Observing Milim and the silver-haired angel's battle from the sky, a question arose.
That silver-haired angel was undoubtedly using the "Palace Walls" of the "King of Justice."
She was guiding Milim's attacks, certain they wouldn't affect her, while scattering damage to the surroundings.
Undoubtedly troublesome. Yet, the damage seemed less than expected.
(No way. If Milim released a full-power attack, there shouldn't be that level of loss, right?)
<Roger that. If Milim Nāva struck, the White Aegis Fortress would turn to ash in an instant.
The most likely reason is power adjustment via the "Palace Walls."
Alternatively, Milim Nāva may retain consciousness and is controlling her output.> Hm.
Just as I thought.
She was emitting waves of anger powerful enough to shake the atmosphere, but she hadn't launched a single catastrophic attack.
She'd only blown away the castle's main keep at the start. It was reasonable to assume some consciousness remained, resisting her own rage.
Perhaps that was why the支配 ability of the "King of Justice" hadn't been activated.
If Milim had completely lost herself to rage, she would have been instantly placed under control.
"
"Right here!"
At my call, Diablo appeared behind me and responded.
Behind him knelt the three Demon Lords.
"Diablo. You four take out those four angels. After that, defeat
"Understood! We'll finish quickly and then support Lord Rimuru!"
Diablo answered for the group, and
Those angels were likely as strong as Awakened Demon Lords, but the demons were combat specialists among the Guardian Kings. They should be fine.
They were equal in number, and Diablo was with them. I chose to believe defeat was impossible.
"Leave it to you!"
With that, I took flight toward Milim.
I was blissfully unaware that the remaining group immediately began arguing over who would take on support duty.
Who won that particular dispute was, of course, utterly irrelevant.
Among those left behind, the matter was resolved through peaceful discussion.
Diablo flashed a gentlemanly smile, surveying the others.
A 'Tch!' was almost audible, but no complaints came from the other three.
"Kufrufufu. As expected, your wisdom makes negotiations swift."
Diablo smiled, satisfied.
Then, with a glance, he turned his attention to the four angels with an air of disinterest.
Four of Velda's "Apostles of the End"—members of the "Punishing Seven Angels."
They were a direct combat unit, dispatched this time as Lucia's personal guard.
With the "Palace Walls" in place, Lucia's safety was guaranteed, but they also served as insurance against any unlikely event.
Above all, however, their purpose was to be Lucia's sword.
The Ultimate Skill "King of Justice" lacked direct offensive capabilities.
In other words, the "Punishing Seven Angels" were weapons meant to be the limbs of Lucia, annihilating her enemies.
They were the ones chosen by the will of the "King of Justice," which had become Lucia's consciousness, to handle direct combat.
Torneo, wielding a Great War Hammer. He possessed the attribute of thunder. A large, muscular man.
Aria, wielding a Double-Handled Axe. She possessed the attribute of fire. A petite girl in appearance.
Priscilla, wielding a Nine-Tailed Whip. She possessed the attribute of wind. Average build, but with a prominent, ample bust. A striking, androgynous appearance with her eyes closed.
The four remained calm, utterly unfazed by the sudden arrival of Diablo and his group.
There was only the absolute confidence of being supremely powerful.
The pride of being apostles of the highest order, the Seraphim, wielding power granted by
The demons and angels faced off, glaring silently at each other.
"Hmph. We have no time to play around. Let's finish this quickly."
Diablo spoke first.
Testa, Ul, and
"Finish this, you say? How laughable, you lowly demons.
You demons, limited in your evolution, are far inferior to the Seraphim, the highest order of angels.
We who were granted the power of the Seraphim by Lord Velda are the strongest existence, different from mindless angels.
We are on a different level entirely.
You may have lived long and become Demon Lords, but that is merely an incomplete evolutionary form.
Just because an Arch-Daemon became a Demon Lord, don't get carried away!!!"
Torneo shouted.
His words gave Diablo pause.
Had their enemy's commander, Velda, not realized they had become Demon Lords?
If so, it was laughable. Their own master, Lord Rimuru, would have seen through that at a glance.
Or perhaps...
(They haven't shared information, I suppose. That absolute confidence in himself leads him to neglect sharing trivial details. The ego of the strong. In that regard, Lord Rimuru is thorough. As expected. Kufrufufufufu—) Thinking of their master, who painstakingly built systems to ensure all information was shared with everyone, Diablo surrendered himself to profound joy.
He became extremely cheerful, feeling tender towards the fools before him.
"Hey, Diablo. What's so funny? I think we're being mocked here, you know...?"
"Kufrufufu. That's exactly why you're still lacking. From the pathetic words of those creatures, you can perceive the greatness of our Master?"
"Eh!?"
"Ufufufufu. My, as expected of Diablo. You've realized it too, haven't you?"
"Naturally, Testarossa. I'll leave these three to your tender mercies. I would torment them too much... So please, end them without causing unnecessary suffering, won't you?"
"Oh my, is that alright?"
"H-Hey! We have absolutely no idea what you're talking about!?"
