The final trial

"We shouldn't have brought the other teammates. Now that more than half are sacrificed, how can we face the king?" Judo said with shame. Kaia replied, "You think I wanted to? But to be fair, without the strong support of our teammates, we might not have even made it through the door. Anyway, in the upcoming battle, we heroes must charge ahead, even if our magic runs out." Judo shook his head, "Speaking of magic, I was just about to mention that after using that sealing technique, I barely have any magic left. I can't use the same move again." Kaia responded, "I see. Alright, you cover the others next. I'll take the frontline." The group reached the end of the corridor and saw another door. "The final trial begins," a voice announced as the door slowly opened. Judo said, "He said final? Great, the demon king must be behind the door!" Kaia replied cautiously, "Unclear, but it's definitely a formidable enemy."The group slowly entered the room. In this vast, ornate hall, a boy stood in the center. Kaia focused and realized he looked strikingly familiar—it was his childhood self! "What's going on? Are you joking?" Kaia shouted toward the ceiling. At that moment, two more children emerged from the sides—young versions of Emily and Judo. "Why do they look like us as kids?" Emily exclaimed in surprise. Before anyone could react, the three children instantly flew toward the three heroes, striking each with a single blow that sent them flying. "Ah" Emily fell injured, and the children then launched a massacre on the group. Their strength matched the heroes, overwhelming the other warriors. The child resembling Kaia unleashed a Holy Light Slash, killing countless with one strike. "Stop!" Kaia rushed forward, drawing his sword to stop the child. Despite the child's body, his swordsmanship rivaled Kaia's, as if copied from the same mold. "I can't bring myself to fight," Emily said, unable to strike her younger self, who showed no mercy, relentlessly attacking with deadly moves. Emily could only dodge and use protective magic. Just then, a warrior charged in, knocking the young Emily away. "Are you alright, Miss Emily?" he asked, helping her up. "Ah" The warrior was struck by lightning magic, collapsing charred—cast by the young Emily. "Why are you doing this?" Emily demanded angrily. The young Emily remained silent and attacked again. Both used the same magic, evenly matched. Meanwhile, the young Kaia and Judo kept assaulting the group, who fought back fiercely. The young Kaia then used Kaia's signature move, Divine Return Slash, killing over eighty warriors in one blow. Young Judo unleashed Thunderbolt Strike, felling many more. "Why can he use my ultimate move so easily? Stop!" Kaia angrily countered with Dual Divine Slash. The young Kaia dodged and flew toward him. "I don't care anymore—this fake must be eliminated!" Judo thrust his spear at his younger self, now relying on martial skills since his magic was depleted. Other warriors joined the fight.Elsewhere in the Demon Hall, Sissy continued searching the palace, quickly dispatching patrolling soldiers. At a fork, unsure which way to go, she spotted a guard. Sneaking behind him, she pressed a blade to his neck. "Don't move! Tell me where the human princess is imprisoned if you want to live," Sissy threatened. The demon soldier stammered, "Y-yes, don't kill me—go left to the dungeon." After getting the location, Sissy knocked him out with a hand strike and proceeded downward. At the entrance, two guards stood watch. Using a smoke bomb, she blurred their vision, swiftly taking them out and finding a key on one. Unlocking the dungeon door, she entered. Inside, rows of cells lined the walls. Sissy called out Silori's name. "I'm here" Silori shouted back upon hearing her name. "Princess Silori I'm so glad you're okay," Sissy said, finding her. "Sister Sissy~" Silori nearly cried with joy. Sissy opened the cell, and Silori ran out, hugging her tightly. "It's okay. We came to the demon realm to save you after learning you were kidnapped. Kaia and the others are distracting the enemies upstairs. Let's go—this place isn't safe," Sissy said, pulling her hand to run."Your Majesty, it seems the hostage has been rescued," Mino reported. "No matter, let her go," the Overlord replied indifferently, clearly more interested in the ongoing battle.