Volume 4 Chapter 35 The Unyielding Path
This woman... I should have knocked her out back then.
In front of my eyes, she sank into a pool of blood. Her black hair, now devoid of magic power, scattered on the ground and turned red. As the one who struck her, I know it's a fatal wound that can't be saved. In a matter of seconds, she will die.
However, I can't believe she made it this far, piercing through Lisha's Sanctuary.
What a strong emotion she has stirred up. This demon, Roze, is sacrificing all her magic power and life to save Larkan.
When I look up, Larkan is staring at the fallen woman.
"...Roze."
"Win... win, please. My wish... is for you..."
The woman called Roze gathers her remaining strength and squeezes out her words. But in the end, blood spills from her mouth instead of words, and the light fades from her eyes.
I've seen the end of life on the battlefield before.
Larkan raises his head. With just a glance, we understand what we want to say to each other.
"...I am grateful."
Larkan mutters only one word and uses Waze (Sky Twist) to teleport the woman's body behind him.
Another life taken. The cries of beasts echo within me, and a new sword pierces my heart.
Even so, I...
"Silver, do not falter, do not hesitate. This is a battlefield."
I hear a voice. Cold, as if spitting blood. Larkan's magic power is fluctuating. A terrifying blue light flows around him with incredible mental strength.
I understand.
"'Of course. I will carry her life and move forward.'"
"I see. Then tell me one last thing..."
What does Larkan want to ask me?
Taking silence as an answer, Larkan asks.
"I have come this far to settle the score with you. Silver, now that the Demon Lord is gone, what is your reason to fight? Are you still trying to save the human race?"
Perhaps that question has been smoldering within him all along.
Because I have asserted my own existence, he couldn't help but ask.
About my reason to fight.
In the past, it was for Eris and my comrades.
On Earth, it was to protect Lisha.
And now...
"'To end the God-Demon War itself. So that no one will suffer from war again, and so that humans and demons can accept each other. That is why I fight.'"
That is the reason I found within the depths of the beast.
To change the very structure of the world, I don't know how difficult or endless the path may be.
But I have decided to do it.
I will overcome any obstacles for that purpose.
Larkan, who had been silent for a while, let out a small breath.
"It's absurd. It's impossible. But when you say it, I feel like it might actually come true."
Of course, I will make it come true. That's my vow.
There is no path to reconciliation between me and Larkan anymore.
Even if no one else understands, our understanding can only be born within the clash of swords.
We raise our weapons without saying a word.
We both know, the next strike will be the last.
A path appears before me, and someone extends his arm.
'——I, a knight. There is no one to protect my back, only a red path to move forward. Who will stop this stride, who will shatter this pride? My heart dedicated to the country is the true sword.'
Is the voice I hear from within my chest an illusion?
But that's fine. Glaive, watch over me.
Now, Larkan's halberd twists to its limit, enveloped in blue light.
We are already within striking distance of each other's deadly attacks.
"'Knight's Glory!'"
'Axe Collapse - Rage'
The blade of the halberd exploded into light. The most violent and somehow elegant wave of slashes I have ever seen.
At the same time, I was also rushed like an arrow. My whole body turned into magic, accelerating to the point where even my thoughts were left behind. Each swing of the dual swords parried the deadly slashes, sparking and scattering. Forward, forward, and forward.
But the deadlock lasted only for a moment.
I pierced through the distortion. With a soundless slash, I cut his magic that stood in my way with the bastard sword, and slashed a diagonal flash with the great sword.
However, Larkan did not defend.
The sword severed the shoulder bone and sliced through the heart.
"'――!'"
Our eyes met as Larkan collapsed. Somewhat satisfied, he kneeled down.
As if the world had regained its breath, the impact rushed through and the sound echoed in the night.
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