“This is the first time I've seen you use spatial magic.”

Frondier said to Elodie.

“Yeah, it's really difficult. But I learned a little when I was caught in the Headmaster's magic last time. I also got some hints while I was in the dream with 'Eternal Slumber'.”

When Osprey went outside the world, Elodie was caught up in it.

Indeed, even when Inies suffers, she doesn't simply suffer.

“And at that time, Professor Jane was briefly the Headmaster, right? So even after Osprey returned, the memories and senses of spatial magic remained. So I received some advice.”

“……It's also the first time I've seen you summon Chandra.”

“Well, that's true. She's a bit prickly.”

Chandra. The moon god from Hindu mythology.

The power of the moon god is actually quite vague in its description. However, from a player's perspective, the power of the moon feels like a force that acts continuously.

In other words, it can be used in various ways, not just for spatial magic. To keep a fire from going out, or conversely, to maintain ice.

The power of the moon ultimately signifies 'eternity'. Whether it's actually possible to reach that point is another matter.

“So, what should we do? We can keep narrowing it down and suffocate them like this.”

“That's fine, but I'd like to hear some information.”

“From them?”

Elodie tilted her head. It was a natural question. They clearly weren't as intelligent as high-ranking devils. Putting aside their hostility, would they even be able to hold a conversation?

“How long can you maintain this magic? I just want to talk until then.”

“Not that long. The mana consumption is enormous. Hmm, I don't know the exact time. I'll let you know if it gets dangerous.”

Elodie said this with a completely nonchalant expression. Just by looking at her face, it seemed like she could maintain it for a long time.

But since she said it wouldn't last long, I hurriedly flew towards the cluster of devils.

“You, you bastard! How dare you! Us!”

Frondier approached one of the devils that was relatively close. Naturally, the devil growled as soon as it saw his face.

But there was a problem.

“……Ah.”

The devil, which had been trying to attack Frondier, suddenly disappeared.

For a moment, he wondered what had happened, but it had been sent to the opposite side of the sphere due to the effect of Elodie's magic.

This made it impossible to have a conversation.

“Elodie! This magic, what happens if you enter from the outside?”

“Entering is free. But leaving is not. It's impossible to extract individuals separately while maintaining the rules of this magic.”

Of course, that would be the case.

But he knew that entry from the outside was possible.

“Then there's no need.”

For me to go in.

Click.

Frondier manipulated his armlet. Obsidian entered the magic sphere and captured one of the devils.

It was the one with the most abundant and clear mana, according to Frondier's sixth sense.

“L-let go of me!”

“Sorry. I can't talk to you otherwise.”

“I have no intention of speaking with the likes of you!”

Oh, at least this one is more eloquent than the previous ones.

“Why did you attack this place? No, rather, how are you even here?”

The devils had swarmed in like a dust cloud. It was impossible to believe that a group of this size had been hiding within the Empire.

To say they came from the Demon Realm would require a gate, but could they create gates without a Dragon Heart?

“Heh, heh.”

The devil suddenly let out a laugh.

“Indeed. Humans know nothing. They know nothing! And yet they did such a thing! Hahaha!”

The devil roared with laughter. It wasn't a bluff or a forced laugh, but a genuinely amused laugh.

Frondier felt more uneasy than offended.

“……What do you mean by 'such a thing'?”

“Human! Where do you think we came from? I have no interest in the likes of you! Humans should not interfere!”

…Humans should not interfere?

‘Aren't these guys here to attack humans?’

“Alright. Where did you come from? You're saying you didn't come from the Demon Realm?”

“The Demon Realm? The Demon Realm? Hahaha! You think we came from the place that abandoned us! So much time has passed. So much!”

They didn't come from the Demon Realm.

They were abandoned by the Demon Realm.

Time has passed. So it was a long time ago.

The fragmented information was so scarce that it was difficult to even grasp its direction.

But the answer was simple.

The devil spoke with its own mouth.

“We came from the West!”

“……The West? There's nothing there now.”

Nothing.

To the west of the Empire lies the Manggot. With the Manggot collapsed, there's nothing left.

“……Ah.”

“Humans! You don't know what you've done! You, more than anyone, should have known!”

To the west of the Empire lies the Manggot.

The Manggot has collapsed. These beings didn't come from the Manggot.

Between the Empire and the Manggot, there's only the outer monsters and barren land.

So, further west than that.

Beyond the sea of the Manggot.

“You guys defeated Belphegor!”

“……!”

Frondier's eyes widened.

“I don't know who that is, but thank you. We simply stayed silent according to Belphegor's warning! But now he's gone! He has returned to the Demon Realm! There's nothing to stop us!”

“……You're not from this continent.”

“Yes, you finally understand! You fool!”

Frondier finally understood.

Belphegor of the Manggot, the most potent threat to overthrow the Empire,

…was a troublesome being whose threat persisted even after being defeated.

The devil of 'Sloth' went beyond just staying still.

Even though he wasn't here, he cast evil upon the Empire.

“We are the devils of 'Agoris’!!”

The devil, with vivid and horrifying eyes, screamed with malice towards the momentarily frozen Frondier.

“We have returned to this land to curse and take revenge on everything that abandoned us!!”