Monica went into the palace area, planting the staff with the Dragon Heart at its base into the ground.
"Hohh!"
Monica followed every step instructed by Izar. She recited a special incantation to activate the Dragon Heart.
'CINNGG!'
As soon as the incantation was complete, a large magical circle appeared, encircling the staff. Now it was time for Monica to channel her mana into the staff. As soon as Monica's hand touched the staff, a bright light emanated. Monica could feel her mana being drawn uncontrollably, far more than she could handle.
"Ah! How much mana does this staff need?"
In the blink of an eye, almost half of Monica's mana was absorbed. However, the spell was only 30% complete, with 70% still needed to fully activate it.
It seemed that the spell required more mana than Monica possessed. If continued, Monica might die from mana depletion.
"I need to stop now before I run out of mana!"
As Monica was about to release her hand from the staff, she suddenly remembered Razor's sacrifice.
*Heh (smiling), if outsiders are willing to fight to the death to save this world, why am I, a native of this world, so easily defeated?*
*The outsider referred to is Razor, who came from another world.*
"Garggghh... Even if my life is at stake, I won't back down!"
Monica continued to let her mana be absorbed, ensuring the success of this plan after so many sacrifices.
Monica's eyes, nose, and mouth began to bleed as her mana neared depletion. Every second, one by one, her senses began to fade. Little by little, it impaired her ability to think, and the last thing she thought of was...
*Sora!*
*Thank you for everything!*
'THROOOUGHH!'
'CING'
Monica opened her eyes.
"Am I dead?"
What she saw was only darkness. There was no other life besides herself.
"(smiling) Monica, you fought until death; isn't that good enough?" Monica tried to reassure herself.
"Huh... Wait, that spell! Did I succeed?"
Monica began to question the spell.
"If the spell didn't work! It means the Demon King will win! If the Demon King wins, all countries will be destroyed, and everyone will die!"
"Ughh... Sob... Sniff"
"So, my sacrifice was in vain!"
ARGHHHH!!! Monica began to blame herself.
"I'm sorry, Blaise!"
"Monica!" a faint voice called.
"I'm sorry, Shino!"
"Monica!" a faint voice called.
"I'm sorry, Carlos!"
"Monica!" a faint voice called.
"I'm sorry, Rusk!"
"Monica!" a faint voice called.
"I'm sorry, Razor! Sniff I'm sorry, Sora... "
"MONICAAA!!!"
"Huh?" Monica was startled when she heard that scream. Looking ahead, she realized her hand was still gripping the staff.
"What happened? Didn't I die!"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" someone said behind her.
Monica recognized the voice and turned around to confirm.
"Sora!"
"Yes!"
"Sniff.. I thought I was dead!"
"Heh... Don't worry, I won't let you die... Let's finish all of this together."
"Alright.."
Monica turned her head back again while saying, "How dare you to call me by my name, Sora!" teasingly.
"Uh.. Sorry!"
"If both of us are still alive after successfully activating this spell... I will forgive you, Sora!"
"Heh... Don't worry.. We will succeed!"
"GARGGGHH!" Both of them channeled as much mana as needed for the staff.
'JINNG!'
With Sora's assistance, the spell was successfully activated, and Monica was saved from mana depletion.
The Dragon Heart shot a beam of light into the sky, forming a towering hemisphere that covered the entire Demon King's palace. Sora and Monica breathed a sigh of relief as they successfully completed their mission.
Monica looked at Sora and said, "Thank you, Sora, for coming to save me!" A joyful expression appeared on Monica's face.
"Hehehe... Don't worry, captain!"
*All members of the Stingray group were called "captains" as a sign of respect.*
"Monica!" Monica says.
"Uhhh?" Sora was confused.
"From now on, call me Monica instead of Captain!"
"(smiling) Alright... Monica!" says Sora.
####
His skill absorbed as much damage as possible inflicted on Fat, then reflected an equal amount back at his enemies after they finished their attacks.
Fat only needed to endure for as long as Demon Dylas kept attacking. The stronger the attacks he received, the stronger the rebound Demon Lord Dylas would face afterward.
*Can I endure this?*
Every time Fat took a hit from Demon Lord Dylas, internal injuries were inevitable. His nose and mouth began to bleed, and gradually, the injuries became visible on Fat's body.
