The Reason I Can't Go Back (2)
Yushin spoke toward Allen, having dropped the Lightning Sword (Karus) at his side.
"Go home quietly."
"I'd rather die!!"
Allen swung her sword. The Dragon Pursuer clashed against the Lightning Sword, igniting the battle between two of the Kingdom's Seven Swords.
The swordfight unfolded overwhelmingly in Yushin's favor. Allen's blade lacked any real intent to kill. The raw murderous urge, the feral instincts that had always fueled her strength—they were absent.
"Fight for real."
"H-how could I... kill you, bro...? So just come back with me, okay?"
"I've told you a million times, I'm not going back."
Thunder boomed deafeningly, slamming into the Dragon Pursuer. The bastard sword that had utterly dominated the high elf warrior captain was now helplessly pushed back. If Allen had been serious, the fight might have been evenly matched. But she couldn't go all out. To her, Yushin Gilliard was more precious than her own life. Even if she ended up wounded and collapsing, she couldn't bring herself to hurt him.
"The kingdom's the one that abandoned me."
"I'll stay by your side forever. Anyone who messes with you, I'll kill 'em all! I'll be good, I promise..."
"It'll just stir up more trouble. If I disappear, that's the end of it. I've got no more attachments to the kingdom. Valua can go to hell for all I care."
"What about me? You gonna abandon me too?"
Allen asked, her voice trembling, her body shaking. She gazed at Yushin with tear-filled eyes, like a child who'd lost her mother's hand.
Those words left Yushin speechless. He bit his lip, hesitating to reply. His claim of no lingering feelings was a lie. Cutting ties overnight with the life he'd built in the kingdom, the bonds he'd formed there—it was impossible. That's why, looking at Allen, he wavered in his resolve.
"It's that woman, right? That elf's the culprit! If it weren't for that damn bitch!!"
Allen whipped her head around, glaring fiercely at Ardena, who was watching from behind. Her killing intent shifted toward the elf. She swung her sword, aiming for Ardena—but Yushin blocked her path. He lashed out with the Lightning Sword, unleashing a bolt of lightning that completely cut off Allen's attack.
"Don't get distracted. If you'd had real killing intent toward me, you'd be critically wounded on the ground by now."
"Why are you protecting that elf?!"
"I told you, I've cut ties with the kingdom. My connections there are done."
"Who says!!"
The hesitating killing intent finally turned toward Yushin. Allen bellowed and lunged at him. Their swords collided with a deafening roar, the two swordsmen unleashing their hostility at each other. Each clash between the Dragon Pursuer and the Lightning Sword spewed radiant light that pierced the pitch-black night sky. Fierce energy erupted, making it hard to breathe, while the surrounding terrain crumbled entirely.
"You gonna forget everything? Then what about me?! What am I to you! I've only ever had eyes for you!!"
"Allen!"
"You'd never say stuff like that to me! You must be tricked by those elves. Brainwashed or something. So I'm taking you back to the kingdom and nursing you back to health!"
"Don't dodge the truth. You know better than anyone I'm fine."
Allen turned away from reality. She lacked the courage to accept it. So she denied it. Denied everything. This was all a horrific nightmare, one devoid of any sense of reality. The only way to wake from it was to drag Yushin—who was surely ensnared by elven sorcery—back to the kingdom for treatment.
"Give it up already. The Yushin Gilliard you knew is gone."
Yushin whipped the Lightning Sword with blinding speed. Before his lightning-fast strike, Allen fumbled and dropped the Dragon Pursuer. She was utterly exhausted. She'd burned most of her strength in the fierce clash with Ardena, and now her mental state was in shambles. Without strong killing intent and will, the Dragon Pursuer wouldn't lend her its power. In the end, she had no choice but to yield to Yushin.
"Don't... go..."
Having lost her sword, Allen collapsed to the ground and reached out desperately, clinging to Yushin. She grabbed his collar with all her might, terrified that letting go meant they'd never meet again. The mad dog of Rocksfield. The second seat of the Kingdom's Seven Swords. Who could imagine this pitiful woman was Allen Rocksfield? Right now, she was just a sentimental girl terrified of losing the love she'd relied on.
"Let go."
"No way."
"You've got your family."
"Who cares about them! That clan treated me like a monster since I was a kid. You're the only one in the kingdom who ever treated me normal!"
"..."
Allen wailed and clung to him, sobbing so hard her face was a mess, gripping Yushin with both hands. She absolutely wouldn't let go. She couldn't give up. No matter how pathetic she looked. Honor? Pride? Screw that. There was something she wanted to hold onto even if it meant throwing those away. Even if she got cursed out or iced out. She would never release this hand.
"...Fine, you win."
Faced with Allen's desperate resolve, Yushin finally raised both hands in surrender. He let out a deep sigh. In the end, he'd admitted defeat. He couldn't so easily sever those past bonds. His time with Allen was precious to him too. He'd tried being cold for her sake, but her unyielding grip weakened his heart.
"Wanna come with? To the elf kingdom."
Yushin extended his hand. Allen blinked in surprise for a moment, then nodded eagerly.
"Yeah! Anywhere you are!"
