The Hero Who Returned From Death Quits

28 – EP2. One Night of Love

Sain stood alone in the dark night.

Her wedding was soon approaching.

She grabbed her head, feeling as if it were being suffocated. She let out a sigh.

If only she could run away. But her father was holding her brother hostage, and she couldn’t bear to give up her mother’s last trace.

In a life where she couldn’t even choose to die on her own terms, she felt pain.

No matter who the other person was, giving up on a lifelong goal was not easy. It wouldn’t be that simple.

But she tried hard to think positively. Yes, maybe it wouldn’t be as bad as she thought…

Her mother, who haunted her mind, flashed by, but she ignored it.

Yes, if I can endure just a little longer…

“…I’m not sure if this is really right, Your Grace.”

“It’s necessary.”

She held her breath. Her father was talking to someone. She thought her father might be discussing the benefits and disadvantages of marrying the knight.

But the content was different from what she expected.

“…Isn’t it a waste to give up on the second daughter so easily? We can use it as a marriage alliance.”

“I heard rumors that Rufus has been loitering around the Serindel family’s territory. We need to uproot him since we don’t know what Serindel might do with him. The night after the wedding. Yes, that’s when the shock will be at its maximum.”

Her legs weakened, and she collapsed.

“Yes. In that case, we will disguise the second daughter as if Rufus killed her and implicate Rufus and Serindel.”

“Yes, everything must be flawless. Drug Rufus after the wedding.”

“Yes.”

“Ah, and if Sain commits suicide, kill Tia as well. We need to get hold of the knight as soon as possible. By adopting one of Tamizna and Neyon’s children under the pretense that all our children have died. We must obtain the knight as soon as possible, even if it means doing that.”

She couldn’t gauge what expression to make.

“…Sain.”

A voice called her, her grandfather who had arrived early for the celebration.

“Shh, come on, let’s go somewhere else for now.”

She was led away by Rufus. Rufus took her to a room where he could be alone, poured her a glass of wine, and spoke.

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“…You heard, didn’t you?”

“Yes. Father says that he killed my younger brother to kill you….”

“Yes. That guy… it’s all come to this in the end. After killing Tamingus and Neion, he’s come to me….”

“…The elder fathers?”

“Yes. Your father actually sent assassins to kill our brothers one by one. He may have been a heartless person since childhood, with no blood or tears… No, it doesn’t matter. There is a separate important matter.”

Lupus picked up the trembling teacup with his shaking hand and took a sip. His throat was so dry that he couldn’t stop.

“The important thing is that if it goes like this, your younger sister will die too, and I’ll be in big trouble.”

“…Is there no way to save my sister?”

“…There is a way.”

Sain looked at Lupus. Lupus looked at her with the gentle eyes of an elder father.

“Yes, you and your sister had a good sisterly affection. You’ve grown up and now it’s come to this. The method I have in mind involves killing a hero.”

“What? He’s a good person.”

“It doesn’t matter what kind of person he is. What matters is that a hero is a significant figure. If we kill him, your father won’t be able to ask about the truth. Instead, he will try to move as he sees fit. But I know someone who is a skilled government official. If I ask for his help, it will deal a considerable blow to your father. Of course, I will ensure that your sister doesn’t get hurt. So, what do you think about killing the hero? The hero is a messenger of God who saves people. His death will save you.”

“But even so, I can’t kill him. He is my comrade, and…”

“Oh? I see. In that case, there is nothing we can do. If the hero is more precious to you than your younger sister!”

“…Is there no other way?”

“No, there isn’t. Absolutely not. At least not for me. Do you really think your father would allow any other way? He might have even prepared for the hero to die halfway. If it weren’t for my connections, the plan wouldn’t have been attempted in the first place.”

She would have given up her life rather than endure this struggle. She bit her lips, feeling a terrible sensation.

“Think carefully. I will make sure you are not harmed.”

After a solid day had passed, she made up her mind.

