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The battle quickly reached a stalemate.
Grellod’s gift from the goddess of death.
Several shadowy arms extended from her, attacking the three knights clad in dark robes.
But—
“Too slow.”
“Child’s play.”
“Hehe.”
The three knights swiftly cut down every one of them.
Brilliant, graceful, inevitable.
Their inhuman skill was undeniable.
What… that speed? It’s beyond sight—could it be, even more so than my instructor?
“My, impressive. That swordsmanship… You lot are quite familiar with fighting powerful magic users and the Gifted, aren’t you?”
“Of course. We are those who dare defy the gods.”
“Naturally, we are prepared for combat against those who wield the power of gods.”
“Hehe, we’ve trained a lot with our master too…”
Magic warfare.
The cutting-edge form of killing in this world today.
Much like how modern weaponry and remote-controlled drones are becoming the norm for killing in our world.
Humankind always strives for the latest, most efficient ways of killing.
Magic, Gifts.
The supernatural powers bestowed by the gods upon this world.
Still, the wisdom of mankind pales in comparison to the knowledge granted by the gods.
Thus, the people of this world chose magic as their tool of death.
It was only through training that I could understand.
Only because I possess a Gift that I could comprehend.
The refinement of Grellod’s Gift, and the vast amount of magic she wields.
“Keeping up with me, huh? Then how about this? Abbreviated chant—Noir Dol.”
“Elementary.”
The black light released from Grellod’s fingertips was slashed down by the knights.
“Haha! You’ve learned how to cut magic, have you? Are you aiming for one of the Seven Swords?”
“Hehe, I don’t care about that.”
The battle unfolding before me was happening on a level far beyond my comprehension.
“But… something’s off. What’s going on? Domination, war, famine… This isn’t like you. You, the weapons of the Uncharted Continent, fighting so quietly. Five years ago, I would’ve thought you’d have obliterated this place by now.”
“I told you, we no longer represent the Seven Prophecies of the End.”
“Thus, we are no longer weapons.”
“For we now serve another.”
“Something doesn’t sit right with me… What changed you? Well, never mind. Now then, what should I do with you, Grellod…? I’m not prepared to kill you here, so—”
“!!!”
“The Gift of the Goddess of Death—’Arms of Death.'”
The three knights froze in place.
Several shadowy arms emerged from the ground at Grellod’s feet.
They were aimed at us—the reincarnated heroes, who were now pinned down.
“Tch.”
“Oh, so that’s how it is? How amusing. I never thought hostages would work on you lot… The apostles of the gods and their intentions… The person who guided you must be quite virtuous.”
“…Our king bears the burden. His immeasurable compassion even extends to things he does not need to carry.”
“My lord never gives explicit orders. He grants us freedom, treats us not as toys or tools or weapons, but as people with will.”
“That’s why we think of our master, what our master would do, and how we can use their power.”
Their voices were filled with trust and reverence.
But that wasn’t what mattered to me.
That outfit, I knew it for sure.
That design, I couldn’t possibly forget.
That’s… why—
“What will happen if I do this?”
The black arms extended toward me and my classmates.
Ah, no. The Gift—it’s too late.
Death. If it touches me, I’ll die.
“I won’t allow it.”
A brilliant flash.
A silver sword slashed through the many black arms in one sweeping motion.
And the arm that reached out to me—
“Pardon me, milady.”
“Huh?”
My vision blurred.
Before I knew it, she had picked me up and leaped backward.
A knight with white hair.
I couldn’t quite see her face, but I knew one thing.
“Are you hurt…? It seems likely. Reincarnated hero, can you heal yourself?”
I had been saved.
I had to thank her, I must, because she saved me. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you—
“Wh-why…”
No, don’t say that.
“…?”
“Why… are you wearing the ‘Evening Twilight Battle Garb’?”
I needed to thank her. That’s from the Brotherhood, no, that’s wrong.
“…What are you talking about, reincarnated hero?”
“Th-that’s… it was given to me… by that person… because it suited me… because it matched my name… not royalty or anything, just because it suited me…”
Why? No, I shouldn’t be talking about this now.
If I upset her, she might kill me. Choose the right time and place.
“Really, what are you saying? Reincarnated hero.”
See? Snow, she’s confused too.
You need to thank her.
She saved me, after all.
She and her comrades saved us.
“—Why are you wearing my clothes?”
I said it. Even though I shouldn’t have. I didn’t mean to.
“…?”
She tilted her head, as if she were a kitten noticing a mouse for the first time.
“This is my outfit.”
Her eyes—despite her expressionless, glass-like beauty—
In those eyes, I saw pride, satisfaction, and superiority.
This woman…
