Final Battle⑨

Melazophis's Perspective

This world is unjust.

The disparity in status, the difference in skill potency, and the variation between races manifest clearly.

It is difficult for the weak to overcome the strong.

It is difficult to achieve victory against those who possess isolated power.

On this battlefield, the ones who held isolated power were Queen Talatekt and the two ancient dragons confronting her.

Queen Talatekt's defeat, and the ancient dragons' departure to the next battlefield, prevented a massacre from occurring here.

Had the two ancient dragons remained and turned their attention to exterminating us, the damage would have been severe.

That did not happen—this was fortunate, and favorable to our side.

Even when facing those with isolated power, altering the outcome remains difficult.

It makes no difference whether one attacks through numbers or not.

Even if ten individuals with status around one thousand confront a single entity with status around ten thousand, victory remains unlikely.

They would be struck down by a single touch of armor.

On a battlefield where strong individuals exist, the key lies in how to defeat those individuals.

Yet when an individual is too strong, resolution is often impossible.

No such overpowered individual remains on this battlefield.

Nevertheless, disparities in individual combat effectiveness persist.

When this occurs, the critical factor becomes how to suppress a high-combat-effectiveness opponent.

As a result, strong individuals naturally begin fighting among themselves.

Attacking strong opponents with weak individuals results in minimal damage and near-instant elimination.

Still, numerical superiority cannot be dismissed.

Even if the damage inflicted by a single individual is negligible, repeated application by dozens, hundreds, accumulates to a significant total.

Numerical superiority had already been reversed.

The ground was covered by Taratektos, most of which had perished, their corpses exposed.

Only the stronger specimens remained—Greater Taratektos, Arc Taratektos, and similar.

Even these strong individuals struggled, overwhelmed by sheer numbers.

A group of humans surrounded the Greater Taratekto, inflicting damage incrementally.

The Arc Taratekto was engaged by elite fighters from both human and demon races, advancing with crude but coordinated assaults.

Among them, familiar figures were visible.

Bart was expected. But Sanatria and Kogou participating was somewhat unexpected.

Once comrades-in-arms in the same demon army, now opposing each other.

There is no lack of thought on the matter.

Yet I swore to follow the young mistress without limit.

Even if old acquaintances, no mercy was intended.

Regardless of whether they were reincarnates, the outcome remained unchanged.

"Meeting you again—this is the third time."

"Indeed."

Opposing them were the young reincarnates.

Tagawa Kunihiro and Kushitania Saka.

They had met thrice before.

First, when their village was eradicated.

At that time, they were still young. Their status as reincarnates had been the reason for their exemption.

Second, during the previous war.

They had clashed in combat after growing stronger.

Now, this was the third encounter.

Given the remaining forces on both sides, my presence was not negligible to the other side.

Perhaps arrogance, but likely I possess the highest combat efficacy among those remaining on either side of this battlefield.

Thus, two reincarnates have come to stop me.

"Restraint is not possible."

I warn the two.

Previously, I refrained from killing due to their status as reincarnates.

This battle, however, will be different.

Most reincarnates know nothing of this world. They were merely caught in the conflict.

That is no longer the case.

There is no need for restraint against an opponent who has chosen to fight.

I was never skilled enough to spare a life, even if I had wished to.

If one fights, do so with intent to kill.

"Would you…?"

Kunihiko’s boastful line fractured abruptly.

Kunihiko’s body sank slowly to the ground.

"Sorry, Kunihiko."

Asaka, who had struck him from behind, apologized.

"...What is the meaning of this?"

"I surrender."

Asaka stated calmly.

"I don’t want to die yet. I don’t want Kunihiko to die either."

Asaka lifted Kunihiko’s fallen body onto her shoulder and walked away, facing the opposite direction.

A bold retreat on the battlefield.

For a moment, stunned into silence.

Yet Asaka’s judgment was correct.

I hold no personal grudge against either of them.

They may harbor resentment toward me, but I do not wish to kill them first.

That is why Asaka can so openly turn her back.

Should we fight, I would almost certainly kill both of them.

I lack the finesse to restrain a killing blow.

If I act, I do so with certainty—ensuring the target’s death.

Given the disparity in our status levels, the outcome would have been decided in an instant.

By my killing them.

Thus, surrendering before the fight began was the correct choice.

The optimal solution would have been not to come to this battlefield from the start. Yet, judging by Kunihiko's demeanor, that had not been possible.

Watching the back of Asaka fade into the distance.

Not fighting is also a worthy choice, I believe.

I cannot speak of duty, having destroyed their homeland—but I pray for fortune in the future of those two.

Melazofis vs. Kunihiko & Asaka

Fated confrontation. Result: Melazophis, undefeated by battle.