Liberation of The Slaves

Chapter 134 – Dungeon Outbreak (Part 5)

– Selena’s POV –

“Hey, if you can do that, doesn’t that mean you could have ended this faster? Earlier, you only kept dodging those wolves.”

My voice carried a mixture of awe and suspicion. Aza’s overwhelming display of power still lingered in my mind like a blazing afterimage burned into my sight.

“To make you gain experience.”

“Huh?”

Experience? What is she talking about? Is she implying that I am lacking?

“You rarely fight opponents who are equal or stronger than you. And certainly not many at once. Am I wrong?”

Her words pierced straight through me.

She was not wrong.

For most of my life, I fought enemies weaker than myself. When something truly dangerous appeared, my master handled it. By the time she passed away, I had already surpassed most threats in my surroundings. After that, I kept training, refining myself further.

If an S-Rank monster appeared near my home, I would exhaust it within the barrier first. Only after it weakened would I step outside to finish it.

I always ensured the battlefield was tilted in my favor.

I always made sure I would win.

“Well, time is up anyway.”

Aza continued.

“My master has been worrying nonstop about you since the battle started. He kept complaining to me. So I helped you.”

At the mention of my darling, my chest tightened.

It had been far too long since I last heard his voice directly.

“He is fine.” Aza added, sensing my unrest. “He simply has not adapted to being a soul without controlling a body yet.”

Relief washed over me like cool water.

“Grrrr!” {“I will tear you both apart!”}

The wolf leader’s growl shattered the fragile calm, dragging us back into the present.

“How about it?” Aza asked casually. “Want to take him alone?”

The question was simple, yet heavy.

We might not be able to avoid such battles in the future. If I truly wished to stand beside my darling, if I truly wished to protect him with my own hands…

Then I needed this.

I needed to grow.

For two centuries, I trained without knowing whether I would ever see him again. Now that he is here, and I have weakened compared to my peak…

I must push even harder.

“Tell him to wait for me a little longer.”

“Okay. I will handle the wolves below.”

Her presence vanished from my side.

“Grrr!” {“How arrogant of you to face me alone!”}

“I am merely preparing for my future.”

Moonlight poured over the forest, silver beams illuminating my blade and painting the clearing in pale blue. I inhaled slowly, steadying my heartbeat.

“I cannot let my darling wait any longer.”

I raised my sword, golden eyes locking onto the Alpha Packmaster.

“So I will kill you quickly.”

“Grrr!” {“Arrogant human!”}

The forest trembled with his roar.

Then he moved.

He charged from above, claws tearing through the air.

I leapt backward, barely avoiding the crushing force as he slammed into where I had been floating moments ago. The shockwave rippled through the air.

He lunged again. This time, I jumped upward.

“Grrr!” {“You speak boldly, yet you only dodge!”}

I ignored him.

Previously, aerial combat had been unfamiliar to me. I relied on instinct alone, reacting rather than controlling the rhythm. I had not adjusted my footwork for the sky.

But now…

Now I understood the flow.

I began using Solar Emberdance.

A technique centered around footwork and patience. Each step was deliberate. Each shift of weight subtle yet precise.

I did not rush.

I weaved. I circled. I danced.

To an outsider, it might have seemed as though I was merely evading. But in truth, I was measuring him. Testing his perception. Letting him acclimate to one speed.

So that I could shatter it.

“Grrr!” {“Stop playing around!”}

Frustration crept into his movements. His breathing grew heavier. His claws struck air again and again.

As long as an opponent is ruled by emotion, they will falter.

“Grrr—!?” {“Fight me seri—!?”}

Slash.

My blade cut across his flank before he could finish speaking.

“Grrr—!?” {“You bas—!?”}

Slash.

I vanished from his sight, reappearing at his blind spot.

Slash.

The air ignited with white embers as my blade traced arcs of fire. Each movement followed the rhythm of the wind, smooth and unbroken, as though I truly were dancing beneath the moon.

Slash.

He could barely track me when I was dodging. Now I had accelerated, I would not give him time to adapt.

One technique that harmonizes perfectly with Solar Emberdance…

“Solar Blazeblade First Form: Heliosurge Barrage.”

Slash! Slash!

Slash! Slash!

Slash! Slash!

My sword flashed from every direction. Each cut carried searing heat, flames biting into flesh and muscle. The Alpha Packmaster roared in agony, desperately trying to guard, but my attacks slipped through every opening.

He was overwhelmed.

The final strike cleaved deep.

Flames erupted from within his body, scorching his organs from the inside. His massive form convulsed once before plummeting lifelessly toward the forest floor below.

““Auuuuuuuuu!””

At that moment, the remaining wolves howled in mourning.

Then they fled.

“Haa… haa… haa…”

My chest rose and fell heavily as the first rays of dawn pierced through the trees.

It was over.

Only now did I realize how long I had been fighting.

“Sweetheaarttt!”

His voice reached me. I turned at him.

Bathed in sunrise light, he approached, eyes filled with worry and affection.

When he came within a step of me…

“Len!”

My strength gave out.

My vision tilted, and I collapsed into him.

“Len! Are you okay!?”

His voice trembled.

I wanted to answer properly, but exhaustion swallowed me whole.

“Len! Answer me!”

“Aza! What happened to her!?”

【She is fine, Master.】

“Fine!? She closed her eyes! Are you sure she is fine!?”

【She is just tired and sleeping.】

“Are you sure!?”

【Haa… I’m tired too. Fia and others as well. So let us sleep.】

“Hey! Check her condition first!”

【Bye.】

“Hey! Aza!? Hey!”

His panic was almost cute.

I drifted deeper into sleep, lips moving on their own.

“I love you… darling… I love you…”

There was a pause in her movement.

Then I felt his hand gently patting my hair.

His touch was warm.

“Mmm… I will protect you… darling… I will protect you…”

In his embrace, I found solace and peace, knowing that he would always be there to protect me.

“Rest well, my beautiful princess and knight.”

His lips pressed softly against my forehead.

He carried me down from the sky like a princess rescued from a tower. When his feet touched the forest floor, he carefully shifted me onto his back.

The sunrise painted everything gold. The breeze rustled through the trees as though the battle had never happened.

He began collecting the spoils from the fallen wolves, moving carefully so as not to disturb my sleep.

In his care, I entrusted everything.

My body.

My heart.

My soul.

“I love you so much, darling,” I murmured faintly.

“I love you too, sweetheart.”

And in the warmth of dawn, cradled by the one I cherish most, I surrendered completely to peaceful sleep.