"Hmph, do you believe my only trump card is this magic sword? You are indeed strong, able to match me in combat. I must acknowledge that. But what if there were two of me?" As Yamza spoke, the bracelet on his left arm suddenly flared with light, and another Yamza materialized beside him.
"This is a magic artifact, the Mirror Armlet. Well, do you concede your defeat now?" With a duplicate of himself, Yamza appeared exceedingly confident.
"And what of it? You are but an ant. What difference does one more make?" Hearing his arrogant words, Esdeath laughed at his ignorance.
"Then, die!" Both Yamzas declared, charging at Esdeath with their magic swords.
"Hmph, a paltry trick. Allow me to utterly crush your hopes. Mahapdama!" As Esdeath's words fell, time and space within a kilometer radius, centered on Esdeath, began to solidify. The charging Yamzas froze in place.
Only Takeru, whose power vastly exceeded Esdeath's and who also understood Mahapdama, remained unaffected. Milim, too, experienced no restriction, curiously observing the frozen spacetime.
"What is this? How peculiar. Yet, it seems not entirely stable." Sensing the changes around her, Milim remarked.
"This is Esdeath's trump card. It can freeze spacetime. However, against those whose power far surpasses hers or who possess special abilities, it may prove ineffective." Hearing Milim's words, Takeru stated frankly.
Beatrice, Ram, and Rem, also within the frozen zone, though their consciousness remained clear, sensed their movements restricted. Even if they forcibly broke free, it would require time.
Esdeath, sensing her own immense consumption, dared not linger. She gazed at the defenseless Yamza, materialized an ice blade, and severed both his duplicates' heads.
Having done so, she rapidly dispelled Mahapdama. She was now somewhat breathless.
Though her power had increased, perhaps the expansive range and the numerous beings encompassed within her frozen spacetime imposed a tremendous burden. Moreover, had either Takeru or Milim deliberately attempted to break free, she could not have maintained it for an instant.
"Wh-why?!" The running Yamza suddenly felt weakness overtaking him. Blood gushed from his neck. Then, his head abruptly flew from his shoulders.
Gazing at his own familiar yet unfamiliar body, Yamza was utterly bewildered. He did not understand. It seemed his consciousness had momentarily paused. Yet, when he regained awareness, he was decapitated.
Bearing immense confusion, Yamza's consciousness completely faded into slumber.
"Ants should recognize their place as ants." Looking at the deceased Yamza, Esdeath spoke calmly.
"Esdeath-nee, may I have this corpse?" With Yamza's demise, Kurome, licking her lips, excitedly approached Esdeath.
"Provided Takeru has no objection. However, I claim his magic sword and that magic artifact." Hearing Kurome's words, Esdeath naturally understood Kurome intended to make Yamza a puppet for her Yatsufusa.
"Takeru-sama!" Hearing Esdeath's words, Kurome excitedly ran to Takeru.
"I understand." Seeing Kurome's expectant gaze, Takeru nodded indulgently.
The requirement that the target be slain by Yatsufusa to be controllable as a puppet posed no difficulty for Takeru. Whether through time retrace or the necromancy magic he had just acquired, it was easily accomplished.
However, concerned that necromancy might yield an imperfect result, Takeru had Kurome prepare and directly employed his Rewind ability on Yamza's corpse.
Soon, Yamza's head reattached to his body. Before his consciousness could react, Kurome again slew him with Yatsufusa.
Thus, before everyone's eyes, Yamza experienced repeated deaths. Yet, as his consciousness never fully awakened, he was spared the agony of repeated dying.
Takeru and Kurome's actions intrigued Milim. She had not known Takeru could revive the dead… true resurrection, not mere necromancy.
"Well then, Clayman awaits. Let us proceed." With no further resistance in this area, Takeru, unwilling to waste more time, spoke to everyone.
"What of her?" Hearing Takeru's words, everyone turned to Mjurran, now restrained and transformed into her Majin form.
"We shall bring her along for now." Hearing Felt's inquiry, Takeru stated directly.
Any discourse with Mjurran now was meaningless… Clayman could execute her at any moment. Matters were best addressed after dealing with Clayman.
No one objected to Takeru's words. Due to the deployed barrier, teleportation was impossible. They could only fly. Fortunately, the castle was not far, and with their capabilities, they would reach their destination within minutes.
Soon, Takeru and his entourage arrived at the castle, proceeding directly to the hall. Clayman awaited them there. Any soldiers who attempted to obstruct were either frozen solid or torn asunder.
"Milim, we have no conflict. Yet today, you have brought others to invade my domain. Is this not unreasonable?" As Takeru's group entered, Clayman directly targeted Milim.
"This has nothing to do with me. I merely find this amusing and came to observe. Believe it or not." Hearing his words, Milim spoke succinctly.
Seeing Milim utterly disregard him, Clayman seethed with rage. Yet, mindful of her power, he restrained himself.
"Thus, they are unrelated to you. If I slay them, you shall not intervene, correct?" Taking a deep breath, Clayman regained his cold smile.
"Of course. If you are capable." Hearing his words, Milim revealed an enigmatic smile.
"Very well. Then the rest of you. Suddenly invading my domain… is this not excessive?" Though Milim's words stirred an ominous premonition, Clayman ignored it and turned his gaze to Takeru and the others.
"You speak of excess, Clayman? I need not reintroduce myself. While I reformed the Kingdom of Falmuth, you repeatedly interfered. You provoked me first." Hearing Clayman's counter-accusation, Takeru found it almost amusing.
"Hmph! You seized the Kingdom of Falmuth through despicable means. I merely enacted divine justice on its behalf!" Hearing Takeru's words, Clayman retorted without backing down.
"Your words hold some truth. However, this was a personal dispute between myself and the Kingdom of Falmuth. They provoked me first. I merely eliminated the dregs. Subsequently, unable to bear the commoners' suffering, I enacted reforms, strengthening Falmuth..."
"Well, enough. Discourse with one such as you is futile. You cannot even trust your own subordinates. Expecting you to comprehend governance for the people is pointless. Since we are both Demon Lords, let strength decide." Looking at Clayman, Takeru spoke calmly.
Hearing Takeru's words, Clayman took a deep breath. He knew such verbal sparring was meaningless for beings like them.
Moreover, Takeru had deployed an expansive barrier upon arrival. This conflict would yield but one victor. The narrative of events would be penned by the survivor.
Thinking this, he rapidly snapped his fingers. The small fox resting nearby rapidly expanded, its body emanating a powerful golden mana aura.
"Owooo!" Transformed into a two-meter-tall fox, it snarled menacingly at Takeru and the others.
Subsequently, Clayman's shadow elongated, and from it emerged a four-armed mechanical puppet.
Then, Kamara manifested two monsters. One resembled a rabbit, the other, a monkey. The monkey wielded a staff-like wand.
With these two new monsters divided from it, Kamara's tail reduced from three to one.