Local Netizen Elf’s Life In Another World
Case 355: Sound check.

''So, are you my opponent?''

''...''

Christina narrows her burning eyes, zeroing in on the figure opposing her.

Hermione, the first demon commander.

Information on commanders is really scarce, but Hermione's is even rarer. Not only that, there is something so unsettlingly calm in the way she carries herself. It is as though she has long realized her eventual victory. Or something else.

Christina doesn't understand, but what she has to do stays the same.

Clutching her favorite lance, which was modified by Sylvia and Sariel, the princess activates her gentle domain. Unlike Anastasia, who has to maintain much heavier buffs, hers are somewhat tolerable.

The opponent is elusive, and Christina has to deal with spatial magic, so any amount of detection is appreciated. 

Many mock battles with Sylvia herself have taught Christina the danger of spatial magic, so she doesn't dare let her guard down. At least until reinforcement comes, she won't relax even for a moment.

''No talks? So boring.''

Behind the slightly torn fan, Hermione's sigh lightly sets the tone low. The next moment, that slim figure completely disappears.

Knowing she won't ever get a glimpse of Hermione again, Christina shuts her eyes. At that instance, a whole new world is reflected in her mind.

They say divine power is god's power. It is because divine power can create miracles. Christina, too, has experienced it herself—her singing blooms flowers, brightens days, and heals life even without her realizing it. At first, it was a hobby. Then became a passion, and that passion was eventually ignited and kept burning as Sylvia embered it along the way.

Now, more than just sound, Christina can 'hear' much more. Even without real, physical hearing capabilities, she can still feel it close to her essence. In her domain, not a single disturbance can go unnoticed.

''...!''

And, just like what she had expected, a faint, almost intangible shift in the air—a gentle tap on her nerves—sends her body into full alert mode. She flings her lance unhesitantly, kicking away a rusty knife that almost stabbed her neck.

No killing intent, not a trace or a scent. Christina's heart races uncontrollably.

She'd almost died.

''Oh?''

Amused, Hermione retreats to her dimension, her giggles ringing in the air. Despite it being inside Christina's domain, the commander has easily penetrated the sensory net without making much of a noise.

In contrast, panic sets in Christina's mind.

If she falls here, not only will she never be able to see Sylvia, her beloved, anymore, but the advancing frontlines might collapse altogether. If this powerful demon joins forces with the others, the situation will look grim.

''?!''

At that moment, something searing violently punches through the air beside her cheek, and a screeching metal scraping noise stirs her domain. Belatedly, the princess snaps out of it.

In front of her, a piping-hot bullet, still spinning, is lodged in the ground, and not far away from it, another rusty knife lies broken.

'Sylvia...'

As if telling Christina to wake up, more shots rapidly fire through the air, fluttering her clothes.

Right, she hasn't lost.

So, Christina steels her stance once more.

''Hey, that little helper of yours.'' Hermione's head hangs upside down, facing Christina straight. ''She's so annoying. I can kill her, right?''

When the princess swings her lance, nothing is cut.

Yet, despite not being able to catch her opponent's tail, she can almost smell the smirk on that demon's face.

Christina is rather calm. Not only is Sylvia a master at spatial magic who, on a technical level, can even be compared to Eva, but she is also the heart of everything. Her safety is placed at the very top.

There's little risk of her getting hurt, being practically buried in protection gadgets.

''Hoo...''

Catching her breath, Christina concentrates her divinity even further, amping her senses to their maximum capacity. It is evident this battle cannot be prolonged if she wants to keep the odds in her favor.

So, eliminate the option of stalling and go straight for the kill.

A golden light of divinity flickers in Christina's long hair, signaling a status change. Softly, a hum escapes from her radiating figure.

When that singing reaches the corners of the battlefield, Christina almost becomes one with her surroundings. She 'sees' and 'hears' the very flows of life, down to its death, and even has the ability to intervene in that cycle.

Nimbly, she springs toward Sylvia's direction. 

Where the demon commander is fighting Sylvia in between disorganized, disremembered spatial rifts, Christina pierces her lance through reality, letting it plunge into Hermione's body.

''...!''

Although not fatal, it has caused the demon's thoughts to halt for a few moments.

'This is perfect.'

Having 'become one' with Sylvia's divinity countless times, Christina feels as though her domain has been strengthened twofold when they are close. Thankfully, Sylvia has recovered enough energy to assist her in this regard.

''Go, Tina!'' The elven princess exclaims, bolting another round confidently.

''Mhm!''

In this mesh of space, Christina boldly paves her way forward, having her unfathomable senses as a guiding light. She easily catches up to Hermione, who is relatively weak without her inherent advantage.

The domain's control—reality's scale—has now heavily tilted toward one side.

In this mesh of space, Christina is akin to a mermaid, while Hermione is a mere fish trying to escape death's jaws. Everywhere the commander goes, she hears that gentle humming.

''Kuh...!''

The princess's blade tears through the 'water' mercilessly, slicing off the demon's arms one by one. Previous surprise hasn't yet cooled, Hermione finally begins to draw the star's power, regenerating her body rapidly.

That pulsing purple energy takes root, threatening to recapture everything.

Holding the tattered fan, now glowing, the demon shoots herself backward, twirling her body elegantly, bringing along a purple current, her mouth mumbling something as if casting a spell.

Yet, escape seems far. 

Christina still easily catches up to Hermione, her gleaming lance drawing an elegant arc, and its blade... just happens to rip through the demon's waist.

Sink into the skin, split the flesh, smash the bones, and finally, tear apart the body.

Seared by the pain of divinity, Hermione sharply hisses. In the corner of her eyes, she can see—no, she can feel the lance lunging at her heart. Gritting her teeth, the commander pours everything she has into the spell—

''Huh? It ran away?!''

Long-range teleportation.

Without missing a beat, Christina 'swims' to Sylvia, who is busy changing her gun's magazine. Realizing that her reserve now runs low, the princess urges, 

''Sylvia, do you know where it went?! I need to chase it—''

''Shh.''

With a knowing smile, Sylvia puts her index finger up to Christina's lips. Then, she aims at the distance, her long ears twitching.

''As if I'd let it escape,'' She mutters.

With a hearty pull of the trigger, her beloved Hecate II breathes an intense shockwave and a gust of fire, propelling the bullet at unimaginable speed with a taste of gunpowder.

Whether that bullet hits the target... only Sylvia knows, but for now, including the other two battles, the matter with the commanders is settled.