Chapter 546
Chapter Title: Reunion and Reprimand
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Berchia's sword moved.
It wove a beautiful pattern through the air, belying the fact that it was wielded by an undead who had lost its reason.
Bihar's eyes sank as he watched the blade.
It was a beautiful sword dance, certainly reminiscent of flower petals.
But it was different from the sword he remembered.
The sword energy, which had once felt warm, was now chillingly cold.
*CRACK—!*
The sword energy, scattering like petals, mercilessly slashed through Bihar's clones.
Bihar readjusted his grip on the dagger in his hand.
*Fwoosh—!*
An aura of flames erupted from Bihar's blade.
*Whoosh—!*
Simultaneously, an aura of wind wrapped around the flames.
‘Incredible.’
Watching from the depths of her consciousness, Chen Xia wore a look of surprise.
She had surrendered her body to Bihar.
But her consciousness had not disappeared.
On the contrary, every sensation felt sharper.
Every single movement.
Every single glance.
Everything was perceived with vivid clarity.
‘He resembles Young Master Leo.’
Experiencing the duel between Berchia and Bihar up close, Chen Xia caught a glimpse of Leo's shadow in both of them.
It was truly strange.
Berchia and Bihar used different sword styles and movements.
But the rhythm of their sword swings and the unorthodox feints used to break their opponent's balance.
And even the process of predicting their opponent's movements.
In the swordplay of these two, Leo's shadow was cast long and deep.
It was a realm she could only see because she had entrusted her body to Bihar.
‘He’s teaching me.’
Realizing that Bihar was teaching her even in this situation, Chen Xia focused her mind.
She engraved every one of Bihar's movements into her memory.
Bihar executed an Aura Step.
Moving with the fluid grace of water, Bihar closed in on Berchia.
A battle of sword versus dagger.
The closer the distance, the greater Bihar's advantage.
He adhered to this fundamental principle more faithfully than anyone.
Having rapidly closed the distance, Bihar swung his open palm.
*BOOM—! RUMBLE—!*
A blow like a heavy boulder struck Berchia in the chest.
The impact caused the surrounding ground to cave in.
But Berchia didn't even bat an eye.
‘Animus Armor.’
Chen Xia let out a groan as she saw the magic protecting Berchia's body.
She had seen Eiran use it.
It was the same spell, but the defensive power was on an entirely different level.
"Back then, this was my limit."
Bihar spoke to Berchia as she swung her sword at him.
"I could no longer move my ailing body."
*Clang—!*
Parrying Berchia's sword, Bihar continued.
"So it's not your fault, Berchia."
Bihar's body vanished as if sinking into the ground.
For a split second, Berchia lost track of his movements.
Chen Xia felt as though every bone in her body was being crushed.
The force clearly surpassed what she could handle.
But Chen Xia gritted her teeth and endured.
‘If I lose consciousness, it's over!’
The one moving Chen Xia's body now was the spirit of Bihar.
But he was merely borrowing it through possession.
If Chen Xia were to lose consciousness in this state, Bihar would also lose control of the body.
‘I’m used to pain! So I can take it!’
‘Thank you.’
After expressing his gratitude to his descendant who was enduring with all her might, Bihar moved swiftly.
Even having lost her reason, her movements were chillingly sharp.
This was the power of one who had once shouldered the world and brought it to prosperity.
‘But even so, it falls short of her original power.’
Bihar's eyes coldly sought an opening.
The current Berchia could not win against an opponent of equal or greater skill.
And right here, right now.
There was one person in this world who possessed power equal to hers.
Closing in on Berchia, Bihar placed both his palms on her chest.
Then he released his aura.
*Flash—! BOOM—!*
A massive shockwave erupted once more.
Berchia was thrown into the air and tumbled across the ground.
"Aaaargh!"
Berchia screamed as she pushed herself up.
But she soon collapsed, as if her strength had failed her.
"Aaaaaaaaaah!"
