Chapter 151: Finally Worthy Adversaries
After seven grueling days and nights of nonstop war, the battlefield of the cardinal world finally saw a brief respite. The surviving forces tended to their wounded, fortified their defenses, and caught their breath. But the uneasy silence was soon shattered by an ominous shift in the atmosphere. A suffocating aura descended upon the land, and the sky turned a chaotic blend of crimson and black. Seven distinct portals, each emanating overwhelming power, opened across the battlefield—one before each Demon Lord. The portals crackled with chaotic energy, their shapes and colors reflective of the monstrous entities they contained.
The Demon Lords, bruised but resolute, immediately sensed the danger. These were no ordinary enemies. The power radiating from each portal was suffocating, like a black hole threatening to consume all light. The Demon Lords exchanged wary glances, steeling themselves for what was to come.
Lysandra, the Harbinger of Torment (Against Luminous)
Appearance: A tall, lithe figure clad in armor that shimmered like dark glass. Her hair, white as snow, floated around her like smoke. Her crimson eyes glowed with malice, and her sharp, angular wings radiated an aura of despair.
Abilities: Lysandra wielded Abyssal Chains, a power that bound her enemies' magic and will, draining them of energy. Her ultimate skill, Eternal Woe, created a realm of torment where enemies were forced to relive their greatest fears and regrets.
Aura: A cold, oppressive energy that made the ground freeze and the air difficult to breathe.
Luminous: "I see. Artemis sent me a fitting opponent. You seek to break my will? Foolish."
Lysandra: "You shine too brightly, Queen of Temptation. I will extinguish your light."
Kaelros, the Cataclysmic Warlord (Against Guy Crimson)
Appearance: A massive, heavily armored giant wielding a molten battle axe. His body was encased in blackened steel, with veins of lava coursing through his armor, and his glowing orange eyes radiated fury.
Abilities: Kaelros commanded the power of Volcanic Ruin, capable of creating eruptions and rivers of magma. His ultimate skill, Worldbreaker, allowed him to shatter entire landscapes with a single strike.
Aura: A blistering heat that made the ground beneath him melt and the air shimmer with distortion.
Guy Crimson: "Impressive. I was starting to get bored. Let's see if you're as tough as you look."
Kaelros: "You dare mock me, Crimson King? Your arrogance will be your undoing."
Eryndra, the Tempest Revenant (Against Milim Nava)
Appearance: A spectral figure wrapped in a swirling storm. Her body was semi-transparent, like a spirit, and lightning crackled across her ethereal form. Her long, flowing hair seemed to be made of pure wind.
Abilities: Eryndra wielded Tempest Dominion, controlling storms and winds to devastating effect. Her ultimate skill, Eye of the Maelstrom, unleashed a storm so fierce it could tear apart reality itself.
Aura: A chaotic, electrifying presence that made the air around her hum with energy and the skies above darken.
Milim: "Ooh, you're strong! This is gonna be fun!"
Eryndra: "Child of wrath, your recklessness will be your end."
Varax, the Silent Executioner (Against Leon Cromwell)
Appearance: A hooded figure in pitch-black robes, with a face obscured by darkness. Twin curved blades hung at his sides, and his movements were eerily silent.
Abilities: Varax was a master assassin, wielding Void Edge, which allowed his strikes to bypass all defenses. His ultimate skill, Silent Death, created an inescapable zone where only death awaited his target.
Aura: A chilling stillness that made even the bravest warriors feel exposed and vulnerable.
Leon Cromwell: "An assassin, is it? Your tricks won't work on me."
Varax: "Arrogance is the first step toward failure. You won't see the next step."
Malgrath, the Shaper of Chaos (Against Rimuru)
Appearance: A monstrous figure with a shifting, amorphous body that constantly changed form. His face was a grotesque mask, and his body radiated chaotic energy that distorted reality around him.
Abilities: Malgrath commanded Chaos Manipulation, allowing him to reshape the battlefield and disorient his enemies. His ultimate skill, Reality Collapse, unraveled the laws of the world, making him nearly impossible to counter.
Aura: A warped, mind-bending energy that made the space around him ripple and twist.
Rimuru: "You look like trouble. Guess I'll have to deal with you personally."
Malgrath: "You've come far, slime, but you cannot stand against pure chaos."
Tharion, the Blighted Colossus (Against Draguel)
Appearance: A towering, grotesque amalgamation of flesh and metal. His body oozed with corruption, and his mechanical limbs emitted a dark green glow.
Abilities: Tharion used Corrupted Growth, spreading infectious energy that weakened and consumed his enemies. His ultimate skill, Blightstorm, summoned a massive wave of toxic destruction.
Aura: A foul, toxic energy that poisoned the very air and ground around him.
Draguel: "Finally, someone worthy of being crushed!"
Tharion: "You're strong, but your destruction is nothing compared to mine."
Isolde, the Mistress of Shadows (Against Ramiris)
Appearance: A tall, elegant figure cloaked in living shadows. Her piercing violet eyes glowed beneath her dark hood, and her movements were fluid and predatory.
Abilities: Isolde wielded Shadow Dominion, giving her control over darkness and stealth. Her ultimate skill, Eclipse Veil, enveloped entire areas in impenetrable darkness, disorienting and isolating her enemies.
Aura: A cold, creeping darkness that seemed to drain all light and warmth from the area.
Ramiris: "Oh no! You look scary! But I'm not scared! …Okay, maybe a little scared."
Isolde: "You're weak, little fairy. This will be over quickly."
The Demon Lords stood ready, their ultimate skills resonating with their determination.
Rimuru (via thought communication): "Don't underestimate them, everyone. These aren't like the fodder we've been fighting. Conserve your strength and fight smart. Artemis isn't done with us yet."
Guy Crimson: "Smart's boring. I'll take mine down the old-fashioned way—pure strength!"
Milim Nava: "Mine's so cool! I can't wait to smash her face in!"
Leon Cromwell: "Focus, Milim. These opponents are dangerous. We can't afford mistakes."
Luminous: "He's right. Stay sharp, everyone. These aren't enemies to take lightly."
Draguel: "Finally, a real fight. Let's crush them."
Ramiris: "Um, guys? Mine looks really scary… but I'll do my best!"
As the generals fully emerged from their portals, the battlefield grew tense. The battle for the cardinal world was about to reach a new level of chaos.