〈 Chapter 296 〉 The Prophecy Points to Death (8)
*
“So, you don’t have any particular advice?”
Cardi, stirring his thick green tea, turned around. There was Raniel, pinching her nose as if she didn’t even want to smell the tea.
“Advice?”
“Yeah, advice.”
Raniel nodded her head.
“Like strategies against Death’s Blade, or weaknesses, or something. There must be at least one, right?”
“Do you think so?”
Cardi chuckled dryly.
“There’s no way that monster has a weakness.”
“Still, there might be at least one if you look hard enough?”
“Well, I don’t know. It hasn’t shown itself to me in centuries. Maybe something could be found if we really try.”
“Jeez…”
As Raniel was making a face, Cardi let out a short breath.
“Honestly, right now might be better.”
“What?”
“That guy has replaced half of his body with a Beast. Gleria probably stitched it together with the remains of the King of Beasts…”
“The King of Beasts?”
“That’s the beast that was called a disaster in our time.”
A terrifying beast.
It consumed humans and adorned itself with their bones. It was a Beast that craved to become a sentient human.
“Born in the shadows, it spoke human language, loved humans, and even felt jealousy. A Beast that flayed its own skin and replaced it with human flesh.”
“… Loved humans?”
“It was hard to explain. In the end, it wielded a sword and exchanged blows with Ganikalt. According to Ganikalt, it was even superhuman.”
A Beast superhuman?
Raniel, unable to comprehend, blinked her eyes, while Cardi chuckled.
“I got carried away there, but anyway, the current Ganikalt is partly filled with the flesh of that King of Beasts.”
“… So he’s stronger than when he was a Hero?”
“Doesn’t seem like it.”
Cardi shook his head.
“I told you, he was originally right-handed.”
“Oh.”
“The last strike was with his left hand, but the sword techniques he created centered around the right hand. So, compared to his prime, he might be weaker now.”
“Weaker? As in…?”
Cutting a canyon with one swing?
Seeing Raniel mumble to herself, Cardi decided not to mention Ganikalt fighting the Demon Lord. After all, that was impossible now.
Cardi wrapped up the conversation.
“… That’s a technical aspect. In terms of raw power, he might be stronger now.”
“Ugh…”
Raniel let out a long sigh.
“I asked for strategies, and you’re just bragging about your old buddy. I mean, I have to go face that monster, you know? You’re not giving support; you’re just scaring me.”
“I apologize for that.”
Advice, advice.
As he mumbled, Cardi suddenly fell silent as if something had come to mind. Raniel’s eyes sparkled, and she shot a glance at Cardi.
“Did you think of something?”
“It’s not exactly advice, but there is something.”
“What is it?”
Cardi rested his chin on his hand.
“In the past, I mentioned Ganikalt had a disciple, right? Grace.”
The master of the North, Grace.
A boy acknowledged for his talent by Ganikalt.
Also, a Knight who inherited Ganikalt’s sword.
“That guy left an inscription when he returned the Holy Sword. I didn’t see it until later, but…”
A phrase he hardly glanced at centuries ago.
However, Elves never forget what they saw or heard. Cardi racked his memory and recited the phrase.
“Death never forgets its pride.”
“Show your pride before Death.”
“Death is the noblest of Knights.”
The quote Grace left just before his death.
Muttering it, Cardi added,
“Apparently, he said that. I can’t speak on the Knight’s mindset, so I can’t say much about it.”
He set down the green tea he had been stirring.
“Ganikalt always wished for something. Ever since he was a Hero, he earnestly desired something but ultimately neither found it nor shared it with anyone.”
“What was it?”
“I don’t know. I just…”
Cardi looked at the swirling tea cup.
Watching the thick powder settle, he murmured,
“He once said he respects those who possess what he desires. He did so even before the King of Beasts while keeping his sword raised.”
“I’ll ask you this. Are you a Knight?”
“Human, I wield the sword. With my claws peeled and the arms of the Beast torn apart, I stand before you. Only you can be my equal. So, am I a Knight?”
