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Chapter 2: Fighting the Demon Overlord 

A scream caused the ground to tremor. 

What stood before the box that emitted the flash of light was a creature with a black goat’s head. It had a pair of bat-like wings on its back, and was twice the size of the races, putting it at half that of a large-type Fallen. It was hardly muscular, and gave off more of a thin, even gangly impression. 

Despite that, its menacing aura was greater than any of the others. Hearing its voice made even Emile’s body shrink in fright. 

“Wh-What is...that...?!” 

“That’s...the Demon Overlord,” Galford said, a shiver creeping on his words. 

“Uuu, this can’t be...” Yuan moaned, falling to his knees. “Fighting that thing... It’s impossible...” 

“We can’t give up.” Turon the healer brandished his staff. Applying his healing spell repeatedly, he eventually closed up all of Emile’s wounds. 

Emile took a long sword in hand. His broadsword had been crushed by Ryoka, so it was someone else’s gear: the deceased Grutas’s sword. 

“I’ll be borrowing this, Grutas...” He rose up, the bloodied longsword in hand. 

Before them was an unbelievable opponent that defied all imagination. If Emile had to describe it...he would say it was a sense of despair that surpassed even the terror of being told to jump off a large, bottomless precipice. 

Still, he gripped his sword tightly. 

“I will never fall!” 

“Hmph... If nothing else, I commend your courage for not running away.” 

Galford’s body was then enveloped by magic. There were apparently healers among the regional knights behind them. His wounds were gradually disappearing, but his previously consumed SP wasn’t recovering. 

“I’d never run!” Emile declared. “This time, my sword and I will protect all women!” 

“...I won’t pry into your past, but I’ll at least trust in your aptitude to struggle. Though, I am quite aware of how poor your ability is...” 

“Ooooooh!!!” 

Standing so far away they couldn’t tell its expression, the Demon Overlord Modinaram howled, turning to face them. 

Galford stood guard. “It’s coming!” 

The enemy kicked the ground, forming a massive cloud of dust in the wake of its explosive leap. In the space of a short moment that seemed to render the very concept of distance meaningless, Modinaram was upon them. Emile immediately swung his sword. There was no time to wait and see; he’d have to unleash his martial arts at full force right at the start. 

“Quad Slash!” 

A longsword moved more quickly than a broadsword, so his attack was unleashed faster than before. Four slashes were released at essentially the same moment, landing on the Demon Overlord with perfect timing. But Emile was perfectly prepared, not at all expecting this to be a simple opponent to fight. 

Yet he still wouldn’t have been able to predict what was to come. The Demon Overlord Modinaram caught the blade of the sword swung down upon it with its teeth. 

“Wh-What?! I-It’s... It’s eating the sword?!” 

The sword broke all too easily. 

But this is a high-class sword we got in the capital! 

“Geheheheh!” Emile thought he saw the black goat head laugh at him. 

Its thin, scrawny arms clenched into a fist. Its physique, at the very least, wasn’t very different from the races’. 

I can dodge it! 

But just as he thought he did, the Demon Overlord’s fist approached his face. 

Did he predict my dodge?! 

Just as the fist connected with Emile’s face, a blade of light cut into Modinaram’s flank. 

“Raaah!” 

“Gaaaaaagaaaaaah!” 

Its roar didn’t sound like anything a living creature could emit. It was like a cacophony of broken musical instruments. 

Galford had delivered the slash, and it seemed to have hit its mark.. But just as that thought crossed through Emile’s mind, Galford clicked his tongue. 

“Is that...Rampart?!” A martial art capable of nullifying incoming damage... 

Still screaming, Modinaram swung its fist again. Galford tried to create some distance between them, but while the fist didn’t seem to be traveling that quickly, his own movements seemed sluggish instead...as if Galford was being drawn into the fist. 

A snapping sound, like a piece of dry wood had just been crushed, rang out. 

“Guh?!” Galford’s expression distorted. His right arm, which took the attack, bent in an unnatural direction. 

A high level warrior like Galford had his arm broken that easily?! Emile couldn’t believe what he was seeing. 

“Aaah... It’s strong... Too strong!” 

“Not yet! Even if he takes my right arm...I can’t...retreat!” 

Galford formed another Sword of Light in his left hand, which was enveloped with red flames from the effects of the martial art Heat Sonic. He swiftly moved into a spectacular combo of eight slashes, but Modinaram evaded all of them with unnatural speed, instead biting into Galford’s left arm. A wet, vile sound clashed against Emile’s ears, and crimson blood spilled to the ground. 

“Gah!” Galford cried out in agony, jumping back. Horrifyingly, his left arm was missing from the elbow down. Modinaram held his left hand, still dripping with blood, in its mouth. 

It bit off his arm?! 

Emile couldn’t help but shiver. What he saw now was sheer terror. When he was facing Ryoka, he could feel she was strong, and was stronger than he ever imagined when they did trade blows. But Modinaram was different. 

At that moment, Emile realized, We have no way of dealing damage to Modinaram. And we have no means of blocking its attacks, either. Whatever’s happening here, it’s no mere battle, but rather... 

† 

“A massacre!” Eulerex proclaimed, a dark smile on his lips as he overlooked the battle. 

“Indeed, as if it were swatting away powerless flies...” Lazpuras nodded. 

“Heheh... The Demon Overlord has absorbed many of the Demon Lords!” Eulerex said with an ecstatic, elated tone. “It fights with the martial art Rampart constantly activated, its fists are granted a Sure Hit, and its fangs have the power to Sure Kill!” 

One couldn’t help but stand in awe. 

“It is overwhelming. The races require years upon years of training to achieve such abilities momentarily, but the Demon Overlord fights with them at the ready, constantly activated.” 

“Our victory is assured!” 

“Indeed.” 

Lazpuras was internally relieved, for the Demon Overlord hadn’t blasted them with a wide range spell. If it did, the majority of the food would be reduced to ash. If utilized in melee combat, the city of Faltra would most likely be reduced to rubble. The races would be butchered sooner or later, but they had to get their hands on those provisions. Lazpuras hoped this battle would be decided swiftly. 

