In the ice castle, there were hundreds, if not thousands of demons, residing there.
This particular place was located in the ice continent, a vast expanse of ice land.
This was formed as a result of the clash between the white ice dragon, Velzard, and the red primordial demon, Guy.
Their battle left a scar on the world, hence becoming one of the historical events of the world.
In all the clashes that have occurred in the central world, they all left notable traces of destruction.
One prime example would be the first cataclysmic clash between the Mad Titan God, Ashura, and the Silver Primordial, Sariel.
The fight between them separated the continents into what they are today.
Another noticeable change in the world was caused by Iverage.
That, along with the apocalyptic invasion of the cryptids.
The fight between the frost dragon and the red primordial marked another global change in the central world's history.
Yet, the changes were only just beginning.
In the hall of the ice palace, the infamous red primordial demon himself was seated on a throne-like seat fit for a king.
With a bored expression on his face, he questioned himself.
Guy: 「When next will something interesting happen?」
Unknown to him, the answer to his question would be delivered instantaneously.
A huge explosion occurred at the entrance of the palace's door.
The ice that covered the castle was as thick as any low mythic grade material, yet the explosion just now melted the ice like how butter would melt directly under the influence of intense heat.
This was enough to bring a smile to the red-haired demon's face.
Out of nowhere, the two primordials that served under him were sent flying out of the smokescreen with blinding speed.
Seeing this alone turned his smile into a smirk.
"Whoever did that must be really strong."
This was the thought that crossed his mind as he awaited his invaders.
Three initially obscure individuals emerged from the smokescreen.
Guy looked at them with curiosity.
Guy: 「(Two of them are high humans whilst the other is an actual dragon. What a weird bunch.)」
He thought of such things whilst scrutinizing the group that invaded his territory.
It was then clear.
A blonde-haired, blue-eyed young man standing at the front of the group shouted.
「I am Rudra Nasca, the crown prince of the Kingdom of Nasca and the 'hero' of all the people's hopes!
You evil demon lord, I will destroy you with my sword! Also, give me all the treasures you are rumored to be hoarding!」
It was a declaration that was far from noble. But, on the contrary, Guy liked this unabashed desire.
「Brother Rudra, I can't tell which one of you is the demon lord when you act like this!」
The lady with pink platinum hair spoke up.
「Yeah, you're really no good, Rudra. You're already blinded by greed. If you want money, I can just earn it for you.」
The woman with azure blue hair tied up in buns spoke next.
She had sharp golden eyes and an hourglass figure.
Looking at her, Guy could not help but wonder...
"If only Velzard could look like that..."
He erased such thoughts from his mind and refocused on the group in front of him.
「Honestly! Sister Gryn, please stop spoiling Brother Rudra.
If this continues, he will surely suffer the consequences of his failure!」
At this point, he couldn't care less about what they were talking about.
What he was more concerned about was...
'Hero?' What's that?
It was the first time he had heard that word, and it sounded so sweet.
It gave Guy the feeling that his boredom would soon melt away.
Guy happily turned to the young man who called himself Rudra.
"Interesting. Let's see what you're made of, 'Hero!"'
Guy decided to accept Rudra's challenge.
Rudra: 「Hmph! I'm the strongest and don't need any help. Demon lord, I will fight you fair and square, let's go one on one!」
Rudra was handsome, but his smile was a bit vulgar.
It seems that his goal was not to defeat Guy but rather to snatch the treasures.
But that was what Guy thought made him truly human.
Without desire, people would not work.
It was the desire for a better life that drove people to work hard.
Rudra was truly a human being. A human being with the type of sweet emotions that Guy loved.
Guy: 「Hah! Let's see what you can do!」
And then the battle began.
Guy watched as Rudra approached him. It was a sharp and fast blow, but it was not serious at all.
The fact that he was taking a chance on him was irritating to Guy.
Rudra was protected by an elaborate full-body magic armor.
It seemed to be quite expensive, so Guy decided to destroy it first.
As someone who seemed greedy for money, he probably would not like to have his belongings destroyed.
In short, the point was to harass him.
He evaded Rudra's sword with ease and cross kicked him in the side with a feint that looked like a knee kick.
Rudra was trying to avoid it just in time, so he couldn't react to the feint, and his armor was shattered.
Rudra: 「Ahhhhh!! A year's worth of national budget armor is-!」
「Are you okay, Brother?」
Velgrynd: 「Rudra is such an idiot.
If we had all fought together from the start, the armor wouldn't have been destroyed.」
Rudra: 「Sh-Shut up! This-This is a necessary expense!」
Rudra became teary-eyed, so it must have been more effective than he thought.
Guy realized this and smirked.
