Wiiiing-!!

A chilling sound of flapping wings echoed all around.

It was the sound created by a swarm of lesser demonic beasts in the form of small flying insects, rising from the sea like a wave of darkness toward us floating in the sky.

Everywhere I looked below, there was nothing but black. It was impossible to even fathom how many of those creatures there were if I thought of them all as lesser demonic beasts.

Considering the size of the lesser demonic beasts, at least in the hundreds of billions, or perhaps even more.

Could even the locust swarms mentioned in the Bible compare to that?

“Ugh…”
“That’s annoying…”

A few members of the hunting squad mumbled with trembling voices, faintly audible amid the sounds of flapping wings.

I turned my head and asked them, who were shivering.

“A bit scary, right? Thinking about having to face those.”

“The thing is…”

Their expressions darkened as they gave a response that was essentially admitting the truth. Despite having come prepared, they felt ashamed for being afraid.

Or perhaps my question sounded like a reprimand to them.

Of course, I never asked them that to scold them.

It was definitely not something to be ashamed of to feel fear.

After all, an army of flying insects capable of controlling people, moving as one body like that, was a disaster far too challenging to combat.

But,

“Still, you don’t have to be that afraid.”

“…What?”

“Just wait a bit, you’ll see.”

That was only if the one opposing them was an ordinary person.

Wanting to convey that thought, I smiled at them and said so, then called out to Sylvia.

“Sylvia! Please take the people up for a moment and wait!”

“Yes!”

As soon as I shouted, knowing what I intended to do, Sylvia led the group onboard without any further questions, increasing altitude.

Once we rose to a certain height, a barrier of starlight surrounded the group.

It was the same barrier that had previously protected the entire city from those lesser demonic beasts’ invasion.

If it was about guarding such a range, it could keep the lesser demonic beasts at bay for days or even longer.

Of course, I never intended to create such a situation in the first place.

“Let’s go, Ari.”

At my whisper, Ari, who was carrying me, immediately began to fly.

In the opposite direction of where Sylvia and the others headed.

Downward, towards the swarm of lesser demonic beasts that was soaring up toward us.

“There’s so many of them.”

Charging down towards the horrendous number of lesser demonic beasts filling the sky.

Thus, the distance closed in the blink of an eye, and the beasts surrounded us, as if daring us to confront their numbers.

Some of the insects surrounding us burst into flames, like moths throwing themselves into a fire.

However, the swarm of insects, moving like a single organism, quickly separated the burning ones from the group to minimize damage.

In doing so, while minimizing harm, they continued to rush at us fearlessly.

They seemed intent on engaging in a war of attrition until our strength depleted.

It was a strategy possible only because thousands and tens of thousands of insects could burn in a single second without it leaving any significant mark.

Truly, the sheer number was the greatest strength the lustful demonic beast had, and they likely believed that using it would allow them to face us.

Yet, I couldn’t help but think this.

“After all, they’re just bugs.”

Really, it was such a naive thought.

-■■■■■■■■■!!!!

As Ari let out a thunderous cry, the surrounding insects began to ignite with terrifying vigor.

Once Ari started spewing flames, an even wider range of insects blazed up, creating a momentary gap around us.

As if to fill that gap, more and more lesser demonic beasts rushed in to surround us.

If someone viewed this scene from afar, they might have thought a small sun was being swallowed by an enormous darkness.

However, there was one undeniable fact, regardless of the size difference.

That darkness could never defeat the sun.

“Ari, burn them all.”

-■■■■■■■!!!

On hearing my command, Ari let out a spirited cry and flapped its wings.

Suddenly, a massive whirlwind filled with flames began to whip around us.

The insects seemed to try using their bodies as shields to stop the spread of the wind.

Kiiieek?!

Even as millions and millions of insects threw themselves into the wind, they soon realized something was wrong when the gust continued unabated, letting out grotesque cries.

And as I watched, I couldn’t help but mutter with a cold sneer.

“Where do you think you’re blocking?”

In a previous battle, I had received power through flames conveyed to me by Ari and other demonic beasts of rage.

A thought had come to me during that time.

“If I can receive power through flames, then wouldn’t it also be possible in reverse?”

To give the conclusion, the answer was ‘possible.’

Ari was harnessing the flames I continuously poured into it from my back, showcasing powers far beyond its ordinary strength.

Moreover, unlike the earlier battle, I was now in perfect condition after having plenty of rest.

This was an attack combining the strength of a perfected witch and a high-ranking lesser demonic beast.

There was no way such an attack could be stopped just because the insects were throwing their bodies at it.

Kiiieeek!!!

The insects screamed in horrifying agony as they burned.

The insects in front tried to throw their bodies to block the flames, but the fire had already engulfed even those behind them.

Just because darkness blocks the light, does the brightness of the light ever diminish?

When light and darkness clash, it is simply the darkness that gets erased.

A tempest of flames surged forth.

And the darkness created by the countless insects that had once covered the sky was wiped away by the light of the small sun that erupted in the air.

“Right. Good job, Ari.”

-■■■■■■!

A moment later, Ari and I could land on the ground, revealing clear land as the burning insects turned to ash.

