Might
Leica... Please don't tell me he's the only one? As I thought, am I just here to take the place of your partner...?

Might's words seemed to snap in Leica and he separated their bodies.

Leica
No... No, it's not like that. I...

Leica began speaking, and was silent again.

And, he kept looking down.

Leica
The story I told you just now, just forget it... I'm sorry.

Leica returned straight to the orphanage. Might let him pass with complex emotions as he watched his back.

At last after 10 days, the day of the solar eclipse came.

Everyone went outside and waited for "That time" impatiently.

Lorence
...What in the world, what's happening...?

Kurt
Well, I'm not sure...

Leica
Heheh, if it comes it comes...!

Pam
Might... I'll try my best!

Might
Ah, I know. ...But be careful, Pam.

Pam
I'll be careful. ...But, Might has to be careful too!

Everyone was at the peek of mental strain, and then...

Lorence
Look...! The moon...

At Lorence's words they looked up at the sky, and the moon was starting to move in front of the sun. Slowly, slowly the sun was shrouded. Suddenly the skies became cloudy, and there were gusts of wind. The calm climate until then was a lie.

Leica
Heheheh... It's really becoming like that...

Leica looked at his surroundings with vigilance, while wearing a ferocious smile.

It wasn't just that. Suddenly the ground began shaking.

Might
Ear, earthquake...?!

Pam
Waaaah, it's a really big earthquaaake!

Lorence
Pay attention! Lower yourself and hold onto something...!

The group couldn't do anything but listen to the words and bear the violent earthquake desperately.

As suddenly as the earthquake began, it ended.

However there was one difference, from the rifts in the ground a huge castle appeared...

Lorence
...That is... The devil's castle...

Kurt
Yes, is appears so... It's closer and closer to the decisive battle. Please exercise sufficient care.

As one would expect when it reached this time, Kurt's usual carefree expression disappeared. Lorence quietly nodded his head, and shouted orders to his subordinates.

Lorence
All members, advance!

He lifted his hand, and forcefully swung it down.

The knights gathered, and all at once received the order and began marching. In perfect formation, they marched towards the devil's castle.

For the last 10 days, they had been passing time without doing anything as well. They had asked Kurt, and reinforcements were requested from the Knights of the Court. A very small number of people were left at the king's capital, and the rest of the forces were gathered here.

The devil's punitive force... Literally, it was an all-out war. When the devil's castle appeared, anxiety was raised among the troops although at first the group was uplifted. -They had so much war potential but could they really defeat the devil, and.

Leica
Uwah~ This castle gives me a bad feeling.

When they reached near the castle, Leica frowned as he looked up at the steeple.

Indeed as suitable for the devil's castle, in the fine view of the people it was a structure of incompatible shape. And, the external form didn't seem to be the only incompatible problem.

Knight
Lorence-dono, the castle gate won't open.

One of the knights under Lorence's supervision ran up and reported.

Lorence
...What?!

Lorence tried to investigate the gate personally, but the door was shut firmly, it wouldn't open at all.

Lorence
...It can't be helped. We'll have to open it by force. Prepare a battering ram at once!

At Lorence's order, huge weapons were prepared to attack the castle. It was simply a huge log shape, but when ten-odd soldiers struck the door it became a terrific destructive power.

Kurt
...Umm, please wait a minute.

Kurt called out to Lorence as he was about to give the order to charge.

Lorence
...What is it?

Kurt
Well... Will you leave it to me?

Lorence
To you...? ...I understand. But, we don't have much time. Please be nimble.

Lorence couldn't hide his anxiety a little, but still he stopped the knights and trusted Kurt. After all, he who was a priest played an important role in the fight against the devil.

Kurt stood in front of the door, and slowly held out both hands, and began an aria of a small spell. The voice of the spell gradually became louder, and at the same time an orb of light began to form at the tip of his hands.

Kurt
...Protection from evil, repel it from before us!

With some quiet words, light was shot from his hands at the door. Light wrapped around the entire door for a moment... In the next moment, a large exploding sound was made, and the door collapsed.

The knights who watched stared in surprise with no words. Mixed into that, Leica groaned with partially an admiration and partially wondrous expression.

