Chapter 341

Chapter 341

Life is a series of regrets.

At least it was for Lucas.

Betraying Ash.

Killing Dustia.

The beautiful young days that shattered like fragile flowers due to his own mistakes.

Night after night, he ruminated on irreversible decisions and irremediable wrongdoings, spending them steeped in regret.

If only I hadnt done it then.

If only I hadnt done it then.

If only I hadnt done it then...

Lucas life was riddled with regrets.

He was always a man looking back at the shadows of his past.

***

Chaeng! Chaeng! Tsukaang-!

Lucas sword, forged of light, left a vivid trail as it executed a series of slashes.

"Kuk!"

Mason gritted his teeth and groaned as he counterattacked with his greatsword.

With his new sword, Lucas combat abilities had increased dramatically. His strikes had become lighter, and their potency had amplified.

Every time the blades clashed, Masons greatsword showed signs of wear and reduced durability, while Lucas sword of light seemed unfazed.

Thwack-!

No... thats not it.

It wasnt just unfazed; it was actually growing stronger.

The light and heat emanating from Lucas sword intensified. Mason, who had barely managed to block Lucas horizontal slash, found himself pushed back.

How did he get so strong? Just by switching swords?

Or is it something else?

Had he really attained some sort of enlightenment?

Grimacing, Mason pulled a vial of Beast Transformation Serum from his pocket.

He knew well the warning that using it twice a day was suicidal, but he had no other choice now.

"You should stop."

As Mason aimed the syringe at his neck, Lucas quietly advised.

"Ive used Beast Transformation quite a bit myself. And Ive been right on the brink of the line too."

"..."

"I guarantee, if you cross that line, it wont be pretty."

"Heh. Are you concerned about me now?"

With a scoff, Mason jabbed the syringe into his neck.

"After all, its a do-or-die situation, whether I die this way or that-!"

The serum seeped into Masons neck.

Thump, thump...!

Masons already large frame swelled even more.

His eyes turned red, his nails grew longer, and his canine teeth sharpened like those of a carnivore. His bones and muscles inflated.

"Haaaaa...!"

Masons appearance had devolved far from human. He now resembled an abominable beast.

"...So this is what happens. I can see why the Lord warned against it."

Standing calmly in front of the transformed Mason, Lucas muttered softly.

"You look like a rabid stray, Mason."

"I like it, though?"

Fully transformed, Mason lunged at Lucas at a terrifying speed.

"Because this is our true nature-!"

Thwack!

Masons greatsword drove Lucas back. Despite being cornered, Lucas replied composedly.

"Id appreciate it if you stopped saying we. Im no longer a mad dog."

"Nonsense! We were born as dogs, raised as dogs, and were destined to die as dogs!"

Bang! Crash! Kwaang!

Mason roared, swinging his massive greatsword as if it were a leaf.

"Slaughtering someone just because a higher-up commands itthats what being a knight is all about!"

"Im done with that."

"What?"

"I wont just follow orders without thinking anymore."

They were looking beyond himlooking at what was behind him.

"What are you looking at...?"

Gritting his teeth, Mason crouched low.

"Im not your damned past..."

With a terrifying force, Mason lunged, plummeting toward Lucas.

"I am your future! I am your doom!"

Then Lucas grinned and said,

"Would that really happen?"

He swung his blade of light upward in a flawless counter, a fusion of stubborn resolve and unyielding will.

Zzzing-!

Masons greatsword, unable to withstand the explosive burst of light, shattered into two pieces.

And Masons beastly, massive form was likewise cleaved in two, vertically.

***

I unexpectedly regained my senses quickly.

I thought I would go into a magic-depleted state after using my ultimate skill, but nothing of the sort happened.

My veins felt warm as if they were laid upon an electric heating pad, presumably because they were supplied with magic power.

Is this the power of the Dragon Heart...?

It must be the effect of the Dragon Heart that Nameless had given me.

I imagined the Dragon Hearts energy, now presumably coursing through my body, as something akin to an electric heating pad. Warm and comforting.

As I got up, the situation was already being managed. Thankfully, there were no casualties on our side, and from the Aegis Special Forces were either dead or captured.

"Youre awake, Your Highness. Ill give you an update," Godhand came to me, looking pallid as he briefed me.

The guy had been hit with swords and arrows all day; he mustve been through a lot too.

"Of the 10 Aegis Special Forces agents who infiltrated this base camp, we killed seven and captured three. Including the casualties at Crossroad, weve killed sixteen out of a total of 20 agents and captured four."

"Everyone worked hard."

"We are currently interrogating the captured agents to see if there are more spies. We should have results soon."

Godhand showed a slight smile.

"Your Highness, your use of that magical barrier was extraordinary. We could neutralize them in one fell swoop."

"Im sorry for forcing you all into this risky operation. It was dangerous because of me."

"Not at all. Everything turned out fine in the end, didnt it? Captain Lucas is also safe."

Just as Godhand was finishing his report, the base camps gate flashed, and Lilly, in her wheelchair, appeared.

Lilly had been dispatched to the forward base for this defense battle, due to her responsibilities with artifacts. Given the snowstorm, the artifacts could malfunction.

But seeing her back now meant that the forward bases defensive battle was likely over.

"Godhand!"

Lilly, almost shrieking, urgently wheeled herself over to Godhand. As she assessed his injuries, she trembled and yelled,

"Who did this to you?! Who would dare!"

"Ah, well, you see..."

"Ill burn whoever laid a finger on you! Understand? Tell me, who tormented you!"

...Her tone resembled that of an older sibling scolding someone whod bullied their younger sibling.

Seeing Godhand squirming in discomfort, I took the opportunity to sneak away.

As the commander who pushed these kids into this, I felt a sense of responsibility. Time to make my quick escape...

I went around thanking everyone who had helped with the operation.

Bodybag and Burnout were totally wiped out.

Especially Burnout, who mustve singed his mouth and esophagus spewing fire. You worked hard; go rest.

Verdandi and the Holy Grail Seekers party. Theyd readily joined the battle when Id asked for help on short notice. I promised to shower them with sunflower seeds.

Margarita and the reserve party. Id hurriedly called them up, but they did their part.

Margarita was still busy healing the injured. Ill make a generous donation to your temple later.

Then there was Elize.

"Hmm, this weapon will do, and this one too..."

"..."

As befits her reputation as a Sword Coffin, she was examining the weapons of the dead special forces agents. I suppose I can turn a blind eye if shes taking one or two as spoils...

And finally, Lucas.

I was wondering where he was, so I looked around and spotted Kellibey waving at me from a distance.

"Hey, Young Prince. Over here."

Our master blacksmith had completed the weapon just in time. As I walked over to Kellibey with a bright smile, he pointed to a corner of the base camp.

"Id like to hear your thoughts on my masterpiece. Would you mind checking it out?"

When I looked in that direction, Lucas was standing there alone.

In front of Masons fallen body in the sea of blood. Silently.