Chapter 30: Opposition

The one-armed Bushi ran down the hallway, drawing his sword and swinging it in one smooth motion.

Findenai, who anticipated it, struck first, blocking the sword right before it moved along its proper trajectory.

Clang!

A strange sound echoed as iron clashed against iron. Sparks flew, illuminating Findenai's face.

"Oh?"

If one observed closely, they could see that the Bushi was right-handed, as evident from the sword sheath hanging on his left waist.

However, for some unknown reason, he didn't have a right hand, and yet he was still able to engage in a fierce battle with Findenai by wielding his sword with his left hand.

[Krraaaa!]

With a cry, the skeleton pushed Findenai away with force.

Naturally retreating, Findenai grinned and shouted at him.

"Bring it on!"

Kwang!

[Kyaaak!]

As soon as she landed, Findenai infused mana and leaped forward again. A violent shockwave surged around her, causing Erica, who was standing nearby, to stagger.

Qua-aang!

The two monsters clashed once more.

The windows throughout the entire third floor shattered and shards poured down like rain. But their confrontation showed no signs of stopping.

They exchanged blows, alternating between advancing and retreating.

Even Erica, who had only studied magic, could tell how skilled their battle was by the dazzling movements they displayed.

"Come on!"

However, Findenai began to take the initiative.

If this were a game, she would have possessed the characteristics of a berserker. As battle prolonged, her body would heat, making her faster and more adept at combat.

Findenai would eventually gain momentum, becoming stronger as the battle dragged on.

Qua-aang!

The Bushi managed to block the swinging axe with his sword, barely defending himself, but his back touched the end wall of the hallway, forcing him to kneel on one knee.

"Trash."

Findenai coldly examined the now dulled axe. Nevertheless, she twirled it around and approached the kneeling skeleton.

"It seems like persuasion isn't my forte after all. Even if I listened to your story, it'll still end in a defeat for you, right?"

The one-armed Bushi remained still, bowing his head.

He seemed to have expended a great deal of strength.

[Kki, kigigig!]

The skeleton, who had been cornered into the wall by Findenai, soon forced himself to stand up.

Before Findenai launched an attack, she noticed that the skeleton looked pitiful.

[Kigigigigig!]

He started crying, seemingly pleading for something, and then the whole hallway echoed.

"What?"

"What is this?"

Erica was taken aback, while Findenai found the situation amusing and laughed.

Suddenly, numerous evil spirits arrived on the third-floor corridor as if responding to a summons. They were sticking to the walls and floor, observing the battle between Findenai and the skeleton.

"Did you only come to watch this fight?"

Realizing that they were not participating but merely spectating, Findenai clicked her tongue in disappointment.

"...!"

In an instant, feeling the pressure from the front, she hastily raised her axe.

With a chilling sound of wind, a sword quickly swept past the spot where she had been.

All evil spirits harbored grudges.

Those were Deus' words, Findenai's master, and now she finally understood what he meant on a deeper level.

The skeleton's worn-out sword was infused with grudges and mana; a purplish aura emanated from it.

For swordsmen, it was a kind of ultimate technique called "Sword Aura".

Seeing that her axe was cleanly severed in half after blocking in the sword, Findenai let out a bitter laugh.

"It's still growing even after his death?"

[Grr, huff.]

The staggering skeleton, while crying and twisting, slowly regained his posture.

The purplish Sword Aura burned ominously as if it could encompass the skeleton's beliefs and soul.

"Don't treat me like I'm some wicked woman."

Findenai also gathered mana, tensing her shoulders. Pure white mana, like her hair, surged from her whole body.

Amidst the watchful eyes of numerous evil spirits and Erica, a tense final clash ensued.

Everyone knew that the winner would be determined by this last exchange.

Swish!

However, just as everyone was expecting a fierce clash, Findenai, who was snarling with fangs like a wolf just a moment ago, suddenly turned her body and started to flee.

"What?"

She grabbed Erica in the process and held onto her side, then jumped towards the broken window frame to escape outside.

"Oh, damn it! Master intentionally imbued weak magic!"

Throwing the axe to the ground, which was no longer able to touch spirits, Findenai leaped from the third floor.

She could clearly imagine Deus intentionally imbuing weak magic, having anticipated her actions.

"I really need a cigarette!"

Findenai suddenly had a craving for a cigarette.

* * *

- The Girl Who Loved Flowers, Emily. Here she lies, seeking eternal rest.

Looking at the gravestone, I closed my eyes in silence.

She couldn't hear my words and now had her eyes forever closed. Still, I couldn't help but pray.

