CH 242

Clang! Metal clashed against metal, sending sparks flying. A shockwave instantly spread outwards with the two men at the epicenter. Trees that had been damaged and collapsed were destroyed further, with many being uprooted out of the ground. The surrounding area looked like a disaster zone that a hurricane had torn through.

‘So, he lives up to his name, Ruin, after all,’ Estian mused, as he dodged the sword flying at him. He’d never imagined there was a sword capable of holding up against his black steel blade, but the crown prince’s weapon wasn’t ordinary.

Each time their blades collided, petals seemed to flutter around them. At first, Estian thought it was an illusion, but he quickly realized it was the power of the sword Ruin wielded. For a brief moment, he entertained hanging the sword in Cecile’s room as decoration once he killed this knave, but he quickly abandoned the idea. The wretch had attempted to kidnap his wife! He wouldn’t allow any traces of such scum to remain within Cecile’s sight.

When he recalled the attempted kidnapping, Estian’s grip tightened around his sword. He had failed to protect Cecile even though he had been by her side. When he returned to his monstrous form, he had been seized by overwhelming despair. He had barely managed to regain his human form thanks to Cecile, so he believed this time was truly the end for him.

‘And yet… I returned to being a human again.’ A mysterious and powerful light had engulfed the world, and he suddenly found himself as a man once more. It was just like the time with Cecile. Even though he had an endless number of questions about what had happened, there was no time to waste. He immediately set off in pursuit of Ruin.

What would’ve happened if he’d been delayed in regaining his human form? Or worse, if he failed to regain his form altogether, then what would come of Cecile? These thoughts plagued him and Estian felt his heart sink. It had been like this ever since he met her. In the past, he had nothing to lose in life or regret. Yet now, he felt fear. He had become painfully aware of how harrowing it could be to lose something important.

With their battle in a deadlock, the two halted trading blows and entered into a brief standstill. No matter how powerful the two combatants were, it wasn’t like they didn’t tire. Moreover, both men had been mustering all their might from the start, since this was their first time crossing swords. Gradually, their ragged breathing began to steady. Estian was the first to break the silence.

“It seems kidnapping a woman is a trivial matter to those of the Hyun continent,” Estian sneered.

“Absolutely not. Kidnapping of women and children is considered a grave crime,” Ruin replied. Seeing the emperor’s eyes narrow at his shameless answer, he smiled bitterly and added, “Your eyes seem to be questioning why I’d stoop to such actions despite knowing what a deplorable crime it is.”

When Estian remained silent, Ruin continued, “Everything in the world has their exceptions. If I were to recklessly kidnap a woman for no reason, then even my status as crown prince wouldn’t prevent me from losing my wrists. However, in this case”—Ruin clicked his tongue and cast a look at Estian—“it’s about ‘rescuing’ the Ender from the catastrophe.”

“Catastrophe?”

“I’m referring to you, Emperor Estian. I had my doubts about the nonsense those sages were spewing when they talked about the Ender, but now…” Ruin pointed his sword at the emperor. “The monster that appeared in the city… That was you, Emperor Estian.”

The crown prince remained unfazed when Estian raised his blade and aimed it at his opponent.

“You will end the world, Emperor. Over and over, as you have always done. You know this yourself, don’t you? I may not know why you undergo that change, but I’m sure that your empress will be the first to be in danger when it happens.” In a tone of finality, he announced, “You will kill your empress.”

At that moment, a resounding smack cracked in the air, and Ruin was sent tumbling to the ground.