Chapter 115
Chapter 115
Megarexor headed swiftly to the location upon hearing the news that the Knight of True Flame had appeared.
He needed to confirm whether that person was really Lang Couster.
Moreover, he couldn't understand the current behavior, which only fueled his anger further.
'Back then, he massacred the soldiers... and now he claims he wants to save them?'
That's why Megarexor had to deal with Lang Couster personally.
If he had any intention of saving humans, he should never have become a monster.
Yet Lang Couster committed contradictory acts, displaying his power for all to see.
'Do you think so highly of yourself? Just how special are you to be doing such crap!'
Gritting his teeth, Megarexor detected a strange magical energy.
Its momentum surged relentlessly, as if it could engulf the entire area at any moment.
Even so, the opponent was holding back, protecting the imperial army.
'It started off wrong, so there's no way it can end quietly. Your existence must be erased.'
Though Megarexor foresaw the possibility of defeat, he did not suppress his murderous intent.
No matter what this man did, his sins could not be washed away.
If following natural order, he should be executed as an enemy of the Agnes Empire.
'If it were you, you could have become even stronger than me. You should have risen far beyond this title...'
As a human, Megarexor would only grow weaker as time passed, and the time to accept death would eventually arrive.
That was why he had intended to cleanly step aside after passing on the title of Sword Saint to a worthy successor.
But the next Sword Saint—Lang Couster—abandoned that future, consumed by misguided ambition.
'The straighter the sword, the brighter it shines. What are you even hoping to gain by resorting to tricks?'
Finally facing the one he must kill, Megarexor drew his sword.
His opponent, who had been incinerating tree spirits, belatedly met Megarexor's gaze and then once more fixed his attention on the monsters, releasing fierce flames.
"......"
Megarexor only watched quietly from a distance, not approaching the Knight of True Flame.
Even aware of Megarexor's presence, the Knight of True Flame continued to attack the monsters.
That meant he intended to defeat the monsters first, delaying his confrontation with the Sword Saint.
'I don't want to be interrupted, either, so I'll wait a little.'
With his hostility eased for a moment, Megarexor decided to be patient.
His opponent wouldn't go out of his way to run from him.
If he were truly that cowardly, would he have stepped forward to save the imperial soldiers?
'He's not even using his sword. Or perhaps... he simply has no reason to.'
Megarexor instinctively realized how powerful the Knight of True Flame was.
With a mere flame, he had incinerated the tree spirits instantly, and even melted the golem's core.
And now, with overwhelming firepower, he was neutralizing the troll's regeneration—surely, he deserved to be called a master of flame.
"... So it's finally over."
Megarexor muttered briefly and immediately moved forward.
The Knight of True Flame stared at Megarexor, showing not a flicker of agitation.
"You know why I'm here, don't you?"
"......"
"Don't think for a second that someone tattled. I was the only one you told. It must have been tough hiding all this time, huh?"
"......"
"I have no idea what kind of trouble you think you've caused. Have you even thought about what will happen to the others?"
Intentionally, Megarexor didn't mention any words that would remind people of Lang Couster.
This was out of respect for the Couster family, Sword Flower, and Sentinos Knights.
After all, the many shouldn't be criticized just because of one foolish man.
"What do you even want? Don't tell me you're trying to atone for your sins at this point?"
"......"
"Even as a human, one must walk the right path and not be intoxicated with meaningless power. You seek the path of righteousness as a monster? Just what for?"
"... Perhaps you could understand if you fought me."
For the first time, the Knight of True Flame spoke, raising his blade.
If he would be swayed by empty rhetoric, he'd rather resolve things through extreme force.
Only power at the very pinnacle could drive this world.
"You stand before me and claim victory? How arrogant!"
Megarexor swung his blade, brimming with murderous intent.
The Knight of True Flame blocked the blow, but his grip was already beginning to tremble.
"You claimed to have gained the power of a dragon, and this is all you can do?"
Megarexor pressed the opponent's sword aside and delivered a sharp blow.
But the Knight of True Flame evaded lightly and immediately retaliated.
Both exchanged blows in succession, searching for an opening.
'As I thought...'
Face to face, Megarexor instinctively saw the truth.
The Knight of True Flame was without a doubt Lang Couster.
No matter how much he tried to conceal his true swordsmanship, the traces could not be erased.
"You are now a monster. Saving people doesn't erase your nature!"
Megarexor gave him no room to breathe, pushing the Knight of True Flame relentlessly.
If he were still human, Megarexor might have beaten and scolded him until he realized his mistakes.
But since he'd become a monster—since he'd killed humans—there was no going back.
Hence, only through death could his sin be cleansed and this situation concluded.
"... What meaning is there in origins before a fight to the death? In the end, the survivor takes all."
