The Author's POV

"…Should I say, as expected?"

As I descended from the top of the tower and made my way toward the hall where the main battle was taking place, I was surprised to see that the battle had essentially come to an end on this side.

I wasn't the only one aware that the battle was over.

The demons knew it too, and…

Boom―!

"Argkh!"

Coming down, I could see that there were still some demons that were actively attempting to fight their way out of the tower; however, just as this was supposed to be a prison that was supposed to trap me and the others, it had instead become a prison for all of the demons that were present.

No one could get out, and more blood splattered all over the ground.

"Ren, you're finally here."

A voice called out for me, spotting my arrival. When I turned my head to see who had called out for me, I realized it was Edward.

"How's the situation?"

I asked, curiously looking around. At first glance, it appeared as though we had won by a landslide; however, when I looked down and saw some of the blood that had been spilled on the floor, I realized that this victory wasn't without its flaws.

…We had sustained some losses.

"Don't worry about it."

As if reading my expression and thoughts, Edward patted me on the shoulder.

"Don't beat yourself up because of the losses. Although it is a fact that some of us were killed, from the very beginning, everyone who participated was aware that death was a possibility. Nobody will blame you; on the contrary, most are quite grateful for everything you've done."

After a moment's pause, a grin broke out unexpectedly on his face.

"We… we have won."

He muttered in a low voice.

His words were filled with unmasked joy, and when I looked around and observed the facial expressions of those who were currently fighting, I realized that he wasn't the only one who was feeling pleased with the way things were going.

"You may not understand this very well since you're young, but…"

Edward continued.

"This victory means a great deal more to people my age than you probably realize at this point in time. In contrast to the world in which you were born, the one in which I and the other people of my age live was not nearly as tranquil as the world in which you were raised."

"Our land and our people were subjected to constant destruction at the hands of demons. I've seen the killings and massacres more times than you could possibly imagine… and so have the others."

Edward brought his hand forward, which caused the mana that was all around him to congregate, and a beam shot out from the tip of his finger.

"Akh!"

landed directly on top of a demon that was attempting to sneak out from behind one

beat me to

to do the same thing, but Edward's response was a little bit faster than

"It's fine."

patted my

don't have to feel guilty about their death… I'm sure the lot of them are happy knowing that

"Is that so…"

I muttered absentmindedly.

Edward was trying

the same time, I couldn't

being a leader has a lot more responsibility

have any feelings of guilt in

it wasn't exactly the most pleasant thing in the world to realize that I was the reason why

I'd have to say to their families once all of this was over made my

"Haaa…"

But this was life…

a deep breath, I looked up and let

a hypocrite if I felt guilty about

had done something similar; in

there were times when I commanded the orcs to fight

choices that ended up leading to the deaths of members of both

successful, and as a result, I was more aware than anyone else that I

didn't really

and despite this realization, I found that it did not affect

that were keeping

emotions sure are

let out another sigh and turned away from

on my

figure materialized in front of me. I didn't even need to

good to know that you're

who, unlike

passed since his recuperation, I was still not accustomed to his

experiencing these emotions; in fact, everyone else did as

receiving multiple calls

was his

I received provided a sufficient amount of

are we going to

me out of my thoughts, and I

turning around, I looked at the others who were slaying the last of the

"About that…"

head forward and looked down at the ground below me. I raised one foot, focused all

to hunt

foot came into contact with

Booom―!

ground began to

***