I point the tip of my blade at her.
The jet-black edge reflected the moonlight with a faint gleam.
"Our claims are not wrong. We each bear flaws, yet possess an equal measure of legitimacy."
I take a step forward.
Then, I reveal the endpoint of my reasoning to her.
"That is why I have decided: whoever survives this battle shall continue onward."
That was the conclusion I had arrived at.
No amount of debate could make one side yield.
Then it must be decided by battle.
The outcome itself had been obvious from the start, but this time, the process was what mattered.
I learned the true heart of the woman brought back to life.
This dispelled the guilt I held for changing from a sage into a demon lord.
I fundamentally reassessed my own nature.
As a result, I now stand here, facing her head-on.
As an enemy of the world, I stand before the hero.
"The finest hero and the most fitting demon lord. If both are right, then the stronger one inherits what remains. How does that sound?"
"Simple and clear. It is not like you, the stoic one, to be so straightforward."
"It has been over a decade since I became an undead demon lord. My circumstances have changed greatly."
Visions of my subordinates surface in my mind.
Each one is so unique; their influence must have shaped me.
I was unaware of it, but from her perspective, I must have changed greatly.
"...Is that so?"
She murmured softly, then smiled.
It was the most radiant expression I had ever seen from her.
It was not a false smile.
She was laughing from the bottom of her heart.
Eventually, the composed woman took a deep breath.
Then, she naturally assumed a stance with her sword.
Her gaze reached me through the blade.
"Now then. You have no regrets, correct?"
"Of course."
I nodded and took my stance.
It was a different posture from that of a hero, designed to counter a wide variety of magic and supernatural abilities.
Seeing this, she offered a slight smile.
One could feel a certain kindness and familiarity in it.
However, even that soon quieted.
With a sharp gaze, she calmly stepped forward.
"Then, let us begin."
◆
Under the night sky, we crossed swords.
In the silent wasteland, only the sounds of battle echoed.
I could just barely follow the thrusts at their extraordinary speed.
Tilting my head, the blade grazed past my skull.
A slight jolt ran through me, but not enough to hinder my thoughts.
Having narrowly dodged, I transformed my ribs into tentacles.
I extended them to ensnare her.
She met them with a single swing of her sword.
Every tentacle was cleaved away, turning to black dust and vanishing.
As she moved to press her attack, she froze, her eyes widening upon seeing me.
In my hand, space was warping into a sphere.
It spun at high speed, emitting a faint grinding sound.
Using the brief reprieve the tentacles had bought, I had invoked a forbidden magic.
The activated curse interfered with the flow of time, forcibly slowing all movement except my own.
That included the Hero before me.
Relative to her, I accelerated and immediately launched my counterattack.
Facing a barrage of super-high-speed strikes, she could only focus on defense.
With miraculous skill and foresight, she avoided injury.
Her movements were precarious, but she would adapt in time, given her abilities.
Even a forbidden magic that made our times unequal could not deliver the decisive blow to fell the Hero.
I know this. I must weave more stratagems... simply keep pressing the assault.
I pondered with unprecedented concentration.
Observing her gradually accelerate, I switched my tactics on the fly.
I unleashed the power of the Demon Lord upon my most beloved.