novelraw Chapter 177 : Chapter 177
Chapter 177 : Chapter 177
Chapter 177 - The Executioner's Dilemma (1)
Grændal vividly remembered the time he first crossed swords with Rain.
An infiltration of the academy to seize an artifact, a mission that was, if one were to put it simply, extremely simple.
On that mission, Grændal encountered a boy with a gloomy impression and a seemingly frail atmosphere.
Certainly, the boy possessed a spark that couldn't be found in others.
The judgment to recognize the overwhelming difference in power in a short amount of time.
The combat intelligence to instantly devise a solution to overcome a deep disadvantage as much as possible.
And the boldness to execute that solution without a moment's hesitation, to not falter at the crossroads of life and death.
There might be plenty of cadets more talented than the boy. But the boy's spark was something clearly distinct from cadets who merely ‘only had talent.’
But that impression did not mean that Grændal became wary of Rain.
‘For a cadet of this era, he's not bad.’
It was just that level of an impression, a small fry not even worth being cautious of.
The evaluation at that time was certainly just that.
However, as time went on, the existence known as Rain Enlight increasingly became a threat to Grændal, and furthermore, to Ad Astra.
The boy had killed Gabriel, who was a clear villain but whose skills were undeniable.
He had stopped Stella, who vied for first or second place among the First Astro in magical ability.
He had overcome the mountain of corpses that poured out from the relic of the infamous, legendary 'Black Bride'.
And… not only did he survive the assault of three First Astros, including himself, but he also left one of them, Salvatio, in critical condition.
It was an undeniable result, so contrary to their first encounter where he seemed to barely meet the standard of a decent knight.
There were enough strong people in this world to build a mountain. Even now, there would be over a hundred knights stronger than that boy.
But the reason to be wary of the boy, Rain Enlight, was not because of his strength.
‘He is unpredictable.’
The unknown.
What methods did he use to become so strong in such a short time?
What methods did he use to have their information laid out on the palm of his hand?
…And why did the boy show such strong malice and hatred towards them?
Were their ill-fated encounters so far truly enough to warrant that level of rage?
He couldn't know.
But the boy knew.
‘That is why he must be killed.’
On the top floor of the bell tower, sleet was falling from the open sky where the ceiling should have been.
“…”
The disheveled middle-aged man was kneeling before a statue of a god, shattered beyond recognition, and muttering something.
That muttering probably wouldn't have reached the boy, Rain, standing at the entrance… but it was clear that it was tinged with a certain madness.
Thud.
Treading on the snow piled on the floor, the boy slowly advanced.
After about three steps.
“I believed you would come.”
A horribly cracked voice, as if he had swallowed charcoal, flowed from the disheveled middle-aged man as he slowly rose.
Seeing this, Rain stopped in his tracks and, with his hand on his sword's hilt, assumed a cautionary stance.
“There is no need to be on guard just yet. However, there is one thing I wish to ask.”
“…Speak.”
“Why do you stand against us?”
It was a manifestation of pure curiosity.
What was it that made the boy walk a path stained with blood?
“Is it the will to protect the world? Did that noble heart whisper to you to brandish your sword?”
The boy remained silent, as if lost in thought, but Grændal's words continued.
“If not that, is it the pride of a knight? Did that pride tell you to protect the world no matter the sacrifice?”
“…”
“If not even that, is it love? Friendship? Or conviction?”
Amidst the ensuing questions, or perhaps the manifestation of madness, the boy maintained a silent stillness.
“…I wonder.”
The boy himself did not yet fully understand his own heart and thoughts.
Fighting had never been enjoyable for the boy for even a moment, and there had certainly been opportunities to escape from such suffering.
-But I can help you. I can end your endless suffering.
If I hadn't refused the hand extended by that pure white false god, if I hadn't shown him an inexplicable rage, I might have found peace.
But I refused.
-As I thought, I am your enemy.
Why was that?
I still couldn't understand my feelings, and my contemplation on it failed every time.
And time flows.
The silence lengthens.
But that silence would not have lasted long.
“Why am I fighting against you? There would be various answers to that question, and I don't perfectly understand why I fight either… but there is one thing that is certain.”
A voice, though clearly a beautiful tone, yet exuding a somewhat gloomy atmosphere, filled the silence.
There are things that certainly do not change.
There is a grand principle that has not changed for even a moment since being thrown into this world.
“I just want to survive.”
The boy's words were sincere.
“Is that so.”
But the expression of the madman who heard this story was cold.
“As expected, you are a symbol of the knights living in this era.”
That was by no means a compliment.
“The knights have forgotten their vows, and their honor has fallen to the ground.”
The Executioner's words were tinged with anger.
“Conviction has vanished into the back alleys of history, and all that remains are such base things, close to instinct.”
On the top floor of the bell tower with its open ceiling, a murderous aura spread from the Executioner standing at the center of the cult.
