Chapter 201
Seere’s arm was once again covered in red thorns, and the Blood Blade drank her blood. Mephistopheles felt a slight unease at the sight of the cursed sword fed by its master’s blood.
“Was the cursed blade not showing its full power yet?”
Mephistopheles couldn’t fathom what that thing was. It wasn’t even an item from hell, which made it even more puzzling.
“Unbelievable.”
Mephistopheles decided not to give her any time. It was dangerous. Not only was she a descendant of Seir von Debata, who had been eliminated by the great ones, but her own power was equally concerning.
Just as Seere had sustained a wound to her abdomen, Mephistopheles felt a strong shock from the punch to his abdomen as well. While he wasn’t bleeding from the mouth like Seere, the damage was certainly there.
He gathered his long hair with magic so it wouldn’t hinder him. Then he firmly gripped the handles of the scissors he held in his hands.
Pakaang───!
He smashed it. Upon seeing him break the scissors into two, Seere showed a look of bewilderment. Mephistopheles directly addressed her confusion.
“Scissors are a rather interesting weapon.”
The two blades he split became one sword each. Mephistopheles held them in both hands, appearing as if he were wielding twin swords.
“This way, it becomes dual-wielding.”
This meant that Mephistopheles’s original weapon was not scissors, but rather swords.
“A swordsman, huh.”
Seere realized why Mephistopheles had such a good reaction to her sword technique. It was not merely because he was quick to respond, but also because he, too, was a swordsman who understood how sword techniques would come at him.
“Exactly!”
Mephistopheles leaped forward wielding the twin swords. As he swiftly closed the distance, Seere looked at the sword that was still feeding.
“I know it’s almost done. Time to stop….”
Seere raised her sword high.
“Show me your power.”
Suddenly, the red thorns retracted. The red eyes began to flicker intensely, and she started to bleed tears of blood. Even the watching Nahun was slightly startled by the chilling sight.
“Such power in the Blood Blade….”
Then, like when Seere had poured all the external mana she had stored moments ago, an overwhelming amount of magical power surged upwards. Mephistopheles, who had been charging in, hesitated for a brief moment, reconsidering, but realized the distance had already diminished significantly and switched back to attacking.
“You shouldn’t have hesitated.”
However, in a battle between strong opponents, even a moment’s hesitation could determine victory or defeat. Because Mephistopheles hesitated slightly, it gave Seere the perfect opportunity, allowing her to swing her sword precisely as he charged at her.
“…Look, Teacher.”
It was a very powerful strike indeed.
“I haven’t just been idling around.”
With her own unique magic.
The eyes embedded in the Blood Blade glowed ominously red. As the black blade began to turn completely red, unidentifiable runes began to surface over it.
“The Twilight Blade.”
『 Sērus Manus 』
<Kwaaaang─────────!!!!!!!>
Ersha glanced at Nahun with a surprised expression. She was about to ask if he had known Seere possessed such power, only to find Nahun’s eyes widened in shock.
Then Nahun’s muttering startled Ersha once more.
“I never taught her such magic.”
“What? Then that’s….”
“Seere created it herself.”
Nahun let out a hollow laugh. He had taught her the principles behind ancient magic, various spells, and the runes that form their basis to help her learn ancient magic. However, for her to apply that knowledge and create her own magic was something entirely different.
“I must have underestimated you as well.”
Nahun chuckled mirthlessly. As moments passed, the smoke that arose from the thunderous explosion dissipated. Nahun and Ersha, along with a few commanding officers watching the fight in silence, Phynox, and Sephar, could see the outcome of the nonsensical battle that had occurred on the 41st floor.
“Cough…!”
“Seere!?”
Seere knelt, bleeding from her side and ribs. Nahun impulsively tried to undo her shackles and handcuffs, but Ersha stopped him.
“It’s alright, Nahun.”
“What?”
“The outcome has been decided.”
Nahun looked straight ahead again. Unlike Seere, who was merely bleeding, Mephistopheles had his upper and lower body separated.
“Ha… cough, ha ha….”
Even with his body split into two, he still hadn’t died. This was possible because he was a devil with tenacious life force, but he was not a Massu. He didn’t possess the kind of regeneration that would allow him to recover after a split body.
Seere painfully turned her head. Gazing at Mephistopheles, she murmured.
“I… managed to get through….”
