After parting ways with Hikaru, I headed toward the Links Mutual Aid Society next to the guild to protect Flue-chan.

I never expected that the girl I'd hired as a scout would end up restraining Hikaru's actions. That's so like Hikaru... though, if it had been me— I wouldn't have hesitated.

I don't dislike Flue-chan, and I do consider her a companion, but there's still a hierarchy of priorities.

The first priority should always be oneself.

(Then again... that kind of kindness is also what makes Hikaru so appealing...)

I myself have been saved by his kindness.

If he hadn't defeated the mantis that day, that moment— I wouldn't exist now.

But... it was actually quite reckless.

(Back then, I thought he was incredibly strong and believed he was the kind of person who could defeat a Mantus alone, but the real Hikaru wasn't someone who could easily defeat a Mantus by himself.)

That's why it was reckless.

Fortunately, he managed to take it down with a single strike, but if it had failed, there would have been a real risk of him dying.

It wasn't a gamble worth taking just to help a stranger.

Anyway, I wish Hikaru would prioritize himself more.

He's so strong—he could afford to be more selfish.

(Then again... what should I do after protecting Flora-chan...)

Convincing the priestess...

might actually be possible.Although Hikaru's situation is unusual, explaining that she is a sorcerer who has made a contract with the Great Spirit of the Dark City, Miliesutas, would resolve the issue—being a "Beloved One" and a Spirit Sorcerer isn't inherently problematic.

I've never been to Miliesutas, but the Great Spirit residing there has been present alongside the Dark City since appearing over a thousand years ago, and rumors say she is exceptionally compassionate. If that's true, then it's certainly possible for her to form a bond without consuming her Beloved One.

The real concern lies with the Great Spirit of Water.

It's rare for the Great Spirit to leave the temple.

It's not unheard of, though. During festivals, she sometimes participates in processions, and generally, the Great Spirits deeply enjoy human company.

To the Great Spirits, humans are apparently seen much like affectionate little pets.

Even so, the "beloved one" is literally so cute that you'd want to eat them, and actually tasting them would be so delicious it makes you lose self-control—something like that, anyway.

It might just be something my mother said, so it could be a lie.

Still, since the Great Spirit residing in the natural temple wouldn't actually lose self-control to the point of wanting to eat someone, in that sense, the Water Great Spirit probably won't eat Hikaru... I'd like to believe that.

(Though, they did eat that weird guy once, didn't they...)

Honestly, it doesn't seem like much of a guarantee.

The main temple in this town is mostly an artificial one; even the Water Great Temple, which originally started as a natural temple, has been heavily modified and is now almost entirely artificial. In fact, compared to the Great Spirit from my hometown, this one is always tense and on edge.

Moreover, someone like Hikaru—so beloved and possessing such immense power—would likely be the first to ever confront the Great Spirit.

If only there were some way to stop the Great Spirit...

Could we use another "beloved one" as a substitute?

Or maybe if I told them to stop—though I doubt they'd actually listen.

Hmm. I'm just not good at thinking up solutions like this...

Lost in thought, I arrived at the Links Mutual Aid Society.

Today, there was no Links lounging around outside. Probably because it was peak time for adventurers entering the labyrinth.

Various explorers kept going in, then borrowing scouts before coming back out.

"Wait— isn't that Reflair? What are you doing here all by yourself?"

Just as I was about to enter, I was called out by a Links wearing expensive mithril gear.

She's Moupel, a core member of Crimson Vial, with whom I used to get along during the previous party era.

"I came here to call a friend of mine, Links. You're rare to see here, Moupel. Aren't you a member of the Mutual Aid Society?"

"Well, I was kind of summoned here."

Moupel lives in the guildhouse of Crimson Vial and is no longer a member of the Mutual Aid Society.

She's already made her spirit contract and holds the rank of Magical Silver Grade (Ondine).

She tends to just laze around at home on her days off, so it's unusual to see her outside of the labyrinth or guild.

"Summoned?"

"Some weirdo kept bothering me, so I was pushing him away. Apparently, he was annoying me because I wouldn't lend him a Bronze Grade (Spiritus) who can dive down to the fourth layer."

"Huh? So that's someone wearing a weird mask, right? Did they say something about lending Grapefloo-chan?"

"Yeah, yeah. Is she a friend of Refleia's or something?"

"No, not at all. But that's good. So, is Floo-chan around?"

"Should I call her over?"

"Please do. Oh, and what about the masked guy?"

"I threatened to poke holes all over him and use him as fish bait, and he bolted somewhere."

Hmm. If there had been a masked man, taking him down would've made things much quicker, but since there isn't one, there's nothing to be done.

