Arc 9: Chapter 29 - 'Last Seat'

Arc 9: 'Light of the Nameless Star'
Chapter 29: 'Last Seat'

――A raging wind and earth, the clash of supreme forces, truly a new legend being woven.

The battle between the transcendent 'Sword Demon' and 'Divine Dragon' began, and in just the blink of an eye, Heinkel was thrown from the dragon's back, cast out from the legend.

"――――"

During the descent from the clouds, the 'Divine Dragon' had held him down with the wind, but as soon as the skirmish with the 'Sword Demon' began, that consideration—or rather, that composure—was lost from the dragon, forcing self-reliance. And without bearing fruit, Heinkel was quickly thrown off the stage.

Unable to even cling on, he rolled on the ground, pitying himself as miserable and pathetic. ――Such luxurious self-pity was not permitted for Heinkel now.

"――――"

The battle that began at the Barielle Mansion had already moved far, expanding the stage to the Noble District, with the extraordinary clash between man and dragon continuing, accompanied by surreal, dreamlike scenes. ――Heinkel could not take his eyes off it.

"――――"

His feelings wished to avert his gaze. Not just avert, but turn his back and flee. If that was impossible, he wanted to cover his head, crouch down, and block his ears to reject everything.

But he couldn't. He couldn't do it. ――With Wilhelm van Astrea wielding his sword, how could Heinkel Astrea look away?

"――――"

The aged 'Sword Demon' animated his entire body, challenging the massive form of the 'Divine Dragon,' many times his size, avoiding countless deadly lines of death, and delivering innumerable sword strikes that chipped away at the dragon scales.

The stepping in, the leaps, the sword flashes, the parries, the posture maintenance, the weight shifts, the gaze guidance, the application of techniques, the use of obstacles, utilizing everything to enhance his swordsmanship to the ultimate form of a swordsman――without a doubt, Wilhelm, exchanging blows with the dragon, was the strongest swordsman Heinkel knew.

Not for a moment could he take his eyes off the 'Sword Demon's' exquisite skills. Holding his breath, forgetting to blink, even feeling the heartbeat as an interference, he was captivated by the sword flashes.

It was not something refined and sophisticated like a sword dance. The way the 'Sword Demon' sought to cut into the opponent's life from any angle was more raw, akin to the primal instincts of a beast.

That passion became karma, karma was sublimated into technique, reaching the legend of contending with the 'Divine Dragon.'

"――――"

――In the figure of Wilhelm engaging with the 'Divine Dragon,' Heinkel glimpsed countless battlefields.

In the Watergate City, exchanging sword strikes with Theresia van Astrea in her youth.
On the Lifaus Plains, wielding his sword against the mighty enemy known as the White Whale, the avenger of his wife.
In the Commercial City, clashing with the three-headed 'Evil Dragon' that dominated the sky, severing its long neck.
Also in the Commercial City, colliding with Kurugan, the Empire's strongest 'Eight Arms,' engraving his name in history.
At the Lugnica Royal Castle, taking the sword from Theresia van Astrea, the 'Sword Saint.'
In the 'Demi-Human War,' cutting down many foes, becoming blood-soaked and known as the 'Sword Demon.'

Heinkel glimpsed the figure of the greatest swordsman, who had led countless battlefields to victory with his sword, in the current Wilhelm.

And at the same time, he understood. ――At this rate, the 'Divine Dragon' will be defeated.

"No, it can't be."

Murmuring as if squeezing out the words, Heinkel, who was on his knees, stood up.
While confirming the presence of the sword at his waist with his hand, Heinkel was driven by that conviction.
The 'Divine Dragon' will lose. Because the opponent is the 'Sword Demon' who has decided to win.

"――――"

Sadly, Heinkel cannot perceive the limits of the abilities of the 'Sword Demon' and the 'Divine Dragon.' Just as those standing on the ground cannot confirm the view above the clouds, even if a scene beyond imagination unfolds there, it remains unseen. Therefore, he can only employ his meager imagination to picture it. —And in the limited world of Heinkel Astrea's imagination, the 'Divine Dragon' is defeated by the sword of the 'Sword Demon.'

As a premise, this battle overwhelmingly favors the 'Divine Dragon.' Even from Heinkel's perspective, the sword of the 'Sword Demon' cannot pierce the dragon scales of the 'Divine Dragon,' and no matter how many attacks are launched, they fail to deliver a decisive blow. In contrast, each attack from the 'Divine Dragon' is fatal, and even a few millimeters deeper would result in the 'Sword Demon' losing his life and exposing his corpse. Heinkel understands this premise. —Yet, the imagination of the 'Sword Demon' winning remains unshaken.

It's not about logic. One cannot surpass the 'Sword Saint' with logic or reason. In other words, the strength of the 'Sword Demon,' who once defeated the 'Sword Saint,' lies beyond logic and reason. Because the 'Sword Demon' possesses the strength to reach beyond that—

"—No."

Heinkel's steps cannot accept this irreversible worst-case scenario. If the 'Sword Demon' triumphs over the 'Divine Dragon' here, he will challenge the 'Sword Saint' next. And just as he defeated the previous 'Sword Saint,' he will also defeat the current 'Sword Saint'—Reinhard.

