 years. It’s a matter of lifespan.

However, it has not been 10 years since this [Demon King] took office.

If so, it means that the method of succession is not a normal method.

“It’s unfortunate that we can’t capture the hero, but it’s better to give up.”

The only thing that can kill the [Demon King] is the [Hero]. That would be impossible even for the [Solvent], the strongest person in the world.

[Demon Lord] can be said to be the totality connected to all demons.

It means that if you want to kill him in a normal way, you have to kill all demons. There was no way that even Tia could do such a thing.

Only the [Hero] with the ability to cut off that connection completely.

Well, even that is a temporary measure, so a new demon king will soon be born, but it will be meaningful in that the current tyrant will disappear.

“Whatever… … .”

It has nothing to do with story progression. The hero is an event story that took place between chapters 3 and 4 of the main story.

That is, it is a limited character.

Originally, limited characters are not involved in the main story even if they appear in individual event stories.

It’s literally a character that can only be picked for a limited period of time, but if it appears even in the main story, users who couldn’t pick that character will be very twisted, so it’s natural.

“Considering the hero’s personality, it wouldn’t matter as the empire would intervene and disappear at the same time.”

Even the empire knows the symbolism of the [Hero], so there’s nothing they can do about her.

It would be persuasion at best, and even that would fail if you consider the [Hero]’s disposition.

Because she hates being confined to one place.

If that happens, there is a high probability that the [Hero] will wander away from trouble.

[Hero] is also an SSR grade character.

[Hero] is quite powerful both in terms of story and game performance, and his character is also kind and he is a good man who cannot tolerate injustice.

It would have been nice if he had been brought in as a colleague, but it turned out to be a pity. Meeting her must be left to chance.

“By the way… … .”

It was the moment when I was about to have a full-fledged meal after organizing my thoughts.

“Noah, what the hell did you give me as a service?”

The steak, drink, and dessert I ordered. There was nothing more.

Could it be that the price was discounted?

“Isn’t what I brought myself a service?”

“Give me back my tip. You son of a cheater.”

That’s what you should do, of course.

* * *

the southernmost tip of the continent.

A place that has been tainted by demonic energy and has been tainted with an environment in which humans cannot live.

＜Pandemonium＞

A woman wearing a robe was walking around the barren land.

“Well… … . It’s a pretty barren environment, as you’ve heard.”

The woman muttered quietly, looking at the humans and demons lying all over the street.

Not all demons are bad.

It’s the same for humans too.

Ironically, there were more bad humans than bad demons in the Demon Realm.

This is because it was a place where people who committed crimes and were kicked out in the first place flocked. However, demons were born stronger than humans.

Because of the balance of power, it was difficult for the criminals who escaped to do nonsense.

“hey.”

The woman turned around as she touched the sword inside her robe at the sound of her name being called. It was an old demon.

Looking at his shabby appearance, he probably belonged to the good class.

“Yes, so… … .”

“He is the chief of this village.”

“Oh, I see? what will happen to me Chief.”

“Hey, I don’t remember seeing you here. Are you the one who ran away from the Central Continent?”

“Um… … . yes… … Would you?”

The woman was not a fugitive, but she was moderately positive so as not to scratch and scratch.

“If the crime you committed is light, you might as well go home.”

“Why?”

“Do you see humans here?”

At the cautious words of the shabby-looking demon, the woman looked around.

The man was right. There were no people here.

“what? Come to think of it, no one is here?”

“Shh, be quiet.”

The old demon whispered quietly as if he noticed something.

“The Demon King of this generation does not forgive strangers. You forbid me to touch you.”

“is that so? I also say, but then what do the people who live on this land eat?”

＜Magye＞ is barren. It is basic that crops do not grow, and the animals roaming around were also ferocious and strong, so it was difficult to raise them.

That’s why it was said that it was difficult for demons with relatively low strength to succeed in hunting.

“At least the young people here are trying.”

“But won’t it be enough?”

“… … .”

The old demon didn’t answer, but the woman accepted it as an affirmation.

“Then we have to change.”

“There’s no way I can go against the will of the Demon King, is there?”

[Demon King] is the only existence.

