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Fate truly had a twisted sense of humor—no sooner had they stepped foot in here to rescue soone than the primary villain himself appeared.
Thinking about it logically, although they'd used Zest as a shortcut to instantly reach Maria's mother's location, this place was undoubtedly within the secret stronghold of Zolgear, a prominent figure among the North Region's current Demon Lord faction.
Being a secret hideout naturally ant it concealed secrets Zolgear wished to keep hidden, even from his own faction, perhaps even from the Demon Lord Leohart himself.
Given such significance, it was only reasonable Zolgear had unconventional thods to be constantly aware of any changes occurring within his base—even sothing as trivial as a cockroach crawling through a drainpipe wouldn't go unnoticed.
Let alone a group of living intruders.
Within the hidden chamber, as the teleportation circle's glow gradually faded, Zolgear's tall, bald, sinister figure beca clearly visible.
He slowly opened his aged eyes, his gaze filled with wolf-like cunning sweeping across every face present, releasing a sinister chuckle.
"Hehehehe, how truly delightful. Just when I thought my search was going nowhere, who cos directly into my lair but Wilbert's precious daughter herself? I'd been eagerly awaiting our reunion, though I never imagined it happening under such interesting circumstances…"
Then, his eyes fell upon Maria, standing protectively beside Mio.
"You've done well, Maria. You successfully brought Wilbert's daughter directly before . However, you seem to have forgotten sothing—I only promised I'd release your dear mother after you completed your task. I don't recall ever giving permission for you to personally enter my base, stroll leisurely into the secret chamber, and take her away!"
"And then—"
As though preparing to settle scores one by one, Zolgear's gaze moved onto the brown-skinned beauty standing silently to one side—Zest—before he paused montarily.
"Hmm? Mind control, is it? I see, what a useless creature—being manipulated by a re juvenile succubus…" he sneered dismissively. "Well, no matter."
Oddly, he showed no intention of reversing Zest's controlled state, instead shifting his attention back to the two half-sisters standing before the cage.
Maria took a guarded stance, coldly asking, "What exactly do you an by 'no matter'?"
At this point, pleasantries were aningless—moreover, they'd never co here intending peaceful negotiation.
Now that their intentions had been uncovered, combat was the only remaining option!
"Exactly what it sounds like—literally," Zolgear sneered, unconcerned. "Zest is rely my magical creation, but perhaps my technique was still immature when I crafted her. For my creation to be so easily controlled by a minor succubus is laughable. But once I've claid Wilbert's power for myself, I'll create a far superior and more reliable model. As for her—she can just be considered another minor failure on my path to perfection."
"Hmm, finished talking now?"
Yet, just as Zolgear stood there smugly contemplating his grand plans, an unexpected voice casually interrupted from directly behind him.
It was Bokue Keikain.
At so unknown mont, he'd silently appeared behind Zolgear without anyone—not even Mio or Maria who stood watching—realizing when he'd moved.
The youth raised one arm high, fingers unusually splayed wide, poised casually like swatting a mosquito.
"Ti for you to die."
BOOM!
The palm fell, producing a sound that resembled less of a simple slap and more like the discharge of a fortress-class Noble Phantasm.
A straight, massive pillar of golden energy surged outward, blasting effortlessly through seven layers of solid stone walls, soaring straight through the northern castle's interior and piercing into the distant sky above.
Warm morning sunlight instantly stread in through the large gaping hole in the wall, illuminating the previously dim chamber.
And Zolgear—who just seconds before had been ranting proudly about his grand ambitions—had utterly vanished without a trace, vaporized instantly from existence, leaving no remains behind.
"Ehhh…?"
Maria's mouth dropped open slightly, her purple eyes wide with shock.
She'd known Bokue was strong. After all, he'd effortlessly obliterated a pursuing squad she and Mio had barely managed to hold off with desperate effort—simply with one dismissive word.
But wasn't this just too ridiculous?
This was a full-fledged North Region's current Demon Lord faction cadre—obliterated instantly by one casual slap?
"My, my… What an extraordinarily potent aura."
As Maria stood stunned by such absurd strength, the gentle voice of her mother spoke from behind her.
Oh right, her mother!
Instantly snapping back to her senses, Maria spun around anxiously, ready to attempt another rescue.
But it wasn't necessary.
The birdcage had already been unlocked, and her mother, Sheila—elegant and composed in her graceful dress—stepped out, smiling warmly.
Next to her stood Zest, holding what resembled an electronic keycard, the golden mind-control glow fading slowly from her eyes as she silently averted her gaze downward, expression unreadable.
"Mother!" Maria's voice shook emotionally as tears welled uncontrollably, imdiately rushing forward to tightly embrace Sheila. "You're safe…! Thank goodness…"
Sheila smiled softly, gently embracing her daughter—who was barely two centiters shorter—and tenderly stroked Maria's silver hair, comforting her gently.
"I'm fine, Maria. It's been far too long, hasn't it? You worked so hard to reach … I'm proud of you."
Seeing the emotional mother-daughter reunion likely about to extend indefinitely, Bokue simply shrugged lightly.
"Alright, you two keep hugging for now. I've still got a small matter to take care of. I'll be back in three minutes."
With that, he vanished instantly.
…
At that very mont, deep within the northern territories of the Underworld, in a remote oasis amidst vast barren lands stood an imnse Romanesque castle—ho to the current Demon Lord faction's leader, the Demon Lord Leohart himself.
Within the massive yet vacant throne room, a brown-skinned, purple-haired young man sat atop his throne, calmly reading through a progress report handed to him by his subordinates.
But suddenly—
A teleportation circle flashed brightly in midair, and a bloodied half-body dropped heavily onto the marble floor.
"L-Leohart… sama…"
Startled, the young demon lord looked up sharply. The sight imdiately caused him to freeze, eyes widening in disbelief.
The badly mutilated body belonged unmistakably to Zolgear.
"Zolgear!?" Leohart leaped up instantly, alard. Although he didn't particularly like or deeply trust this subordinate, Zolgear was still one of his followers. Instinctively, he prepared to step down from his throne to investigate further.
But before he could—
A flash of radiant gold appeared again within the throne room, and a third figure erged.
Bokue Keikain stood there calmly, casually placing a foot upon Zolgear's trembling, pleading head—nearly crushing his skull beneath his heel. He raised his gaze to et the eyes of the young Demon Lord seated upon the throne above.
"You didn't really think he escaped here by accident because I made a mistake, did you?"
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