Chapter 182
Chapter 182
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: Sunset
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The body, severed into seven pieces, collapsed. Blue blood erupted like an explosion, drenching Ronan.
Darman's head, which had rolled to his feet, bumped against him. A strangled voice leaked from the man's mouth, where life had not yet fully ebbed.
"You've got some grit."
Ronan shrugged. Even with his throat slit, this guy's tenacity outdid the original. Darman glared at him, his eyelids twitching, then let out a sigh.
"...I lost."
His majestic voice had returned to normal. The pallid, paper-white skin regained its flesh tone.
The sky-blue blood slowly turning red gave the impression that something dwelling within Darman—his soul or life force—was draining away. Ronan placed one foot on the severed neck.
"How much time do you have left?"
"Three minutes at most."
"Then spill this before you go. What did you mean, we're not brothers?"
He had mountains of questions, but the biggest was the secret of his birth. He didn't expect much. There was no reason for a dying man to answer. Yet Darman opened his mouth without hesitation.
"Does it need... explaining? It's exactly as it sounds."
"Then why do you and I look so alike?"
"Hmm... Now that you mention it, that's curious. I was certain you were the cult leader's direct child, just like me..."
Darman trailed off. The light in his eyes was fading. Ronan could instinctively sense that time was short.
"One thing's for sure—you're not the cult leader's child... I've never had a little brother like you."
"That's a relief. You're not lying, are you?"
"Rest assured. Though my life was filled with lies... I want to end it with the truth, at least."
Darman sighed in resignation. He seemed ready to spill everything since he was dying anyway. Ronan pressed his toe against the man's windpipe.
"Good talk. While you're at it, tell me why you're here. Your base too."
"No reason... not to."
Oh. Was he really going to tell? As Ronan waited eagerly, a chill of killing intent prickled from the corner of his vision.
He whipped his head around. Particles of light gathered in Darman's severed hand on the ground. Realizing the situation, Ronan spat a curse.
"You son of a—"
Ronan yanked his sword hilt. Darman's fist clenched. Kwaaaang! The explosion roared as a pillar of light shot skyward.
Ronan slashed through the blast and leaped away. Smaller than before, but enough to shatter the already weakened bedrock. As he flipped and landed, the crack where he and Darman had stood widened and collapsed with a roar.
The light faded, wind scattering the smoke. Ronan walked to the crater's edge and peered down. Darman's mangled remains, unrecognizable, tumbled down with the rocks. He muttered softly.
"Fucking bastard."
He'd wondered if the guy had a moment of clarity, but no. Eradicating these scum was the way to save the world—he reaffirmed it. No more sparkling mana nearby. With the deed done, exhaustion crashed over him.
Suddenly, a voice called from behind.
"Ronan! You okay?"
"Hoo... Everyone alive?"
Ronan turned. Naviroje, Schlieffen, and the survivors looked up at him. Everyone seemed fine except Zaifa and Alogin, slumped against rocks.
He pointed at them.
"What about those two?"
"Both alive. Found potions on dead participants. Get them to the infirmary quick, and they'll pull through."
Zaifa's shoulders rose and fell faintly. Ronan sighed in relief. Schlieffen, staring intently, spoke.
"You've finally awakened your aura. Impressive."
"Hey, asshole... Is that what matters now?"
Ronan chuckled. Schlieffen's bloodshot eyes gleamed their usual dark blue. Many wounded had bandages from his torn uniform. Annoying yet admirable—he wanted to punch him, but his legs wouldn't move.
Suddenly, he spotted Asel, collapsed on her side. Her wound cauterized, no blood from the clean cut. He nodded at her.
"Her alive?"
"Yeah. Won't last long, though."
"Try to save her. Lots to squeeze out of her..."
"Will do. You don't look great yourself."
Naviroje asked worriedly. Ronan flashed a thumbs-up. Not okay at all, but whatever. She brushed back her hair in relief.
"Good. What the hell was that just now?"
"Piss on their graves kind of bastards... Right, you all saw it."
Ronan looked around. Over ten people stood dumbfounded. No one had missed giant Darman.
"Ah."
Ronan grinned. Now he could speak the future's truth without sounding insane. Things would change a lot. He chuckled inwardly.
'Balon will love this. Or foam at the mouth and collapse.'
He'd accidentally completed his first Dawn mission. Not bad for a start. He had Russell's map too. Naviroje beckoned.
"Planning to stay up there forever? Come down."
"Wait... The view's nice..."
