Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken (LN) - Volume 22 - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Lord of Vice 
 
Time goes back to before the battle in the labyrinth began. 
 
 
As soon as the leaders of the [Demon Country], Tempest, gathered at the meeting, decided on a course of action, Testarossa made her move quickly. 
 
As soon as I leave the control room, I send Cien, who I left behind in the Kingdom of Inglacia, a Thought Communication. After briefly relaying the contents of the meeting, I order her to discuss the rest with Hinata and decide. 
 
Next, just as I was about to contact Moss, I was greeted by Soka with a stern expression. 
 
「Oh?」 
 
「I'll show you the way.」 
 
「Do you not need to help Mr. Soei?」 
 
「Yes. My subordinates have been sent to various places.」 
 
Soka said, and nodded lightly. 
 
That was the truth. 
 
In the Holy Cloistered Kingdom of Rubelios, Hokuso. 
 
In the Holy Void, in Damargania, Sayaka. 
 
Sarion, the Sorcerer's Dynastic Dynasty, has Nanso. 
 
They had scattered across each of the battlefields so that they could become the arms and legs of Soei’s “bundling body” and quickly gather information. 
 
And where we were headed now, Touka was on a mission, but we had lost contact with her. 
 
Judging by the situation, they’d probably been shut off from the world of ice Velzard had created 
 
If his subordinate, Touka, had turned into an ice sculpture, then it was only natural that 
Soka would participate in this rescue operation 
 
「----So that's how it is.」 
 
Even if he hadn’t explained everything, Testarossa could guess what was going on. 
 
Following Soka’s lead, the two of them headed for the teleportation-exclusive isolation room. 
 
It was forbidden to “transfer” directly from within the labyrinth to the outside in order to prevent the enemy from infiltrating. It would be a pain for those who could “spatial transfer” freely, but everyone was following this rule to follow the safety-first policy. 
 
Testarossa thought as she walked. 
 
To be honest, even if she was as powerful as Soka, she’d only be a burden to take on Velzard. With that understanding, Testarossa accepted Soka’s offer. 
 
What we need in battle is not only our strength, but also our ability to analyze and transmit information. As long as Soka is able to relay the information to the control room, Testarossa won't have to deal with any miscellaneous matters. It's not a problem, but it's also a decision that we'll be saved if there is. 
 
Besides, she could understand Soka’s desire to help her subordinates who were caught up in it. 
 
Testarossa’s goal was also to rescue Carrera and the others, so cooperating with each other here would increase the odds of success of the operation rather than rejecting Soka’s help. 
 
However, even if he took her with him, Soka would die a dog's death. After all, Gii and Velzard had returned once more. 
 
If he was exposed to Velzard’s hegemony now that he was serious, it was thought that he would die instantly before he became an ice statue. 
 
(I don't know what Master Velzard is thinking, but I wonder if he's seriously fighting with Gii? Even so, I doubt he'll be able to withstand her~) 
Currently, the former battlefield of Eurazania was closed off to the world of ice, but that was a mystery to begin with 
 
If Velzard had been willing to do that, it would have been easier to turn living things into ice dust instead of turning them into ice statues. If that had been the case, with the exception of the resurrected [Demons] and the like, there should have been zero survivors. 
 
On the other hand, it's because he became an ice sculpture that there's a possibility he's still alive. 
 
(That's right. Master Velzard is a merciless man, but he can't do anything meaningless. 
It's reasonable to assume that he didn't intend to kill him. In that case...) 
 
In the end, what was Velzard’s goal? 
 
Testarossa was certain that the chances of her being controlled by Feldway were slim. 
 
It would be difficult for them to even control their primogenitor, but it was impossible for Testarossa to control the “dragon species” that reigned at the top of the mental lifeforms in perfect condition. 
 
There was an example, so the possibility wasn’t zero, but it made more sense to judge that it was all Velzard’s will 
 
The most likely reason would be to assume that Feldway had asked him to hold Gii back. He had a hunch that Gii had a history with him, so it was natural to assume they saw a mutual interest in each other. 
 
But Testarossa was glaring at him, thinking that wasn’t all. 
 
(I wonder if Sir Rimuru would have been able to see the perfect answer? I mustn’t rely on him like this. I’ll do what I can in my own way.) 
 
If she had an answer, there was a reason to worry, but if not, it would be a waste of time to think about it. 
 
That would be the best way to decipher Velzard’s intentions, but even Testarossa couldn’t perfectly see the mind of a “dragon species.” 
 
Either way, there was no doubt that it was best not to cause unnecessary casualties. In that case, I should have used as many safety measures as I could to tackle the mission. 
 
“Moss, come here.” 
 
“Understood.” 
 
Testarossa called out to her confidant, Moss, before stopping in her tracks and calling out to Soka. Then, she met Soka’s gaze and decided to test her resolve. 
 
「You're going with me, aren't you?」 
 
「Yes. My mission is to investigate the local situation. If possible, I'd like to rescue the rescuers.」 
 
「Wait a minute. After all, that's impossible.」 
 
「Huh?」 
 
「It seems you don't understand, so I'll tell you, but Velzard-sama's ice and snow freezes everything and stops all activity. Yes, even life.」 
 
「--?! Then it's too late?!」 
 
「No, that's not it.」 
 
“Calm down,” Testarossa said, restraining Soka. 
 
Then, in a stuttering voice, she explained the current situation so that even Soka could understand. 
 
「It's only stopped, so we can resume.」 
 
「Huh?」 
 
「In other words, it wasn't an attack. In fact...」 
 
That's right. If anything, that ice and snow is like a protective curtain protecting that land. 
 
In ancient times, Testarossa had witnessed Velzard fighting Gii. 
I’d been spying on the scenery on the ground from the demon realms, but the battle had been an overwhelming one 
 
Velzard's Air Prison Wall, which congealed the atmosphere, easily blocked Gii's attack. But the next moment, it was shattered by a barrage of magic. 
 
The scene repeats itself. 
 
The exchange of transcendent techniques told me that both sides were on another level. 
 
At the time, she hadn't even been able to probe the weaknesses of both of them... However, the current Testarossa could at least understand the nature of those techniques. 
 
Velzard’s ice and snow had put all things still. 
 
Most likely, they’re using the same principle as the Air Prison Wall, which was a defensive technique, to extend the effect time by freezing it. 
 
Even if I used [Air Prison Wall] to capture my opponent normally, it would be dispelled in a short time, so it wouldn't be suited for sealing and the like. However, in this state combined with the ice, I should be able to restrict its movement semipermanently. 
 
It was like a prison of ice where even consciousness had been stolen, and even considering that not even Carrera could escape, its strength and precision had reached a frightening level. 
 
Moreover, it was originally a defensive technique~ 
 
「----I think they're protecting you so that it's safe to get involved in their own battles.」 
 
「Umm, eh?」 
 
「There's no doubt that ice statues are difficult to destroy.」 
 
That was what Testarossa declared. 
 
Belatedly, a look of understanding finally appeared on Soka's face. 
 
「Does that mean Master Velzard has no hostile intent?」 
 
That was a difficult question. 
 
Testarossa agonized over it for a moment before answering. 
 
「Rather than an enemy, Lord Velzard must have some kind of plan. He must have taken such measures because he doesn't want to be disturbed.」 
 
It wasn’t that he was being controlled by Feldway, it was just that their interests aligned. And Velzard had probably created a situation that was convenient for him in order to achieve that goal. 
 
Testarossa recounted those inferences. 
 
「Does that mean the rescue operation itself is unnecessary?」 
 
「Yeah, you're right. Actually, you probably can't move it.」 
 
「--?」 
 

Seeing that Soka was beyond comprehension, Testarossa supplemented her explanation. 
 
「It wasn't just the life-forms that were frozen by that ice and snow. The surface of the earth itself, part of the surface of this planet, is protected so that it won't break under the attack of Lord Velzard and the others.」 
 
「I see...」 
 
Soka finally understood. 
 
-No, that's not it. 
 
I understood, but the scale was so different that it didn't feel real at all. 
 
Still, he had a grasp of the situation, so he understood what Testarossa was trying to say 
 
(It's hard to believe that everyone was turned into ice statues in order to protect the planet, but... If that's the truth, then we don't need to carry the ice statue to a safe place.) 
 
“Ah, so that’s why~” Soka understood. 
 
It's not that I don't need to. I can't move it. 
If everything had been fixed in place, the ice statues would have become one, and they wouldn’t be able to move from that place. That was what Testarossa’s words meant. 
 
「It seems you understand. In that case, I'll ask you one more time. Are you going to follow me?」 
 
If rescue operations were meaningless, then the only thing Soka could do would be reconnaissance missions. And if she had to jump into a hellish place where the White Ice Dragon Velzard and the Demon Lord Gii were fighting at full strength, it was inevitable that she wouldn’t even be able to guarantee Soka’s own safety. 
 
Is it really worth the risk? 
 
Soka nods. 
 
「If you will allow it, I will go as well.」 
 
Soka is also stealthy. 
 
As Soei’s confidant, he had a duty to tell the central government what was happening there 
 
There's no need for others to realize that, but Soei is pushing himself. It's precisely because Soka has been chasing Soei's back for so long that he realizes that fact. 
 
「You might die, you know?」 
 
「I'm prepared!」 
 
Soka answered Testarossa’s question without hesitation. 
 
Her resolve is beautiful. 
 
Testarossa smiled in satisfaction. 
 
「Honestly, there isn't much you can do on-site. Even we can do it if we just report the situation to the control room.」 
 
「......」 
 
「But there's a role only you can play.」 
 
「What in the world...?」 
 
「It's a marker.」 
 
「A landmark?」 
 
「Yes, that’s right. In the battle between Sir Velzard and Gii, that area has been transformed into an unobservable danger zone. It’s impossible to ‘transfer’ directly to a place like that, and naturally, we’ll have to jump a little ways away from it that isn’t affected.」 
 
Soka nods in agreement. 
 
However, after hearing Testarossa’s next words, he came to understand her intentions. 
 
「But you know, if someone I knew had been there, I would have been able to jump towards that person.」 
 
That was what Testarossa had said. 
 
Gii, Velzard, and Testarossa were well aware of both. It was possible to use those two as a guide to perform a “spatial transfer,” but in that case, if they were unlucky, there was a chance they would be caught up in a transcendental attack. 
 
Since we don't know what's going on in the area, the situation right after the transfer is left up to luck. As expected, that's nothing short of suicide from Testarossa's point of view. In other words, it's a dangerous act for everyone. 
 
In that regard, if there was someone observing the situation on-site... 
 
「I see. So just the fact that I'm alive guarantees that the place is a safe zone...」 
 
「Exactly.」 
 
Testarossa smiled in satisfaction at Soka’s perceptiveness. 
 
It was a gentle smile, but very cold and ruthless. 
After all, those words were as good as telling Soka to become a canary in the coal mine. 
 
What’s more, it was a job that even Soka could do. 
 
As long as you live on the spot, anyone is fine. 
 
Besides, the only time they’d be able to take that much risk would be the small amount of time they could buy when reinforcements arrived... 
 
Under normal circumstances, there was no need to take such a risk. 
 
But Soka had already made up her mind. 
 
「There is no problem. If I can be of any use to you, I will simply carry out that mission.」 
 
With a single unclouded look in her eyes, Soka declared that. 
 
(I mustn't be Master Soei's confidant if he thinks I'm useless. I'll deal with him, including the situation report!) 
 
That resolve was more than enough to move Testarossa’s heart 
 
「It's fine. It's wonderful, Soka-san.」 
 
Testarossa had reevaluated Soka: Rimuru’s subordinates all had strong wills, but Soka was just as wonderful as that example. 
 
Testarossa’s smile deepened. 
 
Then, she directed her order at the empty space. 
 
「Moss, be sure to protect Soka-san.」 
 
Soka looked over to see Moss kneeling there, having come at the behest of her. 
 
She bowed respectfully in response to his request. 
 
「Umm...?」 
 
Soka panicked, thinking that if Moss was here, she wouldn't need her role anymore. 
 
However, neither Testarossa nor Moss were fazed. 
 
「It's only natural for me, but even Moss can erase his presence. It'll be difficult for even the top brass to find out where he is.」 
 
Diablo could probably do it. However, Testarossa assured him that it would be difficult for anyone else. 
 
Soka thought she should be able to detect Moss's presence, but when she thought about it carefully, she realized that there weren't many high-ranking members who were close to him. 
 

If it's Soei, he's using Moss as well, but that's just a one-way trip from Mos. The same goes for Benimaru. He only receives information from Moth. 
 
In the first place, for a Demon, a spiritual life-form who excels at covert operations, using their own locational information to trickle out is foolishness itself. Trying to convince them to stay here is like unbearable torture. 
 
He’d have to do it if it was necessary, but he really didn’t want to do anything conspicuous in front of Velzard. 
 
「If I unnaturally show off my presence, Velzard-sama might think I'm annoying and target me first...」 
 
And Moss whispered in a low voice loud enough for only Soka to hear. 
 
“I see.” Soka agreed, and decided to accept Moss’s escort. 
 
And so, the party made their way to the frigid hell where Velzard’s ice and snow raged. 
 
  
＊ 
 
Moss’s magic “transferred” to the border just short of Velzard’s power. Not even the Great Demon Moses could jump into the ice and snow that was impossible to see. 
 

However, that was all according to plan. 
「I have to prepare myself for death from here on out, but are you really going? If you're going to stop me, now's the time.」 
 
Moss asked Soka in secret. 
 
To Moss and the others, the supreme master, the demon lord Rimuru, was giving absolute orders to his subordinates 
 
Don't die. It was an impossible task in this situation. 
 
(It's our mission to do something about that, but...) 
 
Testarossa thought, unenthusiastic. 
 
The important thing for that was to get a perfect grasp of the situation. 
 
Both Gii and Velzard were more powerful than Testarossa. If they got caught up in a fight like that, there was a good chance they would die without knowing anything. 
 
From here on out, she couldn't do anything careless. Testarossa and Moss could be revived with time, but that was impossible for Soka. 
 
That’s why Testarossa’s mind drifted to the white battlefield. 
 
A world dyed in white. 
 
Velzard’s ice and snow had swallowed everything up and painted it all in a single color.
But it was convenient for Testarossa. 
 
After all, she is the Primogenitor's White Bran, the ruthless, cold, and beautiful White Queen to all her enemies. 
 
Testarossa's consciousness melted into white, and she instantly grasped all the information she could. 
 
Gathering information was Moss’s specialty, but her master, Testarossa, couldn’t possibly be inferior to her. Normally, she just worked him to the bone, so if she felt like it, her abilities alone would be enough. 
 
(Lord Velgrind's power has softened the impact on the land, maintaining the battlefield. 
Lord Velzard's influence has frozen the surface of the earth, but this is still...) 
 
If Gii and Velzard had clashed, the aftereffects of that power alone would have been immeasurable for the impact on the earth. Even so, the reason the earth’s axis hadn’t shifted even now was because Vergrind was protecting it. 
 
Even in Vergrind like that, it would be difficult to intervene in the battle between the two. There was no one other than them who could end this battle. 
 
What bothered me here was Velzard’s objective. 
 
He had turned not only Carrera and the others, but all of Milim's subordinates into ice statues. If he intended to kill them, there was no way he would do something so troublesome. 
Even if it was to protect the planet, it wasn't what Feldway had planned. That was why it was hard to imagine Velzard being controlled by Feldaway. 
 
(Indecisive conjectures and assumptions can lead to fatal mistakes. Let's try to better assess the situation.) 
 
Testarossa was cautious. 
 
We're almost at the heart of the matter, but I stop thinking there. 
 
Unlike normal people, they don't act without conviction. That's what Testarossa is. 
 
In order to determine the situation more clearly, Testarossa grasped the entire battlefield from a perspective that gave her a clearer view. Needless to say, the center of her interest was the battle between Gii and Velzard. 
 
On the battlefield, where it was impossible for a normal person to even approach, Testarossa observed the battle scene, which even those on the hero’s level couldn’t see, with the ease of a sightseeing tour. 
 
Velzard was canceling out Gii’s attack with a bluish-white glow all over his body. The protective curtain of [Beautiful Thin Ice] [Diamond Dust] that protected him drew a pattern that reminded him of a dragon’s scales every time he was struck. 
 
It was Velzard's pride and joy as an ironclad defense: Snow Crystal Shield. 
 

(I wonder if even Gii can break through that defense? No, it looks like he hasn't gotten serious yet~) 
 
Quite a bit of time had already passed since this battle had begun. And yet, they were still keeping an eye on her, so both Gii and Velzard must have been well aware of how to fight as transcendentals. 
 
Then again, the same was true for Testarossa, so it wasn’t worth being surprised about. 
 
If you can't find a decisive chance of victory, then the impatient loses. You have no choice but to repeat your steady work in accordance with the established theory that the one who shaves off the opponent's energy wins. 
 
Judging by that kind of information, Gii was at a disadvantage. 
 
Velzard focused on his defenses efficiently as he waited for an opening in Gii's defenses. Gii, on the other hand, seemed to be trying to break through the [Snow Crystal Shield] while repeatedly using pointless attacks. 
 
(It looks that way, but it's Gii we're talking about, so he must have some kind of plan. For example, yes~) 
 
If they were just buying time, that would be the best move. 
 
Gii had been thinking all the way to the Ivarage War ahead, so he shouldn’t have wanted to get tired of dealing with Velzard here. If Verzard was going to focus on defense, it made sense that he’d go on the strategy of suppressing weariness by repeatedly attacking in moderation. 
 
(But there's no point in just doing that. I wonder where he's going to drop it, and what he thinks about it...?) 
 
With that thought in mind, Testarossa continued her observation. 
 
