The Demon General in front of the altar was Basque, the adventurer who had reached S Rank twenty years ago.
Hearing that, Allen realized that his assumption that it was a monkey beastman turned Demon General was not correct, and that he used to be human.
He wore no clothes on his upper body, but he had various accessories, necklaces, bracelets, and rings.
"An S Rank adventurer protecting the altar?"
Basque was the other current S Rank Adventurer.
'Well, yeah! Though it's boring me to death, making me wait so long. I'm not some watchdog to be ordered to wait like this!!'
(He's quite the explosive character.)
He seemed to only remember his anger for that moment, roaring in anger and making the temple tremble.
He had been grinning happily just a few seconds before, so his mood swings were hard to follow.
Basque was also known as the Shura King, and was a powerful adventurer that had reached S Rank 20 years before Allen. That was something Guild Master McCarran had told Allen.
He was constantly on the hunt for monsters, wanting to become stronger than anyone else.
He joined the war against the Demon King's Army of the time, but could never see eye-to-eye with his noble superiors.
No one could control him, and he never followed orders, always acting on his own. There were many internal conflicts with the other soldiers as well, which ended with him killing thousands of them.
The Giamut Empire, his birthplace, was under heavy attack by the Demon King's Army at the time.
He had rescued countless towns and cities, but because of his attitude towards the other soldiers and his aggressive nature, his name was erased from history.
Basque's name was never mentioned in any of the history lessons of the Academy.
"Who's this man? Is he really a Demon General?"
Princess Shea had been expecting a more evil-looking creature.
Somehow his attitude reminded her more of the thieves she caught as practice in the past.
'Woah what a cutie. What do you say, wanna stay with me? I don't mind giving the beastmen a good time too, heehee.'
Princess Shea's voice had been low, but Basque still heard her.
He licked his lips as his eyes went up and down her body, seemingly examining every inch of her body covered in light armor.
"?!"
(He's a pervert. He's definitely a pervert.)
Shea took a step back, feeling yet another type of danger on her.
"So, what's that altar?"
While he was a pervert, it seemed he liked to chat.
Allen continued trying to obtain information from him.
'Hmm? Dunno. Something gathering souls I think. Don't know, and don't care.'
(So it really is gathering human souls somehow.)
Allen's assumption that the altar was gathering and channeling something as humans turned to Pagan Worshippers was correct.
As people were transformed, their souls were gathered in the altar.
That was also why those bitten were turned into Pagan Worshippers, to continue gathering more.
It was more convenient to do that than to simply kill everyone.
While Basque's tongue was loose, he had not been told a lot, maybe as a deterrent.
Considering there were four altars, there were likely more than a few million souls gathered already.
What they were needed for was still a mystery.
"Anyway, how did you become a Demon General? Could you please tell me, Basque."
"H-hey! What are you talking about all of a sudden?!"
Princess Shea was the first one to react to Allen's strange question.
Allen had told her he still wanted to ask the Demon General some things before the fight started, but his question was so outrageous she forgot about it.
Allen's friends reacted differently though.
As they waited for Allen to finish talking, they slowly took their posts.
Their opponent was a frontliner, and his weapons had a long reach.
They took a formation that would keep them prepared for broad and successive attacks.
Shea turned to look at Lud, who nodded as if to say "We should get ready too."
In a way, the fight had already started.
'Oh wow, you're interested in becoming one too?! Nice nice, you want to become a Demon General too then. I'll have to introduce you to Kyubel first.'
"So I have to ask the Demon Great General, Lord Kyubel then?"
'The hell? Why would you ever refer to that freak as Lord? He doesn't even know what his brain is for! Actually, you should treat me with that respect!'
He did not see Kyubel in a very favorable light.
Kyubel was a Demon Great General, but he did not seem to be very respected.
Basque felt he was more worthy of respect.
(Kyubel, the direct servant of the Demon King.)
Not even Merus knew a lot about the Demon King's Army, so Allen always wanted to know what they were planning next.
According to Merus, many Demon Kings had appeared in the past, and the Hero would fight against him.
Sometimes the Demon King's Army won, other times the Hero won.
If the Demon King won, then humanity would perish, and the God of Creation Elmea would decide balance had been lost, ordering the angels to purge the entire world to start anew.
That meant both the Demon King's Army and the remnants of humanity being erased.
Merus mentioned the main difference in this war compared to those in the past, was that an unusually high number of Demon Generals were taking part as well.
Allen wanted to see if Basque could tell him what they were trying to accomplish, and exactly what made someone a Demon General.
"I see, I see."
(That was the Demon Great General that looked like a clown. I haven't seen him in a while, now that I think about it.)
'You'll need to bring him a present though. Like the heads of your friends behind you for example.'
So Allen could become a Demon General if he brought the heads of his friends to Kyubel.
Apparently he always requested such compensation to fulfill one's wishes.
(I see. So there's a way to turn powerful people into Demon Generals. I wonder if that's why he left Helmios alive too?)
Helmios had fought against the Demon Great General Kyubel before, but he was left alive.
Basque was also alive, turned into the Demon General that stood in front of them now.
Apparently that was Kyubel's plan, turning powerful men into Demon Generals just like Basque.
"Whaat, that's a bit too much. Can't you put a word or two in for me? As fellow S Rank Adventurers. But what happens afterwards?"
'Ugh, I'm getting bored. Let's leave the chat there for now.'
Basque was over with the conversation.
"Hm?"
'Kyubel will get all pissed if I waste too much time fooling around, you see. He'll go all "Kill them already you fool!" So I guess I'll kill all of you, except the women, they'll be a nice souvenir. But Allen, if you somehow survive I'll tell Kyubel about you.'
