Those writhing flesh masses stopped proliferating and instead began to contract, finally forming a humanoid shape.
White long hair danced as four massive long horns stood atop that figure's head, four black wings spread behind, proving his devil identity.
The lower half was pitch black, but the upper half and face were covered in wrinkles as if soaked in water for a long time, with the grooves of the wrinkles filled with twisted black markings.
No introduction needed, no guessing required - that overwhelming presence that made one involuntarily look up could prove the opponent's identity.
Undoubtedly the strongest life form in this world, Devil King Lucifero.
Even with only about two-thirds of his magic power descended, the oppression produced after his body formed still had a suffocating feeling.
Lucifero slowly raised his head and opened his black eyes.
"All of you are far too... presumptuous!"
He extended one finger, and his cupped palm immediately fell down.
Just this simple action caused the earth to shatter thunderously. The castle that had already been devastated to mere ruins was instantly razed to the ground.
And everyone was directly crushed by the powerful gravity, all prostrating on the ground. Even Charles was pressed down on one knee.
A drop of sweat hit the ground as Charles supported his body with slightly trembling arms.
As Charles had said to Lucius before, battles between magic users were battles of magic power, and clearly in pure magic power, Lucifero was stronger than himself.
So he didn't use any fancy magic at all, simply suppressing him with gravity alone.
However, Charles wasn't someone who would give up so easily. As flames flickered uncertainly on his body, he stood up again.
Despite knowing many things in advance, he had failed to nip the danger in the bud due to hesitation. Charles had to admit this was his mistake.
Perhaps there was also the arrogant mentality of "I can handle whatever situation arises," which led to the situation developing to this extent.
Charles exhaled - he had never been good at strategy.
As a fellow child raised by Igneel, Charles should be proud that he hadn't grown up like Natsu.
So Charles had never placed his hope for solving problems on foreknowledge of the plot. He only trusted his own strength, so Charles had never stopped getting stronger.
And the result was that even against a Lucifero stronger than in the original plot, Charles had the ability to fight and the possibility of victory.
"Oh~ an ant can still stand before me. A mere ant... how disrespectful!"
Lucifero's face showed no expression. Being offended by an ant naturally wouldn't evoke any strong emotions. But that didn't mean he wouldn't react.
So he pointed his finger at Charles, and even more powerful gravity fell upon him.
Charles's waist involuntarily bent as the ground cracked open, his feet sinking deeply into it.
But Charles didn't fall. Despite bearing such powerful pressure, a smile appeared on his face.
"Whether regret or fear, I won't be affected by these emotions. The enemy is right before me - there's only one thing to do!
I... am fired up!"
Flames began breaking through gravity's suppression to burn. The next moment Charles appeared before Lucifero, striking with Fire Dragon's Iron Fist.
Lucifero showed a surprised expression, then looked grimly at his chest. At the point of contact with Charles's fist, a wisp of smoke rose, with clear scorch marks appearing on the pale wrinkled skin.
He hadn't used any defensive measures at all, relying solely on powerful magic power and his physical body to weaken most of Charles's attack power.
That was still Charles's full-strength strike - if it were someone else, the attack might have had no effect at all.
This was the despairing predicament brought by too large a gap in magic power.
Charles had naturally been mentally prepared for this long ago and wasn't shaken at all, simply throwing another punch.
"Flame God Dragon's Crushing Fist!"
The flames of destruction from Flame God Dragon Ignia triggered changes in his Noble Phantasm. Evil Dragon's armor plates became more ferocious, actually emitting dragon roars as the fist advanced.
But this punch was ultimately blocked. Lucifero raised his palm, using it to block Charles's fist.
The power of destructive flames was as always - even the Devil King's palm was incinerated. But as Lucifero input magic power, his palm quickly returned to normal and the destructive flames were suppressed back.
"Human, although your magic power is barely acceptable, your presumption ends here!"
Saying this, Lucifero raised his other hand to grab Charles.
But this hand was blocked by a pitch-black broad sword.
Charles showed a slight smile, "I knew you could keep up, kid!"
Asta in devil assimilation also smiled, then looked at Lucifero with killing intent.
"So you're the one who killed our mother?"
Lucifero said disdainfully, "I don't know trash like you who doesn't even have magic power."
Saying this, Lucifero's magic power erupted, sending both Charles and Asta flying.
"Only you are absolutely unforgivable!"
Asta roared and swung the Demon-Slayer Sword, directly cutting through that massive magic power, then slashed at Lucifero.
But this spirited strike was easily caught by Lucifero with his hand.
At the palm's edge, a drop of blood fell. Anti-magic power was just that unreasonable - even the Devil King was injured by it.
Unlike being hurt by Charles earlier, Charles at least possessed powerful magic power worthy of his attention, but being injured by a magicless piece of trash was unacceptable to Lucifero.
Visible ferocity and distortion appeared on his face as Lucifero said angrily, "The unforgivable ones are you! Interfering with my complete manifestation and daring to make me bleed!
Magicless fool, how dare you!"
Asta couldn't see Lucifero's movements at all before taking a punch to the face and flying out spinning.
His brain went blank, his vision blurred from the impact, and he could only vaguely see Lucifero's figure approaching.
In Asta's crisis, Charles arrived just in time, crossing both arms to block Lucifero's fist. Charles flipped and delivered Fire Dragon's Hook Claw to kick Lucifero.
Lucifero only stepped back two steps while Charles was sent flying from the impact. Even so, Charles didn't interrupt his attack, opening his mouth to breathe Fire Dragon's Roar.
White flames with an orange-red core surged out, exploding thunderously upon hitting Lucifero.
These were Charles's own blazing flames, released at full power, raising the temperature considerably in the perpetually winter Spade Kingdom.
A hand extended from the exploding flames, tearing through them as Lucifero appeared again. The burn marks on his body had already mostly healed.
"Human, you can be praised for doing this much! But humans are humans - just despair and prostrate before me!"
Saying this, Lucifero came before Charles who had just steadied himself and heavily punched him flying.
Charles crashed heavily into the ground and spat out blood, the dull pain in his chest indicating broken ribs.
Stella moved over with difficulty, supporting the nearly falling Charles, "Are you okay?"
Charles shook his head, "A bit bad. My injuries don't matter, but we can't win continuing like this."
Although in the original plot Asta had created a miracle and slain Lucifero with everyone's assistance.
But this Lucifero was much stronger, and for a battle that was already won under extreme conditions, what was added wasn't just a straw.
Charles sighed, then poured a bottle of Panacea into his mouth and handed another potion to Stella.
"There's only one way now. Stella, use this to help me level up."
Stella took the potion, knowing what Charles was going to do.
Charles tore open his shirt, revealing the Hephaistos Familia emblem on his back. He was going to complete his level breakthrough here.
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