Chapter 64: Select

Heh... long time no see.

You've gotten a cool new arm since I last saw you, huh?

......

Where is the Princess?

Who knows? I don't.

I've just been... waiting here the whole time.

But you know... I'm curious.

That new arm... if I cut it off, what kind of scream will you give me this time?

......

Ahahahaha! Or... should I cut off your remaining arm?

Then just like that day... I'll get to hear that cute scream again.

It's a relief you don't know.

Huh?!

Because now I can fight for real... without holding back.

It's been a while, Fairy Queen.

I am... the Apostle Iscariot.

......

You were an Apostle too?

You were so forgettable I'd completely forgotten.

Haha! Even in a situation like this, you still joke... what incredible nerve.

As expected of the Fairy Queen.

That wasn't a joke.

If you hadn't kindly told me your name, I'd never have known to the end.

......

Anyway, that aside... um... was it Iskandar?

Hurry up and guide me to where Ethan is.

We don't have time to play with you.

...Sorry, but that won't be possible.

This time, we won't let you interfere with the ritual.

A ritual...?

What are you plotting now?

Haha! You'll find out soon enough.

But you'll get bored if you just wait, so...

allow me to prepare a little entertainment.

...!

From this moment on...

you will never be able to forget my name.

Ngh...!

Huh? You're tired already?

For someone who said you'd fight for real... what a disappointment.

Entertain me a little more.

I don't want to... hold back anymore.

...I can't understand it at all.

The Tiamat Cult... what is your goal?

Why would beings with power like yours step forward and make the world sick like this?!

......

We're... making the world sick?

Heh-heh...

Ahahahaha!

When you don't know anything... don't act all high and mighty.

Our goal is... Britannia's salvation.

If anything, the one ruining the world... is you.

Britannia's salvation...?

Are you serious?

Of course. If the world ends... there'll be nothing left to cut, right?

I'm still not satisfied.

If it collapses too easily... that would be such a waste.

......

You're insane.

You really are... far too dangerous.

Before you can harm the Princess...

right here, right now, I'll make sure to put you down for good!

Ngh...!

Hmm... it's not as easy as I thought.

What do I need to do... to draw that power out once more?

......

Hehe... I'm disappointed.

If you won't focus on me...

I won't be able to hold back anymore!

Eva...?

You're worried about your companions, aren't you?

Leave this to me and go on ahead.

...I can't do that.

No matter if you're a spirit, leaving you alone here...

You'd only get in the way anyway.

You know that.

You can't even swing your sword properly right now.

......

You're my contractor, so I know what you're thinking.

That day... it keeps coming back to you, doesn't it?

...Yeah.

I... want you to be happy.

So go.

Your friends... will be waiting for you too.

......

Thank you... Eva.

And... I'll come back for you.

You too, Eva... you're one of our precious companions.

......

Heh-heh... yeah. I'll be looking forward to it.

...Your resistance is stronger than I expected.

As expected of the Fairy Queen.

Huff... huff...

Then... m-move it already...

If I get serious... you'll be nothing more than...

Aaaah?!

I don't think... it's safe to leave you as you are.

Fairy Queen... ah, but you won't be the Fairy Queen anymore soon.

A foolish, stupid fairy... once praised as the Fairy Queen.

Now, rest.

...!

Ghk...!

Ethan...?

Ethan. You're... messing with me right now, aren't you?

Now isn't... the time to be sleeping...!

Please... open your eyes...!

...In the end, you chose self-destruction.

How disappointing.

That power you showed at the abbey... was it nothing but a fluke?

...Can't you hear me?

That's enough with the jokes... so please, open your eyes!!!

...Sorry...

I... can't open my eyes...

This has never happened before... ghk!

...!

Why... did you cover me.

You usually look down on me and call me a brat... and now you're trying to act cool at the end...?

I'm the Fairy Queen!!!

This... doesn't make me happy at all!

......

I... swore it.

That I'd protect everyone... with my own hands.

......

Even if you... get snappy sometimes...

You've been with me since the very beginning... you're a precious companion.

Why are you talking like you're about to die...

You're the Swordbringer!

Get up like you always do. Act like it's nothing and brag about it already!

......

Ethan...?

Ethan! Answer me!

Shut up... brat... I can hear you...

This scratch... is nothing...

I'm... definitely... going back home!

So...

Before that... I can't die...

...

Ethan!!!

Thought you got here earlier than expected.

Are you sure... you're okay deciding so impulsively?

......

It's fine.

I just... remembered everything.

Heh... Still, as a courtesy, I'll ask one more time.

Are you really okay with it?

The price will be more cruel than ever.

If you save that child...

you'll never again... be able to use the power of reincarnation.

Are you still okay with that?

It doesn't matter.

No matter how many reincarnations I go through...

I'll never be able to meet the friends I have now.

......

So the Swordbringer didn't awaken... something else did.

This will complicate things.

Now then, you'd better brace yourself.

Because soon...

you'll be begging for death with your own hands.