Leica
...You're bland but you did something exciting.

When he knew the usual Kurt, this seemed like too much.

Kurt
Is that so?

Kurt looked back at everyone in his usual carefree tone.

The army to subjugate the devil rushed into the castle when the door was destroyed. Inside was decorated similar to the outside, and each person had a different sense. But, it was most appropriate for the devil, and a certain atmosphere filled the air. There was a feeling of madness there... a seemingly suffocating hatred.

In the bizarre atmosphere inside the castle, the punitive force of the knights all seemed equally cowering in their gait.

Lorence
Don't falter! All troops, rush in!

On Lorence's orders, the knights drew their swords and marched into the castle.

And, from the darkness of the interior demons appeared and ambushed them. Their numbers were vast...

Leica
Heheh, looks like they're welcoming us!

Leica joked immediately, but Leica killed and threw away the first demon and instantly his expression became cramped. Demons appeared on after another.

Might
The, there's so many...

The punitive forces were at once surrounded by the demon troops.

Demons came flying out one after another, and they were sliced and thrown away, and they tried to advance as they shook them off. The demons weren't very strong, and the knights were disappointed as they cut them down. But, without fear the company tried to push through them in succession.

In their battle situation they advanced and retreated, and almost couldn't move forward.

Lorence
If we stay in this place we'll get eaten... when the solar eclipse ends!

Lorence succumbed to shouting in frustration as he drove away the demons.

The passage wasn't very wide, and it was already overflowing with countless demons, most were in a state of confused melee. An evacuation wasn't ordered, but there was no talk of a place to collect the troops.

Pam
Wa-n. They aren't losing numbers at all.

Pam also demonstrated satisfactory strength, and he shouted as he flung the demons down.

Leica and Kurt also had their hands full returning fire against the demons that were gushing forth one after another. Leica with his sword, and Kurt with his offensive magic, fought the group of advancing demons eagerly.

Might
(Shit... It's as Lorence-san says... As it is, we're making no progress...)

While he was fighting the demons he was spurred on by violent irritation. One of the knights approached that place.

Knight
Lorence-dono! We will open a path! Please hurry ahead!!

At the knight's signal, the horse riding unit of the knights plunged into the crowd on demons. The power of long spears and long swords from horseback were terrific, and at once they tore the group of demons in half.

Lorence
Good, now, go through!

At Lorence's shout, Might and the others ran through at once.

Might was first, then Lorence, Leica, Pam, and finally Kurt was the 5th person, ran swiftly down the dim corridor. He thought that it was connected to hades, long, long... And in the corridor that was full of gloomy suspicious signs, all they could do was push forward.

Might
(Adonis! I'll save you somehow... Wait for me!)

Might rushed to the origin of the devil Hardius with a faint hope in his chest.

At last the passage ended, and they appeared in a spacious room. Everyone advanced into the interior of the room, while everyone questioned their surroundings prudently.

It was a vast space, without a bit of feeling of being oppressed. Their skin was being filled with bits and pieces of burning malice. And as the approached the innermost part of the room, that feeling became stronger and stronger.

Waiting there was the the shape of and evil person - it was the devil Hardius.

Hardius
Oh, aren't you unexpectedly early?

Hardius turned around, and smiled from ear to ear.

Leica
It was a grand welcome, I'm grealty obliged! Devil-san!

Pam
Because you attacked! We won't excuse you even if you cry!

Kurt
Wicked one, withdraw!

Lorence
Devil Hardius! On His Majesty the King's life, I will defeat you! On guard!

Each of them poised with their weapons, encircling Hardius.

Might
Hardius...! I will seal you... and take back Adonis!!

Might also pulled his sword, and glared at Hardius.

Hardius
Huhuhuhuhu... kuhahahahaha...! I'd like to see you try to do me in if you can, Might!

With those words, grotesque object stretched on Hardius' back- it was a lump of slimy and wriggling tentacles, that body- Adonis' delicate limbs were swallowed.

Might
(Wh... What does he plan on doing?!)

Just like that the grotesque objects covered one side of the wall. Hardius' body under his abdomen was buried in the grotesque objects, he was merged with the wriggling clump of tentacles.

Leica
Ugh... What is that?!

