#10. fin

A tall guy in black uniform was walking along a basin. Had anyone seen him, they would have thought he was going to suicide, since the end of the direction he was walking towards was the dense defense line built by Perriun kingdom.

When he stepped into the reach, thousands of arrows were shot from inside of the fortress. The rain of arrows flew in arcs rushing towards his body. On the verge of being torn apart, he stopped walking and let out a short, but powerful shout to the sky.

"Gal!"

The soldiers on Perriun's side could not help but be astounded before the scene they have never seen in their lives. With a horrible ear-splitting sound, all the arrows that had been flying into him lost their strengths and bounced off. The lion's roar in the legend! The man's shout echoed and lingered on even after showing its power to everyone. He approached closer to the wall of the fortress before he stopped and looked at the front with his arms crossed as if nothing had happened.

It was such an arrogant and impossible demeanor, but there was no more attack from the fortress. They must have realized it was meaningless to him after witnessing his godlike power. And there was only one man in the whole world who could do such a thing. Perriun's Supreme Commander, Kiriyan Masis, knew it better than anyone.

"Mikael Sepavile."

"…"

Mikael's waiting was not that long. He noticed Kiriyan, who had stepped out of a gate before anyone knew it, was already standing next to him with a sharp gaze. He looked back at the Supreme Commander of the enemy, known as 'the noble silver knight'. He opened his mouth.

"It's been a while, Sir Kiriyan."

"…It's been a while?"

Kiriyan tilted his head. If memory served him, he had never met the world's strongest swordsman before.

"Have we met before?"

"Yes we have, when you were really young. You might not remember it."

Mikael smiled. How could he have forgotten, even though it had been a long time already. Mikael recalled that moment. It was when he had been conducting an operation 'Myeol-saeng' to build a secretive outpost Requiem for the end of the world, in Perriun's small town Normunt. And that had been done with the cooperation of Perriun's Finance Minister Guillermo, after his 'owner' had changed to Rorens as emperor Razen had been murdered. The only person who could survive the massacre against all the residents of Normunt. That little boy had grown up as a knight and was confronting him right there. He became a little bit emotional. Of course, he had already heard from Rorens that Kiriyan could not remember that moment because of none other than Reminiscence.

"When I was young…? What do you mean by 'you might not remember it'?"

"Ah, never mind. I was just talking to myself."

Kiriyan tilted his head, but recovered his cold eyes not long after. Mikael was amazed thinking those eyes were very different from the ones years back, which had borne no more than endless hollowness.

'Come to think of it…'

Mikael tried to jog his memory once more. If he was correct, there had certainly been a girl with spellbinding sky-blue eyes next to young Kiriyan. They had been supposed to kill both Kiriyan and the girl, but as Rorens had seen Kiriyan protect her desperately, he had granted Kiriyan only one exception and spared both of their lives. Dhalia, it was kind of a miracle for Mikael to be able to recollect her name from the sea of people who had passed by him so far. He thought about letting Kiriyan know what had become of her, but he had to stop himself shortly as he remembered Rorens had dumped her at one of the slave markets near Normunt. Telling it to Kiriyan would not make anything any better.

"I'm personally curious about the reason for this conquering war… but guess it's not the right time to ask."

Kiriyan drew his sword slowly. Mikael replied with a smiley face.

"Good posture. No need to drag this out, right? Bring it on."

Mikael pulled out a long sword off his waist as well. Kiriyan did not refuse to take the chance of the first attack. His whole body was covered up with furious energy before the tip of his sword rushed into Mikael. It was as fast as sonic speed. Mikael stepped aside, only to be pushed back by wind pressure made by Kiriyan's sword. While Mikael was shocked by that, Kiriyan recovered his posture and jumped at him again holding his sword firmly.

Who would have thought there was a crack on Mikael, the greatest swordsman in the world? Surprisingly enough, it was Mikael who stepped back again after several white-blue sparks and swirls of dust between the two. It was such a diabolic power. The ground rumbled every time the two swords collided. The increasing speeds of their movements left afterimages behind them, making it look like the two enraged dragons were tangled with each other. The soldiers on Perriun's side watching the scene could not hide their surprise. Although they had already known their boss Kiriyan was superb, it was way beyond their expectation that he was neck and neck against the best swordsman in the world. Had he not been defeated even by the former master of Ensis Knights Rorens Selion? Had he happened to gain any mysterious power from a fantasy world?

However, it was only a simple question. It was the difference between dual wielding and one-handed technique. Before he had fought Rorens, Kiriyan had never gone up against a master of dual wielding, which had been a critical disadvantage in a duel between fully skilled swordsmen. Be that as it may, there were still few in the world who could defeat the silver knight in a normal one-handed sword fight, in which even Rorens had lost.

But Mikael did not seem to care much, even though he was constantly being knocked back with furious sparks. If anything, he seemed to be enjoying himself. Kiriyan caught a glimpse of Mikael's face, which did not contain a shred of anxiety for possible danger. His shining grey eyes were luring the opponent even in the middle of the intense collision. Kiriyan's eyes were the opposite. The one repelling everything that comes at him. Combined with his force, they were closing in on Mikael more and more.

It was when their fierce, destructive fight continued for roughly 10 minutes. The balance of the power between the two finally got broken. With a swoosh, a long cut was drawn on Kiriyan's chest. The crimson particles of life force burst out, and at the same time, Aurelio, who had been watching the fight up inside the wall, sprang to his feet and shouted.

"Sir Kiriyan!"

But Kiriyan hit Mikael's sword off in a flash and stabbed his shoulder deeply. With a ghastly sound, the tip of the Kiriyan's sword came out through Mikael's back.

'Did…we just beat Mikael?'

At the moment, every one of Perriun's soldiers, including Kiriyan himself, looked at Mikael who had stopped dead with the same thought in their minds. However, Mikael's face did not show any change of emotion even though he got his shoulder joint penetrated. Feeling strange, Kiriyan tried to pull out his sword, but it did not come out as if it had been stuck in between cogs. At that instant, Mikael's eyes shone.

*𝘎𝘢𝘴𝘱*

Kiriyan was going to make his way back even if he had to let go of the sword, but Mikael's attack was faster. Kiriyan's body flew back as though it had been swept away by a storm and landed on the ground violently. The cut on his chest was wide open, bleeding quite severely.

"It's really been a long time since my body got stabbed last. I never thought it would happen ever again."

Before anyone knew it, Mikael walked up and stood in front of Kiriyan with a bitter smile. Though it seemed arduous, Kiriyan managed to get himself up. He did not even see what kind of attack had blown him away. It was only lucky that his head was still on his body as Mikael's shoulder was wounded. At that moment, Mikael pulled the sword out of his shoulder. Blood gushed out, but Mikael was still collected with no emotion on his face. And Kiriyan shortly had to witness what nobody could have believed.

"Your wound…"

The amount of blood running down Mikael's arm started decreasing rapidly. The hole on his back created by Kiriyan's sword was narrowing. Muscles went back to their own place, and blood vessels reconnected to each other by themselves. It was as if time passed several times as fast as normal. Kiriyan could do nothing but to gape at that unexplainable phenomenon despite his cool-headed personality.

"It should be the first time for you to see this sort of thing. Because it is the first time for me to get a sword wound since I arrived in this world."

"W… what kind of black magic was that?"

Although he just saw it for himself, Kiriyan had to doubt his own eyes. He did not think Mikael's wound had really been cured. He thought Mikael deceived him by sorcery of some sort, which did not make sense either in any way.

"It's called sa-ryeong-hyeol-ji-sul."

Mikael simply answered Kiriyan's curiosity. Believe it or not, his wound had already been cured altogether. He thought it was about time to bring an end to this fight. The one who had inflicted a physical damage on his body, which couldn't be harmed even from being shot by a cannon point-blank. He wished he could have enjoyed this moment for a bit longer if not for the war, but the longer Kiriyan held out, the more his army would be demoralized and the higher the enemy's spirit would become.

