Volume 2 Chapter 29 King
She thought she had received it.
She thought she had won.
She thought that even with just her stubbornness, she could pull a miracle closer.
But, she was wrong.
"You really broke through that magic. Guess you really are someone who can beat Hollis."
Everything was in the palm of the man in front of her.
She was just being made to dance to his tune.
No matter how much she pushed herself to stand against him, she couldn't defy him.
Nemophila collapsed on the lawn of the courtyard, overwhelmed by despair.
Even so, she desperately tried to get back up.
"Ugh... ugh!"
Forcing her injured body to move, she stood up, albeit unsteadily.
The spectators watching her quietly gasped in admiration.
Crocus also nodded in apparent appreciation, sending her insincere applause.
"You're amazing, Nemophila. To still have the will to stand up despite those injuries. Your determination for this inheritance battle seems to be genuine."
Listening to the emotionless applause, Nemophila reignited her fighting spirit.
It might be futile.
It might be impossible.
There might be no way to turn this situation around.
Even if she somehow managed to get close to him, he would just use Kikrys as a shield to stop her.
But she couldn't give up.
(...I have to think.)
All she could do now was endure.
To stand on this battlefield for even one second longer and "think" of a way to escape this worst situation.
There might be something.
A way to save Kikrys and become the king.
A path that leads to a brilliant future.
Nemophila bet everything on her faint hope, readying her sword and shield.
"Yeah. Since this is a special inheritance battle, let's not do anything as pathetic as admitting defeat. Let's clash our powers until one of us is completely down!"
Crocus's voice rang out in joy as he made the light blue ring on his right hand shine.
"[Freezing Rain (Haildia)]!"
A magic circle spread around him.
From it, thin, sharp ice needles shot out with great force.
"──!"
The ice needles came raining down on her.
They're all being blocked by the big shield she got from Kikrys, but the surface is starting to freeze over.
Eventually, even the handle of the shield is getting frozen.
"Ugh...!"
Reluctantly, Nemophila tossed aside the shield and was left facing Crocus with just her sword.
He kept firing off magic spells one after another.
With no way to defend herself, Nemophila kept moving her battered body to dodge the magic.
"This is the power of my 'Catalyst Master'! I can keep casting high-level magic without consuming any magic power, and I can freely handle parallel casting and composite magic!"
It seemed like he intended to make the most of this situation to show off his strength.
He kept unleashing flashy magic without letting up on his attacks.
The nobles watching the fight from the second-floor seats were captivated by the dazzling displays of magic.
"Um, Father, maybe we should wrap this up soon..."
However, there was one person who wasn't pleased with the situation.
Faced with such a one-sided scene, Clematis couldn't help but call out to King Capucine.
The outcome of this succession battle would be decided either when one side admitted defeat or when the judge, Capucine, deemed it impossible to continue.
Therefore, Clematis was indirectly conveying to Capucine that the situation was already beyond salvage.
Deep down, she wanted Nemophila to win.
But the gap in their abilities was glaring, and if it continued any longer, it could lead to a major accident.
With so many suspicious points, she thought it would be wise to back down this time.
Considering the current state of the battle, Capucine seemed to have concluded that the match was decided and announced to the venue.
"The winner of this succession battle is...!"
"Not yet!"
Nemophila's shout interrupted him.
While dodging Crocus's magic, she spoke to Capucine in a rare loud voice.
"I'm still... not defeated!"
"..."
At Nemophila's cry, Capucine was left speechless.
She was worried about her well-being, but when the person herself said that, it was hard to just stop.
Nemophila was still bursting with fighting spirit, running through the battlefield courtyard.
But...
(...I'm so sleepy)
Nemophila was already doing her best just to stay conscious.
Her body felt heavy.
She could barely keep her footing.
The pain from all her wounds was relentless.
She declared strongly that she hadn't lost yet, but honestly, she thought there was no chance of winning at all.
