The Regressed Demon Lord is Kind

d up by flames.

*    *    *

The flow of the battle in Mentis completely leaned towards one side—it had already been leaning to one side for a while.
After some time passed, the troops that were left across the island judged that they no longer had to pretend to be ambushed by Zich’s “subordinates,” and more allied forces continued to arrive at Mentis.
Victory began to lean even more heavily towards the allied forces.
There were corpses scattered all over Mentis, but the number of corpses from the Iron Tribe was significantly greater. 

Even the flame troopers that pushed back the allied forces were dwindling in number, and there were now only a few of them left.
The allied forces were going to win soon; it was when they were thinking this that an event occurred.

Crashhhh!

A huge explosion swept the nearby surroundings.
The sound was so loud that the soldiers fighting with their lives on the line dropped to the ground and covered their ears on instinct.

“W-what the!”

“What was that!”

Soldiers from both sides tried to figure out the source of the sound.
However, it didn’t take long for them to find it.
The castle of Mentis was burning bright red.
Even though the castle had let out flames a couple of times from the tree of fire before, these flames were on a completely different level.
The castle and even the castle walls were covered by flames; it was as if the flames were using the entire castle as its kindling. 

The flame troopers that were moving around suddenly all disappeared, making it advantageous for the allied forces.
The flame troopers that had persistently let out attacks even with the Lake’s Tear influence were gone.
However, no one in the allied forces rejoiced at their disappearance.
It was because the flame troopers’ disappearance and the flames swallowing the castle were obviously connected.

Explode!

Something pierced through the flames and came out of the castle.
The human figure quickly moved and in an instant, they reached the center of the allied forces’ army.
The allied forces moved their weapons towards the moving figure by instinct, but no one blocked them.

Hans pressed down the arm of an elf who was holding a weapon and stated, “It’s not an enemy.” Then he said towards the figure, “Welcome back, Sir Zich.”

Zich brushed off the fiery sparks left on his shoulder and raised his hand.
“The battle seems to have gone well.”

“Sir, thanks to you, we are almost finished with controlling the entire island.” Then Hans looked at the burning castle.
“But sir, what is that?”

“It’s the last life force that the Iron Tribe King is burning out.”

Hans and the other elves around him stared at the flames in surprise; the Iron Tribe elves were especially shocked.
If Zich’s words were true, their king was, at the very least, dying.

“Sir, then is everything over?”

“No, that’s probably not it.” Zich stared at the raging flames and replied confidently.
The war was not over yet.
It was not time to watch the awe-inspiring flames and become sentimental. 

“You bastard, what did you do to Our Majesty!” An Iron Tribe soldier near Zich rushed towards him.
It seemed like he was an elf with strong loyalty to Renu.
However, the result of his bravado was his body cut into two.

Splash!

The now elf corpse splashed out blood and organs all over the ground. 

“Really, these guys don’t know their place…” Zich clicked his tongue. 

The other Iron Tribe soldiers that were running towards Zich flinched.
With just one movement, they realized that Zich was far superior to them in strength and ability.
Thus, no one rushed towards Zich again.
The allied forces began wielding their weapons at the Iron Tribe soldiers again.
However, Zich didn’t participate in the battle; instead, he quietly watched the burning castle.

Hans' complexion changed as he asked, “…Sir Zich, that ability right now…”

“I’m just using it for a bit.
That Clowon power seems to be a pretty interesting object.”

“Sir, is it the same as the situation we encountered in Violuwin?”

“Yep.”

Hans nodded at Zich’s reply.
Even though not all of his curiosities were satisfied, this was Zich’s work.
There was no reason for him to know more.

“Zich!” Lyla and Snoc moved closer to Zich; Romanne was also with them.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“See for yourself.” Zich raised his two arms and showed Lyla that he was fine.
There was only a light burn mark on the corners of his clothes, and the rest of his body was the definition of healthy. 

While looking at the castle, Romanne asked, “What happened to that?”

Zich gave the same answer he gave to Hans, “The castle is blazing from the flames that are burning the last of Renu Ent Draus’ life force.”

“…The life force of the Iron Tribe King?”

“Yes, it’s his hidden attack that uses his own life.
It seems like this is his last desperate attempt at retaliation after being driven into a corner.”

“…You are really amazing.” There was even deep respect in Romanne’s voice; it was not surprising that she felt this way.
The individual who made the biggest contribution to this war was the outsider that her granddaughter had brought.

“Thank you, but save your compliments for another time.
The war isn’t over yet.”

“It’s not over yet? If this is the result of the Iron Tribe King’s desperate attempt at retaliation, isn’t this war basically over?”

Since the Iron Tribe King died and his soldiers had lost the battle, the Iron Tribe’s collapse was inevitable.
Was Zich trying to tell her to not lower her guard? However, Zich’s words were not obscure, nor did they have some hidden meaning. 

“That fire is the result of Renu Ent Draus’ burning his own life force, but it’s probably not over.
On the other hand, his desperate attack is probably only just starting.”

“What do you mean…”

Crash! A new explosion cut off Romanne’s words.
However, there was no need for her to finish her sentence as the flames answered her question.
The flames raged on and expanded; as if to reach the ends of the sky, they increased in size at an exponential rate.
Then, all the people and elves witnessed a shocking sight.

Thud!

A ginormous flame figure walked forward.