"Sir Kiriyan. You are excellent, the best swordsman I've ever met in this world so far. But I'm afraid it's time to finish things." Mikael said to Kiriyan.

"…!"

'The noble silver knight' Kiriyan's swordsmanship was already beyond Mikael's expectation. Despite what he had assured the officers '10 minutes will be enough', time had passed too much before he realized it. Mikael finally decided to release his true power.

Kiriyan suddenly got stiff from tension. New energy that he had never felt before overwhelmed his whole body. It was like he was being encroached on by the force he could not resist by any means.

The tip of Mikael's sword started emitting a brilliant blaze of light. The strands of light running up along the side of the sword gathered at the tip and shaped another 'sword of light' on top of the original one.

"This is my true power. This was named gum-kang in my home world. The ultimate swordsmanship, which is only to be wielded by the greatest sword masters."

The light surrounding Mikael's sword had become bigger and bigger as he spoke, ended up growing over 30 inches. Kiriyan could instinctively feel the power contained in that light. It was literally the crystal of pure energy. He doubted if he could counter it even once. The power that even he, who had devoted his whole life to a sword, had never seen or heard before. Mikael declared inside that enormous energy.

"Kiriyan, you will die here today."

Mikael's shining sword plunged into Kiriyan with beautiful holy light.

‎

"The king is fleeing the palace!"

Meanwhile, the mounted troops' leader attacking Perriun's royal palace was reported that the carriage exclusive to the royal family breached the siege with the king inside and fled the palace. Needless to say, they should chase it as catching the king alive was one of their objectives. And the leader was competent enough.

"Only #1 battalion will go after it! The rest of us should complete the siege as fast as we can!"

Not long after the order was given, another carriage that had been sneaking out through the back of the palace was spotted. The leader saw through Perriun's tactic the moment he was informed of the second carriage.

"The first carriage was a red herring! The real king is in the second one going out through the back! Make another chasing team and catch up on it!"

The order was carried out immediately. The extraordinary war horses of the mounted troops were fast enough to outrun a carriage in no time. The first carriage, which had been running away from the palace at full speed, wound up being surrounded by the swords of the soldiers shortly.

"There's no way to run anymore! Surrender!"

A hand holding white flag came out of the carriage.

"Give up your weapons and come out!"

A moment later, the soldiers only had to see a slim guy walking out of the door without resistance. They all frowned in anger when they looked at him. Obviously, he was not the king.

"P, please don't kill me. I was just following an order…"

"Who the hell are you?!"

When threatened by a number of swords, the man that had been shivering identified himself as 'the Minister of Defense'. The soldiers scoffed at that name.

"Are the likes of you the Minister of Defense? Anyway, it was a red herring indeed."

At that time, the other carriage that had snuck out was about to be caught up, too. Seeing through Perriun's tactic, the mounted troops cornered the carriage yelling at them threateningly. A coachman stopped the horses and raised his hands as the gap between them decreased gradually.

"You thought you could get away with this kind of stunt? Get out!"

The door did not open nevertheless. Even so, it was not that the special force on a mission of catching the king alive could just thrust the sword into the carriage.

"Come out already if you are truly the king! Behave like one!"

One soldier shouted. They did not know whether being caught alive with dignity was really 'acting like the king' or not, but anyway it seemed to work as the door opened slowly. Shortly, they had to see a dapper man in a nice suit stepping out of the carriage. The mounted troops compared a portrait of the king they had brought to the man and yelled.

"Who the hell are you?! You don't look like the king at all. And freaking too young!"

"Hey guys, nice work. I'm the Minister of Justice, Seid."

"Y, you are not the king?"

They were dumbfounded. Why would Perriun do something like this if neither of the carriages had the real king?

"Oh, come on now. You can't just underestimate Perriun like that. You still don't get it, do you?"

"Still don't get what?!"

Seid was stoked feeling a sense of achievement. He had not lived his whole life keeping on the straight and narrow, but he felt like he could have been proud in front of anyone, at least this time. He puffed out his chest and laughed out loud.

"You've been had!"

‎

Luxurious pieces of art were being treated violently at Perriun's last stand, the palace.

"Stack them up and make a barricade! Hold back the enemy's entry as much as possible!"

Neon, who had been authorized to command the palace force ordered with a high-pitched voice. All tables and chairs were piled up densely behind a door, blocking the enemy's entry. They kept advancing through barricades, but another one was made as they destroyed one. Of course, they were only to buy some time and were condemned to be broken through in the end. Neon bit his lips and pulled out a pocket watch.

'It's time.'

Determined, Neon grabbed the watch tightly and looked at people. All palace guards, Ensis Knights and Hellon Knights were looking back at him with nervous eyes, holding their swords firmly. His lips opened.

"Enemies raised to the bait! Their troops are dispersed at the moment. The chance of winning is now or never. Obliterate them before they rally again!"

At that instant, the barricade collapsed and enemies rushed inside.

"Attack! Protect this kingdom!"

He was only a 23-year-old young lad, but he was an innate leader. As Neon drew a sword and lunged towards the enemy first, Perriun's last troops followed his back with a great battle cry. The enemies could not help being confused by their such morale, which was only natural given Perriun had been busy just making walls and hiding behind them so far.

"Goddamit! This was it!"

The commander of the mounted troops finally realized he had been fooled by Neon. He had divided quite a lot of force to catch both the two carriages. Then he only had come with the rest to take over the palace assuming the king had already run away, but ended up being counterattacked by Perriun's troops that had become as much as his at the moment.

However, the commander did not feel any sense of danger, though a bit 'embarrassed'. He thought Perriun's troops were just a bunch of sheeps compared to his well-trained army. He had never thought he could be defeated by these weaklings.

"Hmph! Show this trash what the real battle is!"

I will catch Perriun's king alive by my own hands today, he thought as he drew his sword.

‎

"Huff, huff…"

Only one single attack. But it was more than enough to beat Kiriyan onto the ground, incapacitated. His black sword that had gone up against Mikael's gum-kang was trembling like it was going to crumble, and his crook of thumb that had been holding the hilt was brutally torn to bleed. Moreover, the cut on his chest got open even wider, giving him burning and excruciating pain. It was acute enough to make a normal person faint, but Kiriyan still managed to straighten his upper body and glared at Mikael, while huffing hard.

"Jesus Christ."

Upon the watchtower in the fortress, Aurelio was left speechless after witnessing the great blast of light. He instinctively felt it was Mikael's true power. It was the power that would have cut off anyone's head at just one strike, if it were not for the swordsmanship of 'the silver knight'. He could not dismiss the hopeless thought that it might be just impossible to beat Mikael, even if the master of Signus Templar Tracey and the master of Titan armed forces Raiden, who might be attacking the side of the enemy by now, went up against him all together.

As if he wanted to stomp on everyone's wish for Kiriyan's win, Mikael's second attack flew into Kiriyan. Feeling he would not be able to dodge it, Kiriyan tried his best to hold the sword up at an angle to let Mikael's power slide off. However, his weary body was not under his control anymore. Mikael's gum-kang smashed down Kiriyan's sword again even before he raised his sword completely.

"Argh!"

A short scream came out of his mouth, followed by a streak of blood. Even his strong muscles could not prevent an inner wound. His sword had also become blunt and had lost its ability as a sword. Mikael snatched Kiriyan's collapsing body up by his arm.

"Say you'll surrender. Then I will spare your life."

"D… don't make me laugh."

"…Stupid."

Fiercer energy was formed on Mikael's sword and hit Kiriyan. Like a lie, his body flew all the way defying gravity and crashed into the wall of the fortress before it fell on the ground. Soldiers inside the fortress remained silent. Nobody dared to go out to save him. The whole troops of Perriun were overwhelmed by Mikael's devilish power. Mikael knew that his intention, the demonstration of his power was working well. The enemy's morale was plunging to earth. He walked up to Kiriyan on the ground.

