I'm going up against Chloe, who is seriously equipped.

　Normally, I would drop the ranks of the items I equip, such as the Iron Series, but that's not an accurate measure of my strength. I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to find a solution to this problem.

　--Chloe!　Come and get me, for real!

　In the form of an order, I force Chloe to kill me.

　I'm sure you'll be able to see the difference in power between the two. If this is the case, if I don't have the strength to add or subtract without killing Chloe, who is coming to kill me seriously, then I can't carry out this mission.

"--!　Well, Master.........?

　Chloe readied the bow she was carrying on her back with an anguished expression on her face--Ichiibal--and pulled the string, aligning the irradiation to me.

　--Huff!

　With a faint wind noise a single arrow flies to my forehead.

　It is an arrow approaching me at a moment's notice, but my eyes, whose dynamic vision has been enhanced with the growth of my status, catch the trajectory of the approaching arrow without fail. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time in the event that you're not able to make it.

　Tsk!　Can it be done........?

　I swing my gaybolks to match the trajectory of the arrow and dispel the looming arrow.

　Chloe is not surprised that I've dispelled the arrow, and calmly sets the next arrow in place.

　Don't lick it!　--Dark Arrow!

　I unleash a myriad of dark arrows on Chloe just in time for her to fire her third arrow. I sidestep the flying arrows, and Chloe sidesteps the approaching countless dark arrows by backstepping loudly.

　Well, this pause (long range) is a disadvantage.

　I kick the ground forcefully I raise my gaybolks and sprint towards Chloe. Chloe, noticing my aim, quickly carries Ichibar on her back and holds the dagger from the buckle at her waist.

''Ha!　You think you can stop my spear with a dagger?

　With a fierce smile on my face, I quickly thrust the gaybolks in my hands at Chloe. Chloe tries to duck by twisting her body, but the gaybolk thrust out quickly for a moment snatches Chloe's side. While Chloe looked in anguish, I kept my best spacing (mid-range) and repeatedly thrust in.

　One stab was ducked, another was deflected by Chloe's dagger, and another snatched Chloe's body.

　It's not fatal, but my stabs continue to do damage to Chloe for sure.

　Is it time for my eyes to get used to the stabs?

　Next, the stabbing increases in proportion to the percentage of stabs avoided, and Chloe begins to time it so that I can pull the gaybolks back in front of me and try to dive into the pocket.

　Did you know?　The spear can do more than just stab - point attacks, it can also do line attacks - cleave off, you know?

　I don't pull back the protruding gaybolks as they are, but reap them to the side.

''--?!''

　Chloe is struck and blown away by the tip of Gaybolc's blade.......but not the hilt. I quickly approached the collapsed Chloe and pressed the tip of the gaybolk blade against the collapsed Chloe's neck.

'So?　What do you think?　Who's stronger, the Demon King Arisa or me?
That's not...

　Chloe stammered.

'Blue!　Noir!　Rouge!　And by the way, canon!　Who's stronger!

　I shout loudly to show off my strength.

''Uh-soon...''
It's...
What can I say...

　Blue, Noir and Rouge are stammering, as is Chloe.

　All of those holding their tongues are my men and women who actually faced off against the Demon King Alisa. To be honest, I was satisfied with the outcome of the current mock battle. It's hard to say for myself, but.......wasn't it a stunning victory?

　I'm losing one level but I'm supposed to be better than you in terms of status. The items I'm equipped with are also unique items of the same B rank.

　The difference in experience........?　It's that big between me and Demon King Alisa........

''Oh, um........Sion-san, may I?''

　I was lost in negative thoughts when Kanon called out to me.

''What?''

"Well... maybe, but isn't the basis of Demon King Arisa's strength magical power?　But you've just shown that you have strength based on your body, haven't you? So, Chloe and the others may not be able to make a clear comparison...?

　--!

Is that so?

　I look around at the faces of Chloe, Blue, Noir and Rouge. Chloe and the others look in anguish, as if they agree with canon's opinion.

''I see.... Well then, how about this?

　I thrust the tip of my geybolks at the wall, where none of my subordinates are present.

　--Dark Knight Tempest!

　The dark air currents generated from the tip of Gaybolg turned into a storm and blew around.

　--uh!

　At the same time, I feel a sensation of the life force around my entire body slipping away, causing me to feel dizzy on my feet.

''Wow..... This is an amazing magic!
This huge amount of magical power is....
"Whoohoo!　This is great!
"Is this the power of my Lord....
"Dude ... that's super awesome ...

　The canons let out an astonished cry in the storm of darkness that blew in.

''So, me or Demon King Arisa... who's stronger?''

　And I asked the same question again.

""It's Mr. Zion!"

　Unanimously, my strength was proven.

"Well, now all that's left to do is catch the Demon King Arisa...

　I smiled wryly.


　◆


　In order to fish for Demon King Arisa, we will examine the information we have.

　(1) Demon King Arisa's mainstay -- Demon King Arisa: estimated A-rank. (2) High Pixie: B-rank. (2) Goblin General: B-rank x 4. Demon King Arisa is equipped with B-rank unique items. The rest of the demons are also equipped with C to B-rank items. They have plenty of combat experience.

　When the main force of the Demon King Arisa starts to invade, it will invade our territory.

　If the main force does not attack, Demon King Arisa will take the lead in defense.

　4) The best solution to defeat Demon King Arisa is for me to take on the opponent myself. However, if I try to attack her without the main force, my own life will be in danger.

　(5) Demon King Arisa can go out of the controlled area, but I can't go out of the controlled area.

　Is the information like this?


　In order to clear (4) and (5), I'll need to summon Demon King Arisa to my control area. In order to summon her, the main force must attack the Demon King Arisa's control area.

　Let's start with this problem.

　The point is, how much force should Demon King Arisa invest in order to attack my control area?　Do you consider Lina and her team to be the main force behind the whole thing... coming to my territory?　The answer is probably no. They have a track record of intercepting Chloe and her friends. If Lina and the others were to do it alone, there's a good chance they'd repeat the same tragedy. If I added Chloe, Blue, Noir, Rouge and a hundred or so of my men to Lina's squad, the Demon King Arisa would be happy to invade my territory. However, if I invest that much of my forces, I won't be able to defend myself.

　

　I jumped into the sea of thoughts to find the path to victory.