‘What is this? This power?!’

Bu’ was in both awe and fear.

Unlike most of his companions, he was a Martial Artist.

While he knew certain spells that enhanced his body, Bu’ was solely focused on raising his personal ability.

He had finally stepped into the Peak state after so much effort and several centuries of dedication.

However, even at that, he couldn’t fathom the depths of the power that confronted him.

If he had just arrived at the peak of a hill, then there was an even bigger—taller mountain that now stood before him.

It was so impossible that Bu’ fell into despair.

In the face of such a devastating difference, he could do nothing but cover himself with all his might.

And so, he did.

With all his weapons, armor, and willpower focused on defense, Bu’ shrouded himself with all he had.

‘I can’t…’

He knew the despairing truth.

‘… I can’t fight that!’

And so, the blade of light came crashing down.

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!<

******************************

Disappointment.

Pure, unbridled disappointment permeated the insides of Edward.

As he stood all alone in the devastated landscape, the Mana around him dispersed.

Feeling melancholic and sullen, he stared at the spot where his enemy once stood.

No trace of him could be found any longer.

“He didn’t last a single move…” Were the whispers that proceeded from his mouth.

The mountains all around him had been vaporized.

As though a crater had fallen and pulverized the vicinity, everything around was leveled—razed to the ground.

Every semblance of the fallen Demon Beasts or Demon General had now faded from sight.

At the center of everything was the lone Martial Artist.

“… I should have known.” A sigh of despondency leaked out.

He didn’t want to admit it before, but Edward now had no choice but to admit it.

He had become too strong.

“There’s nothing here that can prove to be a challenge to me…”

Still, a faint glimmer of hope remained in his heart.

‘If they invaded this place, and in such a large number, does that mean the Demons have begun their move?’

Edward had isolated himself for nearly six months, so he wasn’t abreast of the current affairs of the Eastern Kingdom.

Still, he had an idea that they were preparing for war against the Demons.

The fact that he just clashed with an army of them proved that something was in the works.

If that was the case, then surely…

‘I’ll meet someone strong!’

After pursuing the oath of the blade for so long—pouring every essence of himself into it—the young man’s ideals had slowly changed.

From the righteous ambition he had as a child, Edward’s path was now that of the blade.

An endless quest to get stronger—that was the root teaching of the Technique passed down to him.

‘I wonder…’ A faint thought popped into Edward’s head.

A certain boy appeared in his thoughts.

‘… Just how strong have you become, Edward?’

To find the answer to that, he had to leave the mountains—correction, flatlands.

“Maybe I’ll return to Ainzlark. Or, should I go to the nearest military base? The capital would be nice too. Hmmm…”

~Why not just go to Ainzlark? You have friends there, right?~ A deep voice pierced his mind as he deliberated.

The owner was none other than the Familiar of Edward—a Dullahan.

“Ah, that’s true. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Ana, or anyone else for that matter.”

Making up his mind, Edward smiled and decided to pay a visit to his longest friend.

~Ah, I think you’re forgetting something…~ The deep voice reminded Edward, causing him to halt.

“Hm?”

~You don’t have anything on you. Surely, you do not intend to return like this… do you?~

For the first time, Edward paid attention to himself.

He was wearing no cloth, so his ripped muscles and perfectly toned body were in view.

His pants were still on, but even they weren’t enough to hide the marvelous body Edward had cultivated.

“I see nothing wrong with how I look, though…”

Becoming too fixated on Martial Arts had caused some of Edward’s cognitive functions to deteriorate—especially when it came to the area of common sense.

~Of course, you don’t… sigh. You’ve become quite hopeless, you know?~

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

~In any case, we can’t have you looking like this. Let’s go to the nearest settlement and ask for something to wear.~

“Ah, well, that’s a good idea.”

~Do you have any money?~

“…..”

At this point, both Host and Familiar fell dead silent.

After a few moments of uncomfortable decorum, the Familiar—being the more sensible one among them—spoke once more.

~Then, we’ll just have to pretend we’re beggars and ask for raiment.~

“Why don’t we just perform a task for them in exchange for clothing?”

Silence prevailed once more.

~That’s actually… not a bad idea…~

Finally, the young Martial Artist was using his head.

Perhaps the thought of returning to civilization was restoring vestiges of the common sense he had lost when he relentlessly pursued the path of the blade.

“Well, shall we get going then?”

~Indeed. So, a Demon Invasion, eh? Should be fun…~

It wasn’t just the Host who was happy about the prospects of a worthy challenge.

“You sure are excited, uh? Well, I don’t blame you.”

After all, not only Edward felt constrained by how much power they had not yet displayed.

Bond Abilities

Fusion Techniques

Martial Fusion State.

There were yet many abilities left for Edward and his Familiar to explore and utilize, but there was no one to use them on.

Which was why…

“… Let’s hope we run into more enemies!”

With that enthusiastic statement fully supported by the Dullahan Familiar, the partners walked beyond the devastated area in hopes of something more stimulating.

Since war was brewing, their wishes were certainly going to come true.

****************************

“I-impossible—!!!”

Rheas, a Demon General among the Nine Stars unconsciously leaked out her thought as she witnessed one of the most horrific displays of one-sided violence.

It was too extreme that even with her status, the Demon Lord felt utterly overwhelmed by what was happening—and the one who was wreaking such havoc.

It was a single human—and she was merciless!

Rheas had expected the Northern Border of the Eastern Kingdom to be tougher than the others, but she had never thought a single human would push them so far.

Unbelievable as it was, that was exactly what was playing out.

“H-how can this be…?”

The other humans were at a safe distance, observing the situation.

A particular rash boy was also trying his hardest in the battle, but there was really no need for him to interfere.

The girl’s power was enough to decimate all her foes.

Rheas had met many monsters in her long lifetime, but this was by far the worst.

She was a true harbinger of destruction.