The second secret art.
[Earth Blossom] was a sword technique similar to the first secret art, [Rock Emperor], yet slightly different.
If [Rock Emperor] was the foundation of the other secret arts, a simple upward strike that overwhelmed by sheer numbers, then [Earth Blossom] was a linked series of slashes in which the sword strikes spread like blooming petals, multiplied little by little, and were all controlled with exquisite precision.
A chained assault of petals, every one of them aimed precisely at the opponent's vital points.
"...Graaargh?!"
Venenum had been charging in completely exposed, so of course he had no time to evade [Earth Blossom]. He had no choice but to take every one of those strikes in his vital spots.
All those petals moved freely according to Adelio's [Will].
"Ghk... a mere... demon...!!!"
Venenum gathered magic into his shield and formed a barrier around himself to resist, but that alone was nowhere near enough to stop this sword art.
On top of that, even without using the power of a Hero, Adelio's hermit-like body was an ability in itself, and it easily purified the poisonous miasma Venenum produced.
'So that shield's ability is to deploy a barrier. [Answerer], analyze what kind of barrier it is.'
With a brief opening to spare, Adelio sent the question to [Answerer].
A few seconds later, the reply rang out in his mind.
[Report. The shield possessed by the individual Venenum is a magic shield specialized in deploying a barrier focused on [Magic Attack Reduction].]
[Magic Attack Reduction]. For demons, who used magic as their greatest weapon, it was an ability with perfect compatibility against them.
'If I hadn't learned Gran's swordsmanship, this would've been a pain.'
Adelio pressed Venenum back using nothing but pure swordsmanship.
"...Grrgh...!"
However, Venenum was no Cryptid who had reached the rank of [Awakened Demon Lord] for nothing. He endured those sword strikes with abnormal regenerative power.
Sizzle... sssizzle...!!
Before long, torn muscles and severed chunks of flesh began writhing as if alive, then reattached themselves to Venenum's wounds.
He looked like one of the chimeras demons raised in hell.
"You're still far from done."
Even as Venenum kept recovering from his injuries, Adelio did not stop his sword strikes.
From several, to dozens, from dozens, to hundreds, he kept attacking without pause.
Supersonic sword strikes.
The fastest, strongest slashes he could produce.
"Grrrgh...!! Don't look down on the Cryptids!!"
But those countless strikes could not continue forever, and soon they began to show their limits.
'As expected, he won't go down that easily.'
Adelio guessed Venenum must also have some kind of resistance skill, something like [Physical Attack Resistance].
After all, past a certain point, the damage from his sword strikes had dropped sharply.
"Grrgh...!! I'll kill you!!!"
The moment Adelio stopped his swordsmanship, Venenum seized the opening and began pouring magic into his spear.
Kraack!
Then a vicious thrust tore apart every petal surrounding him.
"...Hah."
Watching the scene calmly, as purple blood scattered through the air, Adelio chose to break through head-on.
'Dwargo Third Secret Art, [Sword Monarch].'
A thrust meant for a single-point breakthrough and a one-strike kill.
Just like Venenum, Adelio also went for a thrust, and both of their weapons shot forward at the same time.
"Haaah!!" "Grrgh!!"
KABOOOOOM!!!!!
Sword and spear collided.
The clash of condensed magic erupted into a massive explosion, sending dust flying everywhere.
In pure physical strength, Venenum had the advantage.
In magic power and speed, Adelio had the advantage.
And in the end, Adelio's ash-gray magic, holding the slightly greater edge, filled the inside of the barrier.
Venenum, on the other hand, lost the exchange and slammed into the barrier with a tremendous crash.
"...Grrgh?! How can a mere demon push back a Cryptid like me...?!"
No one answered Venenum's question.
The other Demon Lords were all staring wide-eyed in shock, and only Guy and Milim were smiling.
Slash!
And as if trampling that question underfoot, Adelio curved his lips into a grin and pressed the attack again.
"You still sound awfully relaxed for someone who can keep talking like that."
"...! Shut up!!!"
As one side began to dominate, the pattern of the battle gradually changed.
Adelio shifted from Dwargo's orthodox royal swordsmanship, which focused on power, into Guy's tyrannical blade style, a sword art centered on domination and killing power.
Venenum, meanwhile, absorbed his spear and shield into his own body, then swung a massive purple greatsword and a chained axe.
It became, quite literally, a contest of speed and strength.
Rapid combinations and heavy blows clashed on equal footing again and again.
Venenum unleashed crushing attacks with his greatsword and axe, while Adelio deflected those heavy blows with linked strikes, searching for an opening.
Clang! Claaang!! Clang!!
And so, after several minutes of fierce combat flowing almost evenly—
Whoosh!!
—the tide broke with a single movement from Adelio.
Feigning an attempt to evade the greatsword, Adelio spread his wings and soared high into the air.
"Grrgh! Are you running away?!"
Venenum tried to snatch him down with the endlessly extending chain.
But that was Adelio's [Fake].
'So that axe's ability is to extend the chain without limit, as long as it keeps consuming magic.'
He had only widened the distance to figure out the axe's ability.
The moment he understood it in full, Adelio folded his wings and dove back toward the ground.
His [Sword of the Conqueror] wrapped in condensed magic.
"!!!!"
Venenum immediately raised his greatsword in front of himself to block Adelio, but it was useless.
The wave of magic combined with the speed of Adelio's dive.
In other words, Venenum could block the blade, but not the impact behind it.
"Kugh?!"
Just as expected, Venenum failed to endure the shock of the attack.
BOOM!!!
...In the end, the arrogant ogre was nothing like the demon still standing proudly on both feet. He was blasted far away by the shockwave and rolled pathetically across the ground twice.
"...Grr... grgh... just... what..."
"......"
The demon looked down at the ogre crawling across the floor like an insect, utterly worthless in his eyes, and twisted his lips.
"What's wrong, 'King of the Cryptids'? Go on. Start running your mouth again like before."
It was still too early to end this fight.
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