World Item: The Diamond of Uktena; Panic

Boom!

Stone fragments flew everywhere. Cracks spread across the beetle-shell armor covering King Knight, and the armor shattered. His body vanished as though he had been driven into the ground.

The impact shook the earth.

66

A roar."

Metal Dragon Starstripe spread his wings fully and hovered close to the ground. He planted the thick claw that had knocked King Knight back against the earth and pushed off hard.

Whoosh!

At that moment.

Despite his enormous size, Metal Dragon Starstripe moved with startling agility, darting forward as nimbly as a cat.

In Cocytus's vision, Metal Dragon Starstripe skimmed forward at incredible speed, leaving a gray afterimage in midair before arriving right in front of him.

"—I'm his real target!"

A flash of realization crossed Cocytus's compound eyes. The enemy was every bit as cunning as he had imagined.

From the start of the battle.

The enemy had appeared intent on dividing the battlefield. He had even sent Root Fire Elementals to hold Cocytus back while he fought Lord Ainz.

The situation now made it clear that all of that had been a feint.

"As you wish. Come, Starstripe Orichalcum!" A cold blue light shone in Cocytus's eyes. He spread four arms, gripped his halberd with the other two, and swung it hard at the ground. "You dared slip away from a battle with my lord Ainz. Prepare to kneel and beg for mercy!

"Axequake!"

Bang!

The instant the silver halberd struck the ground, an invisible shockwave spread from Cocytus, carrying bitter cold in every direction.

Moisture in the air froze instantly into fine ice crystals. Hiss! Hiss!

The searing heat rolling off the two Root Fire Elementals under attack met the ice crystals, and hot steam billowed up.

The shockwave that followed drove both Root Fire Elementals back.

"Elemental monsters