Granbell Attack

Arrival in Ruberios

When they reappeared, they were met with a chaotic scene. Smoke rose from distant buildings, and the sky was tinged red with flames. The once-beautiful domain of Luminous Valentine was under siege.

Rimuru: (gritting his teeth) "Granbell really didn't hold back, did he?"

Chloe: (quietly) "It's worse than I imagined... Sensei, this feels... familiar."

Rimuru glanced at her, a spark of concern flickering in his mind.

Rimuru: (thinking) What could Chloe be sensing?

Raphael: "Master, I recommend proceeding with caution. There are multiple high-level enemies detected nearby, including one matching Granbell Rosso's signature."

Rimuru: "Figures. Alright, let's move carefully and find Luminous. She'll know what's going on here."

As they moved through the city, the devastation became more evident. Streets were littered with debris, buildings burned, and the panicked cries of citizens echoed through the air. Soldiers loyal to Luminous fought valiantly against Granbell's forces, but it was clear they were being overwhelmed.

Shion: (gritting her teeth) "These scum dare to cause this much destruction? Rimuru-sama, let me crush them!"

Rimuru: (shaking his head) "Not yet. We need to find Luminous first. If Granbell's after the sealed body beneath her stronghold, this chaos is just a distraction."

Chloe: (looking around) "This... feels so wrong. It's like something's pulling me toward the cathedral..."

Rimuru glanced at her, his suspicions deepening.

Raphael: "Master, I have detected an abnormal energy signature near the cathedral. It appears to be a convergence of Granbell's forces and an unknown power source. Luminous Valentine is likely in that vicinity."

Rimuru: (to the group) "The cathedral's our destination. I have detected something major there. Stay sharp."

The cathedral was a battlefield, its once-majestic halls now echoing with the clash of steel and the cries of war. Granbell and Hinata were locked in an intense duel at the center of the chaos, their blades colliding with such force that shockwaves rippled through the air. Around them, the Holy Knights fought valiantly against Granbell's soldiers, trying to protect their home and Luminous.

Rimuru, Shion, Zegion, and Chloe arrived at the scene just in time to witness the carnage. Rimuru's sharp eyes immediately analyzed the situation.

Rimuru: (to Zegion) "I sense another strong presence nearby. It's not Granbell—it feels... different. Go check it out and if it is one of Granbell men deal with it."

Zegion: (bowing) "Understood, Rimuru-sama."

Without hesitation, Zegion disappeared, his movements so fast they left barely a ripple in the air.

Rimuru turned to Shion, whose grip on her weapon tightened as she watched the battle unfold.

Rimuru: "Shion, assist the knights. Clear out as many of Granbell's soldiers as you can, but don't let your guard down. They're not ordinary grunts."

Shion: (grinning) "Leave it to me, Rimuru-sama! These fools won't know what hit them."

Shion dashed into the fray, her blade slicing through enemy ranks with terrifying precision. Her overwhelming strength immediately tipped the scales in the knights' favor.

Rimuru then turned to Chloe, whose wide eyes were glued to the battle between Hinata and Granbell.

Rimuru: "Chloe, stay here. Hide behind that wall. I don't want you getting hurt."

Chloe: (reluctantly) "But Sensei..."

Rimuru: (placing a hand on her head) "I promise, I'll handle this. Just stay safe, okay?"

Chloe nodded reluctantly and hid behind the wall, her instincts screaming at her that something monumental was about to happen.

The Duel: Hinata vs. Granbell

Granbell, a legendary hero, exuded a calm yet menacing aura. His every movement was deliberate, his mastery of the sword evident in the way he countered Hinata's precise strikes with ease. His sword, glowing faintly with divine energy, parried and deflected Hinata's attacks like it was an extension of his own body.

Granbell: (mocking) "Is this really all you've got, Hinata? For the so-called leader of the Holy Knights, you're nothing but a disappointment."

Hinata: (gritting her teeth) "Don't underestimate me, old man. You'll regret it."

She lunged forward with blinding speed, her blade aiming for Granbell's heart. But he sidestepped effortlessly, his counterstrike forcing her to leap back to avoid being skewered.

Granbell: (chuckling) "Still so predictable. You've always relied on precision and logic in battle, but you lack the instinct to truly dominate. Tell me, why haven't you awakened your Hero's Egg yet? Afraid of what it'll turn you into?"

Hinata's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before she regained her composure.

Hinata: "I don't need some 'Hero's Egg' to take you down."

She unleashed a flurry of strikes, her blade glowing with magical energy as she used her Disintegration Technique. The holy energy surged toward Granbell, who smirked and raised his sword, effortlessly dispersing the attack.

