CH 142

Chapter 142

When Peaceful Times Cease To Exist : A Name That Calls Death, Part 14 — Defeat, And

Translated by KaiesV

Edited by KaiesV

「No way…」

「W–What the hell’s going on…」

Euthy, who had been applying recovery magic to Nia in the rear, lets slip a word, to which Nia responds. Although Nia had stopped bleeding and calmed down somewhat, she was still groaning in pain, and every time she was about to pass out, she was repeatedly brought back to consciousness by the intense pain. It was her instinct as a warrior to check the battle situation even in such a state, and also her will not to drag her feet?

But Kazas was concerned about her.

「Nia, you shouldn’t move yet.」

「Don’t worry, Kazas. When push comes to shove, just run… Uguh!」

Nia, who was about to sit up, winces in pain. Lisa involuntarily reaches out her hand.

「Nia, don’t push yourself yet. You can’t move like you used to with one arm missing.」

「Lisa… Alfie and the others are safe, right?」

Lisa’s reaction to Nia’s squeezing words out of her was dull.

「They are, alive. But…」

No wonder Lisa was seething. In front of her, Alfiris and the others crawl on the ground. Miranda was the only one who was tightened up by Lifeless, as if choking her.

Most surprising to all of them was that Lifeless was also quite skilled in fighting. The one-sided development of the battle, however, led to the use of Aerial, and Alfiris’ plan to create an opening by relying on Aerial’s melee combat capability was completely miscalculated as Lifeless was able to engage in close combat, and the plan fell apart. He’s a mage, but he’s also a first-rate fighter. This is the man who was once called the Heroic King, Lifeless.

Lying on the ground, Alfiris moans in frustration.

「Impossible… I’d never he’d go toe-to-toe with Aery…」

「The most difficult thing for a mage in combat is the time it takes to chant. That’s why mages often form parties with warriors and others who can handle close quarters, but if they expect to fight alone, it’s logical to train in fighting. I’m not limited to fighting, I can do sword fighting, spear fighting, axe fighting, whip fighting… you name it, I can do it. I may not be the best at any of them because of my miscellaneous skills.」

「How can you say that…」

What is not top-notch about the skill of him who can defeat Aerial in a head-to-head competition? However, this may be a trick because Lifeless is not damaged by Aerial’s blows.

Lifeless then turns to face Miranda, leaving Alfiris, who is crawling on the ground, behind.

「Now, let me ask you again. Woman, tell me your name.」

「As if I’m going… to tell you that!」

Miranda resists hard while being choked. She knows that if Lifeless wanted to, he could snap Miranda’s fragile neck in an instant, but she isn’t so weak that she would tell him her real name just for that. Rather, given the importance of her real name, she couldn’t just change it to her own existence and call herself that.

But seeing Miranda like that, Lifeless looks a little troubled.

「I could force you to tell me by magic, but… I’m not very good at that kind of magic, and I’m not sure I could get what I wanted out of you without any preparation. But you seem to be strong in pain. Now what do I do?」

「No matter what you do to me… I will never tell you!」

「I see. Even this?」

Lifeless stepped through the right arm of Aerial that was lying at his feet. There was a gurgling, unpleasant sound, and Aerial’s arm broke, causing the Aerial to scream inaudibly.

「Guah… agh, ugh…」

「What are you doing!」

Miranda screams in distress.

「Well, here’s the deal. If you speak up, I’ll guarantee their lives. But if you don’t…」

Lifeless stomps on Aerial’s left arm, this time gradually putting more and more weight on it. A nasty sound echoes, and greasy sweat seeps out of Aerial’s forehead. Also, the fact that Aerial didn’t attempt to scream broke Miranda’s heart in the opposite direction.

「…worth.」

「What?」

「Miranda, don’t say it!」

Alfiris shouted, but Miranda had already made up her mind.

「My last name is Ravenworth!」

「What?」

Lifeless opens his eyes. Then he looks at Miranda’s face with deep emotion. Miranda looks at him suspiciously.

