109
I Killed the Demon King. It Was a Mistake.
Chapter 109
The frost blades slowly began to stick to Yugar's body.
It was not a good sight at all.
Operating frost blades requires tremendous concentration and intelligence.
In other words, being unable to use the frost blades meant that Yugar's mind was slowly crumbling.
'This is bad.'
Caesar hadn't expected Yugar to reach this state at all.
If explaining Yugar's current condition in game terms, he's in both 'anemic' and 'mentally weakened' states.
However, 'Hunger' is an awakening skill that becomes stronger and faster the more Yugar's body and mind break down.
The only time Yugar's mind was too unsound to operate frost blades was when he faced the devilized 'Yan'.
Why does Caesar particularly like Yugar among other characters?
It was because Yugar faced the devil Yan alone to save as many people as possible, even knowing he would eventually turn into a devil himself due to the demon sword Luminion Fury's influence.
As a result, millions of people survived, and the player was able to ignite the spark of counterattack and eventually defeat devil 'Yan'.
Furthermore, it led to the true ending where the general-born kills the King of Niflheim and reclaims the Valent continent.
'But you can't become a devil against me!'
Yugar's condition was deteriorating rapidly.
Dark circles had already formed under Yugar's eyes, and his skin was clinging to his bones.
He had lost too much blood.
The number of frost blades had clearly decreased, with only about three remaining.
Even his eyes began to ripple with purple light.
What was even more serious was that Caesar's aura was starting to hit rock bottom.
'Even with the awakening drug, I can't last an hour.'
This was because as much as his aura increased from the awakening drug, his body craved an equal amount of aura.
Caesar focused his mind.
"Huff. Let's do this."
Yugar charged again.
Yugar's movements became simpler.
But they became so fast that even using Berserker Stage 3 made it difficult to keep up, and.
Zzzzt! Zzzzt!
Stronger.
There was only one way to stop the current Yugar.
Separating that damned demon sword from Yugar.
Going for the neck is almost impossible.
Originally, killing Yugar would derail the main story so he shouldn't and couldn't be killed.
Vital areas like the neck and heart are covered with frost blades.
Unlike the low-grade armor worn by the Golden Knight, this armor contains 50% of the terra alloy 'For Honor', so even Caesar couldn't destroy it in one go.
Then cutting those three exposed tentacles due to the Luminion Fury would be more effective.
Grrrr!
Beast-like golden eyes flashed through the gaps in Yugar's helmet.
One piece of frost blade was staggering through the air.
Even that was because he had discarded the forearm armor to accommodate the Luminion Fury's tentacles.
Now there really is no time.
It's all or nothing.
Caesar let out a loud shout.
"Uriaaaaaah!"
As his whole body pumped up, Caesar's eyes became bloodshot red.
As much as his strength and muscle power increased from the awakening drug's effect, the effect of Berserker's 4-stack became equally stronger.
But it hurts just as much.
It's incomparable to when he used Quadruple stack with Caesar's body before.
Blood seeped out as his skin split, and his joints creaked.
But he laughed.
"Uhahahahahahahahaha!"
Caesar's laughter filled the dueling grounds.
As adrenaline rushed through and Caesar's thoughts also became simpler.
Separate Yugar from that damn devil sword.
Focus only on that.
Caesar swung Thunder.
It wasn't using the Path of the Wind, just a simple swing.
But the effect was shocking.
----!
When Luminion Fury and Thunder collided, air pushed outward in all directions.
People sitting in the spectator seats couldn't come to their senses from the sudden gust of wind.
Caesar's axe bit into Yugar like a beast.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Yugar also blocked Caesar's axe with his shield.
But Yugar couldn't withstand Caesar's axe strikes.
With each hit, he was deeply driven into the ground like a stake.
Luminion Fury screamed.
Thunder and Lefty also screamed.
Though made of terra alloy, they were merely weak pieces of iron unable to withstand the power and will of those who transcended humanity.
Crack!
