Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha

Book 5: Chapter 4: In the Wind Blowing Through the Battlefield

Here, is a place is filled with tranquillity.

Built on the hill behind Wildart City this wide area that was directly cut from the hill, is the Demon Lord Wilberts Temple.

--Currently, Nonaka Yuki is visiting the resting place of this great Demon Lords soul.

Of course, she wasnt alone Yuki was accompanying for this journey.

The one beside her was also accompanying to this place, Kurumi.

And before Yukis eyes was yet another person. Before the large tombstone of Wilbert, was a young girl firmly raising her head Mio.

From when they arrived here, it already has been thirty minutes, yet Mio remained standing there silently all this time. However

No matter how long she wants to stay, let her.

This was Mios first time coming to her biological fathers grave to pay her tributes. Since Yuki completely understood Mios history and current situation, she knew clearly that Mio now must have many different complex emotions within her.

Thats why even though she couldnt get a reply, there must be a lot she wants to say to Wilbert. Kurumi by her side also understood that, and also waited with no complaints with Yuki. Not long after

Thank you, Im fine now.

After Mio said that, she returned back to Yuki and Kurumis sides with her back facing Wilberts tombstone.

Are you feeling better?

Yukis question made Mio give a slight bitter smile.

I dont know~. I have never ever seen him, and this is only his grave. Even if you tell me that the one in there is my biological father, I wont feel anything Im fickle, right?

No, I feel that thats normal.

With her two hands behind her head, Kurumi said while looking at Wilberts tombstone:

I guess it wont be normal for a person to be crying a lot when seeing the tombstone of a father that person has never seen before, itll be as if it was purely acting.

Umn, youre right.

Thank you saying that, Mios bitter smile became deeper. She might be wanting to seem as if nothing happened but her expression showed her loneliness.

 ? Whats wrong, Yuki?

Yukis gaze caused Mio to ask, and her expression returned to one that Yuki and Kurumi were familiar with. Hence, Yuki replied: [Nothing].

I guess it's fine even if shes trying to be brave.

To that aspect of Mio, Yuki frankly felt admiration. Ever since they were born, Yuki and the others had received a Heros education as if it was natural and they were clear about their mission; but where Mio had started from was completely different she had lived a normal persons life, and treated herself as a normal young girl.

But one day, both her parents were killed and thus learned that she was not a human but the Demon Lords daughter. But yet this young girl called Naruse Mio, basically didn't point fingers of blame or held any hate towards anyone; no matter how frustrated, pained, or lost she became she continued going forward; even if she had come to the Demon Realm to face her origins, that point still didnt change.

Right Since we have already come here, are you clearer on what you plan to do?

No. I thought a lot about it, but nothing came out of it yet.

Mio shook her head while saying that.

--The moment Mio resolved herself on her decision, a chain of irreversible events would definitely occur.

Hence even after coming to the Demon Realm for three days, she still hadnt decided. As it would affect not only just Mio, implicating Basara and the others, it also involved the future of the Demon Realm as a whole, so being hesitant about it was naturally unavoidable. Also

The reason Mio is hesitant, is because of that man

In Nonaka Yukis mind, the current leader of the Moderates Faction Ramsas surfaced. Nobody knows just what he was planning; Klaus appeared every day to speak with Mio, and Ramsas persistently rejected meeting with Mio these three days.

Without being able to meet with both sides, a suitable decision of course cant be made. In truth before Mio had come to the Demon Realm, she had already made it clear to Yuki and the others that she had no intention at all of becoming the new Demon Lord. So going by the current situation, the only options would be complying with Ramsass request, to have the power handed over to the Moderates Faction, or to return to the Human Realm as they are now. And since Ramsas rejected meeting with Mio, the choice they should make was obvious.

But still,

The reason Mio was so hesitant, was that she was worried that she might fall into some dangerous circumstances if she were to reject the Moderates Factions request. The reason she was still able to live despite the threat of the Current Demon Lord faction is all Marias credit in other words a gift from the Moderates Faction. Despite having defeated Zolgear after so much trouble, the Current Demon Lord Faction is still very well and healthy, so receiving an attacking anytime would be normal.

Under these conditions, she would be helpless if she were to reject the Moderates Factions request. As the Heroes see Mio as a Demon, they would see the Current Demon Lord attacking her as an internal strife, thus only remaining on the sidelines.

Then again,

If they were to become the enemies of the Moderates Faction, Maria would be faced with a dilemma. Even if Maria had said that she was prepared to leave the Moderates Faction if necessary and move together with Mio; still, after seeing Marias tears after learning of Sheeras safety and being free from Zolgears coercion, she wont be able to agree to Maria leaving behind her familys feelings. Having once lost her family Mio who was unable to escape her pain prior to meeting Basara, definitely does not hope for Maria to go through the same pain.Besides

Ever since before we came to the Demon Realm, Basara has always been very worried about Zest.

And now, there is no need to be so worried for her already. Because on the night they had come to the Demon Realm, Zest had made the Master-Servant Contract with Basara under Sheeras proposal, so right now her position is similar to Mio and Yuki. If they were to speak of complaints to Basara making the Master-Servant Contract with the former enemy Zest, of course there would be some

However,

Before everyone came to the Demon Realm, Basara had said that if there was a need, they might return together with Zest; so after finding out about their Master-Servant Contract, the waves of complaints Yuki and the others had were small except for the unsatisfied Kurumi.

But,

Basara had accepted Mio who had lied to him, and had forgiven Maria who had once assisted Zolgear. Someone like that choosing to accept Zest, could be said was something to be expected. Mio and Marias positions were quite similar to Zest, so they were in no position to say anything.

As for Yuki it was because Basara was someone who was so kind and wished to protect her who was important to him, that she became attracted to him. Right now, Zest were probably also enchanted by Basara, and thinking about the needs for the future, being able to have someone like Zest who could fight so well put her mind at ease.

