I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 619

“Let’s have a match. In this martial arts tournament, properly.”

We, who were hiding and watching, were dumbfounded by this one-track-minded protagonist’s request, whose way of thinking only revolved around swords.

“…Haha.”

Hecate finally laughed.

“That’s right. That’s why I liked you.”

The two knights, who were top and second in their class during their school days, exchanged glances for a moment.

“A gaze that only looks straight ahead at a set point, without backing down… It was because of that gaze.”

Did it, did it work?

Was that a line that worked between knights? We all looked at Evangeline at once. Evangeline was covering her face with both hands, trembling.

“Wow. I almost fell for that just now. Mr. Lucas is kind of a player?”

“……”

The way of thinking of the vanguard knights is hard to understand…

Anyway, Hecate and Lucas continued their conversation.

“Even if the world changes and everything collapses… that part of you remains the same. Thank you, Lucas. I feel a little relieved.”

Lucas smiled silently, and Hecate nodded.

“Tomorrow, we’ll have a match after a long time. I won’t go easy on you.”

“It’s a revenge match from graduation day. You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this day, Hecate. Let’s see how much we’ve grown, and fight with all our might.”

Only then did the two knights walk along the street stalls with lighter steps.

It was a hard-to-understand sensibility, but well, if it worked out well, then it’s okay…

Clack-.

It was then.

Suddenly, someone blocked the path of the two knights. Everyone was surprised and looked in that direction.

Wearing a seamless suit of dark red armor, with long braided black hair wrapped around her neck.

The Dragon Lady. Dusk Bringer.

“Hmph…”

She snorted and glared at the two knights in turn.

“Match, duel, you’re just spouting weak nonsense.”

Lucas was flustered and awkwardly stepped back, and Hecate stared at Dusk Bringer with a face full of mixed emotions.

And Dusk Bringer walked past the two knights—and strode towards where I was.

“Your Grace…?”

I gave up on hiding and awkwardly stood up to greet her. It was because Dusk Bringer’s atmosphere was unusual.

“I heard from Traha, Ash.”

Dusk Bringer spat out, baring her sharp teeth.

“The Emperor and the Prince, the two of you were talking about the Royal Road.”

“Yes? No, yes…”

“You couldn’t answer right away, and you must have been lost in thought again.”

“Th, that’s right.”

The question the Emperor threw at me.

How to deal with the ‘darkness’ of the world I’m trying to protect.

The sins committed by the Emperor, Dusk Bringer’s ugly past, Hecate who was the shadow of the Empire itself…

And also the darkness that countless people under my command hold within them.

How am I going to embrace it?

Without looking away, without turning a blind eye, can I embrace it as it is? And is that right?

What is my own way to protect humanity?

The Emperor stabbed me with that question, and I was still lost in thought.

And Dusk Bringer seemed very displeased with that. That’s why she came directly.

“This is the middle of the martial arts tournament. And the right to command and select for the Black Dragon subjugation is at stake in this martial arts tournament. Even if it’s in the middle of a festival, it can be said to be a prelude to the Black Dragon subjugation!”

“……”

“Even when facing a disaster that will destroy the world, are you still thinking about what is human? When facing such a powerful enemy, how can you be so weak and troubled?”

She stood in front of me, grinding her teeth.

“Everyone loves that about you. But in this battle, such a mindset is unnecessary.”

“Your Grace…”

“Traha seems to have given you his own answer, so I will also give you my own answer.”

Dusk Bringer’s golden eyes seemed to be burning.

“Think about that kind of thing after you’ve killed the enemy. Do it after all this war is over.”

“……!”

“What’s the point of worrying about that after failing to survive? No matter how much you protect your humanity, what’s the point if all your loved ones die?”

Dusk Bringer took another step closer.

My heroes rushed in front of me, forming a protective formation, alarmed by her terrifying momentum.

Lucas and Hecate also stood as if to surround Dusk Bringer from behind.

But Dusk Bringer only glared at me and spat out.

“If it’s to protect your banner, I’ll throw away my humanity and fall into the darkness first. …No, it’s the other way around.”

The Dragon Lady declared.

“To protect your banner, I will advance into the darkness at the forefront.”

My eyes widened.

“Your Grace, don’t tell me…”

“Yes. You must have thought the same thing for me.”

Dusk Bringer’s index finger pointed straight at me.

“If I get command, I will exclude you from the Black Dragon subjugation, Ash.”

“……!”

“You, who are still worrying about humanity and the Royal Road even at this moment, are an enemy that you can never defeat.”

Dusk Bringer slowly raised her small hand, covered in a gauntlet, and then,

“Only those who can give up their humanity, who are willing to throw themselves into the darkness…”

She clenched her fist tightly.

“I will select and take only those who can embrace any ugliness for the sake of the cause, and who will not care about any means to protect you, such as demons, rakshasas [a type of demon in Hindu mythology], and ogres.”

“……!”

“Fortunately, there are plenty of heroes with a talent for such darkness on this front.”

Dusk Bringer glanced back.

Lucas, whose blue eyes were already flashing fiercely, had his hand on the hilt of his sword.

And next to him, Hecate was also gripping the handle of her parasol tightly… and shooting a bright red gaze at Dusk Bringer.

Dusk Bringer, who looked at the two knights whose peaceful atmosphere had disappeared, had a ferocious smile on her lips.

