Chapter 258
“It seems that you’ve finally given up on trivial etiquette.”
Glashalavras scoffed in response to Nahun’s condescension. Nahun did not particularly deny it, as it was true. Since they were no longer in a relationship that required such formality, there was no reason for Nahun to show her respect. Especially…
“What a sight it is.”
This was even more true for the Demon King, whose power was already beginning to crumble.
With a simple remark from Nahun, Glashalavras glanced at her own state. She had hurried back after sending away the soldiers she brought for the 20th floor’s defense, but what she faced instead was a crumbling castle, dead soldiers, and an overwhelmingly powerful enemy.
Nahun slightly raised his head. As he stood to protect Glashalavras, Selmenis appeared, belatedly collecting Alberon’s corpse. Nahun’s eyes narrowed as he confirmed Alberon’s death for the first time.
“…Seems you put up quite a fight.”
Noticing Nahun’s gaze falling on the deceased Alberon, Glashalavras provoked him deliberately to shake him up.
“Ha, did you really think that something like that could stop me?”
Despite Glashalavras’ taunts, Nahun didn’t show any signs of being unsettled. He simply felt regretful. The more talented allies he had, the better, and it was a shame to lose each one.
‘He was quite a good fighter.’
But what could he do about what had already happened? There was only one thing Nahun could offer. He could only give his fallen subordinate, who died faithfully following orders, the best possible funeral.
“Glashalavras, let me ask you one thing out of courtesy. If you surrender now, I will grant you a swift death.”
Zzzztt!
As he extended his hand, space distorted. Nahun drew forth his jet-black magic sword from the rift connected to somewhere.
“Will you surrender?”
The moment she saw his magic sword, it wasn’t just Glashalavras who felt uneasy, even members of the 8th Legion felt a chill. But for the mad Demon King, curiosity and anger took precedence over fear.
“…You speak nonsense.”
A powerful magic surged around Glashalavras. The immense power awed Selmenis, the vice-captain of the 8th Legion.
“Wasn’t she holding back when fighting us…?”
Nahun’s brow furrowed slightly, as he too sensed her vast and potent magic.
Two colossal horns glowing with blue light erupted from Glashalavras’ body in response to her own magical power. Not just the horns, but blue magic rippled, enveloping her entire body. A chillingly sharp voice seeped through her lips.
“Do you think I will simply let you get away with this?”
“You seem quite angry.”
Nahun smirked.
“After all, it’s true we had it easy thanks to your stupidity. How could you not be enraged now that you realize you’ve been played with?”
“…I should sew that babbling mouth of yours shut.”
Initially surprised when she took out her magic sword from somewhere, Nahun felt no particular threat from her afterward. Though she hadn’t revealed her magic power, if she acted nonchalant, he was ready to crush her with full force.
“I am aware of your strength, but how dare you act so casually in front of me.”
Grugrugrug!
The overflowing magic roared. The blue magic transformed into a giant blade as Glashalavras leaped, aiming to cleave Nahun from above.
Kwaaaang!!!
However, Nahun easily blocked her strike.
‘…Heavier than Seere’s sword.’
Though her rank was 21, it was clear that Glashalavras, with her power focused solely on brute strength, was stronger than her rank suggested.
If Astharoth was commendable in both martial and military skills, Glashalavras maintained her rank with an abnormally exceptional level of brute force, despite having a relatively smaller army than the other Demon Kings.
Even with the legion absent from the castle, it was evident the remaining soldiers guarding the south gate were few, having been penetrated solely by Eliza’s 2nd Legion. Of course, there was the added cause that Nahun had reduced the number of defenders by breaking down the walls.
“Do you think you can bring me down in time for the next army to join?”
Nahun spoke.
“Even if the 20th floor has lost its commander, we still have numerical superiority over your soldiers… should you hurry to do something?”
“It was indeed you who killed Nabelus!”
“Did you just realize that now?”
Nahun’s voice, laced with mockery, twisted Glashalavras’ expression.
Kwaaaang!!!
Glashalavras reacted vigorously, swinging her magic-infused sword, but once again, Nahun lightly deflected her strike.
He wasn’t even parrying in a way that caused the sword to slide off. He faced all of Glashalavras’ powerful strikes head-on, which was impressive in itself.
‘Without using magic…’
Only with sheer strength, he defended against her attacks. This alone made it clear that Nahun’s natural strength surpassed Glashalavras by far.
However, Glashalavras could not accept it. While she preferred strong opponents, in truth, her preference did not stem from a place of respect.
“Just a mere king…!!!”
Even as she meticulously selected her subordinates, if someone couldn’t execute her orders properly, or showed even a slight inadequacy in her eyes, she would discard them without hesitation. Normally, if one favored strong talents, they would provide them with growth opportunities like Seere, but she offered none of that.
