It's bad, it's bad, it's bad.

　I can't get my strength back. The wound in my left leg, pierced by a silver arrow, is being eroded by holy power, and even if I could get up, it would be impossible to act quickly.
　In the darkness, the Knights of the End, clothed in great holy power, approached with ease.

　There are four of them. They are third level knights. Lord said they can only be dealt with by becoming vampires. The fact that he was able to hold his own against five of them, including Senri, for several hours shows what a monster Lord was.
　My heart, which had finally started to beat, was beating at a rapid pace. A voice falls from the sky.

"Well, well, ......, what a surprise. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a little nervous about the whole thing.

"Senri is strong, but he's too soft. She may seem cold-hearted, but she's honest and she's not good at hiding things. That's why she sometimes makes mistakes like this. That's why we're here.

　He lets out a small scream and crawls away. We need to buy time. We have to look weak.

　We can't win. But I'm not giving up. The desperation of the situation brings a sense of calm back into your head.

　Too bad. If only I could have replenished my strength, my power...

　Your eyes widen, your body trembles, and you see the enemy. The third level knights I saw up close were truly the gods of death themselves.
　Senri was gone. Four real third-class knights, weaker than Senri, but with none of Senri's flaws. More than enough force to kill me.

　Just as overwhelming, just as thorough. I don't know if I can beat one of them even in my best condition, but there's nothing I can do about it.

　The silver arrow shot out again, piercing my right leg. I could see it, but I couldn't avoid it in a situation where I couldn't even move my body properly.
　No, I can't get out of this predicament even if one of my legs is safe. Okay. I don't need a leg. Now let your guard down.

　Scream in pain like you're being burned by fire. Scream for sympathy.
　But the eyes of the blonde-haired knight who had shot me through reflected a chilling coldness unlike Senri's, and never wavered in the slightest.

　Everything was--unexpected. I wondered if I was cursed.

　Senri's appearance was unexpected. I didn't expect the Lord to try to swallow me up.
　And I didn't expect them to come before dawn. ...... Much sooner than I expected.

　I knew Senri's lie would be exposed. I knew that Senri's lie would be exposed, but I thought that a strike force would be sent out after daybreak at the earliest.
　Night is the time of the undead. That's why the Knights of the End chose the morning to attack the Lord. I assumed they would choose morning this time too.

　I was naive. There was no time to fall. They should have crawled, dumped all their stuff, and left.
　The four of them were exhausted. Their clothes were in disarray, and their strength was not up to par. But they have enough positive power to destroy me, though not as much as Senri.

　Resistance is pointless. The moment I try to fight back, they'll destroy me completely.
　My body, my freedom, everything that is finally completely mine-- meaningless.

　Think. Think. Think about the best thing I can do right now.

　The Knights of the End spread out to surround me as I crawl. They are not to be trifled with. But they don't see me as a formidable foe either. If they thought I was a strong enemy, they would have destroyed me with continuous attacks, not even crawling like this.

　Don't give it an excuse to attack. Buy a second of time. Even if it's all for nothing, it's for the best.
　The scar on my leg is slowly spreading.
　It was a little better when I was a ghoul. The fact that I was enhanced by the rank mutation was a disadvantage.

　With flirtatious eyes, I look up at the demise knight who is hunting me down head-on.
　He was the man who had previously accused me of being undead in Engei. I think Senri called him ...... Nevira.

　She appeals desperately.

"Huh, huh ......, I have memories of my life before I died.

"Yeah, apparently. Senri told me. I can't believe it, but he was digging a grave. I've never heard of a monster making a grave, let alone destroying one.



"And I've never attacked a human being. I'm not even gonna attack you!

"Oh, because it's ......?

　Perfect. The man in front of me is the perfect demise knight. The man in front of me is the perfect demise knight. He's the coldest, strongest demise knight I've ever imagined.
　His eyebrows don't twitch. But a terrible murderous intent is raging through his body.

　He's angry. I don't know what I've done, but I'm angry.
　To them, a monster is a monster even if it doesn't attack people. And that's right for the protectors of this world.

"Senri, I--

Don't you dare call his name, you monster!

......?

　He looked like a demon. His eyes were wide open and his lips were trembling. The hand holding the mace was white from overexertion.
　The man with the sword, the woman with the bow, and the man with the staff who were standing next to me all looked down at me as if they were annoyed.

　The atmosphere seemed as if it would explode at the slightest provocation.

Did she sell me out ......?

If that were possible, we wouldn't be struggling. Senri was defending you to the end. But our master is not so naive.