The Knight of True Flame flared with intense fire, enveloping his blade.
He was no longer weak enough to be shaken by such words.
Even if Megarexor was the Sword Saint, he would not be able to cut him down—so why insist on some ideal morality?
"What did you do all that for? What did you hope to gain from your madness?"
"Aren't you seeing it now? This is the power I have claimed."
Wreathed in raging flames, the Knight of True Flame launched his attack.
Megarexor tried to counter, but the searing current of fire crashed in unstoppably.
At that moment, Megarexor's sword snapped, and before he knew it, a flaming blade was at his throat.
"I couldn't defeat you in the past. Swordsmanship alone wasn't enough."
"......"
"But now it's different. Now, you cannot defeat me. You are merely a weak human, and I have become a monster."
The Knight of True Flame answered calmly, forcefully turning from the truth.
He knew Megarexor's words were right—so he had to deny them by any means.
To admit it even once would trap him in self-loathing forever.
"I still have things I must do. If you truly wish to kill me, come find me another time."
The Knight of True Flame withdrew his blade without striking Megarexor down.
Killing the Sword Saint here would only demoralize the Imperial Army.
Above all, he couldn't bring himself to cut down the old teacher who had once taught him.
"You claim victory and still leave your enemy alive!"
"You are not my enemy. You were simply... a man who stood in my way."
"You bastard! Cut me down and be gone! Do you mean to sully even my honor?"
"You speak of honor while clinging to life? Perhaps it is time you reconsidered your mission?"
"Spare me your nonsense! Isn't this all to use the Empire for your own gain?"
"... Think as you wish. My purpose will not change."
The Knight of True Flame spread fiery wings and soared into the sky.
Megarexor hurriedly grasped his sword but, in the end, could do nothing but put it down.
Even if he now unleashed sword energy, he would not be able to harm the Knight of True Flame.
As Alter had said, perhaps only by attacking together could they glimpse hope of victory.
"He left me with nothing but my life... damn it, this is infuriating."
* * *
Alter and Brillie Illenat, after taking a brief rest, heard the news belatedly.
The Sword Saint was defeated by the Knight of True Flame but returned without a single wound.
Most likely, the Knight of True Flame had bested the Sword Saint and spared his life.
"... Alter."
"Yes."
"The Knight of True Flame didn't kill the Sword Saint. He even saved the soldiers in danger. What is he thinking?"
"Perhaps... just as before, he seeks to seize the dragon's power."
"That's why he wants to use the imperial army, isn't it?"
"I doubt he ever intended to kill the soldiers. He just had to deceive the dragon."
"So he did it even though he knew it was wrong?"
"If he truly thought he was right, he wouldn't have saved the soldiers. He must have also known that killing the Sword Saint would lower morale."
Only now did Alter feel certain about the Knight of True Flame.
His words—that he wouldn't attack humans—were sincere; he was simply obsessed with strength.
Of course, his aim may have been to weaken Grafden the Deep by using the imperial army, but he didn't exploit that method wantonly.
In short, he seemed intent on fulfilling his purpose while still protecting humans.
"Wasn't there any other way? Did he really have to go this far?"
"A human cannot withstand a dragon's power... so he must have prepared in advance, and then made his choice."
"So he killed people for that? Even when it threatened our lives?"
"......"
Alter did not defend the Knight of True Flame, but he couldn't recklessly condemn him, either.
If anything, thanks to the Knight of True Flame's intervention, their own losses were minimized.
To win the war, perhaps they even had to make use of the Knight of True Flame.
"To think I once called someone like that captain... I'm ashamed of myself."
"Brillie. That is all in the past. Right now, we must focus on defeating the dragon."
"Yes, I know. No more soldiers should have to die."
Brillie felt deeply betrayed but did not turn away from reality.
If she let personal feelings take over, there would be no way to win.
For her own sake, her family's, and the Empire's, she had to focus solely on reality.
"... Maybe we should just leave the Knight of True Flame be. Wouldn't that work in our favor?"
"I think so, too. We can always keep him in check later."
Alter came to a rational conclusion, thinking only of the war.
Someone might object, but if they were not prepared to risk their lives, there was no need to listen.
They had to do whatever it took to slaughter the enemy, saving even one more soldier.
Idealism that ignored reality would only bring greater loss.
'I can't fuss over such things. The Knight of True Flame is strong—surely he'll handle the monsters well.'
Of course, if the chance arose, the Knight of True Flame would surely try to absorb the dragon's power.
He was an enemy of the Empire, so he couldn't be left unchecked forever.
Thus, it was best to use him for now and then remove him at the crucial moment.
'Things won't go your way. I'll have to cut him off before he gets even more troublesome.'