Chapter 737 – Dream-Like Work and Survivor

000

Even when seen from a distance, one could tell by the form of brilliance wrapped around its body.

Even if she doesn’t wear plate armor that shines all over her body, she has golden hair like a lion’s mane and a muffler fluttering in the wind.

No matter how far away it is, no matter how faint a memory it is.

At that moment in his eyes, the past appeared to Cleon so clearly.

Therefore, Cleon knew best that it was a fake created in his dream.

And at the same time, there was someone who felt the completely opposite sentiment. Cain, who was standing behind Cleon and looking at Lesia, had an expression on his face that looked as if he was looking at the sprouts of potatoes that had bloomed while she had taken his eyes off her for a moment.

Of course, unlike those two people, Rakchal, who had no special feelings for Resia, nodded and spoke as if he had roughly understood the two people’s conflicting reactions.

“Is that the golden hero who brought down the empire? “You’re a cuter girl than I thought.”

At Rakshasa’s words, Cain sighs and speaks to him.

“It’s only appearance. At its core, it is nothing more than a banner for the throne owner, born as a deterrent to preserve humanity. His sword skills exceeded all standards, and even his personality was considered the most perfect warrior in history. It is a type of monster that humans like us cannot understand.”

“She’s not a monster or anything.”

When Cleon naturally objected to Cain’s words and uttered a word, the Rakshasa shrugged her shoulders.

＂What? Since this is the person who killed you when you were alive, it is inevitable that you will feel like a monster. And for you, Cleon, you are an object of admiration… You are like family.”

When he speaks as if he understands both sides, Cain is speaking to Cleon.

“You know, but if you don’t do something about that guy, it’s impossible to get your magic sword back. And, I can’t escape this nightmare.”

“Is that the core of a nightmare? Surely, having to fight against Lesia as an enemy is a nightmare itself.”

At Cleon’s words, the Rakshasa nodded, saying, ‘Ah, is that so?’ As if he had finally understood something.

All the traces of nightmares that Cleon had seen in his dreams – all of his traumas that the magic sword starfish had touched to shake Cleon’s mind were all mixed up with his companion meeting a terrible end.

The ending that could have been had if Cleon had not been by her side, or the destination reached because her strength was lacking even if Cleon had been by her side.

All of that was to stimulate Cleon’s own helplessness, the source of his fear.

As for Lesia, the aspect was different from any other scenes so far.

It was clear that it was a precious person, but that precious person was not injured, sick, or dead.

Rather, should I say that I am energetic, or that I am strangely overflowing with energy and fighting spirit.

But if that fighting spirit – the fighting spirit of the strongest holy swordsman who defeated even the Demon Sword Emperor in a head-on fight – is directed at you-

If a person who longed for that strength and kindness more than anyone else had to fight with the object of that longing.

It was something I could only call the worst nightmare, and there was no way to describe it.

With that thought in mind, Cleon warmed up slightly and walked in front of Galatea, where Lesia was waiting.

And Rakshasa and Cain naturally follow behind.

Cain speaks.

“Bantling. If you’re expecting that it might be weaker than the original because it’s a fake, it’s better to give up on that.”

It is a cliché to say that when you fight against this type of illusion – a fake enemy – you become weaker than the original, but at least in this world, he says, that law does not apply.

Because-

“This nightmare is ultimately your dream. It is a world created with roots in your imagination. So, the strength of that guy you know will be replicated.”

Without paying attention to Cain’s words, Cleon pulled out the sword hanging from his waist that looked exactly like Galatea but did not have Galatea’s will.

And then, she makes eye contact with Lesia, who is standing in front of her.

In this situation – what would she have said?

For Cleon, it would have been like a dream if he could go on an adventure with Lesia one day.

But the current situation is the opposite.

She was looking at herself, holding her sword in her hand with a confident expression, clearly recognizing herself as the enemy.

At this time, when she thought that it would be unbecoming of her to not say a word, Lesia opened her mouth for the first time, as if those thoughts were reflected in her dream.

＂───＂

＂Huh?＂

However, what protrudes from her neck is a collection of noises that cannot even be called a ‘voice’.

Unfortunately, there was no one here who had the ability to understand a mixture of voices and the words that seemed to be coming from several mouths at the same time rather than a single word.

It is said that in the past, somewhere in history, a royal family could listen to ten people at the same time. Was it possible?

When I thought of such a trivial thought, the Rakshasa showed a strange reaction and scratched her head.

“Anyway, her feelings for her are so complicated that even though she looks fine on the outside, it seems like she’s twisted in many ways on the inside.”

＂You seem like an annoying Lesia mania…＂

Ignoring Cain’s useless provocation, Cleon took a deep breath.

For some reason, even though one of the worst possibilities she could have ever imagined was right in front of her, she didn’t feel that nervous.

Of course – the opponent’s strength may be a nightmare itself.

＂… If you think that you can have a match with Lesia in her prime without hand-to-hand combat, wouldn’t it be okay to think of it as an opportunity that will never come again?”