The grey eyes of Mikael, seeing Kiriyan trying to get himself up again while pushing his back against the wall were containing nothing but weariness. During his long and lengthy life, he had never met anyone better than the man named Kiriyan who had an ultimate swordsmanship enough to harm his body, but it would end with the same result eventually and become part of an endless Möbius strip. What am I going to do after I kill this man, staggering in front of me? Mikael chuckled. It was not a question that suited him well.

The sword Mikael raised with indifferent eyes gave off a much bigger wave of light than before.

'This… may be it.'

Mikael thought, while feeling the extreme power flowing into his crook of thumb. Now, all he needed was the final strike and the commander of the enemy who had managed to entertain him first in dozens of years would be long gone. He had no feeling of delight or sorrow for that, as always. He swung his sword downward onto defenseless Kiriyan.

"…!"

Mikael was embarrassed for the first time. Kiriyan's body, which had been covered in blood and huffing strenuously, moved swiftly all of a sudden. It must have been his last power. Curving its way through while avoiding Mikael's sword mysteriously, Kiriyan's one hand clutched Mikael's neck. And the other hand was already on his waist. Mikael realized shortly that Kiriyan was not holding his sword anymore. Even Mikael did not expect at all that Kiriyan would let go of it. At that moment, his body was lifted up in the air by Kiriyan. As Kiriyan slammed Mikael onto the ground by the hand clutching Mikael's neck, the gum-kang formed on the edge of Mikael's sword flowed backward into his body and exploded.

"Ungh…"

Mikael's body was surrounded by dazzling light and blood ran at the tip of his lips. The strong shock inflicted on his back was blocked by his own ability, ho-shin-kang-ki, but even it could not protect Mikael from the internal explosion caused by energy backflow. He scowled at Kiriyan as he quickly got himself together. Kiriyan did not collapse anymore. He stood upright with his chest open, despite the wounds covering his whole body.

"You can't beat me with the same pattern even though you are the best swordsman in the world."

"In that short time… you've found the weak point."

Mikael growled as if it had hurt his pride. Even the strongest bullet can only show its power when fired. Kiriyan had finally managed to catch that link and sever it. That was Kiriyan's strategy for certain victory. He had to buy some time by doing so since he did not stand a chance in a direct confrontation against Mikael.

"Well, you are so astute, I will give you that. Let me tell you something as a reward."

Closed his eyes, Mikael was lost in thought for a while. And then, he gazed at Kiriyan like he had decided something. Light started to swirl around his sword again.

"What do you think the origin of this power is?"

"…?"

"Gum-kang is the thing materialized on a sword by combining the sharpness of a blade and my will. Only those who have reached the level where they can draw out an inner energy through an object can use gum-kang. I could master this after 60 years of swordsmanship training."

It was astonishing enough for Kiriyan, who had not known Mikael's age. Then, had he been battling against an old man? But there was not any sign of a weak old man on Mikael's appearance.

"So to speak, this materialized energy embodies everything that I've gone through over the past years. Just like you, I'm the one who has devoted my life to a sword as well. Kiriyan Masis. Say. Could you face this. Will you be able to take on the pain from my past."

"…"

Kiriyan was horrified. Another sword was making its shape in Mikael's hand that had been holding nothing. He could not believe his own eyes. Literally, it was a sword of energy. It may be a bit easier to make gum-kang on a sword since a 'sword' itself has its sharpness as a medium, but it was obviously a different story to create something out of nothing. Kiriyan sensed he would not be able to counter that pure sword of energy. Above all, it was dual wield.

Kiriyan looked at Mikael's shining 'achievement' of a sword with mixed feelings for a while. His job was actually to stall for time without any head-to-head battle, so that Tracey and Raiden could take care of the sides of the enemy enough. This at least, seemed to be the only way to win this war against Shadow Pain led by Mikael. However, Kiriyan was a swordsman. Like Mikael, he had also taken a lifelong journey with his sword. He did not have any regrets in death. The thought that a knight could win every time is a sin. Knights are just ones who are going back to soil, having their swords as a tombstone when they run into a stronger opponent. That, is the definition of a knight.

"Come on! I will take you on!"

Right behind Kiriyan was Perriun's defense line. If he failed to defend Mikael's attack, everything would be over. Kiriyan opened all of his senses. They were already at the superhuman level, where he could even catch the sound of Mikael's breathing and the slightest contraction of his muscles. The moment his black sword resonated like it was manifesting the owner's will when picked back up, Mikael's two swords flew swiftly towards Kiriyan's neck.

The two shadows overlapped as one. It was in the blink of an eye.

At that moment, their eyes locked. Kiriyan's eyes bore perplexity not long after, but Mikael's were just calm. It was as though he was taking a morning stroll.

Kiriyan knew that his broken black sword had penetrated Mikael's iron-like body once again. A large amount of blood started pouring out of the stab on his chest, which did not start curing itself anymore. It was so silent that everybody could hear his blood dripping onto the ground.

"Congratulations. You've beaten me, the silver night."

At that instant, all gum-kang Mikael had drawn out flowed backwards into his body and made a blinding explosion, flinging Kiriyan away. Landing on the ground roughly, Kiriyan lifted his head and looked for Mikael. The explosion, which had been too strong to be believed as the one made by a human being, had left nothing but a huge crater and Mikael was lying in the center. Kiriyan stared at the scene in front of him, being speechless.

"…What happened just now?"

A shaking voice came out. Kiriyan knew Mikael had stopped the sword at the moment it could have cut his neck and killed him first. Mikael made a strenuous smile at the tip of his bloody lips.

"The silver knight. I've already lived long enough. All human beings are supposed to face death someday, I just chose when and by whom I would die."

"Is… this what you were planning all along?"

"No. if you ran away, I would have had to go back and become the puppet protecting the blood of the royal family again."

"So, is this what you've come up with? Suicide is an act of denying your existence in this world!"

"One who does not see any value in being alive sometimes finds that value in death."

Cool breeze blew over his head as he coughed. Could it have been because of the heat from the unbelievable explosion Mikael had made? Snow started falling from the sky. At the entrance of Requiem, the hidden outpost at Normunt situated not far from the capital of Perriun Jikrea, Rorens looked up at the sky while enjoying the same cool breeze. Feeling the snowflakes gently landing on his cheek, he came to know Mikael Sepavile's demise. It was like he had departed for a long and endless journey. Rorens recollected the moment that he had met Mikael last time.

'If you allow me, I wish to use my life the way I want, my lord'

As the successor of the royal family, Rorens was the owner of Mikael that should not be disobeyed. However, Rorens was the one who cursed 'that blood' more than anyone.

'I will set you free. And will follow you soon.' Rorens had replied to Mikael.

‎

Mikael gazed at Kiriyan. His body, known to be what no one in the world could have surpassed seemed like what could be blown away even by wind, and his eyes were as precarious as a candle therein. He opened his mouth.

"Now, this war will see its end and you will be succeeding the name of the best swordsman in the world. Why are you making that face."

"It… wouldn't have wound up like this if you weren't a servant of Cheheran."

Everyone lives with their past on their shoulder. But in Mikael's case, that 'past' was too long and his karma was too heavy compared to what others had to carry. He just chose death as a way of severing it. Mikael smiled, looking at Kiriyan who was solemn in front of one absolute's death. Though it was not obvious as he was losing consciousness, it was the most comfortable smile he had ever made in decades.

"Smile. Life is so short. So, smile."

And he looked up to the sky. For the first time in his life, he could lay down everything and feel the freedom. He could finally rebut Rorens, who used to say he was the very madness flowing in the blood of the royal family. It was still snowing.

Snow, what else would you cover after covering my death.

Soundless wind of a wasteland blew. Mikael was disappearing into it. His two hundred years were coming to their end.

