Chapter 11: Balance Breaker: 『REGULUS REY LEATHER REX』!
Boom!
Bang!
Clang!
Explosion!
Inside the arena, these sounds echoed in a violent, rhythmic loop.
However, to anyone watching closely, it was clear that this wasn't a fight; it was a game. From the very beginning until now, Akira was simply playing around.
At this stage, Akira's power had ascended beyond the Transcendental level, while Sairaorg was "only" an Ultimate-Class Devil. There was a massive chasm separating the two: the Maou-Class and the Transcendental levels.
The difference was like a level 100 maxed-out account looking at a level 20 beginner who hadn't even left the starting village; the disparity was simply too great.
Bang!
With a simple backhand strike, Sairaorg tried his best to defend, but he was still sent flying back.
Currently, both of Sairaorg's arms were throbbing with a dull ache, swelling visibly. That last strike held immense weight. His body, which he considered "strong," was barely holding together under the strain of a single casual swat.
Whoosh!
"Lord Sairaorg, please... use me..."
At that moment, a figure ran toward them from a distance, speaking to Sairaorg with a deadly serious tone.
"Regulus, this is my fight."
Seeing the newcomer, Sairaorg spoke with a hint of displeasure. This was supposed to be a fair and open challenge. Even if he lost without putting up a fight, and even if all his plans turned to ash, he would accept it.
"If I'm not mistaken, this boy isn't a Devil," Akira noted calmly.
"Regulus's identity is very special," Sairaorg said slowly, glancing at the "masked youth" beside him.
"Since he's already here, let's do this together."
"Lord Akira, this is..."
"He's a weapon, isn't he? And a weapon is essentially a part of its master's power. I'm not using a weapon because you haven't been able to force me to use one yet—it doesn't mean I'm forbidding you from using yours."
"...."
Silence fell over the arena. The words were cutting, but to Sairaorg, they were perfectly logical. Because his opponent was so strong, Sairaorg couldn't even keep up with his rhythm. If the opponent hadn't been showing him respect, he might have been killed at the very start.
Now that his opponent had said so, if he continued to cling to his so-called "pride," it would just be foolishness.
"Very well, Lord Akira. In that case, allow me to exert everything I have to satisfy you."
"I'm looking forward to it."
With Sairaorg's strength alone, it was almost impossible to secure his reputation or climb any higher. But with the addition of a Longinus, the situation changed entirely.
The reason a Longinus was called a "God-Slaying Tool" was that, upon reaching its extreme stage, the weapon possessed the potential to kill a God. Even if the probability was small, compared to the "zero" chance most people had, that tiny possibility was terrifying.
"Regulus..."
"Yes, Lord Sairaorg!"
Boom!
A massive surge of mana exploded. Between Sairaorg and Regulus, energy was released in a violent wave, and flashes of golden lightning began to flicker.
Click!
Suddenly, Regulus's body began to distort, his limbs bending at unnatural angles.
Whoosh!
His original clothes were torn to shreds as his body dropped into a crouch. Golden fur shimmered under the sunlight. His arms and legs transformed into powerful paws and hind legs.
Roar!
A lion that looked as if it were sculpted from pure gold appeared in the arena. The sight immediately sent shockwaves through the crowd.
"That's not a Peerage member... that's a Sacred Gear?"
Rias was stunned. She hadn't expected the quiet youth by Sairaorg's side to be anything other than human, let alone a living Sacred Gear.
Flash!
The giant golden lion transformed into a streak of light and merged into Sairaorg's body.
"O my lion! King of Nemea! You who are called the 'Lion King,' respond to my rage and become my battle armor!!!"
"Balance Breaker: Regulus Rey Leather Rex!"
Boom!
A ferocious mana burst forth instantly. Above the arena, a "mushroom cloud" of raging energy rose from the ground.
Akira shifted his gaze slightly. Now, with the boost from the Balance Breaker, Sairaorg's combat power was sufficient to rival the Maou-Class.
The Longinus 『Regulus Nemea』 was the Nemean Lion from Greek mythology. After its previous wielder died, the Longinus had moved on its own to slay the enemy, eventually meeting Sairaorg and reincarnating as a Devil using seven Pawn pieces (with the remaining one being a Mutation Piece). It could transform into either a giant lion or a battle-axe.
"Oh...?"
"Now, show me your strength. Don't disappoint me again."
"As you wish!"
Bang!
His speed was incredible. Compared to his previous full power, Sairaorg's current improvement was staggering. Clad in his golden lion armor, he truly looked the part of a "Lion King."
Clang!
With one powerful punch, Akira was actually forced back several steps. Though his defense remained unbroken, compared to before, this was a massive leap in power.
"Interesting. Truly interesting. Sairaorg, as a former wielder of a Longinus, I understand it well. Your power comes from your feelings; it is your will. Tell me, what is it that you truly desire?"
"What do I desire? I want to be strong! To reach the pinnacle! Then I will become a Maou, and with my will, I will change the Underworld as it is today. I want to create a world that doesn't look at family background—a world where anyone with strength can make their dreams a reality!"
Voom!
This was Sairaorg's conviction, his feelings, his will, and his resolve. And 『Regulus Nemea』 responded to him. His power and mana began to spike rapidly. Even though this would place an immense burden on his body, at this moment, Sairaorg only cared about becoming stronger.
Bang!
For the first time, Akira responded with an attack of his own. The two men's fists collided.
"Good, Sairaorg. Since this is your ambition, let me see if you have the qualifications to achieve it. I will test you myself."
"That is exactly what I hoped for!"
Clang!
The collision of their fists, despite being flesh against flesh, produced a sound like clashing steel.
The majority of the people in the high stands were shocked. They never imagined Sairaorg was hiding an ace like this—turning a Sacred Gear into a Peerage member and then utilizing it as armor.
This caused Sairaorg's reputation, already established as the leader of the Four Young Kings, to soar even higher.
His goal had been achieved. With Shin Akira's help, he was demonstrating his power to elevate his authority.
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