I didn’t think about it. Combining the Lily Sword Technique and Drake Style?
The existing Dragon Kill is a counter-attack move. There’s a restriction that you must exploit the opponent’s power. It might not work against the current Magic Hat.
Besides, it’s a technique I’ve already used once.
“Moreover, I expected that I would go to Tardun’s shrine.”
I’m not a fool. If I let my guard down just because I cleared it last time, I could end up in big trouble.
If the Magic Hat attempts surprise attacks, it might even make it impossible to unleash my ultimate move.
When raiding, I knew the opponent would attack, and I prepared for it, but now I have no idea when or where they’ll show up.
Pina’s statement was like a dagger that strongly pierced the part I had overlooked.
“..Thank you, Pina.”
I immediately took out my Mind Sword from the center of my chest. Whoosh, flames flickered as the white sword emerged.
Concept, unrequited love.
This is already the third sword. I distinctly remember thinking I was forging it to prevent her from crying.
Pathetic excuses keep piling up.
The increasingly complicated feelings have become beyond words.
Holding the unshakable sword like I’m stabbing unrequited love head-on, I held my breath.
“….”
I thought about what was most important.
Looking at the deeds of the game company so far, even if Pina becomes the Nameless Saintess, it won’t affect the Route.
Then why did I lift the sword?
To protect Pina?
No. There’s a more complicated reason than that.
What I’ve tried to achieve despite risking my life and enduring hard efforts while running away from my feelings.
I hope that Pina can be happy even after completing the Grand Route.
‘I won’t let her become a Nameless Saintess.’
An existence that lost both family and friends. I couldn’t even say I was happy; I was closer to being unhappy.
My vision became clear. I strengthened my resolve as I felt the power in my legs.
What is precious to me, something I need to protect and must do…
..is Pina Grancia’s happy ending.
I began to loosen any unnecessary strength from my body holding the sword. Excessive force would distort the sword’s path.
‘To combine the two techniques…’
The Lily Sword Technique and Drake Style were techniques created by two swordsmen, one from the West and the other from the East.
Even if they were sword styles from opposite extremes, at their core, they were very similar.
The Drake’s ultimate move embodies the desperate will to kill that existence.
The Lily Sword Technique is a manifestation of strong feelings for someone.
They are all made by applying basics like cutting, stabbing, and blocking. The foundation is the same.
“Pina, please create a glass illusion right in front of me, just like Magic Hat.”
I asked Pina for glass magic.
Having a definite goal is a world apart from not having one. It’s still too early to give up on completing Demon King Kill.
“Got it. Licht.”
As soon as Pina finished speaking, a demon king in a magician’s outfit appeared before me.
Dressed completely in black, it was like a shadow, giving me goosebumps.
Its black mask with a twisted smile made me feel nauseous every time I looked at it. It provoked the opponent with a wide grin.
“..It looks creepily similar.”
The hand holding the sword felt heavier than ever. The sensation was sharpened as if forged from steel.
Mixing Reverse Scale Stab with the Lily Sword Technique’s Red Wood.
I slowly moved the sword. Not too hurriedly nor too slowly, aiming to stab the vital point.
Slash! The sword gashed across the neck. I aimed for the center of the chest, combining the cut and pierce.
It wasn’t a passive wait for the opponent’s attack but the beginning of offensive and defensive integration. A movement too naive to be called a technique.
I twisted my wrists and ankles to create a swift strike. The natural movement flowed together like water.
‘Pina, if I can make you happy.’
I turned into a massive wave, ready to crash down on the opponent. The smooth transition between defense and attack left no openings.
Clear Flow and Wing Releasing.
As drops of water pierce the rock, the most gentle thing overcomes the most solid.
Swish, clang. The upper body of the Magic Hat crumbled. Glass shards danced as it shattered.
My determination to capture the demon king for Pina began to unify.
‘..I can do my best.’
The trajectory of the sword became clearer. Even mixing two extremely different sword styles, the goal was one.
The murder of the demon king.
The wind began to gather around the blade. In a space devoid of a single tree, petals scattered.
The white leaves of the lily matched the pure white space.
When in bloom, they’re very beautiful, but once they fall, they become the fleeting flowers that wither.
Just like Pina Grancia.
If I’m not here, she is destined to become the Nameless Saintess. A pure person unaware of anything.
With her small love, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say my life changed completely.
Love is stronger than anything else.
At least, stronger than these demon king bastards.
The blade, now mixed with wind and petals, began to slice the opponent into pieces. The Magic Hat’s illusion was crushed to the point where it was hard to find traces of it.
This was the result of executing both Void Slash and One Sword Falling Flower simultaneously.
