Gozine

‘As expected, it’s difficult. Sparring with my master.’

When Dantalion had underestimated Ru’s combat prowess.
Ru was actually thinking something entirely different.

Glint.
His master, as expected, was strong.

Ru had once thought.
If there was something that bloomed nobly even amidst a blood-soaked battlefield, it would be his master.
Every moment, striving to overcome his limits, and in the briefest instant, flipping those limits on their head. For his master, even if he had been resurrected through clumsy necromancy, this still applies.

Exceptional.
Of course, Ru was also one of those genius units, but at the very least, Glint also had a prodigy talent.
Even if it was a fallen kingdom, his rise to the rank of Knight Captain was no fluke.

“You’ve grown stronger, but it’s still not enough. Ru.”

It was Glint’s voice. Ru clashed swords with him before stepping back a few paces.
For some reason, his master’s voice carried an inexplicable weight.

“Are you hesitating? Against me, Glint von Zehard?”

“….”

Ru didn’t want to admit it, but it might have been just as his master said.
Though he himself couldn’t tell, pouring his all into this fight—meeting his master, crossing blades, sparring again, this moment felt far too exhilarating for him.

Rage.

And the emotion that followed, was it something close to the joy of reunion?
Ru calmly adjusted his grip on his sword and let out a sigh.

“….Perhaps so.”

“I am already dead. Though my soul lingers in this world, I am a being that should not exist. You know this as well, don’t you?”

“So you’re telling me to cut you down without hesitation. To end this moment quickly?”

“There’s no reason not to.”

At Glint’s words, Ru found himself expressing his emotions outwardly for the first time in a long while.
His brow furrowed as he spoke.

“I’ve always wondered. What exactly was the meaning behind the words you left me? I’ve pondered over them, followed them as you said, and spent all this time doing so. But…. I still don’t understand.”

Glint had once told him.

— You have strength.
— Help more people, and move forward.

Glint had cautioned him. To help more people, to strive to give opportunities to even those who could look after their own well-being. If he did so, even he could be saved. That the emotionless young boy would no longer remain as he was.

It encompassed salvation for others, of course, but it was also his consideration for his disciple, who could feel nothing.
He had advised him to surround himself with people and gradually become a better person.

But even now, over ten years later, Ru still didn’t understand.
Why must those with strength help the weak?
Would doing so bring about a better continent? No, at the very least, the world he had seen could not be called beautiful.

Leon von Marvas. The eastern family fell to ruin due to a vassal’s rebellion, cruel experiments spread across the continent, and demons rampaging.

There was nothing Ru’s strength alone could change.
At best, he could save a handful of people before him.

Was that truly all his master had left him?

Something he had wanted to ask many times but was never permitted—now, Ru finally voiced it. To the man who stood a half-head shorter than him, he asked flatly.

“What was the meaning of your last words?”

“Last words…”

“Save more people, trust them, and move forward. If you do, you will find a better future. That is what you told me. But I still don’t understand.”

Ru continued.

“The continent remains in chaos. Even you cannot rest in peace, instead being dragged by the hands of a demon to cross blades with me now. Is this truly the outcome you desired?”

“No. That can’t be.”

But Glint merely laughed, not even mustering a bitter smile as he looked at Ru.

“Something is steadily changing. You must sense it too. Even if it’s only a small shift, the continent is slowly transforming. Was it Theo’s youngest son? That child has already slain several grand dukes.”

“Yes.”

“But he alone cannot change everything. Do you remember…. the day we first met?”

“A cloudy sky. A night when rain poured down.”

“I told you then. Those who feel they have nothing to rely on must stand back-to-back, sharing their time and warmth with one another.”

“….Yes.”

Ru’s voice wavered subtly, thick with emotion.

‘There isn’t much time left.’

“Finish it quickly, Glint! Crush your disciple with your own hands!”

Dantalion realized it was becoming harder to control Glint. He had to admit it—controlling him had been difficult from the start. No matter how overflowing with mana he was, the moment Glint regained his sense of self, this game was over.
That’s why he ordered a swift conclusion.

Tssksskssk!

Dantalion unleashed a surge of mana. Dark energy seeped into Glint’s body, and simultaneously, an overwhelming wave of mana erupted. Even for Ru, this would not be easy to face.

After all, he was a knight. Fighting his master, strengthened by magical buff was inherently difficult.

Even if he had achieved remarkable feats as a knight over the decades, it made no difference.

