What's up?　You haven't lost your nerve, have you?

　Vrizela announced quietly.

　With a bang, bang, the blade of the sword thrust out was spreading a violent spark.

　The 'Magi-Breaker' technique.
　It is impossible to defend or evade, a deadly sword technique──?

　Even with my Lucifer's Shield, I may not be able to prevent it, or even with my Lucifer's Shield.
　This is a magical wall of defense that is absolutely impenetrable to ordinary opponents, but the opponent is the Demon King.

　It's a good thing that this is the case, because even if it is a secret weapon, there is no guarantee that it will be able to be prevented with certainty, even if it is created with my own magical power.
　And also - if they can't prevent it, they'll cut me in half.

"Then I guess I'll just have to do one thing........

　It's a bit of a risky bet, but the odds were good.
　Tensions between us would rise to an extreme.

　And.

Let's go.

　Vrizela moved.

　The jet-black horseman galloped at super speed.
　The demon king approaches with the force of an arrow.

''Flasher Bomb!''

　I shot out countless light balls.

　There are about five hundred of them.
　I dropped my magic rank and played with my hands.

''This is lukewarm!

　Vrizela's sword that intercepts it is a true black flash.
　It cuts through all the light balls in an instant with a slashing speed comparable to that of light.

''This guy........!

　I've seen many swordsmiths when I was a human hero, but this one is different.
　It's a different dimension....

"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

　With the spirit of a cleaver, Vrizela sliced through the last ball of light.
　The words "cutting through all magic" were not a lie or a bluff.

''You're late, new Demon King!

　Vrizela, in the unison of man and horse, was approaching at a speed that belied her instantaneous movement.

'You won't be able to chant the next spell in time. I win.
You're right, you're not going to make it.

　Me nodding.
　I nod, but I'm in good hands.

I saw enough of your moves earlier with that flasher bomb.

　And that's exactly what I expected.

　So, what's this guy's next move?

　A single feint on each side.
　Right after that, a small feint to the right.
　And then a thrust to the left side.

　I predicted the entire sequence of events and jumped to the right side beforehand.

''What........?''

　Vrizela's slash cut through the air.

"'Aqua Edge'!

　The blade of water released by the counter sliced through its chest.

''Gu...........''

　The black armor was ripped open and fresh blood splashed on it.

''Ki, you, why...?''

　Vrizela let out a bitter cry and retreated.

"How could you move faster than me - how could you move to where I move...?
''Because it was a move I knew.

　While looking at Vrizela without caution, I told her.

"The basic movement of the Zylas style of swordsmanship, the 'Raishu' - your movement was a perfect example of that.

　The number of feints, the timing, the trajectory of the movements, everything.
　It was exactly the way I learned to move when I was human.

"I was in the middle of the fight when I noticed. It's so similar to the Xyrus style of swordsmanship-- no, it's not. Xylas swordsmanship is exactly what you do.

　So it's easy to predict.

...the swordsmanship you taught him taught me my moves.

　Muttering, Vrizela laughed faintly.

'If I hadn't known the Zyrus style of swordplay, I might not have been able to prevent that one.
No, it's brilliant.

　Vrizela gave a small sigh.

'Xyrus has continued to refine it, hasn't he? The sword I taught you.
...Oh, to all those who follow from Zylas, the 'Sage of Swords'. Your sword lives on in the mortal world today.
'I taught him the sword just to be fickle, but...'

　There was a slight soft sound mixed in with the sound of Vrizela's voice.

''Well it doesn't feel so bad. ''To feel the growth of an 'apprentice'.'''

　An apprentice, huh?

　I think of Lyle.
　I needed to be moved by that, too.
　I wanted to give him everything I had.

　But now that I've done that, I can't.

"...no time for sentimentality.

　I chuckle under my mask.

　It's already cut off.
　It's over.

For now.

　I look back at Stella and the others.

　So, to me, that's it.

That was a mistake. But I can still fight.

　Vrizela reasserts her sword on her horse.

'Continue, O demon king of this generation.
Great.

　I was bracing myself for anything.

　And that's when it happened.

"You've been talking for a long time. We are not engaged in a match. This is a battlefield killing.

The "Magic Emperor" Eström was floating far up in the sky.

"Bellow, my blood rod...

　Eström waves his wand at me.
　But the one pointing the wand at me wasn't me.

"You...

　He's after Stella and the others.

What do you...?
I noticed. You've been worried about the demons in your own territory for some time now. I thought you were saving your maximum firepower magic to avoid using it, but that's not the case.

　Eström chuckled behind his hood.

'Because I'm afraid of destroying this world and hurting my subjects.
You know what?

　No way, this guy.

I'll burn your buddy to ashes.

　I knew it! They're going after Stella and her friends!

Stop!
You know what's more powerful, my magic with a maximum of prolonged chanting or your magic with almost no chanting, don't you?

　The treasure ball on the tip of Eström's staff emitted a dazzling light.

''Burn up - 'Megafire'!

　In all, about twenty fireballs spewed out.
　There was no time to cast advanced offensive or defensive spells.

''This........!

Me intercepting them with the Laguna Bomb.
　At the same time, I put up the Rune Shield to protect Stella and the others from the aftermath of the attack.

"It's heavy...

The "Laguna Bomb" is being pushed into "Mega Fire".

　As expected, Eström's magic power is high.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it.

　In contrast, I am unable to demonstrate sufficient firepower due to the magic I cast on the spur of the moment.

　Overall, he's got more firepower than the other two-.

''Ugh.........''

　The black light bullets I fired were being pushed into Estralm's fireball group.

'Now, it's over.'
Master Freed!

　Stella's voice overlapped with Eström's as she announced.

'Win........please.

　Anxiously, I can see her face still staring straight at me.

'Stella....!

　Recalling the events in the dukedom.

　Stella's past.
　She clung to me like an abandoned puppy.

I'll take care of it.

　I smiled under my mask.

　Yes, as king.
　I will protect them....

　At that time, a faint glow leaked from my chest.

"This is...?

　My heart beats so fast in my chest, it's unbelievable.

　This sensation can't be...!

　At the same time, the group of fireballs of 'Mega Fire' that had been pushing 'Laguna Bomb' into it shook.
　The pressure of his attack eased a little bit.
The power of the "mega-fire" has weakened──.

"Now.........

　I put all the magic I can find into it.
　My 'Laguna Bomb' pushes back the 'Mega Fire'.

''Fool, why my magic?!''

　Eström's astonished voice rang out.
　The overflowing black glow flashed through the crimson fireball group, and

"Scatter, demon king!

　I swallowed Eström.