It had to be said—when they saw the gigantic warship emerging from the clouds, everyone was utterly stunned.
The cathedral, reflecting golden light beneath the sun, crowned with a massive skull emblem, radiated an overwhelming and alien pressure. Just standing there, watching this unimaginable existence glide across the sky, made their entire bodies tremble uncontrollably.
This—was the power of the Inquisition!
In truth, it was only after Duanmu Huai obtained authority over this world that he was finally able to bring his warship in. Previously, without permission, being able to bring in a Titan was already pushing the limit. But now, Duanmu Huai had become a god of this world. Naturally, he could do whatever he wished!
"Inquisitor… this is…?"
Ulzer and the others stared at him in shock. Seeing the Inquisition's armored corps before had already stunned them—but now their minds were completely blank. They didn't even know how to react!
"Alright. Move out."
Duanmu Huai calmly gave the order.
"This time, we will completely sweep the Demon Realm clean!!"
At his command, the 300,000-strong human coalition surged forward like tigers descending the mountain, charging straight into the Demon Realm!!
It must be said—when the human coalition invaded the Demon Realm, the demon lords who heard the news were stunned.
Some even suspected something was wrong with their ears—or their brains.
Humans… dared attack the Demon Realm?
Did they have a death wish?!
A mere 300,000 troops daring to attack a Demon Realm defended by millions?
The demon race wasn't human. Nearly every one of them was a fierce warrior. Their mobilizations numbered in the millions. For 300,000 humans to defeat them? Pure fantasy!
Many demon lords even recalled the First Holy–Demon War centuries ago. After unifying humanity, the Holy–Demon Order built twenty-four Duel God Cities in an attempt to eradicate the demon race once and for all. Yet even they failed, remaining locked in stalemate for a century before being betrayed by their own allies and collapsing.
Now history seemed to repeat itself. The Inquisition had united the four great human powers and formed another coalition. But this time, unlike the Holy–Demon Order, they hadn't just surrounded the Demon Realm—
They had invaded directly!!
Where did they get such courage?!
At first, the demon lords were shocked but unconcerned. In their view, 300,000 humans—even with strange mechanical support—were no match for millions of demon warriors.
And then—
"Defeated?!!"
Inside the great hall, a massive and muscular demon stood up, glaring viciously at his subordinate.
"You said… defeated?!"
This demon was none other than Kayblis—the one who sought to become Demon King himself. Upon hearing that humans dared invade, he had immediately dispatched a million-strong demon army to crush them and teach them that the Demon Realm was not a place for inferior races to enter freely!
Kayblis had expected news of total annihilation.
Instead—
Defeated?!!!
"Y-yes…"
Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from Kayblis, the subordinate nodded pale-faced.
Kayblis was the oldest and strongest demon lord alive. Created by the first Demon King six thousand years ago, he had lived until now. He possessed terrifying power—and an even more dreadful ability: he could release a miasma so horrific that all living beings felt overwhelming fear, even dying from it.
Hm? Why does that ability sound so familiar?
…Anyway.
For this reason, Kayblis always believed he was qualified to be Demon King. Yet fate toyed with him. From the first generation to now, he never ascended. And with the current Demon King princess fleeing her throne, Kayblis had raged in fury, shouting: "Are kings born noble?" If she wouldn't rule, then give him the Demon King's blood!
Recently, he had finally defeated Hornet's faction and seized control of the Demon Realm. All that remained was to find the runaway princess and claim her blood.
And now—
Humans had invaded.
And won!
"Where is Galtia?"
Kayblis smashed his wine goblet and roared.
"What happened to Galtia?!"
Galtia, the Gluttony Demon Lord, had an insatiable appetite. On the battlefield, his mere presence was terrifying. Had he died too?
"Yes… Lord Galtia fell in battle. And…"
The subordinate swallowed.
"According to survivors, the demon lords' invincible barrier… seems to have failed!"
"…What did you say?"
Kayblis's expression darkened.
"Are you certain?"
"I cannot confirm—but witnesses say Lord Galtia was severely wounded and beaten to death by several giant steel warriors…"
Silence filled the hall.
The invincible barrier failed?
Impossible!
Only the swords Daylight and Chaos could break that barrier! How could this happen?!
"Attack me."
"Huh?!"
"Now!"
"Y-yes!!"
The demon general threw his weapon at Kayblis.
Normally, it would have been stopped before contact.
Instead, it struck Kayblis directly, making his body tremble.
Not from damage—but from shock.
The barrier was truly gone?!
How? Why?!
That barrier was the foundation of demon supremacy. Without it, even demon lords couldn't face hundreds of thousands unscathed.
Furious and shaken, Kayblis glared coldly—
"AHHHH!!"
The demon general was blasted away, reduced to minced flesh.
Without the invincible barrier—what now?
What of the demon lords?
No wonder the humans dared invade.
"Transmit my order!"
Kayblis roared.
"All demon lords assemble! Lead the armies to intercept the humans! Annihilate them all! Leave none alive!!"
"Yes!!"
Another general hurried off.
Kayblis turned toward the sky outside the window, unease flashing in his eyes.
Why did the invincible barrier fail?
Had the gods changed their minds?
Meanwhile, the human coalition had already clashed with the demon armies.
From the sky, millions of demons surged like a tidal wave, attempting to engulf the mere 300,000 humans.
By numbers alone, the humans stood no chance.
If you excluded the Inquisition.
"BOOOOOOM————!!!!"
Macrocannons roared. Lances of light rained down.
Earth-shaking bombardments and searing plasma beams slammed into the demon ranks, erasing vast swathes instantly.
Before the demons could recover, hundreds—thousands—of towering black-armored giants marched forward. Armed with chainsword guns, they reaped the battlefield like reapers of death, shredding everything in their path.
Behind them came Titans, Venomblades, and Leman Russ tanks, unleashing relentless bombardment.
Only then did the human coalition advance.
It was a larger-scale version of the tactic Duanmu Huai used at Herman's capital.
"I never imagined we would one day march into the Demon Realm."
General Kriorev sighed.
"For us, stopping their invasion was miracle enough. Counterattacking? Never even in dreams."
"And this is only the beginning."
Duanmu Huai's expression was cold.
"Our goal is the total annihilation of the demon army."
Just then, a winged girl flew toward him.
"M-Master."
"What is it, Sezer?"
Looking at La Sezer kneeling before him—the demon lord he had turned into his familiar—Duanmu Huai asked.
"Someone… wishes to see you."
"Who?"
"…Demon Lord Satra…"
"Oh…"
He remembered—the demon lord he had punched away when first meeting Kanami in the Free Cities Alliance.
Why was she here?
Revenge?
Duanmu Huai sneered.
"Bring her to me."
(End of Chapter)