“I will put an end to your indulgence right here!”

The first prince of the Empire declares this right in front of us.

What a sudden situation!

Yet, regardless of that, the palpable menace in the air and the overwhelming killing intent made me realize this was all too real.

‘…How on earth?’

Only Rubia and the recently deceased Hans knew where we were headed.

It was impossible for Hans to betray us since we had used Lucy’s contract, and of course, Rubia wouldn’t have told that guy our location either.

But the way the prince spoke, it seemed he was aware of our position and had come to deal with us.

So how did he find out where we were? I just couldn’t wrap my head around it.

But….

That’s not what mattered right now.

Understanding how wouldn’t change the situation we were in.

If I had time to figure it out, I should be using it to try and escape this predicament.

There wasn’t even a second to hesitate.

I charged at him, kicking off the ground before he could finish his spell.

However,

“…Long time no see, sword.”

My sword didn’t reach the first prince.

A thunderous sound echoed.

My blade clashed against that of the silver-haired man.

The Holy Sword is indeed a holy sword.

As long as the vow I made at that time doesn’t break, the Holy Sword will never shatter. No matter how fierce the sword aura, it shouldn’t get severed.

But even so, pushing with strength didn’t budge him an inch. The ominous energy coming from my opponent… and the recognizable face standing before me made it clear what was going on.

“I didn’t think I’d see you again. Is this also fate?”

…A Swordmaster.

The prince’s claim that he could handle us without any luck wasn’t just empty words.

A royal bodyguard directly under the palace.

Karl was right in front of me.

Maintaining this standoff was dangerous. Unlike when we faced Balzac, this time they had a Mage on their side.

I clenched my teeth and created some distance from him.

‘This is…’

The situation wasn’t good.

Not even a little bit.

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

The prince, who had sacrificed talented individuals to grow his power, had reached the 9th circle even a decade ago.

Seeing the energy emanating from him, he seemed to have already attained the level of an Archmage.

Facing merely a Swordmaster was tough enough, but now I had to contest with an Archmage at the same time?

Could we win?

No, beyond winning…

‘Could we even escape?’

I couldn’t tell. The path ahead felt bleak.

But the enemy wouldn’t wait for us.

As soon as I created distance, sword energy came flying at me like a volley of arrows. Hundreds, no, thousands of slashes rained down upon us.

Though Siel’s shadows tried to engulf them….

It was too many, and not even half were blocked.

In the end, I swung the Holy Sword to negate the incoming attacks.

…Or at least I tried to.

But for some reason, despite swinging my sword, it didn’t move at all.

The fact that I swung my sword felt utterly distorted.

Reality manipulation.

Bending causality.

The magic techniques of one who had reached the level of Archmage.

That rendered my attack as though it never happened.

Ultimately, the slashes closed in right before us. Siel’s body could never endure that.

I had no choice but to desperately throw myself forward, taking the brunt of the slashes head-on.

‘…This is driving me insane.’

Pain beyond a certain threshold transformed into a mental attack, so I didn’t even feel anything. Still, my head throbbed uncontrollably.

The more I fought, the clearer it became that their combination had no weaknesses.

Typically, casting such powerful magic requires time, and if the caster is attacked during the incantation, significant harm falls upon them as well.

Timing the attack is key.

But there was a Swordmaster standing on their side!

Even if I tried to stop the prince from casting his spells, I’d be thwarted by that guy’s defense.

In fact, attacking the prince felt nearly impossible.

‘But… that’s the only option I have.’

I couldn’t guarantee victory even against the Swordmaster; how could I possibly win while facing a Swordmaster backed by an Archmage?

The only way to win was to somehow break through that guy’s defense and incapacitate the prince.

I signaled Lien, and together we kicked off the ground and rushed at the first prince.

I channeled all my divine power into the Holy Sword.

…Of course, I had no intention of actually using it.

Divine power isn’t infinite.

To take them both down, I needed a strike filled with strength. I couldn’t waste my one shot right now.

So the reason I pulled that stunt was simple.

Bluffing.

