Having completed our preparations, we join the Allied Forces of the Kingdoms.
With the nation’s very survival at stake, the queen herself is leading as the supreme commander, and I march alongside her.
The soldiers in the kingdom are mostly young, and everyone around us is tense. I give them an encouraging pat on the back.
As for the Third Army of the Empire, there’s nothing more to be said. Their own princess was attacked, so they won’t show any mercy, not even to allies.
We’ve gathered as much fire-resistant gear as we could. While it would be adequate against a fire dragon, it’s probably only slightly better than nothing against Kasugal.
“Your face is stiff.”
Mastema says this to me, and when I touch my cheek, I realize it’s indeed tense. I hadn’t noticed I was feeling nervous.
Mastema touches my cheek with her left hand. It’s warmer than I expected.
“Are you that scared?”
“Of course I am.”
“More than of me?”
I hesitate to answer. When I actually fought Mastema, I was near death. I somehow managed, only because I had a trump card ready.
…Naturally, I have a trump card prepared for Kasugal as well, just in case we end up fighting.
But it’s hard to say how effective it will be.
“You’re still number one.”
Mastema chuckles when I say that. When we first met, she was beautiful but never smiled. Now, she laughs often—and it suits her well.
On the third day of our march…
At last, we begin to see the Imperial Army’s flags in the distance. Their numbers are worthy of the title “Conquerors of the Continent.” After swallowing up the Kingdom, will they march toward the Magic Nation?
With Kasugal, they could likely even beat Hain, that witch-like woman. Uniting the continent has been the Empire’s long-held ambition. I sense a strong drive in the current emperor to accomplish that in his lifetime.
He must be around eight years older than the princess.
The armies array themselves. Even the best tactician would struggle to compensate in open battle for a three-to-one numerical disadvantage.
But to be blunt, this is nothing more than a farce.
Numbers pose no threat to Kasugal, and humans alone aren’t a threat to Mastema. No matter how many troops are assembled, it’s meaningless. Even if there were a million on each side.
Ultimately, the battle’s outcome won’t be decided by the armies colliding but by our showdown with Kasugal.
Arnella and Noel fasten my cloak and gauntlets. When they’re done, they come to stand in front of me.
“Master, may fortune be with you.”
“Please, come back safely.”
“Of course.”
I leave the two of them in the camp of the Allied Forces of the Kingdoms.
Mastema is in formal black attire. Sepia is dressed in white magic gear.
Although Mastema has hidden her horns and wings, if we engage in a real fight, it’s inevitable she’ll be exposed as a demon.
As we separate from the Kingdom’s army and move forward, an advance knight from the Empire breaks away and blocks our path. He’s not a Royal Guard but likely a skilled knight.
“You must be the renowned Sky Knight, Ahavain!”
“Indeed. I am the Sky Knight.”
“Then, let us duel, fair and square!”
With that, he raises a massive axe. Quite a show of strength. He brings it down from above, aiming at me.
Its power is enough to shatter even boulders.
But Mastema darts from the side and grabs the edge of the axe.
With just that, the axe stops and is held in place.
The knight’s face is flushed, showing he’s putting his full strength into it.
“What is this girl…?”
I understand how he feels. Mastema may appear as nothing more than a young girl, but her strength is beyond his understanding.
That’s the nature of demons.
“Throw him back. He won’t die.”
“Alright.”
Mastema nods at my words, lifts the axe—along with the knight holding it.
“W-What? I’m floating?”
“Goodbye.”
With that, Mastema tosses the knight, axe and all, back toward the Imperial camp. He falls in an arc, landing within their formation.
The one who catches him… is Fofs, the Giant Slayer. The highest-ranked Royal Guard. So he’s joined them. I suspected he was one of those who attacked the princess.
He throws the knight behind him and looks our way, smirking.
Same smug old man as ever.
I thought he’d be next, but then Kasugal appears.
Fofs has seen Mastema before. He must know she’s not an opponent he can win against.
…Kasugal has been our only real problem from the start.
If Kasugal’s fire reaches its maximum power, it might penetrate Mastema’s defenses. I’ve proven countless times that human strength can never touch a demon—but he’s different.
“Sepia, just as we discussed, from above. Prioritize your own life.”
“…Alright. Ahavain, is that really a human?”
Sepia is a skilled mage.
Because of this, her ability to sense magic is strong.
She must be sensing the vast amount of magic in Kasugal.
Even I can sense Kasugal’s power far more clearly now than before.
His magical power is far greater than mine. It’s enough to rival Mastema at her full strength.
The magic Sepia senses is enough for her to question if he’s truly human.
“Supposedly, he is.”
“Kasugal Noaroad. I’ve heard of him from my father… no, that man. But he’s much stronger than I’d heard.”
With those words, Sepia moves to the sky.
From now on, she’ll continuously bombard Kasugal with water-based spells on my signal. Until then, she’ll remain on standby in the air.
Mastema withdraws magic from her thorned staff, then stows it away.
“…I might get burned.”
“Yes. Nothing has ever survived his fire.”
“Then I’ll be the first.”
“Who knows.”
Mastema and I advance.
Kasugal also steps forward.
“So, you’re here, Kasugal.”
“Yeah. It’s not what I wanted, but… I can’t deny I’m a little excited.”
“I see. To be honest, I feel the same.”
Maybe it was always destined to come to this.
There’s still no word from Nia.
As Kasugal’s magical power grows even stronger, I activate my Heavenly Sword.
“That’s it. I’ve always wanted to test myself against it.”
Kasugal’s eyes have returned to those of the adventurer he once was.
