I Became The Tyrant Of A Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 534

I drew the sword.

Swish-!

With a cool sound, the sword revealed its blade to the world. I couldn’t help but be impressed.

“…It’s light.”

Despite being a pathetic character with stamina that hardly seemed like that of an awakened character who had completed even their third job advancement, I could swing this ceremonial longsword very easily.

Moreover,

“…You made it so beautifully?”

The white sword was so transparent that it almost felt like it was made of glass. It wasn’t a sword, but rather a work of art.

As I continued to marvel, Kellybay shrugged.

“It’s the first time in my life I’ve made a ceremonial sword instead of a practical one. Since it was for a ceremony, I put some effort into it.”

“You’re amazing, Kellybay. It’s excellent.”

“But the durability is terribly low, so you have to use it gently! Got it?”

Kellybay kept explaining as he circled around me.

“It has all the functions you requested, and as you asked, the blade is intentionally dull. It can’t even cut paper, let alone vegetables. It’s just a pretty club, a club.”

“It’s exactly as I wanted.”

“You’re so bland… And the scabbard.”

Kellybay cast a slightly nervous glance towards the scabbard in my other hand.

“You should handle it carefully. The scabbard is more dangerous than the sword itself.”

I also looked at the scabbard in my hand.

Jet-black… A dark scabbard with a color like the darkness of midnight, even ominous.

Rustle, rustle…

Suddenly, it sounded like I heard the sound of bugs gnawing at the darkness from the scabbard.

At the same time, the lights in the base camp flickered all at once. As if someone had blown on a torch at the same time…

“Wom-momma!”

“Mommy!”

Kellybay and Hannibal, terrified, hugged each other. A sinister aura was swirling around us.

“Hmph!”

I focused my mind and poured magic power into the hand holding the scabbard.

Then, the sound of bugs gnawing that had been encroaching on the surroundings disappeared at once.

The flickering lights were restored in an instant, and the base camp was enveloped in bright light as if nothing had happened.

“I can handle this much now.”

I smiled and slowly inserted the ceremonial longsword [Light] into the scabbard [Shadow].

Not only the scabbard, but this longsword was also emitting a definite demonic aura.

Not just its inherent beauty… It felt like it had a magic that lured people’s eyes on its own.

And when they were combined into one, the demonic aura that the two pieces of equipment emitted seemed to cancel each other out.

‘If I’m not careful, I’ll be devoured.’

This is the Nightmare Slayer.

It can bewitch people with both light and shadow.

But also, people can control both light and shadow.

I will bear the risk and wield this equipment to move on to the next stage of the strategy. I thought as I fastened the sword to my waist.

“Now, it’s not over yet! I’ve added that ‘transformation’ gimmick you asked for!”

Kellybay was excitedly trying to explain more, but I didn’t listen and activated the locking device installed on the scabbard—a device called a hairpin—and locked the sword.

Click!

This locking device was unique to the hwandos [a type of Korean sword], but I ordered it while getting the custom-made equipment, and Kellybay made it wonderfully.

“Huh? Aren’t you going to try it? The transformation?”

Kellybay, flustered by my locking the sword, stammered and asked.

It was like… a father who bought his young son his favorite transforming robot toy, but the son doesn’t use the transformation function, so he’s disappointed… Why am I being so specific?

I smiled wryly and nodded.

“There’s a funeral at Crossroads today. I need to get going soon. If I test the transformation gimmick, it’ll take too long.”

“But… hmm. Well, if it’s a funeral, I guess it can’t be helped…”

Kellybay was respecting my duties as a lord, but he seemed very disappointed, continuing to smack his lips as he looked at my waist.

The transformation gimmick must have been his masterpiece.

But if I used that gimmick, there would be too many things to test. It’s a weapon that I need to get a feel for by actually using it.

So, I’ll postpone the test for another time and start preparing for the funeral.

“…Um, Master.”

At that moment, Hannibal cautiously called out to Kellybay. Since when did they become master and disciple that he calls him that?

“Is it okay if I go to the surface for a bit?”

“…”

Kellybay, who had been looking at Hannibal’s earnest gaze for a moment, flicked his beard and laughed heartily.

“Alright! Let’s go together. I wanted to get some fresh air anyway.”

“Yes!”

I watched the two of them happily preparing to go out and thought.

Kellybay, I don’t know about raising children, but he seems to be doing a good job of training his disciples.

I clapped my hands and headed to the teleport gate.

“Okay! Let’s go quickly. There’s not much time left!”

***

Crossroads West. The burial ground.

A funeral is currently underway here.

The choir is singing, holy water is being sprinkled on the graves, and the afterlife of the deceased is being blessed…

As I watched the series of funeral procedures being carried out, I turned my head and stared at the graves.

Many more graves had been added in the past three months.

Deaths had been occurring continuously since Stage 27, and the scale was growing. I was so used to this scene now because I had been attending funerals so often lately.

I hated that.

I hated getting used to death, becoming numb to sadness, and funerals becoming a natural part of everyday life… I hated it.

The ceremony ended, and it was my turn to give a speech.

I stepped onto the platform, cleared my throat, and recited a verse from a poem.

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Silence fell after the recitation.

It was a verse that was somewhat different from the usual funeral eulogies. So, the citizens seemed a little puzzled.

I took a long breath and opened my mouth.

“Funerals have been held frequently and consecutively this year.”

From Stage 27 to Stage 30.

Every time we fought a defensive battle, funerals were held four times in a row.

“Everyone, have you become accustomed to funerals?”

When I suddenly asked the question, the people gathered in front of me were taken aback.

