'I was delayed in rushing to the scene because I had escaped from Zegert's hands. I'm sorry.

　Stella runs up to me and bows her head to me.

'No, thank God,'
On the way here, I took stock of the situation with my clairvoyance.

　And, Stella.

'I think now is the time to step back.

　Can you do it?
　I'll take care of it.

　I made brief eye contact with Stella.

"That blow was stunning, but it was a surprise.

　Zegert glares at me and Stella.

"No matter how good your pupils are, you're basically a supportive type. You are a combat-type person, not an enemy of me.
I don't know.

　The Demon God-eyed girl looked at the Beast Emperor coldly.

''Fighting is not decided by force alone. At the very least──couldn't a brainiac like you understand that?
A cheap provocation.

　Grunting, Zegart slowly approached.

　I looked at Stella again.

　This 'trick' is all about timing.
　We need to match her breath with mine──.

　Once again, I analyzed our current strength.

　First, me.
　Zegart's tricks have nearly exhausted my magic power.
　With my current magical attack power, I won't be able to do much damage to him.

　Next, Regal.
　You can't say he's completely on my side, but at least he's protecting me.
　However, he must have been pretty worn out from the fight with me earlier.

　The miasma, a source of energy for undead demons, is almost completely exhausted, and he probably doesn't have enough strength left to stand up to Zegart and Tsukuyomi.

　As for the Lilim and the guards, it is indeed impossible to resist the Demon Warchief class.

　If that's the case - the last one is Stella.
　She seems to be in top form.

　Her powers are pupillarism and magic.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　Of course, it's not strong enough to defeat Zegart and Tsukuyomi, but it's enough to keep them in check, and there's even a chance to defeat them if you see an opening.

　All that's left is.......to combine those cards and break the deadlock.

　I'm going to do it, Stella.
　I signal to her with my gaze.

　Her eyes nodded in agreement.

''Come, 'Purgatory Demon King's Sword (Radis)!

　I called up the Demon King's sword.

　The jet-black blade that seemed to have melted the darkness, the graceful golden flange and hilt.
　There are a number of cracks running through its blade, and a total of six spills on the blade.

　Normally I use my magic sword in melee combat, but right now even that magic power is running out.
　I have no choice but to fight with this thing as my gain.

　I grabbed the Demon King's sword.

''Hmph, that sword will soon be mine too.

　Zegart raises both claws like a sword.

'....Let's go.

　I held the Demon King's sword at mid-level and rushed forward from a low stance.
　This is the basic motion of the 'Zylas style of swordsmanship' that I used to use when I was a human.

"You are a thousand years too young to challenge me in close combat!

　Howling, Zegart swings down his arm claws.

　Fast──!
　After all, in a white army battle, a guy who is a physically skilled beast-man demon race is better than a guy who is a physically skilled beast-man demon race?

''Kuh........''

　I swivel my sword and retreat, playing with Zegert's clawing fire.

'I won't let you get away,'

　Quickly, Zegert closed in on him in time.

''Fire!''
It's not working!

　The fireball I released would disappear with just one blackmail from the Beast Emperor.
　It's not even a check.

"My Demon Lord, we're going to...
Zegert, prepare yourself!

　Lilim and the others, and even Regal, rushed in.

'No matter how much we gather, it's useless!

　Zegart howled.

　His yell became a shockwave, blasting the Lilim together.

　Furthermore.

"'Dark Lord,' you must attack Freed!

　Tsukuyomi orders the Maaso High King (Ashtaroth Gear) to give chase.

　Gigi.........i.......!

　But for a moment, its movements slowed down.
　The black giant dragon wiggled its body from side to side as if it was puzzled.

''A malfunction?　Oh, well. The former Demon King is not finished with a weapon, I will finish him off.

　The Beast Emperor looking back at me.

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

　That's when Zegart let out a bewildered cry.
　The extinguished fireball appeared again and grew dozens of times larger and attacked him.

''Don't underestimate the Demon King's magical power.

　I grin.

''Chii, you still have this much power...!

　Zegert retreats in surprise.
　At that moment.

　Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...!

　The fireball popped with a roar.

　　　　*

'Gone...?'

　Zegert looked around.

　There was already no sign of Freed, Stella, Regal, or the guards.
　It looks like they were able to escape.

''........Hmph. You were planning to deceive me from the start by using a magic trick to escape, under the pretense of an all-out attack.

　Zegart gave a small snort.
　However, that was also expected to some extent.

''If you want to run away, you can run away. All I have to do is return to the Demon King's Castle and continue my preparations to get the 'thing'.
I do too, sir.
Yeah, I wouldn't get 'that power' without your help. Please.

　Here's what's going on.

"I shall not be a pawn in the hands of the gods. I will outmaneuver him and rule all the world.

　　　　*

'Ha, ha, ha...'

　Stella was breathing heavily.

'Are you okay, Stella?'

　This is the forest on the outskirts of Zillegga.
　After escaping from Zegart and Tsukuyomi, we arrived here and hid out.

"As I thought, the current me.......it's still a heavy burden to control the Eye of the Apocalypse (Apocalypse Note) at will.

　Beads of sweat floated all over her face.
　Her beautiful face was pale.

　It must have drained a considerable amount of magic and strength.

''I'm sorry.''

　I lowered my head deeply.

　If it wasn't for the illusion created by her pupil technique and the prediction of Zegert and the others' reactions by the Eye of the Apocalypse, I wouldn't have been able to escape so successfully.

''What do you mean? I would risk my life to protect you.''
It's us.

　Lilim said emphatically.

''I'm glad you're safe, Demon King-sama. And also.... well, Regal-sama.
It's okay. At least we're not enemies. For now.

　I gave a small smile to the somewhat anxious Lilim and the guards.