Chapter 461: Proof of Existence (49)
Chapter 461: Proof of Existence (49)
The unbelievable proposal had two sides to it.
First, the conditions were so incredibly good that they triggered an immediate desire to accept.
Second, since the opponent was no fool, there was a high risk of a hidden trap.
I was momentarily dazed by the sudden declaration of surrender, but I quickly bit my lip and pulled myself together. Above all, the girl and I had already crossed the point of no return.
The opponent was a monster who had committed terrible sins.
Though she might not have been born a devil, her pitiful life had forced a demon's mask upon her. There was only one way for me, who had played a part in those sins, to offer even the slightest atonement.
I would kill her.
By doing so, I would ensure she could commit no more sins.
Even if I were to kneel at her grave later and strike my forehead against the ground in repentance, this resolve would not change.
It was just as I was tightening my grip on my nerves with that judgment in mind.
"……Is that okay with you?"
The girl waved her raised hands playfully in a sign of surrender, a deep smile forming at the corners of her mouth.
It was as if her initial dejected appearance had been nothing but a deception.
"If you fight me, one or two of you will definitely die, you know? I'm making this offer for your sake, Oppa."
"How can I trust you and accept your surrender?"
I countered with a voice that feigned composure.
My eyes flickered toward my back. Senior Elsie hadn't reacted yet, but there were signs that she was starting to stagger to her feet.
It was right after her family had been murdered.
It wouldn't be strange for Senior Elsie to do anything right now. My expression grew urgent in spite of myself.
Regardless, the girl maintained her mocking attitude.
"When did I say I was surrendering unconditionally? I'm just saying we should reach a more rational compromise."
"What do you mean by—"
"Just let me go quietly. Then, this ends with no one dying."
I swallowed a groan and maintained a cautious stance.
My eyes sharply scanned the girl's condition. Her body certainly didn't seem normal, but I couldn't be sure if her words were mere bluster.
The very fact that she requested a negotiation meant her strength wasn't at its peak.
If it were, it would have been more effective to attack us outright. With our Archmage gone, it was impossible for us to face her head-on.
But that wasn't the only point of concern.
Even if I had to risk someone among us dying.
If I could bury this monster here, wouldn't that be a gain for humanity?
She was a girl who bore the name of one of the Seven Deadly Sins. If left alone, she might return later with power rivaling a Master.
It was a thought I wouldn't have even dared to entertain just a few hours ago. It was proof of how much her skill had shocked me.
As I stood there perspiring, caught in a state of indecision.
"……Hey."
A voice, heated with ferocity, leaked out from beside me.
I looked back with a start. There stood Senior Elsie, her eyes blazing.
She hadn't even wiped away the tear stains yet. But contrary to her pitiful appearance, Senior Elsie was radiating a suppressed killing intent more intense than ever before.
Flash. The world flickered once.
Before I knew it, countless spheres of lightning had occupied the sky. I looked at Senior Elsie in surprise.
Her chanting had been fast before, but she hadn't been able to manipulate multiple spells so freely. My questioning gaze soon fell upon Senior Elsie's tightly clenched fist.
The Pitch Black Rod was particularly conspicuous.
"Are you crazy? Why did you have to show up in front of me now of all times……!"
But before that rage could be fully vented.
"Ha," the girl let out a short laugh and swept her hand through the air.
That was it.
The spheres of lightning filling the sky began to explode one by one. Amidst a vision suddenly dyed pure white, I felt someone kick off the ground and leap.
Before I could even decide which way to point my blade.
Thud. The girl's kick slammed into Senior Elsie's solar plexus. My sword shot toward the girl a moment too late, but her hand had already clamped around Senior Elsie's throat.
My sword, which had been tracing a line of light, stopped in its tracks.
The girl whispered into the ear of the struggling Senior Elsie with a thick smile.
"Even that old man couldn't kill me… Did you really think a piece of trash like you could do something to me, pet dog?"
Gasp, hack, hack.
Even as she struggled, the fire in Elsie's eyes did not die down. As if even that sight was pathetic, the girl wore a sneer.
"Still need more training? Then, I'll carve it into every single one of your bones… who the master is, so that you'll piss yourself every time you see me……."
"Stop."
It was a low restraint.
The girl's gaze, which was beginning to heat up, turned toward me. I let out a sigh and had to shake my head.
"I accept. Those terms. So right now… let go of Senior Elsie and get lost."
I had wondered, but as expected.
