The time it took for the beaten and kicked miko to become a mere lump of flesh, hovering in the air, seemed to be interminable, as if everything was happening in the water.

It was as if the whole thing was happening in water. "...... Are all the thoughts of an elven sorcerer similar?
　It was a boring battle with nothing to offer.

　The hand-armored soldier looked at Saaresaya with stony, heatless eyes.
　The huge cuirass was dripping with blood as more and more fresh blood stained it.

All that remains is .............
"Fathers, give me strength to defend!

　Saaresaya picked up one of the jewels she was wearing and slammed it into the ground.

　Just as she thought the jewel had melted away.
　Just as the jewel seemed to melt away, a light green eggshell-like barrier of light unfolded and enveloped Saaresaya.

"Huh?

　The hand-armored soldier studied it for a moment, then struck with lightning speed.
　Saaresaya stiffened involuntarily.
　The light barrier flickered slightly and the man's fist stopped with a dull thud as if it had struck the ground.

　Like the human race, the elven tribes have a habit of storing valuable magic items. They use them in case of important battles.
　The magic item that Saaresaiah had just used was the Secret Stone of the Creaking Shell. Magic items that deploy barriers exist in general, but the Secret Stone of the Squeaky Shell is a particularly advanced one. It has been modified over a long period of time to make it more familiar with the forest so that it can borrow the power of the forest.

　For a moment, Saaresaya was almost relieved.
　But the hand-armored soldier, seeing that the impact of the light could not be broken even by striking, placed his right hand on the barrier with his fingers, and then placed his left hand on top of it.

"......【Fatal Contact】

　Boom!
　The soldier in the armor looked like he was about to be killed.

　Outwardly, the hand-armored soldier appeared to be standing quietly with his hands at the ready.
　But a powerful impact emanated from his hand, and he slammed into the barrier.

　The barrier was not breached.
　But it shook.
　The barrier is quickly repaired, sucking up the magic of the earth's veins and the life force that fills the forest.
　But...

"Swoosh. ......

　Zing!　Zun!　The impact that seemed to resonate deep into the body was struck in succession.
　Each time, Saaleesaya felt the barriers waver and gradually become unstable due to the sheer power. The power of the supporting forest was also weakened a little by the reckless use of great magic.

　The blood drained from her veins.
　Even this magic item, a treasure of the tribe, could only buy time.
　Saaleesaya jumped to her feet, patted the grass beneath her, and cast a spell.

"Bug's Whisper!

　At the same time, the thin bangle of vine attached to her wrist unraveled and stretched out its end, taking root in the ground.

　This is a magic item called the "Knotweed Bracelet".
　This item itself activates and maintains the natural magic "Bug's Whisper" for communication through the grass and the ground.

　The person to whom the voice is delivered is the warrior chief of the tribe who is leading the attack on the front line.

This is Saaresaya!　The Imperial Guard has reached my position!
　All but me have been defeated. Please help me. ......!
"What the hell?

　A voice that sounded like it had been turned inside out by the shock reached Saaresaya's ears.

"...... Chief Priestess, can you hold out for five more minutes?
　Our tribal warriors fought valiantly, but were stopped in their tracks by the Empire's despicable strategy. ......
"Oh no, ......!　I'm barely able to protect myself with the creaky shell stone!
......
　It's no use, we must retreat!　Warriors, protect the High Priestess!

　A voice was heard crawling on the grass.
　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.
　It's a good idea to keep your eyes peeled for the latest news on the web.

"...... is that it?

　On the other side of the wall of light, a hand-armored soldier who seemed to have sensed the situation from Saaresaya's conversation said coldly.
　The impact of his hand is slowly eroding the barrier. In the aftermath of the attack, ripple-like scars were carved into the ground.

"Please ...... stop, please!
"If you surrender and become a prisoner of war, the empire will treat you as you deserve. If you surrender and are taken prisoner, the Empire will treat you well.

　The hand-carpeted soldier replied to the retreating Saaresaya's plea, then ...... tilted his head slightly.

"...... Or are you suggesting that we stop fighting?

