𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞
“. . . . . . Well, I expected as much. I thought there would be some ambush troops.”
“Oh? So, did you expect this too?”
ㅤ
With a snap of his fingers, the white-haired demon made a cheesy gesture.
Suddenly, a searing pain coursed through Imina’s entire body.
ㅤ
“Guh?!”
“My blood has already infiltrated your body during my earlier attack. I don’t expect that alone could incapacitate a Holy Warrior guarded by such powerful divine force, but the intense pain you’re feeling is certainly a disadvantage, isn’t it?”
ㅤ
The white-haired demon looked at Imina with sadistic eyes, as if he were a cat tormenting a mouse.
As much as she hated to admit it, he was right.
It felt like needles were being stabbed into her veins from the inside, causing excruciating pain throughout her body.
Fighting with this condition against the remaining troops and this evidently high-ranking demon in front of her would undoubtedly put her at a severe disadvantage.
The surprise attack was a great success.
ㅤ
“You! What did you do to Imina?!”
ㅤ
Seeing Imina suddenly in agony, one of the Iron Dwarf operators directed a Gatling gun at the white-haired demon.
Rather than rushing in emotionally, she started with a long-range attack to keep the enemy at bay.
A good judgment.
However, unfortunately. . . . . .
ㅤ
“Hmph. Did you think you could do anything to me, a member of the supreme race, with a toy that resembles an inferior Asgard?”
ㅤ
The enemy they faced was clearly out of their league.
With a single swing of his arm, the white-haired demon unleashed a dark slash.
Not only did it intercept the Gatling gun, but it also destroyed all three of the Iron Dwarves in one blow.
Imina managed to block it using Mjolnir as a shield, but was blown away by the impact.
ㅤ
(Ugh?! I knew he was strong, but this is insane!)
ㅤ
She had already suspected that this demon might appear, given that monsters with dark blood were among the troops.
She had hoped that he would just incite the monsters and hide himself in a safe zone. But it seemed things wouldn’t go that conveniently.
ㅤ
And if this demon did show up, Imina had planned to give up on winning and just stall for time until Allan and the others defeated the Four Heavenly Kings and returned.
It was a depressing and unfavorable tactic, but she knew she couldn’t defeat him on her own.
History had proven just how much of a threat his clan was.
ㅤ
The miscalculation was that she took a hit before she even had time to stall.
He was a sly one, attacking unexpectedly despite being so strong.
That crafty attack had turned out to be a highly effective one.
There was no way she could hold out until Allan and the others returned.
ㅤ
“Well, I’ve still got to try anyway. . . . . .!”
ㅤ
Her condition was terrible.
The enemy was strong, and her reliable allies couldn’t even serve as a shield.
But Imina would never give up.
She is the 『Hammer Saint』, the guardian of the dwarf village.
She knew that if she fell, it would endanger both her brethren fighting alongside her and Allan and the others who were fighting for them.
That’s why she wouldn’t give up.
And she had a resolve.
Even if things seemed hopeless, she would struggle and struggle until the very end to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
ㅤ
“I am 『Hammer Saint』 Imina, the granddaughter of Dwarf 1’s stubborn old man, 『God of War』 Dwerk Dwarflord. If you think you can easily break the stubborn spirit I inherited from my grandpa, you’re sorely mistaken!”
ㅤ
Gritting through the pain, she raised Mjolnir and brandished it defiantly, putting on the bravest front she could muster.
And yet, the white-haired demon still stared at her with a smug, disdainful smile.
ㅤ
“Heh, heh, heh. Putting on a brave face is fine. Struggle all you want. The more you struggle, the more you’ll find only despair at the end. Understand that, and surely you’ll submit to my sanguine dominion and become one of my adorable minions.”
ㅤ
With that, the silver-haired demon raises his arm.
Coating his palm, formed like a blade, with a dark blue fluid, he releases it as he swings down.
ㅤ
“『Crimson Blade』!”
ㅤ
The dark blue fluid forms a blade and rapidly approaches Imina.
It’s the same technique that pulverized three Iron Dwarfs earlier.
A direct hit would split her in two.
Even if guarded, it will send her flying.
The only choice is to intercept.
ㅤ
“『Thunder. . . . . .”
“Imina-san, wait a second.”
“Huh?!”
ㅤ
Just as he was about to forcibly execute his big move despite her pain, Imina notices someone intruding between him and the silver-haired demon.
A figure in a black haori, holding a sword from behind.
Recognizing who it is, Imina hurriedly stops her move.
Naturally, this means she won’t be able to deal with the demon’s attack.
But that’s not a problem.
Because the person who intervened is, as far as Imina knows, an expert at defense and counterattacks.
ㅤ
“Fifth Strike━. . . . . .『Calamity Return』!”
“Hmm. . . . . . .”
ㅤ
With a sword technique that deflects ranged attacks, the assault unleashed by the silver-haired demon redirects back towards him.
However, the dark blue fluid blade disperses into mist before it can strike its master.
Nonetheless, the attack ends in a failure.
The silver-haired demon glares at the intruder with mild displeasure.
ㅤ
“Knew I had a bad feeling. As usual, you’re good at doing things I don’t like.”
“Allan!”
ㅤ
Imina calls out the name of the young intruder.
The intruder, Allan, glares at the silver-haired demon with an intent too intense to be called mere hostility. . . . . .—it’s murderous.
ㅤ
“Whoa, why are you back?! What about the big guy?!”
“I left him to Stella and the others. We’re the best of partners who trust each other, after all.”
“Eh, what? Did you come back just to flaunt your love life?”
“No, that’s not it!”
ㅤ
Somehow, a farcical exchange has unfolded.
Neither had any intention of goofing off, yet here they were.
Nevertheless, without being influenced by the playful atmosphere, the silver-haired demon speaks to Allan.
ㅤ
“Ah, so you’re the young man who crushed my pawns, despite being a lesser being without divine protection. How amusing. Although, you wouldn’t know who I am.”
“. . . . . . No, I do know you. I heard your voice when you were manipulating that guy. It was unbearably unpleasant.”
“Oh, really? Maybe I was too forceful with my commands. But if you know, then that makes things easier.”
ㅤ
The silver-haired demon clears his throat comically and pulls his right leg back, places his right hand on his body, extends his left hand horizontally, and elegantly bows down.
Much like the greeting of a human nobleman.
Then, he announces,
With a tone utterly devoid of respect.
ㅤ
“Pleasure to meet you. I am one of the Four Heavenly Kings in the Demon King’s Army, representing 『Water』, and the progenitor vampire, Vampneel. It’s a pleasure. I foresee a long association with you as fellow beings.”
ㅤ
The silver-haired demon, now identified as Vampneel, laughs.
Ironic yet elegant.
Cruelly envisioning the fate of the human before him.
Before Allan’s eyes, the vampire who is Rest’s sworn enemy smirks wickedly.
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