Since she had learned of it afterwards, the reason Basara had made the Master-Servant Contract with Zest was that Basara and Ramsas had almost entered into an explosive situation with each other, which also caused his absence back then. With opposition from the leader of the Moderates Faction which limited Basaras actions with forbidding entry to this Wilberts temple, he had to stay behind in the city together with Zest and Maria.

Speaking of which, no matter what their reason for going against each other was, Yuki and Kurumi who were Heroes had managed to get permission to enter this temple while Basara who was once a Hero was denied permission, so they really cant understand on what basis they were making their decisions from. No matter what even they themselves dont have complete freedom with their actions, with Lucia and Klaus each sending a maidservant who were waiting outside monitoring them. But even then

That person called Ramsas just what is he even thinking?

Returning on the dark outdoor passage, Kurumi said while walking in front of Yuki and Mio.

If that old man called Klaus still wants to buy time now, it wouldnt be difficult to understand

Unn. ..

Mio nodded at Kurumis words, while Yuki expressed her agreement while remaining silent. It was because of Klauss side who was pushing for Mio to become the new Demon Lord, who was causing Mo to want to stay longer in the Demon Realm, deepening her feelings towards the Moderates Faction as well as to Wilbert and Wildarts civilians, and obtain victory from that; Ramsas who wanted to extract Wilberts power from Mio, probably wants to make a quick decisive end to the war.

Just what is that man?

From the viewpoint of the surrounding people, this disadvantageous situation to Ramsas, was all completely his own fault. So, could it be that he has got some ulterior motives that had not been seen by anyone else yet?

As Yuki began to harbour some unexplainable uneasiness, while they were still within a passageway,

The surface of the temple, began shaking together with the atmosphere.

Earthquake?

Run! To the outside!

The three of them began running.

--This temple was completely carved out, just like its passageways.

While the inside of the temple had a barrier to prevent the use of magic to prevent damage by vandals and the surrounding areas had something similar set up to prevent damage due to disasters, the tunnels and passageways might have a different story to tell. If they were to be blocked from the exit by the rubble if the ceiling collapses, they wont be able to escape in this place where they were unable to use magic hence, the three of them ran through the passages without even taking time to draw a breath,

Even if the trembles were to stop, they had no way to know if it would get stronger or weaker if it started again. So in order to try to preserve their lives in this kind of situation where anything could happen anytime, they had to leave this temple as soon as possible.

I see the exit!

With Kurumis shout, rays of light from the outside came into their view and immediately after, the three of them left the passageways. Firstly, they had to confirm the current situation.

you two, are you fine!?

Mio asked aloud. The question was not directed to Yuki and Kurumi, but the maidservants who had followed them. While the two of them who were waiting for them to return were fine

They gave no reactions at all to Mios concern.

They only stood there, not moving at all while looking towards the inside of Wildart City from the top of the Hill. And in the next moment, they then saw what the maidservants were seeing after following their line of sight.

That is--

The city wall was broken through, and enemies were storming into the city.

However, those maids wouldnt be stupidly standing there if it was just simply an attack from the enemy. They wouldve at least entered the temple to inform them of the emergency situation and helped Mio to get to safety.

Then just what could have caused them to forget even that? The answer, was in the scene Yuki and the other were currently seeing. Even though the distance between the hill and the urban areas of the city was as big as Wildart City itself, they could clearly see the figures of the [Enemy] invaders.

Just what is that

Beside Kurumi, Yuki muttered, at a loss. Something which was incredibly unbelievable, was currently happening before her eyes.

The figures of three giant colossus, invaded into Wildart.

There was a person, who was currently watching the chaotic situation in Wildart.

Standing on one of the shoulders of the giant spirit^[1], looking down at the people screaming and running away in a panic, was Gardo who had voluntarily headed the attack on Wildart City.

Im impressed.

Gardo silently praised Luca who had managed to complete the tuning on the spirits in such a short time. That young child had taken care of it all from restoring them to even setting Gardo as their master, to the point where they were ready for battle. Although there were even stronger spirits excavated in those remains, it was easier to lose control the more power they had, and since there was not enough time to forge new Master-Servant Contracts for this battle, this was currently enough.

Damned Monster!

In order to buy time for the civilians to escape, a group of people who looked like the guards for the city attempted a barrage of attacks. Many magic circles opened up on the ground and countless lights flew towards Gardo and the spirits, but

--Smash them.

Reacting towards the order Gardo sent out, the spirits immediately reacted. They raised their right fists, and sent it flying towards the soldiers on the ground while the attacks bounced off them in the next moment, a deafening shock resounded out. The ground was sputtered like a giant blast had happened, and a small sandstorm appeared. Immediately after the spirits pulled back their fists and after the dust settled, what was revealed were the craters from the impact as well as the unidentifiable remains of soldiers from before. The civilians who had witnessed that

 ! ! ! Uuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!

They severely panicked, and began desperately to try to escape.

When Gardo saw this

Wow They really are amazing~

A completely relaxed voice came from a nearby building where its roof has collapsed. When Gardo turned to look, a young high-class demon was there. That demon, was sent to supervise them, by the Council who had ordered Leohart to utilize the spirits to invade Wildart.

That spirits' degree of perfection seems really high. And so it would seem, that there won't be a need for me to make a move at all, then.

Of course Right from the start, I had never considered about borrowing your strength.

Thats really impolite of you. Speaking of which, Gardo-dono I had sent through a Ultimatum^[2] not long ago telling them to hand over Wilberts daughter, and the nearby forces should probably be receiving news soon and would only be dispatching troops with caution but however, why did you just simply let those civilians go just now?

What do you mean, Nebula?

The supervisor whose name was called out, then faced Gardo who asked him with a shallow smile and said:

The ultimatum was sent using broadcast magic, so the civilians of the city would now know about her being here. The number of people who disliked Ramsass methods isnt small, and if everyone were to find out that he concealed the big news of the sole daughter of the great previous Demon Lord right now, the city is being attacked because of that girl. Thus, the people's discontent towards him, would definitely begin to turn into anger.

Thats why Nebula continued:

Right now we should be working harder and murder these civilians. If that happens, the Moderates Faction would automatically crumble apart from within. This is such a great opportunity, so how can you just let it pass so simply?

