The Mountain Lord and Findenai intensified their pursuit of Lanhardt, who was running through the Norseweden mountain range.
The only reason they were only able to keep up was because Findenai was riding on the back of the Mountain Lord. Otherwise, even with the full power of the War Shoes, it would have been difficult to chase after Lanhardt.
“Where the hell is that bastard heading off to?”
Already finding it challenging to hold on and not to be blown off while on the Mountain Lord’s back, Findenai couldn’t help but feel annoyed.
“Is he really trying to escape from the mountains?”
Findenai’s question was reasonable. After all, if Lanhardt managed to escape from the mountain range, he wouldn’t have to face the formidable Mountain Lord.
However, the Mountain Lord calmly denied it.
[Judging by his fighting spirit, it doesn’t seem that way. He’s probably heading to a location more suitable for a showdown.]
“...”
[Steady your mind.]
The anxious-looking Findenai clearly understood the aning behind the Mountain Lord’s words as he coldly advised her.
However, if things were to proceed as smoothly as words suggest, would anything in the world ever be difficult?
Findenai snapped back irritably.
“Do you think that’s possible? He was split in half right before my eyes.”
[...]
“I understand that he must have so thod of his own to manage that and I also get that he used an artificial body and sacrificed it to create a favorable fighting situation...”
However, it still didn’t sit well with her.
In fact, the more she thought about it, the angrier she beca, her body heating up with rage.
“Even so, how dare he pull that kind of stunt? Huh? And right in front of on top of that?”
[...]
“If that’s how you want to play, then you better be prepared. I really fucking hate this.”
A complaint with a slightly different tone.
[I find it hard to empathize.]
The Mountain Lord, who practically lacked such emotions, didn’t know how to respond.
“I wasn’t looking for comfort anyway.”
In the first place, Findenai didn’t expect such delicate action from the Mountain Lord and even if he tried, it wouldn’t ease her mind.
In the end, she could only swallow her discomfort and continued chasing after Lanhardt.
And only after reaching a wide open space halfway up the mountain did Lanhardt finally co to a stop.
“Are you tired now? Such a nuisance.”
Longing for a cigarette for the first ti in a while, Findenai smacked her lips as she dismounted the Mountain Lord.
Despite her provocation, Lanhardt didn’t seem particularly shaken. On the contrary, he seed to have used the ti spent running to organize his thoughts and calmly voice them out.
“Mountain Lord, earlier, you called the man in the artificial body Deus Verdi, right?”
[...]
“What does that an?”
Perhaps Lanhardt had already reached a conclusion of his own, but he still felt a need to confirm it.
The Mountain Lord had no intention of hiding it.
[It ans he is Deus Verdi.]
“Huuuh.”
Lanhardt exhaled softly.
It was an exclamation of disbelief.
“So, he was right there beside all this ti, and I didn’t even realize it. I’ve truly been a clown.”
“Now that you know, can’t you just mind your place and leave? I’ll even give you enough for the cost of a carriage.”
Lanhardt gave a bitter, self-deprecating smile at Findenai’s mockery. Whatever story Deus might have had, he couldn’t deny his role in helping Deus get to this place.
“Well, I suppose how I’ll be judged depends on what I accomplish from now on.”
Just because he had been played the fool so far didn’t an he needed to continue being foolish. Lanhardt intended to turn the tide starting here.
“What a load of fucking nonsense.”
Naturally, Findenai had no intention of just standing by idly and watching that happen.
As Findenai charged forward, Lanhardt also responded in kind.
And as though they had prearranged a eting there, the two almost collided at a single point.
Growl.
However, faster than the wind, the Mountain Lord intervened between them.
Crunch!
With swift movents, the Mountain Lord lunged, clamping his jaws around Lanhardt’s thigh and shaking his head violently.
Solely focused on Findenai, Lanhardt was unable to react in ti to the Mountain Lord’s sudden ambush and was sent flying and rolling on the ground.
“Wow?”
[Be careful.]
Despite the intense blow, Lanhardt rely wiped the corner of his mouth as he got back to his feet.
If he were an ordinary human, the force would have broken sothing or caused instant death from a concussion, but Lanhardt’s lips simply curved into a smile.
“Quite rough, aren’t you?”
The smile wasn’t born from ease. Facing Mountain Lord alone was already daunting, but with Findenai included, the odds seed even more grim.
Yet, Lanhardt appeared to be enjoying this dangerous situation.
After all, fighting strong opponents also served as an opportunity for his own growth.
[He’s coming.]
Raising both hands to the sky, he unleashed a massive breath, powerful enough to lt everything in its path, truly befitting one who now bore the strength of the Ancient Dragon.
Dragon’s Breath—the most powerful skill possessed by dragons that appeared in legends.
“Is that even possible?”
Findenai was taken aback by the strange act Lanhardt displayed, which seed like sothing only Demon Lords could do. There was no ans to block it, and the area of effect was too wide to dodge.
