Chapter 23

I grew up——when I heard that voice, I felt as if everything that had happened over these four years had suddenly flooded into my body.

Four years.

It was a long time.

Enough time for me to grow up, and enough time for Lark to wear down her life using her innate power.

"…Just wait a moment, Onee-san."

There was so much I wanted to talk about. But now—I had to face the problem right in front of me.

When I called her "Onee-san," Lark's body seemed to twitch. I made her sit down. I was worried about Mr. Dantes, but he seemed to be just unconscious, so he should be fine for now.

Now—

"I have to do something about the Endfang."

I took a few steps away from Lark. The Endfang had dodged, wary of magic, but it wasn't the kind of opponent that could be driven off by such a spell.

Could I win in a fight?

From my experience with the Forest Eater and the Human Mimic in the "Underworld," the chances of winning alone were almost zero. The Endfang had taken damage from the earlier attack, but it was only minor. Generally, the giant species of 8 are the kind of opponents that require a concerted effort to defeat, risking the survival of the entire race. Even with extraordinary magic like Asha's, it would be impossible to defeat them.

So, there were few options left.

I—placed my last hope on "persuasion."

"Endfang… I don't know if I can call you that, but I want you to listen."

I used [Wind Magic] to send my voice to the Endfang. There was no reaction from the Endfang, but on the other hand, it didn't move, and its three eyes, which were set in an angry face, were still directed at me.

"…Little brother, what are you doing? You can't reason with a monster."

"It's okay, leave it to me."

Lark's warning was reasonable, but I had already spoken with the Human Mimic.

"I encountered the Forest Eater and the Human Mimic in your world. The Human Mimic called the Forest Eater 'Big Goat'… Can you use 'Star Mark Language' as well?"

『……………………』

Silence. It either didn't want to answer, couldn't speak, or—didn't hear me.

"You are being controlled by the 'Phantom Demons.'"

For the first time, the Endfang's expression changed. It was a slight change, but it seemed to finally be listening to my words.

Maybe it could work.

I still don't understand what the Phantom Demons are thinking, but it's clear that they are trying to harm this world.

Using the Endfang to expand the Red Gate and launch an attack—considering how the Forest Eater and the Human Mimic went berserk, it's entirely possible.

『…………I am—』

The Endfang's eyes looked right, then left, and just as it began to speak in Star Mark Language—

"Little brother!"

I turned at Lark's voice,

"Ah…"

I saw a black shadow in the sky—several military magic airships were heading this way.

And just as the gun turrets began to flash, black shells rained down on the Endfang.

Boom—Boom Boom Boom Boom—

The impact of the artillery, which could be used in a siege, was tremendous. Not only did it hit the Endfang, but it also penetrated the surrounding buildings and exploded on the ground.

The Endfang dodged like a dancer, but a few shells hit it.

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