Chapter 224

Swords clash.

A dark sword made of the same material as armor.

When it grazes the ground, it resonates with a heavy echo.

“…….”

Unerringly blocking and receiving every strike.

The sword cutting through the air.

It pushes back the very space around it as it forcefully swings down with all its might.

Kwaang!

The atmosphere trembles from the impact of the collision.

However, this isn’t the end.

If once isn’t enough, then twice.

And if that’s still not enough, keep going until it works.

…Like wandering through an endless nightmare, this was the act and labor I’ve been doing all along, now being perfectly mirrored by my opponent’s hands and feet.

It’s as if we’re facing each other in a perfect reflection across some invisible plane.

But what this mirror shows is a distant day long past.

And that day split off into two distinct paths at some point.

“…….”

But for him, this must have been his best effort back then.

Any further dramatic progress, development, or achievement would have been meaningless anyway.

Even if I had been in his shoes…

He couldn’t have interfered in Leo’s battle with Minette and the Sacred Sword.

…Because our journey had already been delayed endlessly just because Alesia came along.

We didn’t even encounter that dull Legion Commander.

There was no meeting between Leo, the master of the Sacred Sword, and no connection formed with Minette either.

I clung to the sword that refused to be drawn for an entire month.

Until one day, I was ambushed by unknown assailants and barely survived after being cornered.

Truthfully, it was Alesia who single-handedly saved me.

For a year, I hid deep in secret, recuperating.

In the end, I ended up knowing nothing.

By the time I returned to Soremn Village, the sword was gone, and more than half the village had turned to ruins.

Apparently, an enormous battle had taken place there….

One thing was certain: at that point, everything I could do… had come to an end.

Elbat was gone, and my body grew weaker daily due to a curse.

Without Alesia by my side, I would collapse instantly, unable to maintain myself.

…This is serious.

If things continue like this, everything will turn to ruin.

Every moment of life was despair.

Not even her attempts to console me could I bear at the time.

All I could do was lean on her and cling to her for support…

Still, there were changes.

□□□□ was born.

…….

………….

Just by crossing swords, I could feel his thoughts flowing faintly into mine.

They were subtle and dim, but…

I could catch glimpses of them…

Only I could glimpse them faintly…

Swords collide.

Kaang!

Through that sound, fragments of his journey appeared before me, hazy yet tangible.

…….

………….

One day.

Dark figures cloaked in black descended and destroyed everything.

Alesia was dead… and Lucesia… was nowhere to be found.

No one told me these facts.

I was left to stare blankly at the situation, desperately reasoning and deducing everything.

I threw myself into every possible method and means, almost losing my mind in the process.

Chasing, chasing, and chasing again.

Desperately thinking, enduring, and struggling with a dying body.

That’s how… years passed endlessly.

It felt like the whole world had become a crushing despair.

Everything…

…….

………….

[Running with a predetermined end is truly pathetic, don’t you think?]

The Demon King’s words always shook me to my core.

Looking back now, I wasn’t running away.

I was merely waiting for the ground beneath me to crumble.

And then…

The kid found me around that time.

I recognized him at first sight.

Snow-like white hair fluttering in the wind.

Perhaps it resembled silver.

His eyes were steadfast, golden like the sun.

Even the contours of his face… they were eerily similar.

“…….”

“Are you the master of this place?”

The kid asked politely.

Meanwhile…

“What, did you come here to meet some forest sage? We’re hunting a mass murderer, you know?”

The red-haired girl standing nearby shot a hostile glare, her tone brimming with impatience.

“Ahem!”

And the man accompanying them.

Exactly three people in total.

“…….”

But something feels off.

Just…

“You’re the child of a hero, aren’t you?”

Upon hearing my mutter, the girl smirked.

“Oh really? So you know us, huh? Our hero son has become famous, I see?”

“…Stop teasing.”

The white-haired youth frowned, clearly embarrassed.

“Pardon me, but may we confirm if you are the person we seek?”

Despite likely having already discerned my true nature, the man still maintained proper etiquette.

“…….”

At that moment, I could only remain silent.

What am I supposed to say?

…….

“Isn’t it disrespectful to interrupt someone like this?”

“It’s too obvious from your appearance.”

Jet-black long hair, average build.

An untamed, overgrown beard.

Everything matched what they’d heard, the youth added unnecessarily.

“Even in the Empire where black hair is common… this isn’t even Imperial territory, right?”

“…So you’re here to capture me?”

“We were asked to.”

The red-haired girl interjected.

“My sister-in-law gave us direct orders, so we can’t just let it slide.”

“…Haa.”

Sister-in-law, huh?

If I consider the familial ties within the royal family… one person immediately comes to mind.

“…Are you the daughter of Enjul’s collateral line?”

The girl gasped.

“What?! How do you know that?! Did I ever reveal my name or status?”

“…….”

It’s confirmed.

“…Eras, is it?”

…….

“Can’t this be resolved peacefully?”

As if reading my intentions, the young man asked cautiously, maintaining vigilance.

“Then step aside. If you never come near this area again, I’ll let you pass this time.”

“What?! Let us pass?! You insane bastard?!”

The fiery girl took it as a blatant insult.

She immediately summoned flames from her hand and hurled them toward me.

“Huh?”

It dissipated meaninglessly.

