Reversion (3)

After Quinie left for her mission, the Imperial Palace meeting room became a whirlwind of activity.

Reports poured in from all sides, painting a chaotic picture of the barrier's situation. Battles against monsters, Manggot attempting to breach the barrier, confrontations between the Manggot Shepherd and Constel teachers, and Osprey and Constel students crossing over to the Manggot side – the situation was so chaotic that it felt like the entire empire was being sucked into a giant vortex.

Meanwhile, Philly quietly approached Malia. Her previously stiff expression softened as she offered Malia a friendly smile.

“Malia, the transfer?”

Philly’s tone was relaxed, as if she were addressing a friend. In fact, they had been friends for a long time.

While they kept this fact hidden in public, their shared experiences with their husbands, Bartello and Enfer, fostered a sense of camaraderie that quickly brought them closer.

Although Philly was always happy to see Malia, Malia found it awkward whenever Philly displayed such familiarity within Constel.

In response to Philly’s question, Malia briefly averted her gaze before replying, “…It was completed successfully.”

“Still using honorifics? That hurts my feelings.”

“This is the Imperial Palace, Your Majesty.”

“True enough.” Philly chuckled.

Malia confirmed that the Constel group, led by Osprey’s spatial magic, had crossed the gate. The rapidly growing students displayed valiant efforts, refusing to back down in the face of the army of corpses.

Of course, this was largely due to the exceptional performance of a few individuals, but Constel’s overall level was much higher than Malia had anticipated.

“Ms. Quinie has departed for her mission, and now all that remains is Frondier.”

This entire operation was devised by Frondier, Philly, Malia, Osprey, and others. However, the premise of the entire plan ultimately hinged on Frondier’s victory. If the Manggot leader wasn't defeated, the war couldn't be considered over.

“Malia, you look pale.”

Philly observed Malia’s face with concern. Indeed, Malia had turned pale. Her breathing was slightly erratic, and despite her attempts to appear composed, her expression remained rigid.

“You're worried about Frondier, aren’t you?”

“Of course I am,” Malia responded immediately, dropping the honorifics and fixing her gaze directly on Philly. “My son is fighting a devil.”

“…Yes.” Philly nodded gently.

Malia spoke quietly, “I think Frondier knew who he was going to face.”

“You mean he knew he would encounter Belphegor?”

“I don't know if he was certain it was Belphegor, but I believe he was prepared to meet a devil. That’s why he went himself.”

Frondier wasn't the strongest person in the empire. However, he was undoubtedly the strongest among those the Manggot hadn't accounted for. That’s why Frondier held significance as the spear launched by the empire.

However…

“…But a devil…”

Malia shared Frondier’s vision, so she saw who he encountered.

The Devil of Sloth, Belphegor.

Upon realizing this, Malia wanted to contact Frondier immediately and tell him to come back. But she couldn't. Frondier would never listen to her, and if he truly retreated, the entire operation would collapse.

“But Frondier is holding his own, isn’t he?” Philly asked. Malia briefly checked on Frondier through Osprey’s vision, who was by his side.

“…He's become a monster.”

Frondier, with all of Obsidian wrapped around his body and spread out like wings throughout the air, was indeed a sight to behold, worthy of being called a monster.

“To defeat a devil, one must become a monster.”

“…I think he’s deliberately leading it into a high-risk psychological battle. In case he fails this time.” Malia bit her lip.

Just as Philly was about to add something to reassure her, someone urgently entered the meeting room.

“Your Majesty!”

The soldier knelt on one knee before Bartello. Emperor Bartello had been listening to Philly’s summary of the reports and making final decisions while observing the war situation.

Before the war broke out, Bartello had instructed that any urgent reports be delivered directly to him, as there was no time to go through intermediaries.

“Speak,” Bartello commanded the soldier, who hurriedly reported, “It’s a disaster! In the Imperial Palace armory…!”

His report, of course, reached Malia and Philly's ears as well. Their eyes slowly but surely widened.

***

Both weapons held in Frondier’s hands were incredibly dangerous.

‘You filthy bastard…!’

It wasn’t something a devil should say, but Belphegor was furious. He had anticipated that crossfire. It was the ‘safest’ way for Frondier to strike him, and its power was formidable.

Therefore, Belphegor had prepared magic in both hands to counter it. ‘Flame’ would act as a shield to block Frondier’s sword energy, while his aura would pierce his heart like a spear.

Frondier’s Nail was extremely powerful, but it required a large movement of striking the sword hilt with the hammer. The immense mana drain was an added burden.

Belphegor had clearly identified that massive opening. That’s why he was confident that while his flame would deflect Frondier’s sword energy and he would lose an arm, his remaining hand would kill Frondier.

However, Frondier charged at Belphegor with both weapons in hand.

There was no time to cancel the magic. He would be sliced by that sword in the process.

‘Here.’

Choose.

Excalibur and Mjölnir.

Which one should the devil’s flame deflect?

Logically, the obvious choice was Excalibur.

Although Mjölnir was the hammer of the gods, Frondier had poured almost all of his mana, which had surged after consuming the mana crystal, into Excalibur. In terms of a single strike, Excalibur’s current state posed a threat not just to Belphegor but to the entire ‘continent’.

While Mjölnir’s strike would also inflict significant damage, it couldn’t compare to Excalibur.

Therefore…

‘If it’s you!’

Swish!

Belphegor swung his flame, aiming for Mjölnir.

Excalibur, with all its power concentrated into a single point. But that’s why Belphegor believed Frondier would swing Mjölnir. Excalibur was a bluff to conceal Mjölnir.

And…

“Kuaagh!”

That thought proved accurate.

Frondier swung Mjölnir instead of Excalibur, and it was deflected by Belphegor’s flame, slipping from his hand. Belphegor’s blue flame wasn’t just fire but a concentration of energy.

Using the flow of countless flames, he could deflect most things. Moreover, the blue flame would relentlessly consume any opponent it touched.