Final Battle ①

…Well, it’s a weekday off, so one thing…

Reston’s perspective

“If you truly claim to be a loyal servant of the Demon Lord, then you should be stopping us, should you not?”

Before departure, Fifth Army Commander Darado spoke in a somber tone.

"...So I never was able to become a loyal servant of the Demon Lord, was I."

Darado smiled faintly, wistfully.

The army commanders were not united.

Some, led by Sanatria, had planned to rebel against the Demon Lord. Others, like Hyui, had been broken in spirit and submitted.

Yet one trait was shared among the pure-blooded demon commanders: nearly none had sworn genuine loyalty to the Demon Lord.

Even Commander Agner of the First Army, and myself as well, had not sworn genuine loyalty to the Demon Lord.

We had no choice. The demon race would be eradicated otherwise.

Thus, we had no choice but to submit.

Among us, Dard was the sole commander of pure-blooded demon lineage who had pledged unwavering loyalty to the Demon Lord.

His family line was deeply devoted to the Demon Lord.

Yet Dard was born during the era of the Demon Lord’s absence.

The longing to serve the Demon Lord, the dream fulfilled only after years of waiting—Dard’s position as commander, finally granted after relentless pursuit—was beyond my comprehension.

His loyalty was genuine.

Even so, Dard was not permitted to join the Demon Lord’s ranks.

When the Demon Lord attacked the elven village, only those the Demon Lord himself had promoted to command positions were taken along.

Dard’s loyalty never reached the Demon Lord.

The World Quest was issued. The Demon Lord’s true intent and purpose were revealed. The Demon Lord prepared for the final battle.

"Maintaining order in the Demon Clan’s territory is my responsibility. Go ahead."

Dard, caught between unwavering loyalty to the Demon Lord and his duty as a noble of the Demon Clan, reached his conclusion: non-participation.

As he stated himself, if one were to remain a loyal servant of the Demon Lord, the correct action would have been to stop us—those who had chosen to oppose the Demon Lord.

Yet, simultaneously, Dard was also a noble responsible for his people.

He could not abandon them to their fate.

Yet he could not turn his blade against the Demon Lord either.

It was impossible to reproach Dard for his indecision.

I had departed earlier to make contact with the human race. When entrusting the preparations for the expedition to Syrilitis, I had instructed him to gather only those soldiers willing to fight.

The opponent was the Demon Lord.

They would die if they fought.

To lead soldiers who knew they would die would only be a burden.

Only those who knew they would die—and still chose to fight—were to be gathered.

The resulting demon army was larger than expected.

"More than I thought."

"Yes, indeed."

Syrilis answered with a weary tone to my candid observation.

Yes. Another surprise was Syrilis being present here.

"I thought you would remain in the demon territory."

...I’m regretting coming here right now.

Sarantoria sighed, yet showed no intent to flee.

"I was a globally popular actress, apparently."

"Did you check your Reincarnation History?"

"Yes. That reaction means you’ve seen it too?"

"Guess so."

Taboo Reincarnation History.

It was a record revealing the course of all past reincarnations.

Better described as recalling memories etched into the soul.

Selecting a life allowed one to remember that existence.

I chose the first memory I encountered. Even that alone was an immense record.

The shock of recalling such memories in an instant felt like my brain might burst.

Fortunately, I only felt a mild dizziness. I did not collapse.

Recalling just one memory caused such a reaction—presumably, remembering all of them would be dangerous.

I survived with only minor injury because I possessed the Record skill.

More accurately, the reason this skill exists within the system, unrelated to combat, is likely this.

"Many films starring you, I hear?"

"Remarkable."

"But none of those works remain anywhere."

Text-based records deteriorate rapidly due to system mechanics.

While manuscripts can be preserved through copying, films cannot be replicated this way.

The films produced during her first life in Sanatoria—none remain in existence.

Even at the moment of death, it was strangely unremarkable. Seeing that record, I suddenly felt sad—wondering what my life had even been about. That’s why I couldn’t bring myself to run away here. Doesn’t that seem out of character for me?

……I see.

What about you?

Me?

You’re the one talking now. You’re not saying anything yourself. Isn’t that unfair?

You were the one who started talking, weren’t you?

Doesn’t matter.

I let out a soft sigh and adjusted the position of my glasses with my finger.

I was a member of the royal family from a moderately sized nation.

Huh? A prince?

Well, yes. But there was a parliament, so I had no real authority.

Unlike now, where the demon nobles control politics, back then I had no power at all.

Only the duties of a royal.

Only a rigid life.

But I did love my homeland. And the people who lived there.

A nation that no longer exists.

"Because of that, this time, I will protect it."

Even if it means repaying kindness with betrayal.

Even if it means my own death.

Ahead, black shadows writhing across the land.

All of them, creatures of spiderkind.

At their center, the colossal entity known as Queen Taretect.

Even at a considerable distance, its overwhelming presence induces fear.

Gulping. A sound of someone swallowing saliva.

Or perhaps it was my own.

Thick clouds began to cover the sky above the Taretect swarm.

Then,

Thunder.

A violent bolt of lightning struck Queen Taretect.

The signal to begin combat.

Like the ground itself had risen, the Taretect swarm advanced in waves.

"Prepare great magic! Shield, ready!"

Shouted.

"Not yet! Not yet! Pull them further in!"

Approaching, wave.

A massive swarm inducing visceral revulsion.

"Fire!"

Following my signal, great magic erupted from all directions across the allied forces.

It cleaved through the advancing Taretect swarm.

Yet from the path cleared, additional Taretect emerged.

"Next round! Fire!"

This was expected.

Great magic deployed with timed intervals.

Still, the advancing Taretect swarm.

Reaching the front line shield formation would only be a matter of time.

"Do not falter! Each one is insignificant! Remain calm, respond methodically!"

They show no fear of death.

Likewise, we show no fear.

"Our lives! For the future of the demon kind!"