Spy-did not realize there was a difference between demons and devils. let me know if it seems right.
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When Cipher thought of clones, the first thing that came to mind was Naruto's Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. It was so famous that the clones she created ended up being remarkably similar to shadow clones.
For example, all the clones possessed the same abilities as Cipher herself. Currently, this was limited to Divine Speed, but if she later added other abilities using her Lie, the clones would likely inherit those abilities as well.
However, the clones lacked the Trickster Authority to "turn lies into reality." Given that it was an Authority, it was only natural that it would be unique.
Beyond that, the clones couldn't create further clones themselves. They would dissipate into smoke upon sustaining even minor injuries. And most importantly, each clone seemed to possess its own consciousness. One clone had barely materialized before it began cracking its knuckles, eager for a fight.
Another clone simply yawned, sprawled out on the ground like a lazy cat, and narrowed its eyes, feigning sleep.
Naturally, the vast majority of Cipher's clones appeared relatively normal, patiently awaiting her command.
Without hesitation, Cipher planted one hand on her hip and pointed at the assembled devils with the other. "Go," she declared, "and show them what we are all about!"
In that instant, nearly all of Cipher's clones vanished, replaced by a dazzling array of golden lightning flashing across the crimson landscape.
Normally, a single Cipher using Divine Speed would be imperceptible to these devils. But with hundreds of clones activating the technique simultaneously, the combined visual effect became impossible to ignore.
From the devils' perspective, they saw only a golden flash before feeling excruciating pain erupt simultaneously across their faces, chests, waists, backs, and even their groins.
The devils spun wildly in mid-air like miniature tops before crashing face-first into the ground, motionless.
Normally, a fully charged flying kick should send its target flying backward.
But what if Cipher's clones kicked the devils in the chest, then, before they could even begin to fly backward, darted behind them to deliver another flying kick to their backs?
In the near-stillness of Divine Speed, this was effortless. No coordination between clones was needed; each could independently deliver multiple flying kicks to the same devil in what felt like a single instant.
As a result, the devils had no way to brace for the impact and mitigate the damage. They had to endure the full force of each kick!
Cipher's assault was too sudden; the devils were completely caught off guard.
Casting spells? The time it would take to chant incantations and perform gestures would have been enough for Cipher to circle the vast plain dozens of times.
Counterattacking with swords? Utterly impossible. How could they strike an enemy they couldn't even see?
The only visual cue the devils could perceive was the golden flash left by Cipher's high heels as she moved at Divine Speed—a comet-like trail streaking across the battlefield.
Now that Cipher had initiated her attack, even if Beelzebub believed he couldn't defeat this Ancient God, he couldn't afford to remain passive.
A thought flashed through Beelzebub's mind, fulfilling the trigger condition for a Trigger Spell he had long prepared. The spell ready to activate was Time Stop, a Ninth-Level spell from the Transmutation School.
This was true instantaneous casting, requiring no pre-casting rituals. Time Stop, despite its name, didn't actually halt time. Instead, it created an extremely specialized Magic Power Field that slowed the movements and consciousness of all living beings within its area to a near-standstill, allowing the caster to act freely and achieve the effect of "stopped time."
Crucially, this spell only affected living creatures; inanimate objects remained unaffected.
The range of Time Stop depended on the Magic Power expended by the caster, varying from a minimum of ten meters to a maximum of one hundred meters. The spell's duration was capped at thirty seconds.
Despite these limitations, Time Stop remained an exceptionally potent spell. Imagine Beelzebub engaging in combat: the moment battle commenced, he could trigger the spell, granting himself an unearned thirty-second advantage. This brief window was enough to cast five or six additional spells or close the distance and tear his enemies to pieces.
This time, however, when Beelzebub cast his Time Stop Magic, time didn't freeze as usual. While the devils around him were indeed frozen, Cipher's clones continued to move freely.
Beelzebub watched in disbelief as one of Cipher's clones sprinted past him, a mischievous grin on her face. Instead of a flying kick, she threw a flurry of punches.
Muttering a bizarre "Ora ora" sound, she rained dainty fists upon the hapless devil. Though each punch lacked the force of a kick, her rapid-fire assault quickly battered the devil into an airborne state, sending it floating helplessly skyward like a sandbag or a ragdoll.
To add insult to injury, a "playful clone" paused beside Beelzebub, seemingly noticing his Time Stop Magic. She stuck out her pink tongue, made a face, and taunted, "Trash, trash! Your magic doesn't work on me! Blegh!"
A Slacker Clone was jogging along when it suddenly stumbled, as if it had twisted its ankle, and collapsed onto the ground. It lay there sprawled out, muttering, "Ugh, don't blame me—these heels are way too high! Besides, there are plenty of other clones to handle the fighting anyway."
Immediately, a Serious Clone grabbed the Slacker Clone by the collar and yanked it to its feet. "Stop slacking off and get back to work!"
At that moment, Beelzebub finally understood: the Ancient God's speed was terrifyingly swift. Even his ultra-powerful deceleration magic, which nearly brought time to a standstill, only slowed the deity down enough for him to barely track her movements.
And even this "slowed" pace was relative. To Beelzebub, Cipher's clones still moved with astonishing agility—so much so that he doubted he could match their speed himself.
"Th-this..." Beelzebub stood frozen, dumbfounded. It seemed the only effect of his Time Stop Magic was to grant him a clear, excruciatingly detailed view of Cipher's clones utterly thrashing his subordinates. Nothing more.
If Beelzebub had harbored any hope of fighting back just before the battle began, it had now vanished completely. His mind was consumed by a single thought: escape.
