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Chapter

131. Your Nickname is…

―― “Iron Wall” Gelmardios.

That is this man’s nickname.

He inherited the peaceful mantle from the Ombre Tribe and mastered the Dios family’s spear combat techniques. He has fused them at a high level, boasting impressive defensive capabilities both magically and physically.

Hence, “Iron Wall.”

Especially in battles amongst the Reiju Tribe, he was nearly undefeated. After all, if his opponent was of equal stature, he could almost unilaterally nullify curses and magic.

(I cannot possibly lose!!)

Thus, on this day, he was confident of his victory.

Demon Lord’s Prince Zilbagias—regardless of possessing extraordinary magical power for his age, he was, after all, still a child.

With over 80 years of demonic life, he had accumulated rigorous training!

Could he possibly lose a fair spear match against a child?

No, it’s impossible—absolutely impossible!!

If he could also use devil magic, maybe there could have been a twist.

(Well, I’ll leave that as an escape route for the prince.)

Gelmardios thought mercifully.

If the prince said, “If I could use devil magic, I would have won” after being defeated, he envisioned the scene and smirked.

What devil he had contracted with the prince remained undisclosed. Devil magic often had ridiculous effects, and countless tales of upper-class slayers in duels among demon races came to mind.

However—while mocking the prince, he would tell the onlookers,

“Even if you used any magic, my peaceful mantle would have nullified it anyway,” he would say—

Imagining himself saying those words—

But then the prince leaped off the stage and charged like a lightning bolt.

His carefree fantasies were instantly obliterated.

(――So fast!)

The lance was swung down from above, ready to cleave him in two.

No—calm down, why panic!

His weapon was a magic spear made by dwarves, further enhanced with magical power.

The prince, for some reason, wielded a shabby old sword that looked as if it would snap at any moment, a remarkably clumsy and awkward weapon resembling a spear and a sword.

Although his stance was impressive—

“With such a dull thing!”

There’s no way I could lose!!

Rather, I would shatter it to pieces, taking it head-on.

In that instant,

A roaring sound like a thunderclap surged through his arm, akin to an electric shock.

What a tremendous strength. The weight of the slash was unbelievable.

The chandelier on the ceiling seemed to scream, and he felt all the hair on his body stand up in the tingling air.

(I’m being overpowered—!?)

Ridiculous. Where could such strength come from in this physique—!

“——Raaahhhhh!!”

Zilbagias bared his teeth like a wild beast and swung his weapon with all his might.

Gelmardios was helplessly sent flying.

He tried to brace for the impact, but the banquet table got in the way, scattering wooden debris and dishes across the floor.

The crowd observing gasped, “Amazing!” “What incredible strength!” praising the prince—

(Damn it—!)

Those weaker in strength would see it as Gelmardios being blown away. But in reality, it was different! He had absorbed the shock!

And look at the prince.

There was a faint cut on his hand that held the lance. Just before Gelmardios landed, he had thrust his spear in.

Keen-eyed spectators noticed that although the prince appeared to have overwhelmed him, the strength was quite evenly matched.

“Heh, sheer brute strength alone won’t defeat me—”

Gelmardios attempted to say with a smug grin, but before he could finish, a shadow loomed right in front of him.

“Ohh—!”

Crazy like a rabid dog, Zilbagias was upon him.

“—Ku!”

It was too fast to dodge. He had no choice but to deflect! Bracing himself, he barely managed to deflect the blade and delivered a counterattack. Again, a faint injury marked the prince.

(If I can just gradually wear him down—!)

Gelmardios grinned sadistically. He knew that transferring a wound via teleportation spell would be impossible against him. He resolved to make this arrogant prince cry from the pain before it was over.

And, he would impress upon him the true meaning of strength and hierarchy—!

The hierarchy among demon races isn’t based on birth, but rather power!!

“Raaahhhh!”

Another strike from Zilbagias. He braced himself, enduring, then countered.

“Shaaaahhh!”

Another hit. He sustained the pain in his hands while countering.

“Orrahaaaa!”

Biting his teeth, he prepared his counter—

(――How long is this going to go on!?)

Inside, Gelmardios screamed. The prince showed no signs of tiring. On the contrary, his assault was intensifying. The clashing sounds of the spear and the lance were enough to drive him mad.

With precise counterattacks, Gelmardios had racked up injuries all over, blood flowing, yet instead of suffering from pain, the prince seemed to be sweating with a refreshing smile.

