Chapter 87: The Lord is With Us (8)
Chapter 87: The Lord is With Us (8)
A faint twilight was settling over the sky. Evening had arrived before they knew it.
The southern forest of the Academy was quiet, as if the commotion of the Hunting Festival had been a lie.
Not long ago, this place had been in an uproar. It wasn't just because of the heat of the festival; a Named-class demonic beast, which should never have been discovered there, had appeared.
Recently dubbed the ‘Organ Collector,’ it fortunately caused no casualties, but the incident had been enough to make the Academy officials' blood run cold.
The Academy immediately organized an investigation team. During the day, the forest was a bustling place, filled with the sounds of dozens of investigators moving back and forth. However, once the sun began to set, the story changed.
Daylight was the time of the sun. According to mythology, the sun was created from Arus’s liver. Thus, impure things that defied heavenly principles lost their strength when touched by sunlight, and demonic beasts were no exception.
While they might not burn away into nothingness the moment they touched the light as the legends suggested, they were at least weakened. Demonic beasts, after all, were foul creatures born of mana.
Conversely, when the sun set and the jet-black veil descended, the time of the Evil God Omeros returned. It was the hour when demonic beasts began their activities in earnest.
Of course, the moon in the night sky symbolized Arus’s right eye. Even at night, the Heavenly God’s watch continued. Nevertheless, as darkness cast its shadows everywhere, there were bound to be places the moonlight could not reach.
With the situation still uncertain as to what dangers might remain in the forest, the investigation team had no choice but to withdraw once night fell.
In this place, where only birds and insects chirped in solitude, stood a woman.
She had brilliant golden hair that resembled the sun. Opposite her stood a man with hair as black as the night that had already arrived.
There was no one else. Only the two of them occupied the forest clearing.
The atmosphere was far too cold to conjure romantic imaginings of a young man and woman. The golden-haired woman—Delphine—was biting her lip as she glared at the man.
In contrast, the black-haired man looked incredibly composed. He merely gazed at her with tired eyes, his expression devoid of any emotion.
The woman seemed utterly resentful of that fact.
As if spitting the words out, her beautiful voice broke the silence of the clearing.
“……It’s been a long time, Hand Axe Young Master.”
The man called ‘Hand Axe Young Master’—Ian—said nothing. He merely shifted his gaze slightly to the side as if uninterested before returning his eyes to Delphine.
When he finally spoke, his low voice was laced with exhaustion.
“Your business?”
It was a short and simple question, but it carried a lot of weight.
First, the one with business was Delphine. It meant she was the one who had called Ian out.
Second, judging by his annoyed tone, Ian hadn't particularly wanted to come here. It also meant Delphine had provided a reason that forced him to show up.
Delphine’s blood-red eyes flashed with intense murderous intent. She spoke.
“It’s exactly what you heard. I’m requesting a rematch.”
“Even bringing my family into it?”
At his mocking tone, Delphine closed her eyes and trembled.
It was just as he said. Delphine had practically blackmailed Ian into coming here, even going so far as to mention the name ‘Yurdina.’
It was not an honorable act. Delphine’s face flushed with shame, fully aware of that fact. Her expression was one of agony.
However, Ian seemed to have no intention of catering to his aggressor’s feelings. He delivered a follow-up blow in a nonchalant voice.
“I think it’s pathetic.”
“……I had no choice!”
Unable to endure any longer, Delphine began to argue vehemently to justify her cowardly actions.
Her eyes were desperate. Perhaps she had suffered greatly over the past few days, as her blood-red eyes looked hollow. Her shouting voice even carried a hint of a sob.
Delphine placed a hand on her chest and confessed her feelings from the past few days.
“The—the moment I lie down, the memories of that day come back… Even when I try to sleep, I wake up drenched in a cold sweat! I’m so resentful and ashamed, it feels like a fire is burning in my chest… No matter how much I drink, that flame just won’t, it just won’t go out! So what was I supposed to do?”
“You should accept it. That’s the duty of the loser.”
At those leisurely words, Delphine’s eyes turned fierce. The sound of her grinding her teeth echoed.