“...The races ought to cease their pointless struggling and accept their destruction. That would ease their suffering, at least.” 

“Heheheheh... Yes, trying to oppose the Demon Overlord is useless.” 

“Quite true. There exists no one in this land who can cause harm to...”

In that moment, the Demon Overlord Modinaram was blown away spectacularly.

““Whaaaaaat?!”” Lazpuras and Eulerex exclaimed together. 

† 

A young girl lorded over them, her arms folded. 

“Heheheh... You’ve gotten quite tough if you’re able to endure this Demon Lord’s kick, Madness.” 

Having climbed up to a high spot—a remainder of the walls that hadn’t yet crumbled—the young girl bore down on Modinaram with a spinning kick. She had two long horns and a tail, which was split at its end. Her bright golden hair danced in the wind. Brushing it aside, she placed her hands on her hips and puffed up her meager chest so much it seemed like she might fall backward. 

“This Demon Lord makes her entrance!” 

 

“Klem?!” Emile’s eyes widened in surprise. 

“Nnn!” Galford moaned, cold sweat sliding down his forehead. His left arm was gone from the elbow down, and his right was bent in an unbelievable direction, dangling powerlessly. “Guh... The child...that Demon brought...kicked Modinaram away...?! Impossible!” 

Galford was about to collapse, but was caught and supported by a red-headed woman: Laminitus. She didn’t have her magi gun in hand anymore. She probably decided it wouldn’t be of any use against the Demon Overlord. 

“Stand back, Sir Galford! We never expected the Demon Overlord to be this much of a monster. We don’t know who she is, but we’ve got no choice but to let her handle this!” 

“Kuh... She said...she’s a Demon Lord.” 

“Wh-What?” 

“I thought it...to be nonsense...” 

Emile knew the truth. He’d seen it once before, when the Demon Lord Krebskulm awakened in Faltra. That young girl, Klem, was the Demon Lord Krebskulm. 

Stepping in front of Emile was the unusual figure of a girl in a waitress outfit, holding a spear in her hands. 

“Getting in, Demon Lord’s way? In the way! Move, human!” 

There was something off about her eyes and skin...like she wasn’t of the races. 

“Y-You’re a Fallen...?!” Emile realized, startled. 

“So...what?” The waitress glared at him harshly. 

It was a different type of pressure from what he felt from Ryoka and the Demon Overlord. What she was didn’t actually matter. 

“...You’re beautiful.” 

He intended to do his usual greeting, but the tip of her spear poked at his feet. 

“Edelgard, said to, move!” 

“Aaah, yes, yes!” 

Sadly, it was as she said. Galford and Laminitus were powerless before the Demon Overlord. All Emile could do was clench his teeth.

Modinaram, who’d been kicked away, stood up. It growled loudly like a wolf, despite having a goat’s head. 

“I see you’ve remembered quite a bit after gathering the other Demon Lords...” Klem scoffed, her hands still on her hips. “But it’s useless if you can’t put it all to use, Madness.” 

Right now, Modinaram called itself the Demon Overlord, but it was originally called the Demon Lord of Madness. It roared loudly and closed the distance between them at once, launching its fist forward. Its arm was scrawny and thin, but packed enough strength to crush Galford’s arm. And, oddly enough, it was unavoidable. 

“Too slow!” Klem called out, unleashing another kick. 

It was a crude attack that amounted to nothing more than her swinging her leg forward, but Emile’s eyes couldn’t even follow what she was doing. It was like time stopped for everyone but her. Modinaram was blown back again, its goat head smashed by the kick with a crunching sound. 

“Hmph...” Klem scoffed. “The rumors said you were several times stronger than a Demon Lord, but this? You’re weak. Are you holding back against this Demon Lord, you fool?” 

Modinaram growled, baring its teeth as it writhed. 

“Hah!” Klem exclaimed. “You can’t exhibit your true strength, can you? You have too much power and you’re being overwhelmed by it. Pathetic.” 

She drew closer to him. This time, Modinaram didn’t unleash any large attacks, but a series of sharp thrusts, in small movements reminiscent of a fencer. Even so, the strength of those thrusts was unimaginably great. Klem was capable of blocking them, but couldn’t counterattack. 

“Aaah, this is bad...” Emile moaned. “Klem’s faster, but Modinaram’s stronger. He’s got an advantage in terms of reach.” 

Edelgard, who’d stepped forward as if to block Emile from view, turned around to face him. 

“Surprised...” she said, seemingly impressed. “One of the races can, see it?” 

“Of course. I’m a warrior, after all.” 

“Oh... Really surprised. You’re, completely wrong.” 

“What?!” 

“Demon Lord, is, Demon Lord! Not, pushed back,” she stated with a proud expression. 

Klem deflected Modinaram’s attacks one after the other, not a single hit landing on her. 

“What is this...?” Klem spoke, an indomitable smile on her lips. “I thought you’d do something more interesting than this after fusing with that many Demon Lords, but all you can do is punch? I’m bored with you.” 

She swung her leg forward and landed another kick on Modinaram’s face, an ominous snapping sound echoing from its neck. Its goat head slanted unnaturally as Klem clenched her right hand. Light began emanating from her fist. 

“My master ordered this Demon Lord to defend this city. That’s why...I’ll beat you!” 

“Gaah... Guuagh...” 

“If you destroy the races’ cities, I won’t be able to eat biscuits anymore!” 

That’s your reason?! Emile shouted in his mind. 

The next moment, Klem brandished her right fist. “Infinity Detonation!” 

“Gah... Gaaagaaaaagaaah?!” 

A flash of light enveloped Modinaram. 

“Heheheheh!” Klem laughed, showing her fangs. “I see your body’s protected by damage nullification, but it’s pointless! A Demon Lord’s attack ignores all manner of defenses!” 

It was so transcendental Emile’s mind couldn’t follow the logic of it at all. He’d somehow realized Modinaram was using a damage nullification martial art called Rampart, so it didn’t look like Galford’s slashes or Klem’s kicks had much of an effect. There were those among the races who could use Rampart, but only for a brief moment (nullifying damage continually felt all too unfair, after all). But Klem’s attack seemed even more like cheating, because it had penetrated Rampart. 

