The specter left behind nothing but a handful of ash as he vanished. Eugene stood still for a moment while staring at the pile of gray remaining in his palm.
It was Eugene who had told the specter not to dismiss his regrets. He had offered to carry them together. The specter had not refused. Instead of forcibly trying to shake off his regrets, the specter just left them as a lingering burden for Eugene to worry about, just as he suggested.
What those regrets were about—
"It feels strange," Eugene said.
He hadn't heard the specter’s regrets individually, as the specter had not been given enough time to talk about all of his lingering attachments. But strangely enough, Eugene felt like he knew what the specter’s last regrets were about — the world, relationships, the future, and Eugene himself.
Surely, it must be regarding such things.
Eugene slowly clenched the ash in his palm. Could this be called the specter’s remains? Eugene gave a bitter smile.
He no longer thought of the specter as a “fake.” Did that mean he understood what the specter truly was? No, he was far from complete understanding, but they had exchanged words.
Had he been an enemy?
Eugene turned to look behind him. Almost nothing was left of the city. This vast land had simply become a ruin, a place that used to be a city.The Nur had all perished.
The same was true for the people as well. Those who perished included the citizens who failed to escape Hauria during the invasion, soldiers and warriors turned into monsters by the specter’s power, and dark wizards who couldn’t technically be counted as humans — all had been destroyed.
The Liberation Army also had its share of loss.
Eugene was not naïve enough to think that his allies would be unscathed. Injuries were commonplace even in children’s war games. It would be absurd to think that a real war against demons and monsters could be waged without a single drop of bloodshed.
However, their loss was minimal, even in the most conservative estimate. The allies’ losses were minor, considering the scale of the battlefield and the sheer number of enemies they had defeated.
Naturally, that didn’t mean that the deaths of allies could be taken lightly. They had suffered over a hundred casualties. Their loss had been minimized with Sienna’s constant watch over all the allies and the priests’ real-time wound healing. If Sienna had not been watching over the battlefield or the priests had not coordinated well, their losses would have been much greater.
"He was an enemy,” Eugene muttered. He stared at his clenched fist.
The specter had waged war. Even if the war had been waged for Eugene’s benefit, the fact that the specter had waged war remained unchanged. The specter had made efforts to reduce civilian casualties by evacuating them under the guise of expulsion, but even so, this was still a war.
Allies suffered damage, even if it could be considered minor. Some were killed, and others were injured by the black wizards, undead, demonic beasts, demons, and the Nur.
The specter was an enemy.
"But he wasn’t a Demon King,” Eugene murmured softly.
That was the conclusion he arrived at. The specter had been an enemy, yes, but not a Demon King. They exchanged words and attempted to come to a mutual understanding. Although their methods differed, their pursuits were ultimately the same.
That was why he decided to take on the burden of the specter's "regrets."
Eugene slowly clenched his chest.
Crack!
The small spark of divine power that remained in him wrapped around his hand. It was an insubstantial amount, not enough to even form a small dagger. However, that did not matter. Eugene had not summoned divine power to wield a sword.
He silently stared at the crimson power entwining his hand for a moment. The divine power resembled a form of flame different from that summoned by the White Flame Formula.
He brought his other hand close to the divine flame, then unclenched his fingers. He allowed the black ash to scatter into the flames.
[Is this a funeral?] Anise's voice resonated.
The connection he had with the Saints had been re-established. He had been expecting a torrent of curses or at least an icy voice to greet him. However, he was surprised to hear that Anise’s tone was calm and composed.
"Aren't you angry?" Eugene asked.
[I cannot prioritize my feelings in the current situation. Of course, I’m angry. I will take it out on your buttocks later, Hamel,] responded Anise.
"That sounds terrifying..." Eugene muttered.
[Please answer my question. Are you holding a funeral right now? Is it a ritual with special meaning?] asked Anise.
"It used to be done this way in the past,” Eugene muttered with a slight nod, "the remains, the ashes, were burnt with divine power. It adds something more to it."
[And what are you adding?] questioned Anise.
"Regrets, beliefs, pride, things like that. Well, it’s not like anything really gets added. It's just a customary ritual,” answered Eugene.
The specter’s ashes danced within the divine flame before eventually disappearing. Eugene watched the scene play out with a wry smile.
"Do you dislike such rituals? Things like sorcery?" asked Eugene.
[I did when I was younger. To be precise, I was taught to dislike it. I was told that such funeral rites were considered heresy. But that’s not true anymore,] answered Anise.
It was hard for Anise to figure out what feelings she should harbor toward the specter. Yet, one thing was clear. Anise respected the specter's choice, though that didn’t necessarily mean she agreed with him.
But she felt compassion for him.
The specter had been, after all, alone.
[I don't know if he will be allowed to ascend to heaven. Nevertheless, I will pray that he may be led to heaven after paying his dues, as a lost lamb who has endured a troubled life,] stated Anise.