　Good. That helps a little.
　I trusted her to be merciful. I used her, sure, but I believed it. It's hard to be betrayed by something you believed in, even if it didn't do you any good.

　I can't think of a way out of this. No weapons.

　Nevira's expression softened for a moment as she looked at him. Then his left hand, not holding the mace, is held out as if to help her up.

I feel sorry for your situation. Waking up to find yourself a monster is nothing short of a nightmare. You know that, right?

　His left hand was filled with a power of light, a power so strong that if he touched it, he would be cleansed in an instant.
　It was deliberate. When I hesitated to reach out, Nevilla smiled fiercely and grabbed my left hand, forcing me to hang myself up.

But you took advantage of Senri's weakness and seduced her. You took advantage of Senri's weakness and seduced her, and you will continue to leave a scar on her heart. I don't like that spoiled first-class knight, but he's still my senior.

　Shiro smoke rises from his left arm. His body convulses in intense pain, and he turns away as far as he can. The spine creaks.
　A monstrous scream rises up that doesn't seem to belong to you. The power of holiness can be used as a defense when worn. And it's a direct power to the undead.

　My right hand shakes, ungripped. Nevilla is so close, I could reach him with my arm, but I can't move my arm. It's as if the man's touch is draining the strength from my arm.
　No, I don't think it's exactly slipping away. It's being buried. The abyss, which is inherently impossible for my organism, is being filled with a positive force, and according to the rules of the world, I am moving towards zero.

This is a deep wound. I'm used to tragedy, but that doesn't mean I'm okay with it. Senri will think of you every time he sees you. It could be a big gap someday. You're a hell of a monster, hurting him with your strong blessing.

"...... Just leave me alone!　I want nothing, nothing at all!

　I don't want anything! I just want to survive.
　I don't want to bother anyone. I don't have any grudges.

　But... everyone's trying to kill me. My vision narrows. I look up desperately, and Nevilla assures me.

"You can't just leave a monster out there. ...... It may be harmless now, but you'll kill someone someday.

You may be harmless now, but you'll kill someone someday." "That's why we're here. Do you know why Senri is not here?

　I'm dying and a female knight is talking to me. She was pointing a silver arrow at me, as if she was trying to give me a reason to kill her.

"Master," she said to Senri's plea. He smiled and said, okay, I'll let it go. Senri is stubborn and no matter how much we talk, we always end up on the same side. But Senri could tell it was a lie. At least, she wasn't sure it was true. He's probably keeping an eye on Master to make sure he doesn't leave the inn.

That didn't make any sense, either. Master sent us. To make sure you're destroyed. I didn't expect to be sent out before dawn. ...... But if you think about it, it's a good experience for Senri. If you're going to be a first class knight, you're going to have to go through this at some point.



　The woman with the bow and the man with the sword were my enemies without a shred of doubt. So is the shadowy man with the staff who's been silent behind me.

　What do these people think my life is?

　What's the best way to recover from this?

　Senri coming to save me?　I don't think so. If she comes, it'll be after I'm dead.
　And if Senri comes to save me now, Nevira won't hesitate to kill me before I get in her way.
　The man in front of me has that kind of determination, that kind of determination that he doesn't care if Senri hates him.

　I didn't feel hungry, but I was very thirsty.
　Earlier, the man with the sword had called me a lesser vampire. If that's true, then what I need now is blood.

　Too far. It's too far. I can't even reach the nearest Nevira with my neck, and I don't know if my fangs can penetrate their positive power.

　A male knight grasping a sword approaches my body cautiously and strips off my shroud. He finds the shadowy amulet around my neck, rips off the chain, and clicks his tongue loudly.

"Is this why I can't feel the ...... negative force?

"The treasured possession of Holos Kamen. ...... d*mn it. If it weren't for this, I wouldn't have missed you on the street. ......

　If it wasn't for this, the Lord wouldn't have let me go to town.

　I had already lost my bag somewhere while I was being eaten by Lord. After inspecting my belongings, Nevilla roughly threw me to the ground.
　I wondered if I would ever be forgiven. The Knight of the End shattered the impossible hope I had held for a moment.

"Now, there's only one task left. There's only one mission left, and that's to kill you. ............

　As I crawl pathetically on the ground and cower in pain, Nevilla says in a low voice, "The mace is aimed at me.
　The mace is aimed at me. Her golden eyes look down at me. Then, bringing her face close to mine, Nevilla said.

"Apologize. I'll kill you easy.

　This is the one who calls the end. The Grim Reaper. Far more fierce, far more real than the ones in the fairy tales.
　They are the enemy. Enemies of the enemy of humanity. I am the enemy of humanity.