Listen closely, Nebula.

Yes, what are your orders, Gardo-dono?

Nebula replied impertinently with a smile towards Gardo who shouted at him with a low voice.

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The orders the Council had given you, should be to supervise the status of the battle with the spirits, so stop spouting nonsense. If you dare to do unneeded things beware of yourself turning into meat scraps.

...I understand. You are the most outstanding one amongst the candidates chosen to take after Wilbert, so I am not stupid enough to take you on as my enemy. Unless the situation becomes grave, I will basically stick to my orders to supervise and remain watching by the side-lines and learn from watching you.

Gardo showed no reaction to Nebula giggling while shrugging his shoulders, and only said:

Before they hand over Wilberts daughter to us, we will be splitting to take three routes. Ignore those civilians, Leohart doesnt like needless killing. However if anyone dares to get in our way, annihilate them.

Receiving Gardos orders, light appeared in the spirits eyes.

Facing forward while standing on a spirits' shoulder, Gardo said:

Destroy your target, Wildart City begin attack!

On the hill, Naruse Mio saw those giants begin moving together.

Despite splitting to take three routes, it was clearly obvious their target was Wildart City.

Shit this is bad!

As Mio and the others realised the enemys plan and wanted to return to the city as soon as possible

Mio-sama! Youre alright!

Someone ran up the mountain out of breath the maidservant Noel.

Stopping before Mio and after taking a deep breath in relief:

This is great. Does anyone of you have any injuries?

Were fine. Noel, what is going on right now?

Noel answered seriously towards Mio who was still somewhat unclear:

The Current Demon Lord Faction came. While we dont know where they got the information from they said something like that you had inherited his majesty Wilberts power and as it might trigger a new wave of fighting, they want to use this attack to prevent any possible future conflicts from happening.

In other words

If we want them to stop we will have to hand you over to them.

What, that's completely outrageous so that means that the Moderates Faction having power is dangerous, yet them having power is not?

Kurumi said indignantly.

Since from a long time ago, they have been searching for Mio-sama, wishing to gain his majestys power. In order to increase their control over the Demon Realm, they might do things that seem completely outrageous that was what Lucia-sama had said.

Hearing Noels explanation

we understand the situation, but just what are those giants?

Yuki asked with a heavy expression. Although they can speculate on their enemys intentions, but speculations will remain as speculations, the answer will only be known by the enemy; so what they should be doing right now, was to deal with the danger before them.

Although we have been unable to confirm that Klaus-sama had said that they probably are the spirits from the ancient times.

In other words, also enemies Alright, watch me kill them a hundred times and grill them black.

Mio then asked again with a [ah]:

What about Basara and the rest, are they in the city?

Because of the emergency situation, we had asked them to go into the city to help Basara-dono and Zest together as a group, and with Maria and Sheera-sama together as another group, they went to confront the enemy.

Since this was a period of time where the Current Demon Lord Faction and the Moderates Faction were at war, they could attack each other at any time. Hence, Mio and the others had already decided what action to take when something happened if the civilians were to be involved in the battle, all of them are to help. Thus

Basara-dono had asked me to pass this message Yuki-dono and Kurumi-dono, please obstruct the giants coming from the West side.

I got it Kurumi

---No problems here.

With that, the two of them moved without hesitation. When Yuki had started to ask Kurumi, Kurumi had already finished summoning flying magic the two of them instantly flew through the air.

W-Wait a moment bring me along with you!

However, Mio who had shouted towards the vanishing figures was blocked by Noels arms.

You cant. Mio-sama, you have to remain here, until the battle ends!

Let me go! Why are you stopping me, is that Klaus-sans order?!

Being glared at by Mio, Noel met het glare while looking directing into her eyes and said:

Thats right however, Lucia-sama and Basara-dono also agreed with Klaus-sama.

No way Why?

Mio asked, dumbfounded.

If Mio-sama were to appear now, you would be doing exactly what the enemy want you to do. The most effective way to make the Current Demon Lord Faction to take responsibility for this assault, is to let their reason for attacking become untenable^[3]!

But for that, isnt the Current Demon Lord Faction originally in the wrong for attacking?

I understand what you are trying to say, feelings cannot be applied to things like this that is the nature of politics, Mio-sama. Not letting the enemy bring out their trump card while dealing another blow to them, this is politics.

But if I were to just remain hiding here, I

I understand how you feel! However, as Mio-sama was in Wilberts temple, she did not hear the enemys broadcast using magic telling of their reason for attacking and their demand for to hand you over to them, causing people to panic and grab the soldiers helping to guide them into the castle to seek refuge to ask just what was going on.

Thus

If you were to show yourself now, the civilians anger might very well gather onto you alone; even if we manage to successfully repel this attack, Ramsas-sama and Klaus-sama might lose the peoples trust it might even lead to a rebellion. If you are unable to restrain yourself here, we will stop you at full force!

I

Hearing Noels pained indictment, Mio couldnt help but stand there at a loss and at this moment, the ground-shaking effects of an attack reached them.

---!

An attack then landed on the ground in the city at that moment, causing Noel to suddenly collapse and huddle up on the ground, and after that

Oh my god

Mio could only whisper that out having just seen that. The spirit walking through the Central Avenue made large craters with every step it made, trampling over the soldiers attempting to obstruct it. And as for the soldiers flying in the sky, only less than half the original number still remained. Soldiers with their bodies burst open, as well as soldiers flying like fireworks^[4] were flying through the air everywhere in Wildart city and after a spirit attacked with a kick, everything in its path was flattened.

In the path of the kick, a group were huddled up together.

They were the soldiers for the City. They had tried attacking from its sides, as well as trying to draw near it by approaching on a path parallel to it, but they were in the end caught up in the crossfire by another attack team. And right now

Guu.aaA, uuh. Damn-- !

Amongst the remains of the houses hit by the attack, someone was still breathing. That someone was Glen who was taught a lesson by Basara in that narrow alley behind the caf.

