Moderate Clown Troupe[1] The first day of the Great War. The day ended without anything happening. The magic city was completely protected from the angels' attack due to the firm defensive barrier that covers it. Under the command of the Yellow Knight Kizna and the White Knight Maetel, whom had their power increased, the knights successfully poured out all of their power in order to reinforce the city barrier. However, on the second day. The angels who acted without any unity the day before, now began to concentrate their attacks in order to break through the barrier at one point. Even though the knights had strengthened the barrier against it,several angels were able to invade through a small gap. Due to several angels, the direction of the war would tremble greatly. It didn't take much time for the news to be brought to Leon's attention. The knight was greatly alarmed when he came to report. 「There are only four enemies who have penetrated the barrier, but the inside of the castle is in chaos!」 The knight reported so and returned in order to confront the enemy. However, a scream was immediately heard from the hallway, signifying to Leon that the progress of the war had turned against him. 「The Magic division will blockade the castle! Isolate all of the intruders inside the castle. Don't bring the injured near the castle. The knight leaders are going to face the enemy!」 Leon urgently issued a blockade of the castle with an isolation barrier and had the knight leaders go face the intruders. He left the maintenance of the city barrier to the yellow knight order and the white knight order, he had the spare forces, that is, the red knight order, blockade the castle. The remaining forces were just the blue knight order. Depending on the situation, he needs to decide how he will deploy them. Seeing how the second day suddenly became so hectic, Leon was irritated. ( Hmm, although I thought that we would hold out a bit longer, I see that the enemy is quite strong.) Leon left his seat. He is also going to confront the enemy and check out the intruders. However, it seems that would be unnecessary. With a loud sound, the front gate was destroyed. The large door of the audience hall became small pieces and the splinters scattered like dust. And, the intruder magnificently appeared from amidst the dust. 「Hoooooohohoho. Nice to meet you, everyone! I am called Footman. One of the Moderate Clown Troupe, Footman the Angry Pierrot am I. Pleased to make your acquaintance!」 A plump man with an angry clown mask appeared. However, that clown talked in a cheerful tone, creating a strange atmosphere. He seemed to be one of the four intruders in the report, but it seems to only be this man named Footman who was able to reach Leon's throne. Is he someone who has great confidence in himself or just a thoughtless fool? 「You sc.u.m, coming to this place on your own, don't think you can leave alive!」 Alrose shouts. Claude, who was guarding Leon, placed his hand on his sword and didn't move. Leon was thinking. 'This Footman

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guy, does he intend to defeat me just by himself? If he thinks so, his actions are really underestimating this side too much.' Naturally Leon considered that he might have a different objective. 「Hohoho. Are you angry? Maybe you're not getting enough calcium?! By the way, do you know what calcium is? Things like this contain a lot of it. Because it's a gift, please don't hesitate to take it!」 Footman lightly threw something he had dragged along towards Leon and Co whilst speaking with a full smile on his face. The object burst and scattered in the air and, with a 'pop' sound, white things were scattered near their feet. Leon, Claude and Alrose understood what it was at a glance. It was the ruined figure of the knight who came to report a while ago. Alrose became more agitated. Claude stopped Alrose, who was going to attack Footman, in silence. 「Wait, that guy is dangerous. If there's 3 more people like him, the people inside the castle are in danger. Because Fran and the others will be here, you go defend inside the castle――」 While Claude was still speaking, 「Ah, you are here after all, Demon Lord Leon. Ufufufufu. As expected, you won't let yourself be killed by anyone besides me, right?」 One woman interrupted, whilst pa.s.sing through the broken door and entering the audience hall. She was a beautiful female elf. However, her expression was evil. One of the current Four Fiends of the Heaven Commanders, Kagali who was the former Demon Lord Kazaream. And, following behind Kagali, two more clowns entered as well. Claude and Alrose tensed. It was not because they noticed Kagali's strength. It was simply because they noticed the person who was being carried on the shoulder of a man wearing a teasing face clown mask who had followed her. 