‎

"Mi…Mikael Sepavile… died!"

An officer had to check what he had just heard over and over, doubting his ears. It was just a few moments ago he had gotten the news that they were about to win, and now their commander died, let alone 'lost'? But after confirming that Mikael had been stabbed to his heart and died by Kiriyan's sword during the battle, he spaced out repeating the most unbelievable word, 'died'.

Guillermo's face did not change from its usual the-man-of-blood-and-iron look, despite the imminent defeat. He would certainly be arrested and executed if they lost this war. Of all people, the silver knight, who had been the pride of his kingdom and had finally defeated even Mikael, would realize shortly that the mastermind of this war was none other than him. However, his face would not change a bit even at that moment.

"Rorens, did you know this from the beginning?"

His eyes moved to Rorens leaning against the wall. Rorens stood upright slowly and said.

"Just a bit, from when I met him last."

Rorens brought his hands on the two swords tied around his waist. Looking at him, Guillermo was able to confirm what he had thought all along. After all, what Rorens and he had been after were different in the first place. Meaning, Rorens had been in conjunction with Guillermo just for his personal reason, not for Requiem's cause. Guillermo knew that Rorens was going to leave, but did not ask him to stay. The fact they had been together by this point meant they would not get in each other's way from now on, at least. That was enough for Guillermo.

Rorens bent his steps to a door. He knew Rose Selion would appear in front of him in a moment. If he were to greet a guest, it would only be courteous to do it outside. Rorens looked back at Guillermo.

"So long, Archduke. I hope you make the perfect world as you wish. I wanna be part of it too… but to be honest, neither of us quite belong to this world."

Guillermo stood up behind the back of Rorens, who was leaving to meet Rose.

"Rorens."

"…"

"The final operation 'Tombstone' will be carried out soon."

"…I see. But why are you telling me that?"

"Well, let's say it is the last thing I can do for you. It's a privilege to be granted time to prepare yourself for death. It must be better than a sudden one from gas poisoning or horrible disease, wouldn't you say?"

"Ha, thank you. I'm even tearing up a bit."

The moment he had been reported that Mikael had lost, Guillermo had felt in his bones that they would lose this war. Not only had Mikael Sepavile been the world's best swordsman, but he had also been Cheherran's Chief Commander at the same time. If he had been defeated, the chances of holding out against the troops of the triple alliance would be down to zilch. He drew the most certain, but also the cruelest card to turn it upside down. Of course, his name would also be on the list of people who had to die as well, but he did not even hesitate a bit.

At the end of autumn signifying the year coming to an end, Guillermo and Rorens walked away from each other by two steps.

‎

"Are even you male prostitutes eligible for a knighthood in this kingdom? You are pretty out of your mind."

"Take back what you just said. No, I will make you do it."

Standing confidently in front of the mounted troops' leader, Neon pointed his long blade at him. The leader had expected it would have ended one-sidedly, but the battle in the royal palace had been panning out far more intensely. Both of them had already slain lots of enemies, and it was finally time to face each other. The leader scoffed at his too pretty face asking if he could even wield a sword properly, but flinched a little bit over Neon's composed voice and the thick blood on the blade of his sword. However, he was not just one of those mediocre leaders. Though he could have lost his composure in front of the head of the enemy who had slain his subordinates, he held his feelings back and provoked Neon instead.

"Ha, that's the posture from the textbook. You geek."

"Ha, and you've never even studied, have you? You idiot."

The leader ignored those impudent words with a short chuckle and thrusted his sword. Dodging it elegantly, Neon swept the opponent's legs. It did not seem to be fast or powerful, but the tip of Neon's sword still passed through the leader's thigh and tore it. That was enough to erase any smile that had been left on the leader's face. Stepping back quickly, he checked on the cut wound. It was luckily not deep, but he could not help breaking out in a cold sweat. This time, it was Neon's turn to provoke the leader.

"Is this all you've got? Come on again."

His words cracked the leader's poker face instantaneously. Though he was supposed to save energy as he had already fought many enemies before, the leader wielded the sword with his full strength. However, that full-on attack also made Neon lose his pace.

Making the best use of one's surroundings is also a skill that requires lots of experience. When the leader brandished the sword shouting at his face, Neon panicked by the narrowed gap between them and tried to step back, but it did not go as he wished. While backing away, Neon's heel hit the head of the body he had killed before.

"Shit!"

The leader jumped at the chance and hacked Neon, who had lost his balance. That kind of honest, full-on downward strike had to be dodged rather than be countered, but Neon did not have a chance to do so. With a huge spark, the two swords collided and Neon could not help falling on his back. Frustrated to himself that he had lost his posture from a mere threat, Neon tried to get up fast, but the pool of blood on the floor which had already smeared his uniform was hindering his movement. The leader came up to flustered Neon and snatched his cape. Neon's face gave away despair.

"I can't understand why you guys wrap these shits around your bodies… Do a battle after taking this heavy rag off next time. I mean, if that 'next' does exist."

The leader let go of the cape by surprise and uppercutted Neon's jaw. If one gets a strong impact on their jaw, the damage is unexplainably massive as it shakes their whole skull. Neon managed to dodge that critical move. However, the leader's sword pierced an air with enormous power and rushed towards Neon shortly. The leader thought it would be the final nail in Neon's coffin.

"…!"

The leader's swordsmanship was powerful, rather than sophisticated. A swordsmanship that could also be called 'simple', and that had only been supported by his great strength and ability to think on his feet. On the other hand, Neon could never show off that fierce style of a sword like the leader, but his one was inherently elaborate and fast. Moreover, it could be even 'cunning', if necessary.

"D, damnit!"

The leader's face changed hues when his sword got wrapped by the cape Neon had thrown. The cape that had been soaked with blood bound the leader's sword much tighter than he thought. Neon sneered at him with a tired face.

"This cape, did you just ask why we wear it?"

"Fuck! This kind of cheap trick!"

The leader should have plunged his sword into Neon's neck without hesitation when Neon had lost his posture moments ago. Underestimating Neon and dragging the battle out carelessly had come to such a result. He accepted his fate. But Neon did not give him the final blow, either. Instead, he snatched the leader's sword tied in his cape and elbowed his chin several times. No matter how strong a body is, no one can stand after getting consecutive hits in their face. The leader fell on the ground and could not recover anymore.

"Huff, huff."

Neon leaned against the wall. He would have been dead by now if it were not for the leader's arrogance. Trying to hide his trembling legs desperately, the young commander of Perriun's palace defence force shouted at the top of his lungs to where the bloody combat had been still going.

"Your commander's been defeated! Drop your weapons and surrender at once!"

All the soldiers of the mounted troops reacted to that unbelievable shout, only to see their commander lying in front of Neon's feet. Their eyes manifested surprise, which changed through disbelief to despair quickly. Seeing that, Neon pulled the leader up from the ground by the back of his uniform.

"Tell them to surrender."

"I've lost, just kill me already. Don't humiliate me any more."

"Humiliate? Is it more honourable for you to die here all together than to save your underlings' lives?"

The leader sighed. Neon did not stab him right away and keep him alive only because he did not want more damage to either side. It was the thought quite hard to believe to be from the one who had slain dozens of enemies single-handedly by far, but there was no choice for the leader but to give up his honour in the end. He shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Everybody, stop! Stop this shit already!"

When the commander declared surrender, all the soldiers of the mounted troops dropped their swords onto the ground. The leader closed his eyes shut.

"I would've taken more of us if I'd known you were this persistent. Who the heck are you?"

"Neon Silvain. Hellon Knights."

Neon leaned against the wall again, panting hard. Could it have been because all tensions were suddenly gone. No matter how talented Neon was at swordsmanship, it was just not possible for him to be indifferent about a life-or-death combat like this. Neon had also squeezed every last bit of his courage to defend his own kingdom.

