◆ Outskirts of Kashiram Royal Capital – North Side ◆
The battlefield, where Beastkin and cavalry clashed, was far more horrific than I had imagined. Soldiers lay strewn about, bleeding profusely, some missing limbs or even heads. There were also plenty of Beastkin corpses. I wanted to admire the strength of the Kashiram cavalry for pushing such strong foes to this extent, but I couldn’t muster the mood for it right now.
This was nothing but a slaughter. I couldn’t understand why we had to fight to this degree. Was it because they believed themselves superior? Because they had been oppressed by humans? I could empathize with their hatred. Yet, somewhere deep inside, I felt an inability to completely deny it. I didn’t know why.
“You lot… What are you doing without my permission?”
“I-I’m sorry…”
The Beastkin, visibly intimidated, caused the cavalry to hesitate as well. It seemed a new presence had emerged as an enemy, one that was clearly on a different level from the other Beastkin. It felt like they were merely assessing the situation.
“Did Elmera order you?”
“Y-Yes…”
“Where is that Elmera?”
Standing off to the side, muttering to herself, was Elmera, her gaze unfocused and a creepy smile on her face.
“You instigated this, didn’t you, Getou?”
“What’s the problem? This is no different from Phantom’s objectives. It would be troublesome if you were satisfied with merely occupying Negesta.”
“As a result, many of our kin have fallen here. To attack without proper analysis of our forces is nothing short of foolishness.”
“Hah… I can’t believe I’m hearing this from someone who was so arrogant just recently, thinking humans were nothing to worry about.”
My fur bristled, and I felt a surge of anger directed at Getou, laced with murderous intent. I wasn’t sure if it was solely because of the reckless actions taken against us. But it felt like it was more than that. The very idea of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon Lord Army being chummy with the Beastkin felt off. They might share the same goals, but I doubted their camaraderie ran that deep.
“Have you learned anything after sending your kin to their deaths without even analyzing our forces before attacking Kashiram and Noibranz?”
“I have no intention of fighting you here. Provocation is futile.”
The air was thick with tension, as if a battle could erupt at any moment. Nice remained calm for now, but her anger towards the Demon Race was evident. The gray spikes of her fur mirrored her emotions.
“Let me be clear. We consider you beneath us. It’s laughable for a beast with nothing but a charge in its brain to act superior to a higher species. Even the power you pride yourself on doesn’t measure up to ours.”
“That’s unacceptable. If you say that, shall we test it right now?”
“Indeed, Balbus. If I can subdue you, the Beastkin over there will quiet down. They will listen to me, just as you all have submitted to Elmera.”
“…You’re the same, aren’t you?”
“Enough already!”
Just before Balbus could swing his fist, I spoke in a tone so low that I could hardly believe it myself. I hadn’t consciously tried to intimidate anyone, but perhaps I had done so without realizing. The battlefield, filled with blood and violence, froze in an instant. Those who had been desperately trying to take lives stood still, not a single one daring to move.
Of course, I had no intention of killing anyone, but this was an opportunity. I would seize this moment to end the fight once and for all.
“Soldiers of Kashiram, put down your weapons. Beastkin, retreat over there.”
Without a single complaint, the soldiers lowered their spears. One by one, the Beastkin moved away from the Royal Capital, distancing themselves. What remained were the numerous corpses left on the ground. Seeing this again nearly caused my anger to explode, but I took a deep breath to suppress it. I placed my hand on my chest, waiting for my rage to subside.
“…I’m sorry. Once again, you’ve helped me.”
The King of Kashiram, clutching his stomach, expressed his gratitude. He was barely able to stand, yet he prioritized thanking me. Despite his swaying, he managed to reach out for a handshake.
“Kurinka, heal the King. And Weiss is badly injured as well.”
There was a reason I still hadn’t relaxed. Even though I had managed to stop the fighting between the Kashiram soldiers and the Beastkin, a few remained here. Two of the Demon Race, and one soldier over there. It was likely Eerlich in disguise. Then there was the large Uncle who had been fighting Weiss. He looked so excited that his veins were bulging. The earlier intimidation seemed to have had no effect on him; if anything, it had only fueled his enthusiasm.
I believed that was the Giant Race that Nice had described. Just like Balbus, he was a leader. They had said that their fighting spirit was not inferior to that of the Beastkin, but seeing that eerie grin, it seemed even more intense.
“Well, well! You’ve brought something interesting to the table! Was it you who made me feel this murderous intent that could tear through my skin?”
“Are you really going to fight?”
