Mastema’s kiss was sweet and tender.
It was different from any kiss with another woman.
It had the taste of the ultimate woman.
The magical power I gained from it, combined with my own, created an overwhelming amount. The excess power, too intense for my body to contain or suppress, was all absorbed by the Celestial Sword.
I poured pure magical energy into Victor without restraint.
Using such immense magical power was a luxury, but opposing Kasugal’s magic required nothing less. Still, it felt a little embarrassing.
Mastema, having exhausted her own magical power, clung to my neck.
The Celestial Sword, gleaming with a golden light, began to push back the blue sphere of magic. The total magical power was nearly equal.
In that case, the deciding factor would be something else. You’re a mage, and I’m a warrior.
I gathered more strength into both arms, making my muscles bulge. Kasugal’s magic accelerated, trying to push back.
“For my lord, the highest blessing!”
At the moment I heard Victor’s voice, the Celestial Sword shone its brightest, and a crack appeared in Kasugal’s magic.
“This is my… victory!”
The moment I shouted, I swung, feeling the resistance as I sliced through the magic. The spell lost form, and the magical energy dispersed on the spot.
With the remaining power in the Celestial Sword, I deployed a barrier. No matter how much magic it contained, non-directional energy wasn’t a threat.
By angling the barrier, I deflected the force. I endured the tremendous shockwave and dust cloud for a while.
As my vision cleared, I dismissed the barrier. Now both Mastema and I, as well as the Celestial Sword, were completely drained of magical power.
Well, in the worst-case scenario, I could still rely on physical attacks, though my strength was heavily depleted.
I stepped on the glassified ground, hearing it crack under my thick boots. Kasugal, also drained of magic, lay collapsed on the ground.
I sheathed the Celestial Sword and approached Kasugal. Mastema finally let go of my neck.
Neither Kasugal nor I had the will to continue fighting.
“I thought I was far stronger, but it amazed me how you could easily do things I could not.”
“Yeah, you’re stronger. That’s why I needed something besides strength.”
I sat down next to the fallen Kasugal. Mastema leaned on my back, but I ignored her.
“Heh. I see. Hey, Ahavain.”
“What?”
“Help me. All I know how to do is burn.”
“Leave it to me.”
Just then, a message came from Arnella. Nia and the others had completed their location tracking and secured the hostages.
“Renatishia and her child are safe now. By the way, what’s your son’s name?”
“It’s Pipin. I haven’t introduced him to you yet.”
“Alright. Introduce us later. I’m going to talk to the Emperor.”
“Please. I’m exhausted.”
With that, Kasugal drifted off to sleep. He remains a troublesome man.
Even after leaving the party, I still end up cleaning up his messes.
Now it’s time for a show. I summon Victor, and let Mastema spread her wings, positioning each at my side.
This gives the appearance of being flanked by an angel and a demon. They might not always follow my commands, but they’re certainly with me.
The point is to show authority. Appearance is crucial—like the light streaming through stained glass that underscores the church’s authority, or the well-disciplined ranks of soldiers that impress the observer.
As we approached, the soldiers recoiled in fear, retreating step by step. At the sight of Mastema spreading her wings, the frontline soldiers broke into panic and fled.
A captain tried to scold the fleeing soldiers, but Victor descended before him. Half-desperate, the captain drew his sword and charged.
Victor, even without magic, wouldn’t lose to a mere soldier. He caught the blade and snapped it.
Seeing this, the captain collapsed in fear and backed away.
We advanced step by step. The army parted, creating a void around us, encircling us without daring to raise their weapons.
After witnessing the previous battle, I can hardly blame them. I’m confident we can handle any assault.
Apparently deciding this was getting nowhere, the new Emperor descended from his palanquin throne.
He was accompanied by two royal guards. One of them was Fofs, the Giant Slayer. The other, unfamiliar to me, seemed like a new addition to the Royal Guard.
They moved forward to shield the new Emperor. But I know Fofs well.
He’s probably thinking he’d rather get this over with. The other one seems more uptight.
“Stand aside.”
I gestured with my chin as I spoke, and the unfamiliar royal guard reached for his sword.
But the new Emperor raised a hand to stop him.
“To be honest, I underestimated you—both you and that man.”
“Did you think an adventurer couldn’t be of much worth?”
“Yes. But to find you a monster commanding both angel and demon…”
The new Emperor glanced back and forth between Mastema and Victor.
“And a mage who could fight such a creature as an equal.”
“Indeed. By the way, we secured the hostages who were being used to make him fight.”
“I see. Just so you know, we didn’t treat them roughly. They are, after all, citizens of the empire.”
The Emperor scratched his head as he said this.
“After witnessing all that… Fofs, do you think you could take them?”
Fofs chuckled bitterly.
“Haha, well, I’d rather not. I might manage to hold one of them off.”
“What about you, Bell?”
“I would protect you, even if it cost my life.”
The new Emperor looked at me once more.
“My sister’s ambition will one day be a disaster for the Empire, and I wanted to end it here… But I suppose I’ll let it go. Unless, of course, you plan to invade the Empire to give her the throne?”
I considered dragging the new Emperor down from his pedestal, but truthfully, the princess’s downfall was in part her own fault.
So he wants a truce, then?
“If you want to end this with a mutual settlement, I’m willing.”
“Understood. I swear by my name. As long as you remain here, I won’t even think of attacking.”
My conversation with the Emperor ended there.
A straightforward conclusion.
“You should have chosen to follow me. The Sky Knight… no, the Demon Duke.”
With those words, the Emperor turned his back on me just before I could look away. The soldiers, now relieved, arranged themselves and departed as ordered.
“Human conflicts are so simple,” Mastema remarked.
“And the disputes in Hell are… never mind. It’s probably not worth discussing,” I replied.
“True enough.”
I looked at Mastema’s face—still as beautiful as ever.
“To think my partner would turn out to be a demon.”
“Only just realizing? The contract was sealed long ago.”
She must have been referring to that moment when I struck her down and collapsed myself. From that time, she had already foreseen this outcome.
“I see. Well, let’s continue like this.”
“Of course.”
I was exhausted. It was time to get some rest.
