Chapter 82
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Epilogue - Leo (4)
"No!!! Eric!!! Eric!!!"
"Shut up! Don't come any closer! I said stay back!!!"
I deliberately bellowed to drown out Reina's screams from behind me. The guards hesitated and froze in place.
"Hold it! There's a civilian hostage!"
"Brother...!!!"
"I said stop! I'll really slice this little shit if you don't, you fucking bastards!"
"Waaah...!"
I clamped my hand over Eric's mouth in case he said something stupid and glared ferociously around at everyone. The clank of armor echoed with every moment as dozens of guards and knights surrounded us. I locked eyes with each one and roared.
"Fuck! Just try coming closer... or else...!"
"No! Don't! Please!!! Eric!!!"
"Shut up! I said I'll really cut him! Fuck!!!"
Reina, please. This is our only way out. So just stay quiet!
"A... aaah!!! No!!! Eric!!! Eric!!!"
My prayers didn't reach her, and Reina kept screaming Eric's name. But that sight seemed to soften their resolve a bit—the spear tips lowered slightly. I smirked faintly and opened my mouth.
"That's right. Do that. And clear a path so I can escape. Then I'll spare this kid's life."
"You damned criminal scum..."
The burly guard in front gnashed his teeth and glared at me. His gear looked higher quality than the others, so he was probably the captain. He heaved rough breaths before speaking to me.
"Give up and surrender quietly right now, Leo. We'll take your crimes into consideration."
"Bullshit. You think adding one more sin here changes anything? Just clear the way. Unless you wanna see this kid's head roll."
"Calm down and listen. You still have a chance to explain yourself. If the duke survives his treatment, it'll be attempted murder instead of assassination, and even if you get the death penalty, it won't be torture. But if you kill the kid... there's no turning back, Leo."
"Ten seconds. Clear the path by then."
"You son of a bitch...!"
I stated it flatly, and he finally couldn't hold back his rage, spitting curses. But I ignored him and started counting down.
"I'll count now. Ten..."
"Leo! Don't do anything stupid!"
"Nine..."
"No! Don't! Please!!!"
"Eight..."
"Fuck... fuck...!"
"Captain! Let us shoot his arm!"
"No! We can't risk it! There's a civilian behind him too!"
"Seven..."
"Leo! Stop! I said stop!"
"Six..."
I counted while pressing the blade closer. My excitement made my arm tense unintentionally, and the knife touched Eric's neck, blood trickling down. Eric let out a faint groan, and Reina wailed like mad again. But I didn't care and kept counting.
"Five..."
"Fine! Got it! Damn it!"
Then the guard captain threw his sword to the ground and yelled. He turned weakly to his men behind him.
"...Clear a path for now."
"But Captain!"
"That's an order. We can't sacrifice civilians. Move."
"Fuck...!"
"Haha..."
They grumbled but lowered their swords and bows, stepping back a bit. I grinned at the sight. One kid had them all dancing to my tune. Sorry, Eric, but this was a huge relief for me.
"Hic... sob... ah..."
Reina's sobs came from behind. I ignored them as best I could and took one step at a time. Step by step. With each movement, the waves of hatred aimed at me receded, opening a path. But I didn't let my guard down, scanning each of their faces.
"Bastard..."
"Fucking prick..."
They spat curses but couldn't approach. Still holding the knife to Eric's throat, I slipped through the gap. Just escape like this. Worry about the rest later. Thinking that, I looked up.
And beyond the horizon. On a rooftop, my eyes met a red-haired girl's.
"Huh...?"
The familiar figure left me gaping blankly. My brain caught up late to her sudden appearance, identifying her. But before that, her lips moved again. It was far, but I read them clearly. Hypnotized, I replayed the word in my head. Then a name echoed softly.
Leo.
Theta.
....
..
....
..
Unintelligible words scattered in the air. Not understanding, I tilted my head. Then I felt something odd underfoot and stopped. Slowly, I looked down.