Granbell: "Disintegration? Really? How quaint. Let me show you how a real hero fights."

He stepped forward, his blade coated in an aura of pure, condensed magic. In a single motion, he unleashed a devastating slash that shattered the ground beneath them and forced Hinata to retreat.

Raphael: "Analysis: Granbell's power exceeds Hinata's by approximately 30%. However, his movements suggest that he's holding back. It is likely he intends to draw out her potential."

Rimuru: (thinking) This guy... he's playing with her. But why?

Suddenly, Raphael's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Raphael: "Warning: Luminous Valentine's life force is weakening. Immediate action is required."

Rimuru: (to himself) So he really is after her. This ends now.

He glanced at Chloe, who was still hiding behind the wall.

Rimuru: "Chloe, stay here no matter what. I'll be back."

Granbell turned his piercing gaze to Rimuru and grinned.

Granbell: "Ah, the infamous Demon Lord Rimuru. I was wondering when you'd show up."

Rimuru: (calmly) "Granbell, you've caused enough trouble. Stand down, or I'll make you."

Granbell: (laughing) "Oh, you're welcome to try, slime. But don't think for a second that you can stop me. This world needs change, and I'll be the one to bring it."

Rimuru: "I don't have time for your speeches. Let's end this."

Granbell's grin widened as he raised his sword, the divine aura around him intensifying.

Granbell: "Very well. Show me what you've got, Demon Lord."

The cathedral's lower levels trembled under the weight of combat as Zegion descended further into the shadows, following the source of the mysterious power Rimuru had detected. The stench of blood and the sound of steel colliding echoed through the narrow halls. His keen senses led him to an open chamber littered with the defeated bodies of knights who had valiantly tried to defend Ruberios.

At the center of the carnage stood a figure—a tall, armored insectoid with an imposing presence, his body radiating an aura of malice. His exoskeleton shimmered like black obsidian, and the twin blades he held glowed with an eerie green light, pulsating with life-draining energy. He looked up as Zegion entered, his compound eyes narrowing with recognition.

Gazul: "Ah, finally, a worthy opponent."

Zegion's golden carapace shimmered under the dim light, his four wings twitching slightly as he analyzed the enemy before him. Despite the chaos around them, Zegion's posture was calm, his piercing gaze unshaken.

Gazul: " I am Gazul, the Sword and Protector of my lord Granbell. And you are... quite the specimen."

Zegion didn't reply. His stance shifted slightly, and in a flash, he dashed forward, his claws aimed directly at Gazul's chest.

Gazul: (smirking as he parried) "Oh, not much of a talker, are you? Very well, let's see what you're capable of!"

The Clash of Insectoid Titans

Zegion's claws clashed against Gazul's twin blades, the impact releasing a shockwave that cracked the stone floor beneath them. The air between the two buzzed with the intensity of their auras. Zegion's movements were fluid and precise, every attack calculated and efficient, while Gazul fought with a mix of raw power and refined technique.

Gazul spun his blades, unleashing a barrage of strikes that seemed to cut through the air itself. Zegion evaded with near-perfect timing, his exoskeleton gleaming as he countered with a flurry of his own attacks.

Gazul: "Impressive. Your precision is almost mechanical, but let's see how you handle this!"

Gazul leapt into the air, spinning rapidly as his twin blades emitted a spiraling wave of green energy that tore through the chamber. Zegion reacted instantly, summoning a Multi-Layered Barrier to absorb the attack. The energy crashed against the barrier, creating a blinding explosion that shook the room.

As the dust settled, Zegion dashed through the debris, his claws glowing with a faint golden light.

Zegion: (calmly) "You talk too much."

He struck with a Piercing Drill Strike, his claw spinning like a high-speed drill aimed directly at Gazul's chest. Gazul crossed his blades to block, but the force of the attack sent him skidding backward, his feet carving grooves into the stone floor.

The Power of Gazul

Gazul steadied himself, his eyes narrowing.

Gazul: "Hah! Not bad, but you're not the only one with tricks up your sleeve!"

He plunged his blades into the ground, and the green energy that radiated from them spread like veins through the floor. Suddenly, spikes of energy erupted from below, aiming to impale Zegion. Zegion leapt into the air as he avoided the deadly spikes.

Gazul capitalized on the moment, appearing behind Zegion in a burst of speed and slashing downward. Zegion twisted midair, deflecting the strike with his claws, but the force sent him crashing into the ground.

Gazul didn't let up, descending on Zegion with a series of relentless strikes. Zegion's barriers flickered as he blocked and countered, each collision sending sparks flying.