Despite blood flowing out from various parts of his body like his head and his abdomen, Glen stood up and surveyed his surroundings.

In this neighbourhood, every single building have already become uninhabitable.

The other soldiers in the same team as him other than Glen himself, no one managed to retain their lives.

One after another, just what the hell

The time where Glen had come to Wildart City, was after Wilberts death when the Moderates Faction was doing a large-scale recruitment. He had originally chosen to take refuge in the Current Demon Lord Faction whose power had begun to grow back then, but what had caused him to change his mind was that even if he managed to gain no prominent achievements in the Great War, he would definitely be able to gain a job in the government sector as part of the package to appease the public when they lose their troops after Wilberts death.

And sure enough, Glen was enlisted to be one of the citys guards. However, as Glen had only chosen the Moderates Faction in order to get a free job, he held no feelings and relegations to his current job and to this city at the very least, he used to think that way. However, with how dull life became with the days crawling by, he would begin to habitually visit certain shops to eat and drink, and enjoy his days with the like-minded. In the last resort Glen had taken by choosing the Moderates Faction, he had knowingly managed to gain some things of his.

And right now as of now, everything before Glens eyes had disappeared. And the culprit, is the Current Demon Lords giant spirit.

 ! -----

Tightly gritting his teeth, Glen deployed the flying magic built into the back of his armour, locked both his eyes and began heading straight for the spirit who did the damage. On its shoulder, there appears to be the high-class demon manipulator. After destroying so many buildings and killing so many soldiers, they still continued onwards as if not bothered by it at all. Hence

 ! JUST WHAT THE HELL DO YOU EVEN THINK YOU ARE DOING!!!

Glen screamed with his all, discharged attack magics towards the spirit. He shot electrical balls from his right hand, and while it travelled in a straight line while discharging some of its energy to its surroundings, it burst explosively on the forehead of the spirit.

Haa.aahhh Now you know just how powerful I am right..---?

That attack just now was one that he had put his all in. Originally it was just to vent some of his hate and anger, but yet as if to mock him, the spirit continued onwards as if that attack just now was nothing more than a gust of wind. When Glen froze up from losing his train of thought from that, the spirit sent its right fist flying backwards without even looking back, blowing away the roofs of the nearby still-standing buildings.

------Ah.

By the time he had noticed the move, a large piece of debris was already right before his eyes.

Without even a moment to blink, just as the debris was about to smash in Glen awaiting his death a magic circle suddenly opened up before him as if to protect him, and the debris broke up into dust upon hitting the magic circle and fell onto the ground. With the sudden change in situation, Glen couldnt process what had just happened

That isnt someone you can fight against hurry up and fall back, leave this place to us.

A calm voice came from in front of him. When Glen looked up to take a look

! Arent you?

It was a woman that he was familiar with. Theres no mistaking it, even if she isnt wearing a maids uniform now, she is undoubtedly the one Glen remembered Zest. However, her sight wasnt on him right now, but instead on something else. That something else, was a youth running towards the spirit with a large demonic sword in his hand.

That person

Glen had seen that youth before, and he would definitely never forget the look of that person who had bitterly humiliated him before.

But within his anger, what Glen felt was surprise.

He had jumped away at the moment the attack landed. Jumping around amidst the flying debris of the buildings the youth who landed on the arm of the spirit quickly ran up to its shoulder towards the high-class demon, and swung his sword at him.

In response, the high-class demon raised his right hand and a wall appeared to defend against the attack, yet

OOOooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!

With an energetic roar, the youth brought down his sword with great speed and cut the wall into two, and continued approaching the high-class demon.

With his defense cut down, the high-class demon was forced to retreat, and jumped backwards off the spirits shoulder. The youth also jumped off the shoulder going after him in mid-air.

Isnt that

The youth wasnt using flying magic at all. The flying debris from the destroyed buildings, had become a solid trail used by him to move.^[5]

The cause of that was a magic from Zest who was in front of Glen.

I will say it once more hurry up and fall back.

Zest left behind these words without even turning back to look at him, and flew towards the spirit high-class demon vs the youth, and Zest vs spirit, with that, the battles began.

In a place Glen can never reach.

Gardo saw that youth, walk on a footpath created from the debris.

Is that Zests handiwork?

Underneath him, a female demon began fighting with the spirit whose shoulder he was riding on until just now. Gardo had known that under the Councils Zolgear, there was a trusted aide known as Zest. Although he had known she specializes at earth magic, he had never witnessed her battle. Being able to avoid its attacks while fighting the spirit while supporting each other, indeed only these two were left. Reportedly, Gardo had heard that she had sought refuge in the Moderates Faction after her master Zolgear died but seeing her battle now, it appears that the death of her master doesnt seems to be affecting her. After Gardo ordered the spirit to eliminate Zest

The spirits recognised Zest as its enemy, and thus began the real battle against her.

And next,

Gardo returned his attention back to the human youth sprinting towards him. Before he reduced the distanced between them too much, Gardo expanded numerous magic circles around him and in the next moment, countless fireballs were shot towards the youth.

The youth immediately reacted, gripping his sword in reverse, he swept out the footpath Zest had created. The fireballs then hit the debris indiscriminately, turning it into dust, and since the debris became an interference against the attack

ZzzBoomboomboomboomboomboomboomboom!

Gardos fireballs exploded upon hitting the debris and thus causing a chain explosion. Immediately after that

---Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh!!

The youth broke through the screen of explosions and continued towards him. Facing his cleave while he was twisting his body, Gardo engaged it while sending demonic power into his right shoulder.

In the next moment, just as the youths demonic sword made contact with Gardos shoulder

*Kake*

With that sharp shock resounding from mid-air in Wildart City, the two of them confronted each other in mid-air.

Toujou Basara, right?

Gardos words caused Basaras expression to slightly tighten up.

The report had said, Wilberts daughter was being protected by JinToujous son.

The youth gave no reply, but it was obviously acquiescence. ^[6]

From just now, he knew Basara is a speed type. Able to quickly ascertain the situation and then use the most streamlined method to evade or defend, and then retaliate with no lag at all

I see, his skill isnt bad at all.

