Staring at the lifeless body of the Dark Elf general, Kagura fell into deep thought.
It seemed that the Dark Elves despite their infamous hatred for the universe and other civilizations weren't entirely embodiments of chaos and evil.
Their race wasn't just a collection of bloodthirsty conquerors bent on madness and destruction.
Take, for example, the Cursed Warrior who fought with unwavering loyalty until his last breath, or this general who is dutiful to the end, a man who lived by a knight's code and relentlessly pursued martial perfection.
Could such people really be called truly evil?
Loyalty. Sacrifice. Wisdom. Rationality…
Malekith commanded a force of extraordinary individuals.
What a shame that he chose to lead the Dark Elves further and further down a path of ruin.
How tragic.
"You're not starting to feel sorry for them, are you?" Loki's voice cut through her thoughts like a splash of cold water. "Don't tell me you think these Dark Elves are actually... good people?"
"Is that so strange?" Kagura replied. "I've even seen Dark Elves living peacefully alongside other races."
"Those are rare exceptions," Loki said bluntly. "Don't make the mistake of thinking they represent the whole."
"What made the Dark Elves such a formidable rival to Asgard in the first place is exactly that they share common goals and values."
"They act as one, driven to accomplish a single, grand ambition: to plunge the universe back into darkness."
"The ones you saw? Just stray lambs who got lost after drifting from the flock." He picked up a fallen dark-energy rifle from the ground.
"If you think the ones following Malekith in this crusade for restoration are just as innocent... well, that's pure fantasy."
"So you're saying there's no way the Dark Elves can coexist with other civilizations in this universe?" Kagura asked. "That's irrational. Illogical. Why would they be so obsessed with claiming the entire cosmos for themselves, yet show no desire to share it? Isn't survival the highest priority for any species?"
"It's their nature," Loki replied, tilting his head. "The ancient empire of the Dark Elves was born with that instinct."
"Long ago, the Frost Giants of Jotunheim behaved the same way. I understand how Malekith thinks when it comes to survival, any other intelligent species is nothing more than an intruding pest."
"Civilizations are selfish, Kagura. I doubt the Dark Elves will ever agree to share the universe with you, with Asgard, or with anyone else."
"In their eyes, every other race is just a thief stealing their rightful claim to survival."
"Would you compromise with an invader?"
"Then what you're saying is..." Kagura's voice grew heavy, "our only option is to wipe them out completely?"
Loki gave a small smile. "Unfortunately, yes. It's no better than what Asgard once did—but it may be the only way."
"Still," Kagura said quietly, turning toward the warship's command deck, "I want to try. Isn't the purpose of civilization to ensure a better future for its people?"
"Shouldn't the survival of an entire race matter more than its pride?"
"Your kindness is admirable, Kagura," Loki said as he followed her. "But some things are just that unreasonable, that incomprehensible."
Behind her, the God of Mischief wore a rare expression—melancholy.
In this cruel and bloodstained universe, where death and destruction are everywhere...
...there you are, a girl with a spark of gentle naivety that shines like a soft, warm sunbeam. For the first time, I wonder—could you be the glimpse of a better future?
But is that light just a fleeting meteor in the night sky?
Or... could it be the very thing that changes this cold universe forever?
Kagura... you're far more interesting than Thor, Odin, or any of those stuck-up fools in Asgard.
What will you bring to this universe?
I can't wait to find out.
———————————————————————
After defeating the strongest of the Dark Elf warriors and their battle mech, Kagura and Loki encountered no further significant resistance.
The final path to the bridge was lined only with a few remaining soldiers, holding their ground.
Loki had a dark-energy rifle. Kagura had more than enough power of her own.
Together, they easily cleared a path to the heart of the warship. At last, they stood before the great door that led to Malekith.
"You've come," a voice greeted them as the doors opened.
Malekith sat upon a throne-like seat in the center of the bridge, waiting—like an ancient monarch presiding over his court.
He wore an ornate black coat.
His pale skin and hair, contrasted by his blood-red eyes, radiated an almost spectral dread.
Surrounding him were the last of his elite guards, their weapons raised at Loki and Kagura but they made no move to fire.
"So... you're the one who killed my most loyal warriors?" Malekith asked, voice tinged with disbelief.
To him, only a being like Odin should've been capable of such a feat.
Yet before him stood a girl was a slim, delicate, anything but fearsome.
And the soft-looking young man behind her seemed barely fit to hold a weapon, let alone survive a warzone.
"My name is Kagura Hitomi," she said, stepping forward. "I wish to speak with you, Malekith—King of the Dark Elves."
"I want to discuss the possibility of peaceful coexistence between your people and the rest of the universe."
Malekith burst out laughing.
"Incredible... it's been millennia since I heard such a ridiculous idea. You're an amusing one, Miss Kagura."
He waved his hand, and the guards slowly lowered their rifles.
"Perhaps you don't know... in ancient times, we Dark Elves ruled the cosmos. All we seek is to reclaim what was once ours!"
"Picture this: one day, Earth suffers a catastrophic disaster. In humanity's weakest hour, a new species rises and claims the planet for itself. War breaks out. Humanity loses. You're pushed to the brink of extinction."
"Years later, you finally have a chance to reclaim Earth. But someone appears and says, 'Why not just live quietly on this tiny patch of land? The Earth belongs to everyone now.'"
He paused, looking directly at her.
"Tell me, beautiful girl—would you accept that?"
"This universe was ours. Why should we share it with you... invaders?"
"There's truly no room for negotiation?" she asked.
"I'm afraid not."
"But I've seen Dark Elves live in harmony with others—"
"If such traitors exist," Malekith said coldly, "then they are a disgrace to our kind."
Lifting his head high, his expression radiated the regal dignity of a fallen monarch.
"This conversation is over."
"Now, hand over the Aether and become the stepping stone for the rebirth of the Dark Elves…"
"Or grant us the glory of annihilation."