It proved that her preference for strong individuals was not out of respect. She merely wished to dominate strong individuals, wanting to display herself as being stronger than them.
Understanding this psyche, Nahun, who had seen Glashalavras as a Demon King multiple times in the game, ridiculed her all the more as her anger swelled.
“Seems you dislike not being on top. Your opponent isn’t another Demon King, but merely that mentor of yours.”
“Shut up, you! I will tear you apart and feed your limbs to the beasts!!”
Her words hit close to home, causing Glashalavras to lash out furiously. Each of her strikes was heavy and powerful, yet their speed was also impressive. The relentless assault combined strength and speed.
However.
Chaeng!!!
“Perhaps you should try increasing your speed a bit.”
“Don’t get cocky!!”
Nahun nonchalantly deflected all of her attacks. Normally, taking such heavy swings head-on would place a significant burden on one’s arms, and the shock from absorbing the impacts would create vulnerabilities.
Yet, Nahun stood firm without a hint of wavering, stopping all her strikes from where he had raised his weapon. Not only was it due to a difference in strength, but also attributed to Nahun’s superior swordsmanship.
Glashalavras had mistaken that Nahun was not letting the attacks slip by because of his stance or the position of his sword, but in reality, Nahun was dispersing his strength appropriately. That’s why there were no vulnerabilities present.
His movements were so natural that it became difficult for Glashalavras to even notice.
“You…”
In this situation, obviously, the one relentlessly charging would be at a disadvantage. Nahun used only a suitable amount of strength, while Glashalavras was using all she had from the very beginning.
She could reduce her magical consumption even now, but Glashalavras couldn’t withdraw her magic. She thought Nahun was unable to wield his magic due to the overwhelming presence of her own.
She could see no reason for Nahun to not be using his magic from where she stood. That was what Glashalavras believed. Of course, that belief was…
“Are you tired? It feels like we’ve only exchanged seventy strikes or so.”
“Don’t talk nonsense! Who’s tired?!”
With many of the Demon Kings from the Equites faction now dead, Glashalavras was one of the remaining few among the martial faction. Her strength was considerable, fitting with her extreme classification as a martial Demon King.
If she merely gathered the amounts of magic she had used every time she swung her sword against Nahun, she could have sealed the blood magic of the entire 8th Legion. Despite using that much magic, Glashalavras was still relentlessly pressing Nahun with her attacks.
However, as time passed, Glashalavras began to feel the weight of her limitations, while the man before her still bore an effortless composure.
The moment she noticed this, Glashalavras instinctively realized that it was impossible for her to break through him with just her own strength.
‘…When will the troops led by Erergus return?’
To turn the tide of the situation, she required the strength of her soldiers. While she had her concerns, the restoration of the breached south gate was equally urgent.
‘If Erergus arrives and gathers those in the arena…’
She figured Nahun hadn’t brought many troops either. Had he been leisurely, he wouldn’t have sent only one legion to block her path. His inability to send more meant he was rather stretched thin.
That meant it could become a fair fight regarding numbers. There were still allies remaining within the Demon King Castle. As Glashalavras’ relentless strikes began to lose power, Nahun spoke as if he had read her thoughts.
“Such foolish thoughts.”
“What did you say?”
“I’m saying it won’t go the way you think. I expect the troops dispatched for clearing the rebel forces and those in the arena to save you will conserve their strength until they arrive.”
That was a perfect answer. Glashalavras looked at Nahun with a rather surprised expression at his insight. To her, Nahun nailed it home.
“Therefore, I suggest you give up. Your thoughts cannot become reality.”
Nahun stated.
“You have already begun cleaning up.”
#
Led by Veronica, the 2nd Legion swept through each arena on the floors, releasing anyone who wished for freedom or lacked the will to fight as per Nahun’s orders, while all rebels were killed.
Whether the gladiators found freedom or death, it meant that Glashalavras’ power was weakening. Due to Veronica’s actions, Glashalavras’ forces were unknowingly declining.
Thus, when Veronica finished cleaning up in the final arena and emerged, the cavalry that had followed her gathered around.
“We’ve finished here.”
“Same for Area E.”
“Well done. It seems we’ve covered everything, so let’s head back and join Nahun.”
“Yes.”
Veronica had executed Nahun’s orders perfectly. The arenas were all dismantled, and Glashalavras’ power was diminished. Now, all that was left was to return and complete the mission.
“I thought it was a resistance force since the arena was in shambles… but they’re not those damn rats.”
However, Veronica encountered a setback. She faced one of Glashalavras’ closest aides who had received separate orders to find the remnants of the rebel forces and move accordingly.
“Where did you come from?”
It was Erergus.