Now I have to kill the demon king. Lee Soo-hyun.
It has to end.
“Demon King Kill. Arang (牙狼).”
A large white wolf burst from behind me. An illusion impressive with golden eyes symbolizing Pina Grancia and pure white fur.
Arroooowww─!
Its howl reverberated through the air, vibrating it, moving in tandem with me swinging the sword.
With its great mouth widely gaping, the white wolf aimed to swallow the opponent whole in one bite.
As it fully pounced and bit down, I aimed below it and pierced the opponent’s shadow with a swift strike.
Boom!! A massive explosion sounded as dust erupted.
Clearing the swirling dust revealed a huge, deep pit.
The glass Magic Hat was reduced to powder, completely obliterated.
Thud, I buried my sword into the ground, closing the case.
“..I did it.”
My very own ultimate move contains the essence of Drake Style and Lily Sword Technique.
It’s a ‘concept’ that wipes out the opponent’s existence.
Unlike a hastily assembled version borrowed from Dragon Kill, this is the real Demon King Kill.
A single white lily petal lightly landed on the hilt of my sword, and I couldn’t help but smile.
In that moment, I felt all my strength leave my body.
My vision slowly darkened.
Ah, I can’t fall here….
*
Thud, the one who first sensed something was off after Licht collapsed was Pina.
The Black Knight who defeated the glass clone lay motionless on the ground.
“..Licht?”
Pina, frantically putting on her masterpiece and running over. In her haste, she didn’t even wear her helmet.
She was faster than the Light Hero. As she sliced through the wind, Kainel looked surprised at the glass knight.
“Licht..!!”
Thud, my heart, heavy as lead, felt like it was dropping.
Flashbacks of the time I fought the Head came rushing back; it felt just like the time I got shot and collapsed.
Pina’s head went blank.
She shook Licht violently to check if he was conscious.
Worried something might be wrong, she poured Divine Power into him and cast Healing Magic.
A brilliant halo of white light and warmth flared up around her like a sun.
But there was no reaction from him. If he was injured, he should regain consciousness and wake up.
“….”
A cold feeling crossed Pina’s palm as it fell on Licht’s. What if he… had died?
The gloomy thought of losing the Black Knight who always protected her and was always by her side struck her.
Pina Grancia placed her hand firmly over her heart.
Her chest ached so much. It felt like someone was stabbing her from the inside with a cold ice pick.
‘Wait, I can still feel two heartbeats.’
So lost in worry over Licht, Pina finally realized something important.
She immediately leaned in closer to his face to check his condition.
“..Snoring?”
His breaths were rhythmic, giving off a sense of calm. At the same time, his chest gently rose and fell.
“Is he… just sleeping?”
In fact, he was fast asleep. Exhaustion had pushed him to his limits.
Pina frowned. There was a limit to making someone worry.
“…Ugh.”
Thud. She lightly struck Licht’s chest.
If you’re going to sleep on the ground, you might as well say so. I got angry at him for suddenly collapsing, making me worry.
“You silly dog…”
Pina’s hands gently grabbed Licht’s collar before letting go.
“Pina, is the helmet okay?!”
“Licht..!”
The hero couple arrived right after. Pina made a shh gesture by putting her finger to her lips.
‘Licht. Sleep. Quietly.’
The knight, who was about to rush in, abruptly stopped in confusion. Upon hearing Licht was sleeping, they lowered their voices.
“He’s sleeping? But he suddenly collapsed…?”
“If it’s Licht, it makes sense.”
Licht’s party whispered among themselves.
‘That guy did this even the first time we met.’
Kainel nodded knowingly.
He recalled the incident during their carriage ride to the Academy.
The sight of Licht practicing swordplay alone while keeping watch until he almost fell asleep.
Even in the boys’ dormitory, he practiced swordsmanship every day without fail, so it was no wonder he would push himself to the limit.
A bone-crushing effort.
Even though he was a hero from another world, he always prepared meticulously.
He never overestimated the Holy Sword’s power, nor did he let vanity make him seek treatment as a hero.
“Kainel, help me carry Licht.”
Pina, resting her chin on her hand, squatted beside him.
“What? Are you seriously going to carry him?”
“Yeah, if he stays here, he’ll get hurt. No way.”
He looks like he’s sleeping just fine. Even so, Pina’s eyes were determined. She had already made up her mind.
“..Alright. Who would stop you, Pina?”
Kainel forced a look of resignation.
In his heart, he felt an unusual atmosphere flowing between the two, much like between him and Ariel.
“It’s heavier than I thought… Licht.”
Since she made a promise with Licht, Kainel tried not to show any hesitation.
For another reason, it would be fun to tease his clueless friend later.
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