Zegion's Counterattack

Despite Gazul's overwhelming offense, Zegion remained calm, his mind processing every movement with cold efficiency.

Zegion: (softly) "Enough."

He suddenly unleashed a burst of golden energy, forcing Gazul to retreat. Zegion's aura intensified, his carapace glowing with divine light as he activated his True Form, releasing his full power.

Gazul's eyes widened slightly, though he quickly composed himself.

Gazul: "So, you've been holding back. Good. Let's make this interesting!"

Zegion dashed forward with blinding speed, his claws glowing with golden energy as he unleashed his ultimate technique: Dimension Severance. His claws sliced through space itself, creating rifts that distorted reality. Gazul barely managed to dodge, but the attack grazed his armor, leaving a deep scar across his chest.

The two clashed again, their movements a blur as they exchanged blows at lightning speed. Gazul's twin blades hummed with destructive energy, but Zegion's precise strikes and barriers kept him at bay.

Finally, Zegion saw his opening. He feinted with a low strike, forcing Gazul to block, then unleashed a powerful upward slash with both claws, shattering Gazul's defenses.

Gazul staggered, blood dripping from his wounds.

Gazul: (grinning weakly) "You're... strong. But this isn't over yet. My lord's plans will—"

Before he could finish, Zegion delivered a final, decisive strike, piercing Gazul's chest with his glowing claws. Gazul's body shuddered, and his aura faded as he collapsed to the ground.

The cathedral trembled once more as the aftermath of an explosion sent Luminous Valentine crashing through one of the grand stone walls. Her usually pristine and regal appearance was marred—her clothing torn, her pale skin smeared with blood and dust. She groaned as she pushed herself to her feet, her wounds already knitting together at an incredible speed thanks to her vampire regeneration.

Rimuru turned his gaze to where Luminous had come from. Emerging from the smoke was a woman, seemingly in her mid-twenties, with long black hair and eyes that glowed faintly with malice. Her expression was blank, her movements unnatural, as if she were a puppet being controlled. Her presence exuded an oppressive aura of darkness, and Rimuru could tell immediately that something was wrong—she wasn't entirely herself.

The woman stared coldly at Luminous.

As Rimuru turned to assess the situation, his senses flared. A subtle but calculated shift in the air signaled that Granbell had seized the moment.

In the midst of her fierce duel with Granbell, Hinata Sakaguchi had been slowly losing ground. Granbell, a legendary hero, was relentless. His every move was precise, his strikes executed with a level of mastery that forced Hinata into a purely defensive position.

Granbell: (mocking) "Still clinging to hope, are you, girl? You've failed to awaken the Hero's Egg within you. All your brilliance, all your pride as the captain of the Holy Knights, and this is what you amount to?"

Hinata gritted her teeth, her rapier moving in a blur as she parried another of his devastating strikes.

Hinata: (panting) "Don't underestimate me! I don't need some hero awakening to stop you!"

Granbell smirked, feigning another strike before slipping past her guard.

Granbell: (grinning cruelly) "Foolish girl. I'll show you the price of arrogance!"

With a sudden burst of speed, he drove his sword through her chest. Hinata's eyes widened in shock as blood spilled from her mouth. She collapsed to the ground, her weapon clattering beside her as her life force began to fade.

The sight of Hinata falling caused Luminous to snap. Her red eyes flared with unrestrained fury, her aura surging as she screamed.

Luminous: (roaring) "GRANBELL! YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!"

Fueled by pure rage, she shot toward Granbell with incredible speed, the air cracking around her as she unleashed her full power. Granbell, unfazed, raised his sword, their blades clashing in a fierce new bout of combat.

As the rage fueled her, she heard a voice in her mind:

<>

As Luminous and Granbell began their battle, Rimuru turned back to the dark-haired woman who had assaulted Luminous. Her expression remained vacant, her dark aura intensifying as she drew closer.

Rimuru narrowed his eyes.

Rimuru: "Looks like I'll have to deal with you."

As the battles raged on, Chloe Aubert ran to where Hinata lay on the floor, blood pooling around her.

Chloe: (kneeling beside her, voice trembling) "Sensei! Hold on! Please don't die!"

Hinata's breathing was shallow, her face pale as her life ebbed away. She gave Chloe a weak smile.

Hinata: (softly) "Chloe... You've grown so much. I'm... proud of you."

Tears welled up in Chloe's eyes as she clutched Hinata's hand.

Chloe: (pleading) "No! Don't say that! I can save you! I have to!"

