Melheis stopped time one second after his death.
He can be revived so long as that state continues,
but are you prepared to use that magical power as your chip?
You sure about that? Not staking my life?
If you're assuming that's a cheap chip, then you're already under my spell.
Interesting. I'm going to strip you bare.
Now then, let me explain the rules.
02 - The Demon King’s Duel of Intellect
You will tell me who you believe to be the Child of God.
I will confirm whether it's true or not.
However, I can be untruthful with you just once.
Hmm.
You can make up to eighteen guesses.
If you guess right, you win.
My magical power will then be sealed for five seconds.
On the other hand, if I win...
You won't be able to use your magical power for five seconds.
And it goes without saying, but...
One: you cannot ask the same question twice.
Two: We cannot attack each other during this match.
Three: If you forfeit, you lose.
What do you say, Demon King Anos?
Let me change one of those rules.
Change it how?
Just nine guesses is enough for me.
But that would only put you at a disadvantage.
What are you scheming?
I thought I'd make this as fair a fight as possible.
No amount of artificial advantages can ever be enough for you.
After all, I am the one you're taking on.
Fine, then.
Zecht, please.
Zecht.
All right, let the game begin!
My lord has commanded me to seize your source.
Why?
Is this your doing?
Tell me, why do you need Misa's source?
Because she is the child borne by the Great Spirit Leno.
Your Source contains the power to control all Spirits.
The Great Spirit Leno?
Then tell us how you came to have half of that Magic Sword.
What do you think?
The spells I studied resemble Asc and Jerga, eh?
Just for the record...
I happen to really hate that magic.
Are you aware that the gods had a hand in your birth?
You're talking about how the gods helped Jerga?
That's right. To create a vessel.
They've been waiting all this time for a vessel strong enough to carry the power of the gods.
And guess who was born?
How interesting. I can't wait to dissect you and get a good look!
I get it now. You're someone I can never forgive.
What do you want with us?
You two were brought forth by a god's intentions.
What does that mean, exactly?
When your source was split into two...
...a personality was born; one that never should've come into existence.
That's me.
There was no divine intent there.
You think that was just a coincidence?
It was the gods who rewrote the magic circle.
But there's no need for divine intervention in the Infernal Realm.
I'll dispose of you when you awaken.
I see. Thanks for letting us know.
But you're wrong.
The one who brought us to life...
...wasn't actually any god!
Among my subordinates, these are the four who could be the Child of God.
I'm going to base my guesses on them.
Here's my first guess.
The Child of God is one of my subordinates.
Correct.
That's the answer I expected, but it could be a lie.
To clarify...
The Child of God is Misha.
Wrong.
The child of God is Sasha.
Wrong.
The Child of God is Zeshia.
Wrong.
The Child of God is Misa.
Correct.
How strange.
You seem to have given me the answer on my fifth guess.
It wouldn't be a battle of wits if it were predictable, would it, Demon King Anos?
I'm behind you.
Lay!
Magic Shield Gennias. That which curses those who wound its owner,
and inflicts twice the pain.
Unless you destroy this shield, the curse can never be lifted, nor can you ever recover.
Really? I just have to destroy it, then?
I lied!
I see that you tend to be too honest.
His source has been destroyed.
He won't be getting up ever again.
The people from the castle.
They're Gools!
With the help of the Scarlet Monument King, I modified the Igrams that Anos created.
They're so powerful that your sources will rot to the core.
This magic is deplorable.
Better not!
Sorry, you guys. I'm going to save you, no matter what!
It's got to be here somewhere!
Found it! If we destroy that, no more Gools will ever be born!
Laos... Heine...
Ledriano...
Don't give them another thought.
I'll see to it that you never feel any grief again.
Jino Gleanus.
My magical power's being sucked away!
Once I've drained your magical power, that'll be the end for you!
What is that?
She's using Najira to hide its magical power.
Jump!
All the way from over there? But how?
The Boundless Sword, Garmest.
It will do whatever I want.
Ice Castle.
Take that! Jio Graze!
To your right!
Too bad for you!
Stop!
What?
Garmest can take any form in any number I wish.
I set that up in advance, you see.
Now I've sealed those annoying Demonic Eyes of Destruction.
Sasha...
Concerned about your sister at a time like this?
What a brave soul.
He's confirmed that "the Child of God is Misa" is correct.
If Ziek used his right to lie for that,
then none of the four can be the Child of God...
But that would contradict what he said about the Child of God being my subordinate.
If Ziek just lied about Zeshia being the Child of God,
then that would mean there are two Children of God.
And that would violate the order of the Gods.
There would only be no conflict if Misa were the Child of God.
But to negate that premise,
there'd have to be the possibility that the Child of God was someone other than these four...
For example, if it were Lay, then there'd be no conflict.
At this point, it's certain that the Child of God is one of my subordinates.
It's either Misa, or someone other than these four... but...
This is too easy. Why did you make Misa your "correct answer"?
That would be meaningful if the Child of God was among the three besides Misa.
To let this contradiction stand...
The Child of God has the Demon Eyes of Destruction.
Correct.
That fused body...
It might have a true name that I'm unaware of.
Of my subordinates, Sasha's the only one who has the Demon Eyes of Destruction.
Meaning that "the Child of God is Misa" cannot be correct.
In other words, you used your right to lie for one or the other.
You can no longer lie.
The Child of God is not a pure Demon, but a half-spirit, half-demon.
Wrong.
Meaning that it's not Misa.
Which leaves that fused entity... in other words...
I don't know the name of the Child of God.
Wrong.
And now you're down to your final guess.
Hmm. So the Child of God is my subordinate, and though I do know the child's name,
it's neither Misha, Sasha, Misa, nor Zeshia.
This is quite an entertaining battle of wits.
