Now Testarossa\u2019s rule over the West was complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you think he read all of this?\u201d she said to Moss. \u201cAh, we\u2019re all dancing on Sir Rimuru\u2019s palm, aren\u2019t we? What a truly, truly wonderful ruler!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes, there\u2019s no telling how deep his talents run.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI firmly agree. But today\u2019s events might drive Guy Crimson to get more serious. And if he does\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll have to firm up our powers. No matter the storm facing us, we must show the public that no one shall block the path of our master!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad you understand. May you remain just as diligent going forward. I expect great things from you. And tell Cien for me, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAbsolutely, my master!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Testarossa gave him a satisfied smile and an elegant nod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over in the north, Cien\u2014one of Testarossa\u2019s demon servants\u2014was holding his own until Elmesia\u2019s Magus forces could arrive. Thanks to Guy not being all that<\/em> serious about this invasion, the demons saw their position weaken in due time\u2014and in the blink of an eye, they had retreated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thus marked the end of the disturbance in the West. But in a way, the true upheaval was only about to begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026\u2026\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, I just received word from Mizeri, but why the heck does Blanc have a name now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, you mean Testarossa? Well, it proves that she, too, understands the glory and wonder of Sir Rimuru.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Diablo was all too eager to explain things to the nonplussed Guy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd it sounds like they\u2019re making mincemeat of my minions out there\u2026 Guess this little prank blew up in my face, didn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>\u201cNaturally. It is all according to Sir Rimuru\u2019s plan. And Guy\u2026 You, too, are being taken advantage of.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Diablo, completely unbeknownst to Rimuru, was keeping up with his taunting. If Rimuru was here, he\u2019d probably be holding Diablo\u2019s arms back and screaming \u201cHave you gone insane, you fool?!\u201d in his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo did that bum Rimuru name Testarossa?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, he did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd her getting a physical body and evolving to a Demon Peer\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll the blessings of Sir Rimuru, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Oh.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Diablo\u2019s smile widened as Guy\u2019s headache intensified. Raine, stationed behind him, turned white at the enormity of the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ugh, are you serious? We\u2019ve somehow maintained this delicate balance of battle skill for the past millennium and a half-ish, and now it\u2019s all crashing down\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Guy had to resist the urge to laugh. A three-way deadlock between Primal Demons; the East in a standoff with the West; Luminus in a staring contest against Daggrull\u2014somehow, everything had balanced itself just right. That was now gone in the course of a single day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suddenly, he was struck with a dark foreboding. He turned to Diablo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, so if Testarossa\u2019s now above the other two, what\u2019re they<\/em> up to right now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUltima and Carrera, you mean? Sir Rimuru put them to work as well, of course, and let me assure you, they couldn\u2019t be happier\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWait! Hold it right there!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guy stopped the smiling Diablo before he went into full gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat? I am getting to the good part.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being interrupted just when he was about to banter away offended Diablo. Guy, as always, wanted nothing but the facts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s gonna be another long story, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt would have<\/em> to be, wouldn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n That was up for debate, but Guy had no intention of doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>\u201cWell, I\u2019ll listen to the whole thing later, so\u2026um, this Ultima and Carrera you mention\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh yes\u2014Ultima is Violet, the Original Purple, and Carrera is Jaune, the Original Yellow. You really must<\/em> call them by their names, because they have a rather short fuse if you don\u2019t. In fact, they\u2019ve all but forgotten their old monikers as of late.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey have\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guy was at a loss for words. Come on\u2026 What the hell could that bastard Rimuru be thinking? Noir, I can understand\u2014he\u2019s always been a strange one. But if Violet and Jaune are jumping on his bandwagon, it\u2019s not so funny anymore. And Blanc, too? The proudest out of all the Primals, and now she\u2019s also serving someone else\u2026?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n He mulled this over as Diablo kept casually chatting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI invited them, mind you. Having more work to do is certainly a welcome thing, but if I<\/em> cannot support Sir Rimuru directly, there\u2019s no point to it. Don\u2019t you think so?