Gozine

Amid the simultaneous outbreaks of war, a letter arrived stating that the Marvas family would be the first to take care of the southearn.
Well, it shouldn’t be a big problem.

‘Leon von Marvas. That guy is the most monstrous even among geniuses.’

Leon is also the companion I trust the most.

Honestly, controlling that flashy bastard Paracelsus while heading into battle isn’t easy. Of course, thanks to Zitri and him showing up, insisting they’d fight by my side, I’ve been having headaches, but what can I do?
I’ve been so obsessively fixated on protecting my companions that I forgot. They’re geniuses, and fighting together gives us the highest chance of victory. In that regard, Prim’s judgment was sound. Not that he has any manners, nor is it anything grand enough to call it foresight. Anyway.

Of course, no matter how I think about it, the fact that my companions being put in danger doesn’t change, so I still dislike it all the same. But.

“Don’t hold me back. Commoner, did you come here thinking you’re on my level now and can help?”

“No. I don’t think that. Even if you’re a rude, worthless ruffian, even I know your swordsmanship surpasses mine. But isn’t it better to have even one more ally? That’s why you Sir, allowed me to fight alongside you in the past life, right?”

He wasn’t wrong (aside from the worthless ruffian part).
To be honest, his abilities could be crucial in this battle. The only one who wields a sword that saves lives.

Living Sword.
Taught by Celsus, the power of this sword is beyond imagination.
It can be compared to a mage or a healer in its ability to save lives, but the scope of what he can do is far broader.

‘For example, if you use the sword on a severed limb, it can reattach it. It can even reconnect nerves precisely. Since he’s been trained since childhood to wield the sword with extreme finesse, even if he’s not a specialist, it’s possible to handle most emergency treatments.’

Objectively, Paracelsus’s swordsmanship is exceptional.
It’s true that he possesses potential beyond the Sword Emperors, and it’s also true that he could tear apart most legion commanders. And if I die?

‘He’ll undoubtedly die too. Without uncovering his master’s secrets or the hidden truths of the imperial family, he’ll be plunged into hell, losing everything.’

In the end, he never had a choice.

But even so, I hesitate.
Why do I falter even now, at this very moment?
In fact, it’s simple.

— I’m fine. So go ahead and cut them down. End this now!

Paracelsus’s words from the last cycle.
As if his final cry rings vividly in my ears.

Unfortunately, the resurgence of memories from past lives isn’t a pleasant experience.
I remain entangled in past bonds, and they form knots that continue to surround me. Only I can unravel these knots.

No one remembers.
No matter how desperately I tried to save someone in a past cycle, no matter how guilty I felt, it’s the same. In the end, it’s only my own memories that repeat, that I dwell on. Sometimes, I even repeat this hell all over again.

That’s why I call it a curse.

Regression might be the manifestation of someone’s desperate hope for possibility, but not for me.
With each cycle, I have more to protect than before. I find this deeply unfair. Even though I failed to save them in the past cycle, always, in the next cycle, even more lives hang on the edge of my sword and magic.

And what’s the hardest part of it all?
Of course, it’s me. Or rather, hearing the same pleas from my companions.

“Even if I die, I want to die with you. Young Master, please take me with you. Please don’t push me away.”

Listening to Zitri’s desperate words, I can’t help but think
The stories of my steadfast companions. They always say.

— This time will be different.
— Don’t worry. Even if I die, I won’t resent you until the very end.
— Young Master, no. Husband, I won’t let you be harmed. Please let me help.

The overlapping voices make my head spin.

“…Fine, keep up on your own. From now on, we’ll be blocking the eastern gate of Arkheim.”

“Is there a reason you chose the east instead of the north?”

“Because there’s already someone guarding that place. I don’t plan to stay long, but I won’t abandon them either.”

The Frozen Frostwood Forest.
Nearby is someone I acknowledge.
A considerable number of imperial troops have also been dispatched there for support.

They should hold out fine.

If they’re truly overwhelmed, I’ll go help after securing the east assuming I’m still alive. Then we can hold the line. I’ve already saved people, Ru that way in several cycles.

“Can we trust them?”

“Yes. At least, from what young master and I have seen, he was an exceptional knight.”

Zitri answered in my stead.

“Let’s move.”

With that, I took the lead. Paracelsus, Zitri, Christopher, and some of my private soldiers from the imperial army followed.

The entire force is on horseback.
I too am mounted on Carl, and in my arms, though I feel sorry about this, is young Ellie.

If she has that unique power to temporarily boost stamina, I could produce a more explosive burst of strength in an instant. I don’t know if this kid can help me at a decisive moment, but since this is a moment where I have to stake everything, there was no choice.

For reference, Carl has gone through one rank-up and finally reached the realm of the highest grade. Back when this was a game, the pet’s advancement would have applied according to the degree my level rose. Probably, his growth has to do with my current state.

