81 Darkness that light never reaches (2/2)

Besides, there's an army of demons waiting behind them on the giant dragon.

If we carelessly save Rage, they might join the war effort.

But then Rei-kun will die. ......

Sahoko looks at Rage with concern.

Rage is being ripped apart in front of Sahoko's eyes.

'No, probably not in mortal danger. Kuroki-sama is taking it easy on us. If he was serious, Reigi-sama would already be dead.

Kaya's words surprised me.

'Kaya, he's not really fighting?'

Kaya nodded as I asked.

'Yes, Chiyuki-sama. Look, he hasn't taken the sword yet.'

Ah!

Kaya is right. He doesn't take up his sword, but instead deals with Rage with his bare hands.

And if you look closely, the way he fights, it's like he has no choice but to deal with Rage because he's going to come at him.

If you think about it, he was about to retreat.

Maybe he doesn't really want to fight and is just paying off the fire that's coming down.

I'm relieved to see that we're not killing each other.

''You're really strong, Kaya. Why is Kuroki-san so strong?''

Kyouka says with a complicated expression.

To Kyouka, the Dark Knight, he is a benefactor. He is the one who is ripping off his own brother.

He doesn't know which one to support.

''I've been wondering that too. How can he be so strong? From what you said about Mr. Cyrone, he seemed like an insignificant person.

I ask Kaya too.

From what Cyrone said, he only sounded like a kind man, a useless person with nothing else to offer. But in reality he is very strong.

''I don't know what Shirone-sama thinks, but as far as I can tell, he's a martial arts genius. Probably more than Rage-sama .......

They all exclaimed at Kaya's words.

''But Sirone says you were very weak before. ......

'I think some of us are awakened to our talents from the beginning, while others wake up later. Shirone-sama has been estranged from Kuroki-sama since she started dating Reigi-sama and the others. Perhaps he awakened to his talents during that time.

Kaya says as she watches the two men fight.

The difference in power between the two men is obvious.

Rage doesn't give up and is challenging them, but his attacks aren't reaching them at all.

'Oh no, Rei-kun was working so hard ....... I was training every day, but .......''

Sahoko says sadly.

'Oh, well then. Kuroki-san didn't seem to be neglecting his daily training either.''

Kyouka says, tilting her head.

Yes, I hadn't thought about that.

As Rage gets stronger, so does his opponent.

I don't think Rage was thinking about that.

Maybe he was thinking of his opponents in his favor.

How could he win then!

I watch him fight.

Rage, who always has a spare expression on his face, is getting serious.

There's no room for the way he fights.

''Such ....... I can't believe you lost, Rage-kun.''

I watched the battle with disbelief.

Dark Knight Kroki.

Something that is soooo weak: .......

Rage is not as strong as I thought it would be.

He launches attacks, but his movements are not particularly different from before.

It's a two-pronged approach, but that's all.

What does it mean when the expectation is that he should be stronger than he is now?

To be clear, I'm not even a tenth as strong as I assumed.

I thought that I would be stronger than Rage, and I had been training hard to not lose.

Of course, I still didn't have confidence in my ability to win.

However, when I actually fought him, I saw that he moved slower than I had expected, and his movements were easy to read.

In this case, it's going to be easy to win.

Rage swings the sword in his right hand. The movement is huge.

I twist the right arm that Rage is holding with my left hand to block it and twist it up at the same time.

''Guh!''

Rage's distressed voice.

However, Rage doesn't care and swings his left sword.

He knocks it off with his right hand sword.

The Lanfeld sword that Rage took away from him falls to the ground. One of Llanfeld and the others will retrieve it.

After the sword is dropped, Rage quickly releases a kick.

What a move at all, I'm honestly surprised.

I let go of Rage's right arm and step backwards.

A kick that misses its target slices through the air.

When Rage is out of position, he hits me in the face with his right fist.

''Buggy!''

With a strange voice, Rage goes barefoot to the castle wall.

Rage is mired in the third rampart.

I only struck him lightly. But it was a clean decision.

Normally, a fist like this would not have worked.

To begin with, Rage's move is not a legitimate martial arts move.

It was a surprise attack with an uncommon physical ability.

Its acrobatic movements would instantly turn it into a blind spot.

However, if you know it will move that way, you can deal with it.

In fact, if your attack fails because of its large movements, it will leave you open.

That's why all of our attacks are decided by this one.

This means that we cannot take the sword. The opponent has so many gaps in his or her movement that I'm sure I'll slice him or her to death without thinking.

That's why it's a little dangerous, but I'm dealing with it with my bare hands.

''I'll do it. ......

Rage is coming again.

He's acting like it's nothing, but his face is swollen.

His nose is crooked, but will he be okay?

Are we done yet?

'Of course!　I am the brave man of light who brings a golden dawn!　No matter how much the Demon King controls me, I can't lose to you!

Rage holds the sword of light.

He who brings the golden dawn.

My head hurts when I hear those words.

It's the one who will bring back the golden age of humanity.