　Saaresaiah affirmed it with silence.
　As she looked into his stony eyes, Saaresaiah's hands broke out in cold sweat.

　The cuirassed soldier, however, laughed it off.

'Nonsense.
　"Power gets you everything, power protects you everything. The words of our Blue Warlord, ......, no, the Great Warlord.
　...... Elves. You are powerless.
　But if you become the flesh and blood of the empire, the empire will gain more power. It would have been a mutually beneficial transaction.
　And yet you still bow to the empire. At this point, we will only take all of you by force.


"Soldiers of the Empire!　If you have a heart, then please listen to my words!
　We, the people of the forest, have only lived here in peace, protecting the teachings of our fathers and the forest!
　What have we done to you?　What have we done to you? Why should you take our lives?
　My tribe and your empire should be brothers and sisters created by the same God!
　Please, ......!　Please don't shed any more blood!　Please don't take our lives!

　What is the use of such words?
　Saaresaya herself did not expect these words to change anything.
　It was just an outpouring of what had accumulated.
　She couldn't help but speak up.

　The elves hadn't attacked the Empire of Caenis or anything.
　They just lived where the Empire was headed.
　It would be too much if blood had to be shed for that reason alone.

　Many warriors' lives were taken.
　The forest has been damaged and is about to be taken.
　If the Caenis Empire conquers, there will be hardships ahead. Some will be impoverished and starve. Some will die in battle.
　Why do we have to suffer like that?
　I couldn't help but grieve for the unreasonableness of this world.

　But instead of sympathizing with her, the cuirassed soldier glared at her with an annoyed hatred.

"You challenge me to a fight without knowing the difference in our strength, and when you are about to lose, you put your trust in me?
　That's just plain stupid. If that's the extent of your resolve, why did you rely on your own strength to fight the battle?
　Helplessness is a sin. Stupidity is also a sin.
　Then know that this destruction is your punishment!

　He spoke so harshly that Saaresaiah felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

　You know what you believe in.
　A place to live.
　Friends, kindred.
　The future.
　Is it a sin to want to protect?

　Is it a sin to want to protect what you believe in?
　Is even a fist raised in defense a sin worthy of destruction?

　The faces of the people of the village flashed through Saaresaya's mind.
　As a shaman, she was not allowed to marry, but she still had a secret crush on a tribal warrior.
　Her niece, just three years old and barely able to walk.
　Her kind parents, now gone back to the forest. My sisters, whom I haven't seen lately, but with whom I am close.
　Friends who are outwardly daring to consider Saaresaiah's position, but in private are friendly and easygoing.
　The sub-priestess, who has no grudge against Saaresaiah for the position of chief priest, but supports him.
　All the people who respect and admire Saaresaiah. ......

"Haaaaaaah!

　The last blow splashed and scattered the light barrier, and the cold hand armor grabbed up Saaresaiah.

"Ahh ......!

　The soldier in the armor grabbed Saaresaya by the chest and lifted her up, while his other hand grabbed Saaresaya's hand by the tin staff.
　There was a sickening sound. The bones in Saaresaya's arm cracked, her hand shattered, and the tin staff snapped.

　--......Godd*mn it!

　Saaresaya bit her lip so hard she blew blood.

　As a leader, the chief priest must be a role model for all.
　He must always be calm, without resentment, jealousy or anger.
　According to this code, Saaresaiah has always disciplined himself.
　But now, what fills her heart is a fire of resentment that burns even her soul, and a thirst for power.

　--If only we had power!
　　　All the horrors we've suffered!　Sorrow!　Hell!　We could have given it to them!

　The hand that lifts Saaresaiah is filled with power.

"Fatal Contact!

　Violence invades Saaresaya's body.
　Her bones tremble, echoing deep within her body.
　The body is being torn in all directions.
　Pain.
　Death.
　Futile, meaningless, absurd, cruel death.

　--If only I had the strength!　If only I had the power in my hands!
　　　If only I had the power in my hands! If only I had the power in my body, my soul, and my mind!

"There are no two words about it!　The Elven Priestess!

　In the space between life and death, I heard a voice.