"So, he can’t be led to heaven just like that,” questioned Eugene.
[No matter the reason, he has sinned. Naturally, he must pay for the sins he has committed,] Anise spoke decisively.
Whether the light would truly demand retribution remained questionable, but Anise didn't voice this thought.
[And Hamel. You must pay for your sins, too,] Anise added.
[Sister. Sir Eugene won't be able to move due to the burden of Ignition,] responded Kristina.
[Oh my, Kristina, that's true. Then we must go ourselves,] Anise chimed.
[Yes, a truly unavoidable circumstance,] Kristina responded.
[Hamel. You heard us, right? We'll be coming soon, so don't worry too much. Since you will likely struggle to stand, just lay there and bare your behind,] Anise told him.
[Sister? B-bare his behind? What kind of unspeakable words are you uttering?] Kristina questioned.
[Don't pretend to be innocent if you’re secretly looking forward to it, Kristina. Don't you also want to smack that annoying Hamel's behind?]
Eugene's shoulders shook silently as the two Saints conversed.
It didn't feel like a joke at all. Despite trying to appear calm, Anise was incredibly angry. Kristina likely felt the same. Eugene didn’t doubt for a moment that Anise genuinely intended to spank him.
‘I-I have to run...’ Eugene thought desperately.
It was impossible. As Anise said, Eugene no longer had any control over his body after using Ignition. Eugene hastily raised his cloak.
"Mer, take me and run,” he ordered.
No response came. Mer had been unconscious for a while now. Though she hadn't borne the burden of assisting Eugene in battle, she had failed to endure the repeated shockwaves of battle. Her pale face had become even paler as a result.
Eugene barely managed to raise his head to look at the sky.
He could see Raimira approaching him with the Saints on her back. It wasn’t just Raimira either. Sienna was coming towards him as well.
"....." Eugene was aghast.
No, the entire army was moving towards Eugene. Hundreds of cavalries and thousands of infantries were all drawing near to share the joy of victory.
Eugene gulped involuntarily. It was the natural course of action to share in the joy of victory. There should be announcements of victory and celebrations.
But now wasn’t the time. How could he bear to be scolded and spanked by Anise and Kristina in front of everyone right after ending the war with the dignity of the Hero and the God of War?
All the reverence and faith he built up would go down the drain in an instant.
"As much wrong as I did... being spanked is a bit—" Eugene protested hastily, then stopped himself. He shivered as he felt a chill run down his back.
The sky was still clear, but something twinkled at the edge of the high sky. In an instant, the sky warped. A beam of light pierced through the clouds, creating a hole in the sky.
"That bastard,” Eugene cursed.
It was impossible for Eugene to react. Yet, there were many who wanted to protect him.
The Saints immediately performed miracles, and a dazzling light enveloped Eugene. The broken blade of the Holy Sword also responded to the light of the Saints.
Raimiria chanted a Draconic spell.
Sienna unleashed several grand spells.
Melkith screamed as she hurled herself forward.
Lovellian's Pantheon moved as a whole to shield Eugene.
Ivatar threw his axe.
Alchester swung the Empty Sword.
Carmen leaped from atop a wyvern.
Ciel spat blood as she glared with her demoneye.
Raphael soared with Apollo.
Gilead rushed forward while throwing aside the Lionheart flag.
Cyan gasped while shouting Eugene's name.
Aman, Ortus, Ivic, and the Tower Masters acted as well.
However, their actions were meaningless.
The Demonic Sword Glory was a weapon bestowed by the Demon King of Incarceration himself. Moreover, Gavid Lindman possessed the Demoneye of Divine Glory, which was fit to be called the most powerful demoneye in existence. As he fully wielded his power, Gavid Lindman fully deserved his title as the Blade of Incarceration.
Raimiria's Dragonic spell was utterly negated.
Sienna's magic was cut at its very source.
Melkith's Omega Force was shattered.
Lovellian's Pantheon was split in two.
Ivatar's axe was broken.
Alchester's Empty Sword exploded in mid-air.
Carmen was swept away by the wind accompanying Gavid’s strike.
Ciel’s demoneye couldn't hold the enemy.
Raphael and Apollo fell together.
The shockwave from the strike blew away Gilead and Cyan. Gavid cut through everyone’s will to save Eugene.
The last thing remaining was the light enveloping Eugene. As Gavid plummeted, he pierced through the light with his gaze. He saw Eugene's face at the center of the brilliance.
Was Eugene terrified? Did he sense his impending death? Was he enraged? In that fleeting moment, Gavid imagined a plethora of emotions on Eugene's face.
But he was wrong on all counts. Contrary to the twisted visage he expected, Eugene was smirking. There was a sneer on his face, and a corner of his lips was curled upwards.
“…..” Gavis was speechless.
He had been contemplating throughout Eugene’s battle with the specter and had forcibly arrived at a conclusion.
