Chapter 304
Chapter 304
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 304
Chapter Title: Final Battle (11)
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"It's been a while. Private."
Adeshan said. Her voice, cold and piercing, lingered in Ronan's ears. After a long moment of stunned silence, he finally managed to speak.
"...Grand General? Is that really you?"
"Yes. It's been ages since we've talked like this. Have you been well?"
"Yeah. I've been fine, but... how in the world...?"
His mind was still reeling. For one thing, this wasn't the original Adeshan putting on an act—no way. There was no reason for it, and the aura she exuded was completely different.
"How..."
Ronan murmured. He never imagined he'd meet her again like this. His vision was starting to blur. Adeshan pulled her hand from her pocket and touched her chest.
"I didn't expect it either. The Nebula of Regression still had some power left. I lost the ability to turn back time completely, but I was able to preserve my ego and memories within this girl's body."
"No way. Then what happened to senpai's ego?"
"It's safe inside me, so don't worry. Like everyone else, she's dreaming happily... very happily."
Adeshan let out a small chuckle. She explained that she'd taken over the body during the gap when the original ego fell asleep. Ronan, unable to hide his shock, fired off a question.
"So you've been inside all this time? Since the day the current senpai was born?"
"No. My memories in this life started from the moment I met you. From when Instructor Naviroje knocked me out and I held your hand in the infirmary."
For some reason, her voice grew quieter from the moment she said "hand." She stared intently at Ronan before suddenly looking away.
Her face seemed a bit redder than before. Her lips twitched, and then Adeshan spoke.
"...Private. Come here for a moment, would you?"
"Huh?"
She seemed to have something important to say. Ronan approached without a second thought, leaning in toward her face. Slap! A sharp, resounding smack echoed, and his head snapped to the side.
"Krrk!"
"You rotten jerk."
His cheek burned like it had been scorched. The joy of reunion vanished amid the pain.
Ronan rubbed the stinging spot and turned back to her. Adeshan's face was now flushed bright red, as if a needle could pop it.
"Hoo... I could go on, but this'll do. You and I both have work left to do."
"Wh-what the hell? Why'd you hit me out of nowhere?!"
Ronan sputtered in bewilderment. Despite the hard slap to the face, he felt more baffled than angry. Adeshan took a deep breath and glared at him fiercely.
"Do you know why I handed you the right to regress?"
"Uh... to defeat the baldies and save the world? You said you believed in my talent."
"Right. And you did brilliantly. You succeeded in one go where I failed across three lifetimes. But..."
"But?"
Suddenly, Adeshan trailed off. In the awkward silence that returned, Ronan tilted his head. She rubbed her face dry several times before squeezing out the words.
"But how on earth did you and I end up as lovers...!"
"Ah."
Ronan's mind went blank. Her odd behavior suddenly made perfect sense.
'Shit.'
He should have realized it from the moment she mentioned preserving her ego inside. Regaining his wits, he flailed his hands as he began to explain.
"Th-that couldn't be helped! Senpai's a really great person, you know. You saw it from inside—you know we really get along well..."
"Shut up. Don't say another word. How could you do all those shameless things without a shred of shame..."
"Uh... you saw everything? From start to finish?"
"What if I did, you pervert?!"
"Gaaah!"
Adeshan suddenly reached out and yanked both his ears. Caught off guard, Ronan howled. She pulled his face close and continued sternly.
"Yes, I saw it all! Every last bit! I had to watch you two practically dying of happiness from beginning to end!"
"Th-then you could've just slept through it..."
"Do you think living inside is like staying at a boarding house? Hah, it's absurd just thinking about it again. You kiss her out of nowhere and say it was just because she's pretty? Where the hell did you learn that sleazy line...!"
"Aaa! Let go of my ears!"
Ronan thrashed. Maybe it was the different ego, but her grip felt even harsher. Adeshan didn't stop, unleashing all her pent-up words.
"I can guess. With that silver tongue, you've probably made tons of girls cry by now. Seducing a virgin spinster who'd never held a man's hand must've been as easy as blowing your nose. Right?"
"D-damn it... If I was that good, I'd have died satisfied in my past life. This is really my first relationship!"
"You knew I can detect lies, didn't you? If you're deceiving me..."
Adeshan growled. He'd never seen her eyes so fierce, except when commanding the final battle against Ahayute. Ronan squeezed his eyes shut and protested his innocence.
"Damn, if you thought that, I wouldn't have asked you out! What do you know?!"
