At the moment when Vice Commander Marenne and the Outer God were fully engrossed in their duel, I took the opportunity to check on the Commander's condition.

Despite everything that had happened, the Commander kept her head bowed.

Yet, as I got closer, I realized her expression was not one of fear as it had been earlier.

Instead, it seemed as if she were grappling with some deep inner turmoil, her face twisted in a blend of pain and contemplation.

"Commander?"

I cautiously called out to her. She turned her eyes toward me ever so slightly.

The intensity in her gaze nearly stopped my breath.

Unlike her usual demeanor, the Commander’s eyes were calm—eerily so.

It was only then that I recalled something peculiar. Up until the moment the Outer God had grabbed her face and forced her to meet its gaze, she had been trembling in fear. But after that moment, her trembling had stopped.

Clang!

The Vice Commander’s greatsword clashed with the Outer God’s twin axes, the sheer force of the impact shaking the brazier.

Debris began falling from above, and I threw myself over the Commander to shield her.

The Vice Commander and the Outer God closed the distance between them, glaring at each other like they wanted to tear the other apart.

The Outer God wore a smug smile, as though it still held the upper hand.

I understood what that look meant.

If we lost the Martial God’s body, we would be the ones at a disadvantage. The Outer God likely thought that, as long as it controlled the Martial God, it could manipulate us however it pleased.

"Hyaah!"

Perhaps the Vice Commander thought the same, as she unleashed a surge of strength, driving the Outer God out of the brazier and into the open.

It seemed she had judged that continuing to fight inside could lead to the brazier’s collapse.

Though reluctant to leave the Commander behind, I decided to follow the Vice Commander. Her life was in immediate danger, after all.

"Commander, I’ll follow the Vice Commander for now."

As I stepped outside, I thought I heard a faint, sorrowful chuckle.

Was it just my imagination?

The duel between the Vice Commander and the Outer God became even fiercer outside.

The Vice Commander’s sword, resonating with Meditatio, trembled so violently it left afterimages with each swing, creating deafening clashes against the Outer God’s twin axes.

The Outer God, or rather the Martial God’s body, was holding its ground impressively.

Despite the vibrations threatening to disarm it, the Outer God gritted its teeth and managed to deflect attacks, coming dangerously close to striking the Vice Commander’s neck.

"Vice Commander!"

I couldn’t stand idly by any longer.

Though the Commander had previously described the Vice Commander and the Martial God as equals, the Outer God’s possession tilted the balance.

I charged at the Martial God, swinging my sword. One of its axes diverted to block me, creating an opening for the Vice Commander to strike.

However, the Outer God managed to fend her off with its remaining axe.

Even so, it was clearly struggling to handle both of us. Its body began trembling under the strain, its stance slowly collapsing.

And then—

"Graaaah!"

With a roar, the Outer God unleashed a burst of energy, sending us flying backward.

The force wasn’t overwhelming, and I quickly regained my footing.

But the Outer God seized the moment to catch its breath, a sly grin spreading across its face.

"Did you really think you could capture this body?" it sneered. "Even if you fight with the intent to kill, your chances of victory are slim. And yet, you still cling to your delusions!"

It no longer bothered to hide its true identity, its tone dripping with mockery.

The Vice Commander gritted her teeth, clearly enraged.

The Outer God, realizing its disguise was futile, seemed ready to go down in a blaze of destruction.

A truly vile creature.

What was worse, its words rang true.

Capturing the Martial God’s body seemed nearly impossible. Even if we bound it, it would undoubtedly escape and come for us again.

The real question was how to extract the Outer God from the Martial God’s body.

"Vice Commander."

"What’s with that look, Tanton? Don’t tell me you’re suggesting we give up on the Martial God. We were so close! If we can bind that body and extract the Outer God—"

"And how exactly do you plan to extract it?"

The Vice Commander’s jaw clenched in frustration.

"That’s..."

"To be blunt, this is a terrible thought, but that body is nothing more than a shell now. If the Outer God fully claims it—"

"Enough!"

The Vice Commander’s shout cut me off, her voice trembling with emotion.

It had been a long time since she let her feelings show so openly.

But there was no avoiding the truth.

Losing a comrade was devastating. But to be forced to kill them with your own hands?

It was a cruel, unimaginable pain.

Yet, to protect Londan and prevent greater losses, it seemed the only option.

"My apologies, Vice Commander. But we have no choice—"

"There’s no need for that."

A familiar voice interrupted me.

The tone was unmistakable, yet the strength in it felt unfamiliar.

The Vice Commander’s eyes widened as she slowly turned to the source of the voice.

And there, walking toward us with a calm, resolute aura—

"It’s my turn to handle this, Vice Commander."

The Commander.

She was entirely unlike the trembling, fearful woman I had seen before.

Her serene expression and steady steps exuded a quiet power.

"You’ve been through so much because of me," she said softly, offering a faint smile.

But her gaze quickly turned to the Outer God, sharp and unyielding.

The Outer God’s face twisted with fury.

"You cursed woman! Are you planning to act all high and mighty now? How many comrades suffered because of you—!"

It couldn’t finish.

The Commander, faster than I could process, grabbed its face.

The Outer God froze, its eyes wide with fear as it looked down at her.

The Commander held it close, her voice filled with quiet authority.

"You poor creature, tormented by my existence. It’s time for you to return to where you belong."

As she spoke, a deep indigo light enveloped both of them.

The sight was mesmerizing, almost lulling me into a trance.

The Outer God, realizing the end had come, thrashed violently in her grip.

"Let go! You can’t end it like this! I won’t allow it!"

But the Commander’s hold was unyielding.

Eventually, its struggles weakened, its body going limp.

When the light subsided, the Commander gently laid the unconscious Martial God on the ground.

Though his complexion was pale, the Commander reassured us.

"He’s alive. He’ll recover fully after a week of rest."

The Vice Commander let out a shaky breath, her tension finally easing.

But before we could process the moment—

The Commander stepped forward and embraced the Vice Commander, pulling his head gently to her shoulder.

"Vice Commander," she whispered, tears streaming down her face despite her soft smile.

"I’m back. I kept my promise."

The Vice Commander said nothing, simply leaning into her embrace.

Through the damp spots spreading on her uniform, it was clear how deeply moved he was.

"Sorry for making you wait," she said quietly.

I remained silent, watching the scene unfold as the Martial God’s color slowly returned.

I stayed still, ensuring nothing disturbed their long-overdue reunion.