Argh...

......

You...

How long do you plan to make a fool outta me?!

*Huff* *huff* *huff*

Wh-What are you talking about?

Don't you gimme that crap!

Why aren't you taking this seriously?!

Is it because an inferior opponent like myself doesn't deserve to fight you at your best?!

I'm not holding anything back! I'm giving it everything I've got!

Liar!

This can't be the real limit to your powers!

Urgh...

Darn it all!

*Splurt*

Karl...

Ugh!

There you are!

Lord Grahdens was bugging me about where you were, you know!

Seria...?

W-Wait a minute, what happened to you?!

You're covered in wounds!

Lugina, did you do this?!

Seria, it's okay.

What? But...

Really, it's fine...

Tsch, look who showed up to spoil the mood.

Karl, that was a close call for you.

But now I'm absolutely sure.

A soft guy like yourself can't hold a candle to my greatness.

......

Yeah, you may be right.

Urgh... I really hate your guts, you know!

I'm outta here.

You guys can take all the credit for defeating that pipsqueak of a demon for all I care!

Hans!

If you keep following in Karl's footsteps, you'll end up disappointed!

You should hurry up and join my squad while you still can!

You do know which one of us is stronger, don't you?

The strongest Summoner there is, is the one and only me.

...Hans?

Oh, I was finally able to get through to you!

Our communications were broken at a pretty crucial time...

...but I've confirmed that the demon's presence has vanished.

Did you guys defeat it?

In that case, we can label this mission as complete.

Well done everyone! We'll be awaiting your safe return here at the Survey Office.

Huh?

It seems that instead of Lugina, now Seria is there in his place now...

Just what happened after I lost contact with you guys?

I just got here too, so I have no idea of what's going on either.

And Lugina? Where is he?

He went back without us.

He went back without you?!

How irresponsible...

Seriously!

I don't know exactly what it is that happened to leave Karl in this condition...

...but that guy is just cruel!

Seria, don't say that.

Lugina's just always been like that.

His behavior may not be the best, but he's a talented and dependable Summoner.

That's just who he is.

Fine, whatever.

Karl, this time everything's your fault.

This all started because you told Lugina something similar to that, am I right?

You know what happens when you try to pay an idiot like that a compliment.

Ha ha ha. Yeah, sorry.

Oh well.

At least it looks like Lugi got to blow off some steam.

We may be able to get some use out of him during our battles in Ishgria.

Right.

We all have to grow stronger.

That goes for all of us individually.

Seria, Hans, let's give it our best shot.

Let's work our hardest so that we can hold our own when Lugina calls us names.

No way!

I don't wanna grow stronger for a stupid reason like that!

Ha ha ha ha.

......

Is something the matter, Noel?

It would seem you are not in the greatest of moods.

I'm fine.

Hmmm...

Well, the plan was a success, and Lugina did partially grow.

However, I'm afraid it was not an incredibly eye opening experience for him...

...as it only served to make his already awful personality even worse.

I assume that's where your current dissatisfaction stems from?

Ugh...

If you already knew that, then stop asking me all these roundabout questions.

He he he. My apologies.

However, I believe there's no cause to make haste.

We should just wait for the next opportunity to help Lugina attain true enlightenment.

So, for the time being, we should just rejoice in the fact that he managed to grow somewhat.

......

Fine, fine.

I'll take whatever I can get this time.

Anyway, about the next plan...

Am I interrupting?

Y-You are...?!

Ho ho ho ho.

It has been quite some time since we last met. Noel, Rhynt.

Elder Grahdens...

I'm really sorry, but we're kinda busy right now.

Could we talk later?

You shouldn't be so cruel to your elders when they have such little time left to enjoy life.

In any case, I only came to discuss something with you.

And I'm telling you, I don't have that kind of time...

Now, now.

The fact of the matter is that I've come to talk to you, whether you have time for me or not.

You two are the ones who have been fabricating our recent demon slaying missions, aren't you?

...!

Ho ho ho.

Not to worry. I have no intentions of punishing you.

However, any more fabricated requests and you will be discovered for certain.

And if that happens, well, it could be a tad bit troublesome.

......

Would you mind giving it a rest for a short while?

...is not like we have much of a choice.

We'll cut it out for now.

Ah, there's a good boy.

...now it all makes sense.

I had been wondering why the Summoner Karl had made his way to this area. It was quite unexpected to run into him thusly.

But now I finally understand!

Err... W-Well...

How devious of you using our plans for your own means in such a manner...

I did not use your plans.

I just thought that perhaps I could provide some help...

I see...

However, you are correct. Perhaps it would be best if we temporarily stop the falsification of requests from the Hall.

E-Either way, you two helped us to prepare for the battle that awaits us in Ishgria.

At least that much is certain.

So I hope I can continue counting on your help.

You don't even have to ask.

I mean, we still have a million things we have yet to research, you know!

Ishgria's demons...

I'll show them just how strong the people of Elgaia have grown.

Noel.

I understand how you feel, but be careful not to do anything reckless.

Hmph...

I'm gonna surpass those demons for sure...

You'll see...