"Alright, let's hold a strategy meeting." (Uther)
Principal Uther looked around at us.
"Fire Magic: [Seven Giants of Flame]!" (Sumire)
"Holy Sword Art: [Seven Luminary Slash]!" (Sara)
Sumire's Saint Rank magic and Sara's Holy Sword slash closed in on the Red Dragon.
The two of them volunteered to buy us time while we talked.
Airi, President Robert, and Rebecca-senpai were doing the same.
The Twelve Knights were also providing support from a distance.
"Heeh, those kids are pretty good." (Rosalie)
Rosalie-san crossed her arms, impressed.
"Well, she is my disciple. But it won't last long. Let's hurry and decide on a plan." (Eri)
Eri urged us on.
She was right.
Sumire and the others' attacks wouldn't do more than stall it.
"Demon God-sama, if we cut off all seven of the Red Dragon's heads, the Trial of the Gods will count as cleared. Is that correct?" (Uther)
Principal Uther asked to confirm.
— "Just my intuition, but even if the Red Dragon complains, I think the Trial of the Gods system itself will judge it. The Trial of the Gods is managed by the Sun Goddess Althena-kun. There are few who can defy her." (Loki)
"Even Loki-sama?" (Eri)
Eri casually asked something terrifying.
— "If I weren't sealed, I wouldn't lose to Althena-kun either. And don't say my name, Erinyes-kun." (Loki)
"Okaaay, I'll be careful." (Eri)
Eri replied in a way that made it clear she had no intention of being careful.
"Hey, Uther-sensei. Who is this Demon God?" (Rosalie)
"Rosalie-kun, we'll talk about that later—" (Uther)
"Principal Uther! The Red Dragon!" (Media)
President Media shouted loudly.
— "GUOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"
Several massive pillars of fire shot up from the ground.
Multiple magic circles floated around the Red Dragon.
Did it lose patience and switched to magic attacks!?
President Robert and Rebecca-senpai narrowly dodged them.
"Kyaaaaaa!!"
A scream rang out.
Sumire was swallowed by flames.
"Sumire-chan!!" (Sara)
"Sumire!!! No!!" (Airi)
Sara and Airi screamed.
"Sumire!" (Eugene)
(Damn it! And I was watching!) (Eugene)
Panicking with regret, I rushed over with Sky Walk and was about to dive into the massive pillar of fire when…
"Hyaa! That surprised me!"
Sumire popped out of the towering flames.
From what I could see, she didn't have a single burn.
"Sumire…are you okay…?" (Eugene)
I asked cautiously.
"It surprised me, but it didn't really feel hot." (Sumire)
"It wasn't even hot…?" (Sara)
"What is her body made of…?" (Airi)
Sara and Airi's faces twitched.
An Ifrit's physical abilities really are incredible.
"......"
The Red Dragon seemed to be wearing an indescribable expression…
That was when…
"Aaaaaaaaah!!"
Sumire shouted loudly.
"W-What's wrong!? Sumire!" (Eugene)
Was she injured after all!?
Surely she couldn't be completely unharmed.
As I hurried to cast a healing spell…
"This is bad, Eugy-kun! All my clothes except the Fire Great Spirit's magic robe burned away!!" (Sumire)
The only thing not unharmed was her clothing.
Actually, the magic robe wasn't burned at all.
What's going on?
"Eh… Sumire-chan, are you naked under the robe?" (Sara)
"Sara-chan! Don't say weird things… I am, though." (Sumire)
"That's a problem…" (Airi)
"Yeah, that's an issue…" (Sara)
We couldn't exactly let her go change at a time like this.
Then…
"Geez, Sumire. It is because you spaced out." (Eri)
Eri walked over and grabbed Sumire's shoulders.
"Wood Magic: [Clothing Creation]."
"Wah!?"
Sumire's body jolted.
From the outside, I couldn't tell what happened though…
"I made you underwear and a dress out of hemp for now. I've run my mana through them, so they won't burn just from wearing them…but if your magic runs wild, they'll burn up. Be careful." (Eri)
"T-Thank you, Eri-san." (Sumire)
It seems Eri made clothes for Sumire.
She can really do anything.
"Alright, we can't stall any longer. Spread out! We attack all at once! Match the first person who strikes!" (Uther)
We scattered to surround the Red Dragon at Principal Uther's signal.
"Sumire, support from a bit farther away." (Eugene)
"O-Okay. Got it, Eugy-kun." (Sumire)
After carrying Sumire to a safer distance, I readied the God Katana.
