Chapter 580: Destiny

「…You’re lying. Tell me you’re lying! You want me to believe you!? 」

Inside the New Kingdom’s large tent, Lugis’ outburst of rage caused the main figures seated in the tent, including Filaret and Eldith, as well as the scribe Raisho, to show expressions of astonishment.

Lugis usually maintained a remarkably calm demeanor, at least outwardly. Lugis understood his duty as a commander even when mourning the dead or being overwhelmed with anguish.

But today was different.

「…Old man Richard is dead…Awful, this is the worst day. I’ll never celebrate this day again. 」

Lugis spoke with a profound sadness, as if something akin to his heart had been stolen. He appeared slightly calmer, but it was clear he was merely pretending.

Only Caria’s lips curled into a smile while everyone else was shaken and hesitated to speak. Her silver eyes gleamed intensely.

「…General. Fort Medraut has fallen. Therefore, their next target is the capital. We should return to the capital as quickly as possible. We must begin preparations for that. 」

Caria was able to begin talking because she was less shocked than those around her.

Caria had seen Richard speaking with Lugis several times before, even back when he was still an adventurer. She understood that he was like a mentor and father to Lugis, and she knew how deeply attached he was to this sort of family.

That was precisely why Caria had to speak.

If, as the messenger said, Fort Medraut had been burned down and its supplies lost, then the Old Kingdom’s army would be slower to reach the capital since they would still be at the fort. Even so, there was absolutely no time to waste here.

They had to rush immediately and prepare to become the shield of the capital. Even if the enemy was a massive army of well over 60,000.

「…The old man sent the avant-garde force to the capital, didn’t he? 」

The heavy words pierced the messenger. The messenger stuttered for a moment, then nodded after a few seconds.

「Understood…Let’s return to the capital. Send messages to Matia and Philos first. Prioritize transporting the wounded soldiers by wagon. 」

The army of over 20,000, including the wounded, and their commander, began to move at Lugis’ command. Caria could see the deep sadness, yet also the anger, in his eyes.

Probably, the Lugis of the past would never have returned to the capital. He would undoubtedly have led a small force to Fort Medraut in order to kill Valerie. He would never forgive those who took his family.

The only reason he was able to make the decision to return to the capital was because Richard had done so first. Richard’s every action and words were imprinted on Lugis’ mind, as if his last words were regulating him.

As the entire tent began to move toward the capital. Then, Lugis spoke softly while showing a visibly gloomy expression.

「…Caria. Please stay with me for a moment. It concerns the old man. 」

It was less of an order and more of a plea. Her silver eyes blinked, and she nodded. There was an atmosphere there that no one else could interrupt.

Furthermore, the scribe Raisho, who was present at the time, recorded this situation in his historical record, which led to a certain theory being passed down.

While Lugis, like many heroes, was known for his fondness for women, and numerous rumors and records surrounded his relationships with several women…

…The theory was that the woman he loved the most was Caria Burdnick, who accompanied him the longest.

—

The first thing Caria thought was that he looked almost suffocating.

Lugis’ personal tent wasn’t in disarray, but that was probably due to his nature of not wanting to keep anything unnecessary. All the lavish decorations and crests had been removed, leaving only a simple bed, an ale bottle, and, in his possession, the treasure sword.

It was strange that the sword, once a family heirloom of the Burdnick Family, had now been transformed into a demonic sword.

「You look suffocating… no, you look like you’re dying. 」

「…I thought I was holding it in. 」

Caria knew this was bad after seeing Lugis sitting on his bed, muttering listlessly and tilting his glass of ale. In high society, concealing one’s emotions was a given, but Lugis seemed to have absolutely no such aptitude.

「I’m all ears, are you regretting something? 」

Caria asked if he regretted sending Richard to Fort Medraut. Lugis’ response was quick.

「No way! …No, sorry. 」

Lugis handed the glass to Caria with a momentary frown. Caria sat down beside him with a look of resignation on her face.

「…The old man said he would protect the fort of his own free will. For me to regret it would be an insult to his will. I do regret that I could have acted sooner or done things better. 」

Of course that didn’t happen. Lugis knew that killing Zebrililith sooner, or setting the stage more skillfully, was nothing more than a pipe dream.

But even so, the reality where Richard was killed wouldn’t leave his mind.

「There’s no point in talking about the duties or rights of a general to someone like you. At least, not now. 」

Caria, with slender fingers that didn’t seem to belong to someone who wielded such a massive sword, drained her ale and tilted her silver hair.

A general had an obligation to accept the consequences of their orders and, therefore, had to accept a deadly outcome. However, Caria knew that Lugis had understood this before making such a statement. Perhaps there were emotions swirling within him that he couldn’t control.

