That day, a declaration of war was announced to every living being in the world.
Projected across the sky was a colossal image.
The blue-eyed boy depicted within spoke in a heavy, solemn voice.
"My name is Velda. I am the one who will bring ruin to this world.
On this day, at this very hour, I hereby issue a declaration of war upon all inhabitants of the world.
Live, or die.
Give it your all and resist. Now then — let us begin.
The Final War!"
Those words became the signal for commencement.
From enormous gates that suddenly appeared in midair, angelic legions began pouring forth in waves.
The world was engulfed in chaos.
Well, this was a rather "here we go again" kind of feeling — struck with a preemptive assault right out of the gate.
The Will of Wickedness — or rather, by Velda's declaration — the Great War had erupted.
But Velda, huh? The fact that the Will of Wickedness had a name meant it wasn't merely Yuuki's alternate personality, as had been suspected.
I didn't know what their relationship was, but the stark difference in their strategies made perfect sense.
"I don't care if he's Velda or whoever — I'll make him eat those words!"
"Oh, quite right. There's no need to trouble Lord Rimuru with this."
"Indeed. The fact that he hasn't shown himself in person says a lot for someone supposedly bent on destroying the world."
Ur, Testa, and
From my perspective, Velda seemed far more cautious than Yuuki — far more dangerous, even.
Where on earth did these Three Primordials get all that confidence?
The multiple large screens installed in the command center — our operations integration headquarters — displayed the status of various nations through my surveillance magic.
The situation wasn't good, but it wasn't the worst-case scenario either. We had made advance contact, and the leaders of each nation had been able to anticipate this outcome.
Though the time had been short, evacuation procedures for civilians had been organized. The real problem was that if the war dragged on, food shortages would inevitably trigger massive unrest.
Hinata and the others had helped guide the people to safety, and evacuations had been completed as of yesterday. Those who had been half-doubtful were now docile enough.
But how long would that last?
There were those who panicked from fear, those who screamed or thrashed about in anxiety. Right now they were a minority, but as time wore on, their numbers would only grow.
The people in the capital regions that had been fully evacuated had maybe a week's worth of food at best.
We hadn't reached the rural areas — only delivered warnings. Beyond that, it was up to local authorities to handle things as they saw fit.
Even just maintaining the current state of affairs would require considerable effort.
Because the Great War occurred every five hundred years, evacuation sites had already been prepared.
In each nation's capital, underground shelters and caves in nearby mountain slopes had been set up for civilian refuge.
Preserved food was stockpiled as well, though it was woefully insufficient for the millions of displaced people.
According to records from past Great Wars, the angels typically withdrew after about a week. But this time, there was no telling.
We had prepared more generously than before, but if the war dragged on, riots were entirely predictable.
That was something that would depend on circumstances, but the thought that in the worst case we might need to divert troops to suppress riots as well was a deeply unpleasant one.
How would the angels move? That was the critical question.
Unlike before, the angelic legions were acting with will and purpose. What were they prioritizing as their objective?
Would they focus on us — the opposing force — or would they prioritize attacking human nations in an effort to draw us out?
To determine that, surveillance magic was essential.
That was precisely why every critical point had been displayed on the screens — so we could instantly track the angels' movements.
In the extreme cold continent where Guy resided — the "Palace of White Ice."
In the magic city governed by Leon — the "Golden Country."
In the Sacred Papal State of Lubelius, where Luminas dwelled in seclusion.
In the fortress of the Giant Kingdom ruled by
The royal capitals and major cities of the Western Nations.
The capital of the Eastern Empire, along with its key metropolitan centers.
And near the center of the vast, fertile lands stretching south of the Great Forest of Jura, standing elegantly amid those who worshipped Milim — the White Castle, the stronghold of the "Destroyer Tyrant" Milim.
Every single one of these locations was displayed clearly on the large screens.
Immediately after the declaration of war, angelic forces were pouring through the enormous gates that had appeared in the air.
But most of it was a feint.
The main force was concentrated in four locations.
First, Guy was excluded from consideration since Chloe had been sent to deal with him.
This alone made it clear they had no reserves to spare.
So, the four key locations were...
First, the "Golden Country." Two hundred thousand angels of varying scale and quality were invading.
Next, the Sacred Papal State of Lubelius. Another two hundred thousand were attacking here as well.
