Everyone had their own role in this battle. The Tibults were responsible for managing the army. Astria, Elaya, and Xin were managing the dungeon. Raissa had her own duties as well. Those involved in taking out the demon lord were Lydia, Celeste, Terra, Shao, Miki, Bernice, Salicia, Carmine, and the two of us. We had already lost one and we were just getting started.

The Demon Lord Aberis was extremely slippery. When we engaged him together, we were able to keep up, but that was because he had been focusing on us specifically. Now, he’d constantly move from person to person, effectively fighting everyone as he leaped around. He’d strike randomly and without warning, and his attacks were usually just as one of us let our guard slip slightly. The girls took strike after strike, but thankfully nothing was lethal. We were able to heal them.

We’d like to say that this meant the fight was even, but the truth was that we were slowly being beaten down. The girls were accumulating wounds and exhaustion, and the fight had been going on for nearly fifteen minutes. The battle in the background had reached the apex and now it was a matter of our army finishing off theirs, but none of that would mean much if Aberis survived.

He was powerful enough at the moment to single-handedly take over Chalm and declare himself king. Once I am defeated, nothing would stand in his way of conquering western Aberis. The army was more a formality and a means of hiding his existence rather than a source of power. To exude control, you needed loyal minions. Destroying his army would definitely set him back, but he could build more.

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“Aren’t you the one who makes plans? Make a plan!” My female half cursed.

“Me? I stick to the plan.”

“The plan’s not working.”

“Aren’t you the impulsive one? Come up with something!”

“Why don’t you both put your heads together and do something!” Miki shot both of us a look.

Of all the girls, Miki had been the only one who hadn’t used her unique ability, the nine-tails, and launched her full attack at Demon Lord Aberis. There were several reasons for that. The primary one was that of everyone, she had the weakest defense. Shao’s defense was limited too, but it was higher in her Demon Lord form. That didn’t save her from being killed in a single hit. If Miki tried to show her true potential, she’d be killed just as quickly.

Thus, she had mostly remained back, keeping her attacks limited. I had considered sending her away entirely and having her resurrect Shao, but that had its complications. This was because we needed her present. One could say that she was the ace up our sleeve. Miki could control souls. This meant she could contain souls. She was our only assurance that Aberis’s death this time would be permanent.

Thus, the main combat was being taken care of by Lydia, Terra, Bernice, Celeste, Salicia, and Carmine. We’d also fight, but also provided support and healing.

“Master… Shao is already dead… it’s only a matter of time before someone else falls. At that point, will we even have a chance?” Miki asked.

The pair of us glanced at each other, and somehow, it all seemed to click at once. We weren’t going to be able to wear him down. We weren’t going to be able to weaken him. Our only chance… was to attack him with everything we had. A combined attack that would overwhelm and defeat him, whatever the cost.

“So, it’s come to this.” My female half sighed.

“It’s time we go for broke.” I nodded.