As he grew accustomed to watching the battle, what caught his eye next was Velzard’s beauty 
 
Even though she was steeped in rage like a raging sea, her golden eyes caught Gii and wouldn't let go. 
 
Those normally gentle eyes were now gone. Only Gii was reflected in those cold, freezing eyes. 
 
(I can't read this person's mind after all. In that case, it would be more certain to ask her how she really feels directly.) 
 
Testarossa's grasp of the situation was complete. 
 
The investigation of Carrera and the others' whereabouts, which had been turned into ice statues, had already been completed. Testarossa began to move that far to protect Soka as she prepared for the battle. 
 
Moss asked Testarossa that question. 
 
「Are you going to support Gii-sama?」 
 
Testarossa glanced coldly at Moss, who had spoken with concern. 
 
「...?! I-I'm sorry!!」 
 
Moss panicked, thinking it was a slip of the tongue, but Testarossa didn’t blame him for it, unlike usual. 
 
「The real battle hasn't started yet. This isn't the time for me to appear.」 
 
「Y-You're right!」 
 
「Besides, if Gii's going to get serious, I'll just get in the way if I join the war.」 
 
Testarossa was one of the transcendental beings, but Gii and Velzard possessed the power of a god on a whole other level. There was no way Testarosa would consider intervening in such a battle between two people. 
 
Testarossa made her reason for being here clear. 
 
The most important thing was to rescue Carrera and the others. 
 
As the second point, he had to stop Velzard from rampaging. 
 
It was also important to prepare for when the intruders into the labyrinth were eliminated and the situation in their home country settled down, so they could accept reinforcements immediately 
 
However, some of them are already impossible to touch. 
 
That's the most important rescue operation. 
He had to protect everyone who had turned into an ice sculpture in this land, including those under Milim, but he’d concluded that there didn’t seem to be any problems with this 
 
He’d suspected it from the start, but from what he’d confirmed on-site, it was clear that Velzard had no intention of killing him. 
 
And it was also clear that intervening in Velzard's power would be difficult, so the conclusion had been reached: “We have no choice but to save Carrera and the others later.” 
 
That meant the primary objective was gone, but for Testarossa, the secondary objective was her main objective. 
 
As long as we can stop Velzard, the problems in this land will be resolved. 
 
That’s why I tried to read Velzard’s objective, but even with Testarossa, I couldn’t be sure. 
 
That's why Testarossa had no choice but to use force. However, it wasn't the direct use of force Moss was worried about. 
 
「Beautiful, pure white. This land is dyed with my color. Don't you think it's convenient?」 
 
「Ah...」 
At this point, Moss understood exactly what Testarossa was thinking. And his face went pale, as if to say, This is going to be a big deal. 
 
......... 
...... 
... 
 
Testarossa's unknown power is the White Pure World, the Nihilistic World. 
 
Let's call it the power to manifest the abyss of hell in this world. 
 
It was the power to construct a world just for Testarossa, capable of wiping out any and all life. 
 
Naturally, that was not an all-powerful power, but an unwieldy power that required various conditions. 
 
When the area within which the Pure White World is constructed is filled with life energy, which is a positive energy, the phenomenon occurs by interfering with the Voids, which are negative energy materialized, canceling them out and annihilating them. Therefore, if you expand your power over a wide area, a massacre will occur against all living things. 
 
Fortunately, however, the total amount of energy we can summon is proportional to Testarossa's ability. This naturally limits the scope of the White Pure World and the Nihilistic World. 
However, that was only if the premise that Testarossa wouldn’t let go of the Void’s control and let it overflow indefinitely and go berserk was followed. 
 
Testarossa was feared precisely because she had the potential to destroy the world. 
 
That said, it would be difficult to make effective use of the Pure White World and the Nihilistic World in battle against the strong. As mentioned above, the Voids would automatically cancel out the living, so if you didn't subtract life to some extent beforehand, the effective range would narrow down. 
 
If they wanted to target the strong, they had to make sure they didn't get involved. Since it was impossible to distinguish friend from foe, there were few situations where they could use it. 
 
Despite its unparalleled power, it had little use for it. Even Testarossa, who excelled at intellect, hadn’t been able to use this power. 
 
But right now, Testarossa had gained the Ultimate Ability, Ultimate Skill, and the King of the Deadly Realm, Belial. Now she had perfect control over this extremely dangerous power. 
 
This synergistic effect was beyond imagination, giving Testarossa an absolute advantage that made anyone who opposed her feel pitiful. 
 
Moss, who was the White Faction’s viceroy, was the only one who was well aware of the horrors of his power. 
Life can't be lived in hell. It's a true emptiness that can destroy even souls and turn them into energy. 
 
Only high-ranking spiritual life-forms can withstand this hell... 
 
And the abyss of hell was a realm where even those higher beings couldn’t survive. 
 
Testarossa's Pure White World, the Nihilistic World, can summon that abyss into the real world. 
 
Incidentally, Ultima’s specialty Dark Magic: Void Vanishment Prison, or Nihilistic Vanish, was a magic mimicking the workings of this hellish abyss. Since this was unfolding to cover not only a wide area, but an entire region, it made sense how dangerous this was. 
 
Even if Testarossa failed to control it, the “emptiness” would overflow indefinitely, and the world would be swallowed up by the ever-expanding abyss and collapse 
 
Moss knew that. 
 
With only Testarossa’s will, death would come that would not allow her to resist. The speed at which the white space unfolded surpassed even the speed of light. 
 
I have to run away right now. 
 
Before Testarossa could unleash her power... 
 
If they got caught up in it, Moss would die instantly, too. 
 
It's not about protecting Soka, it's about letting go of your own life. 
 
Moreover, it was thought that even resurrection might be impossible. 
 
I've never tried it before, and I don't want to try it, so the truth is still unknown, but... As far as Moss is concerned, it doesn't matter either way. I don’t care if I remain ignorant until the end of my eternal life. 
 

With that thought in mind, I tried to act quickly, but that was when I suddenly reconsidered that maybe Moss wasn’t. 
 
Testarossa’s Pure White World was terrifying, but it wasn’t invincible. Not only was it difficult to set the conditions, but even if she activated it, she wouldn’t be able to defeat an overwhelmingly superior level. 
 
If they were on the same level as Testarossa, like Carrera and Ultima, victory and defeat would be decided without issue. However, when the opponent became a “dragon species,” it would be difficult to make that vast amount of energy disappear. 
 
Not to mention, there are gii in this land. 
 
Gii, the strongest of the seven primogenitors, was definitely stronger than Testarossa. 
 
(If it was just Lord Gii, I might be able to defeat him, but...) 
With Gii and Velzard around, there was no telling how far the effects of the Pure White 
World and the Nihilistic World would extend 
 
Testarossa wasn't the type to take bets. She was intelligent and cautious, like she was assessing the tide of battle and seeking the optimal solution appropriately. 
 
The reason Testarossa unleashed her power here and now was... 
 
(Gii-sama and Lord Velzard are the only ones in this land, right? No, is that really true...?) 
 
At this point, Moss finally realized that the premise might have been wrong. 
 
Like Testarossa, Moss is gathering information. 
 
I cast off my own “bundling” to scrutinize the area. I shared that information with Testarossa, too, so I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. 
 
That should have been the case, but there was a possibility I had overlooked it. 
 
Because of its nature, the Pure White World and the Nihilistic World wouldn't miss anyone hiding within the scope of their power. No matter what kind of cover-up effect it had, the Voids would never miss it. 
 
What if Testarossa is after it? 
 
(Does that mean there's someone else here?!) 
 
“You’re kidding~” Moss was shocked. 
 
However, if the supreme Testarossa that Moss feared and respected had found that possibility... 
 
That's the truth. 
 
The result is always in the palm of Testarossa's hand. 
 
......... 
 
...... 
 
… 
「I'll strengthen my guard!」 
 
「Do that.」 
 
“I hate incompetent subordinates,” Testarossa told Moss 
 
That was her way of being kind, proof that she recognized Moss. 
 

After all, if she really was incompetent, she wouldn’t even be able to stand in front of Testarossa 
 
Her existence would probably be erased before he could call out to her. 
 
As the viceroy, Moss was well aware of that. 
And they continue to choose the correct answer with more than ninety percent accuracy, protecting their current position. 
 
We made it through this again. 
 
Sensing a satisfied echo in Testarossa’s voice, Moss was greatly relieved. 
 
And the world will be painted even whiter. 
 
 
 
＊  
 
「You're going to do the same, Testarossa.」 
 
A beautiful blue-haired woman stood in line with Testarossa as she said, “That’s impressive.” 
 
It's Velgrind. 
 
She appeared before Testarossa with the “different body” she’d left in this land. 
 
「It's not that big of a deal. I doubted that this series of disturbances was really your will, Master Velzard, so I just thought I'd confirm it just in case.」 
 
「You're using a power that could destroy the world just for that purpose. I think it's impressive. 
Two beautiful women stood side by side, smiling as they conversed. It was a sight that would make anyone who didn't know anything blissful. 
 
But to Moss, exposed to the Pure White World and the Nihilistic World, it was nothing short of a fear experience. 
 
(Hey, cut me some slack! I'm still the Grand Duke of Hell, you know? I've been second only to the primogenitor, so why am I being treated like this all the time?!) 
 
How exhilarating it would be to complain like that. 
 
Moss's fate would run out the moment he did something like that, but... Even so, he should be forgiven for grumbling in his mind. 
 
With that thought in mind, Moss endured the painful sadness. 
 
「U-Umm, thank you for protecting me.」 
 
Soka, who’d been in Moss’s barrier with him, spoke up apologetically. 
 
She hasn't been able to keep up with the rapidly changing situation since coming to this land. 
 

Moss thinks that can't be helped. 
 
This was because this land, filled with Velzard’s mana, had been whitened out by a blizzard that contained dense magicules. 
Any normal person would die instantly. Even an A-Rank adventurer would be in danger of dying within a few hours. 
 
Besides, in this blizzard, on top of having zero visibility, even sound was painted over. Not only that, but even Magic Sense, which recognized magicules, was useless, making it impossible for Soka to even grasp the situation. 
 
Barely, the existence of Testarossa, who was near Moss and the others, and Velgrind, who had appeared, was probably enough to make even Soka wonder if she’d noticed. 
 
「Don't worry about it. If you survive here, you'll achieve your goal.」 
 
「I'm bitterly aware that I'm useless.」 
 
「Don't worry. I'm the same way.」 
 
Moss and Soka have different earth power. 
 
The “class” of their existence was as far apart as an adult and a baby. 
 
And yet, just like Soka, Moss is in a situation where he can’t do anything. This isn’t a matter of feeling humiliated or anything. It’s a situation that only reaffirms the isolated difference in ability between him and his master. 
 
「Listen. Right now, the meaning of our existence is in Lady Testarossa's hands. In this white world, just her will alone can end her life. She's swallowed up by the void that won't even allow her to be reincarnated.」 
 
「Umm...?」 
 
「That's the true nature of the White Pure World, the Nihilistic World, but it's only the first stage. We'll be able to live until Lady Testarossa releases the Void.」 
 
The first stage is to wait for the attack, and the second stage is the start of the attack. However, it's difficult to suppress the raging power, so we don't even know how long the current state will last. Even as Moss, Testarossa is holding the reins to her life. 
 
As such, she understood that there was nothing Soka could do, and there was no point in explaining in detail, so her explanation was half-assed. 
 

Soka's existence is meaningful just by being here. Moss should be the one to bear the unnecessary burden. 
 
「......」 
 
Soka was bewildered. 
 
The question I wanted to ask was, why was she using such a dangerous technique? But Moss only explained the technique to me. 
 
Understanding it would only make her feel more afraid, so that explanation was unnecessary, Soka thought. 
 
There was one thing I was glad to know. 
 
That's because I know that Moss can't do anything, just like me. 
 
And I also understood a lot. 
 
She knew that the meaning of her being here was truly important. 
 
They just didn't hesitate because they were good at gathering information, like 
Testarossa and Moss. In this white world, where even their field of vision was unfocused, it would take a considerable amount of time from when reinforcements were dispatched to when they arrived. 
 
If they weren’t careful, there was even a chance they’d get stranded and never make it there. 
 
There was no guarantee that even the top brass would be able to make it this far. 
 
But things would be different if Soka were here. It would be possible to “transfer” directly with Soka as a guide. 
 
As Moss had said, Soka could achieve her goal just by being alive. That was why she understood that there was no need to look down on herself. 
All that's left is to wait here quietly. 
In a corner of the white world, Moss and Soka huddled together into shells. Paying them no heed, Testarossa and Vergrindo’s conversation continued. 
 
「So, did a third party intervene?」 
 
「That's what you wanted to know, so you went out of your way to show yourself.」 
 
「That's right. Honestly, there isn't much I can do here. Milim, who went to Damargania with the Holy Void, unleashed Drago Nova inside Tentsukaku. I reinforced it with the Star Protection Barrier, so it didn't cause any serious damage, but that doesn't mean the crisis has passed. I'd like to leave some energy behind.」 
 
Velgrind gave a brief explanation of the state of the battle in Damargania: The Great Gate of Tentsukaku, connecting heaven and earth, would open, and the Ivarage’s great advance would begin soon. 
 
And that wasn't all. 
 
Threats are happening all over the world. 
 
「Milim went to Sarion. She's probably after the Sacred Tree, but there's nothing we can do to stop her. We'll have to leave it to the locals.」 
 
「I wonder if Feldway went to Sarion, too?」 
 
「Yes, that's right.」 
 
「I see. It seems the situation is dire.」 
 
「Exactly.」 
 
“I’m in trouble~” Vergrind smiled beautifully. 
 
Currently, at Luminus’s behest, the heroes are gathering from all over the world to the borderlands of Rubelios. Masayuki the Hero is standing there as a representative, and as far as Velgrind is concerned, he wants to prioritize that. 
 
As a matter of fact, dispatching an army from afar wouldn’t make it in time, so 
Velgrind’s assistance was essential 
 
「That's why I have to help you with that, so I want you to take care of our activities here.」 
 
「Even if we ignore the impact on the earth, there is no doubt that someone is behind Velzard-sama. We don't know the details since it's not for its original purpose, but it is true that we have sensed his presence.」 
 
The more serious the battle between Gii and the others became, the more serious it would be on this planet. Even if it's fine for now, we mustn't forget to deal with it. Not to mention, if there are new forces out there who could influence the war situation, even Testarossa would have a hard time thinking about it. 
But just then, I received a “Think Communication” from an unexpected person. 
 
“Call my blockheads over. If they’re going to intercept the Ivarage in Damargania, there’s no point in letting them protect Leon’s place.” 
 
Surprisingly, Gii, who was engaged with Velzard, had barged into their conversation 
 
Testarossa was impressed that she’d been able to let her thoughts fly in this dense magicule blizzard. 
 
“Oh? So Gii was listening, too.” 
 
“Eavesdropping? You’ve got plenty of leeway,” Testarossa chimed in. 
 
Gii gracefully ignored this and continued. 
 
“There’s someone behind Velzard, isn’t there? I, too, felt something was unnatural. That’s why I’ve been focused on keeping an eye on him, but I need to settle this before the Ivarage arrives.” 
 
“I wonder what you’re trying to say?” 
 
“I’m telling you to work, too, Testarossa!” 
 
Testarossa smiled wryly at being asked if she’d developed a habit of slacking off, mainly because she resembled him. 
 
It’s a compliment to say she’s like her beloved Rimuru, but I’m not happy about her habit of skipping. Besides, Rimulu isn’t slacking off or anything—she’s just busy with a lot of things. 
 
The fact that he was trying to refuse a request from Gii or put it off for later definitely wasn't to harass him. 
 
Well, there was no doubt that he was taking care of the request from Gii, but Testarossa was fully supporting Rimuru, so he ignored Gii’s words without any particular concern. 
 
「Well then, I'll have Lain and Misery take over the maintenance of the protective barrier. Moss, you should help them with that.」 
 
「Understood.」 
 
The only answers were “Yes” or “Yeah,” so Moss had no choice but to answer right away 
 
Even her request, Velgrind, didn’t seem to think Moss was lacking in strength. 
 
「Well then, I'll leave this to you.」 
 
Leaving those words behind, she quickly disperses her “different body”. 
 
A few seconds later, a separate space connected with the dregs of Velgrind’s power, and a transfer gate appeared, with Rain and Misery arriving. 
 
And so, the state of the war in the white world entered a new phase. 
* 
 
 
As soon as Rain arrived, he began grumbling. 
 
「I-It's cold. Even I, the primogenitor, feel like I'm freezing.」 
 
Her unreadable statement was truly dignified. 
 
However, Testarossa was here. 
 
「Shut up. Everyone is working diligently, so you shouldn't be complaining all the time.」 
 
It might not have been a problem if it were just Misery, who was always spoiling me, but this time she got mad at me. 
 
「Oh well. It's been a while since I've gotten serious.」 
 
Having said that in dissatisfaction, Lain constructed magic to reinforce Moss’s barrier. 
 
「Could it be that Moss is stronger than me?」 
 
「Ahaha, you're joking...」 
 
It would be a pain if she got involved, so Moss parried Rain’s words. 
However, that wasn't enough to convince Lain. 
 
「Even this barrier can withstand most attacks, right?」 
 
Moss’s barrier was built to protect only Soka and Moses themselves. Its strength was at a considerable level, canceling out the aftereffects of the attack that Gii and Velzard were creating in perfect form. 
 
「Well, survival comes first.」 
 
「With my subordinates, this level is impossible.」 
 
「Same here. I can't compare to Khan and the others.」 
 
Misery agreed with Rain’s statement. 
 
Moss didn’t feel bad about being complimented, but she wasn’t going to get carried away here. Because she knew that forcing her to do chores from killing someone was something Rain was best at. 
 