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Huh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now Guy eyed him with great suspicion, wondering if he heard him correctly. He may have wielded absolute power in this world, but now Diablo was verbally toying with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis way, you see, I can give the trivial duties to\u2014er, that is, I was looking for companions to work alongside me, and their schedules were free, so I invited them. Having these stupid power struggles for all time is simply ridiculous, so I told them to grow up a little and help out Sir Rimuru!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guy internally cursed the proud Diablo. This is all your doing?! If anyone needs to grow up here, it\u2019s you!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026So Rimuru brought them on after you invited them? And gave them names? And<\/em> bodies?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cExactly. Thinking about how rudely they treated Sir Rimuru at first fills me with murderous rage, even today. However, they\u2019re proving to be quite helpful. If Sir Rimuru is not bothered by it, then I am open to generously forgiving them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Diablo was strange enough, but Guy knew full well that Rimuru was beyond abnormal. Naming Primal Demons was something <\/a>your average demon lord should never be capable of doing. It was lethally dangerous, opening you to the risk of either dying or simply being poofed<\/em> out of existence. Besides, even if a Primal Demon\u2019s power was recognized and praised, that demon would never bow down and serve anyone. If they were named, they\u2019d repay the favor by consuming the namer\u2019s soul\u2014that\u2019s all. This wasn\u2019t just a matter of being crazy or overly confident in oneself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I think I better talk things over directly with him<\/em>, Guy concluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRight. I\u2019m gonna go pay a visit to Rimuru soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh? I will pass on that. It will only invite more trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n God dammit\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Guy was already balling his hands into fists. But losing his temper would put him out of the game. Diablo was a unique case\u2014if he ripped him apart right now, he\u2019d just resurrect himself. Guy was fully aware of that, so he never took the bait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNah, think about it. I want to hear more about your story, y\u2019know, and we can\u2019t really relax and chat over matters amid all this<\/em> stuff, can we? And Deeno\u2019s been telling me about how prosperous Rimuru\u2019s lands have become. I\u2019m getting kinda curious.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He put a hand on Diablo\u2019s shoulder, acting buddy-buddy as he spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSigh\u2026<\/em> Well, all right. In that case, you are welcome to visit. I\u2019m sure Sir Rimuru would be delighted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Diablo, for his part, never minded when people complimented Tempest. Feeling a bit better, he accepted Guy\u2019s request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If Rimuru were here, he\u2019d probably be screaming even louder now. Good lord<\/em>, he thought when Diablo briefed him on it later, he\u2019s learning all the bad lessons from Shion and none of the good ones\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thus, unbeknownst to Rimuru yet, Diablo and Guy\u2019s conversation came to a close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn any case, if all of you are on hand, I\u2019m outta here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, I\u2019m sure Sir Rimuru will handle things here\u2026no matter what<\/em> happens.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWill he? Well, tell him I said hello.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI will. In that case, I look forward to seeing you again soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With that, Guy was gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n * * *<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>Diablo sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt seems I somehow made it through that<\/em>, I suppose. If Guy decided to interfere with things, I couldn\u2019t say what would happen then. Even I<\/em> have trouble dealing with him, after all. Keh-heh-heh\u2026 I need to get stronger\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only his echoing laughter could be heard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Deep inside the cathedral, a fierce battle was taking place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The chop unleashed by Louis had enough slashing force to cut through any obstacle, the accompanying shock wave continuing to pursue Laplace even after he retreated far away. Laplace still had no trouble dodging it, however, breezily smiling as he did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, huh. You\u2019re Roy\u2019s brother, then? You twins or something? I\u2019d quit while I was ahead if I were you. Ya can\u2019t beat me, y\u2019know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite darting around, pretending to look for an escape, Laplace was still as talkative as ever. Louis, meanwhile, remained unaffected. Being evaded didn\u2019t concern him, as he continued swinging both arms at Laplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They had made their way outside the burial chamber, a kind of natural progression as Laplace continued dodging Louis\u2019s strikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, as you say, Roy was like my twin brother. We were equally as powerful, and we looked similar, too. If there\u2019s any difference, it\u2019s that he had a violent streak, and I was far less emotional. But I will inform you that I am superior to him in one way\u2014my eyes<\/em> are much keener.