「You know us?」

「Of course. As a family of apothecaries, there was no one who didn’t know them at that time. In those days when recovery magic wasn’t widespread, their medicines were extremely valuable. The leaders of countries, and even Archfiends, wanted the medicine they made. The elixirs were especially good. I was also a friend of your family.」

「What did you say?」

Now Miranda’s eyes widen. Lifeless speaks of this fact as if it were a matter of course.

「Of course, right? I was so powerful that I was called the Heroic King back then. They were the ones who came to me to sell it, even though they had turned me away before I became king. They were a cunning family.」

「Are you making fun of us!?」

Miranda is agitated.

「Not at all, it’s more of a compliment. By even making a deal with the Archfiends, they have ensured the survival and prosperity of the family. It was a very good move. I was very sorry to hear that they’re wiped out.」

「Aren’t you the one who did it!?」

Miranda glared at Lifeless, and Lifeless shook his head.

「Just in case it wasn’t me. I’d rather know who is crazy enough to do such a thing. Even the Archfiends were wondering. I don’t think there’s anyone anywhere who would benefit from killing the Ravenworth clan.」

「……」

Lifeless smiles thinly at the silent Miranda.

「Well. Back to the subject, if you are a Ravenworth, it makes some sense that you’re immortal. Besides, your knowledge is valuable, even if you’re not immortal. Let’s have you come with us.」

「If you take me with you, will you leave Alfie and the others alone?」

Miranda looks Lifeless straight in the eye. With her eyes fixed on him, Lifeless responded immediately.

「I may not want to be called king, but I am. I don’t use the word “deal” in jest. If that’s what you want, I will keep my word. Because terms of exchange are the basis of a deal.」

「…Alright. I’m coming with you.」

「Don’t do it, Miranda!!」

Alfiris shouted, but Miranda just looked sad. Lifeless, on the other hand, smiled with satisfaction and lowered Miranda to the ground.

「Alfie, this is the best way. I don’t want to lose you.」

「Stop kidding me!」

「I’m not kidding. I couldn’t save my lover in the past. I don’t want to feel that way anymore. If I can save you now, I don’t care what happens to me…」

「What about me, who’s left behind!?」

「Alfie…」

Seeing Miranda’s sad face, Alfiris tries with all her might to stand up, but it doesn’t work. Her body was already at its limits from the barrage of sorcery and the damage inflicted by Lifeless.

Lifeless stared coldly at Alfiris’ condition.

「Alfiris, don’t you think Miranda’s decision is a good one? I will win no matter what you do here, and even if Miranda doesn’t shake her head, I will kill you all and take this woman with me. And even if this woman doesn’t cooperate with my experiment, there are plenty of ways to get her to talk. Especially one of my associates who knows a lot about such things.

But if Miranda is cooperative, I promise to at least provide human-like treatment. I will, however, have her dismembered alive several times in the course of the experiment.」

Lifeless speaks of terrible things in a matter-of-fact way, as if they were natural. Lifeless, of course, doesn’t regard Alfiris and the others as creatures of the same class from the very beginning. All creatures were tools and objects of experimentation that only served their own purposes. He doesn’t regard humans as equals. In that sense, he would’ve been very much a『king.』

But even if she knew such a thing, Alfiris wasn’t about to give up on this.

「Still… I won’t let you.」

「You’re unreasonably stubborn. What will you do then?」

「Even if it costs me my life.」

Alfiris tears the clothes on her left arm. From that torn clothing, another Cursed Mark comes out. Lifeless is a little surprised by this fact.

「Ohh… Can you still do it?」

「Brace yourself, Lifeless. If I use this power, you will surely be blown away without a trace.」

「Stop it, Alfie!」

Miranda tries to run toward Alfiris without thinking, but Lifeless grabs her arm to stop her.

「Interesting… you think you can beat me just because you’ve lost all trace of me?」

「Shall I try?」

As Alfiris begins to mutter some words, the spell seal on her left hand begins to move. The seal is about to be broken.

Lifeless gazed at the scene with a sense of elation, as if watching an egg before it hatches. And the moment Lifeless focused all his attention on Alfiris, Alfiris grinned.