In front of Violetta, I need to put up a brave front.
I also said to myself that I will face Nil but, I didn’t know that it was so heavy once the thought keeps invading my mind.
“Haaa…Haaa…”
Each and every step I take towards the top gets heavier. It is not fatigue or exhaustion.
My body just wants to breakdown on its own.
But I don’t want to do that in front of Violetta and the twins. I have to make a swift decision so Violetta could stand up and save Fon. I have to endure and keep everything inside of me, for now, to let Violetta know that everything will be fine.
“Heavy…”
I feel like my body is leaning backward and sometimes, it will stagger. It’s like being pulled by something, like a hand holding my shoulders, preventing me from moving forward.
I tricked myself that I can do it, regardless of what happened.
But I couldn’t keep that trickery to myself and the drawback is now taking its toll. My mind and body are moving forward but my heart…is anchoring me.
Sweat has already covered my body and my breathing becomes cold and labored, even though, I feel fine.
“Who’s going to thrash who?”
I asked myself.
I stare up at the end of the spiral staircase and realized how far it is until the top. I look back and see how far I have climbed up.
I am not afraid of Nil but, it is my own heart that won’t move because it was drowned in so much sadness, grief, lamentation, and despair.
At this point, I could no longer lift my own foot and instead, I just drag them up while I use my hands to hold onto the railings.
Should I take a rest?
So much happened that… my heart can’t keep up anymore. Resting wouldn’t be a bad idea because I think I deserve it.
Yeah…if I just sit down here and…close my eyes…
I can forget everything…even for just a moment…
Just a little…
I’ll just close my eyes…
And…savor the fleeting feeling of nothingness…
I slowly close my eyes…
“You are strong…”
Master’s voice…
“Even…with the short time I have spent with you…I know…that… you are strong… don’t…forget that…”
This is…what Master said to me earlier…
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“My Lady, I will…believe in you… You…who will find your own path…You… will make everyone happy… you…who will always be herself…and from now on… You… who will save people…”
It’s Milin’s voice…
They are gone…they are gone but…
Their words that they imparted to me are embedded deep inside my heart. Their smiles and warmth, as well as all the memories I have with them, is forever carved in my existence, my existence that will prove that they also exists and they passed away with a smile on their faces.
They believe in me, and even up until their deaths, it didn’t change.
I decided that I would strive to walk by everyone’s side in battle. I don’t want to look at their backs while they face adversities.
Even if it is heavy, move!
Even if something is pulling me down, persevere!
Even if I am burdened by all this pain, breakthrough!
“It can’t be helped… breaks…are unnecessary…”
I stand up and face the ascending stairs again. I began moving my unsteady legs and slouchy body. I focus my eyes on my goal because beyond this place is where the real battle starts.
“Haa…Haa…”
Step by step, I move with an unsteady gait and trembling body. I am bathing in my own sweat and my breathing is still ragged but, I can feel my heart getting lighter.
And when I thought I am moving forward, my body suddenly fall backward and everything feels so slow as the wind brushes my skin.
Forward…
I need to…
………
As I brace myself to fall from the very place I am standing, down towards the bottom of this spiral staircase, there are hands…
Hands supported my back as if pushing me…
“My idiot disciple, onwards…”
“My lady, we are always watching you… go!”
Ah…!
How embarrassing…
You two should be resting already and yet I am still a bother to you guys.
But, nevertheless…
“As always, thank you…”
Fixing my position upright, I muttered my thanks.
There are no one else here besides myself but I know, I know well that they are there, giving me the push that I need. With their push, I am going to thread my path with full of uncertainty.
I don’t want to look at anyone’s back anymore but, I don’t want to walk beside anyone too.
“UOOOOHHHH!”
Putting my heart into it, I increase the pace of my steps and climb up. Onwards the danger that awaits me but, with all the people that believe in me, I will be as reckless as I can be!
Onwards to the top!
He is waiting there! I have so much to ask and to tell him. I want to give him a piece of my mind!
Before I knew it, I was standing at a large door. I look back and saw the staircase which I am the only living person. I am the only one in this place and yet, I felt their warmth.
………
I place my hand on the knob and open the door.
As the door slowly moves outward, fresh outdoor air enters my nose and chilly wind embraces me. Heavenly blue skies met my vision and the clouds seem closer that the whole scenery made me gasp.
And in the middle of the whole place, a lone man standing there, holding a winged sapphire sword as he also gazes at the beautiful sky.
Without any hesitation, I walk towards him, to Nil.
“I am truly happy that you’ve come, Asagao.”
“…”
I stop on my track with a considerable distance away from him. As he spoke those words, he turns towards me with a smile.
“You have become strong.”
“No thanks to you!”
“When we were separated, you were just a shy crybaby. You would always cling to other people who you deemed safe and helpful. You were always a taciturn man.”
“…”
“Now, look at you. You have become a girl but, right now, you are brimming with courage. It proves how much you have grown.”
“What are you trying to point out?!”
“Hahaha! Asagao… you are becoming a good protagonist for the story. And I will continue the role of the antagonist.”
“Why are you doing this? What kind of goal are you aiming for? Do you find taking lives fun?!”
“Asagao…”
“…”
“You, are without a doubt, is someone I dearly love.”
“Stop with the crap! Nil, don’t you think you’ve done far enough?! You’ve caused grief and sadness not only to me but the other people too!”
“I couldn’t care less about those lives. What I wanted is to mold the perfect protagonist such as you. The method doesn’t matter as long as it yielded a favorable result. The same goes for the heroes. Our aim is to make them brutally suffer and let them grow faster.”
“I don’t get what you are trying to talk about! What you really trying to do? Are you going to destroy the world or not?!”
“It’s the opposite, Asagao. I am…saving this world.”
“Lies!”
“Strengthening the hearts of the heroes so they would overcome the upcoming disaster, that’s my aim.”
“Lies! Why would you even…?”
“You know that the heroes have a goddess blessing bestowed unto them, right? That the only way to seal the Passage of the Devils in the center continent is with their powers.”
“Isn’t that a matter of fact?! And you said you are the lord of the devils, why would you want that?!”
“It’s a lie. I fabricated a good setting for an antagonist, you see.”
“You…toying with people’s lives…!”
“Am I now? Didn’t you trick people too? Aren’t we the same?”
“I…”
“Hahaha! That’s a joke Asagao! You see, while you are a pure clean slate, I am the opposite.”
“…”
“Well, I don’t want to spoil the story anymore so, what are you going to do now? Are you going to be an avenger who will make your dead master proud?”
“Nil... I will settle my personal grudge to you, right here, right now.”
“How…? I did say you’ve become strong but, courage alone won’t kill me.”
“…”
“I believe in you too, Asagao.”
He is right.
It was foolish of me to come at this place, knowing that I am no match for him but, since I am here now, I won’t back down.
With just myself, I will try to do everything to bring him down.
I don’t want to look at anyone’s back anymore but, I don’t want to walk beside anyone too.
Because…
………
“I will walk in front of everyone! Not in their backs or beside them. I shall lead everyone! And in order to do so, I have to learn to persistent, so even without anything with me right now, I am going to beat you!”
“Hahaha! I love your baseless claim!”
“I am not afraid of you anymore, Nil!”
“Is that so? Then, let get this started!”
I immediately draw out a sword from my dimensional storage, and at the same time, Nil leaps towards me with his hand outstretched towards me as if it is going to strangle me.
“[Bloo-!”
And at that very moment…
“I won’t let you!!!”
“[Hundred Meter Sword – Mountain Cleaver!]”
EH?!
A giant sword appears in the sky, falling towards Nil.
Looking closely…It’s Ichirou!