She Who Became Immortal

Nellest Dillis, the elephant beastman, struggled with complex thoughts.

It had been a long time since he became a subordinate of the Beast King, Randall Kruger. Randall, in a capricious mood, had once attacked the elephant beastman settlement, and Nellest along with a few others had resisted. Some were killed, but this resistance seemed to leave a favorable impression on the Beast King.

"The fight was more interesting than I expected," Randall had remarked. Subsequently, through negotiations led by Lex Asuka, it was decided that Nellest would become one of Randall's subordinates.

At the time, it seemed like a simple decision.

After all, no matter how many fighting elephant beastmen were gathered, they could not defeat the Lion King. Nellest and his kin didn’t even want to defeat Randall; they just didn’t want to be killed. Surviving meant submission when resistance was futile.

But the real challenge came afterward.

Randall Kruger was a troublesome king. He was free-spirited, untamed, and exceptionally strong. Despite being the leader of the pride, he acted more like a rogue. Nellest was forced to do various tasks and go to different places according to Randall’s whims, which he could never refuse, no matter how troublesome.

Elephant beastmen from the Dillis settlement originally lived a leisurely life. They would travel to distant water sources with their companions, graze on grass while drinking water, and nap as they pleased. Their lifestyle was minimalistic, living each day slowly and peacefully.

That’s why they chose to follow Brandon Kruger.

Unlike Randall, Brandon seemed to respect them.

Nellest was not good at thinking through intricate matters. Thus, he knew nothing about the details of the king’s assassination.

When they decided to follow Randall, it was the same. They chose to trust the Beast King's son because they believed they could.

Nellest did not ponder anything beyond that.

 

---

"Surround him! He's tough, this big guy! Surround him!"

A werewolf beastman shouted in front of Nellest.

The Anti-Lion Coalition’s beastmen took formation, surrounding the lone elephant beastman standing out from the battle line. Their movements were swift, akin to a wolf pack on the hunt.

However, Nellest paid it no mind.

He didn’t even consider that if the Anti-Lion Coalition aimed to kill the Lion King, they might have the same goal.

He was told to go to the battlefield and defeat the enemies.

So he did.

Using his massive body, he stomped the ground and swung his arms. His attack, akin to swinging a log, was easily dodged by the werewolf beastman.

However, the trunk that swung along with his arm struck the werewolf beastman’s head directly. Feeling the impact, the enemy was sent flying; while in mid-air, his body contorted in v-shape.

In the next moment, enemies flanking and behind him tried to stab Nellest's back and sides with their claws—but they couldn’t penetrate. The hardened skin of the elephant beastman blocked their sharp claws from reaching the flesh.

"What...!?"

"Impossible!"

The enemies were stunned, stopping their movements in shock. Nellest swung his arm, sending them flying. The werewolf beastmen, although hitting the ground hard, didn’t fall unconscious.

They were wearing armor.

To be precise, about one in every few enemies wore armor. Not leather, but clearly metal.

Nellest felt a different sensation from his usual strikes when his arm hit them.

"Damn it!"

Approaching the werewolf beastman who cursed while trying to get up, Nellest grabbed him by the collar, swung him around with brute strength, and threw him. The armored werewolf beastman, turned into a projectile, crashed into the enemy ranks, causing collateral damage.

However,

"This is troublesome..."

Nellest groaned.

Being the strongest in the Dillis settlement, Nellest’s strength rivaled even the boar beastmen of the Beast King’s guard. He was big, heavy, and tough. That was it. He had no speed, skill, or tactical acumen.

With his massive and durable body,

Swinging his arms, utilizing his long elephant trunk, and stomping. With these actions alone, most enemies could not match Nellest.

Even now, he didn’t feel any significant threat.

However, the presence of armored enemies made it hard to reduce their numbers as expected. The unarmored enemies moved cautiously, making it unlike the usual.

He should have trampled instead of throwing them.

Exhaling roughly, Nellest turned back to the enemies. His subordinates had not yet joined the battle line. When Nellest rampaged, even allies could suffer. He was not good at swinging his limbs while being mindful of his surroundings.

Nellest thought that battles didn’t suit him.

He thought so, but never pondered deeply. It was just a judgment to move his large feet forward.

He was told to fight.

So he fought.

If he felt like he was going to die, he would probably run away.

With such thoughts scattered in his mind, he advanced toward the cautious werewolf beastmen—

—A shiver ran down his spine.

Before his rational mind could comprehend what had happened, his instincts understood. Any living creature, no matter what, could instantly understand.

The roar of the Beast King echoed.

The sound itself didn’t clearly reach Nellest’s location. There was a distinct sense of distance to it.

From somewhere within their own camp, probably around where Lex Asuka was stationed. The echo of the roar left little doubt about its origin.

Of course, Nellest had no idea that Randall Kruger had arrived near the battlefield, but his instincts were certain.

After all, who else could unleash such a roar?

Fear.

It struck everyone present, regardless of being ally or enemy. In the midst of the battlefield, everyone froze.

Staying here would mean death.

Probably, everyone thought so.

Nellest’s foot, which was about to step forward, stopped completely. Similarly, no enemy charged at him. They, too, were paralyzed.

Too terrified to either advance or retreat.

"Grrrr… grrrrr…!"

Someone was gnashing their teeth. The sound came from an enemy closer to Nellest than the allies behind him. A werewolf beastman, clad in armor, was trying to fight off the fear, teeth clenched.

If someone gave an order, they might all start moving again. Nellest understood this. However, breaking the equilibrium established by the Lion King's roar was exceedingly difficult.

Just a voice, a movement, a slight reaction.

Any of these would do, or something else entirely.

Yet, nothing happened.

How long did this standstill last?

Certainly not long, but it was more than an instant or a single breath.

The equilibrium was shattered by a scream.

From behind, from their allies.

 

---

The standstill born from fear was an omen of death.

It felt like they were about to die.

The roar of the Lion King Randall carried enough power to make them feel that way.

The scream of terror from their allies positioned behind Nellest was also due to fear.

Because death was approaching.

The Beast King's charge—or rather, it would be more accurate to call it a rampage. Despite being a beastman who stood and walked on two legs, he was now galloping on all fours.

Plowing through his own subordinates, he dashed forward at an eye-popping speed, kicking up dust and creating a fierce wind pressure.

He continued, trampling enemies and hurling werewolf beastmen aside with his claws almost as an afterthought. Some were sliced cleanly in half, others diagonally from the shoulder. The Beast King didn't even glance at them.

"A... ah..."

Dust swirled upward, drifting to the other side.

Both allies and enemies watched in astonishment, but then they realized.

The Beast King's rampage had carved a straight path through the battle lines, and now, several figures were sprinting through the cleared space.

Among them was a demon.

A fox beastman was also present.

Nova, a cat beastman and Lex's aide, was there too.

And—cradled in the arms of a male demon, was a golden-haired human.

Euphemia, if he remembered correctly.

She smiled broadly from the demon's arms and said,

"Hey, hey, no time to be dazed on both sides. What are you doing? This is a battle, right? Keep fighting. Well, since a path has opened, we'll just help ourselves to a little sightseeing."

Even Nellest had to think.

What in the world is she?

There was no way to know.