“ha… … .”
Stolas breathed heavily and continued the offensive.
hard. no shaking
That was the image of a man named Discre in the eyes of Stolas.
You look so different from yourself.
Unlike myself who has lived my whole life holding my breath in the shadows… … .
“… … It’s solid.”
The defense was solid.
That belief was strong.
Even compared to his younger self, he was a much harder rock-like man.
“This far… … .”
Stolas sat down.
It was difficult to lift the window now.
It was only resentment of the old body, which was only old.
But it was also frustrating.
Because I knew there was a high chance of failure. Even so, I tried and only met the natural result.
If so, shouldn’t we be proud to pay the price for that challenge?
“It’s just a shame I didn’t get to see all of your skills.”
“No, this was my everything.”
“is it? Right… … . Right.”
Discre has no special skills other than [Schrödinger’s Cat].
He didn’t need flashy skills or special moves to attack the opponent. It was just basic.
It was all about swinging the sword and avoiding the opponent’s attack.
“You have found the source.”
A source that does not extend anywhere.
Therefore, it could be said that it was a starting point from which it could expand anywhere.
“That was the way you found it.”
Stolas tried to erase Stillena’s existence. That’s why I erased everything including the secret secrets of the family.
But Discree was different.
Instead of erasing the family secret, he traced back to its source. In that way, I tried to return to the starting point.
The art of assassination and the art of torture.
At first, it started with the basics. Discre did not erase history, but retraced the starting point of that history.
It was to broaden the possibility of change in the future by looking back at the origin.
“I’m not erasing it, I’m correcting it… … . That’s good too.”
Discree himself wanted to become a textbook.
if its origin.
You can be an executioner, an assassin, a mercenary, a chivalry, or a wizard.
It can serve as a basis for anyone who wants to go down a different path.
Discre does not erase the past. I just decided to leave it to the next people, leaving countless paths that could change.
“Can you bet that your descendants won’t be weighed down by the name Punisher and want to give up everything?”
“There is not.”
Discree calmly replied.
Lying is easy. But what the other person wants is not such a lie.
“I am not sure either. Maybe what you were trying to do was right. Everything I have been doing may become meaningless.”
No one can tell.
If there are those who learn from the past, there are those who deny the past itself.
There was Discre ‘Punisher’ and there was Stolas ‘Stilena’.
I don’t know which of the two answers is the correct answer. To a problem with no answer, he just pushes forward with what he thinks is the correct answer.
“Because life is not knowing the future. Even my sister right now. How did I become such a rebellious child… … .”
“It would be comfortable to think that puberty came belatedly. brother.”
“I would have told you to go first, but you don’t listen to me that much.”
“Because I am going to a safe place. And this is the safest.”
Lucia was sitting on the rubble of a building that had collapsed in the aftermath of the battle, looking in the direction of Discre.
“… … It is clear that he was also adversely influenced by the King of Darkness.”
“That’s right. How the hell did I end up like this?”
Lucia jumped down from the wreckage where she was sitting and leisurely walked towards the place where the two were.
“… … Anything to say to this old lady?”
Stolas, exhausted, turned his head to look at Lucia’s stare at him.
he was dying
It wasn’t a defeat in battle, nor was it because of scars.
Death was close from the beginning, and it was only accelerated by overtaxing the body in this battle.
“If I have something to say to Ulla, I will tell it to you.”
“You mean?”
“Yes, me.”
“You do the hard work.”
Lucia is involved in Stolas’ death. Even if that was the right thing to do.
Human emotions are not something that can be covered only by right and wrong.
necessarily.
someone will get hurt
“… … Then please.”
However, Stolas decided to confide his last will to Lucia.
Yes, from the beginning they decided to go the rough road. Aren’t they the ones who even ran away from the entire country to overturn the emperor’s will?
If you can’t overcome this level of hardship, you can’t achieve anything.
So it wouldn’t be anything to say something like this.
“Please take good care of my granddaughter… … . He is a child with a lot of scars.”
He was constantly watching the gasols who were hurt by the gazes around them.
Those Gasols wanted to burn their bodies for the future world.
