Chapter 57
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Two Heroes - 5
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It was a familiar sensation. As I drew in a deep breath and let it out, the surrounding noises died down in an instant, and a scorching heat welled up throughout my body. Heat haze shimmered from my own breath, blurring my vision, with only that one man coming into sharp focus amid the haze.
Suddenly, I wondered what choice he would make. Would he run? Ignore me? Or charge straight at me to confront me? I had no idea. The last time I'd seen him was five years ago, when I learned that everything I thought I knew about him had been a lie. No matter what he chose now, I doubted it would surprise me.
But if I had to guess... this is what I'd say.
He wouldn't tolerate a worm like me yapping insolently. He'd come charging in.
Boom!
At that moment, a vibration rang out as a man landed on the ground. The earth didn't shatter, no dust billowed up roughly—but that's exactly what made his rage hit me full force.
"...Luca."
Finally, he called my name. Unconsciously, the corner of my mouth curled up. That voice. That expression. That look in his eyes directed at me. You're still the same as ever, Leo.
Instead of exchanging greetings, I approached him. Then, from the other side, dozens of knights came rushing toward us, while guards and brave citizens ran up behind me, surrounding us. Right in the middle of the divided empire, the two of us finally faced each other.
"The seal... it's broken... Luca."
His first greeting was the same as always. Leo scanned my body with slightly trembling eyes before spitting it out.
"How the hell... Well, somehow you broke it, I guess. Good to see you're alive."
"Is it?"
I asked simply. Leo gave a faint smile in response.
"Of course. No matter how awkward things got between us, we were comrades who fought together against the Demon King, right?"
"Do you really think that?"
"Of course. If you'd shown up empty-handed, I really would've welcomed you. If you hadn't pulled all that shit, I might've even granted you a barony."
The warmth that had briefly colored his voice grew steadily colder. Leo was already glaring at me with eyes full of thinly veiled hostility.
"But you've ruined too much, Luca. Yeah, now it all makes sense. Rick was a worthless sack of shit, but not the type to die that easily. Not many humans could've caused that much chaos in Mailer. You ruined everything, Luca. You... you're the one who tore it all down."
"Maybe. But it feels like it was already crumbling without me."
"Why are you doing this, Luca?"
He glared at me the moment I finished speaking, his voice stripped of any feigned kindness.
"Why the hell are you doing this? You could've just lived quietly, grateful to the gods for saving your worthless life. Why kick up this shitstorm? Why? Is it because of Eli?"
I didn't answer. Leo sneered.
"You're doing all this over that one girl? Un-fucking-believable. Just because you fucked that pussy once, Luca?"
"..."
"Ha... I just can't understand it. Can't wrap my head around it."
His tone was like scolding a child. He shook his head slowly, staring at me.
"I really can't understand you, Luca. Was that bitch worth that much to you? There are plenty of women in the world. Sure, Eli's the greatest genius mage of the century, but that has nothing to do with you, right? You didn't even know. So she was just some ordinary country bumpkin. Why obsess over her like that?"
"..."
"That's why I did what I did, Luca. She was too good for you. With you, Eli would've ended up just some ordinary country girl, right? But with me, there were endless ways to use her. Endless. The core of my power. The empire's greatest mage. And... not that I'd say it myself, but honestly, pussy like that isn't that common."
Sneering a bit, he suddenly stepped closer. He grabbed his crotch with one hand and showed me.
"Come to think of it, you wouldn't know. How chewy Eli's hole feels. Fuck, once I had her, I couldn't stop. It's so goddamn delicious."
"..."
"Yeah... yeah, fuck. You're here because you're curious where Eli is, right? You wouldn't know. Right, Luca? Want me to drop my pants? I could show you the Eli spit still on my dick. She was sucking my balls until just now. Sucked so hard I thought she'd pull it off."
"Leo."
I opened my mouth quietly. And stared straight into Leo's eyes.
"You weren't like this before. You've gotten awfully talkative."
"No, I just thought you'd be curious..."
"Nervous?"
"W-what...?"
"Are you nervous?"
Leo's face hardened. Watching the change in his expression, I rested my hand on my waist.
"Don't worry."
With a chilling scrape that cut through the air, I drew my sword. Gripping it firmly, I said,
"It'll be over quick."
"You cocky little shit..."
