Atofe wore a serious expression as she watched me.
I, on the other hand, forced myself not to look at her completely naked body — which was harder than I'd like to admit, since, after all, her body was well-defined, firm muscles, sculpted curves and not an excess of fat.
Still holding her hand, I cast Earth Magic.
Immediately, plates of stone ran across the Demon King's body, sliding as if they had a life of their own.
They molded to her shape, covering her completely in a few moments.
Atofe widened her eyes, surprised for a second, but soon recovered her firm, serious posture.
I extended my arm to the side.
Her sword, or rather what was left of it — broken in two and half melted — flew through the debris and landed in my hand.
I handed it to her, saying:
"So, shall we continue the fight? You're an Immortal Demon, I've heard you're very persistent. That makes me curious to know exactly how Laplace and Kalman I beat you…"
The truth is I was actually eager to continue.
I had already understood a good part of her strength… but Atofe could still show fascinating techniques. A genuinely immortal swordswoman, God-level — where would I find a better training partner than that?
But, contrary to what I imagined, Atofe was no longer in that intense violence from before. She seemed very unaggressive.
I frowned, confused. And apparently she noticed, because she grunted:
"Hmph! No more fighting. You won!"
She turned her back and began walking toward her throne.
Just like that. She simply… accepted.
She walked through the flames, while I stood there, somewhat stunned.
"What do you mean…?" I said.
I waved my hand, using Wind Magic and Ice Magic to suspend the arena's flames, extinguishing everything in a few seconds. The temperature dropped along with the fire.
I sheathed Doomsday at the same time I followed after her.
"What do you mean there's no more fight? Are you going to give up that easily?"
As soon as I removed the barrier isolating the field, Moore came running, somewhat euphoric.
Until he stopped upon seeing his mistress whole, and now wearing makeshift stone armor.
Atofe was looking at me with a resentful expression.
But she repeated firmly:
"That's right. You won!"
Okay, well, that was surprising.
I expected many things from her.
I expected her to call her guards and order them to surround me.
I expected her to attack with new techniques.
I even considered that she might try to restrict the fight to hand-to-hand combat.
But giving up didn't seem to fit the character.
Moore said:
"I will give you a new sword immediately, Lady Atofe."
Eris and Verdia approached again, coming to my side.
"Is the fight already over?" Verdia asked, confused. "I heard Atoferatofe wouldn't surrender even after being killed…"
Eris crossed her arms, puffing out her chest:
"Hmph! Of course she realized Rygar is much stronger. She didn't stand a chance!"
Surprisingly, this time Eris was right.
Atofe confirmed, turning her head:
"That's right. You are very strong, I can't win. You remind me of Laplace from that time. I recognize you as King among Kings, a Demon among Demons!"
Moore ran back, carrying a new broad sword and a bottle of wine in the other hand.
Atofe took the new sword, sheathed the blade and opened the bottle, beginning to drink right there, without ceremony.
I blinked.
"King among Kings… what does that mean?"
This time, Moore answered:
"That means she recognizes you as her leader, Lord Rygar. If you want to unify the Demon Continent, start a war against humanity or whoever… She and all her Guard will fight for you."
He paused and then added:
"The only one to receive such treatment before you was Demon God Laplace."
Moore spoke now in a much more polite tone than before.
I didn't know whether to celebrate or complain. Could it have been that simple?
From the stories I knew about this Demon King, I expected a bit more resistance. But she simply accepted.
Not that I was going to complain about that.
"I understand," I said, smiling.
Atofe turned her face to me. Her gaze was sharp, but there was no hostility.
"Who would've thought that Demons could also have invincible champions."
"In fact," I replied, "I'm of the Beast Race. Technically, I'm not a Demon."
Atofe laughed loudly, swirling the bottle of wine before taking another gulp.
"Ha! Who cares about details? The important thing is that a formidable figure was born on our side! It's hard for races outside of humanity to produce powerful champions like you."
She raised the bottle and continued, excited:
"Humans… they live short lives, but every few centuries, one of them shines like the sun, only to sadly fade soon after!"
I blinked again.
Is this the same crazy woman I had been fighting and talking to earlier?
She didn't seem physically different, but her personality… it seemed as if she had switched into a more rational mode.
Or perhaps being completely incinerated had really affected her.
Verdia agreed with Atofe's words:
"That's true. Humans have that peculiarity. Each era tends to produce a genius capable of changing the world stage."
I couldn't disagree. The history of this world spoke for itself. And I too had been human in another life.
I sighed.
