What the Demon King’s strategy led to was a simple contest of strength, a situation that might be very favorable to the Demon King. In fact, the Demon King’s magic power far surpasses that of humans. He must be confident that he won’t lose in a battle of this kind.

However, the magic power I poured in with all my might pushed back the Demon King.

“What…?”

For the first time since the Final Battle began, the Demon King let out a cry of astonishment.

With Resveil controlled by Garuku, I began to understand the flow of magic power. It was like the Demon King was trying to pull out Sofia’s power with an invisible arm, and I intervened, restraining the Demon King’s arm.

From there, it was a test of strength. As a result, my power tried to push back the Demon King.

“I’ll pull away in one go!”

Garuku said. He must have thought that a Leader-phase battle would be disadvantageous, even for me. So Resveil exerted its power, trying to push away the Demon King’s invisible arm.

However,

“I see… but don’t think this is the end!”

The Demon King roared and spewed out Magic Power. The surrounding whirlpools responded, even creating a whirlwind. We were in a situation like being in the eye of a typhoon, and the Jet Black power became a wall, making it impossible to even confirm the presence of my companions.

Next, I felt the Demon King extend its arm further. It wasn’t just an increase in number. It was unmistakably Sage’s Power.

“Similar powers attract each other. I’ll use my Magic Power to forcefully take yours!”

With those words, it tried to forcibly pull Sofia’s power. I immediately resisted, but the Demon King was still stronger.

What should I do…? I thought desperately, but no strategy came to mind.

So, I did the only thing I could.

“――Aaaah!”

A roar. Then, I put all my strength into resisting.

My struggle with the Demon King must have lasted only a few seconds. In that instant, I stared at the Demon King. Its face was inorganic, like a mask, and I couldn’t see any expression.

“Lord Ruon…!”

Sofia cried out in surprise. And it seemed the opponent was just as surprised.

“What…!?”

The Demon King also uttered a surprised voice. It was completely unexpected—undeniable astonishment that Humans could generate such power.

“If this is the case…!”

Garuku roared. Immediately after, through Resveil, I understood. The flow of Sofia’s power reversed and rushed back.

Moreover, that wasn’t all――

“Ugh…!?”

The Demon King groaned, and the whirlpool of Magic Power instantly vanished. Then it pulled back its sword and retreated quickly. Orudia and the others seemed to hesitate about pursuing… but they didn’t attack.

“This is…”

Amidst that, Sofia spoke. I also knew the reason.

“……It seems even the Demon King miscalculated this time.”

I sighed, then opened my mouth.

“Not only did you retrieve the Sage’s Power you tried to absorb, but you also drew the power you possessed towards us instead.”

The Demon King had planned to use Sage’s Power to seize strength, but that meant exposing Sage’s Power. In other words, it was possible for us to seize that power depending on how we did it.

This succeeded due to my reckless power. I hadn’t aimed for it, but Garuku judged that it could be taken and immediately sent instructions to Resveil.

“Lord Ruon’s power was the decisive blow.”

Garuku began to speak.

“It was the greatest achievement to turn the tide of battle.”

“Thank you, Garuku… Sofia.”

“Yes.”

With her reply, Sofia activated “Spirit World.” Although its power was diminished due to the loss of the Spirit Contract, its convergence became faster. And she took the Sage’s Power from the Demon King… no, in this case, perhaps it should be said she took it back.

“The tide has turned.”

Garuku said. The Demon King, on the other hand, was silent.

Sofia and I started running simultaneously. The Demon King held its Greatsword, adopting a stance to meet us.

Orudia and Eina also ran. In response, the Demon King concentrated Magic Power into its Greatsword.

It was probably Dark Nova—and I gave instructions to Resveil.

“Go!”

At the same time as those words, Resveil rapidly approached the Demon King. Simultaneously, a jet black shockwave was unleashed—and Resveil’s greatsword received it from almost point-blank range.

Naturally, the black shockwave would have spread outwards—normally, that would be the case, but Resveil formed a barrier and completely fended it off.

And a gap appeared for the Demon King—Eina was the first to strike with her sword. The vertical slash perfectly struck the Demon King’s right shoulder. Next was Orudia’s turn. The unleashed sword strike was accompanied by a faint white light, further halting the Demon King’s movements.

Sofia then stepped in. The power she possessed, combined with the power she had reclaimed from the Demon King… these merged, and “Spirit World” exploded!

The Demon King tried to resist, but Sofia’s strike was faster. She cried out and unleashed a fatal blow—the moment it directly hit the Demon King, it generated an immense shockwave.

Though he didn’t voice it, he was clearly more damaged than before. However, it wasn’t a single strike.

“More power…!”

Sofia muttered and prepared to unleash a second strike. In the meantime, I stood directly in front of Sofia. There, I clearly heard the Demon King’s whisper.

“…!?

The moment I heard those words, I let out a short groan… At that moment, Sofia’s further sword strike pressed in on the Demon King.

It was a far more powerful strike than any before. The Sage’s Power she had acquired, combined with the magic power left by the spirits she had contracted with, elevated her technique to a level comparable to the power she had gathered before her contract was broken.

“Lady Sofia!”

Eina shouted. It might have been out of excitement, but she herself made no sound as she swung her sword at the Demon King.

The Demon King tried to block it with his greatsword as a final act of resistance—but I repelled it with all my might.

A gap opened for the Demon King. Into it, Sofia’s slash exploded.

Magic power began to rage, swirling like a vortex. Unlike the jet black earlier, what appeared was a white torrent. The Demon King was engulfed by it and blown away—everyone present understood what this meant.

Having delivered the slash, Sofia immediately chose to retreat. I also fell back.

That was her best strike. “Spirit World” unleashed in quick succession… and the second strike was tremendous; even the Demon King shouldn’t have emerged unscathed—

The white torrent vanished. The Demon King stood there, aloof, but unmoving.

This is… While I was on guard, the Demon King spoke.

“To this extent…”

“Is the match decided?”

Garuku asked. The Demon King then shrugged dramatically. Such a human-like gesture seemed incredibly strange.

“Yes, I will soon perish.”

He stated it clearly… As if to confirm it, the Demon King’s magic power gradually faded away.

“Rest assured, the castle won’t collapse the moment I perish.”

“I see… Before you disappear, please answer just one question.”

“What is it?”

“Just before Princess Sofia’s technique struck, you whispered something, didn’t you?”

–If it’s you, perhaps you can save everything.

The Demon King had indeed said that.

“I don’t understand those words. You were supposed to bring destruction to this continent.”

“…You’ll have to figure out what it means on your own.”

The Demon King said that… and I felt his gaze turn to me.

“That expression… perhaps you’ve realized it.”

I didn’t react at all. And then,

“…I’ll be watching how you walk your path from the bottom of the abyss.”

The Demon King vanished—the battle, which had gone on for so long, was over.