I'll follow you to the end. So please, just let me stay by your side. Going to a filthy elf-infested country made her want to puke. But Yushin was there. Without a second thought, Allen decided to follow him to the elf kingdom.
"That okay?"
Yushin asked. Ardena hesitated. Bring that monster into the elf kingdom? The Rocksfield mad dog, guaranteed to cause massive trouble? Snagging two of Valua's Kingdom's Seven Swords would be a boon for the elves. But the danger Allen Rocksfield posed was the issue. Power laced with risk was nothing but a threat.
"...Not my business."
Ardena looked away. She hadn't seen a thing. She was leaving Allen's fate up to Yushin. Neither approval nor denial. It wasn't like the ever-responsible elf warrior captain. Maybe because she'd witnessed Allen's blind love for Yushin. She made an emotional call, cursing her own indecision as she tacitly allowed Allen's presence.
"Hey, long-ears. Touch my bro and you're dead."
"Allen, nicer words."
"Hey, elf. Touch my bro and you'll need a funeral."
"Sounds way more refined."
Yushin patted her head. Allen managed a smile through her tear-streaked, messy face.
"Let's cover that face first. It's even uglier now."
"I'm not ugly."
"I thought I was hot till I was twelve too."
Yushin draped his outer cloak over Allen's face. He pulled out a handkerchief, wiped her filthy face, then held it to her nose. With a loud honk, she blew hard.
"Valencia Castle had plenty of empty rooms."
"Kuh!"
Ardena looked trapped at Yushin's words. Bring that monster into the castle?! She wanted to object desperately. But she couldn't. Letting Allen roam free in the elf kingdom was a recipe for disaster. She was a time bomb. They had to keep her close and managed.
"Thanks."
Yushin bowed her head semi-forcibly.
"Cause any trouble at Valencia Castle and you're out! Watch yourself, mad dog. I'll be keeping eyes on you."
Ardena shouted, snapping her head away. What have I done? She was confused herself. Her heart had softened. Seeing Allen desperately clinging to Yushin stirred pity in her. Ardena had once acted just like that.
Master...
The farewell from her master. Over 300 years ago, yet still vivid. When her swordmaster suddenly said goodbye, Ardena had thrown away all dignity and clung desperately, just like Allen now. But the outcomes were opposite. Allen succeeded in holding onto Yushin. Ardena had let her master go. And even after 300 years, she hadn't reunited.
A man watched the conclusion between Yushin Gilliard and Allen Rocksfield. He'd completely masked his presence. Even the Kingdom's Seven Swords' second and third seats—top powerhouses of Valua—hadn't detected him.
"If it's your choice, I guess I have to respect it as the elder. The kingdom's gonna be buzzing like a kicked beehive, though."
The kingdom's greatest swordsman, Heinkel Lineholder. Foreseeing that Yushin and Allen would eventually clash, he'd appeared in the Akiteon Mountains borderlands to witness it with his own eyes.
Heinkel expected the Liberia Elf Kingdom to intercept him if he showed up. And he was right. The moment he appeared in the Akiteon Mountains, a fated foe from the elf kingdom emerged.
"You, as expected. Last time was over 200 years ago, right, Lineholder?"
"My name's Heinkel now. Heinkel Lineholder."
Heinkel said. The shadow glaring at him from the tree shade nodded.
"Take good care of my disciple. I know we're not exactly on buddy terms, but you're the only one I can ask from the elf side."
"Shameless."
"Your elf kingdom owes me. Help me settle that debt, and I'll be grateful."
"You sure baby your disciple. Must be the fellow Another One thing, huh?"
"Big generation gap, yeah."
Heinkel nodded readily. Another One. Those who defied the world's laws. Like Yushin, Heinkel was an Another One from another world. The red stigmata hidden under his shirt proved it. Only the elf before him knew, thanks to his secrecy.
"We've always been the ones shaking the world's balance and laws. Another Ones, bearers of divine power from other realms. Some became emperors, others demon kings. We never surfaced, but it's no exaggeration to say we built this world."
"That's why I've existed all this time—to watch you lot."
"...Even for an elf, isn't it time to kick the bucket, El?"
"Right back at you. A normal human living over 200 years? Ridiculous."
The elf, hearing her name, finally stepped out from the tree shade. El. Full name: El Seed. Leader of the elf kingdom's warrior captains, the strongest swordmaster revered and awed by all elves. Alongside Heinkel Lineholder, she was bound by international law from joining wars.
"I haven't crossed the border yet. See? I'm barely on Valua's side."
"...This guy's playing tricks."
"Didn't expect the top warrior captain to grace us. Covenant violation. You're standing on Valua soil with both feet."
"Just like you came for your disciple, I came for mine."
"Disciple?"
Heinkel turned at El's words. This neat-freak granny has a disciple? What wind blew that germaphobe to take one?
"Ardena Valencia. Taught her about 300 years ago. Still my proud disciple."
"What a coincidence. Too perfect to be chance."
"The world is built on coincidences piling up. What seems trivial to one can change another's life."
"Gonna school me in philosophy, granny?"
"Damn human bastard. Drop dead."
El gnashed her teeth at Heinkel's teasing. Still the same asshole. Even after 200 years, he got under her skin.