Guy waited.
True to his word, he gave Rudra time to recover and demanded that their duel resume exactly as promised. But no matter how many times they crossed blades after that day, the result never truly settled. Victory refused to choose a side.
And so, it began.
Guy and Rudra dueled again.
And again.
And again.
Worthy of the title self-proclaimed hero, Rudra was undeniably strong. An awakened hero against an awakened demon lord—their clashes were anything but ordinary.
Rudra fought with flawless technique, precise movements refined through discipline and study.
Guy, on the other hand, fought purely with instinct, overwhelming talent, and raw strength. Their battles were always close, but little by little, inevitably, Guy began to gain the upper hand.
Watching from a distance were three women, all staring in disbelief at the endless clashes.
Lucia.
Velgrynd.
Velzard, the Frost Dragon.
At first, Velzard had been indifferent. But as the duels grew fiercer and more intense, even she found herself drawn in.
"…He's stronger again," Velzard muttered.
"Yes," Lucia agreed softly. "But Rudra isn't far behind."
"Honestly," Velgrynd added, tilting her head, "sometimes I forget he's even human."
"That's only natural," Lucia replied. "He's Elder Brother's apprentice. He was granted ultimate power. Of course he'll keep growing."
"Oh?" Velzard smiled faintly. "Then that explains it."
"…I just hope no one gets seriously hurt," Velgrynd said quietly.
Despite the tension, the spectators were oddly at peace.
"The tea is ready."
"The duel will end soon. We've prepared refreshments for Guy-sama and Rudra-sama."
Serving them had become routine for Mizeri and Raine. At some point, these world-shaking battles had turned into daily life.
Of course, peace never lasted long.
Sometimes, the sisters themselves would start fighting—so violently that even Guy and Rudra couldn't continue their duel.
Velzard and Velgrynd usually got along, but whenever the topic turned to education, sparks flew.
Their youngest brother, Veldora the Storm Dragon, was the root of it all.
"—You're far too strict!" Velgrynd snapped. "Why can't you spoil him just a little more?!"
"Don't be ridiculous," Velzard replied coolly. "I love Veldora-chan very much. That's why I've corrected him repeatedly."
Her idea of "correction" involved killing him and letting him reincarnate.
Velgrynd was furious.
"That's exactly what I mean! You can't teach someone with violence! You have to use words, guide him gently—teach him how to live among people, how to fight properly!"
"Oh please," Velzard scoffed. "You're just spoiling him. Give him too much affection and he'll never mature. Honestly, you'll ruin Rudra too at this rate."
"I will not!" Velgrynd protested. "Rudra and I are perfect partners! And if I train Veldora, he'll grow into a brother who respects his sisters!"
"No," Velzard shot back. "I'll do it."
"No, I will!"
From the sidelines, Guy sighed inwardly.
Moderation. That word really means nothing to these sisters.
Out loud, he muttered, "Hey… that's not our fight."
"Yeah," Rudra agreed quickly. "Best not to get involved."
They both fled.
Whenever Guy and Rudra fought, the sisters maintained the barriers. When Velzard fought, Guy handled containment. Otherwise, entire continents would sink.
They had all grown used to it—but even so, Guy and Rudra preferred battles that wouldn't end in planetary disasters.
And then, one day, as usual—
"Damn it, you again?!"
"Shut up! This isn't over until I win!"
Their duels had become as casual as greetings.
They fought.
They exhausted themselves.
They ended in a draw.
And then, the arguing began.
"You said this was fair and square," Guy snapped, "but you're fighting dirty!"
Rudra was dirty. That much was undeniable.
He often deployed a holy barrier at the very start of the duel, weakening Guy before the fight even properly began. Guy, by nature, never checked for traps beforehand. Rudra knew this—and exploited it shamelessly.
And then came the excuses.
"Winning is justice!" Rudra declared proudly. "If you don't win, it's not justice at all!"
"That's nonsense!" Guy shot back. "If you're going to cheat, at least stop pretending it's righteous!"
Rudra only smirked.
"That move you just used?" he said casually. "It's the same one I used last time. Do you know how long it took me to master it?"
"…Three weeks?" Guy guessed.
"Yes! Even Veldanava praised it!"
Guy nearly choked.
Three weeks?
That's it?
