Unbelievable strength.
Christopher stood frozen, utterly speechless at the scene unfolding before his eyes. The streets of the castle town were twisted like a nightmare, smoke and flames swirling around crumbling debris and burning timber, and yet the battle surged forward at a speed too swift to follow.
The man in the black cloak—the formidable enemy who had driven him to the brink of death—had been mercilessly felled by Zeke in the blink of an eye.
Yet, even more astonishing was what followed. Zeke and the female Demon Lord moved across the battlefield as if dancing, sweeping through the ranks of the dragon god clan’s minions with lethal precision. Their movements were so blindingly fast that Christopher could not track a single strike; only fleeting afterimages flickered in his vision. Every clash of sword and magic produced bursts of light and deafening explosions, scattering the dragon god soldiers like raindrops in a storm.
Above all, it was Zeke’s sword that left the deepest impression. Even when surrounded by five enemies far stronger than the man in the black cloak, a single swing sent them all sprawling to the ground, their will to fight extinguished in an instant.
The image seared itself into Christopher’s mind. Even a massive dragon succumbed to the female Demon Lord’s lightning magic, falling silent without a single shriek.
“The level of their strength… is beyond comprehension…”
A wordless awe surged through his chest. Christopher drew in a sharp breath, mesmerized, frozen at the edge of the battlefield, unable to tear his eyes away from the two combatants.
“Well, I suppose that’s mostly taken care of.”
The female Demon Lord’s calm yet cutting voice pierced the chaos. Of the 200 dragon god minions who had attacked, almost all had been defeated by the two. Amidst blood and debris, neither of them showed the slightest sign of fatigue or irregular breath—their presence was beyond human measure.
“I never thought the day would come when I’d fight alongside a Demon Lord…”
Zeke smiled faintly, glancing at her.
“I feel the same. The thought of teaming up with you makes my skin crawl, but today, it cannot be helped. This country owes me a lodging and a meal, after all.”
The female Demon Lord replied without meeting his eyes, her gaze cold and calculating as it swept over the battlefield, yet sharp intelligence gleamed behind it.
“With this many troops deployed, someone must be coordinating them. Likely near the town gates.”
“Indeed. Whoever can command warriors of this caliber must themselves be formidable.”
In silence, they proceeded toward the castle town gates.
“Wait! Please, take me with you!”
Christopher’s voice caused the female Demon Lord to slowly turn.
“Young man, it’s too dangerous for someone without sufficient skill to follow. Go home. I’ll handle the cleanup today.”
Her words were cold but precise. Yet Christopher, resolute, countered with determination.
“I am painfully aware of my lack of skill after seeing both of you. But I am the captain of this country’s knights. Let me witness the fight until the end.”
The Demon Lord’s eyes sharpened for a moment, then softened.
“I don’t need dead weight. If you’re taken hostage, I won’t hesitate.”
“I don’t mind. If I’m taken, kill me along with it,” he replied, unwavering. The warmth behind her gaze was evident, despite her words.
“You are in the position of the knights’ captain. There are those awaiting your return, following your orders. Go back swiftly.”
Her words were not merely a command but an expression of care—a reminder to the knight entrusted with protecting the people.
“I insist! Please, take me with you!”
Acknowledging his courage, Zeke appeared at his side.
“Very well, I’ll take you along for your bravery. Hey, Demon Lord! Fine, right? If anything happens, I’ll protect you.”
She exhaled deeply and walked toward the gates without a word.
After a five-minute walk, they reached the castle gates. Two swordsmen blocked their path. One was a towering giant, over two meters tall; the other, a small man around 160 centimeters. Each wielded a sword as massive as their own body. Their presence alone made the air of the battlefield feel colder.
“You are the commanders?”
The female Demon Lord’s voice was low, calm, and unyielding.
“That’s right. We are the Hayonei brothers, underlings of the dragon god clan! You dare interfere with our invasion? Unforgivable!”
“Just attack already. It’s a waste of time.”
Her words were cool, sharp, and final.
“A waste of time!? I’ll make you regret angering us!”
In an instant, the Hayonei brothers charged the female Demon Lord. Their speed alone distinguished them from the previous minions.
Baki! Gakiin!
Two simultaneous, thunderous impacts rang out. The Demon Lord blocked the smaller Hayonei’s strike, while Zeke kicked the larger one aside.
“Two men attacking a woman… absurd. But even together, they’ll never win,” Zeke muttered, approaching the fallen giant.
“You’re mine.”
The giant charged, but Zeke caught the massive body effortlessly with one hand.
“Is that all? Mere show of strength,” he said calmly. The giant’s jaw dropped.
With every flick of Zeke’s sword, countless slashes carved into the giant’s body, spraying crimson into the air. Christopher could not perceive a single strike; all he saw was an intersection of light and shadow.
“Ugh… ah…”
The giant collapsed without even a cry.
“Another meaningless thing cut down… just kidding,” Zeke quipped.
With Zeke’s duel concluded, all eyes turned to the female Demon Lord.
The smaller Hayonei’s face shifted as he realized his brother had fallen.
“My brother… you wretches!!”
Shaking with rage, he turned to flee, sensing his disadvantage. The Demon Lord’s gaze followed him coldly, her hands raising as dark energy coalesced in her palms.
“Do you think you can escape from me? You can’t run from a Demon Lord in this game.”
A six-pointed star formed in front of her, and a beam of black light shot forth from its center, impaling the small Hayonei through the back. He crumpled, ending the battle.
“Well, that’s a day’s work,” she said, clapping her hands and brushing away the dust.
“Let’s return to the palace.”
Zeke’s words guided them as they departed, but Christopher’s heart still trembled, awed by the overwhelming power of these warriors.
Their backs shone brighter and seemed larger than any he had ever seen before.
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