Leica voiced his disgust at Hardius' extremely eerie form.

Hardius
...Well, now what shall I do, with you.

The tentacles wriggled like a snake around Hardius' body- the goosenecks were raised. The next instant, countless tentacles went towards Might and the others all at once.

Might, Lorence and Leica lopped them off with their swords, and defended against the tentacles' attack. Kurt used burning magic, and Pam dodged the attacks with swift movements.

Lorence
Shi...! It's the same as a little bit ago... There's no end!!

Lorence shouted while he cut and threw off the tentacles that came one after another.

Leica
They keeps regenerating them no matter how much we cut them!

He screamed into the mix as he pruned the tentacles like the others, which regenerated very fast.

Kurt
...If we keep doing this we'll run out of strength. I'm worried...

Though he shot magic attacks in succession, Kurt couldn't hide his color of bewilderment.

Pam
Uwe~n, I'm already tiiired.

Even Pam who had the physical strength of an animal person was in this state. Already everyone was tired. Their breathing accelerated, and their quick movements became weak. The couldn't avoid Hardius' attacks, and they received wounds quickly.

Kurt
Aah!

Finally Kurt was caught by a tentacle, and was violently knocked into the wall.

Lorence
K, Kurt-dono! ...Shi!

In the gap that Lorence looked at Kurt he also received a direct blow from a tentacle.

Pam
Uwaaaah-.

Pam's delicate body was entwined by a tentacle, and slapped onto the ground.

Leica
Damn! That squirming bastard! ...Gwah.

His sword hand was snatched, and he was pushed away and blown off.

Might
Ah, everyone...!

Might looked at his fallen companions and cried sorrowfully.

Hardius
Well now that the small fries are disposed of... Only you are left. Kukkukkukku. ..

Hardius smiled at the room, and he lapped up Might's anguished expression.

Ragsiel
No, there's still more. -I am still here.

Might
-Ragsiel-san!

Ragsiel appeared behind might with light.

Hardius
Huu, so you've finally appeared, Ragsiel... It's been a long time.

Ragsiel
Hardius, I did not imagine it would come to this so soon.

Hardius
You sealed me away before, but not this time...

Ragsiel
You seem extremely self-confident... Bastard, what is your basis?!

At those words, Hardius gave a suspicious smile.

Hardius
Take a good look, this body... Thanks to this body, your "Vessel" Might won't be able to attack me. Kukukuu, haahahahaha.

With the loud laughter, the tentacles began to wriggle again.

Might
(-They're coming?!)

But, his companions were collapsed on every side, wounded by the out-stretched tentacles. The men who lost their power to resist were seized easily, and were being strangled.

Might
S, stoooooooop!

Might's companions groaned in agony as he screamed. Pam's... Leica's... Kurt's... And Lorence's pain, all became painful and strangled Might's mind.

Hardius
What's wrong...? If you don't defeat me soon your companions will be strangled to death, Might.

Might
Sh... Shit!

He put his strength into his grip, and lifted up the point of his sword. He put his anger into it, that went through the devil.

However, before his eyes, it wasn't the devil.

Adonis
...Might... It's me...

Might
...?! Adonis...! Is it really... you...?!

Might couldn't believe his eyes. Unintentionally he lowered his sword, and shouted his unbelievable wish. It wasn't mistakable, the gentle Adonis of before was there.

-But.

Hardius
Yes... It's me, Might! Huhuhuhuhu, haahahahaha...!

Hardius was returned momentarily to Adonis' appearance. It was only a second. He exposed Adonis' appearance to Might. However, that was enough. In that moment Might lost his fighting spirit.

Hardius
What's wrong, Might. You can't kill me? Well then are you going to watch helplessly as your friends are killed? You're a cruel person, Might.

Might
Sh, shit!

Gritting his teeth angrily, he glared at Hardius. --But, it was Adonis' face.

Might lost the power he put into his sword at once, and pointed the sword down.

Might
Ragsiel-san... Adonis! Is there a way to rescue Adonis...?! Please save Adonis, tell me how to defeat Hardius!

Being at his wit's end, he shouted behind him to Ragsiel. But, the answer that came back were the cruelest words for him.

