In the sky, Naohara and the others rose back into the air once more.
Herohero was busy analyzing the memories he had just obtained. Although he had successfully extracted them, the information inside was a chaotic jumble. It would take time to sort everything out.
"How's it going, Blackie?"
"It's a bit complicated. I need some time to organize the memories."
"Then let's talk after we finish here and return to Nazarick."
Momonga waved his hand, signaling Herohero to focus on organizing the memories for now. They would discuss everything once they were back in Nazarick.
"Alright."
"Next is that so-called strongest force of the kingdom—the Warrior Captain, right?"
Naohara looked down at the barrier below. The Sunlight Scripture on the right had already been completely wiped out, and Momonga had stored all their corpses inside his Storage Items.
Their bodies would soon rise again—this time as Undead.
As for the measurement unit below…
Now that they had obtained the intelligence they wanted, the measurement unit's life no longer held any real value. Its only remaining purpose was to serve as an observation target—to see whether it had the qualifications to continue living.
Having watched the anime, Naohara had a fairly good impression of this character. At the very least, he was an excellent measurement unit.
"Level 29 and called the strongest? Heh. Let's hope he gives us something worth watching."
...
"Warrior Captain, we've been circling this place for nearly an hour."
"The men are exhausted. Shouldn't we rest for a while?"
"We need our strength in case something happens next."
One of the soldiers spoke up anxiously. Ever since they'd been trapped here, they had tried every method they could think of, yet none had worked.
Now they were thirsty and drained, their combat effectiveness greatly reduced.
If the enemy attacked at this moment, the losses would be devastating.
"Then we'll rest for a while. Tell everyone to stay alert."
"But we have to find a way out. If this continues, we'll run out of water and food sooner or later."
The man addressed as Warrior Captain gave his orders, then scanned the surroundings with a grave expression.
His name was Gazef, the only warrior in the kingdom to have reached the Realm of Heroes. He had been ordered to eliminate the enemy this time.
Yet the moment he arrived, he found himself trapped. He was certain the opponent was a powerful Magic Caster. Only someone like that could imprison all of them here without making a sound.
"…I wonder if we'll make it back safely."
Gazef sighed inwardly. He wasn't worried about himself, but about His Majesty the King. If he failed to return to His Majesty's side in time, the nobles would surely begin scheming.
"What are you worried about? Your own safety?"
Just as that thought crossed his mind, a faint, indistinct voice drifted into his ears.
"Who's there?!"
Gazef spun around sharply, scanning his surroundings. But all he saw were his soldiers looking at him in confusion, as if asking what was wrong.
"Stop looking. You won't be able to see us."
A different voice, not the same as before, sounded near his ear, telling him not to waste his effort.
"Answer the question. What are you worried about?"
The earlier, slightly magnetic voice spoke again, repeating its inquiry.
"I am worried about His Majesty's safety. May I ask if you gentlemen would allow my brothers to leave?"
"If someone must stay behind, let it be me."
Realizing he couldn't locate the speaker, Gazef stepped aside and addressed the empty air.
"Didn't you say you wanted to protect your Majesty? Why choose to stay instead?"
The voice sounded puzzled, unable to understand the contradiction.
"I want to protect His Majesty because he gave me everything I have today."
"But just as His Majesty protects me, I must protect my men."
"I cannot abandon them and leave on my own. They are my brothers."
Gazef looked firmly at the soldiers resting nearby. As Warrior Captain, he had to ensure that every one of them returned safely to the kingdom.
"Even if it costs you your life?"
"I won't regret it."
There was no fear or hesitation in his voice. Gazef remained calm, accepting the possibility of his own death without flinching.
"Is that so…"
"Quite an interesting fellow."
"You may go."
The voice rang out again, this time clearly carrying goodwill. It was obvious the speaker was in a very good mood.
"What about my brothers?"
"All of them may leave. And do not return."
"Carne Village is now under our protection."
"Thank you, honored sirs. I am deeply grateful."
Gazef was about to kneel in thanks, but an invisible force stopped him.
"There's no need for that. Go."
Gazef wanted to say more, but in the next instant, the world spun around him. When his senses returned, he realized he was no longer in the place from before, but standing in the middle of a vast grassland.
The soldiers around him looked equally shaken, staring at their surroundings in confusion, unable to understand how they had suddenly appeared here.
"Warrior Captain, where are we…?"
A soldier started to ask, but Gazef raised a hand, signaling him not to continue.
Gazef stared in the direction of Carne Village for a long time. At last, he gave a deep bow toward it, then mounted his warhorse.
"We're returning to the kingdom."
With that order, Gazef took the lead and rode off. Though the soldiers were still puzzled, they followed closely behind.
From a distant hilltop, Naohara and the others watched calmly as his figure gradually disappeared from view.
"He's a good man."
Momonga spoke quietly. After their exchange, he had formed a favorable impression of the Warrior Captain.
Momonga had always been someone who valued bonds deeply, so he could understand and appreciate that kind of character.
"That personality reminds me of Touch Me."
Herohero sighed softly. Gazef's character brought back memories of an old friend. He didn't dislike people like that.
"But unfortunately, we're destined never to be friends."
Naohara looked toward the direction Gazef had left. He knew that sooner or later, they would become enemies. As long as Nazarick sought to conquer the world, the kingdom would stand in their way.
He would not spare the kingdom for the sake of a single measurement unit.
The three Floor Guardians stood quietly to the side, not interrupting the conversation between the Three Supreme Beings.
They held no particular fondness for humans. Enri was an exception—having earned the favor of the Three Supreme Beings, she was someone they could interact with normally.
"Let's head back. Home."
Naohara walked over to Momonga. Understanding immediately, Momonga raised the staff in his hand.
[Gate]
A pitch-black passageway appeared before them. Naohara stepped inside first, followed by Momonga, then Herohero, and finally the Floor Guardians.
As the last of them entered, the dark corridor slowly faded away, and the area returned to silence once more.