As such, I decided to assign work to take the initiative. 
 
「My barrier has been connected to the protective barrier that Lord Velgrind was building here. I will take over the initiative from Lady Lain, so please adjust it, Lady Misery.」 
 
Making a request to the two primogenitors, who were far above her in rank, was as foolish as suicide. But now was an emergency, and it was just as Testarossa had decided. 
Moss had decided that this much should be forgiven. 
 
And she was right on the money. 
 
「----You really are excellent as Testarossa's adjutant. This doesn't seem like the time to be arguing, so I'm fine with that.」 
 
Misery responded smoothly. 
 
The next moment, Moss’s burden instantly lightened. Misery had begun to intervene, just as she’d declared. 
 
Moss breathes a sigh of relief now that the sensation of holding the raging reins with all his might is gone. But the situation isn't so bad that he can let his guard down just yet. 
 
「I can't accept that Misery is the one who took the initiative, but it's fine.」 
 
Lain, who had finished taking control of Moss’s barrier, had taken the initiative by force. 
 
Even from Moss’s point of view, which specialized in precise mana manipulation, it was a divine feat 
 
「Amazing~」 
 
Moss marveled. 
As Lain had said herself, there was a possibility that Moss would be stronger than Lain in a fight. She had never tried it before, so she couldn’t say for sure, but she thought she’d win if she came up with a plan and took on the challenge fully prepared. 
 
After all, with Moss’s ultimate technique, the Void Eater Infinite Prison, she could definitely destroy enemies with less than her own amount of magicules. It would be meaningless if she got away, so she had to use it when the time came, but it was her secret move to invincibly defeat Moses. 
 
Since the amount of magicules Rain and Misery had wasn’t much different from Moss’s, it was understandable that they’d think they could win depending on how they fought 
 
However, that was a misunderstanding. 
 
(Even if I set up the Void Eater against Lady Lain, it probably wouldn't work. I didn't think there'd be this much of a gap in our abilities...) 
 
Moss’s reverence for the Seven Pillars strengthened, as expected of the Primogenitor. He reflected on how arrogant he’d become, and made an effort not to let it out after this day. 
 
 
Anyway, as for Rein... 
 
(What is it? Why do mosses have more magicules than me!?) 
 
On the inside, I was panicking. 
 
As a matter of fact, even though it was only a little, Moss had a numerical advantage. 
 
I tried jokingly asking her, 'Aren't you stronger than me?', but she was half-serious. 
 
Testarossa had once given him a hard time. 
 

I conveniently erased my memories of the humiliation at that time, but my feelings of shame continued to smolder deep inside me. 
 
And this time, the fact that he was on the verge of losing to Testarossa’s subordinates— this was already enough to trample on Rain’s pride. 
 
Rather than go all out, Rain had become super serious and taken control of the protective barrier from Moss. 
 
It wasn't just childish. This was already a war for Lain. 
 
Moss must have thought he’d taken the initiative, but the same was true for Lain. She’d shown off her true strength even now, even though she wasn’t aware of the fact that she was at war. 
 
That’s how Rain’s reputation was maintained, and as a result, the situation had improved. 
 
 
Watching Lain out of the corner of her eye, Misery marveled 
 
It was the same with Moss’s ability, but I hadn’t seen Rain’s magical manipulation in a long time, and I’d been entranced without words. 
 
(That's Lain for you. If she'd always gone all out, I'm sure Gii-sama would have given her a much more important job.) 
 
Or so I thought, but I didn't realize my mistake. 
 
Not to mention, from Rain’s point of view, it was probably none of his business. 
 
Important business means more work. 
 
Lain is a demon who lives as a hobby, so she hates the work that others push onto her. 
 
Work is something you find on your own. If you can earn enough money to eat, that's fine. That's why you're wasting a lot of talent. 
 
Then again, on top of being able to live without eating, Lain relied on Misery and her familia whenever she was in trouble, so there wasn’t anything particularly problematic about it. Frankly, she’d had an environment where she didn’t have to work. 
 
In other words, there was a problem with Misery, who was cooperating with them, and it could also be said that it was Misally’s fault that Lain didn’t get serious. 
 
The fact that she wasn’t aware of that was one of Misery’s fatal flaws...but since she herself was happily taking care of Lain, it seemed that this problem would never be resolved in the future. 
Putting that aside, it was true that Misery had been influenced by Lain. This time, too, it worked well, and Misally’s mana adjustment had become spirited as well. 
 
In order to make it easier for Rain to move, he went into minute detail and crushed the vulnerability of the protective barrier while digging into it. As a result, he made up for the hole Velgrind had pulled out, making the impact on the area so slight. 
 
 
Testarossa smiled when she saw the situation. 
 
Soka’s defenses were in perfect condition, and now all my worries about the future were gone. 
 
All that's left is... 
 
「Now then, I wonder who's hiding?」 
 
With that murmur, Testarossa looked up at the battlespace in the heavens, where the fierce battle was taking place. 
 
 
* 
  
With Velzard as his opponent, Gii was in the middle of a prolonged aerial battle. 
 
But there was no fatigue. 
 
Because neither of us is serious. 
 
……… 
 
…… 
 
… 
 
A white world. 
 

All the living people living in this land, including the plants and trees, had been turned into ice statues at the beginning. This meant that they could be resurrected if they dispelled Velzard’s power. 
 
From that point of view, Velzard’s aim seemed different from Feldway’s 
 
Having said that, Gii’s words didn’t get through to Velzard. 
 
I tried to convince her not to do anything stupid, but she wouldn’t listen. 
 
Velzard kept attacking Gii with a bewitching smile. It was all child's play, but because the magical energy he put into it was enormous, it was dangerous to let your guard down. 
 
And so, even though Gii didn’t need to go all out, he couldn’t just ignore Velzard’s every move. 
 
Both sides were probing, trying to figure out each other's bottoms, and gradually increasing the power of their techniques. 
There were occasional attacks aimed at fatal wounds, but we both knew what we wanted. They saw right through us in an instant and nullified us. 
 
They were so natural that even if a third party with outstanding power saw them, they would be indistinguishable from other attacks. 
 
That was how isolated Gii and Velzard’s abilities were. 
 
We both had zero wear and tear. 
 
Velzard was the strongest “dragon species” at the moment, second only to Veldanava. The concept of a war of attrition was ineffective because it could create magicules within one’s body indefinitely. 
 
Strictly speaking, a specific condition is required to become invincible. 
 
That was what it meant to freeze a world sealed in white by a magic blizzard—an Eternal World. Velzard’s magicules circulated in the space where the ice and snow raged. Since it was faster to recover than the rate of attrition, as a result, inexhaustible magical energy was realized. 
 
If it were Velgrind, it would eventually exhaust him if he unleashed a barrage of highpowered ultimate techniques. However, that would mean his strategy would be meaningless to Velzard. 
 
Gii knew that. 
Even among the beings known as “dragons” that seemed to be the embodiment of irrationality, Velzard was on another level. 
 
In order to fight her, I needed to keep my own exhaustion as low as possible. But for Gii, it was no trouble. 
 
Without using his own mana, Gii made use of the magicules floating in space, just like humans who lacked mana. Not only would it take time to gather them from space, but he also had poor magic activation efficiency. However, considering the rate of wear and tear, he could conserve his own power. 
 
Also, if Gii was handling it, the accuracy and power of his magic was impeccable. 
 
The only problem was probably that almost all magic wouldn’t work on Velzard. 
 
(Well, that's the problem.) 
 
If it doesn’t work, then there’s no point. 
 
Even if she understood that, it was better than attacking with her own magical energy. 
 
If you don't repeatedly attack and search for an opening in Velzard, you won't be able to open a path to victory. If you exhaust your own magical energy, you'll have to take the finishing blow. 
 
That’s why Gii was playing a nerve-wracking battle that made him feel faint, but the fact that he wasn’t tired at all was no surprise that he had dignity. 
Gii narrowed his eyes in exasperation and looked over at Velzard. 
 
That’s the question of why she’s not going all out. 
 
If Velzard unleashed his great technique, he was expected to take part in the battle at the counter against it. However, as he persisted for as long as he could, he consistently focused on keeping an eye on the situation. 
 
(Tch, I knew it wouldn't be the same as the first time we fought, but I'm surprised he's this patient...) 
 
Velzard was selfish and capricious. 
 
I had nothing to do with holding back. 
 
When he first fought Gii, he’d gotten angry at Gii for not being able to do what he wanted, and had made a mistake in his impatience over the match. Gii had intended to set up the same trap this time, just to get a better understanding of Velzard’s personality. 
 
However, Velzard had no openings. 
 
The magic-infused ice and snow had completely destroyed all the traps Gii had set. 
 
(I'm much stronger than I was back then, too...) 
 
He’d assumed he’d win more easily, so Gii had no choice but to acknowledge Velzard’s growth 
 
And then... 
 
With each passing moment, the situation was changing to something disadvantageous for Gii. 
 
Velzard’s mana was enormous, and the magicules that gushed out had turned into blizzards and raged 
 
The frozen earth of demons that would not allow life to exist was being completed in this land. 
 
Heaven and earth filled with Velzard’s magical energy, baring their fangs at Gii as she wished. 
 
If that was all there was to it, he could deal with it, but as he continued to observe, Gii felt something was off. 
 
Velzard’s behavioral patterns were clearly unnatural. 
 
Velzard was good at gori-punching, which relied on his own power—because he was absolutely strong, so he didn’t need to to toy with petty tricks. 
 
But right now, she was using her tactics with great care. 
 
 
So much so that it’s more natural to suspect that someone’s intentions are interfering than to be surprised that they’ve been able to fight like that... 
 
He didn't think anyone was controlling him, but Gii decided to face Velzard under the assumption that a third party existed. 
 
And apparently, that choice was correct. 
 
Thanks to their careful attention on the battlefield, they knew that Testarossa and the others had arrived here. They knew what they were after, and they even knew the current state of the world. 
 
(What happened to Rimuru? No, more importantly, is the Ivarage coming? I’ve got no choice but to take him on.) 
 
Gii felt bitter, thinking that it had come to that after all. 
 

Even though Velzard alone was a problem, the worst came to pass. 
 
But there was also good news. 
 
Thanks to Testarossa, the existence of a third party had become a sure thing. Moreover, all he had to do was leave that opponent to her. 
 
There weren't many people powerful enough for Gii to recognize, but there was no doubt in his mind that it was Testarossa. Gii considered that, and prepared his plan for an early resolution of the situation. 
 
“Call my blockheads over. If they’re going to intercept the Ivarage in Damargania, there’s no point in letting them protect Leon’s place.” 
 
I intervened in Testarossa and Vergrindo’s conversation and relayed their instructions. 
 
There are many things to do, and there is no way to let talented subordinates play. 
 
That was how the situation had moved. 
 
......... 
...... 
... 
 
Gii was relieved that the magical power in this land had stabilized. 
 
(That's Testarossa for you.) 
 
Rein and Misery were pretty good, too. I was satisfied for the first time in a while. 
 
 
Velzard was in the midst of joy. 
 
It was hard to tell from his expression, but he was enjoying the battle with Gii from the bottom of his heart. 
 
......... 
 
...... 
 
... 
 
I fought Gii a long time ago. 
The reason was that she just couldn’t stand the existence her brother Veldanava, the “Star King Dragon,” acknowledged. 
 
“Even if my brother admits it, I won’t!” 
 
With that momentum, he challenged Gii, and then drew. 
 
But to Velzard, that was equivalent to defeat. 
 
In contrast to Velzard, who boasted the second largest amount of magicules after Veldanava at the time, Gii’s had less than a tenth of his energy. 
 
And that wasn't all. 
 
There was the presence or absence of power, which was supposed to be a decisive difference in strength. 
 
Velzard had the invincible power granted to him by Veldanava—the Ultimate Ability, the Ultimate Skill, and the King of Patience, Gabriel—but he couldn’t defeat Gii, who only had Unique Skills. 
 
This fact hurt Velzard’s pride. 
 
It was an overwhelmingly advantageous condition, but they’d drawn it, so it couldn’t be helped. 
 
After that incident, Velzard decided to observe Gii. 
He wanted to see how high Gii, who had gained the ultimate power through his own will alone, could reach. 
 
 
To Velzard, Gii had become “special,” but to Gii, that wasn’t the case for Velzade 
 
Gii was calm and composed, a tyrant who reigned over all things. 
 
But he was equal, fair, and treated everyone the same way. 
 
She would test it out and form a friendship with those who had overcome it. 
 
That was Gii's policy. 
 
She didn't mind the turbulent changes, and her normal life passed peacefully. 
 
Life with Gii like that was a little unsatisfying for Velzard. 
 
Because he’d done his best to make Gii look at him with his own charm, but Gii’s attitude hadn’t changed. 
 
(What a terrible guy...) 
 
I couldn't hate Gii for thinking that. 
 
On the contrary, I’m getting even more attached to her... 
 
There were times when I joked and said how I really felt. 
 
However, it didn't work on Gii. 
 
Arrogant Gii. 
 
Impossible, Gii. 
 
A gentle squeak. 
 
Cruel Gii. 
 
Terrifying, squeak. 
 
And as a friend that my brother acknowledged, Gii. 
 
I loved spending time with him, who had so many different faces. 
 
At the same time, I was angry at Gii for not not noticing my true self. 
 
(You're a terrible person. If you're smart enough to see through everything, why won't you notice my true feelings?) 
 
Even though I thought about it that way, the thought of being rejected terrified me~ 
 
That's right. As he lived with Gii, Velzard understood the emotion known as fear. 
 
Then, one day, a group of people who called themselves heroes came to destroy the peace of Velzard. 
 
Gii accepted the challenge from the “Hero” as usual and stood up. 
 
That person--Ludora--was strong. 
 
Surprisingly, the match was evenly matched. 
 
A smile appeared on Gii's lips. 
 
Velzard bit his lip as he watched Gii enjoy himself. 
 
What swirled in her mind was intense flames. 
 
Anger? 
 
No, that's not it. 
 
It was jealousy. 
 
Gii would never show that face to Velzard. 
 
(I can't believe she's having so much fun fighting...) 
 
When he’d fought Velzard, Gii had been careful not to hurt her, like an adult dealing with a child. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been a draw. 
 
Velzard was hiding his true feelings, too, but the same was surely true for Gii. 
 
If Gii had truly intended to kill Velzard, then there was no doubt that the “present” Verzard did not exist. 
 
And yet, he was giving it his all against Ludora. 
 
The moment I realized that... 
 
Velzard became aware of the “jealousy” that had sprouted in his heart. 
 
Ever since his older brother, Veldanava, had acknowledged Gii, Velzard had been troubled 
 
She couldn’t understand what the emotion that had sprouted in her heart was. 
 
But that was when I finally understood. 
 
Gii Crimson... 
 
This was the demon lord Veldanava had acknowledged. 
 
She was strong, kind, and arrogant—a being that would never let Velzard have his way. 
 
Velzard had longed for such a gii. 
 
And when he saw that Ludora had made Gii take her seriously, he regretted it, saying, 
“That should have been his role.” 
 
Ever since that day when jealousy had blossomed, Velzard had continued to live with depressing feelings 
 
And I've been worrying about it for a long time. 
He’d maintained his composure on the surface, and deep down, he’d continued to burn the flames of jealousy 
 
As a result, the Great Goddess of Calamity was born. 
 
 
(Gii is kind to me. But he won't allow me to stand next to him.) 
 
-Is that because I'm weak? 
 
(No, I am strong. I am the strongest dragon!) 
 
-No, I'm weak. After all, Gii won't accept me. 
 
 (No! Even I have the right to stand next to him!!) 
 
-Is that so? 
 
(That's obvious.) 
 
In that case, why is the guild only playing with Ludora? 
 
(Well...) 
 
That's because I'm weak. 
 
(I'm... weak?) 
 
-If I were stronger, Gii would look at me. 
 
(Are you going to look at me?) 
 
-Yes, that's right. 
 
(Yeah, if only I were stronger...) 
 
“As long as I have the power.” 
 
(I can stand next to Gii...) 
 
“That is my wish.” 
 
(That's all I want.) 
 
-After watching the battle between the guild and Ludora, Velzard wished for power. 
 
That was the moment when the Goddess of Calamity was born. 
 
Velzard's endurance reversed. Ultimate Abilities, Ultimate Skills, King of Patience, and Gabriel were reincarnated into Leviathan due to her jealousy. 
 
However, it hadn’t disappeared. 
 
Velzard’s mental fortitude was strong, and he was able to conceal his newfound power without Gii realizing it. 
 
With two opposing Ultimate Abilities, Ultimate Skills, King of Patience, Gabriel, and Leviathan, Velzard continued to be by Gii’s side. 
 
And she kept waiting for an opportunity. 
 
 
Even Feldway’s call was laughable from Velzard’s perspective. 
 
There was no way it would work against Velzard, who had been cancelling out contradictory powers like Michael’s power—the ultimate power, the ultimate timelimited skill, the absolute control over the holder, the [Archangel Chief’s Dominion], and so on…
 
And yet, the reason she had followed Feldway was because the proposal from him was charming 
 
If I joined Feldway, I could fight the now-serious Gii. 
 
He was supposed to take Velzard’s partner seriously, not playfully. 
 
There was another reason, but... 
 
“Ahahaha, that’s interesting. I’m sure that’ll happen.” 
 
And my collaborator gave me his seal of approval. 
 
A cooperator. 
 
Those who worked to fulfill Velzard’s wish. 
 
This is yet another ancient story, but he began to get used to helping those who had almost disappeared on a whim. 
 
The fact that not only [Material Body], but even [Spiritual Body] had been destroyed, leaving only [Astral Body] behind, was unexpectedly useful as Velzard’s advisor. 
 
He shamelessly said he wanted to study the “dragon species.” 
 