And even if he was forced, he was in a position where no one could stop him.

Even if you defeat him, he will be resurrected, and in return, an unknown demon will die instead.

But the woman said so.

“Then we have to change.”

“Didn’t I tell you? The demon lord is the target of persuasion… … .”

“We have to change the demon king.”

“What… … ?”

The woman revealed herself by pulling up the hood of her robe.

Wavy blonde hair and deep blue eyes.

[SSR Golden Champion]

Justitia Heros.

“If you really think you need to change, I will do it. I am a hero who came to save the demons.”

“… … .”

“How are you?”

“… … My son died after being eaten by a witch beast some time ago.”

The old demon spoke calmly.

The contents were not calm, but he said with a dry expression, as if no more tears were coming out.

“My wife died of starvation a week ago, and the friend who went to ask the devil hasn’t come back for 4 years already.”

“Do you want revenge?”

“no.”

The old demon spoke to a woman who called herself a warrior.

“I want to change now so that it doesn’t happen anymore. If you are truly a hero, would you be able to raise your sword even for this cursed demon?”

“Sure. I became a warrior for that.”

An existence that listens to the voices of the weak, not calculating profits and losses.

A woman who decided to become a [Hero] drew a sword for them.

* * *

There is still plenty of time until Chapter 4 of the main story.

Since the vacation begins and Eleanor will have to face Chrysos, there is not much that can be done in advance.

Of course, there was the sudden intervention of [The King], but I decided not to worry about it because I was able to get help in return for selling the [Hero]’s existence to ＜Tenebris＞.

If so, what should I do in this situation is decided.

It was that I had to solve the problem I was facing.

One of them is to raise the level of the skill.

Coincidentally, since I also learned advanced anti-personnel magic called [Pinaka], I should be able to dig much deeper than before.

At this point, I should aim to level up not only the [Space Barrier] but also the [Mana Ruler].

And another important thing… … .

“I guess I’ll have to stop coming to the lab soon.”

It is necessary to prepare for the final exam. I don’t really care about grades, but first of all, shouldn’t I be able to assist Eleanor after being promoted?

“Uh, why? Are you abandoning me?! All you need is a little bit! There will be visible results soon, right? I can!”

“… … My status is, first of all, a student. Professor Ira. Since it is during exam period, it is basically forbidden to visit the professor’s laboratory.”

“Ah, that was it. I forgot.”

Professor Aira has not yet been able to shake off the symptoms of anxiety, even though she has achieved quite clear results.

Reaching the rank of elder mage would have proved his qualifications enough, but is that not enough?

How much do you owe?

If reaching an elder level mage wasn’t enough… … .

“Then I will have to wait until vacation. It feels like I have been on vacation for a long time.”

“Aren’t you supposed to give the test questions? Besides, I don’t know the basis for that certainty that I will help even during vacation.”

“uh… … ?”

don’t you have a conscience?

Although I said I would support her, it would be difficult if she took that for granted.

“I will go out of Skientia while on vacation, hiding my identity.”

“Uh, then what about my research?”

“You have to figure it out. Wasn’t that originally Professor Aira’s research?”

“then… … !”

Professor Aira sat down with an expression as if she had lost the world.

Maybe she has a more precarious mental state than I thought.

It might be worse than Eleanor… … .

Perhaps the mysterious appearance shown in the game was not the atmosphere of a transcendent person who gave up everything?

I am worried that if we leave it as it is, it will end her in many ways.

“Then homework. Professor Ira. By the end of this final exam, aim for a performance that you can be satisfied with.”

“Uh, if you could tell me what kind of performance I need to achieve… … .”

“Didn’t you tell me?”

Perhaps Professor Aira’s ideals are higher than expected.

So, it would be good to make that clear here.

“Professor Ira. You can judge by your standards.”

“My standards?”

Even if she thinks she has failed herself, if I affirm her, she will realize how afraid she was of looking up high.

“Yes, then I will trust Professor Aira and leave.”

“My standards… … .”

Professor Aira didn’t answer as if she was lost in thought, but it probably didn’t matter.

You will do well if you see that you have been working hard on your own until now.