First came a flash of lightning.
It was just a stab of sword. A thrusting motion but the velocity of which the blade was drawn would shame even Instructor Ikki's.
I caught only a glimpse but I already pivoted to swing my body, dodging the attack in the last second. Because of the outstretched sword, there was a time frame I utilized to slash forward.
My opponent dodged by stepping back. A steady and refined smile plastered on her face. Her golden blonde hair swayed as she retracted her sword and crouched down.
And then she charged forward like an arrow.
"Gh...!" Effortlessly, she was already close to zero range and swung her sword horizontally, forcing me to block by the nick of time.
Of course I couldn't measure her strength at all. It was ridiculous as I found myself sliding backward with my legs almost buckling down if given enough time. But I refused to fall and anticipated her next movement.
After the opening strike came two shallow slashes aiming to the sides from below. It was followed by an uppercut that stopped midway through to slash diagonally downward upon reaching above the head.
I dodged the first two and parried the third attack but the last arrived faster than I predicted. I couldn't make it in time to guard against it--!
"Agh!" I cried out as the half-assed guard stance shattered and a gash was carved on my right shoulder.
My opponent didn't let the chance to go by as she peppered more blows to pierce through the holes created due to my fresh injury.
Each time I parried, blocked or dodged the chaining combo, I saw brilliant dawn-colored flashes. Every time I swung back to retaliate, those same veils of light overwhelmed me and pushed me back.
Just when I thought exhaustion caught up my opponent, her figure blurred and a chill ran down the back of my neck. I pivoted with Tyrfingg pulled up as a shield but it was too late.
*SMASH!* A loud sound followed by glass shattering echoed. My sword was destroyed into bits, iron fragments biting into my exposed skin and cutting through my clothes to further add for the counts of wounds. Wind roared and threw me down harshly.
"Ugh...! Gah! Haa...! Haa!" Mixing groans, cries and hurtful moans, I lied down on the ground feeling as if my chest caved in.
My legs were quivering and my arms were completely numb, feeling nothing even though Tyrfingg's hilt was held as if glued together. My blood was running cold but my heart was beating as if it was going to explode like a firework. I couldn't even look straight through the darkness surrounding my sight like a tunnel vision.
"I guess this is it for now. I'm surprised you learned all that in a matter of... how much time is it again...?" Iris tilted her head cutely but I had no strength to even admire her beauty.
Heck, if anything, I'm scared of her and I'm too tired right now. I breathed in, breathed out, then...
"Seven...seventy-two hours..." I answered before I fell to the ground, the broken Tyrfingg clattering next to my limp body.
"Ah, I see. I'm not so much of a scholar so I have a bad calculating ability. But doesn't that mean you've been here for two days?" Iris remarked while twirling her Relixia Arma and basked by the starry sky, the golden twilight, the twin moons' embraces as well as the golden wheat field.
If there was anything to describe my impression of her right now, she truly deserved the title 'Sword Princess', especially with how Radiata glistened by all the lightshow.
"...Gh... ugh... Does… doesn't matter… Huff… How was I… today?" I asked in-between grumbling in annoyance. There was probably a twinge of jealousy of how different we are.
Meanwhile, Iris hummed in thoughts. I slowly turned my head to the side to meet her gaze but she was constantly pacing around like a cat… Sorry, but I guess she is one if her tail and ears put in the equation.
"Same as before. You can't progress far since you're still bedridden in reality. Charlotte, would you like to take a break?" She offered.
"…I… yeah. Fine by me." I accepted the offer even though I was hiding my disappointment horribly.
After some extra works and energy to waste for, I sat down on a slope in the field with Iris. Both of us were staring at the dawn with the occasional winds toying against our long hairs.
"Uh... Haaa... it's hot. But it's cold." I commented. Then again, it makes a somewhat comfortable contrast...
"I agree. It's pretty warm around here." I heard something removed with a clinking noise beside me.
Huh... wait, this sound... Why is it so familiar to my ears…?
"Iris? What are you—geh!?" I nearly choked as the woman next to me had already unbuttoned the top part of her dress!
AND THEY'RE FREAKING HUGE...!
"Wha-what-what? What!? What are you doing, Iris!?" Inevitably, I raised my voice to shout out my problem, or rather, embarrassment since the face Iris had was my own.
Much to my chagrin, those (cute) triangular ears of hers twitched and she responded simply.
"But it's hot, you know...? I haven't worked out this long." Iris commented as she fanned her cleavage with her hand.
