C428: Like Ice (3)
The Sixth Rose of the Rose Knights.
Regal Vagos, who spotted her losing the battle from a distance, couldn’t help but laugh.
‘That pathetic bitch. When she was boasting that she could handle him alone.’
He had been closely watching their fight ever since it began.
After all, if Six won, he would have to stop her before she killed that barbarian bastard.
A peaceful death is too luxurious for that guy.
Therefore, he planned to use [Enslavement] to turn him into a slave and make him live a lifetime of suffering.
If, by bad luck, he died before that, he intended to absorb his soul to increase his abilities.
‘Well, perhaps this is better? He’s down now anyway.’
Pretending to fight while maintaining the front line, he quietly withdrew from the battlefield.
And quickly turned to the spot he’d been watching.
Step, step.
The distance quickly decreased.
‘It would be amusing to turn him into a servant and make him fight against his own comrades.’
As he was moving forward with this expectation…
“Regal, Vargos……”
A trembling, tiny voice.
And then…
Whiiishhh!
A menacing crackling sound followed.
Clang!
He hurriedly turned around and deflected the arrow with his sword.
From the direction the arrow came from, a fairy was glaring at him.
“…Right, there was you.”
One of the Seven Pillars.
The Blood Spirit Queen, Erwin Fornacci di Tercia.
Slurp.
Regal Vagos habitually licked his lips but felt an inexplicable sense of déjà vu.
‘Somehow, every time I see her, she looks like someone I saw a long time ago.’
Of course, it wasn’t an important question for him.
***
Reality is different from the tragedies in stories.
As proof, that day there was no rain or thunder. It wasn’t the day a revolution began, nor was it such a dark night that no stars could be seen.
That day was an ordinary afternoon, just like any other.
[Erwin, if you keep causing trouble like that, a scary barbarian uncle will come and scold you, you know?]
Her mother scolded her as usual.
[Haha, let’s stop there. She must have understood by now.]
Her father was affectionate.
[Waaaaaah!]
Her young sibling cried at all times.
[Daria, where did she go again…]
Her mischievous older sister had only come home at dawn yesterday and was still asleep.
All in all, it was a normal day.
Knock knock.
Until there was a knock at the front door.
[Who’s there?]
Instead of her mother, who was doing housework, her father went to the front door, and that’s when the tragedy began.
[A dr-dragon tribe…? Why is a dragon tribe here… Guh—!]
[I need fame, and killing fairies seems the easiest]
[Kyaaaaaaa!]
[M-Miriane! Take the children and run!]
While her father blocked the intruder, her mother gathered the three sisters and fled.
But before they could get far, they were caught by him.
And then…
[Please… just take my children and run.]
[…Understood, sister.]
[Thank you… my dear brother]
The three sisters barely survived thanks to their uncle, who happened to be passing nearby.
Their father had sacrificed himself, and then their mother, but they were still lucky because over a thousand people died that day.
She had her older sister.
She had her younger sibling.
So she could endure.
But…
[That young lady seems to have been born with more fate than you]
Her older sister died.
[s big sister… gone now?]
Because of her.
Her relationship with her younger sibling grew distant.
Even so, she could endure.
[Listen to me. I am your guardian now]
Someone who protected her by giving everything whenever there was danger.
Someone who reached out and lifted her up when she felt like collapsing.
But reality was too cruel.
[So, Bjorn is dead.]
The moment she realised that after her sister, he too had left her.
Erwin could not control her rising emotions.
Why must I have everything taken away from me.
Why is the little happiness I have, so easily shattered.
The reason was all too simple.
Because she was weak.
Because she was someone who had to be protected.
They protected me, but I couldn’t protect them.
She wanted to become stronger.
Now that there was nothing left to protect.
She wanted to let those who had taken from her know.
The pain of being robbed.
[Di Cloe, the Dark Spirit King]
Such dark emotions gave her strength.
With that power, she exacted revenge.
She was called a blood-thirsty bitch.
But her essence remained the same.
Shaking…
Her fingertips trembled.
“Regal Vargos…”
If she stayed like this, she would lose again.
She knew this, but her body stiffened.
