Beyond the Hero’s Death – 19 | Sousaku – 創作

Episode 19: The Bloodstained Princess ⑧ ～Goodbye～

This Holy Sword……No, I should better call it Evil Sword, it was the first time I had used it, but I felt tremendous fatigue, as if my mental strength, unlike my physical strength and energy, had been thoroughly uprooted. ……I have a newfound respect for Alberic's ability to pump out such a barrage on a regular basis. You were, after all, definitely a hero.
Frankly, it was hard to even stand still, so I must say that it was fortuitous that the army of Hroboros scattered and fled.

"That was a nice cut! Very impressive, Celestial Knight."

Despite my exhaustion, the devil seemed pleased with the power of the sword, which according to her, was as powerful as the Holy Sword. I don't think I could have managed it this time if the devil had not given me this sword.

"……Not yet. I have to go."

While the devil and I were talking, Falty had recovered enough to move and was about to fly up, sitting on the Sovereign Lunar Bow.

"Falty?! Where do you think you're going in that condition?"

"The Principality, too, is attacking us. ――――When they heard that Al was dead, they attacked us, even my sister was killed by the people of the Principality."

……Wh, at? Falty's words made my mind go blank. Who did she say was killed? Falty's words should refer to that person, since she’s her only sister. ……Is Luqur dead?
Falty's face, which looked as if it was about to burst into tears, told me more eloquently than anything else that this was no joke.

――――I couldn't protect them again.

"We are still fighting the Principality in the north of the country. ……Therefore, I'm going to hurl the demons that Hroboros brought with him straight into the ranks of the Principality."

Even such words from Falty sounded distant. Although I was able to get the Evil Sword and save Falty and the Elven Kingdom, I was unable to save Luqur. It's always the same, I realize what I've lost only after I've lost it.
……I am not allowed to shed a tear. I didn't make it in time, I don't have that right, so I shouted and did what I was capable of.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! ! "

Gripping my beloved sword in my right hand and the evil sword in my left hand again, I thrust them into the ground while activating the Celestial Sword and the Evil Sword. If I wanted to, I could surround a whole kingdom with the Celestial Sword's protective wall, but I don't know if I can fully activate the Celestial Sword in my current state. Therefore, I will simultaneously invoke the Evil Sword, which consumes something else, and surround the entire forest where the Elven Kingdom is located with a protective wall.

"……Hey, Raoul?! What are you―――"

"I have enclosed the forest and its perimeter. Now no demons can enter the Elven Kingdom. We just have to go around and drive them off, and the demons will automatically go toward the Principality."

Falty's flight speed would make it easy for her to go around the fleeing troops. Now that they cannot break into the Elven Kingdom, they can be directed to head north. When I thought about that much, my vision darkened, as if I had run out of energy and stamina.
"Not yet. I have to, see it through……"
"――――Excellent work, Celestial Knight. For now, rest easy."

Someone held me up as my body was about to collapse in the middle of my words. As I thought, “Oh, it's the devil,” I couldn't resist and let go of my consciousness.

……I was dreaming.
There I was standing under a big tree in the Elven Kingdom, and she was just a little way away.
She looked the same as when we first met her in the kingdom, smiling in the sunlight that streamed in. I tried to run up to her, but my legs wouldn't move, nor could I open my mouth.

"Thank you, for saving my sister and my country."

She then bowed her head toward me, but I shouted in an inarticulate voice to stop.
I couldn't keep my promise. I promised I would come see you and I didn't make it. I let you die. There were so many things I had to say to you, but I can no longer deliver them. ……Hate me, call me a liar. To these words in my mind, she shook her head slowly from side to side while closing her eyes.

"No. ……This was surely fate. So it is not something for you to worry about, Raoul-sama. It is because of your choices, Raoul-sama, that everyone was saved, and for that I am grateful, but I cannot begrudge you."

That's not true. I couldn't protect you. I've always lo――――

She looked as if she was hesitating whether or not to say something to me, and after lowering her eyes and giving me a troubled, sad smile, she looked straight back into my eyes.
Her words, with a few teardrops, gently floated through the air.

"Good bye, Raoul-sama. Please take good care of yourself."

―――――――――Luqur!!

I woke up just as I called her name. I could at least move my neck, though I couldn't raise my body yet. I looked around and saw the same room I was allowed to use when I stayed in the Elven Kingdom…… I see, I've been transported to the Elven Kingdom.

"Are you awake? Good morning, Celestial Knight. It's a beautiful day today."

I looked and saw the devil sitting on a pillow, peeling fruit.

"You have been asleep for about a month now. During this time, the Principality has been attacked by hordes of demons. ……You had been groaning a lot. Did you have a bad dream? "

"No…… It was a sad dream."

No emotion came to mind regarding the destruction of the Principality, but when I remembered the dream I just had, I felt drops of tears spilling out of my eyes, regardless of my will. I'm not supposed to be allowed to cry…… I thought I had run out of tears――― Unable to wipe away the tears that flowed, I continued to cry.