[Freedom…]
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Had he ever truly been free?
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Had he ever properly faced the Parent’s revelation?
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At the questions arising, Ardain gave a belated answer.
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[...Indeed.]
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Perhaps he hadn’t really been free, Ardain thought.
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A hazy cluster of light threaded through the space, an intense brightness that seemed to dye everything a pure white.
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When it faded, those present held their breaths at the revealed form of the Tenth.
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“Sir Vera…?”
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As Albrecht muttered, the Tenth bore Vera’s appearance.
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It wasn’t exactly the same as before.
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Ten jagged horns still sprouted irregularly from his head, and the aura he emitted was unholy.
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The six faces on his body were gone, but from where they had been, a black impurity had bloomed to cover him.
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It was impossible to tell if this was the completed Tenth, or Vera who had broken free of the Tenth.
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In that tense moment, the voice that flowed out fortunately brought them joy.
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“Alaysia.”
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The hostility-laced words revealed that this was indeed Vera.
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Vera looked at Alaysia.
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He regarded the evil with a look of disbelief.
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Then he bent down and picked up the Holy Sword at his feet.
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Buzzzz—
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The Holy Sword cried.
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Despite the corruption flowing from his body, the Holy Sword that knew the righteousness of his intent readily offered itself to Vera.
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Vera smiled slightly.
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“Yes, let’s end this.”
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Whoosh—!
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The unleashed divinity had a form that was reminiscent of black oil.
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It enveloped Vera’s body and the Holy Sword.
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Vera accepted it.
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‘Beyond Providence.’
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A power beyond the rules the Gods used to create this land.
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The possibility they had engraved into this land.
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Vera sensed this would be the blade that was forged to end Alaysia.
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“Don’t make me laugh…!”
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Vera raised his head.
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What entered his vision was Alaysia, her face twisted grotesquely as she glared at him.
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“Give back Aru.”
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Tears of blood streamed down Alaysia’s face.
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Her torn body exposing her organs now looked pristine again.
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Furious that the plan she had spent ages preparing for had crumbled, Alaysia charged at Vera.
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She reached out to grab his neck, but failed.
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Swish—
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With a clean slicing sound, Alaysia’s arm fell off.
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As she then tried to strike out with her other arm, Alaysia halted, noticing something off.
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“Huh…?”
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Her body wasn’t regenerating.
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The severed arm remained as it was when it should have regenerated during the time she extended her other arm.
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The belated realization struck her.
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That sword is dangerous.
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“You rotten bitch.”
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Vera uttered those words and swung his sword once more.
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Alaysia’s legs were then chopped off.
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Thud—
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Her body collapsed onto the pool of blood.
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Without stopping, Vera swung down again, bisecting Alaysia at the waist this time.
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“Ah… Aaaah…”
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Alaysia couldn’t comprehend what was happening.
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It was only natural.
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From the moment of her birth, she held immortality in her hands. She had an eternal existence that could never be threatened.
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As such, she had never felt danger or pain.
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The emotion welling up now was incomprehensible to her.
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It constricted her breath, heated her head.
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It was an emotion that shredded her thoughts to pieces.
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What Alaysia felt was fear.
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Swish—
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Her remaining arm was sliced off.
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“Aaaahh—!”
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A wretched scream echoed across the room.
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Clear tears formed in the corners of Alaysia’s eyes as she rolled about, dragging herself across the ground and trying to get away from Vera.
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Vera watched her every move intently.
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He slowly walked behind her.
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Then, as if to observe her pathetic struggle until the end, he murmured.
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“I will not pity you.”
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The ones present could only watch the scene with chills running down their spines.
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“With all the evils you have commited, I will never sympathize with you. Not even your longing for freedom, nor the desperation of your love, nor your endurance over that long period of time. In the end, you fulfilled all of that through evil, so I will curse you for eternity.”
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Alaysia couldn't hear his words over the unceasing pain and the terror of the looming shadow of death nearing.
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Like a child, she cried out a single name.
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“Aru…!”
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“He’s gone. You tore him apart, you bitch, so he will never exist before you again.”
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Vera knew.
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The man he had unconsciously confronted was merely the lingering vestiges of a consciousness, now entirely powerless.
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Now that he himself had awakened, Ardain was truly erased.
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“Aru…!”
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Alaysia’s wails echoed as she left a trail of scarlet behind and came to a stop.
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She had run out of strength.
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“Just die already.”
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Vera held the Holy Sword that was stained black in reverse.
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And thrust downwards.
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Pierce—
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The sword pierced through Alaysia’s skull, digging into the ground.