NOVEL NEXT Chapter 83 Black
"I see... So that's how it is."
Lodya said this, watching Lodya, the black flames within her helmet flickering involuntarily. Lodya, too, looked at herself, her soft blue eyes reflecting a thoughtful expression.
Of course, Lodya was currently bound by blue-black soul chains, while Lodya was tasked with guarding her.
It sounded full of semantic errors, but it was not contradictory at all.
...
The Headless Knight's armor, Soul Fire, and even that sword, all originated from the souls of the living. The Headless Knight itself was the materialization of a soul, even though those things were transformed from a soul.
But just as when gods died, their souls didn't return to the World Tree, yet the souls of gods still existed within the World Tree.
Even if a soul was consumed, it still existed... Perhaps, what constituted the Headless Knight was the "soul that constituted the soul," and the soul itself wouldn't be obliterated.
It was a symbol of the living having once existed - a premise for legacy.
"Yeah, as a mage, having a 'warrior's soul' is really strange."
So said Lodya... or rather, the human Lodya, who was a human mage dressed in a blue magic robe. She gazed at the armor of Lodya, the Headless Knight.
"Indeed, I'm still more suited to being a knight."
"Maybe so, but being a mage isn't bad either."
"..."
Lodya and Lodya were conversing harmoniously, while not far away, the Insect Men were talking and drinking among themselves. The scene was dominated by exchanges and entrustments between the living and the dead.
This moment marked the time of legacy.
However, not everyone got along so harmoniously.
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"'Black'? Our family's naming skills are as terrible as ever."
The human knight said this while he crossed his knight sword with the Black Knight Leader - Blake Black's knight sword, continuously releasing the pure white mana that a knight should possess.
"..."
Blake Black didn't respond immediately. Usually appearing refined and gentle like a light novel character, at this moment, the two scarlet points within his helmet flared up like lightning... The atmosphere was oppressively terrifying.
"I am not... of your family! I am... the Black Knight of the Demon King Territory!"
Blake Black roared, emanating a dreadful aura, then suddenly released his grip, allowing the human knight to knock his sword away. He then made a desperate lunge at the opponent, risking injury.
Although it seemed like an utterly non-threatening move, with the aura surrounding him, if he grasped and controlled his opponent... the surge of black flames would undoubtedly burn them.
But the human knight saw through this. He decisively abandoned his attack and retreated, saying, "Right, you're not part of our family. You are... my body - the body of Blake White."
Blake White said this, watching as the Black Knight named Little Black picked up his sword, and continued, "You just don't want to admit it and gave yourself the name Little Black."
"I am not you... I'm no executioner."
Little Black said coldly.
"..."
Blake White could only shrug helplessly at Little Black's words as he said, "I'm not you, because you've lived more lives than I have. Yet you carry all of me; you don't need to deny it."
However, these words did not dispel Little Black's hostility.
"Besides, I have indeed killed many people, regardless of women or children, professionals or civilians."
Blake White said this with a seemingly helpless expression and added, "But it was my duty. I was the 'Liquidator' in the knights' order; traitors could only be killed, right? Otherwise, hatred would continue."
"..."
Watching the silent Little Black, Blake White was once again controlled by his body to launch an attack, saying, "I also saw it in the World Tree. Didn't Yila also carry out liquidation? There were no survivors among the Gorgons."
Indeed, even the Yila that Little Black respected had carelessly and effortlessly used the Gorgons' own power to petrify their entire territory and undoubtedly shattered it.
There were, naturally, women and children among them as well.
"You know that kind of 'evil' is necessary, so you still acknowledge Yila. But you think the 'evil' you (I) committed was wrong and deny it... You're too harsh on yourself (me)."
Blake White continued speaking while launching a fierce assault, urging, "You need to accept yourself. If you don't kill, one day, your comrades will be killed! If you don't kill, many people will end up dead!"
"This world is not a fairy tale!!!"
Shocked by these words, Little Black was stunned in the middle of battle... at a moment when he absolutely couldn't lose focus, he froze on the spot. This was the most profound wound in his heart.
Many had indeed told him such things, even Lodya and Rainbow Shell had advised him similarly... but hearing it from himself made all the difference.
Moreover, Little Black himself... knew this truth all along but just didn't want to admit it.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, the Calamity of the Resurrection of the Dead did not let this chance slip, and Blake White raised his knight sword high, gathering all the mana in his hand.
If he struck down, Little Black would die!
"..."
"..."
"Isn't this taking a bit too long?"
Even Little Black couldn't help but ask this, and Blake White, still unhurriedly gathering mana, smiled and said, "Why don't you hurry up? I don't mind if you restrain me like the others."
In other words, suggesting that he should kill him directly.
Faced with Blake White's words, Little Black hesitated for a moment, then simply raised his sword... Even if the other party deliberately left an opening, he wouldn't hesitate to strike.
Ultimately, the benevolence of Little Black was different from that of Mille... The latter was benevolent through self-sacrifice, while the former was not, and both did not act for themselves.
Realizing this, Little Black's grip on the sword grew firmer.
...
"Understood now? We kill, but not for ourselves."
Blake White said with a smile, the gently smiling him, finally seeing the knight sword that Little Black swiftly brought closer and pierced through his head... Luckily, he would be the last person Little Black killed.
And that person was himself.
...
From now on, there would be a confused knight who would find his path again.
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[Resurrection of the Dead]: Dammit!