Dark Continent, 7th floor of the Labyrinth.

In a mountainous area shrouded in the black mist that marked the region, five explorers were preparing camp.

"Starper of Destruction, how long will the Blocking Magic Circle take?"

"It will take about ten minutes.

"Still?" That's why we need a priest.

Under the blond's grumbling, the old man's face changed slightly as he drew a magic circle. Although it wasn't very noticeable, it was an emotion of discontent.

"If you're so dissatisfied, why don't you add a priest to the remaining seat?"

The blond man smirked at the old man's words.

"Grandpa, do you think the priest will join our team?"

"There are also priests of Karui.

"I'm refusing semi-healers," the blond muttered, looking up from the old man and staring into the mist.

Even though the fog blocked the view, the man could see the outline of the monster crossing him and heading in that direction, a rank 5 Devil Wolf. Although these monsters originally moved in groups, it seemed that this one had lost the battle for dominance and had been banished.

The blond man addressed the woman in his characteristic light tone.

"Kitten, take care of it."

"I told you not to call me that.

"How sensitive. And your answer?

At the man's question, the red-haired beastman Misha Karlstein raised her sword without a word.

*Whoosh...! *

She pointed her sword at the monster that emerged from the mist.

Two cuts were enough.

*Blow!*

The moment the sword in her left hand pierced the monster's skin, a chill swirled around him and froze his body, which had received a penetrating wound.

*Bach!*

The sword in her right hand shattered the frozen monster.

"Oh, now you can deal with a rank 5 with one combination?"

—…

Mike didn't answer and returned to her seat. Then the blond man muttered as if she were unfair:

"Hey, why are you cold only to me?"

"You really don't know?"

"Do you think I know?" I take you with me, feed you essences, develop your abilities, and even tell you a way to save your prince. Why do you have so many complaints...

"Stop it.

"Just look at how you speak. You were cute when you meowed...

"I said enough.

When Mike gave him a cold look, the blond shrugged his shoulders and sat down in front of the fire.

"Ah, talking about your prince was forbidden, wasn't it?" Forgive me.

Muttering apologies that did not contain a drop of sincerity, the blond man began to chat with the rest of his comrades as if nothing had happened.

Misha silently restrained her boiling emotions.

... Lee Baek Ho.

That was the name of the blond man sitting in front of her, the only "individual" the palace feared, and a talented man who could surpass Noark's strength.

*Crackle, crackle*

Watching the uneven flight of sparks, Mike remembered their first meeting.

***

It was like a hand stretched out by the devil, especially since she couldn't refuse such an offer.

"What if I told you that there was a way to resurrect Bjorn Yandel?"

On that day, Lee Baek Ho said that there is a so-called Rebirth Stone on the 9th floor. With its help, you can return a lost person. Of course, this was not a noble proposal that did not require anything in return.

"In return, you have to do something for me.

Baekho put forward two conditions.

"First, testify that Bjorn Yandel is an evil spirit.

—... A what?

"I heard that you were in love with each other?" If you testify, it won't sound like complete nonsense.

She could not understand what was hidden behind the first condition.

"Don't talk nonsense! This means that Bjorn will have nowhere to return even if he comes back to life, why would I...?!

"So you're not going to do that?" Lee Baek Ho interrupted her with a smirk.

Mike was seized with a desire to get out of this place immediately, but she suppressed it, biting her lip. The reason was simple. She felt in her gut that if she said another word here, he would cancel the offer and leave.

"Good girl.

Smiling at Misha's patience, Lee Baek Ho continued to speak in a more condescending tone.

"I understand that you are confused, but I am not just making an ill-considered proposal. If my plan works, I can completely destroy the palace.

—... Palace?

"In order to overcome the Abyss Gate, it seems that I will have to deal with the palace first, and revealing that Bjorn Yandel is an evil spirit will be the beginning of this.

What a bastard.

These words threatened to burst out, but Mike held them back.

"Anyway, I want to say that... Once the palace is gone, there will be no problem whether it is an evil spirit or not.

—... And if this plan fails?

