*Huff* *huff* *huff*

You really...didn't hold back...at all... *Huff* *huff* *huff*

You were the real deal out there... If I hadn't been able to take all that damage...

...what would you have done then...?

*Huff* *huff* *huff*

Phew... Let me just calm down for a second...

......

......

Phew! I feel much better now.

I think I should just keep moving forward without pushing myself so hard.

I should just say whatever is on my mind, and do whatever I wanna do.

But I gotta train myself to learn how to do that first.

I don't know much about kindness and power, but...

...I'll just protect the people I like, and beat up everyone else who I don't.

That's why I have to get stronger both physically, and mentally. So I can keep true to myself.

I guess this is what some would call my "strength"?

......

Wh-What?! Why are you making that funny face?!

Fine! I don't care if you understand me or not!

I already did what I had to do anyway!

*Sigh* Whatever. I'll tell you one thing though.

Thanks.

A-And now I'll be on my way!

Your other friends must be waiting for you too, so hurry up already!

Hans, I'm gonna get stronger.

I'll get so strong that you'll be the one to rely on me instead. You'll see.

Are you guys done now?

Hey! Sorry to have kept you waiting so long.

Ha ha ha. It looked like you had your hands pretty full there!

But at least everything turned out okay, right?

I don't really know what happened...

...but you look like you had some fun, Hans.

Ha ha ha. Don't make that face!

But hey, while we're at it, you don't think you could help me next, do you?

......

You can feel it too, right?

Barion's power, unleashed by Mora, waiting just ahead.

I think that what lies dormant over there...

...is the power to seal Karna Masta combined with Barion's sealed power.

There the power Mora had stolen from Barion...

...along with the portion of his powers that were sealed away simultaneously with the road towards Menon...

...is accumulating in the depths of this place.

And I plan to release all of it.

I know.

That means I'll have to face the Barion sealed in here too.

......

You know, up until my fight with Mora...

...I never really regretted my own lack of strength.

But the truth is that if Tilith hadn't been there for us, we would've all been killed.

If I had just been able to use my demon powers to their full extent back then...

...I might've been able to do something about it, even if Tilith had never shown up...

......

Hans, I'm gonna fight Barion.

I think if I do, something within me will change.

So, will you help me?

I consider Barion to be a powerful opponent in more than just one way.

And I want to face him with my best friend by my side.

I know I'm asking for a lot here, but do you think you could lend me a hand?

Ha ha ha. Thanks. I knew you wouldn't turn me down.

Well then, let's go find Barion!

You...

I see... It seems we have met before.

And if you've made it this far, it must mean you're here to challenge me.

Yeah, that's right.

Very well.

I am no mere Shadow. My powers closely resemble those of the real Barion himself.

Here, allow me to demonstrate the true power of the Dragon Demon!

Argh... So this is it, huh... This is Barion's real power...

My blood is boiling... Like it's reaching out to a greater power...

Hans...just keep watching...

I'm not gonna deny my own bloodline any longer...

Instead...I'll finally accept it!

I bear within me the blood of the Dragon Demon, Barion!

And I am also a Summoner raised by the Elder Summoner Grahdens, of the Akras Summoners' Hall!

I am Karl, commander of the 24th Demon Slayers Division, and the Rebel Lance!

...... Hans, it's okay...it's all right.

I'm your friend, remember...?

Now let's go! We'll beat Barion together!