Chapter 433: The Dream of Yesteryear

Raising his waving blade, Bernard opened his eyes and looked at his enemy. In front of him stood a man holding a purple blade pointing slightly downwards.

His height was slightly above the average height. He was neither particularly robust nor petite, and there was nothing noteworthy about his physique. However, his eyes were strong and stern. Therefore, he fell within the normal range based only on his physique.

He was very different from the strong hero Bernard had imagined.

However, this man was now undoubtedly at the top of the Heraldic Order’s military power.

Lugis was a Great Evil who was more ominous than dazzling, whose ideals respected vice rather than virtue.

Bernard felt hot breath escaping from his lips. His master’s endless hatred for this enemy, and the exhilaration of crossing blades with someone known as a hero made Bernard electrified. Those two motives mixed together strangely, making Bernard’s eyes darken in response.

Bernard knew Lugis’ war history. He heard about his might, glory, and heroism. However, this was the first time that both had crossed swords. Hence, Bernard never even thought that he couldn’t win.

The battlefield was a place where the world’s momentary whims could make the difference between life and death. It was no more than a daily occurrence when a brave man died suddenly on the battlefield.

Bernard didn’t know what would happen or how things would turn out. That was the battlefield, and for Bernard, the battlefield was like home. That seemingly tall man had a serious look embedded with a certain mockery.

Therefore, Bernard was the first to move. With a great momentum, Bernard flexed his long arms and swung the sword from above.

His blade traced a line in the air as it rippled smoothly. The blade approached Lugis’ left shoulder in order to bite into his torso. That beautiful flash that made a sound in the sky was undoubtedly the result of daily training.

But Bernard felt a chill on that very moment.

A chill ran down his spine, making his back feel cold. He didn’t know what caused that unpleasant sensation. But Bernard immediately moved his body reflexively. Although his joints were screaming loudly, they were able to move in an instant.

Bernard’s quick response was what decided his fate.

The reverberation sound of iron clashing with iron echoed momentarily. The purple light ran across the area where Bernard’s chin had been just moments ago.

Bernard tried his best to stop his breathing from becoming chaotic. He felt only one sensation throughout his body.

It was a sharp feeling of pressure that burned his bones. There was no need to ask who gave him that pressure.

Bernard distorted his cheeks. He didn’t know whether it was fear or joy.

However, there was something engulfing his heart. He finally understood with just one look.

“…Oh, I see. Is this what a hero is?”

「Oh, ohhhhhhhhhh…! 」

Bernard screamed hoarsely as he swung his blade. His sword skills seemed unreasonable at first, but they were extremely sharp and smooth.

Once, twice, and the purple light intertwined with iron. The dull sound unique to sword fighting reverberated across the battlefield several times over. Bernard wielded his blade without stopping, emitting fiery sparks. On the other hand, the purple sword faced Bernard’s blade with a dignified attitude. Sometimes blocking, sometimes pushing away.

The movements that allowed Bernard’s enemy to perform these attacks in such precise manners were undeniable threats. But it wasn’t the skills of Bernard’s enemy that sent chills down his spine. It was pure power.

Bernard, who was a tall man, swung with all his might, and Lugis naturally accepted his swing. The blade didn’t move in the slightest as the purple sword blocked its attack without delay.

Bernard felt something that resembled wonder rise up in his throat. A normal person would be puzzled by such a thing. It felt like he was cutting into an immovable being.

Was this what a hero or a brave person was like? If a normal person’s blood was sane, then Lugis’ blood was laced with madness.

But it was okay. It didn’t matter since it was actually good. Bernard was well aware from the first swing that Lugis wasn’t an opponent he could easily reach with his blade. Bernard was convinced that he could no longer win this fight for the price of an arm or two.

However, he couldn’t afford to be defeated. He was fine with being killed, but he couldn’t get killed for nothing. If Bernard died without any meaning, then he wouldn’t be able to face his master.

He had to kill this Great Evil who called himself a hero no matter what.

Bernard gasped. He didn’t feel like taking a breath. He gathered all the hatred in his body and aimed at just one point.

Bernard drew his sword with his hand, ready for a thrust, while sunlight hit his blade. This moment was an undeniable gap.

There was no way he’d miss it. Then, the purple light was like a narrowed arrow being released, tearing through the sky as it approached Bernard’s body.

In the blink of an eye, that light would split Bernard’s shoulder in order to gouge his heart. A certain intuition struck Bernard’s brain. Even if he took an evasive action, he wouldn’t be able to avoid fatal injuries. An unmistakable decisive blow.

However, Bernard didn’t think about avoiding it. He was actually looking forward to that one deadly move.

Bernard believed there was no way he would miss this opportunity.

He released extreme exhalation. A flash of light ran straight from Bernard’s hand so that he could rip out the neck of the Great Evil Lugis.

For Bernard, it was a decisive blow. There was no way the enemy’s blade could be stopped as it gained momentum, so Bernard decided to cut the enemy’s head in exchange for his life.

That was fine. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to face Lord Saleino. The enemy in front of him was a hated enemy who killed his master, and thus was his enemy.

That hatred was definitely present in Bernard’s heart. But he was also certain that there was another emotion mixed in there.

Expectation. The Great Evil killed Bernard’s master. But he hoped that he was more than just a killer. A childish desire filled Bernard’s heart. A desire for Lugis to treat him not as a worthless existence, but as a worthy one.

He hoped that wish would come true.

…A vivid metallic sound hit his earlobes. At that moment, Bernard’s vision suddenly swapped.

It was unclear what happened. All he saw for a moment was that the purple light changed its trajectory, as if it had seen through Bernard’s movements, and stopped the waving blade.

Then, a shock ran through his body, and before he knew it, he was looking up at the sky. The cloudy sky looked strangely bright today. Bernard finally realized that he had been defeated.

「…I don’t know what to say. Let’s stop this. That life-sacrificing attack is something I truly dislike since I’m sick of seeing it myself. 」

The Great Evil spoke straightforwardly. Lugis was sitting beside Bernard with his mouth open.

Seeing his enemy, Bernard spilled the following words while lying on the ground. Instead of his usual methodical manner, he showed a rather rough demeanor.

「Why don’t you kill me? You’re making a huge mistake if you’re trying to show mercy. I’ll never forgive you. 」

I guess so, Lugis answered simply. Then, he explained.

「Do you think this is mercy? You see, it’s just that the hero I once knew wouldn’t have killed you. But I’ll kill you if you want to die. 」

Bernard had no idea who was the hero Lugis was referring to. In fact, Bernard was surprised that such person existed in him.

Bernard narrowed his eyes as he let out a sigh. If someone asked Bernard if he hated Lugis, then the answer would be yes, he hated him greatly. Bernard wanted to kill him right here and right now. Having been defeated by this despicable enemy, Bernard felt so miserable that he wanted to die instantly.

However, it was also true that he had conflicting feelings. What strange feelings he had right now.

Bernard said while looking up at the sky.

「I’ll kill you eventually. Even if I crawl on the ground. 」

When Lugis heard those words, he stood up and did nothing. All he said was, if you can, then do it.

Bernard took another deep breath. He still didn’t know how to feel about those strange feelings.

The only thing that echoed in his ears was no longer there.

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Ohhh I actually like Bernard and I feel sorry for him. He is righteous and straightforward. I hope he doesn’t go to the dark side.

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