Humans needed to understand that the Demon War was not completely over.
Eleris understood what this meant, and Loyar didn't question it. Sarkegaar seemed to not know why it had to be this way, but he said nothing.
Lydia Schmitt would not be deployed in battle. There was a chance she might engage in fruitless activities, so she was left under Eleris's supervision.
The situation unfolded.
After confirming that Sarkegaar was taking Olivia and Adriana away, the plan commenced.
Once they were dropped off in a safe place, they might wonder why the demons had rescued them, but they would escape first.
The mysterious massacre that happened today would be reported as the work of the demons.
Sarkegaar had been told to fly around in his demonic form, for there needed to be witnesses for rumors to spread.
Of course, those present at the scene could not be witnesses.
Because they would all die.
In the monastery completely devastated by Eleris's magic, all the survivors were killed by these hellish destructive spells.
These destructive spells did not harm me or Loyar. The fact that such large-scale destructive magic could not harm someone was already proof that Eleris was an incredible magician.
Only Loyar and I were free within the heat that turned flesh into charcoal.
The survivors didn't even leave corpses behind, and those still alive had to fight in the extreme conditions of lightning storms and firestorms.
During the demon prisoner incident, Eleris had caused a firestorm but had no intention of killing anyone.
But this time, the magic was cast to annihilate all enemies.
The holy knights struggled to protect themselves with divine magic in the extreme heat.
But the remaining knights, including Riverrier Lanze, were elite holy knights.
- Rooooooar!
Loyar, transformed into a Lycan, fought to kill her opponents this time.
- Bang! Crash! Ka-boom!
He did not just push the holy knights back with his magically infused claws; he threw them, slammed them into the ground, grabbed them with both hands, and tore them apart.
- Crack!
- Aaaaaaaaargh!
Loyar bit off the head of a holy knight and pulled the body downward while lifting her mouth upward.
- Crunch!
- Guh……urgh……
He roughly chewed the decapitated head of the holy knight.
Blood flowed from the silver beast's mouth, and a red frenzy flickered in his eyes.
Loyar.
I knew, but it was clear that Loyar's true nature was chilling.
But as long as he was strong, that was enough.
It was not a full moon, but it was close.
Both Eleris and Loyar would be at their peak.
"Huff!"
- Crash!
I stepped back a few paces as I parried Riverrier Lanze's greatsword.
Among the elite holy knights, he was the core of this incident and an enemy that had to be killed.
Riverrier Lanze.
I was facing him.
"How can the Demon King wield Tiamata?"
"Because it is the will of the gods."
Facing him was not a wise choice to begin with.
However, I stood before Riverrier Lanze. My words about the will of the gods twisted Riverrier Lanze's expression.
"How dare a demon like you discuss the divine?"
"You, on the other hand, deny the divine power?"
"Silence, young Demon King! I don't know how you found it, but I won't tolerate any further insults to the gods!"
Riverrier Lanze charged at me, wielding a greatsword.
The ex-commander of the Holy Knights, a veteran among veterans.
"Heugh!"
-Kwang!
Even if I strengthen my body with Magic Body Strengthening, it's impossible for me to fight such an experienced warrior.
After clashing swords just once, I rolled back, feeling as if my whole body would crumble from the impact.
"How pathetic, are you really the Demon King?"
Riverrier Lanze mainly focused on defending himself.
Yet, I was overwhelmingly outmatched.
Naturally.
Even so, I stood before Riverrier Lanze.
I had to stand before him.
I had to face the one who kidnapped Adriana, couldn't let go of his obsession with Olivia, and engaged in such despicable acts.
I could draw upon my true anger.
-Uuwoong
"If this isn't the power of the gods, then what is?"
It's because I can draw upon the true power of Tiamata.
"To use... divine power... how could a demon..."
I clearly saw the shock and disgust in Riverrier Lanze's eyes.
-Flash!
Divine light exploded and enveloped my body.
Physical enhancement through divine power followed my Magic Body Strengthening. Olivia Lanze's power filled me.
-Kwakang!
A fierce shockwave was created as the greatsword and Tiamata collided.
The white light that dwelled in Riverrier Lanze's sword. Although he wasn't a Sword Master, he wasn't much different from one. I would be overwhelmingly defeated in a hundred battles at my current level.
However, Riverrier Lanze couldn't focus solely on our battle.
He was fighting within a furnace that could turn iron scraps into molten iron.
And I had Magic Body Strengthening, self-suggestion, and Tiamata's divine power.
On top of that, word magic.
"Die!"
-Zzaaang!
"Kuh!"
Riverrier Lanze, who retreated from my sword strike, looked incredulous.
Even though he thought of me as a mere novice despite being the Demon King's successor, he couldn't understand his own retreat.
I felt the same way.
My word magic level was too weak to draw out any significant power.
"Do not discuss the gods any further, young Demon King."
Cold fury filled Riverrier Lanze's eyes.
He might not understand the situation, but it seemed that he was gradually focusing solely on this fight. Riverrier Lanze's divine power was overwhelming.
"Fine, whatever you may be. I must kill you before you become an even more dangerous seed of evil."
