Joy at her sister's growth, and fury at the existence that stood in her way.
And above all, she had to acknowledge that Velgrynd had become an unavoidable obstacle if she was going to kill Guy and claim him for herself.
(Very well, Velgrynd. I shall acknowledge you as my enemy.)
And so, Velzard finally made the decision to activate the Ultimate Ability she had been hiding— *King of Envy.* But that was a choice that would never have occurred to Velzard under normal circumstances.
If she revealed the ability she had been keeping as her trump card against Guy to Velgrynd, it would mean losing her trump card against Demon Lord
The composed Velzard should have noticed something so simple.
No—she *couldn't* notice.
Her mind had been entirely overwritten by the command of the Archangel's Dominion: defeat the enemy before you.
That she could still retain her sense of self at all was testament to just how powerful Velzard's spirit truly was.
But even a spirit as formidable as Velzard's could not defy the command of the Archangel's Dominion.
After a moment's hesitation, Velzard unleashed the blade of Envy toward Velgrynd.
◆◆◆ Velgrynd had quickly realized that the fact she could fight on equal footing—or even better—with her sister Velzard was thanks to the extraordinary abilities of the *King of the Flame God*, which she had Transcendently Evolved.
Since she was inferior in absolute Magicule count, if she possessed abilities of equal power and nothing more, it was only a matter of time before she was erased.
And yet now, despite still being inferior in absolute Magicule count, she was able to match her sister in efficiency. It was an evolution so remarkable it could only inspire awe.
And regarding those Magicules as well— (What is this connection—this "Soul Corridor"? The more I reach for it, the more unknown energy flows in...)
Yes, through the "Soul Corridor" established between herself and Rimuru, it had become possible to replenish her energy.
In truth, Velgrynd had lost the majority of her Magicules through the "Skill Modification" of the *King of the Flame God* and its activation. But immediately afterward, energy had flowed in through the Soul Corridor, restoring her Magicule count to near full.
She didn't feel like she could lose. That was Velgrynd's honest impression.
But then, Velgrynd noticed that her sister's expression had changed.
(It's coming!?)
Velgrynd braced herself.
And her intuition proved correct—Velzard's trump card was activated toward Velgrynd.
"**Polar Extinction Consolidated Domination!!**"
A strike infused with Velzard's entire body and soul.
It was Velzard's ultimate and most powerful attack, integrating the abilities of her own *Stop and Delete*, the *King of Patience*'s *Matter Solidification*, and the *King of Envy*'s *Degradation Absorption*.
Facing this attack, Velgrynd maximally accelerated her energy to counter.
"**Scorching Divine Supremacy Accelerated Excitation!!**"
Two auroras—white and red—collided.
The northern lands were struck by violent tremors. The swirling ice and snow cycled through sublimation and freezing as an *ice and snow storm* raged.
The victor was Velzard.
Through her newly acquired *King of Envy*, Velgrynd's abilities had been downgraded.
On top of that, the energy Velzard should have expended had somehow been restored.
Driving the opponent below your own level—that was the true essence of the *King of Envy*'s power.
And beyond that, it also came with the secondary effect of absorbing the enemy's energy...
With her absolute defensive power, an overwhelming advantage in maximum Magicule count over Velgrynd, and now the addition of energy absorption—Velzard was truly unstoppable.
With her abilities downgraded, it seemed impossible for Velgrynd to achieve victory against Velzard.
"This is the end, Velgrynd. I'll grant that you've grown enough to stand against me. But the outcome won't change. To me, when I'm fighting at full strength, you are no longer a threat. And now, I've downgraded your abilities by one stage. It's no longer possible for you to gain the upper hand against me."
Yes. To Velzard, Velgrynd was an obstacle, but not a threat.
In terms of ability compatibility, Velgrynd could never break through Velzard's defenses.
But— "But you see, Big Sis, I don't need to defeat you. And even if my abilities have been downgraded, my original acceleration ability hasn't been affected at all. Abilities are merely things that assist me—even if I lost them entirely, it wouldn't matter!"
Velgrynd declared fearlessly.
In truth, Velgrynd's abilities all converged on a single point: *acceleration*.
Now that she was already rotating her energy at full power, even if the *King of the Flame God* were sealed, it would have no effect on her.
And most importantly of all— (Hurry up, Guy! Break her control already!)
Velgrynd realized that she didn't need to defeat Velzard at all.
Her victory condition was simply to buy time until Guy broke the Archangel's Dominion placed on Velzard.
And at precisely this moment— Within Velzard's spiritual world, Guy was preparing to deliver the final finishing touch.
◆◆◆ Breaking through layer after layer of spiritual defenses, Guy dove toward the deepest depths of the heart.