Despite being incomparably stronger than before, her fundamentally weak nature remained unchanged.
But…
Thud—
She couldn’t let it be.
Better to die than regretting…
[Mister—!!!!]
It would be better to die.
Ssshhh,
She pulled the bowstring.
Twang.
She released the string.
Whoosh—!
An arrow flew fiercely, even though it didn’t contain any special ability.
Clang!
The man who had retrieved his sword deflected the arrow.
And instantly…
“…Right, there was you.”
With fear etched in her body, she moved forward.
Tadat.
Proving her growth, the distance closed in an instant.
Whisk-!
She swung a dagger instead of a bow.
“An archer with a dagger?”
Well, she couldn’t use the power of the spirits anymore.
Above all, because Bjorn Jandel was here.
She couldn’t use the archer’s fighting style of fighting while keeping distance.
But…
Clang—!
As soon as her dagger clashed with his sword, she spun her body and delivered a continuous attack.
Tap!
The Dragon Slayer hurriedly pushed off the ground and retreated, as if the attack was sharper than he expected.
Good, for now, she had pushed him back and secured the spot next to the uncle.
“What are you…”
Erwin lowered her upper body and thrust her short dagger forward.
It was the basic stance she had learned from her sister.
Back then, she had whined about why she had to learn such things.
[Didn’t I tell you? Even without a bow, even in situations where you can’t use spirits, you have to be able to protect yourself]
She felt it again.
She really was ust being protected.
There was no need for long words.
“… …Fucking bastards.”
He spat out a short curse and charged.
Erwin watched him approach, observing his movements without a single flinch until the end.
Surprisingly, her mind was calm.
“Hoo…”
She couldn’t use the special abilities of her essence.
To help her Mister fight, she used Patrolman Ertes’ embodied ability [Harmony] to convert her soul energy into natural energy.
Thanks to that, she had a little natural energy left, but it was too little to use properly.
All she had left was really just this.
‘Just One dagger.’
The dagger techniques she had learned from her sister.
Compared to a melee-oriented explorer like Amelia, it was hopelessly inadequate.
No, surely it was.
Not to mention an explorer who’s been wielding a sword his entire life.
But…
“So what.”
Until the very end.
Observing the enemy’s movements, she put strength into her dagger.
For the sole purpose.
“Mister…”
No, actually, he’s not even old.
They’re the same age, and his face is no longer rough-looking.
People would find it strange if they heard.
So…
“I will protect Bjorn Jandel.”
She decided to stop relying on anyone.
***
It’s easier to give up.
A popular phrase often found on the internet.
Even if the self-deprecating tone is a bit uncomfortable, the content of the words isn’t wrong.
「Regal Vargos has cast [Fear Imprint].」
It’s easier to give up.
Just as not having expectations prevents hurt.
By quickly drawing a line on things you cannot do, you can protect yourself.
Yes, just like now.
「Strong mental fortitude.」
「Erwin Fornacci Di Tersia resists [Fear Imprint].」
The moment you lay down the burden, an unparalleled comfort arrives.
The annoying noises distance themselves, and instead of tormenting pain, a warm darkness envelops your body.
It feels like returning to childhood.
Some people find this place more comfortable than in the midst of dazzling light.
「Erwin Fornacci Di Tersia has taken damage.」
Of course, I wasn’t always like this.
A normal kid who admired heroes.
「Regal Vargos roars loudly.」
「Erwin Fornacci Di Tersia roars back even louder.」
But at some point, I started to dislike hero stories.
Isn’t it foolish?
Why should I sacrifice myself for others?
With that question, my life’s approach changed.
It became easier, stronger.
But…
[Amelia Rainweilz has cast [Asura’s Kick].]
[Critical Hit.]
[The Eighth rose has been defeated]
But when did that start to change?
「[Bleeding] continues.」
[Warning: Character’s health is below 5%. Immediate treatment is necessary, or the character will die.」
A new question began.
「Titana Akuraba cries to save her comrades」
[Periton Eriavosti uses [Salvation].]
[Bogus Leichmont uses [Opposing Darkness].]
[Due to the interference of an evil god, the divine spell loses its effect.]