Rudra continued complaining about Guy stealing techniques, but beneath it all was impatience. He felt it more than anyone—he was starting to fall behind.
If I could win cleanly, I would have already, Rudra thought bitterly.
Guy saw through him completely.
And yet… he didn't mind.
In fact, he enjoyed these arguments. He tolerated Rudra's tricks because he agreed with him on one thing—winning was justice.
Before he realized it, Guy had accepted Rudra.
Just having someone who could stand against him made Guy genuinely happy.
More than that—Guy was growing stronger every time they fought. He wasn't just using his Ultimate Skill anymore; he was mastering it. And though he deliberately limited himself to swordplay, he was slowly overwhelming Rudra.
If he used magic and skills freely, the result would be obvious.
But he didn't.
Somewhere along the way, Guy had stopped wanting to win.
He wanted the draw.
That was why he finally asked the question that had been bothering him all this time.
"Hey… the first time we fought—why didn't you kill me?"
Rudra blinked.
"If you hadn't named me, and if you'd truly gone for the kill… you might've won, right?"
Guy hated even thinking it. For a mental life-form, admitting that possibility was close to defeat.
Rudra smiled.
"Oh. That?"
"You're an idiot," he said bluntly. "What's the point in just beating you? I needed you to acknowledge me. I wanted you to realize how great I am—and join us."
"…Huh?"
"I'm going to conquer the world," Rudra continued calmly. "That's the promise I made to Veldanava."
Guy frowned.
"You know," Rudra added, "Veldanava told me to stop idiots like you from trying to rule the world."
"…And he asked me to get your approval," Rudra finished.
Guy groaned inwardly.
That bastard pushed his problem onto me.
He could almost hear Veldanava laughing.
Rudra had been sent to deal with him—but Guy already liked him. Killing him now was impossible.
Yeah.
This guy's still an asshole.
Then Rudra dropped his voice.
"There's something else. I couldn't control Justice King Michael during our first fight. Even now, I can only use it for a few dozen seconds."
Guy stared.
"…You're serious?"
"Completely. That power's on loan from Veldanava."
Rudra went on to explain. His true Ultimate Skill was Covenant King Uriel, born from his vow to unite the world and the faith of those who believed in him. In exchange, he borrowed Justice King Michael.
"It's powerful," Rudra admitted. "It can dominate others, borrow their skills. A king's ability. But I hate using it."
Guy laughed.
"That's incredible."
As Rudra grew stronger, so would the power he could wield.
So the fun isn't ending yet, Guy realized happily.
But then Rudra's tone changed.
"There's more. Veldanava… he married my sister Lucia."
"…What?"
"She's pregnant. They're starting a family."
Guy absorbed that silently.
"And Veldanava said," Rudra continued, "that he now has a lifespan."
That was when Guy stood up.
"…Seriously?"
The truth was heavy. Too heavy to face alone.
"I don't know what to do," Rudra admitted. "But I know I can't keep playing forever."
Guy sighed.
"…Yeah."
The two rivals looked at each other.
And for the first time—
They sighed together.
"Stop it."
Guy's voice was firm, final.
"I like you. That alone is reason enough that I can't bring myself to kill you. And I have no intention of fighting you seriously anymore. But understand this—I will continue to exist as a demon lord. I will continue to be the threat that stands at the edge of the world. That was the promise I made to him."
Guy had always liked Rudra. From the very beginning. And if Rudra was a friend of Veldanava, then that bond naturally extended to him as well. It was inevitable—Guy had never truly been able to face Rudra with murderous intent. Not even once.
But liking someone did not absolve him of his role.
As a mediator, as the balance that kept the world from tipping into ruin, Guy could not abandon his duty. The world required a shadow. A fear. A line that could not be crossed.
When Guy looked straight into Rudra's eyes and spoke those words, Rudra did not look away.
Instead, he answered calmly.
"Then let's change the rules."
"…Change the rules?"
Rudra nodded, his usual playful grin absent. What stood before Guy now was not the reckless hero, but a king with resolve.
"Yes. You and I won't fight directly anymore. We'll settle this using only our pawns. Let the world itself decide."
Guy narrowed his eyes slightly.