Still, I'm worried about Hikaru. We need to get back quickly with Floo-chan.

Shortly after, Mr. Moupal brought Grapefloo-chan right away.

But the fact remains—she was definitely targeted.

The people who were eaten and the masked ones seem to hail from the same hometown as Hikaru and Madam Jeanne, but they certainly employ despicable tactics.

"Refréa-san! It's been quite a while, hasn't it? Are you diving into the fourth layer today?"

Flou-chan says with a bright smile.

She must have missed me, since I've been spending all my time training horses and haven't been descending into the labyrinth lately.

...Come to think of it, I never actually told her I was leaving town.

Well... since we're only temporary coworkers, maybe there's no need to mention it... But now that I've seen that smile, I feel like I'm doing something wrong.

Maybe I've just caught Hikaru's sense of guilt.

"Refréa-san...?"

"Ah, no, sorry. Today it's not the labyrinth—Hikaru's got a bit of a problem, so I need you to come with me."

"Not the labyrinth? I don't mind coming along."

Honestly, since Moupuru-san is already here, there's no real need to bring them along. But right now, Hikaru would probably feel safer seeing Fluur-chan's form clearly.

"……Still, what's all this ruckus about? Sounds like it's louder over there."

"I'll explain everything when we get there."

Indeed, the crowd has grown even larger than before, filling the entire street.

The Great Spirit is incredibly popular. Since they hardly ever come out of the shrine, everyone's probably just fascinated by the sight.

On his way through the crowd toward Hikaru, he suddenly realized it wasn't just that.

"Apparently, some annoying guy forcibly dragged the Great Spirit from the shrine."

"I heard the beloved one escaped."

"No, the beloved one was already offered as a sacrifice."

"I took a look—there was a pitch-black orb. What the heck is that?"

"If the Great Spirit came out, isn't that the Demon King?"

"The Demon King suddenly appeared from the labyrinth? What's the guild doing?"

"I don't know. Anyway, it's a black orb. The Holy Knights tried smashing it, but it won't break."

"Isn't the labyrinth about to collapse?"

"What's going on here?!"

Everyone was chatting with their own wild rumors.

(Does this mean they think Hikaru is some kind of demon lord?)

That barrier lets outside voices come through perfectly.

Of course, all those rumors are completely audible.

He's so sensitive—he worries me.

We have to act fast.

The black orb must mean they're using dark spirit magic inside.

Grabbing Grapflour's hand, pushing through the crowd, we finally reach Hikaru.

There, just as the onlookers had whispered, was a pitch-black sphere.

A flawless, perfectly black orb, as if a darkness capable of devouring everything had taken form right there.

The people around it, clearly hesitant to get too close, are watching from a distance as the holy knights swing their swords at the barrier.

Wait—what in the world are they doing, anyway!?

"Wait, please stop! There's someone inside!?"

"Is that so? But it could be dangerous. It might even be the Demon King."

"Even if it were the Demon King, it wouldn't be dangerous!"

"Still... are you involved in this? You look like an explorer."

"Reflare Ashbord. Gold Rank."

"Gold!? So that's it... then it really isn't dangerous after all...?"

Gold Rank tags are impressive.

I always thought Saint Hall Knights were pretty rigid (like my mom!), but apparently Gold Rank carries enough weight to convince even them.

Well, whatever. Let's quickly show Flora-chan to Hikaru so he can calm down—

That was when.

The barrier suddenly lost its power.

As if the entire sunlit city were being consumed by darkness, I, the Holy Knights, and everyone surrounding Hikaru were all enveloped in shadows.

"Meow meow meow!? It's pitch black!"

"Hikaru!? Did you break the barrier? Why—?"

There was no reply.

Though it had been a while since I entered Hikaru's darkness, the darkness was so thick that even my own sense of balance became uncertain.

Only Hikaru could wield such powerful darkness within the domain of the Water Spirit.

People's cries of fear.

Many were so disoriented and panicked that they collided with me.

The Holy Knight shouted, "Calm down!" but it seemed to have no effect.

　

I think the presence of the Great Spirit hasn't drawn near yet... Regardless, it's invisible. In this world, only Hikaru seems free. Even the Great Spirit—well, who knows?

But this is bad.

To doubt even the possibility of the Demon King, and then reinforce that doubt ourselves.

"Ah, what should I do? Just erase it with light? But...

Hikaru might have her reasons too.

That fleeting hesitation.

Deep, deep, too deep into darkness.

Amidst the roar-like clamor, Hikaru's quiet whisper somehow reached my ears clearly.

"——Summon Elemental."