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah? So what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI can take my time observing my opponent\u2019s skills, movements, and targets. It\u2019s been clear to me for quite some time that you\u2019re trying to strike me where I\u2019m unguarded.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Huh. Better\u2019n your brother, then, eh? But good eyes ain\u2019t gonna be enough to beat me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>\u201cWe\u2019ll see about that. Also, my name is Louis. I\u2019m more than just someone\u2019s brother. Roy and I were never on the best terms, in fact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHmm. Can\u2019t say I care much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Laplace seemed carefree, in his element, as he traded blows with Louis\u2014or really, dodged the one-sided rain of blows coming his way. His eyes showed in the most eloquent terms that he, not Louis, was doing the observing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou must be tired by now, no?\u201d Louis shouted. \u201cTime for you to go to sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He stepped up the intensity of his attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m tellin\u2019 ya, you\u2019re wastin\u2019 your time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAm I? Let me go stronger, then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although the tone of his voice hadn\u2019t changed, Laplace suddenly began to feel uncertain. Whenever he had a foreboding like this, it usually wound up true. With a leap some would describe as exaggerated, he instantly jumped back from the fray. His intuition was correct\u2014Louis\u2019s attack fanned out, pulverizing the space he stood on a moment ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026?! What the hell\u2019s all that power\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It had clearly skyrocketed in that last swipe. If Laplace was still hopping around, making fun of Louis, he wouldn\u2019t have been able to defend in time. The damage would\u2019ve been terrific.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPhew\u2026<\/em> Now I\u2019m getting used to this. If you evaded that, you\u2019re certainly not one to be trifled with.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou wanted to put me off guard so you could do me in with one shot?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMmm\u2026 I won\u2019t say that didn\u2019t come to mind, but I think I can win without resorting to such underhanded measures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Laplace had taken Roy down. Roy, at that time, had certainly underestimated him, but even discounting that, Laplace was a far better fighter. And Laplace took the fight seriously\u2014Roy might\u2019ve been a stand-in for the demon lord Luminus, but he was an even match for the demon lord Kazalim, a sort of father figure to Laplace and his cohorts. He\u2019d never go into a fight against someone like Roy unprepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>\u201cWhat you saw just now was an application of Bloodray. It hides its magical presence in order to reduce my opponent\u2019s wariness of me. Of course, it won\u2019t work again now that I\u2019ve shown it to you, will it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was sort of like revealing his hand, but he explained the skill to Laplace anyway. Hearing that gave him an even deeper sense of foreboding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This ain\u2019t good. Is he buying time for himself? What\u2019s this guy after?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Laplace\u2019s intuition was already sounding the alarm. If this keeps up, he decided, one of these tricks was bound to snare him\u2014so without hesitation, he tapped one of his innermost secrets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026That\u2019s why you must die here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With that declaration from Louis, the area around Laplace exploded. The shock wave focused itself around the center, offering Laplace no avenue for escape. The waves of blood particles were already locked onto him. The fight was over\u2014anyone would conclude as much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The flames burned high in the air as a human figure inside them collapsed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s too bad. Roy and I used to be one and the same. We were separated by the power of Lady Luminus. And with Roy dead, I\u2019ve regained my original powers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once, there existed a Bloody Lord too violent, too vicious for anyone to handle. Luminus managed to defeat him, adding him to her forces\u2014but he was still so vicious that he caused constant trouble for the rest of Luminus\u2019s ranks. Thus, she split him into two separate men\u2014naming one the Holy Emperor and her right-hand man, and the other her stand-in as demon lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In other words, Louis was complete once more, regaining the powers he previously enjoyed. From the start, no matter how much more powerful Laplace was, he was convinced he could win. And that was why\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhoa. That was really<\/em> cuttin\u2019 it close.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Laplace dragged himself up, a sight that gave Louis pause\u2014a moment\u2019s hesitation that Laplace wasn\u2019t about to ignore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet\u2019s go, Footman. If this keeps up, you\u2019re gonna die!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>\u201cHoh-hoh-hoh! I hate to say it, but it looks like you\u2019re right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Footman had already been battered from head to toe by Gunther. He was the most powerful of the Three Servants under Luminus, and while he lost out to the fully restored Louis, Footman still had no chance. Laplace had kept careful tabs on their battle even as he fought his own, and his conclusion was dead-on accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if I gave this all I had, I couldn\u2019t take down the whole lot of \u2019em, and they\u2019ll probably kill Footman first. Best to run while the runnin\u2019s good. I\u2019d say our diversion worked well enough\u2014no need to expose ourselves to danger over it!