Chapter 134 - Ashura

Dagruel making his move was the signal for all the true powerhouses within the walls to move as well.

"Let's begin the plan."

At Hinata's words, Luminas, Granbell, Razul, and even Roy and Louise jumped from the top of the walls.

Luminas and Granbell had been briefed by Hinata, who was put semi-in charge of the entire operation due to her knowledge of the enemy. Granbell had his doubts about how Hinata was so knowledgeable regarding the giants' situation and numbers, but he kept them to himself.

The plan was simple: never allow the three brothers to remain near each other during the battle. If possible, eliminate, at the very least, the green-haired giant, Fenn.

As the most aggressive of the trio, his death would soften the dangers. That said, it was almost impossible for them to defeat Dagruel. Even Hinata, who had lived for tens of thousands of years, knew she couldn't stand against the being known as Continent's Wrath.

If she thought of anyone capable of defeating the giant, the answers would obviously be Citadel Rimuru, Citadel Velgrynd, or Chloe, who was currently in El Dorado. Unfortunately, she had received a different order from someone.

As they landed on the ground, they moved in unison toward their designated opponents. In front of Dagruel stood Hinata, Razul, and Louise.

Facing his brother Glassord in swordsmanship was the hero Granbell, while Luminas and Roy were up against the crazed giant Fenn, the youngest of the trio.

"Hm," Dagruel nodded, almost approving their plan. "I would have thought Luminas would join you in facing me." He stroked his chin as Luminas pushed back Fenn, the battle moving farther east, away from the main battlefield and into a clear field.

Hinata remained silent. She took a deep breath and readied her weapon. Having fought many beings over the span of millennia, she knew it was irrational to desire defeating Dagruel.

While she could not pose much of a challenge in terms of victory or defeat, she believed herself to be the best choice to keep him busy and slow him down.

Adding Razul, an Insectar, a race known for their tough exoskeletons, meant they could hold off the Demon Lord while the others dealt with his brothers.

Razul was the first to move, followed by Hinata. The Insectar had been briefed by Hinata on their plan and formation for fighting the massive monster.

He launched a swift kick at Dagruel's head. Dagruel easily blocked the strike and was about to counter when Hinata appeared behind him, aiming for his spine, forcing him to dodge as he sensed the danger.

Hinata and Razul stepped back as Dagruel looked at them with newfound amusement and excitement.

"Apologies. I thought this would be a boring battle. Turns out, I was mistaken."

The Continent's Wrath cracked his knuckles and lunged forward at Razul.

Luminas hadn't been happy with the plan when it was first presented to her. As the Demon Lord of the group, she had expected to participate in fighting a fellow Demon Lord.

Yes, she understood she wasn't a good match for a True Giant, given that magic nullification was one of their intrinsic abilities. But she could have at least acted as support for Hinata.

She had the ability to revive people for a reason! Yet, even with that argument, Hinata shut it down and told her to focus on the rascal, the most malevolent of the brothers.

"You must be Luminas?" Fenn grinned, his fist inches from her face. "Dagruel really had a hard time fighting a little girl like you?"

Luminas remained silent, not letting Fenn feel the joy of his taunts working on her. Though in truth, they were, deeply.

With Roy firing magic as a distraction, Luminas was more than able to go toe-to-toe with the chained giant. Her sword glowed brightly each time it made contact with Fenn's fist.

Each blow damaged the surroundings, shattered ground, cracked stone, a sign of their power and the level they stood at, near the top of the world's hierarchy.

Luminous Valentine, the daughter of Twilight and the Queen of the Vampires.

Fenn, once part of the Wicked God, and brother to the Demon Lord Dagruel.

Their clash continued, each strike heavier than the last. Sparks flew. Wind howled around them from the force of their blows.

Quietly, Luminas drew on her newly awakened powers from Ciel.

"I'll evolve your skills. You'll need this for the upcoming fight."

She remembered the seraph's words as her Unique Skill, Lust, evolved into the Ultimate Skill: Asmodeus, a power that controlled life and death, leaning more toward the life side.

It was an ability similar to Testarossa's, though hers leaned toward death.

Fenn was getting angrier as the fight dragged on. Both he and Luminas were gaining new wounds with every strike they failed to block or dodge.

But what really burned at him was how someone like her could cut through his skin.

It didn't make sense.

Every time her blade touched him, it wasn't just pain, it felt like his strength was draining from his body. For someone as proud as him, it was humiliating.

A little farther away, Granbell was locked in a sword fight with the giant named Glassord. Both were skilled swordsmen and fought as such, each strike showing years of experience and precision.

"That damn woman actually boosted my abilities..." Granbell muttered, gritting his teeth as he remembered Ciel.

He hated it, hated that even at his prime, he was only holding even with the giant. His pride stopped him from fully using the new power he had been given. If he did, he'd have the upper hand. But he couldn't bring himself to use it, not yet.

Their swords clashed again and again, the sound of metal ringing across the battlefield.

