Ch.78Sacrifice

# 1.

To be honest, I thought Lactea would be losing, not <Glory>.

‘It makes sense since Lactea’s rank is S+.’

Unlike the other members who have their powers sealed by restrictions, and even if her powers were sealed, I judged she wouldn’t be able to face <Glory>, whose average rank is SS+, alone.

But I was dead wrong.

【The Vice Captain of the Black Wolf. – <Lactea Babylonia> releases the restriction of <Black Wolf>.】

【<Lactea Babylonia(S+)>’s rank rises to <Lactea Babylonia(Ex-)>.】

While there was no restriction of the <Black Wolf> as the members knew, a greater power had been sealed due to the restriction of the Black Wolf.

I don’t know what the Black Wolf’s contract is, but Lactea was a powerhouse on par with the Black Wolf.

So I intervened immediately.

Without time to think, I threw myself in front of Asha who was about to be stabbed in the heart.

Of course, even that was all part of my calculation.

The plan was to help ‘Glory’ escape through Ian Red’s sacrifice, then return later claiming a miraculous survival to gain even greater trust.

But there were things Nahan had overlooked, the first being his closeness with Glory.

‘Asha, Selena, and even Gardner and Marine cared for me more than I thought.’

So a disaster unfolded as they desperately tried to save me from sacrificing myself.

Thanks to Balkan’s carrying, I managed to send Asha, Selena, and Marine away, but…

“Black Wolf!!! From now on, I shall avenge my friend, Ian Red!!!”

“Get… *cough* get away…”

“For the crime of harming Gardner’s future son-in-law, you shall pay with your life!!!!”

“Mr… *cough* Balkan….”

The most serious thing Nahan overlooked was precisely that—Balkan’s stupidity.

‘I assumed he had human-level stupidity, but to think he’d be dumber than a beast…’

He probably rushed in thinking he was being loyal, but he should have assessed the situation first.

If I were really Ian Red, we’d both just end up dead.

Regardless,

“Live together, or die together!!!”

CRASH!

Balkan charged at Lactea with fierce speed, clashing with his broken shield.

But Nahan could see it.

‘He’s going to die.’

No matter how exceptional Balkan was, he was woefully inadequate to face an Ex-rank head-on.

Yet Balkan charged forward.

“Give Ian back, you villain!!!”

“…How annoying.”

CLANG!!

SLASH!

Even though all his attacks were easily deflected, causing him only greater injuries.

“Gardner’s shield is the best in the world!!!”

BOOM!

“…!”

Balkan charged in vain.

He must know it too.

That in his current state, he cannot match the monster before him.

The reason Balkan doesn’t give up is because he is a hero.

Hero (英雄).

A person who accomplishes difficult tasks through outstanding talent and courage… though wisdom might be questionable.

“Don’t give up and run toward life!! Escape while I hold him back!!!”

His determination to save Ian with all his might, despite being unable to win, was the image of an honorable hero straight out of a fairy tale.

So Nahan wished.

‘I hope everyone can be happy.’

If we must reach a happy ending anyway, I want to reach it with as many people as possible.

Therefore,

“Listen carefully, Lactea.”

“…Captain!?”

“Shh. Make it look like I’m definitely dead, then throw me toward the Guardian.”

“…Yes, Captain.”

All I can do is try my best.

The moment Nahan revealed that Ian Red and Black Wolf were the same person and gave his order, Lactea’s longsword, which had been embedded all along, was pulled out at once.

SPLAT!

Blood sprayed everywhere.

“IAN!!!!”

After exchanging glances with Lactea, Nahan threw himself toward Balkan.

SPLASH!

Their blood-soaked bodies met.

As Balkan, who had barely caught Nahan, stopped his charge and was about to shout again.

…GRIP.

Nahan, clutching Balkan’s collar, forced a smile and whispered.

“I’m glad that the last journey of my life could be with all of you.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than he raised his aura.

The golden aura of the Yellow Dragon, one of the continent’s Top 10 Powers, most similar to holy power.

Balkan, deceived by Nahan’s resolute acting, frantically held onto him.

“No…!! Please, please don’t die!!!”

Nahan pushed away Balkan’s hands that were trying to stop the bleeding, and with a tear, made his request.

“Thank you for everything. Please take care of the Empire.”

The next moment.

BANG!

The golden aura gathered in his hands exploded as it struck Balkan’s breastplate.

Balkan flew far away.

“IAAAAAN….!!!!”

Nahan confirmed Balkan flying away, and only after he had disappeared from sight did he collapse as if dead.

Free Priest Ian Red.

