Chapter 60: Ciel Midford (6)
by Afuhfuihgs
The smoke rising from Ciel Midford’s battered body scattered with the night’s breeze.
His body was screaming in agony every time the night breeze brushed against his scarred skin, but never once did Ciel Midford uttered a groan.
“……”
Ciel Midford was aware that the duel was over when he heard Prince Inas announcing his defeat……
However, the Knight didn’t let go of his sword.
With Ferzen now exhausted after the long fight, the perfect opportunity to kill him in his most frail state presented itself to him……
When would he ever get a chance like this?
Clench–!
His veins popped as his muscles bulged with renowned vigor.
If he committed the dishonorable act of striking his opponent when the duel had already ended……
His sin would hang over the Roverium Kingdom as much as on himself.
There was no stigma heavier for a Knight than to betray his lord, but if a Warlock examined his corpse he would be able to understand his motives and that his actions were of his own volition.
“You fought well.”
Prince Inas approached Ciel as he uttered those words, praising him for his failure.
Empress Gremory, who was standing next to the Imperial Princess Elizabeth, looked at him and smirked.
‘That’s enough……’
The Elmark Empire would no doubt protect him.
“Apologies, My Lord.”
“Hm? There’s nothing you need to apologize for! I felt your devotion to our kingdom, you fought well. So stand proudly like a true knight……”
Charge—!
Before Prince Inas even finished speaking, Ciel charged towards his target with an unyielding spirit.
* * * * *
“Ah……”
Inas Del Prussian Roverium.
Lost.
When he admitted his defeat, announcing the end of the duel, Euphemia was instantly relieved, as her worst fears didn’t come to pass.
And as she gazed towards her husband, she felt……happy.
‘You……’
Kept your promise.
Honestly, Euphemia wondered if Ferzen would kill Ciel regardless of his oath……
However, Ferzen stayed true to his words and didn’t trample on her past.
‘Ciel……’
Turning her head, Euphemia looked at him, who was once her only friend and confidant.
It was heartbreaking for her to see him like this……
But Euphemia believed this was the best outcome possible.
She knew that Ciel would not give up right away, but with time he would come to realize that Ferzen was not someone he could overcome.
The past where they enjoyed each other’s company in Louerg was already beyond them.
For the lost mercenary who became a real knight. But Euphemia took this as the opportunity to free herself of her lingering attachments to her past……
After all, she also wanted to live her own life.
So she turned her gaze away from Ciel.
And looked at her husband once more.
Schluk—!
But at that moment Euphemia’s golden eyes shook with barely contained horror.
Because Ciel’s sword pierced Ferzen’s body.
It happened so fast.
So fast in fact that Euphemia thought she was hallucinating, but……
There was no denying that she could smell the stench of her husband’s blood.
At that moment, Euphemia realized this wasn’t a nightmare.
* * * * *
Originally Ciel was aiming to pierce Ferzen’s back —- where his heart was located.
But Ferzen, who still saved a sliver of his mana, made Isabel increase the air resistance and twist the sword’s trajectory……
“Argh—!”
Ciel’s sword pierced Ferzen’s body.
No matter how much the air resistance was increased, the inertia couldn’t be stopped, so both Ciel and Ferzen were pushed to the floor.
But unlike Ferzen who was a Warlock, Ciel, using his superior reflexes as an Auror Knight, grabbed Ferzen’s neck and forcibly pulled his sword from his back as he regained his foothold.
Clutch!
Now that the sword was pulled from his back, the blood flowed out of the wound like a waterfall creating a puddle of crimson liquid on the floor.
As Ciel raised his sword once again to deliver the final blow……
Paang—!
A large amount of compressed air hit his body, launching him 3 meters away from Ferzen.
“What are the Roverium Kingdom’s intentions with this farce—-!”
The commander of the Imperial Wizard Corps.
Theor Roswell yelled with barely holding back his wrath.
In a blink of an eye, a prison made of crimson molten flames formed around Ciel.
And his lord, Prince Inas was brought to the knee, as several Imperial Knights pressed their swords on his neck.
‘Ciel Midford……’
Here, in this world, there are no such things as ‘plot armor’ to ensure that the ‘Protagonist’ survives any sort of obstacle put in his way.
For this is the cold and cruel reality, not a work of fiction.
‘You……’
And in this situation, where death awaits you in every corner, there is no way out.
“Someone stop his bleeding before taking him to the emergency room! And find the ones with the same blood type as Lord Louerg. Now!”
“Yes your grace……!”
As the medics were giving him first aid, Ferzen turned his head towards his beautiful wife.
‘Euphemia……’
As promised, I didn’t make you sad.
But the previous past you wished to protect, will be trampled upon nonetheless.
‘Look……’
Ciel Midford.
He, who carved the path for his own demise.
He, who stuck his neck to the guillotine blade.
The protagonist of this world will perish in such a tragic way that not even an epilogue will exist.
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