A few moments after the fight had ended, the rest of the mounted troops that had gone to chase the two carriages hurriedly came back, only to be arrested by Hellon and Ensis Knights as well. Neon was staring at it with mixed feelings in his eyes, before he noticed two familiar faces walking up to him.

"Louis, Illein."

During his long knightage life, Neon had not smiled often at his friend knights from his heart. But the smile on his face at that moment was not a fake. Louis and Illein gawked at his strange face for a while. Embarrassed, Neon scratched his head.

"Wh, why are you guys…"

"Neon, today's the first time that you call us by our name without 'sir'."

Illein looked at Neon with shining eyes, making Neon blushed. Neon had to change the topic to hide his face.

"How are the rest of us? Are they unharmed?"

"…"

It would be even naïve to think there would be no damage on Perriun's side in this mess. A lot of lives from Hellon Knights and Ensis Knights must have perished, too. Though Neon told himself that it was inevitable, it was 'inevitably' heart-aching anyway. At that moment, Louis brought out the most surprising news to Neon.

"Neon. Mikael Sepavile, he died."

"…! What did you just say?"

Neon did not even bother to hide his shocked face. Louis delivered what he had just heard as it was.

"Word is, he fought one on one against Sir Kiriyan. And Sir Kiriyan won."

"…That's a relief. That's really a relief."

Would there have been any other word that better fitted that situation. They managed to defend the enemy's palace raid, and blocked the Shadow Pain's march to the south as well. It was such a dreamy situation. It had seemed they would have needed a miracle to achieve even one of those, but the miracle had happened twice in a row in the end. Neon was stoked. As always, however, any good news is accompanied by bad news.

"Neon, that is not all."

"…?"

"Countless people are dying at Zenoa's capital now. Strange gases are coming out, and unknown diseases are spreading all over the air. Zenoa kingdom has sealed its border. They have declared a state of emergency."

Hearing that awful, unrealistic news, Neon was lost for words and stared at Louis for a long while.

‎

Upon the report that the palace was safe, Aurelio even turned all the defence forces of the fortress into attack. The three forces led by Tracey, Raiden and Aurelio trampled the enemies almost one-sidedly. After losing their biggest force Mikael Sepavile, Shadow Pain was withdrawing from the main battle line, not even being able to resist a bit. Even Zelid Vincristine, who had become an acting commander, could not do anything in front of the massive enemy troops several times more than them.

He had been feeling bizarre that their command centre, namely Archduke Guillermo, had not given him any operations order after Mikael's death. If Guillermo kept silent like this, then they would not be able to advance nor withdraw, and would end up dying here all meaninglessly. And this anxiety Zelid had was the same kind of what Perriun's Supreme Commander Kiriyan was suffering from.

"We still don't know where Archduke is?"

Kiriyan, who had been lying in bed, could not understand the information his adjutant had brought. The cool-headed detective could know that Archduke Guillermo had been scheming something since he had left the palace. However, they still did not know his whereabouts after all those searches over many days. Kiriyan felt uneasy as he thought Archduke's disappearance would not end in their favor in any way.

However, that was not the only news that surprised Kiriyan. When reported about the palace raid by hundreds of mounted troops and Zenoa's state of emergency, Kiriyan sat up right away despite the body that had not been completely cured. Ominous thoughts crossed his mind. Something only he could deduce as a detective.

"Did you say those mounted troops have been captured in the main palace?"

"Yes, sir."

"Has an interrogation finished? Who were they?"

"We even tortured them to get that information… but they didn't even budge. We didn't have any choice but to track them back… Well."

"Well, what is it?"

"When we traced their tracks all the way back… we ended up with a conclusion hard to understand. The mounted troops' starting point turned out to be Normunt, a small city at the southeast of the capital Jikrea."

"W, what?!"

The adjutant was surprised seeing Kiriyan's sculpture-like face crack in an instant. He did not have any idea what had agitated his boss, who had been calmness itself even in front of Mikael Sepavile. A low moan came out of Kiriyan's mouth shortly.

"…Yeah… that was it…"

"Pardon me?"

"Dispatch troops to Normunt immediately! No, I will go myself. Finish the preparation in 10 minutes."

"S, sir!"

How come a commander-in-chief could be absent from an operation area at a time like this! The adjutant disagreed strongly despite his usual loyal self, but Kiriyan forced his way out of bed and took his uniform off of a hanger.

"We are running out of time. Round up everyone. I've figured out Archduke's whereabouts."

The adjutant looked at Kiriyan with round eyes. He did not even have a clue as to how Kiriyan had deduced it, but the deduction had been made out of solid evidence. It was impossible for hundreds of mounted troops to cross the border and raid the palace without anyone noticing it. That meant, the enemy had already been inside Perriun even before the war had begun. And the best place in Perriun for that many soldiers to stay hidden from people's eyes was the abandoned city, Normunt. Since the day in the distant past, when all the residents in Normunt had disappeared into thin air, no one had settled there anymore due to Archduke Guillermo's sudden Prohibition of Investigation order. And that particular day had been painted black and become invisible in Kiriyan's memory. Making his steps quicker, Kiriyan somehow thought those black paints in his memory would finally be all removed in Normunt this time. As to how it would end up changing himself in the future, even he did not know it.

‎

When Kiriyan arrived in Normunt with his troops, there was nothing but dim shadows of ruins. The adjutant shook his head slowly.

"We are barking up the wrong tree. Why would Archduke be at a place like this…?"

"Search the area. He must be here."

"B, but we don't have any time to waste here."

The war was still going. Just a bit more push, and they would be able to annihilate Shadow Pain once and for all. It might be the one and only chance for Perriun. But Kiriyan still mumbled.

"I'm certain of it."

The adjutant let out an ill-timed sigh, thinking his own commander was just insisting. That was when Kiriyan raised his head and looked at one direction. The adjutant doubted his eyes. A man was walking up to them through the messy ruins of buildings. If that was all, the adjutant would not have been so surprised. But the face of the man coming closer belonged to someone he knew too well. The one who had attacked Ensis Knights on his own and taken a young girl Stacey the other day. The adjutant managed to remember he was the former master of Ensis knights. Kiriyan called his name.

"Rorens Selion."

Looking at Kiriyan, Rorens tilted his head and smiled soundlessly as if he saw a strange animal. Kiriyan closed his eyes, and opened them again. His pupil flared up blue, aiming at Rorens. His pale face and lips bitten tight were like a pure white sculpture that seemed to be about to shatter. When Kiriyan's heartbeat reached its maximum, his body sprang towards Rorens with a flash of light from his sword coming out of the sheath.

"Rorens!"

The collision of the two blades made another flash of light. The two saw each other's face through the swords tangled in between. It was Rorens who was much colder.

"Look at you. Are you that happy to see me again?"

"Don't play with me, you jackass!"

The adjutant saw that kind of look on his boss for the first time. The rage bursting out of the wall that had been stacked so high to hide himself. The face revealing his inner side as it was. His usual self, who used to express his emotion just by knitting his brows with a cold stare over glasses, was nowhere to be found at the moment.

"I heard the news. You beat Mikael, right? You've become a respected hero as you wished. It suits you."

The compliment, but more like a mockery, came out of Rorens' lips and echoed in the cold air. Those crimson eyes were still radiating bloodlust and were sparkling with ludicrous confidence that he could destroy everything. But Kiriyan did not step back a bit against those eyes and still confronted his sword.

"I've been thinking about it since long ago."

"Huh? Thinking about what?"

"I knew it didn't make sense, but there were times when I saw my close friend in you despite the different appearance, eye colour and everything. But you are obviously a different being. I know for sure now."

"Haha, such a touching friendship."

His chuckle rang in Kiriyan's ears. Seeing that smile, Kiriyan slowly raised his sword.

"Rorens Selion. Where is Stacey? And why the hell are you here? Say. What's your business here in Normunt?"

