Chapter 39
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Between Chance and Grudge
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Wait! Both of you, stop!"
The moment killing intent devoid of even a shred of mercy surged toward each other, ready to strike the fatal blow.
A desperate voice rang out from a fair distance away, freezing our movements.
If it had come from someone we didn't know at all.
Just a shout from a complete stranger.
Neither I nor Leon would have paid it any mind and stopped our attacks on each other.
We already knew each other's skills all too well.
That's why we had to stop.
At least for Leon, but even I knew the owner of that voice.
We halted.
"..."
"..."
Halting an attack mid-swing, when your hand was already outstretched to kill, was no easy feat.
But after barely stopping our sword and fist right before each other's faces, we turned our heads toward the source of the voice following a brief silence.
"Haa... haa! P-Please stop!"
There was Elysia, running desperately with her ample bosom heaving wildly, her face pale with fear.
And a bit further back, Celine was approaching, her expression full of bewilderment.
[Agh, damn it! Right when it was getting good!]
'...Of all times, now?'
The timing was impeccable.
Given the dire situation, she must have rushed over, panting heavily.
Her neat clothes were drenched in sweat, translucent enough to reveal her undergarments, utterly disheveled.
But she didn't seem to care, darting between me and Leon in a panic.
"Hah... haa! Brother Leon! What on earth is this?!"
"E-Ely?"
Leon, who had been brimming with murderous intent moments ago, flushed with embarrassment in an instant.
Like a child caught red-handed doing something naughty.
He hastily hid his sword behind his back and flashed an awkward grin.
"N-No, Ely. It's not what you think..."
"It is! I saw everything! You, who should protect others, drawing a sword on my classmate?!"
The Elysia I knew was the type who never got angry, no matter what.
No matter how unfair or absurd the situation.
'...That's how it would have been.'
But the Elysia now furiously scolding Leon before my eyes bore no trace of her usual gentle demeanor; she was glaring at him sharply.
Of course, she wasn't scary even in anger—still utterly lovable and beautiful.
Her ears twitching as she planted her hands on her hips, declaring 'I'm mad!' wasn't frightening at all.
"And..."
Her gaze swept over the wrecked forest around us and Jotkiss's bloodied gang.
"What is all this? Explain yourself, Brother Leon."
"Th-That... Young Master Evan was assaulting them, so I was just trying to stop him."
"I stepped in purely to intervene. Believe me!"
Leon protested his innocence, subtly shifting the blame to me.
Look at that shameless mug.
Anyone would think I'd beaten those guys for no reason.
I was the one who'd been attacked out of the blue.
And besides. Even if I was disciplining Jotkiss...
Wasn't the wording off?
Not assault—education.
And they didn't draw their swords for those guys; it was because of Elysia, wasn't it?
"...Is that true, Young Master Evan?"
Elysia's gaze turned to me.
Not suspicion, but seeking confirmation of the facts.
As expected of Elysia.
Even though Leon claimed to be her friend, she wasn't taking his word at face value.
Instead, she was asking my side to verify if it was true.
Her kind heart made her that way.
That's what I found so appealing about her. That's why I'd admired her.
Of course, right now, that very charm was extremely—extremely—annoying.
"Who knows."
I shrugged indifferently, my desire to explain evaporating at his brazen attitude.
It was education, but his words weren't entirely false.
"Judge for yourself. But, Miss Elysia."
My gaze shifted to Leon.
"Are that man's words truly free of even a single lie?"
"...What?"
"I don't think so."
"What nonsense... Don't believe him, Ely!"
Leon's eyebrow twitched visibly at my words.
Scary, huh? Lighten up that expression.
Grit.
"...Young Master Evan. Mind your words. Why would I lie to Elysia?"
"Plenty of reasons."
What do you mean, none? As if.
Every action of yours is laced with deceit.
"For example, hiding your filthy intentions toward someone?"
"Evan Dreadnote!"
Sweat beading on his forehead, Leon's face turned beet red with rage.
He held back curses in front of Elysia, but his eyes screamed he wanted to tear me apart.
No, really, scary stuff.
"Enough, please! Both of you!"
Elysia stepped between us once more.
"...Brother Leon. I'm disappointed. No matter the reason, a powerhouse like you drew your sword—that much is fact."
"B-But Ely! That guy's dangerous! He could harm you!"
"Just listen to me! That's the safest path!"
"That's for me to decide!"
[Kya. This stalker punk got owned~]
Tundra's cheer echoed in my head from the shadows.
This guy just loves seeing anyone get wrecked, huh.
"...Tch."
Stung by Elysia's firm rebuke, Leon bit his lip, at a loss for words.
