Hm, it appears that Karl was telling the truth.

Very well then. I shall keep my promise to Karl. I shall tell you what I can.

This story is from quite some time ago...

......

It begins a short while after I was selected to command the 10th Demon Slayers Squad.

The 1st through 10th Squads were called to the Summoners' Hall.

Compared to the other commanders, I was nothing but a nervous infant.

First there was Owen, the First Summoner who by this time was already legendary...

As well as Grahdens, his trusted right-hand man, and...

...Warlon, their companion who prided himself as being their equal in power.

And all of the other squad commanders including Griff, of course.

All of them fiercer monsters than the demons themselves, from my point of view...

When I was nervous about what was going to happen, Krantz of the 9th Squad had kind words for me...

Rhoa from the 7th teased me, the Sixth's Kafka cursed...

The other commanders laughed as they saw this, and...

...Griff from the 4th Squad just got mad that everyone was so noisy...

......

They weren't just Summoners. They were people, each with their own charms.

......

We were all ordered by the three leaders of the Summoners' Hall, Owen, Grahdens, and Warlon...

...otherwise now known as the Summoners of Old, to investigate Ishgria.

I was surprised.

Not only by the fact that demons already existed there long before they were found in Grand Gaia...

...but also by the later-stated true purpose of the Summoners' Hall: "Liberation from the gods".

However, at the same time I was excited.

The key to "Liberation from the gods" was located here in Ishgria, and...

...I was going to be part of the search for it.

Everyone else had a wide variety of feelings, but...

...they all basically agreed to the plan.

Without realizing the true goal of the Summoners of Old...

What a nostalgic story.

You... Grahdens...

We did not have an ulterior "true purpose." Everyone was simply foolish.

I don't want to hear your excuses.

You knew the risks of being in Ishgria, and yet you still sent us on a sacrificial recon mission...

And what's more, you Summoners of Old didn't send reinforcements, just excuses.

Mirfah, you have to know that...

I said I don't want to hear it!

For example, after we departed...

...even if there was suddenly a skirmish between the Randall Empire and the Elgaia Federation...

...and even if you all got caught up in it, it's still completely inexcusable!

Everyone except for me died here!

There is no one left but me!

......

Remember this, Grahdens. I will kill all you Summoners of Old.

No matter how I have to do it.

......

Mirfah, I did not say it earlier, but allow me to say it now.

I am truly glad to discover you are alive.

I am truly thankful that you were able to survive.

...... You think that will make me not want to kill you...?

......

Hans.

I am terribly sorry for getting you all involved in our old battles.

That's why I ask you to just believe this.

I, as well as Owen and Warlon...

...do not wish for the death of any Summoner who fights for the Summoners' Hall.

Although I understand that you might find that difficult to believe, since we have sent you on this dangerous mission.

......

Well then, Hans. Shall we be going?

Where to, you ask?

Ho ho ho, you haven't changed a bit.

We are obviously heading to the Weather Tower where the demon of this land is located.

I believe everyone else should already be on their way there.

Shall we hurry along now?

Simply put, if we do not make it there before Owen, we will never hear the end of it.

......

However, what Mirfah said does intrigue me. Why was it after he left that...