In Larss report, he had managed to fight with Zolgear for quite some time but seeing his reaction speed, he would be able to put up a good fight against Zolgear even if they werent evenly matched. Since not much time had passed since his fight with Zolgear, it just shows just how much he had grown in this short period. However

Youre too careless.

Gardo said while looking at Basara in his eyes:

Even if you are planning to hide Wilberts daughter, by standing out here so stupidly, youre directly telling me that shes right here in this city.

Is that so? Does me appearing here, really mean that Mio is definitely here in this place? Your words have no concrete proof, and theyre nothing more than speculation. I had heard that your reason for attacking was because that Mio was hiding here

The youth finally opened his mouth, and said with a shallow smile:

But could it be that just because JinToujous son is here, you guys had taken it as that Wilberts daughter is also here, and thus attacked? If such a ridiculous reason was let known, youll be the laughing stock of the big guns of the other forces. Hearing Basaras words, Gardo frankly replied:

After I deal with you and your companions, and after I find her, you can have as much legitimacy of the reason of this attack as you want.

Similarly if you and those spirits are defeated, forget Mio, when even your presence is questionable, your reason for attacking will also crumble.

--Do you really think you are able to do that?

Thatll be difficult to say

Basaras expression suddenly became serious.

If I have no other choice other than to defeat you here, I will do it that is the reason I am here right now.

Basara said while gazing firmly at Gardo, his voice completely void of complacency in being able to defeat Gardo and filled with the determination to win no matter what. Hence

alright, I will fight against you for a while, Toujou Basara.

Gardo said:

However if you really want to defeat me, shouldnt you call your other companions over? Although Zest is present to fight the spirit, there are still two more of them, you know? If you were slow, Wildart City might be flattened just like that you know?

Basara replied with a short laugh:

Thank you for your advice but something like that is obvious.

At that time, Gardo heard a sound from somewhere far away.

Turning to look, the spirit entering the city from the east had received an attack to the side of its head and thus lost balance.

He saw someone else in battle with an spirit apart from Basara and Zest.

The shadows of two persons moved around the spirit quickly and after seeing the owners of the shadows, Gardos eyes narrowed.

That that pair of succubus sisters?

In the path of the spirit at the east side, are Lucia and Maria.

Although girls do like tall men, taking it a tad too far would instead have the opposite results, you know you marionette

To the grinning little sister who delivered a strong punch to the spirits cheek and caused it to sway

Refrain from idle chatting in battle, Maria

Lucia who had also donned her battle wear said. She was standing on top of a streetlight, and the giant spirit was right in front of her.

Also, you shouldnt be hitting its cheek, but instead here.

What Lucia then sent out, was the whip in her right hand. In that moment with the light and boom, the attack originating from below the spirit swept across its lower jaw. Receiving another attack on the opposite side of its face compared to Marias attack, the spirit struggled to maintain its balance.

It is easy to rock the opponents head in this place. But to someone like you who is a melee fighter, how could you not know such basic knowledge

Lucia said while sighing:

Furthermore, this is a defensive battle. Even if our primary objective is to defeat the enemy, you have to think through your actions to try to reduce the damage to the surroundings. Even if other people cant do it, how can we not even try to protect our own home?

After realizing Lucias intentions are to stop the spirits from destroying the city

Ah! Im sorry, Lucia-oneesama. Then Ill just

Maria hurriedly apologised, and ran towards the spirit on the wall. However

The spirit saw through her plan, swung out its left arm to hit Maria.

Hoom!The air resounded as the giant arm picked up speed aiming at Maria.

Damn!

Lucia subconsciously wanted to lash out her whip to assist Maria, as there was no footing at all in mid-air for her and thus her familiar little sister cant avoid that attack. But

Oh!

Maria leisurely twisted her body around, using inertia to hit her tail on the arm and using it as a pivot, she pushed herself under the arm, and only air passing by hit her, leaving her safe and sound.

As Lucia was shocked at Maria quick reaction, having been forced under the arm away from her original target of its lower jaw, Maria still havent given up on her target and then grabbed onto the spirits left collarbone and forcefully did a vertical flip upwards, jumping up and

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!

Following up with a roar, she used her all to kick at its lower jaw from directly below, and then fell downwards

How was that, Onee-sama, was it good!?

Turning backwards to look, Lucia saw an expression she was very familiar with on Marias face. No matter what, seeing her little sister all grown up after separating from her for a little while

She had gotten, a lot stronger.

It was probably the many battles she had been through together with Basara and Mio. Even though she had realised that fact from the reports she received, actually witnessing Marias growth made her feel proud as well as some melancholy. However

All that did was to change the direction it will fall, so it will still just destroy the buildings in the city!

Lucia sighed at Maria searching for a reaction from her: [What a silly child]. After that she jumped from the lamp post and landed on the roof of a building, and then lashed out her whip once again. With another boom, the spirit who received another attack at the back of its head once again stood upright.

Listen closely, Maria against a gigantic enemy like this one, you have to knock it down while trying not to knock him over.

Uhh, wouldnt that mean that we have to try to defeat it without defeating it, one-sama ^[7] Is that really possible?

No, it isnt. In the past when I was studying the books the humans read, there were many suitable methods for taking down an enemy like this described.

If I remember it right

It something like after attacking its face on the right, attack its face on the left at the same time. In other words if we attack it on both sides at the same time, there most likely shouldnt be any problems. If theres a right, there has to be a left; if theres an up, there has to be a down; similarly, after attacking it from both sides, we just have to attack it on both side again.

I-I see. But I dont think that it means what you think it means ^[8] Speaking of which, coming up with a battle strategy like that just from that as expected of onee-sama.

Thats of course. When I first read that line, I had first thought it meant that to get rid of a problem, you have to deal with it at its root. I had never expected for the Humans literature to describe such an effective method for dealing with gigantic enemies.

Lucias recollected, and then returned her sights towards the spirit

Although splitting up to attack would be fine, but since it is us two match up with me well, Maria.

