A fellow Japanese attacker launched a strike at me.
Some of these otherworlders might not even be from Earth. Could they have come from another planet—or perhaps another dimension? Such thoughts only confirmed that my composure had returned.
These beings had astonishing constitutions, possibly with unknown abilities, but at this moment, they were no threat. Even unguarded, none could harm me. My 'Absolute Defense' combined with 'Infinite Regeneration under the Pharaoh Authority' rendered me untouchable.
Difficult as they were, I could neutralize them without inflicting harm, given time. I did not underestimate them; I had Solarys, the Sovereign of Wisdom, ensuring I would not misjudge a single detail.
With that certainty, I focused part of my attention on the battlefield.
Hinata was engaged in an elegant duel nearby with Granbell. Both wielded rapiers, their movements precise and fluid. Granbell's right hand held his sword while his left remained behind him, likely reserved for spellcasting.
"Tsk…so you've been holding back, Master of the Sun?" I murmured, observing closely. "I knew your prowess in close combat, but your swordsmanship…masterful."
He chuckled. "I have mastered all weapons. In the past, I simply did not require them."
Hinata responded swiftly: "Then I'll wipe that
casual expression off your face."
She wielded the Moonlight Rapier with no restraint. Yet Granbell's blade… it was extraordinary.
«Analysis. Sword grade: Above legendary-grade.»
I had underestimated Granbell. Could Hinata even match him? The thought was alarming, though Solarys' guidance left little room for doubt—her skill alone was formidable.
While their duel drew my attention, another fight demanded focus. Within the Grand Cathedral, a man clad in black armor faced Shion and Diablo. His magical presence surpassed theirs combined.
"This is insane. What kind of trump card is this? He's stronger than an average demon lord," I said aloud, my tone calm yet commanding.
Granbell, still engaged with Hinata, replied without looking my way. "Naturally. To face the demon lords and monsters hostile to humanity, no trick alone is enough."
Perfect. While he spoke, I could extract valuable information, subtly probing as I observed the battlefield.
"That one…he's stronger than the imposter demon lord Roy. Stronger than you as well?" I asked, deliberately provoking.
"Razul. A companion I've known for thousands of years," Granbell replied evenly.
Hinata remained silent, understanding my intention. I pressed further.
"So he's your friend…yet Razul doesn't look human."
Granbell's tone was dismissive: "So what?"
Even that simple acknowledgment revealed much—Razul was indeed an alien presence. Granbell added, "Razul belongs to a race with extraordinary longevity. He was my closest companion during my prime. Stronger than your Holy Knight captains, he will severely challenge your subordinates."
He was correct. Shion and Diablo were struggling. Diablo's usual focus seemed fractured.
«Report. Unusual spatial distortion detected. Spatial Movement in use.»
Solarys' warning echoed in my mind—a rare, urgent alert. Diablo likely noticed it too, which explained his distraction.
‹Ranga, are you present?›
‹I am, Master!›
Good. He had been waiting in my shadow.
‹Support Shion covertly.›
‹Understood!›
Ranga slipped into Shion's shadow using Shadow Step.
With preparations complete, I addressed Diablo.
‹Diablo, your focus seems divided.›
‹My apologies, Atem-sama. This opponent…he exceeds my expectations. He is a rare insect-type monster, from another dimension, in complete form. They are natural enemies to demons.›
Insect-type monsters were magical beings of extraordinary power, almost never evolving to humanoid form. Diablo still had a chance—but a far greater threat had just arrived via Spatial Movement.
‹Shion, heed this. Diablo's hesitation signals extreme danger.›
I sensed Diablo's guilt—a rare, unnatural emotion—confirming the severity of the situation.
‹Shion, Ranga—hold the line. I am sending reinforcements from my Spirit Deck. Dark Magician, Dark Magician Girl, Skilled Dark Magician—assist you. Work together to subdue Razul.›
‹It goes without saying!›
‹We will not fail Master's expectations!›
Shion recognized Diablo's predicament immediately. Alone, she would falter against Razul. Two-on-one might seem dishonorable, but victory demanded precise planning.
‹Diablo, resolve your concern. Trust in your companions, and rely on them when necessary.›
‹…! Kufufufufufu. Understood. I shall resolve this immediately!›
Pretentious? Perhaps. Effective? Undeniably. His rhythm restored, Diablo surged forward.
‹Move out!›
‹‹‹Understood!›››
"Kufufufufu…Atem-sama has seen through me completely. Truly, unparalleled," Diablo murmured, a small smirk crossing his lips.
