I’m honestly not sure what to do.
With how strong I am now, it wouldn’t be impossible to kill thirty of them if I really pushed myself. I’m just not brave enough to do it in front of Rurika and Chris.
Apparently Sora had his own reservations about killing people, but I don’t. I just feel this indescribable anxiety and resistance to doing it in front of those two.
And so, Hikari proposed a plan, but it just delays the inevitable.
I had hopes that the monsters would overrun them and kill them all, but no. Although part of me feels happy about that.
They were attacked by a lot of monsters. I don’t think that Marcus is alive, but I have to check. No matter who survived, they can’t be allowed to live…
In the meantime, Hikari tells me a good solution. I’m surprised when I hear it, and also angry at the kingdom that raised her in a way that she can think stuff like that like it’s no big deal.
Such a nice girl like her…
I feel anger boiling to the surface, and take deep breaths.
I need to calm down, or I might go berserk the moment I see them.
Sora takes us to a place that reeks of blood. It’s at times like these that I hate this sharp sense of smell of mine.
The imperial soldiers notice us and try to get up, but don’t quite have the strength.
When my eyes catch one in particular, I almost jump without thinking. He’s also surprised to see me at first, but that surprise quickly turns into a glare.
Those eyes filled with hatred actually cool my mind.
He only thinks about himself. That much I know.
“W-will you help us?”
A man wearing the uniform and equipment of a patrol whispers like he’s moaning.
He probably just tagged along, following orders without really knowing anything. No, he’s putting on an act to seem weak, but he definitely knew what he was getting into.
That eye color, those subtle mannerisms. It’s what I’ve come to know about imperial citizens.
That’s how Marcus is. He’s not going to have people around him that don’t do exactly what he says.
Once I ignore that and get closer, he attacks me just as I expected. I dodge that attack, and swing a dagger.
The man suffers a fresh wound, and loses his momentum as he falls to the ground.
It shouldn’t hurt that much. I wasn’t going for a fatal attack.
I keep quiet and get closer, and cut at the four people here, including Marcus.
“Y-you know you’re going to pay for this you beast!”
“Yes. If I make it back alive, you’re dead!”
I thought they were going to hurl abuse, but they still think they’re going to be saved. The nerve. I can’t believe they’re saying that, when there’s no way they’re going to survive.
“You’re not getting out of this alive. Or maybe you will, if you’re lucky.”
Marcus glares at me, but then he realizes something, and his expression changes.
“Having trouble moving? This dagger that cut you has a paralyzing effect. And it lasts for three days.”
At least according to Hikari. And I’m sure it varies depending on the individual.
“I’m not going to kill you, but what about the monsters?”
The paralysis is doing its thing, and they’re not talking back anymore. I hear some screams that don’t quite leave their throats though.
They’re going to have to spend three days in the dark forest, immobile. That’s fear.
It’s the same fear we felt time and time again. We would huddle together and feel relief when we got to see another sunrise. That’s how I spent my days with people who passed on before me.
I saw a lot of friends draw their last breaths.
I still remember how, no matter how much pain they were in, at the last moment, everyone had peaceful expressions on their faces.
Why? I know. It would’ve been the same for me if I died then.
They were in pain, but fought to the very end, not giving up. No, they were probably just stubbornly hanging on so they wouldn’t lose to those people.
Still, I think death was the only way to get some peace in that harsh environment.
That’s why I think they all thought the same thing. I’m finally free…
I look at Marcus, and it looks like his pleading. The other three are doing the same. A couple have pathetic looks on their faces.
The paralysis makes it so they can’t move, but they can move their faces. Not that it matters.
They can breathe well enough to not die, so it’s not like they’re completely paralyzed.
“Are you happy with that?”
“Yes, it’s fine. They’re as good as dead.”
I know the dark forest.
We’re still in the outskirts, but plenty of monsters appear one after the other here. That’s the kind of place this is.
The thick smell of blood hanging in the air is bound to attract monsters, and that’s when Marcus will end.
But I think it’s fitting that before he dies, he gets to experience the same fear we felt.
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Error?
still remember how no matter how much pain they were in -> still remember no matter how much pain they were in
Thanks.
Leave them for the monsters good enough for them