Although numerous trees stand as a wall, they do not fulfill their role, like thin sheets of paper.

Tio's body disappeared into the distant horizon, creating large holes in the great tree one after another.

"Tio!"

"You!"

Alicia and Ceres, who are delayed, start to move.

Both of them were able to perform superhuman movements by overwriting the fatigue accumulated from the previous battle with anger.

"(─Hmm.)"

The demon reacted to the killing intent as it momentarily halted its attack on Monica and leaped back.

At the same time, the ground that served as the demon's foothold sank deeply, and a fierce wind swept through the area.

"Ugh!"

"What is this?!"

The demon landed at a location a certain distance away from the bewildered Alicia and the others.

In the same way, a deafening impact sound accompanied the formation of a crater there as well.

The demon shouldn't need to go out of its way to attack a platform that wouldn't even hit Alicia and the others.

In other words, that means―

"Hey, hey, is that even possible..."

Ceres breaks out in a cold sweat.

Receiving her words, Alicia also nodded with a solemn expression.

"Yes, it seems there is no mistake."

Traveling at an extraordinary speed.

A blow with more power than during the time of the giants.

And then, the ground that sinks deeply just from its stepping.

Alicia slowly spoke the conclusion she had drawn by putting all those pieces together.

"The only thing that has shrunk about this demon is its size... Its mass and the amount of magical power it possesses have not changed...!"

After saying those words, Alicia once again realized the harshness of the current situation.

It's obvious, but moving a massive body requires that much energy.

As the range of motion increases, the speed decreases, and when the contact area during an attack increases, the force experienced by the recipient is also distributed more.

But this guy is different now.

Only the size has reached the same level as theirs, but the mass and magical power remain the same.

In other words, in terms of power and speed, it has increased to an extent that is incomparable to just a moment ago.

Even that alone is a dire situation that would convince Alicia and the others of their defeat.

However, there was one more factor that added to the pressure from this point onward.

That element is precisely―

"(That's not all. Now, I possess a knowledge and intellect that I have never had before.)"

"...Argh!"

―Intelligence, which should be the greatest weakness for monsters.

It had reached a level high enough to enable conversation.

The evidence is that the demons themselves have explained it in words.

However, at that moment, Alicia suddenly felt a sense of discomfort.

The words spoken by the demon earlier were unlike ordinary conversation; it felt as if they were directly addressing their mind.

"Are both of you aware of this?"

She checked with Ceres and Monica about that.

It seems that Ceres only realized it after being told, but Monica had already figured out the cause.

"This is probably something close to [Magic Telepathy]. That demon didn't learn a language. It just sends thoughts infused with magic. As a result, it directly influences our magic, and only the meaning gets across."

"...Ah, I see, so that's how it is."

In summary, it seems to be a translation magic that can only be activated if both parties possess magical power.

It seems that the demon is using it unconsciously, but it's quite a high-difficulty technique.

They never thought it would master that in just this one moment...

"A demon that has gained intelligence... truly troublesome, isn't it?"

She has grasped the situation to some extent.

However, there are other things she is wondering about.

Hoping that the other person will engage in the conversation, Alicia slowly begins to speak.

"...May I ask a question? The [Astral Blade] I unleashed earlier contained enough magical power to annihilate you, and I could feel its impact. Yet, how is it that you are unharmed?"

"(Oh, so that's what you're concerned about?)"

Despite wearing a bored expression, it seemed that the demon was willing to comply.

"(It's a simple story. At that time, I gave up on stopping your white magic and decided to absorb it instead.)"

"Absorb? There's no way something like that could be possible..."

"(As you say, that is an event with not even a one in ten thousand chance of happening. Even if I had intelligence at that point, I wouldn't have even thought to try.)"

The demon paused for a moment, then proudly spread its arms wide.

"(However, the absorption was successful as a matter of fact. Although most of the black magic I originally possessed was annihilated, it was a fair trade for the neutralization of the white magic. As a result, I acquired a powerful magic that blends black and white, and at the same time, I gained intelligence... Well then, shall I show you a little bit?)"

"...Ugh!"

After saying that, the demon emits a gray aura from its body.

Alicia instinctively raised her arms in front of her, as if to shield herself from the aura.

(This magical power...! Indeed, it is clearly of a different quality than before!)

Overwhelmingly high-density magic and extraordinary physical abilities.

And yet, even with the use of magic, it possesses a high intelligence that enables conversation.

The level of danger is skyrocketing.

The Sky Dragon that Alicia and the others were defeated by before is no longer even comparable.

This demon has become the greatest threat, capable of destroying not just the adventurer town of "Grandley," but potentially the entire nation.

To add, by its very nature, this demon has the potential to become even stronger by absorbing others.

Its power must already far exceed the SS rank, but it can be said that this is the weakest state for this demon.

If she's going to hit it, this is the only place.

Although she understood it in her head, Alicia couldn't take a step forward.

(...As expected, no matter how I think about it, the level difference is just too great! We are without Tio, and we have exhausted our strength fighting the previous form. In this state, not only can we not defeat this demon, but even retreating is...)

Out of sheer frustration, she gritted her teeth tightly.

Seeing Alicia like that, Ceres and Monica also realized once again just how dire the situation was.

The demon on the other side looked at the three with a cheerful expression.

"(Do not worry about that. Even if you don't, I will consume you once again. And I will reach even greater heights, I will eventually even kill the gods.)"

"Kill... the God?"

"What the hell is that? Are you serious?"

"You're so full of yourself for a demon."

Alicia and the others show three different reactions, but the demon shows no signs of disturbance.

