Chapter 63
Chapter 63: A Wish
Helot’s strike seemed to cut not only the space but also the sound . During this dark night, the white blade swung at great speed towards my belly .
The lighting fast swing managed to cut my belly, but didn’t matter . I had to forget my pain in order to survive this duel . I responded to his strike by pointing the knife on my right hand right at his neck . I tried to shorten the distance between us, and inflicted a fast thrust at my nemesis .
People who were genius were only killed by a single strike . If I allowed him to take his time while fighting, I’d definitely lose my opportunity . That’s why I charged forward without stopping so that he won’t have an opportunity to behead me . I tried to cut off his neck repeatedly so he’d die immediately . My silvery blades were slightly shaken .
At the same time, the knife held in my left hand was moved into orbit so that it would follow the movement of Helot’s white blade . I believed that I wouldn’t be able to completely overthrown his weapon . However, I had to try my hardest in order to deflect it . I had to follow that trajectory and be focused so that the worst wouldn’t fall on me . Meanwhile, I tried to slash him with the knife on my right hand .
It could take just one breath . I had a feeling that this battle could be over soon, once one of us stopped slightly to take one deep breath . Still, it wasn’t clear whether my attacks were meaningful or meaningless . I could be fighting hopelessly . For nothing . I felt that my sweat dripped from my neck .
*clashing metallic sound*
During the moment of continuous offensive and defensive actions, I heard a strong vibrating sound . A strange sound that mixed two sounds together .
That strange sound was the sound of iron that exceeded its limit and announced its own destiny . I realized that the knife in my left hand managed to change the dangerous trajectory of the white blade . But, it was with a cost . My knife’s blade cracked because of this impact .
I became worried . After a series of attacks, my knife’s blade had been severely damaged . I knew that this scenario would happen eventually . Still, it happened at this precise moment . But, why now?
Actually, no . My knife cracked when I stopped Helot’s fearsome offensive slash . That meant that until now, he wasn’t that serious . But, now, he was extremely focused so he could defeat me . Therefore, his strength increased and his movements got faster .
That sound was mixed with a simpler sound . While my left knife broke when I tried to prevent a fatal attack, the white sword bounced back and got a crack on its blade . There was no sense anymore . This duel kept continuing and continuing . Instead, I felt something hot burning in my chest .
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I had odd feelings . Intuition, irrationality, premonition .
In this state, I tried to charge against Helot with my remaining silvery blade . I extended my hand, but I wasn’t successful in cutting his neck . Besides that, my own torso was cut and I couldn’t hide the pain . Actually, I felt that I’d die, not from this injury, but from my burning emotions . They were consuming my soul while I fought against my nemesis .
This was bad . I would die if the orbit of this attack were misaligned . I had to deliver my strike in time . I had to do it accurately . I had only one chance . I had to absolutely deliver it . Deliver . Deliver . Deliver .
In the meantime, Helot’s golden eyes glowed like a ferocious beast .
—
During the twilight of the night, Caria watched this fight with an ecstatic expression .
Silvery blades on his hand . Originally, Lugis was supposed to have a different role . A crucial role, but indirectly involved in this crisis .
That’s why he didn’t need to be involved so directly on the battlefield . No, for Caria, it was no longer something to be wielded . Her large silvery eyes quivered as she stared attentively . Her white cheeks gradually became red because of the sight that unfolded right in front of her eyes .
Lugis’ silvery blades and Helot’s white blade . The two men’s weapons were engaged on a fierce fight as if they were playing a melody . The metallic sound of their weapons resonated in the air . Lugis’ condition wasn’t favorable . He looked injured . That meant that he had a higher chance of losing his neck during that fight .
Even so, Caria couldn’t hold back the emotions that came out from the depths of her chest . Her expression of dignity and honor had collapsed . All she could show was an expression full of mixed emotions .
That man, Lugis, was standing by the side of the Heraldic Order as he wielded his blade towards his opponent . He was a man of great courage and bravery . That’s right, his resolve was clear . His movements were the proof of his resolve, even the movements from the tip of his fingers showed that .
Ah, could this be the moment of rejoice? Caria’s ankles were numb . Lugis was fighting for his life . For himself . That Sorceress, Filaret, was surely seeing this battle somewhere in this chaos . Still, this battle wasn’t meant for him only . It was meant for Caria as well .
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Caria’s heartbeats didn’t stop . Things were supposed to be carried relatively well . Not to be carried this much . Caria looked a little bit unpleasant as she watched Lugis on a duel with Helot Stanley . In the worst possible scenario, Lugis’ neck would fly from the offensive strike of Helot’s white sword .
Yet, Caria didn’t need to think too deep . Caria’s long sword had no signs of shaking . She clearly saw Lugis’ strong determination . That man Lugis was fighting with all his might . With everything, he got . After all, he had his life on the line .