Perhaps it was a mental issue that occurred when I entered the body of a barbarian.
[Melend Kaislan moves to save his comrade.]
[Anne Parbela leaves the front line and blocks the knight’s path.]
But one thing is certain.
[Powerful Lucky Strike.]
[Defeated Anne Parbela.]
[The priest of the evil god, having lost his lover, is greatly enraged.]
I don’t want to give up anymore.
Not just my own life, but everything else too.
[Bogus Leichmont has used [Flesh Sacrifice].]
[Sacrificing his right arm, the power of the next spell increases 5x.]
[Bogus Leichmont uses [Corpse Flower].]
I have desires.
[Melend Kaislan takes severe damage and becomes incapacitated.]
Even if those desires wound me.
An intense desire that I can no longer ignore out of fear.
[Powerful Misfortune.]
[Retribution – Equivalent Exchange activated.]
[50% of the damage dealt by Bogus Leichmont is returned.]
But…
[The priest of the evil god, sensing death, screams and spews words of hatred.]
What was I doing just now?
[Bogus Leichmont uses [Flesh Sacrifice].]
[Sacrificing his left arm, the power of the next spell increases 5x.]
[Bogus Leichmont uses [Flesh Sacrifice].]
[Sacrificing both eyes, the power of the next spell increases 5x.]
[Bogus Leichmont uses [Flesh Sacrifice]…]
[….]
The sounds were distant, and the pain dulls.
The surroundings are dark and lonely.
I feel like I’ve forgotten something.
[Bogus Leichmont summons [The Executioner].]
[Ravienias Torous takes great damage and becomes incapacitated.]
「Sven Parav falls into the status effect [Fear].」
「Strong mental fortitude.」
「Sven Parav resists [Fear].」
「Sven Parav leaves the front lines to defend against the Executioner’s attack.」
「Sven Parav sweats profusely as he yells for help.」
I try to recall.
「Amelia Reinwales, after deep thought, makes a choice.」
「Instead of the Executioner, she attacks Regal Vargos.」
「Sven Parav is astonished.」
What have I forgotten?
「The Executioner begins to rampage.」
「Sven Parav becomes incapacitated.」
「Tsion Iriven has died.」
[Lilith Marone clenches her fist and makes a decision.]
[Riard Ashid grabs Lilith Marone’s wrist and shakes his head.]
I swore to never repeat it again.
[Riard Ashid has cast Level 7 mental magic ‘Accelerate Thoughts’.]
[Riard Ashid has cast Level 6 acceleration magic ‘Magic Amplification’.]
[Riard Ashid uses Level 8 magic ‘Heart Acceleration’…]
[….]
But when was that?
[Riard Ashid fires magic indiscriminately.]
[The Executioner, taking great damage, screams.]
Ah, my head hurts.
[The Eleventh rose has used [Absolute Severance].]
[Puta Rikerburn takes severe damage.]
[Unbelievable Counterattack.]
[Eleventh Rose is killed]
I want to rest, but somehow I keep thinking.
「The Ninth Rose has used[Absolute Severance].」
「Puta Rickeburn becomes incapacitated.」
「An unbelievable counterattack.」
「The Ninth Rose has been killed.」
「Puta Rickeburn has died.」
Just as I was recalling what I had forgotten.
「Titana Akuraba’s soul energy is insufficient, canceling the skill.」
「Manua Rephless has cast [Iron Fist].」
「Amelia Rainwales is pushed back.」
「The Executioner casts [Earthquake].」
Kooong-!
[The character takes damage from falling rocks.]
The surroundings around me seem to shake violently, and I suddenly struggle to breathe.
[Warning: Character’s health has reached 0%.]
[Starting countdown.]
[Consuming 3 mental power per second. (493/496)]
[Consuming 3 mental power per second. (490/496)]
[Consuming 3 mental power per second. (487/496)]
What is this?
[Periton Eriavosti decides to sacrifice himself.]
[Benjamin Orman decides to sacrifice himself.]
[The Great Observer smiles at their noble will.]
I don’t know.
[Annihilation of Evil.]
[All evil-aligned characters and monsters within range take great damage.]
