On the other side of the Battle Lab.
"Sister, are you going out?" Standing beside Kikyo, Kaede looked up at the darkened sky, where ominous clouds roiled and red thunder beasts galloped within the looming storm. Her face was unusually serious; she had always enjoyed bouncing around freely, but today, an unexpected quietness settled over her.
She carried the quiver over and handed it to Kikyo, her gaze now filled with unwavering determination.
"Um." Kikyo nodded, glancing at her sister before a gentle smile appeared. She took the quiver, then reached out and softly stroked Kaede's hair.
Initially, Kikyo had been inside the house learning to make clothes. But suddenly, a fierce vibration shook the village, her face darkened at the demonic aura streaking across the sky. She quickly put aside her sewing tools.
Kikyo sensed that the demonic energy outside was becoming chaotic, and then she felt a powerful aura emanating from Sebastian. Instantly, her eyes burned with murderous intent. She would not let Sebastian face this alone.
"I will stay home and wait for your return!" With her quiver strapped on her back, Kikyo took a step forward and galloped toward Sebastian.
In her heart, Kikyo had always considered her younger sister Kaede her most precious person in the world. But since Sebastian appeared, his presence had added a new, vital place in her heart. Watching Sebastian's tall figure and star-like eyes, Kikyo grasped an arrow from her quiver.
"It's been a long time since I fought alongside Brother Sebastian!" She tightened her grip on the bow and arrow, a peaceful smile spreading across her face. Even if her role was small, sharing a burden with Sebastian was the greatest honor.
"Wait for me!" Just as Kikyo was rushing toward Sebastian, she heard Tsubaki's voice.
Suddenly, Tsubaki appeared from behind, clutching a short halberd, her expression sharp as she approached quickly.
Seeing Kikyo stop, Tsubaki stepped beside her and provocatively said, "Whoever kills the most monsters wins. How about it?"
Since becoming Sebastian's disciple, Tsubaki had set a new goal: to become his best disciple. Because she had joined later, she was currently the second disciple. This fueled her competitive spirit, especially since she didn't want to lose to her former junior sister.
"As you wish." Kikyo agreed without hesitation.
Though she generally had few desires, being the senior sister was one of the few things she truly cared about.
Tsubaki was momentarily surprised by Kikyo's quick acceptance. She knew Kikyo well, calm, peaceful, never seeking conflict or provoking trouble. Her sudden eagerness to compete was unexpected, yet beneath her composed exterior, Tsubaki saw a fierce fighting spirit ignite in her eyes. It was the first time she'd seen Kikyo show such determination.
A grin spread across Tsubaki's face. "This victory will be mine!"
Meanwhile, Jaken, hidden among the monster army, watched the scene with some surprise.
Facing the joint assault of the strongest Thunder Beast Brothers, Sebastian remained unfazed, his expression relaxed and almost indifferent, like this was all beneath his notice.
Finally, Sebastian moved. Countless chains materialized out of thin air around him, encasing him completely. A roar of a dragon echoed through the heavens as his form transformed into crimson armor, Incursio.
That murderous aura from earlier was nothing compared to what now radiated from him.
Sebastian had just revealed his fangs and claws when a fierce crimson thunder beast descended from the clouds, rushing toward him. The ground beneath Sebastian's feet scorched black from the intense heat, and a violent explosion sent black ashes billowing into the air, swirling into dark smoke.
"Did that do it?" Manten's eyes flicked into the smoke with some excitement, but nothing moved inside. "Looks like Sebastian is just making a name for himself..."
Gradually, a crimson figure emerged from the smoke. It was Sebastian.
Incursio could evolve continuously, adapting to dangerous environments, including lightning storms, of course.
"I've faced worse than your Thunderbolt," Sebastian said lazily, as if the mere presence of his opponents bored him.
"How, how is this possible?!" Before Manten could finish, screams pierced the air from behind the monster army.
"Ah! Ah! Ah!"
"Monster! Monster!"
"Help! Run! Run!"
Amidst the chaos, screams echoed endlessly.
"What's happening?!"
The Thunder Beast brothers turned, horror-struck, to see a group of strangely dressed figures appearing among the monsters.
Leading them was a massive skeleton. Ainz and his subordinates from the Great Tomb of Nazarick had opened a portal and arrived.
"When you see Ainz and Sebastian, why aren't you kneeling?!" Demiurge, standing beside Ainz, demanded.
At his command, tens of thousands of monsters immediately knelt in unison. They felt as if an invisible boulder pressed down on them, rendering their limbs immobile, Demiurge's signature ability, forcing lower creatures to obey his words.
"Help Sebastian clean up this mess," Ainz ordered, producing a magic scroll. He flicked his fingers, and a burst of light erupted, transforming into giant, fiery dragons that danced wildly through the forest.
The monsters engulfed in flames were devoured instantly, their bodies sizzling under the intense heat, skin popping as they melted away.