<h4>Chapter 129: Belphegor 2nd Form</h4>


    『Ufufufu… it has been a while since I used 〝this form?.』


    An ominous light, along with a heteromorphy appearance, illuminated the darkness.


    What appeared next was a dragon, a five-meter-tall, bipedal dragon.


    Then, Belphegor’s upper half grew on top of the dragon’s head.


    「S-she really transformed…」


    Aria couldn’t hide her shock. It showed the massive pressure she felt from Belphegor’s transformed figure.


    「《Celcius Spear》――!」


    Ciel invoked her skill. Three freezing holy spears shot forth toward Belphegor.


    『AHAHAHA! It’s futile!』


    Belphegorughed even louder than before.


    The moment 《Celcius Spear》 struck the dragon, it vanished with a clear breaking sound.


    「Her body seems to be stronger than before.」


    『That’s right… Ciel. After I was resurrected in the future, my body transformed from a dragon skin to a high-dragon skin.』


    Belphegor sneered at Ciel.


    Dragon skin was a skill that could reduce the damage inflicted by a magic skill. It was a special skill of the dragon race that they applied to their scales.


    As for what had happened just now, the high dragon skin had directly negated Ciel’s magic skill.


    Even though they had already rendered her barrier useless, Aria and co. never expected Belphegor to still have an ace in the hole. It was only expected of the one hailed as a great demon king.


    「Nyan! (Then attack with non-magic skills)!」


    Tama let out adorable cries as he invoked an 《Elemental Bullet》 and 《me Missile》. The 《me Missile》 flew toward Belphegor at tremendous speed.


    Maybe because she instinctively felt the danger from that attack, Belphegor crossed her dragon arms to protect herself.


    The moment 《me Missile》 came into contact with Belphegor’s arms, an intense explosion urred.


    『GUUUUUUUU! That hurt!』


    An agonized voice came from the other side of the burning area. Judging from her voice, it seemed that the attack had caused insignificant damage. Since Belphegor was a demon king, her defense was something else.


    She brushed the soot that had fallen on her skin after the explosion.


    At that moment―


    The figure of a girl reflected in Belphegor’s eyes. Aria had invoked 《eleration》 and run toward Belphegor when thetter had gotten distracted by Tama’s attack. That was why Belphegor was unaware that Aria had already arrived in front of her.


    「《SACRED BLADE》…!」


    Aria swung her sacred de toward Belphegor. However, Belphegor proved that she was still one step ahead of Aria. She bent lower and avoided Aria’s attack.


    「EAT THIS!」


    After dodging the attack, Belphegorunched a counter punch toward Aria with her dragon arm.


    「TEMPEST BRINGER!」


    Aria invoked her weapon’s ability. She dodged Belphegor’s fist with the help of the wind created by Tempest Bringer’s ability.


    （This little girl! How can she move from such a posit—）


    Suddenly, Belphegor’s eyes widened in surprise.


    After fighting so many tough opponents, skills weren’t the only things Aria had gained. She had also gained battle experience, an understanding of her own ability, and the ways to use her ability more effectively in a battle.


    「COME… 《Surtr》」


    The moment her feet touched the ground, Aria heard May’s voice. Thereupon, a beautiful, ephemeral, and bright silvery sword appeared in May’s other hand, which had been empty.


    The name of this holy sword was―《Surtr》. It was the weapon skill she had inherited from Rin, her mother who was also the female hero.


    「《ck Bullet》!」


    After 《Surtr》 was ready, May leaped high in the air using the propulsion ck bullet provided under her feet. At the next moment, she had alreadynded on Belphegor’s dragon arm and pierced 《Surtr》 inside it.


    『GIIIIIIIIII!? HOW… DARE YOUUU!』


    Belphegor screamed. She iled her arms to throw May on the ground, but May invoked her 《ck Bullet》 again and quickly got off from Belphegor’s arm.


    「Belphegor, your power is definitely terrifying, but…」


    （Master, so you noticed it too, huh!）


    Tama let out an admiring expression upon hearing Aria’s remark. Belphegor was far more powerful than all the opponents they had fought so far. However, after seeing the way Belphegor fought, Aria hade to a realization. Demon King Belphegor wasn’t used to fighting, in short, she was close to amateur.


    And her guess was spot on.


    Demon King Belphegor was the weakest great demon king in terms of closebat prowess. Her true power was more suited formanding an army. Thus, she was a general-type demon king.


    『KUH…!』


    Belphegor’s expression warped as if she just chewed up bitterbug. However, that expressionsted only a moment, then the tips of her lips drew a sneer.


    『Actually I wish that I never had to use this, but I guess I’ve no other choice.』


    An ominous sword suddenly appeared in her hand and she brandished her sword while speaking.