Instead of allowing that to happen, Velzard treated him as his own limb, and that was how they’d established a long-standing coexistence. 
 
But at last, the existence of her cooperator seemed to have been discovered. 
......... 
 
...... 
 
... 
 
Velzard smiled. 
 
“Ufufufu. You’re good, Testarossa. I found you so quickly.” 
 
“Man, this isn’t funny. I wanted to hide in the shadows more and do whatever I wanted.” 
 
“The pseudo-dragon body is complete, isn’t it? Didn’t you say the performance test was perfect?” 
 
“Well, that’s true. Look, I’m weak.” 
 
“What do you mean, ‘me’? You used to act all high and mighty.” 
 
“Ahahaha, if that’s what nearly destroyed you, you’re not going to take care of me, are you? This time, I reflected on my efforts to live more carefully and humbly.” 
 
Laughing at that, he said, “Well then, I’ll be going,” and his collaborator separated from Velzard. 
 
 
<IMAGE> 
<IMAGE> 
 
 
And so, he appeared before her in order to deal with Testarossa. 
 
 
With that, the war situation reached a major turning point. 
 
The creak, and Velzard. 
 
Testarossa and Velzard's collaborators. 
 
We each faced each other head-on. 
 
 
<IMAGE> 
<IMAGE> 
 
 
Testarossa saw the person and immediately figured out who it was. 
 
What a smooth young man. 
 
On closer inspection, she looks like a woman. 
 
She was wearing a blue turtleneck and a bright red suit. 
 
Her shoes were white and rimmed with gold. 
 
It was flashy, but it had a sense of taste, and it actually had a fitting appearance. 
 
And what was distinctive was the bewitching glow of red and blue [Gold, Silver, and Dark] [Heterochromia]. 
 
Her features somehow resembled Luminus’s. She stood there with a appearance that seemed to be the polar opposite of gender and eye color, something one could never forget at a glance, but Testarossa had never actually met that person. 
 
As such, her appearance doesn't serve as any kind of judgement. 
 
I just know. 
 
That person’s true nature, that innocent madness. 
 
Based on her features that reminded him of Luminus, Testarossa’s guess probably wasn’t wrong 
 
(I guess it's like poking a snake out of a bush? That's what Sir Rimuru said in his past life, but that's exactly what it feels like.) 
 
With that, Testarossa grew fed up. 
It had been fine until he’d seen through someone’s existence and lured them out, but his opponent was more troublesome than I’d imagined. 
 
「Oh my, how nostalgic. This is the first time we've met, but I've heard the rumors.」 
 
「Ahahaha! It's an honor for me to have the White Queen remember me.」 
 
「I remember. It's rare to see someone as wild as you. Besides, we acknowledged your achievements in giving birth to humanity. Right, Twilight King?」 
 
The person grinned as Testarossa called him the Twilight King. 
 
「Call me Twilight. That's the name I got from my Veldanava-sama.」 
 
「Yes, please do. As long as you call me Testarossa.」 
 
With smiles still on their faces, they exchanged blades of words and unleashed their bloodlust on each other. 
 
Testarossa remembered. 
 
The Twilight King--Twilight Valentine--is the Sacred Ancestor of the Vampire race and the ancestor of humanity. 
 
With Veldanava’s confidant, he’s given birth to many races in order to achieve his wish. 
The same held true for the vampires, led by Luminus, as well as the True Humanity, which was now considered to be an extinct race 
 
Other than that, the birth of the many races thought to have been derived from spirits was also thanks to Twilight’s involvement 
 
The one who created the indispensable existence of humans, the Demons, was also Twilight. 
 
That’s why Testarossa acknowledges Twilight, just as she said. 
 
However, Twilight was also famous for his misdeeds, as opposed to his achievements. 
 
The many experiments that ignored morality made those who knew what they were doing frown. The weaker the heart, the crazier they went. At best, the more fearsome the nightmares would be. 
 
He was craftier than the devil, and he had no human heart. He had left behind achievements that were detestable by everyone. 
 
In fact, when Rain learned of Twilight’s revival, he said things like, “Whoa, so he’s alive after all... He’s tougher than a cockroach...” and Misery scolded him, saying, ‘You’re bad at speaking.’ 
 
In fact, Testarossa, for once, felt like agreeing with Lain 
「Testarossa, huh? That's a nice name. I didn't think anyone else would be stupid enough to name a Primogenitor like you.」 
 
That statement made Testarossa quietly snap. 
 
He couldn’t forgive the insults alone against him, but Twilight had crossed a line. 
Testarossa’s heart had been set upon the moment her beloved Rimuru was mocked. 
 
「I really do hate you.」 
 
Testarossa coldly announced her intent to kill, thick with bloodlust. 
 
Since she was going to laugh it off, Twilight’s courage was extraordinary, too. 
 
「Fufu, don't say it like that. I like you guys. After all, you guys are the best research subjects!」 
 
Velzard was cooperative, but Gii couldn’t let his guard down. 
 
He’d tried to investigate various things when he saw an opening, but since it seemed like he’d notice Twilight’s existence in one shot if he was careless, he’s been unable to do anything for a long time until now. 
 
Still, it’s been a while since I’ve gained a body that’s free, so Twilight thought, “Maybe it’d be nice to play a little here.” 
 
Testarossa couldn't have been more perfect as a combat opponent for the first time in her life. 
 
That was also the reason why he’d fanned the flames a little to get Testarossa serious. 
 
However, that was a little too much, but Twilight hadn’t noticed. 
 
「If you were killed by your beloved daughter Luminus, you should have died like that. This time, I'll completely bury you so you can't revive.」 
 
That was Testarossa’s declaration, but she was really trying to judge Twilight. 
 
I'm furious, but I don't let my guard down. 
 
I separated my heart from my emotions and calmly continued my analysis of the situation. 
 
(The Sacred Ancestor was a highly undead life-form, wasn't it? But it shouldn't have been able to handle a “different body” like Lord Velgrind...) 
 
According to what Testarossa had heard, Luminus’s carefully prepared “spirit collapse” and “disintegration” had landed a direct hit, and Twilight had vanished without leaving a trace 
 
Of course. A direct hit wouldn't be enough to prevent even Testarossa, the Primogenitor, from disappearing. 
 
There's no theory that she ran away right before the incident. Rein must have witnessed it too, so there's proof. 
It was a direct hit and annihilated. In that case, it would be a resurrection from nothingness, but I wasn't sure if such a thing was even possible. 
 

The other possibility Testarossa considered was the “different body” that Velgrindo was good at. This would explain Twilight’s escape, but it wasn’t, Testarosa thought. 
 
That’s why Twilight’s been hiding up until now, because she can’t explain it. 
 
If Twilight had been able to wield his “different body,” he would have been more openly active. There was no way he would leave Luminus alone for betraying him, and the world would have become a much more chaotic place. 
 
In the first place, there were only a handful of people who could wield “another body.” It was the highest level of power at the highest difficulty level, one that even Veldora and Rimuru couldn’t use perfectly 
 
Rein’s “variety” and “mist” were similar in power, but they needed to exist within the visible range of all “dividing bodies.” It was impossible to activate them on the other side of the planet, so they weren’t as convenient as “different bodies” 
 
As far as Testarossa knew, only Velgrind and Soei could wield “another body.” 
 
In truth, even when dealing with Soei, a hidden condition was required. By entrusting Benimaru's former master with his core, he was merely manipulating the two bodies from a god's perspective. 
If it was handled at visual range, Soei alone would be no problem, but if it was to move “another body” at a distance, it was also necessary to borrow Benimaru’s power. 
 
That said, it would be abnormal to say such a thing was possible, so in Soei’s case, it didn’t matter if it was an exception. 
 
What's important is how difficult it is to split consciousness. 
 
If they used a method of using others like Soei, even Rimuru and Veldora’s relationship would be able to handle “another body.” But there was no point in going that far— because Rimulu and Veldora were each other’s safety devices, so even if one of them was destroyed, as long as the other survived, they could be revived 
 

Incidentally, if Vega had been able to use her own power, she would have been capable of something like “another body.” It was fortunate that that hadn’t happened, but that wasn’t something Testarossa knew. 
 
As such, Vergrind was the only one who could truly wield a “different body.” 
 
(Even if he can use Parallel Beings, it doesn't matter. I'll kill him thoroughly to make it clear whether he can or can't use them.) 
 
It's best to experience everything with your own eyes. 
 
That’s what Testarossa decided, and she swore to kill Twilight. 
  
＊ 

Rain looked at Twilight, and his face twitched. 
 
「Whoa, he really is alive... He's tougher than a cockroach...」 
 
That’s how I ended up blurting out my true feelings without thinking, and Misery scolded me, saying, “You don’t speak well.” 
 
But she hated him that much, so there was no helping it. 
 
「Did the G's not work?」 
 
「Yeah, that's right. I really hate bugs.」 
 
“That’s it!” Moss wanted to retort as he listened to the conversation, but he didn’t have the guts to interrupt the original conversation 
 
 
Actually, it felt like a joke that no one would believe a primogenitor would freak out from a bug. 
 
Soka, who had been as docile as a Jizo, spoke to Moss. 
 
「Um, maybe Testarossa-san isn't good with bugs, either?」 
 
「Huh?」 
 
「No, I was just curious, but if that's the case, I thought it might be a weak point...」 
 
When he asked that, Moss’s eyes became dots. 
 

(A weakness? You think something so rude to the primogenitors? Huh? Is she serious?) 
 
Moss shuddered at Soka, thinking that she had an incredibly terrifying idea, unlike her appearance. 
 

I don't know if she's bad with bugs or not, but she doesn't want to know. Trying to find out the Origin's, or Testarossa's weak point, is taboo in and of itself. At least, that's how it was for Moss. 
 
Rain and Misery were whispering to each other, as if they had overheard Moss and the others’ conversation. 
 
「I wonder if that dragonewt girl isn't afraid of Testarossa?」 
 
「Are you trying to throw a g-force at me? That's a terrifying idea.」 
 
「Stop it, Lain. Just listening to you gives me goosebumps.」 
 
「Me too. I shuddered when I said it myself.」 
 
It was a fairly loud volume, as if she had no intention of hiding it. 
This was the moment when the two Primogenitors discovered their unexpected weaknesses, but Moss wasn't happy in the least. 
 
It was because I instinctively sensed that the flow of this conversation was dangerous. 
 
「Hey, could you stop saying dangerous things like that? I don't want you to get me involved.」 
 
Just the fact that he was there even though he hadn't said anything could be considered the same crime as “Moss thinks the same thing”. The moment he didn't stop saying that, there was no doubt that he would be forced to take joint responsibility. 
 
「Umm, was there anything dangerous about it?」 
 
「Like I said, bugs, bugs! It has nothing to do with you whether Testarossa-sama likes bugs or not, does it?」 
 
 
「That is not the case. My original mission is to be covert, so I am obligated to report the information I have obtained to Master Soei. It would be a problem if it was uncertain, so it is necessary to confirm it~」 
 
「Like I said!」 
 
Moss wanted to tell her to keep her voice down and not get herself involved. 
 
However, it doesn't work on Soka. 
「This is surprisingly important. It’s a well-known story that Rimuru-sama hates cockroaches too, and he’s been thoroughly putting his efforts into exterminating pests, including the section where Rimulu-sam’s hermitage is located and the guest house. However, just a little while ago, a single one appeared in the courthouse, causing quite a stir.」 
 
And so, she began to explain everything Moss hadn’t known, and she didn’t want to know. 
 
According to Soka, Carrera had snapped when she was there. 
 
Apparently, there had been an outrageously huge incident where the staff members rushed to stop them, trying to fire off nuclear magic inside the building. 
 
Rimuru didn't dodge this either. He just said, “Yeah, yeah, I know how you feel!” and covered for Carrera, so it's tough. It's said that the subjugation team was organized by those who were resistant to insects, and the trend was to make sure they weren't seen by Carrera. 
 

「--By the way, Ultima-san said that spiders and stuff are cute without a care in the world. I don't care if I'm a cockroach or a caterpillar.」 
 
With that, Soka added some information that didn’t matter. 
 
Moss couldn't help but react when he heard this. 
「Hey, now's not the time to be talking about stupid stuff like that, is it? Lady Carrera isn't just a cockroach. She's showing murderous intent all over the place!」 
 
Not touching Ultima was Moss’s way of predicting danger. 
 
Even if the spiders are fine, there's a possibility that the cockroaches aren't good enough. They think it's better not to know that something as bad as the Primogenitor is bad as a god to Moss. 
 
However, that was too hasty. 
 
「Moss-kun, don't strangers tell you that you can't read the mood?」 
 
「Yeah, that was dangerous. You'd think Carrera was a dangerous girl who picked a fight with no one in particular, so there's a way to put it.」 
 
「No, that's not it. Actually, you're right, but what I'm trying to say is that Dragonewt over there is...」 
 
「It's Soka.」 
 
「Soka-san over there was talking about something very important. Moss-kun, you have to understand that.」 
 
「~~~!?」 
Moss was surprised in many ways. 
 
There were so many things to say that I didn't know where to start pointing them out. 
 
First, Rain. 
 
Moss wanted to ask in a loud voice, “Why are you giving yourself over to me?!” 
 
Next, Soka. 
 
How can you interrupt Lain? 
 
What’s more, introducing himself calmly was insane. 
 
It was an unbelievable outrage from Moss’s point of view, but he was surprised to see Rain accept this so calmly. 
 
I feel like I'm wondering what's going on. 
 
Even Misery, who I’d believed to have the most common sense, had Lain’s shoulder. Then again, the argument was completely different, and her point was sound. 
 
It was true that if Carrera heard it, Moss’s fate would run out. She had to go so far as to reflect on how she’d accidentally let herself get carried away and blurt out something she shouldn’t have. 
 
That said, he had to say exactly what he needed to say, Moss thought as he cautiously retorted. 
 
「Listen, Lady Rein. Um, I don't need a 'kun', so I was wondering if you could call me by my first name...」 
 
Moss pointed out from the most important part. 
 
Why would the Blue Monarch show friendly, friendly attitudes toward the White Queen's adjutant? 
 
If they were hostile, it would be fine to agitate each other, but Moss couldn't help but feel apologetic, saying, “We're not that close, are we?” 
 
Paying no heed to Moss, Rain chuckled. 
 
「What are you saying? You have the potential to defeat me, don't you, Moss-kun? In that case, I think it's only natural that you show respect.」 
 
What a shady statement. 
 
The fact that Misery was sighing heavily was proof of that. 
 
「Rain, stop teasing Moss. More importantly, isn't Soka's story more important?」 
 
「That's true. Moss seems serious, but he reacts funny, so I couldn't help myself.」 
 
「I agree with that, though.」 
「That's right. I thought it would be harder to get close to you, so I was a little surprised.」 
 
Moss was left behind by the girls’ conversation. 
 
I was in a state of mind where I didn't care anymore. 
 
「So, my story is important. Which point is it?」 
 
And now that Soka's broached the subject, it looks like she's finally getting to the point. 
 
Misery answered. 
 
「You're looking into things Carrera and Ultima don't like, aren't you? Perhaps you have information on Testarossa as well?」 
 
「Umm...?」 
 
As Soka pondered how to dodge the question, even Lain launched a follow-up attack 
 
「I'm curious about that, too. Incidentally, I also hate g-forces. They don't appear in the frozen soil, so I'm grateful to Lord Velzard for that!」 
 
「Yeah, they'll show up in Inglacia. Even though I've had Ivy thoroughly exterminate them, they still come back out of nowhere...」 
“Maybe he’s more immortal than the undead?” Nadeko couldn’t get away from that topic, either. 
 
Moss could no longer do anything but listen in as if he’d given up on everything and said, 
“This isn’t the time to be talking about that so casually...” 
 
「This is top secret, so...」 
 
「Go ahead and say it.」 
 
「There's no choice but to talk here.」 
 
Probably not, Moss thought. 
 
Even if she had been in Soka’s shoes, she would have been forced to prattle on. 
 
Then again, if it really was top secret, she wouldn't have said anything suggestive. 
 
Soka was also a professional secret agent, so she should have understood that. In other words, she thought it was good information to tell. 
 
「We are always investigating the weaknesses of the top brass under Soei-sama's orders. Benimaru-sam has a wide range of relationships, from likes and dislikes of food like carrots to Diablo-sami's dislike of Testarossa-san. It's really trivial information, but it feels like we should be able to play a hand if we run into any trouble.」 
 
「Hmm.」 
 
「And?」 
 
「In Testarossa's case, I didn't see any openings...」 
 
“I was in trouble,” Soka said. 
 
Just as Moss had thought, I hadn't told her anything important. It was only natural for her to think I had done that much. 
 
However, Lain was the one who couldn’t accept this. 
 
「Okay then, let's have Moss throw the g-forces at us!」 
 
Nadeko makes an outrageous suggestion. 
 
As soon as he heard this, Moss jumped, shouting “Stop!!” 
 
I was too shocked to continue, but on the inside, I was on the verge of screaming, “A child’s prank!!” 
 
It wasn't a joke. 
 
If he did something like that, he’d definitely get on Testarossa’s bad side 
 
It doesn’t matter if you’re bad with bugs or not. Those malicious actions alone would be enough to warrant the death penalty. 
 
(Wh-What a terrifying thing to say~!) 
 

“Give me a break, Lady Lain!!” Moss looked at Lain, twitching in fear. Then he declared: 
 
「I'll never do it, okay?」 
 
Moss refuses with a straight face. 
 
「Whaaat? Too bad!」 
 
「It can't be helped. Moss lacks the courage.」 
 
Moss lamented that “originals” were all people like this, but she understood that saying it out loud would turn them into bush snakes. 
 
However... 
 
