"...you... you're spouting all of that nonsense from earlier. Just what do you want?"

I questioned him. Although I’m scared to the point of wanting to run away, I knew that turning my back would cause me to be slashed into halves. I… I have no choice but to put up a brave front. After all, I mustn’t let myself be overcome by fear alone else it will spell my end for certain.

"Your soul... I need it." Vladimir presented his hand as if asking me to hand it over.

But... is he an idiot? What kind of person would agree to that order?

"I cannot believe that is all. You... you want to use me right? In some way or another." I narrowed my eyes.

"Hah! Very observant of you! That's right... your existence is incomparable in worth. Even more than the dead girl sleeping in this land."

Vladimir pointed at the grave with his sword. Seeing him nonchalantly saying rude things in front of a grave... does he have no shame? Or are all demons like him? I certainly know that Leon is different but a ripple of anger emerged inside of me. In his words earlier...

"What do you mean by her being the Warlord? Isn't the Warlord a human noble who tried to usurp kingdoms with his battle crazed soldiers?"

"That is a simple pretext. Human's cunning nature... you of all people should know that."

...I can't deny his words now. Since history always showed tyrants leaving their marks as they pleased. Because the winners take everything for granted, the losers could only obey while being oppressed, unable to show true justice to the world.

Bah. How could I not notice it? So in Magnis, this kind of thing also happened... no. I am living in the same era where tyrants reign and darkness stretches unnoticeably.

"...so she was framed, cornered and accused as the Warlord before she was killed? Her death holds meaning that humans do not wish to cooperate and that the beastmen are to stay silent, playing as fools?"

How detestable. What kind of trash is it that planned such thing?

"Indeed, indeed... but one mistake exists in your deduction..." Vladimir stuck out his tongue, slithering and the serpentine eyes gazed down on me.

"The princess of beastmen... was turned into the Warlord."

...she became... the Warlord...? How could that be? Is that even possible!?

"Aha. Confused, aren't you? It cannot be helped as it is normal for one used to live like a human be ignorant about it."

Vladimir took a step forward and walked around me. His gaze did not escape me and I felt as if I was paralyzed. It’s a very disgusting feeling to have around.

"Tell me. What do you know about yourself? About your mismatched soul? About your fate which shouldn't have let you be born as a human? Or is it about your misfortune and short lifespan?"

Short... lifespan...? I nearly gasped at that. What does he mean? What does this guy know? No. How... how could I think that what he said is the truth...? Wh-why does it even feel as if it’s the most obvious thing…!?

"You are indeed impressive. To last for this long without your mind being corroded by your Soul Essence. Don't you know that mortal vessels are too brittle to endure such divine soul? Or you have been living an unfortunate life yet able to survive due to some sort of method?"

His words rang out like chiming bell. I exasperated sharply as if pieces of puzzle were placed more and more to form a picture in my mind. I can’t believe it…! Th-there’s no way I can trust his words but why…!? Why does it feel as if my belief had been shattered with cruel truth…!?

"......what... what do you know...?" I asked in a raspy voice.

"Ooh... I know. I know you as well as you know me. And… I know that you possess different memories and that you have met death for more than once."

I choked at that line. This... this guy knew I reincarnated... How? Why? Could it be… I have met him before? Was Tatiana’s words correct? And he harbors some sort of deep interests that sent me chills. I turned around but there was nothing there.

”Do you want to know, Charlotte Augmund…?”

Then a whisper came from behind me. A whisper blew into my left ear as the dreadful presence became apparent.

"Do you want know why everyone put a secret around the Warlord's existence...? Don't you want to know why the adults hid your secrets to the point of forcing themselves to imprison you here?"

The words tempted me. The content he said... yes. I certainly wanted to know. I must know them… I must…

“……!!”

*SWISH* Tyrfingg flew and cut the air. Only a strand of green floated down, mixing in with the grasses.

I stood in alert while spreading my detection range yet not a single soul could be sensed. A loud laughter abruptly descended right then and there but I wasn't able to find the source...!! Damn… it…! What was that?! Why did I get distracted again…!!?

"Then let me tell you...!" Vladimir shouted. "You are a fragmented soul! A piece of a great existence who had vanished into obscurity way before the Dark Age started!!"

"What...!!?"

I looked up in shock. Because the voice seemed to look down on me, I foolishly thought that it came from above as well yet only the tree branches shook.

Fierce wind struck me from the side, causing my dress to flutter yet my wild heartbeat couldn't be suppressed.

"Neither mortal nor immortal... you are a mere Fragment surviving in its own. But the rules of the world had changed, forcing you to be born in mortal bodies! This caused immense instability, setting your life into jeopardy with misfortune, illnesses, even Premature Death as well as blind desire to rampage!!"

