It was a blink of an eye before the blade of the treasured sword bounced off Valerie's neck. There was a brief moment before the sword, with its hero killer inscription, shimmered and pushed the blade in.

　It was released into a minuscule void where you couldn't even catch your breath.

　The sound of cutting off the wind rang out, and leaving them behind, a weight like a lump of iron bit into my hipbone. It came from out of sight, from a blind spot on my right side.

　It's not just my bones being crushed. It was a flash and impact that seemed to separate my body itself into upper and lower parts.

　What the hell is this? What am I being attacked by now? I don't understand. Did Valerie do something to you? No, or...

　All of these random questions come and go in the blink of an eye. I couldn't even comprehend the situation. I couldn't even comprehend the situation.

　So I jumped on instinct, following the momentum given to me by my right hand side. It's much better than doing nothing. The tip of the treasure sword ended up just grazing the edge of the magic armor, and my body was thrown into the air.

　It was only then that I realized that I had been kicked by him. I can see Valerie raising her left leg high in the air as she looks at me.

　Stupid. This is bullshit. I should've flicked his arm and knocked him off his feet. How can you take another swing from there?

　You're not Heldt Stanley. He's good enough to do that.

　With that thought, my body was thrown to the hard ground. All the snow I could handle wasn't helping. It was as if I had been struck by an iron. I felt as if I had been thrown into the air for a very long time.

　For a few seconds, my body did not emit any pain, as if it was confused. The limbs still didn't understand what had happened. Then, the next moment, it comes.

　Stomach juices flowed back, the inside of my body ruptured, and blood rushed in. Every bone in my body screams, every muscle seems to have been forcibly torn apart by someone. As if my body couldn't take the shock, I could see that the wounds that should have been closed opened up one after another.

　This sucks. That's not good. I've got to get away from him.

You're a curse. You are. Hence your strength, hence your fearlessness.

　Standing up, his hips make a bursting sound and he spits out blood. As he leaned back, he heard the voice. It was the first time I'd heard Valerie's voice since we'd come to this stand-off.

　It was the first time I'd heard Valerie's voice since I'd been in this fight, and the condescending tone of her voice annoyed me to no end.

"I'm sorry, but my personality hasn't changed. I'm sorry, but my personality hasn't changed.

　A curse. Sometimes called a heretic, sometimes a blessed one. It has undergone various changes in meaning over time, but the fundamentals remain the same.

　Spirits, fairies, demons. Blessed ones who are not recognized by the Great Saints. The term is used to refer to those who are enchanted by the spell. Though I suppose only people of the High Holy Church would use such a nasty word.

　With his useless arm dangling, he managed to hold onto the treasured sword. He could only feel his fingers, but he could not wield the sword.

　When he was thrown to the ground, his elbow seemed to have fallen off. He couldn't seem to lift his arm itself.

　Now, I'm trapped. How do I push him back on the board? How am I going to knock him to the ground? Strangely enough, these thoughts were flooding my mind. But of course, I can't afford to lose. It doesn't matter that I can't lift my arm.

　I moved my eyes through the dead snow. So he took a step toward Valerie. Just enough distance to lose Valerie instantly if she wanted to.

　Somehow, I need a moment. I have to fool Valerie's vision.

...... You said something about me hurting your friend. I have too many ideas, but who are you talking about?

　He opens his mouth and says with wide eyes. I managed to get my right hand on the sword. I must at least appear normal.

　But well, it probably won't do any good. Valerie is no stranger to war. She must've seen through my condition by now. Even before the fight, if not before.

　So my swearing meant nothing and I could have had my skull crushed. That's what chivalry is all about.



　But for some reason, Valerie's eyes narrowed for a moment before she opened her mouth.

"Richard Palmyris. He's your mentor. Why did you betray him? Why did you betray him, of all people, into the hands of the Old Ones?

　You roll your eyes at the familiar name. Cold air rushed into my mouth.

　There was an unmistakable heat in Valerie's words. The woman who had acted so cool-headed even in the midst of the struggle was not in her right mind when she said those words.

　That old man. What's going on with this woman? She's a lot older than he is. No, if she's my teacher, anything could've happened to her. Still, I'm not sure.

　But, well. No matter what the relationship. I can't thank you enough if your presence has stirred this woman's soul. A step in the snow.

"What, you know him? I can't leave you in the corner, old man.

　I say in an almost hushed voice. Every time I said it, my throat felt like it was being ripped open.

"We're pledged to each other's ideals. Together we swore to make our country great. For the last time, answer me. Why did you betray him?

　His mouth is calm. The color of his words is steel. But there's emotion in it.

　I knew it. That's where this woman's back is.

　Valerie Brightnes is perfect. She even has a glimmer of the old Heldt Stanley. An undeniable hero, nauseatingly honorable. Perhaps he's a man who should have been left alone.

　But there is one thing here that shows the opposite. It is said that even the greatest of dragons will be filled with emotion and rage if they are touched. Valerie had it too.

　If any human being can be swayed by emotion in that way, they're like scarecrows to me.

Don't talk to me like that. Who betrayed you? I used you because you were good for me. He's the same way. That's who he and I are.

　I formulate the words in my mouth and say. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

"Hey, Valerie. You don't realize that your grandfather is using you?　You're pathetic. I pity you.

　A flash of anger burned her cheeks. Even though I was keeping my distance, I could still feel the unfathomable rage. It's going straight through me.

　There was no doubt about it, there was a heat there that no ordinary person could have. Valerie's eyes widened and her canines sharpened.

　Her eyes are now filled with nothing but murderous intent. It must have been comparable to the evil will of a hexenbiest. And so, with that will, Valerie said.

"I won't kill you easily, big bad.

　A flurry of blue runs through the snow. In a second, her fist would be through me. I don't have the strength to duck, or even catch it.

　But for this one moment, I could. Valerie, who had been so alert and aware of her surroundings until now, was only looking at me at this moment.

　Oh, how I longed for this moment. Yes, I'm a big bad. So there's no point in wasting my chivalry here.

　I jumped backwards, as if I were really going to fall. That was enough. Out of the corner of my eye, an arcane light flashed.

　--Pierce the canopy. Serpent of flame, melt the world and devour your enemies, bone by bone.

　I saw the serpent open its jaws to Valerie, distorting the world with its swirling flames.