"You treat me like I don't have anything to do with Normunt. That's quite mean. And, what do you think I did to Stacey?"

"…!"

Kiriyan's heart skipped a beat for a second. He clutched the hilt of his sword as if he was going to crush it. The desire to tear Rorens apart right then and there encroached on him. Kiriyan raised his sword horizontally and pointed at Rorens.

The adjutant, looking at it from the distance, felt like he was short of breath. Of course, he knew Kiriyan was strong. But that guy Rorens Selion was hopelessly overwhelming for Kiriyan who had had to come here even before all those sword wounds from Mikael cured. Just like how he had defended Kiriyan's full-on attack as though it had been nothing a moment ago.

At that moment, Rorens' two blades started moving soundlessly. Though it must have been a hallucination, a distorted ray of light was following the tip of his sword like a phantom. The two swords drew bizarre trajectories and swept through Kiriyan at the same time. It was too powerful. That one single blow sent the silver knight through the air and flung him onto the ground with his sword that had slipped off his hand. With the body that had totally been wrecked already, Kiriyan could not even think of defense, let alone counterattack.

"Commander!"

The adjutant shouted at him desperately, but could not even go close. It was not what he could possibly intervene in. After all, the adjutant could not even look Rorens in the eye. He had a feeling that his neck would get cut and fly through the air the moment he locked eyes with him. With an unconcerned look on his face, Rorens walked up to Kiriyan who had collapsed with serious wounds.

"What the hell is it? Is 'the noble silver knight' already exhausted or something?"

Rorens put his foot on Kiriyan's shoulder, watching him breathe hard and try his best to stand up indifferently. As he bore down on it harder, the ghastly sound of shoulder bones being crushed into pieces came from underneath it.

"I don't wanna kill you right here to be honest… but it can't be bad either. You are gonna die within a few days anyway. Besides, here's your hometown, isn't it Kiriyan?"

Rorens said in the midst of the dreadful sound of the shattered bones being stuck around lungs. Was it because of the pain, or because of what Rorens had said? A surprised voice wobbled out of Kiriyan's mouth.

"Nnngh… how come…"

"Kiriyan Masis. I had known you far earlier than you think I did. In fact, it had been even before you entered Ensis Knights."

Rorens did not ease the pressure on his foot. If the broken bones went through ribs and got stuck into a heart, that would be the immediate end to Kiriyan. Kiriyan must have known about that scary fact as a swordsman, but could not get away from his foot in any way.

"Come to think of it, the look in your eyes has changed a lot indeed. You used to be such a weakling who couldn't even protect the girl next to you."

Kiriyan's eyes became as wide as they could. It was so hard to believe Rorens did say it. Kiriyan managed to recall when he had become Ensis Knights in the past. The master of Ensis Knights at that moment had been Rorens Selion. When the knightage had not even been accepting any application, Kiriyan had visited the old Palmasion and ended up about to be turned away by Rorens at the entrance, but upon Kiriyan's plea that he had wanted to learn swordsmanship and get stronger as he had not been able to protect his girl Dhalia, Rorens had allowed him to enlist in the force.

However, was Rorens Selion really talking about that day? Was that really it? Kiriyan did not think so. Rorens did say with his own mouth that he had known Kiriyan even before that point. And brought up the story about Dhalia all of a sudden.

'N, no way!'

Kiriyan's thoughts started getting clear. The familiarity he had felt a long time ago while investigating Cellen arson incident, the starting point of everything. And the reason why he had felt he had met Rorens Selion somewhere before when he had been an apprentice knight. All of those were not a coincidence at all. Kiriyan gripped his head with his hands despite the severe pain coming from his chest. Everything was being put together, but there was still one piece of a puzzle that had disappeared somewhere, making the whole picture incomplete.

"It's Reminiscence." Rorens said, watching Kiriyan suffer just like himself when he had gone to assassinate the emperor. Hearing him, Kiriyan knew for sure. This person had been deeply involved in the part covered in black in his memory. Rorens' mouth opened first even before Kiriyan asked anything.

"There won't be any chance like this, so I'll tell you the truth. It was fifteen years ago. All citizens as well as any tourists in Normunt at that moment were all killed over three days. And a base was built on top of the pool of their blood, for the secret operation for the end of the world. And the people in charge of that mission were Archduke Guillermo and I, Rorens Selion."

"…!"

"And the people who went to you and Dhalia's home were… Mikael and I. The one who gave you Reminiscence was me. And the one who took Dhalia was… me, too."

"D, don't babble as you please!"

Kiriyan screamed while breathing heavily. He knew what Rorens had said was all true. According to him, the fact that Mikael had already known about him, the reason why Archduke Guillermo had ordered Prohibition of Investigation for Normunt, and the catastrophe happening in Zenoa at the moment would all become explainable. However, sometimes the truth is better left unknown. Kiriyan could not stand up to his overwhelming strength anymore. It was such a superhuman one even on par with that of Mikael.

"When I handed you Reminiscence, you just drank it to run away from the reality. And now, you are being trampled under my foot again. You are still fucking weak. That's why you haven't been able to protect anybody so far."

A fire arose within Kiriyan's mind. Swallowing the rage offered by the devil, he rolled to the side and got away from Rorens' foot with his last strength. His whole uniform had already turned into the colour of blood from reopened wounds. The adjutant, who had even forgotten to breathe, watched Kiriyan jump into the dragon's maw nevertheless like he was going to combust even the very last particle of his life.

At that moment, there was a sudden raging storm in the wake of an unidentified flash of light. Thick clouds of dust rose from old buildings' ruins here and there. Knocked off far back, the adjutant raised his head and was able to see Kiriyan lying down on the ground in a grey haze. However, there was still another man standing firmly in front of Rorens. Moreover, in his hands were two swords just like those of Rorens'.

"Now, now. It's substitution time --------." That golden-eyed man said.

‎

Rorens and Rose gazed at each other without a word. So many things had happened to both, and they finally met each other through all of those. Rorens raised the tip of his lips. Now was the time. With Archduke Guillermo's final card 'Tombstone' going on, he had finally been set free. And Rose also knew it.

"How was it, was it fun? During the life of an imaginary man, Rose Selion."

"He surely exists. He is right in front of you."

Rorens laughed at those ludicrously innocent words. In the end, he himself was Rorens 'Sielon' and Rose was Rose 'Sielon' as well. That was their true self, as well as karma they would have to carry. And now they had to sever that chain. When Rorens raised his swords, so did Rose stepping back smoothly to make distance between them.

"Don't worry. Whoever wins here will follow the other to the afterlife in a couple of days." Rorens said.

At that instant, the tip of the swords started moving. Right after Rose pushed aside Rorens' faultless attack, the other blade coiled around Rose like a snake. The four swords got intertwined.

Metallic sounds rang and flashes of light flickered consecutively. For anyone watching it as an outsider, it would have been seen as a neck and neck battle, making them sweaty in thrill. But the reality was totally opposite. Every time the tip of Rorens' swords touched Rose's body, clothes were cut and blood was splattered. Unlike Kiriyan's one, the swordsmanship of Rose and Rorens shared the same origin. Mikael had taught Rorens and Rorens had taught Rose. That was why Rorens was able to predict and break Rose's attack however he moved. The unfair battle where an opponent already knows your hand.

"This may be the difference between the real and the fake, huh?"

Rorens taunted Rose to his heart's content, as Rose's swords could not even get close to him. Rose's breath got harder, but Rorens' still remained unchanged though he had already finished one battle. The only reason why Rose was still alive was Rorens' sadism stained with hatred was not allowing Rose's painless death.

"It would've been better if your friend Kiriyan saw this."

"Shut the fuck up!"

Rose tried to attack angrily, but Rorens' shadow persistently stuck to Rose's body and entangled him perfectly. No matter how fast he tried to move, Rorens always caught up with Rose. Rorens' two swords crossed and carved the long cut on Rose's back. Rose turned around gritting his teeth, only to see Rorens' following downward slash.