Damn, that's innocently erotic! Had she been not another me and I was a male I would have…! Have…!
"Even so! That's inappropriate! Don't you have any shame to suddenly undress without warning!?" I shouted in retaliation.
The Beastkin Princess looked very weirded out. Keyword being 'very'.
"Don't boys like fanservice? Charlotte is a former boy right?" She asked.
"But you're me! And I'm a girl now!" I protested.
She pouted, "Eeeh...? Doesn't that mean all the more to do it? So bothersome..."
G, gah...! Is this truly my other self!? How come she's SO laidback like Anise!?
"Maa, setting that aside." Iris ended the topic abruptly, causing me to falter to even give a proper response.
The Beastkin Princess turned to me and shifted her posture. With arms lying between her thighs, she did more harassment by showing off her assets and she didn't forget to give a grin that is so lovable any man would fall for.
How!? How much girlpower does she have!? What's more, is her character built in naughty-but-innocent setting!? She's totally a waifu material!
"So Charlotte..." Iris started.
"Y-yeah...?" I tried to move away but I couldn't take my eyes off from both embarrassment and curiosity at the alluring tone she had.
With a blink and her feline eyes seemed to show dazzling glitters that would have blown away any self-restraint all straight males would have.
"You're officially that Vagnalos' partner right?"
It's thaaaaaaaaaatt! It's the damn 'girls talk' again...!
"Oh ho ho...! Your face is red! Bullseye eh?" Iris grinned like Cheshire Cat.
I hid the blushes forming on my cheeks with a hand, "U-uuuu...! W-why are you even asking anyway!?"
"I'm just congratulating you, Charlotte! You're actually ahead of all of us in terms of relationships!" Iris put out a tongue while smiling and even raised a thumbs up.
Huuh!? What is that supposed to mea—
"Wait. 'All of us'...?" I repeated as I felt something's off with that notion.
And when I stared at her Iris' smile turned bitter. Not that I could read between the lines but a vague expression could be interpreted in many ways. One of them was quite obvious when I thought of it from another perspective.
"...are you saying that none of us other than I..." My voice trailed off.
Iris nodded weakly, "...Emhm. You guessed it correctly Charlotte. Not even peaceful death was granted to us."
She folded her legs and hugged her knees. The Beastkin Princess was showing a solemn face that I felt shocked if anything, and when I processed her words...
"R-ridiculous! How come you're saying that, Iris?! Aren't you loved by your people? Aren't you loved by your older brother?! You even befriended my parents and that Hermit!" I pointed out.
"But I wasn't able to tell Him my feelings. I never got the chance to express it." Iris shook her head. "Although in the end, it's just something that cannot be helped so there is no need to worry, Charlotte."
She flashed a gentle smile but I knew she was bluffing. I wanted to deny her words but nothing could come out from my throat, and I felt as if my heart was being pricked by needle.
"Besides, I doubt he even loved me back. All I did was only dragging him along and teasing him whenever I could." Iris then pouted, yet the clouds hanging on her head did not let up nor did they vanish from her eyes. "So - I'm quite sure that of all the other fellow Fragments, only you could bind your fate with your loved one, Charlotte."
"What… what… what on earth is that supposed to mean…?"
I didn't get it. I didn't understand anything at all. Why would she say all that and shrugged it so offhandedly…?
Iris had talents. For sure, she had to be granted with a sort of closure else there'd be no reason why she lingered to help another Fragment like I. Or rather… why would she think she was living an unhappy life?
She was a far better person than me. I knew that since I wasn't a person that could be a saint, neither could I be a Hero that surpassed all evil. I… I'm just ordinary, if not a tangled ball of reckless stupidity…
I lacked the talents to live properly in a fantasy world where might often makes right. I didn't have the luck to grow infinitely stronger despite encountering and defeating my enemies. I couldn't even solve mundane tasks and I was pretty much a trouble magnet that caused others to worry about me.
Everything I wanted to do, to be or to have in this world… almost all of them went down into the drain, and even the few exceptions were earned after taking the wrong turns repeatedly before being reminded or scolded harshly about it. The pros and cons simply didn't balance together…
That was why, compared to Iris… Compared to my other selves that were capable of fighting till the very end and loved by everyone...
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
"How... how can you say that...?" I finally muttered as if trying to squeeze my lungs.
It hurts. It's hard to breathe. But I can't help it. I'm just being childish, and selfish. It's all I can do, like a kid clinging to a toy that will be taken away.
