"So, this is the Beast King."
A woman draped in a black robe peers down at the corpse.
"There is only an upper half, and even that is severely damaged... What's more, the lower half is entirely blasted into nothingness."
Though scorched, it is a corpse from which not much time has elapsed since death. She touches the still-warm object with her bare hands. Examining the severed cross-section in greater detail, she drives her hand inside to inspect its condition. Tearing away the charred portions, she reaches deeper within. Before long, her arm is stained a vivid crimson with blood, but she shows absolutely no sign of paying it any mind.
"Ah, but still. The heart remains intact. Also, the head is quite pristine, and the brain appears unharmed. What a bargain~!"
Prying open the torn wound to peer inside, the heart of the now-motionless Beast King enters her line of sight. Confirming this, the woman curls the corners of her mouth upward to an ugly degree.
"To possess the unique talent of [Fortitude], combined with preeminent mana manipulation. To think such an ideally suited material for a 'Special Tactical Force' would fall into my hands; I must offer my gratitude to God. ...Ah, but still. What should I do about the lower half? As expected, it would be far too much of a waste to splice it with some ordinary grunt. Then again, even if I try to get my hands on another Special Tactical Force, those guys rarely die in the first place..."
While muttering so, she attempts to hoist the Beast King's body. However, the physique of the Beast King—who could easily be called a gargantuan man of brawn and bone—appears far too heavy for the woman; it ends with his arm lifting only a tiny fraction. Whether she gave up after a few attempts, she bares her irritation by slamming the lifted arm directly down onto the ground. Perhaps having appeased her temper slightly by this, she steadied her breathing and surveyed the surroundings.
"『‐‐‐』."
The woman, looking at the beastmen who had been slaughtered by the ostriches considerably far away, murmurs something.
In that instant, the beastmen who should have been silent corpses push themselves up, beginning to move toward the woman. Corpses consisting of only an upper half crawl along the ground, while lower halves stand up and march forward. A lone arm begins to move by utilizing its fingers, and portions incapable of independent movement draw near by rolling. The corpses, filling the field of vision with the crimson of blood, burrow beneath the Beast King, shifting so they can transport the massive cadaver.
"Oho? Wait, could this by any chance be a General of the Beast Kingdom? Wow, this is an exceptionally fine material, isn't it! Material for a Special Tactical Force is delightful, but this kind of decently strong material is great too; a perfectly suited consumable. With this, I should be able to splice them together into something grand~."
Chanting such ghastly things, she retraces the path she came from, intending to return to one of her hiding places located within the Beast Kingdom. Her mind was entirely occupied with the preservation of the Beast King's corpse, and how she would configure the bodies of the newly acquired Beast Kingdom generals.
"Ah, also. 'Lais,' was it? ...If the opportunity presents itself, that would be wonderful."
Because I absolutely want a material that magnificent.
◇◆◇◆◇
"Buuueee-tchooo!!! ...A cold? No, that can't be. I'm an ostrich."
For some reason, a sudden chill runs through me, and I unleash a massive sneeze. For a split second, I wondered if some strange bacteria had managed to infiltrate my system when I regenerated the body the Beast King blasted open, but that sort of thing can be handled easily by an ostrich's immune system. Or rather, I personally have never caught a cold since the day I was born into this world, nor have I ever witnessed an ostrich with a cold. In the first place, even back in my past life on Earth, there was a story that the ostrich's immune system was so insane that it was even making waves regarding COVID-19.
It's likely due to another reason.
"In the first place, if a virus capable of making an ostrich catch a cold actually existed, this world would undoubtedly go extinct from a pandemic."
That being the case, if there's a reason for a sneeze other than a cold... is it a rumor? Ah, I get it! My kids are talking about me! Wait for me, my little ones! (Though some are older!) Your mother will reach you shortly!
"Whoa, that was swifter than I thought."
While contemplating such things, the castle walls came into view in no time. Once I've come this far, it's just a stone's throw away.
...Ah, that's right. Let's take a deep breath as I go in.
If I calm down and think about it, it's really quite that, isn't it...? The me from when I was fighting just now; wasn't she completely unhinged? She was saying stuff like, 'Hurry up and try to kill me!'... Uwah. Waah... What should I do. Uh, no one heard me, right? It's a considerable dark history... What should I do. It's incredibly embarrassing. My face and ears are starting to feel burning hot.
