Chapter 92
Chapter 92
Chapter 92
The Final Battle, Marbas (1)
The battle between Crux and Marbas taught many lessons.
First and foremost: avoid direct confrontation.
Diablo had already warned about this once, but this wasn't about differences in fighting style—it was about an entirely different level of power itself.
'This will be far more troublesome than Rigos.'
Of course, Marbas' current state wasn't stronger than the Rigos Rudian had faced in the Tower of Trials.
However, unlike Rigos, with whom direct combat exchanges were possible, engaging in ordinary offense and defense with this creature would very likely result in getting completely crushed.
"I thought you'd charge right in, but you're more cowardly than expected?"
Wiggle, wiggle!
Marbas provoked Rudian with arrogant gestures.
"Why should I?"
"......"
"You forcibly drew out power beyond your limits, didn't you? If time passes, you'll naturally collapse from the backlash?"
"You understand well."
Originally, showing such overwhelming dominance against Crux would have been impossible.
"The stronger the true body's power, the stronger the constraints become. Normally, a Master-class opponent could compete evenly, but producing such destructive force with just one punch means you're cheating."
Where Rudian pointed, there existed a massive straight path created by Marbas' punch.
In magical terms, that was easily 8th Class or higher.
To unleash that with a simple basic attack...
"Considering your true body's power, you've released about 30%?"
"Amazing! What precise insight."
Given Marbas' level, 30% would be enough to turn the world upside down.
Normally, he couldn't have manifested even 10% of his power, let alone 30%.
"So, you won't fight?"
"I'm considering it."
"Heh, then there's no problem with stalling for time."
"...?"
What is this bastard talking about now?
"You said it yourself with your own mouth, didn't you? That this body doesn't engage in losing battles. Those words were correct. Now, no matter how you approach this, the possibility of my defeat has vanished."
Is that bluffing?
To dismiss it as mere deception, the creature's expression was far too filled with confidence.
But even so, Rudian had a card he believed in as well.
"You might not know, but I have one very reliable asset?"
Rudian opened with a probing statement.
Surprisingly, Marbas knew about Maria's existence!
"Heh, you mean the one who dragged Asmodeus into subspace? I know of that person's existence as well."
When the creature directly mentioned Maria's existence, Rudian was slightly flustered internally.
"Knowing that... You still act so leisurely? Even if Asmodeus uses tricks like you, she could crush those very tricks. She has enough power to do so."
"Haha, I acknowledge that. I feel somewhat sorry for Asmodeus."
"...The conversation makes no sense at all."
"I told you, didn't I? All possibilities of my defeat have vanished. That includes calculating your mentioned person as part of your forces."
"...!"
"The time is approaching."
"What time... Huh?"
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
Before Rudian could even protest, he felt the ground splitting and massive vibrations spreading from somewhere.
Rudian's expression twisted sharply upon confirming the source of those vibrations.
Rudian urgently called Adi.
'Adi!'
-Yes, Master.
'What is this power wave? You said you could prevent El Dorado's activation!'
As expected, the source of the vibrations was the deepest part of the dungeon where El Dorado, Adi's terminal, was located.
Feeling such energy from that place could only mean El Dorado had activated.
But Adi waved his tentacles, denying Rudian's words.
-No, Master.
'...What?'
-That's not the aftermath of El Dorado's activation. El Dorado is still in standby mode.
"...!"
Rudian's gaze returned to Marbas.
"What did you do?"
"Huhu, asking that question means you knew about the core we discovered after all."
"Answer the question, Marbas."
Surprisingly, the creature readily provided an answer to Rudian's pressing inquiry.
"Fine, you're certainly qualified."
Marbas opened his mouth with a meaningful smile.
"Originally, as you know, our purpose was to open a Demon Gate that would remove all power constraints between the demon realm and this world."
"...I know that."
"But when your existence became known to us and Rigos perished at your hands, Asmodeus overturned the original first plan."
Rudian knew that as well.
"Baal, Agares, Vasago, Gamigin... We changed our approach to summoning four supreme Demon Kings at the pinnacle of hierarchy, planning to sweep away not only you but your entire organization."
"Seeing you readily admit that, things didn't go as planned?"
"Kukukukuk, you know everything yet pretend ignorance. Knowing this, you incited the humans to strike us first, didn't you?"
Marbas understood the situation perfectly.
But that's precisely why Rudian felt uneasy.
"...Knowing that, you allowed the situation to develop this way?"
As Rudian knew, when he was arguing with Captain Pruna at the Imperial palace, there were no significant movements from the military forces under Marbas' influence.
If Marbas had moved his subordinate forces to attack the Imperial palace before leaving the capital, the capital would have been thrown into tremendous chaos and Rudian would have been forced to divide his strength.
"Of course! Everything will become mine anyway!"
Marbas spread both arms wide and let out a cry filled with greed.
"After killing you and all the humans here, then going to the palace to take the emperor's head, this human empire will become mine. Would there be any fool who would damage what's about to become his property?"
"You're insane..."
What kind of confidence drives such mad words?
Unless he removes all constraints binding him, such a thing would be impossible... wait...
'All... Constraints?'
The plan to summon four supreme Demon Kings failed due to Rudian's preemptive strike.
