The Imperial Palace conference room.

This place was bustling with personnel giving operational instructions based on the war situation.

"How are the other Zodiacs doing?"

Philly asked, and Malia's eyes momentarily scanned the surroundings. Then, Malia spoke.

"There are no problems. Most of the barriers have been restored and are holding strong, and the Zodiacs are able to handle the Manggot's upper ranks without difficulty."

"I was worried that some of the Zodiacs might be defeated, but that's a relief."

If the Manggot had individuals comparable to the Zodiacs, it wouldn't be surprising if one of them defeated a Zodiac and breached the barrier.

However, there hadn't been such a case yet.

One of the Zodiacs, Medart, had been defeated, but Sybil had handled the situation well.

"There are still many enemies hiding and waiting for the right moment. They're waiting for us to become exhausted by the monsters outside."

"So we can't let our guard down yet."

If time passed indefinitely, the Empire would gradually become more vulnerable.

The Empire already had several time-outs in place.

But before that, they were also waiting for something.

Hoping that their wait would be quicker than the time-outs, they endured with anxious hearts.

Suddenly,

Malia's gaze changed.

"The engagement between Constel and the Manggot has begun."

"....!"

Hearing those words, Empress Philly nodded.

"A significant number of the Manggot have gathered in one place and are facing off against Constel. They can no longer recklessly use Shadow Transfer."

"Yes. The two arrows that Frondier mentioned."

The two arrows, Mei and Selena.

Their surprise attack was crucial in eliminating the Manggot personnel immediately, but more importantly, it served as a warning to the Manggot.

They had been ambushed immediately after using Shadow Transfer.

They couldn't guarantee that such a thing wouldn't happen again.

Of course, there was no guarantee that Selena and Mei would succeed in another surprise attack, and considering the risks, they probably wouldn't try it again.

But the same was true for the Manggot.

From the moment the arrows of Mei and Selena hit their mark, they would hesitate to use Shadow Transference.

"Then now,"

Philly's gaze turned to the woman standing in the center of the conference room.

"You've waited long enough."

"Yes. Indeed I have, Your Majesty."

The woman smiled and unfolded a black fan, covering her mouth.

Philly spoke to the woman.

"To completely end the war, we absolutely need your help. But this operation is predicated on the spear that is Frondier piercing the enemy's stronghold."

"Of course."

"Are you confident he will succeed?"

At Philly's question, Quinie de Viet lowered her fan and revealed unwavering eyes.

"Frondier declined my offer to become my knight, saying that he had to save the world."

Quinie's attire was still black, but the emblem symbolizing her knighthood was emblazoned on her shoulder.

Quinie smiled as if without a shred of doubt.

"He wouldn't say such things just to stop here. That's the kind of man Frondier is."

At those words, Philly closed her eyes gently.

Opening her eyes slowly again, Philly said,

"Then let's begin."

* * *

The moment Selena shot the needle made of Obsidian,

"....!"

Frondier sensed the movement.

If the needle he had planted beforehand worked as intended, Selena would use Shadow Transfer.

Mei, who had moved to lure someone from the Manggot, and Selena, who had given the Manggot a chance to escape.

Frondier didn't know which one would succeed. He simply believed.

'Then, the time has come.'

Frondier lifted his body, which had been succumbing to sloth. An overwhelming sense of powerlessness, far beyond mere fatigue, washed over him, but he shook it off by raising his head.

"....!"

Belphegor witnessed this.

At this point, not much time had passed since Belphegor's Deadly Sin had activated.

However, it was extremely strange for Frondier, who should have been gradually succumbing, to raise his body.

'If he could resist, he would have done so long ago. It's strange that he's able to resist now.'

His Deadly Sin wasn't something one could get used to or adapt to. If that were the case, the Emperor of the Empire would have also risen from his weakened state. Once a curse was set, it wouldn't worsen, but conversely, it wouldn't weaken either.

If even a mere curse was like that, what he had inflicted upon Frondier was his power itself.

"You bastard....!"

Belphegor's anger flared as he dealt with Frondier's numerous weapons.

He was enraged not just because Frondier had overcome his Deadly Sin.

"You were waiting, even while receiving my power!"

The fact that Frondier had endured and bided his time,

That he had used his ability for stalling and bluffing, was the ultimate humiliation for Belphegor.

"How did you overcome my power! I saw your soul directly. It shouldn't have missed like other mental magic!"

"Yes, it was incredibly lethargic. It still is."

Frondier reached out his hand. One of the countless weapons in the air flew into his grasp.

"I didn't overcome or conquer it."

As he infused aura into the weapon, the blade trembled as if responding to Frondier's aura.

"As you wished, I am slothful and lazy. I want to lie down right now."

But because he had experienced that sensation for so long,

Because he had walked on all fours, dragging his body,

"I will kill you just like this. Slothfully."

He muttered such brazen words to the Demon of Sloth.

"After receiving my Deadly Sin, with such a pathetic blade, you dare to utter such nonsense!"

Belphegor's new form shot towards Frondier.

Looking straight at him, Frondier said,

"You seem to have forgotten, Demon of Sloth."

The moment Frondier uttered those words, a thought flashed through Belphegor's mind.

Why did Frondier bring down a single sword from the air and grip it in his hand?

Why were his hands 'empty'?

"....!"

Belphegor realized his mistake and stopped.

However, stopping was, in itself, a fatal mistake for him.

The sword and hammer were already prepared around Belphegor.

While Belphegor was destroying the weapons, Frondier had released the sword and hammer from his hands.

Excalibur, still holding back its flames, imbued with his mana.

Mjölnir, positioned beside it like a companion.

Aura Release, Sword Ki

Frondier Original

Nail, Diagonal Cut

The outrageously powerful technique that hadn't been fully unleashed against Renzo.

From front, back, left, and right, the tips of Excalibur pointed towards Belphegor.

"Didn't I tell you, I'm a fake."

With Frondier's declaration,

The hammer struck the pommel of the aura-infused blade.

KWA-A-ANG-!!!

Without any exaggeration,

The combination of God and Hero descended upon Belphegor.