"I understand. Well… I don't intend to start a war for now. But I certainly have some plans for the Demon Continent, so I expect your cooperation."
Atofe snorted, crossing her arms, but said nothing.
Moore replied:
"Lady Atofe agrees. I hope we can host you at Fort Necross for a banquet, where we can discuss more details."
He then turned to Verdia — all formal again — and said:
"Besides… it's a pleasure to see you again, Disaster Witch. Congratulations on your marriage. I heard you recently had a daughter?"
It was obvious he was trying to ease the tension and create a friendly connection. Verdia smiled brightly:
"So you remember me, Moore! Yes, I did. She's very healthy!"
Moore seemed to recall her from the days of Laplace's War — when Verdia was still feared as a relentless warrior.
Seeing that, I said:
"Alright then. We accept the invitation."
---
After all that, there was a banquet at Atofe's fortress.
A banquet to celebrate the death of the Immortal Demon King, and offered by the very Demon King who had lost.
Atofe's personal guards not only served as waiters, but were also the banquet's guests.
The vast training field of Fort Necross served as the banquet hall.
In the center, an improvised arena, surrounded by leather rugs and rustic benches.
The guards sat around, drinking, shouting, laughing, egging each other on to fight. It didn't seem like any of them were about to rise in revolt over Atofe's defeat.
Even so, I had instructed Moore to extend the personal guard's vacation period.
At the moment, I wasn't particularly interested in freeing anyone — not until I knew whether we would have important battles soon.
But in the future, freeing whoever wished would be simple. I would just have to order it.
Despite everything, the guards seemed happy, truly enjoying the party.
Roast meat, strong drinks, shouts, laughter and brawls — the culture of Fort Necross in its purest form.
"This is a joyful day! Let's drink! Let's sing! And let's fight!"
Atofe, even defeated, was in high spirits.
She was seated on her makeshift throne made of black rock, drinking wine,
while ordering her guards to fight in the central arena.
She seemed genuinely happy, as if having been cut in half and incinerated a few hours earlier was only a fun memory.
She reminded me of Badigadi at that moment.
That was exactly how he behaved in the Sword Sanctuary; after a battle, his priority was to drink, sing and celebrate until he fell.
Well, they were siblings, after all. Maybe the Immortal Necross Lacross had been the same.
"Ahahahaha, good!"
"Smash him!"
"Raise your guard! No slacking! Get up! Ahhh—!"
Several demons pummeled each other violently in the center of the arena.
No weapons, no armor.
Just fists and kicks.
"The winner is… Eris!"
Ah, yes. Eris was participating.
She still had energy saved up from not being able to fight Atofe earlier, and was taking it out on the personal guards.
She mixed the Beast God Style with the North God Style.
The lizard-faced guard was tough, worthy of Atofe's elite.
Even so, Eris slaughtered him without difficulty.
Several competitors lay unconscious in the corners of the arena, snoring or drooling on the ground.
Eris had already defeated three of them.
She had taken some hits, but healed herself with Healing Magic while continuing to advance.
Atofe roared with excitement:
"You're tough! Exactly what you'd expect from the companion of one of the Seven Powers!"
She stood up and shouted:
"All right! Who's next? Who will it be?!"
"I challenge you, Demon King Atofe! Come down here and fight me!" Eris shouted, fired up.
I looked at Atofe, curious about what she would decide.
The answer came immediately:
"You're an idiot even greater than Kishirika, challenging me to unarmed combat! I like that! Fine, I'll fight you!"
Without a second thought, Atofe took off her armor as if peeling fruit skins. She literally ripped the pieces off with her hands.
The banquet reached its peak. Applause, shouts and whistles echoed so loudly it felt like the fort would collapse.
Who would win? Eris or Atofe?
I was almost certain Atofe would come out on top — her immortality made too much of a difference.
But who could predict? In the end, one of them was my wife, so I cheered passionately:
"Go on, Eris! SMASH HER FACE IN!"
Okay. I had clearly drunk a little.
Eris gained instant energy from my encouragement, and launched herself at Atofe.
The fight began violently. At first it was balanced, but eventually Atofe's immortality advantage began to show.
Eris was losing momentum.
Then, carrying a huge mug of beer in one hand, I entered the arena laughing:
"COME ALL AT ONCE! Whoever can knock down this beer-filled body will be named North King! Hahahaha!"
Several guards rose with fierce — or drunk — expressions and leapt on me.
Meanwhile, Verdia conversed with Moore, discussing political strategies and future actions as if nothing were happening.
Fort Necross really knew how to throw a party.
-----
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