A thick darkness settled over the night.
In a place where the cliffs appeared to have been hewn and desolate old trees welcomed, the atmosphere felt ominous, almost like the afterlife.
Yet, amidst this, were there brave souls, or perhaps ones with an important mission?
Those who dared to climb this demon realm were present.
“There exists a threat to the peace of the Empire, to our family, over there.”
These were the knights of the Empire, summoned by the Emperor’s command.
Although the sun had long set, and even the moon, which should have been there to take its place, turned away.
“Today, we will eliminate that threat and return to the Empire, to our families. Do you understand?”
“Yes!”
With resolve in their hearts, they gripped their weapons and advanced.
However, no matter how resolute they felt, it was only natural to be tense when facing an opponent.
The expressions of the Imperial soldiers were far from bright.
Some among them, instead, seemed pale and frightened as they took their steps.
How long had it been since they began their march?
Swallow. The sound of someone gulping, the sound of feet treading on rocky ground. As time passed, the racing heartbeat grew tiresome alongside their tense breaths.
“…Who are they?”
“Hmm, the Cheonma said only two should be here…”
The two groups faced each other.
“There they are! Show those cowards hiding in the dark the Empire’s light!”
“Yes!”
The first to move was the Imperial army.
They charged towards those wrapped in black masks, weapons in hand.
In response, Amber and Stella, members of the Three Swords of the Cheonma Church, belonging to the Ghost Sword.
“Ugh, we were told to avoid killing as much as possible.”
“If they cross the line, kill them. The Cheonma also said to put our bodies first.”
Then, Jack smiled and whispered.
“Ahaha. What can we do?”
His attitude seemed nonchalant to the Imperial soldiers, utterly incomprehensible.
Yet, among those belonging to the Cheonma Church, no one questioned the Ghost Sword’s demeanor. They simply waited with expressions as if looking forward to what was to happen next.
“They are pointing their swords at us; it is only right we respond, isn’t it?”
Jack rested a hand on his sheath in sync with their gazes.
“Besides, the only ones the Cheon Ha-rang invited as guests are the two behind the rock.”
Swish. The sword stored at his waist was drawn, its sharp blade gleaming ominously.
“All we need to do is enjoy this situation.”
Soon, Jack added lightly as he charged into the formation of the Imperial army.
“Ah! Jack! I’m coming too!”
“…Sigh. I don’t know what to say.”
Determined not to fall behind, Stella and Amber followed him, weapons drawn.
“Don’t falter! The enemy is few!”
“Yes!”
“Heaven is watching over us!”
The Imperial army tightened their ranks, raising their shields and advancing their spears.
“Don’t let them make the mountain climb!”
“Yes!”
“Fight for the Cheonma!”
The Three Swords of the Cheonma Church thrust their swords toward the Imperial shields.
Afterward, bang! With a tremendous tremor that shook the ground, the two groups collided.
Soon, a thunderous cheer filled the air, occasionally interspersed with pained groans adding depth to an otherwise monotonous sound.
In a place where the sun had set and even the moon turned away, they could barely see in front of them; all they could rely on were the torches in their hands.
– Clang!
Only the small sparks flying as swords clashed could be seen.
And a little distance away from the chaos.
Perhaps the instigator of this incident, Bell, barely held onto her wavering gaze as she looked at Anna.
“If what the principal said is true… how do we fix this…?”
“…Indeed.”
Receiving such a glance, Anna too seemed at a loss for how to resolve the situation, her brow furrowed as she stared blankly.
‘How did it come to this…’
While Anna blamed herself, one couldn’t entirely hold her at fault.
The moment she deemed her and Bell’s lives at risk, she had sent a signal to the Imperial army through the crystal ball nestled in her arms, just as they had previously agreed on.
Having received that signal, the Imperial army came to rescue Anna and Bell while heading towards their target, Cheon Ha-rang.
But therein lay the problem.
‘When I realized they had no intent to harm us, it was already after I sent the signal…’
Anna hadn’t grasped Cheon Ha-rang’s true intentions, nor had Cheon Ha-rang clearly conveyed her intentions to Anna.
It was a predicament born from such a minor misunderstanding.
“…Damn it!”
However, for Anna, wasting time blaming the situation was not an option.
‘Regretting what has already happened won’t change anything.’