Following behind, I also saw Sylvia and other hunting squad members safely landing on the ground.

Although some of the squad members looked taken aback by the power I had demonstrated.

Of course, there was no need for concern.

As they calmed down, realizing that someone with such strength was on their side, the members’ expressions brightened as they repeatedly showered me with admiration.

“Miss, that was no joke! I suddenly feel reassured!”
“Haha, truly beyond imagination. What you said earlier, that we’d know eventually, was no empty promise.”

I smiled, satisfied that their morale had risen as I had intended.

While arrogance can be poisonous, it’s still much better than being completely terrified.

Well, I had put in effort to lift their spirits and to show them that there was no need to be overly afraid.

The lustful witch was indeed no trivial enemy, but we also had enough strength to counter it.

After all, if there had been no chance of victory, I would not have planned for this hunt in the first place.

Anyway, with the atmosphere now having turned positive as they praised me, one of the hunting squad members spoke to me.

“In any case, thanks to you, we’ve conveniently arrived into enemy territory. We can directly charge towards where the witch is now, right?”

“Yes, but it doesn’t seem like they’re going to let us through quietly either.”

I gestured to my surroundings.

It hadn’t been long since we had landed, yet black shadows were already swarming from afar.

Recognizing that the bug-shaped lesser demonic beasts struggled against matching my powers, they had formed an army primarily made up of other lesser demonic beasts.

Among that army, a beautiful woman emerged, addressing us.

[Oh my, who is this? What brings you all the way here?]

Naturally, it wasn’t the main body, but it was undoubtedly the lustful witch.

I shrugged at her words and responded.

“Last time you invaded, so this time I decided to pay you a visit. By the way, is the owner hiding? Did I disfigure your face so much that you lack the confidence to show it in person?”

[You little brat…! I’ll tear you apart!]

It seemed my provocation by mentioning the scars on her face had seriously irked her, as her expression twisted in rage.

The lustful witch cursed at me, then muttered, glaring at me with disdain.

[Well, it’s fine. I don’t know how you found this place, but now that you’ve walked in here on your own… you’re finished. I’ll take revenge for the state of my face and arms.]

“Is that so? Funny enough, I’m here for the same reason. I’m not stopping just at your face and arms this time. And let me say…”

After saying that, I smiled as I lifted my chin toward my shoulder.

“It seems you’re quite scared judging by how you chose to show up from the opposite side of where your main body is hidden. Just wait a moment. I’ll come find you personally.”

[Wha…!]

Leaving behind the astonished, distorted face of the doll, I quickly turned towards the direction where I sensed the lustful witch’s energy, shouting to the others.

“That way! It’s not far, so we’re charging straight ahead!”

After shouting, I was the first to lead the charge.

However, I was stopped by the other hunting squad members.

“Hey, wait a minute. The witch girl should rest as we follow along.”

“Yeah, yeah, since you’ve been working hard, take a little break.”

“No? I’m fine, though…”

The members insisted I take a break since I’ve exerted myself, forcefully pushing me to the safest spot in the middle of the formation.

Though I truly felt fine and wanted to resist,

“But even if you’re fine, we must be the ones taking the brunt of this. If you’re just going to follow behind, it defeats the purpose of us joining the hunting squad, right?”

“Yes. Give us the chance to shine a little as well.”

Given their resolute determination, I ultimately had no choice but to back down.

With a sigh, I stepped into the middle of the formation, where Sylvia was already smiling warmly to welcome me.

“Welcome, Scarlet. Hehe, your expression doesn’t look great. Are you upset with the squad members?”

“No… It’s just that I’m the strongest here, so I wondered if this is correct…”

When I expressed my dissatisfaction, Sylvia laughed once and replied,

“Well, that is somewhat valid, but you really don’t need to worry so much. The thing is—”

She pointed ahead.

“Everyone here is strong enough.”

And in the direction she indicated,

“Raaah!!”
“Run, run! The one who takes down the least buys dinner later!”

With swords, axes.

Some using superpowers, others magic.

The hunting squad members were busy slaughtering the lesser demonic beasts in their own ways.

Looking at that scene, I suddenly realized.

Those present here were humanity’s elite heroes, filtered and selected.

Except for a few, everyone here were expert demon hunters who had spent at least several years, if not decades, battling lesser demonic beasts in the frontline.

They were not just facing some peculiar lesser demonic beast like the bugs we rarely encountered; in a battle like this against such an army, they were more than capable.

Even among us, the weakest members of the House Dolos could blow away the average lesser demonic beast with a single punch.

Seeing that, I was able to march forward with a heart much more at ease, taking the path cleared by the hunting squad.

Occasionally, the swarming lesser demonic beasts that tried to attack in groups were eliminated by Sylvia or the enraged lesser demonic beasts following closely behind Ari, allowing our speed to be truly unstoppable.

Even leading the charge, I wondered if I could move any faster, as the hunting squad advanced towards the location where the lustful witch’s presence was detected.

“……Oh.”

However, our advance came to an unexpected halt.

“……It’s the sea.”
“……It is indeed the sea.”

It turned out there was a sea along our path.

“But where is the witch?”

Moreover, the place where the witch’s presence was sensed was,

“……Down there.”

Under the sea.