The Space Distorts
The space distorts.
A sharp tearing sound sliced through the air—the long chapter of vengeance that had been written across so many years was finally racing toward its end. Mikhail readjusted her grip on the Holy Sword. I tightened my hold on the Demonic Sword and stared into the warping space. We had no way of knowing who would step out. It could be the Apostle of Temperance, the man who had discarded his humanity for greed. Or it could be Elysia, who had waited decades for this single moment. There was simply no way to tell.
All we could do was pray for Elysia’s victory.
—Craaaack.
Who would it be? The victor who had spent endless years piling the heavy weight of emotion upon their shoulders.
—Craaaaaack.
I whispered softly to Mikhail as she drew in a deep breath. No matter what happened, she must not be startled. She had to remain calm.
“Mikhail.”
“Yes.”
“You know who the enemy is, correct?”
She gave a small nod.
“Good.”
Mikhail, who had nodded firmly, began drawing forth the power of the Holy Sword and layering her aura over it. The instant the Holy Sword’s power met her own, her presence turned ferocious. I nodded in quiet approval. She finally looked like the true protagonist of this tale.
She still needed more time to grow accustomed to the Holy Sword, yet seeing her reach this level filled me with a strange, quiet pride.
I raised the power of the Demonic Sword as well and tucked Syuen behind me. The last thing I wanted was for the innocent girl to be hurt. I had a duty to protect her.
…Craack.
I could feel it. Elysia’s space was distorting. The one we had been waiting for inside the severed dimension was about to reveal themselves.
I let out a small breath and spoke quietly to Mikhail.
“They’re coming.”
—CRAAAAAAAAACK!!!
The space splits open.
The dimension where Elysia and the Apostle of Temperance had vanished began to convulse and tear apart. The metallic stench of blood flooded the air in an instant. I frowned as a familiar figure appeared before us.
“…”
A man clad in black armor with a black blade at his side. The one who sought to become the standard by which all others were measured had revealed himself.
It was the Apostle of Temperance. The victor of this battle was not Elysia, but him.
…Grit.
Covered head to toe in blood, the Apostle of Temperance staggered out of the fractured space on unsteady legs.
“Huu…”
He drew in a deep breath.
“Haha…”
Seeing the Holy Sword and Demonic Sword held by others, he let out a hollow laugh. ‘So they were taken after all,’ he muttered to himself.
The Apostle of Temperance before us looked as though he might collapse at any moment. The armor of discipline he had prepared was shattered halfway, and the blade trembling in his hand announced that he no longer possessed the strength to swing it.
Even so—
Gulp.
His eyes were still alive. The exhausted Apostle of Temperance stared at us with razor-sharp eyes and let out a dejected chuckle.
“Hahaha… This is the absolute worst.”
“…”
“In the end, this operation was a failure.”
“…”
“Without claiming either the Holy Sword or the Demonic Sword…”
“…”
“His Holiness will be so disappointed…”
“…”
His relaxed demeanor made my teeth grind together. Sending Elysia in alone had been a mistake. Considering their compatibility, if we had joined forces and overwhelmed him from the start, we could have killed the Apostle of Temperance without losing her.
Regret washed over me at the thought of the still-unseen Elysia. I readjusted my grip on my sword. At the very least, I would end her revenge here. Since I knew her story, I would be the one to place the final period.
“…”
The Apostle of Temperance’s magic power had grown ferocious. The black magic that surged as if he had awakened during his battle with Elysia was so terrifying it raised gooseflesh across my skin.
One strike. If I could sever his head in a single blow—
“Puha… Puhahaha…!”
Feeling the killing intent, the Apostle of Temperance let out a strange, hollow laugh and shook his head lightly. ‘It’s all over now.’
“Stop.”
“…”
“You should stop now… Even if it isn’t by your hand, I…”
It was then.
—CRAAAAACK.
A hand of cold magical power emerged from behind the Apostle of Temperance. The hand that seemed capable of devouring everything twisted his shoulder grotesquely as it revealed itself.
“…Kwaaaaaah!!!”
The Apostle of Temperance wore an expression of utter disgust and let his head fall.
“Shouldn’t you stop playing around by now?”
“…”
“Instead of treating him like a toy, why not just kill him? Consider all the hateful affection you’ve built up over the years.”
“…As you say.”
A chilling voice rang out. The familiar voice of the woman I knew echoed coldly from within the opening space.
I let out a hollow laugh and muttered to myself, ‘Don’t scare people like that.’
I erased my killing intent. The person who would place the final period on this story had returned.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Elysia slowly approached from behind the Apostle of Temperance, wiping the blood from her cheek with a cruel smile.
“Affection… I don’t think I have any.”