A sequence of explosions rocked the area. Eventually, the sound of something breaking reached Emile’s ears. 

“Gagaaaaaah?!” Modinaram howled. 

It was the sound of Rampart having been pierced. The powerful attack bore deep into Modinaram’s left side, its left arm being eaten from the shoulder and all the way into its chest. It coughed up black blood. 

“Guh... Gahgah... Sur...prised...unforeseen, power?!” 

“Oh?” Klem’s eyes narrowed. “So you can talk. And I thought you’d degraded to a mere beast.” 

Modinaram’s lips, which had only let out growls and roars until now, began speaking in the tongue of the races. 

“I ask you, Demon Lord of the Soul, Krebskulm...what reason have you for siding with the races?” 

“Because biscuits are tasty!” 

“...Bis...?” 

“I’ll have you answer me now. Why are you trying to kill the races?” 

“Foolish question. A Demon Lord is a being that brings ruin to the races. What other purpose would I need?” 

“Hah! For all the Demon Lords you’ve taken in, you’re completely mindless! In that case, I’ll give you the meaningless conclusion a fool that fights thoughtlessly deserves!” 

Light began gathering in Klem’s right fist again. 

“Demon Lord of the Soul, Krebskulm...” Modinaram’s goat head exhaled softly. “Said to be the strongest of all Demon Lords... You are not an opponent I can match without removing my seal.” 

† 

Modinaram’s body started changing. His limbs suddenly increased in mass, and his missing left half regenerated rapidly. His torso also grew in size, matching his now-swollen limbs. He’d gotten a whole head taller, but his body had become a mass of menacing musculature. The only thing that remained unchanged was its black goat head. 

“Guh, guh... Never did I expect to release it before I reached the races’ capital.” 

“Fool. You think getting a little bigger means you are a match to this Demon Lo—ah?!” Klem jumped away in a hurry, the confident smile gone from her lips. 

Emile didn’t understand the enemy’s transformation. Its body had definitely gotten bigger, but that wasn’t all there was to it. 

“Uuu... Can’t be...?!” Edelgard took a frightened step back. 

“What’s wrong?” 

“...D-Demon Lords... So many... Many Demon Lords? There!” she answered Emile’s question with a shaking voice. 

“Is it because it’s the Demon Overlord?!” 

“Danger...ous...” Edelgard was scared stiff. 

“How do you like the taste of despair?” Modinaram asked, now beefed up. 

“Kuh... So this is your...full power.” 

“Krebskulm... As you said, the accumulated power of the Demon Lords is too great. Using it spells the destruction of this body. Self-destruction. Reduction to nothing but ashes.” 

Modinaram spread out its arms, showing the tips of its fingers slowly turning to sand. Given time, Modinaram would surely crumble away entirely. 

Klem stood poised, her right fist still shining with light. “H-Hmph... Did absorbing the Demon Lords’ powers make you this prone to chattering away? This Demon Lord doesn’t know any talkative Demon Lords.” 

“Affirmative. Wisdom, too, is a form of power.” 

“That manner of speaking... It’s like the Demon Lord of the Throat, Biotros. That one truly was a weakling who didn’t know when to shut up. 

“A fragment is but that: a fragment. A lacking existence. When all are gathered, I shall achieve it. I shall become the complete and undefeatable Primeval Demon Lord!” 

“Nonsense. What’s the point of becoming complete and invincible if all you can think of is killing the races?” 

“Nay. The meaning to it all is clear.” 

“Oh?” 

“It is the exertion of power in and of itself that has endless value.” 

“...This Demon Lord has no idea what you just said. It sounds like you’re going on a rampage just because you can. You’re nothing more than an animal.” 

“As a result...this world will continue to exist.” 

“What’s the point of existing if there are no biscuits?!” 

“Join me, and we shall become a complete existence.” Modinaram raised both hands. 

“I refuse!” Klem stuck out her tongue. “If I join you, this Demon Lord won’t be this Demon Lord anymore.” 

“There is no value in an incomplete individual!” 

“This Demon Lord is already complete, perfect and invincible!” 

“Krebskulm... Unawakened as you are, you will never best me.” 

Modinaram activated its magic. A shining sphere appeared in its hands, which were held toward the sky. The area was awash with blinding light, as if the ball were a small sun. Modinaram swung down its arms. It was Falling Skies, a spell the Demon Lord of the Heart, Kardia, once used. It was like the sun was descending on them from the heavens. 

Klem clenched her teeth. “Disappear!” 

Klem brandished her fist, unleashing a second Infinity Detonation at the ball of light bearing down on her. The two powerful spells clashed, the air burning, the ground trembling. 

“You are feeble, Krebskulm.” Modinaram’s goat-like eyes narrowed. 

“Wh-What?!” 

“Know the might of my magic!” 

“Ngh?!” 

Modinaram weaved more magic as the two spells clashed. For Demon Lords, magic constantly welled up from within them; they could never run out of magical energy. But there was a limit to how much they could emit at any given moment. Modinaram’s capacity was especially beyond measuring—several times that of Krebskulm’s. 

Klem was being pushed back easily, the light from the enemy’s spell consuming her. 

“Aaaaaah?!” she screamed as searing pain burned through her limbs. 

An explosion. Emile took cover behind the rubble, but a few unfortunate regional knights were caught in the blast and blown away. The shock waves alone were that powerful. The wind blew away the smoke, revealing Klem, lying down on the charred earth. 

“Aaah... Guh... Uuu...” 

Cracks ran across her body. Her normally fair, soft, and supple skin looked like a fractured egg. Modinaram stood beside her. 

“This is all the Demon Lord of the Soul, Krebskulm, the one sung as the strongest, can achieve when unawakened.” 

“He ordered...this Demon Lord... He entrusted this to me!” 

“Hmm...?” 

“I can’t...lose!” 

