A Somber Tale (2)

Adeshan of Arkalucia.

The Imperial Grand General reigning over a million-strong army, and the Duke of Arkalucia.

A hero who saved countless lives with swift action during the onslaught of the giants.

But now, before Ronan’s eyes, she was fading away, torn apart like a dog’s plaything.

****

“Grand General Adeshan.”

Ronan furrowed his brow. Adeshan’s condition was unbearable to behold.

Her crimson-stained uniform was torn and tattered, losing its functionality to cover her body. Her arm, torn messily, still oozed blood.

“Ronan… a corporal, right?”

Adeshan struggled to raise her upper body, propping herself against the wall. Her grey eyes, resembling ashes, fixed on Ronan.

“By any chance, what’s the reason for this?”

“Wait, let me ask first.”

After several deep breaths, Adeshan spoke.

“Ahaiyute…?”

“I killed him.”

“Are you sure?”

“There’s a body not far from here.”

“…Is that so?”

Adeshan twisted her lips. A single tear rolled down her dirtied cheek. Gazing at the sky, she mumbled in a weak voice.

“He’s dead.”

Grimacing as she forced her legs to support her, Adeshan rose. Ronan quickly rushed to her and supported her.

“Thank you.”

“It was something that needed to be done.”

“I have… nothing left. You are the Hero. The one who saved the world, The True Hero.”

“Damn it, hero or whatever, let’s start with stopping the bleeding. Your wounds are deep.”

Ronan muttered a curse as he glimpsed her arm’s injuries. Beneath the torn flesh, white bone peeked out. Tenderly clasping her shoulders, Ronan gently pressed her against the wall once more.

“I’m done for. There’s no hope.”

“What? You called me by my first name, asking for help.”

“I only wanted to know the monster’s fate. As I said, I have no hope left.”

“Still, we have to try our best.”

Ronan took off his shirt. His well-trained body was covered in scars, resembling those of a wild beast. He began tearing the shirt into strips, intending to use them as makeshift bandages.

“You are quite stubborn.”

“I’ll tell you beforehand, it’s going to hurt a lot. You might scream or even faint.”

“It doesn’t matter. If you’re going to do it, do it quickly.”

“Understood.”

Using the torn cloth, Ronan tightly bound the areas that needed staunching. Each time the fabric cinched, blood pooled and seeped from the wounds.

****

“Definitely… I’m feeling a bit better. The dizziness is less intense than before.”

“That’s a relief.”

The two of them were seated side by side on a rock. The bandages wrapped around Adeshan’s body seemed to have improved her complexion compared to earlier.

“I never thought you wouldn’t let out a scream.”

“Being a Grand General isn’t just about looks.”

“…Seems like you have more of a sense of humor than I expected.”

Ronan tilted his head as if he were exhausted. Was it because he had transformed into a human with Ora? His recovery speed was unusually fast.

“But… it seems it should’ve been you who received treatment, not me.”

Ronan sat there, wearing only his pants. Unlike Adeshan, his complexion was worsening as time went on. Watching him spit out blood as if he were spitting out saliva, Adeshan clicked her tongue.

“Tsk, at this rate, you’re just adding to the death toll on the journey to the afterlife.”

“The Grand General might still survive if the rescue team arrives in time.”

“Isn’t it the same for you?”

“No, I won’t make it.”

“What basis do you have to jump to that conclusion?”

“Well, when I heard the General’s voice and stood up, I felt it. I’m going to die.”

A smile crept onto Ronan’s lips as he said this. Perplexed, Adeshan asked.

“Then, why are you smiling when you’re saying you’ll die soon.”

“Well… I actually feel really empty, It’s like I am about to fade away for real…”

Ronan lowered his gaze to his waist. He couldn’t see the sword that he had never taken off since leaving his hometown. It looked like the scabbard had been pulled out along with the sword when he charged. It was a bit empty, but he didn’t feel any stronger emotions than that.

“At least it’s meaningful to be able to die like that? Not regrettable enough to lose the sword.”

“You’re quite an odd person.”

The two of them exchanged various stories. Adeshan had a much more flexible way of thinking than he had anticipated. Ronan was taken aback when he found out that she, like him, came from a commoner background.

“If you were to survive and return, is there something you’d like to do?”

“I’m going to die.”

“I said ‘if’.”

Even when prodding his leg, there was no response.

“You should return and participate in the Improving Ceremony according to the system.”

She looked at Ronan’s profile. The sound of his teeth clashing was audible between his half-opened lips. His long and dark eyelashes trembled like candles in the wind.

“…Damn it.”

Adeshan turned her head. Blood dripped from her chewed lips. She couldn’t bear to watch Ronan die. She had thought that she had become sufficiently numb after going through three lives, but it seemed that some traces of human emotions still remained.

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