The third location was Milim's White Castle. Two hundred thousand forces had appeared here too.
And the final location — directly above us, outside the Labyrinth. In other words, they were sending four hundred thousand angels to attack our nation — the Monster Kingdom.
Wait, why did I get double?!
I had wished they would divert some forces toward Dagruel's place too — then we could have swiftly defeated them in detail.
I was entertaining such naive thoughts, but the situation was apparently not going my way.
I had argued for concentrating all the Demon Lords in one place to pick off the angels one by one, but the memory of everyone giving me cold stares for that was still fresh.
Apparently, it was "against their aesthetic principles" or something.
I didn't care about aesthetics — I just wanted to settle this quickly...
I had at least managed to convince them about emergency reinforcements. I had prepared teleportation magic circles with precisely that strategy in mind, but the persuasion had ultimately failed.
I had consulted with
If we had executed that strategy, we would have held an overwhelming advantage once the angels divided their forces... It was endlessly frustrating.
Well, the Demon Lords weren't my subordinates, and they weren't exactly trustworthy allies either.
Everyone had their own way of thinking, and the fact that we cooperated at all was practically a miracle. So I let that matter go.
The reason the battle situation wasn't favorable was that the enemy had deployed their forces with a precision that perfectly countered ours.
If they had also diverted forces against Dagruel, we might have been on even footing.
Instead, the angelic legions seemed to be gaining a slight advantage as the battle progressed. As if they had read our forces perfectly...
**"As I suspected, I assess this as a Demon Lord's betrayal."** Suddenly, Ciel issued a warning to me.
She had been pointing this out for some time — that the timing of
I had dismissed it with a laugh, thinking Dino wasn't the type to think that far ahead...
But Ciel had insisted that it was unnatural not to take advantage of the situation by striking after the war began rather than before.
However, there was no definitive proof, and none of the Demon Lords had a clear motive.
Guy, who had even deployed his trump card Chloe to block any interference, was out of the question entirely.
Leon and Luminas could also be ruled out on account of the Chloe connection.
That left Dagruel, but as a warrior of noble character, he was the furthest thing from a traitor.
He had certainly been close friends with Dino, but he had been fighting angels since time immemorial, and nothing about the situation suggested he would turn coat.
His three sons were also being trained by my subordinate
It hadn't been our proposal either — he had asked for it himself.
So I had overruled Ciel's suspicion, deeming it overthinking on her part.
But now, Ciel's words carried the weight of an unequivocal warning.
In other words, if I set aside emotions and analyzed it logically, Dagruel's betrayal was a near-certainty.
*(Could Dagruel really be the traitor?)* **"The most likely possibility is Dagruel.** **However, the possibility that it is Luminas cannot be ruled out either.** **If Dagruel makes a move, his betrayal is confirmed.** **If he stays put and Luminas calls for help, then Luminas is the traitor."** So it might not be Dagruel after all.
I see — right now, Luminas was facing two hundred thousand angels, plus her own forces. If Dagruel rushed to that location as reinforcement, he would undoubtedly be annihilated.
In the current state of affairs, even without reinforcements, Luminas would struggle but was far from guaranteed to lose.
It could go either way, but she wouldn't be steamrolled. In a situation like that, the proud Vampire Princess would never ask for help.
But if Dagruel moved to rescue Luminas without receiving any call for aid...
Then Dagruel's forces would turn their fangs against Luminas as well.
I see.
Indeed, that would confirm the traitor beyond doubt.
The strategy was to分散 our forces, assign appropriate contingents against each of us, and then pick off the Demon Lords individually.
They were counting on each Demon Lord having no reserves left — no troops to spare for reinforcements.
And if they verified the situation solely through thought communication, it would be impossible to determine whose account was true.
Distrust would corrode allies, and the cooperative framework would crumble. It was a cunning strategy built on precisely that outcome.
Have Dino betray first, then create the impression that no further betrayal was possible, lulling everyone into complacency. Honestly, if Teacher Ciel hadn't been here, I would have fallen for it without question.
But she was here, and we had seen through it.
With surveillance magic, we had a perfect read on the enemy's deployment. That was the enemy's miscalculation — and our window of victory.
The teleportation magic circles I'd painstakingly created were designed for unit-level movement, not army-scale deployment.