But there was no golden age for humanity in the past to begin with.

Demons have existed all over the world since before mankind was born.

So who said it was a golden age?

From my own research, it seems that this lie wasn't created by the gods of Elyos.

Perhaps it arose spontaneously among the people over a long period of time.

People are weak. So they have no choice but to live in fear of the demons.

That painful thought must have created a false history.

Of course, someone might have said that was a lie.

But I think the people suffering by the demons ignored that voice of truth.

And before long, the lie became the truth among the people.

The false image that they created on their own to save themselves is the one who will bring about the golden dawn.

Rage and the others are trapped in this false image.

The Raiders have become such a hope for humanity.

Killing Modes won't make the demons disappear, and there will never be a golden age.

Even so, that lie is still the hope for people to live.

But there's no need for me to be trapped in such a false image.

I am a dark knight protecting the Demon King.

Therefore, I don't care if humanity despairs.

Aah!　God!　I get it!　Let's end this!　Give it your all!　A brave man of light!

I compose myself.

'Let's go!　Don't avoid it!　The Dark Knight!

Rage's body glows.

Then, he rushes forward with his sword at the ready.

Rage's body becomes an arrow of light coming towards me.

He releases all the power of the dragon inside him.

Black flames, including lightning, spew out of himself.

Rage and myself collide.

I rotate my arms, which are defended by the black flames, to kill Rage's momentum, and I hit him with all my might with my magic.

A roaring sound rings out.

I'm the only one left behind.

Looking at it, it looks like Rage flew over the third wall of Ariadia, then shattered the top of the second wall and flew through the first wall to the square in front of the temple.

I can hear Kuna and the others cheering from behind me.

Rage's fellow girls who were on top of the third rampart rush over to Rage's place. Seeing this, I come to myself.

Oh no .......

I couldn't help but get serious. Could it be that I'm dead?

I got worried, so I flew to the square myself.

The square was cratered and shattered like a crater.

I landed on the edge of the crater.

Luckily, there didn't seem to be anyone in the square. I don't see anyone else who looks injured besides Rage.

In the center of the crater, you can see Rage getting up, supported by a girl.

It seems that her life is safe.

I pat my chest in relief.

I didn't kill Syrone's girlfriend.

'We're already in the game. ......

A girl with long black hair looks at me and says. I'm pretty sure her name was Chiyuki.

The girls stand between Rage and herself.

No, I had no intention of doing it from the beginning ....... I was going to retreat.

I just got worried and came to check on you.

'Hey---!　Kuroki!　What are you doing? -----!!!

I hear shouting from above.

It looks like Syrone has arrived. Come to think of it, where have I been?

Shirone comes flying in with wings and goes to Reige.

She has two girls in tow behind her.

''Hey, Rage-kun, are you okay?　Kuroki!　What did you do to Mr. Raige?　Apologize!

Sirone looks at me and glares at me.

'Wait, Sirone!

It looks like Kuna has arrived with Glorious.

The giant Glorious breaks some buildings as it descends to the ground.

Coona comes to herself when she gets off Glorious.

Coona, the White Silver Witch ......

Cyrone glares at Cuna.

'Don't interrupt me at all good places, Syrone!　Kuroki!　Kuna and his men will take down the heroic women!　In the meantime, stop the brave men!

The words ”What? I almost say, ”I'm not going to do it anymore! I'm not going to do it again!

'Yes!　Death to the brave!

”Perdition to those who defy the great demon king!

”Judge the fools!

I look up and see Llanfeld and his friends in the sky.

Why are they there? Get out of the way! I would say.

Lanfeld and the others call out ”Black Storm God” and ”Darkness where the light never reaches” in their mouths.

What is this?

Do I have to kill a brave man?

I'm under a lot of pressure.

Kroki!　Wake up!　That boy is dangerous!　Call the ghouls to Ariadia!　They're releasing demons into the basement or something!　I'm trying to bring disaster to the people of this country!

Cyrone points to Kuna.

What? What do you mean? It didn't make sense.

To begin with, Kuna had only recently arrived here. I don't think she had time to do anything to Ariadia.

I don't know what it means, but no matter how much Syrone would say bad things about Cuna, I can't overlook it.

''No matter how much you think Syrone, I don't want you to speak ill of Kuna. She's my own lovely girlfriend that I finally got to have ....... And there is no way Kuna will bring disaster to this country. If you still call Kuna an enemy. I will defend Kuna with my life.

When I say this myself, Shirone looks despairing.

''Wahahahahahaha!　Did you hear that, White?　Kuna wins!　Kroki belongs to Kuna!　That's a shame!　Be-!!!

Coona hugs her left arm and sticks her tongue out at Cyrone.

'Lie ....... No such ....... I've already been completely brainwashed .......

Syrone shook her head and stumbled backwards as it was.

''Are you okay!　Mr. Cyrone!

The girl who came with Cyrone ran up to him.

'Well, that's it, you brave souls!　That's right Kroki!

When Coona leaves him, he points his scythe at Syrone and the others.

