82. You Cannot Kill the Protagonist of This Work
If it weren’t for the special circumstances, how could I have let the mischievous fairy Magnus go just because I wanted to scare her a little? However, compared to my anxiety about the situation with Kephir, I truly had no time to spare for what was happening here.
Not only was there no news from Kephir, who had gone after Ludwig, but more importantly: although the dangerous scripts for both Icarus and Zelus had vanished, there was still…
But!
It was as if the script was telling me that the next trial was for the “protagonist” within it. All the dangerous scripts appeared just as I had barely managed to resolve Magnus with the fairy powers of Zelus and Icarus, and now they emerged at Kephir’s side! What appeared in the script was likely even more perilous than Kephir’s “death script”!
Because Kephir was facing Ludwig, and we had already witnessed the kind of power this elven sword saint possessed when we encountered her at the Moon Fairy Elisse!
【Kephir has had her powers taken by Ludwig!】
How could I possibly ignore such a script!!
“Kephir!”
The chill of crisis spread through my heart, and as my gaze landed on the scene before me, I instinctively shouted out when I finally found where Kephir and Ludwig were.
After all, while I was somewhat aware that Ludwig, as the “Sword Saint,” must have some even more troublesome “trump cards” hidden away, I never expected that the one now opposing Kephir would be a grotesque and terrifying “Frankenstein” seemingly stitched together from various creatures! Moreover, Kephir had not managed to turn the tide of the script; everything I saw was exactly as it had appeared in the script moments ago: Kephir seemed to be at a disadvantage, unable to even stand firm before Ludwig, barely propping herself up with the magic sword Alsace like a crutch to avoid falling!
No matter how much I tried to maintain an optimistic attitude, only one thought crossed my mind: Kephir might lose!
“Don’t come over!”
Hearing my voice, Kephir immediately responded in a panic, then struggled to add, “Don’t… don’t come over… O’Gilid.”
I certainly understood why Kephir said that.
“Ah, it seems this really is the ‘end.'”
Ludwig, resembling a Frankenstein monster, returned to her lazy demeanor the moment she saw me, “You were already at your last gasp, and with a man showing up, there’s even less chance of a miracle happening. I know that much～”
She slowly approached Kephir, and although she bore her own share of wounds and scars, it seemed they had no effect on her. Maintaining a casual attitude and the posture of a “victor,” she intended to claim her “spoils” from Kephir.
“Now then, you’d better inform your man that our ‘fair’ battle has come to an end. So, I think it’s best for you to avoid any further trouble and to ensure you can keep your life to continue accompanying your man… hand over your powers to me, Kephir.”
[Ludwig has taken Kefir’s power!]
Kefir, even though I know you want to remind the “monster” before us just how dangerous it truly is, but… with a script like this unfolding, even if it costs me my life, I can’t just turn a blind eye!
“Kefir! I have already ‘seen’ it!”
I rushed forward and embraced Kefir, knowing full well that I couldn’t escape with her from Ludwig, but… I couldn’t let her face the approaching monster alone any longer.
[Sword Saint “Ludwig,” using the domain of Chaos in battle—now in monstrous form. Class… unknown.]
The script has appeared, but… aside from making me feel even more hopeless, it seems utterly useless.
“Ogilid, just as you see it~ your woman has lost. Including all the troublesome methods before, I was merely seeking a guaranteed opportunity to fight Kefir without interference. The reason? It’s not that complicated: I want her power.”
“And now, it seems she can’t kill me at all, sigh~ so I plan to take her power~”
“After that, it will probably take her ten years or so to slowly recover, right? But anyway, she’s the young lady of the Great Ying Empire, so staying at home should be just fine, right? If you’re really worried about enemies, then as after-sales service, I could apply for a bodyguard maid position or something~”
There was no joy in Ludwig’s voice; it was as if he were lazily discussing the most mundane of matters. And I knew clearly: he wasn’t mocking Kefir’s failure; he was simply… stating facts!
“Don’t… don’t joke around, I haven’t lost yet, I can still…”
Kefir suddenly struggled out of my arms. I knew all too well what power meant for the “protagonist” in the script, and at that moment, I couldn’t even imagine: if Kefir were truly to be “reverted” like those characters in cheap literature, what on earth would I do next?
But I was painfully aware: Kefir, you can’t go on like this! Because the monster before you won’t be so easy to deal with anymore!
“Sigh… why do you humans always have to complicate simple things? If you insist on resisting, then to take her power, I can only… kill you~”
[Ludwig has killed Kefir!]
This is… a death script aimed at the “protagonist”!?
The appearance of the script stunned me, but it also halted my attempt to stop Kefir from pushing through! However, how could Kefir, who seemed to have reached her limit, possibly tangle with the still composed Ludwig again!?
The script has come! No matter from which angle, at what time, from what direction, or in what manner I looked, I could only see one content!
[Ludwig has killed Kefir!]
“Kefir, come back!”
“……I don’t want to be hated by you.”
Turning her head and forcing a smile, Kephiel turned to face forward.
Hated!? Don’t be ridiculous! How could that be possible!? At this point, how could I distance myself from you just because you haven’t done something that’s not typical of a ‘main character’? How could I possibly abandon you just because you’ve lost your so-called power, seeking refuge with others to save your life? How could I ever give you up…
I will use every means to make you the “main character,” enjoying the blessings of the entire script; even if you’ve lost your power, I will do everything in my power to protect your safety, seeking a chance for a comeback; if, if you, as the main character, encounter the inevitable “death,” then…
I wouldn’t mind taking your place!
I believe I can definitely succeed, after all, before you faced danger, I was already the “big villain” destined to die in the script, and this time I’m offering myself up willingly; how could the script possibly…
Refuse me?
I pulled Kephiel back behind me, staring directly at the sword in Ludwig’s hand, facing the arrival of the death script.
Then, I raised my middle finger at the elf in front of me.
“Fool, you want to kill… the main character? Maybe in your next life…”
【Oujili De was killed by Ludwig!】
The death script came crashing down, but that’s not the outcome I wanted! What I want is something else!
【Oujili De protected Kephiel!】
That’s right… this…
In the next moment, everything in my sight seemed to be swallowed by a blinding light!