To deal a finishing blow to my dignity, a vision of my children emulating my behavior flashes across my mind for an instant.
...No, this is far too detrimental to their education. There is the matter of Dere, and in all likelihood, my kids will continue to become increasingly clever from here on out. Though the memory aspect probably won't alter much due to the correlation with brain size, their level of intellect—their capacity for comprehension and the like—should continuously improve. In short, it wouldn't be strange if a child emerged who doesn't merely repeat what I said like a parrot, but actually comprehends the meaning of the words and the background behind them.
Just having my various out-of-line remarks parroted back is already hazardous enough for my sense of shame, but if they were to comprehend the meaning and be turned off like, 'Eww...'... Gah-hark! D-Dangerous, I coughed up blood... M-My heart aches terribly... If it comes to that, mother will hang herself... No, I can't even die from something like hanging myself.
(F-For now. I must be exceptionally. Exceptionally careful with my speech and conduct...)
"Ah! Mama! Mamaaa!!!"
While thinking of such things, Dere's voice reaches my ears. It appears she has spotted me over here.
"Mama?"
"Mama?"
"Mama!"
"Mama! Mama came! Over there!"
"Over there?"
"Over there!"
"Mama! Mama!"
"Eeeh~~!!! C-Could it be that in this brief instant, everyone has remembered me as Mama?! Waah! Waaah! Uh, what should I do. It's Mama, it's Mama, everyone~! Everyone, I'm home~! Is everyone properly here? Is everyone accounted for? Uwah, everyone is properly here!"
Whether Dere taught them, whether they learned it here, or whether they are simply repeating it, I do not know. However, to be called "Mama," to be called a mother by the kids I have looked after this entire time. ...Ah, this is dangerous. I feel like the endorphins that had settled down are being discharged in a massive deluge once more. Mama is incredibly happy~! Or rather, everyone listened to what Dere said and managed to return to the town properly! Furthermore, without a single one going astray! There could be nothing more magnificent than this! After all, they're ostriches! They managed to arrive at the location instructed for the very first time!
Someone! Hurry up and cook some red auspicious rice! Also, today shall be declared a national holiday!
"Mamaaa!"
"Praise me!"
"Mama! I worked hard! Great? Great?"
"Yes, yes! Everyone is magnificent! Dere, thank you as well; I'm going to give you a big kiss!"
While skillfully managing the ostriches that have begun to gather around, I spend a longer time doting on Dere, who undoubtedly worked the hardest. I'm already showering her forehead with kisses. Are you happy? My, my~!
...Whoops, I shouldn't frolic around far too much.
Though the vast majority of the ostriches have gathered beneath me, there are also ostriches who are unable to run over here. Yes, the ostriches who were battered by the Beast King. If someone had ascended to the heavens, these kids would likely be depressed far more terribly. However, judging by their appearance, the grief does not seem to be that large. There are many individuals exploding with joy due to my safe return.
In short, it means the worst-case scenario was successfully evaded; while offering my gratitude to the people who must have dedicated themselves to recovery, I steel my heart. My kids being inflicted with injuries—it causes me anxiety and my heart aches, but I cannot display a faint-hearted appearance. I will conduct myself with energy and encourage everyone. If I do so, the anxiety remaining within their hearts should be dispelled as well.
(...Is that it.)
"Matilde."
"っ! Lord Lais! I thought I heard the voices of those under your banner, and sure enough, it is you! Thank goodness, you were safe...!"
"Naturally! But I don't matter. How are my kids?"
"Every single one barely managed to escape death, but..."
While listening to her words, I am guided to the location where my kids are laid down.
There, close to forty ostriches were laid out. Every one of them is saying stuff like, 'It hurts...!' 'It prickles!' ...My, they are somewhat more energetic than I had imagined. Because they had been battered to the point of being unable to raise their voices, I had braced myself slightly, thinking it might be a far more terrible situation, but...
(Is it thanks to the person who recovered them, I wonder.)
