Defeated, it was a term that had a vague meaning. In the first place, how did Iophiel even know what had happened inside the pillar where the Emperor was? The covenants didn't have such a function that would enable the Rounds to observe the battlefield that the Emperor was involved in.
The unadorned answer would be that Iophiel had a hunch. Claiming that it was definite was merely based on the conclusion that he came up with after a while of contemplation.
'Exhausting the Emperor's energy is a feat that only the strong could achieve. The Demon Nobles belong in that category, and currently, there are two of them inside the pillar. Setting aside the fact that the Empress is together with the Emperor, the demons could easily deal with the Emperor if they attack simultaneously.'