And witnessed my legs rapidly hardening.
"Huh...?"
Not just my legs. Fingertips, skin, hair. Even deep inside my body. The sensation of turning hard like stone spread fast. I exhaled cluelessly, then spat sand. My strength drained, and Eric slipped down.
"Gah... ugh...!"
I spat more sand and stared at my hands. The hardening fingertips and palms were turning to stone. In this sudden chaos, only one simple question came to mind.
What... the...
"Now!"
Someone snatched Eric from the ground. I snapped to and looked up. But it was too late.
"Fire!"
"!!!"
Hundreds of arrows slammed into my body at once.
"Aaaaaaaaah!!!"
My rigid body thawed instantly, pain exploding everywhere. I raised my restored arms to swat the arrows. But they rained from all sides.
"Keep firing!"
"Aaaah!!! Aaaaaah!!! Uwoooooh!!!"
I screamed pathetically, dancing wildly amid the arrow storm. Pulling out embedded ones, swatting, crouching, crying, begging, howling—dozens pierced my throat. My will broke; strength vanished, and I collapsed.
"Kuhk... ugh...!!!"
"Protect the civilians! Hurry!"
"Eek...!"
Even then, I flailed at the approaching guards. But my tendons and veins were severed; strength faded, and blood from my own body blinded me. I gave up and flopped to the ground.
"Ah... aaah..."
"Captain Chris! The kid's safe!"
"Fall back! I'll handle him. Don't drop your guard! He's a monster!"
"Child. Come here. It's okay now."
"Captain Chris! Don't go alone. I'll come too."
"Ma'am. Are you alright?"
"Ah... uuh..."
Amid the mosquito-like buzz filling the air, one voice caught my attention. Miraculously, one eye without an arrow lifted toward where Reina was. Her name slipped from my lips unbidden.
"Rei... Reina..."
"Eric... what about Eric...?"
"He's safe, ma'am. The kid's right here..."
"Mommy! Mommy!!!"
"Oh my god... Eric...!"
"Ah... Rei... na..."
I repeated her name hollowly. But Reina didn't even glance my way, just hugged Eric and cried. A nearby guard cautiously asked her.
"Ma'am, sorry to bother you in the chaos, but quick question. Do you know this guy? It sounded like it."
"Me...?"
Only then did Reina look over. What did she see in those pretty eyes? Who knows. I didn't want to imagine. I forced a smile and met her gaze.
But Reina's eyes mixed complex emotions. Sorrow. Confusion. Horror. They dripped with tears, then her brows furrowed sharply. Holding Eric dear, one emotion rose in her eyes.
Contempt.
"No."
Reina looked at the guard. Gritting her teeth, with a tear-choked voice, she said.
"I don't know him at all."
No hesitation in those words.
"I see."
"Ah... aaaah... aaaaa...!!!"
I thrashed, clawing the ground. But someone stepped in, blocking my view. Cold metal touched my nape.
"Should we restrain him?"
"No. Better to finish him cleanly."
The voices from before. Death rushed too fast; I struggled. But it was futile—my body couldn't even twitch.
"I'll do it then."
"Please do."
"Aaa...!"
My final scream leaked from my throat. But it cut short. The merciless blade struck my head. Crunch. Flesh and bone tore. No, crushed.
My breath stopped.
Shhhh...
"Haa... ha..."
Thick blue smoke billowed from my body. I'd poured out too much hidden mana at once. I staggered, leaning on the wall.
"Ugh... ha..."
It's done. Rian.
The street after it all was astonishingly empty. Probably cordoned off for the capture op. Fortunately, not many casualties.
"Haaa... ugh..."
Just a brief curse and release drained so much mana. I realized anew what manipulating time meant and bowed my head. Rian felt worse dying. Eli too.
And him as well.
...
With the burning goal gone, little remained in my hands. Something sticky coated my mouth, throat, stomach. Unpleasant, bittersweet.
Suddenly, I craved cool orange juice.
Or even beer.