A smile that shone brightly with sheer joy.

“——”

Caught directly by that grin, Gelmardios felt a chill run down his spine.

The prince’s ferocious attack incited cheers from the observing crowd. No matter what he did, it seemed he had lost all advantage.

And the truly perceptive ones noticed—a mere scratch registered from Zilbagias’ counterattack was all calculated and accepted.

Boom!

“Ugh!?”

Suddenly, he was struck from behind, making Gelmardios stagger.

A wall.

He had been pressed and pressed until he was finally cornered against it.

What’s more—he hadn’t even realized it.

So overwhelmed was he by Zilbagias’ relentless attack. As this realization hit, Gelmardios became further aghast.

“What’s wrong? No escape left for you.”

Finally halting his assault, Zilbagias grinned.

Arrogant and insolent. That phrase encapsulated it perfectly.

Looking down at a bug, flailing without wings or legs—

“You…!!”

This damned kid…!!

“Don’t underestimate me—!”

Furious, Gelmardios charged at Zilbagias—

But in his heart, he remained somewhat cool-headed, plotting how to settle this.

(…Damn it, it can’t be helped!!)

At this point, he would use anything available.

Swishing his peaceful mantle, he held it up before him as he charged.

This incorporeal cloak of magical power was a dark hue that seemed to absorb all light—

But actually, the user could see through it.

A tad cowardly perhaps, but with bloodline magic at his disposal, that wasn’t a problem!

And if he couldn’t be seen in his stance—

His opponent’s reaction would naturally be delayed for an instant.

Sliding into range, he delivered a strike that would be difficult for the prince to counter.

As the prince tried to respond to that, he executed a counter-counter!

“――――”

Silently, Gelmardios thrust his lance forward.

Zilbagias was taken aback by the lance’s tip suddenly appearing from the peaceful mantle—

“――There!”

But he didn’t—

Looking like a hunting dog that had found its prey, he instead responded with excitement, aligning the tip of his blade as if to envelop it.

In a circular motion, the lance was flipped upwards. The thrust was easily deflected. That was when Gelmardios, who had spent all his time for the counters, had finally made the first move himself.

A pulling sensation, as if his arm were being tugged along with the spear—

He felt like their eyes had met through the peaceful mantle.

“I am—’Horn Breaker’ Zilbagias.”

With that, the prince’s maniacal grin broadened.

“I am the one who shatters the pride of demon races!”

His presence swelled even larger.

The range was too close—too close—

With a swift grip on his spear, muscle bulging in his shoulder, the prince declared,

“Dieeeeee—!”

With a roar of pure murderous intent, he swung the spear horizontally.

—— I’m going to be killed!

In an instant, the banquet hall transformed into a battlefield. Overwhelmed by a fear without reason, Gelmardios desperately raised his spear to defend.

It was—

An incredibly clumsy movement that bore no resemblance to the spear techniques he had accumulated.

In contrast, the prince’s blade was rough yet elegant,

A flash of sword!

With an unprecedented sharpness, it echoed in a high-pitched clang.

The ordinary old blade sliced through the dwarven magic spear.

“Ugh—!”

And in one motion, it took Gelmardios’ head—

“……”

Just as he tried to send it flying, the tip was deflected, stopping perfectly.

As smoke-like, the peaceful mantle dissipated.

Gelmardios appeared, holding his lopsided spear with a pitiful expression, his face utterly defeated.

The halted lance was perfectly aligned against Gelmardios’ head, right at his horn—

“You were lucky.”

Zilbagias said arrogantly.

“Before I departed, my father warned me, ‘Don’t break the horn.’”

Looking around at the stunned crowd, he glared back at Gelmardios.

“But—there won’t be a next time.”

A voice heavy with menace that didn’t seem childlike.

“If you dare to mock me again, I’ll break your horn. This time, my father won’t be angry at me either—”

——A cracking sound echoed strangely.

“…Huh?”

Zilbagias looked perplexed.

Then clunk, clunk…

The tip of the horn Gelmardios had placed down fell off—

“Ah.”

Those watching also gasped, “Oh…!”

“Oh… wait, what!?”

Trembling, Gelmardios touched his broken horn—

Comparing it silently to the floor debris, as well as Zilbagias’ face, he became dazed—

“…Ugh.”

And then, he foamed at the mouth and fainted.

“……Well, um, it’s just the tip.”

Zilbagias shrugged awkwardly.

“Father won’t blame me.”

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