What I realized after recently returning from the Aksaras labyrinth.
Also, though it’s from the past cycle, the sensations of mastering various swords resurfaced, making my breakthrough in swordsmanship inevitable.

‘Before regaining my past memories, I only knew parts of the initial and middle stages of the Moonlight Sword and the Black Sword. But now it’s different. I’ve also internalized the three final stage forms. The same goes for other Black Magic.’

This makes a huge difference.

Even if I’ve elevated my realm to become a better knight, or even a mage, there’s no guarantee I could use the final forms or highest-level magic.

That’s only possible by reaching a realm beyond the heavens.

The reason I can undertake the crucial role of executing the Grand Duke that a Sword Emperor and Sage cannot do is solely due to the unique nature of the final boss, Baal.

“If Baal appears, both of you retreat as fast as possible. He absorbs all life force around him. He can also wield both sword and magic. Just like me.”

“…How is that possible? Can a demon reach such a level?”

“That’s possible. I’ve seen it myself.”

I answered Zitri indifferently and quickened my pace. Upon reaching the portal entrance, we placed our hands on the magic stone prepared for teleportation.

Ziiing.

With a hum, mana began to swirl. A memory from the past suddenly surfaced.
Back at the very beginning, when I first entered Lunatic. Even after barely meeting the conditions, I probably felt sick to my stomach. And when I finally arrived, Luna was pointing a sword at me, blood dripping down my neck to my collarbone.

As I closed my eyes briefly, reminiscing, then opened them again.

Waaaaaa——!

A deafening war cry. Along with it, the figures of knights and mages welcoming us came into view. Infantry, cavalry, and in the rear, mages and knight commanders. Every time I think about how all these lives depend on my command, it’s suffocating, but I endure it.

After over twenty attempts, I’ve returned here, and this time, I must bring it to a perfect close.

**********

Some of the demon army began to infiltrate the imperial palace, but they were few.
Most had been exterminated. Now, the main force we had to block was the one surrounding the palace from all four directions. The largest concentrations were in the east and south, with the east being particularly vulnerable due to its past devastation by demons.
That’s why a swift response was difficult.

— Most of the civilians have already fled, abandoning their land and homes.

That was the first report Nox heard upon arriving.
The war had already begun before his arrival, and the enemy’s momentum was terrifying, pushing them back.

The enemy’s army dares to shout Arkheim’s name, seeking to kill the current emperor here.
Even for a continent rife with contradictions, it’s laughable.

“Listen to me, all of you!”

Nox spoke, meeting the gaze of the soldiers who looked at him as if he were their savior.

“From this moment on, I, Nox von Reinhaver, will command the eastern front. The Black Sword Knight Order and other renowned knights will assist. I, too, swear to give my all.”

But.

Pausing for emphasis, Nox then shouted.

“As you know, I am the most important person here. So, protect your own lives. I won’t say it twice. If you don’t want to fight, you may flee. Be rational, you know the Grand Dukes aren’t opponents you can defeat.”

“Sir…?”

Paracelsus stared at Nox as if he’d lost his mind, but Nox continued unfazed.

“Only those willing to die a dog’s death should stay. Not ‘it’s okay to die,’ but ‘I’m willing to die to protect what I desperately desire.’ Are there any such people here?”

Waaaaa——!

It was true that some soldiers began to leave at Nox’s words.
But most remained. He was genuinely surprised that over 70% stayed, but he kept his composure, staring ahead.
The battle raged on. The aftermath of magic, blood, and swarms of crows intertwined.

And at its edge stood one of the instigators of this war. The worst Grand Duke in history, Amdusias, draped in a poncho waiting for Nox.
He clapped. Then, stepping forward through his troops, he spoke.

“Magnificent. For a fifteen-year-old, that was quite the speech. It’s better to weed out those without the will to fight anyway. Haha, don’t you agree?”

“Amdusias.”

“How odd. You know my face?”

Nox calmly descended the platform where the portal stood.

He drew his sword. Black Blade. Stormbringer, which had once been thick and its blade chipped, began to shed its old form. With a zzzzzt, the sword greedily drank in the dark.

“…That’s dangerous.”

Amdusias muttered as he observed Stormbringer’s transformed appearance.
The reason was clear. Stormbringer, now thinner than before but imbued with black mana, radiated power incomparable to its past state.

A familiar voice echoed in Nox’s ears.

— [Caution! Excessive mana usage detected!]

— [Player’s lifespan is rapidly decreasing!]

.

.

— [Remaining lifespan is 7 days.]

Nox knew that the life force he’d expended so far, pushing beyond his limits in training and then to end the calamity had already exceeded hundreds of days. But he didn’t dwell on it. This is the last.

Here and now, Nox intends to put an end to it all.

The regression, the tiresome repetitions of life.
Even the unbearable grief of the few who loved him, his masters…. And companions