Tightly gripping the sword she had used since her Hero days, she gently patted Bell’s trembling shoulder, who was squatting beside her, and stood up.
“…Principal? What are you going to do…?”
“This was brought on by me. I will resolve it myself.”
“Wha…? W-what do you mean—”
Before Bell could finish her words, pop. Anna’s figure disappeared from her view.
“Principal…?!”
Leaping atop a rock, Anna grasped her sword again, contemplating whose side she should take.
– Hey!!! Where are you going…! At least give me some explanation…! Waaaaah!!! I’m scared…!
“…”
Ignoring the cries from behind.
*
On the highest peak of this mountain, where even oxygen was scarce.
“Have you come?”
At the summit, Cheon Ha-rang bathed in moonlight turned her head at the presence she felt.
“It’s been a while for everyone.”
She greeted them with an awkward smile.
Though not much time had passed, it felt like it had been ages since they had seen each other.
“…What’s with you, old hag? Did you come to welcome us or what?”
But it wasn’t just Cheon Ha-rang who felt awkward.
“Cheol-hyeol…! Even in this situation…! Oh, it’s been a while, Harang.”
“…Long time no see.”
Camilla, Elia, and Lucius received her greeting with somewhat stiff expressions.
“…Right.”
Their responses, tinged with a bitter smile.
Not long ago, they had exchanged jokes, yet now, perhaps because they were in a high place, or due to the frozen atmosphere, a chill could be felt.
Amidst long silence and exchanged glances,
‘Nothing is progressing like this.’
Recalling this fact, Cheon Ha-rang dropped her artificially crafted smile and stepped closer, gripping her sword.
Standing atop the carved cliff, naturally, the Heroes’ heads tilted up, making it appear as though Cheon Ha-rang loomed over them.
“…Hmm.”
For the first time in her life, looking down on them, Cheon Ha-rang felt a strange emotion as she spoke in a low voice.
“Have you made your decision?”
She didn’t specify who should decide.
Everyone present was well aware of it, thus there was no need to mention it explicitly.
“Yes.”
And, perhaps she was right, the answer to her question came immediately from Lucius.
‘No hesitation.’
Despite knowing this wouldn’t be a favorable decision for him, he surprisingly felt relieved at the fact.
Why was that? He didn’t know.
However, as it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling, he nodded and added.
“Then what—”
“Before that, may I ask one question before you convey that decision?”
Although he hadn’t anticipated receiving a question before finishing,
‘…A question, huh.’
As Cheon Ha-rang rolled her eyes in search of an answer, she found no reason to refuse and lightly shrugged her shoulders.
“Go ahead.”
Cheon Ha-rang’s affirmative response encouraged Lucius, who stepped forward to ask.
“Hasn’t the fact that Cheon Ha-rang intends to return to her original place… her hometown changed?”
The question pertained to her goal.
“Hmm.”
Before granting a response, she paused.
‘Has my goal changed? Do I still want to return there?’
Then, the answer was simple.
“Right.”
Her goal had not changed.
Part of it stemmed from her ambition as a martial artist which was one of her few interests.
The desire to cross dimensions to return home, performing something akin to a miracle with her own hands.
While her foothold had yet to become stable, if she could accomplish that, she would eventually be able to stand firm.
‘…And.’
The hidden intention deep within her heart.
More than just returning to my true home, or growing stronger in my skills, there was something else she was curious about.
Because she was curious about the reaction of the Nameless.
Because she was interested in how that fellow would act, she harbored a desire that her belief that nature doesn’t change would shatter.
“I will return.”
Cheon Ha-rang declared briefly, aiming her wooden sword at the Hero party, and the Heroes likewise drew their weapons.
“…Determined, are we?”
Elia gripped the rosary on her chest tightly.
“I do like that about you, old hag.”
Camilla, wielding a sword larger than her back.
“…Understood. I’ll convey my answer.”
Finally, Lucius, drawing his sacred sword spoke.
“We will stop you, Cheon Ha-rang.”
They declared with determined expressions, yet not losing their smiles.
“If you can, then give it a try.”
Cheon Ha-rang replied with a somewhat sorrowful smile, answering with a hint of mirth.
‘It seems I have become the final boss blocking the Hero’s party.’
Somehow, I feel like I have stepped into their story as the ultimate antagonist.
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