“Splendid. You’re pushing me back one move at a time. You’d make a masterful chess player. But sadly enough, you have no way of securing a checkmate. You’ll just die.”
“Says you.”
Lernaean met Keele’s eyes between blows. There was an insatiable lust for blood in Keele’s gaze. He was like a beast. He didn’t doubt that he could kill Lernaean in the least.
“I’ll prove to you that Jubilia didn’t die in vain.”
Keele thrust at Lernaean’s heart with all the brawn he had to muster. Such an attack couldn’t wound him. There was no need to dodge. Rather, accepting the blow would give Lernaean the opening he needed to kill Keele. In the moment before both men’s gambits resolved, a chill assaulted Lernaean’s body.
In that instant, he forgot about the limitations he had placed on himself. He unleashed the royal caliber at its full power at the threat before him. Agony ran through Lernaean’s entire body, even though he had used it for just a split second.
The countless soaring blades tore Keele apart, but his killing intent far surpassed Lernaean’s imagination. Despite his shredded body, Keele kept his momentum, his blade planting firmly into Lernaean. He felt actual pain for the second time that day. Keele couldn’t keep his arm steady; the thrust meant for Lernaean’s heart found its mark in the base of his right arm.
Keele collapsed, blood bursting from his entire body. No part of him was left unscathed. His right leg was torn apart, and his entire left arm was missing. His abdomen looked like it had been scooped out by the grasping claw of some massive predator. Regardless, Lernaean lost far more. The burden of the royal caliber’s exertion tormented him. His right arm no longer moved as he willed it. The wound itself sealed when he uprooted Keele’s sword, but he still couldn’t feel his arm. Lernaean drew shallow, ragged breaths as he looked down at the man who dealt him this wound. He was still conscious, but not for much longer.
“Stop... Wait the fuck up...”
Surprisingly, Keele could still talk. Lernaean ignored him and kept walking. He wanted to reach his throne and sit down. He had to get some rest. He couldn’t afford to lose consciousness now. Lernaean pressed on toward his victory, just like he always had.
Saya lost her footing on the stairs and fell into someone’s arms.
“Huh. You dropped in on me this time.”
She knew who it was; it came as naturally as breathing.
“No... Nagi... Don’t look...”
She averted her eyes. She couldn’t run away in his arms like this, so it was all she could do. Nagi gasped in shock at the sight of her face. It pained her heart.
“I’m not the Saya you love anymore, Nagi.”
“What happened?”
“I used the royal caliber too much... The Sovereign’s Blood is Lernaean’s now. He’s my little brother... My life will run out soon. I’m dying.”
Nagi acted as if he only heard her last two words.
“You’re... dying?”
“Yes. In ten... maybe twenty minutes.”
Saya already knew how much time she had left. That cruel clock marked the passage of time within her body with pitiless constancy. It was impossible to stop and impossible to ignore.
“I’m glad we could meet one last time... but I didn’t want you to see me like this...”
Saya’s heart was caught in a tailspin of delight, regret, and despair. Her heart was weak now, but it still thumped loudly.
“I’m glad I found you,” Nagi said, his voice reverberating in her ears.
Aah... How I yearned to hear this voice... this gentle echo I sought and sought and sought, then lost...
“Sorry... I betrayed all of you.”
“It’s fine. I finally figured out what you’ve been going through. I can’t stand the thought of you dying before me.”
Nagi hugged her tight. The strength of his grip cemented the reality that he was here with her.
“How can I save you?” he asked.
It was just like him to cast aside every sign of futility until the world had taken everything from him.
Sorry...
“It’s useless now. I can tell.”
Saya’s death drew closer with every second.
“You said the Sovereign’s Blood went to Lernaean, right? If I defeat him, will it come back to you?”
“I’m not dying because I lost the Sovereign’s Blood. It left me because my body reached its limit. I’m going to die no matter what.”
“I don’t want you to!”
Saya finally turned to face Nagi and looked him in the eyes. He was crying. She felt like this was the first time she had seen his tears.
“It’s no use. That’s just my lifespan.” Saya smiled gently. It was beyond her to explain why, but seeing Nagi cry, her fear of her impending death and aging body vanished. She felt a new warmth in its stead.
“I won’t leave you. I’ll stay with you until the end,” Nagi told her.
“Even though I’m so ugly?”
“You’re not ugly. Now matter what you look like, you’re still Saya. I love you.”
Aah... How can he say such a thing? I’m all wrinkled up. I smell bad. My hair is a mess. But Nagi still tells me he loves me.
“Nagi, you told me I can decide what to do with my own life. I could never decide, though. Gratos, Lernaean, Jubilia, and you... I always left things to others. But I can finally say this for myself.”
I have to put my hopes into words.
“I also... want to stay with you until the very end.”
Nagi nodded.
How blessed I am... At the very end of this long life, I finally found happiness. Compared to this moment, those centuries were so dull. Even if it’s just a single fleeting moment, I can die satisfied now. That’s why I don’t need courage to say what I need to.
“But—sorry. Nagi, I still have something I need to do.”
For some reason, Nagi smiled. “You’re right. Let’s go stop Lernaean.”
“How did you know?”
“I’ve been thinking all this time. I was the one who started this fight... We started it. That’s why we have to end it. You were thinking the same thing, weren’t you? I can tell.”
Tears spilled from Saya’s eyes. She thought their hearts had been separate all this time, but Nagi was thinking the same thing she was. He still shared her hardships.
“Lernaean is trying to exterminate the Crestfolk,” Nagi continued. “So long as he lives, the people of Garuga Village can’t survive. This chance you’ve given us by taking out all the guards is the only shot we’ve got.”
“Even if it kills you?”
“We’ve lost so many friends. Enemies too. I’m sure we’ll lose more. I’ve killed plenty myself. I can’t be an exception forever. I don’t have much time left to begin with. Let’s go together. Can you walk?”
“I can. Let me down. I have a little strength left. Besides...”
When Nagi hugged her, she realized that so long as she had that, she would be fine. Hearing her, Nagi nodded and held out his hand. Saya squeezed it. His rough fingers were warm.
“Let’s go together.”