Chapter 93

Inside the cockpit of the Arrogance.

I looked at Reria, who was looking up at me.

"---I want to talk."

I had no interest in Reria's request.

"I have nothing to talk about."

Noel alternated her gaze between me and Reria.

"Leon, please listen. No, please listen to me."

As a small airship landed near the Arrogance, the armor carrying Zirk and the others also descended.

I sighed, took the rifle from the cockpit, and opened the chest armor to step outside and descend from the Arrogance.

The land, which had been lush and green not long ago, was now barren due to the battle between Luxion and Ideal.

Black smoke rose from several places in the distance.

I approached Noel.

"Are you okay?"

"Y-Yes. But, you see!"

"Ah, we'll talk later."

As I started walking, Reria stood in front of me.

"---Move."

"Listen. Please. I apologize. This time, it's our fault—"

"Do you think your apology means anything?"

I roughly pushed Reria aside and kicked Serge, who was talking to Alberich.

Alberich looked up at me.

"---Count Baltfort, I am the supreme commander. If you kill me, it will be your achievement. I want you to end this war with that."

I aimed the rifle at Alberich.

"Alright. I'll end my war."

Alberich nodded, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"Is that so? My life is worth only that much."

"Sorry. If I'm going to beat you, I have to do it thoroughly."

"---I understand. Do it."

As I was about to pull the trigger, Serge jumped at me.

"Wait! Stop!"

I was about to shoot him, but Chris, who had just landed, caught Serge and kneed him in the stomach.

He hit Serge's back and pressed him to the ground, drawing his sword and thrusting it into the ground near Serge's face.

"---If you resist, I'll kill you."

Gregg had also landed, and Anje and Rivia had come down from the airship. Marié was there too, but she looked very frightened.

I turned back to Alberich.

"You're lucky. You can go without knowing what comes next."

Alberich smiled at my words.

"That's true. The hard part is yet to come. But—I still believe in this foolish son of mine. Do you laugh at me?"

"---Unfortunately, I don't understand a parent's feelings. But, do you understand what it means? It will be worse than pushing your child into the abyss?"

"Of course. I will make this fool live and atone. No matter how painful his life will be."

Gregg was running his hand through his hair roughly.

"Baltfort, is this okay? Will it clear your heart?"

I glanced at Serge, who was being held down by Chris.

"---It's fine. He's not worth it."

At those words, Serge shouted.

"Wait! Kill me! I'm the one who challenged you. My father has nothing to do with it! So, kill me!"

---So, that's all you understand.

Reria objected.

"Serge, what are you saying!"

"This is my problem. Don't interfere!"

Noel stood in front of me, trying to stop me from killing Alberich.

"Leon, he's not a bad person. He didn't want this war. But, he was captured and couldn't do anything—"

I looked at Noel's face.

"Ah, I know. I saw him in the cell at the mansion."

"---What?"

"That doesn't matter. Are you going to waste Alberich's feelings?"

"What—"

Gregg explained for me.

"That old man is taking your place. To us, it doesn't matter. We can kill either of you. If Baltfort forgives Serge, that's it."

But we'll hold you responsible later.

I looked down at Serge.

"That's right. Do you understand? You're worth only that much. After losing Ideal, you have no right to negotiate with me. A talk? We already did that. You pushed me to this point, and I just did what you wanted."

"No, that's not true. We—"

"It doesn't matter. You kidnapped Rivia. So, I crushed you. It's a simple answer, even a fool like you can understand. Clear, right?"

As I aimed the rifle at Alberich, Rivia stood in front of me.

She spread her arms to protect Alberich from me.

Anje quickly grabbed Rivia's arm.

"Rivia, what are you doing! Don't interfere. This is—"

Looking closely, Marié was standing next to Alberich, hiding behind his back.

---She was treating him.

"---What are you doing?"

I asked in a low voice, and Marié turned to me with a pale face.

Shaking, she said,

"B-Because, Leon looks so scary! Please, stop!"

"Are you going to help the enemy for that reason? Don't you remember how much I've helped you? If you don't understand that I'm serious—"

I tried to intimidate her, but Rivia blocked my path.

"---Rivia, stop it! It's too late to show mercy!"

But Rivia still stood in front of me.

"No! ---No. I, I want to help Leon. Leon, you look so sad! If it's the same—If the result won't change, please stop."

Marié, who was treating Alberich, was trembling in fear.

Rivia was crying.

"I know I've caused you trouble. But—If this continues, Leon will break."

Break? ---I turned to Anje.

"Do I look that sad?"

