Together, As a team!

"There's one thing we can do."

Shigeru's voice broke the heavy silence, his tone calm yet carrying a weight of uncertainty. His sharp eyes wavered for a moment, betraying the storm of thoughts raging within him.

Everyone's faces tensed as they immediately turned toward him, anticipation thick in the air.

"W-what is it, Sir Shigeru?" Étienne asked, his voice laced with both curiosity and unease.

Shigeru closed his eyes, pressing a hand against his temple as if trying to steady his mind. His thoughts drifted back to that fateful encounter—the conversation that had led to this moment.

---

A faded image surfaced in his mind:

He stood in a vast open field, surrounded by vibrant wildflowers swaying gently in the wind. Despite the serene landscape, an ominous presence loomed before him—Keron.

The demon's smirk was ever-present, a mixture of amusement and something far more sinister.

"The mountain will shatter in three days," Keron had declared, his voice carrying an eerie certainty. "You humans have just three days to stop this anomaly..."

Shigeru had remained still, his gaze unwavering as he studied the S-rank demon before him.

Keron took a slow step forward, his crimson eyes gleaming with something unreadable. "You must be wondering—what can you possibly do in just three days? You can't even call for reinforcements in that time... but," he chuckled darkly, "why is it that you're still smiling, Morishita Shigeru?"

A gust of wind swept through the field as Shigeru returned the demon's smirk with one of his own.

"Why shouldn't I? You're an S-rank threat demon. I suppose you might even have the power to shatter the mountain on your own. That would, of course, lead to an unimaginable massacre."

He took a step forward, his voice unwavering.

"But instead of destruction, you're here warning us—humans—about the anomaly. A demon, helping humans? That's as unlikely as the sun and moon shining simultaneously in the sky. And yet, here you are, telling us to prepare."

Shigeru's sharp gaze locked onto Keron's mischievous smirk.

"That can only mean one thing: You have something to gain from this. There's something you want, something only we can obtain. Otherwise, the Third Rakiel of the Demon King wouldn't waste his time on a remote town like this."

For the first time, Keron's smirk widened into a full-blown grin.

"Ha-ha-ha! WONDERFUL!" he roared, gripping his forehead as he laughed. "I would expect nothing less from the so-called 'Greatest Mind in the World!'"

His laughter echoed through the field before abruptly ceasing, his eyes darkening as he leaned forward.

"Indeed, you're right. I do have something to gain. And I will do anything to ensure I obtain it... even if that means helping you humans."

Shigeru's expression remained calm, but inwardly, his thoughts raced.

"So, since you've already figured this much out, I'll let you in on something else." Keron's smirk returned, more sinister than before. "You humans believe these frequent landslides and earthquakes across Europe are caused by demons, don't you?"

Shigeru narrowed his eyes.

"You're telling me they aren't?"

Keron chuckled. "No. It's not the demons. It's something else... or someone else."

A flicker of uncertainty passed through Shigeru's mind.

"Who—or what—is causing it?"

The demon tilted his head, his crimson eyes gleaming with amusement.

"I... don't know."

Shigeru stiffened.

"Or rather," Keron continued, his grin widening, "I don't want to tell you."

For the first time in the conversation, Shigeru felt a chill creep down his spine.

"But I will tell you this—whatever it is, it resides at the very heart of Mont Blanc."

Mont Blanc.

"If you want to prevent the mountain from shattering, you need to eliminate whatever is inside and bring it to me." Keron's voice was almost playful. "Do that, and I'll handle the rest."

Before Shigeru could respond, the air around them trembled.

Vrm!!!

Space cracked open beside Keron, forming a swirling portal of dark energy.

Shigeru's breath hitched as he instinctively took a step back.

"What kind of magic is this...?"

Keron merely chuckled, stepping toward the portal.

"Well then, I'll see you in three days. He-he-he."

The last thing Shigeru saw before the void swallowed him was Keron's ever-present smirk.

---

Back in the Present

Shigeru stood motionless, his mind reeling from the memory. His throat felt dry.

A warm hand rested on his shoulder, jolting him back to reality.

"Sir Shigeru?" Étienne's voice was laced with concern. "You suddenly froze—what happened?"

Shigeru exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "It's nothing, Sir Michael. I was just... thinking."

Étienne wasn't convinced, but he chose not to press further.

"What did the demon tell you?"

Shigeru clenched his fist before answering.

"Keron said that something—or someone—is at the center of Mont Blanc, continuously emitting high-level magic waves. Those waves are the real cause of the frequent earthquakes and landslides across Europe these past few months."

A heavy silence fell upon the room.

Étienne's expression darkened. "We have recorded irregular fluctuations in the Alps, but they were so inconsistent that we didn't give them much attention. Who would have thought they'd be a warning sign for Mont Blanc's destruction?"

He let out a shaky breath, guilt creeping into his voice. "We got careless..."

Shigeru stepped forward, his voice firm yet gentle.

"It's okay, Sir Étienne. Everyone makes mistakes. What matters now is how we act to ensure it doesn't happen again. Regret will only weaken you—but strength is what we need right now. Otherwise, innocent lives will be lost."

Étienne looked up, his remorse fading into determination. "You're right. This isn't the time for regret—it's time to act."

Shigeru nodded. "If we want to prevent Mont Blanc from shattering, we need to reach its center and eliminate whatever is causing the anomaly. But..."

He hesitated.

"What is it, Master?" Ryuu asked.

Shigeru sighed. "Keron wants whatever is inside the mountain. That's the only reason he's helping us. He said he'd do anything to obtain it... which means we can't let it fall into his hands."

A heavy silence followed his words.

"B-but if we don't act, Mont Blanc will shatter," Masumi whispered.

Shigeru nodded grimly. "Which is why I'll do everything in my power to stop him—even if it costs me my life."

"Did you forget again, Master?" Ryuu stepped forward, his voice unwavering. "You're not alone. We're in this together. We're a team!"

The others stepped forward as well, standing beside him.

"Yes, Sir Shigeru," Étienne added. "We exist to protect innocent lives—even at the cost of our own."

Shigeru smiled. "Then let the Three Days to Ruin begin."

RUMBLE!

Suddenly, the ground shook violently. A massive surge of magic rippled through the room, sending books and objects crashing to the floor.

"W-What was that!?" Seichii shouted.

Shigeru's eyes widened.

"...Has it begun already?"

---

Mont Blanc - The Beginning of the End

Outside, near Mont Blanc, the earth trembled violently.

Animals fled the forests in droves. Cracks spread across the land as chunks of rock tumbled down the mountain slopes.

And far above, standing at the very top of the Eiffel Tower, Keron watched the chaos unfold.

A sinister grin stretched across his face.

"Let's see what you humans are capable of..."

His laughter echoed across the wind.

"Let the Three Days to Ruin begin."