It was a perfect timing and overwhelming strength. There was no moment or space where Mephistopheles could dodge Seere’s blade after hesitating even once.
However, surprisingly, Mephistopheles still did not give up until the end, even at that moment. He crossed his arms and swung his blades with the intent to cleave Seere’s upper body.
Fortunately, Seere reacted just in time to avoid such a crisis, but she sustained significant injuries to her ribs and side.
Mephistopheles bled from his waist, mouth, ears, and eyes and muttered.
“…Indeed, that weapon, your power, and skill… I was outmatched in every aspect. I admit….”
The magic that had tied his hair receded. His long hair fell over the bloodied ground, and Mephistopheles uttered his final words.
“You were stronger.”
With a thud, the two swords he had been holding fell from his hands. Nahun immediately instructed Ersha.
“Order the immediate recovery of Seere and conclude the invasion! As the aide of Seere von Debata, I will temporarily transfer authority to you at this moment!”
“Understood.”
Ersha commanded the officers.
“Commander Veronica, retrieve His Majesty. The Second Legion will escort His Majesty and Commander Veronica. The remaining commanders, please breach the outer wall as quickly as possible.”
#
The injured Seere was safely recovered, and it didn’t take long for Phynox and Sephar to be overwhelmed. Even the mighty devil Mephistopheles had collapsed in a one-on-one battle; there was no way the Demon Kings would lack morale now.
“His Majesty personally defeated the enemy! It’s time for us to show our strength!!”
Furthermore, as Seere had greatly injured herself while dealing with Mephistopheles, her loyal legion was enraged. Phynox and Sephar had no means to hold back Seere’s legion as they charged through the crumbling castle walls.
Although Phynox and Sephar took it upon themselves to fight, it was still insufficient. Phynox and Sephar were none other than….
“Is that a prisoner…?”
“To involve demons in this operation, should we call it bold… or foolish?”
Bound in shackles, Nahun appeared before them. Though Sephar did not recognize him, Phynox, having recognized him despite his bound hands and feet, was appalled.
“You are… the teacher of Seere von Debata…!”
“Was it your doing to involve demons in this matter, Phynox?”
At Nahun’s question, Phynox felt an ominous sense and quickly shouted back.
“They came here on their own accord!”
At Phynox’s response, Nahun narrowed his eyes. For a moment, it seemed he was contemplating something. Although Nahun went quiet, for some reason, Phynox could not shake the notion that he should ambush him.
“This is your chance. Let’s go, Phynox!”
Sephar, seemingly oblivious to the tension, drew his sword and stepped forward. In truth, Sephar’s judgment wasn’t quite so rational, given that Nahun was securely restrained and didn’t seem to have much magical power.
Taking him down without any actions was the closest answer. However, Phynox instinctively sensed something.
“Wait, Sephar! Not yet…!”
“…Is that so? Thank you for your answer.”
Having concluded his thoughts, Nahun spoke.
“Even so, your fate won’t change, and I won’t let you go easily.”
With his hands still shackled, Nahun reached out. He had taken no particular stance, yet Sephar’s arm was caught in his outstretched hand. It all occurred in an instant. Sephar couldn’t even read the movement.
“…What just happened…?”
However, before Sephar could properly assess the situation, his captured arm was beyond return. Crackling sounds echoed as his right arm was…
“Ahhh!!!”
Severed from his torso. Phynox could not contain his shock. He distinctly saw that his ankles were shackled with short chains that made it impossible to move properly, and both hands were tightly bound.
And yet, amidst their understanding, Sephar’s fate had already been sealed. Nahun’s hand descended upon the head of Sephar, who had fallen after losing his arm.
Kwaaack!!!!!!!!!!!!
With a gruesome sound, Sephar’s movements ceased. Phynox, with a stiff expression, watched as Nahun slowly stood up.
“Forget about surviving.”
At that moment, dark mist swirled behind Nahun. Suddenly, the white Leviathan, which had appeared moments ago, reappeared.
Nahun said.
“It won’t matter either way.”
As he said, there was nothing they could do. Phynox could only stare in disbelief at the massive mouth of the Leviathan closing in over his head.
“It wasn’t Debata.”
Phynox muttered.
“…So you were the master of this.”
Only at the very end did Phynox realize the truth, but it was a realization that served no purpose.
