Chapter 56

It wasn't a dungeon.

When the battle between Elka and the others began, in another place---

"---Yuu"

"Finally made it, everyone."

In a slightly open square where the sunset was visible, the classmates, including Koushi, finally arrived. The rain made visibility poor, but they removed their raincoats' hoods to confirm each other's faces.

"Why... are you on that side?"

"It's simple, Koushi. I'm on the side of the demons."

"Why...? Why, Yuu!"

Jiro couldn't hold back his scream. He wanted it to be a lie, he wanted her to be brainwashed. However, her gaze was straight and unwavering. Her eyes, filled with a firm conviction, clearly showed that she was in her right mind. It was unbearably---sad.

"Yuu... there must be a reason, right? Talk to us... we've always been close, the four of us, and in class too..."

"Reason? Hmm..."

Yuu thought about why she was opposing them. But no matter how much she thought, only Setsu's face came to mind. If he joined the demons, she would go with him. If he joined the humans, she would fight alongside them. If he joined the beastmen, she would be on the beastmen continent. If he joined nothing, she would walk freely by his side. In short, the reason was that she wanted to be by Setsu's side, no matter what. However, she hesitated to say this in front of so many people.

"---If you can beat me, I'll tell you."

Yuu stopped speaking and let orange flames burst from her body. This was the battle stance of Hana Yuu that no one knew. The raincoat she was wearing quickly dried and burned away, revealing a specially made combat suit designed for her. It was a short white pants outfit with a chest plate. The classmates had never seen her in this outfit before. The suit was heat-resistant enough to withstand her powerful flames, yet it provided mobility and protection against attacks. This outfit appeared when Yuu had determined her enemy.

"Do we really... have to fight?"

"If we don't fight---we'll die."

A ball of fire appeared above Yuu's head. It glowed orange and gradually grew larger, eventually emitting a presence like the sun. Koushi and the others were momentarily speechless.

"Yuu..."

"Come on, Koushi! Let's do this!"

"Ah, alright... I understand."

Feeling the clear intent to kill from Yuu, Koushi and the others reluctantly took up their weapons. Koushi, after much hesitation, finally looked straight at Yuu with determination.

"Come---Holy Sword."

A golden sword appeared from the empty air. It emitted a holy light, as if to say, "This is the holy sword." Seeing everyone ready, Yuu smiled.

"That's good---"

---Now I can use my full power.

The last words were drowned out by a mysterious voice.

"Ah! It's too late!"

Someone shouted from above and landed right between Yuu and Koushi.

"Ouch... that height really stings."

"...You..."

Everyone present knew him. His hair was cut, and his expression was completely different from when he was in Japan, but he was indeed the boy they all knew. He had been rumored to have been summoned, found to have no talent, and kicked out to die in the wilderness, but he was one of their classmates---

"---Yuki-kun!"

"Hey, Yuu. Long time no see."

Suzaki Yuki had landed on the continent.

"This is bad."

I am currently on a cloud. I was supposed to be transferred to the beastmen continent, but why am I here? And what happened to Shironeko, Mineko, and Roa? As I was falling, I was thinking about these things. It seems the one who activated the transfer magic circle made a mistake with the coordinates. I was in a hurry, so it's understandable to some extent. But transferring me above the clouds is questionable. If I keep falling, I might land on the continent below... but is this the demon continent?

Hmm... it's hard to see in the rain...

"---"

Before I knew it, the ground was close. At this distance, even if I use a floating spell, it won't be in time, and even if it is, I won't be able to slow down enough to avoid a collision.

"Ah! It's too late!"

I had no choice but to twist my body and land on both feet. My knees tingled, but otherwise, I was fine. But if it weren't for me, I might have died...

"Ouch... that height really stings."

Even I find it strange that I only tingled after falling from such a height.

"You..."

Oh, I'm surrounded. And upon closer inspection, they're all my classmates. If they're here, this must be the demon continent, which is currently at war.

"---Yuki-kun!"

That means, of course, she's here too.

"Hey, Yuu. Long time no see."

I turned around to see my childhood friend, Hana Yuu. I didn't notice her at first because her magical power had improved so much. She must have undergone some intense training---

"Yuki-kun!"

"Blargh!?"

I made a ridiculous sound and stumbled. She suddenly flew at me, and I couldn't avoid her.

"O-oh... what's up?"

"Yuki-kun!"

"O-oh."

"Yuki-kun!"

"O-oh!"

"Yuki-kun Yuki-kun Yuki-kun Yuki-kun Yuki-kun Yuki-kun Yuki-kun Yuki-kun Yuki-kun!"

"Whoa!?"

Yuu rubbed her face against my chest, sniffed me, and caressed my body. It was ticklish and a bit uncomfortable.

"Yuu, can you step back---"

"No!"

"Too fast!?"

Yuu's playful behavior didn't stop. She even rubbed her face against mine, and the situation was becoming embarrassing.

"Ugh... your hair is so smooth... and stop pressing your chest, please."

"Ugh... Yuu! Stop it!"

"Okay!"

"---Huh?"

Yuu's movements suddenly stopped. She, who wouldn't stop before, now stood still, doing nothing.

"---Sit down."

"Okay!"

"Whoa, this will get dirty... stand up."

"Okay!"

"---Turn around."

"Okay!"

"Attention."

"Okay!"

"Turn right."

"Okay!"

"Again."

"Okay!"

"Backflip."

"Okay!"

"Boom."

"Ugh... what's this!?"

"Zaoriku."

"I'm feeling better!"

"Sit."

"Okay!"

"Again."

"Okay!"

"Bark."

"Woof!"

"Penis."

"Yuki-kun, what are you making me do in front of everyone...? But if it's an order---"

"What!? What are you talking about!?"

I don't want you to react to the wrong things. This is a legitimate trick. And why is the part where you were shot so realistic... how old are you...

Anyway... this is it, she's a dog.

"---Elka...!"

I can see her face, saying, "I trained her to be a loyal dog. Use her as you please," with a smug look. Elka isn't a М to anyone but me... she really did as she pleased.

"Yuu, what kind of training did Elka give you?"

"If Yuki-kun orders me, I must absolutely obey---"

"Enough, I get it."

Elka, I'll praise you for not turning Yuu into a pervert like you. But Yuu wasn't like this. She was a Japanese person who could say no. What are you trying to do by training her into something else...

"? What's wrong?"

Ah... Yuu has dog ears on her head... and a tail is visible...

I'll have to punish her later, harshly.