Leaping out, Tatsuya ferociously swings a battle axe. 

　Not at a normal speed.

　It’s insane that he can get that kind of explosive power while wearing and carrying standard infantry equipment.

“Guguh.”

　A growl leaked from the back of Tatsuya’s throat.

　In the blink of an eye, the axe swirls around, and the sounds of flesh and bone being crushed echoed from the darkness. Fae were rampaging. 

“Guh.”

　Tatsuya bounces like a beast.

　The guy wields a big battle axe in both hands like a light kitchen knife. Along with a mysterious gloomy glow emitted from it, the blade destroys the Fae. 

　Speaking of me, I just threw one knife from behind. That was enough.

　It blasted a Fae that was aiming for Tatsuya from his blind spot. 

　In such an enclosed space, the explosions from the Sacred Seal of “Satte Finde” must also be carefully controlled. If you make a mistake with the adjustments, you will meet with hard times. 

　The Fae lurking in the darkness numbered six — no seven in total, including the one I killed. 

　Giant centipede-type Fae, a bunch often seen.

　These kinds of multi-legged Fae are all called “Boggarts”. Spiders and insect species included. 

　Following that, when nothing moves anymore, Tatsuya stops precisely on the spot. 

　From the side, it looks like he is standing dumbly. 

“I didn’t need support, damn.”

　Looking at Tatsuya’s back after he stopped, I felt like that was what he was expressing. 

“Did you see it, Your Majesty? He dared to smash a Boggart’s shell with his elbow.”

　As always, Tatsuya’s hand-to-hand combat ability is far from human.

　I don’t think I’ll lose if I use Sacred Seals, but with this kind of enclosed space with a low ceiling, I might need to put in a bit of effort.

“Very well. As expected of our elite.”

　His Majesty Norgayu nodded satisfactorily.

　Touching a lantern he held in one hand and tracing the Sacred Seal engraved on it — the light becomes brighter, illuminating the surroundings. 

　Although just a lantern equipped with a Sacred Seal, since it had been tuned by Norgayu, it had quite the wide range of functions. He had mentioned that this lantern was also a communication device as well as a hand grenade. 

“A splendid way of fighting. We must bequeath some reward.”

“But he’s been working non-stop. Is it about time for him to rest?”

　There was one thing we knew about Tatsuya.

　He exerted strength as if he didn’t know tiredness because he didn’t have an ego or thinking capabilities.

　If he works too much, his limit will come and he will suddenly collapse. 

“Indeed. It is a suitable time. The location is also appropriate.”

　His Majesty Norgayu looked overhead.

　Among the areas of the mine we had travelled so far, this was a fairly open space. At the very least, it looked like a large room where about thirty people could rest. 

　What was this place used for?

　The excavation equipment remains, but it has been so distorted and twisted that you pretty much can’t tell what it originally was. 

　Or did the space itself undergo a strange expansion due to the demonization?

“This will be the forward base! Zyro, begin preparations!”

“……Understood.”

　I nodded and unloaded supplies from a sled that we had dragged along.

　It was a sled for military use, and it was quite heavy. It carried a bunch of equipment that Norgayu had engraved with Sacred Seals.

　Setting up a forward base.

　That was the second job assigned to the Penitent Heroes.

　In the mine that had transformed into a labyrinth, the 13th Holy Knights Order would be hunting Fae while diving into the deeper areas. 

　Fatigue, injuries, equipment damage — a forward base will be necessary for recovery. 

　In the first place, in what are known as demonised structures, the more you draw closer to the core of the Demon King Phenomenon, the more powerful the Fae. It also becomes more labyrinth-like. In some places, the terrain itself turns into traps.

　Therefore, a front base is indispensable.

　It would be better if one could be set up in advance — and that was exactly our role.

　Still, Tatsuya isn’t suitable for this kind of work at all, and Norgayu has no intention of doing manual labour. 

　I’ve never seen such an hands-off ‘engineer’, but there’s nothing to be done.

　Norgayu can’t be threatened to work, not even with death. 

　There’s no helping it, so first I pull out the stakes that will be the posts, and start arranging them as evenly spaced as possible. 