“I know that’s not all there is to it. If it were only that, the hatred you’ve shown us cannot be explained.”
Grip—
“But it matters no longer.”
Grændal gripped the executioner's sword, its edge completely dulled, yet its weightiness unchanged.
“For the great one, I will bury you here with all my strength.”
Shing—
As if to confront the erupting murderous intent, Rain also drew his sword and prepared to respond.
It must have also been a way to steady himself so as not to be consumed by that overwhelming pressure.
Clack.
Grændal slowly raised his sword with both hands, bringing the hilt to about his chest level. As a result, the blade stood vertically, pointing to the sky, and naturally covered his face.
It was a common form of salute among knights.
It was a ritual containing a knight's honor and conviction.
“…To the sinner who has forgotten the knight's vow, judgment.”
***
Kaang-!
Immediately after, the sound of sword clashing against sword filled the top floor of the bell tower.
Previously, it would have been normal for Rain to be overwhelmed in a single exchange, but.
Kagagagak-!
Rain was clearly withstanding that heavy blow, searching for an opportunity to counterattack.
Tung-!
It was Rain who was flung back at the end of the sword clash, but there were no major problems with either the sword's durability or his body's condition.
Rather, it might be more reasonable to say that Rain had leaped backward.
‘This would have been unimaginable at the beginning of the semester.’
Rain thought so. To think that he had gained the strength not only to seek a path to survival while facing the Knight Executioner but also to find a way to seize victory.
It was partly thanks to the data he had accumulated from clashing with Grændal before.
However, the situation was not entirely optimistic.
“I’m coming with all I have.”
As those words from Grændal's mouth implied, Grændal was no longer underestimating Rain.
He saw him as a dangerous enemy, a worthy opponent, and was unleashing his full power from the start.
‘This isn’t good.’
There are two factors that allow one to defeat a superior opponent.
Carelessness, and a gap in information.
With the first factor blocked, it was clear that he was at a disadvantage from an objective point of view.
However.
Taat-!
Rain leaped forward and swung his sword first.
“Heup-!”
Kang, kang, kang-!
In the short time it took to blink an eye, three sword strikes were unleashed.
‘I have to press him faster, draw out as many moves as possible from Grændal…!’
That alone couldn't deal a decisive blow to Grændal, but Rain's mind was racing.
[ System : Skill, 『Moment of Decisive Battle[A]』 has been used! ]
[ Strength : B → B+ ]
[ Agility : A → A+ ]
[ Stamina : B+ → A ]
[ Intellect : B+ → A ]
[ Magic : B → A ]
[ Dexterity : S → S ]
With 『Moment of Decisive Battle』 activated, Rain's muscles and blood surged.
Although it was a skill whose efficiency decreased as his basic physical abilities increased, it was a time when he had to pour everything he had into it.
Tukwang-!
The swords, their power enhanced by concentrated magic, clashed, and the impact was literally devastating the area.
The remaining walls of the soon-to-collapse bell tower, the dust-covered frescoes, the barely recognizable statues of gods. All those structures were gradually being destroyed.
‘So he was holding back to some extent until now.’
It was only natural. All the times Grændal had faced Rain, there had been a need to minimize the commotion.
But now, it was also true that there was no need to worry about such a commotion.
Chaeng-!
In that short time, countless exchanges took place.
This might be seen as a sign of Rain's good performance, but.
“…Haa, haa…!”
If it came down to a battle of attrition, Rain was at a disadvantage.
‘…Damn it, is this stamina of mine going to hold me back forever?’
Since he originally had a flaw in his physical abilities, even with growth, a weakness was still a weakness.
“You’re not thinking of ending it with just this, are you?”
However, Grændal was not careless. He couldn't afford to be.
What about the fight at the last Exchange Meeting? Didn't the boy, who had looked so pathetic, suddenly change and perfectly parry his attacks?
Therefore, the Executioner slowly cornered Rain.
A method of exploiting his weakness, his stamina, to wear down his strengths.
Kang, kang, kang, kang-!
Rain, who was already being pushed back, was now burdened by the added disadvantage of his stamina.
He was pushed back, and pushed back again.
Rain thought that the gleaming executioner's sword was getting closer and closer to him.
And—not long after.
“An opening.”
Vwoom-!
Having missed the timing once, Rain's sword swung through empty air, and the veteran executioner did not miss that opening.
Swish-!
The hand Rain held his sword in was his right, and Grændal's sword flew towards Rain's completely undefended left torso.
It was a chance for victory. Given Rain's characteristics—a clear weakness in durability and stamina, as well as mediocre magic—even if he blocked with magic, there would have been no future for him other than being cut in half.
However. In the brief moment he thrust his sword, the Executioner clearly saw it.
Rain, who was stumbling with his balance broken, was smiling eerily.
And Rain's empty left hand… reaching out towards the executioner's sword he was swinging.