Yes!

Nodding, Maria gathered up her spirit and then began the attack on the spirit for real. Lucias whips, with Marias fists and kicks; the succubus sisters matched attacks explosively enveloped the spirits body. Within the heavy sounds of impact from Maria and sharp crackling sounds from Lucias whip, the contrasting sounds seemed to be part of a play, interacting with each other lively progressively turning into a symphony Lucias whip crackling being the riffs and Marias punches and kicks being the melody.

Maria and Lucias combo gave no time at all for the spirit to defend itself, much less avoiding or returning attacks. But, seemingly as if having just too much fun, Maria who lept from the spirits shoulder to deliver a kick

Ahahahaha! Another one!

With the point of impact on its right cheek, an especially deep reverb resounded out. After eating such a great attack, the giant body of the spirit began falling over towards the left at a speed Lucia was unable to cancel it out with her whip. Hence

Mnn This is bad.

Lucia immediately moved without turning an eye at Marias performance, and shifted the target of her whip from the spirit to Maria. Its not to attack, but after wrapping the whip tightly around Marias ankle after she had just sent out the spinning kick, in the next moment

Eh.HYYyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa------!!

Maria released a shrill scream. Lucia had then forcefully swung her right arm, swinging the whip which had wrapped around Marias ankle, making the one who had momentarily forgot about her responsibilities take responsibility by slamming her into the spirits left cheek.

With a sound effect where [Pam!] would be exaggerating, the spirit which had begun to fall regained its balance. Marias body, was currently stuck on the spirits cheek in a shape.

UuuuLucia-oneesama, how could you do this to me

Youre the one who went wild while co-operating with me, and I only returned the favour to you.

It was just as Lucia was coldly staring while answering the complaining Maria, a new development occurred across the city.

The spirit invading Wildart City from the west, went down on its knees after receiving an attack. And after that a shadow descended at high speed towards the spirit.

Theyve made it.

Lucia said while continuing to lash out her whip at the spirit right before her eyes.

Theres no mistaking it they are, that pair of sisters who have just rushed to the battlefield.

Nonaka Yuki, and Nonaka Kurumi, the pair of Hero sisters.

The shockwave Nonaka Yuki had sent out from [Sakuya], had successfully stopped the giant spirit from continuing its advance.

But that was all that had done. The spirit would quickly stand up again and look towards them who were approaching from the air. This fact

Fujis protection really does not extend to here.

Caused Yuki to have a bitter expression. The spirit sword [Sakuya] was born from the rich energy at the mountain peak in the sacred forest, thus in the Human world, the closer it was to Mt. Fuji, it would be able to release more power closer to its original power However, the attack Yuki had just sent out was far from standards.

Coming to this place that was in a different dimension from the Human Realm, had a really large effect on it. It was similar to the effect she had received within Zolgears specially constructed space and barrier to hide himself but comparing with that time, she was able to put out sufficient battle power back then.

However,

Complaining wouldnt change anything, and Yuki had no intention to do that. Back in the Human Realm, the Demons Maria and Mio who inherited Wilberts bloodline was also carrying the same burden.

--Since they were able to continue fighting to this day, it was now her turn to bring out her battle power. After all, the one who had decided to come to the Demon Realm was Yuki herself. It doesnt matter if it was for Basara, for Mio or for herself, she cant become a burden to the rest. Thus

Kurumi move as according to our original plan.

But onee the [Sakuya] right now

Despite Kurumi saying so worriedly while using flying magic while holding onto her, Yuki still gently shook her head.

No need to worry, I still have things that I need to do you too probably should focus on what you should do.

Kurumi.

After Yuki said that tiredly in a reprimanding tone, Kurumi took an action expanding a magic circle.

Im starting, onee Nn please do.

Yuki nodded, and Kurumi activated the wind magic and sent out a mass of air, and its target was the air around Yuki. Thus in the next moment

Nonaka Yuki, together with the air around her, was catapulted at high speed downwards towards the spirit. In the moment she passed by the giant spirit in the gust of wind, she swept [Sakuya] in a straight line downwards at its head, and a strong feedback was returned to her arm. Hence

Yukis expression immediately turned grave. The feedback [Sakuya] returned was too strong, which meant that the blade was completely deflected and did not cut into its target. It had the power of Kurumis magic supporting it, and her current high speed had increased the force of the slash by a lot but yet she was unable to slash into the spirits body.

Thus Yuki immediately jumped sideways away upon landing, and the ground she had landed on was covered by a large black shadow [Booom!] and an explosive impact rang out. The spirit had stamped the ground with its left foot. Yuki who had forcefully managed to avoid the stamp

Kuu!!

Her posture suddenly collapsed. The spirits stamp which had broken the ground also let out a strong air shockwave and had impacted onto Yuki who was in mid-air.

The spirits attack with its left foot didnt just end there. With a small movement, it also swept out its right foot using the left foot as a pivot. The instep flew towards her at a speed surpassing her expectations, almost immediately. Yuki immediately used [Sakuya] to draw out a pentacle^[9], and with it becoming a wall right before the attack hit her, she managed to preserve her life, but

Aaaaaaaa -----!!

She was blown away like an artillery shell along with a shrill scream, together with the wall.

This bad, with this speed!!

While amidst turbulence, Nonaka Yukis anxiety instantly rose. Despite being able to avoid being instantly pulverized by the spirits feet attack, if she were to hit a stone wall at this speed, not even half of Nonaka Yukis body would remain in a piece an instant death.

Please let it be on time!

Yuki desperately swung out [Sakuya], and expanded a magic circle behind her. Even if it wasnt enough, its enough if this could be ended with just fractures or damage to her internal organs. However

The impact from behind her had hit her much earlier than expected, causing Yukis subconsciousness to think that she was dead, but it then changed quickly. What Yuki had hit wasnt a solid wall of a building--

Water?