"Then I will take responsibility and help you leave the walls of the city. I've heard that living there is better than people think. And if you don't want that, I'll make you new identities, and you can live together secretly on the outskirts of the city.

—…

"Sounds good, doesn't it?"

It doesn't matter if it's good or not. If these words were true, then she had no choice. It was better to be alive than dead, and in a world without Bjorn, she was no better than dead.

But Mike wasn't stupid enough to agree right away.

—... Tell me the second condition

"Oh, this?" It's simple. I need you to help me. I need a two-handed frost swordsman.

Mike shuddered when the man spoke calmly.

He was definitely smiling, but his gaze seemed to see her as an object, not as a person.

—... Why should it be me? Mike felt an inexplicable pressure and spoke with difficulty. She was curious to know about this man's hidden intentions.

"It's just a whim.

The response she received was not what she expected.

— ... Whim?

"Yes, it doesn't really have to be you. I can spread rumors that Bjorn Yandel is an evil spirit without you, and I'll even have to find the Stone of Rebirth for you, which adds to the hassle..."

He spoke as if he were coping with an unbearable burden. Just as the contempt was boiling in her to her fingertips, Lee Baek Ho grinned and stared at Misha.

"But you have one plus. You have a reason not to betray me.

It was for this reason that he had come here.

***

Ervena's question almost drove me crazy: it seemed that I would have to prove my identity again, but it was not difficult to dispel her suspicions.

I just had to tell her the truth from the beginning.

I told her about the Stone of Record Fragment that had been activated on Faroon Island, about the city I had entered 20 years ago, and about the six-month struggle to return to the primordial time.

For reference, any mention of evil spirits has been carefully omitted.

"No matter what anyone says, you're Bjorn Yandel to me."

It wasn't easy to lie to the first person who told me that, but I had no choice.

It was better for both of us.

"It's an ability that will help you keep your identity a secret in the future."

I had the gift of Auril Gevis. If it works properly, it would be possible to prove that I am not an evil spirit. But what if this "test" was directed at Ervena and my confession that I was an evil spirit became known to the whole world?

It will be very unpleasant.

No one could say how things would turn out in the future. And so it was perfectly right to keep such situations in mind and to be careful.

But did Auril really give it to me, assuming this situation...?

This question came to my mind as it was the first news I had heard since returning to the future, but nothing could be said yet.

"Hmm... So you are not an evil spirit?

It seems that Ervena was telling the truth when she said that she was not interested in my essence, since she did not get into trouble.

But she persistently clarified something unexpected.

"Hmm, then...

"Hm?"

— Have you and Amelia Reinveils been together for more than six months...?

"Is that so?"

"And she kind of fell in love with you for saving her life, and she said she was going to be your companion?"

"She didn't fall in love with me or anything, she just paid back-...

"If she just repaid you for the favor, then I guess you can refuse it now?"

—... And?

Refuse? From Amelia? Why such a conclusion?

Unlike in the past, the conversation with Ervena was difficult to follow.

While I was choosing my words carefully, Ervena was the first to speak.

"Even if there were any special circumstances, she's still a looter from Noark. How can you trust such a woman?

"But Amelia is a very useful talent—" I hesitated, and then fell silent.

For some reason, Ervena was smiling with an unusual expression in her eyes.

— Хаха, дядя, ты милый...

Perhaps it was the first time I had heard such a compliment since I got into the body of a barbarian. It was only when I stared that Ervena noticed my gaze and covered her mouth with her hand, as if embarrassed. But I guessed that she really wanted to say it.

"Uncle, don't worry about this woman. I am very strong now, so much so that it doesn't even matter that such a woman is gone. I make good money, and I have subordinates whom I can control with just my word.

"Oh, really...

— Yes. Of course, I know what you're thinking. Finding yourself in such a situation suddenly, you would need to rely on someone.

She spoke as if she believed that I could not do without a woman. As I wondered if I was just sensitive, Ervena said something that clearly indicated a distortion in her memory and took my hand tightly.

"It is quite possible that that woman was quite reliable. Like when you first met me... But don't worry. Now you have me.

To be honest, I was just stunned by her words. We were close, but were we that close? Enough to say something like that without hesitation, even if you meet in 2.5 years?

