Seriously, he wished they would stop with the jokes.
That was
Just when he thought he'd finished off an opponent, a new one showed up. And it seemed the purpose of this new arrival was to expose everything in his hand.
He'd failed to accomplish his main objective — the elimination of
It seemed the surveillance had been real after all, and even his scheme to kill Ramiris's protectors along with her had been read.
In the first place, he didn't even know when Ramiris herself had been evacuated.
This was abnormal.
Were they going to say he'd been conversing with an illusion from the very beginning?
But creating an illusion capable of deceiving someone like himself — who possessed an Ultimate Skill and was especially skilled in hypnotic abilities — was something that should have been impossible.
He knew the strength of the insect-type demon called
Within this labyrinth created by Ramiris, Zegion was the being that could be called the strongest.
(That's exactly why I didn't want to do this…)
With a sigh born of resignation, Dino searched for the optimal course of action in this situation.
Ignoring Dino entirely, Zegion advanced at an unhurried pace.
"Is there anything you'd like to say?" Zegion asked.
"You deliberately allowed the infiltration to proceed in order to expose what I had up my sleeve, didn't you? Don't screw with me — that's dirty!"
Ignoring his own hypocrisy, Dino lodged his complaints first. He understood there was no point in saying any of it, but it was nothing more than venting.
"How laughable. That is battle."
"I know that!"
The verbal exchange was over, and tension crackled between the two.
Dino knew Zegion's strength. That was an advantage for Dino, and it was only natural to use it.
Zegion possessed abilities honed exclusively for combat, surpassing the Unique Skill stage.
If comparing pure close-combat ability alone, Zegion was likely stronger than even Dino, who possessed an Ultimate Skill.
Dino's abilities leaned toward mental attacks, which differed from direct offensive power.
However, Dino had developed a Phantom Blade technique that wove the abilities of the "King of Sloth" into swordsmanship itself — a style of infinite variability.
It could obstruct the opponent's perception and tip the battle in his favor.
And by releasing his power at precisely the right moment, he could achieve combat prowess beyond even a top-tier swordsman like
Even so, Dino judged that engaging Zegion in close combat was too risky.
In that case, there was no room for holding back.
To survive this situation, his best option was to take Zegion down with his strongest attack, even if it meant using his trump card.
"Ha! Don't underestimate me. I am one of the Demon Lords, and I have lived for ages. Take this, and perish! '
The ultimate technique of the Phantom Blade that Dino had developed.
A blow unleashed at full power, maximizing the ability release of the "King of Sloth."
It contained a wave that stimulated negative emotions, capable of robbing even the will to live with a mere graze.
The only ones who could withstand this attack were those who possessed an Ultimate Skill and strong mental fortitude.
Dino believed that even Guy would not emerge unscathed from a direct hit.
Even if the attack was dodged, the negative wave was released in all directions, and simply being exposed to it would inevitably diminish combat power. He could then finish them off with a follow-up strike.
This was Dino's hidden trump card, launched with full confidence.
Zegion did not move.
He verified the trajectory of Dino's blade, and as if it were nothing, his left hand's exoskeleton transformed into the material of the Ultimate Metal, catching Dino's greatsword "Crushing Fang" bare-handed.
"You fool! Just receiving my blade should cause a fatal wound. This battle is mine!" Dino shouted.
It was his fastest attack, but as expected, it was caught. And worse, caught with one hand as if it were a trifle.
There should have been tremendous impact from the Mythical-grade greatsword, yet Zegion stood completely unmoved. His composure was almost maddening.
But the battle was Dino's victory.
No matter how high-performance Zegion's defenses were — beyond anything befitting a Unique Skill — he could not block a mental attack powered by an Ultimate Skill.
Dino's strategy, which feinted a sword attack to catch Zegion off guard before unleashing a lethal mental strike, appeared to have succeeded.
Because Dino knew Zegion was strong, he had predicted that Zegion would not try to avoid his preferred close-range attack.
"Hmph. Give me a break, seriously. He'll probably revive in a few minutes, so I need to finish off Ramiris quickly…"
Muttering that, Dino turned toward
Through Dino's "Magic Sense," Souei's presence felt faint — meaning this Souei was one of his clones.
A clone's combat power was fragile compared to the main body.
Moreover, Dino had confirmed that Souei did not possess an Ultimate Skill and was not wearing Ramiris's "Bracelet of Resurrection."
Even if the one standing before him was the main body, it posed no threat.
That said, having already revealed all his trump cards, his remaining Magicule count was running low.
Having to face executive-level combatants one after another was beyond Dino's expectations.
Since he'd managed to take down Zegion with his hidden trump card, he should escape before Zegion revived.
Dino started to walk toward Souei…
When he felt a violent chill and turned back toward Zegion.
"Tell me — is your attack a delayed effect? With this attack that is no more than a gentle breeze, causing neither pain nor itch, do you truly believe you can defeat me? In this situation, rather than such a lukewarm method, you should have used an instantaneous attack," Zegion said.
