Tap, tap, tap!

Deia and Eleanor’s footsteps echoed from behind. Despite their footsteps gradually fading away, the demons showed no sign of movement.

It wasn't because they let them go.

They were relaxed because, regardless of where the two were going, they were confident that, ultimately, they were in the palms of their hands.

"Huff."

Let's think calmly.

Even though they were Demon Lords, the strength they possessed couldn’t be called overwhelming, like for Magan just now.

Magan grew significantly stronger because of the banquet setting, and we were able to win by demolishing that.

The power level of the demons ahead probably wasn’t at the same level as Magan during the banquet. However…

At the moment, they were one level higher or lower than Aria.

There would still be disparities in strength even among Demon Lords; we could probably assume as such in our current situation.

"It's surprising that he was able to reduce Magan to this state in his own banquet.”

"Haha, wasn't it just because this guy got fat and couldn't move?"

"..."

Nevertheless, there were three Demon Lords.

While Valkyria, the Demon Lord of War, and Feyron, the Demon Lord of Worship, were having a relaxed conversation, Dune, the Demon of Pride, was staring at me blankly while he stood before me.

His three black eyes were fixed precisely on me, as if contemplating something.

"Human."

"..."

"A proud human being who comforts the continent."

As soon as he uttered those solemn words, the two Demon Lords, who were chatting about Magan, shifted their gaze towards me.

From their stiffening expressions, I immediately realized the gravity of the situation. The relaxed atmosphere from just a moment ago vanished, and was now replaced by tension.

"Will you show me your conviction?"

It was a bizarre question, but Velica calmly explained the intention behind it.

[It means a one-on-one fight. We must not accept it.]

"..."

[It's just like Magan's banquet. The moment he realizes that it's a battle where both sides are fighting with their pride on the line, his strength will increase drastically.]

I swallowed my saliva and took a deep breath.

I stubbornly remained silent in response to the question he had posed, as if it were a verdict.

Scuff!

At that moment, the spider legs sprouted from my back once again.

Though they were smaller and fewer in number than when I first fought Magan, the legs quickly planted themselves into the ground and then vaulted backwards, creating a large distance between me and the demons.

"Hmm."

Taking that action to mean refusal, Dune stroked his chin with a disappointed expression.

Then the other Demon Lords approached Dune and asked with serious expressions.

"He's just a human. Is he really worthy of being called a strong warrior who would stake his pride in a fight against you?"

"Did you not lower your standards too much just because it's been a while?"

"Everyone, snap out of it."

Dune calmly reprimanded the arrogant two. His legs, resembling those of a ram, scratched the ground.

"He is a human who managed to demolish Magan's banquet. It has also been a while since we fought, so everyone has become too complacent."

"Ugh."

"Ah, you’re actually quite serious."

Valkyria showed an expression that indicated his words hit the mark. However, Feyron shook his head while playing with one of his tails.

“Anyway, he’s just someone who has run out of strength. I heard that the Saintess is also here, but I bet she's still just a small fry.”

Valkyria sneered at Feyron's words.

"Feyron has never met the previous Saintess. That’s why he can say things like that."

And just then, Tyren, Darius, and Lucía had finished fighting against the Secretary and the warriors from the other countries under mental domination.

Although they won, their state was indescribable, showing just how hard they fought.

The three approached me, panting heavily.

Tyren, using his staff as support, asked me.

"Are they also Demon Lords?"

"Yes, all three."

"Hah, is this the chosen place for me to die?"

Even as he spoke, the flaming fighting spirit in Tyren's eyes, burning brightly with the urge to live, refusing to be extinguished.

"Deus... No, Kim Shinwoo."

Darius approached me from behind Tyren. His current state was far from normal, but he, too, still had the strength to hold his sword.

While I was unsure of what to say, he suddenly gave me a hug.

"...!"

"It's uncomfortable to hug you with legs sprouting from your back."

After making a trivial joke, he brought his head close enough for our cheeks to touch while his large hand cupped the back of my head gently.

"Brother, let's have a beer while looking at the night view of Norseweden once we return."

Pat pat.

After stroking my head gently, Darius slowly let go. Along with the reddening eyelids, there was an affectionate smile on his lips.

I didn't give him any particular response.

I just nodded, imagining that future together.

"I'll do my best."

Filled with determination, Saintess Lucia clasped her hands together as if in prayer. She was the natural enemy of demons, making her our most effective weapon against them.

After thinking about it again, I stressed on it to Tyren and Darius.

"Our top priority is to protect Lucia."

Due to the surprise attack from Magan, Lucia fainted while being helpless, but with us acting as a barrier, she should be able to exert her strength to the fullest.

* * *"Jeez, what the hell are these things again!"

Findenai swore as she vented her frustration while plunging her axe into the heads of the demonic monsters rushing toward her.

She was clearly dealing with soldiers from the Clark Republic blocking the way just moments ago.

However, the situation shifted abruptly and she was now striking the heads of demonic monsters flying through the corridor's windows.

Witnessing the banquet hall collapse, Findenai, Aria, and Erica, who were waiting outside, hurried towards the banquet hall.

A considerable amount of time was wasted due to the intermittent appearance of soldiers from the Republic.

And it especially took quite some time to behead one of the three Superhumans from the Republic.

"The situation seems to be rather serious."

Aria clicked her tongue as she stuck her head out of the window to glance at the building on the other side, where the banquet hall was located.