The short conversation ended with him losing control first. Leo roughly slammed his ornate scabbard aside and drew his sword. Soon, sunlight glinted cruelly off the sharp blade tips as they aimed at each other.
I steadied my breathing calmly. But even in this moment I'd waited so long for, my heart was surprisingly still. Why? I'd thought it would pound like mad. Instead of feeling my dead heart, I gripped the sword hilt.
Yeah.
Now. This really is the end.
Then, a gust of wind scattered before my eyes. But I knew it wasn't just wind, so I raised my sword and tensed my toes. Tension finally flowed through my body, heat seeping into every vein.
And the next instant, Leo's sword came crashing down on my head like lightning.
Bang!!!
The moment our swords clashed, it wasn't a metallic ring but a heavy thud like rocks colliding. Not as bad as the Minotaur, but the shock traveled to my elbow, causing a slight spasm.
But I had no time to feel it. The instant the blades met, I lifted my elbow to shove Leo's sword upward, aiming the tip at his exposed throat and thrusting. It was fast enough to whip up wind, but Leo twisted away as if expecting it, then came at my neck again.
Bang!!!
Our swords clashed once more, sending another heavy shockwave. It was a sharp movement, but I reacted with eerie speed. Leo countered my follow-up just as quickly, but his riposte crumbled before it could fully unfold.
Bang!!!
Bang!!!
Bang!!!
Our sword strikes tore at each other like bared fangs. But those fangs never touched flesh. Each one was lethal—should've ripped out a heart or throat by now—yet we parried and deflected as if reading each other's moves perfectly.
No. Every move was anticipated before it even happened.
I could've fought with my eyes closed. The downstrokes, slashes, thrusts flowed as naturally as waves. As if predetermined, we struck set positions, parried expected counters, flowed into the next clash seamlessly. It was so natural it felt unnatural.
"Hoo... ugh...!"
Leo seemed to sense it too, glancing at me in confusion. He couldn't open his mouth for fear of breaking rhythm, but his eyes said it: This is weird. You shouldn't be blocking this. You learned this from me. You're just mimicking what I do. I couldn't deny it and clashed swords again.
"Ugh... ugh...!"
Frustrated, he sped up, but it stayed within predictions. He struck obvious spots, moved predictably. And yet I moved just as obviously, even knowing it. It felt strange. This didn't feel like fighting a living opponent.
Yeah. If I had to put it...
It felt like fighting my past self.
"Uwaaaah!!! "
At that moment, Leo roared in fury and charged. The rhythm broke for the first time with an unexpected move; I faltered back in surprise. But he barreled into me clumsily, swords grinding, and I gritted my teeth, shoving back body to body. We both lost balance and dropped our swords.
"Fuck...!"
"Ugh...!"
The instant his sword slipped, he kicked my body roughly. I blocked what I'd half-expected, but still staggered back. We halted our exchange, panting as we stared each other down.
"Ugh... ughhh...!"
"Haa... haa..."
We glared, gasping for breath. Leo vented his overflowing rage with his whole body; I just exhaled cold breaths, watching him. I didn't know what he was thinking, but my mind fixated on why the balance had broken.
"You... you fucking bastard..."
"Haa... whoo..."
I stared silently. Why? I knew his swordsmanship perfectly, yet couldn't break it. Even if his moves were ingrained in me as habit, why were we trapped in this identical loop? I knew everything, yet...
Why.
"Fuck... fu..."
Suddenly, Leo's eyes flicked to his sword, stuck far behind. Jeweled but well-balanced. He kept glancing, preparing to grab it.
Logically, he'd be better off taking my sword nearby—he could watch me while grabbing it. But stubbornly, he eyed his own. Why? Weapon quality didn't matter between us.
...
...
No.
Could it be this?
I recalled the Minotaur fight. Had I used Leo's style then? No. I'd stopped breathing, let my body flow, even finished with a spear, not a sword. It wasn't Leo's swordsmanship.
"...Haa... ha..."
Come to think of it, what I first learned was Nadia's swordsmanship—more like imperial knight basics, really. It was for ordinary people, actually hindering my growth. So I mimicked Leo's, skyrocketing my skill.
But now... maybe even Leo's style was holding me back. I'd assumed we were equals, so copying him cost nothing. But now I thought differently.
What if...
