Episode 154: VS Baal Zebub

I stood atop Valkyria, facing Baal Zebub after having spit out my defiance.

His presence was overwhelming, alien. My body wanted to cower just from standing near him. Everything I’d heard about him suggested he was on an entirely different level, but I couldn't just sit back.

The bastard was using Master Baal’s face to hurt my comrades.

He was baring his fangs at Reima’s friends.

He was snuffing out lives with a cold, hollow indifference.

I couldn't endure the sight. I couldn't forgive him for using the face of my friend—a man who cared for others so much that he’d rely on a side of himself he despised—to cause such pain.

“Shiki, Ayane, Laura, Kagura! I’m taking the lead. Support me!”

I know I’m being reckless.

But we couldn't move forward unless I brought this thing down and woke my friend up.

Don't lose your nerve, Kaiser Dragonia.

If I wanted to become the coolest version of myself, if I wanted to stand as an equal beside the first friend who ever truly accepted me, I had to bet my life. As a Summoner, as his friend, and as the Dragon Emperor of my dreams... I had to give everything.

“Roger that. Leave the support to us, Bakaiser!”

“You’re a real slave-driver, Goro. But then again, we have gotten stronger... let’s do this.”

I heard the encouragement from Shiki and Ayane, saw Laura and the others nod, and then I charged alongside Valkyria. We traded blows with his knives and forks. If I hadn’t been using my partner’s spear, or if I hadn’t entered [Dragonification], my arms would have shattered with the first strike.

Brawling with him like this is a fool’s errand, I thought. I needed a plan. The moment I pulled back to catch a breath of logic, I was suddenly yanked toward him. My torso was wide open, and his knife was coming for me—

“I’d be troubled if you forgot I was here, Lord of the Flies.”

“I’m busy dealing with a dragon. I’d prefer it if the two main dishes stayed in their seats,” Baal Zebub replied.

“Shut up. I don't listen to people I hate. I'm already irritated enough as it is.”

Lumia, the demon who galloped across the sky, cut in just in time. If she hadn't blocked that strike, I would have been split in two.

“That was a nice speech earlier, Dragon-kin. We’re in this too, so don’t give up yet.”

“Lumia, I’ll handle the primary support. You prioritize securing Reima.”

“Yes, yes, Commander... But if you're going to give me such a tall order, you’d better not get lazy and turn into a demon yourself.”

“I’m not going that far with this many witnesses. More importantly... Kaiser, was it? I’m giving you my protection. Try not to worry too much if you die a few times.”

As the Phoenix and Lumia spoke while hovering in mid-air, the topic suddenly shifted to me. I felt something warm settle deep in my chest.

“Good luck. Knowing his personality, he’ll only target you humans.”

“Don’t you dare slack off, Sloth.”

“I’m not slacking. I have my own job. I have to evacuate the human who was steering the ship before things get messy, don't I?”

The Phoenix transformed into a bird of flame and retreated from the front lines to carry the pilot to safety. We watched him go, then turned our attention back to the waiting Baal Zebub.

“Is the strategy meeting finished?”

“You’re awfully patient. Don't you have anything better to do?” I asked.

“No. This is a Demon King’s pride... I must grant charity to the weak.”

“Don't expect that composure to last!”

The battle resumed.

A buff from Shiki reached me just as a world of frost expanded across the sea. It was Ayane’s new magic: [Hyokai]. It transformed the entire vicinity into a realm of biting cold, an unfair technique that expanded her absolute control over ice to a massive scale.

“[Mujin Hyoken].”

Countless blades materialized in the air. Every single one pointed at the Demon King before firing in a simultaneous volley. Against any normal opponent, the spell wouldn't have even left a corpse behind. It looked like a direct hit, but—

“High-quality mana... I’ll take it.”

For a split second, I saw him put his weapons away. He pressed his palms together.

That must have been the signal. The entire spell was predated—consumed entirely—without dealing a single point of damage.

“You should stop with the long-range attacks. As long as it’s made of mana, it’s just food.”

“Tsk. Are all Demon Kings cheaters?”

“Those of the Sins are simply specialized in mana. Please, feel free to keep trying.”

His attitude was condescending to the end. He didn't even view us as enemies yet. I knew I couldn't let my emotions get the better of me.

“And now, a return gift... try not to die, shall we?”

On the Demon King’s back, Ayane’s magic reappeared. The ice blades had turned a corrupt, vicious black. They locked onto us.

“Get down!”

I screamed the warning, but the blades were already in front of my face. No, that wasn't right—the distance had been "eaten" again. Our positions had been manipulated. Evasion was impossible. I had to take it, or the others wouldn't survive.

“[Valdrago Shield]!”

It was a new technique I’d mastered through my affinity with Valkyria. It acted as a mana magnet, drawing all long-range attacks toward me.

The pain followed instantly. I felt the sensation of my body being punctured over and over. But when it was over, I was unhurt. In fact, even the minor scrapes I’d had before were gone. I felt a strange sense of dissonance until I remembered the Phoenix’s words.

This is her protection.

“Hmph. The protection of Sloth... how tedious.”

“Well done, Dragon-kin,” Lumia said. “We’d be dead if you hadn't put in the work.”

I appreciated the sentiment, but it was grueling. Dying was a painful, miserable experience. I’d endured it this time, but judging by the heat left in my body, I could probably only manage to die three more times.

“To be honest, I looked down on you all,” Lumia continued. “I figured anyone other than Master was trash who’d eventually betray us. The Vampire Princess didn't stay until the end, after all. I don't know about the others, but I think I’ll root for you, Dragon-kin. Still... doing this without Master is a hell of a gamble.”

In that moment, Lumia—who had been fighting beside us and had just saved my life—smiled. She drove her spear into her own stomach, releasing a tidal wave of mana that rivaled the Demon King himself.

“[Original Text Release: Origin Burst]—[The Demon Lord of Destruction and Virtue Crowned by Lust: Lumia Asmodeus]. Now then, dear guest, are you ready for my hospitality?”

The transformation was staggering. Her horns turned to gold, and her scorpion tail split into two. A massive, pitch-black dragon manifested from the void, and a halo set with countless eyes appeared behind her.

“Now... since we’re here, I might as well show you the true power of a Demon Lord of Lust.”