For an aspiring stalker used to her reliance and trust, this cold reaction must have been a huge shock.
"Fine... If that's how you want it. I'll back off."
Shling.
Suppressing his emotions forcibly, Leon reluctantly sheathed his sword.
Then he grabbed the shoulders of a teary-eyed Elysia and spoke.
"But remember this, Ely. I did it out of worry for you. And that you should just heed my words."
"...Brother Leon. I..."
"Enough. That's it."
Cutting her off, he slowly turned, shooting me a warning glare.
"Consider yourself lucky. You live thanks to Elysia."
"..."
This bastard?
[My lord. Leaving it at this? Nothing's resolved.]
Nothing resolved.
Yeah, ending it like this wouldn't do.
This time, I fully agreed with Tundra.
Neither Leon nor I would be satisfied with this.
One of us had to fall—or die.
A result was necessary.
'And that sleazy bastard won't let it end here.'
Leon wouldn't back down quietly.
Playing nice in front of her, but sharpening his blade inside.
Still a student at the academy, he'd approach me anytime.
As long as I stayed near her, he'd never give up.
No point explaining; he wouldn't believe it.
'Getting tiresome.'
Like with Jotkiss. And now Leon.
The predictable pattern fueled my irritation.
Why indulge his pathetic knight play?
Even without them, The Glory's ending wouldn't change.
They weren't worth that much; insignificant.
'Just ignore them, right?'
Yeah. No need to hold back.
Why cater to that trash?
"Sorry, Ely. I must have lost my cool. I'll do as you say."
A perfect attitude switch.
The guy who'd charged like he wanted to kill moments ago.
Acting like a lamb in front of Elysia.
'Disgusting bastard.'
His hypocrisy twisted my guts.
Preaching justice when disadvantaged, crushing with force when favored—that duplicity.
And what? Lucky? Live knowing that?
Who was he to say that to whom?
"...You sheathed it, right?"
I tilted my head mockingly.
"Yes. I did. Satisfied now?"
"Hmm. So you say."
As if it was all over, he sighed and opened his mouth.
The moment Leon turned genteelly with Elysia.
Boom!
I shot forward without giving him a chance to react, kicking off the ground.
"B-Brother!"
"Young master!?"
Their screams brushed past my ears with their gazes, but whatever.
My body was already at Leon's nose.
"...What?"
He clearly hadn't expected me to charge again.
Leon scrambled into a defensive stance in shock.
'Too late.'
I'd never planned to give him time to react from the start.
Sheathed your sword? Ending the fight?
By whose say-so? That's your issue.
I hadn't even started yet?
"Guhk...!"
The instant my fist sank deep into his solar plexus.
Leon's eyes bulged bloodshot, mouth gaping wide.
Overwhelming destructive force choked his breath in agony.
This one punch probably cracked bones, I dared guess.
Even his tempered armor was useless against this simple jab.
Kaboom!
His body bent like a bow and flew backward.
"Over? Who said it was?"
I closed the gap instantly.
Grabbing the collar of the staggering fool retreating.
Neutralizing his attempts to catch his breath and summon holy power.
"Kuh... You mad...!"
"Grit those teeth."
Bam!
My fist slammed into his cheek again.
His head snapped sideways, blood spraying from his burst mouth.
"Guhk... kuhk...!"
Leon crawled on the ground, dry-heaving.
Noble holy knight? Heaven-sent genius?
What a joke.
"Hey. Get up."
I yanked him up roughly by the hair.
"Where'd that momentum go? What was it... Ah, right. Know you lived by luck?"
"You... bastard...!"
Leon glared through bloodshot eyes, groaning.
Still hasn't grasped it, huh.
"Yeah. Bark. Bark more."
I sneered and swung again.
Bam!
Splat!
This time, the jaw.
His head whipped around mercilessly, blood and shattered teeth spraying from his mouth.
[As expected of my lord. Show the Frostfang Chieftain's dignity!]
I'm not the chieftain, I tell you.
Bam!
"...Krghk!"
Screams erupted, but I didn't stop.
No, I never intended to from the beginning.
Since he'd challenged me.
Mediator or not, I had to crush him thoroughly.
So he'd never dare eye me—or those around me—again.
If no one was watching, I'd have turned him into Borin and Tundra.
Should've picked a better spot.
Bam! Thud! Crack!
Regretting not thinking of that then, but my merciless blows continued without pause.
Crunch!
"Holy Shield? Gonna hold?"
He desperately activated the holy knight's signature Holy Shield with holy power.
Useless. This barrier couldn't even stop my finger.
