Tensei Shitara Slime Vol. 15

actions. In other words, the forbidden Medical Skill ‘The Beast’ was activated by the will of the soldiers who knew nothing themselves. The effect slowly ate away at the bodies of the Magic Beast Corps soldiers. Because they were in the middle of battle, the changes were overlooked at first. However, as time passed, the results became more clear. The ground was covered with the strewn corpses of the dead. These were the bodies that Gabil saw. There were also many who rushed into the enemy lines in a rampage. The Kurenai, Hiryuu, ‘Beast Master’s Warrior Alliance,’ and the ‘Tenshōshū’ were forced to struggle against them. In the midst of the battlefield, there were also those who were confused by their own changes. These would be the true warriors that Gladium sought. • 10,000 dead. • 5,500 who turned into magic beasts. • 5,000 who turned into magic beasts and went berserk. • 5,000 who went berserk in a hybrid human/magic beast form. • 4,000 who harnessed ‘The Beast.’ • 400 who awakened as Chimera Knights. The probabilities of success or failure were fixed and had more or less come close to the predictions. Since the population of the experiment was small, it would not have been surprising if the results had been more disastrous. As a result, the Magic Beast Corps, which had 30,000 members, was greatly reduced in number. However, the power of the corps was greatly increased. Those who went berserk would immediately be defeated. They were useful as a decoy, but once it was done, there was no going back. Therefore, Gladium was prepared to abandon them without a single regret. Of those who survived, only 10,000, half of them, were able to fight with reason. However, this was a little more than Gladium had expected. More than half of them would be unable to return to human form, but for now, they were a valuable asset. Gladium was satisfied with the results. Moreover, 400 Chimera Knights had been born. No matter who their opponents were, they would not be defeated. Gladium nodded his head in satisfaction. However, it was still too early to relax. It took some time to achieve this result, but they had yet to reorganize their forces. Gladium would have liked to take the lead, but unfortunately, Karion was in the way. In 150

that case, he had his three generals to rely on. “Azure Dragon” Baraga was fighting Gabil. “Vermillion Bird” Nazim was engaged in a fierce battle with Frey. The only one left was “Black Tortoise” Gozarin. ‹Gozarin, quickly regroup your troops!› ‹Kishishishi, understood. It seems that we’ve achieved more than expected. I’m very pleased.› ‹Hm. I’ll leave you to it!› He gave the order with a simple ‘telepathy.’ The current necessity was to reorganize the forces while the 10,000 berserkers were on the loose. Gladium was relieved that Gozarin was okay. Even the self-centered Gladium trusted those he approved of. “Heh, can you really afford to look the other way when you’re dealing with me?” “Of course. I’m the legion commander. I’m not some wild beast.” “You call yourself a legion commander at the expense of your own men? You make me laugh.” “Fool, that’s what war is all about. If you can’t make that kind of judgment, you’re just no good. It seems that you were kicked out of the demon lord’s position by a newcomer, but I pity those who serve someone so powerless!” “Shut up!!” Karion slashed at him in anger, but there was a hint of impatience in his attack. Unbelievably, Gladium had grown much stronger than he had imagined. “Hey now, that attack was weak. It was so slow as if you were standing still.” Gladium walked up behind Karion, speaking lightly. His right hand was equipped with a huge claw. The tiger claw glittered with a silvery white brilliance—the White Tiger (Byakko) Claw. This claw, which also bore the names of two of the Beastketeers21, was a special weapon that had transformed into the mythical-grade, loaned to Gladium from the Emperor. A mythical-grade weapon could slice through any opponent. It was a weapon capable of slaughtering spiritual life forms, and it was a perfect match for Gladium, who possessed god-like speed. Using his well-trained footwork, Gladium toyed with Karion. Even the Legendary-grade armor that protected Karion was like scrap metal in the face of the White Tiger Claw. “What’s wrong, what’s wrong? You said you were going to kill me, but was that all just talk?” “Shut up. I thought it would be easier to kill you, but it seems my calculations were wrong…” 21The ‘two beasketeers’ part was a little confusing to me, but I’m pretty sure it’s referring to Suphia who is also known as the White Tiger Claw. I’m not sure if there was anything else it was referring to, though. 151

Karion’s training with Milim had made him stronger. That is why he was still able to fight without being fatally wounded. Gladium was even more surprised about that. The battle power gap was directly related to the difference in weapons performance. Gladium had thought the battle would’ve ended sooner. In this respect, the two of them were similar. Their strengths were also similar, with Karion having the advantage in strength and Gladium having the advantage in weaponry. Overall, Gladium had the advantage. Understanding this clearly, Gladium moved to finish Karion off without a second thought. But in that moment, something happened that Gladium could have never imagined. “What? The power…power is welling up?!” It was a sign of evolution. It was the beginning of the Harvest Festival for a demon lord. However—awakening under these circumstances was nothing but an obstacle for Gladium. “Wh-What is this drowsiness…” Gladium wobbled unsteadily. Karion did not miss this opportunity and escaped his crisis, regaining his position. “What’s wrong, are you tired already?” Karion observed Gladium while trying to stir him up. Something was happening. Was this something bad or something auspicious…? As anyone could tell, Gladium’s power was beginning to increase. This was because magicules were gathering together and a huge amount of youki was flowing out of him. And yet, Gladium himself was wobbling around, barely able to stand up. What’s going on? Is this guy really awakening? A story Karion had heard recently came to his mind. At a victory party held by Rimuru, an evolutionary ritual was performed. It was reported that some of the executives left the party after being lulled into an irresistible slumber. Wasn’t it said that to become a True Demon Lord, you need to sleep? If that’s the case, then isn’t this the exact moment?! Karion was not a fool, but he was not the most perceptive either. This time, however, he was able to show brilliant insight, as if his life was at stake. According to Frey’s guess, ‘souls’ are necessary for evolution… Oh yeah, Gladium’s subordinates are dying all over the place… That’s right, all of the conditions were met. What was needed to evolve into a True Demon Lord was a hateful ‘soul.’ Of course, this was not the case for all of them, but enduring the hatred of those you have killed was one of the trials necessary for awakening. Gladium was left defenseless in a situation as critical as “in the middle of a battle.” It was karmic retribution. The subordinates who trusted Gladium must have felt betrayed. Their souls were filled with hatred and turned on Gladium, the object of their resentment. 152

Karion did not see it that accurately, but he judged this to be both the greatest danger and the greatest opportunity at the same time. “It seems that heaven is on my side.” “W-Wait! Wait just a moment.” “Haven’t you always been living your life as you please? It’s time for you to pay for it.” “Calm down and think it over. You can only call yourself the strongest if you defeat me in perfect condition. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to settle this half-heartedly!” Gladium was getting really impatient. He felt like he was about to be killed, but he was feeling so sleepy. The situation was so unexpected that he could not think of any countermeasures. He looked around for his trusty subordinates, but Baraga and Nazim were in a fierce battle. Gozarin was in the process of reorganizing the Chimera Knights, but with the onslaught from Rimuru’s forces, she didn’t seem to have the time to come and help Gladium. At least for this moment, no one could come to Gladium’s aid. Gladium dropped to his knees. It can’t be, damn it!! Just when I was finally one step away from obtaining the greatest power— He could feel the power flooding into him. As if in proportion to that, there was a rush of sleepiness coming over him that made it impossible to resist. If only the awakening could be achieved, he could defeat even Velgrynd. Gladium thought as such, but the reality was cruel. There was no reason why Gladium would be able to endure the ordeal that even Rimuru was unable to resist. His face was a mess of tears and regret. “Screw you! Screw you, damn it!” After a final shout, Gladium fell asleep. For those who are unable to overcome their trials—death was the only ending. “It’s good, because you can die in your sleep. Now then, goodbye! ‘Beast Roar’!” Karion was not the kind of compassionate man who would show mercy here. When he was a demon lord, he believed himself to be the strongest, but now Karion was a general who led an army. Because he had come as backup, it was natural for him to put victory before his own pride. The man whose burning ambitions could have gotten him to a higher level was overthrown by Karion. 153

The three remaining generals were panicking at the unimaginable defeat of their legion commander. They were companions who had been fascinated by Gladium and had shared common dreams. Their anger and grief was considerable and affected the war situation. Baraga was the first to take action. He stopped facing Gabil, turned on his heels and rushed to Gladium’s side. “Gladium-sama!!” Everything from Gladium’s neck down was obliterated by Karion’s Beast Roar. The only thing that remained was his head with a regretful expression on his face, and it was obvious that it would be impossible to revive him from this state. “Oh, how…how could this be? Just when we were so close to achieving our long-cherished goal…” Chasing the lamenting Baraga, Gabil also rushed over. Then, without hesitation, he aimed the Vortex Spear, the treasure of the lizardmen, at Baraga. With his gaze fixed on Baraga, Gabil opened his mouth. “Karion-dono, that was an impressive victory! I was impressed by your dignity!” This was a compliment to Karion for defeating the enemy, but it was Gabil’s true feelings. Gladium’s power, which could even handle mythical-grade weapons, was greater than Gabil’s, even though he was a Demon Lord Seed. It was only natural for him to admire Karion for defeating him, even if it was a combination of chance and luck. However, Karion, the one who was praised, began to turn pale for some reason. “Whoa, whoa, I thought there was no way, but this might be…” He didn’t appear able to reply to Gabil and seemed to be wondering about something. “Mm? Is something wrong?” Gabil asked if he was feeling unwell, and Karion looked at him like he was in a daze. And then he told him a shocking truth. “Sorry, I came all this way to help you, but it looks like I’m done here.” “Now way, are you hurt?!” “No, that’s not it. It’s the awakening, I guess. Apparently, the souls that Gladium was supposed to receive have gone to me. It’s a grudge. For being so defenseless at this point, I can’t even laugh at Gladium anymore…” “What?!” Karion couldn’t help but mock himself. Sensing the situation, Gabil was unable to hide his turmoil. “Sorry, but I’m going to fall asleep here. If you can afford it, protect me.” “Of course! Please rest assured.” Gabil smiled as if to reassure Karion. Karion returned the smile and then fell over on his back. Then with a final word about 154

hoping to awaken safely, he drifted off to sleep. He may seem fearless, but even he could not resist the evolutionary sleep. Baraga was not amused. If the situation had been even a little different, then he would have been in Gabil’s position. And instead of Karion, Gladium would have been the one in an evolutionary sleep. “Uooooooo!! I’ll never forgive you. I won’t allow you to take advantage of this when you’ve done absolutely nothing to deserve it!!” In a rage, he turned his hateful eyes towards Gabil and Karion. In Baraga’s hand, the shining relic of Gladium was being held. The White Tiger Claw—It was the ultimate mythical-grade weapon, a weapon that embodied the will of its owner, whom it recognized as its master. “Lend me your strength, O White Tiger Claw. Let me avenge Gladium-sama’s death!!” As if in response to Baraga’s voice, the glow of the White Tiger Claw increased. The light converged and a spear took shape. “Ah… You’ve acknowledged me as your master!” Baraga rejoiced. In his hand, he held the Azure Dragon Spear, which was transformed from the White Tiger’s claw. “Gabil, was it? I’ll kill you and get rid of the thief who sleeps over there!” “That’s nonsense! I, too, have made a pact between men. The evolutionary sleep of Kariondono, you should know that it shall not be disturbed by any means!” Gabil yelled back. And so, the battle between the two men resumed. Frey, who had been fighting while flying at high speed, had also been using her clairvoyance— the Extra Skill ‘Celestial Eye’ that allowed her to grasp the coordinates of a specific area and see everything within it. “…I see, so that’s how evolution works.” Frey had a clear mind and was able to understand what was happening on the ground. Even while fighting Nazim, Frey had arrived at the correct answer. “It can’t be, Gladium-sama…” “The saying goes that luck is also a part of one’s strength, and it’s true.” “How dare you!! You can’t even defeat me, so how dare you mock Gladium-sama!!” “That’s not true. I was just stating a fact, not trying to mock him. Besides, I’m not the one who’s helpless, I just haven’t struck yet. I hope you haven’t mistaken my actions.” 155