「It's a real shame. I might have been able to exploit Testarossa-san's weakness...」 
 
At least, that's what Soka said. I thought, 'This girl is seriously too scary.' 
 
The fact that he could swallow those words without charging in was probably the result of Moss’s endurance. 
 
It was precisely because he’d been able to endure it for so many years that Moss was who he was today. 
 
-By the way. 
 
This conversation was clear to Testarossa as well. 
 
He would later tell her that Testarossa was quite annoyed when he told her a relaxed story while she was trying to fight seriously. 
 
“Back then, I thought I’d pretend to be wrong and turn everyone into dust in the Pure 
White World. I didn’t want to show an opening in front of Twilight, so I stopped myself. 
I’m lucky.” 
 
Moss and the others trembled from the bottom of their hearts when they heard that, but that was a different story. 
 

＊ 

Rain had enjoyed teasing Moss, but at the same time, he hadn’t taken his eyes off Twilight, who was facing Testarossa. Doing “parallel thinking” with her bare hands was an obvious feat for a primogenitor. 
 
These two were the ones who reigned at the pinnacle of the historical problem children Lain considered—Diablo and Twilight. Until Rimuru appeared, these two had been immovable troublemakers. 
 
There was room for debate as to which of them was superior, but while Diablo was the favorable problem child, the fact that the disgusting problem child was Twilight was an unshakable fact in Rain’s heart 
 
It’s the difference between a lovable idiot and an abominable one. 
 
Diablo was a self-respecting, self-deprecating nuisance who operated on his own theories. He maintained his own beliefs, but he didn't force others to do the same. Even Rain acknowledged that he had a surprisingly sensible side to him. 
 
Twilight, on the other hand, paid absolutely no heed to the needs of others. Diablo and I had in terms of the troublemakers operating under [Self-Theories] and [Milele], but I couldn’t bring myself to like him because he was pushing it on me. 
 
Even Rain had a self-centered side to him. He would never admit it, but he was the type to think things through in a way that was convenient for him at a dangerous level. 
 
Because Rain was like that, it was only natural that he’d be incompatible with Diablo and Twilight …
 
I'll keep my distance from the person I hate. As long as I'm thorough, I can avoid conflict. And yet, the problem is that there's someone who's trying to push their own justice onto me. 
 
Twilight was the representative of them all. 
 
He had spread all kinds of trouble throughout the world. He had caused so many problems in so many places that even if he tried to close his eyes, he couldn't ignore them. 
 
The countless evil experiments, including the life-threatening disaster, the necromancy, the two moons, the erosion forest, the sea of fresh blood, and so on, have brought about countless calamities. 
 
Records are cut off in the current human nation, but according to the unofficial acknowledgment by the Demon Lords, he’s dangerous enough to be considered a Catastrophe-class honorary man who can’t fulfill his role. 
 
So much so that even Rain couldn’t remember how many times he’d been sent to clean up the mess. 
No. 
 
Rain was a trait that never forgot his grudges, so he wrote them down in great detail. That was why he’d given Twilight a toast when Luminus destroyed him, and why he felt both gratitude and respect for her. 
 
With Twilight revived like that, I couldn't help but stare. 
 
(Good grief, that bastard is even more troublesome than G. But with that terrifying 
Testarossa, Twilight should be able to deal with him, but... I wonder?) 
 
It was difficult for Rain to judge. 
 
Testarossa is fundamentally good at defense, so she shouldn't lose. 
 
However, as for the offensive aspect... 
 

I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to attack Twilight, who had repeated countless experiments and seemed to have approached immortality in the truest sense of the word 
 
What’s more, Twilight was creepier now than before, and she couldn’t see the depths of his power. 
 
Rain had secretly broken out in a cold sweat, sensing that he wouldn’t be able to win first. 
 
(Thanks to Sir Rimuru, I was able to evolve, but that’s still impossible for me. I wonder if I’ll be able to stall him and buy time? If I try my best, maybe something will happen? But, but, but I’m sorry for fawning over that bastard. I don’t want to put on an act.) 
 
How would I fight? 
 
I make Twilight lower his guard while acting, buying time. This is the only conclusion Rain can come to. At the same time, he says, “I absolutely don’t want to do it, so I can’t!” and gives up before I can even do it. 
 
But, but... 
 
If it was Testarossa, things would be different. 
 
It was because even compared to when Rain had fought, he had become something else entirely. 
 
Moreover, Testarossa was cunning and the most calculating of the Primogenitor. There was no way she could stand in front of an enemy without a chance of victory, so she could expect at least a little. 
 
(I'm sure Testarossa knows her own weaknesses. I heard she fought well against Lord Velgrind, so if I cheer her on with all my might, she should be able to do something about it!!) 
 
Rein's support was of little value to Testarossa. However, Rein had a high opinion of himself, so he had assumed that Testarosa would be happy to hear it. 
 
And with that, she got ready to watch the battle unfold with great interest. 
  
＊ 

 
 
 
Now, as for Testarossa... 
 
I was annoyed by the outfield chatter, but I didn't forget what I had to do. 
 
The equation of victory had already been completed within Testarossa. 
 
「What's wrong? You're not coming?」 
 
With that, Twilight taunted him from above. 
 
Without responding, Testarossa’s smile quietly deepened. 
 
「...What's so funny? I don't think you're in a position to be so relaxed.」 
 
Twilight asked, perhaps suspicious of Testarossa’s attitude. 
 
Testarossa accepted it with a sneer. 
 
「How laughable. Do you still think you have the advantage?」 
 
Hearing her reply, Twilight’s expression turned dubious. 
 
It was an abnormally strong attitude, unlike what Twilight had expected. 
 
(Good grief. This is why I hate people who don't know their place. It's true that I was reduced to dust by my beloved daughter Luminus's blow. But that wasn't defeat. It was just an unavoidable experiment.) 
 
It was a good thing I had Testarossa take it seriously in order to test the capabilities of her pseudo-dragon body. However, I hadn't expected her to make such a misunderstood statement, so as Twilight, it was quite amusing. 
 
「I guess it can't be helped. You guys have a habit of looking down on your opponents because you believe that you Demons are the strongest. But if you don't support your ability to see through the true strong, you'll get hurt, you know?」 
 
That was Twilight’s heartfelt warning. 
 
Of course, that was because he was eager to hurt Testarossa here. 
 
However, Testarossa was unfazed. 
 
She remained smiling fearlessly, as if to say she wasn’t paying any attention to Twilight. Twilight was in a bad mood, thinking, This isn't funny. 
 
「You don't have to act like that. I was going to play with you for a bit, but I'll stop.」 
 
Saying that, she released her fighting spirit, which she had been suppressing until now. 
 
It was, without a doubt, the dragon’s qi. 
 
......... 
 
...... 
 
... 
 
Giryutai is the culmination of Twilight's research. 
 
When I studied immortality all over the place, my destination was a “dragon species.” 
 
If she died, her personality would reset, but she was an indestructible existence that perfectly reproduced even her soul over time. 
 
But Twilight wasn’t satisfied with just that. 
 
If this was perfect enough to inherit the core of my being, then I could truly call it the ultimate life-form. That's what I thought. 
 
Even if the memories are inherited, if the personality that makes use of them is different, they can't be recognized as one and the same. On the other hand, even if they reside in a different body, if their hearts and minds are the same... Would they be dismissed as completely different people? 
 
The foundation of the soul, the most important memories, and the core of the heart. Twilight's research ended there. 
 
Using himself as a test subject, replicating memories was a relatively simple success. By synchronizing them with the many duplicates he’d prepared beforehand, he had ensured that he wouldn’t lose his memories even if he died. 
 
As for this, it goes without saying that Velgrindo’s “different body” was modeled after it. 
 
Next, about the most important personality--the re-creation of the core--this was difficult. 
 
Something shapeless. 
 
Something that changes with time. 
 
The heart was a hollow thing. 
 
Unless he was someone like Velzard who could freeze even his own heart, it would be impossible to maintain the same state forever. 
 
But since she’d found a way out here, Twilight’s madness was impressive. 
 
“Lord Velzard, I have a request. Could you use your power to freeze this core of mine?” 
That's what I wished for, so I took the measure of having Velzard protect my core. On top of that, I had my replicated memories imbued in my real body and continued to do as I pleased. 
 
Our memories were perfectly synchronized, and it was, without a doubt, the real Twilight herself. Even Luminus couldn't tell them apart because of those circumstances. 
 
 
And now... 
 
As the ultimate body, Twilight created a powerful body from Velzard's magicules. It was imbued with a regenerated “soul” and had perfect memory synchronization. 
 
And that wasn't all. 
 
As it had been created from Velzard’s body, it truly had the combat ability to match that of a “dragon species.” 
 
No matter how much of a “original” demon he was, he could be sure he wasn’t an enemy. 
 
Besides, even in the unlikely event of an emergency, Twilight's core is protected by Velzard. If we create a new pseudo-dragon body, we can revive without any losses. 
 
(Well, there's no such thing as a chance. This power is equal to Velzard's, and even if his opponent is the White Queen Testarossa, he can't lose.) 
 
With that, Twilight was brimming with confidence. 
 
The amount of magicules is incomparable to Velzard's, but the amount of magical energy is equal. In addition to this, Twilight has her own power, so there isn't a single element to lose. That's how Twillite honestly feels. 
 
Twilight's power――That was the Unique Skill Greed――but it's different now. 
 
By studying the Unique Skills he’d acquired, Twilight had gained a complete grasp on their nature—and on top of that, he’s unleashed a replica of his own ego and fused it together as a seed of greed 
 
The now-free Unique Skill, Greed, was drawn to the greediest. Then, through the many hosts, to Mariabelle. In the end, it was passed down to Yuuki. 
 
Twilight observed the process. 
 
Information had always been synchronized from the pseudo-personality residing within Unique Skill [Greed]. By analyzing that, Twilight’s research had taken a huge leap forward. 
 
When she’d been residing in Yuuki, she even had a chance to experience the strength of the Demon Lord Gii 
 
Gii had even cut off his classmates to deal with him in automatic mode because he was too dangerous an opponent. If Yuuki had died, that would have been the end of it, but he’d survived with a strangely strong luck. 
Thanks to that, I was able to re-synchronize my memories. And I obtained valuable information. 
 
It was the process by which Yuuki used Greed as a sacrifice to obtain Ultimate Abilities, Ultimate Skills, and Mammon the King of Greed. It was fortunate that the details were revealed. 
 
It was a pseudo-Twilight personality that Yuuki had infused with, but Michael had manipulated it. He’d deactivated his synchronization at that point, so it was unclear what was going on now. 
 
He’d heard that Yuuki was dead, so he’d probably long since vanished, but that little detail didn’t matter. After all, Twilight himself had reached the ultimate level. 
 
Ultimate Ability, Ultimate Skill, King of Greed, and Amon—that was the power Twilight had acquired 
 
He was neither good nor evil, but someone who genuinely wanted everything. 
 
An existence that satisfies intellectual curiosity, just as it was set in stone. 
 
And then, unable to hold back her desire to know, she tried to see what the result would be. 
 
No matter how chaotic the world gets, results are always important to Twilight. 
 
What's important is getting results. 
 
And then, to develop it and make use of it next. 
 
Twilight had spent everything she had just for that reason. 
 
Since malice didn't exist there, she became the embodiment of pure vice. 
 
This is the Divine Progenitor, Twilight Valentine. 
 
He's the ultimate egoist. 
 
Twilight would do anything for his own sake, regardless of good or bad deeds. 
 
And then, inevitably, I couldn’t turn away from a certain question. 
 
What lies beyond the ultimate? 
 
If even Ultimate Abilities, Ultimate Skills, King of Greed, and Amon were sacrificed, what would they gain from it? 
 
It would probably be Twilight’s true essence to actually carry out that question in an attempt to clear it up. 
 
And then I got it. 
 
A fearsome outcome that shouldn't exist. 
 
 
── [Ultimate Abilities] [Ultimat Skills] [Vulgar King] [Anra Manyu] 
 
 
This is the ultimate. 
 
It was a fearsome power that surpassed even the power of the Deadly Sins, paired with the power created by Veldanava 
 
Its main powers ranged from “Think Acceleration, Universal Sense, Analyze Appraisal, 
Creation of All Creation, Ability Replication, Abilities Synchronization, Space-time 
Manipulation, Multidimensional Barrier, [Eternal Regression], to Eigo Kaiki.” 
 
They specialize in creation and research, but they’re also unparalleled in combat. 
 
The fruits of Twilight's research, the “giryutai” that can be called its culmination, are also completed by this “vulgar king” Anra Manyu. 
 
As long as Velzard existed, Twilight was indestructible and invincible. 
 
......... 
 
...... 
 
... 
 
Twilight released the dragonewt and intimidated Testarossa. 
 
The existence of the Giryutai is ten times more overwhelming than Testarossa's. Twilight can't be quantified, but there's no doubt that the difference between us is far greater. 
 
Twilight was composed precisely because she understood that. 
(He's older than me, but in the end, he's a resident of the mental world who doesn't even have a body. He may have received flesh, but we have the advantage in the physical world. Not to mention, I'm overwhelmingly superior in physical abilities~) 
 
Twilight turned to Testarossa, who seemed to have misunderstood her position, and laughed, “I can’t lose.” 
 
＊ 

Thus began the battle between Testarossa and Twilight. 
 
A few hours passed. 
 
Both of them are alive and well. They're facing each other in midair. 
 
What's going on with Feldway? 
 
Milim arrived in Salion, but is she still running amok? 
 
How many forces had Luminus’s “Apocalyptic Declaration” gathered? 
 
Will humanity really be able to fight back against the cryptid horde led by the Ivarage? 
 
And what will happen to those fools who infiltrated the labyrinth? 
 
Forgetting all those concerns, Testarossa was focused on Twilight’s opponent. 
 
The formula for victory was already complete, but it wasn’t easy to figure it out. It was Testarossa who could push the situation forward so dangerously. 
 
Testarossa was carefully carrying things out so Twilight wouldn’t notice. 
 
Twilight, on the other hand, also felt something was off. 
 
「Ahahaha! What's wrong? There's no way magic like that could work on me!」 
 
She easily drowned out Testarossa's continuous time-delaying nuclear attack. She had overwrote Testarosa's magic with her overwhelming computational power. 
 
Normally, this would be a shocking level of skill. And yet, Twilight was the one getting annoyed on the inside. 
 
(That’s strange, you know? It’s only natural that Testarossa’s attacks wouldn’t work on me, but why is she still alive and well? It doesn’t make any sense that she’d be able to hold out against me for a few hours...) 
 
That's right. 
 
Testarossa's attacks were all easily nullified. And while she was obviously trying to return the favor, Testarosa was still alive and well. 
 
Though stained with blood, she was still dignified and in the air. 
Moreover, she hadn't lost her will to fight consistently since her first move. 
 
「White Flare.」 
 
Twilight was swallowed up by the white flames. 
 
(Tch, this the moment I let my guard down?! This guy was after this from the start, huh~?) 
 
For the past few hours, Twilight had been using powerful magic, as if he’d aimed it carefully, the moment he lost consciousness trying to think about Testarossa 
 
It didn’t do much damage, but he couldn’t ignore it. Twilight had no choice but to regain consciousness and focus on Testarossa as well. 
 
That was the plain, irritating factor. 
 
She recovered almost instantly, so there was no problem ignoring her, but this was Testarossa. She understood that she shouldn’t let her guard down, but the monotonous repetition seemed to have created a sense of conceit in Twilight. 
 
Irritation and conceit, the carelessness that arose there. 
 
In that moment, I was showered with a powerful blow~ 
 
That magic stimulates Twilight's sense of pain. 
 
It's something that reminds me of death. 
 
That was only natural. 
 
After all, “White Flare” was the ultimate antipersonnel magic created by Testarossa using her ultimate ability, Ultimate Skill, and Belial. 
 
Twilight's pseudo-dragon body was instantly dodged, but there was no problem. 
 
It completely regenerated, as if nothing had happened. 
 
「Man, you never learn, do you? I told you that no matter what you do, it won't work on me.」 
 
Twilight sneered in exasperation, looking down on Testarossa. 
 
That's an act to hide my inner irritation. 
 
I wouldn’t die no matter what kind of attack it was, but I still couldn’t shake the worry that I’d missed something big. 
 
Something feels off, and uneasy. It's the alarm that Twilight's instincts tell her. 
 
Twilight, however, ignored it. 
 
It was because I’d heard that the White Flare she’d just received was Testarossa’s strongest skill. 
An attack enhanced with the power of the Ultimate Ability, Ultimate Skill, was heavy. Not to mention, when it came to the strongest skill, it was on a completely different level from the previous spells. 
 
Even Twilight's prized pseudo-dragon body had been pierced through multiple layers of protective barriers and burned to ash in an instant. That was proof of the danger Testarossa posed. 
 
But that’s all. 
 
As long as even the strongest attack was meaningless, there was no chance of victory against Testarossa. Twilight smiled with composure because she understood that. 
 
Testarossa’s strongest technique ended in a dud, but her reaction was unexpected. 
 
“No, that’s for Twilight,” I should add. 
 

Testarossa had already taken this outcome into account from the very beginning. 
 
Everything up until now had gone according to Testarossa’s plan, including the fact that Twilight would get carried away and sneer at her. 
 
Testarossa is truly cunning and calm. Even the White Flare is nothing more than a single card in her hand. 
 
That’s how he’d used a wide variety of techniques to keep Twilight’s mind fixed on himself, preventing him from noticing the bigger trap. 
 
Twilight is definitely strong. 
 
There was no mistaking that she surpassed Testarossa in terms of sheer combat ability alone 
 
However, the match was evenly matched. In fact, the board was in Testarossa's hands. 
 
That was the difference in combat experience between us. 
 
