Episode 173. Where the Sound of Firecrackers Barely Reaches (5)
Tina couldn’t close her mouth. Her mint-colored eyes that didn’t close. What was reflected there was a fight to the death that only someone with a certain level of skill could properly capture.
Rubin and Rosenthaler appear briefly, as if they were flashing, only when the two swords collide. After the flash, their forms disappear from sight, leaving only the sound of the wind.
Immediately after that, as if a flash of lightning had been followed by a clap of thunder, the oak barrels suddenly shattered and the red wine was sprayed out.
“It’s cold, it’s cold.”
Tina shivered. Her body, transformed into a monkey, looked like it had been pulled out of a river.
However, what she turned over was wine. It was rare to find an oak barrel that was not broken by the aftermath of the fight between the two. And then there was the bitter frost created by Rubin’s soul weapon.
Wheeeeee.
Even in the snowstorm, Tina, the only spectator, had shining eyes. Because she had a dark smoke, Tina was able to roughly follow the flow of the battle.
Kwakwakwakwang!
‘I can’t believe I’m seeing this in first class. By the way, Rubin, that monster… Since when did he become so vicious?’
For Tina, this was the first time she had seen Rubin fight with all his might.
Even in Philimond, she didn’t enter the black zone, and she didn’t follow Enzo when he broke out of the ‘Valley Prison’.
Of course, I was aware that he was something special, as I remembered him solving a problem at the Gillyfield Arboretum. Other than that, all I knew was that I had heard about Rubin’s exploits from Kuze.
‘I was going to use transformation to save Rubin, but it was a needless worry.’
Rather, it was Tina who had to be careful. She could have gotten into a fight and been seriously injured. Rubin had also instructed her to stay away.
‘But that just can’t be done.’
Now I was really curious about how this duel would end. It was both pure curiosity and the anticipation of a gambler who longs for victory.
She seemed to have a slight edge over the 50/50 odds, and if the stakes were high, she would have bet on Rubin.
at that time.
“Hoo, hoo.”
“Haa, haa.”
The two men pause for a moment. Steam rises from their shaking bodies, and a resonating sound shakes the air from their scorching aura.
Clap clap clap.
The sound of footsteps echoes quietly. The sound of sloshing as the oak barrels are almost completely destroyed, creating puddles all over the floor.
The smell of blood was also strong. It was so thick that it wouldn’t have been strange if the puddle was not wine but blood.
Who was the bloody smell coming from? Rubin? Rosenthaler? Tina, who was watching, couldn’t tell exactly.
The moment of effective swordsmanship happened in an instant, and from the side, both of them were covered in blood. Rubin also clearly had suffered a considerable amount of sword wounds.
however.
The two warriors who were actually fighting were different. They alone knew for sure. Who had the upper hand, and who was being driven to death.
So Rosenthaler couldn’t help but scream in his mind.
‘Shit!’
Rosenthaler wipes the corner of his mouth.
A scar that will never go away for the rest of his life is engraved on his cheek. His face, where the black lacquer aura has passed, is becoming paralyzed.
It won’t be a scar of glory, that kind of feeling was taking over Rosenthaler.
I can’t understand. Why on earth?
As the battle continues, Rubin’s counterattacks become more sophisticated, as if he is learning about himself moment by moment.
Previously, there had only been one sword fight… … .
Rosenthaler’s expression became strangely distorted as he recalled the previous sword fight.
‘That kid planned it all from the beginning. The last fight was also to figure me out!’
But, what are you aiming for?
The question naturally follows. It was clear that Rubin knew about Per and Enzo, and that he was trying to overturn the Imperial Command’s plans. Now, it was also clear that he had risked his life with the sole intention of killing him.
But what are you doing that for?
‘Isn’t that guy only after my life?’
Rosenthaler began to look at Rubin from a slightly different angle.
The reason you fight for your life is not just to beat me. There is something you have to achieve beyond me.
‘Is that guy looking for a decree? Or something beyond that…?’
At that moment, an image appeared in Rosenthaler’s mind. It was the being he had met only once while he was with Rulfo, the head of the Imperial Commission.
The only human being who has the continent at his feet. Rosenthaler only caught a glimpse of his shadow from afar.
“hey.”
That’s when Rosenthaler opened his mouth.
Cool!
A handful of blood burst out of his mouth. Damn it. The balance of the battle had been lost, and there was no hiding it anymore.
