"Professor Lev."
Mash froze the instant she saw that green figure, unable to decide what to do.
"Lev Lainur Flauros." Fujimaru Ritsuka, meanwhile, glared furiously at Lev through gritted teeth.
"Those are fine eyes, Master of Chaldea. It seems you've grown again during this time. As Mash's elder, in a sense, I find that rather gratifying."
Lev wore the same gentle smile he had worn in Chaldea and gave a light round of applause.
Mash opened her mouth, wanting to denounce the villain, but—
Noticing the complicated expression on Mash's face, Lawrence took over for her.
"Looks like you've been doing well yourself. What's wrong? Haven't you been killed enough yet?" Lawrence shot back with a smile.
Lev—the Demon God Pillar Flauros—was a monster who had stood in Chaldea's path more than once. Yet without exception, he had been defeated every time.
Nothing could stop Chaldea's determination to move forward.
Yet Lev did not seem particularly angered. He merely shrugged calmly.
"Lawrence. Lawrence Anno Falgao. Such a sharp tongue—worthy of being Leonardo da Vinci's lifelong best friend." Lev looked at Lawrence with an elegant yet savage smile, exposing the teeth beneath his lips.
Those were absolutely not human teeth, but the teeth of some beast—sharper and more terrifying even than a beast's.
At the sight of those teeth, Mash finally snapped out of her daze. Her gaze became firm once more as she tightly gripped her shield.
That Lev might have been Professor Lev, the man who had raised Mash, but now he had lost that warmth and kindness. He was a... demon through and through.
"I believe we have no need for further pleasantries, Master of Chaldea. Still, I must offer you the most basic praise, Fujimaru Ritsuka." Lev no longer paid attention to Mash or Lawrence. He fixed