Having also realized that they couldn’t take the attack head-on, the Mountain Lord quickly tried to flee with Findenai.
But just then, a massive barrier rose high into the air—an overwhelming defense, as if it were forged by processing the material known as mana to its absolute limit.
A spell capable of halting death itself, gifted to Deus Verdi by the Dark Spiritualist.
“Ah...”
[This is...]
The enormous barrier that now separated Lanhardt from Findenai was on a completely different level than anything seen before.
It was much more refined, sturdier, and unwaveringly firm.
Whoosh!
The breath continued to pour forth, threatening to lt even that formidable barrier. However, even with its imnse range and violent firepower, it failed to break through the towering mana wall, swirling in place and tangling with itself instead.
In the end, the breath only managed to create a large crater in the mountain before eventually dissipating.
“Gasp! Gasp!”
Exhausted from having exerted his full power, Lanhardt panted heavily and his body doubled over.
It was his first ti using a wide-range attack like the Dragon’s Breath, and not only was his body unable to withstand it but also suffered from aftershocks, leaving him spasming in pain on the ground.
And at that mont, a man slowly descended from the sky.
His black hair, now longer than before, hung low, brushing against his eyes, giving him an even colder aura.
[You’ve returned.]
Before the trembling Findenai could say anything, the Mountain Lord’s voice confird it with certainty.
Unable to hold back, Findenai ran toward him while yelling.
“Master Bastard!”
* * *After capturing Lanhardt, Findenai began to prattle endlessly while dragging the unconscious Lanhardt.
“Kiyaaaahhh, now you really look like your old self, Master Bastard. I didn’t dislike you as Kim Shinwoo, but this feels more familiar.”
“Do not say that na so carelessly.”
“Your tone’s back too? It’s funny, to be honest.”
Findenai chuckled and laughed. She kept chattering excitedly, like a child who couldn’t contain her joy.
It probably ant she was feeling really good.
“It is because I have to clearly separate Deus and Kim Shinwoo’s roles.”
Otherwise, I feared I might slowly forget who I was and the kind of person I used to be.
I was afraid that if I didn’t make a distinction between Deus Verdi and Kim Shinwoo, I might be completely consud by Deus Verdi one day.
It’s not like I disliked him, but I didn’t want to lose my identity as Kim Shinwoo.
As we made our way back to Norseweden, familiar faces ca to greet .
[Don’t you think we deserve to savor the joy of reunion? How could you leave so abruptly?]
[Welco back.]
It was the Dark Spiritualist and Stella.
The Dark Spiritualist grumbled with her arms crossed, slightly raising the corners of her lips, while Stella wore her usual gentle smile.
“...”
[What’s this? Don’t you have anything to say? I thought we’d lost each other forever, but here we are.]
[Are you feeling confused?]
As Stella cald the sulking Dark Spiritualist, I nodded honestly in response.
“I really thought you had perished.”
[Well, we almost did.]
[If the goddess Hearthia hadn’t shown us rcy, we would have definitely perished.]
“...”
I pressed my lips shut again.
Otherwise, I’d struggle to contain the emotions surging within .
This wasn’t the sa as eting Findenai or Deia.
To see the two won, whom I thought I’d never et again, standing confidently before truly stirred complex feelings.
[Tsk, so boring. I thought you’d act like, Waaa, completely freaking out!]
[It just shows how flustered he is. You should be more understanding, senior.]
[...Still, Stella. I was supposed to be the first to et him, so why did you get to talk to him first?]
[And you were casually putting your hand on his shoulder, being all touchy, senior.]
[Ahem, are you trying to argue with your senior?]
Seeing the two people bickering in front of was like a butterfly fluttering in front, irritating and distracting.
“Fine.”
Slowly, I extended my arms toward them. Fortunately, Deus’ shoulders were broad enough—it ant I could hug them both at the sa ti.
[Ah?!]
[Oh my.]
I gathered mana in my hands.
It was fortunate that I was a skilled enough Necromancer so I could touch souls.
“However, I am not sure what to say.”
I simply embraced them carefully in my arms because I wanted to.
At first, they stiffened but soon relaxed and entrusted themselves to .
[Y-You’re such an idiot! You usually say impressive things, don’t you? It would be nice if you could say sothing like that now as well.]
[Just say whatever cos to mind. That’s enough.]
What I said wasn’t particularly eloquent.
I had countless feelings that I wished to express—whether it was an explanation of the emotions I was feeling at that mont or the deep mories that surfaced as I thought of them during my journey.
But I couldn’t find the words to express any of it.
So instead...
“It’s good...”
I simply greeted them.
Announcing our reunion.
“To see the two of you like this again.”
Declaring a new beginning.
[It’s a beautiful evening, isn’t it?]
To you, who are dear to .
[Good to see you again, Deus.]
I greet you.
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