Chapter 30: Opposition

The one-armed swordsman ran down the hallway, drawing his sword and swinging it in one smooth motion.

Finden Ai, who anticipated it, struck first, blocking the sword right before it moved along its proper trajectory.

Clang!

A strange sound echoed as iron clashed against iron. Sparks flew, illuminating Finden Ai's face.

"Oh?"

The swordsman was clearly right-handed, as evident from the sword sheath hanging on his left waist.

However, for some unknown reason, there was no right hand, and yet he was able to engage in a fierce battle with Finden Ai, wielding the sword with his left hand.

[Krraaaa!]

With a cry, the skeleton pushed Finden Ai away with force.

Naturally retreating, Finden Ai grinned and shouted, "Bring it on!"

Kwang!

[Kyaaak!]

As soon as she landed, Finden Ai infused mana and leaped forward again. A violent shockwave surged around her, causing Erica, who was standing nearby, to stagger.

Qua-aang!

The two monsters clashed once more.

Windows throughout the entire third floor shattered, and shards poured down like rain, but their confrontation showed no signs of stopping.

They exchanged blows, advancing and retreating.

Even Erica, who had only studied magic, could tell how skilled their combat was, by the dazzling movements they displayed.

"Come on!"

However, Finden Ai began to be one step ahead.

If this were a game, she would probably have possessed the characteristic of a berserker. As the battle prolonged, her body heated up, making her faster and more adept at combat.

Eventually, as the battle dragged on and gained momentum, Finden Ai grew stronger.

Qua-aang!

The swordsman managed to block the swinging ax with his sword, barely defending himself, but his back touched the end wall of the hallway, forcing him to kneel on one knee.

"Junk."

Finden Ai coldly examined the now dulled ax. Nevertheless, she twirled it around and approached the kneeling skeleton.

"It seems persuasion isn't my forte after all. Even if I listen to your story, the result will still be a defeat for you, right?"

The one-armed skeleton remained still, bowing his head.

He seemed to have expended a great deal of strength.

[Kki, kigigig!]

The man, who had been hit and thrown into the wall by Finden Ai, soon forced himself to stand up.

Rather than launching another attack, he looked pitiful.

[Kigigigigig!]

He started to cry, seemingly pleading for something, and then the whole hallway resounded.

"What?"

"What is this again?"

Erica was taken aback, while Finden AI found it amusing and laughed.

Suddenly, numerous evil spirits arrived on the third-floor corridor as if responding to a summons, sticking to the walls and floor, observing the battle between Finden Ai and the skeleton.

"Did you come to watch?"

Realizing that they were not participating but merely observing, Finden Ai clicked her tongue in disappointment.

"...!"

In an instant, feeling the pressure from the front, she hastily raised her ax.

With a chilling sound of wind and a ripple in space, the sword quickly swept past the spot where she had been.

'All the evil spirits harbored grudges.'

Those were the words of Deus, Finden Ai’s master, and now she finally understood those words on a visceral level.

A peculiar sword infused with grudges and mana. A purplish aura emanated from the skeleton’s worn-out sword, which had lost its teeth.

For the swordsmen, it was a kind of ultimate technique called "Sword Aura."

Seeing the cleanly severed upper part of the ax blade while blocking the sword, Finden Ai let out a bitter laugh.

"It’s growing even after the crazy bastard's demise."

[Grr, huff.]

The staggering skeleton, crying and twisting, slowly regained his posture.

The purplish sword aura burned ominously as if it could encompass the skeleton’s beliefs and soul.

"Don't act like I'm some wicked woman."

Finden Ai also gathered mana, releasing her shoulders. Pure white mana, like her hair, surged from her whole body, resetting the showdown.

Amidst the watchful eyes of numerous evil spirits and Erica, a tense final clash ensued.

Eventually, everyone knew that the winner would be determined by this last strike.

Swish!

Just as everyone was expecting a fierce clash, Finden Ai, who was snarling with fangs like a wolf just a moment ago, suddenly twisted her body and started to flee.

"What?"

She grabbed Erica and held onto her side, then jumped towards the broken window frame, escaping outside.

"Oh, damn it! My damn master intentionally imbued weak magic!"

Throwing the ax to the ground, which was no longer able to strike the souls, as Deus’ magic had already exhausted, Finden Ai leaped from the third floor.

She could clearly imagine Deus’ dismissive expression, as he intentionally imbued weak magic, having anticipated her actions.

"I really need a cigarette!"

In mid-air, Finden Ai suddenly had a craving for a cigarette.

* * *

– The girl who loved flowers, Emily, seeking eternal peace in this place.

Looking at the gravestone, I closed my eyes in silence.