Punching into the ground, she leapt up and unleashed a kick that grazed against the ground; she aimed at her enemy’s legs. Her kick connected, but it was tough. She didn’t even break its posture. 

“You realize you cannot defeat me in magic, so you turn to physical combat...? Then know, dear Krebskulm, the power of the Demon Lord of the Hand, Hattjabul.” 

As it spoke, it delivered a kick to Klem’s flank, who was squatting close to the ground. 

“Gyah?!” 

The speed of the kick seemed like it would blow her back, but Klem surprisingly stayed in one place, as if she’d been sown into the ground. Modinaram delivered another strike, this time using its hand with its straight fingers sinking into Klem’s stomach. Modinaram’s spear-like digits were dug beside Klem’s navel. 

“Aaaaaah?!” 

“All too brittle.” 

“Gaah... Uuu... Ugh...” 

Klem grabbed Modinaram’s arm with both hands, trying to pull out its fingers—but they didn’t budge. 

“The awakened Krebskulm is protected by the armor of Wings of Light. I crave it...the ability of your body.” 

“Uu... Guh... Fool... This Demon Lord will not submit!” 

“Your will matters not.” 

Modinaram fired magic from its fingers, still stabbed into Klem’s stomach. Entrails burst out of Klem’s back with a popping sound. 

“Gah!” Klem collapsed to the ground powerlessly, red spreading out beneath her, a fist-sized hole in her stomach. 

† 

“Demon Looord!” Edelgard rushed forward, her horseback spear in hand, with a speed that put Ryoka to shame. 

“Oh.” Modinaram caught the tip of the approaching spear between two of its fingers. That alone rendered Edelgard immobile, as if she’d stabbed it into a brick wall. She tried pulling and pushing it with all her might, but to no avail. 

“Uuu... Won’t move... Hah?!” 

“A Fallen opposing the Demon Overlord? Impudence.” 

“Edelgard swore, fealty? Fealty! To Krebskulm!” 

“Very well then.” Modinaram brandished its other hand upward. A pitch black sword appeared in its light. It was similar to the Sword of Light Galford used earlier, but it was different not just in color, but in size. It was a deep black broadsword. 

“The Godslayer Sword?!” Edelgard said through shivering lips, looking up at the blade swung aloft. 

“If self-sacrifice is your wish...” The sword swung down on Edelgard. 

But the moment before—a sword crashed against Modinaram’s flank. 

“I will defend! All women!” 

In Emile’s hands was a Sword of Light he’d borrowed from Galford. He slashed again. He didn’t think it’d do anything, but he couldn’t stand by and do nothing. He could at least buy Edelgard time to escape. 

“Lightning Shot Magnum!” Laminitus provided him with covering fire. 

The bullets all hit their mark, but for Modinaram it was all as if a light breeze had brushed against him. He swung his pitch black longsword horizontally. 

“Death to the races!” 

The broadsword, Godslayer, transformed into several projectiles, each one of them powerful and deadly accurate. Emile took one to his right shoulder, his golden armor having been penetrated easily, and a burning pain ran through his body. 

“Gaaah...?!” He fell to his knees. A large amount of blood sprayed from the joints of his armor. He couldn’t feel his right shoulder; he didn’t even know if his arm was still attached. 

“Not yet!” Emile gripped the sword that had dropped from his right hand with his left. As he tried rising up, his right leg was cut completely through. 

“Kah?!” 

Everything below his knee was gone. All he could do was crawl on the ground. Even if he could numb the pain with sheer resolve, there was no way he could stand with his leg gone. 

It was cold. He was vividly aware of his body temperature dropping rapidly; he was losing too much blood. 

“Guuh... Healing...Turon!” 

Picking up his body with his left hand, Emile shouted behind him. But upon turning around, he was met with the sight of a healer lying against the rubble, struck by one of the Demon Overlord’s projectiles. 

What about Edelgard?! 

She stood with her hand spread out, shielding Klem from the projectiles. Even after being hit by a few attacks, she was still on her feet. She was as strong as one might expect of a high-ranking Fallen. 

“Haa, haa...” But her breaths proclaimed she had no strength left to fight. 

Klem, who lay behind Edelgard, wasn’t completely demolished, but was nonetheless in a state where it was hard to tell if she was even conscious. Did Demon Lords turn into particles of light when they were defeated, like the Fallen? Or did they leave behind corpses, like the races? Emile didn’t know. There was also the chance Klem was already long dead. 

We’re wiped out... 

The thought scratched at his heart. The fighting spirit that had kept him standing up every time, even when he was knocked down, was dying with his teammates. 

“Did I...fail to protect...again?” Emile’s body shivered. 

Just like that, he fell face first onto the ground... 

Im! Possible! I won’t forgive myself for this! 

“Ooooooh!” 

Stabbing his sword into the ground, he rose up with the strength of his one arm. Blood spurted from his wounds, but the pain was all gone. His eyesight was clouded over. 

“Demon Overloooooord!” 

Someone stood before it. 

“I will never...fall!” Emile shouted. 

His left hand pulled the sword from the ground. He slashed at his opponent even as it fell forward. But the swing was far too weak... 

Someone’s hands reached out to Emile. 

Why am I...so weak?! 

Those big hands hugged his shoulders. Large, strong, bold hands. 

An ally?! 

A presence Emile was all too familiar with...


 

“Is that goat-headed gorilla Modinaram?” the figure asked with a tone that was far too calm for this battlefield.

Hearing this voice, Emile’s whited-out eyes cleared, revealing the face of the one standing before him. 

“I’ve waited for you, my bosom friend...” 

† 

It looks completely different from the game, Diablo thought as he gazed at the enemy standing before him. The Demon Lord of Madness, Modinaram, that had appeared in Cross Reverie had a skinny body with a goat’s head. After defeating its first form, it transformed and its torso became like that of a black squid’s. But the Modinaram here had the torso of a muscular gorilla and seemed adept at melee combat. 

“Use the potions I gave you earlier.” Diablo left Emile to Shera, while staying vigilant of the enemy. 

“Y-Yeah!” 

“Take care of the others, too.” 

