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Chapter 90: Two Raging Oni-like Figures

~Ruzark’s Perspective~

Ten minutes had passed since the ultimatum was given. All of our troops have already retreated.

Currently, a vast space has formed between us and the Ibrudia Empire’s army, who were facing each other on the flat plains. A bizarre sight of two Oni-like figures standing imposingly in front of about 4,500 enemy soldiers spread out before me.

At first, I was feeling relieved when Aun arrived. I thought that with this, the damage to the Arto Kingdom could be minimized even further.

However, the Aun and Shinku I saw at that time had bloodshot eyes and their pupils were quite dilated.

It’s the first time I’ve seen them like that. But I immediately understood that the reason they were angry was because of Drake’s injury.

When I saw those expressions on their faces, I could easily imagine that from here on out this battlefield would turn into a scene straight out of hell.

Even if it was the Empire who waged war one-sidedly, I don’t want to see all the enemy soldiers slaughtered.

As if he had sensed my feelings, Aun gave me 10 minutes to give them an ultimatum.

I hoped that the two would calm down at least a little in those 10 minutes.

I hoped that the Empire would surrender and withdraw.

Shortly after, the Ibrudia Empire responded with a voice expansion magic tool.

『I am General Knut Beck of the Ibrudia Empire!

Arto Kingdom’s Army! We will not be deceived by such nonsense!

Our superiority in this war is unshakable!

At most, you’re probably trying to buy time to let the royal family escape, but…we’ll trample you all down to the last man!』

Ah… now that it’s come to this, there’s nothing left to stop those two.

It can’t be helped… This is war.

Moreover, the other party even declared that they would “trample everyone”.

The hell that is about to happen here is definitely not Aun and Shinku’s fault.

Even though they were brainwashed by the demons, the foolish Imperial army who chose not to listen to my ultimatum, and the lack of power of the royal family in not being able to stop the war in advance is the cause of what’s going to happen next.

The only thing I can do is quickly clean up after the war and seek to reestablish a way for friendly relations with the Empire.

Now then… let’s give Aun and Shinku the “order”.

『I have well understood the Ibrudia Empire’s conclusion…In that case, we will recommence our attack now! You will now get a taste of the Arto Kingdom’s strongest treasured spear…and its otherworldly violence!!』

In response to my words, large clouds of dust rose from the left and right sides of the battlefield.

Looking to the left, Sink with a deep reddish-brown aura rushed straight into the enemy’s right flank while brandishing a huge ax, reaping the lives of the Imperial Army soldiers one after another. That figure was exactly that of the god of death itself…

In addition, multiple rocks with a diameter of 3m suddenly appeared from the sky and rained down, crushing enemy soldiers indiscriminately.

That must be Shinku’s magic.

Does that mean that she wasn’t fighting with her true power during the ranking battle…

On the right side of the battlefield, a Kijin with drum-shaped lightning on his back and clad in intense black-purple lightning was rampaging around.

Worthy of the nickname of Lightning Emperor, the Lightning Spears shot by that man and the sword gripped in his right hand that continuously emitted crackling electrical discharges without break turned the imperial soldiers into corpses one after another.

With that momentum, he rushed into the enemy army, and just when he was out of sight, a few seconds later, the empire’s soldier fell like puppets whose string had been cut, and Aun’s figure could be seen again.

Although I am witnessing their inhuman fighting strength, I know my friend Aun’s personality and the reason why they are angry, so I do not feel any fear of those two.

However……

「Your Highness, at this rate…Is it only a matter of time before all the enemy soldiers are annihilated. Furthermore, if they kill all the enemy soldiers, those two could become objects of fear for our soldiers as well…」

When I glanced at Legenda, I could see that she was trembling slightly.

What Legenda said is certainly true. Even if that overwhelming violence is directed against your enemies, those who possess power greater than you can comprehend are most of the time seen as targets of fear.

But I don’t have the means to stop those two.

「I know. But I don’t have the power to stop those two.

……If there is a way we can stop Aun and Shinku right now…………」

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

~Kinu’s Perspective~

Drake, who teleported to the Alraine Dungeon, had burn-like scars on his left arm and most of his side. However, he quickly recovered with potions, so it doesn’t seem to be life-threatening.

I immediately started treatment with [Healing], and Nelfie also prepared potions, medicine, and bed.

Shinku, who teleported with me, was summoned by Aun via telepathy and went outside, but after seeing Drake’s wounds, the air around her had clearly changed.

Of course, I felt the same way as her. I can’t forgive the Empire for unilaterally waging a war and putting my precious comrade through such a fate.

「Kinu-neesan, Nelfie-neesan, I’m fine now…」

「Not yet. Stay still, I’m healing you right now.」

「Listen to Kinu, Drake. And Aun told you to rest too.」

「I know, but if things continue like this, bro will end up slaughtering the imperial army. If that happens…」

「Hmm, you’re right. Even the Arto Kingdom’s soldiers will start seeing them as objects of fear.」Nelfie.

「The reason those two are angry is because I got hurt, right? I’m really happy about that, but I don’t want to break the trust and respect that bro fought hard to earn just because of me…」

What Drake said is true… but it’s not logical.

Besides, Aun and Shinku probably can’t stop themselves, and they probably don’t want to stop.

“Companion” is so important to Aun and Shinku that their emotions cannot be controlled with reason or logic.

「If it’s Kinu-neesan… perhaps you can stop them?」

Perhaps I can indeed stop them. But……

「Maybe so. But… I’m angry too.」

「I’m begging you, neesan…」

Looking at Drake’s face made me feel troubled. He seemed like he was about to cry, but he hadn’t given up hope.

(This is the first time I’ve seen Drake make such an expression…)

Fuu… I may have lost my composure too much as well.

Drake has never “requested” something from me.

Besides, when my younger brother, who idolizes me, asks something from me, I feel like I want to do my best to make it come true as his older sister.

「Nn. If that is what Drake wants, then onee-chan will cooperate. …But I probably can’t stop them alone. Once Drake’s wounds are completely healed, we will definitely have to show them.」

If we get rid of the cause of their anger, they won’t rage unnecessarily… I think.

「Nelfie, come with us too.」

「Okay.」

I healed Drake’s burn scars with [Cure], and after Drake had fully recovered his HP, we three headed for the battlefield near the border.