Any open shops now? One popped into mind. I dragged myself up, feet pulled magnetically by memory. Knees buckled with each weary step, but I pressed on stubbornly.
Soon, a familiar shop appeared. Light shining amid the chaos—still open. I chuckled and pushed the door. The welcome bell chimed crisply.
Ding-a-ling.
"Welcome."
"Haha..."
The nostalgic voice drew a laugh. The old man wiped a glass with his usual stubborn face, then snapped at the errand boy nearby for no reason.
"What're you doing, you useless brat? Go fetch some stew."
"I'll eat, but..."
"Snacks are mandatory here. Leave if not."
"Figured as much?"
I gazed at his face. Unchanged from back then, he scowled and spoke.
"So. Stew and what?"
"Got orange juice?"
"Nope."
"Beer then. Cold one."
"Beer it is."
The old man nodded calmly and headed to the oak barrel. Staring endlessly, stew aroma wafted nostalgically.
"Here's your stew."
"Thanks."
I smiled; the boy beamed back cluelessly, then plopped beside me amiably.
"Who's the sis? Not local. Bold craving booze in this mess."
"Hm... and you with gramps... no, who are you? Gramps has to mind the shop, but you could run. Why stick around?"
I started the old question but looked at his face and asked that. Come to think, I'd never heard his full story.
"Me?"
The boy tilted his head, surprised. I waited, staring at his innocent face. Small lips parted slowly with a simple answer.
"Just 'cause."
"Just... 'cause?"
"Yeah. Gramps took me in—what can I do? Gotta cling till I can stand alone."
"If you wanna cling, work, you punk. All play and eat! Not one likable bone."
"Sheesh, picking on me again."
The old man's scolding got a shrug. I turned to him.
"Took him in? What's that story?"
"Literal. Street kid, no parents. Perfect free labor. But damn troublemaker. Can't kick him out now—exhausting."
"I see..."
I replied bittersweetly. He tilted his head at my tone.
"What? Issue?"
"No... nothing."
Why was I like this? Maybe I'd hoped for some grand secret subconsciously. No reason. I sealed my lips, gazing at the boy.
Maybe.
Maybe because yours was the last face I saw.
I recalled the final scene before time rewound. He'd stared terrified. Eyes unblinking at demon invasion now brimmed with tears. Understandable.
I'd stabbed my throat with broken plate shards then.
...
Yeah.
I definitely died once. Overcome by guilt and regret, I tried suicide. But time reversal barely revived me.
In short: resurrection. Then I became the Demon King.
Just like the prophecy.
Thud.
"Beer. Here."
Golden foam fizzed before me. My smile had vanished. I stared, then slowly looked up.
"Gramps is warmer than he seems. Rough words, but won't abandon the kid."
"I'd dump him now if I could. But can't. Granddaughter asks about him lately. Can't say he croaked to a pregnant girl. Dunno if he knows."
"I'm right here."
"Shut it, punk."
In their warm banter, my eyes widened.
"Your granddaughter's pregnant?"
"Yeah. Married recently, already knocked up. Damn girl. Probably pre-wedding slip-up. I slaved for her trousseau clueless. Sigh. Sigh!"
He sighed gruffly, but a hidden smile shone. Shocking, the stoic old man twitching lips to hide joy.
Wow. Granddaughter pregnant already. Good. Hoped the wedding went well—skipped ahead. Really. Really great.
"Congrats. Great-grandkid incoming."
"Lived long, huh. World's ending? Old coot like me seeing great-grandkids."
No.
It's a great world now.
I raised my glass slowly. Beer overflowed coolly over my fingers.
Their gone world was peaceful, warm. Maybe always meant to be. Defective parts removed, it ticked normally. One defective piece left in the world's clock. It sipped beer, watching serene peace.
"Fuu..."
Biting carbonation tingled across my tongue. Eyes closed, I savored the maybe-final sensation wistfully. All preparations done. Only the last step remained.
Yeah.
Time to meet him.