The Fake Saintess and the Elf Warrior

"Swish"

"...You mean to say 'maybe'...right?"

The first part of the sentence was spoken by Taqia when she stood in front of Pais and Maya. But after a flash of light, the answer came from Udoni's mouth.

Using the super-acceleration ability of the Spirit Key, Tatia quickly approached Udoni and thrust her sword straight at his throat.

But this sword was easily caught between the fingertips of Udoni, who was chuckling to himself.

"Varied....."

"Too slow, girl!"

Udoni gave a sudden, forceful push, sending Tatsia flying into the air and crashing into the solid ceiling before finally landing back where she had been standing.

"Ugh...this guy...he's really tough to deal with...!"

Even with her super-acceleration ability, her speed appeared incredibly slow to the monster... Tatia was once again awestruck by the sheer power of this creature.

If Dias's defining characteristics are his sturdy shell and powerful vitality... then this Udoni is probably the most "lightning-fast" being in the world besides the Demon King.

Just as Tatsia clutched her lower back, which had slammed against the ceiling, trying to catch her breath, a sigh came from Udoni's side.

"Sigh... When I heard you defeated Diaz, I thought you'd be quite an amazing guy... Is that all? Hey, don't tell me that's all you've got."

He seemed quite disappointed, and shrugged.

"Although his direct combat ability is only among the worst, Diaz is still one of the top five generals, on par with me. Do you think I'd believe that someone who could defeat him is only this level? But if that's really all you're capable of, then it just means that Diaz, that bug, isn't even worthy of being on my level..."

At this point, Udoni lowered his hands.

Although his posture was no longer that of a fighter, Tatsia clearly sensed that Udoni's aura had changed at that moment.

It became even more horrific and ferocious...

"...Since that's the case, then let me show you what the true strength of the 'Five Generals' is really like, you brat!"

Those last two moves weren't even a warm-up for Udoni. From now on, it will unleash its true power... So that terrifying speed wasn't even the opening act? Tagia found it hard to believe, but she couldn't help but smile incredulously. Indeed, this world is vast; above Dias, there are such terrifying beings...

However, Tatia is not a girl who will show weakness because of this.

"Yeah...."

The two swords gleamed once more in Tasia's hands. Their light grew brighter and brighter.

There's more than just one opponent who hasn't shown their true strength...

"Then I'll show you my true power, which you've never even seen before... you stinking dog!"

Operation Mayella (reenactment)

If it were me now, I would have absolutely no chance of defeating this formidable enemy.

Just like when he faced Diaz, he was completely powerless to fight back.

Unless... the miracle of that time can be repeated.

To be able to transform myself into that strange form once again...

Like an angel descended to earth, dressed in pure white robes, with green wings spread on her back, and appearing several years older, she freely manipulated the elven power within her, allowing all her combat abilities to be dramatically enhanced...

If I could transform back into that form again... it wouldn't be impossible to overcome this obstacle!

Gripping her twin swords tightly, Tatia warily watched the figure before her in Udoni, thinking to herself. This was a formidable enemy against whom she would have to unleash her true strength. This was a hurdle she had to overcome to rescue Meera and fulfill her promise.

But... what should I do?

How did I absorb those two swords and transform into that form?

The principles and methods behind it were completely incomprehensible to Tatia. It wasn't a form she could transform into through her own will. Rather, it was a miracle created by a series of coincidences. It was precisely because it was incomprehensible that it was called a "miracle."

Although he made those bold statements to show he wasn't in a disadvantageous position, how exactly could he recreate that miracle and truly unleash his full potential...?

Ultimately, it was all just bravado. The slight tremor in her hands, gripping the twin swords, stemmed from her lack of confidence, a fact only she knew.

But Udonis, the opponent, sees it differently.

"..."

If it were this Tatsia in front of him, he could take her life at any time. After all, as one of the Five Generals, adventurers of this caliber were far from being a threat to him.

In a life-or-death battle, he would have killed his opponent long ago. Udoni was well aware of his identity and actions; he firmly believed he wouldn't deliberately lure his opponent into using their full strength like Diaz did, only to be harmed in the end. He was a cautious monster who used his full strength from the very beginning, nipping any even the slightest possibility in the bud.

but....

...

"What...did you say?"

A few days ago, Udoni seemed to doubt his own ears as he questioned his monarch: Demon King.

Because from the mouth of that ruthless demon king came words that made Udoni doubt his own ears.

"Didn't you hear me? I said don't go all out. Don't hurt Tatsia, and don't let Tatsia hurt you. Just stall for time and buy her as much as possible. Also, don't hurt the others who are with you. Whatever they do, pretend you don't see it."

"Delaying as much time as possible? Pretending not to see it?...Why is that?"

"That's not your concern. This is a task only you can accomplish. Because no one but you can stop Tatia. That's all."

"...........yes"

Udoni lowered his head.

...

That's right, the orders I received were simply to stall for time.

The princess was trapped behind him, while the hero and his party, who were trying to rescue her, were right in front of him. In this situation, the monarch's order was merely to "buy time." And he was to ignore the two people besides the hero.

What did this mean? Udoni couldn't understand it either. But as a subject, he could only obey orders. Even if it went against his own style, he had no choice but to conceal his strength now. Even when faced with Tatia, who claimed she hadn't used her full strength, he could only observe the situation and couldn't take the initiative to attack.

Otherwise, the first blow would have been far more than just a graze on Tatia's shoulder.

"Fine!"

He readjusted his mindset, deliberately feigning an enjoyment of toying with his opponents and luring them into revealing their true strength. He beckoned to Tatsia.

"Then give it your all! I'll be waiting for you until then! Don't worry, we have plenty of time! I won't let you die so easily! Do your best to please me, brave girl!"

