A streak of lightning erupted from my fingertips, plunging into the fissure in the ground.
The bolt struck a frog, then spread to the surrounding individuals.
Lightning tore through the densely packed frogs, producing countless thousands of corpses.
The density was so great that sparks erupted from the fissure.
The Demon Lord's forces, fearing collateral damage, hastily retreated.
The crackling lightning intensified, illuminating the inside of the fissure as if to encompass it entirely.
This was the hallmark of the forbidden spell I had used this time.
As long as I, the caster, did not stop it, it would continue to detonate semi-perpetually.
It was, for all intents and purposes, an infinite attack that could not be defended against.
Plagued by such a forbidden spell, the frogs tumbled one after another to the bottom of the fissure.
Their rate of division dropped dramatically, and their numbers clearly dwindled.
Those aiming for the surface were mercilessly incinerated.
The spell's unusual effectiveness was likely due to the influence of the will of the world.
My current self could ignore the abilities and characteristics of these beasts.
As established in my battle with Gwen, it seemed effective against other beasts as well.
This was a formidable advantage.
For these beasts, I was their absolute natural enemy.
There could be no more troublesome opponent.
(However, this power is suspiciously convenient.)
Gazing down at the frogs being trampled, I questioned my own transformation.
The intervention by the will of the world apparently triggers an enhancement tailored to the opponent.
In other words, this time, it's power prepared specifically for killing the beasts.
Why I was chosen remains unclear, but in the current situation, it's undoubtedly a welcome boost.
However, complacency is forbidden.
Even the slightest carelessness can lead to ruin.
It's true I've gained the ability to contend with the beasts.
But that ability is not absolute.
I must never be overconfident and act with prudence.
The frogs were still writhing at the bottom of the fissure.
However, none were climbing up; the lightning strikes continued to rage.
If left alone, they would be completely exterminated.
All I needed to do was keep watch to ensure no unforeseen events occurred.
At that moment, I detected a strange reaction.
A suspicious movement was occurring at the bottom of the fissure.
I probed for details with sensory magic.
(This is—)
A single frog had begun absorbing the surrounding corpses.
The remains were being engulfed in an avalanche-like manner.
It seemed it could fuse as well as split.
The miasma readings were expanding rapidly.
The forbidden lightning curse inexplicably lost momentum, and soon after, it completely dissipated.
It seemed the lightning had been swallowed, caught up in the corpses being absorbed.
Before long, as if pushing open a crack in the earth, a colossal frog emerged onto the surface.
It was the size of a castle.
Though still transparent in color, it possessed an overwhelming presence that could stand alongside a dragon without a hint of deference.
The other frogs that had been within the fissure were gone.
It appeared they had all been absorbed into this single, massive entity.
As I observed, its distinctive single red eye locked onto me.
"…!"
A wave of discomfort, like my very mind was being stirred, washed over me.
I was about to have my psyche corroded.
But it no longer worked.
Having learned my lesson harshly from the incident with Gwen, I had developed a counter-charm while analyzing her.
This now blocked incursions into my mental world and prevented any physical malaise.
It was a nearly improvised spell, but it seemed to function without issue.
It could be said I had overcome the concern of psychic contamination.
As if opening its maw, the giant frog extended something toward me.
Straining my focus, I realized it was a tongue.
I immediately moved to sever it with my magic sword, but before I could, an arrow embedded itself in the hurtling tongue.
Its trajectory faltered, and it licked only at empty air.
"Stop looking away, you frog bastard!"
Henry, on the ground, hurled the provocative words.
Having evacuated the Demon King's army, he was single-handedly assaulting the frog.
The arrow loosed from his bow this time struck the frog's single eye.
The giant frog vibrated the air.
It was a silent scream.
From the damaged eye, red viscous liquid trickled down.
The giant frog focused its attention on Henry.
Closing in on him, it spewed a lightning strike from its mouth.
It was the forbidden spell I had absorbed.
It seemed capable of discharging at will the energy stored within its body.
Henry evaded with spectacular movement.
Dodging the successive lightning strikes, he even launched counterattacks with his bow.
Though for a short time, he was delivering heavy blows to the giant frog.
The giant frog did not split.
Perhaps, having become a single entity through fusion, it had lost the ability to divide.
Still, Henry's nerve was extraordinary.
Though an authentic, living human, he was fighting a beast from the outer world to a standstill or better.
Possessing no magical aptitude, he was waging a death match solely with his trained body and bow and arrow.
(...I can't lose either, can I.)
I cannot simply stand by and watch.
With that thought, I unleashed the forbidden spell.
The released gravitational force crushed the giant frog from above.
Of course, the giant frog struggled violently, trying to escape.
That was when I scattered the forbidden flames.
By searing the giant frog's limbs, I restrained it and impeded its movement.
While its resistance waned, I trapped it within a cage-like barrier, then compressed it further with gravity.
Through the layered forbidden spells, the giant frog was reduced to a tenth of its original thickness.
To be sure, I attacked it several more times, but there was no response.
The giant frog appeared to be completely dead.
I examined the flattened remains.
A significant amount of miasma lingered in the carcass.
Finding no signs of traps, I transferred it via spatial magic.
Its destination was the Valley of the Dead.
Offering it to that valley was my calculation to bolster my own power.
There should be no particular harm in this.
Before long, the supplied power intensified.
The rate of increase was incomparable to when I had offered corpses.
Just as I had aimed, the beasts of the outside world proved to be ideal offerings.
"Truly impressive, General! That was a masterful takedown."
Your distraction allowed me to land the spell. My thanks.
Henry waved from the ground below, and I exchanged words of praise via telepathy.
I had practically stolen the credit. The real praise should go to him and the demon army for their efforts in minimizing the damage this far.
I couldn't help but feel fortunate to have such capable subordinates.
"I am heading to another battlefield. Can I leave the aftermath to you?"
*'Leave it to me! I'm looking forward to your war stories.'*
"Understood."
With the conversation over, I teleported to the next battlefield.