The risk of finishing the girl off here was too great. Each of my comrades was too precious to use their lives as gambling chips.
As if she had known I would say that, the girl gave a faint smile and loosened her grip.
Thud. The small body fell to the ground. Just as the girl took a step with an alluring gait.
"……You'll, regret this."
Gasping for breath, a blue flame flickered in the eyes of the fallen little wizard.
Nevertheless, the girl only cast an indifferent glance.
"You'll regret it… not killing me. Encountering us… and letting me carry on my uncle's will."
It was a resolve that didn't even receive an answer.
With a snort, the girl took light steps forward. She approached me and whispered in a sticky voice.
"You were going to use it, weren't you? Those 'Dragon Blood Runes'……."
I gave no reaction. We were already in a relationship where too much was at stake between us.
The girl's eyes crinkled into a smile.
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor and his vassal, Lainella! You've smashed my wonderful plan quite splendidly… And Oppa?"
A tone where affection and hatred were muddily mixed pierced my eardrums.
"I will never give up… I'll come to take you back again. Because I am 'Greed'."
Then, with a wink, the girl left an innocent farewell.
"Until then, enjoy playing house with that 'fake' to your heart's content! Well then, see ya!"
Whoosh. The girl's form seemed to scatter, and her presence vanished instantly.
I could have tracked her if I wanted to, but we had already made a deal.
I let out a deep sigh and rubbed my face with both hands. Then, a thought occurred to me, and I spoke to Ria, the only one here in a normal state.
"Ria, please take care of things here for now. Once Senior Elsie and Celine have recovered, go to a nearby city and make contact… I'm going to head out first."
"Where are you going?"
It was a natural question.
Of course, I had a prepared answer.
"There's someone I absolutely have to save."
Yuren said he went to find the Saintess.
I wanted to save the Saintess.
The Saintess sighed for the umpteenth time today.
On the table before her sat a silver cross necklace. It was an item a child from the orphanage had brought and handed to her not long ago.
He said Ian told him to deliver it.
At that, the Saintess let out a huffing snort.
So, he felt uncomfortable after our fight, did he? Well, of course he did.
The Saintess's beauty was more than just famous; it was practically considered divine. One could build a mountain with the men desperate just to hold her hand. No matter how much he pretended otherwise, there was no way he couldn't be bothered by her.
Yes, I'm sure that's it.
Before she knew it, tears were welling up in her eyes. Feeling neglected, she repeatedly dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve.
"……Seriously, you idiot."
Would it kill you to take my side just a little?
No matter how much she looked back, the Saintess's judgment had been correct. This was not a matter to be approached lightly. Inwardly, she wanted to take the side of the man she loved and earn some points, but business was business and personal was personal.
She couldn't make such a grave decision based on private feelings.
Then couldn't the man have backed down just once?
I—I've given in to his stubbornness so many times!
I even put up with his sexual harassment, didn't I? Well, actually, that was somewhat induced by me, but still…….
Anyway, in a surge of emotion, the Saintess glared fiercely at the silver rosary. As if it were a substitute for Ian.
Of course, even this was only for a moment.
Eventually, the Saintess slumped weakly and rubbed her cheek against the table.
"I miss him……."
It had only been a few days since she last saw him.
It was a girlish reaction that made her laugh at herself. But she couldn't help it.
To sneakily give me a gift filled with memories.
If he had done it without any ulterior motive, it was a capital offense. The crime of toying with a pure maiden's heart was worthy of death.
Just as the Saintess was breaking into a silly grin while looking at the silver rosary.
"……Sister?"
Startled, the Saintess jerked her upper body upright. She hurriedly hid the silver rosary on the desk into her bosom.
Ahem. She spent a few seconds clearing her throat, straightening her clothes, and calming her expression.
Only then did words of permission flow from her lips.
"Come in."
The person who opened the door and entered without a sound had a familiar face.
Jade-colored hair, an androgynous appearance—the Master of Swift Swords.
It was Yuren. He had been with her as her confidant since their orphanage days, and to the Saintess, who had no parents, he was the only one who could be called family.
The Saintess's welcoming expression soon turned to one of bewilderment.
It was only natural.
"Yuren, why are you back already? You haven't been in touch all this time, and what about Ian and the others……?"
"I need your help, Sister."
Yuren said so with an incredibly serious look on his face.
"Ian is in danger."
The night when the moon was high in the sky.
The tail of a beast seemed to flicker within the man's shadow before vanishing.
Leaving the woman blinded by love all alone.