[The Executioner is unsummoned.]
[Periton Eriavosti has died.]
[Benjamin Orman has died.]
Time passed like that.
[Riard Ashid fires magic indiscriminately.]
[The Thirteenth rose is defeated…]
My mind dulls.
[Riard Ashid’s mana has been exhausted.]
[He smiles, saying he leaves the rest to you.]
In the silence that followed.
[Riard Ashid has died.]
Familiar faces pass by like afterimages before my eyes.
I tightly close my eyes.
[Gerold Aldidi moves toward Sven Parab.]
[Sven Parab shakes his head, refusing treatment.]
I know I need to open my eyes. But like a sulking child, I grumbled at the thought of that.
[Gerold Aldidi starts running.]
[Manua Rephless uses [Wind Pressure].]
[Gerold Aldidi takes severe damage.]
[Amelia Rainweilz deals great damage to Manua Rephless.]
I know I need to open my eyes.
But…
[Gerold Aldidi moves.]
I’ve done enough.
[Gerold Aldidi moves.]
I’ve tried my best.
[Gerold Aldidi moves.]
But…
[Gerold Aldidi stops.]
Why…
[Gerold Aldidi uses [Blood Transfusion].]
[Character recovers.]
[Character recovers.]
[Character recovers…]
A warm feeling envelops my cooling body.
[Character’s health has recovered to over 1%.]
[Ending countdown.]
Feeling that warmth, I realized instinctively.
Thump-!
Yeah, it’s too late now.
「Character awakens from the [Unconscious] state.」
It’s too late to quit now.
***
My eyes open.
The first thing I see is Old Didi.
“You’ve w-woken up… Thank goodness… Thank goodness…”
The old man, panting heavily, was looking down at me.
Exuding a thick scent of blood.
Ssshhh.
My gaze lowered.
“Old man…”
“Ah, this… You mean… I got a bit hurt coming here.”
Old Didi covered his abdomen with his palm, as if to hide it.
A meaningless act.
Because the wound wouldn’t be hidden by that.
“We need to treat you right away—”
As I muttered blankly, Old Didi interrupted.
“Impossible.”
“…?”
“Rescuing you from being buried under the rocks was my last act. There’s no potion left, is there?”
I can’t comprehend.
“Why… why me…”
“Sir Parab… told me. That he could endure, so save you first.”
Old Didi laughed.
“Everyone knows. That if you die, it’s over.”
“….”
“Listen, Jandel…”
Then Old Didi coughed up blood and bent over.
But perhaps there was something he wanted to say even so.
“Only you can make our deaths not be in vain. Only you. I couldn’t do it. So…”
I couldn’t accept it.
There is no such thing as meaningless death.
Even if you roll in dog shit, the struggle to survive is what gives meaning.
And yet.
“You must survive.”
Old Man Didi said to me.
“You are… the giant.”
The giant.
The nickname I earned after fighting a bloody battle in the Crystal Cave.
“You’re the only one. The only one who can carry the burdens of those who died here today and move forward…”
“Old man, I’m not a giant or anything…”
“Don’t speak weakly. You can do it.”
“….”
“I… couldn’t bring myself to die because I wanted to live and avenge my granddaughter! But I am standing here now. To save you… Because I believed you could do it…”
I felt a lump in my throat.
“So…”
His faith feels like a ten-thousand-pound rock pressing down on my shoulders.
“No matter what anyone says… you are the giant.”
Old Didi’s flame dimmed.
Clench.
I clench my fist, struggling to hold back the weak words that almost spill out.
Like saying I’m not the giant or anything.
That I’m just an ordinary person who wants to live.
That why are you putting this on me, I wanted to retort.
But I hold it back.
“….Don’t worry.”
Because that’s not what I should be saying now.
Without avoiding his gaze, I speak.
“I will achieve everything you… no, you all wished for, in your stead. You can trust me. I swear on this warrior’s heart.”
I said it in a firm voice, but I wasn’t confident.
Could I really keep that promise?
Even as I said it, doubt filled me inside.
Whether he knew it or not.
“Yes… that… puts my mind… at ease…”
As if that was enough, Old Didi smiled and closed his eyes.