“Right, I’m on it!” Shera nodded deeply. She took a few tubes from her pouch—HP potions. They were SR rarity items, but they should be able to heal even those who were critically wounded. 

Rem, on the other hand, was headed in Klem and Edelgard’s direction. 

Did we make it in time? 

Edelgard hadn’t been slain yet, so they should be fine. But what about Klem? What happened to Demon Lords when they died? In Cross Reverie, they just crumbled away slowly. In that case, the fact that Klem still maintained her shape meant she was still alive. He’d have to believe that for now. 

Diablo turned his attention toward the enemy that was, in all likelihood, Modinaram. 

“Hmph... You ran quite wild in my absence, didn’t you?” 

“And who are you?” It tilted its black goat head. 

In-game, Modinaram had a lanky torso and limbs...but absorbing the other Demon Lords had apparently changed his appearance. It was four meters tall right now, and had a gorilla’s muscular body with a black goat’s head. Diablo couldn’t spot any damage on it. 

It fought not only Galford and Emile, but Klem, too, and took basically no damage... 

It was unmistakably a formidable foe. But Diablo was acting out the part of a Demon Lord. His true self couldn’t hope to stand up to such a scary monster, and would probably run away from the fight, shutting himself away at home. 

But now I’m a Demon Lord! A Demon Lord of overwhelming power! And that’s why... 

“Modinaram, I will grant you a punishment worthy of your foolish disrespect! Know the judgment of the true Demon Lord!” 

“The Demon Overlord, showing disrespect... True Demon Lord?” 

“Heheheh... You claim the title of Demon Overlord yet do not know of me? Your ignorance knows no bounds!” 

It was natural it wouldn’t know of Diablo, since he was only of the races claiming to be a Demon Lord...but this bravado was also part of his role play. 

“What manner of being are you?” Modinaram inquired. 

“Ahahaha! I am Diablo, a Demon Lord from another world!” 

“Nay...” Modinaram shook his head. “You are no Demon Lord.” 

“You are simply incapable of gauging my being! Learn the true extent of my power, on your very flesh!” 

Diablo transformed his staff into a sword—the Tonnerre Empereur: Libre. It had an effect that multiplied attacks by seven, which applied to melee combat as well. However, it made Diablo’s MP consumption skyrocket. 

Rem and Shera had already distanced themselves and the injured from Diablo and Modinaram. It appeared this was all the time he’d need to buy by talking. He took the initiative. 

“White Nova!” He fired a grand spell he’d prepared ahead of time. 

From how badly battered the terrain was, Modinaram didn’t have any magic reflection ability. It may have had a magic damage reduction ability, but just confirming that much was enough. After all, if he could just force Modinaram to counterattack with a powerful spell of its own, Diablo would be able to deflect it and take control of the situation. 

The flashes of the White Nova spell disappeared. As always, it caused massive damage to the terrain, carving out the ground. Modinaram’s form was changing once more. Black, raven-like wings burst from its back, which were folded inward to block the spell. 

But it wasn’t unharmed. Modinaram’s wings were tattered and torn. Cracks ran across its solid body. 

Yes! I can damage it with magic! 

Diablo’s lips curled up. 

“Such magical power...” The black goat head’s eyes widened. 

“Heh... Surprisingly soft, aren’t you, Modinaram?” 

“Diablo... Oh, Diablo... How I crave it, that magical power!” 

Modinaram’s eyes widened so much it seemed its eyeballs, which glared in crimson, might roll out of their sockets. Unleashing an animalistic roar, Modinaram rushed at Diablo. 

It’s fast... 

The Demon Overlord moved so fast it was impossible to follow its motions. It then extended its spear-like fingers to pierce Diablo’s abdomen...or they would have, had Diablo not recently leveled up. 

“You really are quick!” Diablo just barely evaded the charge. 

It wasn’t a speed Diablo couldn’t keep up with as he was now. However, Modinaram’s hand had bent at an unnatural angle, still flying in Diablo’s direction. 

“You shan’t escape!” 

“What?!” 

A slash brushed away Modinaram’s extended fingers. Sasara had stepped in between them, wielding a katana with the symbol of the crescent moon etched into its pommel. 

It was the martial art, Crushing Claw. Four of Modinaram’s fingers fell to the ground. 

“An injury, upon my flesh?!” 

A true display of a swordmaster’s strength. Sasara stood at Diablo’s side. 

“Be careful, Diablo... It feels like its fists have the effects of the martial art Sure Hit on them.” 

There was no sign of it using a martial art, though. In which case, was it perpetually active? 

“Hmm... Come to think of it, the Demon Lord of the Hand, Hattjabul, had the martial arts Sure Hit and Sure Kill perpetually activated.” 

“Martial arts can remain activated?!” 

“And it had Rampart, too... But seeing as both swords and magic work on Modinaram, I’m guessing that’s already been broken. His damage reduction is limited to a certain number of uses, after all.” 

“To know this much, you...” Modinaram narrowed its eyes. “Nay... You are no Demon Lord. Who are you?” 

“Hmph...” 

Just your ordinary, socially-inept gamer! 

“I am the true Demon Lord!” 

Just then, Rose the magimatic maid stepped forward, her double-headed sword at the ready. 

“Judging the strength of Master’s subordinates, it is evident that Master is superior to you.” 

Rose was equal to a level 150 warrior, and Sasara, who was standing beside Diablo, was level 200. 

“Ah, erm...I’m not his subordinate, but rather his teacher... Ah, n-no, never mind...” Sasara looked slightly displeased. 

The Fallen Modinaram had led to this battlefield were all observing the current battle from the sidelines. Eulerex was there as well, but still took on the form of a giant owl. Ryoka was gone, someone Diablo was cautious of since she seemed both strong and aggressive. But had someone beat her already...? Whatever the case, no Fallen interfered in Diablo’s battle with Modinaram. 

It felt odd. Diablo had always fought alone, but now he had companions by his side. His subordinates, companions, teacher... Diablo wasn’t sure how to define them, but whatever they were, he could depend on them. 