With a swing of my sword, I disrupted the very foundation of the magic.

After so much time, all that remains for me is this.

And… it’s only now that I’ve clumsily reached this level.

Which is also why I managed to survive without Alesia.

“…….”

That’s right.

I still have this much left.

Ironically.

…….

………….

How much time has passed since then?

Years? Maybe even longer.

Honestly… I have no way of keeping track of time.

Back when… whenever it was…

Didn’t someone explain that days and nights exist because our world is a star that rotates, establishing agreed-upon conventions like today and tomorrow?

And that such concepts don’t even exist in the universe, according to her?

“Elimion. Let’s make one promise.”

Now that I can’t see ahead, my thoughts grow abundant.

The brain develops other senses when deprived of vision, the Demon King once said.

It was exactly as he said.

Even though I can vaguely distinguish light and darkness with these eyes, I can no longer recognize anything clearly.

Maybe… I won’t even be able to recognize my daughter’s face anymore.

“Yes, speak your wish, Brother.”

In response to my words, he replied with a somber tone.

Why does he sound so gloomy?

“I will die at the hands of that child.”

That Knight Rupert gave me the eyes Grandeous entrusted to him, saying they were originally meant for me.

They were indeed meant for me, he claimed.

The successor of Elbat… hence, these belong to me, he said.

…Elbat.

Ultimately, everything went wrong because of it.

Where did it all go wrong?

…Was my very existence the mistake?

“Brother. Am I hearing correctly? That’s absurd…”

“That’s the future.”

A bleak future.

Because it reaffirms that there’s nothing I can do about it.

So…

All I can do now is…

Ask for help.

Because that’s the only option left.

There’s no real way to respond to a predetermined future.

You just wait.

Whether you stand and wait, lie down and wait, or struggle while running and still wait…

That’s all there is.

“The child doesn’t even know I’m their father yet.”

“…….”

“But someday, they’ll find out. However… I wish they never realize that they themselves led me to death with their own hands.”

“Brother. What exactly are you asking of me?”

“Since childhood, the child has been subjected to magical treatments and drugs, leaving their mind and memories incomplete. But if they awaken as intended… they’ll know everything. However… that awakening will never happen in front of you.”

And though I couldn’t bring myself to say it aloud…

After my death, all that awaits the child…

Is endless suffering.

“…….”

Moreover, the contract I made with the Golden Demon King will activate when I die.

And the target will most likely be…

Lucesia herself.

In this world, despite everything, one thing remains.

Left behind.

But you… you might be able to handle it. You and your companions… might be able to do something for the child.

“That’s…”

I won’t say it’s impossible.

Considerable time has passed.

And the child has grown into a hero worthy of following in their father’s footsteps.

Though they’re still somewhat clumsy.

Their abilities are genuine.

“If you ever find it in your heart to forgive the child, please understand that they were used innocently. It’s the truth.”

Though their hands are undoubtedly stained with blood…

“…It’s not what the child wanted.”

“Brother…”

“And when the time comes, you’ll naturally know what needs to be done.”

Sorry.

“I’m burdening you with too much. But… I have no one else left to ask.”

Perhaps moved by emotion, he struggled to add his words.

“Do you still have no intention of meeting them? They… surely have better solutions…”

Maybe.

Maybe not…

“Aren’t they busy? And… my resentment runs too deep. All I have left now… is this.”

Once, driven by the sole purpose of rescuing Lucesia, I tried to meet them.

But I couldn’t.

My very existence had already been erased within the Empire as if it were natural.

And they must have condoned it.

I understand.

They were that kind of people.

Prioritizing the greater good over me.

Prioritizing the greater good over themselves.

…And even after I’m gone, that won’t change.

However, Elimion is different.

That’s how it turned out.

Because I was incompetent, they accepted my absence, filling the void easily.

Why? Because there was a replacement.

Everything I thought when I left Rutania came true.

Young Carriel was truly wise.

“I believe disappearing will benefit both their reputation and lives.”

“T-That can’t be! They were still searching for you! How could you misunderstand their feelings like this?!”

“But you didn’t even know who I was at first, did you? Thanks to Eras’ connections, right? Isn’t it?”

“…….”

“Though it’s distasteful thanks to Eras… that’s how the world works.”

I don’t hold any grudges against him.

Therefore, he bears no fault.

And one thing is clear: this person resembles their father.

Overflowing with kindness and righteousness, devoid of malice.

On the contrary, a person who exhausts those around them.

Someone who gets exploited by others but still sweeps everyone along with them.

Yet ultimately, someone who embraces everything and achieves victory…

The warrior of light and radiance.

Someone who unilaterally empathizes with others and helps them, but never expects the same in return.

Truly a lonely individual.

But perhaps, like the father who met the mother, this person will find solace among comrades and understanding individuals.

From start to finish, this person walked a path stained only with light.

And the one who dragged them into the depths of shadows…

Was me—someone who was born so inappropriately and lived a life steeped in despair within those dark depths.

My very existence was their shadow.

“Elimion. I beg you. This is something only you can accomplish.”

“…Is there truly no other way?”

“Yes.”

I must die.

Because only then can I protect the child.

And only then…

Can I petition you…

Guide of the Black Star.

The path I was originally meant to walk without deviation, directed toward another version of myself.

…So I might humbly plead with you, just a little.

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