Because I wanted to believe that what I acquired isn't some gift that fell from the sky. I wanted to believe that I've come this far not because of some stupid coincidence or machination of someone else… About Fei, about Leon, about Anise, Alia, Lily, father and mother and the others…
If there was a wish that I wanted to be granted for even if I have to sink myself… It was just that small truth. Just a form of recognition that I what I have gained and lost so far was all because of my own decision, not because of dumb luck or someone else's machinations…
"...Charlotte…"
Then I felt it. A warm touch was on my head, and it was familiar to me. It's like when mother comforted me whenever I went depressed over my disability to use magic.
Warm. Soothing. And... calming…
"...you're a good kid. I thought that since you have reincarnated in a better place, you'd lecture everyone for each thing." Iris said. "After all, the senses of values you and everyone in this world have are entirely different. It just won't complement each other."
I frowned in her petting.
"I know that already… Even if I'm against it, that still doesn't mean that something here was made that way without good reasons." I honestly answered, reminding myself of how often Fei and Leon argued while being incapable of seeing things eye-to-eye.
They came from two entirely different places, lived differently and struggled against their own problems in their own ways. Their origins, cultures, way of life and many things caused them to have different perspectives. But then again, it might be because they were born in Territories who had long antagonized each other even dating back to before the Dark Age.
It's also because I didn't like the notion of telling people off for my own selfishness. Not anymore with how my rounds of stupidity forced me to learn and understand.
"After living here for almost fourteen years, I think I've got the gist of it." I stated in a slightly irate manner, but still maintaining my composure. "But I'm stupid so sorry if I'm a slow-learner. I'll try to pay more attentions next time."
I lacked the skills and talents to get away from troubles flawlessly. I lacked the strength to protect myself and others. Added with my status as a Fragment, I couldn't even use Intermediate-class magic too, and I have no talent except copying other sword techniques, which I admit... not enough if facing monsters who could shoot magical beam from their fingertips so easily.
Worse, I have an illness that always appeared at the wrong times as if it demanded me to die sooner rather than later. It really made me wanting to ask why am I still alive right now...
"...yes. I guess you're right. You are different." Iris stated, I nodded down. "That is why, stay true to yourself, Charlotte."
I slowly looked up. I met her gaze and she beamed a radiant smile, one that was similar to how mother would show whenever she nursed me till full health.
"Cry if you're sad. Laugh if you're happy. Be upset if you're mad. Pour your emotions out and live a colorful life with your feelings laid bare." Iris further told me.
I narrowed at those suggestions, "...won't I be taken advantage if I were too upfront...?"
"That's why, limit it to your loved ones. It's okay to shower them your love and sorrow, Charlotte." Iris giggled.
...I see. I guess she's right. Now that I think about it, I've been living an insecure life ever since I entered school, and all I did was complaining if not sharing my worries. So maybe... maybe I have to balance it out. But how...?
"How am I supposed to show my... love for them when I couldn't even realize I harbored feelings for Fei until recently?" I raised a hand and grasped my chest, feeling the pain resurfacing.
But my other self—the previous Sword Princess flicked my forehead. I groaned at the sudden move and rubbed the stinging spot with sharp glares directed at her.
"You can trust them, rely on them… whatever you do to benefit both sides, but I'd rather want you to settle as staying by their side for now." She answered.
...stay by... their side...? I tilted my head a bit, repeating the words and savoring the meaning behind that advice.
"Un. A life is precious. That doesn't mean your presence gives little influence to other people's lives. After all, you're a part of their life."
Didn't you say that before, Iris tilted her head. In her eyes, I could see myself hanging my mouth open. I… that… that's right. I… I said that before.
"...I did... didn't I?" I questioned myself. Then I shook my head. "I wonder if it's enough..."
But Iris quickly replied. "You can do more but for now, that is more than enough. You already gave a future to a Vagnalos, and you're still together with him even though the contract both of you shared has dissolved. Does it even matter?"
...ah. I could see her point. Yeah. I didn't really care anyway about the contract since Fei was there with everyone. Although, I do wonder if it meant my lifespan returned back to default without my soul sharing a link with Fei's.
It was all thanks to this Oratoria contract that I rarely became ill too so I sometimes became anxious if I'd return to how I was before things spiraled down with my streaks of misfortune...
" But… I don't think... he could do it because of me." I muttered as I felt the prideful gaze showering down on me.
"No, it's because it was you that reached out to him first. You stayed by his side all this time, keeping his heart from breaking apart." Iris stated confidently. "In fact, it was you that planted a seed of emotion in his barren heart."
