SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 41 out, this is Chapter 42 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and my OC.

Chapter 42: Overwhelming Disadvantage

"That should take care of it." Sol buried the 'Black Cocoon' containing Julius' body in a hole and sealed the hole with 'Rampaging Mother Earth'. "The Black Bulls' Captain seemed pretty protective of it. I wonder what's inside. Nee-san!" she heard the loud explosive coming from the battlefield.

"It appears as if we've underestimated humans." Charla realized Yami had prioritized protecting the citizens over defeating her. Deciding that she had used up more mana than she expected, she retreated with Elf!Marx and Elf!Owen to meet up with Patolli.

With Mereoleona, Asta and Zora...

"Maybe it's because I'm a liar myself, but I've always been able to tell when someone's lying." Rhya admitted. "Anti-magic shrimp, what you said earlier, you were actually serious about that. I hate to admit it, but it moved my heart a bit; I expected nothing less from Carys-chan's brother. Copy Light Magic: Light Sword of Judgment. Copy Dark Magic: Dark Cloaked Avidya Slash."

"Mana Zone: Calidus Brachium Barrage." Mereoleona countered. "Do you see now, you fool?" she rebuked. "No matter how much you want to understand, that's not an option for them. They're trying to kill us based on feelings they can't negotiate."

"In that case, I'm going to win and create a path to understanding each other." Asta declared.

"That path has long been closed." Rhya corrected.

"Then, I'll just open it once again." Asta fired back.

"Copy Spatial Magic: Myriad Black." Rhya used the magic he copied from Valtos to avoid Mereoleona's attack. "Copy Light Magic: Heaven-Splitting Flash." he forced his three opponents to either dodge or block his attack.

Just then, Elf!Rill burst in from the roof on the Four-Headed Lindworm he painted.

"Lira, I see you are still as crazy as ever." Rhya greeted his fellow reincarnated elf.

"And I see you face is as droll as ever, Rhya." Lira teased.

"What are you doing, Rill?" Asta demanded. "He's a blockhead who's determined to kill us. We're in the middle of fighting him. When'd you get all buddy-buddy?"

"Who are you?" Lira blinked. "My name is Lira."

"I'm a fellow Magic Knight and your friend, Asta." Asta fired back.

"I don't have any human friends." Lira stated. "I just have to shut you up with my Painting Magic: Four-Headed Lindworm."

"He's basically being controlled by the enemy's magic." Zora informed. "Go smack him with your anti-magic."

"Sorry, but your magic won't be able to reach us anymore." Rhya shot back.

"I don't know about that." Zora activated the traps he had placed beforehand. "It's not like I was just watching two monsters deck it out this whole time. Ash Trap Spell: Total Activation." he blinded Lira's summon.

"Our mana detection is on point, so we're perfectly fine." Lira assured.

"Too bad, but what's heading your way is a monster with no magic." Zora grinned.

"He's circulating anti-magic through his body?" Rhya realized, seeing Asta head straight for Lira.

"That hurt." Lira remarked, unfazed by the sword graze from Asta. "What'd you do that for?"

"This isn't a simple little spell." Rhya tsked. "It's a reincarnation spell that brings the souls of elves to dwell in human bodies. The spell that summons the souls is complete. These bodies belong to us now."

"Them too?" Asta gaped in horror when the elf-possessed Fragil, Puli, and Ruben entered the fight.

"We're retreating." Zora declared. "There's no way to save them now, so we're retreating to figure that out. We both know you can't kill them since they're your comrades."

"Alright, brats." Mereoleona made a hole in the wall with her flames and tossed both Black Bulls Squad members out.

"You're going to stay behind and try to stall all of us so those two can escape?" Rhya raised a brow. "Aren't you nice to your friends, Miss Royalty?"

"You seem to have the wrong idea." Mereoleona corrected. "Those kiddos would've just been in my way. Stall you? Don't make me laugh. I intend to kill all of you."

In Freyja's Chamber of Prayer...

"Welcome back, Salamander." Rhiannon greeted the Spirit of Fire. "You've decided to choose him, then?"

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.