So regardless of who the traitor was, there was nothing to be particularly afraid of. The circles couldn't teleport anyone into the Labyrinth interior, after all.
The moment the traitor was identified, I simply needed to notify each Demon Lord to seal that faction's teleportation access.
*(All right — let's keep monitoring the situation!)* **"Yes, understood,** **Master!"** Starting a war with the knowledge that there was a traitor among us was hardly encouraging.
This was shaping up to be a miserable fight from the very beginning.
Just as I was mired in that gloomy thought, an even more bewildering development made me question my own eyes.
Milim's forces were being pushed back.
Impossible! She had
And yet...
Just then, the screen displaying Milim's stronghold showed a change. An explosion had occurred in the keep's tower section.
It seemed the situation was going to be worse than I had imagined.
--- When gates appeared in the sky and angels came pouring through, Milim was cheerfully doing warm-up exercises before the battle.
These countless angels were no match for Milim.
At her side stood Carrion, a reliable ally she had personally trained, now serving as a general.
"Well then, I'm heading out!"
With a casual remark, Carrion rose to his feet.
Let's go, boys!! With that cry, Carrion mounted his griffin and rode out to intercept.
Milim watched him go with excitement.
But that situation changed drastically the moment a certain man appeared.
"I am
Stop resisting in vain and be devoured by me already!"
He roared those words in a booming voice and began slaughtering Carrion's beastmen subordinates.
Even those who had served under Carrion since the Beast Kingdom "Eurasia" days — his closest retainers — blanched at the overwhelming ferocity.
Milim's forces in this region had been reorganized and restructured, accumulating a respectable number.
Carrion had been placed in the position of general with full command over the army.
The total count: three hundred thousand.
At the core of that force was the Flying Beast Knight Order — three thousand strong.
The "Sky Queen" Frey's forces — three thousand "Aerial Magical Beasts" — upon which the elite beastmen of the "Lion King" Carrion's subordinates rode.
Only three thousand, but they were A-Rank warriors and above who could execute high-speed aerial combat in perfect unison, fighting as one.
In this world, it was the largest military unit composed exclusively of A-Rank or above combatants.
Even the Empire's Magical Beast Legion was formed from "A-Rank minus" troops, so the power of this force was considerable.
Griffins were normally creatures of roughly "B-Rank plus" caliber.
But thanks to Carrion's rigorous training, even a single griffin had been elevated to "A-Rank minus" capability.
When ridden and controlled by A-Rank beastmen, their effective combat power reached full A-Rank.
The Flying Beast Knight Order was, in both name and substance, Carrion's most powerful subordinates.
Beyond that were the mixed forces — demonkin, mercenaries, and former
Even those who normally served in peacekeeping roles had been mobilized for this battle.
Against the angelic army of two hundred thousand, Milim's forces numbered three hundred thousand.
Numerically, Milim had the advantage, but in average combat quality, they were slightly outmatched.
Even so, bolstered by the ability-enhancement effect of Carrion's battle cry, they had initially held the upper hand...
Until the appearance of the man calling himself Vega — one of the Four Calamity Heavenly Generals — turned everything upside down.
"Ha! Futile, utterly futile! You insects can't even scratch me!"
With that shout, he swung the halberd in his hands wildly.
With each swing, mountains of corpses piled up around him.
Tch! Carrion gritted his teeth and glared at Vega with undisguised loathing.
One glance was enough to tell that this one was fundamentally different from the other angels. He realized that if he didn't personally engage, even deploying his prized Flying Beast Knight Order would end in defeat.
Beside Milim stood Frey and her elite guard, the "Celestial Wing Corps."
They would handle the actual fighting, but he might have to leave the aftermath to Frey.
"Hey, I'm going after that arrogant bastard Vega."
"I'm entrusting full command of the army to you — handle the rest!"
He addressed his deputy, Baum, a tiger beastman, with those words.
"Lord Carrion, but he is... Wouldn't it be better for me to engage him first and at least identify some weaknesses?"
Baum's suggestion earned a head shake from Carrion.
The angelic army had no real coordination — they were simply attacking anything within reach.
In that case, his own forces, though average in individual strength, held the advantage through superior numbers and disciplined command.
He couldn't afford to lose his commander in the middle of that.
