"...a... decoy...?"

That was the first, sound and sane voice the Royal Knight uttered after his moments of madness.

After all that kill-or-be-killed situation, I was left sitting with legs folded and Radiata stabbed to the ground as I wheezed heavily while leaning support to it.

"...yeah..." For some reasons, I was able to answer him. "...since the more destructive and flashy a technique is, the easier it can be predicted."

So... All I needed to do is use my strongest skill as a distraction and launch the final attack. Fei wouldn't have hard time to counter this cheap trick but Orleans isn't him, and he went full berserk on me.

"...I... see. I was soundly defeated by your ploy."

...Gh. I admit it was crafty and scheming but...

"...did you... have to say... that... out loud...?" I gave a half-lidded stare at the Royal Knight.

He curled his lips into a thin smile. As his figure receded into his original form, all I see was a wounded and defeated knight staring at the sky. Armors in shamble, weapon broken, allies defeated, even dignity wasn't prevalent in his stern blue eyes.

Sir Richard Orleans – is defeated. That’s the undeniable fact.

"I admit - I lost my mind, and you used it for your advantage. Overpowering number with tactic and talent alone is... something I do not disrespect." He chuckled tiredly.

Really...? But when you transformed, a quarter of your men fled you know? I thought you were all elites tempered with experiences but it seemed when push came to shove, one's own life is always prioritized.

Also petty desires. It didn't help that later on, the absolutely loyal subordinates were merely a tenth of the original battalion. I probably killed only half and a little more, so…

"It seems… getting ditched by your own 'friends' always… happened as long as they are nobles." I murmured audibly.

And a boisterous laughter exploded. "Truly! I shouldn't have expected much from the knights prepared by Her Majesty."

...Her... Majesty...? Something clicked in my mind. Come to think of it… if Eliza was the one that concocted this scheme, she should have made a proposal regarding it to the Royal Court. And when it came to mobilizing an army usually deployed for the entire kingdom’s sake… meant…

"...The Queen herself... permitted this operation...?" I stared at the knight in shock.

Orleans didn't budge. He was silent as he slowly raised his body... and stood up. No way... How is he still...?

"Young lady." He called out with decisive tone that I jolted.

"Y-yeah...?" I shifted around as I wondered whether I should get up and fight again or staying still.

However...

"Please kill me."

"...what...?"

Huh? Huh?? What is this guy saying all of a sudden?! Or rather, what is his aim!? He knows Fei judging by how he reacted when Lagnaris flew into his sight...

Does that mean he intends to frame me?! I don't want to!!

"...Please... there is no time left." Orleans turned to face me.

That was when I realized - the white armors, the manifestation of Lagnaris' might...

It was encroaching his body. Bits by bits, his form is slowly changing, the cursed white weapon becoming a second skin over his own.

"...young lady bearing the name of Augmund. This is... perhaps something you will see frequently in the near future."

Despite still stunned still, I frowned hearing Orleans' words. I don’t think I’m going to like his story…

"Frequent...?" But in the end, my curiosity won over and I asked.

"Indeed," He nodded. "Lagnaris... no, the Aion System is the core of our kingdom. With the [Ruler], [Tree of Eons], as well as [Lagnaris]... the system will continue on feeding off souls, corrupting living beings... and controlling people's hearts."

The Royal Knight breathed out. As his eyes seemed to lose luster and black hazes floating down from the crown of his head.

"Burn this into your memory. Lagnaris is not only a soul devouring relic. It transforms a living being into one."

What...?!

"I speak of no lies. The [Tree of Eon] too is a Relic that produces Relics. By sacrificing numerous lives, the tree birthed Lagnaris which in turn will multiply should it be wielded by another living being." Orleans explained, then placed a hand on his chest. "That is why the Royalty is made up of Homunculus. The only way for it not to corrode everyone... is because the past kings’ indomitable rule to only utilize artificial constructs such as His Highness. The more Lagnaris there are, the lesser the [Tree of Abraxas] could control them."

"........."

"...Therefore... you, who prevailed against I, no matter what method you executed to realize it... Please kill me. End me before I regret it."

...I couldn't... I couldn't even say anything. What the hell am I supposed to tell him?

That there should be other way? That he mustn't give up? It's true that he was reckless enough to rampage and kill his own comrades but he didn't deserve this. As long as he's alive, he could atone for what he did and find redemption.

But... telling me all that meant... He's giving up on that, leaving his mistakes as mere that...

'......kill him.'

I widened my eyes. Looking at the sword in my hand, I wanted to protest and shout back at it.

'Kill him. When he becomes Lagnaris, he won't have any speck of soul left to remain. As he said, the System will corrode him and turn him into a weapon thirsting for perfection.'