“Then you are a Knight.”
A brief exchange.
When that dialogue was shared, Ganikalt expressed an intensity of emotion like never before, even warning his comrade not to get in his way.
“… Well, that’s that.”
Cardi let out a short breath, reminiscing about the past.
“Drink up.”
“This? Me?”
“Who else would it be?”
Setting the diluted green tea in front of Raniel, Cardi gestured. Raniel recoiled in disgust.
“Drink up.”
“No way. Why should I drink this?”
“It’s diluted. Drink.”
“No, I really don’t want to! Just looking at it makes me feel sick.”
“It’s good for you. Drink…”
After some back and forth, Raniel finally gulped down the green tea. Regardless of its health benefits, the taste was indeed horrific. For a while, just seeing the green hue made her stomach churn.
2.
“… Wait, it’s actually a health drink?”
“What are you talking about?”
Raniel blinked. After several nights without sleep, drinking the unidentifiable green beverage made her fatigue disappear entirely.
‘… Should I ask Cardi to bring me some more?’
The taste was so appalling that she didn’t want to go near it again, but it would be a suitable gift for her subordinates suffering from late-night shifts. Raniel subtly shifted her gaze to the subordinate sitting in front of her.
“Hey, Kalt.”
“Yes, Senpai.”
“Aren’t you feeling really tired lately?”
“Is that even a question?”
Kalt smiled.
“I don’t even remember the last time I slept for more than three hours. I think I might die from overwork at this rate. I even just came back from a business trip to the North, and it felt like I was really dying. Seriously.”
“Is that so?”
Raniel supported her chin as she spoke.
“Then, you should take a break during the upcoming hunt.”
“Sure, I should rest… huh?”
Kalt blinked in surprise.
Raniel nonchalantly flipped through the documents without meeting Kalt’s eyes, simply tossing out her words.
“Take a break. Use some vacation time and sleep well for a few days.”
Raniel snickered.
“You’ve become a Guarder after stopping three disasters in a year; what’s going to happen if you stop four?”
Lifting her eyes, she pointed at Kalt with her pen.
“Take a break, man. Don’t even think about coming.”
“… But aren’t you gathering forces?”
“The gathering will be for protecting the fleeing villagers of the North; fighting against Death’s Blade will be a select few.”
That was to be expected.
Numbers were meaningless in front of Death’s Blade. No matter how many knights were prepared, they’d be wiped out in a single swing of that blade.
“Me, Kyle, Sara, and the Ear Girl. Just the four of us will go. No more are needed; they’d just be a hindrance.”
“… But.”
“Shall I be blunt?”
Raniel narrowed her eyes.
“If you come, you’ll die.”
“……”
“You became superhuman to face Kuntel, right? Stick to your goal. Don’t throw your life away for no reason.”
Kalt silently stared at Raniel.
After a moment, he spoke bluntly.
“Senpai, are you going to die, by any chance?”
“What the hell?!”
Raniel widened her eyes.
“Are you saying that to make me feel bad?”
“Ugh!”
BAM! Raniel twisted Kalt’s joint.
Kalt screamed and clutched his knee, kneeling in pain. It hurt so badly that tears welled up in his eyes.
“B-But it’s just the vibe! People say when you do something unusual, you’re bound to die…!”
Raniel nodded as if to say, “go on.” He knew if he said any more, he’d get hit again, so he obediently fell silent.
“Ugh…”
Raniel let out a long sigh.
“I’m not going to die. I can’t die, so go on and do what you’re supposed to do. Even if I wanted to, I can’t die like this. And…”
As much as she hated to admit it.
Just thinking about it irritated her.
“With Kyle around, I can usually make it work somehow. The number of usable methods increases by several times.”
“… Your evaluation of Kyle seems quite positive?”
“What’s that? I’ve always rated him highly.”
Raniel smirked mischievously.
“I rated him highly, which is why I’ve put up with him for years.”
The strongest Hero, Kyle Toven.
