''According to reports, Regal was defeated by a group of brave men calling themselves the Four Heavenly Sacred Swords (Sacred Edge).

　And Zegert.

　The Four Heavenly Holy Swords.
　They are the four brave men who are considered to be the strongest.

　One of them, Ludmilla, I had fought before.
　I'm going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to get the job done.

''An opponent that Regal can defeat even if you send half a dozen troops to them, they'll still get their revenge.

　Zegart squeezes his chin.

'What will you do, my king?'

　There was a light in the lion's eyes, as if it was testing me.

''──I'll go.''

　He said no.

"Ho, the king himself.
''Regal is one of the fiercest men in the Demon World. If he's good enough to beat it, I'll have to go out.

　I met Zegert's gaze head on and said.

'I need you and Judah to protect this place.
I wish you good fortune, my king.

　Zegert bowed reverently.

'Good luck, Demon King. Well, I'm sure you wouldn't be able to do that very often.''

　Judah's tone is easy-going.
　And.

My Demon King, there is one more thing... a sign of a brave man with great power approaching.

　Stella looked up with a huff.
　A third eye opened on her forehead.

'What?'
There are two of them. Every garrison in their path seems to have been destroyed in an instant.
...don't let it get to you.

　I growled.

　That one could also be an opponent on the same level as the brave man who appeared in Jiregga.

　Or it could be the Four Heavenly Holy Swords.
　It could be two moves or even more routes, and they are advancing separately──?

　If that's the case, none of them would be able to deal with an ordinary demon race.

"Send Judas over there. I'll be standing at Jiregga right away. Stella will be in charge of the rest. Zeggert, Feria. Coordinate with the rest of the demon army chiefs and be ready for an attack on the Demon King's castle.

　I gave them a quick order and left.

　　　　*

　The march of the Four Heavenly Holy Swords was truly a march.

　The demons standing in his way were instantly killed by the power of his black Miracle Armor (Chaos Form).
　The black vestments (chaos jacket) blocked all of their attacks.
　There's no need to use their trump card, the Divine Spiritual Destruction Guide (Aura Burst).

　In the blink of an eye, they were closing in on the outer edge of the demon world to near the center.

''How do we proceed beyond this?　The four of you in a straight line to the Demon King's Castle?

　Fiore asked.

"Or...
I think it's time we split up.

　Ludmilla said.

'Because we don't want to risk everyone being rounded up by an enemy trap or an unexpectedly powerful enemy.
''I agree with you. There are still six demon chiefs left. It won't be a simple matter to deal with, you know.

　Sion agrees.

'How about a pairing of me and Liavert, Ludmila and Fiore?　It's a group we trained with, and I'm sure they've honed their coordination.
I don't object.
Me too, sir.

　Fiore proceeded with Ludmilla.

　As they progressed, a bad feeling was gradually growing.
　Even though it's the next best thing to rapid progress.

　Why on earth──.
　That question will eventually be resolved.

　In the worst possible way.

　I'm going to have to say that I found it when I was in the mountains.

Ah.

　Fiore's expression froze.
　Her mouth stopped in a way that made her inhale heavily.

''It's awful...''

　Ludmilla murmured.

　The corpses of countless brave men and women were folded over the blood-soaked earth.
　Fiore's gaze was riveted to that one point.

　No words came out.

　His head denies the scene he saw.
　Reason denies it.
　The heart denies it.

　No.

　It cannot be.

　It must not be.

'Ahhhhhhhh...'

　With a gulp, the strength from his knees disappeared and Fiore collapsed on the spot.

''Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.....

　A strangled cry and a scream.

　What she sees in the end of her gaze is...

　The head of her beloved brother Elio, lying carelessly on the ground.

　　　　*

　Theon Mertillat was advancing in the wilderness.
　Next to him is a knight in full plate armor──Riavelt.

''We're still a long way from the Demon King's Castle.

　Gazing at the huge castle that loomed far ahead, Theon sighed.

''I can't go any faster than this, ne.

　And Reavert.

　A cloud of dirt smoke is rising from the two men's feet.
　The high speed movement using the power of the Miracle Armament of the 'Earth' that Riawert has.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

It's a long way off, Theon.
''It's more like I'm getting carried away. The last time we had an invasion battle, the Four Heavenly Sacred Swords were out of our hands. It's like we're finally in the spotlight.

　His fresh smile didn't falter, and yet there was a fierce fire burning in Sion's chest.
　A flame of justice and a sense of mission.

''In the name of my ancestor, the Sword Sage Zyrus──I will defeat the Demon King.
For the family?
I'm on a mission.

　Sion laughs briskly.

'From the time of birth and fall, those of the House of Mertillat are on a mission. To fight and save the world as brave men and women. We dedicate our entire lives to that mission.
Life is a preordained path.
I'm happy with that, and I'm happy with it.

　And Theon.

'That's how I've protected so many people. The smiles of many people. Happiness. I'm proud of that. It's what I've been doing my whole life.

　Above all, fulfillment.

A lifetime mission.... That's a very confining way to live.

　The front is hazy like a shimmer, and a sleek silhouette appears.

''You are...''
Master Judas Ruggis, one of the chief of the demon army.

　He looked like a boy, but being a demon race, he wasn't necessarily as old as he looked.
　He had an air of solemnity about him, as if he had lived for thousands or tens of thousands of years or more.

　It looks like he's not just anyone.

''I won't let you pass from here.
Then why don't you just say, "By force"?

　Theon asked gruffly.

'If you think I can help you, try me.

　The silver-haired demon tribe keeps smiling.

''Then... it is my choice.

　Sion and Liavert held their black miracle armor at the ready.