Chapter 258
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 258
“Hic…”
Tears pooled in the twins' eyes and streamed down their cheeks. His eyes still pitch black, Leon Frezier muttered, “You really… your personality is the problem.”
“…What?”
Air stabbed into my lungs as I coughed violently, my mind spinning. Even after he released my neck, the two of them just stood there, rooted to the spot.
And then…
“You knew we were going to kill you.”
“…Leon?”
“You knew, so why did you just lean on us like that?”
Leon’s voice cracked with unshed tears. He was angry—at me, and at himself.
“Why are you telling us not to die?”
“…”
“You knew we were going to kill you, so why didn’t you get angry even once, you idiot!”
“…”
They were far too young to be uttering words that sounded like final testaments. The twins were, and so was I.
But there was no other choice.
“—!”
The sharp clang of clashing blades rang out, followed by a horrific laughter I could never forget, even in my dreams.
“Ahahaha! Just how strong is the power of the Divine Tree? To think it broke the seal and kept you alive again!”
It was Corico.
Behind her, a swarm of priests hurried in, every single one of them wielding a dangerous blade.
“Saintess. Shall we seize the successor and her kin?”
“I suppose we must. I used sorcery because I wanted to see something entertaining for once, but the successor’s power is too strong. I’ll have to kill her with my own hands this time.”
Corico’s finger pointed at us.
“Seize them. Bind them all.”
The priests moved with perfect discipline. They lunged with their swords, but Leon Frezier’s movements were beyond imagination. In an instant, he took down two priests and snatched their swords, tossing one to Lisian.
My legs were still throbbing and raw with pain, so I couldn’t stand as firmly as they did. I could only watch the twins' backs.
“Tulia,” Lisian whispered softly, even as he cut down the priests charging at them with screams. “I want to tell you to run while we hold them back. I really do.”
“…”
“But could a child as small and young as you—especially one so badly hurt—really escape safely on your own? Even the sea routes between the Summer and Spring Continents are completely ruined.”
“…Brother Lisian.”
“Tulia.”
Lisian wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. It felt like the first time I had ever seen him cry. It made my heart ache even more, a searing pain thrumming in my chest.
“I will protect you until the moment I die. So, don’t be afraid.”
“…”
“…In exchange, I have one request. Tulia.”
When Lisian turned to look at me, I felt a sudden surge of emotion. His eyes were no longer a hollow black. They shone brilliantly, like a summer spring flowing through lush greenery.
“From now on, close your eyes and cover your ears. Keep them covered until I say it’s okay.”
“…Okay. I will.”
I did as Lisian said, closing my eyes and pressing my hands firmly over my ears. Two small children couldn't possibly defeat this many priests.
Therefore, his words likely carried only one meaning.
If they were eventually hacked to death by the priests—if they reached the point where they could no longer hold their swords…
Lisian intended to take my life himself.
Because he didn't know what kind of agony that horrible Corico and her priests would inflict upon me, he had chosen to commit that sin instead.
‘To think a child that young is forced to think like that.’
In the pitch-black darkness of my vision, I felt my legs gradually freezing. This place was cold. Even with my ears covered, I could hear intermittent screams and curses.
Then, at some point, a liquid that felt as warm as tears drenched my face.
“…I told you not to open your eyes, Tulia…”
“Hey, what are you going to do without us…?”
I saw the two of them collapsing and dying before me. Behind them, Corico was screaming at the top of her lungs.
“What do you think you’re doing, killing them! I need their hands to take the successor’s power for myself!”
“Gack!”
“S-Saintess! Urgh!”
Dozens of priests lost their lives in an instant to the frenzied Corico. Her eyes had turned a vivid crimson. Even the whites were stained with blood; she looked like a literal monster.
“I must complete the ritual before their lives are fully extinguished! To think the successor’s kin could be this impious…”
I looked at Lisian, who ultimately couldn't kill me, and then at Leon, who was panting heavily while clutching his sword.