Finally, Lefty's wooden handle couldn't withstand Caesar's power and broke.
Caesar threw away the handle and brought down Thunder held in both hands.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The spectators began to lose their minds one by one at Caesar's merciless axe strikes.
Was this truly a fight between humans?
This was not a fight between humans.
It was just a bloody battle between beasts fighting to kill each other.
A primitive battle of strength with no technique or skill remaining.
Finally, Yugar couldn't withstand Caesar's power and his shield opened.
Caesar's Thunder, full of lightning, was drawn downward.
Yugar's body balance was broken, he couldn't react in time, and his mind was too devastated to even respond.
Yugar just stared blankly at the axe like a condemned man facing the guillotine.
"Uriaaaaaaaaah!"
Bang!
As Caesar's axe struck down, a cloud of dust rose up.
***
Mitchell jumped up without realizing his hood had fallen off.
But no one recognized Mitchell.
The general audience was unconscious and couldn't see Mitchell, and the knights who were in their right mind were all focused on seeing the winner who would soon emerge from the dust cloud.
In the first silence of the dueling ground, the dry sound of Mitchell swallowing echoed through his neck.
Who is the winner?
Who is the loser?
He hoped for the end of this majestic duel that could accept anyone as the winner.
As the dust cloud was washed away by the gentle wind, the dueling ground became visible.
The flat and wide dueling ground had become dry and cracked like a desert, with newly formed valleys and hills that weren't there before.
And through those valleys, Mitchell could see clearly.
Yugar was lying unconscious surrounded by heavy metal pieces of Luminion Fury.
And Caesar was standing dazed with Thunder in his hand.
***
"...This time I think I'm really dead."
Caesar, no, Seo-han was standing and looking at his dead body.
To think he would see this sight again that he had only seen during near-death states.
"Should have fucking known better!"
Why did he have to show off and use Berserker Quadruple stack?
If he knew this would happen, he should have just accepted defeat.
Seo-han flew around the sky, frantically scratching at his intangible head.
The knights were in shock and causing an uproar.
Well, they seemed to be shouting something about Caesar defeating Yugar.
Seo-han burst into a hollow laugh.
Although he had brushed with death during the Barre incident, this was the first time he had come this close to death.
Somehow this seems more dangerous than during the Demon Realm war.
No, that's not right.
Back then, he had companions like Yan, Mitchell, and Raven, so even when faced with death, he could somehow survive.
But now he was alone, wasn't he?
Looking at Caesar standing alone somehow made him look lonely.
"Hah... Maybe those times were better."
Just then, a man came running.
It was Gideon.
Gideon mumbled something.
Looking at his lips, it seemed like he was calling for Seo-han.
Naturally, Caesar wasn't saying anything.
Blood was seeping through Caesar's torn skin, and he wasn't moving at all.
Seo-han moved slightly away to check Gideon's face.
Gideon's face was beyond pale, it was ghastly white.
Behind him, Bell and Gloria also arrived.
Bell checked Yugar's condition.
Seo-han placed his hand on Bell's body.
-Thank goodness. There's a pulse and breathing.
It seems Yugar was alive.
Well, what does that matter when Caesar is dying?
Seo-han turned around to look at Gideon and Gloria.
Gideon carefully checked Caesar's condition.
Caesar's eyes were open but unfocused.
Gideon shook Caesar.
"Lord Caesar!"
Caesar's body collapsed as soon as Gideon touched it.
Gideon and Gloria quickly caught Caesar.
Seo-han placed his hand on Gideon's body.
-There's no pulse or breathing.
-Could Sir Caesar really die like this?
-This... No, this can't happen.
It's somewhat touching.
Rationally thinking, it would be better for Gideon if Caesar died.
After all, Caesar was the only person who had a tight grip on both Gideon and Aldo's necks.
But Gideon was sincerely hoping that Caesar wouldn't die.
Gideon shouted.
"Potion! Quick, if anyone has a potion, bring it here!"
At Gideon's shout, all the knights in the audience came to their senses.