Since the key to removing the contradictions doesn't exist within the game.
You've implanted a fake memory into your own brain.
I've been searching for an answer that doesn't exist.
So you're onto me!
But it's too late!
The moment you agreed to this battle of wits, you'd already lost.
Our Zecht bars you from attacking my anti-magic barriers!
But if you forfeit this match,
your magical power will be sealed for five seconds.
Now, then, what will you do?
I forfeit this match.
You misjudged me, Demon King!
Five! Four! Three! Two! One!
It's all over now—
Did you really think you could defeat me just because you'd sealed my magical power?
False or not, those memories were implanted in you, with your genuine memories.
There's always intent behind your actions.
You didn't hesitate to destroy Melheis' source. Instead of me.
You might as well have told me that killing Melheis was your top priority.
Surely Melheis isn't worth much to the Blaze Death King or the Heavenly Father God.
Just annihilate me. It may have been a mere battle of wits,
but I can die having defeated the Demon King of Tyranny.
I have no regrets.
Hmm... so says the Blaze Death King's army officer.
Game or not, simply deluding yourself that you'd defeated my lord is nothing short of disrespectful.
What?
I'll make sure that you don't suffer, at least.
What?
Move.
You changed the Boundless Sword the moment you touched it?
Do you even know what it is that you're creating?
Curse you!
This isn't possible... that castle...
Delsgade is a god itself!
How could a mere Demon...
Have you awakened?
I am... me.
It's no use waiting, you know.
If you smash one of Gennias' magic jewels, the curse will destroy your source.
So all I have to do is smash them all, right?
You should watch your back around people with more than two sources.
Impossible...
Seven sources?
The Spirit God Sword Evansmana?
Hmm? Can't hear you!
Have you lost the strength to speak?
I told you that I'd never forgive you! Asc!
It's useless.
Since the emotions that you'd convert into magical power can't be brought in here.
You're wrong about that. Emotions reside in the source.
Huh?
Eleonore!
Wh-What did you say? How did you—
I created it.
Just the desire inside my source.
Impossible...
Time for your punishment!
Hero Kanon... you're alive?
So you were born from a god after all.
Ice Crystals.
What...?
I'm going to ask you one more time.
Where did you get that half of the Magic Sword?
I cannot answer that.
Was his source destroyed?
No, looks like he's been reincarnated.
The barriers... are gone.
All right!
Theo Ingal.
No way, no way, no way.
The Blaze Death King's powers...
Defeated by Human Magic?
The Blaze Death King may be incredible...
But I'm the Demon King's magic!
Misha?
I was in time.
Misha!
How can you still be alive?
You annihilated the fake that I'd switched out.
Impossible! That source was genuine!
I saw it with my own eyes...
It's a spell that I just learned recently.
The Womb of Origination Magic, Eleonore, created by the gods.
Don't tell me you created a pseudo-source?
Without even studying magic that much?
If you did your research on me, then you should've at least seen that.
But when did you...?
The moment you agreed to this battle of wits, you'd already lost.
No, I won't say that. The moment you thought about battling me, you'd already lost.
Suicide?
Do you think I'd let him escape?
You can't lie anymore. Ziek, tell me your purpose for coming here.
My purpose was to reduce even a little of the Demon King of Tyranny's combat power.
That's why I went after Melheis.
So the people of Azeshion still believe in and fear Avos Dilhevia?
Yes. They seem to believe that Jerga's acts of brutality in the recent war...
...were the Demon King of Tyranny's doing.
Though they're set to punish Diego, who led the armed forces...
Unless we act, it could trigger another conflict, eh?
I believe it would be wise to announce that Avos is a fake...
...during the ceremony of the Second Coming of the Demon King.
So our story will be that Kanon and I joined forces to annihilate Avos?
Yes. Although the Hero Kanon is thought to have gone missing after the war.
You should consider having him attend the ceremony.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Are we all here?
There's something I need you all to know.
About the Child of God that we're searching for. He or she might very well be one of you.
The Scarlet Monument King's subordinate said that she was created out of a god's intent.
I don't know about any gods. I am your child, Mommy.
Nothing's been settled yet.
They may be plotting to secretly awaken the true Child of God while my eyes are on you.
True. After all, that's what the enemy says.
Regarding that matter, I've received word from the head of the Unitarians.
I was told that no one knew his identity. Who is it?
The Demon King of Tyranny's right-hand man... Shin Reglia.
Shin, eh? Why won't he show himself?
I'm sure he has a good reason.
He's sent word that he awaits you in the Forest of Great Spirit Aharthern.
Come to think of it, the King of Curses' subordinate had this on him.
I see.
The Looting Sword Gilionojes, eh?
I haven't seen it since that day 2,000 years ago.
It belongs to Shin Reglia, right?
So the head of the Unitarians is Shin Reglia, the owner of this sword?
This is hard to understand.
It's all right. I don't get it, either!
I wanted to inform you sooner, Lord Anos,
but I was unable to detect you or your magical power.
Right.
These days I've been really into renovating the underground dungeon.
Underground? You mean Delsgade?
Why would you do something like that?
I built a city where the 10,000 Zeshias can live.
A city?
And thanks to you, they all seem to be enjoying themselves!
You shouldn't be building something so outrageous.
Lord Anos, what are you going to do now?
I'll be heading to Aharthern. The Great Spirit Leno should be there, as well.
But we can't take our eyes off NousGalia, can we?
Not only that, but it's possible that he might be targeting them.
We're just going to have to all go together. Needless to say, that includes NousGalia.
How are we going to do that?
Gods always keep their promises to Humans.
Surely, he can't disobey an order.
Our next class will be a field trip to Aharthern.
THE SPIRIT'S SCHOOL BUILDING
The Spirit's School Building.