Blue Rose
There was no way to restore her to her original state. In that case, he had no choice but to be with her as she was now, fallen. Surely, someday a method would come to lift her curse. But Lea wouldn't accept that. All she wanted was a life together with just the two of them. Nothing else mattered. It was selfish, but as long as she had Rowen, it was enough.
-Hehe. I went to the divine realm to reincarnate you. What does He think of me now? Whatever, it doesn't matter anymore. As long as I have you. So take my hand.
Lea's words echoed in his mind. Had she been smiling back then? Or crying? If he'd taken that outstretched hand, would it have hurt her heart a little less?
No matter how many times he said, "Let's go back together," she gave no reply. She simply savored the word "together" with rapture. Her face flushed, her body twisting. Was it the corruption? A decadent allure emanated from her, something that had never existed before.
Rowen had been so fixated on her that he'd forgotten. Their purpose here was to reclaim the Holy Sword. Did Lea know that? She groped the corpse of Rian Rose that she'd shattered herself. Her gaze flicked toward the Holy Sword at its waist.
"This is the goal, right?"
"It was at first. Now it's about going back with you. Mio's waiting too. We'll meet Uba soon."
"I don't like that. I just need you. I made the biggest contribution to bringing you back...! Without me, you wouldn't be here now."
He knew. Among the storm of words she poured out, she'd mentioned reincarnating Rowen. He was surprised, yet not surprised. Deep down, he was shocked, but he didn't show it outwardly.
He was grateful to her. Without her, he wouldn't have reunited with Mio. But he hadn't wanted a reunion like this.
"Rian, if you keep resisting, I won't hold back either."
"The reason it has to be just us two is..."
"Yeah, because I love you."
"That's wrong. That's not love. It's obsession."
"I can obsess because I love you. Otherwise, Rian... are you saying you'll push away the me who's thought only of you for a thousand years, the me who's waited only for you?"
Words weren't getting through. She'd already tasted corruption. With no way to reverse it, Rowen's body would move to slay the evil. He tried to hold back, but her demonic energy grew stronger.
Breathing raggedly, she clutched at her chest over her heart. Her breaths came in gasps.
'I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you.'
Her mind was filled with Rian. She wouldn't listen to his words anymore. No, she couldn't. Lea's desires had already taken over.
"It might hurt a little."
"What are you planning?"
"Hehe, it wouldn't be fun if you knew. But don't worry too much. When you open your eyes, everything will be fine."
This wouldn't do. Lea's eyes were already mad. A massive black scythe appeared in her hand. It spun familiarly, slicing the air with an eerie sound. A chilling tone.
Rowen eyed her condition and slowly drew another Ice Blade. Crack. First, he armored his arms in ice gauntlets.
"...Why are you blocking me? Don't you want to be with me?"
"You're not in your right mind."
"I know. Time stopped for me the day you died."
"No. Time passed properly. Just like how I met you."
"Then why does my heart hurt like this? Time should heal the pain... But inside, this one spot in my chest hurts so much! Tears fall when I see you... I should be happy to meet you again."
A bitter smile curled Lea's lips. They trembled. Her eyes showed a sadness utterly at odds with her mouth. Rowen noticed. The signal she was sending. Not from the corruption, but from the pure saintess she once was.
"So you're still in there. Lea."
She hadn't fully accepted the fall. If she had, there wouldn't be that whisper of a demon in her ear.
Lea laughed at Rowen's words, madness thick in her voice. It was too late to turn back.
"Yeah, I'm right here. So endure it, even if it hurts a little."
Shrieeek! The reaper's scythe traced a massive crescent. Vicious demonic energy spun along its path, crumbling ruins. Rowen dodged the crescent easily, twisting his body. At the same time, he imbued his Ice Blade with dark energy.
"Burst Ice."
Ice erupted around Lea like exploding flames. It didn't hit her directly. Just to intimidate. If that didn't work...
"I'll knock you out and take you anyway."
*
"Cough!"
Even with the young master's support, her muscles still ached. Arahan watched the two exchanging sword strikes and energy blasts in the air. Rowen and Lea.
That woman called Lea was clearly like her. She could sense it—a woman who would do anything for love. Of course, even she wouldn't do just anything for the young master. She knew her limits and kept her boundaries. But... watching that woman gave her an odd sense of déjà vu. Like something was pleading to be understood. Her actions felt insincere, suspicious.
She couldn't fathom this faint ache she felt every time she saw her. Apparently, she'd been the one to revive him. She'd longed for him as Rian even after his death. Arahan would have done the same. The young master had regretted much since the eldest young master's death. That must be why he'd abandoned his convictions. Even a trusted comrade had fallen unwillingly. Was killing her right? At least the current Arahan could say no.
At first, she'd clung to the young master to keep her in check, but now the situation had changed. Saintess Lea was strong. She didn't think she could beat that superhuman power. At the same time, she wanted to know the "truth" yearning from deep within Lea. No, she already knew.