"...!"
Adeshan froze. What do you know? The words echoed across the silent battlefield. After a moment of silence, she nodded.
"...I know."
"Huh?"
"I know it's true. That's why I'm letting you live. If you were some sleazy playboy hitting on anything that moved, I'd have shoved you off the griffon the first time you kissed me."
A chill ran down his spine at the terrifying thought. Adeshan released his ears. Ronan let out a sigh of relief.
"Phew... Is the interrogation over?"
"Yes. I got too worked up—not like me. Sorry."
"No, it's fine. Thanks for understanding."
Ronan grinned. Adeshan stared at his face and gave a wry smile. She swallowed what she was about to say and nodded.
"Alright, then. Let's talk business."
"Sure. Asel was under your control, right?"
"Yes. Excluding your father, he's the only one on our side who can invoke the Blessing of the Stars. I didn't expect it to be this powerful, though."
Adeshan looked up at the sky with an amazed glint in her eyes. The Blessing of the Stars that Asel had summoned alone looked no different from the Savior's. Gauging the barrier's thickness, she continued.
"This should hold off his attacks a few more times—three at least. With support like the Savior's, it could last much longer. But our goal isn't just to endure."
"Right."
Ronan nodded emphatically. Asel's power was formidable, but it would eventually reach its limit.
They had to strike first and kill him. But before counterattacking, they needed to wake the scattered sleepers. Remembering the Savior's words, Ronan snapped his fingers.
"Yeah. So what the hell happened? Dad was saying something about my sister."
"Exactly what it sounds like. It was Iril."
"...What?"
Ronan froze. Adeshan nodded. She stroked the head of Naviroje, who was giggling while hugging her greatsword.
"Your sister is dangerous. I don't know the details, but she probably has some ability to project her will onto the world. I warned this girl multiple times, but there were limits to what I could convey, so it didn't go well."
Adeshan pointed to herself. She'd been warning the current Adeshan from inside about the threats she sensed. Hearing Iril's actions explained from her, Ronan sighed shortly.
"Life's full of surprises. Who would've thought my sister..."
"Sadly, that's reality. We need to find her and stop her. No time to waste."
"Got it. But can't you just use your powers to snap these people out of it?"
Ronan asked. Come to think of it, Asel was moving fine. Adeshan shook her head.
"I tried. It's impossible. Miss Iril's power is leagues beyond mine."
"Huh? Then how are Asel and the others moving?"
"Their bodies obey commands. Even if their minds are lost in happy dreams, their bodies are unharmed. But to wake the egos trapped in those dreams, we must restore Iril first."
In short, they were like puppet dolls—dancing on strings without wills of their own. Of course, that alone boosted their forces immensely, but they couldn't just leave people like that.
"So, no solution without stopping sis."
"Exactly. That's why the cult leader kidnapped your sister. He made her dream happily first, then synchronized the thoughts of everyone in the world. Making sure no one can resist the end."
"That bastard... I should rip him apart."
Ronan ground his teeth. Missing the chance because of the Giant King's descent was the problem. Maybe he should've cut him down completely, consequences be damned. Adeshan looked around and spoke.
"After waking everyone, we find Navardoje. I'll organize a search party."
"What? I thought Abel got her."
"Something went wrong, but I can feel she's alive. We need to pinpoint her location, though."
Ronan's eyes widened. He'd assumed she was dead after not returning for so long. Things progressing smoothly didn't feel bad at all. Yeah, this is the Grand General.
"And everything I said is what I and the others will do. You have your own task. No need to explain what it is, right?"
"...Of course."
Ronan nodded. Only he could handle what remained.
Deeming his rest sufficient, Ronan fiddled with his sword hilt. A low, gravelly voice echoed from above.
『Judgment upon the one who dared wound Him.』
『A price fitting their arrogance.』
"Came quick."
Ronan sighed and looked up. Five or six giants were flying in from afar—the ones he hadn't caught due to the king's descent.
『Exterminate the mortals! Leave not a speck of dust!』
A voice several times louder followed. The underside of the clouds exploded, revealing the Giant King.
Blue blood still dripped from his neck and chest—the wounds from Ronan moments ago. Adeshan said,
"Save the reunion joy for after the work's done, Private."
"Good idea."
Ronan grinned. Just like in his previous life. Adeshan focused and made a strange gesture.
"Rise."
Her quiet voice rang out. Shadow mana swept across the battlefield. The dazed, grinning people began to rise one by one.