Ah, on the other hand, if we compared his skills with the Helot’s swordsmanship movements, one could say that his skills were still immature . Even though his resolve was resilient, he couldn’t be called a strong man per se . His mediocre demeanor was a disadvantage . He wouldn’t be able to survive in a battle with that genius . Still, even so . How could he prepared himself for it, knowing that he could be underpowered, overthrown and trampled on? All that Caria could do was show him her sincere respect .
Caria could see that both Lugis and Helot had their battle reach the final stage, soon a winner and a loser would be decided . Lugis’ left-handed knife broke, and his right-handed knife couldn’t reach Helot’s neck .
Caria kept all the decisions to her heart . If Lugis died here, then this was his fate . His duty led him to this battlefield . Caria really had the greatest respect and sincerity for Lugis .
“…However, ah . What I wished for was different than that…”
On this moment . Caria narrowed her eyes . She didn’t want to stop staring at that decisive battle . Yet, the rising sun blocked the view .
The battleground finally greeted the rise of the early morning .
—
I felt the warmth of the sunlight on my back . I was waiting eagerly for that light and its glitter to come . It was right in time .
The sun tore the heavy atmosphere from the darkness of the night by revealing its majesty . I stood behind the sun .
The golden eyes were dazzling in front of the bright sunlight . I could see my reflection on his eyes . The momentum of the white blade, which should continue with the offensive stance against me, stopped . Even though the flank was unguarded, no blade reached his guts
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Right hand, silver knife . Please let it reach him . Except for today, there won’t be another day where I’ll have the opportunity to take this hero’s head . I’ll meet my demise if I fail here and now at this task . I had to defeat him now .
The gap was completely shorter this time . I pulled my knife in a direct trajectory, charging into Helot’s neck .
…The sound of gouging the flesh was felt in my hands . Oh, damn it .
It felt like a lie . My knife should’ve reached an unmistakable moment because of the advantage I had with the short distance .
Helot Stanley . He did it once again . He forced the drive of his body by twisting his upper part . He managed to avoid the tip of my blade onto his neck . My blade landed on his shoulder instead . My silvery knife pierced his shoulder and its blade shined red in his blood .
This was the speed of an incredible intuitive reaction . I felt a heavy breath leaking out of my lungs . This was the gap between him and me . Was this the difference between a genius and an ordinary person? I was convinced that he wouldn’t be able to avoid my strike . I would change my fate if I could slice through his neck . Yet, I failed terribly .
Helot twisted his shoulders and flipped the knife . Then, he held his sword in the upper row . This stance meant that he didn’t give up .
The charge of his offensive stance, was a fearsome one . His movements bridged the gap between the mediocre me and the genius Helot in mere moments . I felt my chest extremely hot . These moments of close death made my insides boil with adrenaline .
「This is my farewell, Lugis…My enemy . 」
When Helot spoke, he swung his white blade down to my skull . I could no longer retreat from this attack . The sun was sparkling on the white blade .
“…Ah, my wish . With my hand . Another swing . Ha… Yes, if only I had another chance with my blade . ”
—
Filaret’s sorrowful sobbing, mixed in the wind, fluttered in the air .
It was a fight that could cost him his life . Filaret’s heart was torn apart by that single swing of sword . One more time, Lugis pushed himself to his limits . Lugis was doing his best and tried to reach something that couldn’t be reached . “Just give up . Just run away . Everything will be fine . Living mediocre days was also a way to find happiness, because a life was spared . ”, Filaret thought so . Even so, why did he keep pushing forward regardless of the consequences?
Filaret knew very well that no mediocre person could afford to change that way of life . To change fate . She knew it herself . A mediocre person won’t survive unless he or she reached that genius stage . Other way to survive would be to succumb to its social status . Just give up and live low . This meant that every day one would have to clench its teeth and keep its eyes down .
Yet, Lugis couldn’t accept that fate . Filaret knew it painfully during that crazy act in the underground temple . Despite being the same ordinary person as she, he was trying to forge his own path . Even if he had to risk his own life to achieve it . Even through death . Ah, his figure was ideal . My ideal .
That was the reason why Filaret La Volgograd had decided to make him a golden person . But now, at this time, Lugis was trying to escape from the hands of the golden reaper .
She hated this . But, she didn’t want to admit it . She really didn’t want to admit those feelings . She wouldn’t have any integrity and purity if she succumbed to her hidden feelings .
That said, she couldn’t help Lugis with a weapon . She couldn’t help him with magic . There was nothing that Filaret could do right now .
Filaret thought deeply about this despair with tears on her eyes .
It wasn’t just a task of magic . At this point, Filaret couldn’t use her magic against the city-state . So, all she could do was pray . Yes, pray for him and for a better outcome . It may not mean anything at all . Yet, she believed it could be meaningful somewhere .
Unquestionably . That blade was his last resort . A final hope . Filaret didn’t forget that she was the one to cast him as a worthy one . As a golden person .
“…I wish for him to grab his happiness . ”
In front of Helot who swung his sword down, Filaret’s prayer shook the space slightly along with Lugis’ silvery blade .