Even So, the War Always Ended in Melee
Even so, the end of the holy-demon war was always melee combat. Once all mana and holy power were depleted, all that remained in trembling hands were cold steel weapons. Staking one's life on swords, spears, and shields until the very last moment was par for the course.
One truth I'd learned in that hell: people die easily.
You die if a sword pierces your heart. You die if a blunt weapon shatters your skull. You die if fangs tear into your cervical vertebrae. You die even if your limbs are ripped off.
Instant death was the lucky kind. Better than burning alive or slowly bleeding out cold. In that sense, instant death was a beautiful end—no time to feel the terror.
Yeah. Plenty had rotted away from disease and curses. Their screams begging for death still echoed in my memories.
In a world where someone you chatted amiably with one day turned up a corpse the next, that was just how it was.
So we had to thoroughly crush evil. Crush the demons. To ensure it never happened again.
"Hoo!"
I wipe the blood and flesh splattered across my body. No pain, so no wounds, it seems.
A miraculous feat. I'd beaten gods and dozens of black mages without a scratch.
These bastards even chanted deathbed curses just to screw me over, but they couldn't land a thing. Couldn't ask for better results.
Except for my shaking hands. Chopping bones and slashing flesh—it'd been ages since I'd felt that sensation. Still as unwelcome as ever.
Blood spraying, bones snapping, screams filling the air. A scene I never wanted to remember.
Maybe because it was proper melee combat, I found myself craving a cigarette without thinking.
Damn it. It's been years since I quit, but the habit won't die.
After subduing the black mages who were still breathing, I stretched lightly.
"…"
Sylvia stared at me from afar. Yeah, my face was probably a mess.
As I reached into my robes for a cloth, she dashed over and snatched it away.
"…You okay?"
Then she carefully wiped my face. No need for this, really.
"I'm fine. No stab wounds or anything."
Even if there were, one spin of Holy Law would fix it. Anything short of instant death heals right up.
But my answer didn't sit well; Sylvia frowned.
"…I didn't mean your body."
"No, really, I'm totally fi—"
"Shut up and lower your head."
At her sharp command, I ducked down on reflex.
Forehead, cheeks, nose bridge, ears, jaw, neck. Her delicate hands dabbed away the grime.
Then she cleaned the blood from my shoulders and arms. My whole body was spotless in an instant. Still some stains on the clothes, but good enough.
I finished straightening my robes, and Sylvia suddenly hugged me tight.
Then came her heavy words.
"It's tough, isn't it?"
One sentence pierced my heart. No wonder they say a single word can repay a fortune in debt.
"…Dunno."
I didn't know. How long I'd have to keep living like this, or if this was even the right path anymore.
Yet I couldn't stop. There were things I had to do. In my eyes, the burdens I'd inherited were too heavy. I wanted to drop everything right now, but I couldn't. Wasn't that the ultimate contradiction?
Sadly, my exhaustion must've shown. I'd tried to hide it.
"Anyone else might not notice, but you thought I wouldn't?"
The faint dawn light was just breaking; her pink eyes sparkled in it. Reflected in those pupils: me, drenched in blood.
"…You've grown up. Worrying about me and all."
"Yeah. I'm all grown up no—"
"Thanks."
I was grateful. I hadn't expected her to care this much, which made it all the sweeter. My vocabulary fell short for anything cheesier.
"Jeez. Who'd wanna take a pretty, sensible girl like you?"
"…Daniel oppa. Should I be honest?"
"…Sorry."
"No. Gotta say it here."
Sylvia took a deep breath, then bellowed.
"Hey, you jerk! You know, don't you!!!!"
Still clinging to me, she yelled at the top of her lungs, pouring out raw emotion. Her face flushed red-hot with rage.
"You know how I look at you!"
Yeah. I knew how Sylvia looked at me.
"A fake engagement? Come on!"
"Sorry about that—"
"I'm not done!!!"
Then came a barrage of curses. Proving I was a bastard took dozens of vicious insults. Just Sylvia and one beast in human skin here.
"Haa… haa… Daniel, you son of a bitch!"
Her final curse rang out loud and clear. All I could say was my lifespan had apparently increased.
She caught her breath, locked eyes with me like she wouldn't let go, and spoke her true feelings slowly.