Besides, even though I spoke, there was no response from Rubin. He just resumed the fight that had been paused for a moment.
Clank… … .
In the puddle, only ripples remained, proving that someone had stood there just a moment ago.
And then, in Rosenthaler’s sight, a monster with cold eyes looms.
Kwakwakwakwang!
The clash of swords continued again.
* * *
That time, the banquet hall.
A music that evokes nobility is playing. It is one of the most widely known instrumental pieces on the continent.
Above the banquet hall, a colorful veil created by magic floats in the sky.
The colorful veils were designed to react to the music, appearing more mysterious as the music reached its climax.
But at this moment, there was something else that definitely caught the attention of the attendees. It was the imperial aristocrats dancing. It was Chloe leading Oscar.
“Hey kids, look at Oscar. He’s dancing like he’s been electrocuted.”
“Wow, to that extent, did he get hit by magic or something?”
“But, you two aren’t saying anything, right? Why does it always look like Oscar is surprised to me?”
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“Isn’t that obvious? It must feel like a dream.”
As the dance continued, Oscar’s movements were ridiculously clumsy and his facial expressions were downright comical.
The C class cadets burst into laughter at Oscar’s nervous appearance, but it wasn’t just because they were dancing with an imperial noble as they had expected.
The onlookers couldn’t hear the intimate conversation between the two. It wasn’t because the dancing was awkward that they reacted like they had been shocked, but because each and every one of Chloe’s voices resonating in their heads was surprising.
All the truth is coming in, but it is something that cannot be accepted with a normal expression.
-No, that’s a lie. Right, that’s a lie?
Chloe was also shocked, having only found out the truth a few hours ago. It was even more shocking, since her closest friend was in the middle of it all.
-Luden did all this for you?
-… … .
The voice rang hollow. Chloe had no answer for Luden. But she wanted to know about him as much as Oscar did.
If I hadn’t been entangled in ‘Witherspoon’s true name’, I would have gladly done so. I would have mobilized all the power of the imperial nobility to uncover the truth about Luden.
“…Scar. Oscar.”
“…uh?”
Oscar, who had been dazed for a moment, shook his head and came to his senses. Chloe was staring at him blankly.
“I’m okay. I don’t know what’s going on, but I can accept it. As long as I can see my father.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“But do you have to go to the Rhapsody Hall at exactly midnight? Can’t you go now? Luden said so?”
“He said that if you go at that time, your father will appear. He also said that if you meet your father, you will hear more detailed stories. Maybe you will also learn about Luden.”
“Okay… I’m fine.”
Oscar closed his eyes and tried to take a deep breath. Otherwise he felt like he would pass out.
“Are you sure you’re okay? Then… Could you please put your left foot down now? You’re stepping on my foot right now.”
Oscar jerked his foot away in surprise, and Chloe smiled faintly.
And at that moment.
The two felt a slight vibration. It was just for a moment, but it felt like the ground was shaking. Oscar and Chloe looked into each other’s eyes. I just felt a vibration. What is it?
Even if they used their imagination, they could not have guessed that the momentary vibration was due to a clash between two five-star level drones.
Not just the two of them, but all the thousand or so people who filled the garden of Ielosga were the same, whether they were Keegan or Selesne.
Wheeeeeeee… Boom!
Wheeee… Boom! Boom!
“It’s a firecracker.”
All the attendees see is beautiful flowers blooming in the night sky.
Naturally, the wizards’ fireworks had a special quality that could not be easily imitated in any large city.
The popping firecrackers were not limited to simple patterns, but also created figures and letters.
The eyes of those looking up at the sky were filled with colorful colors, and natural smiles appeared on their faces.
… that moment.
In the distant abandoned wine cellar, Rosenthaler’s screams are echoing.
“Kkwaaaaaaah!”
A black aura pierced Rosenthaler’s left shoulder. Rosenthaler’s pupils bulged as if a blood vessel had burst. He vomited out the blood that had been in his mouth.
‘Not yet.’
Rubin thought quietly. This attack was decisive, but it was not enough to end the fight. The balance of victory had shifted to my side, but this was a five-star drone anyway.
“Damn assassin seed!”
Rosetta grabs Rubin’s right hand, which is holding the sword. He intends to cut off Rubin’s arm in that state.
‘The secret sword… As much as I want it, it’s also annoying.’