"Next time, I'll smash his sword and make him cry."
Thinking this, Guy observed the three of them. But then...
「Brother! At least let me use some support magic.『Holy Blade』!!」
The platinum-pink-haired girl, whom Guy had initially judged to be the most harmless of the three, performed an outrageous magic.
The sword Rudra was holding began to glow. It was a jaw-dropping divine, evil-destroying light.
"That's not good. That light seems to have the power to cut through my barrier."
He should have stopped it before it was launched, but Guy was enjoying this fight, so it would have been tactless to interfere.
Rudra: 「Huh, if I just think of it as my sister cheering me on, then it's acceptable-but Lucia, you can't do anything else!」
Rudra was more concerned with results rather than pride. He was not ashamed to accept help from his sister.
"This guy, what a character."
While not yet at the point of crisis, the situation was certainly worsening. And yet, for some reason, Guy was enjoying it.
Guy:「That's not even a handicap. If you want, you can all come at me together.」
Rudra: 「Take things seriously! I'm getting serious from here on out, so prepare yourself!」
Rudra was as honest as he said he was, hiding his abilities.
The speed of his sword increased, and he closed in on Guy.
Guy had seen this coming. He laughed and picked up his beloved sword,『Tenma』, just for the fun of it.
Rudra: 「Ah? What kind of demon lord uses a weapon like that? How dirty!」
Guy: 「Huh? I don't know what your values are, but I'll give you credit for making me pull out my sword.」
They both continued to clash as they destroyed anything nearby.
Shifting perspectives, Velgrynd, who was busy keeping watch over Rudra, was confronted by her sister Velzard.
This was, in fact, their first meeting.
Velzard: 「It seems like this is the first time we meet, little sister.」
Velgrynd: 「Of all the people to choose. Him? It seems like you lack foresight elder sister.」
Velzard: 「Velgrynd... Watch your mouth.」
Velgrynd: 「Make me. Let's see just how strong you are, Velzard.」
These few words were enough to spark a fight.
With a stomp to the ground, several ice spikes raced towards Velgrynd at an alarming rate.
Even upon that, the embodiment of acceleration was not just a title given to Velgrynd.
She jumped over the attack with relative ease.
Foating above the ice shards was Velgrynd, who looked at Velzard with a mocking face.
Velgrynd: 「And here I thought you were strong. You're just that slow, sister. What's the point if you can't even touch me.」
Velzard looked at Velgrynd undisturbed as if looking at an uneducated brat.
Seeing the look her sister gave her made Velgrynd mad.
She did not show it, though.
Velzard: 「Unlike you, Velgrynd, I deal with sense. 『Eternal World』.」
A subskill of her ultimate skill, 『Patience King: Gabriel』.
A world skill that brings the speed of an object in the user's domain to an absolute zero.
Everything in the user's domain is brought to an absolute fault, locking them in place and nullifying all kinds of assault.
A very difficult skill to deal with.
This skill makes the concept of motion non-existent, with only a select few spiritual life forms that possess extraordinary willpower strong enough to counter this skill.
Velgrynd was caught off-guard by this ability and was frozen.
Velzard wasted no time and gave Velgrynd a dirty slap across the face.
The strength behind the slap was powerful enough to send her crashing the ground.
The crash created a very powerful earthquake that shook the entirety of the ice palace.
Velzard deactivated her skill and walked over to Velgrynd, who was lying motionless on the floor.
Velzard: 「This is why you should respect me, Velgrynd.」
Velgrynd: 「Tch, whatever.」
Velgrynd and Velzard, who were both in the same position, were attacked by a flame blast.
The blast was so powerful that it created another powerful earthquake easily dwarfing its predecessor in power.
When the smoke produced from the attack cleared up, there was an ice shield enveloping Velzard.
The barrier did not even have a single mark of dirt or sign of wearing out.
This just went to show the durability of this ice shield.
As for Velgrynd, she was nowhere on the ground, seemingly dead after that sneaky assault.
But there was no need to worry.
Velgrynd: 「Tch, even 『Burning Breath』 is no good.」
The one that was seemingly dead clicked her tongue in frustration, clearly annoyed by the lack of result produced by her attack.
Velzard: 「Fufufu~, nothing hets past my『Snow Crystal』so easily. But that duplication skill of yours is pretty amazing.」
She spoke haughtily with a mixture of pride.
Velgrynd: 「Hmph. I'll find a way to deal with you. I'm sure Rudra can handle the demon.」
Velzard: 「You wish.」
With the short exchange, they began their own separate clash.
Their fight spammed earthquakes of high magnitudes.
The temperature of the atmosphere alternated between hot and cold.
