"Though it's not complete, it's a body I've waited centuries for! Nothing beats your own body after all!"
The black cocoon burst open, revealing the true form of the sinister entity within.
It was a humanoid creature wrapped in dark mana, clad in a skintight black body that left only the head and neck exposed. But its grotesquely distorted limbs, the spiked tail whipping behind it, and its pitch-black wings all made it clear—it was something utterly different from a human.
Two horns curled from its head, and the exposed skin was a lifeless gray. Black markings surrounded its eyes and mouth, and when it spoke, its sharp black fangs glinted.
Its appearance alone declared its identity—this was a devil from the underworld.
Zagred looked coldly at Patry and said, "You, chosen by the four-leaf clover grimoire, will taste the same despair that Licht did that day!"
Patry's eyes widened in disbelief. "What do you mean?"
Before Zagred could answer, Rhya cut in, "It was you, wasn't it? Five hundred years ago, you incited the humans to massacre us! All to force a five-leaf clover grimoire into being! But Licht and the human prince stopped you in the end!"
Zagred flinched. A bad feeling crept in.
Patry turned slowly to stare at Rhya, stunned. These were things Rhya had never told him before.
Rhya glanced at Charles. Although he'd sensed something was wrong all along, it was thanks to Charles that he hadn't fallen completely into the devil's hands. Without him, he never would've lived to see this devil lose his composure.
Zagred forced himself to stay calm—what mattered most now was to make Patry fall into despair and spawn the grimoire of despair.
"You know more than I expected for an elf… But I've still claimed this body—"
Charles cut him off, "Do you think we would've followed the plan if we knew everything and didn't have a reason?"
Zagred was on the verge of snapping. Forget despairing Patry—he himself was close to a breakdown.
Charles continued, "You thought everyone was just your pawn. But can't we say it was you who helped us revive the elves? Let me be clear—we've prepared a practical resurrection spell. You'll watch the elves come back… and be destroyed yourself!"
"You damn human!" Zagred growled, his demonic rage boiling over.
"Storm of Blades!"
A barrage of swords appeared from thin air and rained toward Charles.
Spreading his flame wings, Charles dodged the projectiles, taunting all the while.
"What's wrong? Losing your temper?"
"Such is the fate of pathetic schemers! What a joke!"
"So this is the legendary devil? Nothing but a clown!"
…
A verbal strike to the heart. Charles wasn't just fighting—he was humiliating.
Rhya sighed, "As I thought… Charles is a deeply malicious person."
Yet he smiled. Watching the devil that manipulated them squirm in frustration—nothing could be more satisfying.
Turning to Patry, Rhya said, "I owe you an apology—for keeping all of this from you."
Patry shook his head. "No… It's my fault. I fell so easily into the devil's trap. You were right to keep it from me."
Rhya placed a hand on his shoulder. "Really, Licht should say this… but it's from all of us too: Thank you. Your efforts weren't in vain."
Patry finally broke down and cried.
The blade storm stopped. Charles exhaled and shouted, "You two done talking yet?"
Rhya shouted back, "Can't you buy us more time?! I can't let our problem child despair like the devil wants!"
Charles turned to Zagred and said, "You see? No one's despairing. There won't be any new five-leaf clover grimoires either."
Zagred, now nearly unhinged, roared, "You were chosen by a four-leaf clover grimoire too! Fine, I'll give you the deepest agony! I'll make you despair all the same!"
He began chanting a Word Soul spell—but two figures shot toward him.
"Didn't we just say—no one's despairing!"
Black demon wings and pale green elf wings opened before Charles. Asta and Yuno launched a coordinated assault on Zagred.
Zagred opened his mouth and simply commanded, "Stop!"
Suddenly, both Asta and Yuno froze midair—the air itself solidified around them.
"Be crushed! Shatter! Break!"
With each word, it felt as if giant hammers slammed into the two, smashing them to the ground. The floor cracked and cratered under the impact.
"Copied Magic: Dark Binding—Silent Slash!"
"Flame Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Rhya and Charles struck from both sides.
"Vacuum Wall!"
"Earth Shield!"
Barriers of air and rock formed around Zagred, blocking both attacks.
Zagred shouted furiously, "Humans and elves—mere insects! How dare you mock me!"
"Storm of Blades!"
Blades poured forth again, forcing Rhya and Charles to retreat.
Rhya grumbled, "What kind of ridiculous magic is this?!"
Charles replied with a heavy breath, "Word Soul Magic—he can manifest anything he speaks, even objects. Worst part is his mana—it's nearly limitless. Normal magic barely affects him."
Rhya groaned, "How are we supposed to beat this guy?!"
Charles grinned, "That's why I brought them!"
With a mighty crash, Asta and Yuno burst from the ground.
Though the devil had bombarded them with powerful magic, Asta had nullified most of it using Anti-Magic. Neither had taken serious damage.
They attacked before Zagred could utter his next spell.
Zagred raised an arm—his forearm had a deep gash, inflicted by Asta's Demon-Dweller Sword.
"Heal!"
The wound closed rapidly, leaving no trace.
But even so, Zagred couldn't stomach what had happened.
"You dare wound me?! Just some humans borrowing elven power—and you, thief of the grimoire meant for me! You should be grateful!"
He could sense it: Yuno had elf mana and the wind spirit's blessing, but hadn't reached full Elf Union or the sacred realm that could truly harm a devil.
Asta, with his Anti-Magic, was the real threat.
"Storm of Blades!"
Blades of summoned iron shot toward Asta. Since they were tangible, not magical constructs, his Anti-Magic couldn't erase them—he had to block with brute strength.
Dual blades in hand, Asta fumbled to deflect the barrage.
Zagred continued:
"Bind!"
Black threads burst from the ground, wrapping Asta's arms and body.
"Asta!"
Charles, Yuno, Rhya, and Patry all knew—Asta was the key to this battle. They couldn't let Zagred take him.
But another Storm of Blades slammed toward the four. This time, they were magical swords that pierced mana defenses. The four had no choice but to defend, unable to help Asta in time.
"Iron Lance!"
Zagred summoned a massive spear of iron sand, hurling it toward the bound Asta.
In that instant, a figure appeared beside Asta.
With one hand, the newcomer grabbed the rusted Demon-Slayer Sword. In his hand, the blade transformed—shedding its corrosion to become shining and regal.
"Sword Magic: Dawn Severance!"
The iron spear split in two, and a stunned Zagred lost an arm and a wing.
"You—!" Zagred gasped.
"Master Licht!" Patry cried out with joy.
The storm of blades ceased. Charles and the others paused—they didn't need to worry anymore.
If Licht was here, Zagred wouldn't touch Asta again.
"Light Magic: Avio's Beacon!"
A radiant orb like a miniature sun formed in midair and fired beams of light that pierced Zagred's body.
"You bastard!" Zagred screamed, his body riddled with holes. He was so enraged, he momentarily forgot to heal.
Charles laughed. "Five hundred years later, the reunion of old friends… Truly moving, isn't it?"
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