　I'm sure they have families. They probably have loved ones.
　And in their eyes, they must be very kind and dependable people.

　--But I still don't want to ...... die.

I don't want to die. ...... I just don't want to die!

　The wailing cries out in the darkness. It was a cry of the soul, even if it led to more atrocities.
　Nevilla and the demise knights did not become enraged. All they did was look at me as if I were a caterpillar writhing around, as if they were looking at something insane.

"....... Are you insane, man?　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on. It's no wonder Senri overlooked him with pity. The weak are his natural enemy.

"Nevilla. Make sure he gets it right. That's what the master says.

Of course I will!　I'm not like him!

　Die. You're dead. No help.
　You were killed by a strange disease before you were born, and just when you think you've gained your freedom, you're killed by the Knights of the End? Surrounded, unable to resist, overrun by overwhelming combat power...

　Tears are flowing. Tears of blood. As my vision narrows, I desperately look up at my enemy. I can't move my body. The pain prevents you from thinking calmly.
　An opening. I need an opening. Find a weakness you don't even know exists. Scramble to the very end. And if you die... you will emerge.

What's with your eyes? !　How can you still look at me like that in this situation?　d*mn it!

　Nevilla kicks my body. Each time, positive energy flowed into me with a jolt.
　I didn't scream anymore. I could feel the positive force pushing my existence to zero.

　Even in this situation, Nevira didn't kick me easily. Her movements were practiced.


　They break my bones, crush my flesh, grab me by the hair as I roll on the ground like a corpse, and force me to look up. He grabs me by the hair and forces me to look up.

"...... Fine. One last mercy -- you'll have time to regret it.

"...... Nevilla!　No way.

Purification by the Knights of the End is salvation. I'll tell you that. What did you say your name was?　Whatever. Do you know how the undead die most painfully?

　The body no longer had the strength to tremble. Just Nevilla's muffled voice in my head.

　Suddenly, I felt a dull thump on my left shoulder. Before I knew it, Nevira had thrust the sword she was holding into the ground, stretched out her arm, and lifted up something.

　It was my left arm. Nevilla grasps it and instantly purifies it. My left arm turns to dust and disappears.

　....... I'll give you my left arm. I can't even move my left arm.

Sunlight. "Sunlight." "Sunlight." "Sunlight." "Sunlight." "Sunlight." "Sunlight. The pain will be unbearable for a long time. Any vicious undead will soon be whimpering. We call it solar punishment. Because of its cruelty, it's only used as an example...

　Sunlight. Even when I was a tolerant werewolf, I felt a twinge of pain after prolonged exposure.
　I wonder how much damage I can do now.

　In the midst of my interrupted consciousness, I let out a dry voice.

"Oh, ............, what a horrible thing.

"Give me time to repent. Time to repent. Think of it as punishment for seducing Senri, for trying to live after he's dead!

　Anger. Nevilla is angry with me and she's trying to make it go away. She's trying to hurt me too much.
　No matter what she says, the act is an emotional, personal vendetta. That's the first emotion I saw in Nevilla that I didn't expect from a Knight of the End.

　But that's okay. It's okay. A gasp escapes my lips.
　I love it when people take a long time to kill me.
　I'll endure any amount of pain, any amount of humiliation. Pain is nothing if it means surviving one second longer, if it gives me a chance to escape.

　Nevira looked down at me, irresistibly but desperately trying to maintain her sanity, and narrowed her eyes.
　I feel a dull thump on my right shoulder.

Do you think you can survive this?　I can't. I'll give you the time, but not the freedom.

　Nevilla lifted my detached right arm and easily turned it to dust in front of my stunned eyes.


"All we have left is your head. Isn't that enough of a penance?　Yes, it is. We'll leave your head near the tomb you built.



§.



　I can't move my ...... body. Of course, now I had nothing from the neck down.

　The Knights of the End, Nevilla, mercilessly dismantled my body. Without daring to use the silver sword, they cut off my arms, cut off my legs, chopped up my body, cut me down from the neck down, and purified me.

　I don't know how I'm still alive. I have no strength. No regeneration.
　The intense pain and the freezing chill I felt on the back of my head indicated that I was dying.

　The forest is silent at night. The Knights of the End are already gone.
　Perhaps this solitude is part of the punishment. All I can see from my perch on top of Lou's tomb is the site of the Lord's house.

　There's nothing I can do. I can't fight, I can't run. There's only pain and despair. The same as before, before death.
　Oh, what a terrible thing to think.

　As I struggled to keep my mind steady, a voice came to my ears, lost in the wind.

"Woe is you, ...... End.