Thus created endothermic reactions that broke down the ice castle step by step.
This went on until the door to the hall was blasted open by an individual most were familiar with.
Sariel: 「THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU ALL!!!」
In an instant, the whole group turned to look at him with confusion laced in their faces.
They all stopped fighting to look at Sariel.
Sariel: 「Do you know the type of havoc you shitheads ate reeking out there!?」
Rudra: 「Hey you. How dare yo-」
Sariel: 「Shut it blond-ass!! A hero should've known better than to wake up one morning and challenge a demon lord, thereby creating global-level earthquakes!」
Velgrynd: 「Hey demon! Don't you dare speak to Rudra that wa-」
Sariel: 「Zip it pepper lizard! You're the worst out of them all!
Blasting part of my forest just because your nap was broken by a monster.
Even a lizardman would've done better! Some lizard you are!!」
Guy: 「Umm, Sariel. I-」
Sariel: 「As for you. Don't let me start on how you're supposed to defend the world and not the other way around...
What is the point of calling you a mediator if you can't mediate a simple fight!! What type of bloody porcupine are you!?」
Velzard: 「....」
Sariel: 「And you-」
Velzard: 「I didn't even say a thing!」
Sariel: 「HOW DARE YOU KILL MY FRIEND FOR SUCH A SICK REASON!?!
THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!! HE WAS YOUR BROTHER FOR GOD'S SAKE!! LIKE, HELLO!! FAMILY BOND!!?」
As Sariel let his heart out, the others could only watch with awkwardness.
But there were some people who did not take this lightly.
Velgrynd: 「I've had enough!」
With speeds comparable to sub-light, she dashed towards him.
She had claws sprouting out of her hand.
With a swift motion, she descended her claw to hit his face.
She expected her attack to connect with his face, and yet, a sharp sound rung throughout the palace.
The sound of metals clashing could be heard.
Velgrynd's claw met a pink fan blade. One that ummistakably belonged to the pink primordial.
Rose: 「Fufufufu~. I do not appreciate you attacking my partner without my consent bitch.」
Velgrynd: 「You..... HOW DARE YOU!!」
In a split second, another battle ensued. A deadly clash between the Scorch Dragon and the Pink Primordial Demon.
Velgrynd spared no second and used her『Burning Breath』attack on Rose, who swiftly dodged it by shifting position.
The blast headed past her and collided against the ground.
Seeing this, Sariel used his 『Multidimensional Barrier』to contain their fight.
Guy: 「Oi blonde-head. Tell your dragon to quit slithering around and destroying my palace would you?」
Rudra: 「Don't you dare talk about her like that!!」
Once again, the hero and the demon lord continued their fight.
Their clash left shockwaves in the atmosphere, creating destruction beyond what normal ones could do.
With excellent precision, Rudra trusted his blade towards Guy's heart core.
His sword met a decisive parry from Guy.
Capitalizing on this, Guy used his infamous magic, 『Death Streak』, releasing dozens of dark lights that traveled towards Rudra at light speed.
Seeing this attack, Rudra imbued his blade with spiritrons, slashing a wave of them at the incoming dark lights.
The two spiritron attacks collided against each other, successfully nullifying the latter.
Rudra had successfully nullified Guy's destructive magic with relative ease.
Guy: 「To think there would be someone capable of completely nullifying my magic. You really interest me, human.」
Rudra: 「Heh. You've not seen a quarter of what I can do.」
With those few words exchanged, they began to clash again.
Guy's experience versus Rudra's brilliance.
Their every clash of blades generated sparks that dimly lit up the space around them.
Guy manipulated his demonic aura on his blade, using them as a medium for enhanced destruction.
This demonic aura was gotten from his『Demon Lord's Haki』.
Rudra countered Guy's demonic aura using his 『Hero's Haki』.
The two nullified each other, not without creating destruction waves that destroyed the earth beneath them.
Guy was internally gleeful in finding a person comparable to him in strength.
Not to mention the other high human that created the terrifying magic that could potentially threaten his existence.
In fact, Rudra's swordplay was brilliant with the art used by his sister, and it was natural for him to use it as even Guy would be hurt if he touched it.
Guy: 「You're really good. To be able to make me fight to this level.
Congratulations. You are strong, so I'll take you very seriously now.」
Guy was a proud man, but he had no interest in going easy on him.
Rudra: 「Hah! I'm not happy to be praised by a demon lord!」
Guy: 「I see. Then I won't praise you.」
Rudra: 「...Wait, I'll keep listening.」
Rudra was actually pretty happy to be praised.
Guy: 「Not only did you make me draw my sword, but there's only a handful of people who can actually fight with me.