Granbell's Ultimate Skill, Sariel, was close in nature to Luminous's Asmodeus. A power centered around life, it had allowed him to bring his body back to its prime state.

Still, even with all that power, he couldn't stop one thought from creeping in.

If only I could've brought back Maria...

He knew it wasn't possible. But that didn't stop him from wishing it was.

Finally taking the fight as seriously as he could, Granbell raised his blade.

"True Slash."

Glassord, sensing the impending danger, felt a cold shiver crawl down his spine. He poured everything he had into evading the blow. Just barely, the blade scraped across his side as he leapt away with a heavy grunt.

The trail of destruction left by the attack carved deep into the battlefield, continuing behind him, cutting through terrain and decimating the giant army that had stood in formation

"Life Drain." Hinata muttered under her breath as she pierced through Dagruel's skin.

A low, guttural groan escaped the giant's mouth as she swiftly withdrew and jumped back, dodging his swinging arm by inches.

Razul rushed in without hesitation, taking advantage of the opening. He struck behind Dagruel's knee with precision, the hit causing the massive leg to buckle. Dagruel stumbled, just for a moment, but it was enough.

Hinata pressed the attack, moving quickly, her slashes and thrusts hitting across Dagruel's upper body.

"An ability to weaken?" Dagruel muttered, parrying one strike while bracing for another. "No... it's different somehow..."

He narrowed his eyes, just in time to see Razul moving in from behind again.

He noticed Razul sneaking from behind and, with a swift movement, Dagruel successfully landed a powerful blow to his body, sending him flying away.

A powerful gust of wind followed the impact, rushing past Hinata's face as Razul was flung through the air by the force of the blow.

She didn't flinch.

No reaction crossed her face as her ally flew past. She stayed focused, unshaken, her eyes fixed on Dagruel's rising form in the distance.

Her mission was clear. She had to stall him, wear him down. They needed more time to deal with the others.

Fenn, bloodied, coughed as he heaved. With Roy's death and Luminas bound by the chains Gleipnir, he felt himself close to passing out. Luminas' ability had nearly destroyed his very soul, draining the life from his very being.

He looked around as Luminas continued trying to escape the chains. His eyes turned to his brother Glassord, who found himself in a stalemate with the hero Granbell.

Even Dagruel, who had been fighting with a clear advantage against Hinata and the Insectar Razul, could sense that, for some reason, his very soul and magicules were slowly disappearing every time the Holy Knight woman managed to strike his flesh.

"Damn it!" he cursed as he charged at Granbell, who barely managed to react. "Glassord, to Elder Brother, hurry!"

Glassord, shocked to see Fenn so heavily injured, nodded and grabbed him, carrying him toward Dagruel. Granbell hurriedly chased after them, his sword raised high as it began to glow.

"Melt Slash!"

Seeing the attack coming as Fenn was being carried, Glassord grabbed a nearby giant and tossed him into the path of the incoming strike. While the giant didn't manage to block the attack, becoming yet another victim, Glassord managed to dodge out of the way just before the blade could reach them.

Seeing Dagruel a few dozen meters away, Glassord jumped as high as he could with all his strength. Grabbing Fenn, he tossed him toward Dagruel before beginning to fall as well.

Luminas, finally breaking free of the chains, ran toward Hinata.

"Hinata, above!"

Hinata, hearing the warning, looked up instinctively, just as Dagruel and Razul did. Unfortunately, Dagruel reacted first. He slammed Razul to the ground and sent Hinata flying with a powerful kick.

"Unseal..."

Power began to well up within Dagruel's body. Watching this, Hinata couldn't help but curse, they had failed to prevent the worst-case scenario.

"Trinity!"

A dazzling light surrounded Dagruel as Fenn and Glassord joined him.

"We need to retreat. I'll contact Chloe, so-"

(That won't be necessary.)

"This voice...? Ciel, is that you?" Hinata asked, confused by the sudden thought communication. "Listen, Dagruel is already transforming, we need backup here."

(He is already on his way.)

"He?" Hinata repeated, unable to imagine Rimuru personally coming, especially at this stage of the war. "Who is it?"

Then, as the light dispersed, a three-headed, six-armed giant born from the age of mythology unveiled himself.

"Now, let us finish this."

Dagruel marched forward, each step sending small quakes through the surroundings, welcoming the return of the God of Destruction, the being said to have only been defeated by Veldanava himself.

"Kuahahaha!"

A loud laugh echoed through the air as everyone looked up. The massive figure of a storm personified loomed high above them.

"Dagruel, it's been a while, hasn't it?"

Dagruel's eyes shifted upward, tracking the giant dragon as it slowly descended toward them, wings beating through the air with a powerful force.

"Veldora... I thought you died."

"Kuahahaha! My death is greatly exaggerated!"

With a sudden flap of his wings, Veldora landed with a heavy thud, shaking the earth beneath him. He transformed into his humanoid form, a confident grin plastered across his face. Without missing a beat, he pointed directly at Dagruel.

"How about we end our rivalry now?"

A/N: A little shorter than normal, honestly I am not that motivated in writing this battle.