"Dwight! I'm coming to take your turn—no, to reinforce you!"
Diera's voice came through the thought transmission.
The pseudo-golem spewed flames from its soles, using that force for flight.
I felt an enormous miasma reaction from its massive frame.
It was as concentrated as I thought when I believed it to be the beast.
The miasma circulated inside the pseudo-golem.
She had probably taken it from the beast.
It seemed she was incorporating it directly as fuel.
I was curious about the method, but even if I asked, I likely wouldn't get a clear answer.
Knowing Diera, she must have succeeded purely on intuition.
The pseudo-golem hovered motionless in the air.
Part of the golden tentacles surged toward it.
It immediately identified them as hostile.
A beam was fired from a tube mounted on the golem.
The tentacles absorbed the beam and enlarged without sustaining a scratch.
I reported to Diera.
"Magic and miasma are ineffective. Physical attacks are its weakness."
"Mm, that's troublesome."
Diera groaned.
After a few moments, chains of light were projected from the golem this time.
They seized the tentacles attempting to ensnare them and began tightening, binding them instead.
The chains of light were not absorbed.
It perfectly maintained its hold on the tentacle.
(Was it an exception because it was sacred magic?)
The chains of light were an ability specialized in destroying miasma.
For the beast, this was an overwhelmingly lethal effect.
It couldn't purify the tentacles, it seemed, but neither could it be absorbed.
Just as it was wondering what would happen next, something was launched from the golem's shoulder.
It was a single arrow.
The arrow flew past the restrained tentacle, straight toward the golden tower.
The free tentacles immediately moved to defend.
However, the arrow slipped through with an exquisite trajectory.
It was a feat only possible with supreme skill, perfect anticipation of the tentacles' defenses, and a precise understanding of the wind currents.
The arrow pierced through the tentacles' defense and finally embedded itself in the golden tower.
The golden tower shuddered more violently than ever before.
The vibration turned into a roar that rumbled through the ground and toppled buildings.
A translucent liquid leaked from where the arrow had struck.
Was it bleeding?
It was clearly injured.
"Ha ha ha, what a roar! Such a big target is easy to hit!"
A voice of delight came from the pseudo-golem's shoulder.
I strained my eyes.
Henry was there, perched atop the shoulder.
He was bracing his bow while maintaining that position.
It looked like he'd locked his legs against the scales for stability.
Even so, it seemed incredibly precarious.
Considering the risk of falling, it was a bold move.
"What happened to the Maritime Coalition? I left their defense and interception to you."
"Oh, we took those guys out ages ago! Left the defense to Dolda now. Should be plenty capable."
Indeed, with Dolda handling it, there was no need to worry.
On the open water, he was in his element.
With the Demon Lord Army's morale soaring, there were no issues left.
Having confirmed the naval battle's conclusion, Diera apparently decided her aid with Henry was best directed toward assisting me.
As someone who'd been struggling, I was immensely grateful.
It was the perfect reinforcement.
"...You're a bother."
"Don't worry about it, Chief! We just wanted to fight the beast boss. Can't let an opportunity like this go to waste, right?"
In his cheerful manner, Henry loosed his second arrow.
This time, it tore a tentacle free.
A bow crafted from dragon material embodies the essence of a devastating strike. Even against a false god, it seems to hold true. The fierce, relentless assault from Diera and Henry was drawing the attention of the tendrils. If there was a chance to counterattack, it was now. Just as that thought crossed my mind, my power suddenly surged. The supplied miasma and magical energy swelled without limit. It seemed some change had occurred within the Valley of the Dead. Caught off guard by the shifting situation, a telepathic voice reached me.
"Demon Lord! Is there any change with your body!"
It was Grom's voice. I questioned him.
"My power is amplifying. What's happening?"
"We are offering the beasts we've eliminated to the Valley of the Dead! It's support from afar, but we will also do everything in our power to assist you, Demon Lord!"
Grom's explanation made sense. The immense miasma was coming from the sacrificed beasts. Probing with detection magic, I found Yura and the Great Spirit had also joined in the effort. It seemed they had even gone to the allied army's base where Luciana and Logan were waiting. They were gathering the corpses of the beasts, one after another. They had left the direct support to Diera and Henry, holding back their own desire to join the battle here to focus on empowering me instead.
That was why I believed they could contribute.
I manipulated the miasma swirling within my body, weaving protective barriers across my entire form.
It was meant to suppress the tower's adverse effects.
Having laid them out so thoroughly, even approaching should not interfere with my spellcasting.
(—With this, I might just manage)
Unexpected reinforcement solidified my confidence.
It was a move I could not have made alone.
And it had been extended by none other than my subordinates.
No amount of thanks could ever suffice.
This debt can only be repaid through results.
Gazing at the tower, I tightened my grip on the sword left to me as a memento.