Chapter 198

…that man would have all the time he needed. “Ah…now I get it. So that’s your plan.” Mephisto had figured it out too late. He blocked Ard’s black sword with one arm, and looked up. Disaster Rogue stood beside Ireena. “What?!” Ireena cried, completely unable to grasp the situation. Ginny was just as baffled. The turn of events was so dizzying that she couldn’t keep up. Those born in ancient times grasped the situation immediately, though, and they reacted promptly. “With me, lizard brain!” “Got it, Alicia!” To earn more precious seconds, Alvarto and Elzard cast Barrier spells on Ard and Mephisto. Just as their sturdy shields formed around the pair… “Ginny, we’re leaving.” “Ah! Uh?!” …Olivia grabbed Ginny and took off running. Jamming spells prevented teleportation. With only their feet to carry them, escaping Mephisto was next to impossible. That’s why they couldn’t let the opportunity Ard had made for them go to waste. Lizer and Sylphy followed a few paces behind Olivia, with Alvarto and Elzard close after. Rogue brought up the rear. He shot Ard a glance as he scooped the bewildered Ireena into his arms. There was a conflict in his heart. Is this really what you want? Are we just going to accept it? An ending where a failure like me stays, and he disappears? Is that really a fair ending? The discord within dulled his judgment. His legs froze. And as he stood there, stuck, Ard screamed at him, “You bastard! Don’t you dare make the same mistake again!!!” A shock ran through Rogue, and he returned to himself. That’s right. The fate of the world comes first…as do my companions and the best friend who means more to me than my life. Nothing else matters. Rogue took off with Ireena. “Ard?!” Ireena shouted, struggling to break free from Rogue’s grip. A quick Sleeping spell sapped her consciousness before she could get free, though. “Protect her this time,” Ard said. Rogue nodded. “I will…” With those words, the two Ard Meteors parted ways.