If he let his guard down, his consciousness would be swallowed by Velzard's spirit, and *Offensive Core Erosion* would be broken.
If that happened, Guy's very consciousness would be annihilated.
But if he forced his way through carelessly, he would destroy Velzard's Soul Core. If that happened, the current Velzard would go berserk, unleashing all of her energy, and a new "
That was the one thing he had to avoid.
Though pressed for time, Guy advanced without haste, breaking through each barrier.
And then he found her.
Velzard, sitting with her knees drawn up—her spirit in its most childlike form.
"Hey, I've been looking for you, y'know?"
Guy spoke naturally, yet carefully.
This was the critical moment. If he said the wrong thing in this conversation, Velzard's course of action would be decided right then and there.
"What do you want? What are you doing here? Have you come to laugh at me?"
In her childlike form, Velzard questioned Guy.
"Nope. I came to pick you up. Let's go home already, Velzard."
Guy shrugged as he answered.
The response only irritated Velzard.
It was always like this.
Guy always looked down on Velzard from above, making unilateral declarations.
He never once showed concern for her feelings, speaking as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
"What the—?! Guy, you never listen to what I have to say! You always, always make me be the one who endures! As the Harmonizer, I had the duty to guide the world my brother left behind. So I watched over you all this time, keeping you from going berserk. I hated every minute of it... Velgrynd got to go off freely to be with whatever man she wanted, and Veldora did whatever he pleased without a care in the world. I was the only one who kept holding it in!? And all because of you, Guy! You were recognized by my brother! You were the only being besides him who could destroy this world! I couldn't leave your side... I was the only one suffering... and yet, you're trying to leave me behind. I absolutely will not allow that! Why should I have to take the side of some suspicious slime now!? You should have just stayed here peacefully in the northern lands! There's no way you could win against my brother! If you're going to be killed by my brother anyway, I'd rather put you out of your misery myself!"
Guy's words had set fire to Velzard's frozen heart.
Pouring out all her pent-up frustrations in a torrent of rage.
Driven by those emotions, she hurled fierce will at Guy.
It became an imaginary blade that carved into Guy's body, but Guy made no attempt to dodge.
He simply bore Velzard's anger and frustration without resistance, as though accepting everything she had to give.
"And on top of that... you acknowledge some mere human, but you won't even acknowledge me... What am I even supposed to be!? I've been trying so hard all this time, wanting to be acknowledged by you... I have nothing to show for it!"
Her attacks grew gradually weaker, and eventually Velzard began to weakly pound against Guy's chest.
"You're being silly. I do acknowledge you, you know. You're the only partner I've got."
"Partner?! I don't want to hear that from someone who does whatever he wants all the time!"
"Can't be helped. If you didn't like it, you should've said so. You worry too much about unimportant things. Besides, the only reason I lost to
Before long, Velzard had stopped hitting Guy altogether.
And then, she buried her face against his chest.
"...You're the idiot. There's no way you could win—"
"Maybe not alone. So, lend me your strength. Fight alongside me, won't you? Right, Velzard?"
"—Wha!?"
Velzard was rendered speechless.
By Guy's sheer audacity.
—And by words that were so perfectly, unmistakably *Guy*.
"I hate you. I really, really, really, really, truly hate you. I hate you, I hate you, I hate you—I hate you to an unbearable degree, and yet I love you."
Pouring out the full depth of her feelings, Velzard confessed.
Guy's response was casual and effortless— "Yeah, I know."
A single, simple line, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"You're so arrogant—it's genuinely annoying—"
"Right? That's what proves I'm me."
"Now it looks like I was the one suffering alone for nothing, like a fool..."
"Yeah. I think so too."
"...You're supposed to deny that and comfort me, you know."
"Why would I? That'd be a pain. Just hurry up and break free of the control already. If you don't hurry, even Velgrynd won't last much longer."
In truth, if the battle dragged on, Velgrynd would be at a disadvantage.
If the energy supply through the "Soul Corridor" with Rimuru was cut off, defeat would be certain at that point.
"You're still as unkind to me as ever—"
"Am I? You're my partner, after all. I don't need to stand on ceremony with you—we're practically family, aren't we?"
"Partner... family... *family*?!"
Velzard's face, which had been buried in Guy's chest, turned beet red in an instant.
She hastily pulled away from Guy.
Completely oblivious to Velzard's fluster, Guy remained as composed as ever.
"Let's get out of here."
He said this without the slightest regard for Velzard's feelings.
Though a bit disappointed by Guy's attitude, Velzard felt reassured by his familiar manner.
There was no longer any hesitation in her heart, and the light of strong reason had returned to her eyes.
And then, to resist the Archangel's Dominion placed upon her, she shifted her consciousness.
"I understand. I've made up my mind. But breaking my brother's control won't be easy..."
