When Emperor Rudra's cry rang out, the reactions split into two camps: those who were horrified, and those who were consumed by rage.
At the same time, the fact that the Imperial Army had fallen into complete chaos thanks to the "Storm Sword" could be said to have decided the outcome between the Imperial Guards and the Demons.
He had been on the defensive this entire time, never initiating an attack of his own.
Even though he was furious at the insults to his master, he understood that combat was a separate matter. That was why he carefully dealt with his opponent's attacks, accumulating damage little by little while— —watching.
"Hah! What a coward. Demon this, Demon that—you act all high and mighty, but you're no match for the strongest of knights! In His Majesty the Emperor's name, I shall execute you all! Your master is no match for Lord Kondou either! You'll be able to serve him even in the afterlife!"
"Hmm. Those are words you should save for after you've shown results. I'm quite patient, but you seem far too hasty? Well, Lady
"You think I'm hasty?! You still don't see the difference in our power?! That demon girl with the purple ponytail—sure, she's strong. But you lot are weak as hell! Just give up and die already!"
Guard No.05
His massive frame overflowed with magicules. On top of that, the additional layer of his Ultimate Bestowal—"Agent"—which granted him the power of "subjugation dominion," converting the will to subjugate into raw strength, made him devastating against evil entities such as rampaging spirits, specters, and demons.
This also affected his body, granting him tremendous physical prowess.
Protected by his Legend-class armor, he had no need to worry about the recoil of his own power.
Garcia, who wielded his abilities with masterful precision, never let his guard down even while verbally provoking his opponent.
A Demon Duke-class demon was a supreme threat—also known as a Demon Lord. They were not enemies one could afford to underestimate.
And yet, his provocations appeared to have no effect. As spiritual life-forms, demons' abilities were influenced by their emotions.
He had thought that provoking them might create an opening, but it didn't seem to work.
"You're not only hasty—you're uncouth. I don't believe that all humans are inferior. But here's the thing: souls have dignity too. No matter what someone with a vulgar soul does, they can never hide it."
In fact, the provocation ended up throwing Garcia off his rhythm instead.
For several exchanges, Agera continued to observe Garcia—sheathing his katana still, dodging attacks with minimal movement and minimal magicule expenditure.
As long as he didn't take a fatal blow, Agera could not lose.
His body showed no signs of healing its wounds. That was likely due to the effect of Garcia's Ultimate Ability.
However, as long as Agera was a spiritual life-form, there were countless ways to heal once the battle ended.
He recognized that he was inferior in terms of raw power, and felt firsthand that his own abilities couldn't deliver a decisive blow against an Ultimate Ability.
But in terms of physical ability, he was overwhelmingly superior.
If that was the case, then once he learned to concentrate his power, like the prey before him...
And then, hearing Emperor Rudra's cry, the situation finally moved.
"His Majesty the Emperor has given his command! I must dispose of you—and your master as well—without delay!"
Hearing Garcia's words, Agera's patience snapped.
(Our God—even Lord Rimuru—you would call him inferior?! A lowly monster, no less?! And you dare say... dispose of?!!)
Rage.
Agera naturally, fluidly drew his katana in a single flowing motion.
Iaidō — Eightfold Cherry Blossom — Eight Petal Flash.
"Huh? ...What?"
Garcia couldn't see it. He couldn't comprehend it.
What had just happened.
The prey that had been purely on the defensive—while injured, no less—had turned to counterattack, and he couldn't even grasp that much before it was too late.
He was killed before he could understand, so there was nothing to be done.
His confidence had rested on the defensive effect granted to his "armor" by his Ultimate Ability, but it was sliced through like tissue paper—and he could never have understood that.
In an instant, he was carved apart eight times and killed before he could even think.
Agera sheathed the katana in his hand.
"When someone insults your master, there is no warrior who stays silent, you fool! But oh well. My role is to advise my master. To think I would be so enraged by the words of a petty man... I still have... much to learn..."
he murmured.
Now, clearly. Agera had grasped the essence of his ability.
Through his Unique Skill "Seer," he had observed his enemy and recognized the most effective way to use his power.
And he remembered.
