"The Dark Lord's Demise of Hades Blade End... unleashing my greatest sword technique with maximum power on you.

　With the sword wrapped in the flames of the miasma, Regal is running at a sprint.

　The miasma is fast.

　The miasma flames are not only from the sword, but also seemingly from the back of the guy.
　I'm going to be able to say that this is a very good idea.

　The Immortal King, who was fleshed out by me in just a moment, unleashes a slash of his full strength from the upper level.
　A head-to-head battle without any tricks...

　In that case, I'll go with you.

'Convergence-type Vanity Blade!

　The magic sword that cuts off space is activated.

　The sword of miasma and the sword of nothingness
　It's the only way to go.

　We're not going to be able to get away with it.

　It's the only way to go.

　Our swords clash, causing metal to creak and sparks to fly.
　As it is, we move into a teetering position of a sword battle.

"I can't cut...

　I let out a voice of confusion under my mask.
　His sword, which cuts through even space, is catching the sword head on.

''No way, this is...!

　It's the same as when I fought the brave Liavelt who had gained 'divine power' before.

　The power of the magic sword has been 'rejected'.
　Has Regal's maximum sword technique reached that level?

''It's a one-off technique created by thousands of years of accumulation.

　The Immortal King quietly announced.

''But for that one time - I can 'reject' everything and crush everything. Even if it's your strongest magic.
You are a keeper.
'The fight with you is worth it. That's all I've decided.

　Jittery, Regal pushes.

'.........!

　The blade of magical power I created creaked loudly.

　A crack runs across its surface.
　I can feel the magic power itself wearing away.

　Indeed, it's a tremendous slash.
　Even the sword of emptiness that condenses my magic power is being rejected and is about to be destroyed.

　Regal pushes in further.
　You want to continue to push through and cut me in half?

"But...

　I put more magic power into it.
　The magic sword, which was covered in cracks, returns to normal again.

''What........?
''That's not enough to exhaust my magical power. You're not the only one who has an uncompromising will to do so.......

　This time I pushed back.
　The close quarters battle that had been a legal one was back to five minutes again.

I'm not sure why.　"Why can't I push it away - why does my miasma, my grudge, my obsession with the miasma, overpower a human's heart?
"I'm the same as you.

　I told him quietly as I received Regal's miasma sword with my sword of emptiness.

　The miasma of the miasma is the only thing that matters.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.

"In my battle with the previous Demon King Yulisha, the one I trusted the most betrayed me. And now... he's dead.
...What?
I hated him.

　The smile of his beloved apprentice, Lyle, floated in my brain.

　The core of my heart throbbed with pain.
　Although they have parted ways and settled their differences, the pain in their hearts will never completely heal.

　But even so....

I'm sure I would have come to hate all human beings just like you. However, I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's not. When I became the Demon King, I gained a new set of important people.

　I'll take a step toward you.
　The equilibrium is shattered.

"d*mn........you're still going to get more power......?

　Regal takes a step backwards.

''The desire to protect what I hold dear barely kept me from being a person. It's kept me from being trapped in hate, and it's kept me from believing in and thinking about my friends.

　I'll push it one more time.

So I can fight.

　Just one more step.

"If there's anyone who threatens the demon world... if there's anyone who hurts the demon tribe, I'll fight them off with everything I've got. I will crush them.

　And I took the last step.

The girls will give me that will!

　The empty blade cut off the miasma sword in mid-air.

''Guh, whoa, whoa.......?''

　Regal retreated heavily.

It's the same thing we're going for, Regal. Can't we fight together?
This is a stupid...

　The Immortal King groaned in dismay.

''Is it because your hatred is so great that it prevents you from doing so?　Am I not one of you?
Friends....
You're a valuable member of the family, aren't you?



　Garan.
　The sword fell from Regal's hand.

　The sword, which was broken halfway through its blade, weathered as it was and scattered as countless ashes.

''──Kill him.''

　The Immortal King nodded.

The miasma is now completely exhausted. I don't think I can ... fight anymore.
'The winner gets to set the loser free, right?　Then this time you'll be loyal to me.
Would you allow a man to point a sword at you?
I told you I'm on your side. If we're going to save as many others as possible we're going to need your help.
...sweet.

　'Huh,' breathed Regal.

'Then you'll make up for that sweetness.

　I chuckled.
　It was the same line as when we first met.

'The King's life.'
...you...

　Regal seemed to laugh heartily.

'No, you're - you're still sweet.

　His words are also the same as when we first met.

　But the heart that we exchanged between us was...
　But the heart we shared with each other must be different from that time...