20
Fadi’s magic sent the enemy forces into chaos. The black fog clinging to their eyes stole not just their sight, but their composure.
“…We might be able to win this.”
“Yes. But, Fadi…”
Fadi was slowly collapsing behind us. He must have pushed himself to the brink of unconsciousness to cast that spell. We couldn’t let his effort go to waste. We had to finish this.
“…Rune-sama. I’ll handle this.”
“I’m going, too.”
“No…”
I put my hand on Princess Valtrune’s shoulder and looked behind her. Dorothea. The woman who had led the ‘White Smoke Lizards’ this far. Her lifeless form looked dead, but her chest was still rising and falling, faintly.
“Rune-sama, please, heal her.”
“…Healing magic isn’t all-powerful, Al. I can’t guarantee I can save her.”
“Even so, please.”
“…I understand. But don’t expect a miracle.”
I’d already guessed as much from her expression. Dorothea’s chances were almost zero. Healing magic closes wounds and stops bleeding, but it can’t replace the blood that’s been lost. It’s not some convenient miracle that can regrow limbs or pull someone back from the dead. On top of that, it was an advanced magic that consumed an enormous amount of energy. If Valtrune used it on Dorothea, she would likely exhaust her reserves and be unable to return to the fight.
—And yet, I wanted her saved. It wasn’t about sentiment. Dorothea is the spiritual backbone of the ‘White Smoke Lizards.’ Even if her chances were slim, if we can save her, it will put the ‘Lizards’ in our eternal debt. This was a necessary step for the future.
“Please, I’m counting on you.”
“Very well. I’m leaving the rest of the battle to you.”
We turned in opposite directions. I glanced up at Flegel. ‘Protect Rune-sama.’ I conveyed as much with my eyes. He gave a slight nod and immediately began firing spells at enemies near her. With that, the chances of her being ambushed were almost zero. I could focus on what was in front of me.
I stepped over the corpses and raised my sword.
“To grant Rune-sama’s wish, I need Dorothea’s strength. I’m more than enough for these grunts.”
My objective: rapid annihilation.
My job: to take their heads with minimal movement.
Nothing special. Just the same, simple massacre I’d carried out time and time again.
“—Hup!”
I kicked off walls and containers, blurring through the space. I ran my blade along the neck of a panicked enemy and swung.
“Gueh!”
“Ugh…!”
“Gik!”
Blinded by Fadi’s magic, they died without even fighting back. I’d expected more resistance, but the loss of their vision was clearly more devastating than I’d thought.
“Guh…!”
I’d pierce one’s chest, and the screams of terror would choke and die.
“…Looks like I won’t have to lose myself this time.”
I flicked the blood from my sword and moved to the next. My blade never slowed, cutting down dozens at once.
“Ugh!”
“Gyah!”
“Guha…”
There was no high, this time. No euphoria from the killing. Perhaps because Princess Valtrune was behind me. That single shred of pride, the part of me that refused to show her my ‘other’ side, was holding my baser instincts in check. And yet… I was killing them faster than when I was rampaging.
“I see. By maintaining a calm mind, even in an extreme situation, I can move to the next action more quickly. That’s good to know.”
I gave a silent thanks for the new discovery as I sent a spray of flesh into the air.
“And… you’re the last one.”
“Wha—!?”
“Everyone else is dead. And now… I’m sending you to join them.”
He still couldn’t see. The last survivor, the ‘Red Broad’ leader, was pouring sweat, screaming and swinging his sword at phantoms. I just watched his pathetic display and sighed.
“Well. No last words, then?”
“W-Wait! Let’s talk—!”
“There’s no need.”
“Gih… GAAAAH…!”
I ignored his plea and jammed my sword straight into his open mouth. Blood streamed from his jaw. His limbs began to twitch.
“Since you’re the last one… I’ll give you a special, long, drawn-out death.”
“—!”
“Can’t even scream? Oh, my bad. Looks like I crushed your throat, too.”
I twisted the blade, and his ruined larynx was exposed. As I listened to the air hiss from the new hole in his neck, I whispered in his ear.
“‘Red Broad’ is finished. You’ll all die pathetically in this filthy, dark depot. Heh… A fitting end for a bunch of stupid animals, don’t you think?”
“—!”
Because of them, the ‘Lizards’ paid a heavy price. They stole people who could have been a great asset to Princess Valtrune. That crime… is heavy.
