The battle against the traitor Ricardo Lüchenprague surprised me in many ways. After all, it was the first time I realized that mastery of a weapon, rather than features like a precious essence, a high stat skill, or an aura, could have such a big impact on battle.
¡whipping!
Even the sword, which seemed to have been brandished abruptly, had an ulterior motive and was naturally intended to be used for the next move. It was a kingdom that went beyond being a good fighter. Of course, that didn't mean the situation was desperate.
I don't need to win, anyway.
As long as I could buy time, it would be my victory. So determined, I closely observed the opponent's sword skill.
I think I can see it a little now.
At first, I may have relied on my senses and reflexes to urgently dodge his sword each time, but as time went on, I could see how he used this move to move on to the next.
¡whipping!
The goal of aiming for the doll was to keep me at bay.
It would be best to dodge backwards, but that's probably what you're aiming for. Because that leaves my throat empty.
In some ways, it could be seen as checkmate; that is, assuming the Override worked normally.
When the Gigantization was released, my body shrank and the opponent's sword grazed my wrist. But did he also touch the sword in anticipation?
¡whipping!
The bastard's sword twisted its trajectory like a snake and aimed at my thigh.
Dash.
I backed away quickly, but it seemed like this guy had seen him even while brandishing his sword, because he altered the trajectory again without a moment's hesitation towards Amelia, who was unconscious.
Son of a bitch...
I quickly followed Transcendence with Eye of the Storm and dragged him in front of me. With this, Amelia was safe.
¡Shaaaa!
As if even this scenario was in his head, the bastard brandished his sword exquisitely as he was blown by the wind. I managed to dodge this somehow.
Is this bastard's brain some kind of supercomputer?
The further I went through it, the more I felt like they were playing with me. I felt like I was seeing through all my movements. I was beginning to understand how modern Go players felt when played by machines.
If I can learn a little how he does it, it will be a big help.
Although it was not a level of martial arts that I could learn by observing, as it was rare to fight a life or death battle with such a skilled swordsman, I entertained myself by thinking about learning as much as possible.
I think the old man's part should be finished by now...
Much later, as he began to think that, a moan escaped Amelia's mouth. «Ugh...» His consciousness had not returned but it was a sign that his wounds had recovered to some extent.
Okay, as soon as Amelia wakes up we can beat her up two to one.
That was probably why the bastard targeted Amelia every chance he got, even while fighting me. Unlike the Knight of Light's excellent sword skill, he had none of the pride of a warrior. If the situation became unfavorable, this guy would jump without even looking back, without hesitation.
Yes, like right now. «...I will not forget this day.»
I guess he decided that if he was going to jump anyway, it would be better now before Amelia woke up.
Dash.
The opponent uttered the typical phrase about plotting something for the future before taking a step back and widening the distance. I didn't follow him. Although I didn't prove it, I had almost no PM left. In order not to be overwhelmed in strength, I used Swing every time I blocked the sword and fired Transcendence, Leap, and Eye of the Storm throughout the battle.
Hmm, so that ends this side...
I approached Amelia. His breathing was quite calm and the severed hand would probably need a little more time.
«Haha.» Just then, a sound came from behind without warning. When I hurriedly turned around, Auril Gavis was standing there, watching me proudly. «You really defeated that man by yourself».
«If you had helped me, it would have been much easier, sir».
«I didn't want to face that man yet, you see».
«I see... »
It was clear that he wasn't going to tell me the reason anyway, so I looked away. To Auril's left was an object floating in the air with telekinesis. No, I shouldn't say object-person. It was an unconscious Amelia F. Seeing that he was here, it seemed that the work on that side was finished without problems.
But I still had to check it.
I fixed my eyes on Auril again and asked him: «So... how did it go that way?».
«It went well. As you asked, I also told him my name at the end».
«Y Laura?»
«Hmm, it seems like your speech is getting shorter...».
«Haha, how can that be? It's a misunderstanding. A misunderstanding».
The old man looked at me suspiciously for a brief moment, but laughed as if it didn't matter in particular. «Anyway, the same goes for this girl's sister. As you asked, I measured her, treated her and sent her to the afterlife».