The dark-haired woman charged at Rimuru with inhuman speed, her fists glowing with malevolent energy. Rimuru raised his hand, summoning a Multiple Barrier, but her strike shattered it like glass. He leapt back, analyzing her movements.

Rimuru: (to himself) "She's strong, but there's no coordination in her attacks. It's like she's running on instinct."

Suddenly, a surge of power erupted from Luminous. It wasn't a gradual increase—it was as if a divine force had flooded her being. Her crimson eyes glowed with an ethereal brilliance, and her aura, already formidable, became overwhelming. The air itself trembled in her presence.

Granbell, who had been fighting with a smug confidence, faltered for the first time. His instincts as a hero screamed at him that something had shifted—Luminous was no longer the same opponent he had been toying with moments ago.

Granbell: (narrowing his eyes) "What is this? Where is this sudden strength coming from?!"

Luminous: (smiling coldly) "You wouldn't understand, Granbell. It seems the heavens have decided to favor me after all. You wanted me to stand alone, didn't you? Let me show you what that looks like."

Granbell gritted his teeth, realizing he no longer had the upper hand. He deflected her blade with increasing difficulty, each clash sending shocks through his arms.

Granbell: (grunting) "You think this newfound power will save you? I'm still a hero! I've faced gods and demons alike!"

Luminous didn't respond with words. Instead, she pressed her assault, her swordplay becoming relentless. Her strikes came from every angle, leaving Granbell no room to breathe.

Luminous: (coldly) "You've underestimated me for the last time."

Granbell, now desperate, unleashed his full power. His aura flared as he channeled everything he had into a final assault. His blade shone with golden light as he launched a barrage of attacks, each strike shaking the cathedral to its foundation.

Granbell: (roaring) "I am the hero! I am the one destined to rule! You are nothing but a relic of the past, Luminous!"

Luminous: (softly) "Granbell… it's over."

With one final clash, Luminous disarmed Granbell, her blade sending his sword flying across the room. Before he could react, her sword glowed with a blinding light.

Granbell: (wide-eyed) "No… this can't be…!"

With a swift and decisive motion, Luminous slashed across his chest. The radiant energy from her sword consumed him, tearing through his defenses and sealing his fate. Granbell staggered, his body trembling as the light faded from his eyes.

Granbell: (weakly) "How… could I… lose…?"

He collapsed to the ground, lifeless. The once-proud hero who had caused so much chaos and pain was no more.

As Chloe knelt beside Hinata, her small hands trembling, she tried desperately to stop the bleeding, but it was no use. Hinata's pale face was etched with pain, yet her sharp eyes softened as they met Chloe's tearful gaze.

Chloe: "No! Don't say that, Hinata! You can't die! Please, hold on!"

Hinata's lips curled into a faint smile, a shadow of her usual stoic demeanor. She weakly lifted her trembling hand and placed it gently on Chloe's shoulder.

Hinata: (in a fading voice) "Chloe... there's no time. I've fought for so long... and now, it's your turn. Take this... and live. Live for the future."

Before Chloe could respond, a faint, radiant light began to emanate from Hinata's chest. A small orb of light, glowing with incredible warmth and power, emerged. Chloe's breath caught in her throat as she instinctively reached out her hands to cradle the orb.

The light pulsed gently, and in that moment, Chloe felt an overwhelming rush of emotions and memories—not just from Hinata's life, but fragments of something far older, something ancient and immense.

Chloe: "Hinata, what... what is this?!"

Hinata's voice was barely audible now, a whisper carried on her final breath.

Hinata: "The Hero's Egg... you're the one... I believe in you."

With those words, Hinata's eyes closed, her hand slipping away from Chloe's shoulder as her body went limp.

Chloe: "Hinata! No! Please, no!"

Tears streamed down Chloe's face as she clutched the orb tightly, her heart breaking. The orb began to glow brighter and brighter, enveloping her in a radiant cocoon of light.

As the light intensified, a sudden surge of energy erupted from the orb, creating a gust of wind that swept through the cathedral. Rimuru, still engaged in his fierce battle with the dark-haired woman, turned his head for a brief moment to see the radiant light engulfing Chloe.

Rimuru: (alarmed) "Chloe?! What's happening?!"

The mysterious woman took advantage of his momentary distraction to launch a deadly strike, but Raphael's voice resonated in his mind, warning him.

Raphael: <>

Rimuru effortlessly parried the attack and kept his focus on Chloe as the light began to dim.

When the radiance faded, Chloe was no longer there. The spot where she had knelt beside Hinata was empty, the only sign of her presence being the faint warmth lingering in the air.

Rimuru: (wide-eyed) "She... vanished?!"