“Yes, I will kill the hero?”

“Yes. It’s a sin that he cannot wash away, but I cannot bear to see my sister die.”

“Yes, you’ve made the right decision.”

“But I will die too. If I die, my sister will definitely become the successor.”

“…I see.”

And a few days later, the wedding ceremony took place.

…

Angel felt it. This was the weakness they had been searching for in Duke Rudran.

“Now that we’ve found it, let’s go.”

“U-um.”

Sain still had a bewildered expression on his face. His father’s plan was far more terrifying than he had imagined.

And then,

“Oh, greetings, hero. That seems to be what I was looking for. Could you hand it over?”

Rufus Ludaran flashed his face at them.

“…We found this.”

“And it might be more useful to me.”

Angel stared at Rufus Ludaran. His skin tingled.

“What are you planning to do?”

“Don’t you know? I’m going to bring about Jacob’s destruction.”

“….”

Angel glared at him.

“He audaciously took what rightfully belonged to me… I think it’s time to return that place to its true owner, don’t you?”

“Well, we have no interest in matters concerning your elder and only sought this for the freedom of the Sein.”

“That works out nicely. I, too, have no interest in your affairs, only in taking it for Jacob’s destruction.”

Angel hardened his face. They were both not in their best physical condition, but could he win this?

“….”

Angel first healed Sein, then drew his sword. He didn’t have enough divine power left to heal himself.

Rufus also drew his sword and started charging towards them. The blade gleamed.

And when Sein’s blade clashed with his, the blade began to consume the energy.

“This is amazing. A high expert indeed. But your body isn’t in its best shape.”

Indeed, Sein was struggling in their exchange. When Rufus pressed Sein, Angel swung his sword at Rufus, who deftly evaded and kicked Angel.

“You’re too slow.”

Angel grunted and launched another attack.

“It seems your body isn’t in better shape than my nephew… don’t push yourself.”

Rufus changed his stance and attacked Angel, and Sein summoned a hidden strength to defend against him.

“…I didn’t expect you to have this much power left.”

Saying that, Rufus began reciting a spell, and a demon appeared.

“A demon?”

“Yes. I can’t leave any stone unturned to lead Jacob to destruction. Devel, help me defeat them.”

“Ah, a hero is going down, how thrilling. Although I’ve heard the commander has fallen, considering your current state…”

The demon called Devel drew its clawed hand and started attacking them.

“Like this…”

The clawed hand wielded by the demon named Devil was heinous. Even Rufus Ludrand continued to swing his sword.

There was no chance of winning this way.

Angel felt it was time for him to make a decision again.

As the demon swung the clawed hand, Angel plunged inside and grabbed him.

“What… what is this?”

The demon tore into his back with the clawed hand. The excruciating pain engulfed him, but Angel didn’t even utter a whimper.

As Sein pierced the demon, it shivered and collapsed.

“Now it’s just you and me again.”

Angel said. His life was in danger if he didn’t receive urgent treatment, and his consciousness was fading, but he smiled.

“This guy dares to!”

They both launched another assault on Rufus. And the moment Rufus blocked Sein’s sword, Angel severed one of his arms.

“aaargh!”

He screamed.

“Now, surrender.”

Angel said, trying to regain his foggy mind. At that moment, Rufus thrust his sword towards him.

“You dare!”

Angel saw time slow down and realized he was on the verge of death.

At that moment, Sein stepped in front. The sword pierced through Sein’s abdomen.

“Why?”

Angel asked.

Sein, without saying a word, smiled, blood trickling from his lips. Well, it was probably a primal instinct.

Amidst Rufus’s confusion, Angel cut his throat.

Sein began to collapse alongside Rufus, and Angel approached him. The situation was dire.

As Angel frowned and fumbled, Sein said,

“Let’s… go outside.”

“Why?”

“I want to die looking at the sky.”

“Okay.”

He lifted her up, supporting her, and began to climb the stairs.

Step by step, outward.