"Interesting. If you can do it, then try," said Asmodeus, setting the stage for the decisive battle between humans and demons after 500 years.
Four demons, clearly stronger than the rest, stepped forward from Asmodeus's side. Sensing their strength, the other SS-rank adventurers moved to engage them. I intended to approach Asmodeus, but a man blocked my path.
"Your opponent is me, Silver."
He was an unremarkable man, average in height and build, wearing glasses. You wouldn't notice he was a demon if you saw him walking down the street. But he was unmistakably a demon.
"What's your name, demon?"
"My name is Stras. I'm the head of the Grimoire Research Society," he said with a light smile.
I see. So this is the guy who's been working behind the scenes. He prepared everything for Asmodeus and the others to descend upon this world. He's the one who caused chaos in my beloved country and led to the death of my family.
"Interesting. I had thought to leave you to the others, but now I want to defeat you with my own hands. A miscalculation on my part."
"Miscalculation? I've been wanting to deal with you for a long time. My grudge against you is heavy. I'll show you the difference between demons and humans!"
"Shadow Authority, huh?"
"Know the power of the shadow that swallows light!"
Both of us thrust our right hands forward simultaneously. A torrent of silver light and shadow collided. In my Silver Force state, all my magic transforms into silver annihilation magic. My attack was also silver annihilation magic. But Stras's attack was equally strong.
"Equal, huh? You're good, Silver!"
"Equal? I'm not even at full strength yet."
The silver light began to push back the shadow. But Stras didn't take a single step back. That's unlike him. So I increased my power even more. In response, Stras laughed.
"As expected... you're troublesome."
The moment he said that, shadows erupted from Stras's body and enveloped me.
"I'll seal you in the world of shadows for a while!"
The shadow also enveloped Stras. He's planning to seal himself along with me. He considers me troublesome, so he prepared a surefire way to neutralize me. But...
"Just as there's a shadow that swallows light... there's also light that swallows shadow." Thɪs chapter is updated by novel[f]ire.net
The shadow enveloping me disappeared. The silver light I was clad in prevented the shadow from touching me. As I slowly moved forward, Stras's shadow disappeared as if evaporating. 𝖗𝔞ℕȯ₿Ěș
"A demon's authority... defeated?!"
The silver light perfectly sealed the shadow. Stras tried to attack me with shadows from a distance, but they were blocked by the silver light. Stras, who had completely run out of options, tried to distance himself from me. But I wouldn't allow that.
I grabbed Stras by the neck and slammed him into the ground. This won't change anything. His importance is already lost. Bigger players have been summoned. But whether or not I'm satisfied is another matter.
I began my chant, and Stras struggled.
He tried to break free, but I didn't let go of him.
A massive silver thunderbolt erupted from my hand, engulfing Stras. I was in Silver Force, and it was a full chant at point-blank range. A crater formed in the ground, and Stras was nowhere to be seen. He didn't escape; he was annihilated.
"―Won't you save your subordinate?" I asked Asmodeus, who had been merely watching.
"Why should I? He was competent, but you seem to have exhausted yourself quite a bit. Good job wearing yourself out," Asmodeus laughed.
The weakness of Silver Force is its intense magic consumption. My Sacred Ring rapidly recovers my magic, but if the consumption is too high, the recovery can't keep up. That's why I used it from the beginning; I had a plan for recovery.
"That's unfortunate for you," I said as my magic began to recover.
"Rise up, warriors representing humanity! We are not alone! Even if everyone else gives up, I will not! Emperor Johannes declares that he will walk this death line with you all!"
The Imperial Sword can handle the nearly infinite magic stored in the Imperial Sword Castle. It can be applied to oneself or shared with others.
"Now, if we wait for you to recover, we'll all be annihilated, won't we?"