As Bihar watched Berchia cry out in agony with a bitter smile, his body collapsed.
Chen Xia had lost consciousness.
*Thud—!*
Leo caught Chen Xia's falling body.
"Master… I leave the rest to you."
"You got it."
Seeing Leo nod, Bihar closed his eyes in relief.
Leo handed Chen Xia to Eiran, who had followed him.
This part was already settled.
All that remained was Berchia.
***
"Aaaaaaaaaah!"
Berchia screamed.
She hated it. She hated everything.
She cursed the world that had snatched away the ones she loved.
While cursing the world, she also loathed herself for wanting to burn the very world her masters had died to save.
She hated herself for taking the life of someone who was like a sister to her.
"Aaaaaaaaaah!"
What was she supposed to do?
What in the world was she supposed to do?
As she writhed in agony like a lost child.
*Pat—*
Someone placed a hand on her head.
In that instant.
*Fwoosh—!*
Berchia swung her sword.
No matter how great the shock, she could still take the head of anyone who dared touch her so carelessly.
The living were hateful.
Just as she was about to act on her undead instincts.
"What's got you so tormented, you damn disciple."
*Halt—!*
The voice that reached her ears was somehow familiar.
"You did well enough… no, you did great."
"Ah…"
"You did your best, even when it was hard. More than your best, you brilliantly accomplished what you had to do. But…"
The hand roughly messing up her hair made her feel like crying.
"Why are you blaming yourself so much?"
It was the voice that always scolded her when she did something wrong.
"Because you hated the world we saved and tried to burn it down?"
But.
"That can happen. I would have done the same."
But it was a voice that was always on her side in the end.
"Because you wounded Bihar and caused her death?"
A voice she wanted to lean on when things were tough.
"She said it wasn't your fault. So."
But it was a voice she had never once leaned on.
Because she wanted to show him, as quickly as possible, that she could stand on her own.
She wanted to be someone he could trust and rely on, not someone who caused him worry.
‘Master Kyle, why don't you ever tell me I did a good job?’
‘I did.’
‘Only that one time.’
‘I’d praise you if you did something worth praising.’
‘Master Luna and Master Ar-on praise me often, though?’
‘They’d probably praise you for just eating the food they toss you.’
‘Stingy.’
"You did well."
Leo gently stroked Berchia's head with heartfelt sincerity.
"You really did well."
Berchia's focus returned, her eyes clearing.
She stared blankly up at Leo and murmured.
"Master Kyle…"
Leo removed his hand from the head of the now-lucid Berchia and smiled gently.
Then he drove his fist right into her jaw.
"Die! Just die! You were a handful when you were young, and you haven't changed a bit!"
Lunia and Eiran watched in horror.
"Hey, hey! Leo! Stop it! She just came to her senses!"
"L-Lord Leo! Lady Berchia has been through so much!"
Lunia clung to Leo's arm, and Eiran clung to his waist.
In the process, Chen Xia, whom they had been supporting, tumbled to the ground.
Of course, they were in no state to mind her.
"I'm hitting her *because* she's come to her senses! I'm hitting her because I was worried sick too! Die! No! Die again! You damn disciple!"
"Aaaaaaaaargh!"
"Please calm down!"
The roar of the enraged Leo and the screams of Lunia and Eiran echoed into the sky.
"Is this… really okay?"
Chen Xia, having regained consciousness on the ground, asked with a sigh.
Her body had reached its limit, unable to even lift a finger.
—She made him worry that much, she deserves a beating.
At Bihar's cold voice, Chen Xia smiled faintly.
‘I’d better not make Young Master Leo worry in the future.’
***
The entire city was in chaos.
The Council Chairman and the Templars, the core military power of the Council, had all been subdued.
The elves from the underground city had escaped and come to the surface.
The group took temporary refuge in a house that had remained intact amidst the ruined battlefield.
Sitting in the living room, Lunia crossed her arms and sighed deeply.