Dusk Bringer then scanned Evangeline, Damian, and Junior, who had also taken a battle stance.

“My purity to protect.”

Again, she stared at me.

“This is my destiny. It is the darkness sown by my ancestors, and the sin that I must reap. So, you don’t need to embrace it for me, and you don’t need to worry about it for me.”

“Your Grace…”

“Tomorrow, I will go all out. I will take command of the Black Dragon subjugation.”

Dusk Bringer turned sharply. Her dark red cloak, almost black, fluttered on her armored back.

“If you don’t have the courage to stop me, even if it means killing me, then get out of my way.”

And Dusk Bringer walked away, striding past Lucas and Hecate.

“……”

“……”

Suddenly, Dusk Bringer and Hecate’s gazes met for the last time.

The Glory Knights Commander.

The Evil Spirit of the Empire.

The Dragon Blood.

The Curse…

The two, who had so much intertwined, did not exchange a single word until the end.

Dusk Bringer, who had moved away, disappeared into the other side of the city, which was submerged between evening and night.

I watched her back until the end, then muttered with a sullen expression.

“…She made a flamboyant declaration of war and left.”

Not only to my main party and the Glory Knights.

She had declared war on all the parties who were watching this from all over the festival.

As Dusk Bringer disappeared, the air in the area finally eased, and… the surrounding noise gradually returned, and the street stalls regained the atmosphere of the festival as if they had never been frozen.

People were laughing and chatting again, handing over coins at the stalls, and buying food as if nothing had happened.

The reason why cold water keeps being poured on this festival is because the world is facing destruction.

And yet, the reason why people are desperately trying to continue the festival is also because the world is facing destruction.

“Everyone, don’t hold any bad feelings towards Her Grace. She’s… just that desperate.”

No one is at fault. It’s not a matter of who is right or wrong.

Damian smiled brightly at my words and replied.

“Everyone knows. That Her Grace is doing this because she cherishes the Prince.”

“……”

Yes, I know too.

The more I know, the heavier it feels.

“Lucas, Hecate! Come here!”

I gestured to the two knights who were awkwardly hesitant, not knowing what to do in the awkward atmosphere.

“Let’s play together.”

Lucas readily approached at my call, but Hecate still hesitated.

Between the stalls, in the shadows. She couldn’t come out to the festival’s torchlight where we were standing.

Then, Evangeline approached Hecate with a very serious face, and held out her hand—asking for a handshake.

Come to think of it, this was the first time these two had greeted each other.

“Hello, Hecate-senpai [a Japanese honorific used to address a senior or elder]! I’m the top of the 375th class! The first three-year early graduate in the history of the academy! Evangeline Cross!”

“……”

Hecate looked at Evangeline with a surprised face for a moment.

Does Evangeline know? That the reason she graduated early was to take Hecate’s place.

And that Hecate had canceled that appointment.

They had never met each other, but their fates had already crossed once.

“…Nice to meet you, Evangeline.”

And, burying that fact that might never be revealed.

Hecate, who smiled faintly, reached out and shook hands with Evangeline.

“I’m Hecate Whiteblossom, from the 369th class.”

“Hehe, let’s get along well, fellow top students! Oh, and now that you’ve come to Crossroads, there’s a rights committee you need to join…”

Evangeline chattered and naturally led Hecate away.

Evangeline stood in the middle, with Lucas and Hecate following her on either side.

Watching this heartwarming scene, Damian clapped his hands as if he was moved, and Junior had a somewhat complicated expression.

And I looked at the direction where Dusk Bringer had disappeared… for the last time.

“……”

Your Grace.

My Dragon Lady.

No matter what the result of the martial arts tournament is… I want to laugh and enjoy this festival with you too.

I wish you were by the festival bonfire, not in the shadows.

Because this might be the last festival we have together.

It might be the last festival in this world…

“……”

The words I couldn’t convey swirled inside me and eventually disappeared.

Behind Lucas, Evangeline, and Hecate, who were walking ahead. I squeezed in between Damian and Junior, put my arms around their shoulders, and walked with a sway.

The second night of the autumn festival was deepening.

***

The third day of the autumn festival dawned.

The martial arts tournament was progressing rapidly. We had to finish the finals before tonight. The schedule was quite tight.

So, our main party also came out to compete from the morning.

The opponent in the quarterfinals was the ‘New Outsiders’.

The four representatives of the different races—King Poseidon, Kuilan, Kellybay, and Verdandi. And Hannibal, the representative of the half-bloods. A five-person party.

What is the way to face this powerful squad?

“Hehehe! Well, it’s to focus on the weakest one!”

I licked my lips wickedly… and put the flag on Hannibal’s cheek, who was held in my arms.

As soon as the battle started, I used [The Foremost Flag]. I created magic walls to confuse everyone’s vision, and then succeeded in kidnapping Hannibal, who was at a loss.

“Now, if you don’t want to see this poor boy being tormented, surrender quickly! You’re trusting in the recognition of the representatives of the races?”

I tickled Hannibal’s side with my other hand, the one not holding the flag. Hannibal laughed hysterically and screamed for me to stop.

“……”

“……”

The four representatives of the different races, as well as my party members, were looking at my despicable behavior with blank stares.

Hey, you guys, this is the most certain way, and the fastest way to compete without harming each other! They’re too strong!

Stop talking and just surrender-!