“Garuku, what do you mean?”

When I asked, Garuku turned his gaze to Sofia.

“It’s not so much a ‘way’ as it is a single advantage that arose because the Spirit Contract was dissolved.”

An advantage…? What could that be—

“Princess Sofia, try activating ‘Spirit World’ once.”

Sofia herself seemed perplexed by the request, but eventually, she concentrated her power.

Then, Magic Power converged all at once, and a strong presence was felt from the sword.

“Huh, this is—”

“Just as I thought.”

Garuku let out a sound. Just as I was about to ask what he meant, Lefin spoke up.

“The convergence is faster than when we coordinate.”

“Does that mean, perhaps—”

“By dissolving the contract, the suppressed Sage’s Power has come to the surface more prominently.”

Garuku explained.

“Of course, the faster convergence isn’t solely due to that. It’s also faster to converge only one’s own Magic Power than to gather and converge the Spirits’ power.”

Garuku, having said that, stared at the Demon King.

“The power will likely decrease, but it seems the technique itself can be used… We’ll have to go with this.”

“Understood… Sofia.”

“Yes.”

She immediately replied. I thought this would be unexpected for the Demon King… but still, the opponent remained aloof.

This situation should have been unexpected for the Demon King. But seeing his aloofness, he either considered the possibility or still has some counter-strategy.

The Demon King’s strategy activated, sealing Sofia’s “Spirit World”… yet, there’s still no sign of him making a move. Rather, despite being in an advantageous situation, he hasn’t moved since he unleashed Dark Nova earlier.

In fact, it looks like he still has some room to spare, but–

“I can assume you’re provoking us, can’t I?”

I spoke and questioned the Demon King.

“You’re quite relaxed, aren’t you?”

“I don’t mind if this becomes a drawn-out battle. It’s you who will be in a worse situation as time passes.”

…The Knights fighting outside. And the treacherous Spirits and Dragons. While we’re talking, the situation outside is probably getting worse by the minute.

Or is he waiting for something? Indeed, if the Knights outside were annihilated and monsters flooded into this place, further chaos would be inevitable.

In that case, we must act quickly… I asked Garuku.

“It seems like there’s still something, what do you think?”

“……Since we are most wary of the Sage’s Power, there might be some counter-strategy for techniques that use it prominently.”

Originally, techniques and magic that utilized the Sage’s Power were limited to in-game events. In other words, Sofia’s ‘Spirit World’ should be considered an exception… so there might be a counter-strategy even if the technique is activated.

“There is one possibility that comes to mind.”

Within that, Garuku said.

“In this case, it would be difficult to counter with Princess Sofia’s power alone. Lord Ruon.”

“Yes.”

“If events unfold as I expect, Lord Ruon’s and Resveil’s power will be needed.”

“Understood. I’ll cooperate as much as I can.”

“Then, Lord Ruon, attack as well.”

I nodded at Garuku’s words, and the Demon King spoke.

“Has the strategy meeting concluded?”

“……Yes, Sofia.”

“Yes. I will do everything I can.”

Receiving her words, I gave instructions to Lefin.

“Lefin and the others, protect our comrades. Since Resveil will be attacking, our defenses will be thin.”

“Understood. Lady Sofia, good fortune in battle.”

“Yes.”

With those words, Sofia stepped forward. But the Demon King didn’t move. He remained in a stance ready to counter if we made a move.

“……Even if there’s a strategy, it’s probably an attack method that won’t activate unless we get close, just like before.”

Garuku continued to speak.

“Given that Princess Sofia is concentrating her power, the Demon King’s strategy seems to be failing… but if the situation is as I imagine, we haven’t completely broken through his strategy yet.”

Listening to Garuku’s definitive words, I moved next to Sofia.

“Let’s go… Sofia.”

As I said that, Sofia and I ran again. Those with the Sage’s Power also began to move.

The Demon King remained silent, ready to meet us. Just like before, Orudia was the first to attack.

Against the two swords, the Demon King responded with a Sword Strike that generated even a whirlwind.

Orudia took the blow but couldn’t deflect it. She wasn’t injured but was forced to retreat significantly, and then Eina aimed her sword at him.

A momentary opening appeared due to the counterattack against Orudia, but the Demon King reacted immediately to her movement. He quickly pulled back his Greatsword and counterattacked.

She also defended against it but was sent flying. At this point, I stared at the Demon King.

If he were serious, he could use magic to prevent us from approaching. But the fact that he isn’t doing so clearly indicates an intention to let us get close. Is his target Sofia after all?

Phili’s movements slowed slightly as she saw the Demon King’s sword attack. In that moment, I, along with Resveil, stepped into the Demon King’s range.

“Begone.”

With a single word, the Demon King unleashed a full-force blow at me. However, I remained unfazed and received the sword. For a moment, it felt like my arm would be torn off by the powerful blow from the Demon King, but I endured and counterattacked.

At the same time, I understood that the Demon King was concentrating magic power in his left arm. Was that his next Trump Card?

I pushed back his sword. The Demon King faltered slightly, creating an opening.

Was it a genuine opening or a trap? But Sofia stepped forward regardless. She unleashed “Spirit World” to deliver a full-force blow!

“To still have such power even after shedding the Spirits.”

The Demon King uttered a voice that could be taken as admiration. His composure as Sofia’s blade approached was…

In an instant, her sword struck the Demon King’s right shoulder. He didn’t defend or evade. It wasn’t that he couldn’t; he intentionally took the blow.

“But this is the end.”

With that declaration, the Demon King unleashed the magic power accumulated in his left arm. The swirling miasma of that power did not seem to directly harm me. However,

“What…!?”

Sofia groaned. At the same time, Garuku’s voice echoed in my head.

“Lord Ruon, touch Princess Sofia’s sword and pour all your magic power into it!”

I couldn’t immediately understand the instruction with my mind, but my body reacted. I instantly pressed my blade against the sword Sofia held. This created an opening, but Resveil moved to provide cover.

And the next moment, it was transmitted through the sword: Sofia’s power was entering the Demon King’s body.

Could it be… is he trying to steal the Sage’s Power!?

“Considering the fact that I absorbed the Sage’s Magic Power, it wouldn’t be an unreasonable assumption.”

The Demon King spoke as if reading our thoughts.

“Originally, I intended to seal the Trump Card and take only a simple attack, but I never imagined such power could be unleashed even after losing the Spirits. Without the Sealing Move, it might have been dangerous. But well, as a result, the strategy I envisioned could be executed.”

The Demon King calmly spoke. The Demon King’s magic power swirled as if to suck in me and Sofia. It had no effect on me, but Sofia, who should have been at an advantage after landing a blow, showed a pained expression.

There should have been an option to pull back the sword… no, Sofia seemed unable to move. Moreover, a vortex of magic power, similar to a barrier, formed around them, preventing other comrades from approaching.

“Lord Ruon, maintain your magic power.”

Here, Garuku spoke.

“I am controlling Resveil and using Lord Ruon’s magic power to prevent Princess Sofia’s magic power from flowing out.”

…This must be a feat only possible because they are Spirits created by the Spirit God.

“Right now, the Demon King’s and Princess Sofia’s magic powers are swirling, making it impossible to move, but if you pour in even more magic power, we can separate without her power being stolen.”

“Understood!”

Then there was only one thing I could do… I poured in all my magic power.