What stopped Rajas’ rambunctious laughter was Suimei’s cold reply.
A gust of wind: colder than the chilly wind sweeping the northern lands froze everyone’s heart and took away even the sound of laughter, and sound of fear, as if they were not necessary.
What filled the area was chilling cold. It was not that the temperature was cold. There was a source of coldness that was enough to flay skins and rob consciousness. Areas that had just been heated up by Rajas’ spirit appeared as if they had turned into a sheet of ice. And the boy who created this situation, Suimei, looked at the Demon General who laughed at his resolve unwaveringly in the eyes.
“.... Boy, you better change the way you’re looking at me. I don’t like it.”
“You think I’m going to listen to you?”
“Then I’ll make you listen by force!”
What came out of Rajas’ mouth was a roar loud enough to shake everything around them. The shockwave stirred up dust into the air and pebbles to shoot off in every direction. In a moment, an arm and a fist resembling an ancient oak tree trunk flew towards Suimei.
What resisted the arm that would turn everything in its path into a pulp of meat was a unique spell that Rajas never heard before.
“Primium ex puinoim excipio.” (Five-layered wall)
Five magical circles glowing golden formed from the tip of Suimei’s extended arm to form a shield. Whether it was drawn or formed, the shattered fragments came together to form their original shape.
The golden defense was perfectly on time. Rajas’ fist and Suimei’s magic collided.
Golden spark flew everywhere and whether it reached its limit or its purpose was different in the first place, the second magic circle flew back and so did the third circle.
“Ooooohhhhhhhhhh!!”
“Hyaaaaaaaahhh!!”
The fist tried to penetrate the magical circle and the magic that that remained firm in place with golden sparks flying out from every punch. The ground cracked as it failed against the shockwave and windstorm swept the area. They soon formed a wind stream and dyed the air with the dread of the battle.
Amidst the exchange of shouts between both parties, the fourth magic circle started rotating. And then―
“Hiiik―?!”
The massive force that was directed at Suimei suddenly changed direction. With a thunderous sound, Rajas’ immense body sheared the earth as it was thrown back over a hill by a tsunami of wind.
“Che. Even with the 5th Wall (attenuation wall) he only flew back that much…. Man, he’s unnecessarily strong…”
Suimei shrugged his shoulders while cursing Rajas, who had disappeared beyond his sight. But he was weakened as well. Considering how many he had to fight while coming to rescue Lefille, it was only natural.
Out of nowhere, he turned to face her, and―
________________________________________
“Stand up, Lefille. Let’s take him down.”
He said that towards me. Let’s fight together. The two of us can fight together. As if he wanted my co-operation― no, to encourage me, who had given up. They were sincerely genuine. The eyes that looked at me glowed mysterious crimson and shined honesty above all. Passion that shined through those eyes were like glowing red hot steel.They were passionate eyes. Eyes of a man who will never compromise his belief.
But I didn’t have enough strength left to stand alongside his resolve.
It was all used up in the battle with Rajas just before. So I couldn’t―
“I can’t.”
That was right. I could only drop my head and give up.
“Hmmm―?”
“I can’t. I can’t win against him. You can’t win against him and neither can I. He’s going to kill us both.”
“Oi…. Lefille, what happened to you?”
Suimei asked as if he was taken aback. He probably believed that we could combine our strength to fight. That two of us could defeat him.
But now, everything was hopeless. Because….
“We can’t win against Rajas. That mazoku is too strong. Even if we combine our strength, we can’t win.”
“How can you know without trying?”
“No, I can tell. Rajas is strong. Even the elites of Noshias’ army fell before him. We can’t defeat something like him with just our strength. It’s impossible. It’s both yours and my fate to die by Rajas’ hands.”
That was the way it was meant to be. It was an unchangeable fate. My prediction of the future probably sounded like me being weak to him. But it was the truth. No matter how strong one’s heart was, no matter how courageous one was, it was nothing but a midsummer night’s dream in front of those with absolute power.
Looking at the sight of me, Suimei dropped his shoulders and closed his eyes. Was he disappointed in me? He was looking down so I couldn’t tell his expression, but he was surely thinking that.
“.... Is that alright with you? Are you really alright with an ending like that?”
“Yes. I don’t care how it ends. I give up everything. I’m tired of it all.”
“.... Alright.”
I could hear the reply. Did he realize it? The truth that everything was over already. There was no more need to resist. Everything will be fine after a few moments of pain.
She