-Kuruung!
The white light within Riverrier Lanze's body erupts explosively.
The divine power of Tu’an is most potent against impure beings; in other words, it has the power of exorcism.
But I am not a demon. Therefore, I am unaffected by the exorcising power that dwells within the sacred power of Tu'an.
-Crack!
"Urgh!"
However, the same applies to me.
Both the output of my Magic Body Strengthening and the output of the divine power I wield through Tiamata are overshadowed by Riverrier Lanze.
Had it not been for this situation, I wouldn't have been able to cross swords with Riverrier Lanze even a few times. Riverrier Lanze approaches me like a giant.
"If you had survived, you would have quietly spent the rest of your life trapped in the cramped walls of Darkland. You're chasing the glory of the past, hastening your demise."
Riverrier Lanze looks at me as if I were a helpless child.
There are powerful magicians and Lycan, but it seemed he had already realized that the power I possess is not that strong.
This is a battle of generals.
However, Riverrier Lanze is the strongest paladin among his forces, and although I am a general, I am weaker than my subordinates.
Thus, my participation in the battle of generals is merely a formality.
Although I can draw upon the power of Tiamata, I am gradually pushed back.
Riverrier Lanze strikes with a stern expression, blow after blow.
"Yes, I don't need an organization like this. You've appeared at the right time. If I kill you, the cause of the next Demon War, and recover the Sacred Relic of Tu'an, I won't need such petty work."
-Clang!
"Kuh!"
With just a single clash of our swords, I had no choice but to be thrown back, almost rolling on the ground.
I could read a sense of ecstasy in Riverrier Lanze's stern expression and gaze.
"Is this the revelation of Tu'an bestowed upon me?"
He interprets the situation, where the Demon King wields the sacred sword, in his own way.
Regardless of the cause, he believes he is in a position to claim both the honor of slaying the next Demon King and recovering the Sacred Relic of Tu'an.
It seems he thinks me appearing with the sacred sword of Tu'an is like a pig carrying money entering his home.
Now that I've appeared, does he think Olivia is no longer needed?
Does he think Tu'an has brought him both the Sacred Relic and the neck of the young Demon King?
-Thunk!
"!"
I couldn't repel the heavily piercing black sword with my own.
It was inevitable that Riverrier Lanze would be mistaken. After all, I am not in a situation where I can confront him now.
-Clang!
"Ugh!"
It was difficult to even parry his sword, so there were several instances when I couldn't help but be exposed. Although the Magic Body Strengthening and protection prevented the sword from directly injuring my body, I could still feel the heavy impact.
It was a struggle to regain my senses, as if I had been struck in a vital spot with a hammer.
Riverrier Lanze's fierce attacks continued several more times, and maintaining my Magic Body Strengthening was becoming increasingly difficult.
My opponent was incomparably strong.
That much was an immutable fact.
Bang! Bang! Clash!
"Ugh!"
I wasn't unaware that this was a futile effort. Even if he were to confront Loyar, who was currently slaughtering the Holy Knights, I had no idea what the outcome would be.
However, I wasn't fighting alone.
Crash! Flash!
"Guh!"
In an instant, four consecutive bolts of Thunder Storm struck Riverrier Lanze's body, causing him to narrow his eyes and retreat a few steps.
I wasn't alone. Eleris had been buying me time by casting large-scale destructive magic, preventing Riverrier Lanze from landing a decisive blow on me.
However, the lightning that should have reduced an ordinary person to ashes only managed to slow down Riverrier Lanze's steps.
Crash! Roar!
"You may not be much to look at, but it seems you have some useful underlings!"
I didn't particularly feel the need to refute that statement.
Riverrier Lanze, who was approaching me steadfastly, no longer appeared human in my eyes.
Was this the true power of the Holy Knights?
Could I really call that thing a human? Rather, didn't it seem more monstrous than me, the Demon King?
By now.
It must be happening.
Even if I went back now, it would be too late.
Brandishing the roaring Tiamata, I parried Riverrier Lanze's descending greatsword from below, thrusting it upward.
"Get lost!"
Swoosh!
With a resounding noise, Riverrier Lanze's chest swelled up, and I thrust Tiamata into it.
Flash!
Boom!
The moment my thrust landed, I felt a heavy backlash, and Riverrier Lanze and I were flung in opposite directions.
"What are you?"
Riverrier Lanze's expression hardened. It was as if he sensed I was using an extraordinary power.
"I'm the Demon King."
Tiamata wailed.
It was reacting to my anger.
My anger wasn't for any other reason.
"Because of you..."
I aimed Tiamata at him.
"I couldn't go to Miss Temple's."
"...What?"
It wasn't a matter of needing talent.
I wasn't angry about missing that.
When she said she needed one more vote.
I was unable to provide that vote.
I had worried about who to choose if I went to the contest.
But the need to worry about that had vanished.
Riverrier Lanze didn't understand what I was talking about.
Rumble!
In the midst of the fiery storm of thunder, I thought about it.
What would Ellen be thinking now?
Without me there, would she resent me?
She had asked me to come no matter what.