“If you can accept the unstable elements before the fight, then the Giant Race has no reason to exist until today. Here’s a proposal: if you win, we of the Giant Race will obey any command you give. If you want us to live as slaves, we will comply. If you order me to pierce your heart here, I will do that as well. I, as the leader, will fight for the pride of the Giant Race.”
A massive axe loomed above my head. How many humans would it take to match its size? If he swung that down, it would pierce the castle walls as easily as cutting through cake. The severe nicks on the blade were proof of countless battles fought.
“The leader acknowledges that girl as a strong one…?”
“Then we shall watch. A battle fought for the prosperity and pride of the Giant Race!”
With the atmosphere charged among the excited Giants, there was no way to refuse now. But this was an opportunity; if I won, I could ensure the Giant Race would behave.
“You recognize me as stronger than yourself… Rua.”
Weiss, who had just been fighting Aslat, watched the unfolding situation with a vacant expression. The King placed a hand on Weiss’s shoulder, a silent encouragement. I felt too sorry for him, trembling and looking down in regret, to bear it any longer.
Aslat, the leader of the Giant Race, was someone who had managed to beat Weiss into such a state. He was at least on par with Balbus, if not stronger. It would be disrespectful to Weiss if I held back here; I would show him my true strength, unlike when I faced Balbus.
“Let’s get started right away!”
【The Giant Leader Aslat has appeared! HP 53900
The Giant Leader Aslat launches an attack!
The Giant Leader Aslat uses Magnislam!】
“Oh, Leader! To use that technique right away…”
I wished he would at least announce the start. This was bad; the axe could split the earth. No, it could potentially divide this world with its power. It came crashing down repeatedly, as if chopping vegetables into tiny pieces.
First strike, second strike, third strike. I hoped all of them would focus on me, but with the impact of one strike embedding into the ground, an earthquake erupted. Cracks in the earth called forth more fissures, reshaping the very terrain with its violent assault. The power to even subdue the land itself was nothing short of the essence of the Giant Race.
What an incredible skill; I wanted to praise it honestly, but Aslat had crossed a line. He had involved those around him. Countless soldiers and Beastkin were present, and over there was the Royal Capital. Though they were at a distance, they must be in a panic from the mysterious earthquake. And most importantly, Kurinka was here with me.
“Aslat!”
【Rua unleashes the Sonic Spear!】
The flash of light I released after a long time obliterated half of Aslat’s body, vanishing into the distance at a speed no one could comprehend. His right hand, which had held the massive axe, was gone, and he lost the strength in his legs.
【You dealt 9331049 damage to the Giant Leader Aslat!
The Giant Leader Aslat has fallen! HP 0/53900】
“O-Oh no!”
With a mournful cry from the Giants, Aslat toppled forward with a thunderous crash. This was bad; he would die.
“Kurinka! R-Recover him!”
“Recover?!”
“Heal him!”
If it were Kurinka, she could bring him back to life no matter how serious the injury, as long as it wasn’t too late. That gentle light should save Aslat’s life.
“Ugh…”
“Thank goodness, as expected of the Giant Race… A normal human would have died.”
“Leader! Please be safe!”
The Giants surrounding us watched Aslat with bated breath as he gradually regenerated. They held their breath as they witnessed his half-body returning to normal. Finally, when he was completely restored, Aslat opened his eyes.
“…Did I lose?”
“I’m sorry for destroying your axe…”
“Where is it written that a victor must apologize to a loser? Kukuku, is this my second defeat?”
Despite having lost and being without his axe, Aslat wore a crescent-shaped smile. He had seemed so rough and tough, but now he looked more like just a big uncle than a Giant.
“The girl who has shattered our pride and strength, the future of the Giant Race is now entrusted to your hands. Speak your wish.”
“W-What a grand statement…”
The Giants, including Aslat, gathered closely around me, their imposing presence overwhelming. If such beings had invaded the Human Kingdom, Kashiram’s soldiers must have been utterly astonished. The Giants waited earnestly for my words, and if they truly intended to listen, I had no choice but to say this.
“Um, um… let’s all get along.”
“What?”
“Stop the war and be friends with humans. I know there are many problems, but…”
“I understand. From this moment, we Giants will sever ties with the Phantom.”
“Whaaaaaat?! Old man, are you serious?!”
Eerlich, having transformed back from his soldier form, barged in. With his two yellow horns protruding from his round black head, he glared up at the much larger Giants, trying to intimidate them.
“If you abandon the war, it goes against the will of the Phantom.”
“Tch, how amusing it is to lose to a mere child. How have you managed to survive with such a mindset?”