It was rare for Testarossa to make her own moves, but she used her intellect to give orders to her subordinates. It was her strength to have enough combat sense to make use of such experiences. 
 
「You really are a fool.」 
 
Testarossa’s smile deepened. 
 
The look in his eyes wasn’t those of someone who’d despaired after their trump card was broken. It was clearly someone who looked down on Twilight. 
 
It was only at this juncture that even Twilight, who had been so big-headed, realized the source of the discomfort. 
 
「~? I see... I thought something was strange, but you didn't take much damage from my attack, did you? Were you deliberately taking a hit?」 
Unlike Twilight, who recovered instantly, Testarossa's wounds continued to increase. She didn't have anything large enough to be fatal, but there were a number of discolored scars on her bare skin that looked like her military uniform was torn. 
 
There were burns, cuts, and striking scars. They were unmistakably Twilight's attacks. 
 
But that's exactly why――If they've been hit by that many attacks, it's unnatural that they're still active. 
 
 
No matter how much damage he’d reduced, Twilight’s skills weren’t just for show, either. The technique that came from his body, modeled after the strongest “dragon species,” was so powerful that it could be slaughtered in a single blow, even if it was a Demon Lord species. 
 
And yet Testarossa was still alive and well, which meant she’d only made it look like it was a direct hit. 
 
(Or it's possible that she really hasn't taken any serious damage, but... No, I guess that's not it. In that case, there's no point in leaving a mark. Interesting! I wonder what she's after.) 
 
Because she was invincible, Twilight wasn’t afraid. 
 
Because of her conceit that she would be fine no matter what he did to her, she found it fun to probe Testarossa’s intentions. 
 
That was Twilight’s bad habit and weakness. 
 
Testarossa was well aware of Twilight’s personality like that. 
 
「You haven't grown at all.」 
 
「What are you saying? You've become far stronger than you used to be!」 
 
「Phew, that's exasperating. Your fighting style is childish. It's fun to torment someone with a difference in skill, isn't it? It'll be like a child happily crushing a nest of ants.」 
 
「So? What's wrong with that?」 
 
「I didn't say it was bad. I think it's foolish, though.」 
 
Those were Testarossa's true feelings. 
 
It was still fine to look down on someone who could win, but torturing them was out of the question. All the more so if it was a battle they couldn't lose. 
 
If there's a difference in our abilities, we should finish them off quickly. And above all else, we mustn't give them time to come up with a plan. 
 
「I'm stupid? That's a strange thing to say.」 
 
「It's the truth. But I'll thank you. After all, it's thanks to you that I can win. 
It was an unbelievable folly from Testarossa’s point of view, but this time, it saved her. Being able to use Twilight’s bad habits had fulfilled the conditions for her victory. 
 
「Impossible. No matter what you do, I won't be able to close the gap in our abilities.」 
 
Twilight laughed at Testarossa’s words, but she quickly pulled back her smile. 
 
It was because he’d sensed something was wrong with Testarossa. 
 
Not only were there no scars, but even the torn uniform had been repaired. 
 
Twilight wondered how the hell she could do that. 
 
The bewitching smile on her face was brimming with confidence, and she didn’t seem cornered. 
 
(Is this guy seriously trying to beat me?) 
 
That's impossible. Twilight can be resurrected, no matter how many attacks it takes. Testarossa is worse in terms of energy loss. 
 
Twilight’s pseudo-dragon body was constructed from Velzard’s magicules floating in the air. Even if it was reduced to dust, it could regenerate instantly, and there was no way to defeat it. 
 
And mentally, they're protecting the core of Velzard, so even if their souls are destroyed, they can be revived. 
 
Truly invincible. 
 
It doesn't matter who it is, Twilight is confident that it should be able to defeat even Veldanava. 
 
As such, there was no way he could lose to someone like Testarossa. 
 
「Very well. I'll crush your confidence. I will show you the true power of my ultimate power, my Ultimate Skill, and my corrupt king, Anra Manyuu.」 
 
Twilight declared that with a bewitching glint in her eyes. 
 
 
＊ 

[Ultimate Ability] [Ultimatum Skill] [Vulgar King] [Anra Manyu] is the worst and most evil power in the world. It is the will to kill God itself, and it can also be said to be a power exclusive to the anti-Veldanava. 
 
He surpassed his parents. In other words, he was a god-killer. 
 
Twilight also bore the burden of that fate. 
 
The reason he’d made Luminus kill him was so he could observe the process of achieving that feat 
 
In light of every possible case, he intended to kill Veldanava in perfect condition. 
 
Since Veldanava wouldn’t be resurrected, that ambition remained unfulfilled, but... 
 

But because of that, Ultimate Abilities, Ultimate Skills, and Vulgar Kings, Anra Manyuu, were more refined and vicious. 
 
It was a high-ranking power in the Deadly Sins category, but it didn't have the right to control lower-ranked powers like the [Angel Chief's Dominion] or the [Ultimate Dominions]. The demon type was naturally a free power, so it had nothing to do with being subject to it. That was why it didn’t even have the kind of coercive dominion power that the [Royal Authority] or [Regardless] did. 
 
You could say there was no need for that in the first place. 
 

Because Ultimate Abilities, Ultimate Skills, and Vile Kings, Anra Manyue, have the special power to reduce anything and everything to nothing. 
 
All life forms end up with death. 
 
No matter how many people there are, inviting them to a place they can't escape no matter what is called 'Eternal Regression' by 'Anra Manyu', who specializes in trampling on the free will of others. 
 
「Continue to perish in my world, Eternal Twilight.」 
 
Malice assaulted Testarossa. 
The embodiment of vice that feeds on even the voices of resentment played by the dead in hell. That's the true nature of the 'Villainous King'. 
 
It is more crafty and indecent than the [Demon Tribe] that feeds on human emotions. It is a power worth spitting on. 
 
However, the effect was immense. 
 
That kind of “eternal return” that the “vulgar king” (Anra Manyu) is so proud of has the terrifying effect of capturing all beings within the area of effect in a pseudo-hell and showing them nightmares for all eternity until the world disappears. 
 
Those who are imprisoned are not allowed to escape, and must meet the end of the world. And that voice of anguish and resentment is making the “Villager King” grow more and more. 
 
If he was targeted by this, there would be no way to escape, and even if he was a “original demon” accustomed to hell, he would have to repeat the nightmare of being destroyed and regenerated over and over. 
 
And then my soul would be exhausted, and eventually I would be reduced to nothingness... 
 
In the end, Twilight, who was looking forward to seeing which would end sooner, shouted with joy. 
 
「Ahahaha! My malice will destroy even God!! I'm sure you're older than me, but you'll never be able to―」 
 
The darkness of the end, the embodiment of despair, threatened to swallow up the white world. 
 
However, nothing happened. 
 
Testarossa floated elegantly where she had come from. 
 
「~~~!?」 
 
Twilight was genuinely shocked. 
 
That nostalgic feeling is the same as what I felt when the unexpected results of the experiment came out. 
 
But unlike that time, I wasn't excited. 
It's just that I can't accept reality. 
 
「It seems strange, doesn't it? It's foolish that you really didn't notice.」 
 
「Wh-Why? Why are you safe?!」 
 
Twilight didn’t even care that he’d been mocked for being foolish; he wanted to know why. 
 
Testarossa had to be dead. There was no way something as ridiculous as being completely unharmed could happen. 
But that was Twilight’s business, and Testarossa had no obligation to go along with it. She simply carried out the role she’d been given indifferently. 
 
Testarossa’s cherry-blossom lips formed an evil arc. 
 
And then, she announced her despair. 
 
「You want to know what destruction is all about, don't you? That's great. I'll tell you. I just finished preparing.」 
 
As soon as she finished saying that, Testarossa’s derisive smile deepened. 
 
And then... 
 
They carried it out as planned from the start. 
 
「The pure white end, the nihilistic end.」 
 
The world turns white. 
 
Velzard's ice and snow had whitened it out to begin with, but the world was covered in enough “white darkness” to blot it out. 
 
「You're kidding, right? I don't know what's going on outside anymore!」 
 
「Man, I've been here for a long time...」 
「I'm surprised. It's not that Moss's barrier is amazing. There's an invisible membrane on its surface.」 
 
「...That's Testarossa for you. She pulled a draw with me.」 
 
I could hear the voices of those watching from the outfield. 
 
Their sentiments were three-way, but everyone had one thing in common: they were shocked. 
 
Then again, Soka was a different story. 
 
Velzard’s ice and snow had disturbed magicules, so even “Magic Sense” wasn’t useful. It had been completely white-out, so my senses had long since gone numb. 
 
The only reason he hadn’t gone insane was because he’d been able to see inside Moss’s barrier. 
 
It looks like it's been painted with even more “white” this time, but I can't tell the difference from Soka's perception. I'm thinking that something terrible must have happened, and I've already taken a philosophical view as if it doesn't concern me. 
 
Meanwhile... 
 
As for Twilight, she didn't have the luxury of being heartwarming like that. 
 
She was trying to grasp the situation by speeding up her mind to the maximum, in a state of thought acceleration of millions, tens of millions of times. 
(What happened?! My Eternal Twilight was perfect, so why is Testarossa safe? No, more importantly, what is this 'white darkness'?!) 
 
That “white” was eating away at Twilight’s body. 
 
It's faster than my body's regenerative speed. 
 
(No, calm down. Even if your body turns to dust, all you have to do is create another 
Giryutai. Right now, it's more important to find out what Testarossa did.) 
 
Deciding that it didn’t matter what happened to his own body, that would have to wait, 
Twilight tried to resume his analysis of the situation 
 
Just then, Testarossa’s “thought” reached the infinitely delayed thought area. 
 
“I don’t know, how does it feel to experience true destruction?” 
 
“Interesting. I’ve learned a little about what you’ve done. You’ve left the Void you used to find out about my existence as it is.” 
 
“Yes, that’s exactly right.” 
 
“It’s a big deal. I can’t believe you’re maintaining it so naturally while fighting me.” 
 
Twilight praised him from the bottom of his heart. 
Voids were the ultimate energy of destruction. It was a waste of common sense to let it naturally melt into ice and snow and maintain it in a harmless state as it was. 
 
Since the cost of consumption is too great, it would be more effective to quickly divert it into an attack. Moreover, it was an act Twilight couldn't understand, such as keeping it hidden until the moment it attacked. 
 
You could say that was why I missed it, but there was no sense of danger. 
 
Indeed, it was a direct hit from the Void, so its current body, including its “soul,” would disappear. However, Twilight would be completely regenerated, so it was meaningless. 
 
This is perfect immortality. It's because I'm invincible. 
 
However, this is where a miscalculation occurs. 
 
Testarossa had murmured in exasperation. 
 
It seems you really don’t understand.” 
 
『──？』 

My Void wasn’t summoned from hell.” 
 
“Huh?” 
 
Twilight looked at Testarossa, wondering what the hell she was talking about. 
There was the absolute monarch, laughing in ecstasy. 
 
“This power is proof that he’s alive and well. When I opened the door deep in my chest, I felt a definite breath.” 
 
『What've you been doing this whole time?』 
 
“I wanted to feel it more, but it looks like it’s about time to say goodbye.” 
 
Testarossa is cautious. 
 
She wouldn’t do anything that surpassed her own caliber, like Zegion did. 
 
She understood that even if she tried, she wouldn’t succeed in the first place. 
 
However, the prescribed amount was more than enough of a threat. 
 
Testarossa's Ultimate Abilities, Ultimate Skills, and the King of Death, Belial, were the powers closest to death. Among them, the afterlife was the power to handle the fires of hell, the Voids. 
 
That was why the Void Disintegration Rimuru had borrowed from him could also be safely exercised in a prescribed amount, and by combining it with his own Pure White World and Nihilistic World, he was able to control the extremely dangerous world as his own 
 
Voids devour information children. 
Strictly speaking, it would erase the information written on the “informant.” 
 
All possible orders were meaningless if they couldn’t be conveyed. 
 
Even if it's information that jumps across time and space and synchronizes instantly, if it gets interfered with by the “information cub” itself... 
 
“Impossible... My, my heart isn’t reacting...?” 
 
“Isn’t that obvious? I’ve gone out with you many times, but I’m getting tired of playing with you. So I’ll have to put an end to this.” 
 
With that, Testarossa’s “thought” left her. 
 
Twilight's thought process became lonely once more. 
 
(Huh? This 'white darkness' is all 'Void'? Impossible!? I can't let that happen!!) 
 
As far as Twilight knew, there was no one who could control the Voids, which were already difficult to control, enough to fill the space, even if they were isolated. 
 
If I had to describe it, it would be like taking on a thousand Shogi players from all over the world at the same time and ruling the board with superiority. They don't lose focus for a moment, and they can't make a single mistake. Even so, achieving it is a dream come true. It's an impossible feat in a story. 
From the past to the present――Yes, even Veldanava should have been unable to pull off such a feat. 
 
(What the hell's going on?) 
 
Twilight's consciousness is swallowed up by the white darkness. 
 
I should have been satisfied with my intellectual curiosity after getting the answer from Testarossa, but because of the new question, my heart remained unfulfilled. 
  
＊ 

Those inside Moss’s barrier were hard to find out what was going on outside. Even so, even though they didn’t know the details of the battle, they somehow thought Testarossa would win. 
 
Part of it was that I couldn’t imagine Testarossa losing, and part of it is because I felt a fundamental fear from the “white darkness” filling the outside world. 
 
Moss and so on are especially prominent. 
 
「Crap!? Testarossa-sama, you're really angry...」 
 
I’d been able to “sensate” it briefly before it closed white, but Testarossa’s entire body was covered in wounds. She seemed to have recovered properly, but that didn’t mean she was okay. 
 
The problem was that it would hurt the proud White Queen's body. 
 
That meant that Twilight’s attack was touching Testarossa’s ball body. 
 
 
If Testarossa was only dealing with magic, then such a situation was impossible, because by launching a one-sided attack from a distance, she would be able to stand around so as not to let them get close to her. 
 
However, that doesn't seem to be the case at the moment. 
 
Was Twilight’s skillful fighting style enough to make him abandon Testarossa’s pride? 
 
Even so, it was an unbelievable event for Moss. 
 
If his opponent had been a “dragon species” like Velgrind, he would have been able to hold back. 
 
However, his opponent was the Sacred Ancestor. He was feared as a human being among the ancient gods, but from Testarossa's point of view, one of the Seven Monarchs, he was not someone to be respected. 
 
「Well, I'll admit that she's strong. But Testarossa-sama isn't good at fighting, so...」 
 
「I'm not good at it either, you know?」 
 
「Well, I'm not good at it.」 
 
Rain and Misery reacted to Moss’s murmured words. 
 
Soka maintained her silence, but there was a complicated state of mind behind it. 
 
(I'm good at fighting, but... I'm weaker than those who say they're bad at fighting...) 
 
It was a blunt story, but sadly, it was the truth. 
 
The conversation continued, leaving Soka’s sorrow behind. 
 
「But it's strange...」 
 
「What do you mean?」 
 
Moss thought for a moment to explain what was wrong, then put it into words. 
 
「Testarossa-sama is good at defense. It's only natural, but she's not kind enough to fight in her opponent's area of expertise, so the current situation itself seems unnatural.」 
 
As a matter of fact, Testarossa had gone along with the fighting. She also used magic, but she had dealt with Twilight’s attacks to stay where she was. 
 
That certainly seemed like something Testarossa wouldn’t do, since she specialized in long-range combat so as not to inflict any damage at all.
Hearing her explanation, Lain and Misery nodded. 
 
「I see. Well, you're right. I'll do whatever it takes to win. I won't hesitate to bring it into my field of expertise.」 
 
「That's right. Even so, Testarossa didn't do that. Which means...」 
 
There's a reason for that. 
 
「Umm, I have a question.」 
 
Here, Soka timidly opens her mouth. 
 
「What is it?」 
 
And Moss urged him on, hiding his true feelings that it would be a pain. 
 
There’s nothing Soka can do in this situation, so as Moss, I want her to stay quiet. As such, I didn’t care much about Soka’s opinion, but my eyes widen when I hear it. 
 
「What was Testarossa-san's name again? Umm, was it the Pure White World, the Nihilistic World? Huh? I wonder what happened?」 
 
「Hm?」 
 
“Come to think of it...” Moss remembered 
 
Testarossa deployed the Pure White World, the Nihilistic World, to find the Twilight that had been hiding here. 
 
That's the first stage. We're on standby. 
 
If we go on the offensive from here, all of the area of effect designated by Testarossa will be exposed to the fierce power of the Void. 
 
It doesn't matter who's friend or foe. The specified amount of energy cancels out and disappears. Moss and Soka can't escape, so if they're still alive, that means Testarossa hasn't released the Void. 
 
Actually, in the first place... 
 
「Even Testarossa-sama wouldn't be able to maintain the Void for a long time. That's probably why she disarmed it so long ago.」 
 
That's what Moss thinks... No, it's a wish. 
 
Wasn’t the reason Testarossa didn’t bring it into her specialty magic battle because she’d invested her power into something else? 
 
No, no, that can't be true. Moss denies his own thoughts. 
Fighting for a long time with the extremely dangerous Void deployed is insane, after all. 
 
If, hypothetically, Testarossa tried to faint for even a moment during the battle, the Voids that had lost control would be released. 
 
It looked like she had been hit by Twilight, and there was a great risk of losing consciousness in an instant. Controlling the Void normally wore her down, so from Moss’s point of view, it was impossible for things to unfold at all times. 
 
(Of course he wouldn't take such a risk. Isn't he all right, Lady Testarossa?) 
 
Then, Moss prayed, as if to swallow his unease. 
 