I’m not used to this yet, but...it doesn’t feel too bad. 

Now he could focus on weaving his spells. Diablo drank an MP potion, as those seven castings of White Nova earlier had consumed most of his magical energy. 

† 

“Klem, you have to come to!” Rem cried out. 

Taking their distance from where Diablo and the others were fighting, they retreated back to the city’s gate. To be exact, it was the western gate, which was now reduced to a pile of rubble. Rem did feel pathetic for being too weak to fight alongside Diablo, but this wasn’t the time to occupy herself with such concerns. 

Lying around them were grievously wounded allies, as well as some who’d already stopped moving. Rem and Shera were likely the only ones around who were unharmed. 

We have to save as many of them as possible! 

There were multiple cracks running across Klem’s body. Just picking her up gave Rem the impression she might crumble at any second. There was also the hole piercing through her stomach. The state she was in was so grave Rem had to question despairingly if she might already be dead. 

“...Rem...” Klem’s small eyelids fluttered open sluggishly. 

“Klem! You’re alive!” 

“No... This Demon Lord was...beaten. I cannot be...restored.” 

“No! No, that can’t be! See, I have an HP potion Diablo gave me!” 

Rem tilted the tube, pouring the liquid through Klem’s small lips. Her mouth slackened, and cracks ran across her lips. 

“There’s no use...the potions of the races...do not work on a Demon Lord. The very sight, or sound...of a miracle of God...is despicable...” 

“But...” 

“A Demon Lord is a solitary existence... We can only be healed...by our own magical energy...” 

“Then you should hurry and heal yourself, please! Magical energy wells up from within the Demon Lords, does it not?!” 

“...Too much...of my magical energy...was plundered. It’s no longer gushing out... Not enough remains in my...body anymore.” Her voice was becoming thinner and thinner. 

“Klem?!” 

“Aaah... If only I could eat...one more...biscuit...” 

Rem could feel some heat building up in the corner of her eyes. It was like her heart was being squeezed. At this rate, Klem would be destroyed. Klem was the Demon Lord Krebskulm, which Rem had once wished to destroy even if it cost her her life. But now, Klem was like family to her. 

“Klem, I... I don’t want to lose you.” 

She pulled a transparent crystal out of her pouch which had black flames flickering within it. It was a Divinity Crystal which held the remnants of Krebskulm that Rafflesia, the chief of the dark elves, had extracted from Rem’s body. 

If I give this back to her, she might turn into Krebskulm... 

Klem only became a sweet, biscuit-loving girl because she didn’t have her memories. A Demon Lord was always intent on killing the races, but she never had the urge to do so; she likely would have fought them otherwise. The memories Klem was lacking were likely sealed in the Divinity Crystal, along with the urge to destroy the races...but it also contained magical energy. That magical energy was what Klem needed to be saved... 

Rem looked at her. Klem looked like she might crumble into sand at any moment. It could very well be too late already... There was no time to spare. 

“Ah!” 

She brought the Divinity Crystal to Klem’s body, placing it into the hole in her stomach. The transparent orb shattered, and the flame inside it intensified. 

“Klem!” 

...But nothing changed. This Demon Lord lay still, her body still riddled with cracks. 

Was I too late?! 

Rem’s hands were shaking. The memory of Klem, eating biscuits with a smile, flashed in Rem’s mind. The memory of her rounding up villains who bothered the townspeople...of her singing songs happily...of her eating a steak, or a cake, or pasta... It was mostly memories of her eating. 

Her tears flowed freely. 

“I’m... I’m so...sorry...” Rem crouched down, powerlessly. “I wavered so much and now...now you’re...” She covered her face with both hands and wailed openly. 

“Rem...?! Wh-What’s wrong?!” Shera placed a hand on Rem’s shoulder. 

“Klem is... It’s all my fault! It’s all my fauuult! Aaah!” 

“Huh?! Klem...?!” 

“It’s because of my indecisiveness! I was too late... Argh! I didn’t make it in time! Aaaaaah!” 

“What?!” 

“You didn’t make it, Klem?!” 

“I didn’t...?! I don’t really understand, Rem, but don’t cry... Here, have a biscuit. That makes everything better.” 

Rem’s breath clogged her throat. 

Huh?! 

She lifted her face, only to be met with Klem’s astonished expression. Her shoulders shivered. 

“Oh, you stopped crying. Good girl. Now, have a biscuit. It’s a bit crumbly, though.” 

Klem’s lips held a smile. In her small, extended hand was a broken biscuit. The skin on her hand was still cracked, but it seemed to be healing. 

“I’m so glad you’re alive.” Shera patted Klem’s small head. “I’m so relieved...” 

“Heheh! But of course!” 

“Klem...you’re...alive...?” Rem was shocked. 

“What are you saying? Was it not you who gave me magical energy?” 

“Th-That’s right, but I...thought I didn’t make it in time...” 

“Heheheh, this Demon Lord is tough!” Klem puffed up her chest. Then she turned around, remembering something. “I should heal Edelgard now.” 

The Fallen girl was on the verge of disappearing, with several holes in her body. But in just a moment, she’d been healed. Edelgard hopped to her feet in a hurry. 

“Demooon Loooooord! Is all right...?! All right! So happy!” 

“Don’t cry... Aren’t you a Fallen? Embarrassing thing, you.” 

“Aaaaaah...” 

When they first met, Edelgard was as expressionless as a doll, and quite terrifying to boot... But her emotions overtook her whenever the Demon Lord was involved. She looked almost adorable now. 

“I’m happy you’re fine, too, Edelgard,” Shera said with tears in her eyes. 

Her tear glands were as loose as her thoughts. Following Shera’s example, Rem teared up as well. 

But she healed a Fallen on the verge of death in an instant. It’s a good thing she isn’t an enemy of the races... 

Then it hit her— 

“Klem, what about your memories?!” 

“Hm? Oh, I remembered a whole bunch of things. All thanks to you, Rem.” 

“...What did you remember?” 

“Heheheh... A Demon Lord is a being that annihilates the races, of course!” 

