Human-Monster Duel: Kusaya Asaka, Aurel's Case

Second entry of the day

First half: Perspective of the reincarnated Kusaya Asaka

Second half: Perspective of the second disciple of Ronant, whose name is introduced for the first time

The second disciple of Ronant—someone unfamiliar to most—might recall reading about Imperial Knight vs. Ogre, perhaps.

【Kusaya Asaka】

Kunihiko is fixated on avenging his village.

A foolhardy, impulsive fool, Kunihiko seems to believe that the failure he once endured must be overcome.

Positively stated: hot-blooded.

Negatively stated: foolish.

Yet it was this fool who saved me.

I was reincarnated.

Why this happened, I cannot understand.

According to Kunihiko, such reincarnation into another world is a common theme in light novels, but experiencing it in reality feels like a bad dream, or something similar.

Yet, upon realization, I found myself a newborn abandoned in an unfamiliar world.

The confusion at that moment defies description.

To add to it, I was thoroughly seen crying uncontrollably by Kunihiko, who was nearby—easily one of the most mortifying black marks in my record.

Still, having Kunihiko, who shared the same fate, by my side was a source of comfort.

The village where I and Kunihiko were born was, in name only, a mercenary group.

Like Mongolian nomads, we lived in tents, traveling near the border with the Demon Kingdom in search of prey.

We attacked demons we found, seized their belongings, and reported the kills to the kingdom to claim rewards.

A legal brigand organization.

I wanted to leave that village as soon as possible.

I wanted to live a normal life.

Kunihiko wished to go on adventures, but I valued normalcy above all else.

I wanted to go somewhere safe and settle down.

That changed during the demon invasion.

Even then, I was saved by Kunihiko.

By outcome alone, I was spared by Melazofis, a demon lord—but Kunihiko’s bravery, stepping forward to confront the creature to protect me, remains etched in memory.

Perhaps that was when I made my decision.

To stay with him.

So even after becoming a homeless wanderer, even after becoming a mercenary, even when forced to fight monsters—dangerous work—I remained with Kunihiko.

And here, on this battlefield.

“Again, spared.”

“Yes.”

I was focused solely on not collapsing.

The battle moments before had been a series of chilling moments.

Demon army commander: Melazofis.

The male demon who destroyed our village.

He was far stronger than we had anticipated.

Both I and Kunihiko are strong among humans.

Kunihiko is a reincarnated being, and he claimed to have cheat abilities with growth modifiers—but perhaps that is not entirely false.

We are both strong.

Yet Melazofis was stronger than even that.

We could not overcome him even together.

No—more precisely, even three of us together would not have been enough.

I glance toward the distant fortress.

Activating my千里眼, I see the silhouette of a woman standing exhausted, just as I am.

I do not know her name, but she has been providing covering fire from that fortress the entire time.

Her magic skill is remarkable.

She managed to deliver precise, flawless shots at Melazofis—moving at high speed from such a great distance.

I couldn't imitate that.

Melazofis ultimately decided to retreat because of the damage her great magic inflicted on the demon forces.

I nearly panicked when Kunihiko fell flat on his back from the shockwave.

I believe her strategy succeeded—shifting the tide of battle in humanity’s favor, prompting Melazofis’s retreat, rather than outright defeating her.

And while Melazofis was momentarily distracted by that display, she struck—piercing her heart.

To launch a shot of such power, capable of penetrating Melazofis’s magical defense, immediately after unleashing a great magic that altered the battlefield’s course.

There are still people out there I don’t know about—people far beyond my reach.

Melazofis, unflinching even as her heart was pierced, retreated without a change in expression.

I can’t believe she’s dead.

Even unharmed by a pierced heart, she remained composed. I begin to question whether such a being is truly alive.

She was, without question, a monster.

If that unknown sorceress had not aided us, neither I nor Kunihiko might have survived.

Considering this, fear rises late, belated and sharp.

I exhale it with a sigh and leave the battlefield.

【Orel】

Man, that was rough.

What the hell was that monster?

Never heard of something like that among the demons.

I mean, seriously, I’m grateful to those two young ones who restrained it.

If they hadn’t held it down, who knows what would’ve happened.

“Captain Orel. I’d prefer you not act on your own initiative.”

Ah, here comes the nagging voice.

“Sorry.”

“What is this tone? I’ve said it before—our distinguished detachment’s deputy commander does not speak in such rustic, careless fashion.”

Captain Orel’s reprimand passes right through her, unheeded.

Ah, no, no.

Why must I endure lectures from this unpleasant superior on the battlefield?

He doesn’t even understand how dire that monster truly was.

If not for me and those two adventurers holding it down, we would have lost. He doesn’t grasp that.

And yet, he demands I prepare the great spell at once—chiding me from the side like this.

I delivered the great spell exactly as he wished, didn’t I?

So why can’t he be satisfied?

I’ve expended the great spell and fired long-range shots relentlessly—exhausted.

I’ve worked far harder than you, who only issue orders from afar.

Ah, I want to go back to my master’s side.

My master would understand—this place is better than here.

Though my master is also more demanding than anyone else.

Why am I the one standing on the battlefield, anyway?

I’m the second daughter of a impoverished noble house. I just wanted to secure a suitable match and live in quiet peace.

My misfortune was being noticed by my master.

Just because I had a bit of magical talent, I was forcibly conscripted as a disciple—before I knew it, I was summoned to the royal court as a court mage.

You never know what life will bring.

“Are you listening!?”

“Yes, yes.”

Not really.

Hah.

What’s my master doing now?

Probably blowing the head off a demon lord commander by now.