After enduring thousand of punches, Fat's body could no longer hold up.
*Gerrghh, is this the end for me?* Fat's eyes dimmed, and he lost consciousness.
"It seems you're getting weaker!" Demon Lord Dylas sensed that Fat could no longer endure. His shield began to vibrate, and each punch pushed Fat backward.
'TINNNG!'
"Huh!" Fat regained consciousness.
"YOU'RE DEAD!" Demon Lord Dylas applied heavy pressure to the next punch, thinking that this time it would surely defeat Fat.
'DHOOOM!'
*Huh? Is this my imagination? His shield seemed to resist my punch.* Demon Lord Dylas was puzzled.
*I don't know what happened, but my strength seems to have recovered!* Fat stood firm once again.
*His endurance is back to being robust!* Demon Lord Dylas realized.
At that moment, both of them began to realize how they would end this fight.
*Whoever lasts the longest...* Fat.
*Will be the winner!* Demon Lord Dylas.
"GARGGGHH!" Both of them screamed, using all their strength to attack and defend.
DHOOM! DHOOM! DHOOM!
Fat continued to endure every punch, but he held his ground. Demon Lord Dylas, on the other hand, was losing energy with every second he remained in his transformed form. Each attack or movement in that form consumed more energy than his original form.
*Erghh, when will he stop?* Fat wondered.
"Ciss, useless human! What's the point of you enduring if your friends.."
'ZHOOSH!'
"HUH?" Demon Lord Dylas realized the incoming attack.
'SHOOSH!'
He dodged quickly, but the attack that came towards him turned out to be an arrow.
"Damn it!"
Demon Lord Dylas had to stop attacking Fat. He turned to the source of the attack and saw Leonel standing tall and healthy.
"What happened? Aren't you supposed to be dead!"
"Hah.. Hahahahahhaha" Fat laughed.
Demon Lord Dylas quickly looked at Fat. "What are you laughing at?"
"Our fight ends here!" Fat replied.
"Huh?" Demon Lord Dylas was confused.
[What you give, you get back!] [Skill] [SSS]
DHOOM
*What is all this? I feel like I've just been hit by something very powerful!*
"What did you do to me?" Demon Lord Dylas asked Fat.
"Feel the impact of your own punches!" Fat answered.
"Huh?... So, that's why you endured my attacks all this time is... Ughhhh!"
DHOOM × (Number of punches Fat received)
"ARGGHHHHHHHHHH!"
For the first time, Demon Lord Dylas felt the impact of his own punches. He realized that his own body couldn't withstand the force of his own attacks. He finally recognized his weakness, why he always lost to other Demon Lords. Why he was called the weakest Demon Lord. It wasn't the weakness of his attacks but the weakness of his endurance.
As soon as Demon Lord Dylas finished receiving the attack, he knelt on the ground.
"Heh... So, that's why I always lose! Hahaha... I'm indeed foolish!"
'SHOOSH!'
'SHOOSH!'
'SLAASH!'
'SLAASH!'
Both of Demon Lord Dylas's hands were severed by Kiel and Doug.
"Stand aside, everyone!" shouted Leonel.
Fat, Kiel, and Doug stepped away from the scene.
'ZHOOOOOSH!'
Arrows were released rapidly towards Demon Lord Dylas's head.
Fat observed Demon Lord Dylas from a distance. Though Demon Lord Dylas seemed to be saying something, Fat couldn't hear it. However, by watching the movement of his lips, Fat could guess what Demon Lord Dylas was saying. "Great fight, Fat!"
Leonel's arrow hit directly at Demon Lord Dylas's head.
'KBOOMMM!'
"Hahh!" Fat acknowledged.
"Nancy! We need to find Nancy!" said Kiel.
"Wait, how can you guys..." Fat began.
"I don't know. We don't know what happened. Suddenly, our hands, legs, and bodies have healed like before," replied Doug.
"Oiiiii!" someone shouted.
"Fat, Doug, that's Nancy!" said Kiel.
"Nancy is healed again!" added Doug.
Kiel and Doug ran toward Nancy.
"Heh! Good that everyone is safe!" Fat sat down due to exhaustion.
#####
Before that...
"What are you trying to do, Rose? Stop! You need to rest!" Sofia questioned.
