Chapter 162
Chapter 162
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: 46-4. What the Sun and Moon Signify
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I hadn't even considered it. Merging the Magnolia Sword Technique with the Drake-style swordsmanship?
The original Dragon Slayer was a counterattack.
It had the constraint of turning the opponent's force against them. That might not work on the current Magic Hat.
Besides, I'd already used it once.
'And he anticipated I'd head to the Tar Dune Temple.'
I'm no fool. Getting complacent just because I cleared it before could lead to a nasty fall.
If Magic Hat launches a surprise attack, I might not even get the chance to unleash an ultimate technique.
In raids, you know the enemy will attack and prepare accordingly, but now, there's no telling when or where he'll show up.
Pine's remark pierced like a dagger through the blind spot I'd overlooked.
"...Thank you, Pine."
I immediately drew the Heart Sword from the center of my chest. With a whoosh, white flames flickered around the emerging blade.
Contemplation, Mutual Longing.
The third sword already. I'd forged it thinking it would prevent her from shedding tears.
Lame excuses keep piling up.
The emotions growing ever more tangled were beyond words.
I held Mutual Longing straight out like a thrust to the heart and held my breath. The blade no longer trembled.
"...."
I thought about what mattered most.
Looking at everything the game company had done so far, even if Pine became the Nameless Saintess, it wouldn't derail the route.
So why was I wielding this sword?
To protect Pine?
No. The reason was far more complex.
Risking my life, grinding my bones to dust, fleeing from my own heart—I'd pursued it relentlessly.
Even after completing the Grand Route, I wanted Pine to find happiness.
'I won't let her become some nameless saintess.'
A life stripped of family and friends. Far from happy—it was closer to miserable.
My vision sharpened. Strength surged into my legs as I steeled my resolve.
What was precious to me, what I had to protect, what I had to do...
...was Pine Granasia's happy ending.
I began relaxing unnecessary tension from my sword-bearing body. Overforcing it would twist the blade's path.
'To merge those two techniques...'
The Magnolia Sword Technique and Drake-style swordsmanship were created by swordsmen from the West and East, respectively.
Though polar opposites, their foundations were strikingly similar.
Drake's ultimate was the manifestation of desperate will to kill.
The Magnolia Sword Technique embodied strong feelings for someone.
Both were applications of basics like slashing, thrusting, and blocking. Their roots were one and the same.
"Pine, create a glass illusion ahead of us. Make it identical to Magic Hat."
I asked her to conjure a glass spell.
Having a clear target versus none was worlds apart. It was too soon to abandon perfecting Demon King Slayer.
"Got it, Licht."
The moment Pine finished speaking, a demon king dressed as a magician appeared before my eyes.
Clad head to toe in black like a shadow, the sight sent chills down my spine.
The black mask's grinning expression made me want to vomit every time. That taunting, slit-like smile.
"...It's creepily lifelike."
My sword-grip hand felt heavier than ever. A sensation like forged steel sharpened my entire body.
I blended the Reverse Scale Thrust with the Magnolia Sword Technique's Red Wood stance.
I moved the sword slowly. Neither hasty nor sluggish, piercing vitals to slay the foe.
Slash! A diagonal cut across the throat. Then thrust straight at the chest's center, fusing Slash and Sever.
Not waiting for the enemy's attack—the starting point of offense and defense as one. Movements too raw for proper forms.
Twisting wrists and ankles to craft swift strikes. Fluid motions like flowing water converged into unity.
'Pine, if I can just make you happy.'
It took the form of a massive wave crashing over the opponent. Seamless defense into offense, without a single gap.
Clear Stream and Wing Shedding.
Like water droplets piercing stone, the softest overwhelms the hardest.
Schwick, clang. The illusion's upper body crumbled. Glass shards scattered and shattered.
My obsession to slay the demon king for Pine began to coalesce.
'...I can give it my all.'
The blade's trajectory grew clearer. Blending two extreme sword arts, yet the goal remained singular.
Killing the demon king.
Wind gathered along the edge. In this barren space without a single tree, petals fluttered.
Magnolia petals, fitting the pristine white expanse.
Beautiful in bloom, yet wretched when they fall—ephemeral flowers.
Much like Pine Granasia.
Without me, destined to become the Nameless Saintess. Pure and innocent, knowing nothing.
Her small affection had upended my life entirely.
Love is stronger than anything.
Certainly more than these demon king bastards.