This old man was really good at doing things. Apparently, he put her in the first carriage he saw in the underworld, crashed it and disguised it as an accident. That would serve as a basis for her to lose all her memories. He also placed with her the identity label of someone with zero connections and a similar age.
«I think I have an idea of what you want. You're not thinking of doing anything stupid, are you? Haha».
«Of course not.» There shouldn't be any problems with the sister's side now, so I confirmed the other item on our list. «But what happened to the younger sister?»
«Don't worry. Didn't I tell you? Secret magic is this old man's specialty. This girl will never realize in her life that she was hallucinating. Apart from his sister stopping breathing, everything really happened».
Laura being crushed by a rock and sticking a dagger into her own throat, it was all real. Just the fact that his heart stopped and the potion's effect ended were hallucinations.
«But let me ask you this. Did you really have to reveal this old man's name?»
«She said it was what was in her memory.» It was a necessary script to eliminate contradictions.
«Hmm, that's true. Anyway, you have a good head. And to think you came up with such a clever idea». The old man looked at me, impressed, but in reality I had a bitter taste in my mouth. On second thought, there was no performance more dramatic than this. I felt like an actor on stage following a script.
It's too ineffective.
Even after it was all over, he still couldn't accept it. If it had been me, I wouldn't have acted like that. There would have been no need to pretend Laura was dead, no reason to take Amelia to Noark. He could have ended up sending her and her sister together to the other world. Everyone could have had a happy ending. However, I chose this ineffective method that forced a girl to suffer tragedy for twenty years. Going back in time and meeting Auril Gavis, I realized that there was no way to undo what had already happened. With determination, I put the rest of the pieces together. In some ways, this was no different from deception.
Worrying about whether the chicken or the egg came first didn't make sense to begin with. It was something natural. What mattered? Whatever came first, the egg the hen laid would end up turning into a chicken.
«You don't seem very happy».
At Auril's statement, I shared my thoughts sincerely. Although it was a long story, he listened carefully before tapping me on the forearm.
«It's not that I don't understand how you feel, but don't think too much. You too would have gained a lot of things from this trip».
It wasn't a particularly useful consolation. Without a doubt, there were many things gained: information that could only be learned in the past, the buff that Auril Gavis gave me, the Kraul Demon Crusher with double number and Amelia's recruitment ticket (SSR).
«The reason the world stood, the country stood, and society stood was because everyone did their part. Think this is yours».
Hearing that made me feel even more uncomfortable. What was the Records Stone Fragment? I wanted to ask more details, but right now I didn't have time to do so.
«Anyway, if it's all over now I'd like to get what I was promised-«.
Seeing Auril subtly change the subject, I interrupted decisively. «Not finished yet».
« ¿Hmm? »
«Lady».
There was one last thing left to do.
***
When Amelia came to her senses, she was running through the sewers on someone's back. Even through his nebulous consciousness, he wondered who it could be.
«Looks like you finally came to your senses».
That voice woke her up completely. No wonder his arms hurt on his big back. «Mr. Iron Mask...?» It was Iron Mask, the person who, unlike the other members of the clan, was generous and kind to the sisters.
El the de la Strta. Emily.
La camarada de Emily.
Although she didn't know the reason, Emily had taken care of the sisters all day. Amelia was not so unconscious as not to know.
Although she didn't know the reason, Emily had taken care of the sisters all day. Amelia was not so unconscious as not to know.
Why do these people help us?
Amelia couldn't know why, but one thing was certain. If it weren't for her dedication, she and her sister would have already...
¿Ya...?
When her thoughts reached that point, the memories came back to her. «L-Laura! What happened to Laura? She would have been by my side... Didn't you see her?».
«...You were the only one I saw in the rubble».
«Ah...» Amelia clenched her fists without realizing it. «A-ah...»
His head was dizzy. Iron Mask was explaining the current situation to him, but it sounded muffled. «We're going back to Noark. The road to the city has collapsed... What, have you fallen asleep?». The deep male voice echoed through his fading consciousness. «... I'm sorry for not saving her. See you later».
It was the last thing he remembered.
Time passed and when he opened his eyes again, Amelia was in a creepy cemetery. «This place is...» I could see Noark Castle in the distance and smelled a pungent smell.
There was no one around him. Not Iron Mask, not Emily, not his only sister.
