Even if my magic runs dry, my body remains.
The armor is unbroken, and the Earth Magic Sword can still be wielded if necessary.
If that's not enough, I'll burn my very life to fight these humans.
The Abyssal King gripped the Earth Magic Sword and struck the ground.
Forcing his magic through his hands, he infused it into the Earth Magic Sword, which resisted absorbing the power.
But the Abyssal King forcefully poured in his magic, imprinting his will onto the sword.
'If I die here, it means I was weak.'
The last battle ended in a draw, but having retreated, it was effectively a defeat.
Rather than retreating again, he'd prefer to embrace death.
"Don't defy me, weapon!"
With a flash of blue light, the Abyssal King suppressed the Earth Magic Sword.
As more magic poured in, his senses started to blur, but his resolve only grew stronger.
"I will not lose!"
The Abyssal King unleashed all his magic, driving the Earth Magic Sword deeper into the ground.
The sword emitted a light brown aura that spread and shook the surroundings, reaching the inner walls.
"All troops, charge... Guh!"
As he quickly pulled the Earth Magic Sword out, a surge of purple sword energy clashed with it.
The Abyssal King tried to cut through the sword energy, but the malevolent force within it pushed back.
"Grrrr..."
As the Abyssal King blocked the sword energy, his shadow knights rushed forward.
Blades clashed, and the energy waves collided.
But as before, this was just the beginning.
'What is that...?'
Despite knowing he should dodge, the Abyssal King unleashed his magic.
The shadow knights gathered, and half-hearted evasion would cause greater damage.
Better to rally the knights or hasten the troops' advance.
"Ugh..."
Silver sword energy blended with purple, clashing and tearing through the shadow knights' armor.
"Arrgh!"
The Abyssal King barely held onto the trembling hilt, trying to step forward.
But he was pushed back, his body shaking violently.
Whoever this was, they targeted his weakened state.
'I won't be defeated!'
The Abyssal King burned his life force, creating more magic.
With Arleard Fortress nearly within his grasp, he couldn't give up now.
Despite their strength, his enemies only waited for chances to press him.
A dark glow spread over the Abyssal King's armor, turning it black as his blue eyes glowed more fiercely.
Life force converted into magic, granting him immense power.
"Even if I die... my will remains!"
The Abyssal King crushed the sword energy and moved toward the inner wall.
'The wall is broken. What now?'
Undead soldiers swarmed through the breached wall.
Though less damage was done than expected, it was still passable.
Now, even the strong humans would have to fight him up close.
'They didn't anticipate this.'
Corpses and blood filled his view.
Humans, buried in the rubble, cried out in pain.
Perhaps some strong ones were among them.
"...Still alive?"
The Abyssal King took a barrage of purple arrows, looking up.
A human stood on the remaining wall, the same who first attacked when the outer wall fell.
'Since you won't come out... I'll come to you.'
The Abyssal King and his shadow knights climbed the wall's debris.
Human soldiers surrounded them, but the undead quickly overran the defenses.
Even a single swing of his sword could shatter them.
"Out of my way."
Suppressing the Earth Magic Sword, the Abyssal King swung it forcefully.
The undead soldiers intermingled, but their numbers couldn't slow his advance.
To clear the path for reinforcements, the human soldiers had to be eliminated first.
"...Huh?"
A yellow lightning bolt streaked through the soldiers, followed by red flames and green winds pushing back the undead, all targeting the Abyssal King.
The Abyssal King took pleasure in deflecting the attacks.
"You don't flee before me?"
The wind fueled the flames, spreading them wide and obscuring his view.
Finding it intriguing, the Abyssal King slashed with the Earth Magic Sword.
Something collided with the strike, stopping the blade.
"...So it's you."
Realizing Zion's identity, the Abyssal King tried to push him back.
But Zion also summoned his magic, the two Magic Swords trembling as they locked.
"Bring him here. You need both to face me!"
Arrows and spells bombarded the Abyssal King, but his armor remained unscathed.
Even the Purple Bow's arrows only caused minor jolts.
"What's your plan alone?"
The Abyssal King added his left hand to the hilt, eyes blazing blue.
Zion's sword wavered, his magic faltering.
Gritting his teeth, Zion summoned all his inner magic.
'He's too strong. This is dangerous.'
Absorbing the Abyssal King's magic, Zion tried to counterattack.
Though regaining spent magic, the Abyssal King's force remained undiminished.
'Should I use it?'
Zion contemplated an untried technique, knowing it could momentarily match or exceed the Abyssal King's strength.
But even brief use was risky, straining body and mind the longer it lasted.
'I don't want to be crippled...'
Behind him, a silver light flashed as another Magic Sword appeared.
El Tesoykve joined Exceed Rain, blocking the Earth Magic Sword.
Its wielder, clad in silver armor, eyes glowing blue, stepped forward.
"Sorry for the delay. I was moving the wounded."
"...You're right on time."
With Enrite's arrival, the Abyssal King's sword began to be pushed back.
Recalling the two combined strikes earlier, the Abyssal King grew more determined.
"Are all gathered? Where are the others?"
"You'll find out soon."
Enrite and Zion forced back the Abyssal King's sword and retreated quickly.
As he tried to follow, flames erupted around him, growing with the wind.
"You're not enough to stop me!"
Emitting dark magic, the Abyssal King slashed the Earth Magic Sword, dispersing the flames.
Lightning bolts struck but failed to penetrate his defense, circling around him.
"Want to try again?"
"We'll hold him off, then the Purple Bow will strike."
"...Understood."
Zion and Enrite charged their Magic Swords with magic.
Absorbing energy from the Abyssal King, they prepared another strike.
With other Magic Sword users nearby, they waited for the right moment to attack.
'Seems resonance and destruction are different.'
Despite withstanding El Tesoykve and Exceed Rain's combined strike, the Abyssal King wasn't severely damaged.
Properly landing an attack was crucial.
'If we fail, it'll be harder.'
In the original story, the Abyssal King took Arleard Fortress and parts of eastern Alain Kingdom.
Only the protagonist and allies eventually drove him out, but not before much destruction.
'If we fail again, I have no choice but...'
Matching Enrite's movements, Zion swung Exceed Rain.
Their combined sword energy struck, clashing with the Abyssal King's attack.
"You think that'll work?"
Withstanding the combined attack, the Abyssal King pressed forward.
A dark purple arrow, sharper and more intense, flew towards him.
Sensing its danger, the Abyssal King couldn't dodge.
"Argh..."
The arrow pierced his left knee, almost bringing him down.
As he struggled, red flame fragments surged towards him.
"I won't die here..."
Burning in the flames, the Abyssal King clung to his sword.
With magic depleted, he burned his life force, forcibly wielding the Earth Magic Sword.
Having seized Arleard Fortress, he couldn't fall now.
"Not until I fight your king!"
Darkness oozed from the Abyssal King's body, consuming the flames and restoring his armor.
Even the resonant sword energy dissipated, leaving him more monstrous.
'No choice, then.'
Drawing Exceed Rain's power, Zion glared at the Abyssal King.
The sword seemed to resist his will, though it was likely just an illusion.
With no other options, Zion resolved to unleash its full power.