We Just Beat It Down and That's the End of It, Right? (14)

'Now, to the matter at hand. Do you wish to go to the next stage? Or... return to the surface once more and live out peaceful days? ...Choose. Of course, this is an exception granted at that villager's request. You will go to the next stage without having your wishes granted. Even so... if you intend to go, come stand beside me.'

Almost the moment the Dark Dragon finished speaking, everyone except David stepped forward and approached it. Seeing them advance straight toward it without a hint of hesitation, the Dark Dragon looked a little surprised, then gave a soft snort. 'As I expected,' it murmured, sounding somehow satisfied.

"Our wish right now is to go to the next stage... to Kagami-san."

As if agreeing with Alice, the others who had stepped toward the Dark Dragon gave small nods.

'And that person... is choosing not to go?'

"Going might not necessarily help Kagami-sama. I... intend to contribute to Kagami-sama in whatever way I can. At the very least, there would be no point in me going as I am now."

David said this, bowed, and brought up his Status Window. When the Dark Dragon saw it, it closed its eyes as if satisfied and smiled. 'David is interesting, and so are those who gather around him.'

'Very well. I shall use my power to send you to the surface. And... your memories will remain intact.'

"Thank you very much for your consideration. I would be grateful if you would do that."

At the Dark Dragon's words and thoughtfulness, which seemed to see right through him, David's eyes widened slightly in surprise. The dragon was quite different from the image he'd formed based on what he'd heard. Wondering if this, too, was thanks to Kagami's power, he smiled, then bowed once more.

'Are you prepared?'

David, who had decided to stay, and the others, who had decided to go, showed no hesitation. As if certain of what they should do and what was best, they looked straight at the Dark Dragon and silently nodded.

"There'll be enemies in the next stage that even that guy will struggle with, right? Let's beat them down and hurry back. David's waiting, after all."

'...Things are not so simple.'

"What? Am I wrong? We'll have to fight either way, won't we?"

'That... you must see for yourself.'

Parna looked puzzled, but then the purple light spreading like arteries across the Dark Dragon's scales began to glow brilliantly. It grew brighter and brighter, gradually filling the vast space until the light completely overwhelmed their vision.

Once the light had engulfed the entire space, it vanished as though wiped away. Only the Dark Dragon and two people remained in the room: Alice and Menou, both staring blankly as they desperately tried to process what had happened.

'I'm counting on you... heroes.'

"W-wait a second. Everyone... where did everyone go?"

While the Dark Dragon gazed into the distance with a deeply moved expression, Alice hurried over to it, looking alarmed. Menou, meanwhile, pressed a hand to her forehead and wore an exasperated expression, as if Menou had seen this coming.

'Those who chose to remain in this world have already been sent back to the surface. And... the brave heroes have already gone to the next stage.'

"As I suspected... we demons are unable to go to the next stage, just as you said before?"

At those words, Alice turned around, her face full of shock.

'Normally, you cannot. But... you are exceptions. That villager's wish included you as well.'

"What do you mean? Then why have we been left here?"

'Calm yourselves. If I had no intention of letting you go, I would have already sent you back to the surface with those who chose to remain in this world.'

The two of them looked confused, unable to understand what the Dark Dragon meant. It brought its face close to theirs and glared at them with its imposing eyes, as if demanding an answer—

'...I have something to discuss with you.'

By meeting them face-to-face at the same height, it seemed to be saying that it wanted to speak with them as equals, if only for now.