"This is going to be a headache."
"I agree."
Eiran nodded at Lunia's words.
Just thinking about the cleanup was giving her a headache.
"What are those two talking about?"
"They probably have a lot to talk about."
Leo said nonchalantly.
"Berchia's lingering regrets and Bihar's lingering regrets, in the end, they were for each other."
Berchia became an undead out of guilt for killing Bihar with her own hands.
Bihar became a spirit out of guilt for not being able to help Berchia until the very end.
An undead and a spirit.
Though the processes of their revival were different, the reason for it was each other.
"Is there anything Young Master Leo needs to say…."
"What is there to teach a disciple who's all grown up?"
Leo rested his chin on his hand and spoke indifferently.
"Even if there was, I'm sure she's already learned it."
Chen Xia smiled softly at his words.
Listening to the conversation, Lunia spoke in a sullen voice.
"Right, so this has nothing to do with you two, is that it?"
"Young Master Leo and I can just go back to Lumerne."
Chen Xia said with a faint smile.
At her words, Lunia's fists trembled.
For some reason, she was irritating.
Just then, Berchia walked over, trudging wearily.
"Have you all been waiting long?"
"Ah, Lady Berchia!"
"Is your talk finished—"
"Huh…?"
The faces of the three girls, who were getting up from their seats, hardened.
"Luckily, there were a lot of ingredients left."
The three girls trembled in terror.
"L-Lady Berchia, we're not hungry yet…"
"You need to eat a lot after moving around so much. That's how you grow big and strong."
With a benevolent smile, Berchia began placing dishes on the table.
Seeing this, Leo frowned and said.
"That's too much."
"You've gotten so thin too, Master."
Berchia gently clasped Leo's wrist with both hands, a look of pity on her face.
"To be left with nothing but skin and bones like this. It feels like it could break at any moment. This disciple's heart aches so much."
‘Is she still out of her mind?’
—Master. Your mind may be old, but your body is still in its growing phase. You must eat well. It seems you'll have to eat a lot.
Bihar chimed in with a similar expression to Berchia's.
"It's okay to leave some, so please have at least a little. I worked hard to make it."
At the clamor of his two disciples, Leo clicked his tongue.
"Fine."
"You three are not allowed to leave anything."
The three girls' faces turned deathly pale.
"L-Lady Berchia! Lady Bihar! I am the student council president of a school called Seirun!"
"Oh my, I've heard of Seirun. I heard it's a remarkable place. Being the student council president there must be a high position, then?"
"Yes! The situation in Elden is very chaotic right now!"
"Oh dear… I'm sorry, it's because of me."
"No! It's not your fault, Lady Berchia! What I'm trying to say is… as the student council president of Seirun, I think I need to go right now to handle this incident!"
"Ah."
Berchia nodded.
"They say the more haste, the less speed, don't they?"
"Pardon?"
"And to handle big things, you'll need to eat even more."
Berchia took the food from Leo's plate and placed it onto Lunia's.
Lunia's face went white.
And so, the meal began.
The three girls were eating with vacant expressions.
Leo leaned back against his chair and asked.
"I've been curious for a while."
Leo's gaze shifted between Berchia and Bihar.
"Why did you two fight so much back in the day? You usually got along so well, didn't you?"
At his words, Bihar let out a soft "Ah…" and then said.
—We fought because of you, Master.
"Because of me?"
—Yes.
Berchia said seriously.
"We were fighting over whether you should marry Master Luna or Lady Lisinas."
"Why would you fight over something like that?"
"Do you think we would have fought if it wasn't a serious matter?"
Berchia stared intently at Leo, her expression one of genuine disappointment.
"So, you think you're all grown up now, huh?"
Leo ground his teeth and disciplined Berchia.
After the commotion died down.
"This is nice, this kind of time."
Berchia smiled softly.
"I wish it could be like this forever."
Berchia murmured, looking out the window.
The dawn had already passed, and the morning was arriving.