“…”
“Are you afraid?”
“As if.”
“Is that so? Your hell is only just beginning… It’s perfectly fine to be scared.”
“Kuhaha… You crazy bitch.”
“…”
“So I’ve earned the hatred of a monster.”
The Apostle of Temperance burst into explosive laughter.
“KAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!”
“…”
“KAHAHAHA!!! Ah… This is hilariously insane.”
—Drip.
‘Huh?’
The magic power began gathering in one place. The remaining magic within the Apostle of Temperance’s body was converging toward his heart. Seeing it gather with ferocious intensity like a massive bomb, I furrowed my brow and released my aura, yet—
“…”
—Ssssss…
The magic power vanished in an instant. I stared in blank confusion. I had no idea what had just happened.
Before I could even form a question, the Apostle of Temperance’s equipment began to disintegrate. The blade in his hand turned to powder and scattered. The armor covering his body lost all vitality and crumbled away.
Elysia ground her teeth and seized him by the nape of his neck.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing…”
“Don’t lie. I saw your magic power disappearing clearly.”
“Kuh… Kuhahaha!!”
“Did you alert the Pope?”
“No…”
The Apostle of Temperance shook his head. He muttered sadly that the man had never shown him the slightest interest from the very beginning, then gave the answer to Elysia’s question.
“I at least have to protect my little brother, don’t I?”
“…”
“My poor little brother, who suffered so much because he was stuck with a worthless older brother like me. I should at least leave him a small gift before I go.”
“…You son of a bitch.”
“Isn’t my brother next after me?”
“…”
“So I figured I should take out an insurance policy for my sibling.”
The Apostle of Temperance smiled deeply, mocking Elysia. Even if he wanted to self-destruct, he knew he could not kill the people standing before him. With no black magic left, he smiled dejectedly to signal his defeat. Elysia stared at him with ice-cold eyes and delivered a chilling warning.
“Yes. If your wish is hell… I will grant it.”
“…”
“I’ll make you beg to be killed. I’ll make you plead to be allowed to die.”
“…”
“And I will show that sight to your little brother.”
“…!”
“Your brother will die suffering the exact same pain.”
“Shut your mouth…!”
“Why? You didn’t think this far ahead?”
The Apostle of Temperance’s pupils began to tremble violently.
“You should have ended your own life.”
“…”
“If you had any strength left, you should have fled from hell.”
“…Shut up!!!”
“Hmm…”
Elysia shook her head to suppress his fierce resistance. She grabbed his hair and looked down at him with cold eyes.
“You will not be allowed to die.”
“…!”
“Because I will make certain you remain alive.”
The temple began to collapse.
The sanctuary that had lost what it was meant to protect shook violently as it bid its final farewell.
Beneath the falling dust, Elysia looked at me and extended her hand.
“I will escort you to the surface.”
“…”
“The restrictions on the Holy Sword and Demonic Sword have been lifted, so I can use spatial magic.”
I smiled faintly and shook my head. Elysia’s complexion was poor after concluding part of her revenge. She seemed to have expended a great deal of power in her battle against the Apostle of Temperance. Her trembling fingers suggested it would be too heavy a burden for her to transport multiple people.
Reading my consideration, Elysia bowed her head slightly and offered her thanks. She added once more how truly grateful she was.
“Thank you.”
“…It’s nothing.”
“Really… thank you.”
I pulled the awkwardly standing Syuen against my side and looked at Elysia. It was better for everyone if we moved past the awkward atmosphere quickly.
“You’ve worked hard.”
“How can I ever repay this kindness…”
“Just eat well and stay healthy. It would be even better if you’re happy.”
“…”
Elysia nodded heavily and answered.
“Yes…!”
“Good. Then would you go first? It wouldn’t be wise to linger here too long.”
“…Understood.”
After sending Elysia off into the distorted space, Syuen—who had been squirming at my side—glared at me with a strange expression.
“Uuuuugh!”
“Haha…”
“Commoner…!”
“Please stay still.”
“Ugh… ugh… This is improper…! I’ve become sold-out Syuen!”
“Quiet now…! Mikhail!”
Mikhail, who had been watching Syuen with envious eyes, met my gaze, nodded, and turned toward the exit.
“Let’s go home now.”
“What about Yuria…”
“Sir Rowen is with her, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Understood.”
There was truly no need to worry about Yuria. Rowen was with her, after all.
As if to echo our concerns, the two of them were already waiting at the exit. After confirming Yuria’s bright smile and Rowen’s complexion, the moment I set foot firmly on the ground—
—Rumble…
The long journey had finally reached its end.
‘Ha… I need some rest.’
I miss the young lady.