It was then. While the mercenaries let down their guard, Prometheus swung his sword at one of them.

“Damn!”

Fortunately, the mercenary put up his shield and blocked his attack in time. Still, due to Prometheus’s overwhelming strength, the mercenary’s body flew to the far end.

Some of his friends shouted in worry and ran up to the mercenary. However, my attention was no longer on them.

“Eliza, take care of them.”

“Eh? W-wait! Saint!”

I chased after the Prophet at full speed. However, due to exerting myself in the fight earlier, I could not use the light aura and had to settle with enveloping my body with lightning.

Was that why? Despite giving it my all, I can’t seem to close the distance between Prometheus and me.

“Prometheus, wait! I promised I wouldn’t harm you. There is no need to run.” I shouted.

However, what came back was a mocking laughter from him.

“What use are verbal promises made between men? And even if you speak the truth, I have no intention of staying here too long.”

I bit my lips. Certainly, from his perspective, it would be bad to stay around in the open for long.

Especially when his pursuers would be coming from all directions to catch him. Enemies or not, some too many people were after his ability. So even if I let him go, someone else will catch him in time.

It was weird for him to show himself in the open like this in the first place. And it would be a lie if I said I was not curious. However, it was more important to find more information about the hero from him.

Suddenly, Prometheus turned back and looked at me. His eyes shined blue.

“...!”

I swung my sword to cut space in a hurry and jumped back. Immediately, blue flames rose and covered the entirety of the forest within my vision, creating an enormous wall that separated him and me.

Fortunately, neither I nor the plants got burned. But since I can feel the heat, this must be a flame that could burn me to death. That might be what happened had I been late for even a moment.

“As expected of my rival. Did you dodge certain death this time too?”

“Prometheus...”

“Haha. Don’t be like that. I was just testing you. And I can’t help but be amazed to see you change fate each time.”

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I gritted my teeth. The way I am now, I had no way of overcoming this flame. Even if I used [Void Slash] to open a path, all he needed to do was to take a glance to fill the gap with new flames.

I looked at the ground and lowered my sword. Do I have no choice but to give up here? Despite finally having the chance to find the hero I have been looking for?

I raised my head and gripped my sword tighter. However, contrary to expectations, Prometheus stepped closer instead of running away.

“My rival, I will say this because you entertain me so.”

He looked at me with amusement and fixed his glasses.

“There are two heroes in this world.”

I widened my eyes. "Two?"

He nodded. "One stands before me now. The other wages her battle, though she remains unseen. A swordswoman, little more than a girl one or two years older than you, with a will of steel to match her blade."

“Swordswoman... wait, are you sure it’s a woman?”

“Yes. I am certain. The other hero is a woman.”

Prometheus' words struck me like a blow. My grip on my sword wavered as grief and doubt washed over me.

The original hero, Mika, was a man. So Prometheus’s words confirmed my suspicion that Mika had died back then. And the pain of that loss cut deeper than any blade.

‘Mika...’

I was half-expecting Mika's death, but I still held a small hope that he was alive somewhere. However, hearing the words that came out of Prometheus’s mouth shattered that hope to pieces.

I thought finding Mika's body before was painful, but knowing the full truth hurt in a way I didn't expect. Losing Raon was agony itself, but to lose even Mika? How could I go on without either of them?

As I stared into the flames, all the battles I'd fought seemed hollow. What good was my power if I couldn't use it to save the ones who mattered most?

But then I pictured Bianca's smile, Arte clinging to me while giggling. The faces of all those whose lives I'd saved flashed before me.

As much as it hurt to think of what I had already lost, there was meaning to go on. Raon and Mika had given their lives in the fight against monsters. The best way to honor their will was to keep fighting, no matter the cost. I had to keep going for them, and for the world they both fought so hard to protect.

‘Yeah. That’s right. It’s not over yet.’

Their deaths would be in vain if I gave up now. I gripped my fists and raised my head.

‘I will continue their will and fight to protect the world they used to live in.’

That was the moment I strengthened my resolve all over again. Prometheus smiled as if he enjoyed seeing my reaction.

“Glad you liked my gift.”

I took a deep breath to compose myself and nodded. “Thanks...”

“Hahaha. I also enjoyed the light show you have shown me today, so let’s call it even. However,” He said. “do not forget that we have a score to settle. It would sadden me if you died a dog’s death before we finished what we started. So don’t disappoint me too much, my rival. Until then,” Prometheus fixed his glasses, his gaze turned cold. “I shall use what I learned from you today and get stronger. Strong enough to protect my precious things from the likes of Nicht. I will make sure something like this won’t happen again. This, I swear upon my name.”

Then, Prometheus ran away without looking back. I watched his figure from behind the flame.

“Yeah. You suffered a lot, too.”

Though Prometheus's methods frightened me, I understood all too well the rage that came from loss. Prometheus would destroy any who stood between him and his goals.

However, beneath the flames, he, too, was protecting those who were dear to him. Unlike Nicht, who saw even his disciples as tools to be cast aside.

We might be similar in a sense. However, I could not condone his method of harming innocents.

"…"

It was a shame that I didn’t get more information from the prophet. However, I decided to make use of what I have gained to the best of my ability to find the hero.

For now, our paths diverged once more. And one day, we would meet again to finish what we started.

As the prophet fled beyond the flames, I turned around and walked my path. That was the moment my first meeting with the prophet ended.