Chapter 307
Chapter 307
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 307
Chapter Title: I Will Protect You.
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"I... will do it."
Schlieffen said. Adeshan, who met his eyes, froze like a statue. The storm swirling around the pale castle had already died down.
It meant the fierce battle had finally reached its conclusion. For the first time since her personality had been swapped, Adeshan, who had maintained her composure, showed a flicker of bewilderment.
"You... really took on the archbishops...!"
Instead of answering, Schlieffen made a tossing gesture. Thud. A spherical object flew in a parabola and landed at Adeshan's feet. It was the head of the last archbishop he had slain, Rtantie.
The cut was clean. Her beautiful face was frozen in an expression mixed with rage and astonishment. The Savior behind her muttered in an admiring tone.
"I recognize this face."
The witch Rtantie, infamous for centuries. She was one of the top three strongest among the archbishops of Nebula Klazie. Adeshan swallowed hard and continued.
"...You really killed them all. All five."
It was unbelievable. She hadn't been at the scene, but she could sense the auras transmitted from the top of the tower. The five archbishops, empowered by starlight, were each stronger than Schlieffen.
It was nothing short of a miracle. Schlieffen's appearance—reduced to a blood-soaked rag walking on his own—proved the brutality of the battle. Breathing raggedly, he extended his hand toward Adeshan.
"That thing... hand it over, quickly."
Schlieffen's gaze lingered on the bottle containing the Savior's blood. Regaining her composure with effort, Adeshan firmly shook her head.
"No. Treating your wounds comes first."
"Miss Iril... won't harm anyone."
"That's true. But in your current state, even a graze would kill you."
Adeshan shot back. As she said, Schlieffen's condition was extremely dire. It wouldn't be surprising if he collapsed and died right then.
She had to force him to rest. Just as Adeshan was about to attempt mental domination, whoosh! A strong gust from behind her blew the bottle from her hand.
"Ah!"
The bottle flew straight into Schlieffen's grasp. It was wind caused by his ability. Tucking the bottle into his inner pocket, Schlieffen spoke.
"Believe... in me."
"Stubborn...! If you enter that range anyway, you'll end up a fool like the others. Lost in false happiness you'll never have in a lifetime."
"...No, that's not true. I guarantee it."
Adeshan frowned at the incomprehensible words. Instead of explaining, Schlieffen turned his gaze back to Iril.
"D-don't come closer...!"
She was still slashing at the approaching pursuers just enough to not kill them. Her flowing silver-white hair was beautiful. Staring at Iril, Schlieffen smiled faintly.
"I'm already... sufficiently happy."
"...What?"
Adeshan let out a hollow laugh. It was an absurd excuse. But Schlieffen's eyes burned with a resolve she had never seen before.
She was momentarily stunned. Boom! Seizing the opening, Schlieffen turned and kicked off the ground, charging forward.
"W-wait!"
Adeshan hurriedly reached out, but it was already too late. It was astonishing that he still had such energy left. Watching him rapidly recede, she clicked her tongue.
"Damn it."
Now, there was no stopping him even if she wanted to. Adeshan anxiously gauged the distance between Iril and him. A thousand paces... seven hundred paces...
"What?"
Suddenly, Adeshan's eyes widened as she measured the gap. Even after entering the range of Iril's ability, Schlieffen did not stop.
He was enduring the hallucination that even Zaifana, Rorhon, and Orse could not overcome. Reaching Iril's vicinity in an instant, he came to a halt. The terrified Iril aimed her sword tip at him.
"Wh-who are you?! Why do you keep tormenting us...?"
"...Miss Iril."
She looked exactly like a frightened cat. The moment Schlieffen took one more step forward, Iril's arm vanished from sight, unleashing a storm of slashes around them.
"Schlieffen!!"
Adeshan shouted. At the same time, about fifty pursuers around Schlieffen sprayed blood and flew back. Crash! The rock walls erected by dragons with magic crumbled like trimmed carrots.
He hadn't even seen the sword swing. For Schlieffen, unaware of Iril possessing such skill, it was astonishing. A faint smile rose to his lips as he stood frozen for a moment.
"...As expected."
Iril's sword did not touch him. Instead of advancing further, Schlieffen reached for his waist. Carefully drawing his sword, he released the hilt. Clang...! Pale Lord fell to the ground.
"What...!"
"...I'm going now."
Adeshan and the Savior, watching the scene, gasped. Now defenseless, Schlieffen began walking slowly forward.
"Haa... haaa..."
Iril steadied her ragged breathing. At her feet, holding the broom, lay hundreds of men and women sprawled out.
"Why won't they just leave us alone...?"
Iril muttered. These ruffians had suddenly burst into Numbton, trying to separate her from the children. Fortunately, despite their appearance, they were frail and went down with one broom swing.
"Sis. You okay?"
The young Ronan asked. Iril wiped sweat from her sleeve and turned. Her brother and his friends were huddled together, trembling.
"Sis... s-scary..."
The young Marya whimpered. Forcing a bright smile despite her exhaustion, Iril said,
"It's okay now. Don't worry too much."
"Why did those people come? What did we do wrong?"
