What's the next step...?
''Yes, the first stage of the ordeal is the mastery and proficiency of the chaotic form (chaos form) - this is because both of you have reached a very high level. I think it's time for you to move on to the next stage~

　Rouge replies to Ludmila's question with a smirk.

　Originally, this training was intended to further enhance the power of the Miracle Armament.
　As a first step, Ludmira was able to increase the ammunition capacity of her Miracle Armament, Raphael, to several times its previous capacity.
　By gaining the power of the new Miracle Armament, called Chaos Form, Ludmila is able to increase the number of rounds in her Miracle Armament by several times.

　Fiore is experiencing similar growth.

(What kind of power is the second stage...?)

'Both of you have made great strides on the offensive side of things. If that's the case, the next step is defense~

　Rouge said in answer to Ludmilla's inner question.

'You should have gotten the hint already, right?　What is needed to activate the Miracle Armament is mental energy. In other words, the strength of the mind.
The... strength... of the mind.
'Elephantograph more strongly. 'Picture your own mind. The root of it. The strongest form of mind that dwells within you.

　Rouge smiles.

"My heart...

　I remember the first time I activated the Black Miracle Armor.

　A memory that can be said to be my starting point.

　The village that was destroyed by demons.
　Anger at the unreasonable violence.
　Sorrow.
　Despair.
　And then there is self-control.

　Whoever the enemy is, it will be defeated and destroyed.
　Like a storm, the will.

　V...................

　The next moment, the 'Raphael' in my hand rang out.

''Hmm........?''

　At the same time, something hot rushed through Ludmira's entire body.

　When I noticed, my clothes had changed.
　A black costume made of thin cloth, gold trinkets, and a pure white cape.
　It was a divine robe that emitted a faint phosphorescence.

''Hmm, it looks like you were able to produce the 'Black Vestments (Chaos Jacket)'. I thought you guys who have passed the first stage would be able to do it smoothly~''

　Rouge smiled happily.

　Looking next to her, Fiore also had a different design than Ludmila, but she was clad in a jet black robe.

Ludmira-san is 'hatred of the enemy'. Fiore-san is 'pride in himself'. Both of you know the root of your own heart well. It's worth teaching you too~

　With that said, Rouge spread her wings and jumped up.

''Then let's go with the strength test of that robe. I'm going to attack you now, so both of you should try to defend yourselves.

　A crimson sword appears in her hand.

'Oh, of course I won't be serious, so don't worry. However, it's going to be so severe that you'll die if you're not careful~. Please defend it with all your might.

　The apostle of God smiling and telling them horrible things.
　Ludmilla and Fiore looked at each other and prepared themselves.

　─ ─ And that was the time.

''This is........?''

　Suddenly, Rouge's face changes.

"What's wrong?
I just got a feeling.

　Rouge fades from her smile and tells her with a rare straight face.

'Not since the days of mythology has that thing been in motion...'
What's that?
"God created a weapon of mass destruction for the Demon King...

　Rouge announced sternly.

''The demon world might be destroyed without us having to do anything about it.

　　　　*

Warding reinforcements?

　I went up to Judas and discussed the defense of the demon world with him.

'A month ago, a brave man attacked us and broke the wards. I reinforced that with my magic, but I couldn't layer it. Can't you do it?
'I can't do it either. How much magic power do you think it would take to reinforce the wards that cover the entire Demon World?

　Judas shrugged with a wry smile.

'It was Velfer who created the wards, but no Demon King since then has ever tried to play with them. It's a ward that was created because of his extraordinary magical power.''
'Oh yeah...'
''Rather, even if it's only reinforcement, just adding new magic power to the wards is out of standard. If it's an ordinary magic power... even if it's a Demon King class status, it would end up being played by Velfer's Warding.

　Judah looked impressed.

''Your magic power is really high, isn't it? Your skills are low, though.''
I'm sorry for the lack of skill.
'Haha, I guess I've said too much. Well, I'll show you the ropes.
Please.
When I'm ready.
Please.

　This guy is fickle.
　Let's not expect too much.

''In the first place, do you have any idea how to launch a strike without worrying about defense?　If you kill all the humans, the fight will be over, right?

　Judah said something plainly horrible.
　Regal had said something similar before.

''........kill them all, huh?
Well, in your case, I'm worried that it will undermine your powers.

　And Judas.

　
　I swallowed my inner words.

　Of course, in order to protect myself and my friends - and I still don't want to kill for no reason - but I'll still exchange lives.
　But the slaughter, that's a whole other story.

　I am an ex-human.
　I don't care if they're coming at me as an enemy, but I don't want to kill an innocent person.

　I'm sure the brave men and women don't want to kill all of them at once.

"What I really want... is for us to coexist without anyone dying.

　I couldn't help but speak up.

'Isn't that the best you can do?'

　And I hope that kind of peace will last forever.
　If possible, a hundred years from now, a thousand years from now.

　And so on and so forth.

Isn't that sweet, or is that...

　Judas chuckled.

'The former human demon lord has a nasty mentality, doesn't he?
It's in their nature.
I don't hate it. It's the way you think.

　Judah's smile changes from a wry smile to a smirk.

'And you won't always be alive and well. There are always unforeseen circumstances in a fight to begin with. It's possible that you could be killed by an unexpected misstep.
Well, yeah.
If we can put in place a defense that is so well-protected that it can function without you, then we can bring lasting peace to the demon world.
Oh, I'm not dreaming.

　Me nodding.

"Realistically, you do.