"..."

Although it wasn't great news, Tatia had to admit that she felt somewhat relieved after hearing those words. Because her opponent was just like Diaz—someone who wouldn't finish a fight quickly.

Given enough time, the chances of recreating that miracle become greater.

"Sorry, Mayera! Just a little longer, just a little longer..."

While trying to recall how she felt a few months ago, Tatia prayed for Mayera's safety...

.....

"Ugh... Where... where am I...?"

Mayella slowly opened her eyes.

Her consciousness was immersed in boundless darkness, like a child who had wandered into a dark forest at night, unable to find a bright exit no matter how hard she ran.

But after several days of losing consciousness, Maya finally managed to regain a little bit of herself.

but...

"It's so cold...it hurts so much...what happened to me...where am I...?"

The vision before her eyes could only be described as blurry. Her unfocused eyes couldn't lock onto anything in front of her. Before she could even discern her surroundings, what she felt first and foremost was a profound, bone-deep desolation and pain. She tried to move her body, but she couldn't budge even a single finger.

That's not surprising, because her entire body is now embedded in a huge, fleshy wall, with only her head sticking out. Adding to this the recoil from her earlier battle, where she burned her life force, even if Mayera regained consciousness, she was too cold and painful to think.

But she heard a sound.

"Are you awake, daughter?"

It was the exact same voice as hers. But it reached Mayra's ears in a tone she would never utter aloud.

"Gurgle..."

She knew who the voice belonged to. But she was powerless now. Her groggy mind couldn't form a meaningful or logical sentence, and her heavy lips couldn't express any thoughts. Faced with that voice that was exactly like her own, Mayera could only respond with sobs.

"Let me make this clear first: your current state is all due to your own reckless and inappropriate use of force. I didn't hit you that hard."

"Ugh..."

"I originally intended to take you back and give you a proper re-education... but now I'm wondering if you truly deserve to live as my daughter any longer. I've spent so many years educating and nurturing you, and how have you responded to me in the end? My daughter. bestowing upon you the title of 'princess' was a tremendous honor, yet you show no gratitude whatsoever... Just as I was contemplating whether to reverse this decision and strip you of your princess status, those persistent pests arrived. They seem eager to rescue you, eager to get rid of you from me..."

"Gurgle...?"

Upon hearing this, Mayra's sobs suddenly took on a change of emotion. Her previously incoherent and tangled mind became slightly clearer.

But then, a hand grabbed Mayella's head.

He left her with his last words

"Just wait and see if those guys can convince me to strip you of your 'princess' status..."

"........."

As soon as she finished speaking, a surge of magic entered Mayara's mind, sealing the exit to light she had just found once more with profound darkness, trapping her consciousness once more in an endless abyss.

.........

"Crack!"

The swords and claws clashed, sparking a huge burst of sparks.

Both attackers landed simultaneously, and Udoni looked at his claws. He couldn't help but ponder.

"Is this guy... really the one who defeated Diaz?"

Meanwhile, the other side also landed smoothly. This round of attacks seemed evenly matched, but Tatia's hands were trembling uncontrollably. She was thinking...

"So strong... not only in speed... but even in strength!!"

The tiger's mouths on his hands, wielding the twin swords, still throbbed with pain, almost splitting open. To outsiders, it appeared to be a 50/50 match, but the two combatants, through just a few exchanges, had already profoundly understood one thing.

At this point, Tatia was no match for Udoni.

The two turned around at the same time to look at each other. Taqia was already covered in sweat. Udoni, however, remained expressionless.

Their eyes were filled with doubt.

"Even if Diaz is that weak bug, there's no way she could lose to a girl like that... What happened? How did she defeat Diaz? What exactly happened that night?"

This is Udoni's question.

"This dog...it's clearly deliberately targeting my attacks, not attacking my weaknesses when I'm open...why is that? Even Diaz would have attacked...why is this dog just parrying!?"

This was something Tatia couldn't understand.

In the previous few exchanges, Tatsia had repeatedly felt threatened when her attacks were parried, leaving her vulnerable. She knew that if her opponent had seized the opportunity while her hands were open to strike her throat, she would have been dead long ago. But Udoni didn't do that. Instead, he constantly observed Tatsia's movements to coordinate his attacks. He wouldn't strike first unless she attacked.

To put it bluntly, it was practically an exhibition match that both sides had arranged in advance.

Although gaining time was a blessing, Tatia was still very confused and annoyed by the feeling that she was being completely looked down upon by her opponent.

What she didn't know was that her opponent hadn't even considered such a thing. He was simply looking at this elven girl, so weak he couldn't comprehend her at all, which only fueled the growing doubts in his mind.

"Her?"

"This weak little girl who thinks she's so great?"

"This ignorant fool who doesn't even know his own worth dares to swagger around and challenge me, the 'Five Generals'?"

"She thinks she can take the princess away from us?"

"She thinks she can defeat my colleague Diaz?"

"Just because of her... she managed to win His Majesty's heart and make him determined to die for her!?"

In terms of the degree of doubt, Udonis's side was much more profound.

"This is absolutely absurd..."

Although it was just his own opinion, just a personal viewpoint, Udoni still cried out in his heart.

"Whether it's Diaz, who lost to this girl, or His Majesty the Demon King, who's completely infatuated with her, they're both utterly unreasonable!"

He had once heard it from Fan, the head of the Demon King's think tank. The heroine before him made His Majesty the Demon King regret his past decisions and even begin to develop human-like emotions, a being willing to pay for her sins with her death.

Udoni simply couldn't understand what it was about Tasia that made the Demon King so infatuated with her.