"To be honest," Rudra continued, "I don't want to use Justice King Michael. But I can't deny it anymore. Veldanava entrusted me with that power to support my dream—to unite the world. So I will gather people. I will build a nation. And as my influence grows, so will my strength."
"I don't doubt that," Guy replied evenly.
"I don't want to kill you either," Rudra said. "I told you before—I want you to acknowledge me. I believe the human race can be united. Veldanava wanted diversity, yes—but that doesn't mean people must constantly fight. Different opinions don't require war. If people can't agree, they can step back. Different races, different nations—war happens because they're divided. If they were one nation, everything could be settled with words."
Guy scoffed.
"That's naive. Humans are greedy creatures. That greed isn't evil—it's necessary. Desire drives progress. But the moment interests clash, even close allies turn on each other. You think words alone can stop that?"
He continued coldly.
"Monsters without wisdom know restraint better. They eat when hungry and stop when satisfied. Humans are different. They fear tomorrow. They hoard. They envy. Your dream is beautiful—but it's a fantasy."
Rudra smiled faintly.
"I know. Veldanava laughed at me too. He said the probability was close to zero. But he still supported me. Justice King Michael holds the power of Armageddon—an army of angels capable of erasing civilization itself. I'll use it not to slaughter people, but to erase military power. To suppress excessive desire. I'll unify the world and create an ideal one."
"Cheer me on," Rudra said softly.
Guy snorted.
"I don't slaughter people for fun. I kill those I dislike. That's all."
"That's exactly why I'm asking you to wait!"
"I don't wait for sinners to repent. Sin demands consequence."
"I agree!" Rudra snapped back. "But I want them to have a chance to change!"
Guy shrugged.
"Then I'll just send their souls to the underworld and let them reflect properly."
"That's not what I meant!"
Rudra took a breath, then spoke from the heart.
"I don't want to be a great king. I just want people to smile. If there's safety, if there's connection, fewer people will fall into crime. I want to eliminate poverty and inequality. I want a world where people can live without fear."
Guy shook his head.
"No wonder Veldanava laughed. You really are naive."
Then he paused.
"…But fine. Tell me about this game."
Rudra blinked.
"Really?"
"I'm bored," Guy replied. "And watching you try might be interesting."
He hadn't accepted Rudra's ideals. He simply wanted to see how they would fail—or, on the smallest chance, succeed. Either way, Guy lost nothing.
"The rules are simple," Rudra said. "We don't touch each other. Our followers fight in our place. If all of your pawns fall, I win—and you follow me. Until then, you're free to act as you wish."
Guy nodded.
"Fair enough. I'll gather demon lords to act in my place."
"And I'll stop them. I'll unite the world before they succeed."
Guy smirked.
"That's a hard road. Even Veldanava abandoned some of his ideals."
"But even so!" Rudra shouted. "He gave up omniscience and omnipotence because he believed a perfect world was boring. Now he's bound by a lifespan. He worries about the future. About his child. I want to give him peace of mind."
Guy fell silent.
"That's why I need to succeed," Rudra said. "You, who are eternal, can watch until the end."
Guy understood. And that made it worse.
You're carrying everything alone, he thought bitterly.
The challenge was doomed. The odds were almost zero. And yet…
Guy placed his bet on that impossible fraction.
Then came the tragedies.
Veldanava and Lucia died in an attack while Rudra was away. Their daughter, Milim, was left alone. Later, her only companion was killed in a political scheme, and her grief nearly destroyed the world.
Guy stopped her personally.
"You still want to continue?" he asked.
"Yes," Rudra answered. "If I stop now, every sacrifice will be meaningless."
And so the game dragged on.
Reincarnation after reincarnation. Loss after loss. Rudra's ideals corroded. His mind frayed. Eventually, he cared only about defeating Guy—by any means necessary.
At the very end, Guy followed the rules one last time.
He entrusted the final judgment to an unknown variable—Atem, the King of Games.
And in the distance, Guy felt it.
Rudra's presence vanished.
There was no anger. No regret.
Only mourning.
"I warned you," Guy muttered softly. "This kind of thing… is only suited for demons like us."
A tear slipped down his cheek, unnoticed.
The millennia-long game was over.
Guy's fearless smile remained—but his heart was heavy.
Cold blue diamond eyes watched him from afar, a twisted smile forming.
The game had ended.
But the embers of conflict still burned.