Under the cold night sky where even the sun has completely cooled.

He stood alone, holding his sword.

What he carried on his shoulder—was it merely a greatsword?

Or loyalty offered to the very end?

No answer came.

He simply swung his sword alone under the night sky.

The fight was already completely over.

Ended by the betrayal of one he once believed a friend.

The army surging like a tide through the wide-open north and south gates was truly a wave of death.

Yet despite that, the count did not cower but boldly shouted.

[I am Count Sandwy of the Atren Kingdom!

Who will face my sword!!]

He was a man with a rugged appearance.

Hard to call handsome even as flattery.

But with a bear-like massive build and matching spirit displayed before all.

I could clearly tell.

His eyes had resolved to death from the start.

Soon, I opened my eyes again.

Of all things, an arrow piercing the eye—terribly unlucky.

‘Now I roughly get it.

The person I've been seeing and hearing all along must be the count.’

At first doubtful.

But this time, seeing the sword he held, I knew for sure.

Not a sword, but closer to a crude club—insanely massive pitch-black blade.

In the kingdom, probably no one but the count wields such a brutish greatsword.

“This is the final warning.

Discard your weapons and surrender to the Empire.”

“What are you doing?!

That monster must be killed immediately!”

“Quiet, Baron Demus.

Am I not persuading now.”

“…….”

The baron's voice still utterly frantic.

Fled so desperately tail between legs.

In the end, nowhere to go but the count's domain he sold out.

Truly pitiful.

Well, not in position to mock others.

I'm solo sieging.

‘The gate far sturdier than imagined.

Far more than that madman Valentis I cut down before.’

One might think gate obviously tougher than flesh-and-blood human.

But the Valentis I mean was body reinforced with mana.

Aura users said to harden flesh like steel with mana.

‘So thought I could smash a gate…… but seems some trick applied to the gate too.’

In first death, charged straight at gate.

But moment collided.

Felt profound force incomparable to Valentis before.

Probably magic too.

All-purpose power for both attack and defense.

But nothing changes.

This time too, pour strength into legs.

Full power forward, no retreat.

And this time too, failed to breach gate, pathetically rolled on ground.

“Regrettable, Baron Blackguard.”

Judging no surrender intent, enemy commander's order brings steel rain.

Somehow deflect arrows, counter.

But still weak to reach walls.

Plus both arms broken from recoil.

Inevitably collapse soon.

Arrows piercing armor, flesh, bone exceed two digits before I die.

And inevitably open eyes again.

Until now.

But this time different.

[Regrettable, Count Sandwy.

You could have been a fine knight of the Empire.]

[…….]

[Last chance.

Discard weapon now, surrender.

Then on my honor, spare you.]

Under night sky cold enough to chill brief heated fervor.

He finally knelt.

Opponent too bad to win alone.

One arm already severed, mana depleted, no trace of Aura left.

Yet will unbroken.

Rather boldly roared.

[Is your loyalty the only loyalty?

Kill me.

What face has a defeated general to live and raise head?]

[……A talent wasted on this kingdom.

But you have family to protect, no?]

[Surely……?]

[Rest assured.

Your precious treasure hidden safely being brought here untouched.]

Repeated deaths allow reading other deaths' memories?

Don't know why.

But only after that trace ends, I open eyes again.

Simultaneously heard voice.

“This is the final warning.

Discard weapons, surrender to Empire.”

“…….”

Surrender plea heard inevitably again.

Heard over ten times, now sickening.

Probably if keep dying, someday cleave even gate.

Of course, at least double initial deaths to surpass.

Thought this time no different.

At least until seeing that.

“……?”

Reason I didn't touch greatsword not respecting the dead.

Where's such thing in war.

Good thing, use first.

Yet reason not using simple.

Just can't wield it.

‘Obviously insanely heavy, thought I couldn't.’

In fact, even Count Sandwy wielded reinforced with mana.

No way I can.

So ignored.

But this time, for some reason, gaze went to greatsword.

How to explain.

Felt like greatsword calling me.

I'm mad too.

Impossible.

But moment facing sword, began seeing again.

This time without dying.

Appearing figure familiar.

Small build, bearded man.

Baron Demus dragging blonde woman by force from warehouse basement.

But baron had to release woman.

Chilling sharpness pierced his hand.

[Graaah!

This bitch hid a dagger?!]

[Regret not slitting your filthy throat.

You filthy traitor worse than a whore!]

[Sister-in-law knows too!

Tide already turned!

Moment foolish kingdom betrayed Empire, kingdom's fate over!]

‘……Betrayed?’

Unexpected baron's reply momentarily blanked mind.

What is this?

But no time for thoughts.

Blonde woman sneered, replied.

[Good at talking.

In end, couldn't overcome inferiority and jealousy, clung to enemy—trash worse than a bitch.]

[Mind your mouth.

Might scar that pretty face.

Then that foolish count's heart tear.]

[Foolish if foolish, stupid if stupid.

But if that's my husband's will…….]

Right then.

Woman without hesitation thrust held dagger into own throat.

Baron Demus startled, rushed to woman, but too late.

Thrust without hesitation instantly took woman's life.

[Foolish woman.

If became mine earlier…… could have lived……!]

Brief grieving wail.

Soon madness filled his eyes.

[……Fortunately warmth remains.]

“Urgh…… Uweeegh!!”

Unable to hold surging nausea, I vomited everything.

Died fearing death, vomited or pissed pants clearly.

But…… pure disgust nausea first time.

This damned.

Only then realized.

Who showed me this horrific scene.

“……It was you.

Seeing and hearing everything from start to end.”

Pitch-black greatsword thrust like gravestone still silent.

But despite no head, blood continuously flowed from surface.

That appearance…… like shedding bloody tears.

Unconsciously reached hand.

Sword failed protect lord and all lord loved, became mockery symbol.

“Sh-shoot!!

Kill him quick!!”

Perhaps someone on wall fears even ownerless sword.

Moment hand extended to greatsword, steel rain poured from wall again.

Steel from sky pierced armor, lightly crushed flesh and bone inside.

But even such steel nearly impossible pierce pitch-black greatsword.

Moment shouldered pitch-black sword, realized what to do.

Booom!!!

Until now unbreached sturdy Imperial gate shattered instantly.

Soon, proudly entering castle, I shouldered greatsword, loudly shouted.

“I am Cain Blackguard.”

Who will face my sword?

Comments (0)

Trending Novels

I Became the strongest hero of the previous generation

Archmage on the bed

I was mistaken for an undefeated general

Healers in the martial arts world are obsessed

Became a genius Muggle in the Archmage Gallery

I Wove Earth’s History Into A Fantasy