".......!!"

"The Warlord - No. The beastman princess actually desired to negotiate with the humans. But she was betrayed, put in a scheme by a certain king and was left to Death. In a dying state while having all hopes robbed from her, her Soul Essence burst out from her body, eating away her mind and turned her into a ruthless fiend capable of erasing immortals to their souls!!"

The truth reached my heart, shaking my resolve as my guards faltered. How... how could that... be...?

"Don't you feel it? Even though you are weak, your wish to fight did not wane. Even though you were about to face death, you did not hesitate to dive into perils. Tell me... have you killed while desiring to kill your enemies because you felt threatened?"

...that's... a surge of memories appeared and told me the answer. That night five years ago.... when I fought those orcs with plenty immaturity, I blacked out in the middle and sensed only the thrill and warm blood staining my body. The fear of death clutched me and a desire to survive exploded as if consuming me as a whole.

Just like when I cut those fiends apart. Just like when I fought Bravzgaim. I was drunk... drunk and smiling as if going mad while desiring to kill my enemy mercilessly.

“That… can’t… be… No way…! There’s no way…!”

So... that was because... my Soul Essence was leaking out!? My mind was corroded due to life threatening situation!!? Could it be Iris too underwent the same situation as I did...?!

"It is the truth. Undeniably… it is a fate that will come to you. Even the beastman princess could not stop herself and thus was subdued by her allies who arrived too late..."

Allies... allies, he said...?

“Could... could it be... my parents...?” I mumbled quietly, wishing that wasn’t the truth. But what arrived crushed my will.

”That’s right… It was your parents, and the beastman’s older brother. They vanquished her… No. One who is the same as you. They killed a part of you!”

My mind grew blank. I couldn’t think of anything. Everything but those words which had seeped into my heart.

“Lie…s… Lies… That’s a lie… Wh…y…? Just… why…” I looked at myself. At the reflection shown by the silvery white sword.

This hair... these eyes... all. All because I'm a Fragment of a soul? Because my soul seeks to reform my true identity back. Then... I am... only a piece of what used to be me? And my parents… killed ‘Me’…? Then...! Then!!

"Who... who am I...? What am I then...? Why... Why can't I remember anything about my original self!!?"

An insane laughter answered my desperate yell. The mad laughter started to sicken me and felt like as if it was messing with me. I felt anger at his attitude. I was upset and my mind wasn’t working fine… No, not at all…! There’s no way I can keep calm!!

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"Why do you question? At least you should know that some value you more than a mere war asset..."

"Do you think... I am content with such attention!?"

"It is true. Even the gods are going to agree with me. That is a single fact you cannot ignore. One of you… A part of you were killed. Dead and resting beneath this land! A corpse once containing a fragment of yourself!!"

“Lies…!!”

I rotated with a speed faster than human eyes could catch and swung Tyrfingg. The blade clashed against the jade green sword and we finally exchanged our gazes.

"Shut up! Shut up!! You’re lying!! There’s no way it’s true!! Tell me the truth, you damn snake!!" I protested.

"Hah ha ha! Such aggravation is indeed your trigger, huh!!?" Vladimir slashed at me with another blindingly quick draw. “But what good is there for me to lie for you, eh…?!”

I defended but I was blown back. My body rolled over the grassy land before stopping. Then I got up, spat out some blood and glared at the demonic snake.

"Don't toy with me! Else...! I will kill you!! I’ll kill you and destroy you!!"

I gripped Tyrfingg tightly. Fear no longer stopped me as I grind my teeth in anger. But the flares of killing intent couldn't be stopped...

No. I don't want to stop. I must... kill him!!

"Haaaaaaaaaa!!" I dashed and howled. Bloodlust could be felt from my voice and the blade of the sword coated with aura.

"Do you think a mere Fragment can defeat me? Know your place!!" Vladimir readied a stance in order to receive my blow.

Then we swung our swords. At the same time. With the same blinding speed. With all of our might.

The blades clashed. Sparks scattered. The aftershock blew the surrounding apart with quaking force.

"Aaaaaaahhhh!!"

I launched slashes after slashes at Vladimir but he parried all of them in time! Irritating! Die! Die!! Just die already…!!

I dashed from one place to another, slashing at Vladimir who dodged as eloquent as the wind. Every single attack was parried and some were even dodged with a momentum for him to counter.

"Gh...!" I grounded my teeth as the jade green sword perpetrated my defense, ripping the dress' sleeve and cut my arm.

The wound was shallow but blood still sprayed. I countered with a stab and the swords grazed each other, making profound sounds. A slash came from left and I responded by deflecting it! Then came a bladed tail rushing from above and I sidestepped!

