Igni: Kurara, I have something I want to discuss with you.

Kurara: .......what..is it?

It was the evening. Ignis group walked into the room of the inn where Kuraras group was staying, and Igni faced Kurara as he spoke to her.

Kurara: Is it..about our date...earlier today? .Im sorry..I played...with your feelings.

Lilly: DDate?!

Surprised, Lilly suddenly shrieked the word awkwardly and looked between Kurara and Igni multiple times.

Igni: (Has Lilly never been on a date before?)

......says the man who just went on his first date today.

Igni: No, I dont care about whats already past. But I have something to discuss that will affect both of us in the future.

Kurara: .......our future?

Igni: Theres a way to stop the [Demon Kings Realm]s expansion without having to rely on the [Saint]s power.

As soon as Igni finished saying this, the entire room jumped up in surprise.

Its likely that everyone in the room is an Elf or an Elf ally.

Kurara: Lets...discuss this...privately.Lura, Lilly...please...prepare a..room.

Lura: Yes, please wait a moment.

With that Lura went out of a room and came right back.

Lura: Looks like there was already a room ready. Lady Kurara, Igni, right this way.

The two follow Lura out of the room.

Behind Igni is Alicia and Yoori with worried expressions.

Lura: Right this way.

And Lura opens the door, and they sit on the sofa that was inside. Kurara also carefully found and sat on the sofa.

Kurara: Could you.elaborate?

Igni: First, I want to confirm our premise. The [Demon Kings Realm] continues to spread because the [Demon King]s body is overflowing with Magic Power.

Kurara: .......yes..you are correct.

This is not something you have to confirm normally.

If you were born in this world, anyone would know this fact.

Igni: If that is the case, then why doesnt any country try to dispose of the [Demon King]s body?

At Ignis question, not only did Kurara tilt her head, but Lura and Lilly as well.

They all have, Why are you asking such basic questions? written across their faces.

Kurara: ......you cannot..dispose of it.the reason being...the [Demon Kings Realm]s monsters..are strong..and...you cant get near..the [Demon Kings Castle]........where the[Demon King]s body.is said..to reside.

Igni: Yeah, thats right. But in other words, if you can reach the [Demon Kings Castle] where the [Demon King]s body is laid to rest, then there is a possibility that we can do something about this situation.

Kurara: ......that, is true..

Kurara could not understand where Igni was going with this, and just agreed to his logic for now.

This is just a rehash of a theory that has been discussed many times over.

And of course, it has been tested many times as well.

But all of it came to an utter and complete failure.

Hence, it was just an empty, impractical theory - an improbable fantasy.

Igni: Thats why Ill go.

Kurara: ..........come again?

Kurara tilts her head once again at Ignis words.

Kurara: .....what..are you saying?

Igni: Ill go to the [Demon Kings Castle] and dispose of the [Demon King]s body. That way, the infection spreading throughout the territories will stop.

Kurara: Igni.you are...misunderstanding.

Igni: Misunderstanding?

This time, it was Ignis turn to tilt his head.

Kurara: Yes.after watching you.today...and during the.......fight....at the..... [Tournament].......you are.indeed strong..

Kurara struck the ground with her sword, and her abundant chest waivered.

Kurara: And..youth and drive.are good things..but.you must..not get swallowed.by such...what you are..attempting...is futile.

Igni: Ohhhhh, thats right.

Igni let out a small whisper.

Thats right. He must say it or it wont be understood.

yes, its that easy.

In Ignis mind, a memory begins to flow.

<<<<>>>>

That was when Igni was first taken to the [Demon Kings Realm].

[Grandpa! Why did you bring me to the Demon Kings Realm?! Im going to die here!!]

At Ignis screaming protest, Lucas just casually smiled and chuckled quietly at him.

[Oye, Igni. You are still young.]

[.........yyeah.?]

[Thats why you must look 5, 10 years down the road.]

[5 years.ahead.?!]

[Yes, and when you are strong, youll be surrounded by women in a tavern.]

[In a tavern?!]

[Yes, and then, all the women will be asking you this one question. How did you become so strong? like that.]

[AAnd..?!]

Lucas smile widens across his whole face.

[And youll tell them, In the Demon Kings Realm, like that.]

[WHOAAAAAAAA!!!]

[Isnt that cool?]

[ILL BE SUPER POPULAR!!!]

<<<<>>>>

This..!

THIS IS IT!!

Im not in a tavern, but I am surrounded by girls..!

Theres one that looks like a girl but thats okay!

THAT.IS JUST...A MINOR DETAIL IN THE END!!

THIS IS THE MOMENT IVE BEEN WAITING FOR!!

IF I MISS THIS!

MY DISCLOSURE OF MY TRAINING LOCATION.WILL BE LESS IMPRESSIVE!!

Igni: Thats right. I forgot that I havent told anyone yet.

Igni paused and stretched out the moment as much as possible as he opened his mouth to speak again.

Igni: I was..very weak at the beginning.

Kurara: .......yes.

Kurara nodded.

Igni: (Was she also weak in the beginning too?)

Igni: I could only use [Fireball], so I was excommunicated from my household. After that, one man found me and saved me.

Kurara: A..man..?

Igni: It was my grandfather, Lucas.

With Ignis words, the people around began buzzing with astonishment.

Lura: Lucas..?! The [Ultimate Light] Lucas?!

Lura raised her voice in shock.

The [Extreme] of [Light] shouldnt be underestimated. His fame is known throughout the countries.

Igni: And with my grandfather, he took me to.a certain place and trained me to death there.

Yoori: TrTrained? Where.??

Yoori couldnt hold back his curiosity.

And being asked the question he was waiting for, Igni took a moment to set the tension in the room to its maximum height.

Igni: In the [Demon Kings Realm].......

Silence fell upon the room.

Igni: (HHUH?!)

Igni: (Did I mess up my punchline.?!)

Igni panics and looks around the room at everyones faces.

Lura and Lilly turned into stone with startled expressions.

Igni: (I see. They werent able to process the news..!)

Kurara was still trying to determine the veracity of Ignis statement and sat back deeply into the couch.

Her face was hidden by the blindfold, so Igni could not read her expression.

Turning around, he saw Yoori with his jaw dropped.

Igni: (Looking at him so close, hes still...cute..)

Igni turns his eyes to Alicia..but he couldnt read Alicias expression.

But she blushed a little.

Igni: (Whwhy..??)

Yoori: I..I see! So thats why.

Igni: "Yeah, I forgot that I havent told you guys.

Yoori: No wonder youre so strong..! But.its still unbelievable! You really trained inside the [Demon Kings Realm]?! I didnt know anyone could do that.

Igni: It was all thanks to my grandpa that I was able to get strong.

Igni kindly answers Yoori, but turns back around to face Kurara.

Igni: During that time, we have gone as close as the [Demon Kings Castle]s vicinity. This isnt a lie. You can confirm that with Grandpa...Lucas if youd like.

Kurara: .......I see.after you were.excommunicated..from the Talcoyz family...we knew this much..but.training in.the [Demon Kings Realm].......huh

Saying this, Kurara let out an exasperated sigh.

Kurara: If that...is true...you may.be able to...stop...the [Demon Kings Realm]......from spreading...further

Igni: Right?

Kurara: .......it may...be worth.putting our...hopes..in you

With Kuraras words, Igni quietly spoke.

Igni: Thats why..I want you to stop pursuing Rose.

Kurara: I will..carefully...consider.your words.

With that, Kurara offered her hand to Igni.

Igni took her hand.

Igni: Thank you.

And both, gently but firmly, shook hands.