I want that to wait too.

I'm sure he's going to protect Coona with his life, but I don't want to kill Syrone and the others either. ......

This situation is a bit troubling.

''Wait!

Suddenly, the sky above shines brightly.

Someone comes down from that light.

It's a shining, beautiful woman who has come down.

The woman is surrounded by armed female angels.

The beautiful woman descends between herself and Shirone and the others.

「「「「「 Raina? 」」」」」

Sirone and the others are surprised by a woman who suddenly appears.

It was Raina who came down.

Naturally, I was surprised as well.

Everyone present was also surprised at the sudden appearance of the goddess.

''Raina?　Why are you here?

When I say it myself, Raina laughs meaningfully, ”Hmmm.

The timing is too good.

He was probably watching somewhere. And it looks like she was looking for an opportunity to get out.

Lanfeld and the others are puzzled by the sudden appearance of the angels.

'Please, Kroki. Please step back. You will do me a favor, won't you?

Raina asks, smiling kindly.

However, this helped. In this situation, it will be easier for us to retreat too.

Wait, what are you doing showing up all of a sudden?　No. ...... Kuna knows you, okay? Who are you?

Coona nods her head.

'Don't you see?　I am your real thing.

What's that?　What do you mean? But no matter how many of you show up, Kroki is invincible!　The tide is not changing!

Coona points the scythe at Raina.

At those words, Lanfeld and the others raise their spirits.

No, wait a minute. Let's retreat. ......

I'm sorry, but Kroki can't fight me. Remember, Kroki! What happened that night!

I can feel the magic wave from Raina.

Then, the forgotten memories of my own brain in the Kingdom of Roxx came back to me.

''Ooohhhh!

I can't help myself. How could I have forgotten about this amazing thing -----!!!!

What's up?　Kuroki?　Bending over all of a sudden?

Kuna makes an uneasy sound at her sudden change in appearance.

Even the people around her can hear the voices of confusion at her sudden change.

It can't be helped. Because this is not something that can be done by one's own will.

''You!　What did you do to Kuroki?!

Coona asks Raina.

'It's nothing. I was just reminding you of a few things. Now Kroki can't fight. You guys have no choice but to retreat while you still can.'

Raina says triumphantly.

He seems to enjoy watching himself.

d*mn. My lower body doesn't listen to me.

Quiet! Quiet! There's no need for you to be here.

Sorry, Kuna!　We shouldn't fight any more!　I'm retreating!

I pull myself up and force Coona down.

It's very hard to move because my lower body is in so much trouble.

'Ugh, I get it, Kroki ....... Are you okay?

Coona agrees when I ask her to do so.

She seems very worried.

I apologize to Kuna in my heart, saying I'm sorry.

'Thank you Kuna.'

And then I see Lanfeld and the others in the sky.

They too must be withdrawn.

'If we fight any longer!　It's going to affect us too!　Therefore, the Demon King's army will retreat to the labyrinth!　That's an order!

Loudly, he orders Runfeld and the others.

They may be dissatisfied, but angelic reinforcements have arrived for Rage and the others.

If they fight any more, Lanfeld and the others will know that they will cause damage. So they'll listen to the orders.

'Wait ....... The battle is not yet won .......

I was just about to retreat too. Suddenly, I was accosted from behind.

The one who called out to me was Rage.

It looks like he's still planning to fight.

I'm not sure if I've been given a healing spell or not, but I'm not bleeding anymore.

However, it looks like he can barely stand up. The girl in white comes over here, supported by the girl in white.

You clearly don't look like you're in a fighting condition.

Where does that guts come from?

''Rage, the game is already won. Stop it.

Raina keeps Rage at bay.

'But Raina. I can't allow myself to lose in front of you. ......

Rage is already not in a body that can fight. But perhaps because it's in front of Raina, she refuses to admit defeat.

That's really, really cool: ....... I'm a little impressed.

Please. Mendoza ....... No, I'm worried about you. Please step aside for my sake.

I just noticed that I was clearly about to say ”annoying”, but no one else seemed to notice.

However, having been told that by Raina, Rage will indeed have no choice but to retreat.

Rage is paragraphing in frustration.

...... All right, Raina. We can't afford to worry about Raina. But one last thing: ....... Show me your face. I didn't remember it last time I saw it. But this time I won't forget it.

Hearing those words, I thought to myself, ”Wow.

Could it be that you are visiting to thank me?

Then I don't want you to see me. I'm scared.

”No, no. I just want to walk away.

So I say no.

Are you saying it's not worth showing?

I can hear Rage say in frustration.

No, I'm not.

I don't feel like explaining, so I don't say anything.

I lean forward and go to Glorious with Coona.

It's uncool, even if I am.

However, looking at Raina's face reminds me of that time.

Let's hurry up and leave this place.

Glorious, who was carrying us, flaps his wings and flies through the air.

Glorious leads the way, followed by Lanfeld and the others.

The warrior maidens are not following.

They left Ariadia with the storm.