The flames did not reach the sky.
His death would be a meaningless death. But it’s okay.
as they claim.
yes… … .
“I hope you can overcome the bondage of Stillena and rise.”
It’ll be fine even if you don’t have it.
Stolas told Lucia the words he wanted to convey to the Gasols.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much he could say.
“And… … Lucia Punisher, Discre Punisher. I had a lot of trouble fitting in with this insignificant old man’s stubbornness. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not that hard to respect those who walked the path before you.”
“is it… … .”
Stolas wept.
People say that as you get older, only wrinkles and tears increase, so isn’t your current situation just right for that?
Was he a person worthy of respect?
Stolas didn’t think so. Even before the plan was prepared, even at this moment when the plan failed.
But now I don’t know.
As he respected his father, someone may have respected himself.
Just as he respected those who stained their hands with blood to take care of ‘Stilena’.
Someone might respect him for challenging to break the shackles.
But even so.
“Please be cowardly and narrow-minded… … .”
I can’t even figure out the subject myself.
such a stupid wind.
“Let it go down in history.”
That defeat is engraved in the family name.
Hope the same mistake doesn’t happen again. May his death be their educator.
Stolas closed his eyes like that.
* * *
passed That was the thought that came to mind immediately after striking Perses by activating the [Pulsating Heart].
An earthquake-like impact shatters the entire street and causes the ground to sink.
Although they said they had put as many people as possible in order to detain Stasia, at this level, the damage might have gone to the outskirts of the town.
“Is he dead?”
“Hey… … Would this be dead?”
“Did you kill him?”
Alexios and the white sheep look at me in disgust.
Look at this. They are very bad guys. I’m staring at you as if it’s all my fault. You are all accomplices!
thud!
That’s how the moment when each other was about to start a battle of responsibility.
A dull echo was felt.
“… … .”
We froze as we tried to argue who killed each other.
no.
no, please
Anyway, I hope… … .
“Your bones are all sore.”
An armor with no shape left.
body stained with blood.
A condition that would surely be called a fatal wound.
Still, I feel free. I can’t break that expression. Are you saying you still haven’t done your best?
No, anyway… … .
“Even quite a few monsters would die out of courtesy if hit by it… … .”
“Anyway, since I was born, I’ve been a rude commoner.”
I have never felt more horror than this at the word commoner.
Was it originally such a scary word? It’s confusing now.
“Well then… … . Well?”
When Lord Perses tapped the nape of his neck and raised his sword. The sword was no longer in his hand.
“I won’t be able to use this anymore.”
The sword he was holding was shattered, leaving only the handle.
A sword that must have been a famous sword.
The sword, which had clearly contained mana overflowing enough to be seen at the moment the attack was struck, is now scattered into pieces and pathetically rolling across the floor.
Did you block the attack with your sword?
No, he had lowered himself, raising his shield.
But that sword broke.
It’s only natural if you follow it.
It was so powerful that it was strange that it didn’t break.
But that’s how you feel it.
“It’s a weapon that I bought with a lot of money. tsk… … .”
That the body is harder than the metal that has been infused with mana to its limit.
That is the strongest of the Empire, the leading guardian, and the unbreakable fortress.
He has already entered the realm of dragons. Even with a dragon strike, it would be difficult to pierce his defenses.
Probably no one other than Tia could break through that wall.
It is truly ironic that the strongest person in an imperialist country that invades other countries and grows the country is the guardian.
“Then let’s continue.”
Sir Perses said, throwing away the sword that had only the handle remaining.
I hoped that composure was a bluff to hide the pain, but it doesn’t seem to be the case.
Seeing that he was preparing for battle right away rather than having a conversation, he was fine in reality.
It will probably be a long game.
If this side allows the opponent’s attack, it will be over, but the opponent will receive this side’s attack several times with bare body.
It’s like a hardcore game.
“stop!”
And it was the moment when the battle lines were straightened out again.
“… … I just had to stop. Sir Perses. And His Highness, the King of Darkness.”
Stasia appeared with a bad complexion from somewhere.
Both hands were carefully folded, but the ends were shaking.