“N-No!” Rem flinched back. 

“...But this Demon Lord loves biscuits.” 

“...Huh?” 

“And living in this city with you is fun. There’s probably a ton of tasty things I haven’t eaten yet.” 

“...Really? But, your memories...” 

“Rem, you wanted to defeat the Demon Lord Krebskulm, right?” 

“Y-Yes... I won’t deny that. It was my greatest wish.” 

“And now...? 

Rem shook her head. “If I still wanted that, I wouldn’t have given you your magical energy back.” 

“Then it’s the same for this Demon Lord! I remembered I once had the urge to slaughter the races, but memories are all just stuff in the past!” 

“Kleeem!” Shera hugged the little Demon Lord snugly. 

“What are you doing, Shera, it’s stuffyyyy!” 

“I loooooove yooouuu!” 

“Hmm... Yes, I can see that. Now let gooo.” 

Even as she acted bothered, Klem wore a big smile. 

“There truly was meaning...to the peaceful days we spent in this city,” Rem said, wiping away her tears. 

Now they had to win, to protect the life they’d led. And so, their gazes returned to the battle at hand. Sasara and Rose were locked in melee combat against Modinaram. 

It’s all happening so fast... Her eyes couldn’t keep up with the battle. 

Diablo then entered a stance for casting multiple spells, one he’d never used when traveling with Rem and Shera since the opponents were always so close... 

† 

Diablo turned his Tonnerre Empereur back into its staff form and aimed it at Modinaram, commencing his Multiplex Magic. It was a challenging feat that involved compressing three grand spells into one. The amount of buildup time it required was obscenely long, so it was a trick he couldn’t pull off against such an agile opponent as a solo player. 

Multiplex Magic was a special skill, and as such couldn’t be used multiple times. Even if he were to mess it up, he wouldn’t be able to cast it a second time during this battle. It was risky, but it’d guarantee massive damage if it worked. 

Diablo recited the first of the three grand spells: “Darkness blacker than black, born from the gloom of the underworld, congregate and form into an arc... Dark Arc Seek!” 

A bow, dyed black from top to bottom, extended from the tip of Diablo’s staff. Modinaram didn’t sit quietly at the sight of the spell; if it had the knowledge of multiple Demon Lords, it surely knew the power behind this spell. 

“You shan’t fire that spell!” it called out. It charged forward, but was intercepted by Rose.

“You will not lay a finger on Master! Crius!” 

Massive hands appeared in the air behind her. They looked like they were clad in armor, with mechanical components residing within them. Pipes that looked like blood vessels were attached to them, etched with magic symbols. The symbols shone, running from the tips onto the hands’ fingertips. 

These massive hands, the Magimatic Sol, held the same double-edged sword Rose held in her hands, except the size and scale of the weapon was entirely different. Just one of the blades was as tall as Rose. 

The massive sword crashed down on Modinaram, who generated a black broadsword from its right hand to block it. 

That’s the Demon Lord of the Eye, Iankaroz’s Godslayer Sword! 

Diablo then realized that the Flames of Ruination had toppled Faltra’s walls. It was an ability said to have the greatest firepower in the game. When he challenged Iankaroz, it would fire this attack and reduce all character players in sight to a mountain of corpses. The message boards gave it different names like “Curtain Raiser Destruction,” “Eyebeam,” and “Wave Motion Cannon”... How one called it pretty much showed how old they were. 

Rose’s Magimatic Sol clashed with Iankaroz’s black broadsword. But they only matched one another for a second before she was pushed back. 

“Rose’s Magimatic Sol lost...?!” Rose exclaimed in surprise. 

The large hands creaked, and cracks began forming in the large double-edged sword. Rose matched a level 150 warrior, but she wasn’t capable of matching Modinaram face to face. 

Just then, Sasara unleashed an attack in the nick of time: the martial art, Boundless! The slash ignored the concept of distance, cutting Modinaram at the wrist. 

“Are you mocking me?!” 

Sasara then used the martial art Flash Thrust to close the distance rapidly, as if switching places with Rose, before unleashing the martial art Thousand Hands to simultaneously unleash several dozens of slashes at once. But as she was slashing Modinaram, it swung its sword at her. 

“Gyah?!” Not evading in time, Sasara took the blow to her stomach. She was blown away, but rose to her feet immediately. She had the ability to take no damage from an attack one time per day. It felt like a cheat skill to Diablo, but...there wouldn’t be any other second chances here. The next time she took that kind of hit, it’d cut her in half. Even a level 200 warrior was inferior to Modinaram in a one-on-one fight.

Diablo recited his second grand spell. 

“Void that swallows all of creation, come to me... Black Hole Arrow!” 

The tip of Diablo’s staff was consumed by a black sphere clad in electricity—a hole that swallowed everything it came in contact with.

Rose and Sasara attacked Modinaram simultaneously from both sides. But Modinaram simply generated a second black broadsword, effectively blocking their attacks from both sides and pushing them away. Even with one hand, its arm’s strength exceeded that of Sasara’s total strength. Worst of all, wielding two Godslayers was something Iankaroz never did in the game. Was it because of Modinaram’s influence of absorbing it to become the Demon Overlord? Or perhaps it was just an action that was never implemented in Cross Reverie? Whatever the case, Diablo would have to be cautious. Assuming everything would be the same as the game could be his undoing. 

Diablo focused on his third grand spell and recited, “Arrow of the void, pierce through and wedge between the boundary of heaven and earth! Gravity Abyss!” 

A black arrow formed by magic fired toward Modinaram with a velocity exceeding that of a magi gun. It was fired at close range, and before Diablo could even pray that it’d hit, the attack met its mark, digging into his opponent’s left breast. 

The air trembled as the Multiplex Magic that bound the three great magics together activated. The hole in Modinaram’s chest began swirling, drawing its armor-like skin inward. 

“O-Ooooooh...?!” 

It was a spell powerful enough to consume the majority of a massive magical beast like a sand whale. An opponent that was merely twice the size of the races would be consumed by it in no time. 

“I am the Demon Overlord,” Modinaram roared, “destroyer of the races!” 