That cannot happen. That alone cannot happen. The realization of that battle faces numerous obstacles, including the presence of the 'Witch of Envy' that Aldebaran is using by some means, but even without those factors, it cannot happen. It cannot happen. It simply cannot. It's absolutely impossible. Without even needing to explain why it's impossible, it just is. Impossible is impossible, and that's all there is to it. Impossible. Because it's impossible. It was impossible. Impossible is impossible, and it cannot be. With the clear sword of the 'Sword Demon,' Luanna Astrea cannot be saved. Because she cannot be saved, therefore—

"—Heinkel."

In front of him stands the back of the 'Sword Demon,' motionless. The muffled voice from beyond the back, hindered by blood bubbles, was almost drowning, yet Heinkel unmistakably understood it was calling his name. Knowing this, he suppressed the trembling of his arms with all his self-control and gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.

"…With your way, Luanna cannot be reclaimed."

Debris from collapsing buildings showered his forehead, and blood flowed. He was blown away multiple times by shockwaves akin to explosions, and was pinned under falling pillars. The aftermath of the dragon's breath, sliced by sword flashes, burned half his body, and he walked on, dragging the pain of scorched blood, bone, and flesh. Covered in dirt and blood to the utmost, he walked, walked, and walked—Heinkel stood behind Wilhelm. —Standing there, he impaled his own father from behind with the drawn 'Astrea.'

"——"

Through the impaled sword, he felt Wilhelm trying to turn around. To prevent this, he tightened his grip, making Wilhelm conscious of the deep wound and stopping him from turning. He cannot see Wilhelm's face now. If he sees himself reflected in those eyes, Heinkel, both now and in the past, would be unable to say anything. So he does not let him turn. Absolutely not.

Do not turn back, do not let him say it.
If you let the ''Sword Demon'' say he will accomplish it, he will force it open with his sword.
The future he forces open might cut through all the dark clouds, revealing a long-hidden clear sky. — But in that future, Luanna's presence is absent.

The sword of the ''Sword Demon'' cannot awaken Luanna.
And without her, Heinkel—Heinkel and the others cannot be saved.

"It's not you... It's not father. It's me. — It's something I have to do."

He cursed the fact that what he squeezed out was a weak, sob-like voice.
Clench your teeth, you failure. Put strength into your voice, you coward. Is there time to look down, you spineless fool?
Even with these hands, this sword, stained with my father's blood, my teeth chatter, heat wells up behind my eyes, my insides churn, and I can't completely kill the urge to spill everything, you useless eater.
When will you finally deceive yourself, claiming you've made up your mind, you bedwetter?

"—You fool."

Heinkel, using endless insults to spur himself on from behind.
In Heinkel's ears, a rebuke that wasn't his own, yet one he couldn't help but agree with, reached him.
A voice not drowned in blood, and as his cheeks stiffened at that, Heinkel's eyes widened. — In front of him, he met the gaze of Wilhelm, whom he was trying to prevent from turning around.

"—Ah."

Looking at his hands, the sword was still in the same position. Nevertheless, Wilhelm turned around because he twisted his body and forcibly pulled out the sword piercing his torso.
Naturally, pulling a sword from a wound causes bleeding. If done forcibly, the wound widens.
But the ''Sword Demon'' pulled out the blade. If he didn't, he couldn't turn around.

"...Heinkel."

Wilhelm called out to the speechless Heinkel again after that reckless act.
Swallowing the blood rising in his throat, Wilhelm tried to keep his voice clear. However, having sustained injuries all over his body from battles with Yae and the ''Divine Dragon'', and now receiving a deep wound from Heinkel, his body was already critically losing blood.
As expected, losing the support of the sword piercing his body, Wilhelm collapsed from his knees.

"O-oh, father..."

Instinctively, Heinkel's hand reached out to support the collapsing body. But instead, Wilhelm grabbed Heinkel's outstretched hand and unexpectedly pulled him closer.
With cheeks twitching at the strength that seemed impossible for someone bleeding so profusely and near death, Wilhelm, with eyes that never lost their power, said,

"Wake up already..."

"——"

That plea ignited a dark heat in Heinkel's heart, which was about to shrink.
Are you going to preach to me not to dream? That awakening Luanna is a pipe dream, or even if she awakens, do you think Luanna would be happy? — Even without being told, he knows Luanna would not be happy.

Not a single thing Heinkel has done up to today would be affirmed by Luanna.
Despised, abandoned, love turned to hatred, and as the most detestable man in this world, Heinkel's name would be etched in Luanna's memory unavoidably.
But that's fine. Anger, hatred, contempt, it's all fine. If Luanna awakens from her slumber, reflects the world in her blue eyes, and sings of life with her lips, that's enough.

He won't indulge in convenient dreams.
Heinkel will live and die in this nightmare-like, yet not a nightmare, reality.
For that purpose—,

"—No."

With a dark resolve and a throbbing headache, however, Wilhelm called for a halt. Heinkel held his breath, staring intently at Wilhelm, wondering what was happening. Wilhelm, refusing to avert his gaze from his still inadequate son, moved his bloodied lips.

Heinkel recognized that expression. It was a memory from the past, an unpleasant one. —The pained face when Theresia, his mother, did not return from the battle with the White Whale.

"Wake up, Heinkel... you..."

It was the face of 'Sword Demon' Wilhelm at his weakest, as far as Heinkel knew—

"No matter whose hatred you incur, Reinhard will never abandon the seat of the 'Sword Saint'..."

—Just like that time, he uttered words that wounded Heinkel's heart the most.