　They are also engraved with a Sacred Seal, and if you stretch a rope to connect the posts and make a fence, it becomes a barrier against approaching Fae. 

“Zyro!”

　With a bubbly voice, the remaining one member — Teolita grabbed the stakes. 

“It’s my debut, right? Right? Leave this to me! This stick, where would be good for me to place it? I’ll handle a whole bunch!”

“Calm down.”

　I stabbed another stake into the ground, and slowed Teolita down. 

　She probably shouldn’t be helping with this — it’s ridiculous to spend the [Goddess’s] strength here.

　However, she’s already at her limit. 

“Please put them at about this distance.”

　I walked about three long steps and thrust another stake.

“Can you do it?”

“Huun. That’s an insolent question for this [Goddess] Teorita!”

　She snorted happily.

　Then she counted three steps by bouncing from the stake I had set up. She energetically stabbed the stake. 

“…Just like that! It will be alright for you to entrust this to me. My Knight, you rest. I will establish all the stakes. When I’m complete, I will receive an abundant reward, I’m sure.”

“That’s right.”

　Setting up one more stake, I nodded. 

　This much can still be considered as light exercise while camping. Let’s leave the stakes to Teolita and finish the other chores. 

“Counting on you, [Goddess].”

“Yes!”

　I heard an unreasonably bright and cheerful reply. 

　It was like a kid — a kid who wants to keep doing anything that could be considered ‘help’.

　That’s why I hated it.

(……Actually.)

　I suppressed my frustration and thought.

(Maybe Teolita should be allowed to help until she’s satisfied. That would be the correct way to make use of a [Goddess].)

　In the first place, [Goddesses] are created in that way.

　They are to receive praises from humans — at least that’s what these girls believe.

　As long as that’s the case, maybe that desire should be respected.

　Some people say that, but I think that’s a one-sided view. 

　I just can’t help but get frustrated when I see [Goddesses] with that attitude. 

　It’s unbearable.

　Perhaps Teolita has the same feeling. Despite that, Teolita doesn’t stop. Otherwise, she wouldn’t work like that was her meaning for existing. 

(Have it your way.)

　I knew I had no choice but to make a clear distinction from my own personal feelings. 

　It wasn’t the kind of place or situation where things could change just because I got angry. All I had to do was to keep moving my hands and feet. Sooner or later, something would collapse — without a doubt. 

　–Anyway, the temporary forward base didn’t take that long to construct. 

　Six large lanterns, a pipe to supply Luminescence, equipment for cooking, and a crossbow for dealing with flying enemies — having all this was more than enough. 

　This had become a place to rest.

　After Norgayu engraved a Sacred Seal on the ground and activated it, it was time to eat.

“Are you satisfied, my Knight?”

　Holding a pot in one hand, Teolita puffed her chest. 

“I have also acquired cooking skills. Express your gratitude and partake.”

　She called it cooking, but it was just something really simple. 

　This is a battlefield, and we are the Penitent Heroes at the bottom of the rung. The supplies we receive don’t amount to much.

　Especially when there’s no Dotta, or when Venetim isn’t at the frontline, we have to be prepared for poor food. Those guys are good at stealing and embezzling from the Military. 

　Today was scraps of vegetables and meat.

　To that, sprinkle salt, ball them in glutinous rice and steam. Just as I’d taught, Teolita finished the cooking. 

　After that, I bite a piece of cheese.

“This is not sufficient for the stomach. What do they mean by neglecting the soldiers on the frontline?”

　While eating this sloppy meal, His Majesty Norgayu sounded irritated. 

“We must better this. The problem of provisions is critical. Where is the Minister of Finance?”

“That, well, probably the Royal Palace.”

“We must pursue the matter! Is the budget being properly allocated? The troops on the frontline will not be able to maintain their morale.”

“I am in agreement. Let’s do just that when this operation is over.”

　If you take Norgayu’s delusions seriously, it’ll go on forever. 

　If you don’t entertain them well enough, you also won’t please His Majesty, so there’s a knack to doing it in moderation. In that regard, Tatsuya is perfect, chewing on his rice clumps without any response. 