It slashed at its own body with the longswords in its hands. It used the one in its left to cut itself below its left shoulder, and the right one to cut into its left flank. That would no doubt be a fatal injury for the races, but the Demon Overlord withstood it. The Gravity Abyss spell only consumed part of Modinaram’s body: the upper-left side and its left arm. 

† 

It would normally be a fatal wound. Not only the races, but even the Fallen wouldn’t be able to live with half of their upper body missing. 

I guess that’s a Demon Lord for you... 

Diablo smirked indomitably, but was panicking inside. In the game, no matter how much damage you inflicted on the enemy, it was hardly ever physically represented on their sprites. The grotesque sight of Modinaram’s cross section here was sickening. 

“Hmph... You’ve only gotten more disgusting, Modinaram. Cease your resistance and you’ll at least spare yourself from further indignity.” 

“Guuugh... Unforgivable... Such injuries, upon my flesh!” Blood spurted from its body as it spoke. 

Sasara and Rose returned to stand in front of Diablo. They’d both leapt away just as he unleashed his magic, so as to not be caught by the Gravity Abyss’s gravity well, but now, they still stood at the ready. 

“Watch yourself, Diablo... The enemy is still intent on fighting.” 

“Rose awaits Master’s orders.” 

“Don’t wait for me, just destroy the Fallen along with the Demon Overlord!” 

In truth, Multiplex Magic left Diablo rather drained. He could replenish his MP with a potion, but if the battle lingered for too long, his concentration would plummet. He thought it’d be difficult to face seven grand turtles and the countless Fallen surrounding them in his current state. 

Suddenly, a girl’s voice called for him from behind. 

“Diablo!” Rem cried. “We saved Klem and Edelgard! As well as the governor and Emile!” 

Good... 

Despite thinking so, he scoffed in his usual Demon Lord demeanor. 

“Hmph... Tenacious fools.” 

There were many still lying about near the ruined gate, though. It was hard to say they’d made it in time, but they were lucky enough to save Klem and their familiar associates. 

Diablo brandished his magical sword again. He had no intent of showing mercy. Had they not come in time, Modinaram wouldn’t have just killed Klem, it would have laid its hands on the townspeople as well...and then proceeded to kill off the entirety of the races. 

“We’ll exterminate it.” 

“You are too late...Diablo...” 

“What?!” 

“Sink in despair... The flames of the end, ruination to all creation!” 

Modinaram extended a hand to its own right breast and cut through its own skin, peeling it off with a cracking sound to reveal an eyeball buried in its body. 

“The Demon Lord of the Eye, Iankaroz?!” Diablo felt a shiver run down his spine. 

“Be blown into oblivion, fools who dared defy the Demon Overlord!” Modinaram roared. 

The Flames of Ruination! 

Light thick enough to blind Diablo’s entire field of vision was fired from the eyeball buried in Modinaram’s chest. It was a flash of light with the same amount of heat that had shattered through Faltra’s defenses, being unleashed for a second time, this time with the barrier already breached. 

Diablo pushed Sasara and Rose aside and stepped forward.

“You lose, Demon Overlord!” 

Diablo stuck out his left fist. Even the Flames of Ruination, which boasted the highest firepower in Cross Reverie, were classified as magic—and could be reflected by the Demon Lord’s Ring. The ring resting on Diablo’s ring finger shone with an ominous red light. 

It doesn’t matter how strong it is! So long as it’s magic, it can still... 

The flash consumed his opponent. Diablo’s last image of Modinaram was that of the surprise overtaking its features. It may have had a goat’s head, but its eyes were opened wide. Its mouth hung open and was screaming something Diablo couldn’t hear over the blast. 

Everything was dyed white, and the blinding light of the spell gradually faded. The thundering echoes quieted down as well, and an unnatural silence filled the area. Diablo looked around cautiously—not a trace of his opponent was left. 

No body either, huh... 

Diablo knew this pattern all too well. Just as one celebrated their victory, the enemy attacked by surprise, revealing they were still alive, and killed a comrade. He’d never fall for such a clichéd development. 

“Shera!” Diablo raised his voice. “Can you recognize the Fallen’s magical energy?!” 

“H-Huh?! Y-Yeah, pretty much.” 

“Has anything changed since earlier?! Is the magical energy granted to them by the Demon Overlord gone?!” 

He was worried she might not sense anything, since they were so far away from the Fallen brigade. The eyesight of the races would normally be incapable of making out their expressions, but... 

“It’s getting weaker!” Shera proclaimed. “Their magical energy is decreasing, Diablo!” 

“Aaah!” 

Did I do it?! 

Sasara nodded along. “I can’t feel that prickly, murderous intent from earlier. In all likelihood, the Demon Overlord is...” 

“No response from any sensors,” Rose reported. “Master is victorious.”

“Heck yeeeaaaah!”

...That sort of innocent enthusiasm wouldn’t be Demon Lord-ly, so Diablo restrained himself, instead shrugging indifferently. 

“Hmph... He claimed himself to be a Demon Overlord so I’d hoped he’d be strong... But this ended up being nothing more than a boring sideshow. He didn’t even lay a single scratch on me. How pathetically disappointing!” 

Well, that’s thanks to the opponent’s trump card being a grand spell I could reflect and Sasara and Rose being there to protect me. 

Yet another fight that taught Diablo how much having a vanguard protect you made battle much easier. 

“You did it, Diablo!” Shera ran over to him. “You’re so strong!” 

“Hmph... What’s the point of stating the obviou— Mmfmfh?!” 

Shera jumped toward him, with Diablo’s face burying into her bountiful bosom. 

“Rose’s apologies, Master,” Rose said, narrowing her eyes. “It appears Rose has failed to notice another certain hostile life form...” 

“Whoa?! Rose, don’t poke my butt with your sword!” Shera wiggled and struggled, still clinging to Diablo. 

More! Face! Boobs! Boooooobs! Soft, warm, round!!! 

“Rose, you’re stabbing it, you’re stabbing my butt!” 

“Get away from Master!” 



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