𝐖𝐨𝐥𝐟’𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
“. . . . . .The number is.”
ㅤ
Esterize murmured softly.
The one who answered was her close aide and secretary, the A-rank summoner, Raina.
ㅤ
“Th, the number. . . . . .ni, nine hundred, ninety, ah, a thousand, it has exceeded a thousand.”
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Raina’s summoned beast is of the 『recording type』, placing countless small 『eyes』 all over this plain. One of those 『eyes』 projected an image that Esterize and her guard watched.
In the footage, Albero, still in human form, was fighting.
An hour or more since the battle began. . . . . .Albero, though battered, was defeating one opponent after another.
Watching such footage, Fugil let out a quiet sigh.
Then, Esterize spoke.
ㅤ
“Are you pleased?”
“Huh?”
“You are close with Albero. You’re happy to see your brother’s accomplishments, aren’t you?”
“. . . . . .Yes.”
“I see.”
ㅤ
Fugil honestly conveyed his feelings.
He thought he might be reprimanded, but Esterize said nothing.
Esterize then addressed the ten guards present.
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“He is a formidable opponent. Everyone, be wary.”
“Hey, hey, princess, can I say something?”
“. . . . . .What is it?”
ㅤ
It was Wolve.
Wolve, who had been promoted to Esterize’s personal guard, spoke with a casual wave of his hand.
ㅤ
“That’s impossible. We should surrender.”
“. . . . . .What?”
ㅤ
Wolve’s declaration of surrender left Arnaud, who had been promoted to A-rank summoner and chosen for the guard, in shock. Arnaud, with abilities similar to Esterize’s, had been her sparring partner.
Wolve pointed at the footage.
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“Come on, look at that. It’s impossible. Ah! Look, look, Sanbalt. . . . . .ah, he got hit. See? He can’t win. Even if all of us here tried, it’d be futile.”
“So, what do you propose?”
“Surrender. It’s okay. There’s nothing to lose by surrendering. And haven’t you seen? The princess’s brother is a real monster. To me, he looks like the strongest summoner.”
“. . . . . .”
“Hey, princess. Isn’t it enough? Hand over the baton to your younger brother and let us do what only we can. Somehow I get it. . . . . .you’re being told something from 『above』, aren’t you?”
“. . . . . .”
“Hey, over there.”
ㅤ
Wolve was looking at a man and a woman wearing the Peacemaker squad’s uniform with a noble-like cloak: Hill Climb and Euglena.
In response to Wolve’s question, Hill Climb shook his head.
ㅤ
“What are you getting at? I have no idea. By orders from above, do you mean instructions from Captain Esterize?”
“No, no. Like. . . . . .the 『Judgement』, perhaps?”
“Oh? What do you mean?”
“Well. . . . . .why not? With the Demon Emperor possibly coming in droves in about thirty days, what’s the point of this pointless mock battle? I mean, the princess wouldn’t come up with something so silly. The only ones who could possibly say such a thing would be the royals like you, or the 『Judgement』 above that.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Exactly. Just some silly speculation. Like. . . . . .the 『Judgement』 doesn’t intend to annihilate the Demon Emperor or something.”
“. . . . . .Are you out of your mind?”
ㅤ
Hill Climb doubted Wolve’s sanity.
And it wasn’t just Hill Climb. Everyone present was looking at Wolve as if thinking, “What is he talking about?” Now, no one was even looking at Esterize.
ㅤ
“Maybe, I think it’s a close call.”
“. . . . . .?”
“In this mock battle, we wear each other down. Then we battle the Demon Emperor and the S-class and Peacemaker squad ends up in a stalemate. . . . . .What remains? Only a world without threats. It would be after all the powerful summoners are taken out. That’s when 『Judgment』 would take advantage. . . . . .I just daydreamed about it.”
“. . . . . .You’ve lost your sanity. Captain, it’s better to discharge this man. He will bring chaos soon.”
“Nah, nah, nah, it’s just a daydream. I’ve been bored these days.”
ㅤ
Wolve laughs heartily.
However, for some reason, his opinion couldn’t be ignored.
Demon Emperor, S-class, Peacemaker squad. If these were gone, only twenty-one summoners would remain. But those twenty-one would also join the battle against the Demon Emperor after breaking the seal.
It was also an opportunity for immense power to disappear all at once.
ㅤ
“Well, it doesn’t matter. By the way, Raina, how many are left?”
“Ah, yes! Um. . . . . .wait, no way. Only forty left. . . . . .oh.”
ㅤ
The moment Raina sensed something, Albero, battered and bruised, fell from the sky and landed in front of Esterize and his guards.
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“Huff, huff. . . . . .Alright, the only ones left. . . . . .are you guys!!”
ㅤ
Albero readies his right hand. . . . . .and notices.
The atmosphere around Esterize and his guards was somehow hostile.
Suspiciously, Albero asks Fugil.
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“Um, Fugil-niisan. . . . . .did something happen?”
“Ah. . . . . .well, not really.”
“. . . . . .Hmm.”
ㅤ
Albero felt awkward. However, Esterize stepped forward.
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“Everyone, stand by. I will handle this one.”
“Eh. . . . . .C, Captain?!”
“Albero. If you defeat me, you win. You seem quite worn out, but I won’t hold back.”
“. . . . . .Fine by me. That’s exactly what I want.”
ㅤ
Albero readies his right hand, and Esterize summons 『Arknight』.
Esterize looks straight at Albero.
ㅤ
“Thanks to you, I’ve come to understand. Fufu, if one has a goal, they can become infinitely strong.”
“. . . . . .Is that so.”
“That’s why I will surpass you. Just like you look down on me for surpassing you, I will also surpass you and obtain the title of the strongest in the Asgard kingdom.”
“. . . . . .Huh?!”
ㅤ
The Arknight behind Esterize kneels down to him.
Like a knight swearing allegiance.
Esterize smiles gently and raises his left hand.
ㅤ
“『Fusion』.”
ㅤ
The greatest strategy of the summoner, 『Fusion』, was in action.
Arknight’s limbs separate, and parts of the armor equip onto Esterize.
The body part transforms, forming a new head and limbs.
Esterize, clad in armor, jumps onto Arknight which transformed into a 『horse』. In her hands, she held two massive 『swords』.
ㅤ
“Wha. . . . . .”
“『Flash Knight · Glide Mode』. . . . . .this is my ultimate strategy.”
ㅤ
Esterize, skillfully wielding the two swords on horseback, points them at Albero.
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“Let’s go, Albero. We’ll settle our fight here and now!!”
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Albero readies his right hand.
ㅤ
“Interesting!! I’m going all out from here!! 『Total Assimilation』!!”
ㅤ
Albero transformed into Jabberwock. Esterize transformed into a valkyrie.
The sister and brother, their final battle began.
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