If Baum could drain Vega's energy and then Carrion could deliver the finishing blow, the strategy might have merit. But Baum, unfortunately, wouldn't even be able to serve as a speed bump.
His own instincts — the battle experience of a Beast King — told him that the man called Vega was no ordinary foe.
"No, Baum, you wouldn't even slow him down. Losing someone who can command the army would be the greater loss. While I'm dueling that guy, go crush the angels!"
Reading the tension in Carrion's expression, Baum understood that the enemy called Vega harbored unprecedented power.
It was the same strained look that the normally carefree and boisterous Carrion had worn before fighting Milim.
"Of course. Against you, Lord Carrion, that loudmouth is no match at all. Leave the army's command to me! Just... don't leave any work for Lady Frey."
"Oh boy. If I end up owing Frey a favor, the collection process is going to be brutal."
With that light banter, the deputy took his leave.
"Don't leave work for Frey" — in other words, don't die.
It would be unseemly for a deputy to worry about Carrion, the strongest Beast King.
His strength was absolute, and the title "Lion King" was no empty honorific.
As the strongest general under Milim — the strongest among the Demon Lords — Carrion had to continue reigning supreme.
*(Even as I say all that, as the "Lion Mask," I actually lost...)* He recalled his defeat at
That place had been abnormal.
Diablo, who had beaten him, had himself lost in the finals.
He had learned that there was always someone stronger, and his arrogance had been shattered. Enduring what could only be called "hellish training" from that point on, he had achieved a level of strength that surpassed even his Demon Lord days.
He would struggle, but he had not the slightest intention of losing.
*(Come to think of it... how's that guy doing?)* The face that came to mind was that of a friend who had trained alongside him.
A prodigy with extraordinary talent transcending race — someone even Carrion acknowledged. Just thinking of him lifted his spirits.
*(I'd better prove I've gotten strong too — at least enough that that guy won't laugh at me!)* Carrion flashed a fearless grin and charged toward Vega.
By the time Carrion collided with Vega and their fierce battle began...
Milim was rampaging, trying to sortie, and Frey was doing her best to calm her down.
If Milim — who couldn't hold back — went all out, not only would the surrounding town be obliterated, but allied forces would suffer casualties too.
There was one troublesome enemy on the opposing side, but Frey believed Carrion could handle it.
In the unlikely event that Carrion fell, that would be Milim's time to shine. That was precisely why Frey wanted Milim to watch Carrion fight first — so Milim could analyze the enemy's abilities.
Just as Carrion's deputy had tried to do, Frey intended to let Carrion do the heavy lifting for Milim's benefit.
This wasn't because Frey didn't trust Carrion. Quite the opposite — it was precisely because she believed Carrion would defeat Vega without Milim needing to intervene that she was restraining her.
After all, it was unthinkable that this battle maniac would struggle against someone whose name she hadn't even heard of.
Being specialized in non-combat roles, Frey couldn't perceive the true depth of Vega's danger.
Even if Carrion struggled, Frey believed that Milim — having analyzed the enemy's capabilities — would triumph without difficulty.
But she would quickly realize how naive that thinking was.
If the commander, Milim, could safely defeat the enemy, then some sacrifices were an acceptable price.
That was what Frey thought as she tried to urge Milim to keep watching.
And then Milim turned around with a severe expression.
The unmistakable aura of danger made Frey and the "Celestial Wing Corps" snap to full alert.
Frey and the others sensed nothing unusual, but Milim's intuition had never been wrong.
"Who are you?"
At Milim's question, the air quietly shifted color, and a woman appeared.
Beautiful silver hair, identical to Milim's.
A breathtaking beauty who looked like Milim all grown up.
Fair skin and narrow, sharp eyes.
Frey drew a breath. The woman's appearance was so strikingly beautiful that it evoked memories of the beloved sovereign she served.
An aura hung about her that suggested some deep, almost blood-relation resemblance — as if she were connected to Milim by ties of kinship.
Four pure-white angels knelt behind the woman, guarding her.
Their aura was overwhelming — each one possessed strength comparable to an Awakened Demon Lord. Even Frey could feel it.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady
I am the bearer of the name 'Lucia.' I have come to welcome you on this occasion.
Your father awaits you. Please, come with us."
With exquisite courtesy, the woman called Lucia bowed to Milim and introduced herself.
Then she delivered those words.
A shock ran through Frey.