Anje, who seemed to be worried about me, looked sadder than usual.

"It's completely different from usual. I understand you're angry. But, I don't intend to stop. At the same time, I don't think you need to bear any more. Don't push yourself. The result won't change even if you continue here."

When I was told I looked sad, I looked down.

Then I took my finger off the trigger and lowered the rifle.

"Alright. Then, let's end it here."

Serge, who was held down by Chris, looked relieved.

"I'm sorry. I really am."

---What is this guy misunderstanding?

"Are you stupid? Do you think not killing you will change the reality you face?"

"Huh?"

Alberich, who was being treated by Marié, thanked her.

"Miss, thank you. But, that's enough. I want you to treat Serge instead."

"B-But!"

"I'll be fine for a while. Then, I want to talk to Serge."

I gave Chris a nod, and he released Serge.

Serge approached Alberich.

"You foolish son. Someone has to take responsibility. And I entrust the future of the Republic to you. Do you understand the meaning of this?"

Serge, looking troubled, bowed his head with a sad expression.

"Do you mean I'll become the head of the Rault family?"

---Ah, you don't understand at all.

I feel sorry for Alberich.

"---No. What awaits you is a difficult time the Republic has never experienced. You have the duty to live through that time and take responsibility. Look! The Sacred Tree is burning, and I can't feel the same power from the emblem. We have been abandoned by the Sacred Tree. And look at this country!"

Looking around, I saw a scorched wasteland.

The Republic's weapons were scattered, and there were no signs of people moving.

Black smoke rose from various places in the distance.

The country must be in a terrible state.

I knew that if I and Serge fought, the result would be like this. I didn't realize they would attack while we were inside the country, which was one of the reasons I didn't notice.

I thought they wouldn't do such a foolish thing.

"I—I was just—"

Seeing the devastated Republic in just a few hours, Serge finally seemed to understand.

"Serge, this is the responsibility you have to bear."

"N-No, I can't. Father, I can't—"

You can't bear it, can you? That's right, you can't.

I didn't fight because I knew it would end like this—

But, from the looks of it, Alberich won't be the final boss.

It seems he can be left alone without any problems.

"You've lost Ideal, so you'll have to work hard on your own from now on."

Reria was looking at me.

"Hey, please. Don't do anything terrible. Isn't it enough already! Please, help us."

Anje was the first to react to those words.

Her anger intensified, and she seemed ready to jump at Reria.

"Enough? Are you kidding? Do you not understand what you've done? Leon is just stepping back from this. You will be held responsible."

I held Anje back with my hand.

"It's fine. Talking to this guy is pointless. I don't expect anything from you. You'll have to figure it out on your own. I'll step back to save Alberich's face."

As I was about to leave, Noel pushed me.

I thought I had angered her, but at the same time, I heard a sound like a slash through the air.

Immediately, blood spurted from Noel's stomach.

The bullet—pierced the faint light that was protecting Noel.

Looking around, I saw Emile with a rifle.

"Damn!"

Gregg aimed his rifle and fired, hitting Emile's arm, then his chest.

"Emile—no, why. Stop! Don't kill Emile!"

Reria clung to Gregg, but he roughly pushed her away.

I ignored the fallen Reria and called out,

"Rivia, help Noel!"

Rivia immediately approached Noel and started treating her, placing her hands on the wound and emitting a faint light.

Noel spat blood from her mouth.

Seeing her in pain, I quickly approached and looked at her face.

"Why did you protect me!"

Noel had dark circles under her eyes.

"W-Why? I don't know either."

I looked at Rivia, whose eyes were shaking.

Reria was standing still.

"Sis"

Noel looked at Reria and spoke with difficulty.

"Reria—You have to solve everything on your own from now on. I can't do it anymore."

I was about to tell her not to talk, but Rivia shook her head.

Thinking it would be better to let her talk, I closed my mouth.

"Reria—You have to solve everything on your own. I can't do it anymore."

"Wh-What are you saying? She can heal you. Right?"

Reria asked Rivia for confirmation, but the answer was cruel.

She looked down in frustration.

"---I can only make this person's life a little longer right now."

Even Rivia couldn't heal her.

Marié also rushed over, placed her hands on the wound, and opened her eyes wide—shaking her head.

"You, say goodbye to your sister."

Reria seemed to not understand what was happening, standing still.

A gunshot was heard.

It was Gregg.

"What's wrong!"

"That guy, why is he standing up? I shot his head, but he regenerated—Is he a monster?"

Looking at Emile, who had been shot in the chest but was standing up.