“Indeed… you will… become… the giant…”
“What are you saying? You just said I was already the giant…”
“….”
No answer came back.
No matter how long I waited, there would be none.
Therefore…
Ssshhh.
I stood up.
What had happened while I was unconscious?
Many lay fallen, regardless of friend or enemies.
Some corpses were crushed under ice shards and rocks, and in one corner of the clearing lay a huge monster.
The scent of death filled the area around it.
Only six people, including me, were standing properly.
Clack—!
Amelia was fighting against the bald boxer and him.
“Lord Vargos! The barbarian has awakened!”
A support type from the Noark’s rear line.
And…
“Don’t look, kill that bitch first!”
The dragon slayer bastard wielding his sword.
Erwin, who is confronting him with just a dagger despite her injured body.
“Ah, mister…!”
Only after hearing the support type user’s shout did Erwin realize that I had woken up, and she turned her head.
It was by no means a good action.
Taking your eyes off the battle is tantamount to suicide.
[Kael Elvard Geneger has cast [Edge of the World’s End].]
A black spear shoot out from the support type user’s hand.
The same Level 2 skill that instantly killed Might Million when he was casting Mass Teleport in Deadwood.
“……!”
Erwin’s pupils dilate as she belatedly realises the surprise attack.
At the same time, the mind of a warrior who has experienced countless battles clearly recognized:
Erwin cannot avoid that.
It’s not anything fancy like future foresight; it’s the kind of obvious thing you just know, like how a person’s body will be thrown when hit by a truck.
Whoooosh—!
Time flowed slowly.
Swoosh.
My ankles bend as I take a dashing stance.
But…
“……”
My body suddenly froze.
Why?
I’m all set to rush out at any moment.
Thump—
It feels like something invisible is persistently grabbing my ankles.
My heart sinks coldly.
Even though I know I shouldn’t think about it, my mind starts to race.
‘If I block that…’
Can I withstand it?
There must be recoil as well.
In my current physical condition, won’t I die instantly without being able to withstand even one hit?
[If the person you have to kill to survive is someone who did nothing wrong.]
It was the voice of Hans A, whom I had recently reunited with.
[No, what if it’s a comrade you wanted to protect more than anyone else?]
Perhaps Hans A’s words were correct.
I was already looking for reasons why I had to live.
[Then how would you feel?]
Well, if I die, what about Old Didi?
What about Jun? And the other team members?
It was because everyone sacrificed that I could come this far.
So… I shouldn’t be any different.
I have to judge calmly and move toward the path that’s best for everyone.
But…
Screech.
So I’m just supposed to watch Erwin die?
Then what about Daria? The woman who died asking me to become her guardian…?
Grit.
My head is a mess.
How did I end up like this?
Because good and evil aren’t clear, the choice is even harder. Like a tangled thread that’s become hopelessly knotted from fiddling aimlessly.
Squeeze.
My throat tightens.
But……
‘So what now.’
Fuck, I don’t know now.
I’m just going to do what I want.
So…….
[Indeed… you will become… a giant…]
I’m sorry to Old Didi, who believed in me until the end.
But right now, I’m a barbarian.
Moreover, if I am the giant that the old man spoke of.
‘Then I wouldn’t hesitate to risk my body just to keep myself safe.’
I put strength into my hesitating feet.
As if the momentary hesitation was a lie, my body moved forward in an instant.
Swooooosh.
A gust of wind blows.
“……!”
“……!”
My gaze meets Erwin’s.
To the left, I see the dragon slayer bastard with a surprised expression.
Clack—!
Amelia is busy fighting.
In that fleeting moment.
Whoooosh—!
A sharp black spear flies toward me.
But as I watch this, my mind is surprisingly calm.
It wasn’t because I had given up.
If I just stay alert and avoid the vital points, there’s a good chance I can withstand one hit with this body—
[Erwin Fornacci di Tercia has cast [Spiritization].]
…What?
[Erwin Fornacci di Tercia proposes a ‘Contract’ to the character.]
Through the touch of Elwen’s skin against mine, a familiar sensation begins to transfer.