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n So Laplace, shouting out loud to distract Louis, sprang into action. It worked. In another moment, Laplace and Footman were away from this deadly battleground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All that remained in the burial chamber were Luminus and Maria Rozzo. Luminus, perhaps hesitating to attack Maria, had yet to really throw herself into battle. The fact that Maria could keep up with her high-speed fighting was proof enough that she was no fake. It was definitely Maria\u2014the kind, affectionate Maria she knew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Granville must\u2019ve been preserving her corpse. So this is a death golem using her body\u2026or maybe not? This unconscious shell is a servant generated by Raise Dead necromancy. So he\u2019s stooped low enough to tap into forbidden magic\u2026?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyone who\u2019s lost a loved one has fostered hope of seeing them alive one more time. But it\u2019s a lost cause. Even Luminus could see why Granville would resort to necromancy\u2014but it was all theoretical, something to imagine and not act upon. To someone as far removed from death as Luminus was, she had no way of understanding the true nature of sadness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maria was a Saint for the Hero Gren, acting as his servant and confidant. He comforted her as well, trying to relieve the heavy burden of her position. They enjoyed an intimate relationship, one that their then-foe Luminus envied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What would it take for Granville to make her a zombie servant? And if she\u2019s this<\/em> strong, that couldn\u2019t have been the only forbidden <\/a>magic he cast. Maria was using a litany of special skills to hold her own against Luminus, including what seemed to be several uniques. Luminus wasn\u2019t sure how to handle this, and that made her worry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She is astounding but still weak. I doubt that fool Gren thought she had a chance against me. So why, then\u2026?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Suddenly, intense anxiety attacked her. Something told her she was overlooking something extremely important\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLady Luminus, the invaders gave us the slip. Louis is currently pursuing them, and I was about to join him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just then, Gunther came back in to report. The moment his voice trailed off, Luminus saw what was wrong. Something was missing from the chamber. Something vitally important. Now even Luminus\u2019s heterochromatic eyes could see it as they followed Gunther\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The coffin of spirit-infused ice, the relic they took such great pains to store here, had disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luminus fell to confusion, unable to speak or accept this reality. It was something that should never have happened. It threw her, exposing her to Maria\u2019s full attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLady Luminus!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She could hear Gunther\u2019s concerned shouting, but she couldn\u2019t listen. The pain racking her body was the stimulus she needed to keep a cool head. She appreciated it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rational part of her brain began to consider her options anew. Calming her desires to scream against it all, she faced up to her reality. No matter how much her emotions refused to accept this, her cold analytical skills gave her the facts. The coffin of ice had been stolen, and that was that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In another few moments, Luminus harnessed the anger bubbling up within her to stab right through Maria\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou would go this<\/em> far, Granville? You\u2026 You have incurred my full wrath, Gren!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a scream of fury, she unleashed her hidden magic force. In an instant, this unprecedented level of mad tyranny destroyed the <\/a>burial chamber. A swirl of chaotic magical force pooled around her. She had created a dimension of death, one nobody would even dare approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGuntherrrrrrr!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, my lady!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFind them. Find the invaders!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs you wish!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n There was no need to say more. Realizing Luminus\u2019s intentions, Gunther quickly sprang into action. As truly angry as she was, not even Gunther could be completely safe here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If we fail, Lubelius itself could fall\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n He ran away at full speed, compelled to act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luminus, left alone, struggled to control her rage. If she made a move right now, her analytical side told her, it would only make things worse. It was natural for her to keep her thoughts separate from her emotions. But even with that, this came as a massive shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This cannot stand. We must keep it safe until the time comes, or else it may spell doom for the entire world. And if even I cannot handle the fallout\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The ark was given to her by a trusted friend. Mishandling it could unleash disaster, so she had kept it sealed and under strict guard. Carefully, she analyzed her situation. Only she could undo the seal on that ark. It was a tremendously powerful barrier, one whose holy force could even burn the body of Luminus, the one who installed it. But now it