~ Support & Read 60 Advanced Chapters on Patreon

~ Bonus Chapter every 200 Powerstones!

The scene returns to the commentator's booth, where the scantily-clad cat-eared referee girl continued her pre-match introductions, her rhythmic voice broadcasting throughout the entire colosseum.

"Oh my, oh my! It appears both sides have confirmed their fighters! Just as we received word moments ago, the Current Demon Lord faction has chosen the legendary right hand of Lord Leohart himself—GENERAL GALD!!!"

"As for the Old Demon Lord faction, they've sent forth the mysterious Nekomata girl—KUROKA!!"

"And speaking of Nekomata, this Miss Kuroka seems to be of the same race as yours truly! I wonder how many moves she'll last against General Gald?? Let's wait and see how this battle unfolds!!!"

❁❁❁❁

The arena still buzzed with excitement from Venelana's one-shot annihilation of the Ancient Heroic Spirit. Under the cat-eared referee's passionate opening remarks, that energy reached new heights.

Thunderous cheers erupted from all sides, and the flag-waving support was no longer exclusive to the Current Demon Lord faction.

After all, the demon realm's fundamental culture was one of martial supremacy. Without exception, anyone who became a Demon Lord possessed tremendous power.

In comparison, political tactics and platforms were secondary concerns.

For this very reason, the demon realm's citizens weren't particularly invested in who became Demon Lord. In fact, compared to all that political nonsense that might or might not affect their daily lives someday, they'd much rather focus on what was happening right before their eyes.

The battle between the strong!

To witness such combat at this close range—even death would be worth the price of admission!

"Time's up! Now then—WILL BOTH FIGHTERS PLEASE TAKE THE STAGE!!!"

The arena's atmosphere had reached its boiling point. The cat-eared referee girl swung her arm down dramatically to signal the start of the match while gracefully leaping backward on nimble toes.

The next second, two teleportation circles blazed to life simultaneously on the platform floor, and two figures slowly materialized from the light.

Naturally, they were Kuroka representing the "Old Demon Lord faction" and General Gald representing the "Current Demon Lord faction."

The two stood facing each other across the distance, their forms gradually solidifying within the teleportation circles' glow.

As the light faded, Kuroka tilted her face up slightly, her golden eyes clearly reflecting the white-haired, dark-skinned warrior's stern features.

"So you're Gald? I heard you're even stronger than your Demon Lord?"

"..."

Completely unprepared for such an opening remark, Gald fell into a brief silence.

He was a military commander, but that didn't mean he lacked intelligence.

After a moment's consideration, Gald spoke in a deep voice.

"Lord Leohart's strength is absolutely beyond question. However, becoming a worthy king requires more than just raw power. Lord Leohart's grand vision is to rebuild the entire Northern Territory, transforming this savage wasteland into a nation where everyone can live in peace and prosperity. That alone is enough to earn our willing loyalty."

"Ehhh~"

Kuroka made a tactical lean-back sound.

This big dark muscle-head looked like he had more brawn than brains with that pointy head of his, but surprisingly, his words were watertight.

A demon realm general speaking so diplomatically—was he planning to take the civil service exam or something?

"Well, I don't really care about all that stuff anyway."

Kuroka waved her hand casually.

"It's just that ever since I started following Bokue around, I haven't had a proper fight in ages. So even if you're really strong, you'd better be careful, okay?"

"Naturally."

The moment the topic returned to combat, Gald's speech instantly regained its fluency.

He unfastened the clasp at his neck, and with a casual toss, the massive cloak bearing the Current Demon Lord faction's emblem billowed away in the wind, revealing a physique beneath that stood as immovable as a tower.

"For Lord Leohart's sake, regardless of the final outcome, I will give this my all!"

"Hmm??"

As if sensing something unusual, Kuroka tilted her head slightly and dug at her ear with her pinky finger.

"You do know the predetermined outcome of this match, right? But looking at you, it seems like you're not planning to follow the script?"

"Because I am Lord Leohart's right hand."

Gald clenched both fists and dropped into a fighting stance, his voice heavy with determination.

"Even if it's for His Majesty... no, I should say for the entire Current Demon Lord faction! I absolutely cannot lose this battle!"

"Ahh~ So that's how it is."

Her suspicions confirmed, Kuroka's lips curled up slightly.

"In other words, we're throwing the script out the window and settling this with our real abilities?"

What seemed like Gald's insubordination was actually quite reasonable.

The logic was exactly as he'd stated—as Leohart's right hand, Gald was the deputy commander of the entire Current Demon Lord faction. His every action represented the whole faction—and losing here would undoubtedly make the Northern populace question the Current Demon Lord faction's strength.

In short, this fixed match couldn't proceed as planned.

❁❁❁❁

"But this is a bit troublesome. To abandon the arrangement and decide everything through actual strength..."

Kuroka seemed to absentmindedly toy with the silky black bangs falling over her forehead as she muttered.

"After all, I've been following Bokue around all these years, so I've accidentally picked up some of his bad habits when it comes to fighting."

Bad habits? What kind of bad habits??

Gald couldn't understand what the Nekomata girl was talking about.

But the next second, he understood perfectly.

The Nekomata girl released her bangs, her beautiful golden eyes shifting slightly as she redirected that seemingly calm gaze back to him.

Then, her lips parted gently.

"FOR STARTERS, KNEEL."

???——!!

The transition from confusion to shock happened in an instant.

Gald felt an extremely powerful force suddenly explode from the cat-eared girl before him. It was like volcanic ash the size of mountains being hurled skyward by an eruption, then crashing down from above—ultimate killing intent and crushing pressure instantly enveloped his entire body. Even the surrounding air became cold and viscous under this suffocating oppression.

WH-WHAT IS THIS...?!!

"Ngh!"

Gald let out a muffled grunt, his body swaying as if losing balance. He stumbled, nearly dropping to one knee.

Fortunately, he reacted in time to steady himself, pressing both hands hard against his knees to forcibly support his form.

But that was all he could manage—merely staying upright.

"Oh~ Still standing, are we?"

Kuroka raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Then—"

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

If before had been a volcanic eruption, now it was like an asteroid detonating.

She completely released all restrictions on herself.

The ultimate power possessed by a Transcendent erupted without reservation at this moment. The aura emanating from her every gesture was like a natural disaster incarnate!

CRACK.

Hairline fractures appeared on the protective barrier surrounding the inner edge of the spectator stands. The magical barrier capable of easily withstanding a High-Class Devil's full-power attack was already on the verge of shattering under the mere dispersal of a Transcendent's aura.

Gald could no longer hold on. A mouthful of hot blood erupted from his throat.

"Th-this is... cough!"

The demon realm stone platform was instantly dyed dark red. The invincible general who had once been a regional overlord in the demon realm now knelt on the ground like a condemned prisoner, barely supporting himself with his arms.

Through the still-bubbling warm blood on the ground, Gald caught a glimpse in the reflection of the cat-eared girl's emotionless golden eyes.

In front of Bokue, she could be the perverted older sister whose mind was filled with nothing but making kittens.

But to everyone else, she—Kuroka—was a Transcendent who completely surpassed even Satan-class beings.

Kneel, or you won't even have the chance to survive in my presence.

~ 60 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon

https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx

(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)

Keep the chapters coming—Support with Power Stones!