「You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Release Oxishan!!」 Alrose boiled with anger. That's right, what that clown was carrying is their comrade, the Blue Knight Oxishan. 「Eh!? Why? Even though I had killed it with a lot of effort and trouble...... Hence, I am going to make this thing my doll. Unfortunately, I won't hear any of y'all's complaints.」 (Teasing Face Clown) To his arrogant manner, not only Alrose, but Claude too had a red face of anger. Kagali seemed to be amused looking at their expression. And, 「Now, now, don't make them so angry. Let's taste the pleasure slowly. You all, redo the self introduction from earlier.」 She said so and laughed happily. Her manner was clearly of a high-ranking person, in fact, the presence that Kagali gave off was stronger and couldn't be compared to before. Leon noticed this and frowned. She is a troublesome opponent. Because even though she knew Leon's strength, she still has time to play around. Is it because the subordinates that she brought are strong? Or, is it because she became stronger that she's overly confident in herself? (Tch, how troublesome. I should have killed her back then.) He thought such, but it was already too late. Because Mizari is hidden and 'waiting to see the situation' for the time being, Leon thought that she could become insurance in the case of emergency, but Leon couldn't ignore the ominous vibe from Kagali. Leon made up his mind that he needed to take care of his problem at this time, so that there won't be any next time. And, the 3 clowns began their introductions toward Leon. The fat clown was the first to open his mouth. 「Hohoho. Although I said it a while ago, I am Footman. One of the Moderate Clown Troupe, Footman the Angry Pierrot am I. Demon Lord Leon. I have a grudge against you because you destroyed Demon Lord Kazaream-sama once before. And, above all, you have also committed the sin of letting my friend Clayman die. I will kill you painfully because I am angry!」 Saying so, he bent his fat body skillfully and bowed, and then he moved to the side. Following after him was a girl with a teary eyed clown mask who stepped forward. With a big sickle over her shoulder, she greeted like she was joking. 「I am Tear. One of the Moderate Clown Troupe, Tear the Teardrop (Teary Eyes Clown). I dislike sad things. Kagali-sama's enemies shall be eliminated by me!」 Declaring so, she skillfully spun the large sickle in a kind of blade dance. The last one stepped forward taking over the spot. He was the man with a teasing face clown mask who was carrying the Blue Knight, Oxishan, on his shoulder. 「Well then everyone. Today seems to be a good day.[2] My name is Laplace. One of the Moderate Clown Troupe, whom is called Laplace, the Wonder Pierrot (Pleasure Clown). Best regards. Here today, under the order of the captain Kazaream-danna――No, right now it's Kagali-anego[3]. One of our members that had been sent as a Demon Lord has gone missing, regrettably[4]. Even so, that Kagali-anego said she was prepared for a chance for revenge like this. Since we have a crackling grudge to y'all, please take care.」 Were the words he spoke. On the other hand, Leon asked him. 「Moderate Clown Troupe? I don't know it.」 「Oh my? Well, it is a barely existing organization after all. I think you had a.s.sisted the person named Clayman, have ya already forgot? He was called Clayman, the Crazy Pierrot, he was such a high spirited chap.」 The person who introduced himself as Laplace answered, and gave a disgusting wink. And he grinned like he was making fun of someone and had a smile that mocked other people. However, Leon's eyes had seen through the man called Laplace as someone who you can't be careless with. He has no gaps. Although he was doing relatively useless movements, They were all connected to his next successive move. A master. They were the movements of a person who had reached the deepest level of skill, mastering all movements. Leon felt that, perhaps, he could be even more dangerous than Kagali. And, as the result of him calmly measuring the energy of the enemy, Leon confirmed that the 3 clowns brought by Kagali had all surpa.s.sed Demon Lord cla.s.s. As for Kagali, she's above the average awakened Demon Lord. It seemed that he had been completely outwitted. The angels outside were just decoys, Leon thought that they might be pretending to be the enemy's main force. When Kagali and Co invaded inside the city barrier, the angels outside had finished their role. In other words, this means that Kagali has absolute confidence that she can defeat Leon and his subordinates. (They're really looking down on us...... But, if that's the case then I ought to teach her her place once again.) Leon stood up. 「Humph. There's no need to remember any of you. After all, you all don't have a future anymore.」 