“Take this!!”
“Haaahhhh!!!”
Sofia and I moved forward at the same time.
While holding my sword, I dashed ahead—
I came from the right.
Sofia came from the left.
Crossing paths, we swung our blades simultaneously.
“Guh!?”
Our timing was perfect, and together we managed to land a heavy blow on Lena.
She blocked it, but still, her face twisted in pain.
She probably didn’t expect such a heavy strike and her hands must have gone numb.
Now’s our chance.
“This is it…”
I slashed for a follow-up strike.
I thought I had her for sure—but she blocked it with an incredible reflex.
Even with her hands numb, she’s this strong… Lena really is formidable.
But I’m not alone.
“This is the end!”
Sofia charged forward next.
With the momentum of a head-on collision, she thrust her sword.
She wasn’t aiming for Lena’s vital point—
but for her right hand.
“Ah—Guh!?”
Sofia’s blade pierced through the back of Lena’s right hand.
Lena’s face contorted in agony.
Even so, she tried to fight back.
Clenching her teeth against the pain, she attempted to swing her sword—
Clang.
But she couldn’t hold on and dropped it.
The nerves connected to her fingers must have been severed when her hand was pierced.
Unable to move her fingers properly, she fell to her knees.
Sofia pointed her sword at Lena.
“It’s over.”
“Kuh…”
Lena glared at Sofia, clutching her bleeding hand.
She could no longer hold a sword.
She couldn’t fight anymore.
But her fighting spirit hadn’t dimmed at all.
If she had no sword, she still had fists. Kicks.
And if those were taken away, she’d bite and keep fighting.
I could feel that resolve from her.
And not just that—
If she used the power of the cursed sword, Lena could still gain enormous strength at the cost of her humanity.
Lena wasn’t finished yet.
Which is why I…
“…Hey, Lena.”
Lena flinched.
Slowly, she looked at me.
I shook my head slightly.
“Let’s stop this, okay?”
“…”
“I understand now. You have your reasons. Things you can’t give up.”
“Then…”
“But still…”
I spoke from the heart.
“I don’t want to fight you, Lena.”
I know she’s done terrible things.
She hurt Aisha and Snow, and even pointed her sword at others.
But…
“No matter what, I just can’t bring myself to hate you.”
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