"I hope that you are resting in a place where you won't ever remember the times you have suffered."

I placed a single white flower in front of the gravestone.

It was a flower known as Snow Flower, which was said to bloom and wither briefly in the short spring of Norseweden.

The yellow flowers that Emily liked were unavailable, and they weren't particularly good for this moment either, which was why I brought a substitute.

Hoping that she would at least like it a little, I paid my respects. The gentle breeze made it flutter, giving me the feeling that Emily was caressing the flower petals.

The warm sunlight could be seen above the mountain range. It was a famous spot in Norsesweden's mountains.

Considering that there was no corpse, it was agreed to erect only a gravestone for her.

As we descended the mountain and returned to the mansion, there was a carriage waiting in front.

It was the carriage that had taken Findenai to the Loberne Academy, it had just returned.

Ahead of it, Deia was giving instructions to the porters. They were busy loading luggage while a new coachman brought horses and connected them to the carriage.

The Dean and Professor Caren had already left that day, and it was now time for me to go to Loberne Academy.

Deia, who had been busy preparing, looked at me and approached, folding her arms.

"Everything's ready. You can leave as soon as you need to."

"Okay, thank you."

"Phew. Now that you're leaving, I can finally relax a little. And about the maid you brought... Illuania, right? Since she's pregnant... don't have her do too much."

"...I will not."

"Well, I don't really want to know about your personal affairs. Just don't forget my advice."

Deia waved her hand, indicating that she didn't want to imagine what I might do.

A few moments passed.

She stood there awkwardly, about to say something, but closed her mouth again. While I waited for her to speak, Darius popped out from behind us.

"Oh, you're leaving now?"

Look at that pleased expression he couldn't hide.

I nodded; Darius chuckled and seemingly wanted to say something witty. But Deia gave him a sharp glare, causing him to turn toward the carriage without saying a word.

"How's the horse's condition?"

"It's fine, there are no problems."

Even for Darius, it must be a bit embarrassing to ask the coachman about the horse's condition suddenly.

"Hoo."

Finally, as if determined, Deia took out a pocket watch from her bosom.

Click.

Five minutes started to pass, and Deia looked at me directly. She took a deep breath to calm herself.

"You asked for five minutes daily because you wanted to talk to me, right?"

I nodded my head in affirmation. Deia's hand, which was holding the pocket watch, trembled slightly.

"Then don't lie to me. At least for these five minutes."

Since I felt that the atmosphere was a bit unusual, I responded without hesitation.

"Understood."

"Hoo."

Another deep breath.

I could tell how nervous she was.

"You..."

Very cautiously, she spoke.

"It's about the time when you behaved like a scoundrel."

I instantly knew what she wanted to ask, and what she hoped to hear from me, but...

"Was it all because you were possessed by an evil spirit?"

I couldn't give her the answer she wanted.

"..."

Unable to lie, I remained silent, causing Deia to swallow anxiously.

However, I couldn't avoid this. I eventually answered her.

"It is the opposite."

"What?"

Deia could hate me. She could despise me as the monster who took away her family and insult me...

But I had no intention of building a relationship based on lies.

If she rejected me, I would simply accept it.

"I took over Deus' body."

I honestly told her the truth.

"What?"

Deia, who stared blankly at me with a shocked expression, couldn't say anything.

She walked backwards, trembling in bewilderment.

Seeing her like that, I remained calm and continued talking.

"I know it must be scary for you. I just want you to know that I also struggled to survive."

"..."

"If you feel repulsed, it is okay. If you hate me, resent me, or hold a grudge, it is fine. I will accept it."

"..."

"But no matter what, I will continue to live as Deus until the moment my life ends."

Deia, who was just staring at me blankly, was trapped in her own thoughts.

Could it really be possible?

Carefully, I reached out my hand.

Was it because her mind was paralyzed by the shocking situation?

Or was it because she was immobilized by fear?

Or perhaps it was another emotion?

I didn't know, but...

Deia stood still without avoiding my touch.

My hand gently caressed her black hair.

"Perhaps this could be our last."

The chance for me to speak to her. There might not be another chance after this.

A bitter smile of regret appeared on my face.

"I... I..."

Without even considering removing my hand, Deia stammered.

I calmly continued speaking to her.

"It is probably very complicated for you right now. Take your time to sort out your thoughts. I will be waiting for your response when we meet again."

"Ah."

And that will determine our future.

Slowly retracting my hand, I passed by Deia and climbed into the carriage.

Soon after.

The carriage wheels began to roll.