Nova Uruk was as prosperous as ever.
Buildings were rising before one's very eyes, commerce was beginning to take shape, and the city's energy pulsed with vitality. However, at that exact moment, all the Rank A majins raised their heads simultaneously, as if a primordial instinct had been triggered.
Their gazes involuntarily locked onto a specific point in the sky.
"What is this absurd amount of magicules?!"
Benimaru, Souei, Hakurou, and the others immediately dashed toward the mountain peak on the outskirts of the city.
They remembered very well: their master was there.
Benimaru, in particular, felt an overwhelming pressure as he ran.
When he had still been a mere ogre, he had never felt that his strength was lacking. Before encountering the Orc Lord's army, their race had been powerful, revered by countless monsters throughout the Forest of Jura.
But now…
Even after evolving directly into an S-Rank Oni, he felt increasingly insignificant before the vastness of this world.
Benimaru forced a bitter smile.
Sometimes, ignorance truly is bliss…
Milim's high-speed approach threw the entire nation into chaos within seconds. The air trembled, magicules churned violently, and even the fiercest monsters scattered throughout the forest instinctively shrank back.
Secretly, Tear, who was monitoring everything through a crystal ball, jumped and danced with joy.
Laplace's plan had been a resounding success!
Fantastic!
Most people might not know much about Milim.
But those who did… knew enough to fear her.
Milim was one of the oldest Demon Lords in the world.
Once, consumed by rage after the death of her pet dragon, she destroyed an entire kingdom.
During that period, Milim had gone mad, wishing to annihilate the entire world. It was Guy Crimson who intervened to stop her.
Even so, he was unable to completely contain her fury.
Vast stretches of land were reduced to ruins.
To this day, that region has never fully recovered from their battle.
It was only through the intervention of the Queen of Spirits, Ramiris, that the fight finally came to an end.
But the price was high.
Ramiris suffered a severe curse, forced to endure constant cycles of weakness, declining from one of the most powerful Demon Lords to a figure who was almost decorative among them.
And who is Guy Crimson?
He is the oldest of the seven Primordial Demons and firmly holds the position of the strongest among the Demon Lords. No one knows how long he has lived, nor the true limits of his power.
The most reliable rumor regarding his prowess is that he defeated Velzard with ease more than once.
Velzard is one of Veldora's sisters, and her strength is absolutely formidable.
That alone is enough to give a clear idea of how powerful he is.
And yet…
Even Guy could only achieve a draw against Milim.
That alone reveals just how monstrous Milim truly is.
Watching the pinkish-red streak tearing across the sky toward the Forest of Jura through the crystal ball, Tear covered her mouth with her sleeve and laughed without restraint.
---xXx---
Forest of Jura.
With a deafening boom, the ground exploded.
A massive crater opened in the grass before Arthur.
Dust spiraled upward.
Then, amidst the smoke, a small figure emerged with her hands on her hips, two long twin braids swaying, and an ahoge proudly standing atop her head.
"Nice to meet you! I am the one and only Dragonoid, the Demon Lord Milim Nava! Also known as the Destroyer!"
She declared it with her chest puffed out, brimming with childish pride.
Arthur observed her without the slightest hint of surprise.
Milim appeared to be a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old human girl, with shining platinum-pink hair tied into two braids and vivid blue eyes.
She wore a daring outfit resembling a swimsuit: thigh-high stockings, a leg band, black shorts, and a long-sleeved top that covered only her chest.
At that moment, however, her confident expression faltered.
Milim possessed the ability [Dragon Eye], which allowed her to see even the hidden amount of magicules within her opponents.
And what she saw… was absurd.
A ridiculous quantity of magicules.
"The amount of magicules you have is equal to… one, two, three…"
She began counting on her fingers.
She extended all ten.
It wasn't enough.
She started counting on her toes.
Still not enough.
She looked upward and stared at her own ahoge, as if it might somehow help…
But it still wasn't enough!
Milim pouted dramatically and began stomping her foot on the ground.
"Ughhh! I messed up the count again! So annoying!"
Pfft!
Arthur couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Do you want to borrow my two hands as well?"
Milim's eyes widened.
Without hesitation, she grabbed Arthur's hands with hers, completely excited.
"Really?! You're so nice! I'm starting to like you!"
She resumed counting with an extremely serious expression… as if it were a matter of life and death.
A few seconds later…
Even with extra hands and feet, it still wasn't enough.
Arthur tilted his head.
"Tired of counting? How about eating something first? You can continue afterward."
"Eat something?!"
Milim's eyes sparkled like stars.
Instantly.
In her mind, Arthur went from "strong human" to "amazing human."
"Here. This was produced by my adorable little bee."
He took out a small jar of honey.
Milim dipped her finger into it and tasted it.
Only to freeze immediately.
Her eyes widened.
"What is this?! It's so delicious! I've never eaten anything this tasty before!"
Arthur took out another jar and slowly waved it in front of her.
"Did you like the honey?"
Milim's mouth visibly began to water.
She nodded with all her strength, nearly shaking her entire body.
"Want more?"
"Yes! Yes!"
Her eyes followed every movement of the jar as if it were the most precious treasure in the world.
"How about becoming my subordinate?"
"My subordinate?!"
Milim froze.
She dramatically turned her face away, crossed her arms, and puffed out her cheeks.
"I am the one and only Milim Nava! The Dragonoid! The strongest Demon Lord in the world! How could I possibly become someone's subordinate?! Absolutely not!!"
Arthur sighed.
"What if I add more?"
An entire stack of honey jars appeared before her.
Milim's eyes gleamed intensely.
"H-honey… so much honey… But becoming a subordinate… But the honey…"
She began pacing in circles, clearly torn by inner conflict.
Arthur casually remarked:
"That's true. You are a powerful Dragonoid. Having you as my subordinate would be far too heavy a burden…"
"Hmm!"
"Mm-hmm!"
"Mm-hmm!!"
Milim nodded vigorously, trying to maintain her dignity… while staring desperately at the honey.
He even thought about that! He really is a good person!
"But I can't just give you the honey for free. That would put me in a difficult position."
"No problem!"
Milim patted her own chest.
"How about we become friends? If we're friends, we're equals! Friends can share things!"
Arthur smiled.
"Very well. I accept being your friend. You can take it all."
Before he even finished speaking, Milim was already grabbing the jars.
She dipped her fingers into the honey and began eating with pure, carefree happiness.
Her smile was unbelievably adorable.
Benimaru, Souei, and the others—who had arrived prepared for a catastrophic battle—stood frozen in place.
Questioning their own existence.
Even Shizue was completely stunned.
That was Demon Lord Milim?
Her personality was… that easy to sway?
And why was Arthur so skilled at dealing with young girls?!
"You shouldn't even be surprised by this, Shizu," Angélica said, patting her shoulder with a sigh.
Meanwhile, the members of the Moderate Harlequin Alliance, who had meticulously planned everything for nearly a month, fell to their knees with tears streaming down their faces.
At that moment, they could think of only one thing:
What the hell?!
Milim… are you kidding us?!
(End of Chapter)