The prince’s spell was about to be completed, and my arm that wielded the sword froze as if paralyzed.

It was a natural result.

If I poured all my divine power into an attack, there’s no way he could remain unharmed.

From his perspective, he had no choice but to stop me.

And if that happened…

“Give it your all, Lien!”

No matter how powerful an Archmage is, they can’t use causality-bending magic on two targets simultaneously, so there will inevitably be an opening.

Upon hearing my shout, Lien charged fiercely.

She didn’t miss that newly created gap.

Of course, Karl rushed out to protect the prince….

But the chains ensnared Karl.

Magic prepared by Siel. While she wouldn’t be able to maintain it for long against a Swordmaster, that didn’t matter.

There was no need to hold him for an extended period. Just for this brief moment, it would suffice to keep him from protecting the prince.

With her aura flaring brightly, Lien pummeled forward.

The sound of her strike pierced the air.

A blow that shook the world.

With that, we could incapacitate the first prince and somehow turn the tide.

We had to turn things around.

But just as we did….

An unexpected turn of events occurred.

An eerie, overpowering energy surged from the shadow of the first prince.

A woman sprang out from it.

She wielded her sword like a Swordmaster, blocking Lien’s attack.

Simultaneously, she seemed to be an Archmage, dispelling the spell Siel desperately wove and dissolving the chains.

Pulling off that ridiculous feat, the woman, no, that corpse, turned her gaze toward me.

“Kill me.”

She said that in a chilling tone.

My head spun. I couldn’t make sense of the situation. It was understandable.

That person shouldn’t be here.

That person shouldn’t step into this realm.

What the hell?

Why here of all places?

‘Is an old comrade making an appearance…?’

I gritted my teeth.

I had to survive. I needed to stay alive. So, I had no time to be flabbergasted or ponder what was happening.

I had to think.

How to act, how to survive against that thing.

But….

“……”

There was no answer to be found. If an answer appeared, it would have been more surprising.

A Weapon Master. The ultimate.

A being allowed to stand beside the Hero, the center of the world. A born genius.

Did they expect me to face a Swordmaster and an Archmage alone? That’s an unreasonable scenario by any measure.

So, to put it another way….

If we continued like this, there was no way for us to win.

*

Siel stared blankly at Ian.

Upon seeing that face, she realized.

There were no chances of victory.

Ian had come to that conclusion.

It was likely a valid judgment.

Three opponents. Each one a handful; as for these three? Victory was out of the question, and escaping? Impossible.

Therefore, the girl contemplated.

What she needed to do right now.

And that contemplation didn’t take long.

She didn’t hear the howling laughter of the wolf.

Voices mocking her like “Are you sure you’ll be okay?” or “Do you have no regrets?” didn’t matter.

That was only natural.

From the beginning, the only important thing for her was that one person.

“Ian, do you remember? What happened before.”

Siel asked that question.

Ian looked bewildered. Which was understandable.

“How on earth did this happen?”

The shadow that had surrounded the three of them.

Neither the bizarre Swordmaster nor the Mage, nor the incomprehensible woman’s attacks could touch them.

It was eerily quiet here.

Which is why it was impossible not to be startled.

“No, that’s not important… What the heck did you bargain for?”

Ian asked, his expression more serious than before. But there was no way for her to answer.

“Remember that time? When you agreed to help me once?”

As soon as she said that, Ian’s expression darkened. He realized what she was planning.

But it was already too late.

The legs of Lien and Ian, who had collapsed from that woman, were consumed by the shadow.

Once they returned to the mansion, they would surely be safe.

She could not afford to be safe. But that was fine.

She better be fine.

“Therefore, I’m asking you.”

For some reason, words didn’t come easily. Her heart ached. Her eyes stung.

But she had to say it. Because if she didn’t, Ian would throw himself into danger again to save her.

I love you.

I will miss you.

I wanted to be with you more.

Remember me.

Holding onto that sincere feeling deep inside her heart, she forced a smile.

“Forget about someone like me.”

The girl spoke words she didn’t mean.