Due to witnessing my figure, an emotion of joy explodes, and all the children attempt to force themselves to stand up. However, sure enough, it seems their bodies still ache; everyone has begun to cry while saying it hurts, it hurts. Ah, jeez, you have to stay still, don't you...? Look, if you sleep quietly it will heal immediately, so remain still. While you're injured, I'll stay right by your side the entire time, okay? You won't be lonely. Understand? You understand, yes, yes, what good children~. I'm going to pat your heads. Pain, pain, fly away~, right?
"The recovery capacity of those under your banner is high, and thanks to that, it seems everyone managed somehow. However, it appears the mana of the church personnel and Lord Amelia has run dry. I heard further recovery is difficult. ...Considering the enemy's reinforcements as well, a damage of forty out of three hundred—slightly over ten percent—is exceptionally large... Lord Lais. We should retreat for the time being."
"Eh, why?"
"Wh-Why, you ask..."
"Even if they come, I can defeat them, you know? Look."
While saying so, I attempt to fire a 'Mana Cannon' upward toward the sky. Ah, of course I checked for safety, okay? There's no way I'd do something that causes damage to the surroundings, after all. Witnessing that performance of mine, Matilde makes an incredible face painted in pure stupefaction, and Amelia-san comes flying out from the deeper quarters to see what the matter is. ...Ah, as expected, my bad. I should have said a word before doing it, shouldn't I.
Perhaps a slight lingering aftertaste of battle remains... I must be careful.
Well, that being the case, as long as I—who have become capable of utilizing mana—am present, no matter what comes, it's safe and secure. It stands to reason that a mother protects her child's safety, doesn't it? Well, since I made a promise to Beast King-chan, I won't go so far as to slaughter them to the last, though. If it's just intimidating them into returning home, you can leave it to me as much as you like.
"L-L-L-Lord Lais? J-Just now, that was...?!"
"Yep, 'Mana Cannon'. I was taught it by the Beast King? Something like that. ...Ah, I made sure to kill him properly. Rest assured on that front."
"T-Taught? No, I certainly witnessed it during the retreat, but... wait, you killed him?!"
Eh, why are you that surprised. Or rather, if I hadn't killed him, I wouldn't be standing in this location in the first place.
"N-No, to be sure, that is true, but you are far too unscathed, or rather... A-Are? Lord Lais. Surely when we retreated, your h-head was like, half...?!"
"Ah, that. Somehow, when I worked hard with magic, I was able to heal it. Want to see? If I feel like it, I can show you the inside, though."
"N-No, no, no, no! Th-Th-That isn't the sort of thing you just show! M-More importantly, is that the sort of thing you can just heal?! Eh, what?! Terrifying!!"
She becomes painted in stupefaction while halfway baring her raw self.
Uh, in short? She properly witnessed the moment I utilized the mana cannon during the retreat as well, but because I returned in a state far too unscathed and brimming with energy, she accepted it as usual. And yet, when she thought about it carefully, she's currently like, 'Come to think of it, this guy should have lost half her head and a wing! Unscathed! Terrifying!'
Ah, could it be that's not all? We as an entire flock were treated as a Special Tactical Force, but because I claimed victory against the Beast King entirely on my own, it wouldn't be strange for me alone to be counted as a Special Tactical Force existence. Furthermore, I managed to demonstrate that I am at least equal to or greater than the Beast King... In short, it means two Special Tactical Forces are present in this location. Ah~, to be sure, being caught in a pincer attack by two dangerous individuals in the highlands is terrifying enough to die, so I might comprehend that feeling.
"Wrong, wrong, wrong! Eh, c-could it be. That brain that became half, it has healed, completely???"
"Eh, yeah. That's right, though. ...Ah, during the combat, I completely destroyed it once myself and rebooted it."
"Why would you destroy it yourself?! Or rather, why are you alive!!!!!"
Eh, even if you ask me why, I honestly don't comprehend the reason myself... Because I'm Lais-chan? Look, look, that so-called infinite Chieftain power. Ah, also, in all likelihood, the only one who stays alive even if their entire brain is destroyed is me, so the other ostriches probably can't manage it... A privilege exclusive to me? Something like that. Look, even the great genius Dere-chan among the ostriches excluding me is saying 'Mama is amazing!', so it's just that sort of thing.
