‘My apologies, demon general. But from here on, you must move the troops exactly as I instruct. The strategy I proposed this morning has been completely exposed by the enemy’s divine rule.’
“…Is that why Sheto looks so tired?”
‘Exactly. Damn it, that cheating con artist… If this were an online match, I would disconnect immediately.’
The dragon softened his tone and mixed in a bit of humor as he began issuing instructions. Though he had explained it many times already, he laid out the strategy for the monsters patiently.
“Sorry. I was… starting to…feel defeated.”
‘It cannot be helped. Being dragged into a reset playthrough is agony at its finest. And on top of that, the one on the other side is acting like the protagonist of some time-loop story. Absolutely insufferable.’
“Loop?”
‘A story where the protagonist rewinds time over and over, changing any future he dislikes until things turn out the way he wants them to. Normally, they are told from the perspective of the one who is looping… However, if you are just someone forced to go along with it, then it is quite exasperating.’
“Aye. Repeating. I have had, enough.”
Sheto said with a bitter laugh.
Of course, he himself wished that he could go back. Back to the time before his kobold village was burned down.
Still, with the sadness and despair, he had to be swept away by time. He had to swallow all of it and live.
He could not change what had happened. That was the way that things were supposed to be.
And it was supposed to apply to the miracles of the Heroes.
“So, how long will this, continue?”
Sheto asked as he climbed onto Berganda’s back.
‘Do not worry. My plan will be set into motion soon.’
‘Finally.’
Sheto frowned at their voices.
“You two, always keeping, secrets. If you tell me, I can keep it secret too.”
‘I’m sorry. But he hasn’t told me anything either. The Dragon God does not want the plan to be ruined.’
‘Of course. Do you know how many times that people like you, who prioritize their own emotions, have ruined my plans… And it’s me who has to deal with the outcome. It is unbearable.’
The goddess chuckled at the grumbling Dragon God, and Sheto finally sighed with relief.
“Really, what a complicated mess we’ve gotten ourselves into.”
Berganda muttered as he advanced with the marching troops.
“You have seen us lose in battle many times, but we don’t remember anything. Is it because of this divine rule?”
“You would, have to join as my comrade. Would you, betray the Demon King?”
“That would be no good. In that case, we’ll have to overcome this some other way.”
How many times had they had this conversation? Even if the questions were asked a little differently, the conclusions reached were always the same.
Loyalty to the Demon King. And even after finding out about the divine rule, he did not lose the will to fight.
Sheto spoke softly, as if in praise.
“You, are strong.”
“I’m just like you, Sheto. I have something that I must do as well. And so I have no intention of losing until I die.”
After this encouragement, the kobold looked on ahead.
However, there was something different standing there now.
In front of the advancing Hero’s army, spread across the blue sky, a giant curtain of water.
And within it, the enemy formation was shown.
‘I speak to the monsters who persist in their fleeting, pitiful resistance. And to the foolish goddess and dragon god who lend you their strength.’
As the voice descended from the heavens, both armies came to a halt.
It was the first time Sheto had heard the Seer’s voice, and a chill ran down his spine.
A scent of sadism hung in the air. The malice of one eager to flaunt the grisly truth about to unfold.
‘Your valiant struggle was commendable. I will even praise you. After all, your battle against us was meaningful in a way. But we now have some matters to attend to. And so it’s time you took your leave from the stage.’
“What are you saying! Our fighting spirit has not been spent! We will cross blades with you as many times as it takes! Until you yield!”
‘It appears that the demon general does not grasp the situation… Dragon God, did you convey the entirety of your strategy to him?’
The scene reflected in the water mirror drifted closer to a lone hut standing within the enemy camp. And the members of the special unit that had once attacked him were stationed around it.
‘I’m afraid your moves are already read. It was all an elaborate decoy. In the end, it only takes a single poisoned arrow to settle this. However…’
A magician raised his staff, and a great ball of fire blazed to life.
‘I am the one who will win. Wanderer of Worlds!’
‘Run! Keita! Fi!’
The two shouts. And then the hut exploded into flames.
And from the blazing fire, two figures leapt out.
One was a boy in a cape.
And the other was a wolf.
“Y…you…two…why…”
Sheto said. Even though they could not hear his stunned voice.
On the other side of the mirror, Keita held Fi tightly to his chest and smiled sadly.