"But..."
Iris released me from her grasp. She heaved a sigh although her smile didn't wane.
"Be proud of yourself, Charlotte." She said. "Recognize your own efforts. Even if you're flawed. Even if you don't have what it takes to save everything... You are you."
...I am... me...
*THUMP* I heard my own heartbeat. As I felt something responding to those words without basis, I sensed it.
A change. A feeling that I could recognize. A desire to accept, even if fear and anxiety is still clouding my mind.
"...I..."
It was never pleasant to recognize my weaknesses. It felt bad, so mortifying and humiliating for me. Even so...
"...can I... be proud then...? Of being myself...?" I asked with feeble voice. "Can I be proud of myself... even with this sorry state?"
I wanted to know. I wanted to know... if these weaknesses... This weak me is allowed to be proud of myself.
Answering with a smile, Iris nodded and said, "Why not? No matter how low your self-esteem is, thou art I."
In the next moment, the scenery became blurry. The starry sky. The golden sun. The twin moons and the dazzling earth shimmered as if fading from existence. I looked around and when I shifted my gazed to Iris, another crack ran across leg while a new one appeared under her left eye.
Ah… So the time's up huh? How many times have we been doing this? The third time was it? How long could I talk with Iris before she is completely assimilated by my soul? I have to go. But if what she said was true…
No. It is the truth. That's why, I...
"...Iris..." I raised my chin as conviction slowly rooted itself in my heart and eyes. "...Thank you. I'll do my best to live up to your expectations."
The Beastkin's Princess' phantom laughed. Softly, warmly as she shook her head lightly.
"Silly child. What you should do is to live up to your own expectations." She paused. "From the beginning, what is it that you wish for?"
My face cramped up, but my lips twitched upwards ever-so-slightly.
"'Living to the fullest', right? I guess that the phrase 'True to yourself' works the best for us." I muttered with a shake of head.
"That's right. Because without a will, there is no way to advance." Iris chuckled.
Finally, the world became pure white canvas and I was pulled back from the realm forged in the deepest recess of my subconsciousness.
----------------------------------------
-Leonhardt's POV-
After the past three weeks I have settled comfortably in this village. Obviously, I stayed away from the patrols as much as necessary and I always kept myself in check by disguising as an Adventurer rather than as a student.
The kingdom, according to one merchant, was in the state of uproar. He said that the army of the 1st Order led by Richard Orleans departed to slay a wild dragon in a drawn out campaign. The abnormal period of campaign elicited the Royal Court to send out the Seventh Prince and the Third Princess, two living weapons, to assist the subjugation as the dragon seemed to have been one of the Celestial Beasts-circle which also resulted in delayed irregular reports.
"Some bullshit to cover up an assassination attempt. Looks like there really is no difference between Demons and humans." I scoffed before landing in an establishment where refreshment and light meals are served.
The tavern's owner was a girl that was of my age. Apparently, she substituted in working to help her family of five since the backbone of the house, her father had yet to return from the dragon extermination army.
I felt annoyed for the kingdom to conceal the truth, but such is life. It was simply bad luck for him to participate in a game ruled by the nobles. Even I believed I was played with knowing how easily I gained information of my sister's whereabouts.
Curse those two idiots. They even insisted to catch up on me if I tried to use the rescue as an excuse to walk away with tail between my legs.
"Erm... Leon...hardt...? Is there something wrong?" A girl in waitress uniform asked with concerned expression.
"No. It's nothing, Emily." I replied to the daughter taking care of the small but warm establishment.
I sipped the drink, a local juice similar to wine but slightly more acidic and sour while listening in to other customers as well as the people's voices outside. For a demon, sharpened senses were already a given so I could just wait in a crowded place and ascertain each sentence I have remembered.
There was nothing noteworthy. Perhaps today, there will be nothing more than baseless rumors or ridiculous tales. Although there seemed to be an increase of people talking about a golden treasure trove… It couldn't be, right?
"Hm... but you've been frequently visiting our tavern. Does that mean, Leonhardt intends to settle in?" Emily asked.
I wish, had Daemonia been erased already. This village was particularly rural but it held some fondness. With commoners intermingling with adventurers, merchants and nobles without minding their status, this place was a haven in a continent where all races refused any that was lower or the slightest bit different than them.
And there's this tavern that is not discriminating no matter what kind of racial species, status, wealth or fame one has. To be honest, it already felt like I had found a second home with a loving wife easing my life from daily suffering after working my bones out.
