Back in the castle, the first prince, Zeric, launched a surprise attack while Takeshi was caught in a flashback triggered by his unstable power. But Takeshi, the Supreme Devil Hunter, snapped out of his delusion just in time and stopped Zeric's sword with his bare hand.
Zeric took two steps back, eyes narrowing. He really is the Supreme Hunter. Even if my real body hasn't emerged from the underworld yet, he shouldn't have been able to counter that strike while delusional.
Zeric was possessed by the Devil King of the underworld—what the world now knows as the Ancient Devil. Fine, he thought. I'll wait until my real body is released. For now, I'll keep him busy… my servants have other missions to fulfill.
Takeshi glanced at his palm. "I thought I stopped your sword… but I still got cut."
"You should be happy," Zeric said coldly. "That it's just a mere scratch."
"I guess I won't be getting answers anytime soon," Takeshi continued. "About the ancient devil dungeon under the castle… about the red stone… or about the devil who possessed you. But I've figured out one thing. The one inside you—it's the Ancient Dungeon Boss himself. That means I can't afford to go easy."
The memory of Ryuji, Fumiko, and Leoric flashed in his mind.
"I can't let you destroy the kingdom's future."
Zeric smirked. "Then let's see what you've got." He let out a chilling laugh, "Hahaha!"
Zeric drew his sword and began channeling mana into it. Being of royal blood and a fire magic user, the link with the devil amplified his power. His blade glowed a searing red.
He unleashed a blazing mana slash, so powerful it cut through the castle roof in an instant.
But frustration built in him—Takeshi had dodged it with incredible speed, faster than even lighting magic users.
"I knew it," Takeshi muttered. "I can't hold back against you."
He drew his own sword. Its blade gleamed white.
Zeric's eyes widened. "Oh? The white sword?"
"You know this blade?" Takeshi asked.
"I've seen it… in the memories of this human I've possessed. The heavenly white flames… they've burned countless SS-rank and S-rank devils. But that won't work on me. I'm far stronger than those weaklings."
"We'll see about that."
Scene shift – Outside the Castle
Soldiers and Hunters battled hordes of low-rank devils. Many had fallen, but they still held the upper hand.
BOOM!
An explosion rocked the castle. The soldiers looked up—part of the roof had collapsed.
Obito: "What the...? Master and the prince are in there?"
Vice-Captain of Team 7: "Captain! Devils are now pouring out from inside the castle!"
Obito's eyes widened. "Don't tell me… While we were distracted fighting outside, the real threat—the Ancient Devils—were waiting beneath the castle this whole time."
The intensity of the mana radiating from the ongoing battle between Takeshi and Zeric was overwhelming.
Captain of Team 11: "Why is Captain Takeshi fighting the prince? And how is the prince this strong? His mana is also different!"
Obito: "I don't know. But I'll put my faith in Master Takeshi."
More devils surrounded them. From behind came Ancient Dungeon Devils, and from the front, the usual night-stalking low-ranks—still deadly in numbers.
Obito narrowed his eyes. "They're following orders… from someone much stronger."
Suddenly—
BOOM!
Captain of Team 3: "What?! Another explosion?!"
Captain of Team 8: "No… this time, it's from deeper underground. More powerful devils are coming!"
Scene shift – Takeshi vs. Zeric
Zeric panted, exhausted. "You're a monster, you know that?"
Takeshi remained expressionless.
Zeric clenched his teeth. Without my real body, I can't win. I can't even stall him much longer...
Takeshi closed his eyes, focusing all his mana into his sword. White flames danced along the blade, burning with divine power.
Zeric watched in awe. "So beautiful… the heavenly flames…"
He opened his mouth to say something else—then realized his left arm was gone.
Zeric looked down, unfazed. "You know this body isn't mine, right? I feel no pain. And if you kill it, you're only killing your own brother's son."
Takeshi's hand trembled. Sweat rolled down his temple.
Scene shift – Ryuji, Fumiko, and Leoric
They ran desperately through the halls, trying to escape—when the devil they had seen before suddenly appeared in front of them.
Ryuji's face turned pale. "No… it can't be…"
Frozen in shock, he didn't want to believe it was the same devil that had killed his mother. He turned and ran back, hoping, Please let her be alive…
Fumiko, now armed, ran after him.
Leoric stayed behind, knowing escape was futile. The devil was too fast.
Drawing his twin swords, Leoric, a royal fire magic user, stood firm.
The devil, voice deep and mocking: "You're stupid, aren't you? You know you have no chance."
"I know," Leoric said. "But running won't help either. I'll hold you here… buy them some time."
The devil chuckled. "Interesting. I'll play with you, then."
Scene shift – Battlefield Outside the Castle
Now, stronger devils had arrived. SS-rank. S-rank. Even an A-rank devil from the ancient dungeon—easily overpowering S-rank Hunters.
They were surrounded on both sides. The number of weaker devils kept rising, and no one had expected the A-rank ancient devils to be this powerful.
Obito's eyes darted. He saw eight elite soldiers—the first prince's guards—dead on the ground.
And in front of them stood a disguised S-rank devil, revealing himself as the first prince.
Vice-Captain of Team 7: "Captain Obito… we can't win. They're too strong."
Obito clenched his sword. "Master Takeshi once told me—never lose hope. I won't hold back anymore. Stay behind."
Vice-Captain: If Captain uses his full power, he might hurt our soldiers too… I have to make a path.
Nuro, an earth magic user, stepped forward. "I'll clear the way. I can channel mana directly through the ground."
He touched the earth and created a path for Obito.
Obito focused his mana into his sword—sparks of light flickered around the blade.
In an instant, he moved—like a flash of lightning.
Scene shift – Takeshi and Zeric
Zeric, now sitting on the ground in frustration, had Takeshi's blade at his neck.
Takeshi: "Answer me. I don't have time to play. Why was the dungeon under the castle? What was the red stone?"
Suddenly, Zeric connected with an S-rank devil—the same one that killed Ruka, Ryuji's mother.
With a devilish grin, he projected the memory into Takeshi's mind.
Takeshi staggered as the horrifying image of Ruka's death filled his thoughts.
Zeric: "Checkmate."
Scene shift – Leoric vs. S-rank Devil
Leoric lay on the ground, blood pooling beneath him. His right arm was gone.
To be continued…