Traps and Rivalry in the Demon Palace
The Demon Palace was riddled with traps, but for Asta and Vanessa, the traps weren't the most pressing issue. The real challenge was dealing with the second force active within the palace—the Diamond Kingdom.
"Asta, are you alright over there?"
"Yeah, all taken care of!"
Asta responded, shaking the broken Demon-Slayer Sword in his hand. Around him lay several incapacitated foes.
Compared to them, the Diamond Kingdom had sent forces numbering several times their own—perhaps even tenfold!
"Damn it! Where on earth is Ethan?!"
Asta slammed the Demon-Slayer Sword into the ground in frustration, letting out a roar.
Three days.
They had searched for three whole days without finding a trace of Ethan. To make matters worse, the Diamond Kingdom's soldiers were relentless, swarming them like flies.
Vanessa placed a comforting hand on Asta's shoulder. "Let's head toward the treasure vault first. We can't let the Diamond Kingdom claim whatever's in there. As for Ethan... I believe someone like him will find his way out."
Asta nodded, knowing she was right. They couldn't let both their comrade and the treasure fall into enemy hands.
Deeper in the Palace
"Judging from what I sense, there's already a confrontation happening ahead. We need to move quickly!"
"You mean Yuno and his team?"
Asta's heart skipped a beat.
They had crossed paths with Yuno a few hours after Ethan had gone missing. Yuno was accompanied by two other members of the Golden Dawn squad. They had split up to search for Ethan and explore the palace.
Now it seemed Yuno had beaten them to the treasure vault.
Clash of Spells
"Steel Creation Magic: Steel Fortress Armor!"
Klaus's grimoire glowed as magical steel surged forth, forming a sturdy wall in front of him. On the other side, crystalline ice spears crashed into the barrier, sending shards flying.
Klaus adjusted his glasses, his expression grim. Though the battle had just started, the intense magical exchanges had been unrelenting.
"This opponent... How is his magic not diminishing in the slightest?!" Klaus muttered, staring at their enemy—a stoic man with three gemstones embedded in his forehead.
"Yuno! Head into the treasure vault now. We can't let the Diamond Kingdom take anything!"
"No way. This guy's too strong. If I leave, you'll—"
"Stop arguing! Our mission is to secure the magical artifacts. I hate to say it, but even if you're a commoner, you're still a Magic Knight! Go fulfill your duty!"
A Different Perspective
Meanwhile, in the inner vault, Ethan was seated cross-legged on the floor, recuperating. Opposite him floated Zephyra her tiny figure radiating an aura of healing magic.
"Hurry up, Zephyra! I can still hear the commotion outside!"
"Do you think healing from blood essence depletion happens instantly?!"
Ethan's eye twitched at her retort. She knew it wasn't easy, yet she had the nerve to ask for more blood earlier!
Despite the growing silence outside, Ethan remained alert. He had realized this treasure vault was unlike anything described before. It wasn't just a vault—it was divided into an outer and inner section.
Unfortunately, he hadn't found the Demon-Dweller Sword, which should've been somewhere in the palace. Perhaps it was hidden behind a secret door.
Battle Aftermath
"Finally... we took him down!"
Asta stood panting, his body covered in injuries. He had rushed to join the fight just in time. However, it took the combined efforts of everyone to bring the foe—Mars—to his knees.
"Steel Binding Magic: Heavy Steel Chains!"
Klaus restrained the unconscious Mars, his magical steel coiling tightly around the defeated enemy.
Turning back toward the treasure vault's massive doors, he paused.
"Let's open it," he said, his voice heavy with anticipation.
The door creaked open slowly.
What lay beyond left everyone wide-eyed in shock.
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