He who had helped Glory save countless lives, a new hero candidate who had awakened the third power qualifying him to be Pope,

“…Lactea. They can’t see us now, right?”

“…Yes, Captain.”

After sacrificing himself for <Glory>, he vanished from the world.

# 2.

As soon as he was out of Balkan’s sight, Nahan immediately got to his feet.

“Captain!! The blood…!!”

“…It’s fine.”

Nahan deactivated the disguise magic stone he had received from Ruby and examined his wound.

A massive penetrating wound so large that he could feel the cool night breeze passing through it.

‘No wonder it hurts like hell.’

After checking the wound, Nahan quietly fingered Iaso’s ring.

The enhanced Ring of Iaso.

Originally already a transcendent-grade item, the ring had been enhanced along with <Celestial Shield> to become ultimate-grade (Ex), and was demonstrating its performance.

【<Death Prevention(Ex)> is currently active.】

Death Prevention.

The basic passive ability of Iaso’s ring, capable of healing even fatal wounds that would cause instant death.

‘Glory should have all left by now, and Balkan seems to have passed out, so it should be fine.’

Having made his assessment, Nahan activated the ring at full power, which he had suppressed for his sacrifice act.

【Transcendent-grade Artifact – <Ring of Iaso(Ex)> activates!】

【<Super Recovery(Ex)> activates.】

CRACK!

As part of his aura was consumed, the pierced area was instantly filled.

‘…About 5% of my aura?’

To think that just 5% of his aura could repair a pierced heart.

As he was trying to gauge whether it was his high aura amount or the ring’s effect that was so good, Lactea, who had been standing nearby, approached and grabbed his collar.

“…I’m sorry.”

Was it because she failed her orders, or because she had pierced his heart?

CLICK.

After removing even her mask, Lactea looked up at him nervously with the darkest expression he had seen from her yet.

It was only natural.

Failing the captain’s orders, stabbing the disguised captain without recognizing him, and even breaking the promise she had made when they first met,

“…I’m sorry for releasing the restriction without permission.”

The restriction of the Black Wolf.

That was the first promise between Lactea and the Black Wolf, and the oldest one.

-I’d like you not to release the Black Wolf’s restriction carelessly, Lactea.

Just as golden sadness was about to appear on her consistently cold expression, Nahan, having treated his wound, asked indifferently:

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“…No.”

“That’s all that matters.”

A question that was indifferent yet warm.

“But…!”

“If you’re okay, that’s enough.”

Nahan patted Lactea’s head and turned away, as if refusing to hear any further objections.

That too was only natural.

“More importantly, Dalan went after Ruby. We need to bring her back safely.”

For Nahan, who had regained his composure, that was the most important thing right now.

“I ordered Casler to assassinate Count Valentine. Hide somewhere suitable, and once Casler returns, join up with him and return to the hideout.”

“Yes, Captain.”

After finishing his words, Nahan turned and followed the traces of Dalan and Ruby.

It wasn’t difficult.

After obtaining everything of the Black Wolf except the ultimate technique, he felt a stronger bond with the <Black Wolf> members.

‘…Underground?’

Feeling the bond from an unexpected direction, he considered taking the members with him, but,

‘No, I have to do this alone. Otherwise, Eclipse will hide.’

Soon regaining his composure, Nahan departed.

Lactea stared blankly at his back for a while.

“……”

From the time he first saved her until now as he continued toward his ideal.

-If you’re okay, that’s enough.

Black Wolf had always prioritized Lactea’s well-being in his actions.

Despite being someone who rushed forward to achieve his ideals with everything he had, he still took care of everyone he had saved.

So it was only natural.

That Princess Lactea, who had closed her heart after being betrayed by someone she trusted,

Who had refused to open her heart to anyone and only waited for death,

“…Captain.”

Had fallen in love with the man who saved her.

It was the most natural thing in the world.

.

.

.

This is a memory from some time ago.

Was Lactea falling in love with Black Wolf her own will, or…

─『Sub-Quest Completed!』─

◆ For the Worst.

: Scratch the itch of Babylonia’s Emperor <Reina Babylonia(S+)>!

◆ Completion Conditions.

1. Mention <Black Wolf>.

2. Receive a special bounty gift.

3. Kill the escort knights. (3/3)

◆ Reward.

: <Lactea Babylonia(S+)>’s love.

◆ Upon Failure & Rejection.

: <Lactea Babylonia(S+)>’s death.

Was it the world’s prank?

【…Who knows.】

It was still unknown.

# 3.

Meanwhile, Nahan arrived underground.

“Sigh… Are you also from the Black Wolf?”

“…I suppose so?”

An encounter with the Flower Calamity.