A short while after signaling that we were ready to intercept.

As I loosened up my body, waiting for August to bring the Demon King Type over, our scouts, who had gone ahead for reconnaissance, rushed back on horseback.

It seemed like they were approaching… Unlike when they were hiding in the forest, this time, they weren’t bothering to conceal their presence. There was no need to even send out scouts.

“They’re here, Sir Zighart! The Captain and Lady Teresa are holding them off!”

“It’s a Heavenly Wolf Demon King Type. It’s quite powerful.”

The soldiers rushed to report the situation, eager to deliver the information first.

A boss leading such a massive horde—its strength was already expected. But there was something else that caught my attention.

“Hm? Teresa is here too?”

I was sure she was supposed to be in charge of another battlefield further ahead… Did she already finish over there?

“Yes, sir. She’s advancing this way while keeping the Demon King Type in check alongside the Captain.”

“I see… If she’s here, then our approach changes.”

The plan to take down this Demon King Type was for our soldiers to first stall it, then I would deal a serious wound.

August would then finish it off.

That was the initial strategy.

If time wasn’t a concern and collateral damage didn’t matter, my magic alone would be enough to take it down. But that wasn’t an option.

More importantly, the boss of this horde was quite intelligent.

If it sensed me gathering magic and became too wary, it could ruin August’s efforts to lure it in.

Because of that, even if it took some extra effort and risked some casualties, this method was the best choice.

But with Teresa here, things were different.

“You lot! Clear the front!”

As the Demon King Type and the two leading it gradually came into view, I ordered the soldiers in front to step aside.

The troops stationed ahead as blockers had steeled themselves for the role… But since we now had a better approach, they were no longer needed.

Honestly, some of them might have died otherwise, so this was for the better.

From their expressions, it seemed like they felt some relief as well.

“Uhm… Sir Zighart, how will we fight?”

One of the messengers standing by my side asked.

“Teresa will lift it. I’ll bring it down. And August will finish it off.”

Both my magic and Teresa’s attacks using 【Red Sword】 had enough power to deliver the finishing blow.

But if we did that, there wouldn’t be much of a corpse left.

August should be the one to behead it.

Now… The question was how to relay this to them. Should I send someone running?

“…Ah, that won’t be necessary.”

When I looked ahead, I saw August pointing at me before mimicking the motion of shooting an arrow toward the sky.

Seems like he had the same idea.

Alright, let’s get this over with.

To signal my understanding, I launched a bright light into the sky.

◇

The light drew in the surrounding monsters, and we quickly wiped them out.

The noise was quite loud, but since the Demon King Type was focused on the two holding it off, it wasn’t fazed.

Once it got close enough, August veered his horse away from the Demon King Type’s direct path and moved to the side.

Taking his place in the front, Teresa dismounted and held her sword low at her waist.

The size difference was massive.

Even with a Blessed Item sword, it was impossible for her to strike its head or neck effectively from the ground.

Realizing this, the Demon King Type picked up speed, aiming to take Teresa down first.

But just then, August cast a light spell directly at its face.

It wasn’t as blinding as the ones Sera favored, ensuring that his and Teresa’s horses wouldn’t panic.

Still, as a surprise attack, it was effective—the Demon King Type slowed its charge.

That was enough time for Teresa to get ready.

As she dashed past it…

“!!”

She didn’t slash with the blade.

Instead, she flipped it upward with the flat of her sword, sending the Demon King Type soaring into the air.

Of course, that move left Teresa off balance.

If this were a one-on-one fight, that opening would have been fatal.

But that wasn’t a problem here.

That attack definitely dealt some damage, but it wasn’t enough to finish it.

However, the Demon King Type’s massive body had been lifted five meters into the air.

That was all I needed.

“Haaah!!”

In a single breath, I unleashed five spells.

Two each at its right front and hind legs, and one at its head.

The damage wasn’t enough to kill it.

But it was enough to flip it upside down.

No matter how powerful or intelligent a Demon King Type was, it wasn’t a cat—it couldn’t right itself midair.

As planned, it crashed down on its back.

It continued rolling for dozens of meters from the momentum…

“Hah!”

Then, August leaped off his horse and, with a strike imbued with his blessing, severed its head.

I had a follow-up attack ready, just in case.

But it wasn’t necessary.

————————————————————————————————————————————————

Sera・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind Garment】・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Serpent’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】【Red Sword】・15 cards

Seriana・【Area Identification】・【】・33 cards

Elena・【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec・【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・9 cards