As Ultima and Testarossa battled, I decided to observe the shadow generals and their troops.
Mio led a group of Shadow Spiders, who used Universal Thread in their magic combat. I watched as she combined elemental magic with the skill, giving it different effects and making it effective in battle.
Seris and her division focused on poison magic, which was not as potent as Ultima's but still powerful.
Tusk and his troops used a variety of magic rather than limiting themselves to a single element. Ari and her troops used a combination of weapons and magic.
Igris and his troops were skilled swordsmen, while Luca's troops were berserkers. Beru and the other ants were all-rounders, proficient in multiple areas.
I smiled, comparing their current strength to when they first became shadows. A lot of time has passed, and the most important battle will begin in just a few days.
Now, even the weakest shadow soldier had enough power to defeat a shadow general 300 years ago. After my last evolution, even the weakest of them now has a humanoid-looking form.
...
..
.
After I finished observing the shadow generals, I turned around to see how the fight between Ultima and Testarossa was going, only to see Testarossa trapped between ten spears, making her unable to move, and Ultima pointing another spear at her with a smirk.
"I guess I win. Not like there could be another outcome," Ultima said.
"Tsk..." Testarossa clicked her tongue, not liking the outcome of the battle.
"Hehe, I will fight the pigeon!" Ultima beamed like a little child.
In the back of my mind, I could see a manga panel with a chibi Ultima happily jumping around while a chibi-annoyed Testarossa trapped between the spears just looked at her.
Suppressing a laugh, I went down to them, "So, how are you adjusting to your Ultimate Skills?" I asked.
"Great!" Ultima said, still happily dancing around, but let Testarossa out by dematerializing the spears.
"I'm starting to understand my new skills. Thank you, my lord. If not for you, I would never have had the opportunity to acquire it," Testarossa said with a respectful bow.
"Hey, don't say it like that. Now it looks like I'm ungrateful!" Ultima said.
Before Ultima started another fight, I said, "The battle will be in a few days. While I take care of Michael, Ultima will fight Feldway, and Testarossa will be there as backup in case anything goes wrong."
"Of course, my lord," Testarossa replied.
---
The days passed by quickly, and it was time for the war before the war began.
[I think the massacre to stop the war is a better name.]
'It's not going to be a massacre. Persephone.'
[...You are literally one of the strongest beings right now, and you have prepared for every single scenario. The only way you could lose is if you let them defeat you. That's without taking into account the Disaster and Catastrophe class being in your shadow.]
'You make it sound like I can go there alone and wipe them out.'
[Beacuse you can master...]
I shrugged. 'But that would be a lot of unnecessary work for me. I take out the two important players and maybe Ivarage while my shadows take out the rest.'
It would be a waste for them to just laze around the castle while I take care of everything myself.
'Just think of it like this. I could do everything myself, but I ask you for help with it, like doing the calculations.'
Maybe I should do a speech? It's not like it is something necessary, but I always wanted to make one.
"Ekmm..." I cleared my throat and began my speech. This would be my first and probably the last speech, so I hope it's good.
"You have been fighting for me for the past 300 years, and I must say that I am proud of how far you have come. I have seen you grow from some of the weakest monsters and humans to now being considered one of the strongest beings in this world, and I am grateful to have you by my side.
We may be up against strong opponents, but we are stronger. Losing is not something I have even considered, and I know that with your help, we will emerge victorious..."
I continued the speech, saying the first things that came to my mind, and as I finished my all, the soldiers erupted in a cheering roar with their weapons held high. The sound of their enthusiasm filled the air.
This continued for around ten minutes before the cheers grew quieter, and the generals who were at the front fell down on their knees.
"My liege, we thank you for every opportunity you have given us," they said in unison. "With your blessing, we have gotten everything we couldn't even have dreamt of before, so we won't disappoint you."
At their words, my expression softened, and a small smile formed on my face. I looked out at the sea of faces before me.
It was a mixture of shadow faces, with my first shadow generals having a real humanoid appearance. I can clearly remember every one of them and how they have changed over the years of being shadows.
"The war will begin and end today," I said.
---
Author's Note:
Thank you for reading this chapter.
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