Even though Frey rarely made a move of her own, her strength as an ex-demon lord was not to be underestimated. Although the “Vermillion Bird” Nazim, was more powerful in terms of magicule quantity, Frey had only been using speed and technique. “All you do is scurry away and talk a big game.” “You’ll have to wait until after the fight to decide if I was talking big or not.” She wouldn’t be defeated in this argument. There are people in this world who were very good at making their opponents feel uncomfortable. Frey was one of those types of people, and even Demon Lord Milim couldn’t win one over Frey. And Frey was not just flying around. She was observing her opponent and searching for her weaknesses. There was no way she could win by force. Frey was faster, but her opponent was stronger in power. At this rate, Frey would be outmatched, but the opportunity to win could be found in unexpected places. “You’re feeling impatient.” “Huh? How dare you—” “Thanks to these eyes, I’m finally able to see souls. It is a very useful ability.” Frey had become aware that the performance of her Extra Skill ‘Celestial Eye’ had been improved. She smiled, thinking that this would give her an advantage in battle. What’s more, she was sure that the information she had just obtained would be the key to victory. “What did you say you can see?” Nazim spat viciously, her claws finally catching hold of Frey’s arms. Nazim smirked and laughed. The claws of the harpy had the effect of ‘Magic Interference’ and could block the Skills of the captured opponent. “Ahahahaha! What a fool you are. Did you get so absorbed in the middle of a conversation that you got caught?” Nazim’s tone brightened, as she had become sure of her victory. This attitude proved even more that Nazim was impatient. Frey remained calm in the face of danger. She continued to observe Nazim, nonchalantly confirming her impatience. “Take this! ‘Shockwave’!!” From here, Nazim’s onslaught began, as if it were a one-sided affair. Frey’s clothes were torn apart by the impact. However, Frey’s face was not distorted by anguish, and she continued to observe Nazim in a cool manner. Nazim noticed that Frey was acting strangely, but decided that she was just bluffing. As much as it pained her to admit it, Frey, her twin, was very intelligent. Nazim was the better fighter in simple combat power, but her opponent was a troublesome one to deal with. Are you trying to trick me? No, trying to get away from these claws—this woman must be 156

planning to turn the tables on me at the right moment. Nazim tormented Frey even more, as if the right thing to do was to continue the attack. Despite this, Frey remained unfazed. “Just a little more, huh?” Frey spoke quietly, but the words rang loudly in Nazim’s ears. She couldn’t help but ask, “What do you mean by that?!” “You’re about to be awakened, aren’t you? Compared to the beginning of the battle, the amount of magicules you have has increased dramatically. It seems that when you awaken, you will fall asleep just like Gladium. I just have to wait for that moment.” Frey said with a devilish smile on her face. Nazim paled. She had wondered if it was possible, having been aware of the symptoms. This was the cause of Nazim’s impatience. The moment Frey noticed this, Nazim was basically dancing in the palm of her hand. “Then so what?! All I have to do is kill you right now and retreat to safety!!” Nazim’s dismay was compounded by the truth of Frey’s words. She had to get rid of Frey before the evolutionary slumber set in. She had come to that decision, and increased the power of her attack by using all of her strength. Nazim had no way to realize that this was exactly what Frey was aiming for. “’Shockwave’!!” It was already unknown how many times she had done this, but there was an intense electric shock that burned Frey. However, Frey did not receive a single burn or even a scratch from the impact. Isn’t it strange?! Why is this person acting so calm? By the time she realized it, it was already too late. “You seem curious. But your reaction confirms it. My mother, the previous queen, wanted you to be happy in a world where the herd didn’t matter, away from racial strife.” “Excuse me?” “If you had known the queen’s secret, then you would have had to be killed. That’s why she banished you without telling you anything.” “Don’t screw with me! There’s no way a newborn fledgling could survive being abandoned! That was a clear attempt to kill me off!!” Nazim shouted in a rage. However, Frey calmly contradicted her. “But you survived. That fact is proof that there was someone hiding and taking care of you. Mother was also naive.” “…?!” It was something Nazim had always wondered about. She had always wondered how she had been able to survive as a child until her ego was properly sprouted. 157

She had been convinced that she had survived instinctively because she was a mutant. However, after hearing Frey’s words, she began to wonder if it was possible. However, Nazim, who had accumulated so much hatred, could not change her way of thinking now. “You’re bluffing! Yeah, I get it. You’re trying to trick me and aiming for a counter attack. It would have been cute if you had just begged for your life, but your pride as an ex-demon lord wouldn’t let you do that, would it?” She tried to believe that Frey, who had no choice, was just playing a trick on her. That made sense. Forcing herself to think that way, Nazim increased the power of her blasts, determined not to be deceived. “Die!! Maximum Shockwave!!” The full force of the purple lightning struck Frey. It was the moment Frey had been waiting for. “It’s pathetic. Even thought you were let off the hook, you’ve come back on your own to die.” “Ah?” “There can only ever be one queen. I had to kill my mother to take her place. Of course, if you hadn’t been abandoned, you would have had to kill me.” “Then I would have killed you!” Nazim, a rare combat type, had absolute confidence in her fighting abilities. Although she lost to Frey in terms of flying speed, she was superior in all other areas. There was no way she could lose in a fight, and she was on the verge of victory right now. Nazim wanted to scoff at Frey’s words as they were not even sincere. But Frey’s next words made her change her expression. “Being a harpy queen requires a lot of abilities. Only those who are born with them will be recognized as the next queen. You were unlucky enough to be born as my twin.” “You’ve really been talking smugly to me this whole time—” “Then I’ll get right to the point. The queen has an absolute advantage over any attacks from her own kind. In other words, any attacks from a harpy will not work on me.” “Don’t lie to me! There’s no way such a ridiculous thing can be true!!” In a corner of her mind, Nazim thought about what it meant if it were true, but she brushed it off as improbable. If the story really was true, it would contradict the murder of the previous queen. “You wanted to confuse me with a random story, but you should have come up with something more believable!” “It’s sad that you can’t believe me, but it’s true. Incidentally, the battle between the old and new queens doesn’t always take place. Normally, two sisters with the same ability will fight each other, and the one who can dominate the other’s power will be crowned queen.” The truth is that one would also get the Demon Lord Seed at the same time. “What?!” 158

“Because you were born as a mutant, it was up to me to kill my mother. What’s even more unforgivable is that you trampled on my mother’s wish to keep you alive. I don’t know if you’re my sister or not, but I wish you could have lived somewhere quietly.” “Don’t be silly! Do you think you’ve already won? I’m your sister, and I also have fighting abilities other than the harpy race. If you I use that—” “It’s too late. I already have enough energy saved. I don’t want you to suffer, so I’ll end it with one blow.” “I-It can’t be?!” It was only then that Nazim noticed that Frey’s wings had turned purple. The beautiful pure white wings with golden mesh had become discolored with purple electricity. Nazim froze in fear as she realized what this meant. She was storing the shockwave I released?! If so, how powerful is—?! She tried to escape in a panic, but the claws holding Frey’s arms were stuck. Frey’s slender hands were also attached to Nazim’s wrists. If Nazim had been awakened before she met Frey, the outcome might have been different. But unfortunately, that was only a hypothetical story. “Goodbye, elder sister. ‘Echo Reflection’!!” “Wait—?!” Frey did not hesitate. All feelings had been left behind when she had become queen. All the accumulated purple electricity was released at once. This was the ability that Frey had acquired—the Unique Skill ‘Double Winner.’ Frey was able to strike back at her opponent with any attack she received. It was a difficult Skill to use because the user was also damaged, but in this case, since it was an attack from one of her own kind, this was Frey’s complete dominance, despite the fact that the enemy was stronger. Nazim, who had been hit by all the accumulated electric shocks, was charred to death in an instant. “I don’t care if you’re my sister or not, but I feel troubled by my mother’s sweetness…Still, I’m a little jealous, elder sister. At least, you certainly received my mother’s love—” Frey bid those words of farewell to Nazim as she fell. Those words never reached Nazim. The harpy sisters failed to understand each other, and the time of their reunion had come to an end. —It would have been nice if it had ended there. “—What?! The souls that gathered in Nazim are coming towards me!!” A sudden drowsiness overtook Frey. “No way, then is this the evolutionary sleep? So instead of Nazim, the grudge is being taken out on me…” It wasn’t that Frey did not wish to awaken as a True Demon Lord, but there was still the 159

matter of the time and place. She had planned to laugh at Karion’s stupidity later, but now Frey was filled with the feeling that this was not a joke. But there was no point in complaining now. “Rucia22, Claire! You have to protect me. Protect Karion as well.” “Understood, Frey-sama!” “As the Queen commands!” The twins responded immediately. As soon as she saw this, Frey flew next to Karion. She decided that it would be easier to protect them if they were grouped together rather than if they were separated. Besides, since Suphia of the Beastketeers was defending Karion’s side, she thought that fighting alongside the Twin Wings would increase the chances of survival. That said… Oh dear. Even though I was the one who came as reinforcement, I only ended up slowing everyone down. I didn’t think that I would end up in such a mess, falling asleep in the middle of a battlefield. Inwardly, she was writhing in shame. This was something that Frey had never expected. Without knowing if she would wake up again, Frey reluctantly fell asleep. Gabil was fighting a deadly battle with Baraga. It was the Azure Dragon Spear in Baraga’s hand that decided the outcome. From Gabil’s perspective, the difference in weaponry deciding the battle was unacceptable. However, in reality, even Gabil’s own ‘Dragon Skin’ was unable to prevent getting stabbed by the Azure Dragon Spear. “To have wounded me, you should not be underestimated.” “Kakaka! That’s my line. I had planned to kill you with a single blow, but you’re tougher than I thought.” Both of them were covered in wounds. However, neither of them stopped their attacks. The wounds kept increasing, but neither of them seemed to care. 22Normally, I might have called this person Lucia, but there is already a character called Lucia (Veldanava’s wife) and the Japanese of the two names are different, so it didn’t feel right to use the exact same name. To be specific, the name used right here is “ルチア” which in English sounds like Ruchia—so I’m using Rucia (I personally would have used ‘Lutia,’ but ‘Rucia’ came up in a few online searches, so I ended up going with that). The other name is “ルシア” which in English is Rushia—so Lucia is used there (you’ll see more of Lucia in future volumes). 160