Even Leo's swordsmanship was chaining me down.
"Haaa..."
I panted, watching him. He'd spotted his chance, ready to lunge for his sword. But I looked aside. A knight staring blankly at Leo met my eyes, hesitating.
...
Is that it?
Like Nadia, were you just another chain binding me?
"Luca!!!"
With a savage yell, Leo snatched his sword and charged. Instead of mine, I drew the sword from the knight's waist who'd been watching me.
Riiip.
The sharp blade tore through the air along a set path, brutally powerful. Only one block came to mind, but I ignored it, gripped the sword, and charged on instinct alone.
"...!"
The unblocked sword grazed my cheek, leaving a deep gash. Flesh tore, blood sprayed into the air. Beyond the scattering red, I saw Leo's triumphant face.
But the next instant, he let out a hollow sound seeing the sword in his ear.
"Wha...?"
Before he finished, I twisted the blade, ripping his ear clean off.
"Aaaaaargh!!!"
It felt like nothing to me, but Leo screamed madly and swung at me. His brutish slash grazed my thigh this time. Minor wound. I grabbed the blade and smashed the hilt into his face.
Crack.
"Guuk!!!"
I felt his nasal bone shatter. He reeled; I kicked his sword hand, making him drop it and flail. I grabbed the arm, flipped him over my shoulder, then stomped his elbow.
"Uwaaaaaargh!!!"
Leo collapsed wailing; before he could resist, I pinned his throat with my knee, gripped the sword short, and thrust at his brow.
Stab.
...
...
...
"Haa... haa..."
"Aa... uwaa..."
The sword tip grated against his skull. I paused, meeting his eyes. No fear in them. Just boiling rage.
"Fuck... you fucking shit..."
"Haa..."
I exhaled long. Leo glared with bloodshot eyes, pained groans leaking out. As even those faded with my deep breaths, silence filled the air.
"The world..."
"How can..."
"Lord Leo..."
Only then did the onlookers murmur in shock. Knights who'd delusionally followed the "hero" under him, guards who'd trusted me, citizens unable to process it—all speechless, eyes on us.
I glanced at them, then back to Leo. He ground his teeth, broken arm twitching. To them, maybe history in the making. To me, a long-awaited moment.
But my question was simple, personal.
"Leo."
"..."
"Where's Eli?"
"..."
He didn't answer right away. Just stared, lips sealed.
Then, he burst into mad laughter.
"Kuh... kehhehe... ahahaha!"
"..."
"Fuck... where's Eli? Ahahaha... you fucker..."
"..."
"You don't even know how far the demonkin have advanced. And that's what you're curious about? That's it, Luca?"
"Just answer. Leo."
"Fuck... fuck... you fucking dogshit..."
Spitting curses, he flung his arms to the ground like he'd given up.
"Fine. I'll tell you."
Eyes wide in frenzy, he grinned cruelly.
"I told you. Inside the castle, sucking my dick."
"..."
"What, don't believe me? Want me to show you? Sure. Follow me. I'll show you, Luca. Show you that bitch."
"..."
"Go now? We should catch up. Right? Gotta see it with your own eyes to believe, huh Luca."
"Luca."
A soft but clear voice drew my gaze. Turning, I saw Rachel watching me. But even after calling, she said nothing.
"..."
"Who's that, Luca? New pussy? Does she suck better than Eli? Wanna compare?"
"That's not worth hearing."
Rachel shot Leo a contemptuous look, then spoke to me again.
"Mr. Luca... you're a man with more important things to do than listen to this garbage."
"To me."
I spoke quietly, eyes fixed on Leo.
"Is there anything more important than this?"
"That's..."
"Luca!"
Chris came running. Kneeling on one knee before me, head bowed.
"Scouts from the wall forces report in. Demon King's army will arrive within hours. Seems they're moving faster than we thought. We need to prepare to hold them off."
"Guess you gotta go, Luca. Go be the hero. Right?"
Leo's mocking voice rang out. For some reason, I looked at Rachel. Her lips pressed tight, eyes on me. I swear I heard her voice.
I told you.
You can't choose everything.
...
Am I saying something stupid?
...
No.
I'm the fool.
I'm... the fool.
"Chris."
"Yes!"
He answered briskly. I stood and said,
"Take the knights and form up on the wall."
"Understood."
"I'll..."
...