"I get it. You're scared, right? That the person in your heart might leave again."
I was scared.
This was the one thing I could never get used to. No matter how many times I'd been through it, the pain never dulled. That fear still gripped my whole body.
Still, I had to move forward. Survivors had to keep surviving. So somehow…
"…?"
A sudden warmth on my forehead snapped me alert. Wait, what just—
"So I'll promise you."
Sylvia beamed and offered her pinky. Thin, pale, fragile-looking.
But the will inside was unbreakable steel against any storm. One word: indomitable. Her heartfelt confession, just once.
"I won't ever leave! Even if you tell me to get lost, even if you reject me coldly! Hell or heaven, I'll follow you to the end!"
So…
"Lean on me when it's hard."
I'll always be by your side.
"…"
Her passionate confession left me speechless. Back then, I'd have bawled, but I'd shed all my tears long ago.
All I could do was gently hug the girl in front of me. Frustrating that I couldn't express more.
"Sylvia. I'm really sor—"
"No more sorrys. Thanks, maybe. But instead…"
"…?"
"I'll wait till next year. I'm being really generous, you know?"
Like she'd been waiting for this, her face turned mischievously sly. Her pressure intensified.
"Just in case, though."
Chilling smile. That wasn't a smile…?
"The moment another girl shows up…"
"…The moment?"
"I don't know what I'll do either."
Bold declaration. Sylvia's radiant grin spread under the dawn sky, crystal clear.
Put another way: I'm screwed…
"So if you pull any dogshit—"
"Sylvia. There's something I gotta say."
"…?"
I had to tell her. I wasn't totally sure myself, but anyway.
"Back in the day, there was this… woman I was kinda close with?"
"……??"
Back then, I was the king of idiots—an all-time low for Daniel. Still beastly now, but then? Straight-up animal confirmed.
So I didn't even know what she and I were. We parted three years ago for each other's wishes, hadn't seen her since.
"…Sorry."
All I could do was bow my head to the ground and apologize to Sylvia.
And naturally, she flipped me over.
"Die!!!"
Thanks to me, Sylvia's Holy Kingdom jiu-jitsu was leveling up. Big time.
All humans must move forward. Those who fear change gain nothing.
Sylvia was the same. If she did nothing out of fear their relationship would crumble, nothing would change.
She couldn't stay his sweet little sister forever.
So she'd mustered her courage and spoken up…!
"Defendant Daniel."
"Yes…"
"Anything to say?"
"No…"
Right now, Daniel's damage from Sylvia exceeded the black mages'. Self-inflicted, beastly comeuppance.
"Haa…"
Sylvia sighed. People don't change overnight, but this was too much.
So she decided to stamp it official. Not some verbal promise—a real seal.
"…Lady Sylvia. This is a bit over the top, don't you thi—"
"For real?"
"No."
Sylvia boldly presented a fresh white paper. The top line was simple:
Prohibition. Meaning "do not violate."
This oath was packed with toxic clauses. Perfect for leashing a beast named Daniel.
For Sylvia, it was insurance.
A collar for a dog that might bolt anywhere. Let it roam usually, but yank if it crosses the line.
"This seems way too harsh…?"
The "penalty clause" at the bottom chilled his spine. Violate once, and Party A restricts Party B's physical freedom. Basically slavery.
"For real?"
"No."
No choice for him. Criminals don't get a say. Since he stayed shut, no dumping the human trash named Daniel into nature.
Why's he so popular?
Sylvia sighed inwardly.
All thanks to looks-ism. Handsome face, nosy personality. Polite boundaries.
On the surface, perfect guy. Moth magnet.
Most bail once they see his rotten insides. Those who endure stick by him.
Sylvia had too, so no judging other girls. But it still burned.
Daniel, you bastard.
She cursed inwardly, grabbed his right thumb, and pressed.
Silent pressure. Oppa was beastly but kept promises.
"I promise. Only when I'm really mad, okay?"
So just this much pull. Any more, and he'd slip the collar and run—. Ugh, keeps saying "person." Obvious beast.
"Really?"
She nodded at his pitiful plea.
Choice was hers, not his. Stamp here—willing or not—was fate.
So.
"Man up and stamp, or sky-gaze again?"
"I'll stamp."
Daniel finally left a red thumbprint. Beast to near-human. Fortunate tale.