“It’s surprising that you’re evenly matched with me who has awakened. But I can’t lose!” “Hmph! Gladium-sama would have been stronger than you even if he hadn’t been awakened. If he had, he wouldn’t have even struggled against you lot.” “Nonsense! There are many under Rimuru-sama’s command who are stronger than I am! You’re pretty good, but you’re nothing but small fry compared to someone like Miss Ultima.” Those words were equivalent to calling himself a small fish, but Gabil didn’t seem to notice. Although lacking in that aspect, he himself took this statement very seriously. Although Gabil was struggling, he did not neglect to check the current war situation. In order not to involve the sleeping Karion, he dared to show an opening to induce Baraga’s actions. Thanks to his efforts, he succeeded in shifting the location of the battle little by little. Suphia-dono has also rushed to his aid, so Karion-dono should be fine. Besides, I’m sure I can pull off a few big moves without getting them involved here. In his own way, Gabil was thinking about many things as he fought. As he was doing so, Frey also defeated one of the three generals. “No way?! Even Nazim has been defeated!!” In addition to the Glasium, the female commander who had been the second-in-command had also been killed. When confronted with this fact, Baraga was furious. “I absolutely won’t forgive you! I will use my spear to avenge the death of my comrades!!” He shouted. From here, Baraga came into his own. “A true Chimera Knight is a warrior who has mastered the Beastmen’s Intrinsic Skill ‘Beastification (beast transformation).’ Do you understand? If you can endure the artificially given Medical Skill ‘The Beast,’ you gain the ability to combine the power of man and beast.” As he began to explain, Baraga’s body began to change more and more. Until now, he had maintained the form of a human, but now the features of a dragon were beginning to appear more and more. His military uniform swelled, but it did not tear. Baraga had transformed into a form that resembled a dragon-like dragonewt. “This feels amazing!. The release of my true power is such a freeing feeling!” It was Baraga’s first time trying to reach this level. Whether or not the transformation would be successful—He had only imagined doing it himself and hadn’t told anyone about the transformation. But now, with the death of Gladium, the shackles of Baraga’s mind had been lifted. And now that his colleague Nazim had been defeated, there was no reason for him to hesitate. “Come here, you guys!” Baraga called out to his subordinates, who were running rampant. Even the poor soldiers, who had become magic beasts without a will, would obey the orders of the overwhelmingly powerful. Their instincts recognized him as their superior. Not only were there those who had turned into magic beasts, but there were also those who had taken the form of humans mixed with beasts. Baraga took a bite out of one of them at 161

random. The magicules flowed into Baraga like a throbbing pulse. The one who was eaten dried up like a mummy, and his life was lost on the spot. “How dare you! Those were your subordinates. And yet—” “They should be grateful that they were lucky enough to die in my service.” “How selfish! Do not think that I will let you get away with such cruelty!” Gabil made a piercing attack. He instinctively understood that there would be trouble if he left things unattended. Judging from the situation, he was probably replenishing energy from his subordinates in order to meet the new maximum value that had increased by his transformation. Baraga’s magicule level was still on par with Gabil’s. He was on the verge of becoming an artificially awakened demon lord, it would be unfair to blame Gabil for his impatience. However, impatience leads to the worst possible outcomes. “Fool! On the battlefield, those who lose their common sense are bound to die. Did you really think I would be so absorbed in my meal that I would let my guard down?!” Baraga’s actions had a double meaning. The first was to compensate for the increase in his strength. The other was to put Gabil on a timer. The plan worked, and Gabil had jumped to his death. “What?!” By the time he realized what was happening, it was too late. With his foot, Baraga skillfully manipulated the Azure Dragon Spear. The tip of the spear pierced Gabil’s belly as he jumped into the air. The magisteel breastplate did not cover his abdomen, and even Gabil’s ‘Dragon Skin’ could not withstand a sneak strike. “Gw-gwah!!” Gabil coughed up blood as he was pierced in the stomach. Seeing this, Baraga laughed loudly. “Kakakaka! You’ll become my food too. Be honored!!” Gabil was in a desperate crisis—but it seemed fate would not allow his death. «Confirmed. The effect of Unique Skill ‘Lucky Devil’ has been activated… Successful. Individual Name: Gabil’s fate has been changed, and “death” has been avoided.» It was the “Voice of the World.” At that moment, Gabil’s fate was altered by the power of his Unique Skill ‘Lucky Devil,’ which he himself had forgotten about. It was a Unique Skill that he had acquired when Rimuru became a demon lord, but its effect was unknown. The only thing he knew was that it sometimes increased or decreased the power of his attacks. The effect made his attacks become stronger when he was in a good mood and become 162

weaker when he was in a weak23 mood. In a sense, it was the perfect ability for Gabil, but it was not a Skill that was easy to use. However, Gabil’s life had been saved by this Unique Skill, apparently its full abilities were still unknown. “Gwah?! What? I thought I had just been pierced in the stomach…” However, Gabil was a man who did not care about the details, so he stopped thinking about what just happened and retook his stance against Baraga. “How can that be?! What the hell just happened?” From Baraga’s point of view, this was not so easy to ignore. He had just managed to trick a foe as powerful as Gabil into thinking that he could finally defeat him, yet Gabil had stood up after his counterattack. It was only natural that he thought it was a trick. He had been sure of his victory so long as he could land that blow. “Don’t be ridiculous, you bastard! Let’s go again, this time I’ll make sure to pierce your heart!!” He absorbed magicules and increased his strength. It would be a piece of cake to defeat Gabil without the need for any tricks, Baraga thought to himself, holding his Azure Dragon Spear back in his hands. The two men were once again in a staring contest, ready to strike at the opportune moment. Gabil was at a disadvantage. He was fortunate to have his life saved once, but it would not happen again. Unbeknownst to Gabil, the Unique Skill ‘Lucky Devil’s’ ability ‘Change Fate,’ once activated, had a long period of time before it could be used again. No matter how good the Skill was, the limit on that abilty was once a day. Therefore, Gabil was out of options. The continuous fighting had exhausted his strength. He had just risen from the brink of death and was in need of rest. Despite this situation, Gabil smiled bravely, showing no signs of weakness. “Gwahahaha! Your skills are brilliant, but I will not lose to you. After all, my master is excellent, so you should not expect to win so easily.” Gabil sharpened his concentration so that he would be ready for any move Baraga might make. —At that moment, the fate of the battle was decided— It was not because of Gabil’s Unique Skill, but because of the birth of “Ciel” in Rimuru’s heart. Just as Gabil was about to struggle with all his might, a voice from the heavens came to his aid. «Do you want power? Then I will give it to you. Please agree to the modification of your 23Weak as in cowardly or faint-hearted. 163

Unique Skills.» —?! Gabil did not ask back what that meant. The voice was so nostalgic, and so warm, that just listening to it made him feel calm. And so, without hesitation, Gabil agreed. The effect was dramatic. «You made the right choice. The Unique Skill ‘Lucky Devil’ will be sacrificed to give you new powers.» As soon as the voice disappeared, a new power awakened in Gabil. Ultimate Skill ‘Psychology King Mood Maker’—The skill granted by Ciel included five effects: ‘Thought Acceleration,’ ‘Change Destiny,’ ‘Unexpected Effects,’ ‘Spatial Manipulation,’ and ‘Multilayer Barrier.’ ‘Thought Acceleration’ increased his speed of perception by a million times. ‘Change Destiny’ was a superior version of the Unique Skill ‘Lucky Devil’s’ ‘Change Fate,’ and could be activated at Gabil’s will. However, the frequency of use was still limited to once a day. ‘Unexpected Effects’ was also a superior version of the ‘Lucky Devil’s’ ability ‘Unforeseen Effects.’ It allowed one to activate the increase in attack power at their will. However, the amount it increased still depended on the user’s mood. This ability allowed one to increase his attack power when he was in an uplifted mood. ‘Spatial Manipulation’ was an ability that could be used by the executives led by Benimaru. Its main purpose was ‘Spatial Transportation,’ and it was a useful ability that allowed one to move freely in a place he had been to before, as long as the space was not being interfered with. By interfering with the space, one could be expected to be able to block the escape of enemies. It was a useful power. The ‘Multilayer Barrier’ was a defensive technique that Rimuru specialized in. By layering ‘Barriers’ of various effects, it was possible to prepare for any attack. By accepting Rimuru’s power, Gabil was able to use this as well. The effects of previously thought to be useless Skills were now properly recognized by Gabil. Ciel taught it to him in his period of thought acceleration, which had been stretched a million times over. Gabil was deeply moved. He couldn’t help but speak. “It’s amazing, so amazing! I feel like I can’t lose!!” He was getting carried away, but in Gabil’s case, this was the right thing to do. Gabil laughed, blowing away the gloomy atmosphere. As if in proportion, Gabil’s power increased greatly. “Wh-What the hell is the matter with you?! Your power has suddenly increased. What the 164

hell did you do—?!” “Gwahahaha! It is unfortunate for you…but I have a great leader. As long as I have his protection, there is no way I can be defeated!” In an uplifted mood, Gabil, who might’ve been defeated depending on the situation, uttered his proud words. At the same time, Gabil’s body began overflowing with power. It was difficult to stop his momentum one he had started. “Now, prepare yourself!” “Quit speaking nonsense! My power, I will carve it into your body!!” Both men, who were comparable to awakened demon lords, clashed with their full power, and a moment later, it was Gabil who won the battle. Gabil’s Vortex Spear precisely flicked away the Azure Dragon Spear that had been unleashed with all Baraga’s might. This left a huge opening, and before Baraga could regain his stance, Gabil’s stabbed a huge hole in his chest. “Gah! N-not yet. With my healing ability, a wound of this magnitude…” Yes, Baraga had also inherited the Beastmen’s high healing power, and by replenishing the energy from his subordinates, he could heal some wounds instantly. Baraga tried to get through using it this time as well. But that was not to be. To Gabil’s own wonder, the combination of ‘Change Destiny’ and ‘Unexpected Effects’ was automatically activated, taking away Baraga’s ability to heal. ‘Change Destiny’ could only be used once a day, but that was only against the same target. So it turned out that it could also be used on enemies. As Baraga himself had said, ‘on the battlefield, those who lose their common sense are the first to die.’ “Wow, it’s more powerful than I expected…” And so, Gabil, with his newly gained powers, was victorious. Meanwhile, the last of the three remaining generals, “Black Tortoise” Gozarin, was facing an unexpectedly powerful opponent. With the defeat of the legion commander Gladium, the Magic Beast Corps had fallen into chaos. Before they could manage to put things together, a huge army of demons arrived. It was called a huge army, but the number of individuals was not actually that large. There were only about 500 of them. However, their quality was worthy of being called a match for the thousands24 . 24In Japanese, they are described with the saying “Ikki Tousen (一騎当千)” which refers to “being a match for 165

They were high-ranking demon knights, the Devil Chevaliers—A terrifying battle group under the direct command of Demon Lord Rimuru. The Chimera Knights had almost twice the amount of magicules, but surprisingly, they were unable to gain an advantage in battle. That was how powerful the demons were. Gozarin’s frustration grew as things did not go her way. In the midst of this situation, the fateful moment arrived. That’s, what the… Out of the corner of Gozarin’s eye, she saw a moving shadow. For some reason, a strange feeling appealed to her instincts. Trying to figure out what it was, Gozarin took her eyes off the battlefield and focused on the shadow. It was the right thing to do. If she had left the shadow alone, Gozarin would have died without understanding what had happened. However…Gozarin might have been happier if she had just died without knowing. The shadow stirred where the wreckage of Demon Colossus lay. In front of Gozarin, who was watching to see what was going on, the shadow stood up. It was a handsome man with a naked upper body and long black hair that reached his waist. His complexion was dark brown with a slight sheen. It was as if he were made of metal—No, from the waist down, he was melded with the remains of the Demon Colossus. Right before Gozarin’s eyes, the wreckage melted and changed its shape. And the man’s lower body was also completed. “Hey, I’m naked. How embarrassing.” The tone of voice was very similar to that of the man Gozarin had just been fighting. “Y-You, I can’t believe it, but…are you a Master Gadra?” Gozarin asked, and the man smirked. “Of course it’s me! Or did you think you had already won? That’s right, I would never accept that.” Yes, the mysterious naked man was Master Gadra himself. “What are you talking about?! You died from a self-destructing spell! That spell was supposed to burn up your life, so how are you still alive?!” Gozarin shouted. Her comprehension still hadn’t caught up with the situation, but hearing Gadra’s words made her even more confused. She tried to change the flow of the conversation, thinking that it would be a bad idea to be carried by Gadra’s pace. “Oh, yes, I remember now. I blew myself up with ‘Sacrifice,’ didn’t I? Did you think that I was dead? Though, it’s impossible for a man like me to kill himself. Until the battle is over, you should not relax and believe that you have won.” a thousand” or “being an unmatched warrior/mighty hero” or being “a mighty knight who matches a thousand knights.” 166