Ronan grumbled. Confirming no more intruders, Iril turned back. Hugging all the children at once, she said,
"It's fine. I'll protect you."
Iril smiled. This reminded her of the old days somehow. There had been a brief, difficult time for her too.
It was around when Father left and Mother passed from illness. Even if Numbton was a good place to live, raising an infant alone as a young girl wasn't easy.
- Hey! Orphan girl. Where are you rushing off to again?
- Oh dear... both parents gone, must be heartbroken. Want me to help manage your inheritance? Do you even know what inheritance is?
- You're so pretty. Great future ahead. Heh heh... Wanna come with Uncle?
And back then, villains existed around her. She hadn't awakened her ability to manifest wishes yet.
During those few years until her ability awakened and everyone around became good people, Iril had to endure all trials with her own strength. It was truly tough at times, but she endured because of the brother she had to protect.
'He grew up well.'
Suddenly gazing at Ronan's face, her vision blurred. She hadn't done much, yet he grew so reliably—it was all she could ask for. The young Ronan tilted his head.
"Sis, crying?"
"No... I'm fine."
Iril shook her head. The forms of the fallen ruffians were fading. The damaged house was restoring to its original state.
"Ahaha..."
Uncontrollable happiness welled up in her chest again. As long as she could live here with the children, that was enough. She felt she could endure any hardship.
It felt like she forgot something important, but it didn't matter. As she was about to say something to the children, thud thud thud. Knocking echoed through the house from the front door.
"What...!"
Iril whipped around. Someone stood outside the door. Grabbing the broom again, she aimed at the entrance.
A unfamiliar yet somehow familiar voice came from beyond the door.
"Miss Iril. You must wake up."
"Don't... come closer."
"...Miss Iril. You must come to your senses."
Schlieffen said firmly. The distance between them had closed completely. Iril swayed dreamily right in front of him.
"Don't interfere... with my happiness..."
Iril muttered, gripping the sword hilt. He could tell what she was seeing without explanation. The brainwashing overlaid her past hardships with happy illusions.
"What you're seeing now... cough, it's all false. Even if it's hard... you must see the truth."
"No... I have the children... here in Numbton..."
Iril murmured to herself. It pained him, but he had to wake her. Schlieffen slowly drew the bottle from his waist.
"Open your... mouth..."
The Savior's blood sloshed inside the transparent glass. Handling it like a jewel, he brought it to her lips.
"No... don't wanna..."
Iril shook her head. Her hand on the hilt seemed ready to strike any moment. Without forcing it, Schlieffen naturally parted her lips.
"...My god."
Watching Adeshan squeezed her eyes shut then opened them. She emanated killing intent so intense it would instantly knock out or drive mad any normal human.
Cold sweat trickled down her cheek. Tension made it hard to watch. If Iril's mind twisted even slightly now, Schlieffen would become a cold corpse.
Then Schlieffen carefully tilted the bottle in his hand. The Savior's blood slid down the neck into Iril's mouth. Gulp. Swallowing a mouthful inadvertently, she erupted into violent coughing.
"Cough! Hack! Haaack!"
"M-Miss Iril...!"
Embarrassment crossed Schlieffen's face. It was a deep cough as if she'd vomit her guts. Forgetting his own state, he supported her. After what felt like an eternity, seconds passed.
"...Ah?"
Coughing, Iril raised her head. Her hazy vision no longer showed Numbton or the children. Rubbing her eyes a couple times, she shrugged her shoulders.
"Sch-Schlieffen... sir?!"
A familiar face was before her. Memories were fragmented. Behind Schlieffen's wounded shoulder stretched a completely changed landscape.
"Wh-what on earth happened...?"
The luxurious room had become a blood-and-smoke-filled battlefield. She remembered nothing after donning the strange tiara. Then, a tear traced down Schlieffen's clenched cheek.
"A-are you okay? You're crying..."
"...Ugh."
Instead of answering, Schlieffen wiped his eyes with his sleeve. The droplet melted the crusted blood. Examining Iril once more, he spoke.
"Thank goodness..."
Iril's body, now sane, bore no wounds. The pain from her kidnapping onward subsided. Memories flashed of his vow with Ronan to protect Iril no matter what.
His mind, at its limit, was crumbling. Squeezing out the last tears, Schlieffen suddenly grasped both her hands. A hoarse voice escaped his lips.
"I... love you..."
"...Huh?!"
Iril's eyes widened. She showed confusion, but Schlieffen didn't let go. Blood loss bordering delirium helped him voice what he'd held back.
"My worthless life... for a lifetime... I will devote it... to protecting you."
"Wh-what's that suddenly... I'm a commoner, and you're... No, more importantly, your wounds...!"
Iril's face flushed red. It wasn't something to say in this place and situation. Her mind was foggy too, but she could tell Schlieffen wasn't normal.
Finally prying her hands free to tend his wounds, he took one more step forward and pulled her into an embrace. A firm one.
"Ah..."
Iril's eyes widened. Warmth transmitted through their touching bodies. In a world where all sounds but heartbeats were blocked, Schlieffen murmured desperately.
"Please... marry me."