"............"
The Red Dragon quietly looked down at us.
The earlier ferocity was gone.
(Should we observe a bit…?) (Eugene)
Just as I was thinking that…
"Here I gooo!!"
A red shooting star charged toward the Red Dragon at the edge of my vision.
It was Rosalie-san wrapped in Spirits.
"Wait! So suddenly!? Fine then." (Eri)
Even the Demon Lord seemed momentarily startled, but immediately turned into a black gale to follow.
"Rosalie-kun's judgment is quick!" (Uther)
Principal Uther had already raised his magic sword overhead.
The blade shone gold.
Claude, Claire-san, Sara, Airi, and Anemoi also moved in.
I wrapped the God Katana in the mana I received from an Ifrit.
—Twin Heavenly Resonance Style: Secret Technique…
And slashed at the Red Dragon's neck.
—GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
A scream from the Red Dragon unlike before.
I felt the impact.
However…
(Not enough…) (Eugene)
The Red Dragon still had four heads.
The ones that were severed.
(Eri, Principal Uther, Rosalie-san's attacks…) (Eugene)
Claude and I inflicted heavy wounds, but didn't fully sever them.
The others' attacks didn't even leave visible marks.
(Cutting all seven heads… Is that even possible?) (Eugene)
Thud!!!
The Red Dragon sat down heavily on the ground.
"Eugene!" (Claude)
Claude shouted excitedly.
His face looked extremely exhausted.
"Did we…do it?" (Eugene)
I probably looked the same.
"No. Look." (Eri)
Eri landed beside me and pointed.
Shuu… shuu…
White steam-like vapor rose around the Red Dragon.
"It's…" (Eugene)
"It's absorbing mana from the ground to recover. Seems like it couldn't regenerate fast enough on its own." (Eri)
It can recover just by sitting!?
Isn't that unfair…?
Cerberus left refreshingly with just one head.
"Eugene! You're out of mana!" (Anemoi)
Anemoi teleported over and hugged me from behind.
She supplied mana through Mana Link, but…
My body felt heavy.
(Even if I use the technique again, it'll be weaker than before…) (Eugene)
"Eugene, I'm sorry… I'm useless…" (Anemoi)
Anemoi's voice was dark.
"That's not—" (Eugene)
I stopped.
She did seem weaker than when I saw her on the 400th floor.
— "A Dungeon Master is strongest within their dungeon. This floor 0 is a bad match for her." (Loki)
The Demon God-sama's voice echoed.
I see.
"Claude-kun!!"
Rita-san returned from the Divine Realm and hugged Claude.
"Rita-chan, it's dangerous—" (Claude)
"I'll restore you now!" (Rita)
Is it okay for an angel to assist in the Trial of the Gods?
I glanced up and saw Mariel-san making a complicated expression.
But she seemed willing to overlook it.
(Without Claude, we'd be at a huge disadvantage.) (Eugene)
If President Media, the Dragon Oracle, is the cornerstone of defense, then Claude with the Dragon God Spear is the key to offense.
The Red Dragon was constantly wary of his spear.
— "Looks like it's finally my turn?" (Loki)
A chill ran down my spine.
The Demon God-sama had spoken casually.
But her tone had shifted from idle chatter to something expectant.
— "So, who's going to make the deal?" (Loki)
She sounded certain.
At this rate, we probably won't be able to win.
The three severed heads were slowly regenerating.
They'd likely be fully restored in about ten minutes.
Principal Uther seemed deep in thought.
Anemoi clung to me, continuing to send mana.
But I haven't fully recovered yet.
Then someone tapped my shoulder.
I turned to see familiar silver hair and ruby-like red eyes staring straight at me.
"Eri." (Eugene)
"Eugene… I have a little proposal." (Eri)
"What is it?" (Eugene)
"Do you want to become stronger?" (Eri)
What was she suddenly saying?
"If it solves this situation… Is there a way?" (Eugene)
If there was, I wish she'd told me sooner.
"Mmm… but Laila-senpai might kill me…" (Eri)
"What are you planning…?" (Eugene)
She already scolds me every time about my relationship with Eri…
"Well, whatever. We don't have time. Decide quickly." (Eri)
"…Yeah." (Eugene)
Eri has shocked me countless times before.
So I thought I wouldn't be shaken by much anymore.
"Eugene… would you like to become a Demon Lord?" (Eri)
It was the most shocking thing I'd ever heard.