Editing Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 7 Chapter 3 (section)

===Part 2===
After Mardones had made his announcement about the beginning of the battle.

Leohart turned around and walked back to the rest area of his side. However, Mio did not do the same as him, instead, she remained motionless upon the stage.

''…So their vanguard is Naruse Mio huh.''

Leohart had already gained an understanding of Mio and the others’ objective in coming to the Demon Realm based on Lars’ report. If Mio was to fight as a representative of the Moderates faction, and also use this decisive battle as an opportunity to escape from the shackles of the Demon Realm’s political conflicts, it was best for her to avoid facing Leohart at the end. If the daughter of the previous Demon Lord was to face off against the current Demon Lord, it would inevitably appear to be a battle for the Demon Lord’s throne in the eyes of the audience. If she was to win, she would be proclaimed as the new Demon Lord; but if she was to lose, she would be criticised for having ‘shamed the reputation of the great Demon Lord Wilbert’.

''…However.''

The Moderates faction should have known that the Current Demon Lord faction would choose Leohart as their last combatant. If Mio wanted to reduce her presence, let alone the final battle, she should have avoided the most prominent first battle as well; it would have been better for her to take the second, third, or even later positions in which the outcome of the fight would have less impact on the overall battle.

''…Is it because ‘this is her fight’?''

To fight in order to prevent oneself from being dragged into further conflicts — despite the contradiction in that, it felt as if Mio’s faith and determination in this decisive battle both ran deep. —But that alone was not worth admiring. It was not the case that she had unshakable faith. Which is why, when he stepped into the passageway towards his rest area, Leohart said

“…Are you shivering?”

“N-No…I’m fine.”

The person who replied to Leohart was tightly clenching his fist. This was the youth who was acting as the front-runner for the Current Demon Lord faction — Luka. However, his expression and his reply were at odds with each other, for upon his childlike face was a nervousness that could not be concealed. This was natural, and Luka clearly understood the importance of the front-runner in this decisive battle. Tension and fear…these two emotions had definitely snowballed together within him. Thus Leohart gently pressed his hand on top of his shoulder as he said

“Luka…although you may be young, your knowledge on magical research can already be said to be at an expert’s level in the Demon Realm. Not only do I, but Balthier, Lars, and even Gardo all recognise your ability.”

“……!”

After Leohart stated the truth with a serious expression, Luka couldn’t stop his entire body from trembling. This helped him to eliminate his unnecessary tension, but it didn’t make him let go of the sense of responsibility that was generated in his mind — for this battle. Then, Leohart once again enthused Luka as their eyes met with each other.

“Do you think that the you that we trust in…is worse than the girl who simply inherited the power of the previous Demon Lord?”

“…N-No. I certainly don’t. Leohart-sama!”

Although the first affirmation was weak…the second one was loud and clear. As Luka raised his head and looked towards the stage, a new expression was present upon his face.

“I will definitely win…!”

The Luka who said this as he walked towards the stage no longer appeared to be a mere boy. Rather, as he marched steadily onto the battlefield, he looked like a true warrior.