"In other words, Diablo is letting us have a pair each," Testarossa kindly explained to
She explained how their own master, the Great Demon Lord Rimuru, relied so heavily on his companions.
Hearing this, Ultima's eyes lit up, and she exclaimed excitedly.
"I see!! So, Lord Rimuru truly is on a different 'level'!"
Testa nodded, satisfied.
She noticed Ultima's understanding was a bit off, but it was no real issue.
The important thing was that Ultima had re-realized the greatness of their master, Lord Rimuru, and that was enough.
"Hey!! Don't just say whatever you want over there!
Hah? What do you think you lowly demons are going to do to us, the highest-order angels?
End us without suffering? Don't make me laugh!"
Provoked beyond endurance by the demons' remarks, Aria screamed.
She drew a massive axe, disproportionate to her small frame, from her back and held it ready with both arms.
Her eyes blazed with burning fury, her blonde hair standing on end.
"She's provoked. Calm down, Aria."
Orca, the slender beauty, reprimanded Aria while glaring at the demons with cold eyes.
However, the Trishula in her hand pulsed with violent, water-blue waves.
Her mind might be calm, but she was clearly seething with emotion.
"Ufufufufu. Big sister has to discipline naughty children, it seems."
Priscilla declared with a smile.
She hadn't meant to provoke them, but the demons' arrogant claims had succeeded in angering even the mild-mannered Priscilla.
As her three colleagues grew enraged, Torneo took a step forward.
Lightning crackled from his body, seemingly giving voice to his fury.
"Now, wait just a moment. I've had a brilliant idea. You'd like to hear it, I'm sure?"
Ignoring the furious angels, Carrera began speaking, utterly oblivious to the mood.
"Honestly, I have no interest in you lot.
That fool Vega over there causing a ruckus has business with me. Therefore, I'd like to pass on fighting you as well."
She proposed this as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, expecting immediate agreement.
"Oh my? Are you sure, Carrera?"
"Eh!? Then, it's okay if we take two each?"
Testa and Ul exclaimed with delight.
In stark contrast: "Don't look down on us, you inferior demons!"
"I will kill you. Absolutely, kill you!"
"Hmm. Can't be helped, I suppose. I suppose I'll have to teach you some reality."
"Sister, that comment really got under my skin."
The members of the Punishing Seven Angels were flushed with rage.
It was only natural.
They were members of the Punishing Seven Angels, combat specialists, the strongest existences even among the heavenly legacies—the "Apostles of the End."
To be treated with such casual disdain was beyond their comprehension.
Even when they were human, they were among the strongest under Yukki's direct command. They only hadn't participated in the power struggles within the Empire, but they prided themselves on being unmatched by even the Imperial Knights, the strongest group within the Empire.
Having obtained the power of the Seraphim and awakened to the Ultimate Skill "Weapon King," they were certain there was no equal on earth.
Each of their weapons was proof of their power.
Weapons more powerful than any existing Mythical-class armaments. With that pride, they could not forgive the demons before them.
"You will die. That is the will of our creator, Lord Velda!"
Along with Torneo's roar, all four moved in unison.
They each took up their weapons, ready for battle.
The demons facing them were...
"Okay, I'll take the axe and spear!"
"Oh my, can't be helped. Well, I'm fine with anyone."
Like children choosing toys, Ultima cheerfully named her opponents.
As long as they could fight, the opponent didn't seem to matter. Testarossa accepted this without issue.
Their attitude infuriated the angels further, but the demons performed it quite naturally.
"Kufrufufu. Then, if you find it truly impossible, simply ask for help.
I would never abandon you poor creatures."
"How unhelpful!"
"Yes indeed. Perhaps we do need to settle things properly with Diablo."
After this exchange, Diablo turned his back without another word and flew off to Rimuru's location.
Carrera, left behind, also said: "Then, I'm off. No need to save your turn, right?"
"Correct. These three are more than enough."
"Yep! Hurry up, Carrera, or Gobta will claim all the glory!"
"That's precisely my concern. That guy always says something or another, you can't let your guard down."
With a grimace, Carrera nodded.
The reason she left the angels to the others was exactly as Ultima pointed out: she was worried Gobta might defeat Vega first.
She felt a bit exposed, but it couldn't be helped.
Vega had desecrated a sacred duel. For Carrera, that was an unforgivable act.
If Gobta defeated him, it couldn't be helped, but Carrera's true feelings were that she wanted him to at least pay for his crime.
Therefore, Carrera quickly departed the scene.
Like Diablo, she wasn't concerned for her colleagues at all. As rulers of the supreme Demon Race, she had no doubt of their victory.
And then— Testarossa vs. Torneo & Priscilla Ultima vs. Aria & Orca Two battles began.
...
...
...
The contest was decided in an instant.
Torneo unleashed his maximum firepower attack, the "Heavenly Thunder Cannon," driven by rage.
However, this location was already under the dominion of Testarossa's Ultimate Skill, "Death King."
A black greatsword manifested in Testa's hand, governing life and death, and bisected Torneo.
