I Became the Strongest With The Failure Frame 02

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  This Former Holy King Ortora lived in this place quietly.

  After we had surrendered to Bakuos, this is now my new “residence”.

  If you were to go towards the north, you would find the place where the Holy Kingdom of Neia used to be.

  The former royal castle is now in the control of the Black Dragon Knights.

  The emperor had given them most of Neia’s territory.

  (Black Dragon Knights…)

  I’m still seeing that boy in my dreams.

  (That boy has become the leader of the Black Dragon Knights now, huh… Ahh, how dreadful…)

  We began to loosen out the gown around my chest.

  There’s a lot of sweat clinging onto our body after we had slept.

  It’s probably because of that nightmare.

  (Ahhh…)

  We were overwhelmed.

  We covered our face with both of our hands.

  Inside our head, the face of the leader of the Holy Knights came to our mind.

  (Seras…)

  She left the castle before the Black Dragon Knights reached the capital.

  I heard that she is still running away.

  (I don’t regret the fact that I let you escape… I don’t regret it, but—)

  I can’t stop worrying about her.

  Is she safe right now?

  (No…)

  A muffled groan began leaking out of our mouth.

  The feelings of regret from deep within our hearts, they gushed out.

  (I may have made the wrong choice at that time. Ahh, if I knew that this would happen… nghh!)

  We suddenly opened our eyes wide.

  (Even if it’s forcefully, I should have held her within my arms… nghh!)

  However, our daughter didn’t allow any man to approach Seras.

  She didn’t give any exception, even to her own father and king, Ortora.

  The leader of the Holy Knights, Seras is a forbidden fruit for the men.

  If you follow the roots of this, it’s because of my daughter’s idea.

  We can only meet Seras in public places.

  Even the time and place where us, the king ourselves, can meet were limited.

  Despite being my own child, we were not good at dealing with our daughter.

  No, we can even say that we were afraid.

  Therefore, we haven’t interfered with Seras.

  (Ahh…)

  Whenever I remember it, my chest would tighten painfully.

  Her limbs seem to paint beautiful lines of seductiveness.

  Her pink smooth lips.

  Her rich breasts that have always troubled the fabrics that held them.

  Her clear voice that sweetly stroke your ears.

  Her fragrant and delicate female scent.

  She has become a gallant and magnanimous person.

  What settled it more is her flawlessly beautiful face…

  The entirety of Seras Ashrain made this old, dying king into a vigorous male again.

  (Ahh… I hate it…)

  I feared that she will belong to someone else.

  We were sincerely afraid of it.

  (We are the king that she serves… the one she had devoted her sword to. Therefore, she is our possession… When I was the king, I should have removed the prohibition for ourselves. These scorching desires and these passion swirling within my thoughts, I would savor her just as I savor the Seras within the world of my fantasies… I keep telling myself that…)

  We could only see ourselves sobbing.

  (In front of Seras who could see through lies, we had to always play the part of a good king with extreme care… but in fact, we were just a coward…)

  Seras has disappeared somewhere now.

  My daughter, Cattleya guided her so she could escape.

  I was aware that she’s moving under her guidance.

  I was already aware but… I overlooked it.

  (At that time, I thought that Seras would be in the hands of the people from Bakuos. Yes… I will just keep the existence of Seras Ashrain as a sweet, nostalgic memory of a dying elder…)

  We found ourselves inadvertently grabbing the sheets strongly.

  It shows how strong our feelings are.

  (However—)

  [As I thought, that’s no good.]

  We will not allow it.

  We will not permit it.

  (Now that I think about it, she would still be defiled by other men if they catch her— How could I put this uneasiness at peace… nngh!)

  However, we will not pull out the hand that we had struck with already.

  If she’s someone that we can’t own…

  (Ahh! At this rate, some random guy might steal her away! If this kind of suffering were to continue forever… nngh!)

  Our head began drooping down without any force within them.

  [Seras…]

  We held our hands together.

  It’s as if we were praying.

  [This may be my last request… I beg of you…]

  We squeezed out a powerful and yet, hoarse voice from our withering throat.

  [Please go die and disappear from this world…!]

  Chapter 76

  P o s s i b l e

  [Civit Gartland…!?]

  Seras said as she prepared her stance.

  It seems that she knows his full name.

  [Furthermore, the Black Dragon Warriors too…]

  Though she said that, there are only four people over there.

  One of them is not here.

  [………]

  Civit held the white lance in his hand.

  There are leather belts wrapped around his white dragon’s body.

  There were several lances stocked up wrapped up in those leather belts.

  It’s as if he’s carrying multiple spare shots.

  Moreover, I could see a sword hanging on Civit’s waist.