"Y-Young master! Please... stop! He'll die!"
"Brother, stop!"
The girls screamed behind me, trying to intervene, but I ignored them like a deaf man, pressing Leon relentlessly.
At least until I crushed his spirit completely.
"Guhk... You dare...!"
Crack!
"Gaaak!"
I twisted his counterattacking arm and smashed it into the ground.
Boom!
Dust billowed as Leon writhed in pain, rolling on the dirt.
His handsome face was a mess of bruises and blood; his pristine white robe filthy with mud.
Crunch.
"Kraa...!"
Relief washed over me at his screams barely forming.
I planted my foot on his chest.
"Listen well, Leon."
Gazing down at his gasping form, I growled low like a beast about to snap its prey's neck.
"I didn't touch you out of fear. Just laziness."
"Kuh... You...!"
Crunch.
"Gaaaa...!"
"But if you keep buzzing around me like now, I can't forgive it. Like a dung fly."
I leaned close to his face.
"One more time you act up in front of me."
Baring my fangs like a beast ready to kill.
My eyes rippled black.
"I'll really kill you then. Elysia or whatever. None of my business."
"You... Evan Dreadnote...!"
Kaboom!
With the final blow, Leon slammed into the ground.
No strength left to resist.
He couldn't even groan properly, just ragged breaths.
"..."
His eyes stared blankly unfocused, foam-tinged blood dribbling nonstop from his mouth.
"Quiet now."
I lightly lifted my foot from his chest, brushing dust off my shirt.
Tried not to get blood on it, but a few drops. Annoying.
'Telling Imir to suck it clean might not return it pristine.'
'Master. I did as told, but the clothes tore a bit? Weak material, I guess!'
...Sigh. Nothing for it but endure till the weekend.
[Kya! As expected of my lord! Timed perfectly, turned him to pulp. Southerners need handling like this!]
Tundra cheered from the shadows again, but I ignored him.
Business done.
"...L-Leon, brother?"
Elysia called tremblingly.
Her body rigid with shock, quivering slightly.
Makes sense. The Leon she knew was always strong and reliable.
Seeing him crushed like this must be traumatic. I get it.
"L-Leon bro... "
"Don't worry. Didn't kill him."
I reassured Elysia.
He's alive. Probably.
Pulled the last punch, so he should be.
'If dead, revive him later.'
Of course, outside to hide the necromancy.
"Just a man-to-man talk."
"Talk? This is...?"
Elysia asked incredulously, eyeing the bloodied Leon.
As if questioning if this was talk.
"Yes. Very effective talk. And guys always roughhouse lightly, Miss Elysia."
I glanced hazily at Celine.
"...Good."
Like Elysia, she watched pale-faced.
But different from Elysia.
Not fear, but a strange mix of relief.
'Worried I'd lose?'
Possible. Leon's rep wasn't empty.
Truly strong. At this level, calling him a student was a stretch.
"Alright, business done. Let's go."
I beckoned the two casually, as if nothing happened.
Still time, but delay more and we'd miss lunch.
"...Huh?"
Elysia blinked in confusion.
"Um... Young master... What about Brother Leon?"
"Leave him. He'll get up after lying a bit. Light injuries."
"B-But..."
She hesitated, reluctant to move.
I stated firmly to her.
Good chance to make it clear.
"Miss Elysia. Don't misunderstand."
I nodded toward the fallen Leon.
"That man tried to kill me. If I were weaker, I'd be lying there now."
Elysia flinched, biting her lip.
"..."
Not easy. I understand.
She's that foolishly kind.
'Iris. Don't be too sad. You're stronger than anyone.'
'Me? I struggle too, but I always try to overcome.'
Even when the protagonist struggled, she comforted first.
"I know. You're soft-hearted, young lady. But not everyone's as kind as you."
I stepped closer, meeting her eyes directly.
"Especially those whose facade hides their true nature."
She caught my allusion to Leon; her gaze wavered.
"So choose. Stay and nurse that trash, or come with me."
Not forcing. I'd respect her choice.
If Leon, I'd turn away without regret.
"I..."
Elysia frowned in anguish.
"Don't you feel it already? How that man treats you."
Her shoulders trembled slightly at my words.
She must sense it vaguely—his obsession crossing lines.
Just too kind to refuse, dragged along.
"Ely."
"...Celine?"
Silent Celine quietly took Elysia's hand.
"He's right. For now... let's go."
"B-But..."
"If worried, tell the supervisor later. So let's go first. Okay?"
"..."
Convinced by Celine, Elysia nodded reluctantly.
She glanced back at Leon one last time, then followed, led by Celine's hand.