"But...!"

'Let him die as a human. That's the privilege for a human, as well as a mortal.'

I grit my molar. My hands trembling so hard that I felt like they were bleeding. But...

...I know. I know that already... I wouldn't want to die as a monster too.

That's why I hate it. I hate this kind of thing. Why does this have to happen...?

"......I..."

...no. This is not going to be the end of it all. Fei isn't a human, neither is Leon. But those two didn't ask to be born that way.

And I knew... Fei always told himself he's not a human. Because he's not encroached by Lagnaris. Because he didn't have his own heart or body of a human.

Only looking like one, but not one.

"...I... understand."

I know he won't like it if I told him I killed everyone here.

I know he's not one that will give up on saving them.

But I know he wouldn't want others to suffer the same fate as he did.

"May I... ask you a question?"

"Please be quick."

"Why are you telling me all this?"

The Royal Knight chuckled. His gaze was gentle and it reminded me of people that always helped me in the way.

Iris. Senior. Father and mother. Even Fei... that knowing smile, always so gentle like the stars' light in the darkness of the night.

"...well... Perhaps it is because you are Milord's Oratoria."

Oratoria... That again.

"What is this 'Oratoria' thing anyway?" I asked again.

Orleans smiled albeit mischievously. "That... is up to Milord to answer your question."

Ugh... acting all-too-mysterious again... There's already a hundred-and-one mysteries about myself and there comes another addition.

Bah. I'll force Fei to mouth it out later so...

"I'll keep that in mind. Please brace yourself - Sir Richard Orleans."

*clang* Radiata made a sound as it was being pulled out from the ground. I wobbled for one step, but plunged myself forward.

'You know how to kill him. Your memories will guide you'

Got it...!

"...that's fine. Go on, young lady."

The man smiled as his right arm was covered with white armor. He moved it, probably unconsciously when he saw me lunging towards him.

Closer. Bits by bits. Moment after moment.

As the Relixia Arma glowed one last time...

As the Royal Knight swung his claw-like arm upward...

"I am proud to serve under you, Lord Felix."

*SLASH!!* Faster than it, a horizontal line of light traced his neck - decisively decapitating his head from his body.

-

-

-

-

I didn't know how much time had passed.

It was dark. Also cold. After all that, my mana ran out and the illness automatically shut down my consciousness. It was more like sheer extreme pains, combined with other factors such as injuries and buff spell's side effects. I expended some of my Soul Essences too even though I was already tired.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

The resulting pain obviously flew to a level that my mind couldn't endure it even for the slightest moment. I'm such an idiot for getting out of control and ignoring my own condition again...

But for some reasons, I feel warm now. Why...?

"...Nn..." I groaned, as I felt all of my sensors acting up once again.

Then, slowly... I opened my eyes, greeting the vermillion twilight that was about to end in a few minutes. The stench of rust attacked my nostrils but the cold wind brushed away all that and cooled my overly warm body.

"Sis...!" I heard a familiar voice.

Rotating my head like a rusty robot, I saw someone - a boy with red hair. His face obscured by both my dizziness, blurry-like-a-kaleidoscope vision and the shadows left behind by the twilight.

But I knew... his voice. "...Le...on...?"

"Thank the Gods...! You're alive!!"

...alive...? Huh... was I injured THAT bad...? My head is somewhat blank and I have this fuzzy feeling...

"...Charlotte."

Mm...? This... this voice...? Even though I haven't seen his figure but his voice caused me to look upward.

"...Fe...i...?" I gazed at someone who was so close to me that my mind instantly cleared.

Huh...? Huh!? What... wait, since when did I receive a lap pillow? Or rather, why am I being embraced by him...

"Kha...!" Due to my incessant internal chaos, my heart rate jolted up and I spat out blood.

"Sis!? Calm down, sis...! Your wounds are going to reopen if you move around recklessly!!"

"...ugh... I... ....fine..."

Conceding to my sibling's rushed words, I settled down comfortably. But I couldn't stop my anxiety as I'm this close with Fei.

I don't know why, but the air around him... seemed... it changed. Why? And feeling his heartbeat like this... somehow, it reassured me.

"...Charlotte..." Fei called out. "...I'm sorry, I was late again."

...again... huh? I recalled That Night 6 years ago, and broke out into tiny giggle.

"...you're always late. Is that your ability... as a Hero?" I teased, earning a tired sigh from my knight.

"I don't want to be late every time. If it's too late, then..."

Un... I guess we'll leave it at that. I feel the same way too. Also... it's easier to breathe if I'm like this.

Still, when I looked into Fei's eyes, I saw something different.