Despite her inner thoughts, her body moved on its own.
Then Crocus, seeing Nemophila fighting desperately, suddenly stopped casting magic.
He had a look on his face as if he was deeply moved.
"Nemophila. I'm sorry for saying you 'lack the qualities of a king' earlier. You have more than enough potential."
"..."
Hearing her strong declaration, he nodded as if he was truly touched.
The slight softening of his cheeks conveyed that he didn't feel that way at all.
"Standing there for just one servant, swinging your sword while covered in wounds. It's so admirable, it's almost tear-jerking."
Crocus passionately gestured as he spoke.
Then, suddenly, he declared loudly enough for the spectators on the second floor to hear.
"So let me make a promise here! I will fulfill your servant's wish in your place! As my first duty as king, I will make it happen!"
"..."
Anyone who didn't know the situation would probably think this: Crocus, moved by Nemophila's devotion, was taking on her feelings.
Even if Nemophila were to lose here, her wish would be granted by Crocus's mercy.
It's a touching story.
A beautiful sibling love.
If they didn't know what Crocus was doing behind the scenes, it would surely look that way.
"So let's end this, Nemophila."
With that, Crocus concluded and casually put his right hand into his pocket.
He pulled out a pitch-black wand.
The spectators' interest naturally shifted towards it.
"Once upon a time, the 'Evil Dragon (Chaos Drake)' brought immense destruction to the Compost Kingdom and was feared as the worst monster in history. This is a magic catalyst made from its remains."
For sure, a sinister presence wafted over here.
She felt a more wicked power than any catalyst it possessed.
"The name of the magic is [Evil Flame (Chaos Flare)]. It's a black flame magic that scorches the earth and sears the air. It's the highest-level magic I can wield. With this, I'll take you down. Of course, I plan to go easy on you."
"..."
Crocus slowly pointed the tip of a pitch-black wand toward her.
She had no strength left to dodge the magic.
She certainly didn't have the stamina to withstand it.
Nemophila weakly lowered her sword.
(...I'm sorry, Kikrys)
Biting back her frustration, she deeply apologized in her heart.
She thought she could somehow manage if she tried hard enough.
Even if she was weakened, she believed she could win if she just had the will.
But...
"I... couldn't win."
Tears welled up in Nemophila's eyes.
Confronted with her own weakness, she looked down deeply.
Crocus wore a creepy smile, as if mocking her.
"I win, Nemophila!!!"
Fleeting tears flowed down, spilling from her cheeks.
"Miladyyyyy!!!"
"...!"
The moment the tears fell── a voice that shouldn't have been heard echoed throughout the courtyard.
Nemophila instinctively lifted her downcast face and turned to where the voice came from.
She thought it was a hallucination.
She thought it was just her imagination.
She thought her mind was playing tricks with a convenient voice.
But, no.
In the place that was the second floor of the castle, she spotted a small figure leaning out, pushing aside the onlookers.
"Kik...Kik?"
It wasn't an illusion...
There was no way she could mistake Kikrys's figure.
There, indeed, was Kikrys, the attendant who had been taken away by Crocus's scheme.
The eyes of those around her gathered in that direction.
Wondering if it was yet another of Crocus's evil plots, she looked back at him...
He was staring wide-eyed in shock, as if he couldn't believe it.
"Wh-why is that servant here!? There hasn't been any order for release yet...!"
"Milady, Kikrys is safe! Sir Roezé helped me! Sir Roezé helped me!"
"..."
Roezé, who hadn't shown up since this morning.
She heard he went out of the castle for some business, but she never thought he'd go to help Kikrys...
"So, Milady! Don't worry about anything, just fight with all your might!"
Kikrys unusually raised her voice.
Even with a raspy throat, she sent a strong cheer from the second floor.
"No matter what anyone says, the one worthy of being this country's king is... Milady Nemophila!!!"
"..."
Just those words made my faltering heart feel like it was back to normal.