He raised his hand to cast a spell, but a Clever Clone instantly discerned his intent. Materializing behind Beelzebub, it whispered almost directly into his ear, its breath tickling his skin, "Don't even think about running. No matter where you flee, I'll track you down and be right beside you in an instant."
Beelzebub shuddered in terror, his half-prepared magic fizzling back into nothingness. Utterly helpless, he could only watch as Cipher after Cipher swept past him, mowing down his subordinates like blades of grass.
Then, he noticed something: none of the Ciphers were attacking him. Understanding dawned, and a bitter smile twisted his face.
The thirty seconds elapsed in a flash. The Time Stop Magic wore off—thirty seconds for Beelzebub, but barely a moment for the ordinary devils.
Crack!
Thud!
Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!
Beelzebub's entire army collapsed almost simultaneously, filling the battlefield with a dense cacophony of crisp sounds. The first was the snap of breaking bones, followed by the thud of bodies hitting the ground—these two sounds dominated the scene. The third sound... was the agonizing scream of some poor devil who had endured a relentless ora ora ora assault from Cipher's battle-hungry clones.
Witnessing this carnage, Beelzebub instinctively shrank back, frozen in place, too terrified to move.
Meanwhile, back with Cipher's main body, it had been mentioned that "almost all" her clones had charged into battle. The word "almost" implied that at least one straggler had slipped through the cracks.
A "Lazy Clone" now lay sprawled beside Cipher, lounging even more shamelessly than the "Slacker Clones." A vein throbbed on Cipher's forehead.
She grabbed the clone by its cat ear. "Stop slacking! Get to work!"
To her surprise, when Cipher tugged on the Lazy Clone's ear, it didn't get up. Instead, it let out a strange, drawn-out moan. "Mmm~ No, don't pull so hard! I can't take it anymore... I'm gonna..."
Cipher's face twisted in shock and confusion. "???"
The Lazy Clone continued, "I am you, you know. You know exactly how sensitive your ears are, don't you?"
"You're insane!" Cipher retorted. "Do you think this is some kind of trashy fanfiction? Even with super-sensitive ears, there's no way just a touch could make me... make me..."
Before she could finish, the Lazy Clone brazenly reached down between its legs. "Don't believe me? I'll show you. It's already soaked..."
"Stop! Don't!" Cipher interrupted hastily, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Fine, fine! Do whatever you want!"
Regardless, doing this in public, right in front of the enemy, was beyond perverted. Cipher pressed a hand to her forehead, speechless. "Why does my clone have to be so... abstract?"
Meanwhile, the Lazy Clone grinned triumphantly, settling into an even more comfortable lounging position. Heh heh~ it thought to itself. My innocent main body is so easy to fool! Time to keep slacking off!
While Cipher and the Lazy Clone argued, the battle against Beelzebub had already ended. A swarm of clones surrounded him in concentric circles, with one particularly belligerent clone practically vibrating with anticipation. "Can I hit him? Please? Can I?"
The Serious Clone restrained him. "Patience. The main body is here."
The clones parted to make way. Cipher approached slowly, massaging her temples and sighing. Her mood seemed particularly foul, and she avoided direct eye contact with Beelzebub, merely glancing at him sideways. "You know what I want, right?"
Seeing this, Beelzebub's heart leaped into his throat. Did I somehow inadvertently offend this mighty goddess? he frantically wondered. He racked his brain, but couldn't recall doing anything wrong at all.
Wait, could it be because I tried to escape? But that's a natural reaction, isn't it? And I didn't even succeed! How could that possibly anger her?
Despite his confusion, Beelzebub immediately apologized. "Yes, yes, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have tried to run away just now!"
Did this guy just try to escape? Cipher raised an eyebrow. She'd been completely absorbed in arguing with her Lazy Clone and hadn't paid any attention to the battlefield. But that wasn't the point. She cleared her throat. "Didn't you hear what I said?"
Extending her right hand toward Beelzebub, she repeated, "You know what I want, right?"
Cipher could have easily scared Beelzebub away with a single word at the start, avoiding the entire battle. But she had chosen not to, for several reasons:
Firstly, this was a perfect opportunity to boost her Fame. Beelzebub was strong, and there was a large group of devil soldiers nearby. The results spoke for themselves. After the battle, Cipher glanced at her System Page and saw her Fame had surged by over ten thousand points, approaching the ninety thousand mark—just a little shy of her next draw.
Secondly, Beelzebub had assisted the King of the Grand Duchy of Kandela in orchestrating a devastating famine. He was clearly no good... though that seemed like a redundant statement, considering he was neither "good" nor even "human."
In any case, Cipher had intended to eliminate Beelzebub right then and there. Why hadn't she struck immediately? Naturally, she wanted to fleece him for all he was worth before ending him!
Cipher didn't specify her demands. Instead, she simply extended her hand, leaving Beelzebub to interpret her intentions. Whatever he offered, she figured it couldn't hurt to accept the benefits first before ending him, right?
Witnessing this, Beelzebub swallowed hard and tremblingly produced a devil Contract. As he began writing, humiliation washed over him. But survival trumped pride. What did a little humiliation matter if it kept him alive?
Soon, Beelzebub finished writing and handed the contract to Cipher, bowing his head as he spoke: "I, Beelzebub, one of the five Archdukes of devils ruling Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells, hereby offer you my everything!"
"From this moment forth, my life is yours to command. Your will shall be the sole purpose of my existence!"
Cipher blinked in surprise. "Huh?"