had been carried off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026Who could have done it? Anyone capable of taking it away must be at least as powerful as me\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Someone classified as a demon lord or better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All the chaos Granville sowed in the cathedral must have been just a diversion. Who would he leave this true<\/em> mission to? If Granville was willing to offer himself as bait, he must\u2019ve been sure this person could steal the ark\u2014a bet that certainly paid off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026No. It\u2019s too soon to call this lost. Weakness is a sin. Right now\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Right now, what did Granville want with the coffin? First, she needed to find out. She knew she hadn\u2019t told him anything about <\/a>the ark\u2014it was supposed to be the most closely guarded of secrets. Not even Gunther and Louis knew any details about the girl sealed inside. And here was Granville, using every card at his disposal\u2014he must\u2019ve been absolutely resolved in this mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was almost eerie to Luminus. His drive to succeed today was malicious. He wanted to get this done<\/em>, no matter what the fallout was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll right. First, let\u2019s find out what your true motives are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With that whisper, she turned her eyes toward the cathedral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n I had gotten my intentions across to Leon. He crossed swords with me, and to the outside observer, it must have looked like a serious sword fight. And it was<\/em>! If I stopped for even a moment, he\u2019d cut me down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wait. Did he really<\/em> understand what I wanted from him?<\/p>\n\n\n\n As far as I could tell, Leon must\u2019ve understood that Granville was behind all this. Now all we\u2019d have to do is this bit of sword sparring for a while, until the time was right, and then we\u2019d be fine. That\u2019s what I thought anyway, but Leon was really giving me no time to rest. He was crazy<\/em> fast. Hinata\u2019s pace with a sword was amazing enough, but Leon sure wasn\u2019t any slouch. Like her, he was a traditionalist with the sword, showing off a beautiful stance. Since my education from Hakuro, I had begun to teach myself a thing or two\u2014I fight with more than just a sword, so I can\u2019t really help it. With Raphael watching over me, I\u2019m pretty sure I\u2019m not doing anything that\u2019d hurt myself, at least.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But enough about that. We were talking about how sharp his attacks were. I thought he was really out to kill me, but his face had almost no expression on it. It was hard to tell whether he really meant to harm me. I began to grow a little worried about trusting him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Understood. There is no problem. Using Predict Future Attack to synchronize our plans.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>That was a relief, then. I would just keep leaving this to Raphael\u2019s auto-battle mode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But that wasn\u2019t my only concern. For a while now, I\u2019d been detecting rumblings underground. I thought the bedrock might be moving; such was the enormity of the shaking. It\u2019s probably the work of Luminus<\/em>, I thought, a figure who still wasn\u2019t present. We\u2019ve had problems up here; she had problems down there\u2026 This sure wasn\u2019t your run-of-the-mill scandal, no. I was definitely an involved party at this point, and if it was anybody but me, it\u2019d probably become a huge diplomatic fight\u2014not that Luminus would care, but regardless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shion and Ranga were still struggling against the insectoid Razul. Hinata seemed to be keeping it even with Granville, but I had the impression that Granville hadn\u2019t tapped his full skills yet. If that fight dragged on, I had a feeling Hinata would be at a disadvantage soon. So no, things weren\u2019t really going swimmingly for us. I wasn\u2019t even sure what I should try to wrap up first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But as I analyzed the battle, I suddenly detected a huge burst of magical power from down below. That<\/em> was Luminus, for sure. The cathedral\u2019s flooring flew into the air, opening a circular hole six or so feet in diameter. The blast of heat that shot up from it broke straight through the ceiling, ascending to the heavens. Its power was ridiculous, but I\u2019m sure it was kid stuff to Luminus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt seems you\u2019re serious about antagonizing me, Granville.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luminus appeared from the hole, carrying a beautiful woman in her arms\u2014and the moment she did, she clearly indicated that she wanted Granville dead. Now things are gonna move<\/em>, I thought. Leon must\u2019ve thought so, too, because his eyes were on Luminus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHeh-heh-heh\u2026 Well done, Lady Luminus. Not even my servant could halt you, could she? She was a masterpiece of mine, you know. I infused her with the power of only my best handpicked otherworlders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou fool. Pool together all the fake imitations you want; an unconscious doll could never beat the real thing. You<\/em>, of all people, should know that!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>\u201cOh, I do, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Granville, faced with an enraged Luminus, remained serene. The speed of Hinata\u2019s sword grew sharper against him, but Granville easily parried every strike, as composed as ever. She could steal her opponents\u2019 skills, but apparently that didn\u2019t work on him. Arts, unlike skills, couldn\u2019t be used immediately after taking them. It\u2019s the difference between reading about baseball and winning the World Series; only through continued training could you hone those arts. Granville\u2019s strength was the result of years of that kinda training\u2014and now he was humming along, as stable as the unmoving earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStrong, isn\u2019t he?