Unfortunately, I have a duty to fulfill. An ambition to accomplish. A vengeance to finish. And a man to kill, no matter what kind of ties I have with him.
"As much as I'd not want to, soon, I will have to depart." I answered with half-closed eyes.
"O-oh, I see... such a shame." Emily muttered with… somewhat feeble voice.
I glanced at the girl who had dark hair that faded to olive green at the edge of the strands. Somehow, I sensed her disconcerting emotion but it's not like I could care.
While I admit... I cannot imagine her life from now on. When the truth is brought up, what would Emily do? Can she even handle the loss of a parent, and even more, the true owner of this establishment? What about the annual tax? And the rest of her family? What of her own future?
"...Emily."
I didn't even know why I called out to her. Somehow, I've been having the feeling that I'm meeting women that had lost guidance like lambs unable to find their shepherds lately. Still...
"...it's not like I will not revisit this place. I'm simply venturing and carving my own oath." I reassured the girl. "No matter how long it will take, once it's done, I'm going back here once in a while."
Her complexion brightened red, she stuttered as she fiddled with her fingers behind her back.
"...I-I see! When will you return then?" She asked shyly though I didn't miss that the intonation was lighter than earlier.
"I do not know. But at least I will inform you beforehand. Perhaps sending you a letter once in a while." I replied vaguely for the sake of not promising something I may not be able to keep.
"R-really?"
I nodded flatly. The young female human soon took my hands and thanked me for obvious reasons before she hopped away like a rabbit finding a fresh, ripe carrot to drag back to her burrow.
Watching her back and hearing her humming a tune, I heaved a sigh. Perhaps Blaze was truly toying with me. Even if that wasn't so, I could not imagine how Flaggar set up my encounters with these damsels in distress.
The most notorious examples being the duo. I have already realized why they bore hostility against me but...
Once again, I lacked the answer to solve their problems. Although it's more likely they had problems with my kind in general. Hatred against other species could easily be spiked and nurtured in a time where territorial disputes could happen by a single assassination.
Especially so after Daemonia's successful invasion on the neutral region which served as a buffer zone between the Four Territories. Then again, why now when they had the chances to do it for many times in the past?
"...I guess I'll leave that for another time." Leaving my seat, I paid for my orders and exited the cozy establishment.
As Solaris shone down on me, I held my head up when I noticed His presence.
"How is it?"
I almost scowled before answering, "Nothing except the usual."
"...you think so too?" The voice queried again despite not even being caught notice by a man tending a shop right next to him.
"No doubt. There's a control of information even among the merchants." I replied.
I stared at the people passing by each other. The hooded man hiding in the alley, in-between this establishment and a general store, that obnoxious 'human' sighed as he followed my gaze.
"Then it's probably Luna's dealing. That one has always been a crafty genius, even without her Lagnaris." He informed me.
I snorted. "You're all a bunch of marionettes. At least, you were once like them but now, only you know how to clear this 'misunderstanding', fool."
"Easy for you to say, brat." The Black Hero complained.
Yet I do not wish to listen. I have no interest anyway and I-
"...hm...?" I made a sound.
"What's wrong?" The 'human' asked.
I narrowed my gaze. As I walked forward, I detected a presence infiltrating the crowd.
It was faint, but this mana signature... it's powerful. I have sensed this before, but it is not a demon's, nor is it a Vagnalos'. It was intelligent, forged by years of experiences fighters. Like a beast who had survived the jungle and became its king.
Who and what was emitting this presence? And this feeling as if I was being watched by numerous beasts... There wasn't only one out here.
Just when I wondered about it, the presence became significant enough to point me where the source was coming from–and I locked gazes with fierce amber.
"I presume you are Leonhardt A. Augmund... correct?" A gruff voice that was both impatient and old echoed, but clearly befitting that of a healthy old man.
A tall person in cloak walked towards me. No, I could see armors from the gaps and there was the strong smell of enchanted iron, one of the characteristics of the equipment knights or nobility always wore. But one particular Holy Kingdom always supplied its knights with swords buffed with holy energy radiating from the dazzling [Sacred Sword] floating above it.
"Who are you?" I asked as I realized the obnoxious one's presence fading out.
No, he's going to her side to confirm her safety perhaps. A good choice once in a while, you little sneaky bastard. Casting back my gaze to the front, I felt the calculating gaze falling upon me completely.
The stranger then placed his right, gloved hand on the left of his chest. "My apology. But I believe you have heard of a noble house bearing the name of 'Judicea', am I wrong?"