“The Mana seems to be fluctuating and getting murky over there. It means that there are more Demon Lords present. And there's a big chance that it's not just one bastard.”

"Another Demon Lord?"

Erica, who was holding the box that contained the Holy Grail, eliminated the most demonic monsters while controlling the butterfly shaped spirits.

Her magic illuminated the surroundings as the brightest light in the darkness.

If it’s this many, are all three here? What the hell is going on in the Clark Republic?

Secrets that Aria had never uncovered in the first round kept popping up, leaving her as bewildered as others.

It was already astonishing to learn that a Demon Lord was the Dictator, but she never imagined that the other Demon Lords would join him as well.

The Demon Lords were cooperating with each other?

Demons lived with a slightly different manner of thinking from humans. They liked humans because they lived based on their unique desires.

Because humans were valuable resources that satisfied most of their desires.

So, the Clark Republic wasn't just serving as Magan's dining table.

Realizing that those Demon Lords were using the Clark Republic for their own reasons and to satisfy their desires, Aria tightened her grip on the greatsword.

Although she had abandoned her title, her inherent nature was kind enough to be called a hero.

Them using the Republic as a shield and humans as livestock were twisted actions she couldn't overlook easily.

"There's no other way."

It felt like the incoming demonic monsters were clinging to her ankles, so Aria looked up and raised her greatsword with both hands.

"I'll clear the way...!"

As Aria's intense mana swept the floor like a gust and wrapped around her greatsword…

"Findenaiii!"

Bang! Bang!

The cries of a woman and gunshots echoed from the building across the window.

"Deia!"

Findenai, who immediately recognized Deia's call, quickly stretched her neck out of the window.

She could see Deia shooting guns and Eleanor using magic through the window of the opposite building.

"What a nuisance!"

Seeing the two struggling to handle the demonic monsters pouring in, Findenai felt anxious, as if there was a fire under her feet, but there was no way to cross over to their side.

The passage was still blocked by demonic monsters. And with so many flying-type demons, crossing over through the window was out of the question.

"You got the box?!"

Even in the midst of a dire situation, the first thing Deia did was confirm that Findenai had the box containing the Holy Grail.

Erica raised the box she was holding for Deia to see.

"Pass it over here!"

The Holy Grail would become Deus' greatest weapon against the Demon Lords he was facing.

If Saintess Lucia were to hold it, it would undoubtedly demonstrate tremendous efficiency.

Having understood that Deus' real intention in asking her to find their companions was to retrieve the Holy Grail, Deia rushed out of the banquet hall.

"That girl really says whatever she wants! How can we just send it over?"

"Figure it out yourselves!"

"This is a Royal Order!"

Despite Findenai's annoyed shout, the situation on the other side was really grave, so Deia and Eleanor teamed up and began forcing their way through.

"Do you think everything can be resolved by saying it’s a Royal Order?!"

Despite her burst of anger, Findenai pondered over a solution. However, the answer unexpectedly came from Aria beside her.

"I'll clear the way."

Gripping her greatsword, Aria aimed it towards the wall in the direction of Deia and Eleanor.

Both of them already knew that she wasn't an ordinary girl.

Erica cast a protective magic around the three of them.

Though the flooding demonic monsters clung to it, making it seem like it might shatter at any moment, Aria swung her sword with all her strength, creating a momentary gap.

"As long as there are no demonic monsters in the middle, I can use magic to fly us there."

Erica handed the box with the Holy Grail to Findenai and immediately prepared her magic.

Findenai wore a look of disbelief as she was suddenly told that she would be sent to the other side using flying magic, but she quickly fastened her axe to her belt and took the box.

"If I fall and die here, I'll surely go straight to Master Bastard and tell him! ”

Even though she muttered complaints, Findenai still positioned herself right behind Aria.

As Erica's protective magic began to falter, holding her greatsword low, Aria suddenly swung it in a large arc.

Crash!

The overwhelming mass and mana contained in the sword aura shattered the wall mercilessly while decimating the demonic monsters soaring through the sky.

"Princess!"

"Kyaaaak!"

The power from the sword aura was so immense that it even tore through the outer wall of the building Deia and Eleanor were in.

The situation might have been dangerous, but she managed to open the path nonetheless.

Findenai entrusted her body to the golden mana surrounding her.

As the mana swirled around her feet like tickling feathers, she suddenly heard a booming sound and was lifted into the air.

"Wow!"

For the first time in her life, Findenai soared into the sky, her exclamation echoing through the skies of the Republic.

"Whoa! Whoa! Hey!"

As Erica's mana had depleted from the grueling battle, Findenai’s speed gradually slowed down, and she began to descend once she reached halfway.

Flustered, she flailed her feet in the air and grasped the box tightly, with both hands.

"It's okay."

Amidst the panting breaths, Erica's reassurance reached her ears. At that moment, a huge golden butterfly appeared under Findenai's feet and carried her to the other side.

"Holy shit."

Despite letting out a sigh of relief after her near-death experience, Findenai immediately placed the box on the ground and drew her axe.

The area cleared by Aria's sword aura was once again flooded with demonic monsters.

"Protect the box! I'll clear the way to the banquet hall!"

With the shout, Findenai began to rush forward aggressively.

Since she flung her body towards a crowd of numerous demonic monsters, injuries started to appear here and there.

Eleanor immediately followed right behind Findenai, using magic to assist her.

Behind them, Deia dashed straight after, holding the box tightly.