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"Who are you?"
Though entirely unclear about the situation unfolding before him, Leohart quickly displayed the composure befitting a Demon Lord, calmly and steadily opening his mouth to speak.
However, before Bokue could even respond, Zolgear—whose head was currently pinned beneath Bokue's foot—had already begun snarling through clenched teeth.
"Leohart-sama, this man is our enemy! He intruded into my base, nearly killed me, and has stolen Wilbert's daughter, the very girl I painstakingly captured intending to present to Your Majesty!"
Hearing this, Bokue glanced downward, somewhat amused by this stubborn old fool.
Well, he had to hand it to the guy—even with half his body gone, Zolgear's silver tongue was still in fine form. His strength might've been lacking, but his mouth was undeniably formidable.
Even near death, he could still fling mud without breaking a sweat.
"Wilbert's daughter?" Leohart echoed, a hint of confusion visibly crossing his features.
Bokue casually shrugged. "Why does it feel like you, as the so-called Demon Lord, have no idea what your subordinates have been up to?"
"I…" Leohart faltered for just a brief moment but swiftly regained his dignified leader's demeanor. "I don't know exactly what transpired between you, but first, remove your foot from Zolgear. He must receive medical treatment immediately."
"Is that so?"
Bokue replied unhurriedly, voice steady and relaxed.
"So, you're asking me to forgive him after he tried abducting my little sister-in-law, used my other sister-in-law's mother as a hostage to force my sister-in-law into kidnapping my little sister-in-law to hand her over to him, and a whole series of other delightful deeds?"
"Absolutely not. No discussion. He must die today."
Bokue's words left no room for argument.
Leohart's expression instantly darkened. Deep purple magical energy, befitting a Demon Lord, surged around his body, and he extended his hand, summoning a massive, jet-black two-handed greatsword inscribed with glowing purple runes.
"I am unaware of those actions you're describing. Perhaps there is some misunderstanding. If you take a step back now, we can still sit down and talk."
This was clearly meant as a final, generous offer.
For Leohart, his status within the North was comparable to Sirzechs within the Underworld at large. To offer negotiation instead of instantly drawing weapons against someone who'd grievously harmed his subordinate was already his utmost show of tolerance and magnanimity.
Yet, Bokue laughed out loud, as though he'd heard the funniest joke in the world.
"Negotiate with me? With your strength…do you really think you're worthy?"
Bokue quickly stopped laughing, eyes cold.
"There's nothing left to discuss. Come at me. Ah, but if there's anything else you're curious about, you should ask this guy under my foot right now. Given his injuries, once I punch you dead, the aftermath alone might send him to the afterlife with you… Though, given how he'll likely insist everything he did was 'for you, my lord,' perhaps there's no point in asking at all."
"Since that's the case, let me just tell you where his secret base is located. I'm pretty sure you had no idea there was such a place in your precious North Territory, right? It's located precisely at—"
As Bokue casually recited the exact coordinates, the young Demon Lord's eyes widened, pupils contracting sharply.
That location… indeed, he'd had no idea.
"Looks like you're a Demon Lord who really doesn't know a thing about his own subordinates."
Noting the subtle changes in Leohart's expression, Bokue shook his head slightly.
"Well, it's understandable. You're just the ruler of this barren northern backwater. Honestly, you've done fairly well to reach this point. Anyway, that's enough chit-chat…"
With those words, Bokue raised his foot, preparing to finish Zolgear off.
"Stop!"
Seeing his subordinate about to be killed before his very eyes, Leohart sprang forward instantly, swinging his massive greatsword downward with ferocious speed.
Then—
Clang!
Just like Steppenwolf striking full-force against Superman, Leohart's fierce-looking slash was effortlessly blocked by Bokue—who merely reached out a single hand, calmly stopping it without even flinching.
He wasn't even concerned about the razor-sharp edge cutting into his palm, grasping the blade firmly with his bare hand. Golden spiritual flames rose around his body, forming an invincible barrier, rendering the sword unable to penetrate even a millimeter into his skin.
"You…!" Leohart gasped, astonished.
Granted, he hadn't unleashed his full strength; after all, Zolgear was gravely wounded just beneath Bokue. If they both exploded with full power, Zolgear would undoubtedly be killed by mere collateral force, rendering his intervention pointless.
Yet, even holding back, he'd still utilized at least sixty percent of his strength. To have his strike casually halted by the young man's bare hand…
Moreover, from the unique aura he emitted, the young man wasn't a demon. Given this appearance—could he really be a human?
While Leohart reeled in shock, Bokue casually leaned closer, inspecting the sword with a critical eye.
"The sword is decent enough, but the person wielding it clearly lacks proper training."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Bokue suddenly applied strength to his fingers. He forcibly wrenched the greatsword out of Leohart's grasp, flipping it effortlessly into the air, spinning it around 180 degrees, then caught the hilt and stabbed downwards—precisely like Arthas plunging Frostmourne through the ice.
"Your Majesty, hel—!"
Without suspense or hesitation, Zolgear's desperate plea was cut off halfway. The greatsword effortlessly pierced straight down through his skull, passing easily through his head like a hot knife through butter, then lifting his entire mutilated body off the ground.
Shing—!
The massive blade hissed sharply through the air, the giant sword disappearing into a blur beneath Bokue's lightning-fast swings. Countless invisible blade slashes manifested simultaneously, cleaving through Zolgear's battered form, instantly cutting him into countless pieces before Leohart's shocked eyes. Mangled remains scattered upon the polished floor.
Task complete, Bokue raised the now immaculate blade, free of even a single drop of blood, turning it thoughtfully in his grip to inspect it closely.
"Hmm~ At least my sword skills haven't rusted. Speaking of which, I really ought to have a weapon of my own by now… Oh well, here's yours back. I'm done here."
Speaking lightly, Bokue casually tossed the enormous greatsword back at the young Demon Lord. It stabbed into the floor precisely before Leohart's feet, sinking vertically about thirty centimeters deep.
Golden light flashed once more, and Bokue's figure vanished without a trace.
Only after his departure did the demon guards finally rush into the throne room, weapons drawn.
"Your Majesty! Are you alright, Your Majesty!?"
❁❁❁❁
The scene shifted again. Bokue returned to Zolgear's secret chamber less than two minutes after he'd initially left.
Perhaps because there were others present, the emotional mother-daughter reunion between Sheila and Maria had concluded surprisingly quickly, despite what one might've expected to be an extended touching scene. The pair had already composed themselves, and Maria hurried over as soon as she saw Bokue return.
"Um… Everything's settled, Bokue-san?"
"Yeah, taken care of completely," Bokue nodded. "Next, let's head back to the Human World. But…"
He was about to say they could leave, but stopped when his gaze landed upon the brown-skinned demon woman standing quietly beside Sheila.
Sheila, noticing his pause, explained gently with a small smile.
"Ah, we already discussed Zest's situation earlier. From now on, she'll serve as my attendant. After all, during my imprisonment, Zest took rather good care of me."
Huh?
Bokue blinked blankly. Wasn't she literally their enemy just moments ago?
Zest turned her head aside, stubbornly avoiding eye contact, yet a fragile vulnerability flickered briefly within her gaze.
"I no longer have anywhere else to go now. If Lady Sheila is willing to accept someone like me, then I…"
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