When Lea had grabbed her invisible hand, she'd instinctively unleashed holy power. Holy power, energy to eradicate demons. Perhaps that's why. She'd heard the cry of Lea's true mind.
-Rian, save me.
-...Kill me.
-This isn't me. I don't want to suffer.
"Such... complicated feelings."
It wasn't like her. She knew that. Yet Lea was so pitiful. Was it because she was similar? Lea's anguish hurt her heart. The young master must feel the same. She'd thought only she should be by his side. Lea thought the same. But if the result was this tragedy...
Did she have to let him go and accept polygamy? She wasn't sure. For now, stopping Lea came first. The young master had said he'd talk it out, but he'd drawn his sword anyway.
...No turning back now.
"I'm sorry, Lea."
It was sincere.
"I will stop you."
Even if it earned the young master's hatred.
She would tell him the truth.
"So don't cry. I'll help you."
Golden holy power burst forth.
*
Rowen and Lea's thoughts aligned. They said you come to resemble those you spend long times with. Neither yielded, stubbornly clinging to their views. At the same time, the sword clash began.
"Lea, you think you can beat me?"
"Hehe, Rian...! Rian! I'm fighting Rian right now. I'm so happy! A thousand years! It's been a thousand years!"
"...You're completely insane. I'll put you out of your misery quick."
Honestly, he didn't want to fight her. He didn't know who planted the Demonic Seed in Lea. At least, to corrupt an angel, it had to be a legion commander level. But the commanders all died on the final battle day. That left the Demon King. Only one survived that day: Belzebub.
Grind. He gnashed his teeth. He bit his lip hard. Blood filled his mouth. The sharp sensation gave him just the right tension to dodge her scythe.
To want to be with him even if it meant chopping off limbs. This Lea wasn't the one he knew. She had been kind and pure. More than anyone, she couldn't sleep alone; she always needed someone by her side. That innocent woman.
-And he left that Lea alone.
There was light deep inside Lea. That must be her last hope. The final wish she'd made while resisting the fall. He had to hear what it was.
An X-shaped scythe flew at him. Rowen used the speed magic Swiftness to evade nimbly. He blocked the sword strike. If that vicious demonic energy hit the ceiling, everyone would drown.
Lea's eyes saw only Rowen. The rest didn't matter.
Boom boom boom! He fired azure flames in rapid succession. She spun her scythe in a circle to block them. They exploded—boom—and froze instantly. Her demonic flames melted them in a flash.
Lea gazed at him with mournful eyes. She didn't want to hurt him, but for her desires, she had no choice—her thoughts came through vividly. She was a bundle of contradictions too.
Scythe and sword crossed. Countless ice weapons aligned behind Rowen. They moved irregularly at his gesture. Azure flames streaked the sky like shooting stars.
"Stardust."
"Death Sickle."
They clashed. Amid the bursting light, the dark scythe drew a straight line. Everything halved. Rowen dove into the flashy interior. Approaching Lea. It hurt his heart. If it were Uba or Abel, he'd shut up and punch first. Lea didn't know how to fight. So why?
"Hehe. Pretty surprised, huh?"
A thousand years' gap had made her strong. No, accepting corruption let her body move naturally. Instinctual motion. Desire drove her.
The sleek diagonal thrust was something he'd never seen in the old Lea. Rowen was taken aback by her changed movements, but only briefly. Soon he memorized her patterns.
Crack! He ducked her scythe. He countered into her range. Suddenly close, Lea blushed. Rowen felt a pang at the sight.
"If this weren't how we reunited, we could've been so happy..."
Crack!
"Ngh...!"
"Sorry, Lea."
He kneed her stomach hard. He'd take her unconscious if needed. His heart ached. It felt like it would shatter. Worse than facing Kael with swords drawn. Stay calm. Think of a way to finish her.
[Aim for the neck.]
"...Fuck off."
[Not kill. When her guard slips, strike the nape to knock her out.]
"That I can do."
Following his ancestor's advice, he dove deep inside her guard, pummeling her abdomen. Each hit made his chest ache. He had to endure. Far off, swords moved in chaos. He headed for the one nearest her nape.
Crackle! In an instant, Rowen became lightning. That fast.
Lea twisted the scythe's path, predicting him. But Rowen was faster. Then. Faint holy power touched her, and her true feelings leaked through briefly. From lips that had smirked bitterly came a cry to "Rian."
"...Save me."
"...!"
Arahan appeared nearby. Was this her holy power? Rowen was shocked by her resolve; Lea softened slightly under the warm holy power. Holy power countered demonic energy. A temporary joker to strip her corruption.
"Shameless!"
"I cannot grant your wish. It would only sadden the young master."
"Arahan. What are you saying?"
Lea lowered her gaze darkly. Probably darkness hiding light. She prioritized truth and desire while hiding her real heart—that contradiction had to end.
"...That's far enough. Don't cross our line."
-Please...
Corruption surged from Lea as she spoke like a warning. But Arahan wouldn't stop at mere words. Knowing was better than ignorance. It would ease the pain.
"I'll put you at ease soon."