Chapter 350
Chapter 350
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 350
Chapter Title: The Immortal and the Mortal (19)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
All the spells binding Kirhas had shattered. Yet she remained collapsed on the ground, still unable to move. As if the ancient sorcery held her fast even now.
That voice, that breathing, those footsteps—it all felt like a dream. Their reunion was anything but romantic. Amid the streets of this castle where the blood and brains of butchered beastkin formed rivers, she felt like she was dreaming.
With each heavy step he took toward her, her trembling intensified. The world, so brutally real just moments ago, began to take on a different hue.
From the red of blood and flesh to blue. The moon had set, and dawn was breaking. The dim predawn sky was being dyed in shades of blue.
Victory is blue. She rubbed her eyes cautiously and looked up at him once more.
"A dream...?"
"You must see me often in your dreams."
"Every night."
That sticky voice left Fernandez momentarily speechless. Sorrow, longing, love, hatred, anger, pain—all the emotions one person could hold for another were packed into it.
She had endured those feelings night after night. Toward Fernandez, who had abandoned her and left first. Sorrow and love, and rage and hatred at her own crumbling state, left alone.
With dazed eyes, Kirhas gazed at Fernandez's immaculate face. Her gaze shifted to Abel approaching behind him, then back to Fernandez's face.
Rage boiled up within her.
"When... when?"
Even to that vague question, Fernandez responded with a faint smile.
"Not long. Less than a week."
"Was your injury so grave you couldn't even send word?"
"I was literally dead."
"So you didn't come straight to me when you woke."
"Kirhas."
"The first person on your mind wasn't me."
Kirhas murmured as she slowly rose to her feet. Even Fernandez stepped back a couple of paces under her intense aura. Bowing her head, Kirhas whispered softly.
"Even though I carried your child. Even though I fought to die alongside you..."
"Kirhas. It was merely a matter of timing."
"Yes, merely a matter of timing."
-Shing.
The blade slid free with a chilling ring. Kirhas stared at Fernandez, her hand loosely gripping the hilt. In that instant, Fernandez jerked his head back at the sudden, eerie sword intent.
But Kirhas didn't move. Her presence alone created the illusion of a swung blade. Fernandez couldn't easily gauge just how far she had advanced.
Her growth was absurdly steep. Her prime should have been at least twenty years away.
"Kirhas, calm down..."
"I'm perfectly calm, my lord. Why would I be anxious when you're this sturdy? Draw your sword."
"What?"
"Draw your blade, my lord. Teach me."
Only then did Fernandez discern the emotions laced into Kirhas's voice and tone. Not anger, but relief—and a petulant whine tinged with affection.
Tears glistened faintly in Kirhas's eyes. The problem was, if a prime Kirhas swung at him half in jest, he wasn't sure he could withstand it.
Fernandez swallowed dryly and drew his sword. From afar, Freya's laughter rang out.
"How tragic! Every reunion starts with swords—karma comes swiftly indeed!"
He'd have to smack that woman's head later. Fernandez raised his sword to the middle guard, vowing as much.
* * *
"Take the first move!"
No sooner had Fernandez assumed his stance than Kirhas charged full-tilt, shouting. Her blade arrived before her voice. Fernandez parried hastily and laughed.
"I haven't yielded yet?"
Clang—the blades clashed fiercely, ringing out sharply. Fernandez retreated a couple of steps, bracing for the next strike. Kirhas's sword path was hard to read. Like the elves' draw-and-strike—
-Crack!
By the time he registered it, the blade was already upon him. She even mixed in killing intents midway for feints. The attacks were erratic enough to induce nausea.
Deflecting them all came purely from his battle instincts. The Demonica's dynamic vision and senses honed by endless combat let him track her path by a half-beat.
As their blades locked, fire blazed in Kirhas's eyes.
"You left me alone!"
"Didn't I say I was dead?"
"That's why! I was trying to hold on!"
-Clang!
Sparks flew as sword grated against sword. Kirhas rampaged like a downpour. Each clash made her eyes burn sharper.
"This place, this ruined city and union—I was forcing it all together! Those filthy politicians, the elders—I was trying to rally them somehow! So—!"
To preserve your legacy! Kirhas cried out in gut-wrenching anguish. Tears welled in her eyes and trickled down. The impacts flung the droplets, mixing with blood and sweat.
"To protect your child! Our child!"
-Cclang!!
This strike carried true killing intent. Fernandez retreated two steps, barely deflecting. With a normal steel sword, his head would have been cleaved clean off. Enough to force back even a Demonica.
In the brief standoff, Fernandez met Kirhas's gaze squarely.
"The name?"
"Ana... Ana Fernanda, Cerned."
"Dane Kingdom style."
"Your homeland. I wanted to leave your trace."
If named in beastkin fashion, no one might remember him anymore. But Ana Fernanda. If a beastkin named Ana, daughter of Fernandez, became great chieftain far in the future.