  It’s currently sheathed now, but…

  [I’ve sealed his mouth, Oban.]

  Civit said.

  Though, his eyes were still fixed towards me.

  The blonde man on his left side scratched his head as he replied.

  [Errr… Did you really have to kill him?]

  The blonde man seems to be called Oban.

  His skin is a healthy tan.

  His features were quite well-proportioned.

  Though, he has a cunning look on his face.

  He also have piercings on his ears.

  Civit faintly smiled as he replied.

  [Well, it’s also a good idea if he wants to make some coins. Perhaps, is he under Ortora’s instigations?]

  But, you can’t see any laughter in his red eyes.

  He’s a strange man.

  Let’s just say that there’s no point in mulling about it any further.

  Oban had a lukewarm atmosphere around him as he looked down towards Gizun’s corpse.

  [I made him into my deputy because I feel like he was pretty easy to handle. He’s quite faithful to his desire after all…]

  [You’re just talking about your own convenience. That Gizun seemed to be someone who’d interfere in this little play. Therefore, I felt like killing him.]

  [Well, he’s quite weak when dealing with his desires, that’s why I was quite worried if he’s suitable for this mission… As I thought, maybe I shouldn’t have brought him along?]

  [Moreover, it seems that Gizun has already reached his peak. However, if he had dodged my lance, I would have helped him. Even with all of my strength.]

  Drip…

  A drop of sweat falls off my chin towards my feet.

  […………]

  Gizun was paralyzed and was unable to move when he was pierced.

  He was in a state where it wasn’t possible for him to take evasive actions.

  Well— I doubt if it’s even possible for him to avoid that.

  Anyway, they
haven’t suspected about any traces of just yet.

  It looks like it’s still favourable towards us.

  I glanced towards Seras.

  She looks a bit upset for some reason.

  [King Ortora did that… towards me?]

  That perplexed expression on her face.

  It can easily be inferred that Ortora is the king of the Holy Kingdom of Neia.

  Was the king she had been serving the one who’s trying to kill Seras?

  If that’s so, I could understand why she feels bewildered.

  “This Gizun is also a bit interested… What kind of face would the former High Elf Princess, who had dedicated her sword for the Holy Kingdom as knight, make when she knows the truth?”

  The words that Gizun left before he died.

  If it’s the Holy Kingdom’s King that ordered for her death, then the things they said matched.

  However, why did the King tried to kill Seras?

  I have no idea why.

  Even Seras herself seems to have no idea why.

  [Hey, didn’t that old man look like he’s still hiding a lot of fortune…? Well, he did say that he would spit out all of the fortune he had been hiding if we were to listen to his request. I still have some ways to go if I want to fulfill my wish of acquiring the jewels every nation has to offer…]

  [It would have been better if we just find out the location of his fortune through our prided torture method.]

  The two dragon knights still seems to be in the middle of a conversation.]

  Seras’ question was completely disregarded.

  It’s just that, Civit’s gaze remains fixed towards me.

  His gaze has never left my direction.

  [Ortora was also oddly prepared for that, isn’t he? I doubt any torture would be effective towards a broken man like him. Therefore, if we don’t kill Seras Ashrain as he had requested, I think that he absolutely won’t open his mouth.]

  Civit ridiculed in response.

  [Deep-rooted delusion and lust, what a terrible man.]

  [Ugeeehh–! Even Civit saw through that old man’s disgusting passion!? Scary—!]

  At that time, the dragon knight on Civit’s right side interrupted their conversation.

  [Let’s just put aside Oban’s personal circumstances for the time being— How would you like to treat Seras Ashrain, Civit-dono?]

  [What did his Majesty say?]

  [He said he’ll leave it up to us after we caught her.]

  [He knows us quite well. I could say that he’s not that strong of a warrior, but he’s a wise emperor.]

  [Civit-dono, how are we going to handle this? How about we pass her around our subordinates so that we could further enhance the morale of the knights? At any rate, we should still be able to acquire Oban’s “small change” in the end.]

  [That’s quite a problem, Schweiz-chan~]

  Oban suddenly interjected his complaint.

  [Trouble? What do you mean?]

  [The Former Holy King-sama said that we should bring her corpse in a state where he would know that she’s still pure. He said that he would immediately know if there’s that scent from other men, he would be really disgusted… Or rather, I think he’d be considerably broken if he wants us to bring her corpse instead of just capturing her alive?]

  The short middle-aged guy, Schweiz groaned.

  [Fumu, is that so?]

  It seems that he calmly accepted Oban’s words.

  Schweiz’s beard kind of reminds me of a bear.

  His hair that’s as black as tea was swept towards his back.

  You could say that he’s quite a handsome guy.