However, the person she was praying to was Testarossa, so there was no way such a wish would be heard 
 
「But Moss-kun, no matter how you look at it, it's 'Void', right?」 
 
「That's right. No matter how you look at it, it's showing aggression and eating away at Twilight.」 
 
Lain and Misery were the ones to tell him that in heartless voices 
 
I didn’t have to point it out—I’d realized it was Moss. 
 
「You're kidding...」 
(Does that mean there was a risk that the world would be destroyed, even if there was one in a million chance—no, no, even a billion!?) 
 
As soon as she understood that, Moss looked like she was about to sit down. 
 
「Wow, Testarossa-san, you really are amazing! I thought we'd all die if we attacked during that second stage.」 
 
Soka, who didn’t understand anything, gave a slightly off-kilter impression. 
 
「Hmm, soudane.」 
 
With that, Rein smiled bitterly, as if trying to hide it. 
 
「It's more like I'm going to die. Yes, I might be happier if I don't know. Do you still want to hear it?」 
 
Misery trailed off mid-explanation and looked at Soka enviously. 
 
That alone was enough for Soka to guess. 
 
「No, there's no need. As a covert person, I wanted to keep track of the information, but I'll throw it away for now!」 
 
Soka’s strength was that she could choose peace of mind over a sense of responsibility here 
 
But that’s the right answer. 
Even if he explained that the world was on the verge of collapse here, Soka wouldn’t have been able to accept it. 
 
Even Lain and Misery, who’d decided that, had a surprisingly kind side to them 
 
 
Twilight's existence disappears elsewhere, leaving those who have lost themselves in thought. 
 
Seeing that, Lain was overjoyed. 
 
「All right! Twilight, you bastard! Look at this!」 
 
She was shouting from the bottom of her heart, trying to clear away the pent-up resentment. 
 
Misery agreed with this. 
 
「Yeah, she was a big problem child, so I feel more relieved.」 
 
Even Soka, who had heard that, was convinced that he must have been a dangerous person. 
 
Everyone’s tension had dissipated from the sense of relief that the crisis had passed. 
 
「Good, good. I've drawn a draw with Testarossa, so it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that I actually defeated Twilight. It's truly exhilarating to feel like I fulfilled one of my long-cherished wishes!」 
And so on. Even though she hadn't done anything like Lain, she even interpreted it in a way that was quite convenient for her. 
 
However, the problem hadn't been resolved yet. 
 
Velzard, our original objective, is still alive and well, and this land is still covered in a white, closed-off world. 
 
As if to remind me of that again, the fierce battle between Gii and Velzard began to move in earnest~ 
  
＊ 
 
White and red auras intersect in midair. 
 
The amount of heat that should have swallowed up even the star system was filled with that small mass. A collision alone would cause great destruction, but since the ground was protected, the ice and snow were only blowing madly. 
 
Gii’s attacks had no effect on Velzard. 
 
Because I wasn't serious. 
 
Gii knew everything. 
 
Testarossa’s victory, and the blockheads’ nonsense. 
And even the change in Velzard, his enemy. 
 
He’d sensed a third party on the way, so he’d always been on guard. It was difficult to probe while dealing with Velzard, but Testarossa had uncovered his true identity. Moreover, she’d just defeated him with the utmost care. 
 
With this, she could finally focus on Velzard. 
 
(Still, Twilight, huh? That means I don't think he died from that thing. I bet he's still inside Velzard.) 
 
Gii guessed as much. 
 
And that Testarossa had probably noticed, too. 
 
Testarossa is a fearsome person that even Gii acknowledges. 
 
She showed me her fiendish, unparalleled power, worthy of the name of the White Queen. 
 
According to conventional common sense, Voids cannot be controlled. Once released, all beings trapped within the area of effect of the White Pure World should be consumed. 
 
However, Testarossa had manipulated it perfectly, obliterating only Twilight. 
 
Even from Gii's point of view, this was a surprising phenomenon. 
 
And only Gii had noticed. 
 
That what Testarossa had done had been a much more difficult, outrageous technique 
 
Testarossa had taken her time creating a cage out of “nothingness.” She sealed Twilight inside it, severing her connection to the outside of the cage.
 
He must have observed the movements of the informants the moment he burned them to a crisp with the White Flare, checked the main body inside Velzard, and grasped it. 
 
Gii had done the same, which was why he correctly understood the meaning of Testarossa’s actions. 
 
(What a terrifying move. If I'd let my guard down, I might have lost too.) 
 
Or so I thought, thinking about the impossible. 
 
Gii would never let his guard down, so it was just a fantasy. 
 
In any case, there was no doubt that he needed to reevaluate the threat level of 
Testarossa, but that was something he could think about later 
 
Right now, stopping Velzard came first. 
 
「Gii, you understand, don't you?」 
 
「Isn't that obvious?」 
 
「Then that's fine. I'll rest, so can I leave the rest to you?」 
 
「Yeah. You'll leave the Voids covering Velzard as they are, won't you?」 
 
「Fufufu, it can't be helped. I'll let you borrow it.」 
 
With those words, Testarossa descended to the ground. 
 
He was proud, so he would never admit it, but he was already exhausted and didn't even have the magical energy left to float in the air. Gii could see that, but it wasn't so uncouth as to point that out. 
 
On the contrary, she’s even asking for something reckless. 
 
Testarossa had cast Voids to cover the surface of her body, certain that Twilight’s main body was inside Velzard. This had erased the information from the “informant” and prevented Twiright from regenerating. 
 
Gii had asked her to leave it behind. In other words, he wanted her to continue to maintain the Void forever. 
 
Testarossa lightly accepted the offer, calling it a “debt,” but it was a back-and-forth precisely because they had a certain trust in each other 
 
With that, there was no longer any fear of Twilight getting in the way. 
 
Gii grinned and faced Velzard. 
They had been fighting for several dozen hours, but neither of them had been serious. 
 
But this is where the real battle begins. 
 
We've done more than enough small-fry, so next time, we're going to land a blow that could be fatal. 
 
(Well, this won't kill me.) 
 
With that thought in mind, I swung my hand. 
 
Unsurprisingly, Velzard parried it with a composed expression. 
 
「Tch, even my [Demon Claw of Calamity] can't be nullified.」 
 
Gii's attack, Calamity Magical Mirage Claw, was a special attack against the worst-case scenario: Infected-type Destruction Particles infiltrated through the contact area, polluting the enemy's insides. It had greater mental effects than the physical body, and even a graze could cause mental contamination. 
 
It was the first technique she’d used to kill someone without taking a direct hit. 
 
And yet, it didn’t work on Velzard. 
 
Everything that touched Velzard would be fixed in place in an instant. 
 
Because she's exerting influence on the level of an informational child, it doesn't matter if it's physical or mental. It freezes everything. 
 
As such, Velzard smiled playfully.
 
「Of course. Why don't we cross blades more and more?」 
 
Hearing that made Gii feel a little fed up. 
 
(How long is this guy going to hold a grudge?) 
 
You haven't changed since we first met, Gii thought. 
 
And at the same time, I realized the possibility. 
 
Velzard wondered if he was freezing even his emotions. 
 
If that were the case, it would be troublesome. 
 
Because the harder it is, the more vulnerable it is to unexpected impacts. 
 
Now that it was clear that Twilight resided in Velzard’s psyche, Gii recognized that the situation was unpredictable. 
  
＊ 

Velzard had originally approached Gii with the goal of testing him. 
I was jealous of my brother, Gii, who was acknowledged by Veldanava. 
 
And over the years, I've started to feel a little, yes, just a little bit of fun. 
 
In a way, that was only natural. 
 
It was Velzard who managed the empty Tenseikyu, not Feldway. 
 
I'll always be alone. 
 
Without a shadow of a doubt, the current situation is filled with a sense of duty. 
 
That's why living with Gii is so new to me. 
 
At this rate, I’d almost forget my goal... No, I really didn’t need to worry about it. 
 
At the regularly visiting Tenseikyu, Velzard reexamined his own core. To never forget his initial feelings, he used the newly awakened Kings of Jealousy and Leviathan and Gabriel to freeze his core. 
 
And so, Velzard sealed away his emotions, as if abandoning all hesitation. 
 
And now... 
 
Velzard was in ecstasy. 
 
The situation she’d always wished for filled her heart with euphoria. 
 
That’s what Velzard had always wished for. 
 
This time, he would beat down Gii, who had become serious. And he would prove that he was the strongest. 
 
Velzard thought that if he did that, Gii would recognize him as well. 
 
Why do I have to beat Gii? 
 
A questioning voice rose up somewhere in my heart, but I kept quiet. 
 
I closed my heart tighter and tighter so that I wouldn't have to ask that question. 
 
On the surface, she smiled, and a blizzard was always blowing on Velzards insides.
《Now is the time to fulfill our long-cherished wish.》 
 
Whispering to Velzard was Twilight, who was cooperating with him. 
 
By completely informing her of her own core, she's transformed into the very embodiment of power. 
 
Recently, it seemed that they’d discovered a dizzying amount of new information and new facts. Twilight let out a happy shriek as she scrutinized all of that information, but as a result, she’d undergone a sudden evolution. 
 
Now she seems to have transcended the spiritual life-form known as the Divinity Core. 
 
Giryutai was one of them, and it was an unparalleled power, but it was only possible to use it when paired with Velzard. 
 
《The best plan was to use the trump card, the Giryutai, after the stalemate with Gii.》 

“It can’t be helped. Gii doesn’t let his guard down.” 
 
I've been waiting for an opening for several dozen hours, but I haven't seen a single trace of it. Gii hasn't let his guard down from start to finish. 
 
On the contrary, she seemed convinced that Velzard was hiding something. 
 
That was why Velzard had assumed that strategy would fail. 
 
I hadn’t expected Testarossa to get in my way, but the situation was still the same. 
 
《Pretty much. Still, the White Queen Testarossa is pretty good. She can control the extremely dangerous Void as she pleases.》 
 
“That’s right. It’s still enveloping the surface of my body, so I can’t use [Giryutai], either.” 
 
As a matter of fact, Velzard was wrapped in a shining white darkness.
It's not that I can't shake this off, but it's dangerous to do it in front of Gii. 
 
Voids had the property of absorbing energy, so if Velzard released his magic, he could probably wipe it out. 
 
However, I didn't think that would be the end of it. I could see that if I was summoned to the Void again, it would end in nothing more than a waste of time. 
 
It really is a troublesome and troublesome move. 
 
《The ejection system was wiped out, right? It'd be fine if it just reduced its power, but it'd know the moment it fired, so it's easy to dodge.》 
 
That's Twilight for you. His analytical abilities are impressive. 
 
The pseudo-personality I sent out was completely defeated by Testarossa, but as an advisor, I couldn't ask for more. 
 
Testarossa’s goal was to contain Twilight, which meant she’d lost one of her trump cards to Gii. 
 
He had no choice but to abandon his original plan at this point, and he should have entered a head-on rock-paper-scissors match. 
 
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s a happy situation.” 
 
Twilight didn't respond to this. 
 
It would be one thing if they were aiming for a certain victory, but it was because Velzard’s goal was different. 
 
《You can defeat Gii and do whatever you want.》 
 
“Yes, I’ll do that.” Velzard’s smile deepened to a grand extent. 
 
The next moment, Velzard unleashed his desire. 
 
I hadn't held back at all, but I'd still protected the last line. But now, I've given up my reasoning in order to obtain Gii. 
 
「Gii! To me, you're everything!! I've been looking at you all this time. I was looking only at you. So why aren't you looking at me? Look at me. Look only at me!!」 
 
It was Velzard’s heartfelt cry. 
 
She was selfish and selfish, but more than anything, she was a pure negai. 
 
Gii stood still in midair, keeping his distance from Velzard, but he sensed danger and flew backwards. 
 
Just in the nick of time. 
 
Back where I came from, the violent ice and snow was blowing wildly. 
 
With the force of the purple lightning, Velzard’s onslaught began. 
 
Having abandoned his plan, Velzard was a real threat. 
 
Even among the strongest “dragon species,” Velzard was on another level. 
 
As a being second only to the “Star King Dragon” Veldanava, it hid a bottomless power. 
 
The vast amount of magical energy released became a wave and raged, trying to blow away Testarossa’s Voids 
 
This wasn't Velzard's intention. It was merely an act of intimidation accompanied by a heightened will to fight. And yet, it was effective. 
 
「Kuh, that's not funny... It's expensive, gii!」 
 
With that, Testarossa, who had been trying to regroup within Moss’s barrier, cursed. 
 
Even so, he hadn’t given up, controlling the Void and channeling Velzard’s magic well. His skill was in the realm of art, and even Lain, who always competed with him, found it impossible to admit defeat early on. 
 
It was enough to make even Gii admit it. 
 
「Thank you, Testarossa!」 
 
If Twilight came out here, it would be a pain, and Gii’s victory would be far away. Gii was truly glad Testarossa had come. 
 
Even Testarossa didn't have the composure to take on another opponent. 
 
It was my first move, so I was able to get through, but if it was my second time, they'd probably take countermeasures against me. 
 
Before that, it was best to ignore enemies that would revive no matter how many they defeated. That was one of the lessons I’d learned from my special training in Ramiris’ labyrinth. 
 
Anyone who tried to stop Velzard now would be kicked away in an instant. 
 
Not even Testarossa could do that. 
 
They weren’t at a level where anything would happen if they tried to come up with a plan, and discussions wouldn’t get through. 
 
I'm out of options. 
 
There was only one person who could face Velzard now that it had come to this: not even one hand. 
 
No, on the contrary... 
 
(Even Lord Veldora and Lord Velgrind might not be able to do it...) 
 
The only ones who can take him on are the dragonewts of the same level or Gii. 
 
(It looks like Sir Rimuru could do something about it, but... Wait, the moment I think about that, I’m worthless, too.) 
 
Testarossa tried to control herself, but no one would blame her for that. 
 
Rimuru wasn’t here, so either way, they had to do something on their own 
 
「We'll just have to leave it to Gii.」 
 
Gii, who had the potential to stop Velzard, was entrusted with all of his remaining hope. 
 
Testarossa had finally made it to the barrier. 
 
The interior of Moss’s barrier had become comfortable in anticipation of Testarossa joining them 
 
After all, Moss had used this opportunity to earn points and adjust the temperature. 
 
There was a warmth as warm as the spring sun, and even Soka, who had been freezing, was taking a breather. 
 
Not only that, Moss had even created a chair with [Material Creation]. 
There was no way they could sit on the frozen ground, and Moss and the others had been standing there the whole time, but they couldn’t let Testarossa do something like that. 
 

It's second-rate to act after being ordered to. First-rate is to prepare everything beforehand so as not to offend your master. 
 

Moss faithfully protects that theory and serves Testarossa. 
 
「Moss-kun, why didn't you leave it like this in the first place?」 
 
Lain complained as she plopped down in her chair. There was quite a bit of sarcasm in the way she emphasized “you”. 
 
Rein was cold, so he'd been holding back until now. He had enough common sense to think there was no point in begging for something he didn't have, and so he behaved himself. 
 
However... 
 
Judging by how many chairs had been prepared for Misery, Lain, and even Soka, it seemed they’d unquestionably left behind some extra energy 
 
From Lain’s point of view, she wanted to say, “If you can, do it from the start!” 
 
She wanted to question why Testarossa was the only one getting preferential treatment. 
 
「I wonder what she's talking about. Where's Lain?」 
 
Testarossa, elegantly seated in the chair prepared for her, asked in exasperation. 
 
It was Misery who answered this. 
 
「I'm sorry, Testarossa. Rein's doing his best, so it looks like he's stressed out a little.」 
 
「Misery, don't you think you're spoiling her too much?」 
 
「That's not true.」 
 
「Even if you tell a girl who's trying her best to do her best, it'll only backfire by cornering her, but if she's not trying her hardest, you can just rile her up, you know?」 
 
「~? What are you trying to say?」 
 
Testarossa was genuinely exasperated at Misery, who really didn’t seem to understand. 
 
「You're doing your best, aren't you?」 
 
「Huh? Are you serious about that?」 
 
「Isn't it obvious?」 
 

「Are you not disgusted by Gii?」 
「That's true, but it's probably because I'm not good enough.」 
 
Testarossa thought that wasn't it, but she hesitated to say it out loud. 
 
She’d sympathized with Misery a little. 
 
The conversation ended, and the inside of the barrier went quiet. 
 
The battle between Gii and Velzard was intensifying outside, so if there was nothing to talk about, the tension would only increase. On the other hand, it was safer to avoid careless topics. 
 
By the way, Moss has erased his presence like air. 
 
They were sitting side by side as if hiding from Soka, silently doing their own work with faces like it had nothing to do with them. 
 
The idea of her own name being mentioned in a conversation between two primogenitors was stressful. The best course of action would be to ignore it while wishing she wouldn’t touch herself any further. 
 
However, Moss’s wish didn’t work. 
 
「Look at Moss. She's grown up to be quite capable thanks to me.」 
 
Give me a break, Moss thought. 
 

(If I fail, you'll get angry with me for obliterating my existence!) 
It wasn't on the level of cuteness. The reality was that only those who could withstand the pressure of not allowing them to fail were left alive. 
 

I’d feel better if I could just say, “You’re not talking about that as if it’s my own achievement,” but Moss kept his mouth shut like a shell and indicated with his attitude, ‘Lady Testarossa’s right.’ 
 
「Well, that's true. If you look at Moss, I'll admit that you're capable in terms of education as well... But you know. Lain can do it if she tries, you know? She made you cry, but she also drew a draw with you, didn't she?」 
 
「...When was that supposed to happen?」 
 
Testarossa looked dubious. 
 

It wasn’t Misery who responded to this, but Lain, who had been on the topic 
 
「That's enough talk about the past, isn't it? Right now, it's more important to think about how to ensure Gii-sama's victory, right?」 
 
I could see through her true desire to gloss over the inconvenient story. 
 