He announced as such. And then the fight began. From Laplace's rear, the Red Knight Fran, who had approached while suppressing her presence, released her deadly strike. A strike from Laplace's blind spot with a sword clad in flame. Fran swings her sword with full confidence that it was impossible for the enemy to evade the strike. However, surprisingly, Laplace easily evaded it without even turning around. It shouldn't be easy to perceive Fran who had hid and completely suppressed her presence whilst using magic power interference, even if『Magic Power Perception』 was being used to grasp the surroundings. 「Woops, that's dangerous right. Oh right, if ya leak such angry emotions, even a precious invincible spell would be ruined by that.」 Laplace spoke such aloof words whilst evading Fran's attack. Fran's ability has been improved greatly. The power of a demon duke cla.s.s, the technique she had trained up until now. And then, magic. She felt it was as if she had reached the peak as a magic swordsman. In fact, it might be said that she has obtained the capability equal to the former Demon Lords. Yet, in front of Laplace, all of her attacks were completely seen through, it's like he is beyond her grasp. 「Impossible! You can see my attack!?」 She instinctively asked the question, 「That's right, it's completely visible. The movement of the eyes, the flow of the aura, the fluctuation of the feelings. All are gathered at one point. At least if you don't disperse them, it's like you're telling me where you'll aim next.」 Laplace answered, shaking his head as his sign of disappointment whilst looking down on her. Actually, Fran's movements are not a thing that someone can easily read. Laplace pointed out her habits, which she herself would rarely ever realize. But even so, coming from Laplace, he could read Fran's movements clearly, to the extent that he is able to easily grasp them. That's because of the difference in capability. At the same time Fran fought Laplace, Footman also moved. He moved swiftly like he wasn't thinking about his fat body, he moved like he was rolling. And then, when he snapped his fingers, several knights who had attacked him were suspended to the air. 「Hooohhohoho. It's time for some fun fun fireworks you know!」 Footman in high spirits raised a jarring laughter. And then, with 'Snap!' He loudly snapped his fingers once more. In an instant, the bodies of the knights in the air began to swell and expand. 「Hii! Wha, what is this!?」 「Stop. Stop this!!」 They bulged and expanded, then―― Bam!! Like that, all of them exploded. Several knights were at their wit's end as Footman killed them with bombs. Their own bodies swelled up like balloons. 「Hooohhohoho. Soooooooo fuuuunnnnnnnnn!!」 The knights understood that numbers wouldn't have any meaning at this point. The elites of the Blue Knight Order that followed behind Fran surrounded the intruders in a circle without approaching the enemy. Claude ground his teeth at the situation. The enemy's force seemed to be stronger than he thought. Among the four people, excluding Claude and Alrose, Fran was the one who had the highest fighting power. Yet, she was unable to land even a single hit on the devil called Laplace. And, the knights were useless against that devil called Laplace. Claude judged that he and Alrose had no choice but to move. He was worried about Leon, but even if he worried about his master who was far stronger than himself, there would be no point, as there was an even stronger collaborator, Mizari. What he had to do now was to support Fran who was his comrade, he renewed his readiness. 「Leon-sama, I will also make a sortie.」 Once Claude had confirmed that Leon had given his nod, he began to move in order to help Fran. At the same time Alrose also, 「Leon-sama, I am also going to go!」 He shouted and rushed out. The remaining people were only Leon and Kagali, who sweetly smiled. A dismal atmosphere drifted in the air, tension increased between the two people. As for Claude and Alrose who had entered the fray―― Claude began supporting Fran, Alrose went towards Footman. And, Tear was left behind, alone, but two knights stood blocking her. The two were the Yellow Knight Kizna and the White Knight Maetel who came running over in a hurry, entrusting the maintenance of the barrier outside to their subordinates. As each group found their opponent, an intense battle began.

[1] The t.i.tle came from 中庸Chuuyou which means the middle way, the middle path, the moderate way. Which also reference the Four Books of Confucian: Doctrine of the Mean. [2] Laplace talk in Kansai ben entirely. Its counterpart in English could be Southern Accent or Australian English [3] It's Female counterpart of Aniki which mean boss. [4] You know, since Clayman had been rekt by Rimuru in front of all of the Demon Lords.