A strike from his past—a singular blow that had reached the pinnacle, the rank called "Ultimate."
A remnant from when he had been human—a "katana."
Up until now, Agera had fought unarmed, relying on magic. But for the first time, he understood the meaning behind taking on the form of a warrior.
Long ago, before he had been reborn as a demon in this world—he had been a Samurai.
"Perhaps I, too, was once a human who lived in that other world."
With that small reflection, he shifted his thoughts.
He had no more interest in the trash he had killed.
Agera turned on his heel and headed back toward Carrera, the one he served with unwavering loyalty.
---
But the moment she heard the Emperor's words, her expression turned to cold fury.
Esprit, who was normally careless and a hedonist—who obsessed only over pleasing Carrera—could not let slide an insult directed at Rimuru, their supreme overlord and Demon Lord who was like a god.
"Agh, how annoying! Fine, forget it—you can just die!!"
"Ha ha ha, what nonsense! That's rich, coming from you as you scramble to flee pathetically!"
Guard No.04
He had the battle overwhelmingly under his control. There was no element by which he could lose.
That's right—there was none at all.
If he had simply finished her off quickly, he could have won.
But he loved to torment the weak. More than anything, he loved to see the strong scream and cry out.
That was exactly why he was holding back—he wanted to see a Demon Duke-class demon, and a beautiful woman at that, weep and beg for mercy.
The instant Esprit begged for her life, he would kill her.
That twisted sadism became the cause of his death.
"That should be more than enough. Reflection!!"
Esprit possessed a special ability—Unique Skill "Counterattacker"—which reflected all the damage she herself had taken directly back at her attacker.
The damage carved into her overwhelming demonic body.
The total was far more than any human could withstand.
Let them cut your flesh to break their own bones.
The instant Esprit's special ability activated, Gardner was transformed into a silent heap of flesh.
"My, my. Without this ability, I would have been worn down and defeated. 'Never look down on your enemy'—is that the lesson? Did He arrange this fight against a stronger opponent specifically to teach us that...? No way—even if it's Lord Rimuru, surely He wouldn't go that far..."
When that thought struck her, Esprit felt a chill run down her spine.
The command "you shall not die" was, in other words, an order to survive and grow stronger.
And indeed— "By defeating someone stronger than I was before, I have certainly grown stronger..."
Yes, for spiritual life-forms like demons, their strength could change based on their willpower.
It was rare, but when fighting a superior opponent, most demons simply gave up and accepted defeat.
To implant in a demon an unbreakable spirit—a spirit of indomitable resilience...
Waves of admiration and worship surged within her, but she suppressed those feelings and set out.
She had to deal with those who had insulted her master—quickly.
--- Veilon was the second most powerful among the seven Demon Dukes.
Despite that, he was unable to do a thing against the warrior before him and lay prostrate on the ground in humiliation.
Guard No.03 Graniot was a hero.
He had built the Empire's foundations and made a thousand years of peace possible—the driving force behind it all.
He had even been called the "War God" Graniot. Though he had officially retired, he had become one of Emperor Rudra's closest confidants.
His overwhelming spear technique was like a work of art—so fast it was like a shooting star, and even to Veilon's demon eyes, impossible to catch.
Moreover, he wielded the "Agent" ability perfectly, completely controlling it with no wasted energy.
The gap between them was vast—earth and sky.
The only fortunate thing was that if anyone else had been his opponent, they would have been annihilated in an instant.
Veilon once again created the spear he had just shattered using Material Creation and took his stance.
"Demon, no matter how many times you try, it's futile. A copycat can never beat me. If you're going to cling to life while avoiding fatal wounds, you should have hidden yourself from the start."
"That is a harsh assessment. However, protecting the young lady is my duty. If no one were dealing with you right now, even the young lady herself would struggle."
Veilon was
He had served her for a long time, entrusted with all aspects of her care.
Even now, he was holding this dangerous man in place, ensuring he could not run loose.
And since Veilon believed in his master's victory, as long as he survived, Veilon would win.
But...
(The fact remains that this isn't enjoyable. If possible, I'd like to strike back at least once...)
