Lou and Fran’s battle against the Ogres was past the halfway point.

　They had already slaughtered almost 70% of the ogres in the village.

　Lou and Fran, who were stationed at the entrance to the village, had a clear division of labor.

　While Fran devoted herself to shooting long-range attack magic…

　Lou made sure to take out the enemies that Fran missed with the same long range attack magic, and also to keep an eye out for surprise attacks.

“Fran, did you hear some of the herd suddenly growling just now?”

“Yes, they howled very loudly.”

“They were calling out for help to the pack leader outside.”

“What? L-Leader?”

　Lou said that there were ten new ogres heading their way to rescue them.

　One of them was apparently reacting abnormally for an ogre.

“That’s a superior species… probably the Ogre King. Kelly, listen to me. We’re going to move to a safe place and ambush them.”

　Presently, only a few of the ogres in the village were attacking them.

　The injured had fled deep into the village due to Lou and Fran’s attack magic.

　So, as Lou said, this was the time to back off.

“Fran! Just kill the ones coming at you, then retreat!”

“Copy that!”

　Luu and Fran nodded to each other and shot out Fire Blasts to destroy the attacking ogres.

◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ 

　About 15 minutes later:..

　Lou, Fran, and Kelturi moved to a small hilltop overlooking the village.

　When they took cover…

　The pack of ogres, who heard the screams of their friends and rushed to the scene, appeared.

“I didn’t expect a higher specie. If we defeat him, we can catch up to Giselle and Nadia in points.”

　Lou muttered and urged Fran and Kelturi to move.

　The ogre pack hadn’t noticed them yet.

　As Lou had pointed out, the Ogre King was a completely different creature from the other ogres, even at first glance.

　First off, his physique was different.

　He was more than twice the size of a normal ogre, and his viciously developed chest muscles were a sight for sore eyes.

　The Ogre King immediately noticed the devastation of his friends in the village.

　He roared loudly, filled with anger and sorrow.

　The air shivered, and even Fran, who was used to hunting in the forest, stiffened involuntarily.

　Lou placed his hand gently on Fran’s shoulder.

“He’s mournful…but he’s the predator, and we’re his prey. At the end of the day, we’re doomed to be incompatible.”

　When Fran heard Lou’s words, she couldn’t help but wonder what the significance of this forest was.

　Fight demons to protect the ones you love…

　In order not to get yourself killed, you should aim to improve your skills and experience a real battle.

　She could understand the logic…

　Once, her fiancé, Reinhardt, was killed by a bipedal winged dragon Wyvern that attacked the royal capital.

　It was a unilateral attack, and he was killed for no fault of his own.

　However, the ogres in front of her showed that demons also have feelings and families… 

“Thinking is important, but don’t lose sight of what’s important because of overthinking.”

“Lou…”

“If you lose sight…you might lose something even more important. And when that happens, it’ll be too late.”

　Fran completely understood what Lou meant.

◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ 

“I’ll take this one, Fran, you cover me.”

　Lou announced as he watched the ogres enter the village.

“Are you okay?”

“Hmm! I just have an ominous premonition…Let’s finish this fight right away and move on to Adelaide-san and the others.”

“An ominous premonition?”

“Yeah. Fran, stay here and wait for me.”

　Lou left at that, and in a flash, he flew and headed under the ogres.

　Then he landed right behind the Ogre pack.

“Hey! I’m the enemy you’re looking for.”

　All of the ogres heard Lou’s voice and roared in anger.　

“…I’m sorry, but I have no time. Let me get this over with, once and for all.”

　Lou breathed in and chanted a Kotodama with godspeed.

“O blazing Earth vein on my left hand, O swirling Earth breath on my right hand; Fire and Wind, the Red Lotus Flame Blade born from the union of your spirits, fire at the enemy!”

　Immediately after, flames rose in Lou’s left hand, and a gust of wind began to swirl in his right hand.

　What!

　Lou was trying to invoke two spirits at once to perform a combined magic.

　Usually, those who could use different magica attributes in a single activation…

　It was said that it was only possible for beings beyond human cognition.

　The same was true for the Arlvs, who were much closer to the fairy race than to humans.

　Fran, of course, and Kelturi, too, watched with bated breath.

　Even Kelturi, who had been talking so much about how amazing Lou was, was taken aback by how out of the ordinary he was now that she was given an actual performance.

“Explosive Flame!”

　With a roar, a huge flame shot up from Lou’s left hand like a dragon rising to the sky, and from his right hand, a huge tornado whirled up at the same time and attacked the Ogre King and his herd.

　In the blink of an eye, the Ogres were engulfed in flames, and furthermore, was swept up in the tornado, torn into pieces, and died…

　Their blazing figures were like huge bonfires.

　However, Lou didn’t pay any attention to the Ogre King and his company, as if he was done with them.

“My ominous premonitions are about to come true. It even involves the presence of darkness!”

　After slaughtering the ogres in no time at all, Lou bit his lip.

“The presence of darkness?”

“I’m sorry, but there’s no time to explain. Adelaide-san and the others’ magic aura reactions are weakening. Let’s move to their spot without delay.”

　Lou said, and then…

　He again called for Vivi, the female Earth spirit, Gnomide.

　Vivi seemed to remember Fran’s face. She smiled not only at Lou, but also at Fran.

　Sensing that Adelaide and the others were in danger, Lou must be planning to use Transference Magic to get to them at once.

“Fran!”

　Lou called out, and Fran leaned against him without any hesitation, just like before.

　After ensuring that Fran’s hands were firmly grasping him, Lou shouted to Kelturi.

“Kelly, I’m sorry, but I’m using Transference Magic. You’ll have to follow us later!”

　Hearing this, Kelturi replied loudly.

“No, you’ve got to be kidding! I’m coming with you!”

“This is what I’m supposed to do!”   

　Kelturi hugged Lou and Fran together.

“I’m worried about Chairman and Giselle, too. Please! Take me with you!” 

　Lou heard Kelturi’s request and saw Fran nodding just as quick…

　Lou named Vivi again and the three of them fell into the Spirit World.