Baal slashed his sword diagonally. That movement, which seemed like a simple swing,
Turned into aura and flew towards Frondier, clashing with his small sword and scattering.
"You have a good sword. Doesn't suit you."
Baal spoke with a cold gaze.
Frondier thought it was an extremely accurate statement.
Including the small sword, he had many things that didn't suit him.
Mizonas had used his claws to launch aura, and Baal's sword itself was aura. The principles were probably similar.
Frondier replicated the small sword and held it in his left hand. He intended to use the dual swords he had used against Belphegor again.
Baal made a sound as if intrigued.
A sword had appeared in Frondier's empty hand, which had nothing before. And it was the same sword. It didn't seem to be made of aura either.
Baal's body shot towards Frondier. His speed was similar to Marco's.
Then came a barrage of attacks. Frondier swung both hands to meet the attacks.
But Frondier was being pushed back.
Frondier, whose swordsmanship had improved while being beaten by Azier. His defensive skills had now reached the level of a master.
However, his offense wasn't quite there yet. He was used to dealing with Azier's attacks, but his own offensive skills were developing more slowly.
Baal realized this after a few clashes of swords. Now that he knew Frondier wasn't as good at attacking as he was at defending, his attacks became more daring, and Frondier found it even harder to cope.
'In terms of swordsmanship alone, he's better than Belphegor...!'
As expected of the King of Hell. The number 1 of the 72 Demons was more skilled than Frondier had anticipated. Of course, number 1 was just an order, not a ranking.
Moreover, since he shared a name with one of the Seven Deadly Sins, his martial prowess wouldn't be completely unrelated.
The rhythm of Baal's barrage changed. The relentless momentum that had been trying to overwhelm Frondier's speed now seemed to have a breathing pattern, as if searching for an opening.
The sword that was about to strike down stopped mid-way and changed its trajectory, and between the slashing motions, he mixed in shoulder and footwork to make the timing difficult to grasp.
Frondier, sweating profusely, somehow managed to respond to the attacks, but he was clearly on the defensive.
However, Marco, who was watching the scene, naturally had a question.
'Why is he only fighting with swords?'
Marco had seen Frondier's skills until just now.
The enormous amount of Obsidian, and the weapons that were created and fired from all directions. Naturally, Frondier's formidable power came from there.
Frondier, who could single-handedly draw out power comparable to an army.
Even if he was facing Baal as an individual, it wasn't as if he couldn't use those attacks. On the contrary, he could probably deal with Baal more easily.
'...Something's strange. He's aiming for something.'
But Marco couldn't speak up now. Adding anything to Baal had never resulted in a good outcome.
Baal was the most prideful among the 72 Demons. Whether it was because he was number 1 or because of his title as the King of Hell.
Moreover, they were in the middle of a high-speed exchange. If Marco gave some clumsy advice, it could actually be dangerous.
As Marco was pondering,
One of Frondier's swords was knocked away. Baal, having read the trajectory of Frondier's defense, had twisted his own sword to deflect it.
Disappointment filled Baal's eyes. He had decent swordsmanship, but he couldn't even read such a simple feint.
Since Frondier had lost his sword, there was naturally an opening from his shoulder to his chest, starting from his empty hand.
Baal, without hesitation, thrust his sword towards that spot.
And Frondier hurriedly brought the sword in his remaining hand to meet Baal's sword,
──Because there was no way he couldn't read such a simple feint.
The aura sword Baal was holding fell from his hand.
Falling edge could be used at any time.
However, since he couldn't use it as perfectly as Azier, Frondier needed time to execute Falling edge.
And even if he succeeded, Falling edge often sent the opponent's sword flying, giving the opponent one last chance.
A chance to catch the sword that was floating in the air. In fact, Frondier had used that aspect of Falling edge to defeat the golem.
However, Baal was confident in his victory, and he had thrust his sword deeply.
If you used Falling edge by bringing your sword down on a thrusting sword, the sword that should fly up would be blocked by Frondier's blade,
And fall powerlessly to the ground.
Then did he drop his sword on purpose? Did he anticipate that I would twist my sword to deflect it from the beginning?
Baal gritted his teeth. He covered his entire body with aura.
Of course, he didn't have time to create another aura sword, but he had time to defend.
Even if there was an opening, he wouldn't be able to easily pierce his aura.
Baal, unlike Marco, was seeing Frondier for the first time.
Who he was facing right now.
Plating, Target 'Neil Jack's Dagger'
The Obsidian coated the small sword Frondier was holding.
Just like when the monsters in Yeranhes had been stained black.
Just like back then, when it had blocked almost all arrows and terrified the seasoned veterans who had seen it all with the monsters becoming even more ferocious.
The mana of Helheim cut through the opponent's aura.
"Are you a regenerative creature too?"
Frondier severed Baal's wrist. The very hand that Baal had dropped his sword from.
Baal screamed and retreated.
Marco watched the scene unfold.
'He saved all his offensive means to lure out that carelessness?'
Marco's certainty grew stronger.
Frondier was out of his mind. Not just by human standards, but even by demon standards.
Even from the perspective of demons, whose lives were valued far less than humans, no one would do something like that.
Moreover, there was still a question that remained.
'Why the wrist, of all places?'
Frondier could have dealt a much more fatal blow at that moment.
Severing one hand wouldn't stop Baal. Especially if it was cut off so cleanly, a severed hand would reattach quickly.
Even without Marco's level of regenerative ability, it was possible with enough time.
"You!! How dare you!!!"
Baal shouted. A power different from aura began to emanate from his body.
Seeing that, Marco shouted in surprise.
He had decided not to give Baal any advice, but this time, he felt an incredibly ominous premonition.
"W-Wait! Baal! Something's wrong!!"
But of course, Baal wouldn't listen to him.
A sinister and foul aura dwelled in his eyes before shooting towards Frondier.
The demonic power unleashed by the King of Hell.
Frondier watched the scene unfold.
His smile disappeared.
The cold sweat that had been running down his back vanished.
Everything had gone according to plan, so Frondier decided to drop the facade that didn't suit him.
Unlike Baal's murderous gaze, only indolence remained in Frondier's eyes.
──Become the King of Devils.
Frondier closed his eyes, then opened them again.