"There's a way. It seems the 'Dominion' is established using angelic-type abilities as the key. In that case, if we neutralize it with demonic-type abilities, we can eliminate the key. Even the most powerful dominion—you should be able to resist it."
Guy answered without hesitation.
His words carried a conviction that Velzard was capable of it.
"You make it sound so simple. Very well—I'll live up to your expectations."
And so, Velzard overcame her hesitation and, in the deepest recesses of her subconscious, confronted her brother's Curse.
Responding to the change in Velzard's consciousness, the two Ultimate Abilities inscribed upon her soul began to battle each other for dominance.
As commanded by Velzard's will, the *King of Envy* lunged at the *King of Patience*. But the *King of Patience*, with its formidable defensive power, stubbornly resisted, protecting the key of control to the very end.
Velzard's battle within her spiritual world appeared to be heading toward a stalemate.
But Guy would not allow that.
"Velzard, let me lend you a hand."
What Guy activated then was a brief imitation of the impossible ability he had witnessed moments ago.
The same "Skill Modification" that had Transcendently Evolved Velgrynd's ability.
《Query. Ultimate Ability *King of Patience* and *King of Envy* have been unified. Initiate Skill Modification? YES / NO》 The Voice of the World echoed in Velzard's mind.
(*This* is the help Guy was talking about?! ...But I'll trust him.)
Without a shred of doubt, Velzard thought YES.
《Confirmed. The individual known as "White Ice Dragon" Velzard's Ultimate Ability *King of Patience* and *King of Envy* have been unified, evolving into Ultimate Ability *King of the Ice God*.》 As those words resonated through her spiritual world, the key binding Velzard's heart shattered and vanished.
A key that no amount of desperate resistance had ever been able to break was now destroyed with the ease of delicate glasswork.
Beautifully and magnificently, Velzard had become one with her ability.
(*This* is the realm Velgrynd had reached? And—the power that Guy has given me. With this ability, there exists no one who can bind me.)
And Velzard accepted this as a matter of course.
If she and Guy were working together, there was no one in this world who could be their enemy.
"See? That was easy, wasn't it?"
Guy's voice echoed in her heart, arrogant to an almost exasperating degree.
"Yes, it was... I really was being such a fool..."
"Yeah? But I don't hate that about you either. That part of you too."
At Guy's words, Velzard smiled softly.
There was no longer a trace of the childlike Velzard anywhere.
As she truly was—beautiful and graceful.
With a gentle, captivating smile, she softly whispered to Guy: "I'm home."
◇◇◇ Guy's consciousness returned to his own body in an instant.
There was a hint of urgency in his expression.
Though he had done it himself, he was stunned by the drastic transformation Velzard had undergone through the Skill Modification.
(Seriously, what was that? That wasn't even on the level of Skill Modification. And all I did was initiate it—someone else seemed to execute it on my behalf... Almost as if it had been foreseen that I would do exactly that...)
Just as Guy was about to drift into the depths of thought— "You're back! How is my sister?"
It was Velgrynd who addressed him.
"Yeah. The control has been broken successfully. She should wake up soon."
As Guy answered, Velzard opened her eyes.
"I caused you a great deal of trouble, Guy. And Velgrynd—I'm sorry for the unsightly display. Also, I apologize for the insult to Rudra."
So saying, she bowed her head to both Guy and Velgrynd.
"To think I'd receive an apology from my sister... that's a bit unsettling. But I'm glad. I don't think I could have stood it if my sister was being controlled by someone."
"I suppose I worried you. But whether Velda is truly my brother or not, the fact that his power rivals my brother's—that much is true."
"Hmph. Even if that were the case, if he's not my brother—no. Even if he were my brother, the plan to defeat Velda remains unchanged. Velda is the one who avenged Rudra."
"You're so straightforward, Velgrynd... I envy that a little."
The sisters locked eyes, confirming each other's resolve.
To the two of them, Guy said, "Alright, let's wrap this up already."
While the sisters had been talking, Guy had already returned to his combat form.
And the three of them turned their gaze toward the girl Veldora was facing.
The Hero Chloe—or rather, the Wisdom Entity Lucia who had taken over her body.
But— Along with a flash of white blade, Chloe's body split in two.
No—that was an illusion.
It was merely the impression created when the blade of will, unleashed from within Chloe's consciousness, interfered with the physical world.
Veldora had been slashed in multiple places, but had sustained no fatal wounds.
The two sisters felt relieved at that.
Guy kept his eyes fixed on Chloe— (So that's how it is. You were hiding it after all, weren't you—) A faint smile crept across Guy's lips.
Guy had realized it.
Lucia's defeat, and Chloe's victory.
And with that—right now, the battle in the northern lands had come to an end.