Stella, along with Lilim and a dozen or so soldiers, were heading to the basement of the Demon King's Castle.
　They descended the stairs and eventually reached the lowest level of the basement.

''It's been a long time since I've come to a place like this~''

　Lilim scurried around.

''Even with the castle security, we'll rarely be able to get in this far.

　Stella opened a third eye on her forehead and proceeded with caution.

　On either side of the narrow passage were several huge, bare gears turning on either side.
　She wasn't sure what kind of mechanism it was, either.

　I've heard that the Demon King's Castle itself is equipped with mechanical devices and will be used in battle in the event of an emergency──I've heard about it.
　That area was under the jurisdiction of the 'Alchemist', the head of the Seventh Army.

　He went straight ahead and arrived at the room at the end.
It is engraved on the plate as 'control room'.

　I could sense the presence of the demon tribe from beyond that.

"This was supposed to be a restricted area, but...

　Stella murmured, looking over to Lilim next to her.

'Let's go,'

　Stella announced in a whisper and opened the door while bracing herself.

　The room was lined here and there with mechanical devices reminiscent of a steam engine.
　In the center of it all, there is a demon tribe in hoods and robes.

"Hi, hi, demon army chief-sama...?

　The demon tribe backs away.
　The face behind the hood belonged to an old man.

''What are you doing here?''

　Stella asked the old demon tribe.

''Yes, yes, I mean...''
I thought this was a restricted area.　Does it belong to the Seventh Army?

　The Seventh Army is managing the mechanical devices related to the Demon King's Castle.
　I thought he was one of them, but something was wrong.

''Wha, I, uh........''
Answer me.

　A demon tribe that seemed to shiver heartily.

''Well, it's a military order ... well, yes, it's a mission.

　Clearly, his attitude was suspicious.

　Stella immediately activated her clairvoyance.

　See through it.
　The fluctuation of the demon race's mind in front of her.
　The anxiety.
　Fear.

　It's impossible even for Stella, as expected, to completely perceive the heart of another person.
　However, if it was a fragmentary image──as long as the other party was not a high-ranking demon race, she could see through it to a certain extent.

　Behind the old demon race, a beast-like silhouette vaguely emerges.
　It's not related to "Alchemist" after all.

　This is.....

"It's a lie that it's a mission of the 7th Army, right?　Did the Beast Emperor (Gigantroa) Zegert order you to do this?
Hey, hey...

　The old demon tribe was immediately upset.
　It was half a guess, but it seems to have been a figurehead.

''Answer me the truth.''

　Stella took a step closer.
　Instantly, the old demon tribe's entire body emitted light.

''........?
''Stella-sama!

　Lilim jumped out and pushed her down.

　Goooooo!

　A flash of light that pops.
　A soft elasticity that covered his entire body.

　I realized that the old demon tribe had self-destructed, and the Lilim who had turned into slime had protected me from the impact.

''........Thank you, Lilim. It saved me.
Hehe, I'm glad you're okay.

　Lilim, who has returned to her human form from her slime state, smiles.

''And yet...''

　Stella looked forward.

　I didn't expect him to suddenly self-destruct.
　Were they afraid that Stella's "eyes" would detect it?

　Perhaps she was planning something.

And that plan was.....

　I snapped my back teeth just in time.

　First of all, without a doubt, the Beast Emperor Zegert is the mastermind.
　Even though it's just a difficult time in the demon world for the invasion of the heroes that's coming in two months, but to have to deal with Zegert's problem on top of this.

''Stella-sama........''
Let's get back upstairs, Lilim.

　Stella said to Lilim, who seemed to be concerned, with a grim expression on her face.



　Stella returned to the top of the floor with Lilim and the soldiers.

''Maj. Gen. Stella,''

　A skull swordsman comes from the front, clanking his armor with a crunching, crunching sound.

''Someone is approaching the Demon King's Castle.

　Stella nodded her head at Regal's question.

'Who are you ...?'

　I realized with a huff when they told me.

　Something clad in a holy atmosphere that was out of place in the demon world was approaching.
　I felt a powerful force that would not stand up to ordinary demons.

''Just when you think a suspicious demon tribe has appeared in the basement of the Demon King's Castle, this time it's above ground... Only when the Demon King is not around, trouble happens one after another.

　Stella activates her clairvoyant eyesight and investigates the identity of the approaching person.

"No way, this is...

　I gulped and cleared my throat.

　The most powerful weapon created by the gods in the age of mythology.
　The existence that destroyed many demon races and made even the first demon king, Velfer, suffer.

''The legendary, Heavenly Visionary High King (Divine Gear)...?''
　Stella groaned.

''It seems to have appeared from a different point than where the Demon Lord was headed.

　Regal said.

''According to legend, there were a total of three Heavenly Soul High Kings (Divine Gear). I suppose that means there were other individuals as well.''
You're just glad you left us here in the castle.

　Murmuring, Stella glares at Regal.

"We will defend the Demon King's castle and this magical world. We were personally ordered by the Demon King to take charge of his absence.
Of course.

　The next moment, the tremors became more and more intense.
　The atmosphere trembled and creaked as if it were screaming.
　And then...



　The earth cracked.



　A great deal of water gushed out of it like a fountain.

What a tremendous amount of magical power...!

　Stella groaned.
　Her entire body was in a total hairy state.
　With the exception of Freed, the strongest of all time, perhaps equal to or better than the Demon King class.

''Lilim, lead the troops and hurry up the evacuation of the surrounding population.
Okay, I'm off!

　When I gave the instructions, Lilim shouted cheerfully and left.

''It's only a legendary weapon........''

　Stella murmured with a grim expression.

　In the third eye that opened on her forehead, she saw a clear reflection.
　Lurking behind the cracks in the ground, a huge shadow.

'It's coming, Regal.'

　Stella announced.

'Mmm,'

　Regal put on his helmet and pulled out his sword at his waist and released it.
　It was a snarky long sword, designed to look like it was made up of countless bones.

　Almost simultaneously, something jumped out of the fountain.

　A dragon.
　It's a huge dragon that spewed out a stream of water from its blue armor covered body without interruption.

"This is the 'Divine Gear'

　Stella groaned.

　The blue giant dragon looked down at us with a hint of hostility.

''I'll take the lead.''

　Regal stepped forward, sword in hand.

"You are in command of the demon army. I need your help.
"...watch out for it, Regal.
Hmm, I didn't think I'd get a nice speech from you.
That guy is different from all the brave men I've fought. His fighting ability is in a different league...
"That's why.

　Regal held his sword at the ready.
　For some reason, a smile seemed to appear on the face of the expressionless skull.

'A divine weapon that raged in the age of mythology - a worthy prey for my sword.

　A warrior's, smile.