「Changing the subject so blatantly is a surprisingly underhanded strategy...」 
 
Soka whispers to herself. 
 
That opponent is Moss. 
 
(Could you please keep quiet? At least stop dragging me into this!!) 
 
And it was Moss, looking off into the distance like she wanted to cry. 
 
 Rain was trembling. 
 
(I wonder why? I feel like my position has become very dangerous...) 
 
You reap what you sow. 
 
However, Lain was the type to seek the cause from others, so she didn’t consider herself to be at fault 
 
As soon as I understood that deception wouldn’t work this time either, I decided to make my next move. 
 
In other words, another change of topic. 
 
Reim declared, feeling full. 
 
「It can't be helped, it's for victory. Why don't I go and help Gii-sama?!」 
 
“What do you think?” Rain declared. 
 
Testarossa snorted when she heard that. 
 
And then... 
 
「If you want to die, I won't stop you. You'll be killed in an instant, and you'll only end up providing us with laughter.」 
 
And, well, he’d fanned Rain with a harsh opinion, as if he was putting his words from earlier into practice. 
 
Soka restrained herself as if to say, “I don’t have the right to speak,” but she agreed with Testarossa. 
 
Moss, too. There's no mistaking it, since it's the lord's idea. Considering the situation, Rein's words are laughable. 
 
Even Rain was at the top of the mountain that belonged to one of the strongest, but against the top, there was too much difference. 
 
Anyone would understand that Testarossa’s opinion was correct. 
 
Even Misery couldn’t defend Rain. 
 
「Well, that's true. Even if we go, we'll only get in Gii-sama's way, so let's do what we can, okay?」 
 
As he soothed Lain with those words, he vividly changed the subject, saying, “Come to think of it, my subordinates were sent to Rubelios as well.” 
 

Rain’s eyes welled up with tears now that he’d seen through her shoulders, but he quickly switched gears and said, “Now that I think about it, it’s cold outside, isn’t it?” 
 
The speed at which she recovered was one of Rain’s good points. 
 
「Rain's subordinates, too, asked Lord Velgrind to take them to Rubelios, after all. It's tough on us too, but we need them to do their best, too.」 
 
「Indeed. If the world is destroyed even if Velzard-sama returns to his senses, there will be no point in working hard. In that regard, let us expect great things from Lady Luminus, who is on-site.」 
 
Let's change the subject like that. 
 
「So, did you find Carrera and the others?」 
 
Testarossa asked Moss. 
 
It was a form of questioning, but the only answer I was looking for was affirmation. 
 
Moss understood that too, so he nodded without hesitation. 
 
「Ah, yes.」 
「Then that's fine. You're under this snow, aren't you?」 

「Exactly.」 
 
Moss declared without hesitation. 

They had moved little by little, searching for traces, and had reached the top of the ice statues of Carrera and the others. 
 
Velzard's ice and snow had piled up several meters, so the ice statue couldn't enter his field of vision. However, there was definitely a reaction from Carrera and the others just below the point where the barrier had been erected. 
 
Milim’s subordinates’ reactions were also frozen a short distance away. There were no life signs, but I wasn’t worried about this. 
 
(Lord Velzard’s power made him freeze over in an instant, so resurrecting him should be easy, on the other hand.) 
 
It would be impossible for her to recover if her soul disappeared, but given the current situation, she didn't have to worry about that. As Moss, she doesn't care about that either. 
 
Testarossa was the same. 

The only forces that would work here would be Carrera and Obera. 
 
The strongest of the [Ultra-Class Awakeners], like Carion, Frey, and Middray. They may be one step behind them, but even the Esprits and the Three Beasts are a rare force...but they won't work on Gii and Velzard. 
 

It was safer to save the rescue for later. 
Even so, as far as Testarossa was concerned, she wanted to revive Carrera in place of her exhausted self. 
 
And while we're at it, if we can revive Obera, everything will be fine. 
 
She still hadn’t made any predictions until the end of the battle in the white world. 
 
That's why we need to secure as many troops as possible. 
 
「Hurry up and dig it out.」 
 
「As you wish.」 
 
As far as Moss was concerned, he really wanted to argue that it was “that reckless~” but his only reply was approval. 
 
She lamented that she couldn't even move it anyway, but at Testarossa's behest, she began the optimal course of action. 
 
＊ 
 
Gii was deep in thought after hearing Velzard’s shout, but something came to mind. 
 
 
「Velzard, you bastard... I see, I didn't notice. You've been harboring 'jealousy' toward me this whole time.」 
 
Velzard reacted quietly to Gii’s murmur. 
 
She laughed. 
 
However, that didn't mean the stampede would stop. 
 
「Gii, you know, I've always...」 
 
And then, the world was dyed white. 
 
The quality was different from Testarossa’s Pure White World and Nihilistic World, and that white was a highly pure, transparent, isolated “absolute stop” “freezing world” and “eternal world.” 
 
By the will of the ruler, all the laws were forcibly stopped working. 
 
As time passed slowly, Gii found himself in a bit of confusion and deep understanding. 
 
(I see. No wonder jealousy is taking so long.) 
 
Or so I understood. 

At this point, Gii had realized Velzard’s hidden power. 
 
However, the extent of its effects remained unclear. 
 
It was a conflicting power. 
 
When it came to controlling that, it would be difficult with half-hearted mental fortitude. 
 
It was possible because it was Velzard. And the moment he hadn't made Gii realize that, it was safe to assume that Verzard had found out what was in Gii's hands. 
 
Now, what should we do? 
 
Gii pondered over it again. 
 
Unlike the fairly easygoing interior of the barrier, Gii, who was involved, was very serious. 
 
Once he sorted out the problems, he concentrated on one point: how to stop Velzard from going berserk.
 
There was also the question of how to prevent the Ivarage’s attack, but I didn’t have the luxury of paying attention to that. 

They say that those who chase two rabbits don't get a single one, but Gii has a good grasp of his own abilities, so he only works with a policy of achieving steady results. 
 
It would have been easy if Velzard had been manipulated, but that wasn’t the case 
 
She was challenging Gii of her own free will. 
 
In that case, Gii had no choice but to stick with Velzard until he was satisfied. 
(Tch, I heard that's a pain in the ass. Guess I'll just have to do it.) 
 
I'll defeat Velzard. I have no choice but to think about what to do after I win. 
 
That said, it was a very difficult situation. 
 

Even now, the ridiculously powerful Absolute Freeze Wave grazed Gii’s cheek. If it had hit him directly, it would’ve pierced through countless defenses and even multiple barriers, fatally wounding him. 
 
As proof, I sensed the mountain range collapse in the distance. 
 
As a result of a direct hit to the bedrock halfway up, the molecular bonds had been loosened, and it was likely unable to withstand its own weight. 
 
It's unreasonably violent. 
 
(This is why dragonewts are so selfish and troubled.) 
 
They don't think about reducing the damage to their surroundings. They just focus on their own feelings. People like that are generally combat-oriented and troublesome. 
 
As a matter of fact, Gii used to have the same personality, but now he had a promise with Veldanava. He was living as he pleased, but he’d also started to look around him. 
 
That's why I realize how bad the odds are. 
 
Gii looked at Velzard. 
 
Her white ice hair and golden eyes are beautiful. 
 
She was terrifyingly beautiful, but the danger seemed to be proportional to her beauty as well. 
 
Against Velzard, who boasted inexhaustible and overwhelming magical power, Gii resolved himself that he didn’t have the leeway to make any moves in the back, either 
 
(Oh man, you're going to drive me to this point?) 
 
This was the first time Gii had been cornered since he’d fought Velzard in El Dorado or Ludla. 
 
However, that didn't mean defeat. 
It's just that it's rare for her to get serious. 
 
In fact, Gii’s power, Ultimate Abilities, Ultimate Skills, and Arrogant Kings, Lucifer, is the strongest power because Gii handles them. 
 
The power of this [Ability], [Skill], and [Arrogance King], Lucifer, is varied, but the essence of it is a complete reproduction of an ability you've seen once before. 
 
It was one of the reasons Gii had longed for the other demon lords to develop Ultimate Abilities and Ultimate Skills. 
In order to reach the strongest being, all he had to do was observe the various Ultimate Skills and incorporate them into his own. Thinking that, Gii had learned power from many powerful people since time immemorial to this day. 
 
As a result, she was able to deal with all kinds of situations. 
 
Naturally, that was reflected in the combat aspect as well. 
 
Even the pseudo-dragon body Twilight had shown, even the pure white world and nihilistic world that Testarossa had wanted to keep secret, had become possible to imitate Gii with the Arrogant King Lucifer. 
 
This was the reason why Gii was the most vicious. 
 
Since they could make even the enemy’s power their own, Gii wouldn’t lose to them in numbers. 
 
That's no exception, even if we're up against Velzard. But this time, it'll be difficult. 
 
From Gii’s point of view, he wanted to analyze Velzard’s abilities and make him his own. That way, it would be easy to nullify him, so he’d definitely win and take control of him. 
 
But in order to do that, she had to make the target use their power and recognize it. 
 
(Tch, she probably won't use it in front of me when the time comes.) 
 
Velzard had realized that Gii could mimic the power of others. In that case, he shouldn’t have exposed his own power as a trump card. 
 
That was why he was only using “The King of Patience” and “Gabriel” now. 
 
As far as Gii was concerned, he’d had a good grasp on Velzard’s “King of Patience” from the start. As such, he could have dealt with it with minimal effort in the battle up until now, and had detected all dangerous attacks ahead of time and avoided them perfectly. 
 
However, there was no point in just grasping the power. Regardless of the power, Velzard’s power was dangerous, and if he showed even the slightest opening with a goripunch due to the difference in the amount of magicules, he could be hit with a painful fatal blow in that moment. 
 

When I show Gii my power, that will be the decisive moment. Whether or not Gii's 
“Analyze” will make it in time for that moment will no doubt be the divide between us. 
 
It was depressing for Gii to understand that. Battles were something he had to win for sure, and situations where he couldn't predict the future were out of the question. 
 
Not to mention, a strategy like a gamble... Gii felt like his pride had been trampled. 
 
But even so... Gii believed in his own strength. 
 
(Well, there's no way I'd lose.) 
 
No matter how cornered she gets, Gii's heart won't break. 
Gii let out a small laugh, brimming with confidence as the absolute strongest. 
* 
 
A stinging time passed, and Gii escaped Velzard’s “absolute stop.” 
 
If he hadn't understood that power, his defeat would have been decided the moment he stopped moving. 
 
It was a power that was too reckless to rely on brute force to stop its kinetic energy by exerting its influence on all possible substances. 
 
It was because it was reckless that I was able to repel it with the force of my will. It was a feat unique to Gii, but it wasn't that exhausting, so there was no problem. 
 
Besides, that time was precious. 
 
By observing Velzard the whole time, Gii had gained a certain conviction. 
 
There was no doubt that Velzard was acting from the heart, but there was a good chance he’d been tempted by someone. 
 
Not to mention the Twilight that dwells in Velzard. 
 
Velzard himself seemed to think he was acting of his own free will, but he thought it was the result of cleverly guiding him. 
 
(That bastard probably wants to watch me and Velzard fight a real battle and use it for his own theory.) 
 
Velzard was no fool, but he had a single-minded side to him. To clever Twilight, deceiving him must have been as simple as twisting a baby’s hand. 
 
The trouble is that this has nothing to do with the influence of power and so on. 
 
If he didn’t move Velzard’s heart, Gii’s words wouldn’t reach him 
 
That would be very troublesome, and from Gii’s perspective, it would be a gamble with little chance of victory. 
 
That's why I couldn't get over it, so I kept watching her... 
 
I had to make a decision soon. 
 
He couldn’t leave Velzard alone any longer. 
 
And more than anything, I have a bad feeling about this. 
 
Twilight is the worst crime of all time. He's a villain who has come up with every possible plan, and whether it succeeds or fails, he's the one who spreads malice throughout the world. 
 
In the past, there was a side of me that I couldn't hate more than I thought... but one day, I started experimenting inhumanely, as if someone had changed. 
 
(Dagrull was lamenting too, wasn't he? In the end, he didn't tell me what happened. Well, it's got nothing to do with me.) 
 
Even if something had happened to an old acquaintance, as long as he laid his hands on something precious to him, he was still an enemy to Gii. 
 
Gii quietly grew more and more angry. 
 
It served as fuel, burning Gii's core. 
 
(Nonsense. Indestructible? A power that can't be realized without relying on others is unworthy.) 
 
It was up to Twilight to fulfill his own desires, so he was free to do as he wished. However, it was extremely unpleasant to hear that he had been used by his kin―his partner. 
 
Whether Velzard was deceived or not was up to Gii's discretion. However, Gii was more angry than ever before, so it didn't matter what the truth was. 
 
Gii unleashed his Elemental Magic: [Heat Dragon Flame Conqueror], Napalm Burst. The scorching dragon wriggled its long torso and danced wildly around Velzard. 
 
It was a spell that burned through the target just by touching it, but he had already assumed it wouldn't work on Velzard. Gii had used it for restraint from the start. 
 
However, this was also pointless. 
 
It had been scattered by the [Beautiful Thin Ice] [Diamond Dust] created as soon as 
Velzard breathed in, and it had disappeared with a large ring of fire blooming in the air. 
 
[Ice Breath] [Freezing Breath]. It's an absolute freezing wave emitted in dragon form, but Velzard can be used even in human form. 
 
Gii clicked his tongue inwardly. 
 
At the same time, I was impressed. 
 
(She really is strong!) 
 
Gii smiled happily. 
 
Velzard was unbelievably strong, as Gii had acknowledged. His power hadn't waned since they first met. On the contrary, he was no less powerful than Gii, who had continued to grow in strength, and they were competing to the same level as him. 
 
Gii was greatly satisfied that he was worthy of being his partner. He was worried about having to do something about such an opponent, but that only made him more motivated. 
 
It's standard practice to say that those without emotions or wills are weak. 
The reason Twilight had lost to Testarossa was probably because she’d abandoned that emotion 
 
If I kill my emotions, I'll be left behind from the change. 
 
That’s why those without wills don’t grow. 
 
In that regard, Velzard was different. 
 
If Velzard was just running amok under someone else’s control, there was no way he could reach this level of strength. It was precisely because he was steeped in a one-pointspecific form of “jealousy” that he truly had become supremely strong. 
 
(Is Twilight using him as a stepping stone to feed himself? Well, either way, we have to get rid of that Twilit bastard.) 
 
Gii intends to deal with Twilight regardless of whether Velzard returns to his senses or not. 
 
(Good grief. Looks like I was overthinking things. If I think about things simply, I can see the answer!) 
 
Gii cast aside his idle thoughts and focused solely on the problem at hand. 
 
If Velzard is being selfish, then Gii is the embodiment of arrogance. Everyone acts as they please, with the spirit of crushing others because they don't like them. 
 
Once she remembered that it was her, the rest was simple. All she had to do was explode her pent-up anger and go wild as her heart desired. 
 
At this point, Gii finally got serious. 
 
He stopped leaving his remaining strength behind in preparation for the Ivarage and faced Velzard with all his might. 
 
 
＊ 
 
“Ah, so you’ve finally gotten serious.” Velzard rejoiced. 
 
With this, he could finally enjoy fighting in a world where he was alone with Gii. Just thinking about it made Velzard smile naturally. 
 
(Still, Gii really is strong.) 
 
The battle had begun, and the date had already changed. Neither of them had been at full strength, but the battle had taken place in a realm where no ordinary demon lord could enter. 
 
Gii didn't show any openings. 
 
She was acting as an example, as if she could see through our plan. 
 
Besides, Gii had gathered magicules from the atmosphere and used magic just like humans did. In other words, he was fighting using Velzard’s [Magic] [Energy], so he hadn’t worn himself down at all. 
 
Normally, this would be an inefficient method of casting magic, but things would be different if Gii did it. He could instantly convert magicules into magic without even creating a slight time lag. 
 
Gii is strong. 
 
He was the strongest of the Primogenitor, and even if Velzard were to go all out to defeat him, he wouldn’t know if he could win. 
 
Velzard, who had been by Gii’s side all this time, knew why Gii was the strongest. 
 
Gii's genius observation allowed him to understand the true nature of the skill just by looking at a glimpse of it. 
 
As such, all of Velzard’s tricks were as good as exposed. If all he had were Ultimate Abilities, Ultimate Skills, and Gabriel, the King of Patience, his chances of victory would have been close to zero. 
 
That was why Velzard had warmed his inner hand for this day. 
 
The hand called Twilight had been sealed by Testarossa’s intervention. 
 
I only left my trump card, Leviathan, behind, but it looks like Gii found out about this too. 
“I really can’t let my guard down, can I?” Velzard grew irritated, and was just as happy. 
 
That's why I'm so proud of being the only one who acknowledged it. 
 
But I can't just be happy. 
 
In terms of [Magic] [Energy], Velzard is twice as strong as Gii, but there's only one trick left. It's because we only have one chance to win. 
 
Right now, I’m using [Frozen World] to circulate magicules, so it’s not wearing me down at all. But now that Gii’s serious, I should’ve assumed he’d lost that advantage. 
 
But I couldn't let my impatience get the better of me. If I let my skills show, my chances of victory would be squashed. 
 
Just like before, I had to drive Gii into a corner with “The King of Patience” and then use “Leviathan” for my special attack. 
 
(This is why I should have prepared more trump cards before I had to deal with Gii.) 
 
Twilight's pseudo-dragon form didn't even serve as a diversion. Luck doesn't seem to be on Velzard's side, but that's just fate. 
 
Gii had gotten serious, so his goal was as good as accomplished. 
 
Velzard flew toward Gii with all his might. 
And so, Gii and Velzard--the ones at the top of the world--finally got serious.