“So be it.”

Glint raised his sword and spoke. Then, he smiled broadly.
He was bound to Dantalion regardless.

While he still retained a shred of reason, he had to impart his final lesson to his disciple before departing.

“You can create a better continent, Ru.”

“How could I, who feels no emotions, no empathy, possibly do that?”

Ru’s confession.
It was but a fragment of the countless struggles he had endured until now.

Even as heads rolled, even as lives were lost—he felt nothing.
He could make rational judgments, but in doing so, he remained oblivious to the emotions of others.
This was the dilemma Ru faced whenever he helped someone.

‘Even if I save them, I feel no joy. No fulfillment, no thrill from receiving gratitude. …What kind of existence am I?’

The genius boy who had followed his master’s words had now grown into a man, but the factors that complicated him remained numerous.

“Hold your sword straight.”

Glint spoke to his disciple in a calm voice.
And Ru obeyed without question.

“I, once the Knight Captain of a fallen kingdom, was blinded by arrogance. I believed I could do everything alone. That foolish mindset brought me only the deaths of my family and betrayal… but also an encounter with a child like you.”

Ru’s pupils narrowed.

A dark energy enveloped Glint’s sword, and droplets of blood trickled from his tightly pressed lips, staining the ground.

“You are exceptional. But that isn’t just about talent. …You say you feel no emotions? What does that even mean? You’ve done what you had to do, and in doing so, haven’t you gained something?”

“What I’ve gained…”

“Look around you. Your wife, the friend who threw his life away for you, a genius talent who will carry on your fight against demons, and the companions who stand by your side. You’ve gained much, and you’ve reached a point where you no longer have to feel alone.”

“…Master.”

“Do not live in solitude, Ru. And you must endure. That is the last advice I can….give…you.”

“Enough of this touching reunion. Let’s wrap this up.”

Like a puppeteer manipulating a marionette, Dantalion pulled thin, thread-like strings of magic to move Glint. It was a clear signal—no more conversation would be allowed.

Dantalion.
A being whose very nature was that of a demon. Though brimming with curiosity, he had no reason to waste time on such a farce.

“Kill him.”

Chaeng———!

A burst of flames.

A blue light ignited in the darkness, gradually pushing back his master’s sword that clashed with Ru.

“…How?”

An unforeseen event. The future where Glint, infused with dark mana, would be defeated in battle? That never existed from the start.

So why was this scene unfolding now?

Why was Glint lying on the ground, his head severed and rolling across the floor? And how could Ru stand there so serenely?

In the midst of this incomprehensible situation, Ru slowly opened his mouth.

“You’re right, Dantalion. I don’t feel emotions properly. So when someone dies, I don’t falter, nor can I weep with genuine sorrow. But.”

Ru continued.

“I know what I must do now. I know that the emotion I feel now is rage, and I know where this wretched feeling must be directed.”

At the very least.
This rage is aimed at you.

As Ru spoke, he raised his sword high. Not long after, Dantalion gritted his teeth and began summoning several other undead puppets.

“Do you really think this will change anything? The future has already foretold your defeat!”

“No. Sorry, but that won’t happen.”

Kwaaang——!

With a deafening explosion, a boy appeared, effortlessly carrying Zitri. After setting the girl down, a white-haired man with merciful eyes stepped forward.

Amidst an unsettling energy radiating in all directions, he smiled and said.

“Seems like I’m not too late.”

“Even if you were later, it wouldn’t have mattered.”

At Ru’s words, Nox shrugged and raised Stormbringer toward the enemy. Dantalion flinched, his shoulders trembling. No matter how powerful Dantalion was among demons, he was ultimately a being who symbolized wisdom. Against Nox and Ru, two genius knights—he stood no chance alone.

‘I’ll postpone the plan.’

Using the undead puppets to buy time, he would flee. Recalling the future he had seen through the Book of Dantalion, the demon clenched his fist and muttered.

“A book that has never once lied.”

“If everything was predetermined from the start, what meaning does any of this hold?”

A flicker of madness flashed in Nox’s eyes. Dash! He lunged forward, charging at Dantalion at blinding speed. The demon sent his undead to block him.
But it was futile.

Ssskk! Ssskk!

Ru had already cleanly bisected every last one of them.

Nox closed the distance and swung his sword horizontally across Dantalion’s abdomen. The blade, steeped in absolute darkness, danced as if casting a pitch-black night over the world.

A truly beautiful dance….