Despite being in water, Yuki spoke, confused. A mass of water containing oxygen which allowed a person to breathe within it had caught the flying Yuki as a cushion. The one who had used this magic to save her, was of course

Kurumi--

Yuki found Kurumis figure on the top of a building not too far away. At her little sister looking at her with worried eyes

Sorry, I became a burden.

Yuki apologised while biting her lip. The original plan was to let Yuki who was unable to use [Sakuya]s full power be the bait, and then for Kurumi who had received the black elementals from Lucia and had become able to use the Demon Realms spirits to use magic to eliminate the spirit.

Additionally, this was Yukis own suggestion, and she had begged Kurumi to agree to this battle plan; yet Yuki couldnt even become the bait properly, forcing Kurumi to cut off her attack magic just to save her.

Kurumi was different from Mio who utilized the demonic power within her body, she is an elemental master who activated magic by borrowing a spirits power. It wasnt easy to ask for the spirits in the Demon realm for help, and now she had to start over again.

Ignominious. Yuki felt indescribable frustration towards her helplessness, and left the water cushion Kurumi had put up. She once again looked towards the spirit that was a little distance away with water droplets dripping from her bangs, and putting strength into her grip onto [Sakuya] in her right hand in the next moment, Nonaka Yuki dashed towards her target savagely.

--Onee!

Yuki took a glance at Kurumi who had cried out as if wailing.

Trust me she told her with her eyes silently, I will become the bait properly this time. This wasnt just her trying to act brave, Yuki knew that she had the power to do that.

--As [Sakuya] was unable to receive the blessings of Fuji here in the Demon Realm, its power had dropped considerably.

However Yukis body wouldnt become weak just because of that.

After reuniting with Basara, the power she had received from the Master-Servant Contract done with him; the power that she had accumulated all these while will never betray Yuki.

Nothing will ever drop from the sky, and one will never reap without even sowing.

Thats why, Yuki had resolutely come here, believing in herself and this power. To which

The spirit violently swung out its right fist, but there was still a big distance from Yuki. Despite the spirits large size, its arm was still unable to reach her, but that movement still became a threat to Yuki. The fist had swept away all of the buildings in the path between it and Yuki causing a wave of tsunami of large rocks. However

Facing the wave of mud and rocks, her reaction was fairly simple. However, it was an action Nonaka Yuki had done tens of thousands of times before.

She raised [Sakuya] up vertically, and swung it down along the same path it was that simple.

From the neat handling of the blade, a gust of a blade of wind appeared and rushed ahead. When the blade of wind made contact with the wave of rocks and mud and the wave split to the left and right with a [Fssh!], going past Yuki by her sides.

--It was a move that had not borrowed [Sakuya]s power, but one that was from Yukis polished skill as a technique-focused swordsman mainly relying on tactics and skills, a return to a display of the powers of her body only. Right now a straight path had opened up before Nonaka Yukis eyes.

Thus, she moved her body to attack. Pedalling the ground while keeping her body low, Yuki dashed forward with an explosive force, and shortened the distance between the two in the blink of an eye.

Seeing this, the spirit twisted the arm it had swung and slammed the fist into the ground; Yuki skipped to the left, and before the spirits fist impacted the ground, she leapt upwards and twisted her body in mid-air. As the arm barely swept past Yuki, she slashed with [Sakuya] and cut through the wrists tendon. Although the fist which had lost its gripping strength impacted the ground and swept up debris, the destructive power had dropped a lot going along with the upwards airflow, Yuki once again soared upwards and sideswiped with the blade, doing damage to the spirits elbow.

The spirit released a scream from pain, but Yuki ignored that

its not over yet.

Leaving behind her comment in the empty air, she went past the side of the spirit to its back and left behind two connecting slashes in the shape of X while sprinting towards the other side of the body. That severed its Achilles tendon, and caused the giant spirit that lost the support of its legs to topple over backwards and land on its butt with a giant rumble.

With its right hand damaged and its Achilles tendon severed, the spirit then followed its instincts and began to stand itself upright with its only undamaged left hand. Nonaka Yuki had anticipated this, and thus at the spirits left hand she swung [Sakuya] horizontally at the left wrist tendon, severing it in a single slash.

By the time Yuki had done that, she had bought more time than what was in the plan. And at the moment she successfully sealed its movements,

Onee, leave the rest to me.

With a calm voice, Kurumi said while appearing before the sitting paralyzed spirit. With the black elementals she received from Lucia set in the main slot of her gauntlet as the elemental master green of the Heroes and blue of the Moderate Faction was emitted from before her palm -- a three-dimensional overlapping type magic circle.

As if the spirits instincts felt danger, it opened its mouth widely aiming to bite Kurumi to death as a last-ditch attack. At that moment

--Dont even think about it.

Yuki immediately swung out [Sakuya], smashing it into the jaw of the spirit from the side. By intentionally not slashing with the blade, it is to intentionally create bludgeoned damage. The attack with calculated timing, placing and force, managed to perfectly just dislocate its jaw joints.

Eyes widened from shock, the spirit now unable to guard could only just watch with its mouth open

Dance --

At the same time Kurumi announced that, large amounts of pitch black flames poured into the spirits open mouth and burned the spirits head to nothingness from within.

The East route with Maria and Lucia, and the West route with Yuki and Kurumi.

As they were battling with the spirit on each route respectively,

Basara and Zest at the central route were in a difficult battle.

The reason for that, was that while the situation at the other routes were two people working together to fight the spirit, Basara and Zest had to separate to fight against the spirit as well as the high-class demon controlling the spirit.

--though the situation was difficult, thinking about it wouldnt change anything.

According to Lucia who was paired with Maria, this place was too far away Wildart City from her master for him to rush here quickly; Yuki was unable to obtain protection from [Sakuya], and while Kurumi had received the black elementals from Lucia, she was still unaccustomed to using the spirits of the Demon Realm, so they shouldnt even be allowed to deal with a strong opponent like this now. Additionally, the spirits possess surprising regenerative power. So it still wouldnt take them long to heal completely even if they received an injury; taking into account the spirits gigantic size and the inability to truss them up, him hoping for assistance from them would be for nothing.