Therefore, Caria, with a sense of ecstasy in her chest, encouraged him to pour out his feelings.

「I understand that that old commander was special to you. But I think there are some things I won’t know unless you tell me. Hmm? 」

「Caria, you…」

For a moment, Lugis seemed about to say something, but then closed his lips. It was as if he had swallowed back something he shouldn’t have thought about.

「…No, you’re right. For example, Caria, have you ever extended a helping hand to an orphan? A dirty orphan with no money nor talent. Could you sacrifice your life for such an orphan? I can say with certainty that there are no other people in this world who would do that. Only the old man did. I wanted to repay that kindness. 」

Richard was Lugis’ mentor. He was like a father figure. And above all, he was the one who took Lugis’ hand when he had nothing. There were only three rare individuals who were by Lugis’ side when he was young and helpless. The other two were Ninz and Ariene.

Caria was certain Lugis would’ve died somewhere if one of those three didn’t rescue him somehow. An orphan’s fate could change that easily.

「There are people here who overestimate me. Some even call me a hero. But in the end, they’re not seeing me, they’re just seeing what I’ve done. But is there anyone here who would extend a helping hand to someone like me, who had nothing, like the old man? No one would do such a thing! 」

His words were a mixture of self-deprecation and self-punishment.

He wasn’t seeking those emotions on purpose. But his inner thoughts were suffering so much that it even included a desire to simply strangle himself to death.

Lugis didn’t harbor such feelings when he faced Richard at the Battle of Sanyo. He thought it was a matter of respect for Richard, and he understood it as the way of the battlefield.

But once they became allies, fighting together with the same ideals, he began to reshape his thoughts and emotions…

…Perhaps this time, Lugis could save him.

This was the price of that misunderstanding.

This was a largely defensive battle even though Lugis had killed Zebrililith. The New Kingdom’s army gained nothing and even lost Fort Medraut to the Old Kingdom’s army. The footsteps of destruction were imminent.

「…That hits close to home. I was once a woman who believed that power alone was absolute. Those who were strong were the righteous ones, and those who were weak were those who were cowards. I believed there was no need to listen to the words of the weak. But you made me question that morale and made realize that being a hero means much more than power alone. 」

It was likely a philosophy rooted in the process by which Caria acquired her swordsmanship.

Abandoned by her father, and subjected to contemptuous stares from those around her, she had acquired her swordsmanship and strength by sacrificing her own blood. She, who was nothing more than a weakling, had seized it, even at the cost of her own life.

That was why Caria couldn’t accept those who compromised while remaining weak. She couldn’t tolerate the idea of ​​the power she had gained by overcoming countless humiliations and pains being dismissed with a single word: talent.

Even if it bordered on arrogance.

Caria poured ale into a glass and then said continued speaking.

「I can’t take the old commander’s place…But I want you to know that I won’t abandon you. That much I can say. Is that not enough? 」

「…Are you sure about those words, Caria? 」

Caria nodded positively, looking straight at Lugis with her silver eyes. Lugis responded with a self-deprecating look. It was clear the alcohol had affected him more than usual. A constant irritation was showing at the corners of his eyes. No, perhaps it was rage.

「I may be like this now, but in reality, I’m just a pathetic adventurer. I’d be better suited to sweeping sewers. Even though I aspire to be a hero, there have been countless times I’ve wanted to run away. There have even been times I’ve wanted to give up. 」

「Okay, and? 」

Caria replied immediately, and Lugis spoke hesitantly, almost biting the words he spilled.

「You would undoubtedly abandon me if I were to become like that. You dislike weaklings, don’t you, Caria Burdnick? You are a far more noble hero than I am. 」

Lugis spat out those words. But the silver-haired swordswoman did not flinch or grieve upon hearing them.

No, rather, she even rejoiced.

The reason she had been summoned here was probably to sort out his emotions. The person he had to talk to had to be someone who had been with Lugis the longest, someone who, to put it bluntly, knew Lugis well from his adventurer days. He couldn’t show his weakness to someone who believed him to be only a hero.

Therefore, Caria’s heart melted with the realization that this was…a weakness only she knew. She was the only one who knew his true self. She couldn’t bear the thought that there was a side of him she didn’t know.

「No, I won’t abandon you. 」

「Hah. Even if I lose all my power? Even if I go back to the time when I met you…no, even earlier, when I was a helpless orphan? 」

「Yes. 」

Caria leaned closer. Their breaths mingled, and the scent of ale seemed to melt away. For a moment, Lugis opened his eyes, but without flinching, he glared back at Caria’s silver eyes.

Caria realized that someone other than herself was reflected in Lugis’ eyes. Not another woman. But he was looking at someone other than herself.

