Lucifero didn't know what Charles was planning to do, but he instinctively felt he couldn't let Charles have his way.
Charles also sensed Lucifero's almost tangible killing intent and shouted loudly, "Asta, you can still fight, right!"
Asta transformed into a black meteor, dragging a black trail as he crashed straight into Lucifero.
Facing Asta's anti-magic slash, even Lucifero chose to dodge, naturally unable to continue approaching Charles.
"I have a way to fight him, but I need two minutes!"
Although anti-magic was effective against Lucifero, that didn't mean Asta could stand on the same level as Lucifero.
Though he had never given up the idea of defeating Lucifero, Asta also understood he was no match for Lucifero at all.
Two minutes didn't sound long, but blocking Lucifero for two minutes was easier said than done.
But Asta still showed a determined expression. He believed in Charles - if he said he would have power to match Lucifero after two minutes, then he definitely would.
Since that was the case, all he could do was give everything to fight for these two minutes.
But determination alone wasn't enough. The next moment, Lucifero's heavy punch brought Asta back to reality.
Although anti-magic weakened all magic power that attacked Asta, Lucifero's punch still nearly knocked Asta out of devil assimilation.
With a muffled grunt, Asta crashed directly through the ground. Even leaning on the Demon-Slayer Sword, he couldn't stand up again, only able to kneel on the ground breathing heavily to recover his consciousness.
Just as Lucifero was about to bypass Asta and deal with Charles who was planning something unknown, another group of people blocked his way.
"When squad members are fighting desperately, how can we captains just watch!" Fuegoleon said with passionate intensity.
Mereoleona's body transformed into karmic fire as she struck her fists together, "Such an interesting battle - let us join in too!"
Yami shouldered the long sword made from Vangeance's remaining magic power and smiled, "Still talking about buying time - if you don't hurry up, I'll take all the credit this time!"
The strongest group in the Clover Kingdom, the Grand Magic Knights, entered battle.
But even Grand Magic Knight-level magic power could barely move under Lucifero's magic power and gravity suppression.
Everyone could fight thanks to Rill's magic.
"Picture Magic - Twilight Valhalla!"
That fantastical castle standing not far away and the fully armed Valkyries flying about were all magical creations of Rill's.
This magic named after the Hall of the Slain could enhance the magic power of allies within range, and within this range, no matter how severe the injuries, they wouldn't die.
Among the many support magics Charles had seen, this magic could rank among the top. Truly worthy of being the youngest squad captain.
With this magic's enhancement, the captains finally had the power to fight. As for others, they didn't even have the ability to enter the battlefield with insufficient magic power.
Mereoleona, Yami, and Jack, with the strongest fighting desire, charged up first.
"Scorching Heat Arm - Purgatory!"
"Dark Magic - Dark Bind - Lightless Slash!"
"Severing Magic - Death Scythe!"
The three's magic solidly hit Lucifero, but the result was couldn't burn, couldn't cut, couldn't slice through!
Even though Yami's dark magic was from the underworld, the absolute gap in magic power still prevented his attack from breaking through Lucifero's defense.
Lucifero's figure moved, sending Mereoleona flying first. Then Lucifero swung his fist, instantly shattering the blades on Jack's body as he fell bleeding.
Although Yami raised his sword to block Lucifero's kicked leg, the heavy force still sent him flying.
Fuegoleon and Nozel immediately attacked, spiral flames and mercury sharp spears striking Lucifero from left and right.
But it was useless - the magic unleashed at full power by two of the top captains couldn't even leave a trace on Lucifero.
The next instant, Lucifero grabbed both their faces with one hand each and threw them out.
Coral Peacock squad captain Dorothy tried to pull Lucifero into her dream world where she ruled, but couldn't do it and was directly smashed into the ground.
The captains couldn't even obstruct Lucifero and their defense line was easily broken through. Lucifero also came before Asta, who still hadn't stood up.
Just as he was about to eliminate this human who was the only one to make him feel shame and trouble, the figure before his eyes flickered and disappeared.
Two grimoires floated simultaneously as Yuno spoke, "Now you owe me a favor!"
"Star Magic - Conjunction!"
Using stars condensed from magic as coordinates, instantaneous movement could be achieved.
Besides the captains, there were still several people with enough magic power to move, and naturally one of them was Yuno.
Another was Mimosa. Wearing a floral robe, she pressed her hand against Asta's back, and his injuries began healing rapidly.
Having learned True Word techniques in the Heart Kingdom and studied ultimate magic in the elven sanctuary, Mimosa's healing magic now ranked among the world's finest.
Noelle, transformed into a Sea Dragon Valkyrie, stepped forward carrying a water flow lance, "Stupid Asta, what are you dawdling for!"
"I'm coming right now!"
The healed Asta stood up and joined Yuno and Noelle.
The three charged up together, beginning a group attack on Lucifero.
The wrinkles on Lucifero's face began to twist. These humans were like flies - though they couldn't harm him, they annoyed him immensely.
Growing more irritable, his attacks became more direct, but his fist was blocked by a shield formed by four stars.
A sword and spear took this opportunity to attack. Lucifero extended both arms, his heavy fists batting away both Asta and Noelle's attacks.
Yuno's Spirit of Zephyr battle axe thrust arrived a beat late but didn't avoid the fate of being shattered in one blow.
But at this moment behind Lucifero, Yami and Mereoleona had regrouped, the pitch-black long sword and karmic fire fists attacking together.
"You humans are truly unbearably annoying!"
Lucifero said angrily as his shoulders writhed and extended two more arms, about to deliver heavy blows to the unprepared Yami and Mereoleona.
Just then the two figures disappeared - Yuno promptly activated magic to transfer them, dodging the fatal blow.
But this also drew Lucifero's attack. The shield formed by star magic was shattered by Lucifero's strike, and just as Lucifero's attack was about to fall on Yuno.
But Yuno showed no panic, because his rival would never let this happen.
Sure enough, Asta held his sword with both hands and forced Lucifero back with a vertical slash.
The retreating Lucifero also saw Stella pour something onto Charles's back, an emblem appearing with special text arranged upon it.
And Charles's magic power in his perception had become completely different.
Under the desperate fighting of the captains and Asta's group, the two minutes had finally been secured.
______
(≧◡≦) ♡ Support me and read 20 chapters ahead – patreon.com/Mutter
For every 50 Power Stones, one extra chapter will be released on Saturday.