As he spoke at length, Gadra created a garment with magic and hurriedly put it on. It was a shabby outfit, but he decided that it was better than being naked. “Enough of this nonsense, answer my question!” As for Gozarin, she wanted to get rid of Gadra without a second thought. However, she was cautious because a person who was supposed to be completely dead had come back to life. She wasn’t even sure if Gadra would answer honestly. That’s why Gozarin was going to put all of her energy into her next attack, regardless of Gadra’s response. It’s the old man after all, so I’m sure he had some strange trick up his sleeve. Perhaps he prepared a substitute sacrifice. He’s trying to upset me, but he’s playing an elaborate trick. However, I’m sure I’ll be able to crush this little trick with my own strength! Gozarin’s magisteel body, despite its appearance, was extremely heavy. Therefore, even if one hit her at a certain speed, she could still show its power. In addition to that, if Gozarin performed a Kōshūha Senjuzan (high-frequency thousandhand slash) with the tentacles all over her body, she would turn into a living bullet that could pulverize everything she touched. Gozarin put all of her strength into her legs. She used herself as a cannonball and gained propulsion by exploding the earth. This was Gozarin’s other killer move. Gozarin took aim at Gadra. Unaware of this, Gadra politely began to explain. “That’s right, I have been reincarnated. The mystic art I developed: ‘Reincarnation,’ was planted in advance. As long as I use this, I’ll be able to live a new life with my memories intact, even if I have to say goodbye to this world for a little while. It’s a wonderful secret.” “…So then?” “The success rate is a little low, but the relative returns are great. I’ve also been reincarnated so many times that success is almost always guaranteed—” In fact, the first time one tried this, the success rate was at it’s lowest. Adalmann’s failure at that time had not been due to Gadra’s poor skill. Gadra had prepared several spells in advance, ready to be unleashed at a moment’s notice. Razen, for example, could only prepare one or two at most, but Gadra could have three or more spells constantly ready. A transfer spell for escape, and a self-destructive spell for suicide. He had never left out a reincarnation spell, just in case he died. Gadra was a cautious person, but this time, something unexpected had happened. ‘Reincarnation’ was triggered, and his soul slipped out of his body. Protected by magic, the soul was supposed to return to the Wheel of Reincarnation in search of a new body. However, a promise had been made at this point. Actually, Gadra had applied to be Diablo’s disciple, but that had been put on hold. Normally, this would have been an instant rejection, but Gadra had been favored by Diablo. By praising Rimuru’s magic, Diablo had taken a liking to him. 167

“I don’t dislike interesting guys like you. Once I recognize that you are truly useful to Rimuru-sama, I will take you in as my dependent.” That’s what he had told him at the banquet. Gadra had thought it was a polite excuse to refuse him, but he was still planning to do his best to be accepted by Diablo. However, by that time, he had been taken by Diablo’s “Temptation.” And so, Gadra’s ‘Reincarnation’ was rewritten. If he chose to die for Rimuru, he would be reborn as a demon. And demons were a race born with the ability to fight. Because Gadra possessed a lifetime of his memories, it was only natural that he was born as a special individual after becoming a demon. The problem was his body. A demon, a spiritual life form, needed a body to stay in this world. Normally, Gadra would have had to possess someone, or contact Diablo and wait for him to summon him. However, with the birth of Ciel in Rimuru’s mind, the fate of the world was decided here as well. «If you want a physical body, I will give it to you. I will also give you more power. That’s why—» The voice told him to be of service to Rimuru-sama. From Gadra’s perspective, this was the best thing that could ever happen to him. ‘Of course’—he shouted at the top of his lungs. And with that, the contract was concluded and Gadra was successfully reincarnated. He was reborn as a new race, a Metal Demon. As if to prove himself as a black dependent, his body was clad in black. His hair, eyes, and bare skin all had black components. Even so, he had a metallic luster, giving him a somewhat artificial atmosphere. However, this figure was not the original Gadra’s appearance, but rather a replica of his younger self—his first life before being reborn. It was recreated from the memories engraved in his soul and had nothing to do with his race. Perhaps because he was of a new race, he did not have the limitations of the demon race. Gadra’s current magicule count was comparable to Clayman is his rampant state25. Add to that the knowledge and experience he had before he was reborn, and there was no doubt that he had become much stronger. Gadra himself also felt that he had been reborn. As if to savor the emotion, he couldn’t help but be talkative and speak to Gozarin. “In other words, you’ve become something unheard of like a metal demon?” “That’s how it is. Be warned, I have gotten stronger. You do not stand a chance, so surrender. As a former colleague, I will spare your life.” 25Pretty sure this is referring to Clayman’s pre-awakened state—Tensura’s No.1 power-scaling method. 168

“All I have to say is that you’re a fool!” Gozarin, who was well-prepared and waiting for an opportunity, rushed towards Gadra. The tremendous speed turned Gozarin’s body into a massive bullet. There was no way that Gadra would be able to deal with this. Gozarin thought as such, but the next moment, her eyes widened in astonishment. To her surprise, she deviated from Gadra’s direction without any intention of her own. “Mysterious, isn’t it? Well, to put it simply, I manipulated the magnetic field with magic to create a powerful magnetic field. By passing an electric current through it, it is possible to electromagnetically induce an object as you can see now.” In this case, the object was Gozarin. For Gadra, who studied the science of the Otherworld, there were many things he could do with magic. In other words, Gozarin’s inner workings could be easily sealed by Gadra. “You…” Standing aloofly, Gadra held a large book in his left hand. He was carefully flipping through the pages with his right hand. “Well? Now do you understand what I can do? You should give up and surrender.” Gozarin took these words as a sign of condescension. Gadra didn’t mean it that way, but Gozarin’s pride as a powerful opponent had been hurt. That was why surrender was not an option. “Very well. I didn’t want to use this, but I’ve come to my senses!” Gozarin swallowed the pill. She activated the Medical Skill, ‘The Beast.’ Just as Baraga had, Gozarin was about to gain great power. But there was no reason for Gadra to wait for that. “All right. In that case, I will let you be the test subject for my new powers!” Gadra gleefully looked at Gozarin. His eyes were those of a scientist looking at a guinea pig. “Ultimate Gift ‘Book of Sorcery (Grimoire)’—Activate!” The book in Gadra’s left hand gave off an ominous glow. The book contained a number of spells that Rimuru—in other words, Ciel—managed. Looking at the beautiful formulas in the book, Gadra’s face was filled with ecstasy. He then chose the spell that seemed most appropriate for this moment. “Limited Hellflare26.” This was a martial art created by Benimaru but turned into a Skill by Rimuru. Since magic was a type of Skill, it was also mentioned in the ‘Grimoire.’ “—What?!” Although it was not as powerful as the one used by the person who created it, its power was perfect. Gozarin was unable to understand what happened and was burned irreproducible. 26 “極小黒炎獄 (リミテッドヘルフレア)” = Kyokushō kurohomura goku (Rimiteddoherufurea) = Infinitesimal/Minute Black Flame Prison (Limited Hellflare) 169

“I wish I could have showed off more, but it couldn’t be helped.” Gadra muttered, trying to stroke his proud beard. But it was smooth, without even a trace of stubble. “Oh no! Have I become a young man in appearance? That’s troubling. My hair is black. I’ll have to dye it…No, I’ll use transformation magic to get through this.” Gadra muttered to himself, happily flipping through the ‘Grimoire.’ In this way, all the leaders of the Magic Beast Corps, led by Gladium, were defeated. However, there was still danger on the battlefield. One man was delighted to see Gladium’s head lying in front of him. “There’s some tasty looking bait lying around!” That was the reason for his delight. The one who took picked up the head without hesitation and devoured it was Vega the Power, one of the heads of Cerberus, who had infiltrated the Magic Beast Corps on Yuuki’s orders. As he devoured Gladium’s corpse, Vega’s body was filled with power. His supple body, reminiscent of a carnivore, had grown larger in size. Vega had grown to the point where he could stand alongside Gladium, who had been over two meters tall, and his uniform was puffed up with swollen muscles. “Hmm, not bad…but it’s still not enough.” Vega muttered to himself, but after that, he found more and more delicious-looking food. There was the charred “Vermillion Bird” Nazim, the dead “Azure Dragon” Baraga with a huge hole in his chest, and the metal remnants of “Black Tortoise” Gozarin which were all that remained. Sneaking up quietly, Vega devoured his prey one by one, so quickly that no one noticed. He was able to do this thanks to the power of his Unique Skill ‘Evil Eater’—a special power he was born with. ……… …… … Vega was born in the royal capital of Ingracia. Unbeknownst to him, Vega was the result of magical inquisitors, who’s parent was turned into a monster. His father, who had taken in so much of the monster factor that he could no longer return, attacked his mother, and Vega was born. Therefore, Vega was born a heretic. He was only in his mother’s womb for about three days, and he had an ego from the day he was born. 170

However, as a baby without reason and without understanding language, he was feared as a monster by his mother and others around him. Instead of being loved, he was almost killed and went into hiding. Over the next dozen years, Vega survived. He ate rats, scavenged leftovers, and ate whatever he could to survive. Eventually, he ate a man who was dying after a fight. And then he understood. He was surrounded by so much food. Vega became a veritable monster, feeding even on humans. Naturally, a subjugation order was issued, but Yuuki was the one in charge of it. With the help of Shizue Izawa, who was already teaching as an instructor at the time, Yuuki succeeded in capturing Vega. He should have been executed, but Yuuki thought that Vega’s strength was too valuable. He had a great sense of combat, and a strong body. In addition, he thought that Vega had potential for growth and could be used as a useful pawn if trained. Yuuki tricked Shizu into believing that he had disposed of Vega. Vega was then trained in the Empire through Damrada. And now, he had grown into a fearsome warrior. ……… …… … Fortunately for Vega, the battle between the Devil Chevaliers and Chimera Knights, who came as reinforcements, was getting fiercer. This allowed him to accomplish his goal in a covert manner. He had the limbs of a mighty beast, a body of hard magisteel, the power of a dragon that could repel magic, and even wings that could fly through the sky. Vega received them all in a short time. Not only that, but he also picked up the mythical-grade Azure Dragon Spear. He was not yet recognized as its master, but Vega did not care. He poured all of his strength into making it obey and forcibly fused them together. It was Gozarin’s power—the effect of ‘metal manipulation.’ By taking in the mythical-grade weapon, Vega’s whole body changed into something even more horrible. The extraordinary armor that covered his entire body made him an unidentifiable majin. At this point, Gabil and the others noticed. “What?! There is still such a dangerous majin around?!” Gabil shouted in surprise, and his subordinates could not help complaining. “But Gabil-sama, don’t we already have our hands full?” “Indeed.” 171

“We’ve been fighting battle after battle, and our supplies are running low. What should we do, Gabil-sama?” It was understandable. In fact, the Hiryuu’s fatigue was nearing its limit. If the Devil Chevaliers had come even a little later, their battle line would have collapsed long ago. After all, the Beast Master’s Warrior Alliance and the Tenshōshū, who were expected to be reliable reinforcements, were the first to leave the front lines. “Oh no”—Suphia had said back then. And that was just the beginning. When Gabil asked what was wrong, Suphia replied, “I’m so sleepy.” Upon hearing that, Gabil also understood. It was happening. He realized that the evolutionary slumber, an essential part of the Harvest Festival, had started at the worst possible time. Since Karion and Frey were about to awaken, this was just a natural consequence. There was no point in complaining about this irresistible physiological phenomenon. That is why Gabil and the others struggled alone to protect this place. The other troops were engaging the enemy at their own discretion. However, Gabil and his subordinates could not move from this place. That is why the fatigue was even more intense. Gabil’s face paled at Vega’s appearance. “Please rest assured, Gabil-dono. I will go talk to him first. He is called Vega, and is one of Yuuki’s partners.” How reliable, Gabil was impressed with Gadra. “I’m counting on you!” “Leave it to me.” They smiled and nodded at each other, having somehow become friends. Gadra then stepped forward towards Vega. “Vega, it’s been a while.” “Huh? Ah, old man Gadra. I had heard that you turned over to the Demon Lord Rimuru, but it looks like it was true.” “Mm-hmm. That is why I’m in league with Yuuki. It’s good to see you here. If it weren’t for me, you would be considered an enemy.” “I see.” Gadra approached him in a friendly manner, but Vega gave him a disinterested glance. He quickly averted his gaze. In Vega’s view, there were now people more interesting than Gadra. In his line of sight were Karion and Frey. Around them, too, he could see tasty-looking food lying around. Vega’s mouth was full of drool, and he had an ecstatic expression, imagining the taste of the meat. “I am going to be the mediator here, and you will assist with—bwah?!” 172