His trusted magic was utterly useless, and every decisive means of attack had been sealed.
His opponent surpassed him overwhelmingly in technique; merely avoiding fatal blows took everything he had.
If not for Veilon's immense magicules, he would have been destroyed long ago.
The spear in his hand was already the fourth he had created.
Judging that magic alone couldn't protect him, he resorted to his last resort.
Using his Unique Skill "Mimic," he copied his opponent's spear technique.
Being a counterfeit, there was no chance of victory no matter what he did. None at all, yet somehow he was still managing to avoid fatal blows.
But his counterattack with the copied ability was hopeless.
Now what...
The instant that thought crossed his mind, a deafening roar shook the air as the Emperor rose to his feet and screamed.
Veilon's soul felt like it was boiling—simultaneously consumed by rage and intense humiliation.
His anger was sublimated into fury because he could not find any means to defeat his enemy.
"It is His Majesty the Emperor's command. Stop fleeing pathetically and prepare yourself!"
The warrior Graniot declared this, radiating the same domination he had once shown as the "War God."
Right after— "Sir! You won't believe what I just saw!"
As he spoke,
"Zonda, are you neglecting your duties?"
"Nah, I'm all good.
If Veilon was the butler, Zonda was the page.
Both were Demon Dukes, but there was a clear difference in rank.
However, as two who served the same master, they got along remarkably well.
That was why Zonda answered so casually to Veilon's question.
"Oh...? Is it enough to turn the tide of my current... predicament?"
Veilon pressed further.
"You bet it is!" Zonda replied with full confidence.
And then— "Now is the time for me to show you! My ability, which has just manifested—the Unique Skill 'Body Weaponization'!!"
The moment he shouted, he compressed his entire body and transformed into the shape of a spear.
The high-density magicules of a Demon Duke compressed into the form of a single refined spear.
This was a feat only possible because he was a demon—a spiritual life-form.
(Heh heh, how about that? Veldora turned himself into a weapon, you know! I wanted to try it too. Your love of copying must've rubbed off on me, sir!)
Zonda spoke in a lively, lighthearted tone.
He'd been slacking off watching Rimuru's fight, hadn't he... Veilon thought, but resigned himself to it as always.
Then he returned his own created spear to magicules and gripped Zonda's weapon form in his hand.
The crystallization of demonic energy.
Normally, a demon covered its entire body in magicules for defense, but here, all of that magic had been converted into a weapon—a spear of pure energy.
The magicule density was overwhelming.
Graniot sensed the danger of that spear and his face contorted. Then— "I cannot allow you to use such a thing!! Army Breaker — Seismic Destruction!!"
Pouring every ounce of his strength into it, he unleashed his ultimate strike.
But it was already too late.
Demonic Spear: With Zonda in hand, Veilon diverted all of that magicule power not into offense, but into defense.
He handed off the attack to Zonda while he himself focused purely on defense.
And he succeeded in surviving Graniot's ultimate technique.
Though he sustained massive damage, he was saved from death.
"Now then... allow me to strike back."
He said this quietly, then used his Unique Skill "Mimic" to completely replicate Graniot's "Army Breaker — Seismic Destruction."
The physical motion. The distribution of power.
However, all of it was overwritten with demonic physical ability—beyond anything comparable before.
He was a turret that didn't need to think about the attack itself. And what was fired was a single blow packed with the high-density magicules of a Demon Duke.
Graniot, who had moved to counter based on intimate knowledge of his own technique's quirks, was annihilated without being allowed to do a single thing.
That overwhelmingly transcendent strike destroyed Graniot's physical composition in an instant, reducing him to dust. With that same momentum, it tore through the upper deck and destroyed several adjacent airships.
It was, in truth, a small-scale "Storm Sword" in terms of power.
"Well done, Zonda. I believe this is the first time I've found you genuinely useful."
"Harsh, sir! I'm always useful, you know..."
Their exchange was light and casual as always.
During that time, Veilon's wounds—including the tears in his tailcoat—had been fully repaired.
In the blink of an eye, he was back to normal.
This was precisely why spiritual life-forms were the strongest.
And the two of them headed toward Ultima, their master.