When talking about the God-Demon War, the existence of "Lord" always accompanies a great transformation.
According to historical records, countless heroes (eiyuu) of the human race and destroyed countries were killed by them.
The selection criteria for the Lord, who possess immense power during wartime, are simple and clear.
They must be strong, deep, and wise as magicians.
Except for the Demon Lord, the reason why they are called the highest combat force of demons (mazoku) is because of that. While Earth's wars heavily rely on the difference in resources, quality matters above all else in Asteris.
Even if ten thousand armies fight against a thousand armies, if there is a magician with overwhelming power among the thousand armies, the difference in strength can easily be reversed.
It can be said that the "Lord" is the epitome of that existence.
They are strategic-level magicians who single-handedly determine the outcome of large-scale battles, without subordinates or comrades.
Only seven people have been bestowed the title of "Lord" by the Demon Lord.
'Distortion'
'Balance'
'Destruction'
'Creation'
'Transmigration'
'Fantasy'
'Domination'
Indeed, our battle can be described as a battle against them. It was a series of sacrifices and numerous defeats. Even the battles we won were mostly due to luck. That's how strong they are.
Among them, the "Distort Lord" was considered the strongest alongside "Destruction" among the demons in terms of pure combat ability.
In the past, I couldn't even consider fighting one-on-one, but now it's different. The swordsmanship and magic I honed through countless battles against formidable enemies should not be underestimated.
"'‥‥!'"
Running straight through the night, I rushed towards Larkan. His magic attacks could reach me regardless of distance. First, I need to bring him into my preferred range.
The bastard sword engraved with emerald geometric patterns gathered power.
Larkan also raised his right hand to counter it.
At the same time, magic power circulated in his hand. Despite the magic being activated right in front of me, there was no sense of wavering in the magic power manipulation. It was a smooth manipulation of magic power.
In the next moment, a long object was gripped in Larkan's hand. It was a halberd that combined the characteristics of a spear and an axe, shining silver like a prosthetic arm. It was Larkan's beloved weapon, known as the "Blue Spear," the origin of the nicknames "Blue Spear" and "The Demon Lord's Spear."
The halberd, which combines an axe that can cut through armor and a spear that pierces vital points with lightning speed, demonstrates versatile power on the battlefield.
And if the wielder becomes a master, it becomes even more formidable.
"‥‥"
Larkan also poised the halberd. Blue magic power flowed along the silver handle, covering it like ivy, reaching the tip.
Years of time passed, and the distance between us disappeared.
In the instant our ranges collided, our blades flashed and drew silver arcs.
——Heavy⁉
The sword clash transmitted Larkan's generated power, causing not only my hand but my entire arm to go numb. It was a force that could easily cut through my sword if I let my guard down even for a moment.
This is the "Distort Lord." With only body enhancement magic, he possesses power that can rival my "My True Name." It's nothing short of madness.
But does he think I'll be overwhelmed? Not a chance!
Magic power burst forth, and emerald and blue intermingled and flickered. Neither I nor Larkan retreated. A mysterious balance was born amidst tremendous power.
At the same time, memories of war screamed in my head.
I must not stop my legs against this man.
Larkan's eyes quietly stared at me beyond the blade. Despite the situation, there was no visible surge of emotion. It was as calm as a calm sea.
But before the battle we have long awaited, there is no way emotions wouldn't waver. It's proof that he has complete control over his intense emotions. When this sea becomes turbulent, how much power will it unleash?
I will end it before that happens.
I knocked down the sword as if putting it to sleep while letting my body escape outside.
The balance collapsed in an instant, and sparks scattered as the blade slipped.
With a sound like the hiss of a snake, I deflected the halberd.
When I tried to thrust the Thunder Sword (Gilv) further, a chill pierced through my body.
Reflexively, I used the sword to take a defensive posture.
A strong impact struck from the side. Even though I thought I had defended against it, the force was enough to make my body float and almost blow me away. The deflected halberd immediately counterattacked.
But Larkan's attack didn't end there.
As soon as it was blocked, he pulled back the halberd and rotated his whole body, leading to the next slash.
It was a silver storm raging around Larkan.
There was no time to close the distance. I moved my legs to avoid receiving it head-on and only parried the attacks that couldn't be dealt with.
But it didn't stop. If it was deflected, it would come back with the centrifugal force. The longer this dance continued, the faster and more powerful it became.
The sword and the halberd scattered sparks countless times in a second. When I tried to create some distance and reset, Larkan immediately closed in as if he was reading my movements. But the pressure of his slashes was too strong to attack.
Don't think you can do as you please forever.
I burned magic power and lowered my waist. I observed the opponent's movements, predicted several moves ahead from their trajectory, and thrust the slash at a speed that left no time to connect.
"'Double Moon Blade (Double Cress)'"
With the first flash, I deflected the halberd and immediately released the second flash.
The slash enhanced by magic power aimed at Larkan's neck, mocking the distance.
It would be an impossible timing for an ordinary opponent to respond, but Larkan easily avoided it by lowering his body. Damn it, even though I had been continuously attacking until now, he switched to defense too quickly.
And it didn't stop there.
While avoiding the attack, he moved to the next stance. He completely abandoned the previous momentum and stopped eerily quietly.
Larkan stomped on the ground and unleashed the power he had accumulated in the stillness.
"Ha!"
A thrust that tore through the atmosphere flew towards me.
I flicked up the sword and knocked away the tip. The ridiculous power almost made me lose my balance, but I couldn't afford to waver here.
Larkan's thrust, like the previous dance, continued to be released at an increasing speed. He occasionally mixed in feints while scattering his aim and thrusting.
I parried, dodged, and moved forward.
Naturally, Larkan wouldn't just allow that.
The deflected thrust turned into a sweep, and the avoided stab turned into a surprise attack from behind using an axe. Truly a versatile technique.
The positions of both of us changed rapidly, and the emerald and blue sword flashes intersected.
Larkan stepped forward and thrust with one hand. A stab aimed at the throat.
But it was a feint. The tip suddenly dropped and headed towards my feet.
I jumped up without thinking. The world turned upside down, and Larkan was above me in the air.
In mid-air where there was no solid ground to brace against, I struck with the slash using only the rotation of my body.
A high-pitched sound echoed.
The halberd that was supposed to be thrust was already returned, and it was firmly receiving my sword.
At the moment of landing, I continued to cut in, but all of it was skillfully defended and countered.
Long weapons become disadvantageous when approached, but that common sense didn't apply to Larkan. The halberd moved as if it had a will of its own, and attacks could be stopped with a prosthetic hand or a kick.
My sword strikes couldn't even catch the edge of his cloak, and sharp counterattacks flew in the opening after my attacks.
——It's far. Even though I should be within reach of my sword, they don't hit.
This guy truly exceed the norm.
Having crossed swords like this, I realized that he wasn't an opponent that could be defeated with pure swordsmanship alone. In the first place, I had only been wielding a sword for a few years. Larkan had been on the battlefield for decades.
The difference in accumulated training and experience is too great.
In the past, it was my comrades who helped me bridge that gap.
But they are not here now. There is only one factor that will determine the outcome of your fight and mine.Intense blows collided with each other, almost breaking their weapons, and were repelled after a moment of deadlock.
Once we distanced ourselves, we immediately began to circulate magic power. The surrounding Aether filled the night darkness and formed a swirling vortex.
"'Now, let's go all out.'"
"Is the warm-up over?"
If there is something that can reach this guy, it is none other than "My True Name". Although I am far from my prime, it is a fact that this magic reached even the Demon Lord.
Connect the techniques with infinite magic power and strike through.
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