Vega’s fist swatted away Gadra’s attempt at a friendly tap on the shoulder. Caught off guard, Gadra took it in stride. Vega’s power had now been strengthened to the point where it surpassed that of an awakened demon lord. Compared to Gadra, his magicule count was more than double. Even Gadra, who had become a metal demon with excellent physical defense, was no match for Vega, whose entire body was made of magisteel and who had also taken in mythical-grade armament. With a single blow, Gadra’s consciousness was snuffed out and he was silenced. “Ga-Gadra-dono!!” As he shouted, Gabil thought to himself that Gadra-dono was also an unreliable man. Gadra’s confidence had been so strong that it could not be helped. Gabil was greatly disappointed because his hopes had been crushed. Moreover, Vega’s ability was beyond his imagination. Vega was licking his lips at Karion and Frey, as if he has no intention of hiding it. His intention was clear. If they didn’t defeat him here, it would only give him more power. He still didn’t know if he could beat him even now, and if that was true, there was nothing he could do about it. There was no doubt that Gabil had no chance of winning, so he had no choice but to do his best here. I’ve always wanted to stand out, but it’s no use if it happens this way. Gabil was feeling a little sorry for himself as he self-reflected. Gabil was about to step forward, but he stopped when someone stood in front of him. “Gabil-san, leave this to me.” “A-Ah! Aren’t you Laplace-dono? What are you doing here?” “That’s—” Laplace almost replied that he was left behind by everyone else, but then he fell silent. He realized that saying it would be awkward. “There’s no need to say it. I’m here to save you!” “O-Oh, wow!! That’s so reassuring, Laplace-dono!” “Yeah. Now that I’m here, there’s no need to worry.” Laplace forced the conversation to a conclusion. Then, he turned to Vega, who was supposed to be his comrade. “So, Vega-san. Why did you hit old man Gadra?” Laplace asked Vega as he twirled around lightly. Vega, looking annoyed at Laplace, answered in a troublesome manner. 173

“Huh? It’s obvious, isn’t it? It’s because that old man was trying to get in my way.” “In your way?” “Yeah, that’s right. Anyone who tries to interfere with my meal shouldn’t be allowed to live. So, Laplace, why don’t you just stay out of it? Then I’ll let you off the hook for old times sake.” Laplace stopped twirling around. “That’s a funny joke you’re making. You haven’t forgotten your place now, have you?” The tone of his voice was almost the same as before. However, the atmosphere was so tense that it was no exaggeration to say that something had shifted. But Vega didn’t care. “Hah, my position? You’re the one who’s in no position to give me orders! I heard that Yuuki lost to Rudra. I only listen to orders from people who are stronger than me.” As soon as he said that, Vega started laughing loudly. The sound of his laughter echoed across the battlefield. “I can’t laugh. Your jokes are not funny.” “It’s not a joke—Kwa?!” The vulgar laughter suddenly stopped. In an instant, Laplace closed the distance and grabbed Vega by the neck. 174

“Don’t underestimate people, or I’ll kick your ass.” Laplace lifted up the body which was more than twice his size. Vega struggled, his arms and legs jerking around. He no longer needed to breathe, but he was confused because he wasn’t used to it yet. That’s when Laplace unleashed a knee strike that exploded against Vega. Vega, who had been grabbed by the neck, had no way to escape even if he was pulled back. As Laplace loosened his grip, Vega cowered in place, trying to catch his breath. “W-wait, wait. I’m sorry I got carried away. I’ve cooled down now, so please forgive me.” Laplace was about to kick Vega in the head but stopped when he saw Vega pleading. Then, in a cold voice, he spoke. “—I’m not as nice as the boss. Don’t expect a second chance.” “I-I understand.” “Then, you’ll have to follow me like an adult. Well, if you do anything, I’ll have no choice but to stop you.” Vega nodded his head. “Got it. So, what’s the plan now?” “I’m going to go where the President is. As long as the President is saved, Teare and Footman will be back to normal. Anyway, if we don’t find a solution, we’ll never get the boss out. So, don’t get ahead of yourself.” “I understand.” Vega nodded widely at Laplace’s words. His desperate attitude suggested that he was scared of Laplace. Seeing Vega that way, Laplace let out a sigh of relief. “Is this going to be okay?” Gadra, who had just gotten up, muttered worriedly. “Old man!” Vega stared at him while postured. “Oh, Gadra-dono! You’re safe!” Gabil was surprised but happy. “As expected, so the old man was safe?” Laplace was not surprised, as if he had been expecting this. “Of course. I was unconscious for a moment, but I’m well prepared for an emergency evacuation. I was pretending to be attacked, hoping to catch you off guard and cast a massive spell on you.” In fact, the Ultimate Gift ‘Grimoire’ had ‘Thought Acceleration’ and ‘Parallelism’ as a matter of course. By using these features, even if he lost conscious, another back-up thought will take over. “I see. I was fooled, too.” “You’re great old man, seriously.” “Well. I haven’t lived this long in vain. More importantly, the problem is Vega.” 176

Laplace tried to dodge the subject, but Gadra was having none of it. “Me?” “That’s right. I’m afraid I can’t trust you.” “Why not?!” Vega began acting like he couldn’t understand. Laplace couldn’t help but be amazed by this. He shrugged his shoulders and replied as if to remind them. “To be honest, I don’t trust him either. But this guy is also one of ours. I know you think we should kill him, but I want to believe in him. Besides, we can’t do anything without the boss’s permission. If he becomes too much next time, we will listen to you. Let’s see if we can forgive him for once and give him a chance to be trusted.” It was a headache, Laplace thought bitterly. Vega was too stupid. He’s too loyal to his own desires, and he wasn’t good at reading the atmosphere. But that didn’t mean he didn’t have his good points. He was not the type who worked best in a group, but he obeyed orders to a certain extent. Besides, he was strong. It would be a waste of resources to get rid of him here. Although he was worried that his occasional problematic behavior might exceed the acceptable range… Laplace thought that he should accompany and take care of him. This time, too, it had ended in an attempt, but it had been a step closer to a big problem. If he had messed with Karion and the others, Laplace would have taken action against Vega without protecting him. To be honest, even if it was only an attempt, it was still a serious matter… “I don’t have the authority to make decisions, but I understand how you feel. I’m not a stranger after all, and as long as you don’t cause trouble for Rimuru-sama, it’s fine.” Gadra was also someone who knew Vega. He thought it would be inappropriate for him to speak here, so he only gave a conservative opinion. “I’m worried about that too…” Laplace was also worried, but it was said in a slurred voice. Gabil was the only one who laughed out loud. “Gwahahaha! A man can learn a lot from his mistakes. All right. I will choose to believe in you too! Vega, as you’ve said, listen to Laplace-dono well and become a great warrior!” With that, Gabil clapped Vega on the back. Despite his misgivings, now was not the time to stop and worry. Laplace walked away quickly, taking Vega with him. “Was that the right thing to do?” “No problem. If Vega grows, it will be profitable, and if he fails, Laplace-dono will take the blame.” “…You’ve got a darker streak in your heart than I thought.” 177

“Gwahahaha! I won’t get anything in return despite your praise!” Gadra thought that he wasn’t praising him, but it was too much trouble to say, so he kept silent. The atmosphere relaxed a bit, but they were still in the middle of a battle. Remembering this, they tried to change their minds and face the battle. That’s when the good news came in. “Brother! Moss-dono has informed me that Rimuru-sama has defeated Velgrynd-sama. It seems that the executives have boarded the enemy airship and are now engaged in a decisive battle with the main force of the enemy. We can’t afford to lose!” Souka, who had returned to the front after a break, reported the current situation with a loud voice. As a result, the morale of Rimuru’s forces rose significantly. On the contrary, the Imperial Army was in turmoil. Aside from those who had lost their will and were running rampant, the Chimera Knights who had been the core of the force, realized how bad of a situation they were in. They had lost their commander and could not expect any more reinforcements. And yet, the enemy reinforcements keep increasing, and it was hopeless to defeat the enemy commander. If they insisted on defeating the ex-demon lord who had shown his weakness on the battlefield, they would probably be surrounded and annihilated. If someone had been in control, it would have been a different story. But, as it was, there was no commander. It was natural for some of them to run away, thinking that things would not go well. On the contrary, Rimuru’s subordinates were overjoyed. “Uoooooo, as expected of His Majesty Rimuru!” “H-He defeated Velgrynd-sama?! I can’t believe it, but I guess it should be expected of Rimuru-sama!!” “He’s won. From here on, it’s time to overrun the battle!” Of course, Gabil and Gadra were no exception. “How wonderful! After all, Rimuru-sama is of a different class!” “Well, yes. I’ve been wondering about him as well since I suddenly became so strong. That voice must be related to Rimuru-sama after all, as Diablo-sama had surmised…” “Did you say something, Gadra-dono?” “No, it’s nothing. Rather, let us finish our work.” Prying too much would only get himself killed. Gadra was well aware of this, so he decided not to pursue the matter too deeply. Another reason was that he thought it would be a bad idea to get Gabil involved. Gabil nodded at Gadra’s words. Gabil turned his thoughts to the battlefield and gave the order to charge with the loudest voice of the day. 178

Chapter 4 The Eight Gates After Laplace left, Diablo was the only one left in the room. He smiled and was glad that everything had gone as planned. He watched the battle of his beloved Lord up close and was planning to use it as a reference for his own future usefulness. He was truly grateful for the opportunity to look into whatever his Lord lacked and figure out how he could make up for it. No, rather, there is nothing that can be lacking in Rimuru-sama. What is important here is to find out how I can best take action in the future. No matter how his mind wandered, Diablo would only think about how he could be useful to Rimuru. And the other reason he hadn’t entered the war was because of another intention. If I participate in the war, I will not struggle against anyone but Velgrynd-sama. That would be a waste, wouldn’t it? The rare opportunity to fight a strong opponent should be used effectively. In Diablo’s view, Benimaru was showing signs of growth. He had greatly increased his strength through evolution, and the shortest way to hone that strength was to fight strong opponents. This was not only the case for Benimaru, but for all the executives who had been given power by Rimuru. And on this battlefield, just the right opponents were waiting. Diablo thought that there was no reason to not take advantage of this. Well, it seems that Benimaru-dono also saw through my thoughts, but judging from the fact that he didn’t complain, I guess he was planning to do this from the beginning. Benimaru, despite his appearance, was surprisingly belligerent. He tended to enjoy fighting with the strong, though not as much as Diablo. ‘I look forward to seeing him grow,’ Diablo thought. If he survived this battle, he would gain more power. 180

But more importantly— Rimuru-sama’s orders are absolute. No one is allowed to die, so there is no choice but to win. They had to make sure that no one died and that they survived to be reborn stronger. For that purpose, Diablo had no intention to spare any cooperation. Power that was given to you was meaningless. It would only shine if it was acquired and mastered by oneself. This would be the stage for that transformation. Give them an enemy and crush them. The growth that lied ahead was what Rimuru desired—that’s what Diablo thought. Kufufufufu. Aside from Testarossa, even Carrera and Ultima have been seen to be fighting with too much force. In particular, Carrera is a problem. It would be a good experience to learn what it is like to struggle in a fight here. Make sure you survive. If you don’t, I really will kill you. Kufufufufufufu— Diablo thought about this and laughed even more happily. His excitement reached its peak as he witnessed the battle between Rimuru and Velgrynd. On the outer deck of the Emperor’s flagship, the Imperial Knights were gathered together. The presence of Velgrynd, the protector of the Empire, fueled their fighting spirit. “With Velgrynd-sama here, our victory is assured.” “Yes, we can’t afford to lose.” “Let’s win here and conquer the Western Nations at once.” “That’s right. The day when our empire unites the whole world is near.” “Long live His Majesty the Emperor, hurrah!!” “Glory to His Majesty the Emperor!!” On the deck, which was not a very large space, they expressed their feelings to each other. Then, all at once, they fixed their eyes on the enemy. “So, you’ve arrived. The Demon lord’s subordinates.” “Your defeat was already decided once the evil dragon Veldora was taken from you!” Some of them mocked the enemy, but most of them fell silent and drew their swords. The reason was simple and obvious. The people coming towards them were recognized as a real “threat.” They prepared themselves for a decisive battle and moved to intercept them. However, they just didn’t know it yet. They had no idea that despair was just around the corner. And once they realized it, their lives would be over. 181