And thus with the situation not allowing for Mio to be on the battlefield, Basara has become the most suitable person to deal with this strong enemy. After moving the place of their battle field a building like a theatre with complex internal terrain

Ooooooooooooooo!

On the stone-paved floor, Basara began running towards the high-class demon.

The high-class then had countless magic circles shoot out fireballs, to greet Basaras attack. As all of them are extremely hot and can combust, the distance he had to take when dodging had to be larger, which forced Basara to do larger side-steps to dodge the countless oncoming fireballs.

As for those that cant be dodged, those will be just simply cut apart with Brynhildr. However

Ku!

Clang! The sound along with the feedback transmitted through the hilt, caused Basara to frown. Heavy those arent just simply fireballs, it probably had some rocks or debris within them; with the option of cutting through it no longer available, being able to deflect them would already be a very good thing. If one were to use a sword to deflect something like this for too much, it would just exhaust their hand quickly. Apart from when using [Banishing Shift], Basara would normally hold Brynhildr in a single-hand grip, but he had now been forced to grip Brynhildr with two hands for practically the whole battle, faced with this high-class demon. For large swords like Brynhildr, once the way of wielding them is changed, the wielders movements will too also change. In regards to Basara finely adjusting his actions at his current speed, its practically like suicide.

Tch, itll be great if I could use [Banishing Shift].

Even if itll be unable to banish it whole, itll at least be able to eliminate the blaze of the fireballs, or maybe even the rocks within it. But right now, despite Basara knowing that the situation is currently disadvantageous to him, he still does not use [Banishing Shift]. Of course, there was a reason behind it.

After defeating Zolgear, Takigawa had given Basara a piece of advice.

And that advice was that in the battles that would happen with the Current Demon Lord Faction hereafter, there is a need to avoid using that move. [Banishing Shift] is a move where once the target space is slashed, it can eliminate and banish everything beyond the zeroth dimension, and is very unique even amongst the multifarious magics and special abilities in existence. From another angle, its potential as a threat is much higher even when compared to Wilberts power inherited by Mio. Just like in the past, Zolgears target wasn't just Mio alone, he had also taken interest in [Banishing Shift] and had plotted to take it for himself.

Hence, if Basara were to just show that move carelessly, it might add to Mios dangers. But in the first place, it was Basara who had voluntarily went and attracted the attention of the enemy. However, as long as it was to protect Mio and everyone else, Toujou Basara will definitely unhesitatingly use that power, even if it meant that he would have to foul his hands, use underhanded tactics, and doing dishonourable actions, basically if it meant even he had to become scum.

But the problem right now is that

Just like Zolgear had made use of Maria with a hostage when fixated on Mio once the enemy knows that Basara has got such a unique ability, they might make a move to those around him.

That is something that Basara would not want to see. If he were to let Mio and the others be in dangerous situations just for him, even to the point of becoming a hostage the moment he had thought about, Toujou Basara felt chills right from the bottom of his heart. Thus, no matter what, he had to not use [Banishing Shift].

Carefully passing through the troublesome fireballs released by the enemy, and making the enemy enter his range

---Haaa!

Basara immediately slashed out with Brynhildr. The two-handed attack, with its power naturally much higher than usual however became useless. The enemy had not dodged, as the slash had hit its target.

Its just, the attack had not caused any injuries the flesh of the high-class demon was too tough.

Damn it!

No matter how many times Brynhildr hit him, there was only the sharp sounds from the impact. Forget about cutting into his flesh, it couldnt even make a scratch on his skin.

--The opponents attack all consisted of fireball magic, so probably, he is a magic type.

The magic type basically specializes in using magical attacks, so they usually dont have a very tough body. But this person has got such a tough body. Probably just like Zolgear who was good in not only swordplay but also magic, this high-class demon does not just fights with purely magic, but also with his physical body too.

In the past in the fight with Zolgear, Basara had been overwhelmed while fighting. Not only just Basara, Mio and Yuki too seemed to never have been a match for him. Thus after the battle, Basara and the others had set aside a large percentage of their after classes time and school break time to train, since after all, Zolgear isnt the only high-class demon within the Current Demon Lord Faction of course, they had not forgotten about utilizing the Master-Servant Contract to raise their power by deepening their relationship, but just that alone was definitely not enough; for the future, raising their battle prowess is a must. In this period of time, when Sakazaki had taken action during the Sports Festival, despite how Kurumi had become his hostage, Basara had inadvertently received a heavy injury; but right before that, in the skirmish with Tachibana that roused from a misunderstanding, Basara had quite effectively managed to suppress Tachibana who had Vampire blood.

That undoubtedly was a result thanks to the training. And after the Sports Festival Basara had continued to train to this day and had undoubtedly raised his levels, but yet his sword now is almost useless. Its not that he was weak, but that his opponent is overwhelmingly strong, additionally

he is definitely above Zolgear!

Although he had once been overwhelmed by Zolgear, as long as his fear was targeted, he could be damaged, and that thus was the way to defeat him; but the opponent before him right now isnt afraid of his attacks at all, so that was practically nothing Basara could do. Just then

You really dont know when to retreat, do you?

In the moment the high-class demon released a sigh, Basara reflexively jumped away towards the right, and a fireball then barely scrapped past his body, slightly burning his clothes. Probably because his compatibility with this opponent was bad, that he had given him the chance for a surprise attack. He had managed to get by this time with his luck, but continuing to be this close was extremely dangerous.

do you really think I will fall back so easily?!

However, Basara continued to boldly remain in front of his opponent. If he were to draw distance from the enemy without doing damage to him, he will soon be driven into a corner and then eventually die. Hence, Basara cannot fall back, but instead he had to change his thinking on how to damage his opponent, and only a single answer came to mind.

That answer was to continue attacking, until he managed to do some damage just like how Yuki managed to cut through Takigawas barrier in the past. Basara lowered his body, and then launched another attack at a rapid speed.

Haaaaaaahhhhhh!

Brynhildr drew out countless curves lines of lights, continuously slashing at the body