"I won't be able to last any longer, Sofia!"
"Don't say that, Rose!"
"Let me fight until the end, Sofia!"
Rose raised her right hand into the air while her mouth chanted an incantation. The incantation was inaudible to Sofia as Rose had no more energy left, and Sofia could only see the movement of Rose's lips.
"Enough of this, Rose! Stop!"
Sofia's words were completely ignored by Rose as she continued chanting. Tears streamed down her face when she recalled her last moments before leaving the world.
Ting!
"ROSEEE!" Sofia screamed.
A small magic circle formed on Rose's palm.
"Heal!"
TINGGGG!
A wave formed from Rose's palm, then spread throughout the entire world. The wave healed all pain, wounds, and diseases suffered by the inhabitants of that world, except for the Demon tribe.
"My injuries have healed!"
Soldiers who had suffered severe injuries were instantly restored to health. Those who had been lying in a coma suddenly woke up. All diseases in the world disappeared. At that moment, the inhabitants of the world were amazed to see everyone recovering miraculously. They considered it a great miracle that had happened to them.
[Deadly Heal] [Skill] [SSS]
[Pro: Heal everything according to user will.]
[Con: Take user life.]
Rose's right hand slowly fell and was caught by Sofia.
"Huh?" Sofia held Rose's hand tightly.
Sofia was surprised to see Rose not moving at all, but her eyes were still open. Sofia then trembled when she tried to check Rose's pulse, fearing the reality she might face.
Sofia placed her index finger on Rose's neck. She was then stunned and shocked by the reality. Sofia slowly lifted Rose's body and hugged her tightly.
Jilk and Zack were surprised to see Sofia's actions.
"Oi, Sofia! What happened to Rose? Why suddenly silent?" Jilk asked.
Sofia did not respond at all. She held the deepest pain and then let it out.
"GWUARGHHHH!" she screamed, crying over Rose's departure.
Jilk clenched his fist, and Zack lowered his head when he realized Rose's condition from Sofia's cries.
*Gerghh, if not for my foolish actions, Rose... sniff* Jilk was the most affected.
"Heh, useless Healer! Annoying until the end! Trash!" Demon Lord Dolce mocked.
"GARGGGHH!" Upon hearing that, Jilk immediately rushed to attack Demon Lord Dolce.
SHOOSH!!!
CLANK!!!
"Heh!" Demon Lord Dolce parried the attack.
"Better shut your mouth!" Jilk yelled.
"HIYARGHH!" Jilk attacked Demon Lord Dolce repeatedly, but all his attacks were parried and countered.
There's no point in regretting your actions, human! Because I will send you with the healer soon!" Demon Lord Dolce counterattacked.
HYOSSH!!!
Zack intervened to save Jilk from the counter-attack.
"Jilk, gather yourself! If you keep attacking like that, it'll be easier for her to counterattack. Let go of your anger. I understand your feelings, but your emotions won't defeat him. Calm yourself. Hold your feelings until you can't contain them anymore, and at that moment, release all your pent-up emotions. We must kill that monster for Rose. Don't waste her sacrifice!"
Zack's words successfully calmed down Jilk, who was consumed by anger.
"Hurhhh!" Jilk took a deep breath.
"Let's go!" said Jilk.
They both attacked Demon Lord Dolce with more structure and coordination.
HYOOOSH!
CLANNK!
CLANGG!
CLINGG!
Each attack was successfully executed, leaving no chance for Demon Lord Dolce to counterattack. Jilk's fast spear narrowed Demon Lord Dolce's opportunities to counter, followed by Zack's large sword applying strong pressure on Demon Lord Dolce every time he parried it.
"Gerghhh!" Demon Lord Dolce faced difficulty for the first time, observing how both his opponents became so serious after their comrade's death.
"Damn it!"
SHOOSH!!!
"Huh!" Demon Lord Dolce was surprised as someone suddenly appeared behind him when he tried to distance himself from Jilk and Zack.
WHOOOSH!!!
Demon Lord Dolce dodged, but it was too late as Sofia's sword had already slashed at his back.
For the first time, the Heroes managed to injure Demon Lord Dolce.
"Gerghhh, they look different now!" Demon Lord Dolce remarked.