Somewhere, with a sinister grin spreading across their face―

"(Hehe, of course. I have the power to do so now. And you are the first step. You will become a part of this [Sorcerer] No, [Demon God]. Savor that honor to the fullest at the end!)"

"""..."""

That was the final declaration.

As if to say that their conversation ends here, the demon stomped the ground with its powerful legs.

The earthquakes that occur, the raging dust storms.

Truly, the embodiment of destruction charges at the three, following its instincts.

However, the [Four Symbols of the Fine Weather] were not so lenient as to easily forgive a second attack.

"I just saw that move a moment ago!"

"(Ho.)"

Ceres' full-force horizontal slash cleaved through the air with a whoosh.

If the enemy has gotten faster, then they might as well use that energy to their advantage.

Thinking that way, the counter-like strike was unleashed, heading straight for the demon's throat.

However―

"(Sweets.)"

"Wh-What?!"

Thud!

With the deep bass resonating throughout the area, Ceres' mighty sword comes to a halt.

At the demon’s throat, a magical barrier created by ash magic had somehow appeared, effortlessly absorbing Ceres' attack.

As a result, they couldn't deal any damage to the demon. All they could do was momentarily halt its movements.

A truly despairing sight.

However,

(No, not yet.)

Meanwhile, Alicia accelerated and moved behind the demon.

Thanks to the time gained from the earlier conversation, her magical power has recovered, albeit slightly.

At this timing―

"[Lightning Spear!]"

A secret technique that unleashes lightning-infused thrusts at a rate of 20 per second.

The power of each strike is never particularly high, but if the focus is on Ceres, it should definitely hit.

It was precisely because she was so convinced that she was left breathless by the scene that followed.

"(...Hmm.)"

"―Huh!?"

The demon cast a glance at Alicia with just its eyes, then deployed dozens of magical barriers to protect itself.

The problem is its form and timing.

The amount of magic contained in each one is small, and the intensity is low.

Nevertheless, it had successfully deflected Alicia's thrust purely through skill.

A razor-thin defense.

From the outside, it might seem that way, but there was a clear and undeniable difference.

"(Slow and light.)"

"Ah, no!"

The demon had been focused solely on defense until now, as it suddenly manipulates the magical barrier and launches a counterattack.

As a result, Alicia's longsword was flung into the air.

Aiming for the now wide-open belly after losing its weapon, the demon's strike approaches.

"[Piercing Spear of Flame Calamity: Fire Javelin]!"

However, Monica unleashes a high-level fire attribute magic in that instant.

This time, the magic heads towards the demon who has finally shown a weakness―

"(Too lukewarm.)"

The moment it touched the hand of the demon, it vanished without a trace. No, it was absorbed.

"...Such a thing."

Monica is agitated.

To her, the demon says with an exasperated expression.

"(...Did you not hear what I just said? Even if by chance, I have once absorbed a formidable amount of magical power. Reproducing magic of this level is a trivial matter for me.)"

"Such a thing...!"

A single blow of strength, a flurry of strikes through speed, an attack through magic.

Alicia was left speechless by the fact that all of it had been neutralized in just one skirmish.

(In this country... no, even in the world, there shouldn't be anyone who can fight such a monster...)

"(The farce can end here.)"

"―Wha, wha, wha!?!?!"

The demon's right arm wavered for just a moment.

Right after that, by the time she noticed, Alicia's body had already been blown backward.

"Ugh...!"

A shock to the back.

It seems like she got hit by a big tree.

It seems that it didn't have as much power as when it was Tio, and the body didn't pierce through the giant tree.

Nevertheless, the damage is immense.

What exactly just happened in that brief moment?

Alicia looks around hesitantly.

"Lie..."

And then, she found herself wide-eyed in despair.

"Ugh, I got hit...!"

"...Ugh!"

It wasn't just Alicia who was targeted.

It seems that Ceres and Monica also took the brunt of the attack, each desperately enduring the pain while leaning against the great tree.

Defeat. That word crossed her mind.

Meanwhile, the demon leisurely advances and approaches Alicia and the others.

In that hand was the longsword that Alicia had just let go of.

"(I see, this is a weapon. I probably won't need it, but let's give it a try.)"

Muttering to itself, the demon turns its gaze back to Alicia.

It was a gaze filled with unmistakable intent to kill.

The demon that had just approached looked down at Alicia and spoke.

"(Do you have anything you want to say before it's over?)"

"Uh, I..."

Even if he wanted to resist at least in the end, her body won't move.

In addition to the damage sustained throughout the body, this time her magical power has completely run out.

"(...What a pitiful end.)"

A demon holding a longsword high.

The target is set on Alicia.

"Alicia!"

"...R-run away."

"...I'm sorry, both of you. It seems that might be difficult."

She can hear Ceres and Monica's voices, but there's nothing she can do from here.

Alicia resigned to her fate as she directed a gaze filled with hostility at the demon.

However, nothing changes with just that.

"(Then, die.)"

Aiming for Alicia, the demon sword was finally swung down―

Kiiiiiinn! A high-pitched sound echoed as the swords clashed.

"...Huh?"

Alicia doubted her own eyes.

Because she couldn't believe that the events happening right before her eyes were real.

And it seems that it's not just Alicia.

"Hey, what's going on...?"

"...Surprised."

"(...Who the hell are you?)"

Ceres, Monica, and even the demon let out voices of confusion.

That makes sense. Because―

"It feels like I don't understand anything, but... for now, I just need to defeat this guy, right?"

It was none other than the one who stopped the demon's attack.

―He was just a mere swordsman without even a trace of magic, that was Yuuri himself.

Chapter 30: Arrival