It has been over a year and a few months since they parted ways, and now Raniel finds herself back on the battlefield alongside Kyle. That realization filled her with mixed emotions.
“… Are you okay?”
An ambiguous question without a subject.
In response to that, Raniel forced a bitter smile.
“Who knows?”
Resting her chin on her hand, she murmured.
“Maybe this time, we can have a proper conversation.”
It had been years since she had a real conversation with that guy. One couldn’t call it a conversation when both sides just raised their voices and spoke over each other.
‘Maybe.’
This time, they might actually have a productive conversation. Raniel thought to herself.
3.
“It won’t work.”
“What?”
“I don’t know what you’re expecting, but you won’t be able to communicate with Kyle.”
In the carriage heading north, Sara spoke.
“Since the encounter with the Demon Lord, and especially since you left the party, Kyle has been a bit strange. I can’t understand what he’s thinking at all.”
Kyle changed.
At some point, he just… changed.
“He’s expressionless. Like a doll. Sometimes it creeps me out. He hardly smiles anymore, as if his emotions have died.”
“… For someone who’s like that, he certainly gets pretty emotional around me. You’ve seen us argue with raised voices plenty of times.”
“That only happens when it involves you.”
Sara sighed.
“The only time Kyle shows his emotions is when it involves you. Oh, speaking of which, what was that pendant you gave me last time?”
“What does it matter?”
“Ugh, never mind. Just don’t tell me.”
“It’s something I found in my hometown, now turned to ashes. A sort of keepsake.”
Perhaps not expecting a straightforward answer, Sara narrowed her eyes and shot a glance at Raniel. Raniel shrugged and continued her explanation.
“I don’t know why he gave it to me. Doesn’t seem to have magical properties.”
“… Is that so?”
“So you’re saying you’ve been stuck with someone who doesn’t communicate for years?”
“That seems right.”
“Aren’t you tired? You’ve never liked being tired. I thought you’d be the first to give up on him.”
With a scoff, Sara chuckled.
“I, unlike Remia who only seeks pleasure, believe in pure love. I’ll never switch sides. I’ll die alongside him.”
“Sounds like a subtle jab at Ear Girl?”
“You’re the one who’s twisted, making it sound that way. I get along great with Remia.”
Sara crossed her arms and smiled.
“Speaking of which, what about you? Still have no significant other? Still a virgin Mage? Now an unmarried magic scholar?”
“Do you want to die?”
“Doesn’t seem like it. Sounds like you’re missing out on life.”
“I’m voluntarily single. Instead of dating, I’d rather draw another circuit or push forward research. Romance is a waste of life. You’re the one stuck losing out.”
Conversations they had on many occasions.
Raniel felt a mix of sense and nonsense in what she was saying, while Sara shot back with cynicism. Then suddenly, both ended up chuckling.
“Honestly.”
Sara clicked her tongue.
“It’s really ridiculous.”
Propping her chin on her hand, she gazed out the window.
The scenery rushed past. Without looking at Raniel, Sara spoke.
“Raniel.”
“What?”
“Are you obsessed with Kyle?”
“Why would I be?”
“Doesn’t it wear you down mentally and physically? Doesn’t that happen?”
“Am I crazy?”
“Any regrets?”
“……”
After a brief pause, Raniel finally spoke.
“I do regret it. Just a little.”
Just a little.
Saying that, as if she was trying to save face, a slight smile tugged at Sara’s lips.
“I’ve had a lot of regrets.”
“You? That’s crazy.”
“Who said I regretted because of you?”
Sara turned her head.
With a bitter smile, she said.
“I should have been like you. Kyle needed another person like you. That’s the kind of regret I have.”
She knows that regretting is futile and that no matter how hard she tries, she can’t become like Raniel. Still, she’s had those thoughts in the past.
“Honestly, you have the worst sense.”
Like a virgin Mage.
If she had any sense, she wouldn’t be single despite having such looks. Muttering that, Sara let out a scoff.
“You little brat!”
Raniel reached out and tugged at Sara’s hair. The carriage reverberated with Sara’s screams of, “Eek!”