If blocked, Rorens' sword would cut a body and a sword in its way altogether in half and Rose should have avoided it. However, the body covered with lots of wounds did not follow his order as if it was stuck in a swamp, and Rose could not help but go up against it with his two swords overlapped above his head. With the impact shattering the whole body, bones were dislocated making cracking sounds. Rose let go of his swords before he knew it.

"Rose, I'm not letting you die yet."

The other arm moved and cut Rose's chest long. It was over. Rose kneeled. A streak of blood was running down his lips.

"Are you really going to die that easily? No way. You and I, both have to be dying in pain. That is the only way to put an end to everything."

Giving Rose a sentence like that, Rorens swung his sword down. Cutting Rose's right clavicle without a miss, the blade brutally penetrated his shoulder and stuck into the ground. The agony beyond words. Rose's pupil narrowed and back arched like a bow.

"Aaaaaak!"

Rose's right arm fell and rolled on the ground alone. Rose felt like he was going to vomit. All of his internal organs that had been played with by the devil were screaming. Rose shook his head roughly and stood up slowly, relying himself on his left arm. Still, Rorens did not make his final move.

"You lost already. It will be less painful to kill yourself before I hack you up more. Why do you not do so?"

"Because suicide is denying myself that I've existed in this world." Rose said exactly the same thing that Kiriyan had said to Mikael. Rorens made a face saying 'that's very fun'.

"Ho-oh. Was it the life with that much of an attachment?"

"As much as you can't even imagine."

In a blink of an eye, Rose picked up his sword with his left hand and dashed towards Rorens. The tip of his sword surrounded and bound Rorens like a web. Even Rorens could not predict his movement this time. Without his right arm, Rose could no longer use dual wielding. As long as he did not use two swords together, Rose's technique would not stem from and be predicted by Rorens anymore. On top of that, Rose made another change. His destructive sword suddenly made an elaborate flow like water and cornered Rorens. Rorens made his way back quickly like he had been caught off guard.

"You are annoying me!"

Rose started copying Kiriyan's swordsmanship with his own hand. It was improvised not to be read by Rorens, but it was a lot more effective than he had thought. Previously with his two swords, he had not even been able to get close to Rorens, but it was no longer the case. Rorens shouted loudly in frustration.

"I see. I will do my best if you wish!"

Rose checked on his condition while fixing his eyes on Rorens, who was rushing up towards him roughly. As a matter of fact, it was nearly a miracle that he was still standing.

'Ten minutes, at best.'

If he could not bring the fight to the end before then, his body would not be able to hold up anymore. After blocking Rorens' confident charge arduously, Rose began his full-on attack without defense. It seemed to be the only way to finish it in the time limit somehow. But there had already been too much gap between the two from the battle so far. Blood kept gushing out of his right stump as if a river burst its banks. Things were going decidedly favourable to Rorens. Rose's mind was being eaten away by the emotion named despair as time passed.

At the moment, Rose blinked his eyes in the middle of the all-out attack. An unbelievable thing caught his eyes.

'What the hell?'

Rose doubted his own eyes. He had seen a crack inside the swordsmanship of Rorens. It was something that had flashed for a split second when Rorens had changed his posture, and was too minute to be called a crack after all. But the opponent was none other than Rorens. Rose was careful. For all he knew, even that might have been the trap Rorens had laid.

"What's with the look on your face? Have you gone mental with all those bleedings?"

When Rose's one-sided attack stopped for an instant, Rorens thrust his sword into that gap. At that moment, that crack opened and closed again.

'How come…'

A lot of thoughts messed up Rose's mind. He was a rationalist through and through, who did not believe anything like a miracle. As such, there was no way that God let Rose see through Rorens' crack all of a sudden. Then how come he could see it? Rose was not supposed to be able to spot any weak point of Rorens, who had more perfect skills than his.

At that moment, a shockwave swept Rose's whole body. Again, it had wound up against the sword that should have been dodged. Blood burst out of Rose's lips once more. Rose backed his trembling body against the wall and clenched his teeth like they would almost break.

"Rose. Do not expect to die peacefully as you've made me angry."

A taunting voice hit Rose's face. Rorens changed his posture to deliver the last move.

It was that instant. Rose threw himself kicking off the wall. Their shadows tangled at one point and stopped moving in a heartbeat.

"What the hell… is this."

Rorens looked at the sword plunged into his heart with an unconcerned face. The whole blade was stuck into his body, and only the hilt was sticking out of his chest hanging like an obsession. A mistake that even an apprentice knight would not have made. Rorens laughed hollowly.

"The silver knight's swordsmanship… that's it."

When Rorens had gone and raided Ensis Knights in the past, Kiriyan had managed to win in one-on-one battle against him once by leaving a cut on his neck. The crack that Kiriyan had seen in Rorens at that moment. Rose had also seen the same crack here, which he could never have spotted with his own swordsmanship. And Rose broke into that crack in a perfect way, finishing up what Kiriyan could not have. It was a miracle given his body condition at the moment.

Warm blood spurted out from the stab wound. It must have been painful, but Rorens only touched Rose's cheek gently with a smile like that of a winner. The bloody hand grazed the bloodstained face.

"What are you gonna do from now on? There's not much time left. Will you go back to that Hellon Knights or whatnot again?"

"Stop your poor joke at least at our last moment. You of all people should know we both have to die."

"They will start Tombstone in Perriun as well in a couple of hours. You better kill yourself before that. It will be very gruesome."

"Rorens, Tombstone is over." Rose and Rorens looked to the side by a sudden voice. Kiriyan was standing there. Although his face was pale as ever, Kiriyan was not the type that would care about such a thing in the first place.

"The blackened piece of my memory. I should thank you for uncovering it. I remember everything thanks to you now."

Rorens wore a bitter smile. Even until this moment that his life was draining out, the black paint inside his own head was still keeping its position. Rorens finally decided to accept the truth Razen had told him before passing away, just like Kiriyan had believed what he had said as it was. When he made up his mind like that, the death became surprisingly comfortable. Slowly, all objects of the world reflected in his eyes started sinking into an achromatic colour.

Rorens Sielon looked at Kiriyan in fading consciousness. The only person who had survived Myeol-saeng operation in Normunt 15 years ago. He saw that man order the adjutant and deploy his troops somewhere. Did he already come to know the existence of Requiem. The heavens might have let Rorens save Normunt as well as the entire world at the very last moment of his life, giving him a little chance of atonement. Rorens felt his blood that had kept flowing out of his body, and the hatred that had always boiled inside it finally began to cool off. Streaks of blood that had been drawing the cold ground died slowly. Unhappy happiness, where you could feel comfortable only on the verge of death. Rorens felt cozy for the first time ever. His eyes hinting a faint smile started to close.

‎

"Rose."

At some point, Rose heard the voice calling him. Wearing his usual poker face, Kiriyan was standing there with his entire body soaked with blood just like Rose's. After staring at him for a good long while, Rose stuck the sword he had been holding into the ground and flopped down next to it.

"Haaa. Thought I was gonna die -----."

Kiriyan walked up to Rose slowly. Looking up at Kiriyan with his bloody face, Rose made a cheeky smile leaving no single clue of himself until just a moment ago.

"Guess I tumbled down the stairs again."

"Rose, you." When an angry look loomed on Kiriyan's face, Rose made a fuss.

"Whoops. It's my fault. Please forgive me. Don't tell me off ---."

"...I appreciate it."

A word of gratitude came out of Kiriyan's mouth after a long hesitation. Hearing that, Rose pulled him down by his arm instead of an answer and Kiriyan, who had not even had enough strength to keep standing, was laid on the ground right away.

"W, what the hell are you doing?!"

