Chapter 49: For What Purpose Do People Stand.

"Kill."

"Noise!"

"Roger that, my King!"

Responding to King’s call, they moved with the kind of synchronicity that only years of trust could forge. Our side and the opponent traded lethal blows, each side barely or narrowly missing.

"Lancelot, there!"

"Understood!"

Waiting for the exact moment when the line of fire was clear of allies, Lancerod unleashed a sweeping barrage. The curtain of lead sought to hem the target in, threatening to erase them entirely.

However—

"Slow."

".....!"

There it was again: that sudden, inexplicable burst of acceleration. It wasn't quite a teleportation-like Blink, but with a grace that made it seem as though they were passing through everything, the enemy evaded it all.

"Noise!"

"On it~! Thunderbolt!"

Lightning struck at the speed of sound, raining down... but it didn't do any significant damage. In fact, it barely seemed to graze them.

"Unbelievable! To think they could dodge Noise’s Thunderbolt so easily!"

"To be fair, that’s just a general-purpose move," I noted.

"She shrugged off Noise’s finishing move without breaking a sweat!"

"Again, just a general-purpose move."

Despite my commentary, Noise looked visibly dejected.

"My Thunderbolt is supposed to be the strongest, though..."

"Next one! Noise, keep the pressure on with that! The rest of us will look for an opening!"

"Roger!!"

"It’s useless. My ability makes me invincible!!"

The ability was one thing, but that monstrous strength was the real problem. 

The enemy had the power to lift piles of rubble with ease. Just dealing with that forced us to divert personnel to protect me, leaving our front line dangerously thin.

"Kill."

"Thunderbolt."

"Tsk...!"

"Sorry, but causing a distraction is my specialty."

"Shall I turn that face of yours into something unrecognizable again—" 

"Thunderbolt." 

"How annoying!"

Think... why aren't the attacks landing?

Is it some kind of super-reflex?

Is there a limit to the speed they can dodge?

Can we even win this?

Think... think!

"I’ll start by crushing the chain of command."

"...!?"

"Commander Amane!"

Suddenly, a golden shield materialized in front of me, protecting me from the lethal blade.

...I’ve got it!

"King, listen. We’re going to—"

"Understood!"

I shouted my orders loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Everyone, listen up! We’re going to request assistance from Lady Asuna! All units, retreat!"

"Roger!"

"As if I’d let you!"

"I’m counting on you, Landy!"

"Leave it to me."

The Demon God awakens.

Lancelot pulled the trigger of their modified handgun—her partner—once, twice, then once more.

In an instant, five shots were fired at five different points with a speed that defied human limits.

Crack... crack-crack!

Naturally, the shots didn't hit. But that wasn't the goal.

Recalling Scarlet's attack I had witnessed earlier... I observed it, analyzed it, and made it my own.

A true demon, one who consumes the lingering traces of others and turns them into nourishment. That is—

"Shatter."

Lancelot!

Rumble-rumble-boom!

"What!?"

The rocks behind the enemy shattered, and the liquid held within came pouring out.

To us, it was just water. But to the enemy... it was seawater with a high concentration of salt!

"This is bad!"

Right now, there was nothing stopping the enemy from killing us. However, they couldn't ignore the risk of a catastrophic malfunction if they continued to operate under these conditions!

"I won't let you!"

"King!"

She threw her shield. Seeing it get knocked upward, she unleashed her finishing move.

"Fly, my brave soul! Royal Cluster!!!"

Setting a marker? Unnecessary. Because... thanks to Noise’s previous attacks, the iron within the enemy had already been magnetized!

There’s no dodging while in mid-air!

"I am invincible!"

"!!"

They’re planning to take it head-on!?

But even that—

"I read you like a book!"

King’s spear wasn't pointed at the enemy—it was aimed at the deflected shield where she had already placed a marker!

"Take this again! Royal Cluster!!!"

She kicked off the shield. In the moment the opponent was about to be pierced, I saw them consciously shift their position... but it was already checkmate.

"Inside the water... you’re in the mage’s domain."

"Useless! My reflexes are—"

"Thunderbolt."

"Gaaah!?"

"Thunderbolt."

"Guuuh... why am I being hit!?"

"Thunderbolt."

"Didn't you know? The speed of sound in water is... roughly five times faster than in air!"

"Wait, stop—"

"Ssh—Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest, Thunderbolt is the strongest!!!"

With every chant, the enemy was scorched further.

By now...

"Answer: Thunderbolt is the strongest."

The battle was already over.