CHAPTER 163………………………………………………
Every time their blades clashed, Ares felt it deeply.
“That bastard! Is he really trying to kill me?”
It was certain this tournament was a place to fully showcase his abilities.
He had prepared himself for the possibility of taking serious injuries in the process.
But he hadn’t anticipated someone spilling so much murderous intent, aiming only for vital points.
And that someone was a person who had grown up with him, almost like a brother.
“Damn it!”
Bang!
Ares unleashed a spark of magical flame.
But it was only meant to distract Kallion or damage his weapon.
He didn’t wish for his opponent to collapse from a severe burn.
“This is insane…!”
Even Ares had dreams he had cherished in secret.
He wanted to stand proudly by Sion’s side.
Not just at this coming-of-age banquet, but at more important occasions in the future.
That dream included receiving congratulations from his “family.”
And he harbored a hope that maybe… this guy might understand.
He imagined all three of them living happily together, just like when they had grown up in the Persen Palace, even into adulthood.
But…
“Ugh…!”
His opponent’s strike flew with unmatched ferocity.
Ares’ jaw clenched as he parried.
Kallion watched with a composed smirk.
“I’ve held back a lot for you, Ismenios.”
Kallion had always deliberately played for draws.
After all, Ares had to survive in a foreign country, always walking on a deadly, icy path.
And yet, ignorant of that, he’d always thrown tantrums. How irritating.
Kallion muttered in his flat, unchanging tone.
“…All 365 days of the year were glorious days for you.”
There was a time when he’d considered Ares a slightly irritating little brother.
Even now, deep down, he admitted Ares was better than his real sibling.
But then Kallion glanced toward the stands.
A platinum-haired girl clinging to the railing, wide-eyed in shock.
“I love that person.”
To the 13th, he was like a full moon in the otherwise dark sky of her life.
But now, the 13th wished to be with Ares instead.
In that process, Kallion was just a bothersome obstacle.
“Yes, you’re going to abandon me like that.”
Of course, he never intended to hurt you.
There was a time when seeing you happy was everything to him.
But now, he didn’t even want to see your happiness.
“So I’ll pierce your heart right here.”
Kallion’s eyes glinted yellow.
He didn’t think about what would happen afterward.
He didn’t care what repercussions might follow or how his position would change.
All he remembered was that the demon race’s life force and power came from those horns.
He didn’t care about burns.
Enduring the suffocating heat, he raised his sword high.
With the sword gifted by the saintess who had taken him as her retainer.
The blade, imbued with memories, struck his opponent mercilessly.
A chorus of horrified screams swept through the arena.
“No!”
A desperate female voice screamed from the stands.
In that instant, black particles in the air began to glimmer in the autumn sunlight.
Kallion’s sword seemed to descend toward Ares’ face in slow motion.
Even seeing it in front of her eyes, it was unbelievable.
Could he really be about to strike like that?
“If he hits from that angle… Ares might die…?”
The hands clutching the railing moved of their own accord.
She had witnessed many horrific scenes, but this—she couldn’t bear.
“No!”
The outstretched hands spread protective black particles.
No matter the outcome of the tournament, it didn’t matter anymore.
If only she could cast a shield before that sword touched Ares’ face!
“Faster…!”
Ares tried to defend, but Kallion’s swing was quicker.
A moment that felt like her heart would stop.
Thud!
Kallion’s sword plunged harshly into the ground beside where Ares stood.
The blade had split in two.
“Was… that my power that stopped it?”
No.
It had been the power of someone else who stopped the strike.
“The match is over.”
Her father’s voice cut sharply through the arena.
The black particles shimmered subtly under his command.
“Striking the head is a clear foul. But Ismenios’ response was also delayed. This match ends in a draw.”
The spectators, holding their breath, finally exhaled.
No victor claimed the honorable title…
Her attention, however, was on Ares, head bowed, gripping his sword.
“Ares…!”
Thank goodness he wasn’t hurt.
Thank goodness he wasn’t dead.
But from here, she couldn’t see what expression he wore.
Then she stiffly turned her neck toward Kallion, holding his broken sword.
…During the match, she realized something was off about Kallion.
“Not just Kallion’s divine power… there’s something else.”
And it was undeniably a power she knew.
One she had witnessed several times in the capital’s temple and on the battlefield…
“Talos’ power.”
Just thinking of that name made her stomach turn.
She thought the trail had gone cold, that he had died on that cliff.
Or rather, she wanted to believe it. So why was he suddenly showing up now?
“But I gave Kallion the necklace.”
She recalled the Lapis Lazuli necklace she had given him.
No matter how strong Talos was, it couldn’t surpass her own power.
So even if he tried to “brainwash” Kallion, the necklace should have blocked it.
“But… are you sure Kallion was wearing the necklace?”
She had assumed he always wore it, except when enjoying himself at the “Palace of Water.”
Was that the only time he removed it?
“Or… had he not worn it for some time?”
Her breath quickened from the unexpected thought.
It was like a panic attack coming on.
“Ugh.”
She clamped her mouth and barely held back vomiting.
Now was not the time to lose her composure.
If Kallion had been brainwashed by Talos, saving him would suffice.
“That much, I can handle with my own power.”
But the voice of the first spoke, stopping her.
『…13th, that’s impossible.』
“What? Why!”
『Do you think you couldn’t tell he was brainwashed by accident?』
“What…?”
『It’s because there was a problem with his very soul to begin with.』
Rage surged as she heard that nonsense.
“Don’t spout that crap just because you think you’re clever.”
How dare he speak so casually, knowing nothing about her family?
The first sighed deeply and continued.
『He was always a child with a fractured soul, so the priest’s power took hold easily.』
“No, shut up!”
『Ah. But can you really swear it isn’t true?』
She bit her lip hard at the cruel question.
Could she be truly sure?
A child born illegitimate, alone until meeting her at the Alcyone Palace.
Kallion forced to survive in a foreign land as he grew older.
She wanted to believe she had done her best, but Kallion’s life…
Was far from smooth.
“Sir Icarus’ charm feels somewhat shadowed, doesn’t it?”
Was that why people felt that way?
Could that be called a fracture?
And even though she felt uneasy about that impression, she…
“Then… what… what should I do?”
What should she do?
How could she save him now?
The first whispered in her ear.
『Why? There is a way.』
“My power… won’t be enough…”
『You can save him with the healing power I gave you.』
It was a tempting option.
But a sense of foreboding stopped her from rejoicing.
『But if you use that power, you won’t be able to save the family of the one you love.』
As always, her foreboding was correct.