“This was a chance to get the ‘Lizards’ on our side, and because of you, so many of them died. You’ll pay for that with your worthless life.”
“Uu…k…”
I shoved the sword deeper and sneered at his tear-streaked face.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be sending soldiers to all your other bases to root out the rest of your friends. Isn’t that great? …You all get to go to hell together.”
“Nnngh…!!”
Anyone who makes trouble for Princess Valtrune… deserves to die a thousand deaths. Don’t you dare think any of you are getting out of this alive. I looked down at the man and tightened my grip.
“That’s enough small talk… Let’s end this.”
“—”
I yanked the sword up, splitting his head in two.
“…That was anti-climactic.”
I watched the blood pool on the floor, and sheathed my sword. Every ‘Red Broad’ member here… was dead. Unfortunately, the ‘Lizards’ had also taken devastating losses.
But…
“…As long as Rune-sama is alive, that’s all that matters.”
The battle was harder than we’d thought, but we’d done it. We’d given the ‘Lizards’ their victory. Now, they would be under Princess Valtrune’s control.
I looked back at her, still kneeling by Dorothea, then at the surviving ‘Lizards.’ They were all transfixed, watching her, praying for Dorothea’s survival. They weren’t cheering their victory. Just… watching.
…Ah. This is perfect.
Whether Dorothea lives or dies, they’ve now witnessed Princess Valtrune’s compassion. They will be devoted to her.
“If she lives, it’s a bonus. If she dies… well… Rune-sama has still earned their trust. That’s a guarantee.”
The reek of blood… and the sound of rain.
We’d won. And we’d gained a loyal new asset. As far as I’m concerned… that’s a happy ending.
21
I think… she’s already gone.
I placed my hand on Dorothea’s wound, and my breath caught. The amount of blood… ‘Blood loss’ was the only thought in my head.
“…Please.”
I used the healing magic, pouring all of my power into her. The wounds… they were closing, but the blood just wouldn’t stop.
“…!”
The sudden drain of magic sent a spike of pain through my head.
“I will save you…!”
But I stubbornly kept pouring magic into her. Logically, I should have been fighting. Wiping out ‘Red Broad’ was more important than saving one person… that was the smart choice. But… I chose to heal her. The reason was simple. The one person I trust in this world, my personal knight, Aldia… he had bowed his head and begged me.
‘Please, I’m counting on you.’
I saw his face… so strong, and so serious. I couldn’t say no. He has such a kind heart… he just couldn’t accept her death. Or maybe… he couldn’t bear to see Fadi suffer… Either way, I wanted to honor his wish.
“I know you want to protect everyone.”
I want to grant his wish. I want to be the ruler he deserves. So I will save Dorothea.
“—!”
I kept pushing, but her condition wasn’t getting better. Her breathing… so slow. Her heart… so faint.
No. Not like this!
“Live… Please!”
I held onto her, and I shouted.
“—!”
Deep down, I knew it wouldn’t change anything. The wounds were closed. My magic was gone. All I could do was pray.
Whether she would wake… I just didn’t know. The men I’d seen with wounds this bad… ninety percent of them didn’t make it. And the ones who did, they were never the same. The chances of a full recovery were not even one percent.
I touched her neck. A pulse, so weak. Her forehead was covered in sweat. She looked like she was in so much pain.
“…She’s fading.”
She’s probably going to die. But still…
“Please… There are so many people who need you… The ‘Lizards’ need you. Fadi still needs you. No one wants this… You don’t want to die here, do you?”
—Live.
“Your people… they’re waiting for you.”
—You can’t die.
“I need your help to protect the Empire… to build a new future.”
—You’re not allowed to die here.
“—PLEASE! COME BACK!”
I screamed, pouring all my will into it, and my vision went white. A blinding flash, it filled the depot. It was coming from her hand. The one I was holding.
“What…?”
Magic… a torrent of magic was flowing into me. And through me into her. Her whole body was glowing.
—Ah. She’s going to be okay.
I didn’t know where it was coming from… but I knew.
“…With this, Dorothea is safe…”
The tension left me, and my vision blurred. My upper body grows heavy, swaying side to side before collapsing over Dorothea.
“RUNE-SAMA!”
And just before I lost consciousness… the cry of my beloved personal knight echoes in my ears.
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