"I'll protect you from now on. Yes, so...

"And...?" I asked, feeling an ominous premonition, and Ervena grinned.

"The next time you see her, be sure to kill her.

"Who...?"

"Rainvales, that woman!"

***

It seemed to me that now I understood why Amelia said this:

"Yandel, this woman is not the elf you knew then."

The innocent 20-year-old elf was gone. There was only an elf with extremist tendencies, as if her head was missing cogs.

If I let her drag me away, it'll be over.

I instinctively realized that if I laughed and laughed it off, it would not lead to anything good.

'Behellaaa

I screamed.

Because I felt like I could do anything when I did it.

I didn't know what Ervena had gone through, but she didn't bat an eye at the time, despite the sudden scream.

On the contrary, she clapped her hands happily.

"Wow! It's Uncle!

... God, what an inappropriate reaction.

I forced myself to ignore Ervena's reaction and spoke in a resolute tone.

"Ervena, I'm not going to kill Amelia.

But, as expected, Ervena was not easy.

"Do you want to pardon her?" Why? Secrets are best kept between fewer people, right? And the Fragment of the Stone of Records, too. I think we need to hide the fact that you're alive for now, but there's no point in letting this woman live-...

"Stop.

When I interrupted her, Ervena had a puzzled expression, as if she really did not understand anything.

"I'll deal with Amelia, so don't say anything like that again. I got it?

Speaking firmly again, I stared intently at Ervena, waiting for her to answer.

Ervena then looked around with a somewhat astonished expression on her face and lowered her shoulders.

—... Ok. I won't.

Seeing this, I think I can somehow control her.

After settling the matter with Amelia, I discussed a few things with Ervena before taking a secret passage to the overworld, and...

"Don't worry. No one will see you.

As soon as we entered the supermundane world, Ervena covered me with the Spirit of Darkness, and we moved to the inn. In the middle of the night, there weren't many people on the streets, especially those skilled enough to detect stealth.

"It's small, but please stay here overnight." Tomorrow I'll find you a better place...

"A better place...?"

It was already the top floor with four rooms attached to the suite. It was hard to believe that this was said by Ervena, who once drove an hour round trip to eat a thousand stones just because it was cheap and delicious, but I guessed that this is what is called the passage of time. The best thing would be to adapt to this as soon as possible.

"Okay, then let's go!"

—... You too?

"Of course?" I booked it with my own money.

Yes, it's true.

While I was silent and could not answer, Ervena pushed me into the room.

"Uncle, do you remember that?"

She suddenly took out a bottle of alcohol from subspace. I felt as if I had entered a new trial.

I remember...?

Oh, I remember.

"Our first return drink.

Fortunately, it seemed to be the right answer, as Ervena laughed and said,

"I knew you'd remember!"

But in the process, I learned something I didn't want to know.

"Isn't that romantic?"

"Romantic...?"

"That drink." I saved it to drink alone when I killed all the bastards and I needed to kill. Ha, but to think that I'd be drinking it with you...

What the hell happened to this girl?

If she is in such a state, then I begin to worry about the condition of the rest of the guys...

"All right, let's have a drink."

Since keeping my head in order after drinking is my specialty, I accepted Ervena's offer.

She still doesn't know how to drink well.

Soon Ervena was already drunk and lying on the bed. Seeing how defenselessly she collapsed, I worried that she was like this in other places...

I don't have to worry about her.

I grinned and sat down on a chair by the window. At that moment, I understood why husbands are so eager to be alone when they get married.

It's peaceful...

After enjoying the silence in front of the moonlit window for a moment, I began to diligently go through my thoughts. The amount of information I heard in my drunken conversation with Ervena was considerable, so it had to be put in order.

Raven was in the 3rd Magic Squad.

Mr. Bear joined another clan to make a living.

She knew nothing about Mike.

And Ainar...

If everything is resolved successfully, it will be the easiest to return.

I sighed and shook my head. In fact, there was a much more important obstacle than the reunion of my scattered clan mates.

After all, quests have their own sequence.

She said that the palace recognized that I was an evil spirit, a few months after the rumor spread...

We need to deal with this first.