I never thought I'd be challenged to battle by the Devil King in the beginning.

　I recall that I had challenged Fried to a match before.

　And twice.

　Once, shortly after Freed had become king.
　I crossed swords with him to assess his strength and the vessel itself.

　Once, when he and Zeggert had revolted against the demon world.
　He couldn't suppress the hatred within him for Fried, a former human.

　Crossing swords, he felt as if that feeling had sublimated from hatred to something else.
　What that something is, Regal still doesn't know what it is.

　And──now.

(I'm about to fight the "Demon King" again...!)

　The surrounding demon clans are all cheering.
　Even to Regal, there are many favorable looks at him.

　They don't seem to be seen as an irreverent and impious demon race - standing up to the king.
　Everyone is genuinely enjoying this entertainment.
　Even though they are respected as kings, they are treated as friends by those around them.

　Even though their personalities and moods were different, I felt that they were similar to Freed in that way.

(No, it doesn't matter if Velfer-sama and Freed-sama are similar or not. Right now, I'm just focusing on the game.)

　Regal switched his consciousness.

　All consciousness, for the sake of the battle.

　There was a premonition.
　The hazy feeling he had right now might be cleared up in this battle──and that's all.

''Then I will only do my best.''

　He told himself that he would increase his fighting spirit.

　For me, who lives by the sword, my doubts can only be cleared up by the sword.
　In the past, and in the future.

(So...)

　I'm a proud warrior.

"Come on, fight!

　Regal pulled out a disastrous sword that seemed to be made up of countless bones.
　He held it in his right eye.

　On the other hand, Velfer on the other hand, slackly kept his arms down.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say about it. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it.

　Wölfer grinned.

''As an undead and as a swordsman - you can tell that you have top-notch abilities. You have a good subordinate, Freed.
Thank you very much for the compliment.

　Regal rubs his feet and closes up a bit of space between them.

　In the previous battle, the fight ended with him standing at the rear, so the details of Velfer's warfare methods are unknown.
　I have information that he has a powerful magic power and an overwhelming status, but──.

''I'm going.
Come on.

　Prompted, Regal kicked the ground.

　Thud!

　At the same time, the miasma is released backwards.
　It used its momentum as propulsion to charge forward.

''Hades Blade!''

　The miasma-laden slash is a powerful blow.
　It's the only way to make sure that you'll be able to get the most out of the miasma.

　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.

"This power is a greeting.

　Welfar summoned his sword from the void and received a slash from Regal.

'But you won't get through to me.

　With one hand, it doesn't matter.

You are very good.
''For this level, 'two' is enough. Isn't there an attack of greater power?
Then do as you wish.

　Regal further increases the miasma in his entire body.
　He changed his stance and released a three-step thrust.

It's not a bad idea.　Your swordsmanship - has it reached this level?

　A hint of joy in Welfar's voice.
　The beginning demon king retreats while surpassing Regal's three consecutive stabs with his sword.

''You are more capable than expected. Then──

　A black and purple magic rose from its entire body.

　With a bobbing, bobbing, the area around its side wriggled, and two new arms grew out.
　Yet another face appears from the side of his face.

　Velfer, who had become two faces and four arms, summoned three more swords from the void.

''Let me raise this one up a notch as well. Let me see you take it through, Regal!''
I'm not going to take it.

　He dodged the four slashes that were delivered.

My only goal is to be aggressive.

　Gulp, I look at a full-body thrust as it stretches up.

''Chii........''

　Wölfer jumped back wide.
　An unavoidable blow shallowly cleaved its chest.

Don't do it.''

　Velfer grinned.

''Or maybe even more than the best swordsman in the demon world, the Thunder High Knight (Alfina), your sword.
The man I was and the man I have become, together they have been perfected for thousands of years.
Interesting.

　Wölfer's smile deepened.

'You should have done everything in your power to deal with them from the start. I'm sorry I started out by imitating you as a petty thief.'

　The magic power that rises from that entire body swells several times - no, dozens of times at once.

''........!

　The magical pressure is so great that you feel as if your whole body is going to be blown away just by being in relation to it.
　And a sense of shivering and intimidation.

(This is the true nature of the "Beginning Demon King"........!
'I apologize for my rudeness in keeping my full strength under wraps to this point, Regal. And to make up for it, I will now deal with you with all my might.

　He announces, and Wölfer's figure changes.

　Three faces and six arms.
　Three faces and six arms.

"In this form, it's difficult to add or subtract. That's why I only show it to the best of the best, but... you'll be fine.

　All three of Wölffer's faces howled simultaneously.

'Come on, let's fight to the fullest!