\u201d Leon whispered to me. \u201cThey don\u2019t call him a former Hero for nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo. He\u2019s a bit better than I thought.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn that case,\u201d Luminus said, ignoring us, \u201cwhat were you doing with this<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She laid the woman in her arms down. It looked like she was sleeping, but she wasn\u2019t. She was most definitely dead, a corpse that had been used for servitude. With no soul inside, pumping her with energy was a pointless endeavor. I knew that well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Why do you continue to denigrate Maria, even after her death?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n I guess Luminus knew this woman. Maria, huh? Her face resembled Maribel\u2019s a little. Did that mean she was\u2026?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause I needed her. Everything was for the sake of this exact moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before the quizzical Luminus, Granville removed the glove on his left hand. The magical patterns on it were glowing, and now Maria\u2019s corpse was glowing with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat are you\u2026?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was Luminus who said it, but everybody there was thinking the same thing. Leon stopped engaging with me, watching over the proceedings. There was no point keeping the act going. I almost forgot why we started in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, before our eyes, something unbelievable happened. Maria\u2019s body turned into a ball of light, flowing straight into Granville\u2019s glowing hand. As it did, his body began pulsating with <\/a>power\u2014visually, not just in terms of magicule energy. This process was revitalizing his body\u2019s cells. His white hair turned a shining blond, his withered skin regaining its youthful luster. There, in front of us all, was Granville Rozzo from his younger days, the Hero of years past, his eyes dead sharp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2026 You took all the Love Energy I gave you and injected it into Maria!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Granville nodded at Luminus. Love Energy, if I recall correctly, is a type of energy meant to retain one\u2019s youth. So he mixed that with some other powers to rejuvenate himself, and the result is the Granville we\u2019re looking at now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLady Luminus\u2026 Or how about I just call you Luminus? I still need to settle things with you\u2014I realized some time ago that I can\u2019t die until I do. Now that Maribel is dead, my ambitions have been crushed\u2014but still, above all else, this<\/em> is what I desire!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t toy with me!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luminus and Hinata both responded simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The young Granville turned toward Hinata. \u201cAh yes. Hinata, I still need to provide you with my guidance. You are the most talented of all the apprentices I dealt with. You always strove to improve, never afraid to make an effort and polish yourself. I will gladly praise your excellence any day. But\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With that, Granville casually swung his blade. The effects were beyond belief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMeltslash\u2026?! No! You can control spiritual particles with no casting delay?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hinata dodged it, which amazed me. But Granville\u2019s ability to handle Overblade skills with such nonchalance was jaw-dropping, completely beyond anyone\u2019s imagination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHinata, I always wondered why you never became a Hero. It takes more than talent and hard work. Unless you have the love of the elemental spirits, you will never qualify to be one. But you had<\/em> that love, and yet\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, sorry. Whether they loved me or not, sometimes things are just beyond your reach, I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/a>\u201cIf you awakened your Hero side, it would have helped my ambitions immensely. So here\u2019s a word of advice. You hold darkness within your heart, don\u2019t you? Did you kill someone close to you in the past? Your parents, your brother, a friend?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShut up!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hinata had retreated to avoid his Meltslash, but now she shot back into position, lunging at Granville. Something about what he said must\u2019ve touched a raw nerve. Anger filled her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The high-pitched ring of sword against sword filled the air. Granville remained steadfast\u2026as Hinata was helplessly blown away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNgh\u2026!!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n There was just too much of a difference. Seeing Hinata treated like a child made me doubt my eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou never accepted the elemental of light. You have to overcome this. The darkness is just an illusion your heart creates for itself. You must forgive your past self and take pride in the present\u2014the way you live. Then you will accept the light\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI told you, shut up<\/em>!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Granville\u2019s cold eyes sized up the enraged Hinata.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s a pity, Hinata. If I had more time, I could have guided you. But if you can\u2019t understand me, then it\u2019s best for you to face the truth. How will you ever save the world if you can\u2019t even protect what you hold dear?