＂Damn…＂

It seems that this nightmare was not only effective on Cleon, but was especially effective on Cain.

001

Meanwhile, while Cleon was resolving the situation with the dark demon clan of his past life, like a person who had suffered an ego split in his dream.

Amelia and Lilim, who entered the empire’s territory, continued to move forward to find Cleon in the direction Lilim pointed.

As a result of the area of ​​thick dark magic that covered the surroundings, the plants growing on the ground were somehow deformed, so it was impossible to think that they were the same species as the plants outside.

Instead of blue, the sky was covered with gray clouds that looked like a hazy fog, and the sunlight did not flow through the gaps between the clouds.

Literally – the land itself died. It may be correct to say that in this land, the post-war situation remained the same.

＂Really… After the decisive battle, no one touched anything and everyone left and remained as is.＂

As Lillim returned after 30 years and looked at the current situation, she looked around for a moment to see if she felt something.

No one knew what lay beneath the ruins of the collapsed building.

Sometimes, when she heard something rustling in the shadows of the building, Amelia would flinch her shoulders and tremble, clenching the weapon in her hands.

Lilim and Amelia – especially Amelia, probably because of the strong dark magic that was wrapped around her body, but it was fortunate that she didn’t come out and do anything hostile.

However, this would only apply to opponents of a lower level than themselves.

“… A land without life, emotions, and light. It’s like the ‘demon world’ that only felt like a legend in old books.”

＂Is it the Demon World? … There were some who called the Demon Sword Emperor the Demon King, so it might not be wrong to call his country the Demon World.”

Lillim spoke as if he were somehow self-deprecating, and in a bizarre twist, he was picking wild flowers that had died and withered.

Originally, a body made of fiber should have been resilient and withstood her grip.

Perhaps because everything had already fallen out of the flower, as soon as her hand touched it, it broke with a snap from the slightest impact, turning into powder from that point on and scattering.

“… This is a place where a village right near the border was forcibly converted into a military base after the war started, and the original residents were driven out. Even so, it may have been used as a military base for a little over a year.”

While saying that, she also says that the views of those who were ordinary residents here will not be buried.

“Well… In the latter half of the war, after the tide turned, conscription was used by any means possible to fill the shortage of soldiers. Most of the ordinary citizens who could not escape the empire itself became conscripts and were driven to war.”

“… A war fought by those who have no means to fight is the worst form of war. When the imperial invasion first began, the situation was the same everywhere in the kingdom.”

When Amelia talks to Lilim with a slightly unpleasant expression, Lilim looks at her face for a moment, but then she turns her head and speaks, as if avoiding her gaze.

“I know. That the war started by ‘him’ is one of the most foolish acts in the world.”

No matter what cause or justification there was, the result was that sacrifices occurred regardless of gender or age, without distinction between good and evil.

For that alone, Amelia thought that the war Cain started deserved to be condemned and could never be justified.

And Lilim indirectly said that Amelia’s thoughts were right.

She herself was right next to the Demon Sword Emperor.

“No, saying that ‘he’ started the war is like avoiding responsibility. To be more precise, we should say that it is a war that we started.”

But soon, Lilim corrected herself and spoke again, looking back at Amelia.

As she came into contact with herself, Cain became more and more amenable to the mission given to her – the destiny whispered by her past self.

Lilim should have noticed that Cain could not control himself when the fire of revenge against his old friend within him consumed even his original kindness.

However, Lilim, unable to stop the will of her companion whom she had barely met for thousands of years, ended up abetting this war.

If I really had the awareness as his companion – I should have done whatever it takes to prevent him from deviating from the human path.

Lilim, with deep regret, recalled what he had seen firsthand – those who lived here.

Because Amelia knew everything about her, she did not easily comfort her or, on the contrary, reprimand her.

It was because I thought that all of that regret and self-blame were something she had to bear.

“… Sorry. A personal sentiment stopped him in his tracks. Let’s move quickly, the starfish that absorbed Cleon is not far away.”

＂…! Can you feel it here too?”

“Yes. To be precise, it is not only Cleon’s magic power, but also numerous magic swords and the screams of the magic swordsmen’s souls.”

It may be something that can only be felt by the dark demon family.

In fact, Lilim’s ears continued to hear the voices of people calling her name.

Each voice was different, but they were all full of sadness and despair, and I felt that if I continued to listen to them, the weakest part of my mind would break down.

Fortunately, there is nothing that can break Lilim’s spirit.

＂Anyway, move…＂

With that said, Lilim was about to take her halting steps once more.

When they thought they heard a rustling sound, among the hidden monsters, the ones that were not afraid of Amelia’s magic seemed to be trying to jump out from the shadows, and were hiding in that spot, waiting for their opening.

Amelia and Lilim make eye contact.

After this, they must also battle the starfish.

Therefore, my honest impression was that I did not want to waste anything along the way if possible.

“… Let’s get out of here slowly and quietly.”

When Lilim spoke to Amelia in a very low voice, Amelia also nodded her head and moved her steps softly.