Standing there quietly, unchanged from moments ago, Zegion extended his clenched left hand forward and opened it.
Five streaks of light were released — Zegion's Dimensional Extinction Cutting Wave.
Through split-second evasive action, Dino managed to avoid a fatal wound. However, his black wings and right arm were severed.
"It hurts…"
Dino groaned in pain and wanted to crumple to the ground, but there was no time for that.
His instincts screamed that he was in genuine danger now, but Dino suppressed the warning and shouted: "How?! How is "Hypnotic Induction to Death" not working?! Even if it were a virtual body, it still affects the main body from a distance — it's a technique with no escape!"
At Dino's frantic question: "I have no obligation to answer you," Zegion's cold, heartless voice replied.
But then he continued: "— However, I shall answer you, pitiful creature. Dreamlike and ethereal — from the very beginning, you have been under the dominion of my ability. Know this: mental attacks are useless against me, who bears the name 'Phantom Sovereign,' the King of the Illusory Realm!"
With the voice of a superior granting mercy, Zegion answered Dino's question.
Through this, Dino realized that Zegion was a being of equal standing to his current self — no, one who had far surpassed him.
Which meant— (You're kidding me?!
He'd seen the ones encased in cocoons and those in deep sleep — that was a phenomenon observed during evolution…
Could it be — evolution into a Demon Lord? All of them, in a state of low-level activity because of that?!
Even so… just how strong has this guy become?!)
Dino had recognized that some form of evolution was taking place.
But the idea that subordinates of the Awakened Demon Lord Rimuru could evolve to the level of their master Rimuru himself was beyond anything he could have imagined.
This was a phenomenon that even Dino, who had lived for ages, could not have predicted.
No — in the first place, the mere existence of multiple Demon Peer-class beings was already abnormal.
As the highest-ranking among the Demons — the supreme spiritual life forms — they possessed combat power capable of stopping even Dino.
Just like
At worst, in terms of raw power alone, they might rival an Awakened Demon Lord…
But he understood that the Zegion before him was on an entirely different level.
Clearly, this was something beyond the ordinary.
Zegion was at the Awakened Demon Lord class, and his abilities seemed to hold limitless power.
Being equal to Dino — that is to say, it suggested the possibility that Zegion had also obtained an Ultimate Skill.
And above all, the fact that his own ability had been nullified meant the opponent's ability was stronger.
(Impossible… my ability is of the Sin series. It's one of the highest-tier abilities among Ultimate Skills!)
Dino typically lived by concealing his abilities, which also meant he had complete mastery over them.
He was by no means weak.
It was just that his opponent was wrong — no, too overwhelmingly strong.
From the very beginning, this space had been Zegion's domain of control.
That pointed to a single fact.
"Pray, you who have touched the abyss of sin! Storm of Phantom Dimensional Waves!!"
— The fact that Zegion was the stronger one compared to Dino.
A rainbow-colored storm engulfed Dino, erasing his existence as if it had never been.
It was, truly, a high-energy storm of an entirely different dimension.
Without any means of defense, Dino should have been obliterated — not a single fragment of flesh remaining.
"Oh? Your prayer reached through, did it? It seems your luck is the one thing you have in abundance," Zegion murmured.
From somewhere, a small sound of something breaking rang out, and Dino's supposedly erased existence was regenerated.
Zegion had grasped the situation perfectly.
His voice was calm — everything had fallen within the scope of his expectations.
Indeed, Dino had equipped a commonplace bracelet on his left hand.
A cheap item purchasable at the stalls in front of the labyrinth. Yes, it was a "Bracelet of Resurrection."
A product mass-produced by Ramiris.
Unlike the genuine article worn by the labyrinth's executives, this was a crude imitation that could only be used once.
Dino had purchased this bracelet on a day off, just in case. He hadn't been issued a genuine one like the executives had.
He'd told himself that wearing the real thing would expose his location and conversations, and inwardly had been somewhat relieved about that.
In any case, Dino had prepared this cheap imitation and equipped it for this mission.
Going to kill Ramiris, who created items, while carrying one of her items as insurance — it was this shameless pragmatism that made Dino who he was.
Zegion had, naturally, noticed that Dino was wearing the bracelet.
He had noticed and deliberately let it slide.
At most, it was a simple experiment.
Would Ramiris's blessing still activate even against a being with hostile intent toward her?
The results spoke for themselves.
Dino had won that particular gamble.
For Zegion, it made little difference either way.
Obtaining the results of this experiment was incidental — having protected Ramiris completely, the victory conditions were already met.
Zegion lifted Ramiris from where she lay on the ground and gently placed her on the long chair.
Souei appeared to have headed topside to provide reinforcements.
Zegion had also planned to join the battle, but it seemed that would no longer be necessary.
The fleeing Dino would surely call for a retreat, and things would be settled quickly.
If there was no sign of retreat, he would simply crush them.
The safety of this location had been secured. Beretta and Adalman would likely revive soon as well.
