The airship drew closer and closer.
By sunset—
It had finally reached the front of the Demon King Castle.
"…Heh. They're finally here."
Standing outside with her army already in formation, Raiden Ei narrowed her eyes as she stared at the airship in the sky.
"Kujou Sara."
"No matter what—hold the line."
"At the very least, we wipe out most of them."
She couldn't realistically keep her entire army inside the castle.
So she chose to intercept them outside.
Even if she lost—
She would take as many players down as possible.
"Understood, General."
Kujou Sara nodded seriously.
Whether they could secure the final rewards—
Depended on this battle.
But then—
The airship suddenly accelerated.
Straight toward the top of the Demon King Castle.
"…Huh?"
Raiden Ei froze.
I set up a whole battlefield out here—
And you're just… skipping it?!
"Flying units—intercept them!"
Fortunately, she had aerial monsters.
A swarm surged upward to block the airship.
"WHOOSH—!"
A golden barrier flared around the ship.
The monsters slammed into it—
Only to create ripples on the surface.
They couldn't break through.
BOOOOOOM—!!!
The airship smashed directly into the castle.
A massive hole exploded open at the top.
Smoke billowed.
Debris rained down.
Inside the cockpit—
Qingque tossed aside the control device.
"We're here."
"Go."
"GO!!!"
The Heroes roared.
Teams leapt from the airship—
Charging straight through the breach.
Outside—
Raiden Ei stared blankly at the smoking wreck and the giant hole.
"…What."
All that preparation—
Completely bypassed.
Again.
"…Kujou Sara. With me."
Clicking her tongue, she abandoned the main army.
Taking only elite monsters—
She rushed into the castle.
Now it was clear:
This was a decapitation strike.
Inside the Demon King Castle
The Hero army surged in.
At the front—
Yanqing immediately began issuing orders.
"Kamisato!"
"Take your squad and intercept Raiden Ei."
"You must not let her regroup."
"Understood."
Kamisato Ayaka nodded.
She led her team downward.
They knew—
Raiden Ei would rush back.
This was their chance to block her.
"…You sure about this?"
Yukong asked quietly.
"That's your Archon."
"You won't hesitate?"
Ayaka paused—
Then nodded firmly.
"This is a game."
"I know what to do."
(…Probably.)
Yanqing turned to another figure.
"Klee."
"You're with me."
"We must reach the Demon King before the others regroup."
"Mm!"
Klee nodded energetically.
This was the final battle—
She was pumped.
Then Yanqing addressed the remaining players.
"If other Demon Generals arrive—"
"It's up to you to stop them."
"Leave it to us!"
"We won't let them pass!"
The crowd roared.
Their levels were high now.
Even with stat disadvantages—
Their numbers made up for it.
"Good."
"Move out!"
Yanqing led his team—
Charging toward the highest level of the castle.
That's where the Demon King had to be.
Meanwhile…
Raiden Ei rushed upward.
Ayaka rushed downward.
They met.
"…Kamisato."
"Move."
Raiden Ei's expression darkened.
First the betrayal.
Now this.
Was the Kamisato clan openly opposing her?
"…Your Excellency…"
Ayaka hesitated briefly.
"…This is just a game."
"Exactly."
Yukong stepped forward.
"The Archon wouldn't get mad over that… right?"
"…Hmph."
"I know it's a game."
"Then let's settle this properly."
Blade drawn—
Raiden Ei attacked.
"Hold formation!"
Dehya charged forward first.
Her greatsword clashed with Ei's blade—
CLANG!
This time—
She held.
Before, she couldn't survive a single hit.
Now—
With levels and gear—
She could.
Ayaka buffed the team—
Then joined the fight.
Meanwhile—
Kujou Sara intercepted Ayaka.
"You traitor."
"I'll deal with you."
"…Aren't you the one who defected?"
"…That's different."
"…How?"
"…No more talking!"
Split BattlefieldAyaka vs Kujou Sara
Team vs Raiden Ei
Ayaka gained the upper hand quickly.
Her level and gear advantage showed.
Kujou Sara was being pushed back.
But on the other side—
Raiden Ei was holding.
Barely.
She wasn't a duelist.
Her class relied on armies.
And here—
Her army couldn't enter.
Only a few elite monsters supported her.
"…This is annoying."
She clicked her tongue.
Everything felt restricted.
An arrow flew past her—
She dodged.
Then suddenly—
Her eyes locked onto a target.
Barbara.
The healer.
Every time she damaged Dehya—
Barbara healed it instantly.
"Found you."
A step.
A turn.
A flash—
Raiden Ei appeared in front of Barbara.
SLASH—!
Barbara's HP plummeted.
"Good."
Ei followed up instantly—
Another horizontal strike—
Magic gathering in her hand.
If she eliminated the healer—
She could take several of them down before falling.
The blade cut forward—
And the outcome of this clash—
Hung by a thread.
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