There was relief. There was regret. There was guilt. And there was anxiety, also confusion.

......he must be wondering what exactly happened. Should I tell him? That the knights possessing the biggest loyalty turned against him? That a decree was given to abduct me? That I annihilated the battalion commanded by the first Royal Knight?

"......Fei..." I muttered after heaving a sigh. "...I..."

I have to tell him. I have to, since I'm the one at fault here. I couldn't just limit myself to disarm my opponents. I'm still inexperienced. I'm not strong enough to save them, since it's far easier to kill people rather than disarming them without leaving a scratch.

So it's a given for me to confess the truth, and apologize to him--

"...there's... no need."

And yet, I heard something unexpected. It was so unexpected that I nearly snapped my neck when I leveled my wide-eyed stare.

"It's fine..." Fei said in a nostalgic tone. "It's fine, Charlotte. Everything's fine."

...fine...? Fine... you said...? Is he... is he an idiot?

"...Fei... I... I......."

What is fine about this all? About this sea of blood? About this spire of corpses? What's fine with this execution ground?!

Why is he saying all that again?! It's my fault, you know!? I don't deserve comfort and forgiveness for my wrongdoings! I...!

"It's fine, Charlotte."

Before I knew it... I was embraced. In Fei's arms, my head was pressed to his chest. But I only felt an arm wrapping my body while the other...

I realized. Fei lost an... arm. From the corner of my vision, the place where a limb was supposed to be, there's... nothing there.

How? Why? What happened? Doesn't that look hurt? How come you're so indifferent about it?

Why is he still saying all that...? Why couldn't he understand...?

I...

"...you did well."

...Stop it...

"You must be scared back there. It's fine. You're alive now. You did well to survive."

...Stop being kind to me...

"You're here. I'm here. We're still alive. So everything's fine now, Charlotte..."

...just... Stop... it... please...

"I'm glad... you're alive. Thank you."

"...Uuu..."

I couldn't stop my tears from falling down.

I couldn't help but be ashamed of myself that never improved.

I couldn't help from hating my weak self.

And yet... and yet... I...

"Uwaaaaa...! Fei...! Fei...!!"

I couldn't help... but to tightly grasp him. The boy that saved me. The person that changed me. The one I fell in love with in this life.

I clung to him. I cried in his arms while his warmth and heartbeats soothed me.

I no longer cared about my appearance. I didn't have the pride nor courage to hide my feelings. All I wanted was to feel Fei's presence. To feel his warmth.

It had been a long time. When was the last time I could truly pour out my feelings like this? When was the last time I could be so selfish that I didn't consider the surrounding?

It was always with him. Regardless of me being a reincarnated person. Regardless of me being a Fragmented existence. Regardless of who and what I am... Only Fei could break my shells.

Only him alone is capable of doing all that.

That's why... only at this kind of moment, with him, can I ever show my weakness...

It was a while later when my tears dried up, and I felt heavy weight lulling me to close my eyes.

"......Fei..." Still in embrace, I murmured his name.

I want to thank him. But... I don't know if I can do that. I'm so tired that I felt like wanting to say whatever crossed my mind in the first glance.

"...don't ever change... Okay...?" I asked out-of-the-blue.

I felt my heartbeat resonating with his, and I felt his warmth comforting my body, just like when he brought me back home. Just like when he confronted me in that burning forest and town. Just like when I was saved by him in the Academy's Dungeon.

I feel happy. I feel so happy for staying like this. If only time stopped and I got all the world for us to be with, how lovely can that be...?

However... I can't desire such thing. I'm not good enough to be given such luxury. I'm not worthy enough to be granted a miracle.

And I thought I'd be rejected. After all that I've done... I'm less than deserving to face him.

What if he let go of my hand? What if he steered away from me, avoiding me? What if he abandoned me...?

I was afraid of his answer. I was afraid that he might've started to hate me. I killed those he wanted to protect. I tarnished his dream and ruined it by my own hands...

But... my knight replied, with a tone that was smug and yet considerate. With a voice that hid no lies and showed bare of his feelings...

"...same goes to you too, Princess." He said, a grin that seemed condescending yet playful at the same time gracing his dirt-ridden face.

In other words... he's making fun of me.

"Oh, hush you..." I rolled my eyes lightly, as I slowly fell into a deep slumber.

Just why did I fall in love with that flimsy attitude of yours anyway...? Sometime, I really do wonder why.

----------------------------------------

----------------------------------------

A/N: That... wraps it all up. Epilogue will appear probably 3-4 days from now, then a side-story. Honestly, final is up around the corner so I will probably go missing to focus on college tasks. I don't think I will have the time to even fix the story and create chapters for a while so here's my apology-in-advance.