But even so, the sacrifices gathered before the plan was thwarted would still remain.
"You, don't tell me...!"
"Hahahaha! Correct! Quick on the uptake! The slaves gathered using humans until now! The spoils dragged from the East! All manner of magical tools and artifacts filled with power! Using the life energy of nearly a million beings makes it entirely possible to break free from the constraints of causality!"
The more Marbas laughed maniacally, the more severe the earthquake became.
'Right, Adi was definitely correct.'
To break free from constraints bound by causality, one just needs to offer corresponding compensation.
In that case, there's no need to perform complex Demon Gate calculations.
Just conducting a sacrifice ritual would be sufficient!
"Now! That human called Crux provided no real fighting pleasure. But what about you, Rudian? Can you bring me the excitement of battle against me, who has cast off all constraints? Hahahaha!"
At that moment, translucent chains that had been wrapping around Marbas' entire body revealed themselves.
And those chains snapped one by one, disappearing futilely.
'Damn, are those the constraints of this world binding Marbas?'
The fact that this sight was visible now was probably evidence that the situation was turning dangerous.
"Rudian!"
Then, a familiar woman's voice was heard from far away.
"Maria...!"
Rudian was delighted by Maria's appearance in this urgent situation.
But for some reason, her expression wasn't good.
"Sorry, I couldn't finish off that woman."
"That woman... You mean Asmodeus?"
"...Yeah. I got her to near-death, but when the artifact's time limit ended, she immediately fled."
"Ugh, you let that one escape too?"
Just when it seemed like misfortune was piling on misfortune, fortunately Maria shook her head.
"No, I didn't lose her. There was something like a dungeon north of the burned village. She fled there."
"Ah, so she didn't flee but hid there?"
That place had Marbas' subordinates conducting the ritual and numerous demons, so rather than fleeing to a remote location, she would have thought that place safer.
"I was about to chase and finish her off, but suddenly I saw tremendous power flowing from the dungeon to her, and this side seemed more urgent, so I came here."
Maria's judgment was accurate.
The existence of Marbas, who was now breaking all chains before their eyes, was 10,000 times more dangerous than Asmodeus, who had been beaten and was in critical condition.
Probably that bastard was now a monster even Maria couldn't handle.
"Maria, listen carefully."
"Speak. I'm listening intently."
"If we can't kill that bastard here and now, the continent is finished."
He didn't know whether that state would continue indefinitely, but at least their lives were definitely in immediate danger.
Maria rarely broke into a cold sweat as she faced Marbas directly.
"He looks several times more dangerous than that Baphomet I saw before."
"It's not just several times."
Rudian chuckled bitterly while rubbing his stinging eyes.
-The user's current capabilities cannot determine the opponent's information.
The Eye of State couldn't detect Marbas' combat power.
Clearly, the combat power he'd seen when fighting Crux was approximately 120,000.
The fact that the combat power visible then was now hidden meant the amplified creature's power far exceeded even Rudian's current strength.
"Maria, release your full power."
"...!"
"I'll also unleash my strength without looking back."
He admitted it.
That bastard had dealt him a significant blow.
Of course, this wasn't the worst-case scenario.
Marbas still wasn't an existence that would make Rudian despair from being unable to handle him.
'Tsk, it would be nice if Yev helped at times like this?'
Yev, who had always followed closely behind Rudian until now, had for some reason firmly withdrawn from this final battle alone.
Something about her intervention caused the world's fate to fluctuate greatly.
'In that state, she probably wouldn't grant requests even if offered tribute?'
Yev would probably be able to handle even Marbas in that state, but...
'Sigh, let's not keep hoping for the impossible.'
Rudian set aside his regret and slowly drew Diablo.
Soon, Marbas, freed from all constraints, widened his eyes at the familiar demonic energy he felt from Diablo's blade.
"That is...?"
"My trump card, you damn bastard."
Marbas would certainly recognize Diablo.
Naturally, he'd be very surprised.
But Marbas' reaction was far more dramatic than Rigos' had been.
Marbas' maniacal laughter erupted.
"Diablooo! So you were here!"
"Kuk!"
Whoooosh!
A tremendous shockwave burst forth centered on Marbas.
Rudian endured it by even reinforcing his body with magic to avoid being swept away by the impact.
"Hahahaha! Today is a joyous day! Who would have thought the day would come when I'd cross swords with that Seven Seats Diablo!"
"Diablo...?"
"That's the name of the guy sealed in this sword."
After briefly explaining to the questioning Maria, Rudian began earnestly mixing magic power and other energies into his magic.
'I can't use infinite power like with Rigos, but...'
At least he should be able to use a strike capable of dealing a fatal blow like that time.
Rudian gave Maria a meaningful look.
"Ready?"
"Of course."
The earth eroded by Marbas' power was already turning black, becoming part of the demon realm.
This meant the opponent's power was so vastly strong it could contaminate this world.
'Adi, you prepare too.'
-Understood!
"Come at me, contractor of Diablooo!"
As if unable to contain himself any longer, Marbas beat his chest while urging for battle.
"I was planning to charge anyway, you bastard!"
The human who had grown strong through trickery joined forces with the strongest psychic and launched himself toward Demon King Marbas, who had cast off all constraints.