I weaved to the left, to the right while moving forward! The distance between us shrunk and I could push Vladimir back!

*CRACK* But a sound signaled one factor to shake.

I glanced at Tyrfingg, stunned speechless when cracks began to grow and expand to encroach the blade.

"No way...!?" I gasped and that was when a green flash appeared before me.

It's unavoidable! I had no choice but to defend myself by using Tyrfingg as a shield.

"Your sword... it's a splendid weapon, but with the current you, all is naught!!"

*SHATTER!!* Tyrfingg shattered into pieces. Every shard shone like fireflies and the world seemed to slow down.

I was dismayed. To think that the sword shattered with a mere blow. With just an instance of collision...

"Your soul - is mine!!"

Then, the Demon General. The Astral Serpent swung his jade green sword once again. With one slash - blood spurted from my abdomen as my vision grew dark.

-

-

-

-

......it hurts...

Lying down, I felt... cold all over. The world seemed to dim weakly and I couldn't see anything well, as if someone put a blindfold on me...

Ah... I can't... move. I can't... breathe... somehow. It hurts... it's painful......

Why... Why is... this happening? Just what's... wrong with my life?

Me? A piece of what I used to be? I am... Nothing more than a broken, half-assed existence without decent soul and body...?

Is it... destined? I was... my entire life was...

Then... then for what... reason I lived...? For so long... through pains and blood... I even... killed to pave my path.

For what reason...? Why? Why did I live...? Just... Why am I alive...?

With so many dangerous factors inside me... I am a but a mere moving time bomb. My entire life. Even this body is simply an incomplete recreation of what my soul recorded in.

Pursuing the original form which is long lost. Even my other halves... the other Fragments... are all dead... right? So... even Iris...

She might have thought the same thing. This despair... this hopelessness. This emptiness for knowing that all was for naught...

*...ring*

Huh...? This... sound...

"Do you intend to give up here?"

What... is it...? I looked up. But only darkness was ever present around me. I honestly thought of it as an illusion but the same chime resounded.

"Do you want to give up your love then?"

Love...? Love... what...

*ring!* Alongside the chime, a flash of memory appeared inside of me.

His stoic face. His sarcastic remarks. His cold judgment in handling the situation. His fighting style. His confession... and his oath.

"Please don't joke around. You haven't even told him your feeling yet, haven't you?"

...I...

"Don't act like a coward now of all times. Come on, get up. You said it yourself right? You want to tell him your feelings. Do you want to die like this then?"

...I... I don't... want... to... not... that... Anything but that...

"Then stand up, Charlotte Augmund. Unlike us... you have the power necessary to overcome fate."

Powe...r...? What... power...? If I use... it... I will...

"Then, will you choose death? Even though your beloved did not hesitate to cast aside his humanity?"

He... what? Fei... did? That... that can't be. Why?! How...

"You should know it better than anyone."

...that... that time...? When I was saved thrice in a row... he... for... for me...? Could it be...

"Now. Are you certain to throw away your life? Do you wish to end like this?"

...............I don't... want that... He did... more than enough. He suffered more than enough.

I don't want him to suffer even more! I don't want to let him be sad! And... and... I haven't told him I love him!!

"Then wake up, One Who Suffers the Same Fate as I."

-

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-

-

".......!"

I kicked the ground and retreated. The moment I moved, I could see a flash of dark green blocking my vision and cut strands of my bangs.

What…!? I… I thought I was slashed…!!?

-That is an illusion. You have been trapped in a spell for a while, Charlotte.

“Huh? This voice…”

-Had you not woken up, you would have died for sure. Therefore, I will aid you.-

I felt as if my shoulders were touched by hands. Warm, delicate hands from behind and when I glanced behind, there was her.

A woman older than me floating in white dress. Her sharp emerald eyes and her flowing golden hair seemed so translucent, and I noticed a pair of cat ears and tail.

Even so... that face... that appearance......

“M-me…?!” I exasperated in shock!

Who’s this!? When did I cosplay with the famous nekomimi (cat ears) and cat tail…!? Did I become a beastman!? Or rather… what’s with those ridiculous breasts! And her charms are too much to bear with!

Older, mature and graceful! She’s the epitome of a lady!! Who’s this fairytale-like beauty!? Me!? Will I become like her in the future?! I’m stunned still like stone and couldn’t believe what I’m seeing now!

And yet… and yet! The woman smiled and she muttered after chuckling…

-Nice to meet you, Charlotte Augmund. My name is Iris Isperia Waltzen. Daughter of the second Golden Tiger Queen and the late younger sister of Valden. I guess I am what you call… your future phantom? Your future face when you died? Dead doppelganger? Or maybe a twin separated by death?-