Ragsiel
...He already agreed to be there... I'm sorry, Might.

Might
!!

In the strained battle, he stopped momentarily. Might felt despair go through his entire body, and he opened his mouth bravely.

Might
...Yes, I'm... ready.

Might's body shook feverishly. He couldn't stop his tears from overflowing. Ragsiel quietly called to him. He was unusually full of the impressiveness of the gods, and used a gentle voice.

Ragsiel
...Might, raise your sword. ...Aim for his eyes.

With those words he slowly guided Might's shaking hands, and lifted his sword.

Ragsiel
I will collect light around the sword. ...Then finish him. That guy... Hardius.

The tip of the lifted sword was glowing. Very quickly it became a strong light. It was a gentle, powerful light.

-It was as if it has severed Might's hesitation.

Ragsiel
Come, Might... this is good. Attack-!

Might
Y... yes!

He tried to swallow his saliva, and gripped the hilt of his sword. The point of the sword was turned forward... ...But, his legs didn't move with his words.

Ragsiel
... Might... As I thought, you...

Did he anticipate this? Ragsiel knitted his brows bitterly.

Hardius
Kuhahahahaha... What's wrong?! What's making you hesitate? Come stop me with that sword! ...That's it, is that ok? Your friends are limp. If you don't treat them soon it will be too late!

Might
Sh... Shit...

Might's mind was in pieces. Two conflicting desires shook his mind, and tore him up. If he didn't defeat Hardius soon, everyone's lives... but... that body... it was Adonis... he couldn't kill Adonis...

In addition to that, Hardius' sneered at him full of hatred.

Hardius
My my, how disappointing. I waited a long time to give you a chance to attack me...

He invited Might foreseeing that he wouldn't be able to do it. It was terribly cruel.

Hardius
I'm an impatient guy, Might... Then, now I'll chase you away--! It's good you'll perish with Ragsiel! Die! Might!!!

At that chance the tentacles collected, and the tips became pointed. With a dull light, it shot at Might with a blistering speed.

Might
?!

Ragsiel
Impossible! We can't dodge it-!

Tentacles attacked Might from every direction. The attacks came over and over again. -He couldn't escape.

Might
(-It's useless...! Everyone, I'm sorry... I, everyone, I couldn't save you... )

He closed his eyes, ready to take the impact of tentacles going through his body.

Might
(Ah, this is the end... Adonis...)

But, the blow that would end his suffering didn't come for a long, long time. Quietly he opened his eyes... In front of him, the tentacles stood still.

Might
...?

Adonis
...Might... Might...

That feminine voice called him, and Might swallowed his breath.

The figure was the same, but the expression was Adonis'. And the voice... It was the same as when Hardius took over his body, but Might understood. He knew when the true Adonis was there...

Might
Adonis! It's Adonis?!

Adonis
...Might, I'm relieved... You were really saved... You were safe...

Might
Yes... yes. Thanks to you, Adonis... Thank you... I wanted to see you...

Adonis
Might...

The two watched each other, and exchanged hot glances. That was enough.

Might
Well, let's leave this place quickly...! Let's go back together... The two of us...

At the words Might bounced off of him, Adonis turned his eyes quietly.

Adonis
...I can't do that...

Might
Why?!

Adonis
Even now I sense the devil, somehow my senses were able to rise to the surface. .. Thus, I'm finally speaking to you...

As he said so, Adonis smiled elegantly.

Adonis
Before it's too late... Even now I feel the devil rising up... Stab me, Might.

Might couldn't believe his ears. Those were the words he didn't want to hear the most.

Might
...I, I can't... That... I can't do that...!

He shook his head violently, and clenched his fist. After all, should he do that... Couldn't he ward off fate...?!

Adonis
...Please... Might. My body is already damaged... I don't want to see... Besides I... I already can't be saved. At least, yourself... Your friends...

With sad eyes he looked at his friends that had been caught by the tentacles.

Might
A... Adonis.

Might's voice trembled. Tears overflowed from his open eyes.

Adonis
...Hurry! My... I'm losing my senses... Hurry... P, please.

Adonis' pleading voice was gradually being interrupted. As Hardius was rising more and more, it was becoming painful for him.

Stab him.

Don't stab him.