"It can't be… Is it really over like this?"
Claire stared fixedly at the scene before her.
Leon had pierced the Demon King's body with Terminus Est.
A bluish-white sacred light blossomed within the Demon King's form, purifying it and completely dissolving his body into nothingness.
This was a being said to bring calamity upon the world. Even if he could not destroy the world outright, the Demon King's mana and the power of the 72 Pillars were more than enough to completely devastate the surrounding kingdoms.
It should have been a disaster beyond measure.
"Well, that's that."
Leon stored Ea deep within his dimensional space and then turned his attention back to Terminus Est in his right hand.
No matter how many times he looked at it, he couldn't help but feel satisfied.
It was simply impossible to stop staring.
This blade was the most exquisite and magnificent work of art he had ever seen—and at the same time, the most powerful holy sword.
Leon even decided to make an exception tonight: instead of holding Alpha and Euphyllia in his sleep, he would embrace this sword.
As for the Demon King, who had just been vanquished—his strength was nothing to scoff at. His magical power dwarfed that of ordinary people hundreds of times over, and the 72 spirits under his command each possessed unique abilities.
Unfortunately for him, they had encountered Leon.
In terms of raw power, Leon was tens of thousands of times stronger, and Terminus Est could negate all negative attributes.
And no matter how powerful the 72 Spirits might have been, if they couldn't pierce Leon's magical resistance, they could do nothing.
"I've claimed the holy sword. Let's go, Alpha."
"Yes. Gamma just called—she said she's already located the Magic Sword."
"Excellent. Then let's fetch it right away."
"Okay, I'll guide you." Alpha smiled.
Leon's expression in that moment was like that of a child who had just received a long-awaited gift. He smiled broadly, holding up Terminus Est and admiring it with delight.
Seeing him so pleased, Alpha felt joy as well.
But just as Leon opened a portal and was about to step through, Claire's voice rang out.
"Wait, please!"
"It's such a magnificent sword~. So beautiful and noble in appearance. Perfect for me, a prince, to wield. Who knows how the next magic sword will look? Strength is important, of course—but beauty is even more so."
"Why won't you stop? Please, wait!"
When Leon ignored her and stepped into the dimensional gate, Claire dashed forward and slipped inside a second before it closed.
She had no idea how reckless that was.
The collapsing space could be considered an "absolute cut." Had she been a moment slower, she would have been sliced in half.
"Tch, I didn't expect you to follow me."
"I—I told you to wait, didn't I?"
"And why should I stop for you? If you have something to say, spit it out quickly. I don't have time to play with children."
Leon rested one hand on his hip, looking at Claire with exasperation.
"I'm not a child!"
"Sure, sure, you're not a child. Then being stuck in a loli-sized body must be fine."
"!@#¥@#¥@!"
Claire ground her teeth. If she weren't so hopelessly outmatched—and afraid of getting beaten senseless again—she would have fought him on the spot.
"Who exactly are you?"
"Hm? Why ask that now?"
"Just answer."
"Haha, fine. Remember it well then. My name is Leon Fol Palettia."
Without giving the girl another chance to follow, Leon teleported again—this time to the location of the magic sword Alpha had mentioned.
Claire stood frozen, staring blankly at the spot where Leon and the blonde elf had vanished. She clenched her fists, his figure replaying in her mind.
Her flat chest heaved slightly as her heartbeat quickened.
"I swear—I'll become stronger! I'll get strong enough to stand on your level!"
Claire vowed it deep within her heart.
The power Leon had displayed was beyond anything she had imagined. If she could attain even a fraction of that strength, she believed she could overcome any hardship.
At that moment, a cold wind blew.
"A-choo!"
After sneezing, Claire looked around in confusion. Only then did she realize the important issue.
"Wh-where am I? Can you send me back!?"
---
"Tsk~ What a noisy, wild girl. I hope I don't run into her again."
"Oh? Is that just me, or did you actually enjoy her company, Master?"
"Must be your imagination. With such a beautiful girl like you at my side, how could I possibly care about a lolita?"
Cuteness didn't even compare to elegance!
Leon was not a lolicon!
He reached out and wrapped his arms around the slender waist of the blonde elf.
But Alpha stopped him, blushing.
"Really now—let's wait until tonight at home. There are more pressing matters right now."
"Fine, fine. Let's finish this quickly and head back." Leon sighed in mild regret.
Through the spatial gate, the two arrived at an orphanage. It wasn't marked on any maps and was located not far from where Terminus Est had been found.
At first glance, it looked like any ordinary orphanage.
But in truth, it was a training ground for assassins, secretly kidnapping and raising children to mold them into ruthless killers… And yet, even that was just a cover.
While they did indeed train assassins, the orphanage's true purpose was far more twisted: to cultivate the next Demon King, artificially, and unleash him upon the world.
Leon frowned. "Why is there always some evil organization lurking around? It's almost like the [Cult of Diablos]."
The biggest difference was simply the scale.
The Cult was a massive global organization of evil, while this orphanage was small in comparison. But it was here that the legendary Vorpal Sword rested.
Unlike Terminus Est, which had just defeated the Demon King, the Vorpal Sword had once belonged to the Demon King himself.
To be acknowledged by this blade and pass its trial was to truly earn the right to be called the Demon King.
[Well, whatever. I might be a little curious about the Demon King—but I have no intention of destroying the world. I just want that sword.]
Leon thought casually.
And honestly, it sounded pretty cool.
He was looking forward to mastering both Terminus Est and the Demon King's sword at the same time.
In short, he would wipe out this disgusting orphanage, claim the magic sword, and achieve his next goal.
Everyone would be happy.
---
(End of Chapter)