Unlike the usual funeral eulogies, I lashed out at the people in an aggressive and harsh tone.

“Has it become an everyday sight to collect the bodies of our allies after a defensive battle, gather here, listen to funeral songs, and send off the dead?”

The people looked at each other.

“Has it become natural for me to recite sad verses, give moving speeches, and remember the fallen with tears?”

Some nodded cautiously as if agreeing, while others shook their heads slightly.

“Or, to be honest, tell me. Are you no longer sad about how many people die? Has all of this become a natural part of your daily routine?”

And most of the people were looking at me with eyes that seemed to not understand the intention of the question.

I spoke with fervor.

“Don’t get used to it.”

“… !”

“Don’t consider funerals as a part of your daily life. Don’t consider death as something natural. Don’t become numb to sadness. Don’t give up! Don’t give in!”

I shouted.

“Rage!”

“… !”

“Rage against the monsters! Against death! Against this war! Rage and rage again! If the scars engraved on your souls have healed with scabs, tear them off with your own hands! Draw your own blood! Relive the pain!”

The teeth of the wounded soldiers were clenched. Hands wrapped in bandages clenched into fists.

“No matter how strong the enemy was! No matter how difficult the battle was! Don’t give up and move on, saying that all these deaths were unavoidable sacrifices. Think about it one more time, and reach out one more inch.”

I also clenched my teeth and fists.

“There is a way. There is a solution. There is a strategy. It’s just that we haven’t found it in time.”

“…”

“Don’t accept the results passively, resist fiercely! Struggle desperately! Fight with all your might!”

I caught my breath. My voice was a little hoarse.

“…And, if despite fighting like that, another funeral comes.”

I looked around at the people.

“Then, cry.”

“…”

“Don’t become indifferent, don’t give up saying that you did your best but it couldn’t be helped, but grieve and rage at each and every death of your comrades. Don’t forget that pain.”

After sweeping back my disheveled hair, I continued.

“Our front line is currently facing a huge challenge. Protecting the human world from the monsters. And at the same time, protecting our humanity.”

If we give up the latter.

If we sacrifice people’s lives, remove the soldiers’ emotions, and operate the front line mechanically and efficiently.

Perhaps clearing it might be easier. However.

The path I will take, and the path we will take, is not there. I had already concluded that.

“Humanity is not something great. It’s that you can still be sad, still be happy, still be angry. That your heart is not worn down. That is humanity.”

I slowly nodded.

“I will find a way to protect the human world from the monsters. So, I hope that you will all protect your own humanity.”

The monster front was in crisis.

The soldiers were exhausted, and the hastily formed groups and heroes were clashing with each other, creating discord.

But, however.

There will be a solution.

And I am the one who will find it.

“Don’t just watch your heart become numb, your light fade away.”

I spoke softly to the people with strength.

“Rage.”

After a moment of silence, I slowly bowed my head.

“The 19 knights of the Vermillion Kingdom who took the lead in flying through the sky and protecting the world. The world was able to survive this time thanks to their efforts.”

“…”

“I hope you will forever remember that they flew higher than anyone else, that they were braver than anyone else. Let us observe a moment of silence for the 19 Sky Knights who returned to the sky first.”

I bowed my head first, and the people followed suit.

Soon, the moment of silence ended, and I stepped down from the platform. Evangeline, who was in charge of this funeral, waved her arm widely.

Bang! Boom!

The dry gunfire to honor the dead rang out loudly.

The funeral was over. But the people couldn’t easily disperse and were still pondering in their places.

This death, the previous death.

And perhaps, their own hearts that had become numb to death.

***

Mikhail was on a hill overlooking the burial ground.

Sitting on the exposed roots of a large tree, he was quietly looking down at the funeral.

The boy, dressed in black mourning clothes, was emaciated. His once vivid vermilion hair and eyes seemed to have lost their vitality in just a few days.

“Mikhail.”

As I called out and approached, Mikhail spoke in a hollow voice without turning his gaze from the funeral.

“…Prince Ash. Thank you for taking care of my subordinates’ funerals.”

“It’s only natural that I should do it.”

The bodies of the 19 knights of the Vermillion Kingdom were all cremated.

Here at the burial ground, they planned to create empty graves first for the funeral, and then send the urns to the Vermillion Kingdom later.

In front of those empty graves, the people of the Vermillion Kingdom were weeping sadly.

But Mikhail was not among them, staying far away here.

“…Why don’t you go over there? Everyone must be waiting for you.”

When I cautiously suggested, Mikhail shook his head with a bitter smile.

“I’m too ashamed… I’m the one who killed them all, how can I shamelessly cry there?”

“Mikhail. You know that accidents during battle are unavoidable. Besides, I was the one who gave the orders…”

“Your tactical instructions were accurate. My subordinates were also perfect. The only one who was wrong was me, who rushed into the enemy lines back then.”

Mikhail let out a weak laugh.

“I’m not confident. How can I hand over the urns containing their ashes to their families who were waiting for their return home…”

“…”

“I have nothing to give back but death and defeat…”

Mikhail, who had rubbed his face dry with his empty hands, murmured in a subdued voice.

“But, yes. I know. This is also a duty that I must bear as the Crown Prince and the commander of the Knights.”

Soon, Mikhail staggered to his feet and gave me a precarious smile.

“Thank you, Prince Ash. Really… I’ll go to my people, as you said.”

“Yes. Everyone must be waiting for you.”

Mikhail began to walk down the hill with faltering steps.

As I quietly watched his back, Mikhail suddenly stopped and turned around.

“Oh, right, your speech was great. ‘Rage’…”