"I'm so glad. I think it's nearly been 10 years since I met you, but this may be the first and last time to get complimented over making such a ruckus." Rose said, while pressing Kiriyan's forehead to stop him from jumping to his feet in embarrassment. Not long after, Kiriyan sensed an odd meaning behind that.

"…What are you gonna do now?" When Kiriyan asked, Rose did not answer. The two looked at the sky without saying anything. The two friends, who had even forgotten how the sky looked like since they had seen it last in their childhood, had their backs flat on the ground together and gazed at the drifting clouds for a while.

"If I knew it would be heart-breaking this much, I wouldn't have met you in the first place." Rose said with a bitter voice, a bit abruptly.

"It was not ill-fated, though. Definitely." Kiriyan answered that old cliché, which would be used only in some third-rate theatre. Rose nodded. It could not be ill-fated. It was undeserved, if anything. A trivial relationship does not hurt anyone. It aches when you must finish it only because it is such a precious relationship. Rose got himself up. And bent his steps.

"This is where we part ways, Kiriyan. Please save this world. I wish you happiness lasting forever."

Kiriyan turned his head away as if he did not hear Rose's footsteps dying away. Though he did not eventually find out Rose was the bastard of the emperor as well as a full brother of Rorens, at least he knew he could not stop Rose from leaving. All he could do was just to wish Rose the same happiness too. To wish his only friend could sever a bridle of destiny burdened on him and be set free.

'Thanks.'

Deep inside, Kiriyan mumbled the goodbye message he had not been able to get off his chest till the end.

And time passed.

‎‎

"What men of power always want is neither justice nor peace, but just magic that can realise their ridiculous ambition. And for that, they can betray, exploit and be cruel as much as they need. …That is the reason why I'm standing here, why I despaired of human beings and why I wanted the end of the world."

As soon as Perriun's troops had stormed in, Requiem's soldiers who had already failed to raid the palace had fallen like leaves in autumn wind and Guillermo had been arrested. Guillermo's hidden card, Operation Tombstone, had turned out to be a failure as the officer who had unlocked Requiem's repository for classified documents had found out the written data about it. Requiem's spies that had already spread out in Zenoa, Croa, Perriun and even Cheheran had been all gotten rid of and the water pipes in which poison gases and bacteria of plague had been hidden had been located, carried away safely and burned. Zenoa kingdom, which had already been struck and damaged severely by Tombstone, had been restored gradually with Perriun's wholehearted support in return for their military aid. All of these feats had been implemented at great speed under the command of the competent detective, Kiriyan Masis. The royal family had been full of praise for his achievement and had bestowed upon him an honourable title of 'sword emperor' as well as the unprecedented opportunity to change his social position to an aristocrat as a reward, but Kiriyan had declined it all and returned to his old post, the master of Ensis Knights. And not long after, the former Finance Minister of Perriun Guillermo Raspalmas, who had earned fame for a long time as the second-in-command of the kingdom, had been hanged to death at the age of 72.

‎

When Neon opened the door and came in, raw recruits that had been chatting in the living room looked at him with glittering eyes.

"How's it going, master!"

"Good morning!"

Getting full-spirited greetings from here and there, Neon reciprocated them by raising his hand low with a bit of an awkward smile. After the palace had taken a lot of damage from hundreds of mounted troops, they had officially announced the recruitment for new members of Ensis Knights and Hellon Knights to fill vacancies from the knights who had fallen in the war. The problem was, well-embellished tales of the two knightages that had bravely guarded the palace against the enemy's raid had already spread out among people, putting them in such a happy situation where they even had to handpick candidates. And most of all, Neon Silvain had been appointed as the master of Hellon Knights with the three patriot badges presented directly from the king. Talk about becoming famous overnight.

"Master, why don't we put this away if you don't mind?" One of new faces asked, looking at Neon with too much admiration in his eyes. He was a fresh lad that looked about 18 years old. The thing he was pointing at was a big and worn-out sofa.

"I think it doesn't fit in with the interior at all."

At that time, Louis sitting next to the new face bopped him on the head.

"Hey youngster, that's the thing we can't put away."

"Huh? Why…"

"There's someone who's gonna come back on it." Neon answered with a smile. Leaving behind the puzzled newcomer, Neon silently stroked the sofa. The warmth like that person had been lying on it until just a moment ago was passed onto his fingertips.

"Perhaps… no. he will come back someday for sure." Neon's small voice resonated across the room. Louis and Illein smiled at the same time.

‎

A gigantic function room was full of guests from all over the world. It was the day that Zenoa and Perriun kingdom were signing the joint agreement on tariffs. The two country's fluttering flags hung on top of the opulent building were proving it. Having been put in charge of the guard duty of this unprecedented grand-scale event in Perriun kingdom, Kiriyan was keeping his eye on the entrance of the function room, frowning as much as he could and murmuring 'why does even a master have to work'. At that moment, a big carriage showed up and out of it came Seid Nerpenst. His appearance, with pristine uniforms decorated by a tie tightened around his neck, was totally different from the typical image of old dignitaries of a palace.

"Sir Kiriyan. How do I look? Looking good?" That young handsome man came up to Kiriyan and asked with a little nervous face. After the war, Seid Nerpenst had been recognised for what he had done and had been granted the only title in the kingdom, 'Archduke', succeeding Guillermo. Moreover, he had become the first Prime Minister of the kingdom, which was the unbelievable promotion indeed considering his young age.

"You look great. Any lady will fall for yo… ooop!" Kiriyan said with a less-hardened face, but Seid quickly stopped Kiriyan by putting his hand over Kiriyan's mouth and looked around.

"D, don't say that kind of thing! My wife would pull my neck off if she heard it!"

To top it all off, he had got married. Kiriyan escorted Seid into the function room with a smile, while trying his best to ignore the sound of an anger from his head. When Kiriyan was about to walk away afterwards, someone called him from behind.

"If it isn't goddamn Sir Kiriyan."

Kiriyan looked back, and found Raiden Pronen walking up to him in the uniform of Zenoa's Titan armed forces. Kiriyan gave him a big wave.

"Ha, good to be welcomed by the sword emperor."

"Nice to see you again. It's been a while."

"Ya seem to be busy. How've you been?"

"Ah, nothing special. By the way, where's Lady Trace… ooop!"

Having a hand over his mouth twice in a row, Kiriyan made a sulky pout.

"Don't even mention that bitch's name. Even yesterday she crossed the border and kicked our asses around while we were gettin' ready for this event! For God's sake, I'll start another war after this."

"Ah ha ha. Calm down, calm down."

After the war, Raiden and Tracey had returned to be the monsters guarding each side of the border. Though the two had been revered for the powers and leadership they had demonstrated in the war, they were just normal people at heart who get angry and happy over trivial matters. At that moment, Raiden brought up an unexpected thing.

"Are ya still thinking of him?"

Kiriyan looked at Raiden, a bit surprised. When the war had been over, Tracey had gone right back to Croa kingdom with Signus Templar, but Raiden had had to stay in Perriun for a while as Zenoa had been sealed off and he had talked about lots of things with Kiriyan during that time. He knew Kiriyan had suffered a lot from Rose's leaving. Kiriyan kept silent for a good while, and Raiden smiled like he was trying to change the heavy atmosphere.

"I just asked it 'cause I could see it in yer face."

"Master Raiden."

Kiriyan stopped him when he was about to leave.

"Did he really have to leave, though neither of us really wanted it."

Raiden had a little bit of a surprised look on his face. The only things Kiriyan had said about Rose were 'he found out Requiem and won the battle against the enemy's defending commander' and 'he was my friend'. It was the first time that he opened up to him like this. Raiden read the deep inside Kiriyan's mind.

"Sir Kiriyan. Why do flowers fade in winter."

"…"

"Though neither winter nor flowers wanted it."

Just like that, Raiden bent his steps towards the seat reserved for honoured guests from Zenoa. Kiriyan stood still and stared at his back for a long time.

‎

Winter was drawing nigh.