"This is just the beginning!" Jilk attacked.
SHOOOSH!!!
They exchanged attacks, and Demon Lord Dolce could no longer parry and block all the attacks because it put her in a difficult situation.
To counterattack, she needed to expose herself to danger by receiving a few attacks. However, this wouldn't happen because his fighting style always maintained a safe distance when in battle. Due to the length of her sword and her preference for using the tip of the sword for attacking or parrying.
Unfortunately, his fighting pattern was no longer effective when faced with these Heroes.
Both sides continued to exchange attacks, each sustaining injuries.
"We won't last like this!" whispered Zack.
"I've reached my limit, Zack!" replied Jilk.
"Your limit? Oh! Heh (smirks), alright! Time to end this game!" said Zack.
Zack then rushed towards Demon Lord Dolce alone.
SHOOSH!!!
Zack made a powerful swing.
WHOOOSH!!!
Easily avoided by Demon Lord Dolce.
"Have you lost your mind, attacking me alone!"
WHOOOSH!!! Once again, Zack swung.
"Heh!" Zack smirked.
"I don't know what you guys are thinking, but your plan makes no sense at all... Foolish people exposing themselves to danger like this..." Demon Lord Dolce retaliated.
WHOOOSH!!
"Ugh!" Demon Lord Dolce's attack had an impact on Zack's body.
"JILK!" Zack shouted.
Jilk appeared behind Zack, rushing to attack Demon Lord Dolce.
Zack only used himself as bait so that Jilk could get as close as possible to Demon Lord Dolce, as Demon Lord Dolce would never allow an enemy to get too close, exceeding the length of his sword.
SHOOOSH!!
"Do you think you'll succeed in attacking me!" said Demon Lord Dolce.
Demon Lord Dolce retreated to maintain his distance from Jilk, but Jilk had already entered Demon Lord Dolce's safe zone.
WHOOSHH!!
Demon Lord Dolce swung his sword, targeting Jilk's neck, just inches away from him.
SPURTT!!
"HUH!" Demon Lord Dolce was shocked as Jilk used his own hand as a shield to parry the attack.
*This human is crazy! He sacrificed his hand just to get close to me! He's gone mad, just like Leon!*
Jilk's left hand was severed, and his right hand stabbed Demon Lord Dolce with his spear.
"GARRGHHH!!!"
ZHOOOSH!!
A deep thrust pierced through Demon Lord Dolce's body.
"Hehe, high risk high return!" Zack said, lying on the ground.
"Gorrghhhh!" Demon Lord Dolce looked into Jilk's eyes filled with rage.
"This is for Rose!" Jilk declared.
"Gargghhh! I, Demon Lord Dolce, won't lose to weak humans like you!" Demon Lord Dolce raised his sword, aiming at Jilk's neck.
Jilk couldn't move anymore.
ZHOOSHH!!
Sofia beheaded Demon Lord Dolce.
*Huh? Why is my body over there? Have I lost to these humans? It can't be!*
===FLASHBACK===
Demon Lord Dolce began to recall the words of Demon Lord Leon.
"Why! Why! Why do I always lose to you? No matter how hard I train, I still can't defeat you, Leon!" Demon Lord Dolce exclaimed.
"Sometimes, you need to take risks to win, Dolce!" Demon Lord Leon replied.
"What do you mean!"
"You need to discard your fighting pattern and expose yourself to danger!"
"That's insane! I won't expose myself to danger, and I know my fighting style is the best!"
"That's why you always lose, Dolce! You're too afraid to take risks! You always choose the safest path!"
===FLASHBACK===
*Now, I understand what you meant, Leon! If I hadn't been too arrogant to accept my flaws, I might have—*
"Hah!" Jilk fell to the ground.
"Finally, we managed to kill the Demon Lord, Rose! Sniff!" Sofia remembered Rose's sacrifice.
Even though they succeeded in defeating Demon Lord Dolce, it did not bring them any joy because Demon Lord Dolce's death did not compensate for what they had lost.
They began to shed tears again.
"Forgive me, Rose!" Jilk said.
"Rose, you were a great woman!" Sofia remarked.
"Rose, you were the only woman who treated a wicked guy like me so kindly!" Zack expressed.
Thus, their battle with Demon Lord Dolce came to an end.