Instead of descending, Ronan looked up slowly. This was Parsan's peak. The sacred site and all of Parsan lay below. Cool wind tousled his bangs.
The sunset at its zenith was beautiful. The sun had dipped beyond the western horizon. Violet light mingled with crimson clouds, melting into the sky.
Thousands of weapons scattered light. Wind whistling through blades sounded like a dirge for the festival's fallen. Faces of those he'd briefly known flashed by: Russell, Riley, Fox Knight, Madam Olga. And...
Ronan lowered his gaze to the sword in his hand. The black-and-white blade reflected the sky like the others. Twirling it in the sunset, he spoke.
"Good work."
No reply, but he felt Lin nod. He grinned at the sunset again. Thud. His tilting body collapsed backward.
"...Ronan!"
"Get... up!"
His eyelids drooped. Sinking into deep water, darkness enveloped him. Naviroje and Schlieffen shouted in the void. He wanted to tell them to come closer—their voices faint—but no sound came.
"Ugh..."
Ronan opened his eyes. A pristine white ceiling met them first. The soothing white finish felt familiar.
"Where...?"
He sat up slowly. Rows of beds and medical tools filled the room. Ivory curtains swayed in the breeze through half-open windows. Definitely Phileon's Gallerion infirmary.
"Shit. How long was I out?"
His eyes widened. A week by express carriage—how long had he been flat out? Acacia scented the tickling breeze. Warmth filled the air, absent on Parsan.
"Hm...?"
Suddenly, weight on his thigh. He looked down. Jet-black hair stark against white sheets caught his eye. A familiar woman lay with her arm as pillow.
"Sunbae?"
"Ugh... Just a bit longer..."
Adeshan. He poked her cheek; she rubbed her eyes and woke.
Her just-awakened face was haggard. Pale skin, dark circles—like days without sleep. Ronan silently brushed hair from her mouth. Her sleepy blinking eyes widened.
"Ronan."
"Drool?"
"Y-You're awake! Feeling okay? No external injuries, but you wouldn't wake—I was so worried...!"
Adeshan flurried, explaining. Nine days since they returned from Parsan with unconscious Ronan. She, Erzsebet, and Special Adventure Club friends had taken shifts. Piles of letters and snacks on the bedside table proved it.
"Nine days. Damn, that was long."
"But you're safe—that's what matters. Oh, right. What was that just—"
She stopped, touching her mouth. Wet at the corner. Confirming it wasn't a dream, she glared.
"I-I don't know! So this is..."
Her face flushed crimson. She gestured wildly, desperately explaining the drool. Ronan chuckled, reaching out to pull her into a silent hug.
"...R-Ronan?"
Adeshan gasped. Alone in the infirmary, her quickened heartbeat was audible. Ronan said.
"Thanks."
"Th-Thanks for what...? F-First, let go..."
"Lots of things. Helped me awaken aura too."
She squirmed, but he held firm. Still hugging, he recounted awakening aura on Parsan's peak. Her black hair—even in light—smelled of snow and wildflowers. She stopped resisting, burying her face in his shoulder.
"...Good."
They stayed like that awhile. Her warmth through fabric soothed him. As he dozed off again, a low, gravelly voice came.
"Awake, huh."
"Eek!"
Familiar voice. Startled Adeshan pulled away. Ronan turned toward it. A hulking dark figure leaned against the wall.
"...Zaifa?"
"Heartwarming. Reminds me of when my wife was alive."
Unmistakably Zaifa. Confirming Ronan awake, he bared fangs in a grin. Thick bandages swathed his chest like for an elephant. Chomping a melon like an apple, Ronan forced a laugh.
"You're alive?"
"Yeah. Shameful, but that snake's feelings finally made sense."
Zaifa sighed. Transferred to infirmary, recovered in a day. He'd lost so much blood, thought his heart was halved. Impressive guy. He continued.
"Anyway, glad you're safe. Lots to discuss."
"Yeah."
"Don't harass the freshly awake. I'll come back later. But talk briefly with this guest."
"Guest?"
Ronan tilted his head. Zaifa silently stepped from the wall, gesturing through the half-open door. Creak—the door opened fully; another giant entered cautiously. A were-lioness with beautiful cream fur. Ronan's eyes widened.
"You...!"
"Long time no see."
The were-lioness bowed. Nemean, the sole survivor of the Dawn unit massacre. Zaifa patted her shoulder.
"Yeah. My adjutant has something to say. About what happened that day."