273 Viewing the War

Today's second chapter

Simultaneously perceiving the landscapes of multiple battlefields through the fragmented body.

The First Army under General Argner was in dire straits.

This is the toughest part we've encountered so far. There's nothing to be done about it.

Argner’s command ability is a disaster—lucky he’s only barely managing to survive the struggle.

I’d have already lost long ago.

The Second Army was an unexpected troop of apes.

Hmm.

I once fought apes in the lower depths of the Elrow Great Labyrinth. By unleashing those apes upon the human fortress, I brought it down without a single casualty to my own forces.

Apparently, that monkey has a habit of persistently clinging to the one who killed its kin—quite troublesome, indeed.

So even when I fought in the lower tiers, they attacked without relenting until total annihilation.

Worse still, they reproduce at regular intervals, increasing in number, and descend into human settlements. A nuisance beyond measure.

From the perspective of the fragmented entity, the fortress assigned to the Second Army has been overrun by apes.

The number of apes is staggering.

The fortress is completely saturated—far beyond the scale of any prior engagement I’ve fought.

An ape tsunami.

No, truly, I feel profound sympathy for the human populace.

The breast-shaped alien who instigated this—quite the strategist.

Though, admittedly, it likely arose from sheer self-preservation, a desperate attempt to avoid death at the hands of the Demon King.

The Third Army charged forward—massive brute forces ramming straight through the fortress, shattering the walls.

Then, they flooded in like a landslide, securing control.

What brute force.

How is it possible for the commander to lead from the front so recklessly?

The Fourth Army—Mera’s unit—suffered a complete retreat.

Two reincarnated warriors joined the battle, and to top it off, a female mage of extraordinary power appeared.

Even Mera, despite fighting three against one, had no choice but to withdraw.

The army's casualties aside, Mera could have prevailed if she had continued fighting alone.

But Mera, taking her duties as a demon army general seriously, had no choice but to retreat.

She couldn't kill a reincarnate, after all.

The Fifth Army faced a situation similar to the First.

Enemy strength was slightly lower than that of the First, yet still being pushed back.

The quality of troops and commanders, undoubtedly, gave the First Army the edge.

Agner, despite everything, was competent.

The Sixth Army was pitiful—just a child.

Something about the enemy commander seemed familiar. It turned out to be an old man who had once applied to be my disciple.

Back then, he was nearly an elder. Now, he's a proper old man.

Yet, despite being an old man, he was unusually energetic. He shot the child dead.

Funny—seemed like the old man had grown stronger while I wasn't looking.

Even back then, I thought he was unusually strong for a human. Now, it seems he’s sharpened his abilities further.

Eighth Army—Oni-kun’s unit. Ah, yes. Do your best, soldiers.

Oni-kun is a monster.

After all, he’s an Oni.

I can’t exactly say that, but still—damn, that’s terrifying.

That’s the general state of the fronts. But quietly, another critical engagement has occurred.

The elves took the bait I laid out.

I figured they’d be especially fixated on reincarnated beings. I spread word that a Vampire Child was present. Expected them to bite. But the results exceeded expectations.

The Vampire Child destroyed Potimas’s possession body.

A cybernetically enhanced one.

We knew the elves had access to old civilization technology. But the extent of their advancement remained unknown.

My offshoot within the elf village cannot penetrate the facility where those items are stored.

I expected them to conceal a few weapons of dubious quality. Yet one of them has been brought forth quite willingly.

Syrilis’s cybernetic body was recovered by the Vampire Child and Fermina. I will examine it later.

Depending on circumstances, I may learn the current technological level of the elves.

Yet why would Potimas go to such lengths—only to eliminate the Vampire Child?

Something feels wrong.

What reason could a reincarnated being have for such fixation?

Why keep it alive?

There is something.

The reincarnated beings within the elf village are being watched in secret by my offshoot. If they attempt anything, they will be protected.

Better to remain cautious.

"Shiro. Do not interfere."

While monitoring the other battlefield, I was addressed from the side.

Ah, the hero was approaching rapidly.

The riffraff seemed intent on confronting him directly.

Hm.

Honestly, it would be fastest if I stepped in and ended it quickly.

But with that look of resolve on their faces...

I cannot stop them.

"Division Ten, refrain from intervention until the outcome is decided."

I issued the command to Division Ten as the riffraff advanced before the hero.

"Are you certain?"

The suggestion came from Wald.

This time, he had been assigned as my aide, separate from the Vampire Child.

Wald understood my strength indirectly.

After all, the Vampire Child had been convinced she could not prevail—so she must have explained it clearly.

Thus, he knew I could defeat the hero.

But...

"Pride?"

"Eh?"

"What of his pride?"

He did not understand the meaning of my question.

Wald's expression twists with confusion.

The delinquent approaches this battle with deep resolve.

I can defeat the hero, certainly.

But if I defeat the hero and save the delinquent, the delinquent's pride will be compromised.

Living is meaningless without pride.

Once, I struggled only to survive—there was no room for pride.

But a life without pride is hollow.

Back then, I only wanted to live.

Because nothing else remained.

Memories, soul—everything was false.

There was nothing to protect except life itself.

Yet, when my home was burned and I first experienced failure, I realized:

Just existing is meaningless.

I can save the delinquent's life.

But that act also defiles the delinquent's pride.

What choice one makes depends on the individual.

I choose pride.

In any case, whether the thug dies or not.

Even if we are currently trampling on those feelings.

The peace the delinquent desires from the demon race—his feelings toward his elder brother, Barth.

I cannot fulfill those requests.

Neither I nor the Demon Lord shall allow it.

We are trampling the pride of common thugs beneath our feet.

That is precisely why I wish to preserve even the last shred of dignity.

A one-on-one, life-or-death duel with the Hero.

Do not intrude in a manner that is crude or ill-timed.

In the end, he died.

Defeated repeatedly by an opponent with no chance of victory.

Even until the very end, she rose again and again without surrendering.

As if that will, that pride, were forcing it.

You've worked hard.

I pray you find happiness in your next life, Brow.