Deslick.
Amelia took out her dagger like a possessed woman. It was covered in thick blood.
«L-Laura...» Looking at the blood on the dagger, he realized that today's events were not a dream. «A-ah...» Amelia fell to the ground and remained like that for a while before hearing a loud commotion.
«Here! There's someone here!»
«Who is this boy?»
«Does he look like Felic Barker's pastor?»
«Let's take her for now, she might know something.»
It was while being led into town by guards that Amelia realized she was completely alone. His sister and his protector were no longer there. From now on, she had to survive alone in this city.
***
As I watched the guards take Amelia away, I heard a noise behind me. «Seeing her like this leaves me with a heavy heart. I feel like I've done something wrong».
What, now you want to dress up as the benevolent grandfather? You don't really even think like that.
«Why are you alone? Where is my comrade?»
«That woman is in that place.»
«You left a woman unconscious...»
«Don't worry, she would have woken up as soon as this old man left.»
Hmm, if you say so.
I shook off my worry at those words. Whatever will happen, she was a woman who could protect herself. I just had one question. «So why didn't you come together?».
Auril responded as if it were obvious: «You and I have something to talk about».
Ah, that... Now I can't go back on my word.
Having different attitudes when entering and leaving the bathroom was the law of nature. Although I decided to give what I had to give, when it came time to do so, my mouth didn't open as easily.
«Aren't you going to keep your promise?». Auril's voice was soft, but there was a strange and oppressive air in his words. When I subtly looked away, the old man took a step closer with a light in his. «Tell me your name. Or you can take off that mask first. Hmm, yes... it would be better to see that face first». The sight of his breath coming out of his nose was truly terrifying.
«It-wait!» I quickly raised my hand and stopped Auril. Then I put my hand in the subspace.
Seeing that, he asked: «Why are you rummaging through your bag?».
Because there is something I want to try.
«The Stone Fragment of the Records?» Seeing the object I took out of the bag, he tilted his head. «Why did you take that out?»
Why do you think? Because it's the last trick I have up my sleeve.
The lord of the castle told me clearly.
«I heard it's the same as the way you come. That completing all your work here will call you again...»
The way to get back to my original time was to finish all my work. I figured my remaining job was to rescue Laura, and that role was already over. Simply put, he could flee to the future without paying his salary. That should have been the case.
Why does it not work?
The Records Stone Fragment did not move. I guessed that my disappointment showed on my face without realizing it.
«...Haha, then. That's what you were looking for». The old man seemed to have discovered my intentions as he glared at me. «I wasn't lying when I said I wanted to be on friendly terms with you. That's why I agreed to all your cumbersome requests... But to think that you were thinking of stabbing me in the back until the end».
«It's... a misunderstanding. If we have a quiet conversation...»
«Nothing happens. Now I know exactly how to deal with you».
Damn sea.
When I backed away without realizing it, Auril gestured with his hand in the air.
¡Whoom!
As if I had used the Eye of the Storm, my body was swept away by a physical force. When I came to my senses, I found myself standing in front of him.
«Now, shall we take a look at that face?». Auril extended his hand towards my helmet.
If I had known this was going to happen, I would have taken it off myself.
I regretted it late, but it was too late to turn back.
Grifo.
They say there is light even in the dark. The moment Auril's finger touched my helmet, the Record Stone Fragment in my hand suddenly began to spit out white light in all directions.
¡Shaaaaa!
Yes, this is what is called exploitation of the elderly.
In a world where everything turned white, I smiled. «I'm sorry. I wanted to keep my promise».
«¡You!»
«Please don't shout. What's the point? My work here is complete».
«Name! Hurry up and tell me your name at least...»
¡Flash!
The light exploded like lightning and Auril's voice broke.
Tap.
The light dissipated and my feet, which were floating slightly, touched the ground. It was close, but it meant that my plan to take advantage of the unpaid elderly had been a success.
«Uh...» But how did this happen? «Eh...?»
Seeing what was around me, I was stunned. Everything was the same, the cemetery destroyed, the cemetery guard dead, and even the smell of coal blowing from the burned city. If I had gone back to my original time there should have been some changes, but everything around me remained the same.
«But what, where has this grandfather gone?».
Only Auril Gavis had disappeared.