Chapter 22 – Keita II
Sheto forgot to breathe as he watched the scene that was shown in the water mirror.
The movements of both armies had become slow, as if they had lost their fervor.
“Keita… You…”
The boy had spoken of a debt. Indeed, Sheto had helped him to protect the village, but Keita had nothing left after that.
“I don’t, care about that! Did it on my own! And…couldn’t save the village!”
He shouted, even though Keita would not be able to hear him.
The soldiers began to surround the lone boy. The magician strategist had already withdrawn, and now Poro was standing in his place.
‘To be honest, I am grateful to you this time, for being so thorough. I admit, I thought you were just a weakling.’
The warrior spoke as he approached Keita.
‘The monsters will soon break through to the main force. We have to rebuild our defenses too. Sorry, but you must die quickly.’
‘Le…Legi-’
The hand pulled from his pocket was shattered by a flash of silver light. The magicians surrounding Keita had kept their spell projectiles floating, ready to unleash at any moment.
‘Uh….uuurraaaaghhh!’
‘The more you struggle, the more pain you will feel. You should give up now and return home.’
“Keita! It’s fine now! Surrender!”
Even as tears of pain fell, Keita glared at Poro.
‘N-no! I haven’t…’
As if to stop any further resistance, numerous flashes of light pierced his body.
‘Ah…gah…!’
‘You are a Hero who has become well known in his own right. Surely you do not wish to be a target for the new recruits? Merely a tool for experience points?’
The magical barrier woven into his cloak blocked the decisive blow. Still, the amount of blood streaming from his body was enough to signal his impending death.
Ignoring the dangerous state of his body, Keita stood up and began to move forward.
‘So you will still fight?’
‘…Re…reset.’
With a fierce, almost terrifying smile, the boy stood before Poro.
‘If I can…throw the Hero’s calculations off… The reset will happen again. If the same time starts once more…next time… I’ll do it…better…’
‘…Wha…what are you…’
Intimidated by the boy’s abnormal obsession, the swordsman stepped back in fear. The surrounding magicians were also frozen in place, though they kept their spells active.
“Damn it! Hey, let me down, now! I have to go, to Keita!”
“Don’t be foolish! You won’t make it in time! The only thing we can do is…”
‘Ignore him! Just keep attacking with magic until he is dead!’
Flashes of light pierced the boy again, and then he fell to his knees.
Caught in the narrow gap between the clashing armies, Sheto could do nothing but glare at the water mirror.