Chapter 266

Chapter 266

Leaving behind the restrained Lunared, I headed toward Kuilan and Kureha.

"Ugh...!"

Kuilan, who was blocking with his whole body to protect Kureha, received my bitter smile.

"I know that wolf monster is Kureha."

"...!"

"Dont worry, just step aside. We have things to discuss."

Hesitantly, Kuilan moved away. I cautiously approached the fallen Kureha.

"Kureha."

Looking down at the bloodied wolf monster, I nodded heavily.

"You did an excellent job. You truly did well."

"All I did was fulfill my duty."

He was dying.

A massive fissure marred his battered chest. It wasnt hard to guess that it was an injury inflicted by the Wolf King.

"...Im sorry."

Kureha responded to my apology with a faint laugh.

"Its not your fault, Your Highness. If you hadnt planned this strategy... I would have died in vain right there."

"...!"

"Thanks to you, I was able to save my younger brother."

His grotesquely twisted fingers grazed his chest.

"My human heart has already stopped. As a human, I am already dead."

Even in his monstrous form, Kurehas eyes remained kind. Those eyes slowly looked up to the sky.

"All that remains here is the wolf monster, kept alive by the magic power of the full moon."

"...!"

"In the end... I die as a monster."

"No."

I spoke with an unwavering voice.

"You are a human."

Both Kureha and Kuilan, who was listening by the side, looked at me with surprise. I nodded.

"I recognize it. By the principles and laws of this place, by my standards, I recognize it."

"...!"

"You are more human than anyone else, Kureha."

Turning from the speechless Kureha, I looked at Kuilan beside him.

"Kuilan, the remaining night is short."

The magic power provided by the full moons light clung to Kurehas life.

In other words, when the moon sets, Kureha will die.

"Spend time with your brother until dawn."

"...!"

Kuilan looked uncertain, but thats between the two brothers. I hoped they would have a regret-free last moment.

***

Crossroad. In front of the southern wall.

Excluding Lunared, all the captured Werewolves were gathered and restrained here.

I hurriedly came here to decide on their fate. And then...

"Growl!"

...I found a blonde knight who seemed more like a beast than the wolf monsters.

"Lucas?"

Lucas, chained head to toe, was nearly lying on the ground, showing his fangs and exhaling a cold breath.

His bright blue eyes gleamed with a beastly light. Good heavens!

"Hes been like this since the battle ended... We managed to subdue him."

Fox and Rabbit from the Mage Battalion spoke apprehensively.

"We didnt know what to do..."

"...!"

I rubbed my throbbing forehead. He must have overused his beast transformation again.

"Hey, Lucas. Do you recognize me?"

When I asked this close up, the previously aggressive expression on Lucass face immediately softened.

Should I be thankful that this damned hound even recognizes its own owner?

"Bind this blade to his hand. Make sure he cant let go."

As I approached, Lucas, noticeably tamed, remained still even as the soldiers tied the [Karma Eater] to his hand.

I pondered for a moment on what to do next, but the decision came quickly.

"Imprison him. In the sturdiest cell."

In his current state, theres no telling what he might do. Its best to keep him confined until he regains his senses.

Lucas, now as docile as a subdued dog, was dragged off to the prison.

"Sigh..."

As I watched his retreating figure, a sigh escaped my lips.

"But, what about us?"

"Lock us up too!"

Shouts echoed from behind.

"..."

I slowly turned around.

Creatures, once werewolves, their bodies still covered in traces of beastly fur, knelt bound. Their crimson eyes shone as they pleaded desperately.

"We are humans!"

"We have the right to be judged by the law! Put us on trial!"

The wolfs curse would return to all five of them.

Kurehas speech, now transformed into a monstrous form, became increasingly slurred and difficult to understand, but Kuilan listened attentively, trying to comprehend every word.

Im sorry. I wanted to carry it until the end...

Whats there to be sorry for, brother?

Kuilan softly smiled, placing his hand on his brothers contorted finger joints, Were just returning to how we were born.

...

Kureha, with his grotesquely deformed face, looked up at the sky, then turned his gaze to the northern forest.

The leaves are turning...

Kuilan also looked with his brother at the northern forest, observing the multicolored foliage of autumn.

The night they were reunited had also been a full moon during the onset of autumn.

Ive always been sorry to you.

Kurehas body slowly began to release the wolfs curse.

I stole your fate. Lived as a human in your place. Locked you in that tree, raised you as a monster, and naively found happiness outside. Ive always been sorry.

...

Will you forgive me, Kuilan...?

What nonsense are you talking about, brother?

Kuilan chuckled warmly.

"Whats there to forgive? Were brothers, arent we?"

...Thank you.

The now grown-up, but still young in his brothers eyes, took one last look at his little brother.

Kurehas eyes slowly closed.

Thank you, for being alive.

That small, bruised younger brother from their past.

The cursed child who regretted being born and agonized over his existence.

Did he truly find happiness growing up with him?

It was impossible to know.

Every moment you lived and grew, it was a miracle to me.

Raising his younger brother, Kureha was happy.

Every moment, feeding, teaching, fighting, and sleeping, was brilliant.

Though he eventually became a withered, hardened monster.

He had no regrets.

Having a younger brother like you... Im truly... lucky...

Kurehas breathing ceased.

Was it an illusion? A faint smile lingered on the monstrous wolfs long lips.

"...Meeting you was the miracle of my life."

Kuilan, slowly laying his brothers body on the ground, smiled brightly.

"Im really, truly a lucky bastard."

Kuilans fist clenched tightly.

"Thank you, brother."

The curse reverted in the surviving tribespeople.

Red fur began to densely grow on Kuilans body. He grew taller, muscles bulging, eyes shining like a beasts.

Yet, he hadnt lost his sanity. If anything, his consciousness was sharper than ever.

Slowly rising, Kuilan growled, staring down at his clenched fists.

"Yeah... I think I finally understand."

He turned around, a savage smile on his lips.

"The final punch my brother taught me. I think I know how to use it."

In his sight was the imprisoned Lunared.

Lunared, too, was in the process of his curse reverting. But being tightly bound by silver chains made movement difficult, and the curses strength meant its reversion was slow.

Lunared, now partially transformed into a werewolf, yelled at the approaching Kuilan.

"Stop! Stop! We are of the same kin! Shouldnt we combine our powers?"

"Stop talking nonsense, monster. I am human."

"NO! I am like your ancestor! Practically your father-!"

"Thats good to know."

Thud. Thud.

With his fists ready and stance set, Kuilan glared menacingly.

"Ive always wanted to land a punch on my father."

Just as his brother had taught him.

With both legs firmly on the ground, bending down low, left hand in a defensive pose forward, and the right fist clenched at his chest.

Stepping forward, he launched a ferocious attack, aiming directly at-

The enemys core.

Ultimate move.

Heart-Cleaving Wind Wolf.

The inherited ultimate move, and Kuilans awakened technique.

Facing the incoming punch, Lunared laughed in disbelief.

The technique of a descendant he had underestimated was flawless.

Giving up on his desperate attempts to counter, Lunared acknowledged the accomplishments of his successor.

"Well done, forty-fourth generation."

Crash!

Kuilans massive fist buried into Lunareds chest.

The Nightmare Legion Commanders core shattered into pieces.