Testarossa flew gracefully through the air, a sorrowful expression on her face, as if she were not amused. She had witnessed the people who were her targets foolishly holding their swords on the airship. “I don’t like it. They’re too stupid to challenge us as soon as they see us.” Benimaru remained silent. He would have agreed with her, but he thought it was still natural to do so from the enemy’s standpoint. That is why he kept silent without agreeing to Testarossa’s statement. This was also why Benimaru was still considered within the realms of a sensible27 person. There were those who were truly outrageous and abnormal in their thought processes. As if to prove this, Testarossa took action. “It is foolish to misjudge the strong. It is so pathetic, so let us give them the blessing of mercy without fear!” In truth, Testarossa had intended to go on a bit of a rampage, show off her skills, and feed off of the emotions of those who feared her. However, it would take a long time to terrify someone who was already prepared. That would have been troublesome and, more than anything, would have deviated from the purpose of the mission. Therefore, she decided to eliminate the obstacles swiftly. Without hesitation, Testarossa unleashed a spell that would cover the entire airship. The spell was nuclear magic: ‘Death Streak.’ The ultimate forbidden magic, which destroyed the soul, unleashed its ruthless fury. As a result, a jet-black sphere was formed so as to envelop the entire airship, bringing death to those inside. Almost everyone inside the ship was killed from the demonic death rays that killed all life forms. Even Major General Zamud, who had finished contacting Gladium and was busy preparing for the battle, died before even understanding what had happened. He had no luck. If Rimuru could have afforded it, he would have remembered Calgurio’s plea for life and instructed her not to involve Zamud and the others. But alas, reality was cruel, and all beings were equal in the face of death. “So sudden. I ordered a preemptive strike, but I guess they’re out of their depth here.” “I’ve been trying very hard so that you don’t have to bother.” “Nonsense. Rather, you’re thinking, ‘in order not to have your prey taken away,’ right?” Testarossa laughed in amusement at Benimaru’s remark. “Oh, so you’ve seen through me, haven’t you? That’s Benimaru-sama for you.” “It’s been a long time since I was not happy about a compliment.” Even though they were bantering, there were no problems. In fact, Benimaru was glad she 27‘Sensible’ as in within the realms of someone with ‘common sense’ or considered to be somewhat ‘normal.’ 182

had saved them from the trouble. It was the two late comers who complained. “Ahh! I wished you had left some for us!” “I made a bad choice. I should have just left Diablo alone and given priority to this.” Ultima and Carrera stared at Testarossa bitterly. Testarossa simply returned a wry smile. “You both are not ready for this. Look around you carefully for signs. There are some who survived still out there.” “That’s right! Anyone who can be killed by an attack like that is not good enough for me. Rather, I should praise you for selecting them well!” “You flatter me, Shion-dono.” Testarossa smiled, knowing exactly what was meant. The expression on her face eloquently told them that those who were aware could understand. Only the magically suitable or spiritual life forms could withstand the ‘Death Streak.’ With a bit of luck, even a “sage” class would be able to survive. Regardless, if anyone was still alive on the ship, it was safe to assume that they were strong. Ultima and Carrera were frustrated, but it was not their place to complain. Realizing that, they decided to back off sincerely. And then— “Let’s go.” At Benimaru’s command, the raid operation began. What the group saw once they landed on the deck of the flying ship were the dead and dying Imperial Knights of the Empire. The fact that their bodies were still intact was evidence of their desperate resistance. This was the end of the line for those who would even be called champions in a great nation. “No, I don’t want to… I don’t want to die…” There were those who reached for the sky as if clinging to life. But their lifespans were as good as expired. No remedy or restoration magic could help them. Their fate had been sealed the moment they became Testarossa’s enemy. “Jeez! I still think it’s a waste. If they were of such high quality, they could have sung a sweet hymn28.” 28Basically, she’s saying that their deaths could have made a lovely tune. 183

“Don’t be so selfish. Look, they are here to welcome us.” Testarossa pointed to the bow of the flagship. Located there were those who were at the top of the Empire. Emperor Rudra and Velgrynd, who was still sleeping. Flanking them, were Kondou and Damrada. Behind Rudra, there were four other men and women. There was also another quiet-looking man who was standing next to Kondou. “It is an honor to be greeted by the Emperor himself.” When Benimaru spoke in a fearless manner, Kondou and Damrada—not Rudra, tried to step forward. But Rudra stopped them with one hand. “It’s fine. I will admit it. These are the only pawns I have left after more than 2,000 years of work. On behalf of the Demon Lord Rimuru, I will at least allow you a straight answer.” “Thank you for that.” “So then, what is the purpose of you coming here?” “Oh, well that’s a simple story. Although I do not have the full authority, I will make demands on Rimuru-sama’s behalf. From this moment on, cease all fighting and surrender unconditionally. If you accept, we will stop our pursuit.” “And if I refuse?” “Then I have been ordered by Rimuru-sama to annihilate you. Until one side is completely destroyed, it will be a full-on battle.” ‘We’re not allowed to die though’—Benimaru added inwardly. His voice never faltered, and Benimaru’s attitude was one of arrogance. It was no wonder that the Imperials were embarrassed. “How insolent!” Marco shouted, as if it was unintentional. “The arrogance of an ignorant maggot who knows nothing of the world. You are a fool.” One of the four knights carrying a spear muttered to Benimaru as if looking down on him. This naturally reached Benimaru’s ears, but he kept his gaze fixed on Rudra, as if he had no intention of dealing with them. The others remained silent. Rudra was the one who had the right to make the decision, and since Rudra had allowed him to answer directly, they thought it would be impolite for them to interfere. “That’s ridiculous. My ambition will not end here.” “If so, then die.” Benimaru was now more thoughtful and less temperamental, but his true nature was that of a raging divine oni. He preferred to use force rather than to engage in long negotiations. Besides— There was no reason for him to retreat now that Rimuru had ordered him to kill all of his enemies. Then there was a flashpoint. 184

In the midst of this atmosphere, there was one person who made a move. Velgrynd, who had been asleep, opened her eyes and jumped up. “Rudra!” “What’s wrong? What is happening that has made even you so upset?” Velgrynd took a glance around her and realized what was going on here. Still, she decided that her business was more important and began to speak, ignoring Benimaru and the others. “My ‘Split Body’ has been captured by Demon Lord Rimuru. It’s going to take me a few minutes to break the barriers, so I decided to bring my power back here first—” It was at this very moment—Rimuru had sealed Velgrynd in his ‘Insulation Prison.’ Velgrynd had thought that there was still plenty of room for leeway, but she felt threatened by the presence of the three demon girls in addition to Benimaru and the others. “That’s Rimuru-sama for you! We can’t afford to lose to them either.” Shion was pleased and excited. “He seems to be concentrating on Veldora-sama right now. Rimuru-sama will surely bring Veldora-sama back.” Souei also nodded. He had quietly left a ‘Clone’ to confirm Rimuru’s safety. That was just the type of man Souei was. “He’s able to fight against Velgrynd-sama and Veldora-sama at the same time, and still be more than evenly matched. How impressive.” “He really is. Honestly, I didn’t expect him to be this strong either.” “That’s right. Milord is truly unfathomable.” Having been aware of Velgrynd’s strength, the three demon girls took that statement to heart. To be honest, the three of them were still filled with disbelief. “It was a big mistake. We should not have been fooled by Diablo’s sweet words.” “That’s true. He knew this was going to happen, so he just wanted to observe. That’s not fair.” To a demon, cowardice was also a compliment, but Shion heard this and decided to pursue Diablo on this later. Souei, who was also observing, remained calm. And Benimaru was quietly looking away. This was because he had used Moss to watch Rimuru’s fight. Meanwhile, the Imperials were in turmoil. “No way! He has that much power?!” Emperor Rudra, who was normally a calm and collected man who never showed his emotions, could not help but stand up and shout. He had heeded Kondou’s advice and highly evaluated Rimuru. However, there was no doubt that he had underestimated Rimuru, thinking that he would not be as much of a threat as Veldora. Even if he realized it now, it was still too late. 185

Kondou also realized that he had made a mistake. He had felt wary when his attack had failed, but that had not been enough. No matter what happens, I will protect His Majesty. Without saying a word, he made up his mind. From the beginning, Damrada had believed that Demon Lord Rimuru was a threat. It was not a matter of logic. A man as cunning as Yuuki, even with all his scheming, was unable to take advantage of him. That alone made him a dangerous opponent that could not be left alone. There was something different about Demon Lord Rimuru. Yuuki was the same, and so was Demon Lord Rimuru. Those who wore a kind of supreme energy that could be called charisma. They were the ones who fascinated Damrada, and the ones who gave him a sense of mysterious possibility. Damrada had a distant promise made to Emperor Rudra. Damrada did not know if he should keep it or not. That is why Damrada entrusted his fate to others instead of himself. Those who were worthy of being entrusted with it—those who had something in them that made him think that way were shining beings like Yuuki and Rimuru. The Demon Lord Rimuru, who was one of those existences, was enraged to the point of blowing away his reason. That fact made Damrada feel uneasy. He had a feeling something was going to happen. As Rudra had said, the best of the Empire’s forces were assembled on the bridge. Gladium and his men were nowhere to be seen, but the reality was that no more reinforcements could be expected. And yet, they were unable to overwhelm Demon Lord Rimuru’s subordinates. In the first place, Demon Lord Rimuru was not an opponent to be taken lightly. This was evident from the current situation. Damrada kept his guard up and tensed all his nerves so that he could immediately protect the Emperor no matter what happened. The other four knights and Marco were also having a hard time keeping their composure due to the unexpected situation. The power of an Absolute such as Velgrynd was unfathomable, even for someone as powerful as them. Such a Velgrynd had recognized the power of Demon Lord Rimuru. It was impossible not to be confused. At this time, both sides were astonished in opposite ways, but it was Velgrynd who broke that atmosphere. “You said it would be a full-on battle, correct? All right. I will defeat you and use you as bargaining chips for the Demon Lord Rimuru. Is that okay?” “Very well. Prove your power to me!” 186

“Understood!!” As soon as Rudra made his decision, the agitation of the Imperial Knights disappeared. His voice was full of strength and it brought peace to the hearts of the warriors. “Yes, I promise you victory.” Velgrynd also spoke with a fierce smile on her face. The beautiful yet terrifying smile on her face foreshadowed the horrors of the battle to come. “You’re okay with that, too?” “Yes. We will win this battle and put an end to any future disasters.” “Okay. Then have a good fight—” As soon as she said that, Velgrynd opened her hands and held them up to the sky. Then she invoked the ‘Eight Gate Formation.’ Eight gates appeared in the sky, lining up in the center of the two camps. In front of the gates, which had shrunk to the size of a man’s body, Velgrynd explained. “On this flagship, I have isolated us in an alternate universe I’ve created. If you want to escape, you will have to destroy all of these gates.” There were eight Imperials here, not including Rudra. That meant that each of them would be guarding one gate. “What happens if we all enter one gate?” “That’s an interesting question. You can try it, but once inside the gate, only the person who killed the guardian of the gate will be eligible to enter the next gate.” If that was true, then if they all went in, only one of them would be left to challenge the next gate. Since they couldn’t escape without destroying all the gates, that choice would be too risky of a gamble. “I see. If you’re going to do this, then it’s only right that we all go in together when we challenge the last remaining gate, correct?” “You’re very clever. If you’re going to challenge the gate I am guarding, then that is probably the right thing to do.” Velgrynd nodded with a smile at what Benimaru pointed out. She must have seen that coming. Even so, she was confident that she would not be defeated, which was why she presented those conditions from the beginning. “However, it is precisely because I have set such conditions that this otherworld can be maintained at low cost. You cannot escape without destroying all of the gates, and you cannot touch Rudra. Or would you prefer that we fight an all-out war here?” Either way, Velgrynd proclaimed as such. The defenders were at a disadvantage when guarding the Eight Gates. Since information about the guardians of the gates would be known, there was a risk that the enemy would take precautions against the challenge. But if it became an all-out battle, Rudra would be in danger. Velgrynd’s true intention was to avoid just that. She also wanted to capture Rimuru’s subordinates in the otherworld. Velgrynd was willing to accept some disadvantages in order to bring the battle to an alternate space. 187