Then all would remember 'Fernandez Cerned,' the human. Forever in history. That such a man had existed. Every night, she had stroked her sleeping infant's hair and whispered her father's saga. In place of fairy tales, of the great saint who once lived.
And yet, he was alive?
Alive, but hadn't come to her first!
Kirhas's eyes blazed anew. Her arms shoved Fernandez back fiercely. Though her raw strength couldn't budge a Demonica, he yielded a couple more steps.
"Thank you."
"Now?!"
"Would you have me die again?"
Even Kirhas, shouting fiercely, faltered at that. Fernandez lowered his sword and relaxed his stance. Utterly defenseless—at any moment, if she willed it, she could take his head.
Partak alone gulped at Fernandez's words. Kirhas quietly shook her head and stared at the ground. The strength and hostility drained from her body.
"You endured well, stayed healthy. You held out a long time. It must have been hard."
"Sniff..."
"I'm proud of you, Kirhas. You did well."
"My lord..."
Fernandez raised a hand and brushed back Kirhas's black hair. She collapsed powerlessly into his arms. Clutching his sleeve tightly, she began to sob bitterly.
Her tears wouldn't stop easily. Like a dam bursting, venting half a year of hardship. Fernandez stroked her back and glanced at the sky.
"Then, to see our daughter's face, we must clean up the filth first."
Partak, who had been edging back, flinched. He had hoped to slip away while the great chieftain was distracted by the duel. Fernandez turned and chuckled at him.
Partak's face paled, and he dropped to his knees at once.
"Spare me, my lord. Didn't you say I still have uses?"
"Of course, Partak Blackpang. But those uses aren't heavier than this child's feelings. Kirhas, what should we do with him?"
"...Can we kill him?"
Kirhas murmured in a stuffy voice. Hearing it, Partak slammed his head to the ground.
"I must have lost my mind for a moment, Great Chieftain. At my age, my wits wander sometimes! My lord, if you wish, I'll retire now and never return to the council. I'll seclude myself alone in the mountains, without a single attendant!"
"No, Partak. A beast is safest tied where it can be seen."
Hiding where no one sees? Amused by his scheming even in a flash, Fernandez teased.
"If the great chieftain wishes to punish your treason, yet I must spare you—what reason could there be?"
"I... I merely followed your command, my lord!!"
"Hm...?"
He didn't recall ordering Kirhas's death. Fernandez eyed him dubiously. Partak, still kneeling, lifted his head and pleaded desperately.
"You commanded me—us all—to seize and live boldly! To chase ambitions, burn with passion, set life ablaze! You didn't take me in for a thoughtless puppet! You deemed my will and ambition useful!"
His sharp political insight, magic prowess, all wielded efficiently to manipulate the council—his attitude had pleased Fernandez. When they first met in the Great Wilds' assembly, that's why he had decided to use Partak.
Partak knew it well. He never dreamed of opposing this overwhelming mage. Not a mere obedient machine, but a schemer who deployed his talents aptly.
While Fernandez lived, he was content as the union's second-in-command. Kirhas was the public face; he handled real politics. He could be treated as top elder.
But as the union shifted and Kirhas's feats became legendary, beastkin no longer obeyed him. Young upstarts dismissed him as an outdated traditionalist.
That wouldn't do. He strove to secure his influence. When Fernandez died and tides turned again, he embraced his ambition honestly.
"Was that wrong? My lord, had you lived, I never would have eyed the chieftain's seat! Even if I hadn't, do you think the chieftain would spare me?"
From Kirhas's view, hawk elders were thorns. To embrace beastkin traditionalists—exclusive toward Empire and Kirzart—she'd have to abandon Vorlang's heir presumptive regency.
Losing Vorlang's base meant disadvantage in Empire trade. Most merchants respected beastkin because the chieftain held a high Imperial post.
Back to the wastes—even if not ruins—they'd be poor nomads. Chieftain couldn't yield Vorlang, so checked Partak and hawks; to him, it was political threat and mortal peril.
To survive, chase ambition. No better moment would come. Was that wrong? Who lives to die? Partak cried, slamming his head down again.
"Human, indeed."
Fernandez laughed heartily and nodded.
"You pass, Partak Blackpang. I understand you."
"My lord! Then...?"
"You've proven your worth, so I'll accept your loyalty anew."
"I shall serve gladly!"
Thud—Partak bashed his head hard. Ignoring blood from his split brow, he kowtowed repeatedly. Pride was cheaper than life. Live for the next chance.
Partak still held Yekaset's remnants. Corruption-inducing, but potent if managed. Great demon's power rivals gods' in fragments.
And Fernandez, black mage of old, had once subjugated Tyban's might. No one now could fully harness great demons' power—unexpected gain.
How to use this new pawn? Fernandez pondered pleasantly as he walked. Now the real challenge remained. His heart felt lighter—yet heavier.
Perhaps the most thrilling since revival. Time to meet the daughter whose name he hadn't even known moments ago.
'Feizashi, you'd have loved this.'
Fernandez smiled bitterly and headed for Sephor Castle.