Year 141_Keireki Era_Spring/08
"Ancestor! What's wrong? You're completely off your game! Ginesis was much stronger and faster than this! Does taking over a body mean that a traitorous mutt's skills amount to this much?"
"Youuu baaastaaaard!! I am nooo dog! Even the Duke was nothing more than a pawn of my era!!"
The whip rages wildly as it lashes out.
Though it packed the most power so far, I evaded it by hiding behind Feli's back.
"Hiding behind someone else and still talking big, huh? What a coward you are!"
"You didn't resist until a strong descendant showed up, did you? Let's be cowards together."
Returning the provocation in kind, I drew my chakram.
From behind Feli, I hurled the chakram hard in a completely unexpected direction.
The art of stone-throwing is not just about throwing a rock with force.
That alone doesn't qualify as a skill.
How you throw a projectile and how it will reach your opponent—this art lies in making that visualization a reality.
The chakram flew exactly as I envisioned.
With a snap of my wrist, the chakram gained rotation, curved sharply at a perfect angle, accelerated further, and—
Meanwhile, the vine monster, whose full-power attack had been blocked by Feli, was pinned down completely by Senia, unable to move and exposed to more strikes.
When the whip attack ceased, it tried to put some distance between us.
But the ghost maid's hand gripped its clothes firmly, while her free hand assumed a piercing stance.
Finally, the vine monster noticed that the chakram, now on an abnormal trajectory, was homing in on it.
However, it couldn't retrieve the whip in time.
Dodging widely was also impossible, as its movements were restricted by Senia.
If it attempted to evade recklessly, it would fall prey to the ghost maid’s piercing strike. If it stayed still, the chakram would strike.
Caught in indecision, it froze as though time itself had stopped.
Its thought processes must have exceeded their limit.
The borrowed body, though excellent, had been relied upon too much, leading to its downfall.
It was an invaluable lesson.
The chakram tore the body apart, shattering it.
"This... cannot be... If it were the ultimate defense, my defeat would make sense. To be brought down by a child like you… Is this the retribution for what I did to the king?"
With a wet thud, the body that had housed Ginesis crumbled to the ground.
"Well, that's that. It's finally over."
"He made foolish choices... No, I should say, *I* made foolish choices."
Senia spoke bitterly.
Her expression was no longer that of the vengeful ghost maid.
It was the face of a rational person who could control her emotions.
"I am—"
"Watch out!"
Feli's cry cut off Senia's words as she lunged forward.
Shielding Senia, who had been walking toward us, she blocked something with her shield but was pushed back, knocking her away.
"██████!!
████████!!!"
The voice, mixed with gurgling blood, screamed in some language I couldn't understand.
Though I couldn't grasp the meaning, I knew it was a crazed, frenzied scream.
It was the vine monster that should have been split in two.
Vines sprouted from its severed cross-section, growing anew all over its body.
It had transformed into something monstrous, unrecognizable as human.
"I will kill ███! I finally understand the reason for ███!
Kill ███! You are the key!! ███ is everything!!"
The voice, like porcelain grinding together, shifted into a language I could understand.
That made it all the more eerie.
"... Senia, what should we do?"
"If that strike led to this, it means simple physical attacks can't kill it."
"What about the cursed path?"
"I used borrowed tools for that; it isn't my power."
She was a pure combatant through and through.
Given his title as the Ultimate Defense, it was no surprise.
"In that case, let's run away."
"... I have responsibilities to the master. I cannot abandon them."
"I'll take care of Vi."
For a moment, my vision flickered.
"Vilgram, can you hear me?"
Ginesis?
"You truly are a strange man."
Where are you?
"I'm nowhere; I'm already dead. But that's fine. I feel an odd sense of relief knowing this cursed lineage can finally be resolved. Yet, the thought of the one who caused it all parasitizing my body, becoming a monster—it fills me with rage."
Do you want me to lend you my body?
"An amusing proposal, but that would make me no better than my ancestors. I won't be a hypocrite. I'll snub him in a different way."
A different way?
"Yes. The only reason I can still speak is likely because my beloved sword retains a connection to my soul. That connection will fade soon. But before it does, I can burn away what's left of my soul."
I'm not good with swordsmanship.
"Do it your way. If the blade lands, it'll be enough to shame him. Will you throw it for me?"
If you'll accept my help.
"I'm already dead. I have no limits on what I can attempt, as long as it's within reach."
Sorry we couldn't make it out together, Ginesis.
"Are you apologizing for that? Truly?"
Yeah.
… Am I wrong?
"Heh, haha… To hear that from the man I coerced into this—how ironic. Perhaps this is my punishment for distrusting others. Losing my life is regretful, but learning the truth brings me some solace. If this ends the disgrace upon my bloodline and house… I accept your apology. And in return, promise me this—don't become like me. Trust others and stand together with them."
I will.
"Then let's do this."
Yeah... Let's show them, Ginesis.
What do you think about this chapter?