“Enough, Eerlich. They are nothing but inferior beings who have lived since ancient times, their minds muddied with decay. They are merely large in stature, akin to humans who have made no progress.”
Despite the harsh insults from Getou, Aslat and the others remained silent. I had said their fighting spirit surpassed that of the Beastkin, but they seemed to possess a strange sense of discernment.
“Speaking of which, isn’t that right? Hey, old man, if you lose a duel to a strong opponent, you have to follow their orders, right? Isn’t that like being a dog?”
“A dog? I am unfamiliar with that creature, but I can say with certainty that it has nothing to do with us.”
“Recognizing a strong one as your master and wagging your tail… how laughable!”
【Eerlich’s attack! Dealt 3270 damage to Aslat!
HP 50630/53900】
“Ugh!”
Eerlich kicked Aslat’s shin, driving his foot deep into the bone. With just that kick, Aslat fell, and Eerlich seized his beard with his dark hand.
“Disappear. It seems only we, the Demon Race, are meant to exist on this earth.”
“You are indeed a danger.”
Nice and the Beastkin behind her stood in formation, as if they had organized themselves without me noticing. Now, Balbus had returned as their leader.
“I suspected you would reveal your true nature sooner or later. You are a threat not only to humans but to us Beastkin as well. From this moment on, we shall sever ties with you Demon Race!”
“…Everyone’s heads seem to be boiling, don’t they?”
It was the moment when the Beastkin and Giants turned their backs on the Demon Race. We had been moving toward a common goal as Phantoms, yet it all came to this because of the Demon Race’s arrogance, believing themselves to be superior.
“Eerlich, look. Neither Lua-chan nor I are ordinary humans, and the Beastkin and Giants are different races too. Yet here we are, trying to stop the fighting. It’s understandable to hate humans, but… I just want you to acknowledge our will to move forward.”
Kurinka stepped forward boldly, undeterred by Eerlich. The black demon blinked repeatedly at her, as if observing some rare creature. It was clear he did not see her as an equal.
“Alright, alright, so you want humans, Beastkin, and Giants to get along, is that it?”
“Yes, that’s what I mean!”
“Die, idiot.”
【Eerlich’s attack! Dealt 2053 damage to Kurinka!
HP 257/2310】
“Ah!”
Eerlich’s fist struck Kurinka’s cheek, sending her reeling. For a moment, I couldn’t comprehend what had happened; I was too stunned by the suddenness of it all.
“Kurinka!”
“U-ugh…”
“I need to heal you… um, which one was it again…”
“I’m… fine… I’ll do it myself…”
“It seems you avoided a fatal blow with your quick reflexes… This is a legendary herb from the Giants. Leave it to me.”
As Aslat supported the weakly lying Kurinka with one hand, I regretted not being able to use my healing magic for the first time in a while.
“Oh dear? How amusing, and how fragile you are! Kehyahyahya!”
I couldn’t protect Kurinka from such a creature. I had grown stronger recently and felt a sense of security, but my opponent was Eerlich, a demon. Kurinka alone couldn’t handle him. Damn it, damn it, damn it. I’m such an idiot. An idiot.
“Getou, should we just take care of this? Shall we?”
“They are beings we must eventually eliminate for the prosperity of the Demon Race. Today, we will end them along with that country.”
Feeling my ears heat up, I slowly stepped in front of the distracted Eerlich.
“Oh? You… could it be…”
This fool, with his bewildered expression, was the one who had struck Kurinka.
“Are you crying? Wait, seriously?!”
This guy, laughing amusingly, was the one who had hit Kurinka.
“Kehyahyahya! Seriously?! Look at him trembling!”
“…Eerlich, step back.”
【Rua’s attack! Dealt 5295670 damage to Eerlich!
Eerlich has been defeated! HP 0/65000】
By the time I swung my arm, he was already gone. I had forgotten how to hold back.
“Geez! This is why it’s so scary! The Doppelmaster Eerlich can create clones, you know!”
【Eerlich has reappeared! HP 65000】
So what?
“Everyone, stay back. I’ll take down these demons.”
“You foolish girl! Back then, I was alone, but now there are three of us!”
“That’s right. Did you think we had no countermeasures in place?”
So, what?
【Eerlich transformed into Kurinka! HP 20300】
“Lua-chan, please don’t get angry for me! Just kidding!”
I want to kill him.
◆ Shin Report ◆
Huh?! Morning?!
No…
I’ve been trembling non-stop.
It’s not because I’m cold.
The air feels icy.
As if the end of the world is drawing near.
I’ve never felt anything like this before.
What on earth is happening?