Rudra, wasn't it? You should be proud that I remembered your name.」
Guy was in a good mood, so he complied with Rudra's request.
Rudra smiled happily and responded to Guy.
Rudra: 「You're pretty good, too. I didn't expect the demon lord to pass over my evil-destroying sword.
Thanks for remembering my name. I'll take your name too before I destroy you.」
Hearing this, Guy could only stare at him in silent exasperation
Guy: 「You're quite arrogant for a human, but I like you, so I'll tell you.
When you get to the Underworld, you can tell them my name.
I am Guy, because any man in front of me will scream 'Giiyaa!'
That's why I shortened it to my name.」
Hearing Guy's answer, Rudra froze and gave him a puzzled look.
Then he came back to his senses and shouted in panic.
Rudra: 「...Wait a minute! That's not how it works! Is that even a name!?
How is that a name?! If I defeated a Demon Lord with such a funny name, it would be so uncool!
It would be better to record the story of my bravery with a cooler name!!」
Guy: 「Ahn? The name doesn't matter!」
Guy spoke matter-of-factly. He didn't understand his antics and decided to let him explain.
Rudra: 「How can it not matter?! All right, I got it. Just hold on. Let's not fight right now.
I'll come up with a better name for you first.」
With that, Rudra stopped fighting without permission.
Guy had no reason to obey him, but there was no way he was going to kill off a rare fun time with a sneak attack.
Since he wanted to have some real fun anyway, he decided to accept Rudra's offer.
"Besides, I'm a little interested."
Rudra: 「His hair is a beautiful red color...」
Velgrynd: 「Wait a minute, if you're talking about red, then that's just like me, who is the cardinal. That is non-negotiable, okay?」
Whilst fighting against Rose, Velgrynd made sure to make her point clear.
That just went to show how important this was for her.
Rudra: 「I know! I mean, you're obsessed in a weird way. Your hair color is blue.」
Velgrynd: 「It's not because of that!」
Rudra: 「Oh, yeah. I remember.」
Lucia: 「You don't know much about women, do you? Sister-in-law Gryn will abandon you if you keep acting like that.」
Rudra:「Huh? No way!」
Velgrynd: 「Huhuhu~, don't worry, Rudra. I will never abandon you.」
Rose: 「Fufufufu~. That's one brave lizard.
To fight with me whilst talking about life? Let me show you your place.『Destructive Light: Death Wave』.」
As soon as she said this, a large life-exorcising wave filled with a dozen black light rays with negative energy assaulted Velgrynd, causing her existential damage.
Velgrynd: 「Damn You!!」
Seeing Velgrynd being pushed back so much, Rudra could only pity her.
Rudra: 「Right? Then I'm relieved. Anyway, I'll give him another red-Crimson! How's that? You don't mind, do you?」
Guy: 「Yeah, I'm fine with that."
Lucia: 「I don't have a problem with it either, but are you sure?
Is it really okay to have a demon lord be named by a hero?
The people might be worried that you have become so familiar with each other.」
Rudra: 「It's okay! No one is watching, and if we don't tell them, then they won't know!」
As he kept on discussing with his sister, Guy could only stand and watch patiently.
Rudra: 「Oh, I've kept you waiting! As of today, your name will be Guy Crimson!」
Thus, the demon lord Guy Crimson was born. The moment the name was said, Rudra lost consciousness.
It was obviously taboo to name a monster, but he selfishly decided that it would be fine because he was a demon lord.
Instead of magicules, Rudra's spiritual power was greatly depleted, and he wandered between life and death.
And so, the showdown with Guy was lost.
Sariel: 「Alright. You guys can call it quits now.」
Sariel spoke to the two women who were still at each other's neck.
Rose dodged the eleven energy-disrupting fireballs that were sent her way with elegance before landing beside Sariel with her fan covering her signature smile.
She had no scratch mark whatsoever.
The same could not be said about Velgrynd, who had bruises and some actual open wounds on her body.
She had let her emotions lead her in their battle, consequently making her an emotionally deranged dragon.
This caused her to make rash decisions in their fight, leading to the pathetic state she was in even as a dragon.
Velzard: 「Fufufu. To be so beat up after fighting a demon. You are definitely weak, aren't you, Velgrynd?」
Velgrynd: 「You-」
Sariel: 「You guys really ought to act like how a grown-up like me would act in situations like this.」
As he said that, everyone turned to look at him with genuine perplexion.
Even his two invisible partners raised their imaginary eyebrows.
Sariel: 「O-Oooii! Stop looking at me like that! I'm being serious, alright!?」
He was ignored for the most as his words far contradicted his actions.
This was the moment when the strange fate of Guy and Rudra was born.
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「Word Count=3500」