Even though she wasn't the type to say that, she had said it.
Words like "I had no choice" held no meaning.
Nothing could be resolved with the excuse of "I had no choice." That would only accumulate into resentment and sadness.
But I couldn't help but come here.
In the end, I couldn't leave those who were in danger because of me to fend for themselves.
I had once again created an unavoidable situation, causing someone grief.
The vile malice was infuriating.
Towards the one who created this situation.
"Then just die."
I was furious.
And so, the fury was justified.
Uuuuuung!
"I can't understand what you're saying. But there's no need to converse with you any longer."
Kkurrung!
With a powerful stride, he approached me step by step, and swung his sword, enveloped in divine power.
It was dangerous.
With a strong sense of impending doom, I leaped to the side.
Kwadududuk!
I managed to avoid it, but the ground where the sword of Riverrier Lanze struck was gouged out as if it had been devoured by a giant beast.
It was a shield that wouldn't break, and it could unleash torrents of powerful physical force.
Riverrier Lanze was, in the end, a formidable figure in his field.
If it weren't for the support of magic, simply crossing swords with him would have turned me into a pool of blood.
"Do you only know how to run away?"
"Yeah, if I stall for time, even your zombie-like vitality will come to an end."
"How dare you compare such a vile and repulsive being to this divine power!"
To treat him like an undead was the greatest insult to a paladin who served the divine Tu’an.
Kwooooooooooo!
The battle cry of Loyar echoed from a distance, piercing through the cacophony.
Once more, the flame-engulfed Riverrier Lanze charged at me.
Again, he aimed his sword, wrapped in a torrent of divine power, at me.
"Ugh!"
Riverrier Lanze was a paladin.
He fought with overwhelming defense as his weapon, barely paying attention to his own defense, and focused on delivering a heavy blow in one strike.
He certainly could do that. It would be nothing more than a tickle to him if he could demonstrate such skills in the midst of such high-level destructive magic.
Riverrier Lanze's attack approached once again. The distance between him and me was about twenty paces. Standing in place, he aimed his sword at me and focused the divine power on it.
He wasn't getting closer. It was as if he didn't need to.
From twenty paces away,
He swung his sword at me.
If I didn't dodge, I would die.
Whooong!
As my vision turned white, the torrent of divine power, possessing physical force, covered the spot where I had been just a moment ago.
"Kuh!"
I had dodged, but a little too late. Part of my left shoulder was literally torn away, and an intense, burning pain rushed through the wound.
Tiamata's gushing divine power was sealing the wound, but almost half of my shoulder was gone.
I could endure the pain, but I couldn't use my left arm.
This was insane.
This had long surpassed the realm of swordsmanship.
Just as Saviolin Turner added an aura to his sword and used a magic shockwave, Riverrier Lanze could strike from any distance beyond the reach of his sword, like a deranged divine power launcher.
At the pinnacle of their abilities, swordsmen could perform bizarre acts indistinguishable from magic. The worst part was that my current opponent was one such swordsman.
"Has your spirit broken, Demon King?"
The power of Riverrier Lanze was incomparable to mine. Eleris did her best to support me from a distance with her magic, but Riverrier Lanze's defenses were still formidable.
Loyar was being attacked by five or more holy knights, so she had no opportunity to worry about me.
I felt a wall.
It was a different feeling from the wall I felt when facing Ellen.
Not an unreachable sensation, but rather, the wall of death seemed to gradually approach.
What should I have done?
Should I have waited for Adriana to die, or for Olivia to fall to this man?
Should I have stood idly by as the empire's fragmentation drew ever closer?
I knew that standing before an enemy I could never match was reckless.
Was I supposed to just watch someone die and be sacrificed?
I knew that not everyone could be happy.
But understanding that and accepting it are different matters, so I stood before Riverrier Lanze in my true form.
I believed it was the only thing I could do.
The pain in my shoulder gradually subsided, but Riverrier Lanze once again placed his sword on his shoulder and began to imbue it with divine power.
At my level, I couldn't block that divine energy.
I didn't know if I could avoid an attack that would reach me just by piercing a wide area.
I had survived being hit in the shoulder, but if that struck my head, heart, or severed my body…
I would die.
And that wasn't all.
Loyar couldn't handle all the holy knights.
"Captain! I'll join you!"
One of the holy knights who had escaped Loyar's onslaught was running towards Riverrier Lanze.
Riverrier Lanze looked back at the fast-approaching knight and shouted,
"Just tie him up for a moment! Go, Rondel!"
"Yes!"
If I faced Riverrier Lanze and more opponents, it would truly be the end. If that holy knight could hold me for just a moment, I wouldn't be able to block Riverrier Lanze's strike.
The moment the holy knight, who had begun to join from a distance, brushed past Riverrier Lanze and charged towards me—
"Puhak!"
"Ugh...ugh!"
I watched in horror as the knight's dark, sharpened fingernails pierced through Riverrier Lanze's back and burst out through his chest.
The holy knight cried out.
"Your Highness! This one has arrived!"
It wasn't a holy knight; it was Sarkegaar.