“All right. I’ll accept that match.” Benimaru responded without hesitation. Upon hearing this, Velgrynd was convinced of victory. Unless I lose, this otherworld will not be broken. In other words, our victory is unassailable. Velgrynd was confident that she would win even if they all challenged her at once. That is why she chose the safest strategy, the ‘Eight Gate Formation.’ Benimaru, too, was aware of Velgrynd’s intentions. However, even if he refused here, he would not be able to avoid a fight with Velgrynd, so he decided that it would be better to choose the option with the best chance of success. In this place, the intentions of both parties coincided, and the location for the final battle was decided. Before Benimaru’s eyes, one by one, they disappeared into the gates. At the last one remaining, Velgrynd went through the gate after embracing Rudra. Immediately, the gates began to move slowly, surrounding Benimaru and his companions. Being unaware of who had entered which gate—there was no such thing. Nobody would be so foolish as to overlook that. “What a cowardly thing to do. Now we don’t know who’s guarding which gate.” It was Shion who said that. “…It’s fine. I remember.” ‘You idiot, you didn’t even look at it properly, right?’ Benimaru swallowed those words. He felt that he could understand Diablo’s hardships a little. “Fufu, what fun entertainment. If you are victorious, then you will have the honor of fighting me.” Rudra, protected by the laws of the otherworld, said this as he sat comfortably in his chair. Rudra did not doubt Velgrynd’s victory. It was clear from his demeanor that he thought of this battle only as mere entertainment. “Is that what you think? You never know what will happen in a battle. I’ll show you that there are some things we cannot compromise on.” Benimaru spoke boldly. Then, he looked around at the faces of his companions. He was trying to figure out who should go against whom. However, there was one person who could not wait for Benimaru’s decision. It was Shion. “I’ve been patiently enduring all this time, but that’s enough.” 188

“H-Hey?!” “Rimuru-sama said to kill all the enemies. In that case, we don’t need to worry and should just get rid of them!” Leaving aside the question of whether or not she was feeling troubled, he couldn’t allow her to do this without permission—Benimaru thought about this, but before he could stop Shion, she had kicked down the door and entered the gate. “…It’s fine. I don’t know if it was by choice or by chance, but it looks like she picked the right person.” Shion’s actions tended to lead to optimal results. Although there were problems this time, she chose the door that matched Benimaru’s intentions. Now, there were seven doors left. One of them was Velgrynd’s, which needed to be used last. The question was who would be the right people to deal with whom? “May I?” It was Veyron who offered. “What?” It was Ultima who asked with a chilling presence in her voice. “The truth is, I haven’t finished my fight with Marco yet. I believe I can guarantee you victory now.” Defeating a beatable opponent was a standard practice. It wasn’t a bad idea to leave it to him, since he could leave if he won. Benimaru decided as such and gave his permission. “All right. I’ll leave Marco to you.” “Hm, that’s fine. If Benimaru-san says so, I have no problem with it.” Ultima calmed her anger, and Veyron’s partner was chosen. Seeing the exchange, Agera was the next to speak. “In that case, I have a favor to ask.” “It was Agera, correct? What is it?” “Actually, there is someone whom I’m not so sure if I have a history with, although I’m not sure if I’ll be a good match. If it’s possible, I’d like to deal with him.” “Who is it?” “A man named Kondou. It seems that he is a kindred spirit of mine, and as a pure swordsman, he is an opponent I cannot ignore.” “Oh? Really?” It sounded like there was a connection, Benimaru thought. He was curious about Agera’s school of swordsmanship, and he knew that Hakurou was interested in Agera as well. In that case, he wanted to fulfill his wish, but there was a problem. “Are you confident that you can win?” That’s right, if Agera lost, there would be no point. In Benimaru’s opinion, Lieutenant Kondou was a troublesome man. Even Rimuru had been 189

wary of him, so he knew that Agera would have trouble beating him. “That is…” Agera stammered. As a swordsman, he would have no regrets even if he lost. But that would be an act against Rimuru’s will. Agera also understood that his offer was selfish. Then Agera received a helping hand. “All right, Agera. It’s unusual for you to be so selfish, so I’ll help you.” It was Carrera. As Agera’s lord, she said this with dignity. Benimaru nodded. He did not ask Carrera if she could win. “I don’t know if you can beat this Kondou guy or not. I won’t tell you not to lose, but you must not die.” Hearing this, Carrera smiled widely. “Of course. And, yes, you’re right. Let’s give Agera a test. We need to see if winning will really open the next gate, and I think it’s better to experiment on the weakest opponent anyway.” “Agreed! Shion-san’s gone, but even if we win, it won’t matter if we can’t fight again.” “Right. If that’s the case, we’ll have to challenge Velgrynd-sama with only qualified players. Though, Velgrynd-sama is a proud person, so I don’t think she’s lying.” Naturally, Benimaru had considered this possibility. He had planned to have Shion try it when she returned, but if she wanted to try it with Agera, there was no reason to stop her. “What is that plan?” “We’ll put Agera in the lead, with Esprit as a backup. That way we can find out if the next challenge is really only for those who have killed the enemy inside.” “And while you’re at it, take Zonda. He’s a healer, so he’s useless against the strong opponents.” Zonda was not weak, but he was no match for a Saint-class opponent. Therefore, Ultima decided that it would not be a problem if he could not challenge again. He didn’t have to go to the dangerous battlefield and could just heal those who came out here. Because of this, there was no objection from anyone. “In that case, Agera, Esprit, Zonda, the three of you, go attack this gate.” Benimaru pointed to the gate that one of the four knights had entered. It was the big man with the spear on his back who had looked down on Benimaru and scorned him as a maggot. Benimaru was tempted to turn him into charcoal with his own hands, but he decided to let Agera and the others do the job. “Understood.” “Please leave it to me!” “I promise you, we will return victorious.” 190

And so, the three of them dove through the gate and went into battle. And just like that, the attack on two of the gates began. The rest of them remained calm, waiting for Benimaru to tell them who should attack where next. “By the time Agera and the others return, we will decide who among each of us should attack.” The gate being guarded by Velgrynd would be postponed. Kondou’s opponent would be Carrera, and Marco’s opponent would be Veyron. That left Damrada and two of the four knights. “From what I can tell, the man who appears to be the leader of those four knights seems to be the strongest. I think I’ll deal with him.” “I have no objections. I had the same impression.” “In that case, can I take on that Damrada guy?” “I’ve already chosen my opponent, so I have no complaints.” The strength of Damrada and the remaining four knights did not seem to differ that much. If so, there would be no complaints from Benimaru either. “Souei, is that okay?” “Yes. The only ones left are the four knights who use double swords. They seem to be a good match for me, so no problem.” “Then it’s settled.” After saying that, Benimaru was silent for a while. Then, embarrassed, he continued. “…Even though it’s all come to this, there’s something troubling.” “What’s wrong?” Souei asked, to which Benimaru responded while scratching his cheek. “We didn’t share our names with each other, so I don’t know their names. I remember who was guarding which gate, so it not much of problem.” “Indeed, that was a blind spot. Well, don’t worry about it. Since it’s going to be a battle anyway, it should be enough to know the name of the one we’re going to kill.” Those who had been listening to the conversation between Benimaru and Souei nodded in agreement. “Names” were important to monsters, but they were enemy’s either way. The demons and others thought that there was no need to worry about it so much. 191

Agera, Esprit and Zonda went through the gate with great enthusiasm. At the end of the gate, there was a circular colosseum-like structure, where a man was waiting for them. “Oh my, did a whole school of small fry just arrive? I suppose it’s only natural as they have come to deal with me.” Holding the spear on his back in his right hand, the man let out a vile laugh. “Before you die, I’ll tell you my name. I am Garcia-sama, the fifth in rank and one of the four knights who protect the Emperor! You demons, get a good taste of the honor of fighting me and disappear from this world!” With that shout, Garcia swung his Legendary-grade spear, which was probably as close to mythical-grade as possible. The power of the spear was so great that it could wipe out even a spiritual life form with just a graze. However, Agera and the others kept a cool face. “I have no interest in your name.” “This guy is an idiot. He called Benimaru-sama a maggot.” “It’s because he doesn’t know what he’s capable of so that he can speak so brazenly. If it were me, I would be so embarrassed that I’d be in agony for three days.” Far from fearing Garcia, they all said whatever they wanted to say. Garcia was furious. “You’re just a bunch of small fry who are good at pissing me off. You don’t even know what I’m capable of, do you? In that case, I’ll show you my true power!!” After shouting, he released the power he had been holding back. The amount of magicules in a saint-class individual was comparable to that of an awakened demon lord. Even though Agera and the others had evolved into demon peers, the difference was several times greater. Clothed in a high density of fighting aura, Garcia took a step forward. With that, the marble floor of the colosseum cracked. “Prepare yourself. You’ll be sorry that you ever offended me.” Offended or not, Garcia’s actions would have been the same either way. Everyone guessed as much, but no one said anything about it. Agera put his hand on the sword at his waist and took a cautious approach to see how his opponent would react. Even a single blow would inevitably cause serious damage, so he decided to concentrate on defense. Esprit was using Agera as a shield and was ready to attack with her magic. The more Garcia concentrated on Agera, the more Esprit could prepare for a large spell. She seemed to be taking it easy, as if it was a good thing to be able to fight safely. Zonda was focused on support. Not only was he good at restoration magic, but he also assisted Agera at key points. It would be better to work with Zonda than Esprit—Agera began to secretly think as such. 192

Garcia scoffed at the demons’ tactics. They were on the defensive, and their only offense was their stupid magic. It was impossible to damage Garcia with such a fighting style. That’s why Garcia felt like he had already won and made many condescending remarks to his enemies. “Hah! How cowardly. You may be demons, but you’re still no match for us. We, as the strongest of knights, have subdued demons like you many times before! It is said that a demon peer is a legendary demon that rivals a demon lord… But that’s just a story for a frog in the well. To us, you’re nothing more than mere ants!” As he said this, he slammed his spear into the ground, leaving a huge hole in the marble floor. Of course, Agera and Esprit avoided it without any trouble. Agera never got outraged when being mocked. He had not forgotten that this fight was just a prelude to the real thing that was to come. Esprit was more thorough. She was cautious in dealing with her opponent’s attacks and hiding behind Agera to avoid taking any damage. Esprit had a Unique Skill, ‘Discerner,’ which specialized in observation. In fact, by using this Skill, it was possible to keep in touch even with people who were separated by time and space. Although there was a restriction that it was limited to personal acquaintances, the only person who could make use of this power was Carrera, so from Esprit’s perspective, there were no issues. In fact, if Souei and the others had found out that Esprit possessed such an ability, she might have been forced to do espionage work. Because Esprit hated working, she had to avoid that. That’s why Esprit, as usual, continued to give information to Carrera, while providing appropriate support. Incidentally, Zonda was evacuating to safe areas as soon as he finished providing support. He understood that he was not a fighter, so he was careful not to get injured as a healer. Because of this, Garcia assumed that Agera and the others were running around for their lives. They must be afraid of his own power and had no way to do anything about it. “Hah! So that’s it. You can’t defeat me just by running away.” Garcia shouted at them while pulling out his spear. His words were brash and rude, but his ability was undeniably real. The spiritual power that pervaded his large physique was unparalleled even for a Saint. He also possessed the Ultimate Enchantment ‘Alternative’ granted to him by Emperor Rudra. This enchantment was the power of ‘subjugating and conquering,’ and it reduced the will of the enemy to defeat them with one’s own power. This power was also added to his favorite spear, transforming it into a holy spear of destruction, which could purify all kinds of evil—even spiritual life forms such as evil spirits and demons. Needless to say, Garcia’s body was being strengthened by the mere act of cursing his ene193