The blade, woven with wind and petals, began shredding the foe. The Magic Hat illusion pulverized beyond recognition.
The result of unleashing Void Slash and One Sword Falling Flower simultaneously.
Now, kill the demon king. Lee Soo-hyun.
End it.
"Demon King Slayer. Fang Wolf."
A massive white wolf burst from my back. Golden eyes symbolizing Pine Granasia gleamed against its pristine fur—a striking illusion.
Awooooooh—!
Its howl vibrated the air as it swung in sync with my blade.
The white wolf's jaws stretched wide, lunging to devour the foe in one bite.
The instant it clamped down, I targeted below, chaining strikes into its shadow.
Boom!! A deafening roar erupted, dust billowing.
Parting the thick clouds revealed a massive crater.
The glass Magic Hat had disintegrated into nothingness.
Thud. I slammed the sword into the ground to finish.
"...It's complete."
My ultimate technique, infused with the essences of Drake-style and Magnolia Swordsmanship.
The 'Concept' that erases the opponent's very existence.
Not a hasty adaptation of Dragon Slayer, but the true Demon King Slayer.
A single magnolia petal alighted softly on the hilt, drawing an unwitting smile to my lips.
In that moment, all strength drained from my body.
My vision faded to black.
Ah, I can't collapse here...
Thud. After Licht collapsed, Pine was the first to notice something was wrong.
The Black Knight who shattered the glass clone lay motionless on the ground.
"...Licht?"
Pine hastily donned her masterpiece armor and rushed over. In her panic, she hadn't even grabbed her helmet.
She outpaced even the Light Hero. Watching the glass knight slice through the wind, Kainel looked stunned.
"Licht..!!"
Thump. Her heart, heavy as lead, felt like it plummeted to the dirt.
Memories of his fight with Head kept flashing—similar to when he'd been shot and fallen.
Pine's mind went blank.
She shook Licht vigorously, checking if he was conscious.
Fearing injury, she poured holy power into healing magic.
Shimmering white light and warm sensations bloomed around her like basking in firelight.
But he showed no response. If hurt, he should've regained consciousness.
"...."
Plip, plop. A cold sensation touched Pine's palm. The thought he might be dead crept in.
The gloom of losing the Black Knight who always protected her and stayed by her side.
Pine Granasia clutched her chest as something squeezed her heart painfully.
It ached as if an icy awl stabbed from within.
'Wait, I can still feel two heartbeats.'
Too frantic worrying about Licht, Pine finally realized the key fact.
She pressed her ear to his face to check his condition.
"...Snore?"
Steady breaths conveyed calm. His chest rose and fell slightly.
"He's... sleeping?"
In truth, he'd simply fallen asleep from exhaustion, fatigue maxed out.
Pine furrowed her brow, her face saying there were limits to worrying people.
"...Ugh."
Thwack. She lightly punched his chest.
If he was gonna sprawl out and sleep, he could've said so. She was miffed at the sudden collapse that scared her.
"Dummy doggo.."
Pine's hand gripped then released his collar lightly.
"Pine, is Helmet okay?!"
"Licht..!"
The hero couple hurried up behind. Pine pressed a finger to her lips, shushing them.
'Licht. Sleeping. Be quiet.'
They halted abruptly. Hearing he was asleep, their voices dropped.
"Sleeping..? He just collapsed..?"
"Fits Licht."
The group whispered among themselves.
'That guy's done this since we first met.'
Kainel nodded knowingly.
He recalled the carriage ride to the academy.
On night watch alone, Licht had swung his sword until moments before dozing off.
Even bunking in the boys' dorm, he'd trained daily without fail—bound to strain the body.
Bone-grinding effort.
Even as a hero from another world, he'd prepared meticulously.
Never overrelying on the holy sword's power, never chasing hero's praise out of vanity.
"Kainel, carry Licht."
Pine, propping her chin like it was habit, squatted piggyback-style beside him.
"You gonna carry him? No way."
"Yeah, sleeping here'll hurt him. Can't."
He seemed fine asleep. Yet Pine's eyes burned with resolve. Decision made.
"...Fine. Who'd stop you, Pine."
Kainel feigned helplessness.
Deep down, he sensed the subtle bond between them, like his with Ariel.
"He's heavier than expected... Licht."
Having promised Licht, he kept it to himself.
Another reason: it'd make teasing his oblivious friend easier later.