In their temporary base room, Tenraku was seated in a chair, taking a short break. Marion stood behind him, gently massaging pressure points to alleviate his fatigue, while Burent had prepared hot tea and served it.
"Marion, Burent, you should go and rest too," Tenraku said as he opened his eyes.
"We're not tired," Both women replied, shaking their heads.
"This is an order; go rest immediately," Tenraku commanded in a firm tone. Despite their weary appearances after days of accompanying him in battles, they still tried to downplay their exhaustion.
"Yes, Lord Tenraku," They both reluctantly agreed and saluted before retreating to the adjacent room to rest.
"Grayfia-San, you should take a break as well," Tenraku suggested.
At this moment, Grayfia was standing on the side of the room, hands supporting a three-dimensional magic array. Countless magical symbols flowed and flickered within the array like data streams.
These days, Grayfia not only protected Tenraku but also managed her own responsibilities. She continuously received and analyzed intelligence information from various territories and battlefields, processing it and issuing commands based on calculated optimal strategies, mobilizing resources and personnel from all sides.
It could be said that Grayfia's role and importance in this war were no less significant than those of the Demon Kings themselves.
However, she had hardly had any time to rest in recent days, and although she had become somewhat cold towards Tenraku, he still felt it was necessary to show some concern for his Sister-In-Law-Sama.
"I don't have time," Grayfia replied without looking back, her tone as aloof as ever.
"While your work is essential, if you were to exhaust yourself, it would be counterproductive. It might even have a significant impact on the entire alliance. So, it's still necessary to take a proper rest," Tenraku continued trying to persuade her.
"It's only to this extent, I won't tire myself out."
"Kamiya Tenraku, if you're bored, you can go find your Peerage. I don't have time to talk to you right now," Grayfia responded, casting a cold glance at Tenraku.
She was indeed a dominant and aloof Sister-In-Law-Sama. Tenraku couldn't help but feel a bit hurt, but since she insisted on carrying the burden herself, there was nothing more he could say.
"I'm sorry, Sister-In-Law-Sama."
"Same as always, just inform me if you have any news about Cao Cao," Grayfia said, her tone slightly softened.
Tenraku had suddenly addressed her as Sister-In-Law-Sama, causing Grayfia to be momentarily surprised. However, her expression eventually softened, and she nodded slightly.
As the leader of the Hero Faction and one of the masterminds behind this war, Cao Cao had been extremely active during the Underworld turmoil. The news so far indicated that he had killed several Landgraves and dukes, causing significant losses and casualties in the Underworld.
Dealing with that guy required several Demon Kings' levels of strength, but even Demon Kings were at risk of falling if they were hit by his Holy Spear. Any Demon King's fall would have a catastrophic impact on the current Underworld.
Hence, until the life-or-death moment for the Underworld arrived, several Demon Kings could not easily intervene.
However, Tenraku had been keeping an eye on Cao Cao's Holy Spear and had volunteered to confront him. Besides his prior experience fighting Cao Cao, there were few individuals in the Underworld who could match him.
In recent days, Tenraku had been relying on Grayfia to keep an eye on Cao Cao's movements. Unfortunately, the information received in the past had always been too late. Every time he rushed to the location where Cao Cao appeared, the enemy had already retreated.
There had been several instances of chasing shadows, which had left Tenraku quite frustrated. He hoped that the next piece of information would be more timely, preventing that guy from escaping once again.
Tenraku closed his eyes for a short nap, while Grayfia continued with her work. The room fell silent, and no one spoke for a while.
As Tenraku drifted into sleep, he suddenly felt someone patting him.
Opening his eyes, he saw Grayfia standing tall in front of him.
"Sigh…"
"Grayfia-San, is there something?" Tenraku asked, yawning.
"Aren't you in need of news about Cao Cao? Information about him just came in," Grayfia said calmly. Upon hearing this, Tenraku immediately snapped awake.
"Tell me!"
—
The ground was stained red with blood, and Roygun Belphegor, clutching her abdomen, knelt pale-faced.
She was Belphegor's in-charge, the second-in-command in Rating Games, and hailed as the Magic Cherry Blossom Queen and said to be on par with Serafall and Grayfia.
However, today, she suffered a defeat unlike any she had experienced before in her life.
Before Roygun, stood that man, Cao Cao, a dirty mix of a man, piercing through her [Queen] with the legendary Holy Spear.
"Roygun-Sama, quick, run…"
Even though her body was being relentlessly torn apart by the power of the Holy Spear, the Queen tightly gripped the shaft, wanting to create an opportunity for her king and comrades to escape.
Roygun clenched her teeth in agony and rage, but she dared not make any reckless moves. At this moment, Cao Cao might only need a slight motion to kill her Queen.
"Tsk tsk… Truly a great Queen, Your Excellency. I'm even moved," Cao Cao remarked as he withdrew the Holy Spear, kicking Roygun's [Queen] away.
Suffering such injuries, even a Devil with a strong vitality would be on the verge of defeat. Although she was a beauty just like her king, Cao Cao was not one to show mercy.
"Cao Cao!"
With rage surging within her, Roygun finally no longer held back. She frantically activated her remaining Magic Power. Instantly, thousands of Magic arrays surrounded Cao Cao, and then a brilliant light exploded simultaneously.
Boom!
"Ah!"
A thunderous roar and a piercing scream resounded. However, the scream did not belong to Cao Cao, but to Roygun herself.
When the flames dissipated, Cao Cao stood unscathed in the spot where Roygun had been. Roygun, on the other hand, was drenched in blood, having taken the brunt of her own Magic attack in place of Cao Cao.
"This move is called Assaratana [Horse Treasure], which allows for the exchange of positions between enemies and oneself."
"How is it, beautiful Miss Belphegor? My move is not bad, right?" Cao Cao asked with a smug smile on his face. Roygun, however, felt a wave of sorrow and despair washing over her.
Previously, she had been severely wounded by the Holy Spear, and now, she had taken the damage from her own Magic attack. With life-threatening injuries, she could feel her life slipping away.
Neither her Peerage nor she herself could escape. This was indeed a thorough and devastating defeat.
"You and your Peerage are the first to provide me with such exhilarating entertainment in these past few days. Thank you, Belphegor."
"So, let me give you one final thrill!"
With a glint of coldness in his eyes, Cao Cao raised the Holy Spear and thrust it towards Roygun…
To be continued…
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