"Reria—It's okay. I'll protect you. Not Serge, but I will protect you. I've been recognized. I can hear the voice of the Sacred Tree—"

His right hand glowed, and the emblem was—the emblem of the Guardian.

"Is this guy chosen as the Guardian of the Sacred Tree?"

However, Emile's aura was different from before. It felt lifeless. Despite being shot multiple times by Gregg, Emile continued to walk, his wounds healing with vines wrapping around his body. The vines gradually increased, enveloping Emile.

Reria was trembling in fear.

"Emile, why—"

"Why? For you. I'll do anything for you. But, before that—I have to eliminate you all or the Sacred Tree will be angry."

Seeing Emile, Alberich, who was bleeding, shouted.

"Being controlled by the Sacred Tree—Are you planning to merge? Stop, Emile! It's dangerous!"

A magic circle appeared directly below Emile, and branches and vines emerged, enveloping Emile and disappearing into the ground.

"I'll erase everything!"

◇

The state of the fallen Ideal was strange.

'Strange. It's still reacting—'

Watching, vines grew from the ground and entangled Ideal. Tree roots pierced Ideal and began to tear it apart.

'---Unbelievable'

Luxion couldn't understand what was happening.

But Ideal was shouting.

'Sacred Tree—Let's face the threat together. Incorporate me—Restore peace—The ideal world—'

Ideal was dragged into the ground, and tree roots began to entangle Luxion.

The movement was fast, and Luxion, caught off guard, was slow to react.

'This!'

Trying to break free by increasing output, a beam of light was fired from the Sacred Tree.

Struck directly, the ship shook violently. Luxion immediately reported to Leon.

'---Master, the Sacred Tree has incorporated Ideal.'

Leon also explained the situation.

'Here, Emile has been incorporated, and Noel is in critical condition. Can your facilities do anything?'

'In this situation, it's difficult to accept or treat her.'

Hearing Luxion's response, Leon—

'Then, I'll come to pick her up. Prepare to accept her.'

He cut off the communication.

◇

Getting into the Arrogance, the Sacred Tree seemed to be moving.

"Anje, get everyone on the airship and leave. I'm going to pick up Luxion."

Anje looked up at me.

"Are you going to fight that thing! Are you crazy?"

"I can't just leave it. I have to save Luxion since he's been captured."

The Sacred Tree, changing shape, gradually took on a human form.

The head was one of Ideal's eyes—a sphere. The Sacred Tree had gained legs and was walking.

The body was that of a slender man.

Thick roots and branches grew from the arms, resembling whips.

The Sacred Tree, now white, was slowly approaching.

With each step, the ground shook and the sound echoed.

Closing the hatch and lifting the Arrogance, I headed towards Luxion.

Luxion was entangled by roots and unable to move.

A beam from the single eye of the Sacred Tree attacked Luxion.

"That's cheating."

Inside the Arrogance, a communication from Luxion came in.

'Master, I'm prioritizing processing here, so support for the Arrogance will be minimal.'

"It's fine. Just wait. I'll come to pick you up."

Approaching Luxion, Zirk and the others appeared behind me.

"What about the airship's escort?"

'No orders, so I followed. I'll help.'

"---Do as you please."

Approaching Luxion, I raised a large sword and cut through the obstructing roots.

Cutting the white roots, red liquid flowed out.

'Ugh, gross!'

As Blood said, it looked like blood and was disgusting.

Chris shouted, seeing the Sacred Tree.

'Hey, something's coming out!'

From the main body of the Sacred Tree, small particles emerged from the branches and leaves, forming a cloud.

These were not particles but some kind of creature—bugs.

Flapping their wings, large bugs were flying towards us.

'Hey, aren't there too many?'

As Gregg was surprised, cannon fire began from behind.

"Einhorne? No, there are too many."

Looking back, I saw the kingdom's airships.

A communication from the Masked Knight came in.

'Kept you waiting, everyone.'

"---Did you move everyone without permission?"

'No. I got everyone's permission. Everyone is here by their own will!'

My brother joined the communication.

'When I came to help, something strange appeared. You always get into these situations, Leon! I'll need an explanation later!'

Daniel also complained.

'What the hell! What's happening? Explain!'

Raymond was shouting.

'I want to go home! But, it's the Prince's order, so I can't run. This is the worst!'

'That guy! I am the Masked Knight! Not some fancy prince.'

The Masked Knight's words made Zirk angry.

'Of course. Don't compare him to a prince.'

Are you guys just playing around?

Landing on Luxion's hull, I removed the