Rubin’s previous attack had knocked the sword away from Rosenthaler, but it was meaningless against the nature of the sword.
As Rosenthaler clenched his fist, the sword flew back with a whizzing sound.
Wheeeeeeing!
Rubin frowned. If he didn’t pull it out in time, he would be cut by the flying sword, so he had no choice. He pulled out the sword he had stuck in the enemy’s shoulder.
Swoosh!
The sword cut through the air as Rubin pulled his arm away. In that state, it returned to its master’s hand.
“Ugh!”
Rosenthaler planted his sword in the ground and braced himself, drooling in agony.
“Can you hear the firecrackers?”
Rosenthaler asked, spitting on the floor.
As the saying goes, the sound of firecrackers can be heard from afar. It must mean that the banquet is proceeding without a hitch. From the perspective of the two people fighting, it felt even more thrilling.
“I’m sad that we can’t enjoy it together.”
“… … .”
Rosenthaler chuckled.
“Those milk-smelling wizard brats don’t know. The Rubin they thought was their friend is actually a guy whose only purpose is assassination.”
Rubin didn’t respond. He walked back toward Rosenthaler.
Now is the time to end it.
Thud thud.
Rosenthaler bites his lip as he looks at Rubin who is getting closer.
He accepted it. No, he had no choice but to accept it. He couldn’t survive against that mutant Rubin.
‘That doesn’t mean things will go the way you want them to.’
In an instant, Rosenthaler’s eyes changed.
Rubin’s rush continued, and Rosenthaler screamed and swung his sword, trying to follow Rubin’s blinking movements as much as possible.
Boom! Boom!
Swish! Boom!
The sword fight continued, and the space cried out.
Then, at some point, Rosenthaler let go of the dagger in his hand. Not accidentally, but intentionally.
“I admit I can’t get out of here alive. But neither can you!”
Rosenthaler no longer devoted himself to defense. Instead, he gave up on defense and instead charged at Rubin.
Push!
“… … !”
It didn’t matter if the bloody frost cut his lower abdomen. He didn’t stop. He just wrapped around Rubin and held his body down.
Desperate force.
Rosenthaler grabbed Rubin from behind with all his might. In that moment, a thought flashed through Rubin’s mind.
‘Are you trying to commit suicide?’
No, that couldn’t be possible. Rosenthaler wasn’t a wizard, so he didn’t have the ability to do that, and he didn’t have time to prepare any other equipment.
‘Ah, I see.’
Only then did I remember that Rosenthaler had no dagger in his hand. I now understood why he had dropped it. I also understood what he meant when he said he would not die alone.
Wheeeeeeing.
The sword that had left its master’s hand began to cry. It was floating in the air, revealing a yellow aura.
The tip of the sword is naturally aimed at Rubin.
If it were to fly in as is, not only would it pierce Rubin, but even Rosenthaler would not be able to avoid death. But that is exactly the ending Rosenthaler wants.
“You can’t get out of here either, Rubin… … .”
“Are you saying you will remain loyal to Rulfo even if it means dying? He abandoned you.”
“It doesn’t matter. Whether or not I’m remembered for my loyalty later on. Right now, all I want is to kill you. Even if it means dying.”
Rosenthaler was an officer of the Imperial Council, but he was not the type to swear allegiance to the Empire. His true loyalty was to one man, Rulfo.
Because Rulfo is devoted to the Empire, Rosenthaler is here now.
‘The chief probably doesn’t know anything in the end. What I prevented by dying with this guy.’
The youngest son of the assassination family that he has been suppressing. If Rubin survives here, there is no telling what will happen to the Imperial Order and the Empire. In the worst case, the Empire could collapse.
‘You never know how much he’ll grow. If he keeps up this pace, he might even reach 7 stars before he turns 20.’
Then, Rubin’s answer continued.
“Well, it would be the same whether you die this way or that way.”
Contrary to expectations, he was just indifferent. Rosenthaler’s eyebrows quirked at that attitude.
What is this calmness? Is it possible to escape from this state?
Rosenthaler squeezed out all his strength. A desperate blow. Whatever the case, he had no other choice.
Summon the Ae-geom. The special ability of the flying sword was to return by flying, but its speed could be controlled by its owner.
“Rosenthaler. Do you still have this much power stored up?”
“Shut up and die!”
Saaaaaaaah.
The sword flew towards the two people.