Seo-han looked around.
All the knights were running with their emergency potions.
Unexpectedly, the first person to arrive was someone Caesar knew.
It was Mitchell.
"Why are you here?"
Seo-han placed his hand on Mitchell's shoulder.
-I realized it from today's duel.
-Caesar is mine.
-I will definitely obtain him.
-More important than Arch Duke's revenge is getting Caesar.
-That is more important than anything else.
-The real treasure was here all along.
What the heck?
Who are you to decide whether to have me or not?
Though you've always been greedy for talent... Why didn't you ever make an offer when I was Barre?
This is starting to make me feel disappointed.
Mitchell handed the potion to Gideon.
"It contains 20% holy water. It should heal most things."
Whoosh!
Just then, the potion bottle in Gideon's hand flew through the air.
"What!"
At that moment, two men fell from the sky.
One man had ash-gray skin, and the other was Harrison, Caesar's right-hand man.
Just as Gloria was about to rush in, the man with ash-gray skin waved his wand and knocked Gloria down.
The man looked down at Gloria with cold eyes.
"Move aside. You're in the way."
It was Professor Smir.
Smir approached Caesar and checked his condition.
"Aura exhaustion with respiratory cardiac arrest. No amount of potions can save him from this."
Smir handed the potion bottle back to Mitchell's hand.
"So don't waste the potion and leave it."
Gideon, who came running belatedly, shouted.
He seemed to be saying they should at least try something.
"It's useless, I tell you. You need at least holy water."
Smir pulled out a small vial from his chest.
"But this guy is lucky."
He started creating magical formations by waving his wand.
Then the transparent potion turned red like blood.
"I know this guy's body better than anyone else."
Smir poured the potion into Caesar's mouth.
Then Smir waved his wand once and gave an electric shock to Caesar's heart.
Thump! Thump!
"Huh?"
Seo-han was pulled into Caesar.
***
Spring comes quite early in Homigraph.
Despite it being mid-February, the forsythia was already turning yellow, stretching itself to bloom.
Nevertheless, Caesar couldn't wake up.
Gloria stroked Caesar's hair as he slept.
"...When will you wake up?"
It had been two weeks since Caesar was bedridden.
Although Finn was nursing him almost 24 hours a day, his body was slowly withering away from lying down for too long.
Just then, Caesar's bedroom door opened.
Step Step.
Two people walked in with Finn.
One was the Blue Angel Bell Hironeel.
The other was Yugar Hironeel.
Yugar Hironeel's left arm was still in a cast, seemingly not healed yet.
"Still no change?"
"...No."
Yugar didn't hide his dejected expression.
"I'm sorry."
Gloria shook her head.
"If you're saying that to Sir Caesar, there's no need. Sir Caesar wouldn't want to hear such words from you, Margrave Hironeel."
"No, I must apologize."
Yugar clenched his fist.
"I hurt this honorable and righteous knight. This can't be repaid even with my death."
Yugar knelt on one knee before Caesar.
"I heard from Harrison. Before the duel, you asked Professor Smir to make a medicine that could cure the 'Decay Sickness?"
Yugar gripped Caesar's hand tightly.
"Thanks to you, my son lived. I heard that Professor Smir made medicine that could cure the dacay sickness, and my son is currently recovering rapidly. All of this is thanks to you."
A tear dropped from Yugar's eye.
"I hurt someone as good and righteous as you. All of this is the fault of my incompetent, weak, and ignorant self."
Yugar bowed his head deeply.
"So I swear. As you saved my son, I too shall dedicate my life to you. So..."
Yugar knelt on his other knee.
"...please wake up."
"Do you mean it?"
At the dry and rough voice, Yugar raised his head.
Caesar's red eyes were directed at Yugar.
"Your words about dedicating your life to me... Really... Cough!"
"Sir Caesar!!!"
When Caesar regained consciousness, Gloria flew to his bedside.
"Are you alright? Really?"
"...No, I think I'm about to die again."
Caesar fainted again.