Signs Of A Melee.

“One of the Seven Demon Army Commanders, Juda of the ‘Master’…”

Shion increased his tension. Beside him, Rearvelt entered a battle-ready stance as well.

After parting ways with Ludmila and the others, Juda was the one who stood in their path as they aimed for the Demon King Castle.

“Total level 620, MP 9000… In terms of magical energy alone, he surpasses the Demon King class,” Rearvelt muttered, looking at his measuring device.

“Magical energy greater than the Demon King, huh.”

Shion tightened his resolve once more. Rather than facing a Demon Army Commander, it seemed wiser to proceed as if they were fighting the Demon King himself.

“If that is the case… Shion, your ability will be vital.”

“Yeah. If the opponent is a Magus-type demon, it’s time for ‘that technique’ of mine.”

That technique, which could be called the ultimate secret of the Xylas-style swordsmanship he had mastered—.

“Haaaaaaaah!”

Shion unleashed a red flash from his dark spear. It was an energy wave fueled by his Aura.

“Rune Shield.”

Juda deployed a magical barrier in front of him, blocking the attack. Along with crackling sparks, the atmosphere turned to plasma, causing small explosions. Cracks appeared in the shield of dark magical energy.

“Heh, the raw power is an order of magnitude greater than the heroes I fought before. You seem to have perfectly mastered the Chaos Form,” Juda remarked, sounding impressed. “Impressive. You equal—or perhaps even surpass—the heroes of antiquity.”

“You seem awfully relaxed, demon.”

“But that relaxation means a lapse in your guard—”

From behind, Rearvelt swung his hammer wide.

“Do not forget that there is another hero here!”

Drawing the demon’s attention with the initial clash, Rearvelt had used an earth technique to relocate and launch a time-lagged attack—. This had been the duo’s plan from the very beginning.

“Mega Wind.”

Juda cast his spell without even turning around. A sudden gust of wind blew Rearvelt away.

“…Tch.”

Clicking his tongue, Rearvelt skillfully readjusted his posture in mid-air and touched down.

“Was that a top-tier wind spell just now?” Shion groaned.

“He’s strong—”

As expected, he wasn’t going to be an easy opponent to deal with.

“I have one question,” Juda said, raising his index finger. “How did you all acquire that power?”

“Is there any reason for us to reveal that to you?”

“None at all,” Juda smiled refreshingly. “It’s merely out of pure curiosity.”

His demeanor remained entirely aloof. It was a gentle and calm attitude that was completely out of place on a battlefield.

“What a ridiculous guy. I didn’t come here to chat with a demon.” Shion readjusted his grip on his spear.

“…No, we can indulge his conversation for a bit.” Rearvelt went along with Juda’s talk.

“W-Hey, what are you saying?”

“…I have my own thoughts,” Rearvelt told the bewildered Shion. Covered by his full-face helmet, neither his expression nor his thoughts could be read.

“We were trained by angels.”

“Angels…?” Juda furrowed his brow. “In the ancient war, entities like gods and angels became almost completely unable to exert influence over the human world. Even if they could bestow divine armaments like miraculous armaments, they shouldn’t be able to interfere directly.”

“They have become able to. Finally—” Rearvelt declared matter-of-factly.

Unlike his usual emotionless voice, a slight warmth dwelt within his tone. A warmth of joy.

“…I see. The gods’ influence on the surface world is increasing, then. Intriguing,” Juda murmured.

“I wish to ask a question as well.”

“Fufu, it would be unfair if only I received an answer. Go ahead, hero-kun.”

“Is ‘that’ still enshrined beneath the Demon King Castle?” Rearvelt asked.

(What is he talking about…?)

Shion knit his brows. This was the first time he had ever heard information about something being beneath the Demon King Castle.

“A power that was stolen and sealed away in ancient times.”

“Heh, to think you know about that. You seem to have sensed it—the existence of ‘that thing’.” Juda muttered, impressed, as he stared at Rearvelt. “Who told you about it?”

“It is obvious,” Rearvelt declared. “God.”

The next instant, a barrage of attacks struck the surroundings. Looking back, a line of heroes holding swords and spears had drawn up.

“You guys are—” Shion’s eyes snapped wide open. It seemed a battalion of heroes had still survived.

“They are my subordinates,” Rearvelt said.

“What…?”

“We shall now head towards the final objective of our operation—the Demon King Castle. Eliminate that demon blocking our way!” the heroes shouted.

“I won’t let you go to the castle.” Juda fired magic projectiles to keep them at bay.

“Incorrect. The one going… is me.” Rearvelt kicked off the ground. “Shatter—Second Form: Grand Sovereign Heavy Strike • Royal Earthbreak!”

He swung down his colossal hammer-type miraculous armament, Uriel.

“Solid Shield.”

Juda generated a magical barrier and caught the strike.

“He stopped my blow…?!”

“It’s a barrier specialized against physical forces. We grasped the characteristics of most miraculous armaments during the ancient war,” Juda smiled at the shocked Rearvelt. “Your Uriel possesses the strongest physical attack power among all miraculous armaments—so, I countered with a physical specialization of my own.”

“Lord Rearvelt, we shall aid you!” the heroes attacked all at once.

The weapons in their hands were all dark miraculous armaments. Shion had heard in reports that outside of the Sacred Edge, there were multiple heroes who had awakened to the Chaos Form through independent training. However, it seemed none of them had awakened to the Chaos Jacket or the trump card, Aura Burst…

“Kuh…!”

Receiving a continuous barrage of long-range attacks, Juda retreated significantly.

“An opening!”

At that moment, Rearvelt dashed forward. He sprinted away at an incredible speed. It was high-speed movement utilizing the power of the Earth miraculous armament, Uriel.

“What—?!”

Juda froze for an instant, completely caught off guard.

“I won’t let you pursue him.”

“No, I will pursue him.”

Shion blocked Juda as he attempted to give chase. Rearvelt’s true objective was unknown, and Shion didn’t know what lay inside the Demon King Castle. However, Shion simply chose to believe in the comrade he had shared hardships with until now.

“If he says he is heading to the Demon King Castle, there must be a reason. In that case, I will… support you with everything I have!”

Declaring this, Shion readjusted Gabriel. A blue, glowing light of Aura overflowed from the tip of the pitch-black spear.

“The moment you turn your back on me, Gabriel will cleave you clean in two—just like that.”

“…That is not very amusing,” Juda said, his expression tightening slightly.