"My Lord, in all likelihood, if you pay it mind, you lose. In the first place, a Special Tactical Force is precisely that sort of thing. Also, Lais, cease unleashing that near the town; it is dangerous."
"That is true, sowee~ ♡"
"As long as you understand, it is fine. I have various things I wish to say, but... Let us perform what must be done first. You, do you still have mana remaining?"
Mana? Yeah, of course I have a ton, you know? Though I was using it like water during the combat, it didn't feel like it was lacking in the slightest, and it felt as though it was being replenished the more I utilized it. Therefore, the mana itself remains completely, enough to fight and win against the Beast King one more time, even. Or rather, if it's that much, Amelia-san could just pass mana through her eyes without going out of her way to ask... Ah, come to think of it, I heard she used it all up for the sake of recovering my kids just now.
I was intending to offer my gratitude to the church people as well, but... Amelia-san, thank you truly for saving my kids.
"It is fine, just that much. More importantly, if it remains, it simplifies matters. Could you pour a bit of mana into me? With that mana, I shall completely heal these children's injuries."
"Eh, really?! By all means, please, I beg of you!"
Just from these kids managing to survive, there was a sense of relief as though I had been liberated from a heavy pressure weighing down upon my heart. However, even if I comprehended that they would definitely heal, witnessing the figures of my kids suffering from pain is agonizing. If it can be managed by me handing over mana, I'll hand over as much as you like! Look! Take all of it!
"Do not overdo it, truly. If you fail, I will be unable to endure it and burst. Continue sending the absolute minimum, the barest minimum of mana you can manage right now."
"Ah, yes."
While saying so, I place my wing upon the hand thrust forward. Then, exactly as instructed, I continue sending the barest minimum of mana I am capable of. Compared to the silk-like thread of mana Amelia-san and the Beast King displayed, mine is roughly the thickness of a baguette. I-I'm still a bit lacking in practice, you see...
While making a pained expression, Amelia-san receives it, spinning the mana while converting it within her body.
"Originally, the transfer of mana is exceptionally inefficient, so it is not performed. A person possesses their own shape of mana, and unless one remakes what was received for their own use, nothing can be done. And even if one attempts to remake it, the required technique is considerably high in the first place, and the consumed mana is far too vast, making it completely unprofitable. Even if one receives the entire mana of a magic-type Special Tactical Force, it can only be converted into roughly the mana of an ordinary person."
While emitting a gentle green light toward my bedridden kids, she preaches the teaching to me as my master.
It seems the amount of mana that can be generated alters depending on the skill of the receiving side and the skill of the sending side, but it appears that no matter how highly skilled an individual one calls over, it normally results in nothing but waste. It seems to be at a level along the lines of attempting to exchange currency only to have over ninety percent taken as a handling fee.
However, my case is an exception. With a mana equal to a Demon King—and a mana that has increased compared to before—literally no matter how much is lost, it doesn't matter. It is at a level where she says I can remain unbothered even if I waste it at a level of filling a bathtub with gold coins instead of water and taking a gold coin bath every single day for a month. ...Putting it into words once more, it truly is insane.
"Yes, it is insane. Perhaps because the image of the highlands is strong, you might be unable to perceive it as your own matter, but bring yourself to realize it. ...There, this is the end."
While saying so, she halts the recovery she was performing by utilizing my mana.
And within our line of sight, the figures of the completely recovered ostriches!
"It hurts... not! It's gone!"
"Healed?"
"Healed!"
"Energetic!"
"Yay~!"
"My, my~! Thank goodness! ...Truly, thank goodness. ...Ah, you lot! Offer your gratitude to Amelia-san. Look, gratitude, do you understand?"
"Gratitude?"
"Understand?"
"Don't know!"
"Too haaard!!!"
Mmm, they don't understand just yet, huh. Or rather, before I knew it, the other kids have gathered around as well, haven't they; mmm? Did everyone come to celebrate because the pain is gone? What good children; it's truly wonderful that everyone became energetic. ...Mmm? What's the matter, Dere. Ah, could it be! You've understood what to say?! Dere is the absolute greatest genius in the flock, after all; come on, come on, teach everyone?