She, too, had her eyes closed and couldn't hear my words. Still, I couldn’t help but pray.

"I hope that you are in a deep sleep where you won't ever remember any wounds."

I placed a single white flower in front of the gravestone.

It was a flower known as "Seolhwa," which was said to bloom and wither briefly in the short spring of North Whedon.

I couldn't find the yellow flowers that Emily liked, and since those yellow flowers weren't particularly good either, I brought a substitute.

Hoping that she would at least like it a little, as I paid my respects, the gentle breeze made it flutter, giving me the feeling that Emily was caressing the flower petals.

Warm sunlight floated above the mountain range. It was a famous spot in the North Whedon Mountains.

As there was no corpse, it was agreed upon to only erect a gravestone.

As we descended the mountain and returned to the mansion, there was a carriage waiting in front.

It was the carriage that had taken Finden Ai to the Robern Academy and had just returned.

Ahead of it, Deia was giving instructions to the porters who were loading the luggage, while a new coachman brought the horses and connected them to the carriage.

Since the dean and Professor Karen had already left that day, it was the carriage for me to ride to Robern.

Deia, who had been preparing, looked at me and approached, folding her arms.

“All preparations have been made. You can leave as soon as you are ready.”

"Okay, thank you."

"Phew. Now that you're leaving, I can finally relax a little. And about the maid you brought… Illuania, right? Since she’s pregnant... Don’t do too much."

"...I won't."

"Well, I don't really want to know about that. Just don't forget my advice."

Deia waved her hand, indicating that she didn't want to imagine what I would do.

A few moments passed.

As she stood there awkwardly, about to say something, but closed her mouth again and while I waited for her to speak indefinitely, Darius popped out from behind.

"Oh, are you leaving now?"

Look at his pleased expression that he couldn't hide.

Nodding slightly, Darius chuckled and seemed to want to say something witty, but when Deia gave him a sharp glare, he turned toward the carriage without saying a word.

"How's the horse's condition?"

"It's fine, no problem."

Even for Darius, it must be a bit embarrassing to ask the coachman about the horse's condition for no reason.

"Hoo."

Finally, as if determined, Deia took out a pocket watch from her bosom.

Click.

Five minutes started to pass, and Deia looked at me directly, taking a deep breath to calm herself.

"You asked for five minutes daily because you wanted to talk to me, right?"

I nodded my head in affirmation, and Deia’s hand holding the pocket watch trembled slightly.

"Then don't lie to me. At least for these five minutes."

Since I felt that the atmosphere was unusual, I responded without hesitation.

“Understood.”

"Hoo."

Another deep breath. 

I could tell how nervous she was.

"You..."

Very cautiously, her mouth opened.

"About the time when you behaved like a scoundrel."

I instantly knew what kind of hope she held and what kind of future she envisioned, but...

"Was it all because you were possessed by an evil spirit?"

I couldn't give her the answer she wanted.

"..."

Unable to lie, I remained silent, and Deia swallowed anxiously. 

Eventually, I couldn't avoid answering.

"It's the opposite."

"What?"

Deia could hate me. She could despise me as the monster who took away her family and insult me, but...

I had no intention of building a relationship based on lies.

If she rejects me, I will simply accept it humbly.

“I took over Deus’ body.”

I honestly explained the current situation.

“……what?”

Deia, who stared blankly at me with a shocked expression, couldn’t say anything more.

She was just stepping backward, trembling in bewilderment.

Seeing her like that, I was calm and continued to speak.

“It must be scary for you. But I just want you to know that I struggled only to survive.”

"..."

"If you feel repulsed, it's okay to feel repulsed. If you hate me, resent me, or hold a grudge against me, it's fine."

"..."

"But I will continue to live as Deus until the moment a blade is plunged into my throat."

Deia was just staring at me blankly, seemingly thinking, ‘Could it be possible?’

Carefully, I reached out my hand.

Was it because her mind was paralyzed by the shocking situation?

Or was it because she was immobilized by fear?

Or perhaps it was another emotion?

I didn't know, but...

Deia stood still, seemingly firm, without avoiding my touch.

My hand gently touched her black hair.

"Perhaps this could be our last."

The chance for me to speak to her. There might not be another chance after this. A bitter smile of regret appeared on my face.

"I... I..."

Without even considering removing my hand, Deia stammered. 

I calmly continued speaking to her.

"It's probably very complicated for you right now. Take your time to sort out your thoughts. On the day we meet again, I'll be waiting for your response."

"Ah."

And that will determine our future.

Slowly retracting my hand, I passed by Deia and climbed into the carriage.

Soon after.

With the shout of the coachman, the carriage wheels began to roll.

--- End of The Chapter --

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