The blow from his descending Great War Hammer, the "Heavenly Thunder Cannon," was caught in Testa's left palm, transforming into a searing orb of energy.
Testa, however, crushed the orb without effort, infusing it with her own magic.
As Torneo crumbled, she said coolly: "I'll return this."
And dropped the transformed orb, now the "Condensed Demon Collapsing Thunder."
Flash, compression, collapse.
Torneo was vaporized without a trace, killed instantly.
Priscilla, who had hesitated for just a fraction of a second, was horrified.
"H-Hieee!!"
Involuntarily, a scream escaped her lips.
Impossible. It simply couldn't be.
The total quantity of "Existence Values," though differing in quality between magic and spirit power, was equal.
Yet, this gap in combat power was utterly impossible.
If their total energy reserves were equal, those who had evolved to the highest order should have an advantage. Moreover, fighting two against one, defeat was unthinkable.
Priscilla's calculations were overturned in an instant.
By the overwhelming strength of the woman before her.
"Oh my, what's wrong? Please, come at me.
I'll be gentle with you, I promise."
Smiling softly, the demon known as Testarossa slowly approached Priscilla.
"S-Stop! Don't come near me!! Big sister, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!!"
"Oh my? Weren't you saying something about disciplining naughty children?"
"I take it back! It was a slip of the tongue!! I was getting carried away!!"
Priscilla, half-mad with terror, broke down crying.
Her spirit had shattered in an instant.
Facing a monster beyond comprehension, calm thought was impossible.
Torneo had been a capable ally. In any battle, he charged ahead, acting as a shield and support for his comrades.
Even after gaining the power of an angel and becoming a being of strength incomparable to before...
Priscilla prided herself on being strong, but she knew that in a serious, full-power battle, she couldn't match Torneo.
For even the strong Torneo to be instantly killed without offering any resistance was no surprise to leave Priscilla in a panic.
"Oh dear. This makes me seem like a bully.
See? I promised to end it without causing you pain.
You have nothing to worry about."
What was fortunate for Priscilla at this moment was that Testarossa was genuinely in a good mood.
"P-Please forgive me!! I won't defy you.
I'll give you anything, just spare my life!!"
Looking down at Priscilla, who was pleading for her life, twisted in fear, Testarossa made her decision.
"Then, I'll take it. That power of an angel.
In exchange, I'll let you go.
Because your fear tasted quite delicious, you know."
Though it was rare, Testarossa kept her word and let Priscilla go.
Of course, that just meant she didn't strike the final blow personally; what happened afterward was none of her concern.
(The power of a Seraphim might be useful for Lord Rimuru.)
With that judgment, she extracted the angelic power from Priscilla and released her.
What Testa hadn't anticipated was that in obtaining the angelic power, she also acquired the Ultimate Skill "Weapon King" as a byproduct.
This skill was integrated into "Death King" and became the basis for manifesting the "Death Scythe."
A weapon befitting the Empress, Testarossa.
And so, the battle of Testarossa vs. Torneo & Priscilla ended.
Priscilla crawled away, fleeing in disgrace.
What was unfortunate for Priscilla at this time was that she chose to join Vega during her escape.
Having lost her power, she decided to prioritize her own safety. Unfortunately, Vega was fully focused on his battle and didn't differentiate between friend and foe.
As a result, Priscilla was eaten and killed by Vega, but that was none of Testarossa's concern.
Similarly, Ultima's battle ended just as swiftly.
She deflected Aria's fire-wreathed Double-Handled Axe with one hand, then pierced her with the "Crimson Serpent Deadly Poison Hand."
The blow was fatal, ending Aria's life.
Disappearing from Orca's field of vision, Ultima reappeared behind her, and Orca heard: "And, done!!"
Simultaneously, a searing pain bloomed in her chest.
(Huh? What!? When did she...!?)
Those were Orca's final thoughts.
Powerless, both were laid to rest by the demon girl Ultima.
Because they hadn't even had time to speak, the encounter ended even faster than Testarossa's.
For the two who were buried, it was perhaps fortunate they felt neither fear nor pain.
Ultima had kept Diablo's instructions.
And so, the battle of Ultima vs. Aria & Orca concluded in an instant.
Afterward.
"But, aren't these guys way too weak for their power level?"
"Yes. But just as Lord Rimuru predicted.
Merely gaining power doesn't make one a threat. That was absolutely true.
I agree, angels who accumulate experience do grow stronger.
...However, I wonder how much time that actually takes?"
"Exactly! The experience we gained over countless eons couldn't possibly be so easily surpassed!"
The two conversed.
As
But, naturally, instant growth was impossible.
Even with human consciousness, there were limits to the soul's power.
Moreover, their experience was overwhelmingly inferior to that of the demons.
A human soul couldn't fully wield the power of an angel, let alone that of the highest order—the Seraphim.
If they could at least accumulate experience, pass through the stage of Immortal, and reach the Saint-class, the story might be different... but they were far from that.
And so, the demons' battle concluded, and Testa and Ul headed off to subdue Vega.