“How goes the strategic planning, Zyro? Is it proceeding smoothly?”

　Teolita also said happily while eating her own ‘cooking’.

　In such an underground, eating such poor food, why can she look this joyful? It’s as though she’s on a trip. 

“Is the Demon King Phenomenon not already fairly close?”

“Well… probably.”

　I envision the map of our location up to here.

“At this pace, we’ll arrive at the deepest part tomorrow.”

“It’s simple huh.”

　’Huun’, the [Goddess] Teorita hummed.

“With this grace of mine, it is as good as done…. As good as done, right? The individuals from the Holy Knights will certainly express gratitude towards us, right?”

“If it goes well, they might be a bit thankful. But they’re the ones defeating the Demon King though.”

“Regarding that point, my Knight.”

　Teorita lowered her voice. Her eyes were burning.

“Why don’t we be the ones to defeat the Demon King? With my divine protection, and the power of my Knight and his companions, that is not something outside the realm of possibility!”

“I don’t wanna do it, and in the first place that’s a violation of orders.”

“However, you see…. Even so, as a [Goddess], it is imperative that I demonstrate befitting accomplishments and authority….”

“No way.”

　I wanted to sigh.

　I don’t want to go through another terrible experience for violating orders.

“If you wanted to defeat the Demon King, it would have been better for you to follow that guy — Kivia.”

“Eh.”

“Because they’re the main force.”

　Even though Teolita can’t show her natural abilities as a [Goddess] away from me, this option was available. 

　However, there will be no leeway for her to play her part in battle.

　Weighing both options — Kivia, the Commanding Officer of the 13th Holy Knights Order decided to respect the will of this [Goddess].

　In front of a Priest dispatched from the Church, it was a proper judgment. 

“Why did you follow me here?”

“……What do you mean by that?”

　Teorita looked displeased. The flames in her eyes became stronger.

“This group of you, do you not require me?”

“I didn’t say that.”

　At that time, I noticed.

　Teorita’s expression didn’t mean she was displeased, it meant that she was anxious. I realised this because her voice was slightly trembling. 

“We are extremely grateful to you for accompanying us.”

“Isn’t that so! That’s exactly so!”

　Without listening to me finish my explanation, Teolita stood up.

“My Knight Zyro, I perceive that you occasionally adopt an impertinent attitude towards me.”

“Well I wonder……”

“That is so. Have more occasion to require me, dedicate words of gratitude. And also praise me.”

　While going on and on, she pointed at me.

“And to you, me — until this Teolita, cannot make you address me as the supreme [Goddess], I will not be satisfied! Indeed!”

　I feel like I’m being awfully badmouthed.

　Teolita nodded like she was making sure of the rightness of her own words.

“That’s right, it was for that purpose that I offered to accompany you!”

“No, hang on…”

　I tried to look for a response to give.

　Difficult to explain. Not only that, it’s very depressing. What should I say?

　I was lost for a few seconds looking for words — that was when Norgayu shouted.

“Zyro!”

　A sharply rebuking voice.

　I wondered if he was angry about how I was treating Teolita.

　But no. Norgayu’s hand was holding a lantern. The engraved Sacred Seal was shining a red light.

“Communication. From the main team, this is… not well.”

　By that time, I had already gotten up.

“Distress signal?”

　The lantern’s Sacred Seal tuned by Norgayu has many functions. One of them is communication with the main unit.

　The red light means that something urgent has happened.

<–Hurry up, rescue–>

　A faint voice was heard from the lantern’s Sacred Seal.

　There was a lot of noise. The sound of metal clashing. A fierce sound like lightning. Are they in battle?

<Demon King Phenomenon–>

　Norgayu, Teolita and I were almost stuck together as we pressed our ears against the lantern.

<Attacked. Enemies.>

　The occasional sound of Kivia cutting in between the noise was more than enough to irritate us.

<–Demonised humans. This– possibility of people needing rescue–>

　Norgayu and I looked at each other and clicked our tongues at almost the same time.

　I’d thought our job might have gone reasonably and smoothly. 

　Now that this has happened, things won’t be ending decently.

–

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