“I’ll say it one more time. Surrender and obey me!”
“Y-you fiend…!”
I pointed the tip of my [Thunder Edge] at Vincent and issued my warning.
“I want to avoid a situation where you guys are wiped out by the Empire. Mom wouldn’t want that either.”
“Y-you dare speak of Luna-sama’s will!? You son of Emperor Alvaise!”
“…Mom grieved over the destruction of the Dark Elves. Are you going to make her taste despair again? Put down your weapons. I’ll take care of the rest!”
Vincent summoned his [Dark Edge] and took a stance.
“…Very well! If you claim you will be our king, then defeat me in a duel! We are a proud warrior race. We will never obey the weak!”
In the game, Vincent was one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Demon Lord Diana.
He was originally an opponent that the protagonist and his companions would take on together.
He’s probably stronger than I am now, but if I can’t beat him, I won’t be able to fulfill my wish.
“I accept that challenge. I won’t let Dia interfere either!”
“…Brother! I-I understand. Dia will watch and believe in your victory!”
“Lord Luke, please have good fortune in battle…!”
Diana and Olivia cheered me on.
“Then, let us make a wager.”
Vincent took out something like a stone tablet.
When he tapped the surface of the tablet, the entire underground city began to shake violently.
“Kyaa!? Is it an earthquake?”
Diana lost her balance and stumbled.
“No, Diana-sama. This underground cavern is collapsing. There are only 10 minutes until it collapses completely!”
I was dumbfounded.
“You! Are you trying to wipe out your own comrades!? Dia will die too!”
“But our long-cherished desire for revenge against the Empire will be achieved! If Princess Olivia and Emperor Alvaise’s confidant, Saint-Germain, die!”
Vincent’s expression became demonic.
“Then the Empire and Macedonia will surely go to war. After that, if I take advantage of the chaos to rescue Luna-sama, we will win! As long as we have that person, the Dark Elves will eventually be revived!”
Even at this point, he still hasn’t given up on retrieving Mom.
But I want to save Mom too.
The game scenario proves that his method will lead to Mom’s death. I absolutely can’t give up.
“…So, stopping the collapse requires operating that stone tablet?”
“You catch on quick. That’s right. If Diana-sama or anyone else tries to help, I will destroy the tablet instantly. If that happens, there will be no way to stop the collapse.”
At that moment, mixed with the sounds of battle, several loud screams could be heard from afar.
“The Imperial Army is being held back by the Orichalcum Golems. Kukahaha! They will surely be caught in the collapse and annihilated.”
Vincent laughed gleefully.
“Dia, take Olivia and run. And tell Saint-Germain that this place will collapse in 10 minutes. Tell him that the way to defeat the Orichalcum Golem is to hit it between the eyebrows with lightning magic.”
“…Eh, b-but, Brother!”
Diana seemed reluctant to leave, worried about me.
“It’s for Mom’s sake, I’m counting on you, Dia. If Olivia dies, Mom will be killed in retaliation!”
“Eh… i-is that so?”
I patted Diana’s head.
“I will definitely not lose. So, go back to Mom and wait for me.”
“Diana-sama, let’s go! Lord Luke! I believe in your victory!”
Diana looked up at me.
“…I understand. That way, you can fight without holding back, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Then, Dia will obey your orders!”
Diana nodded, grabbed Olivia, and left the scene at lightning speed.
“…Hmph, even with Diana-sama’s speed, escaping from here now is impossible.”
“Don’t underestimate Dia. That girl’s physical abilities are among the best in the world.”
I readied my [Thunder Edge].
“More than anything, if the Imperial Army suffers too many casualties because of the Orichalcum Golems, it will be difficult to get the Emperor to recognize the Dark Elves’ surrender. This way, I can protect you guys too.”
“What…? Protect us?”
Vincent’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Do you think you’ve already won against me…!”
“I swore to change fate. I, the king of the Dark Elves, will take the Emperor’s throne… Don’t you think that would be a true victory for you too?”
“W-what!? …N-no, that can’t be.”
For a moment, Vincent was extremely surprised and his voice cracked.
What? Was what I just said that surprising?
He shook his head and readied his [Dark Edge] again.
“Interesting! Then prove that you have what it takes!”
Vincent’s figure vanished.
He used his Unique Magic, [Dimension Leap].
“Hedgehog Mode!”
At that moment, I summoned countless [Dispel Swords] from my back.
“What!?”
Vincent, who had appeared behind me, exclaimed in astonishment.
The [Dark Edge] he swung down was dispelled by the [Dispel Swords].
Conversely, Vincent, who was stabbed by my [Dispel Swords], jumped back with a groan.
“It’s just like the game. I know your attack patterns!”