But then.

“T, found a gap!”

Surprisingly, something like a human voice is heard and something hiding in the shadows jumps towards Amelia and Lilim.

She was holding a knife in her hand, and when Lilim checked it and snapped her fingers, black lightning – magic similar to Cleon’s Mana Shock – exploded at the being that was running towards them.

“─!? Wait!”

However, Amelia, who recognized that it was not a monster but a person, blocked Lillim’s reflexive magic with her scythe and protected her opponent, who was startled by her magic.

Kaang! When the sound is heard, the magic that hit her scythe dissipates, and at the same time, the knife bounces off and falls to the ground.

Although the situation was so sudden, Amelia was relieved that the magic had somehow not hit her opponent, and she looked at the figure that had attacked her.

No matter where you looked, it was a human girl.

Is his age similar to Amelia’s or about a year older?

He had a scruffy appearance, and his unkempt black hair was flowing down as if it were soaked in oil. His face was covered in soot that I couldn’t tell if it was for camouflage or just dirt.

The clothes I’m wearing are like those worn by workers in a factory somewhere, with my arms and legs forced through clothes that are one size too large.

They didn’t fit her body well, so it seemed like the bottom of her pants would drag on the ground every time she walked.

＂Ah, ah…＂

As she, despairing that her own desperate surprise attack had been blocked, looked towards her with her shaking pupils and tried to retreat behind her.

Amelia’s physical characteristics – pale skin that cannot be hidden even by the soot on her body, and the beauty she was born with (perhaps when she grows up, she will become a beauty with a slightly cold look like Rubera), she is a member of the dark horse clan. They were talking about this.

＂People…!?＂

In this place that seems impossible for humans to live in, how could a person – even a child?

When Amelia’s head suddenly freezes due to the amount of information it had to take in, the child fell to the ground and the death she thought would come soon did not come.

Immediately, he grabbed the knife that had fallen to the ground and this time tried to stab himself with it.

Of course – there was no way Lilim would allow that.

When a shadow protruding from the ground grabs the girl’s arm as she tries to harm herself, she screams.

＂Hey, let go of this! I would rather die myself than be horribly murdered and have my soul eaten by demons like you!”

＂…＂

In response to her screams, Lilim said nothing.

No, it would be better to say you can’t do it.

In fact, her pupils were shaking similarly to the girl’s.

Even Lilim seemed surprised by the fact that there were still humans in the land of the empire.

“… Calm down. We are not devils, we are proper people.”

“That’s a lie! There’s no way someone would do something like that when they’re not even a devil!?”

At her words, Amelia looked down at her clothes for a moment and then responded with her face blushing.

“Well, I have no choice but to wear this! Right, Lilim?!”

＂Ah, ah… I see.＂

This is also a relatively light dress with sandals, so it is not something you would wear while walking around in an outdoor environment like this.

“But if you’re human… I’ve never seen one around here. Where did it come from? Policy? Or are they the ones from the seaside?”

“No, we came from outside the barrier. The person you need to find in here is-“

＂Second, barrier!? There’s a hole in the barrier!?”

＂…＂

As her conversation was not going well due to her impatience, Amelia thought it was necessary to calm her down first, so she took out her emergency food and water bottle from her bag, which she had packed just in case.

And, while handing it to her girl and smiling at her, she was talking to her.

“… First of all, why don’t you introduce yourself? I think it would be better to talk while getting to know each other.”

The girl’s eyes widened at what Amelia had brought out, and after looking at Amelia and Lilim for a moment, she answered, taking what she had given her with her trembling hands.

“I, I… Shitaka… I’m living in hiding with my family around here…”

＂Family…＂

When Lilim responded to her words, Amelia also nodded her head.

“I am Amelia. This is…”

As Amelia tries to introduce her, she briefly worries that the girl might recognize her name as Lilim.

＂… Lilim.＂

However, Lilim responded with her own name, and the girl did not show any reaction upon hearing her name.

＂Shitaka. Including the family you mentioned… Are there many people like you around here?”

＂Ugh. There are only 7 people including me. Last year, adults all told the devil, ‘You have to eat it before it goes bad,’ and they got eaten.”

＂──.＂

In response to the cruel reply that came so naturally, when Amelia and Lilim said nothing for a moment, Shitaka looked down at the food in her hands for a moment, and then her stomach rumbled.

＂Hey, over there. I’m really sorry for trying to stab you with a knife. Well, then can I go now?”

“… Yes, that’s right. We also have people we need to find.”

Amelia nodded her head at Shitaka’s words, and then Shitaka slowly moved her feet, and then she said, ‘Blame’ and ran away.

＂… Lilim, are you okay?＂

When Amelia asked Lilim, who was staring at her back blankly, she closed her mouth for a moment and then nodded.

“It’s okay. Let’s go, we wasted some time, but saving Cleon comes first.”

Lilim starts walking while saying that, and Amelia follows behind.

I don’t know if it was a coincidence, but the direction she was heading was the same direction that Shitaka ran.