Anxiety is evident on his face.
Still, she moved.
They were willing to march to our place to have a conversation.
I was thinking of defeating Lord Perses and going to persuade him myself, but it’s fortunate that things worked out easily.
“Your Highness, have you decided?”
“No, not yet… … . But I want to have a conversation. What kind of feelings did they have, and what kind of feelings did they try to reach me over and over again.”
A variant that sprouts in anxiety.
Stasia’s unique curiosity about what she wants to know stands out.
“I want to talk to you in person.”
“… … I will prepare a seat.”
Sir Perses simply calmly bowed his head at Stasia’s answer, and then quietly withdrew.
“Then, shall we move?”
After Sir Perses was away.
Stasia, who was looking at us with a somewhat bitter expression, soon lowered her head and started moving.
* * *
As if the fierce battle just before was a lie. We were ushered into a tidy room and served tea.
Of course, if you look closely, there are cracks all over the building, and it looks like it was temporarily fixed.
It’s what I did. but i’m proud Because everyone is an accomplice.
“Could you tell me the story of how you got here?”
“okay… … .”
Stasia is now confused. Is it right to help us, or to follow Antares’ plan? It’s something to worry about.
No wonder.
Whoever can see it, they leave the easy way and dare to go through hardships.
I don’t know if it’s going to end with an individual problem, but isn’t she a monarch?
A lot of people’s lives come and go with her decision.
I have no choice but to be careful.
“Oh, I guess I should tell you what I think before we talk.”
Stasia put down the teacup with a firm attitude and said.
I hadn’t heard it yet, but there was something I could tell just by looking at his attitude.
“I think I should follow Your Majesty’s will.”
Yes, that she is sympathetic to Antares’ plan.
That’s right.
She showed a different side of herself while living in ＜Skientia＞, but even so, the period was only about half a year.
Values that have been built close to life are not light enough to be overturned in such a short time.
“I think that is right.”
She must have grown up following Antares and watching his back.
If so, it could be said that it was natural to understand and sympathize with Antares’ judgment.
However, living for half a year would not have been meaningless.
At least she had given the answer that she wanted to become a human being once in front of a problem she had been thinking about for a long time.
That’s it. That was enough.
Even though the same question is put out in front of her several times, and each time a different answer pops out.
The fact that she once gave such an answer remains.
“So explain why I should take that risk.”
She opened up a conversation.
That’s it. At least it sounds like she’s confused.
It is said that she was slightly dissatisfied with the current situation.
If so, we need to amplify that dissatisfaction. You have to appeal.
“white poplar.”
“… … It was a short date. No, it wasn’t even a date.”
“thanks. Thanks to you, I was able to come this far.”
“If you can’t even speak.”
Baekyang lets out a deep sigh.
Then he got up from his seat and came near me.
“This is the price for this job. I’ll take the rest later.”
Then he kissed me lightly on the mouth and backed off.
It’s a bit of an odd feeling, but… … . I think it’s the first time I’ve had such a fresh experience with this guy.
Come to think of it, Baekyang’s actions were always of a high standard.
It’s refreshing and at the same time a bit embarrassing.
“You don’t panic like you used to. I don’t even refuse.”
“Because I caught you.”
“really… … . If you can’t even speak.”
Baek Yang pouted her lips as if she was dissatisfied with my impudent words for a while, but in the end she smiled and said that she would forgive me.
“Then see you next time.”
The figure of the white sheep disappears.
The effects of her special move, [Moon Walk], are showing.
It seemed that the distance was a little delayed because of the distance.
“Princess Stasia, did you ask me to explain the reason for taking the risk?”
“Okay, is the skit over?”
“… … It’s done. Anyway, I will try to convince you from now on.”
Perhaps even if we shout “Baeknal” with our mouths, we won’t be able to create even a small ripple in her heart.
There is only one thing that can move her heart.
“Lucia, the stage is set for you. Are you ready?”
Baekyang disappears and a new person appears in her place. A look stained with blood and dust.
“Well, of course. … … Thank you, thanks for bringing me here.”
Lucia Punisher
There is no one else who can convince Stasia in this place, only she.