Milim's father — that would be the now-deceased "Star King Dragon"
The figure who had appeared in the image projected across the sky had called himself Velda, but could it be...
Just as Frey was thinking that— "Don't be ridiculous! My father is already gone. If you spout any more nonsense, I'll take your life!"
Milim's furious voice rang out.
Understandably so. For Milim, matters of family were taboo.
"No, it is quite true, Lady Milim."
Instantly, a deafening boom echoed before Lucia's face.
Milim's fist, aimed directly at Lucia's face, had been stopped as if by an invisible wall.
Frey could tell — this wasn't a warning stop. Milim had thrown that punch with full force.
And Lucia was standing unfazed after taking Milim's full-power strike. A chill ran down Frey's spine.
Even if Lucia had been holding back, the name "Destroyer Tyrant" was no mere ornament.
Even a multi-layered barrier wouldn't be enough for complete defense.
Because Milim was distributing her power to injure without killing — she was launching attacks calculated to breach the target's barrier while holding back just enough to avoid lethality.
The fact that Lucia stood there unfazed meant she had exceeded Milim's calculations.
As far as Frey knew, that was an impossible feat.
After all, Milim was the strongest Demon Lord, equal to
"It is futile, Lady Milim. All attacks against me are completely ineffective.
More importantly, your father is waiting.
He bids you — 'Live together with me in the new world!' Please, come with me."
Beautiful, yet somehow mechanical, Lucia repeated the same words.
Her voice, devoid of any emotion, rang cold and filled Frey's heart with dread.
*(Carrion, come back right now! Milim might be in danger!)* *(What?! But I can't... I can't disengage—)* Contrary to Frey's hopes, the man opposing Carrion was apparently a fighter of extraordinary power.
Carrion's voice — usually brimming with confidence — betrayed none of its usual ease. The battle was clearly desperate.
This is bad! Frey thought— "Annihilate her!"
Without waiting for Milim's approval, Frey gave the command to the "Celestial Wing Corps."
She judged that letting this woman have her way right here and now was too dangerous for Milim.
Their beloved master, Milim, was fatally, devastatingly kind.
If Milim fought with genuine intent to kill, she would struggle against no opponent. But because she refused to kill — because she tried to subdue rather than destroy — she never truly fought at full power.
As far as Frey knew, the only time Milim had ever fought seriously was in the distant past before Frey's own birth, when Milim had destroyed a nation and clashed with Guy.
It was precisely because her master was so gentle that Frey wished to keep her as far from danger as possible.
"Foolish."
One of the kneeling angels rose and manifested a War Hammer.
Then— "You vermin clinging to Lady Milim — know your place!
Die!
Thunderclap Annihilation!"
The angel swung the War Hammer downward, aiming to unleash a devastating bolt of destructive lightning upon Frey and her group.
Witnessing the devastating electrical discharge unleashed from the War Hammer, Frey prepared herself for death.
The released energy ravaged Frey's body.
At the same time, the "Celestial Wing Corps" members she had sent to attack Lucia had been instantly annihilated — a single blow.
The attack that struck Frey and her group was lethal, but it seemed they had barely survived.
Frey, gritting through the pain and fighting to keep her fading consciousness, checked the cause.
Milim had caught the descending War Hammer with her left forearm.
Thanks to that, they had managed to survive.
*(Ah, kind Milim. As I thought — you're truly not suited for real killing.)* She thought that.
And then, simultaneously, she froze at the sight of Milim's expression.
It was a look of pure fury.
Her companions — Frey and the others — had been hurt, and Milim was consumed by rage.
"I won't forgive this! Hurting my friends — I will absolutely never forgive you!!"
Milim screamed.
And from her body, light erupted, enveloping her entirely.
She donned **mythic-class** armament and transitioned into **combat mode**.
The power of the Dragon
The heavens trembled. The earth shattered.
With the fury of an ancient Demon Lord, heaven and earth convulsed in unison.
Frey stared in awe — and then grasped the enemy's true aim.
If Milim took the bait, so be it. If she didn't... enrage her further, strip away her remaining rationality.
And then simply...
*(No! Don't, Milim!!)* Frey cried out in a voiceless voice, trying to hold Milim back. But her words would not reach her.
The world would once more be exposed to the wrath of the ultimate Dragon Demonhuman.