The Final Battle -1

“Huk… Aaaagh… Why… Why on earth…?”

“We tried our best…! But why…!?”

A mud blob clung to his trouser legs, and the rabbit doll shook its head at the sight.

“You are trash. Trash that cannot even be recycled.”

“Please, just one more chance…!”

“Sharing essence with you was a loss for me. And above all, won’t this become an opportunity for you?”

“What… does that…!”

“Now, die, melt, and mix. Be reborn, obtain powerful strength.”

“Ugh… Uwaaaaaa!!!”

The doll sat in its chair nonchalantly.

A tragedy was unfolding before its eyes. Flesh melting and clumping together, essence breaking and merging—a horrific scene.

Inwardly, the doll sneered at those before it.

“This is a new birth.”

That is salvation.

“Salvation that gives a new body to the weak.”

The doll acknowledged its own mistake. Subordinates gathered from various places, subordinates made into toys.

It had thought they would become strong forces.

It was a miscalculation.

Surely among them, there must have been some useful ones.

However, when such individuals pile up, bad inventory accumulates. At least, those who were melting there were.

Of course, it melted them all without distinction.

But it’s fine.

Subordinates can be made again.

“…Well, let’s leave those guys to their fate.”

The doll turned around to look at a person.

It felt slightly regretful.

If this technology had been perfect, standing there would have been not an old man, but his dead wife.

‘Can’t be helped. There’s no technology that can perfectly revive the dead.’

Swallowing such regret, the doll asked a question.

“Do you also think I’m going too far?”

The voice that answered was that of an old man.

“I don’t think so. Isn’t the world originally about the survival of the fittest? Even if that’s life, it wouldn’t be much different.”

“Oh?”

“The weak eventually get taken from. Even if it’s their life.”

The old man finished speaking and took a sip from his wine glass. He seemed to regard the creatures before him with disdain.

Seeing this, the doll was satisfied.

“As expected of the one called the Sword Saint.”

“You flatter me.”

One spot filled by the Sword Saint, another by the monster being created.

‘I just need to fill one more spot.’

He had made a decision. Though he had released various monsters into the world, they weren’t very effective.

Gathering a bunch of ragtag creatures only makes the opponent, the magical girls, stronger.

They are major obstacles to fulfilling the plan. If only they could be removed, any sacrifice would be worth it.

“This is a gamble for us too.”

Waste a long time, or eliminate everything at once?

‘…There’s no benefit in giving them more time.’

Because even at this moment, they are probably getting stronger.

In other words, this is an all-out war.

This means a final battle between the magical girls and our side.

The doll, creating a battlefield for this purpose, made a contemplative sound.

As expected, the concern was who to fill the remaining spot with.

One spot for the Sword Saint.

One spot for the monster.

Send three, and if that doesn’t work, go out personally.

The remaining spot could be filled by himself, but he’d rather avoid the front lines if possible.

That means the only option left is that.

‘Really, although it’s a creature I hate to see…’

The doll recalled the face of a girl.

White, long hair. Rosy cheeks and a small build.

Reminiscent of her appearance when she was younger. And therefore all the more disgusting.

‘Demon King, Destroyer.’

Should he summon that weapon of destruction again?

The answer to the question he posed to himself was ‘there’s no reason not to.’

Originally, that child was created as a weapon; being used in war is only natural.

“…It’s decided.”

Having finished his thoughts, the doll turned his gaze to the old man.

He was polishing a sharply honed sword, his eyes gleaming like those of a bird of prey.

“Is there something you’d like me to do?”

“You’re reliable. It’s something I never expected. Who would have thought that a man rumored to have slain a dragon would be this cruel.”

“Heh heh, in the end, it’s all the same, isn’t it? Human beings all have one or two hidden natures they live concealing.”

“Nature, huh.”

“I’m just grateful to you for giving me new life where I don’t have to hide it. Even if it’s just a brief moment of about 2 weeks, I’m grateful to you.”

“Hmm.”

“After all, as a human, isn’t it proper to repay kindness?”

Repay kindness.

The doll nodded at those words.

Right.

That’s correct.

It’s what humans should rightfully do.

“Then I shall give you an order.”

“Hmm.”

“Bring my daughter, the Demon King Destroyer, safely. I’ll provide some assistance, so it shouldn’t be a difficult task.”

“Understood. But, hadn’t you decided not to enter the front lines?”

The doll nodded, confirming.

“Of course, I won’t stand on the front lines.”

“Then how will you help me?”

“Just watch. Battles aren’t fought only with swords and on battlefields.”

The doll creaked as it rose from its seat.

With joy at having gained a useful subordinate for once. Indeed, reviving that guy and making him a subordinate was the right decision.

‘Perhaps I should have kept alive the one I placed as a monitor.’

Who would have thought that the method to get there would be like that?

Thanks to that, getting the Sword Saint’s corpse was quite a good outcome, but in the end, that monster melted down and died, joining ‘that thing.’