Kikrys had really come back.
Roezé had gone to help.
This time, her eyes were burning for a different reason.
She felt an overwhelming urge to express her gratitude, but she belatedly realized she couldn't see him anywhere.
She was concerned about that, but right now, there was something she needed to do more.
"...!"
Kikrys, who rushed over, was in tatters.
Clothes covered in mud.
Scratched arms and legs.
A swollen cheek.
It was clear what they had done to her.
Something snapped in Nemophila's mind.
She threw away the ring she had never taken off, even when cornered.
Her body felt lighter.
The tightness in her chest faded away.
In contrast, her head was getting hotter.
"...W-wait, Nemophila. Let's talk for a bit."
"..."
Feeling the overflowing anger from Nemophila, Crocus became visibly shaken.
Nemophila glared at Crocus with narrowed eyes.
"I-I didn't! I never gave any orders to hurt that servant! They just went out of control on their own!"
Even though she hadn't said anything, he started making excuses.
He's not the bad one.
The ones who ignored the orders are the bad ones.
"It's true! I didn't say anything! The only order I gave was for the servant's abduction and confinement! Please, believe me!"
Nemophila slowly approached.
Overwhelmed by her presence, Crocus bowed his head deeply.
"M-my bad! It was just a moment of weakness! I didn't think you'd gotten this strong, and I just... got carried away with that command!"
In an instant──.
He shot his face up and readied his pitch-black staff.
"[Evil Flameee (Chaos Flareee)]!!!"
From the tip of the staff, a dark flame erupted.
It was a massacre magic that was far too large to be aimed at a person.
It was a surprise attack meant to catch us off guard.
The sheer power of that magic made the surrounding spectators scream in terror.
"...That's enough."
In a split second──.
Nemophila waved one hand, extinguishing the black flames as if brushing off 'dust'.
"...Huh?"
In Crocus's hands was the highest-tier destruction magic.
A masterpiece of magic catalyst created using the most notorious monster in history.
Yet, Nemophila dismissed the most powerful strike released from it as if swatting away a bug.
Not even a scratch, not a speck of dust was left on her.
Crocus's magic was utterly ineffective against the restored power of Nemophila.
"...Enough. I don't even want to see your face anymore. I don't want to hear any excuses. Just don't say anything."
Nemophila opened her right hand, channeling all her strength into it.
"[Judgment]..."
This skill's effect varies depending on the "weight of the opponent's sins.".
Those who approach within a certain distance are slightly weakened by 'Criminal'.
Those who attack are cursed with weakness by 'Nemesis'.
Furthermore, those who have inflicted wounds are hit with a "Magic Strike" based on their Resilience value...
"[Rebellion]."
A fierce light of magic gathered in Nemophila's right hand.
Faced with overwhelming power, Crocus felt an unfathomable fear.
He instinctively tried to flee, but was struck by a sudden wave of fatigue and fell to one knee.
"T-This is...! Hollis has been taken down...!"
The curse of weakness cast by 'Nemesis' had already begun to eat away at Crocus's body.
As Crocus knelt, having lost his strength, Nemophila quietly approached him.
Looking down at him with a cold gaze, she slowly raised her right hand.
"Pl-please, stop...! I can't move my body...!"
"..."
Tears welled up in his eyes from the despair.
Crocus trembled as he pleaded with the Nemophila in front of him.
"I-I'll drop out of the inheritance battle! I'll confess all my sins! So──."
"Stop... talking!!!"
Slap!!!
A fierce slap struck Crocus's left cheek.
The magic contained in Nemophila's right hand exploded, violently sending Crocus's body flying as if it would disappear from the spot.
Though she had held back somewhat, Crocus clutched his broken face, writhing in pain.
"Ugh... ahh... ahhh!!!"
"Do you understand Kikrys's pain, even just a little, Elder Brother Crocus?"
Moments later, the curse coursed through Crocus's entire body, and he lost consciousness.
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