Chapter 187: Still Laughing?

No one answered her.

Only that pink-haired Big Thunder of a Succubus shrieked from behind in a small, pinched voice:

“Good luck~ Be careful and cautious~”

Careful? Cautious? Did they think she was weak?

Probably.

If you had any strength, you’d draw your Sword and strike.

Only those lacking confidence would put on such a stance.

Hmph, Human Turtle!

The Blade Demon cursed inwardly, gripping the two Black Blades in his hands as he charged forward.

The gleam of his blades flashed dazzlingly on the battlefield.

***

Clang!!

The aura clashed and scattered.

The Blade Demon staggered back over ten steps, looking at the girl who only swayed slightly but hadn’t retreated a single step.

His mind went blank.

“The Goddess of Light above, please grant us gentle strength to ward off the harm of darkness.”

A Holy Light, accompanied by a blessing, descended and enveloped the Sword Saint Maiden.

“Thank you, Miss Leah, but actually, I’m still fine. You don’t need to cast it.”

“It’s fine. Ella said to be a bit more careful and cautious.”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

Listening to their conversation, the Blade Demon sensed something was off.

No, he had to use his true skills.

He brought his hands together.

The twin blades merged.

The two Black Blades became a single giant demon blade.

With a roar, he leaped high, slashing a wave of force straight at the girl.

This was one of the Blade Demon’s signature moves.

It concentrated scattered demonic power around him, gathering all his strength, capable of splitting mountains and earth.

Feared among demons, its name was—

[Soul Sever Slash]!

***

Clang!!!

The force shattered again.

But this time, Celes retreated half a step.

Before he could rejoice, another Holy Light fell, and the girl’s status, which hadn’t even been much depleted, instantly returned to full.

The Blade Demon’s face twitched.

No, something was very wrong!

With such strength, why defend so hard?

He didn’t know the girl’s reasoning, but he knew that if he didn’t bring out some trump cards, things would get tough.

So, he had to use a move that could turn the tide!

“Ahhhhhhh!”

The Blade Demon spread his arms and let out a furious roar to the sky.

Demonic power materialized into blades swirling around him, spinning faster and faster, forming a storm of black.

This was his true hidden skill, the origin of his title.

A nightmare for countless demons in the dark of night.

His name was…

“Ice Crystal Volley!”

It wasn’t his move.

It was a fast magic unleashed by the Little Witch.

A barrage of sharp ice spikes bombarded the black storm.

Though many were deflected, some shards pierced through, embedding in the Blade Demon’s body—each drawing blood.

Soon, the storm subsided.

The Blade Demon stood revealed, covered in bloody wounds, staggering as he spat out blood.

“Cough! Despicable scoundrels!”

The damage from the ice spikes was superficial, but the backlash from having his ultimate move forcibly interrupted felt dire.

Ella nearly jumped in excitement.

Ah, that’s more like it.

Did you think we’d let you unleash your big move?

I never even had a chance to use mine back then!

With no opportunity to perform his finisher, the Blade Demon could only attack more wildly.

Countless blades grew from his body, some falling into his hands, others slashing straight at the girl.

Faster!

Faster!

More and more ferocious!

As long as he could break the girl’s defensive limit, there might still be hope!

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Clangclangclangclang!

A chorus of sharp strikes rang out on the battlefield.

At last, just as the Blade Demon was nearly exhausted and instinctively retreated to catch his breath, he heard a cracking sound and saw the girl frown.

The Sword had broken.

“Tch.”

Celes let out a helpless sound.

Holy Light could heal her body, restore her status and mana, but it couldn’t maintain a cold weapon.

At this moment, the Blade Demon only wanted to laugh to the sky.

His relentless assault had finally borne fruit.

In the impenetrable defense, he had carved out a gap.

Victory from the jaws of defeat was close at hand!

Then, he saw the girl silently pull out a new Sword from behind her.

It was a mass-produced weapon?!

The Blade Demon’s mind crumbled a little, but Celes wasn’t pleased either.

Even if it was a cheap spare, if this one broke again, she’d only have her last left.

So–

“Zero.”

The girl called toward the Blade Demon.

“Stop waiting!”

Zero? Stop waiting?

Who was she talking to?

Just as the Blade Demon was puzzled, a voice sounded behind him.

“I thought you all wanted to play a bit longer.”

Shhk—!

“Ahhh!!”

A blade grew from the Blade Demon’s elbow, slashing backward with all his might.

But it was too late.

The assassin girl had already melted into the shadows, leaving a bloody wound on his lower back.

The wound caused by the Silent Watcher, agony to the soul.

Only then did the Blade Demon finally understand.

He finally realized what kind of situation he faced.

The blue-haired girl’s swordsmanship was extraordinary, her defense seamless—a wall before her companions, utterly unbreakable.

To the left behind her, the golden-haired girl healed with incredible force, restoring the front-liner’s status every round.

To the right, the red twin-tailed loli only acted to interrupt his ultimate moves, never striking at any other time.

The three locked him firmly on the front lines.

And there was yet another girl whose appearance he hadn’t even glimpsed—the real assassin.

Such a precise formation.

What did they take him for?

Bitterness welled up in the Blade Demon’s heart.

He felt that if it were one-on-one with the swordswoman, he might not even lose.

But his opponent insisted on this method, leaving his strength with nowhere to go.

Was he really going to die here today, in such a stifling way?

“Despicable humans, is this all you’re good for? If you have the guts, fight me one-on-one!”

Who wants to duel you, anyway?

The girls thought.

This way is better—easy, certain victory.

No effort, an easy win.

Besides, their dear companion Ella had warned them before setting out to always—

Wait.

Ella, why are you over there?

The Blade Demon realized the girls were looking his way again.

The nerves dulled by prolonged battle tensed up once more.

But it was too late.

He only heard a gentle voice from behind.

“Help me ask everyone—will you still laugh in the future?”

Shhk—!

The White Bone Sword pierced from his back through his chest.

Chilling.

The Curse of the Undead instantly crept over his heart, dragging his soul to a distant, unreachable shore.

A demon once dominant among his kind fell here.

Caw—caw—

A Crow circled twice overhead, as if mourning him, but soon turned north and flew away.

“Shall I shoot it down?”

Vina asked.

Her companions were all shocked by Ella’s sudden move, but she alone remained in mission mode, perhaps proving her execution was top-notch in its own way.

“No need.”

Ella glanced at the sky.

“That thing is already dead.”