After confirming once more that Ramiris was safe, Zegion quietly began walking toward the surface.
−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−− It was truly depressing.
Rather than celebrating his survival, Dino felt depressed over the failure of the operation.
Or rather — if Zegion had become that much of a monster, then a straightforward assault on the labyrinth was utterly hopeless.
He understood that the opportunity he'd had just moments ago had likely been his greatest chance, and that it was now completely gone.
(I mean seriously, that guy is way too strong!)
Even the finishing blow aimed at him had fallen outside the realm of his comprehension.
Zegion had shown Dino only a glimpse of his ability while concealing everything else.
Cutting off his right arm instead of his left — that had to be a signal: I'm letting you go.
Dino was not so foolish as to miss that.
More importantly, if he didn't flee immediately, that monster would come topside.
He understood that with his current forces, defeating Zegion was impossible. That was precisely why he needed to retreat at once.
(This is all part of his plan, isn't it?
Because my allies topside are at a disadvantage, he pushed me to decide on a retreat.
And keeping the bracelet — that was an experiment to see if Ramiris's ability persisted even against those with hostile intent, wasn't it?
If they're running experiments like that…
Then these guys might actually be considering taking out Ramiris and seizing the labyrinth, depending on the situation.
And I was used as a guinea pig for that experiment… damn it.
These guys are terrifyingly calculating.)
Horror at his own thoughts led Dino to significantly revise his assessment of Demon Lord Rimuru upward.
Rimuru would use even his own ally Ramiris and, once she was no longer needed, take everything away — that was what it meant to face such a schemer who plotted even beyond what demons were capable of.
Who knew what other traps might be laid by someone like that.
Dino hurried toward his allies topside.
When Dino reached his companions, the battle was progressing in their favor.
Standing before the entrance to the Jura Tempest Federation, blocking their path, was Geld, the "Guardian King."
His body was drenched in blood, covered in wounds so numerous he could collapse at any moment.
Beside him were Souei and
To prevent the damage from spreading, the executives themselves were fighting rather than their subordinates.
That was the right call, Dino thought.
The three of them were up against two of Dino's companions — Fallen Angels.
Piccolo and Galatsha.
Comrades of the "Apostles of the End," the "Watchers" who wielded overwhelming power.
Spreading six pitch-black wings instead of the three appropriate for divine messengers — unlike the ten who had remained in the heavens, these were ones who had fallen to the surface, just like Dino.
Including Dino, there had been thirteen Seraphim in total.
Three of them had descended to the surface, carrying out various activities.
As beings of the Seraphim class, they should have been capable of easily destroying the Jura Tempest Federation…
But currently, while they held the advantage, they could not break through Geld's defense and were being gradually worn down by Shion.
Shion was unharmed.
And with Souei having rushed to reinforce, even the two of them together had apparently been unable to breach the defenses.
(Seriously? Even they aren't at my level, but their raw power rivals that of an Awakened Demon Lord…)
Two colleagues who, while lacking an Ultimate Skill, matched an Awakened Demon Lord in raw power — unable to take down just two demons, even fighting together. The reality of it was enough to make Dino dizzy.
(I knew that woman Shion was abnormal, but that Beastkin is no pushover either.)
Geld had gone unnoticed due to his unassuming role, but the demon called Geld was quite the warrior.
The proof was that he was still alive, facing two Seraphim-class opponents.
"Ugh! How irritating! If you don't take them out in a single blow, their wounds close right back up!"
"Don't lose your composure. …But I must say, they are exasperating!"
Piccolo shouted irritably, and even Galatsha, who scolded him, seemed to have lost her calm.
That was only natural, Dino thought.
Even though they had fallen, they were still the highest-ranking Seraphim. Being unable to break through an enemy's defense had to be devastating to their pride.
But Dino calmly judged that this was Shion's group winning through tactics.
Using Geld — who surpassed them in defensive power — as a shield, they were literally entrusting every attack to him. Dino should have praised Geld for surviving that.
(I mean… just what do these people think of their allies?
They're ruthlessly using him as a shield…)
Dino was appalled.
But there was no time to stand around gawking. If he didn't retreat quickly, that monster would arrive.
"All of you, retreat! We're pulling out!" Dino shouted.
The two reacted to his order with expressions of dissatisfaction, but they obeyed.
"So, did the mission succeed?"
"Huh? It failed! If it had succeeded, do you think I'd be running?!"
"Does that mean you lost?"
"Huh?! So stop asking about it one by one!
Read the room — is there no kindness in pretending not to notice?!?"
'…' Piccolo and Galatsha fell silent at Dino's response.
Despite the increasingly uncomfortable atmosphere, Dino and his companions managed to successfully withdraw from the scene.
Who had made the first move — that was a question that would be debated for generations to come.
However, it was certain that such discussions would only take place among those who knew the full truth.
One thing could be said: everything had unfolded within expectations, and the Jura Tempest Federation had suffered no damage whatsoever.