Chapter 19: S1. Finale of Irid and Centra - 2
༺ S1. Finale of Irid and Centra – 2 ༻
Irid walked forward to ensure that Centra did not get entangled in the battle. Beyond the passage, a red color fluttered as it approached.
The sound of their footsteps reverberated noisily and then suddenly stopped at the same time.
Under the dim lighting, the Prince and the Mercenary faced each other. Irid stood straight, holding the dagger.
Slink.
Ronya drew her longsword and rested it on her shoulder. Her expression was filled with annoyance and rage. She practically spat out her words.
“I had a bad feeling about you from the very start. It was such a vexing, punchable face.”
“You were also bothersome, you lowly mercenary.”
“If it weren’t for that bitch Centra picking you up from the street, you would have been a slave long ago. This fucker only knows how to ya.....”N0v3lRealm was the platform where this chapter was initially revealed on N0v3l.B1n.
“You talk too much. It’s a waste of time. If you’re just going to blabber, you might as well run away now. Since I won’t bother chasing you.”
“Who do you fucking think you are──!!”
Ronya, gripping her longsword with both hands, charged forward. It was a move Irid recognized. Although it was only a week of preparation, Irid had practiced desperately until his hands turned raw.
He could block it!
Clang-! Screeeeech.
The weight of the longsword was too much for the dagger to parry. Each time blade met blade and Irid twisted and barely deflected, his body swayed greatly. But he did not fall.
One clash. Two clashes.
The sound of metal scraping echoed against the walls of the secret passage, cheating an eerie echo. Sparks flew in the darkness. Each time it did so, as if the sparks were transferring...
In Ronya’s eyes, the flames of wrath burned, and for Irid, his will solidified.
He blocked and deflected. Ronya felt a dry thirst as if her throat was parched. Her attacks were blocked. No matter how much she swung, she couldn’t land a hit!
Time was......on the Prince’s side. If she didn’t kill Centra and disguise it as the ‘Kingdom Alliance’s’ doing, everything she had prepared to swallow up the Resistance would collapse.
Ronya’s movement became anxious and sloppy. Irid did not miss the opening. Between the trajectories shining silver, he inserted his blade.
Slash──!
Blood splattered.
Ronya, with a dumbfounded face, stepped back two paces and looked down at her cut forearm. Blood flowed. Bright red blood. This was not supposed to happen.
Irid gasped for breath. His lungs felt constricted and his arms were nearly numb. Though there was no wound, fatigue had accumulated. If it turned into a battle of stamina, Irid was sure he would eventually collapse.
At that moment, both Ronya and Irid had the same thought.
They needed a decisive mood to end this battle.
Ronya pulled out a black pill from her bosom. Irid’s face crumpled into a frown. He knew what that pill was: a narcotic doping agent produced by a Black Wizard and circulated in secret.
The pill went down Ronya’s throat. She coughed a few times as if the taste was vile, then....she let out a snigger.
“......Heh, heheh. This, this thing, really, is amazingggg......”
Her muscles and veins bulged, and black blood began to flow from her cut forearm. The doping effect of the black pill varied, but on average, it increases one’s abilities by 30%.
It was one of the worst case scenarios discussed in the strategy meeting. The First Princess had cautiously predicted defeat. But to Irid, there seemed to be a chance of victory.
Irid gripped the dagger upside down and steadied his mind. Muttering only for himself, he stripped away his hesitation.
“......I wanted to go on a date.”
“I wanted to sing together. I wanted to conclude our unfinished conversation. My true feelings.....If I could, I wanted to convey them too.”
Even though your lips moved, no sound came out. It was frustrating. You had to comfort her. Smiles suited this lovable woman far more.
“Someone, someone.....Someone, anyone, please help! Someone.....!”
No one would appear in the secret passage. Even if someone did, the wounds you suffered were serious.....And no one could collect the time that had already flowed past.
Is there no part of me I can move? I have something to convey.
Fortunately, it seemed like your hand could move. You carefully raised your hand and wiped away Centra’s tears. To be honest, it was ineffective. The rain continued to pour.
If that was the case.......
You took Centra’s hand in yours. Just as she had led you, you wanted to lead her. To share warmth, to give joy rather than sorrow.
Was it perhaps that your feelings were conveyed? Centra, with a tearful face, tried to smile. She held your limp hand tenderly, hugged you tightly as if begging you not to go, and smiled.
“I love.......I love you. Irid.”
Such happy words you heard.
You had to respond. You had to convey that you too felt the same. You exerted strength in your hand. It was a faint touch, as light as a feather. Nevertheless, it seemed like Centra understood.
“I love you, so.....! I love you, so please don’t go. Stay by my side......Don’t die! Please no, Irid.......!”
Finally you shared love, confirming each other’s feelings. As a romance, it was just the first step. But time had run out.......And you knew this would be the last step instead.
If only there had been more time........
As you exhaled your last breath......
Centra seemed to have made some sort of decision and tilted her head. Long eyelashes, eyes read and swollen from crying, tear-filled sparkling eyes, and lips.
Centra’s lips met yo.........
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“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
Second Prince Irid let out a bitter laugh of dejection.
He laid in a daze on the magic circle. A whirl of regret, joy, and various other emotions entangled, making him dizzy. How indifferent the heavens were to have time run out at the most crucial moment.
If only there were 3 more seconds.........no, even just 1 more second. Then maybe......
No, perhaps.......it was fortunate to have preserved Centra’s purity. She too should meet another man, build a harmonious family, and live happily. Thinking this way, maybe that mere kiss wasn’t really neede........
No, as expected, he still felt regret.
Irid wiped his face and stood up. Looking around, he saw the mad wizard tearing his hair out in anguish and the Purple Magic Tower Master consoling him.
He wasn’t sure what the commotion was about, but Irid had no energy to care about others’ worries. Didn’t he just part with his first love, after all?
Leaving the two Illusion Wizards behind, he stepped out of the Magic Tower.
The First Princess and boy knight were waiting. He had already informed the First Princess about the Dimensional Travel Magic. First Princess Elaine cautiously asked.
“.......Did you save her?”
“I did. I’m worried about what comes after, but.......if it’s Centra, she will be able to manage.”
“That’s a relief. Truly a relief......”
The incident was over. Now, in this place a hundred years before.......He just had to work hard for the future where Centra would eventually live. Even now, he wished to ask if there wasn’t another opportunity, that he would create one if there wasn’t one, but........
He decided to leave that for when he truly couldn’t bear it anymore.
For now, let’s be satisfied that he had at least saved Centra.
Irid took a step towards the future, imagining the touch of lips he never got to /genesisforsaken