After saying that, his gaze became sharper.
Basque enjoyed chatting, but he loved killing.
Basque stood up slowly and put his hands on the two greatswords in front of him.
Their sheen made it clear they were both orichalcum greatswords.
"It's about to begin, don't get overconfident or distracted now."
"I know."
Basque's attitude had given him a hunch already, but now Allen was certain he was no pushover.
Dogora replied and held his battle axe and shield more firmly.
Kurena and Shea charged forward.
Dogora and Lud followed shortly after them.
Shea's speed was slightly faster.
Her Fighter Saint stats favored swift and nimble movements.
But while Shea and Kurena went towards Basque, he was aiming for Allen.
It was almost like he had only seen Allen from the beginning.
He dodged the incoming attacks from Kurena and Shea with surgical precision, swinging his greatsword straight towards Allen.
(Abhuh?! Ow!!)
"Ghah!!"
"Allen!"
Allen managed to dodge the two incoming greatswords, but he lost his footing which allowed Basque to land a kick on his stomach.
He tried blocking the hit with his sword, but it still sent him flying into the air.
(The hell was that about average Attack? He's way stronger than a regular Demon General.)
Allen had 55 Insect A summons active in the Central Continent, Rosenheim, and the Confederation.
That meant his Attack was lowered, but he gained it all in Endurance.
Yet Basque's kick still felt like his insides were being torn apart.
His body was sent flying all the way to the temple's wall.
"I'm fine!! Sophie, the Spirit King's Blessing!!"
"Ah, right away!! Please, Spirit God Rosen."
'Hahah. He's asking for it really early today.'
The Spirit God Rosen began shaking his hips as he casted the Spirit King's Blessing.
A rain of light particles fell on everyone, raising their stats.
Allen had rushed his conclusion.
While not to the point of being absurd, Basque's stats were still incredibly high.
He realized he needed the Spirit King's Blessing, which gave all allies within a hundred meters a buff of 30% to all stats.
Its duration depended on how much mana Sophie channeled into it, 1 mana for 1 second.
She had used 5000 mana this time, so the effect would last for 5000 seconds too.
Kurena and Shea rushed from Basque's back and side, attacking simultaneously to give Allen time to recover.
A second later Dogora came with his battle axe, and Lud with his hammer, swinging them as they activated their Skills.
'What's wrong with you lot!'
He lightly swung his enormous swords, blocking the attacks coming from four directions at the same time.
His speed and strength were quite high.
(Huh, I really thought he used a more heavy and slow fighting style, but he looks pretty nimble. He really looks like an Asura.)
Allen had seen a statue of Asura in his past life, a fighting demon with three heads and six arms.
His four assailants all used different weapons and had different stats, yet he timed his movements perfectly to block every single one with his great swords.
"I'm the Sword Emperor Kurena!!"
"And Dogora!!"
Kurena and Dogora introduced themselves.
Shea and Lud were too focused on attacking and evading.
'Huhh? What are you even talking about!! And isn't Sword Emperor just a Talent? If you want me to remember your names so badly at least get an actual nickname like me! Sword Essence of the Raging Whirlwind!!'
"Get back!!"
Basque's swords began glowing, before being shrouded in what looked like tornados.
He struck them into the ground, sending waves of powerful gusts of wind all around him.
It was a Skill that affected everything surrounding him.
Both monsters and Demon Generals could use Skills.
Now Allen was wondering if that also meant that Basque still retained the Skills he had as human.
Hearing Allen's shout, everyone jumped backwards while they held their weapon in front to protect themselves.
"Eugh?!"
Kurena was the one closest to Basque, so she was the first one hit by the wind, and was blown away, unable to hold it back.
'Hah! Weakling!'
"Now, shoot!"
Shea shouted right after.
'Hahh?'
Allen's "Get Back!" had been more than a warning to keep them safe.
It was also because an attack was ready.
"Hum!"
Behind Shea, the Archer Saint Kam held his bow ready, his body covered in a haze.
As he grunted vigorously, he let go of the arrow as he activated his Extra Skill.
He aimed at Basque's head, and the arrow flew straight like a bird.
'Woah there. Too bad, you were too loud.'
Basque raised his hand to block the arrow, which pierced into his palm but did little more.
That was Kam's Extra Skill, causing only minor damage.
"You're right. You can't be too loud."
Allen imitated Basque's voice.
'Hm? Wha- Ghah!'
While Basque looked away, Formar's Extra Skill [Light Arrow] pierced his back, nearing his heart.
Formar had put on two rings that increased his Attack by 5000 for that Skill.
That was made even more powerful with the Spirit King's Blessing.
Basque had not seen the attack coming either, so the arrow had pierced a considerable distance into his body.
(How does that feel now?)
'Hahahaha this is what I'm talking about! There has to be pain in a fight to make it worthwhile! This is getting fun, so much fun!! Heheehee!'
Basque's screeching laugh echoed as he forcefully yanked out the arrow stuck to his back.
(So it still isn't enough. Somehow he seems way stronger than even the transformed Demon Generals. I guess it's those bracelets after all.)
Both of Basque's arms had two bracelets, one yellow and one red.
They looked slightly different than Cecile's, but still resembled Sacred Beads.
"..."
'What are you staring at? Are my Sacred Beads really that rare?'
Basque noticed Allen's gaze.
They were Sacred Beads after all.
Having one on each arm, as well as the other equipment that Allen had never seen before, made Basque much stronger than any normal Demon General.
It was possible every single accessory increased his power dramatically.
He was at least as powerful as Razel or Lycaoron after transforming, likely even more powerful.
Basque grinned as he picked up his swords again and resumed attacking.