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n My instincts told me this was bad. With this conversation, everyone\u2019s eyes were now focused on Hinata. What if Granville wanted that? And what he wanted\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Report. According to Predict Future Attack, his goal is\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n His sword swung down in a slash. It was Disintegration, and there was no way to stop it. It was more of a stabbing move than a slash\u2014call it Meltstrike if you want. It came down at close to light speed, and no doubt it\u2019d gouge its way into its target. So I ran as fast as I could toward them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to my calculations, not even me at full speed would reach them in time. But if I could use Belzebuth to consume <\/a>it\u2014and the air around it\u2026 Even if I couldn\u2019t capture these spiritual particles moving at light speed, I knew they were targeted toward Chloe, so I could get ahead of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChloe!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n By the time I finished shouting, everything was over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hinata was the first to move. Without a moment\u2019s hesitation, she stepped between Chloe and Granville\u2019s line of fire. Sacrificing her own body, she took the Meltstrike blow to her chest. It stabbed right through her, and she collapsed to the ground coughing up blood\u2014but all it did was lower the speed of that beam of light a little, as it extended toward Chloe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next person to move after Hinata, surprisingly enough, was Venom. Just like Hinata, he tried to sacrifice himself to protect Chloe\u2014he must\u2019ve been awfully faithful to Diablo\u2019s orders, because he had kept himself focused on protecting the kids over everything else. That\u2019s why he was in time for that moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGah! \u2026Oh man, owww<\/em>!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n There was a large hole in his stomach, but he seemed pretty chill about it. That\u2019s a demon for you. As long as your soul\u2019s safe, any damage to your body was apparently just window dressing. If Granville was aiming for him, it might be a different story, but for now, he could tend to himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, thanks to the minuscule amount of time Hinata and Venom brought for me, I made it over. Consuming the air in front of Chloe, I all but instantly teleported in time. Now I just needed to activate Uriel\u2019s Absolute Defense to protect Chloe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHuh? Mr. Tempest? Miss Hinata\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n No offense meant to Venom, of course, but Chloe was focused solely on Hinata. That was understandable. I was worried for her, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luminus ran up to Hinata, gauging her wound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMiss Hinata! Miss Hinata, don\u2019t die!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChloe! Hey!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before I could stop her, Chloe started running. The other kids were taking her cue, so I hurriedly used Paralyzing Breath to knock <\/a>them out. Giving Venom some healing potion, I tasked him with protecting them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCh\u2026 Chloe?! Is that really Chloe\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leon was acting incredibly suspicious, but that\u2019d have to wait. Chasing after Chloe, I ran up to Hinata, keeping a careful eye on Granville as I sized her up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026Whoa, look out.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, Luminus\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSilence! The spirit particles are eating into her fast! Too fast!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her physical wounds were now healed, but Hinata was growing weaker by the moment. The Meltstrike particles were destroying her spiritual body, and in time, they\u2019d start whittling down her astral body as well. And at that point, not even Hinata could\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just then, Hinata barely opened her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cG-good! Good, Hinata. You gotta stay awake for me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cN-no, Lady Luminus, I\u2026 Hurk!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oh man. HInata was in serious trouble. But not even Luminus, much more versed in holy magic than I was, could rescue Hinata from the brink of death. That\u2019s how fearsome Granville\u2019s strike was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCh-Chloe, I\u2019m glad you\u2019re safe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even with blood flowing from her mouth, Hinata tried her hardest to sit up. Her will was like steel. I\u2019m sure she couldn\u2019t see any longer, but her lips were still taking the form of a smile. She turned toward Chloe and raised a shaky right hand, the one holding her Moonlight sword and bearing the Holy Spirit Armor bracelet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Chloe, I want you to have this. I\u2026 I couldn\u2019t be much of an\u2026instructor to you, but I know\u2026you can surpass me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her voice was hoarse, but it was clearly coming through to the sobbing Chloe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMiss Hinata\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chloe\u2019s hand gingerly touched Hinata\u2019s\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014and the next moment, Hinata\u2019s body began to glow, the light seemingly flowing into Chloe through her fingers. Was I seeing this right? Because not even Luminus was reacting at all. It was like time was stopping\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n