And then…
“Ahahaha! Tulia Frezier! What do you think glaring at me now will accomplish? You’re destined to be strangled to death by your own flesh and blood anyway!”
Enraged, Corico approached with a mad laugh and lifted me by the throat.
I was no longer afraid of her monstrous appearance. I simply kicked her in the chest as hard as I could.
“Ahahaha! You insane successor!”
Corico tried to slap me, but she was repelled by a protective barrier. Thrown back by the impact, she let out a shrill laugh.
I picked up Lisian’s sword and forced my numb legs to move, barely managing to stand. I stood in front of the twins and glared at Corico.
“Ahahaha! Ahahaha! Successor, Tulia Frezier! Do you really think you, half-dead as you are, can kill me with that heavy sword? You are destined to die by my hand again, lose your memories, and die by my hand once more!”
I glared at Corico and screamed.
“Keep your promise to me, no matter what…!”
Kingdom-Toppling Beauty wouldn't activate no matter how much I called for it. So, I—well, even though I knew it wouldn't work—I lunged forward and thrust the sword at Corico.
Stab.
Perhaps it was because I threw my entire weight into it. The blade sank much deeper into Corico’s body than I had expected.
“Saintess!”
“Bind the successor, now!”
I kept screaming the same thing until the frenzied priests overpowered me and dragged me away.
“You two have to live! You promised you would! So please… please, live…”
Even with the sword I had plunged into her still hanging from her body, Corico continued to choke me. The priests tried to stop her, but she didn't even pretend to listen.
Corico’s hands and body were charring black, but in her rage, she didn't stop strangling me.
I could feel the blood surging and shifting inside my body. Sensing my end, I closed my eyes and whispered.
“Please, live…”
It was then.
[System] Lisian Frezier has achieved A-Rank in the Main Quest!
[System] Leon Frezier has achieved A-Rank in the Main Quest!
A brilliant light flashed before my eyes.
“…!”
I prayed and prayed.
Let them both have their lives guaranteed.
Make a wish for something like that, please. Please, don't wish for anything else. Please…
Despite my prayers…
[System] As a special reward for achieving A-Rank in the Main Quest, Lisian Frezier’s wish is granted!
[System] As a special reward for achieving A-Rank in the Main Quest, Leon Frezier’s wish is granted!
.
.
.
[System] That you will always choose the right path.
“…”
The rainbow-colored text floating before me made me both angry and tearful.
This wish…
‘Is it Lisian? Or Leon?’
It had to be Lisian! I felt like I was going to burst into tears.
Does being the eldest mean you get to do whatever you want?
Why won't you listen to me! Why!
[System] According to the wish, ‘Tips’ will be added.
[System] ‘Tips’ will be generated intermittently.
‘…Those tips were carved by Lisian?’
But they were so playful… Just as I thought that, I saw a vision of the twins writing the tips beneath the system window.
The tool they used to carve the letters into the air was none other than the keepsake their mother had left for Lisian.
I really had no idea those tips were left by the twins.
‘They’re such fools.’
They really seem like total idiots…
And yet.
Something hot welled up from deep within my chest, carving an indelible pattern. It meant that a flower that would never wither had bloomed in my heart.
Then.
[System] Variable situation occurred!
[System] ‘Lisian Frezier’ and ‘Leon Frezier’ desire the same wish!
[System] The special reward wish is amplified and then subdivided!
My eyes shook uncontrollably at the unexpected system message.
They both made the same wish?
‘I can understand Lisian, but I’m supposed to believe Leon made such a mature wish?’
[System] Lisian Frezier’s Wish
[System] That you will never experience this kind of pain again.
[System] Error occurred! The scale of the wish exceeds the allowed range!
[System] ‘Lisian Frezier’ decides to offer half of his soul to Becrux!
[System] Side effects from the loss of half his soul occur!
[System] A permanent problem occurs in ‘Lisian Frezier’s’ linguistic ability.
.
.
.
[System] The priests and ‘Corico’ will now covet Lisian Frezier.