Leave a comment

The amber eyes that twitched irregularly inside Lichter’s eye pockets, were a true indication of his weariness. The gouged-out wound on his chest was large and conspicuous, and his whole body was drenched with his own blood.

Lichter was slithering and dragging aside the headless body of a black goat, like an evil spirit wandering around in search of souls.

When Lichter noticed the Wearer of Death floating in the air, he tossed aside the dead black goat he had been dragging around in a messy manner, as if he had lost all interest in it.

His breathing was rough. The kukri knives, which he slowly pulled out of the sheaths at his waist, were heavily chipped, and slightly melted, perhaps from being exposed to the Demon’s flames.

“Haaa…. Haaa…”

Yet, Lichter’s desire to fight was still burning strong. Like any wounded beast with a survival instinct, Lichter had this unparalleled fighting spirit and will to kill dwelling within him.

“L-Lichter?”

It was Seletina who uttered his name. She couldn’t conceal her confusion upon seeing this part of Lichter for the first time. Seletina knew that he had a belligerent nature.

Originally, when she first met Lichter, he had given her a slight murderous glare, and she had also witnessed his fights in Leverence and Ulbdor. Seletina certainly recognized him as a dangerous young man. It was also possible that beneath his aloof facade, he harbored some twisted thoughts.

However, the murderous intent that Lichter was now emitting was too intense for even Seletina to handle. It was way more savage compared to that of those of people fighting for justice, or for the safety of the people.

Something… a viscous darkness that came from a place that should never have been messed with, at the very depths of his mind, seemed to seep out from inside him as killing intent, a fighting spirit, or anger.

Seletina’s words fell on deaf ears. In this land of slow silence, where even distant screams could be heard, her voice remained unheard. Lichter failed to grasp the voice calling out to him.

Amidst his foggy mind and blurred vision, the only thing he could clearly comprehend was the image of the second Wearer of Death before his eyes.

“Astonishing… I can’t believe that red-headed dummy managed to top an Upper Rank.”
“Agree. I didn’t think he was that strong. Still, he seems–”
“Yeah. He doesn’t seem to be in his right mind.”

Eupho and Yopha, attempting to communicate with each other, were uncertain about what to do.

Lichter was clearly worn out. Allowing him to fight the Wearer of Death as he was would be too dangerous. However, if they treated Lichter as a pawn to be discarded, they and Seletina could escape safely.

Eupho and Yopha had a mission imposed upon them, not by anyone, but by themselves, by Flowing Shadows.

Their leader, Younashi, had described Seletina as a very stimulating person. Younashi had ordered them to protect Seletina during their escape from Leverence.
This meant that they were not to leave Seletina’s side until they were certain of her safety.

In reality, what Younashi truly thought was unclear. Younashi was the Sky Ruler, one of the three rulers governing this realm, a wondrous being beyond human comprehension.

If they protected Seletina, Younashi might just laugh it off, teasing them that they’d done something unnecessary. However, there was also the possibility that Younashi would be displeased if they simply left Seletina to die, given that she had already taken a liking to Seletina.

Eupho and Yopha couldn’t decide whether to help Lichter or not.

“……”

Lichter licked his lips and spat out a lump of blood that had collected in his mouth.
Swaying like a ghost, yet moving with sturdy steps, he walked up to the black goat.

“……”

The Wearer of Death, which was floating in midair, slowly descended to the ground. Dressed in black, the black goat appeared as a refined gentleman, but in reality, it was a Demon that was solely interested in killing humans.

As long as one was a human being, they couldn’t begin to fathom whether the black goat decided to act out of grief for the murder of its compatriot, anger over the loss of its own kind’s head, or simply because it recognized Lichter as a formidable opponent to test its strength against.

However, even a human being could tell that it recognized Lichter as its next target.

They walked up to each other. On one side, even though his wings were once torn off, was the Upper Rank Demon, the Wearer of Death. On the other was blood-soaked, sapped knight, Lichter Willgame.

His kukri knives were stained with blood, and the blood that dripped from him, covered Lichter’s vision red. Yet, the killing urge that coursed through his body, was enough to make his whole body boil.

Lichter will be killed.

When the two sides faced each other in a staring, upright position, Seletina honestly couldn’t help but think so. It was true that Lichter had killed one Wearer of Death, but defeating a second one was a tall order.

Which is why Seletina wanted to reach out and help him.

“Lichte–”
Just as she was about to call out to him, a voice interrupted her.
“Let’s go!”
What clouded her vision was Eupho’s beautiful teal hair.
“Wha–”

He seized her by the shoulders and lifted Seletina’s petite body into the air. Without giving Seletina time to say anything, Eupho leaped onto the roof of the house, and Yopha followed behind effortlessly.

“Yopha, watch our backs.”
“Roger. You can count on me, Eupho.”

Seletina shouted as the brothers ran away in a flurry, bouncing up and down like balls of cotton.

“Wait a minute! Just what are you doing?! Lichter’s still there!”
“That’s right. We left him there.”

Eupho’s response was unwavering, and his usual monotone voice made it challenging for Seletina to discern whether he had made a heartless decision or left Lichter behind for a specific purpose.

Eupho then continued, “If we only have to sacrifice one to escape, then that is great.”
“You… Just what are you–”
“Think logically. You should know that this is the best option.”
“Let go of me!”

She attempted to break free from Eupho’s grip, but Seletina, drained of her energy, could only put up a feeble struggle.

“Argh… Lichter…”
“Stop. We have a responsibility to protect you.”

Eupho’s dark eyes stared flatly at the road ahead, showing no signs of hesitation or wavering emotions to assist Lichter. Seletina could only watch Lichter’s figure as it grew more distant.

“LICHTEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!!!”

The blazing flames under the control of the black goat covered the scene behind their backs.