"That goes without saying, Second Secretary," I commanded, my tone calm but absolute. "Focus on resolving what you must."
"Of course. But you must have noticed…that one, Razul, is stronger than you. Are you certain you will be fine, First Secretary-dono?"
"I never expected concern from you, Diablo," I said, letting a faint smile play at the corner of my mouth. "You are strong…stronger than I. That is precisely why you must defeat any foe before us, to prevent trouble from reaching Eterna. It is your duty."
"…! Kufu…to hear my name…spoken by you—"
Diablo's voice trailed, half surprise, half excitement.
"Move. Leave the rest to me."
"Even without your command, Atem-sama, I would trust you completely, Shion-dono."
Shion shuddered, brushing off the honorific. "Just call me Shion. Honorifics from your lips…they feel disingenuous."
"Kufufufufu. Then, Shion, I wish you victory in your conquest."
"And you, Diablo."
No further words were exchanged, yet acknowledgment hung in the air. Two proud warriors recognizing each other's power without fanfare.
Diablo departed without glancing back. He issued orders to his subordinate, precise and cold.
"Venom…even if you die, protect these children."
He did not need to speak of the other details—Diablo's judgment was flawless. Venom's thoughts raced but he dared not voice them aloud, knowing the consequences would be immediate. Protecting the children and the band members alone was enough. Any more and they might falter.
With his commands entrusted, Diablo vanished from the battlefield, reappearing at the wasteland outside Lubelius, far from the Grand Cathedral.
A striking blue-haired figure in a dark red maid suit stood surrounded by fallen Holy Knights—no human guardians could withstand her.
"Long time, Noir. I was getting impatient," she said, her gaze sharp.
"I felt your presence…your killing intent. I could not withdraw until now," Diablo replied calmly. "By the way, call me Diablo. Blue Primordial—though you already know the name, Raine."
Raine smiled. "Indeed. The strongest among us, the Red Primordial, Guy-sama, named me. Unlike some cheap demon lord who dared to give you a title."
"Huh? You dare provoke me? Foolish." Diablo's golden eyes narrowed, red pupils thinning as they locked on her. The playful smile vanished.
"Then let us duel, Diablo! Ever since I learned of your fight against the White Primordial, I've longed for this moment!"
"Boring," he replied, voice calm, unyielding. "You are mistaken if you believe you can challenge me."
Raine surged forward, hands moving faster than sound, yet Diablo merely raised one hand. Her strike struck nothing, met by a wall of impenetrable magic.
This was no ordinary clash. Raine's thousand-year desire to challenge Diablo burned brightly. The Blue Primordial seethed—not at me, but at Diablo.
Her ire had built over millennia. She could not forgive his free-spirited defiance, his casual disregard for the natural order of primordials. Guy-sama had recognized him, yet Diablo had lived centuries without seeking power for himself.
"Ahahahaha! Always running away, eh? Pathetic."
"Kufufufufu. Hear me clearly—you mistake me. Against you, I do not need my full power. Nor have I ever fled."
"Don't pretend you're untouchable! Your new body limits your power—you know you can't use it all!"
Raine launched magic missiles, warping reality itself, forming nuclear-caliber strikes—casting without chants, bending the rules of the world.
Yet Diablo anticipated this. With calm precision, he dispelled every attack. Layers of defensive spells, counters, and mantras rippled across the battlefield. Two masters of demonkind, neither wasting a breath on unnecessary words.
Time passed.
"U-unbelievable…we…ended in a draw?" Raine's voice trembled.
"Indeed. Fighting you is tedious…predictable," Diablo said flatly. "A duel where the outcome is clear is no duel at all—it is merely paperwork."
With a snap of his fingers, magic circles materialized around her, glowing runes forming from thin air. To move would trigger lethal consequences.
She froze. Diablo's eyes glimmered with calculated cruelty.
"Multi-stage Disintegration…a spell fatal to primordials. Why…why use it?"
He tilted his head, pity in his gaze. "How can you not understand? With faith in your master, even Spiritrons obey. It is common sense."
"Common sense?! You're insane!"
"Doesn't matter. Time to send you away. You dared insult my master, Atem-sama—you shall reflect upon your folly."
Seven beams of destructive light shot from all directions. Each a force of annihilation, defying any counter. They struck toward Raine, unrelenting.
From my side, I watched, the authority of the Pharaoh pulsing. My Spirit Deck prepared itself, Dark Magician, Dark Magician Girl, and Skilled Dark Magician poised at my command, ready to intervene if the fight escalated beyond Diablo's perfection.