Volume 7 Chapter 26 Burning Self
While rolling on the ground, memories with Noire flowed through my mind like a flickering lantern.
That's right.
I couldn't deceive Noire forever, and she realized that I was a real Hero. Well, I guess I was claiming to be one from the beginning, so I wasn't really deceiving her, but that's a trivial matter.
Noire and I spent a week together.
To ordinary people, a week may not be a significant amount of time. But for us, that time was intense.
Noire was full of curiosity, and despite grumbling about the unfamiliar human culture, she never refused my suggestions.
And I, too, had a dream.
The days when I held a sword, thinking, "I must slay demons," as soon as I saw a demon. I wonder if I can change from the fact that I am becoming tainted with such thoughts.
But dreams are meant to be awakened from.
'Are you... a Hero... the real one?'
Noire's question left me unable to lie. Upon seeing my neither confirming nor denying response, she unleashed her true power.
The ring she was wearing shattered into dust, the hair turned into a snake-like wave.
And then, the small body grew into a woman of mysterious age.
There was already someone there who was not the same as Noire I knew.
'Paranoize Lord' - Noire Toare.
"It hurts... "
As blood dripped from my mouth, I stood up.
I thought my head had flown off somewhere.
But I was saved by my sturdy body and I still can't be defeated at this level.
Once again, I spread my arms wide to look at Noire.
"Not yet... "
"Even if you don't tell me..."
Suddenly, Noire was right in front of me.
I was grabbed around the neck like a hug and I felt a shock on my stomach.
"Ouch!?"
A kick to the stomach that too intense.
From the bent place, a side kick came at me.
Oh! And the world spun multiple times, and I jumped like a ball on the ground.
It's not painful. While spinning, my consciousness faded multiple times, and I woke up repeatedly.
"You will die before my will is over."
"...That time is that time. I am still standing"
"I see."
Noire said that and waved her arm.
What was released from there was a cherry blossom flame.
"Oh!?"
The flame surrounded my surroundings and the heat wave seared my skin. Just breathing makes my lungs burn and hurt.
On the other side of the flames, I heard Noire's voice.
"Use magic, Yuusuke. Let's redo that moment. In the end, we made the wrong choice back then."
"..."
Is that really true?
At that time, I took up my sword against Noire, who had unleashed her true power. I couldn't let Lord be overlooked. I had to kill the demon.
Following the words whispered in my head, I raised my sword...
"No."
I couldn't bring myself to strike down. She, who I had been watching closely for a week, wasn't the demon I should be fighting. Ignoring the splitting headache, I made that decision.
I refuse to admit that it was a mistake.
Certainly, I couldn't fully accept Noire. The position of a hero and the history of our battles didn't allow it.
It's my fault. I was foolish.
"I still can't fight you."
The flames intensified, igniting my hair and clothes.
"Don't play around! Are you trying to avoid the truth again? Like I'm not even worth facing seriously!?"
"No!"
I don't think that way at all.
"I'm serious. ——Seriously, I won't do anything."
"──! Then perish in your own self-satisfaction!!"
Noire raised her fist. There, an intense magic power was imbued.
It was a strike infused with the power of "Tonari (Side by Side))", "Omori (Heavy Love)", and "Ikari (Jealousy)".
A serious attack from Lord. Even if I activate magic, I don't know if I can endure it.
The beast inside me howls, asking what I will do. This is something I pretended not to see in that world, something I discarded. I have to pick them up one by one and move forward.
Gripping the flames, Noire shouted.
"Fight! Silver Hero!!"
"I am Yamamoto Yuusuke!! I won't fight you!!"
"──!!"
Noire kicked the ground.
In the blink of an eye, Noire was in front of me. Her face, illuminated by the flames, had an angry yet tearful expression.
In a fraction of a second shorter than the time it took to see that face, I once again became convinced that she was Noire Toare.
"'Miss Evol (Burning Crimson Spear)!!'"
I felt no sound, no pain, no impact. The scorching heat swallowed the cherry blossom color, dyeing everything white.
When Noire's face is no longer visible, I lose consciousness.
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