This action was not befitting of a demon, nor did it align with his honorable title as the Blade of Incarceration. Yet, it was the correct course of action for him to take as a Duke of Helmuth.
While watching the battle, he had intuitively come to an understanding that Hamel of Extermination, Eugene Lionheart, the Hero, had grown far too powerful. He had continued to grow stronger even during his battle with the specter. His sword had been sharp enough to reach the Demon Kings of the past, and now, he seemed capable of easily slicing through the hem of the Demon King of Incarceration’s robe.
If this was to be the end, there was no need for him to take such drastic actions. But Gavid instinctively knew this was not the end for Eugene Lionheart. His sword would become even sharper, especially the crimson blade that had cut through the specter. It would potentially become more lethal than even the Holy Sword or the Moonlight Sword. His crimson sword embodied possibilities that could rightfully be called infinite.
Gavid had glimpsed the potential within Eugene’s crimson sword with the Demoneye of Divine Glory. What Eugene possessed was divine might, an essence of faith that he could not dare to overlook.
Therefore, he needed to eliminate Eugene. Now was the perfect opportunity to definitively kill the enemy of Helmuth.
Eugene was exhausted and off-guard. Now was the moment to kill him without fail. It was impossible for Eugene to evade the attack. Others would surely try to protect him, but with the Demoneye of Divine Glory, he could bypass all obstructions and slay Eugene in a single strike.
"…Ah."
Gavid knew he would only make a fool of himself in carrying out his plan.
But he still decided to discard the fighting spirit of a demon, the pride he had as the Blade of Incarceration, and also his personal ambitions. He had decided to make a choice befitting the Duke of Helmuth.
But seeing Eugene’s smirk made it impossible for him to continue. Gavid relaxed his grip while mocking himself.
Fwoosh!
The dark brilliance emanating from Glory disappeared abruptly. Gavid neither cleaved through the light surrounding Eugene nor struck him. He simply stopped in place and glared at Eugene.
"Why did you stop?" Eugene asked, still smirking. "Weren’t you going to kill me because you were afraid of me?”
"That's right,” Gavid responded in a tone devoid of emotions. He did not deny Eugene’s claim. "But seeing your smirk made me think, if I kill you now... I'll regret it for the rest of my life. And I'll be left with lingering regrets."
"Regrets?" Eugene questioned.
"It would be just like three hundred years ago,” answered Gavid.
Gavid had failed to kill Hamel and Sienna three centuries ago. He had made the decision to retreat after being overwhelmed by Hamel’s murderous intent and spirit.
Since then, Gavid had long regretted not seeing the battle through to the end. The humiliation of that moment, the instance of fear he felt, as well as his unresolved emotions, became an everlasting regret with Hamel's death. They had been left forever unaddressed.
If he were to kill Eugene now, he would be burdened with a lifetime of regret and lingering thoughts. The humiliation and fear he had in his heart would fester even more.
"And,” Gavid said with a bitter smile as he sheathed Glory, "even if I hadn't changed my mind about killing you and had swung my sword... I doubt I could have truly killed you."
He had been absolutely certain of killing Eugene until the moment he stopped himself. But now, having sheathed Glory, he sensed something else.
Gavid let out a scoff as he turned his head to look behind.
There stood Noir Giabella, the Queen of the Night Demons.
She was standing right behind Gavid. Noir’s face seemed shrouded in deeper shadows, perhaps because she stood with her back to the sun. It was difficult to discern her expression.
No, to be more precise, Noir's face was expressionless at the moment. Even her usually beautifully shining purple eyes were now dull and subdued.
She was simmering with an immense murderous intent. It wasn’t anything new for her to express murderous intent, but her current state felt foreign. It was as if Gavid was facing the murderous intent of an entirely different creature.
At the same time, Gavid felt a strong sense of caution towards Noir. Despite using the Demoneye of Divine Glory, he hadn't sensed Noir approaching him from behind. If Gavid had proceeded with his initial plan to kill Eugene, Noir would have intervened without hesitation.
Could he have anticipated that? Could he have eliminated Noir's interference and still killed Eugene?
"Was it to this extent?" Gavid asked while staring at Noir.
It was an ambiguous question. Gavid had not expected Noir to be this powerful. He recognized her strength, but he never thought she would be capable of matching the power of the Demoneye of Divine Glory.
And.
He hadn't expected Noir to care so much about Eugene, about Hamel. He knew of her obsession with him, but the murderous intent she showed now was genuine. Noir was truly prepared to kill Gavid for Eugene's sake.
She did not respond to his question.
Noir's dull eyes shifted. She looked over Gavid's shoulder at Eugene.
She saw Eugene’s figure wrapped in light.
Noir unconsciously clenched her fist.
The ring on her ring finger and the name engraved inside it — she felt the ring that bore Hamel Dynas's name.