mies. His body was protected by Legendary-grade armor, and he had no need to worry about the recoil of his own power. Garcia had a deep understanding of his own powers. While provoking his enemies in this way, he never let his guard down. As Garcia had said himself, a demon peer was a legendary super-class demon, comparable to a demon lord. It was a threat of the highest order, not something to be taken lightly. Even so, Garcia’s provocation appeared to be meaningless to Agera. Contempt for human existence was plentiful among the demon race, and if provoked they would immediately lash out. Garcia’s rule of thumb was that this would create an opening and make it easier to defeat his opponent. This time, however, that was not the case. Garcia was irritated by the difficulty of this opponent. “Calm down, human. Your language is vulgar. I don’t believe all people to be vulgar, however…the soul has dignity too. If you have a lowly soul, there is nothing that can be done to hide it.” Garcia, who thought he was pretending to be crude, was furious when he was called vulgar. Unaware that this was Agera’s own provocation, he lost his momentum and revealed his true nature. Agera, without drawing his sword, continued to evade Garcia’s attacks with minimal movement. This injured Garcia’s pride even more. Esprit, watching closely, was amazed at Agera’s ability. This guy is so good at melee combat, how can he be a demon? He can’t even use magic at all, isn’t that stupid? While watching the battle, one would wonder whether she was praising or disparaging him. Naturally, this was all being conveyed to Carrera in real time. Garcia, incited by Agera, shouted. “Shut up! I’ll kill you all and offer your heads to His Majesty the Emperor!” “Hmm, that’s a bit hasty of you to say. I’m a rather tolerant person, but you are just too impatient. Well, not as impatient as Carrera-sama. She is so quick-tempered and simple-minded that she even gives me a hard time.” Of course, this sentence of Agera’s was also relayed to Carrera through Esprit. And because Esprit had a bad personality, she didn’t tell Agera about her power. He’ll definitely get in trouble later. Teehee. She was enjoying herself as if it had nothing to do with her. However, Garcia’s next comment froze her expression. “You think I’m impatient? What a bunch of idiots. Haven’t you noticed the difference in our abilities yet? Is your master that purple-haired kid? Or is it the cheeky blonde? That whitehaired beauty may be famous, but she’s still just a frog in a well after all is said and done.” With that, Garcia spun his spear around and thrust it right at Agera. Then, as if proud of his victory, he dropped another bombshell. 194

“Let me tell you, ignorant people, that there are real monsters in this world. If you knew the power of Velgrynd-sama, the Lord Marshal’s true identity, you would understand the meaning of my words. Besides, Lieutenant Kondou is a terrifying man. Whether it’s those demons, or your masters, they’re no match for him. You’ll just be killed off miserably like the insects you are!” It was only when Esprit heard this that she finally succeeded in stopping the flow of information that was being sent to Carrera. She had been impatient and took a long time to shut down her Skill. But it was already too late. “Hahaha, just now, I heard an interesting story through Esprit.” Carrera spoke cheerfully. Despite her tone, there was a hint of anger in her voice. “Hmm, what kind of a story?” Ultima asked. She had a rough idea of what it was going to be about. “The enemy inside the gate, he called you a kid.” “Hm, hmm…” A vein appeared on Ultima’s forehead. Veyron began panicking. He regretted that he should have gone through the gate as soon as possible if he had known this would happen. He deeply understood that sometimes ignorance was a blessing. “He said that Testa was a frog in a well.” “I’m a frog…?” Testarossa was mortified. She had often been praised for her beauty, but she never remembered ever being scorned. This was the first time she had ever been called a frog, and she was filled with unspeakable anger. “And by the way, he called us insects.” Benimaru’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “So, first we were maggots, and now we’re insects?” He muttered in an unamused tone. At first glance, Benimaru looked calm, but he was still thinking to himself that he should have taken care of things with his own hands. 195

Souei was the only one who was truly calm. “She is able to maintain a channel in the other world created by Velgrynd-sama? That’s an interesting ability.” He crossed his arms and kept silent but remained fixated on Esprit’s Skill. Now that Souei had found out, Esprit would have to deal with many requests from Souei in the future—but that was just another story. Carrera’s report continued. “They’ve been taunting us, saying that we won’t stand a chance against Velgrynd-sama and Kondou. They seem to want to be killed miserably.” She spoke plainly, but that was because she was too busy dealing with her own emotions. Carrera liked to stir things up, but she hated to be incited herself. “You never know who’s able to win until you try it yourself.” Testarossa spoke without expression. In fact, it was true that she had not won against Velgrynd. Nevertheless, Testarossa was not shying away from defeat, but was quite serious. Her crimson eyes told everyone eloquently that she would not lose the next time. “By the way, Carrera. I’ve never understood why he called us insects. Is he really that strong?” “Ahaha, that’s not possible, is it though? Even if it is, he’s unforgivable.” Carrera denied Ultima’s question with a laugh. Her eyes were not smiling at all. They were filled with a dangerous color and looked as if they were about to explode. “There’s no need for mercy then, huh?” “Of course. He’s just a human being, you know that?” Ultima was furious. Carrera agreed while trying to hold back her rage. “What a pity. I wanted to teach him a lesson with my own hands. Tell Agera not to be lenient, and then we’ll talk about pardon later.” “Of course. He insulted us, so he should get what is deserved.” There was no one on the scene to stop the girls from talking. Ultima was cruel to the point of naivety. Testarossa’s cynical smile could strike fear into the hearts of any who saw it. And Carrera was optimistically spreading destruction and emptiness. There was not the slightest hint of compassion to be given. Never giving comfort to their enemies. For them, mercy was letting them die comfortably, and forgiveness was killing them as they suffered. Either way, it was still killing, but for them there was a difference. As Veyron listened to the conversation between the demonesses, he cursed the man who was Agera’s enemy. His superiors, the devil lords, were not to be offended. Even so, they ranted and raved. 196

Veyron was holding his head inwardly. Stupid human! The price for your stupidity will have to be taken on your own…at least I hope so. He couldn’t help but hope so. Veyron knew very well the horrors of Ultima. More than that, his fear of Carrera and Testarossa, the other adversaries, was indescribable. The fate of the world could be changed depending on where their anger was directed. At the very least, we must get rid of that fool as soon as possible and appease their anger. Please, Agera! You’re our only hope!! As a great demon, Veyron could only lament the fact that he could not do anything in this situation, and instead put his hope in Agera, a lower-level demon. Regardless of the intentions of these demons, Benimaru gave the order. “Carrera, can you convey our words inside?” “Well, I’ve never tried it before, but I guess I could…” “Then tell him not to allow any more offensive remarks.” Carrera nodded. She forced herself into the channel with Esprit, wishing she had done so sooner. ‹Esprit, can you hear me?› ‹Geh, Carrera-sama?!› ‹You owe me one for what you just said. More than that—› Carrera smirked. And then, with a grudge in her heart, she gave the order. ‹Teare that man to pieces. Tell Agera to crush his soul.› Carrera’s voice echoed in Esprit’s brain. ‹Benimaru-sama wants it, too. Know that failure is not an option!!› ‘Oh no, my power has been exposed to the executives,’ Esprit lamented. In addition, Carrera was still forcing her to intervene, but she was resigned to the fact that there was no choice in the matter. It wasn’t the first time her boss had been unreasonable. Esprit called out to Agera, thinking as such. “H-Hey Agera. Carrera-sama and the others are pretty angry. If we don’t get rid of them soon, we’re going to be in trouble.” “I can’t stop wondering about how Carrera-sama knows what’s going on here, but—I guess that’s not the point. We need to prepare ourselves first. Since he’s insulted even our Lord, I believe he deserves to be punished accordingly!” 197

“Tsk, you seem really mad too!” Esprit let out a sigh, noticing that the normally calm Agera was furious. It was impossible to stop him now. Or, rather, it was convenient that way. If Agera was going to get serious, then the only thing to do now was watch. However, Garcia shouted, unable to read the atmosphere. “You guys are weak as shit. Just give up and die! You can rest easy. Your masters are about to be dealt with anyway. So in the afterlife, you’ll be able to serve them as you always have!” Garcia’s statement was also conveyed to Carrera through Esprit. And this time, it wasn’t just Carrera, but the whole group who heard it through the ‘Telepathy Net.’ “This bastard is full of shit.” “What the hell is Agera doing? Didn’t I say to kill him right away? Is he messing with me?” “Hey, hey, don’t embarrass me.” “We’re lucky that Shion’s not here. If she were here, this whole operation would’ve been ruined.” “That’s true. Hey, if it doesn’t work, I’ll replace them, so decide quickly.” And so on, and so forth. Indeed, if Shion had been there, Agera’s wishes would have been ignored. It wouldn’t have bothered Esprit, but it would have hurt his pride as a demon. Or rather, he felt that his reputation was being ruined at present. Wow, that sucks! Those were Esprit’s true feelings. Although Garcia’s crude behavior made him look like a small fry, his ability was real. He was a surprisingly troublesome opponent. However, in this case, there was no choice but to produce results. If they didn’t defeat Garcia soon, they were sure to incur the wrath of the top brass. And yet, Agera didn’t seem to make a move, simply focusing on evasion. As long as he was not fatally wounded, Agera could not be defeated. But this was meaningless if he could not win. In that case, Esprit should have done something with magic, but this was not realistic. After she tried various things, it turned out that Garcia had a high resistance to magic. “What’s the matter?! All you can do is run away!” Garcia was getting carried away. Even so, Agera showed no pretense of fighting back. “Hey, Agera! We’re in serious trouble. If we don’t hurry up, Carrera-sama is going to get really mad!” Even the demons that followed her were afraid of their master’s domineering authority when she was serious. If that anger were to be directed at them, they would be nothing but terrified. Esprit, who was usually aloof, was now in a real panic. And yet, Agera still remained silent. 198

Incidentally, Zonda was preparing a cup of tea at a distance, as if he had nothing to do with it. He seemed to be planning to serve the executives when he got out of here, but from Esprit’s point of view, this was simply nonsense. “Hey, Zonda! What the hell are you doing while I’m not looking?!” “Just take a look and you will see. Agera-dono doesn’t seem to be injured and is free.” “Don’t be stupid, asshole! Why am I the only one who needs to feel pressured?!” Esprit shouted as if wanting to bite him. Zonda simply replied with a smile on his face. “I don’t know.” I’m gonna kill him—Esprit gritted her teeth. He was a viscount class, yet he was not even afraid of Esprit, a count class. Well, after all, if you’re going to serve Ultima-sama, you’ll have to be thick-skinned like that. Thinking about it, Esprit had no choice but to stop dwelling on this. Since Zonda was useless, she would simply have to hope Agera does his best. There was no doubt that Agera was pissed off, so there must be a reason why he was not attacking. If he was trying to do something, she could only hope for it to come soon. But then, Agera said something outrageous. “Esprit, I’ll tell you what I understand.” “—What?” “It seems that, to my chagrin, it is impossible for me to defeat him with my own strength.” “Huh?!” ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’ Esprit thought. There was no way she could tell her bosses that they couldn’t win. Normally, Carrera was a mischievous person, but when she got mad, she was out of control. What’s more, she should be watching the battle right now. It was necessary to question Agera’s intentions before the bosses became angry. “What do you mean?” “Nothing, it’s quite simple. This man, wearing his warrior’s armor, has increased not only his attack power but also his defense. He realized that no matter how many times I hit him with my sword, I would be unable to slay him.” The effects of the Ultimate Enchantment ‘Alternative’s ability to ‘defeat and conquer’ combined with the defensive power of the Legendary-grade armor had led to Garcia’s defense being raised to the equivalent of mythical-grade. Agera had seen through this and knew that his sword would not be able to penetrate. “…Could that be the reason my magic didn’t work?” “Indeed. His movements are not a big deal, but I can’t hurt him.” Agera made a good point, and Esprit could only frown and nod. If they couldn’t win, they would have no choice but to report it to Carrera, but that would only ruin their reputation… Without Agera’s advice, Esprit had also observed Garcia and understood that she was infe199