"...follow soon."
"You mean..."
I ignored him. My mind was made up. I reached out to my fate, grabbing Leo's collar tight.
"I have business with you. Right, Leo?"
"Y-yeah. Luca."
As I glared, he met my eyes defiantly. But fear lurked there.
"But Luca..."
"No time. Go prepare."
"But..."
"Go, Chris."
Rachel spoke for silent me. She addressed not just him but everyone.
"Hurry, everyone. It's your turn to save the world now."
No longer calling herself saintess. Yet her words moved them strangely. Chris stared at her, then me.
"We'll be waiting, Hero."
Then bellowed at knights and guards.
"What are you waiting for! Move! Demonkin are almost here!"
"How dare you command..."
"Fuck that, just move! I'll hear your orders at the wall!"
He shouted and bolted for the wall. Hesitant knights followed, kicking up sand.
...
Soon, the palace square emptied unbelievably. Amid fading noise and drifting dust remained Rachel, me, and Leo. I turned to her quietly; she nodded.
"Is this it?"
"...Yeah."
"I'll sit this one out, Mr. Luca."
Still glaring hostilely at Leo. But she closed her eyes, smiled faintly.
"I'll wait somewhere nearby again."
"Better to run."
"No. I promised. Until it's over, we stay together."
Rachel backed away slowly. Her lonely smile faded; sad eyes watched me.
"I'll wait. Finish quick, Mr. Luca."
"Yeah."
Though I can't promise.
I looked back at Leo. He grinned unpleasantly. I released his collar, gripped my sword.
"Can you walk?"
"Of course."
"Then lead."
"Fine."
He laughed. And said,
"Let's go see Eli."
Two sets of footsteps echoed through the massive castle. Thud. Thud. Similar yet different rhythms sometimes synced, sometimes clashed, pursuing each other.
Thud thud
"Hey, Luca."
I said to Luca following behind. No answer, but I spoke again.
"Sure you won't be shocked? Might faint."
"Walk. Leo."
"...Fine."
Cocky little shit.
I clutched my aching arm and walked. How did it come to this? Just years ago, that village punk groveled under me.
No matter how I thought, I couldn't figure it. Why? He had talent, sure, but he was just a rookie copying my swordsmanship over my shoulder. Grew scary fast, but not to threaten me.
But in the five years I didn't touch a sword, he'd grown strong. While I ruled the empire, Luca swung that sword like a maniac. Must be nice, Luca. Fuck. I'd poured everything into holding this country together.
Yeah. That's it. Five years without proper practice; my body's rusty. Fight again, I'll win. Drag it out, lull him, regain senses, revenge. That's it. Then I'll stand over that worm again.
Or just shatter his mind.
Click.
...
Soon we reached my room atop the imperial palace. I steadied my shaky breath, steeling myself. He's here for that Eli bitch alone. Exploit that. A guy swinging swords all these years—breaking his mind's easy. Yeah. That's how...
"Leo."
"Huh?"
Suddenly, he draped an arm over my shoulder, wrapping my neck. His presence choked me instantly.
"Got a question."
"W-what."
"Do you really believe Eli's behind here?"
"What?"
The sudden question flustered me; I shut up. Then regained composure, countering.
"What're you saying? Shouldn't I be asking you that? You think Eli's not back there?"
"Who knows."
His arm tightened around my neck. I grabbed it with one hand, but my exhausted body had no strength.
"Heard you repelled the Four Heavenly Kings invading the capital alone."
"Yeah. So what..."
"Why no Eli's help?"
"Th-that's complicated..."
"And you seemed shocked seeing my seal broken. Why so surprised?"
Breath choked more. Now even strangled gasps escaped.
"B-because you broke it alone..."
"More like shocked the seal could break at all."
His gentle voice carried undeniable force squeezing my body. Fear crept in faintly. Luca whispered in my ear.
"I'll give you a choice, Leo. Like you did to Eli. Spill everything now, or let me open that door. Which?"
"I..."
"Answer quick. No time."
His voice turned icy, gripping my heart. I forced a laugh to shake it off.
"F-fuck, don't believe me? See for yourself, asshole. Why so chatty?"
"Fine."
Suddenly, his arm clenched hard, cutting my air.
I struggled, uselessly. Vision blurred; Luca's last words echoed.
"You chose this."