章 43: Starless Night (2)
Luan found the boulder to lean on. He was unclear on how long he was fighting, but it finally ended. Was it one day? Two days?
The miasma darkened the sky making it impossible to tell the time. Even if the sun was shining above them like a summer day, it was impossible to pierce through the thick poisonous miasma. Those fighting on the battlefield lived during the night, the clear day could be only seen in memories.
His body was injured to the breaking point. Anyone else would have lost his consciousness a long time ago, but the knight was still hanging on that last strand of life. His armour was damaged in many places, and no one could tell its original colour, as he was drenched in blood from head to toe.
'I did it…'
He was too exhausted to even speak. His breath was shallow, and he was expecting to close his eyes forever soon.
'I avenged master, now I don't care about anything anymore…'
He was seeing black, but a light stream of silver lines still came to his mind.
Luan was the only one still awake on this battlefield. Everyone else was either dead or seriously injured. If they don't get medical care soon, they will die. But he already did everything he could, he defeated the demon's captain, the strongest one on the enemy side.
The price he paid was high, as his abdomen was bleeding like a broken vase and his throat was on fire, making it impossible to say anything.
"Neigh!" Ash found his way towards its ride, passing by the piles of bodies.
The black stallion was his companion for a long time, if he had any regrets, it would be who would take care of his mount after his death. Ash was strong and valuable, many knights will line up if they can ride him from now on. But the problem was with the horse's personality. It was unwilling to bend to just anyone.
Arianell Fiore.
The girl that he met some time ago comes to his mind. The bright amethyst eyes they won't be afraid of any hardship, the silver hair so brilliant that even the moon was jealous of it. If it was her, Ash would follow without hesitation.
But she was far away.
Did she find the house count Randel left for her?
When they saw each other for the last time, he wanted to tell her to not go anywhere and wait for him. Good thing he didn't really say it. Because looking at his state right now, he wouldn't be able to keep his promise.
He imagined his end many times already, but he never thought that his head would be filled with someone else's face. But that light smile that she showed him was the only comfort on how to forget the pain right now.
He already avenged count Randel and killed the one responsible for his demise, he doesn't owe anything now. All debt has been paid, and he can finally rest for eternity.
Arianell Fiore.
So why he is still thinking about her?
Remembering their parting moment, she looked like she wanted to say something. What was it? Why was he so restless now?
This won't do, the curiosity will kill him faster than an excessive blood loss.
"Neigh!"
Ash impatiently stomped next to him like he was trying to convey his dissatisfaction.
Luan opened his eyes.
The battlefield was covered in blood and poison, the bodies piling up waiting for either cleaners to come and give them a proper burial in the best case. If they are unlucky, the corpses will rotten away and attract the predators looking for food. Whether they are buried into the ground and eaten by worms or end up in carnivores' bellies, will it make any difference?
No, it doesn't.
But he still wished for something else. Luan didn't have many choices in his life, but he would at least like to die at the place he decided to. The small house by the edge of the Forest that was bathing in the moonlight, the girl who would smile at him sweetly. At least let him choose what he wanted to see before leaving for the underworld.
'Partner, I'm counting on you for the last time…'
He climbed on Ash and asked him to take him away. If anyone saw him right now, they would probably cry their hearts out. Luan was severely injured, and this horse ride will only endanger his body even more. Even a swordmaster like him can't survive this.
But there was no one alive to stop him.
The starless night has fallen over the forest. The dryland of the west was completely silent, devoid of any living signs.
A man in a black cape rode on his horse through the wilderness, his riding posture was dangerously unstable. His abdomen was cut and the wound on his neck has not been treated, causing him massive blood loss. He was able to use his aura and closed to wound to some extent, but the speed he was moving and the exhaustion caused the red liquid to gush out again.
It was a miracle that he was still alive.
The horse visibly slowed down, both worn out and it was a matter of time before one of them gave up. The hot blood dripped everywhere, marking the way they have come from.
'Just a bit more, we will be there soon,' he tried to tell the horse, but no voice would come out.
It was pitch black around, but his trained eyes could see even in worse weather conditions. Finally, a house with a big olea tree behind it came into his view. The surroundings felt still like all the time in the world froze up, only waiting for him to make a move first.
There was no other human in sight, yet he felt so calm, and the loneliness was reduced to the ash.
'We made it…'
The horse stopped completely, and the man fell.
-- 贈り物
が届きました 
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット