An Opponent on Equal Footing
One of them stood at the absolute pinnacle of martial prowess among all Demon Kings. So overwhelming were his power and technique that only a handful had ever survived facing Barbatos’s massive battle axe. In the Demon Realm, finding a true rival for him was nearly impossible. He always took the vanguard whenever the Heavenly Demon Great War erupted, which was why he could claim the extraordinarily high rank of eighth despite commanding far fewer forces. His immense strength, bold personality, and the quiet care he showed those around him drew countless Demon Kings to his side. Chief among them were Jepar and Lerajie, who called him big brother. Every member of the Equites Faction that had gathered around him felt the same. They had joined because Barbatos was there, and they followed him with genuine loyalty. It was not that the others served him as a lord, but there was no question that he stood at the center of them all. Without him, the Equites Faction would collapse in an instant. That was the kind of existence known as the Demon King Barbatos.
Such a being had almost no one who could face him on equal footing. Especially not another Demon King—let alone someone outside their ranks.
Yet here they were.
CLAAAAAANG─────!!!
What was this spectacle unfolding before their eyes?
A mere instructor teaching a fiftieth-ranked Demon King was trading blows with Barbatos himself.
BANG! BOOM! CRASH!! KUUUUUNG!!!
Every collision of their weapons sent violent tremors through the entire training ground. Shockwaves rippled outward, vibrating the air, while the force radiating from their planted feet shook the floor itself.
Lerajie could not comprehend it. Even Jepar, who had experienced that power firsthand, looked utterly dumbfounded.
Not even a hint of being pushed back.
Despite clashing head-on with Barbatos, he showed no sign of yielding with each strike. As Barbatos grew heated and his attacks turned fiercer, Nahen continued to block every axe swing with an eerily calm expression.
Just what is that sword…?
Nahen’s skill was impressive enough, but the blade that withstood Barbatos’s axe was even more puzzling. Barbatos’s weapon was among the greatest in the Demon Realm—one of the legendary arms known as a Masterpiece.
Masterpieces were not crafted lightly. They were the final, crowning works of the greatest artisans of each generation, created by pouring every ounce of their life’s skill into one ultimate piece. Weapons worthy of being called masterpieces or renowned works. Barbatos’s battle axe was exactly that.
Bloody Fang.
The name was simple, yet its intent was unmistakable. Like molars that crush food to bits, it promised to shatter its enemies. And true to its name, it took the form of a battle axe.
Yet after dozens of direct clashes with that very axe, Nahen’s sword showed no damage whatsoever. Not a single chip or nick marred its edge.
“...Is that also a Masterpiece?”
“It has to be. There’s no other way it could withstand big brother’s axe.”
While Jepar and Lerajie speculated freely, only Seere—who knew the truth—watched in silence. Or rather, she was desperately trying to keep her composure. She was far too busy fighting down the grin that kept threatening to spread across her face.
Teacher… you’re so cool…
Seere felt like running through the streets shouting that this man was her teacher.
She knew Nahen was an Archdemon. But while she understood that Archdemons were lofty, distant beings, she had no real sense of exactly how powerful they were. That was why she had been genuinely anxious about how a fight between Nahen and Barbatos would unfold.
Now that the lid had been opened, her worries had become the most pointless concerns in the world.
Feeling a surge of pride at the fact that she studied under such a man, Seere thought to herself:
I wonder how much mana I’ll need to gather…
Utterly unaware of her thoughts, Nahen once again parried Barbatos’s axe with flawless precision.
Barbatos had tried to overwhelm him with raw power, but when he realized it was useless, he let out a hollow laugh.
“I don’t say this often, but this is… truly incredible. That’s all I can call it.”
“Is that so.”
“Which makes me curious.”
Barbatos smiled wryly.
“How long do you plan to simply parry?”
“Please do not assume I am holding back. I am simply waiting for the right moment.”
“So you’re saying I leave that few openings, eh!”
Barbatos took a single step back. Then he gripped the axe’s handle with both hands.
“Hup…!”
His mana surged. The eighth-ranked Demon King, standing at the very peak of their hierarchy, had judged that the match would not be decided otherwise and finally drew forth his full power.
Jepar and Lerajie flinched in surprise. Seere was openly astonished.
As expected… he’s incredible.
Mana powerful enough to dominate the surrounding space. It was the first time she had felt anything like it since sensing Nahen’s own power.
But…
Even so, against Teacher…
Seeing this, Nahen drew out his own mana. The moment he did, Jepar, Lerajie, and even Barbatos—who was facing him directly—felt their bodies falter.
His skill was one thing. But his mana should not have been this overwhelming. After all, he was not a Demon King. This was not mana a demon could possibly possess.
“…Just what are you?”
“Your Majesty’s mana is so powerful that I am simply overexerting myself to match it.”
Even as he spoke, his expression remained perfectly serene. The space Barbatos’s mana had dominated was already pushed back completely, and Nahen’s own power began to claim the area.
“Ha… hahaha!!!”
Barbatos, who had been staring at Nahen in shock, soon burst into roaring laughter, unable to contain his delight.
“Remarkable! To claim such a lowly position with strength like that—is it merely a pastime?!”
“Lowly, you say.”
Nahen narrowed his eyes.
“This position is not nearly as insignificant as Your Majesty believes. In fact, it may hold even greater value than the seat you currently occupy.”
“Kuhaha, how interesting! Why do you think so?”
“It’s simple.”
Nahen instantly gathered the mana he had spread outward. He drew every ounce of it into his demonic sword.
“That child will become the pinnacle of this world. And I will be the teacher of the Demon King who rises to that peak.”