“Uoh… uohohoho…”

The doll clapped at the sight of the slimy, massive flesh.

Truly excellent recycling!

In terms of appearance, it would score zero out of a hundred.

But in terms of performance, it would be close to perfect.

“Good. Now the stage is almost ready. So…”

The doll stared at the ominous magical power gathering in its hands.

It soon became a small essence. Holding it, he slowly chanted a spell.

“Now, return to your master. Destroyer.”

And.

“Go to welcome the Destroyer. Sword Saint.”

“By your command.”

The old Sword Saint slowly started walking.

+++++

“Uwahaha! Delicious!”

The Demon King was eating chicken nuggets with an excited expression.

Seeing this, Yul took out a handkerchief from her pocket.

“It’s all over your mouth.”

Wiping the mustard sauce from the Demon King’s mouth, Yul said.

“Don’t wander around too much. It’s hard for Jin-ah unnie to find us.”

“It’s fine! That red-haired one is tall, isn’t she? She should be able to find us quickly.”

“That’s unrealistic. In such a large space.”

“You’re quite tall too, so couldn’t she find us?”

“There are plenty of people taller than me.”

“Is that so… Tch, can’t be helped. Since there’s also a promise with brother, I’ll endure just for today.”

“Alright, alright.”

Yul, Seo Jin-ah, and the Demon King.

These three were a well-matched trio who got along well.

Jin-ah, who was good at taking care of children, and Yul, who had many younger siblings.

They were excellent child caretakers.

For Shin Hyun and Noah, who had less experience with this,

they took care of even the subtle aspects that were difficult to know.

That day too, the three of them were looking around the underground food court.

‘I need to stay with the Demon King until unnie returns.’

The sight of a middle school student taking care of a kindergarten-aged sibling. Many people sent warm glances their way.

Perhaps it was also because they were two children with exceptional appearances.

Receiving such glances, Yul firmly held the Demon King’s hand.

Since the Demon King was small, she was afraid of losing her and not being able to find her.

“Let’s go over there next!”

“We shouldn’t get too far from here.”

“I know! Oh! New ramen!”

“…Sigh, can’t be helped.”

Yul quickly headed to the ramen section with the Demon King.

Chewy noodles in bright red broth.

The Demon King picked up a cup and slurped the ramen with a happy face.

‘Is it that delicious?’

Seeing how happy she looked, Yul was about to pick up a cup herself when.

“Oh my.”

“Ah, please go ahead, grandfather.”

“I’m sorry. It’s just that I haven’t seen this in a long time.”

Yul yielded her turn to a white-haired old man who was trying to pick up the same ramen.

‘What an unusual person.’

A white-haired grandfather, traditional attire, and a sword at his waist.

Looking extraordinary no matter how you saw him, he gulped down the ramen in one go, chewed a few times, and then laughed.

“It’s quite good. Isn’t it, Demon King?”

“It’s delicious. I’d like to buy a few, but father probably wouldn’t allow it.”

“That’s right. Well, now that we’ve tasted it, shall we head back?”

“I suppose we must.”

That natural flow of conversation.

For a moment, Yul stood dazed, then tightly grasped the Demon King’s hand and stepped back.

“Grandfather, what are you talking about?”

“…Ah, I’m late with my introduction. Nice to meet you. I’m an errand boy sent to bring the Demon King back.”

Errand boy?

“…Demon King, step back.”

“…No, I’m going back.”

“Where are you saying you’re going!?”

“Isn’t it obvious? To where I should be.”

Saying this, the Demon King shook off Yul’s hand.

Due to the sudden situation, Yul couldn’t transform. Especially not in a situation where attention was drawn like this.

“Ah, by the way.”

The old man took out a letter from inside his garment.

“Here, a letter from my master to you, young lady.”

“…What?”

“Read it yourself later.”

As if their business was concluded, the old man and the Demon King turned away.

Crumple.

The letter in Yul’s hand was crumpled.

‘Quickly, I need to find a place to transform!’

But.

‘What if they disappear in the meantime?’

A situation where she couldn’t do either.

It was then.

“Wait!!”

A magical girl with flowing red hair appeared.

“Go transform.”

She murmured lowly to Yul, who carefully retreated to a quiet place.

“…I was planning to deal with you later.”

“That’s not possible. Where are you trying to take our youngest?”

“To her father.”

“Then all the more reason I can’t allow it.”

Heh-

The old man sighed.

“Can’t be helped…”

Shhing.

The old man’s sword was drawn from its scabbard.

“Before drawing my sword, I avoid killing, but once drawn, flesh must be cut.”

“…Come at me. I’ll stall for time somehow.”

“Don’t blame me, young lady. In the end, this is the essence of life.”

“…”

“Now, if you want to live, kill me.”

+++++

And, several hours later.

“…What!? Yul is badly injured!? Jin-ah unnie is in critical condition!?”

“And the Demon King has disappeared…”

Such big news reached Noah and Shin Hyun’s ears.