"Nod! 『Gwatitude~!』"
While saying so, she bows her head—where on earth did she learn that? And the other kids, who have begun to vaguely surmise what they ought to do, begin to move while emulating Dere's movements.
"""Gwatitude~!!!"""
"My, my, thank you. Dere, you said it well too, didn't you? But it is thanks to your mother, you know? Look, offer it to Lais as well... Lais?"
"...Gah-hark!"
Due to the excessive preciousness, I cough up blood.
My child is / far too cute / and so I died (Death Poem)
I harbor not a single shred of regret in my entire life!
※She is not dead.
〇 The Third Meeting of the Ostrich Victims Association [Beast King Edition]
"With General Delotado!"
"And Bobre!"
""The Ostrich Victims Association~!!!""
"And so, this time we have invited the Beast King himself as a guest, but..."
"Uh, um, it feels like my body is being carried away by some guy I don't really know, though..."
"I-It feels like exceptionally foul timing, doesn't it..."
(G-General! W-What should we do about this! It's clearly different from the plan! We went out of our way to prepare alcohol and a hot pot under a 'Session to Celebrate Hard Work in Life' feel! The fine meat we bought with our bonus! This is completely an instance where it can't be enjoyed!)
(However, Bobre! It is impossible for us to execute actions against what is occurring in the mortal realm! Th-There is nothing that can be done about this!)
"...Mm, this meat. It is exceptionally delicious. Lord Delotado, Lord Bobre, I offer my gratitude."
"N-No, no. Hearing you say so is more than we could ask for on our side."
"...…Uh, um. I'm just going to speak bluntly, but is that going to be alright?"
"If you ask me if it is alright... well, it is not alright, and to say I harbor no thoughts would be a lie, but... well, since I have already died, it can't be helped. Besides..."
""Besides?""
"I feel like in the end, they're going to be run over and killed by the ostriches anyway."
""Ah...""
(By the way, it has been weighing on my mind, but that pair of pumpkin pants meant for young girls placed over there, what is that?)
(Those belong to Heed Kingdom's young Queen, those do.)
(...Why are they here?)
(Even we have absolutely no inkling... well, in a sense, because she is a victim of the ostrich, they are likely here.)
(I see?)
"And so! Given that the cold season has arrived recently, while enjoying hot pot, I'd like to leisurely engage in a post-mortem review-like session!"
"Umu, I count on you. As the Beast King, I shall answer anything."
"Then, Lord Beast King, right off the bat... The path to victory in this battle. We would absolutely love to hear your own thoughts. Both of us were cheering you on with sweating palms."
"For that, I offer my utmost gratitude. However, a winning path, umu, as expected... I should have crushed her with the initial strike. Other than that, nothing comes to mind."
"As expected, it's that, isn't it..."
"Or rather, to speak bluntly. Honestly, a vision of claiming victory against an opponent who remains alive even after having their brain entirely destroyed does not float into my mind. The mana and whatnot is insane. Or rather, the wounds I inflicted have already been completely recovered."
""That is true.""
"With the initial strike, look, the attack I performed at the very end. That is called the 'Beast King Cannon', you see? The citizens named it for me. If I had fired that at the very beginning, I might have won. However, that requires a long charging time and presents a large opening; furthermore, because the mana consumption is far too elevated, it is not very suited for practical combat. The decision to fire the Beast King Cannon at the beginning likely couldn't be made, and honestly, the feeling that nothing could be done is tremendous, you see..."
"She's become an even more insane existence compared to when we of Nagan fought her, after all."
"True, isn't it."
"Having arrived here, I was shown your own good fights as well, but... she has truly become an 'existence that must not be touched', so to speak."
""Right.""
"Well, it is roughly around here, I suppose. It is unseemly for the defeated to pile up further words. From now on, let us witness their active roles from this place. Because the state of the Beast Kingdom after my death weighs on my mind as well, after all."
"Yes, and so we'd like to wrap it up around here for this time!"
"Lord Beast King, thank you for going out of your way to participate! Come, come, not just the meat, but the hot pot is also something crafted with full devotion, so please, by all means."
"Oho, my, my. However, it would be improper for only me to partake. At the very least, allow me to pour the alcohol. Come, a cup for Lord Delotado and Lord Bobre as well..."
Next time, a new arc begins.