“……Did it feel good when I begged you to spare my life?”
“I don’t know.”
The man’s voice as he spoke was perfectly calm. Not even a flicker of emotion could be felt in those golden eyes.
He meant it.
That was why Delphine was even more resentful. The nightmare of that day, which had plunged her into misery for the past several days, wasn't even worth remembering to him.
If she had accepted her defeat gracefully and stepped down then, she wouldn't have been this ashamed or angry.
But the fact that her shoulder had been struck by an axe and that, at the final moment, she had screamed for her life like any ordinary girl, stung her pride.
She was a woman who had been overflowing with confidence, to the point of arrogance. She lacked the experience of defeat necessary to simply embrace that wound and move on.
“……Today, I won’t beg for my life.”
Despite the firm voice filled with resolve, no change in expression could be found on Ian. He didn't show a common sneer or even a hint of embarrassment.
He merely asked back in a flat voice.
“Why should I fight in the first place? Even if you achieve victory through such pathetic means, won't it just wound your pride further?”
“Whether it’s pathetic or beautiful, a win is a win.”
As Delphine spoke, she moved her hand to her waist. It was the standby posture for drawing a sword. In a way, it was a shameless response.
However, that was also the true nature of the human being known as Delphine Yurdina.
She would do anything for victory. Whether it was cowardly or not, as long as she won, that was all that mattered. Her entire life had been an obsession with winning.
Even her first defeat had been shocking, but for the result to be her begging for her life…
She would rather die. Delphine had reproached herself like that countless times. The conclusion of her long internal conflict was the duel that was about to begin.
Though she was ashamed, she had no intention of backing down now. Ian shook his head slowly.
“If it’s a duel, is it to the death?”
“Of course. I’d rather die than live with this kind of disgrace.”
It was a rather irresponsible thing to say for the successor of a great family, but Ian muttered as he uncrossed his arms. He then moved his hand toward his waist.
It was a relaxed posture. Not a single muscle was tensed, and his eyes were as calm as if he were out for a stroll.
Nevertheless, the moment Delphine saw that, her body tensed. She recalled the secret art of the Sword Circle that Ian had shown before.
Some practitioners of the Sword Circle deliberately took such stances to make their opponents let down their guard. However, the swordsmanship of the Sword Circle was fundamentally the same regardless of what posture it was launched from.
In other words, he could deliver a lethal strike from that position at any time.
Delphine took a deep breath to steady herself. Her vision gradually became clearer. As her range of perception narrowed, her Qi Sense grew even sharper.
The opponent was strong. If he had consumed the elixir he received as the prize for winning the Hunting Festival during those few days, he would be even stronger. But even so, he was no match for her.
Back then, there were all sorts of variables, and she had even been ambushed by Seria. Even then, Ian had only barely managed to grasp victory. Objectively speaking, he didn't have the skill to face her alone.
That was why she had brought up his family name to meet him one-on-one.
It was a petty thing to do, but Delphine was already on the verge of going mad. There was nothing she wouldn't do. Only one thing mattered: victory. She would do anything for that goal.
Tension hung over the silent clearing. Blood-red eyes and golden eyes scrutinized each other’s every movement. A very brief moment of peace.
Flash!
Delphine kicked off the ground, and a sonic boom erupted. Terrifying mana was projected into her leg power, and the torn air screamed haphazardly.
She was fast. Delphine sensed victory. It was the result of a dash that prioritized speed more than ever before. Before she knew it, her body had reached Ian’s immediate vicinity.
Brilliant golden aura condensed on her sword. The shimmering heat created a haze, distorting the surroundings.
And then, a Single Flash.
The space sliced horizontally made a crackling noise. It was because it couldn't handle the speed and heat. The acrid smell of burning dust in the air tickled her nose.
But there was no sensation of impact. How on earth?
Delphine’s eyes quickly scanned the surroundings. The answer wasn't far. There, right in front of her, she saw him.
Having retreated just a single step, the man was already drawing his sword and lunging toward her.
His speed was like that of a beast.