Takeru and the others maintained their aerial vigilance. Within less than twenty seconds, a figure enveloped in crimson energy came hurtling directly toward their position.
Seeing this, Takeru swiftly extended both hands, immediately deploying his Devourer light screen, and precisely caught the incoming figure, completely devouring the impact force and converting it into his own mana reserves.
The newcomer, sensing herself being devoured by a special ability, erupted with power and effortlessly broke free from Takeru's Devourer skill.
"Nice to meet you! I'm the one and only Dragonoid, also known as the Destroyer… Demon Milim-sama Nava!" Having broken free, the visitor introduced herself.
Looking at Milim, who resembled a young girl in scant clothing, Takeru was somewhat surprised. He had not expected her to come here… perhaps it was due to his own awakening as a Demon Lord.
"Oh, so you're the new Demon Lord!" Milim then noticed Takeru and, without any regard for others, circled around him twice.
"Milim-sama, if I may ask, what business do you have with my master?" Seeing it was Milim, Diablo appeared somewhat surprised, then calmly inquired.
Though aware he was no match for Milim in his current state, Diablo did not retreat.
"You are... um... that's right! You're the same kind of demon as Guy, aren't you? The Primordial Black, I think?" Looking at Diablo, Milim pondered for a moment before excitedly exclaiming.
"I am honored Milim-sama remembers my name. Might I ask the purpose of your visit?" Hearing Milim's words, Diablo inquired once more.
"I heard someone awakened as a Demon Lord and seized the Kingdom of Falmuth, so I came to say hello! Whoa, to possess this level of mana right after awakening, you're certainly not to be underestimated!"
Hearing Diablo's words, Milim stated directly, then remarked with admiration while looking at Takeru.
"So your purpose is simply to greet me?" Hearing her words, Takeru nodded understandingly. If it was Milim, this was entirely plausible.
"Takeru-sama, can she be trusted?" Hearing Milim's words, Ram hesitantly inquired. She could sense the ocean-like mana and oppressive aura emanating from Milim.
And this was merely Milim's mana in her normal state. In her combat form, her mana could multiply several times over...
"Yes. If it's her, it is indeed possible." Hearing Ram's words, Takeru nodded calmly.
"Well, Milim, I have a proposal. Would you like to hear it?" Looking at Milim, Takeru revealed a smile.
"Proposal?" Hearing Takeru's words, Milim looked at him curiously.
"Indeed. Having just become a Demon Lord, I haven't yet tested my power. Let's fight." Looking at Milim, Takeru spoke seriously.
"Fight!" Hearing Takeru's words, Milim paused, then her eyes lit up.
"Yes. If you win against me, I'll treat you to this." Looking at Milim, Takeru produced a lump of Combee honey.
"What is that?" Hearing Takeru's words, Milim looked curious.
"Well, why don't you try it and find out?" Smiling lightly, Takeru teleported before Milim and pressed the honey directly to her lips.
"What is this?! I've never tasted anything so delicious!" Sensing the exquisite flavor on her taste buds, Milim was ecstatic.
Ram and the others, watching Milim instantly tamed by a lump of honey, were stunned. Instantly, the threat Milim posed in their minds plummeted several notches.
"As expected of Master, to so effortlessly gain the compliance of even an existence like Milim..." In Diablo's eyes, Takeru had completely domesticated Milim.
"Then let's start quickly!" Enticed by the honey and the prospect of fun combat, Milim spoke excitedly.
"Wait!" As Milim's fist nearly connected with him, Takeru calmly raised his hand to stop her.
"What now?" Seeing Takeru's action, Milim frowned.
"We won't fight here. Let's move elsewhere. I'd prefer my capital not be destroyed." Looking at Milim, Takeru spoke seriously.
"Fine!" Hearing Takeru's words, Milim nodded.
"Then let's go. Do not resist." Saying this, Takeru enveloped everyone with Yin magic's Gate, and they vanished from the spot.
In an instant, Takeru and the group appeared above the Sylk Mountains. The monsters below, sensing Milim's oppressive aura, instantly fled, causing a great commotion.
Takeru settled Ram and the others, deploying a magical barrier to protect them. He instructed Diablo to guard everyone, then demarcated a separate area, enclosing himself and Milim within a barrier.
"Ready now?" Facing Takeru's series of preparations, Milim hovered in the air, calmly watching him.
"Yes, ready." Seeing the impatient Milim, Takeru manifested his Twilight Set and nodded to her.
"Finally, we can begin!" Hearing Takeru's words, Milim exclaimed excitedly.
"Come." Takeru directly beckoned her.
The instant Takeru's words fell, Milim appeared beside him, her small fist unhesitatingly hurtling toward his head.
Yet in the instant before impact, Takeru raised his Twilight Shadow, intercepting her attack.
Boom!
The moment Takeru's Twilight Shadow and Milim's arm collided, a violent explosion seemed to erupt in midair.
The Twilight Shadow, as if struck by some terrifying force, completely shattered. The Twilight Armor worn beneath also appeared damaged from the horrific impact, though it instantly restored itself.
The powerful shockwave created a small crater below and generated intense gusts of air, all contained within the barrier.
Though the impact appeared devastating, Takeru was unharmed. The Twilight Shadow repaired itself within seconds.
"Hmm, your equipment seems strange." A single exchange was enough for Milim to notice the peculiarity of Takeru's gear.
"Haha, indeed!" Saying this, Takeru drew Twilight Moon and thrust it directly at Milim's abdomen.
"Don't underestimate me!" Seeing Takeru's short blade, Milim punched out, easily destroying Twilight Moon.
Takeru kicked at Milim, who intercepted with her arm and counterattacked. Thus, Takeru and Milim engaged in intense, blow-for-blow hand-to-hand combat.
Of course, to facilitate his equipment's growth, Takeru frequently used Twilight Shadow and Twilight Moon for blocks and attacks.
In under a minute, Takeru and Milim clashed dozens of times. The ground below was pockmarked and cratered from their collisions. Ram and the others watching were deeply impressed.
They understood that a casual punch or kick from either Takeru or Milim roughly equated to their own full-powered strikes.
Diablo, however, fared better and could discern that neither Takeru nor Milim was truly serious… they were merely engaged in probing exchanges.
"Wahaha, your strength is indeed extraordinary!" After dozens of clashes, Milim distanced herself from Takeru and laughed heartily.
"Should we get somewhat serious?" Hearing her words, Takeru said calmly.
"Bring it!" Hearing Takeru's words, Milim smiled.
At her words, Takeru vanished from his spot. Reappearing, Twilight Moon was already thrusting toward Milim's back.
Noticing Takeru's terrifying speed, Milim grew slightly more serious. With an eruption of power, vast mana condensed into a thick shield, intercepting Takeru's Twilight Moon. She then delivered a spinning kick aimed at Takeru's head.
Takeru simply intercepted with his Twilight Shadow.
Bang!
With the violent collision, the Twilight Shadow again became covered in numerous cracks, but rapidly restored itself. Takeru glanced briefly… the Twilight Shadow's damage count had already reached twenty-three.
Then, with slight exertion, Takeru pushed Milim back a short distance and kicked at her again. Though Milim blocked it, Takeru had increased his strength… caught off guard, she was sent backwards.