I Was Reincarnated with OP Invincibility, so I’ll Beat ’em Up My Way as an Action-Adventurer

116. The True Demon General

A girl in a gothic lolita dress.

A giant of rock.

A boy clad entirely in black, resembling a reaper.

I was facing off against the three Demon Generals.

They might aim for Lilith or Alice instead of me, like before, so I couldn’t afford to shift my focus from them.

The generals, seemingly unsure how to strike, stood motionless, their eyes locked on me.

An eerie silence flowed through the otherworldly space.

──I reassessed the situation.

First, our defenses were solid.

I had layered [Armor Phase], a protective barrier, over both myself and Lilith and Alice.

As long as two instances of the skill overlapped with staggered timings, no one could exploit a gap in its duration.

“The problem is… offense.”

I muttered to myself.

Our main means of attack was through reflecting the enemy’s attacks.

Which meant, until the Demon Generals attacked, I couldn’t do anything.

If we waited long enough, this space might collapse on its own, taking the Demon Generals with it.

Or would my focus slip before that happened, weakening my defenses—and giving them an opening to strike?

I kept my tension high, observing their every move.

Then──a sudden roar shattered the silence.

“What…!?”

It wasn’t Meriel, Victim, or Zarea.

Was there another general still lurking?

My nerves tightened further, but—

“No, this is—”

The tension drained from me immediately.

This was different.

It wasn’t an enemy.

It felt… warmer.

Another deafening boom followed, accompanied by the sound of something shattering.

A part of the space cracked open, revealing a shadowy figure, outlined in dark blue.

“We meet again… Haruto.”

A mask resembling a wolf’s face.

An armor covering the entire body.

A long, swaying tail.

It was someone who could only be called a Beast Knight.

“Jack…!?”

※

Before the Demon King, the battlefield unfolded like a vision.

The clash between the Demon Generals and the one bearing the power of the Goddess of Protection, Ilpharia, played out in the space he had created.

Meriel’s magic.

Victim’s massive fists.

Zarea’s scythe.

All of it was reflected by the rainbow-colored barrier Haruto conjured, without inflicting a single scratch.

It was an absolute defense.

Impenetrable.

“As expected of one who wields divine power… Even Demon Generals can’t make this easy.”

The Demon King growled, directing his gaze forward.

“What about your side, Io? Any progress?”

A slender figure emerged with the sound of soft footsteps.

A teenage girl with flowing black hair styled into twin buns.

Though her appearance suggested youth, she was, of course, a demon—her true age hidden behind her looks.

One of her eyes glimmered red, the other a dazzling gold.

“The one bearing the power of Ga Zegalia Fio—Vanessa Millet—has been located. We know both her identity and whereabouts. We’re still tracking the other target.”

The girl called Io reported in a businesslike tone as she approached the throne.

Her cold beauty betrayed no emotion, as if she were a living doll.

“I see. You’ve made good progress.”

“The one with the power of Arda El, Sephiria Rize. Once we bring those two under our control…”

“…we can begin. The war between gods and demons.”

The Demon King murmured with deep satisfaction.

“We’ve lost several Demon Generals to those with divine power, though.”

“I am still here, Your Majesty.”

Io’s voice remained emotionless, but there was a faint trace of passion in her words.

“The other generals are mere pawns. They aren’t decisive factors in this war against the gods. But I am different.”

“Indeed.”

“I am the true Demon General, loyal to Your Majesty’s will and executing it without fail—the only one of my kind in the demon realm.”

Pride and confidence radiated from Io’s words, and the Demon King nodded in satisfaction.

“As long as you remain, everything will proceed as needed.”

The other five Demon Generals were, in the end, replaceable pieces.

To the Demon King, Io alone was his true confidante.

“In the coming battles, I expect you to perform well. I am counting on you, Io.”

“I will exceed your expectations, Your Majesty—or rather…”

For the first time, Io’s face softened into a smile.

“…Father.”

It was not the smile of a Demon General.

It was the smile of a daughter toward her father.

The Demon King gave a slight nod in return.

And then, his brow furrowed.

“──Hmm!?”

He had sensed a new presence.

A powerful being was approaching the sealed space from the outside.

An isolated realm where no one should be able to enter.

Yet someone was forcing their way in, shattering the barrier with sheer strength.

A knight in dark blue armor.

No—

A Beast Knight.

“The presence of Vim Force… Another wielder of divine power?”

But something felt strange.

The newly arrived Beast Knight gave off an unstable aura.

As if his immense power were clouded—or perhaps…

“Shall I go, Your Majesty?”

Io stepped forward.

“With the power of [Cocytus Gate], even one bearing divine power—”

“No. Your power must not be used lightly.”

The Demon King shook his head.

“Leave this to the other generals. If they win, good. If they lose, that is also fine—”