“A dreamlike tale! However…!”
Barbatos loved the strong. Given his nature that prized martial prowess above all—and his own monstrous power—it was only natural. And Barbatos always maintained one unshakable attitude.
“It is by no means impossible!”
He respected the strong. He judged their abilities objectively, and once his verdict was made, he cast all personal feelings aside.
Having witnessed Nahen’s skill and the terrifying concentration of mana before him, Barbatos could not dismiss the man’s ambition as mere fantasy. Under a teacher like this, any talented individual would surely bloom to their fullest.
Barbatos poured every bit of his own gathered mana into his axe. A crimson aura rose from him, dyeing the air the color of blood—just like the name of his weapon.
“I will end this with my final strike.”
“I will meet it.”
"O bloody blade that splits heaven and earth."
⟨ Dividing Bloody Weapon ⟩
Barbatos activated the powerful spell, swinging his enchanted battle axe with terrifying speed and force. It was a single strike that instantly proved he stood at the peak of the martial faction.
Nahen raised his sword overhead. The stance was not one of defense—it was the posture of someone intending to cut his opponent down in a single blow.
Barbatos grinned fiercely at the sight. Nahen met his gaze with cold, steady eyes. Then he finished his own incantation, short and simple.
“Extinction.”
⟨ Exítĭum ⟩
Black light flickered. The flickering darkness condensed into a razor-sharp blade.
KWAAAAAAAAANG─────!!!
The two colossal forces collided. The entire training ground shook violently. The aftershock was so fierce that Jepar, Lerajie, and even Seere had to squeeze their eyes shut against the resulting gale.
“...Teacher?”
Seere opened her eyes just a sliver, calling out with clear anxiety. Barbatos’s last strike had looked dangerous even to her. She had felt, in that instant, the true power of the current pinnacle of the martial faction. Even Nahen might be in danger—she had truly thought so.
“Ah!”
When Seere opened her eyes fully, the first thing she saw was Nahen standing calmly in place. A little beyond him stood Barbatos, still holding his axe. It looked as if Barbatos had charged straight through him.
“Teacher!?”
“Hm?”
Nahen answered as if nothing had happened. When Seere looked flustered, he tilted his head.
“What’s wrong?”
“Are you all right…”
“Ah, you mean this.”
Nahen sheathed his sword. He walked over to Barbatos and spoke.
“Are you satisfied, Your Majesty?”
“...Kuhuhu, satisfied, you ask?”
Barbatos clutched his chest, coughing roughly.
“What a foolish question… How could I not be satisfied?”
Though his voice was strained and his breathing labored, the emotion behind it was pure exhilaration. It was clear he had thoroughly enjoyed the fight.
Nahen spoke simply.
“Shall we continue?”
“Hahaha, I would love to, but…”
Barbatos opened his hand. The palm that had gripped the axe handle bore a deep, crushing wound. The impact had been so severe that the mark had become a lasting scar.
“I cannot fight with a hand like this.”
“Big brother!”
“Older brother, is your hand all right?!”
Not only his hand—his internal injuries were also severe. The overwhelming mana had crashed into him like a tidal wave. He gave a wry laugh.
“Jepar. Lerajie.”
“Yes, big brother.”
“Yes?”
Wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, Barbatos declared,
“The Devata forces have proven themselves. They are qualified to become our comrades-in-arms.”
“...Understood, older brother.”
“Yes, big brother. I agree completely.”
Barbatos walked forward with a groan. Standing before Seere and Nahen, he extended a trembling hand.
“Young Martial King. And his teacher. The Equites Faction shall lend you our strength.”
Seere and Nahen exchanged a brief glance. Nahen bowed his head while Seere took the offered hand.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“We’ll be in your care, Lord Barbatos.”
“I am glad to have found kindred spirits like you. Khm…!”
His internal injuries must have been serious; Barbatos broke off mid-sentence with a cough. Nahen told him,
“You should rest now. With proper treatment, you will recover quickly.”
“Yes… I shall do that…”
Supported by Lerajie, Barbatos withdrew. Jepar remained behind, still staring at Nahen with a stunned expression.
“Did you have something more to say, Lord Jepar?”
“...I am curious.”
Jepar’s tone had shifted to formal speech. The man who had still used casual speech even after being defeated by Nahen had switched to polite address the moment Nahen overcame Barbatos. It showed just how deep his respect and trust for Barbatos truly ran.
“About what?”
“Your true identity.”
“Please do not try to find out.”
The one who interrupted was Seere. She spoke plainly.
“You’ll get hurt if you do. I’m not teasing—I mean it sincerely.”
“......”
Jepar mulled over her words for a moment, then nodded.
“I see. Thank you for the warning.”
Though the statement could have sounded extremely arrogant, Jepar accepted it gracefully. He thanked Nahen for his hard work and left to check on Barbatos’s condition.
Left alone in the training ground, Nahen and Seere glanced at each other.
“Teacher!”
“Yes?”
“You were so cool!!”
Seeing that not a trace of her earlier sulking remained on Seere’s face, Nahen let out a small chuckle. He patted her shoulder and said,
“I couldn’t possibly show an embarrassing sight in front of my student, now could I?”
“Wait… does that mean you wanted to look cool specifically for me?”
“...Why do you always interpret things that way?”
“That’s exactly what you meant. Hehe, so you were conscious of me watching after all.”
“No, that’s not what I—”
Seere had once again twisted his words in her usual strange direction. Nahen looked slightly overwhelmed, but inside, he felt a wave of relief. She really was back to her normal self.