「…Did you know I saw you before I met you? 」

Caria knew the eyes in front of her had widened. Her teeth chattered. Ah, it all made sense now. Not all her questions had been answered, but a certain understanding was there.

Lugis had met her before she recognized him. She didn’t know how, though.

「I don’t know what you saw. But I can imagine. So, let’s see…」

Caria said after a brief pause.

「…This time, will you try to kill me? 」

Lugis’ expression hardened. She could feel the blood drain from his face. His usual nonchalant demeanor vanished, and all sense of composure flew away.

Then, Caria leaned towards him and took his fingers as if to say she wouldn’t give him time to respond.

「I love you. Without a shadow of a doubt. Even if you lose your limbs, even if your will is shattered, I will be with you. It can’t be helped. Humans are creatures that can’t lie to themselves. 」

The faith of the girl who once believed that power was everything crumbled before love. Reason that defined what was right meant nothing to love that didn’t rely on righteousness.

So be it. Caria didn’t deny that she was once that kind of person.

That was why she said.

「Then, try killing me. Even though I’m a giant, you can kill me, can’t you? If I’ve done something to you and you can never forgive me for it, then do as you please. I don’t mind. 」

「…No, Caria. I was wrong. I meant it in a different sense…」

「What’s wrong? 」

Caria took both of Lugis’ hands and placed them around her neck. Her slender neck seemed like it would break with even a little pressure. It was hard to believe that she was running around on the battlefield with that petite silhouette.

In fact, Caria had the same thoughts.

「How many people would take the hand of a fallen noble girl and lead her outside? How many people would put up with a girl’s whims and stay with her? I only know one person, you, Lugis. I would have lost everything if things had continued as they were. Listen, you are my will and my dignity. 」

Caria continued.

「If my life ends with your hands, then so be it. This is something I chose of my own free will. 」

Collapsing onto the bed, Caria scattered her silver hair across the sheets as she pulled Lugis closer. It was as if she was saying that no further words were needed.

—

「I see. So that’s how it is. 」

Saint Ariene…no, the divine spirit Altia…muttered in a corner of the Cathedral. Within the sanctuary, dominated by tranquility and purity, she sensed Zebrililith’s decay.

With this, the original script, in which Zebrililith was supposed to be killed by agents of the Great Holy Church, fell apart.

No, perhaps it had been predetermined since Vrilligant’s death. That’s why Altia had to redrawn a different line. In a sense, everything up to this point was within the realm of known fact.

However, even for Altia, one strange question remained.

…Why did Lugis possess the Original Text capable of killing a great demon?

Lugis was mediocre even setting aside all prejudices. He lacked martial talent, possessing only will and ego. The only noteworthy thing about him was the potential for his will to blossom into a wicked talent.

But that wasn’t enough to kill a great demon. In fact, it was inherently impossible to kill a great demon or a magical devilish being who possessed an Original Text.

Even though Lugis was leaning towards evil, he didn’t have the power to bring up an Original Text for himself.

…But. The spirit goddess Zebrililith saw it in her final moments. Her eyes, which surveyed the whole picture, saw through it all.

Altia blinked her emotionless golden eyes as if trying to understand it.

Love was truly remarkable. Certainly one of a fate.

Therefore, it was simple. This must be what they called fate.

…Altia. No, it was Ariene who was the cause of his Original Text.

Lugis was the only one who wasn’t given the favor of the gods. Because of that, he was stripped of everything and never rewarded in his entire life. That was precisely what Altia’s followers desired.

But that made things even more puzzling.

Why wasn’t he favored by the gods?

The fact that his followers wished for it wasn’t a factor. It was the natural order of the world to find a stronger necessity, and it was the nature of those who created this world to grant what was needed.

Then, she thought.

…He had committed a sin so great that he was denied the favor of the gods.

Gods loved even countless sinners. So what great a sin could be so severe as to evade the favor of the gods?

…It must be god-killing.

His own nature undoubtedly had a role in leading up to this. The fate of the world wasn’t so kind that it could be reached by a single principle alone.

But he, incredibly, had reached out to touch that fate.

Altia was certain.

In this world, countless destinies occurred, sometimes branching out in multiple directions. As a result, some destinies would be as thin as branches or leaves, while others would become thick branches.

Now, undeniably, destiny had been born between Altia and Lugis. The very foundation of history, the mechanical destiny itself, like a giant tree, stood here.

「…Let us march forth. To crush destiny. Because that’s what I was born for. 」

It was as if the voice of destiny could be heard.

「…Only one person who’s not loved by god can kill a god. 」

On this day, the Saint and the Divine Spirit began their personal campaign to confront destiny.

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Vol.17 COMPLETE! Thank you for reading!!!

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