"No use."
Damien shook his head. "Some people's logic defies common sense."
As expected, the Lizardmen's reaction to Souei's overwhelming strength caught the Ice Empress and Snow Empress off guard.
'What kind of trick did you use?!'
'To defeat Gabiru-sama, you resorted to a sneak attack!'
'Are you all okay?'
The tall Lizardman named Gabiru glanced at his comrades, noting they were unharmed.
Their earlier collapse seemed more like they'd fallen under an illusion.
'I see!'
'Illusion magic, is it?!'
'No injuries, yet we passed out.'
'That guy must have cast an illusion on us!!'
"What's going on?"
Even the Ice Empress stood up, staring dumbfounded at the projection where Gabiru and the other Lizardmen charged at Souei again.
"Are they dumb?"
"Can't they see Souei went easy on them?"
To the Ice Empress, even a fool should understand this.
Souei had the power to knock them all out instantly and spared their lives, clearly showing goodwill.
His actions demonstrated strength while giving them face.
But why?
Why would they recklessly attack again?
'Argh!!'
Once more, Gabiru and the Lizardmen were knocked down by Souei.
This time, Souei used a bit more force, causing injuries but nothing fatal.
'Damn it!'
'Everyone, are you okay?'
'We're fine, Gabiru-sama! We can still fight!'
'No, you're no match for him.'
In the projection, Gabiru, leaning on his trident, shakily stood. 'Go back and bring more of our people!'
'But what about you, Gabiru-sama?'
'Fools!'
With a tone of resolute sacrifice, Gabiru shouted, 'I'm your leader! How could I abandon my men and flee?'
'Go now!'
'I'll hold him off!'
'Even if it costs my life, I won't let him pursue you!'
'Gabiru-sama!!'
The Lizardmen were moved to tears by Gabiru's heroic stand.
The scene left Souei at the time... and everyone watching now... utterly speechless.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
"What's that?"
"Hold on, let me process this."
"Why is this plot getting harder to follow?"
Not just the Ice Empress, but even the Snow Empress and Ogerpon were baffled.
Good grief!
Who's the villain here?
Were they putting on a stage play?
And the Lizardmen were way too dramatic.
"Souei's face is twitching."
Shion whispered to Shuna beside her.
"Don't say that, poor Souei."
Shuna felt sympathy for him, stuck dealing with such bizarre, brainless Lizardmen.
Souei had held back, only knocking them out.
The Lizardmen thought he was bluffing, all show and no substance.
So, Souei hit harder.
Then the Lizardmen turned it into a melodramatic lone-hero act.
As for the others?
Every single one, shouting about friendship and bonds, rushed forward heedless of their lives.
With no other choice, Souei left.
"Good work, Souei."
Damien patted his shoulder, consoling him. "Rest up and try to forget this unpleasant experience."
"I'm sorry, I failed your task."
"Tch!"
Damien waved away the projection, unable to stomach the endless chants of 'Gabiru! Gabiru!'
"Should I go take that guy out?"
The Ice Empress saw it clearly: Gabiru held high esteem among the Lizardmen.
As long as he was around, they'd follow his judgment.
But Gabiru was clueless, unable to read the situation, and full of himself.
Even if there were sensible Lizardmen, they likely couldn't override his influence to make the right call.
In that case!
A faint icy blue aura emanated from the Ice Empress. "If we kill this guy, the Lizardmen will fall in line, right?"
"For once, Ice, you're right."
The Snow Empress agreed that eliminating this fool named Gabiru was the way to go.
"No need."
Damien, however, waved it off nonchalantly, sipping from his teacup.
"That guy's already been named."
Damien added, "Which means Clayman is likely keeping an eye on the Lizardmen."
"Clayman, one of the Ten Great Demon Lords?"
It was Souei's first time hearing this, his expression tightening as he considered how to gather intel or plan an assassination against a Demon Lord.
"Yeah."
Damien nodded. "The Moderate Harlequin Alliance... those guys are pretty strong."
"Among us, only me, Violet, Snow Empress, and Ogerpon could take them on."
Damien and Violet were obvious, with Demon Lord Seed-level magicules and a slew of skills.
Even if they couldn't defeat the Harlequins, they could hold their ground without needing Gate of the Void as a trump card.
As for the Snow Empress, her magicules hadn't yet reached 100,000, but that was recent.
Once she broke through to Special A-rank, her combat power would soar.
Damien had confidence she could handle Demon Lord-level opponents.
Ogerpon was different.
She was a pure stat monster.
With the Star Wolves's addition, her Unique Skill, Growth, gained new fuel.
The Ogre's evolution and full attribute refresh gave her another chance to farm experience from them.
As a result, Ogerpon's magicules surged, breaking past the Special A-rank bottleneck.
Combined with abilities inherited from Damien and her own Unique Skills, she could stand toe-to-toe with the Harlequins, even if she couldn't win.
"Huh?"
"What about me?"
The Ice Empress pouted, dissatisfied. "Am I not good enough?"
"Ice, you really might not cut it."
Damien didn't sugarcoat it, worried she'd impulsively challenge the Harlequins head-on.
Every one of those guys had magicules in the millions.
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
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