  There’s a black eye patch over his left eye.

  His voice is like that of a baritone that calms people down.

  He has quite a large build, but there’s no impression of him being a vulgar guy.

  I could infer that there is some cunningness behind his graceful movement.

  The impression you would normally associate with nobles.

  His mount is a large black dragon of around the same size as Oban’s mount.

  [If that’s the case, it seems that it would be difficult to make use of her in that direction. No no, that’s quite a foolish idea. Please accept my excuses.]

  [Y— You people, what nonsense are you talking about!?]

  Seras raises her voice.

  Her voice seems to be accompanied by the sound of condemnation towards them.

  [The gentle King Ortora will never say such strange words! If you continue with your reckless remarks, I will take this as an insult for my King!]

  Oban’s lips lifted as he sarcastically laughed.

  [As expected, this little Holy Knight-chan is pitiable. Even that imposing righteous indignation would become too laughable in light with the truth. Isn’t it that? That type of loyalty that’s incited by pure innocence? Well, you certainly are a beautiful woman. But, I like my beautiful jewels more.]

  After saying that, Oban sneered.

  [But well… For the time being, if you continue to live, won’t that old man would die of anxiety?]

  [N- Nonsense…! What in the world do you want!?]

  I started thinking.

  […………]

  No.

  Even the person herself should vaguely know of this already.

  Seras has the power of the spirits that made her able to sense lies.

  Maybe, they aren’t lying at all.

  That’s why she has been increasingly agitated.

  Seras looks like she’s about to burst into tears.

  [K- King Ortora… would never…]

  Seras knelt down as if she lost strength on her knees.

  Schweiz looked towards her, unmoved by any emotions.

  [What do we do now, Civit-dono?]

  [Isn’t it obvious? Give Seras Ashrain the right to win her life.]

  [I see, so it’s just as usual?]

  Schweiz bowed down just like a businessman would.

  [If Seras-jou avoids your shot, she wins and we would overlook her. Are you fine with this, Oban-dono?]

  [If Holy Knight-chan beautifully dies as a woman, I don’t care either way~♪ as long as we know the results.]

  [I wonder…]

  The person who had been silent all this time spoke for the first time.

  The guy who was riding on the black dragon on the far left from where I’m looking at.

  I could see bandages rolled around the exposed areas of his armor.

  From the voice I heard from him, he’s a man.

  It’s only his left eye that was exposed out of the bandages.

  [Holy Kingdom of Neia, Leader of the Holy Knights. The one who’s famous for her Regalia of the Spirits]

  Civit puts his hand over his mouth.

  [I have obviously heard about the story about her Regalia of the Spirits. That’s why I went to chase her even to this place. I would have been happy if I just get to fight her in her Regalia of the Spirits. After that, well I’ll just leave it to you guys what you want to do.]

  Civit’s gaze fixated on me yet again.

  [And— I thought that would be the case until just some time ago.]

  Schweiz frowned.

  [Civit-dono…?]

  [For some reason, I am more interested in that boy rather than Seras Ashrain.]

  Schweiz turned to look towards me.

  [This Schweiz has also noticed that you’ve been staring at him for a long time but… what in the world made you concerned about him? He just seems to be some luggage carrier that Seras Ashrain employed but…]

  [I’m already old, Schweiz. That person is really interesting person.]

  He faintly smiled.

  Civit did, towards me.

  [Boy.]

  His red eyes looked towards me, filled with expectations.

  [What the hell are you?]

  * * *

  I couldn
’t move for a long time.

  Skeleton King.

  A monster that was weaker than I had expected.

  I was too cautious against the monsters in the Mills Ruins.

  I’m afraid I’m not that good at judging the ability of enemies that’s too weak.

  However, it’s different when it comes to strong enemies.

  You could easily notice those who were larger or taller people.

  If you just look up, you would easily see them in there, standing high as a tower.

  You’re easier to see when you’re huge.

  No matter where you’re standing at…

  Even if you change places, you could easily see them.

  That’s how I come to understand the magnitude of one’s existence.

  That’s why, I know.

  That currently, it’s as if there’s a blade that’s just in front of my throat.

  The moment that I would take an aggressive action against them, I will be killed by Civit in just one strike.

  The Humanity’s Strongest.

  Civit Gartland.

  My instincts are warning me.

  His title of being the strongest isn’t just a decoration.

  This guy—

  He’s more dangerous than that Soul Eater.

  Sweat kept on flowing out of my body after we encountered Civit.

  My face is covered in sweat.

  Depending on my choices, I might die in this place.

  Are we going to live? Or are we going to die?

  Whether we would live the remainder of our lives or not…

  Drip…

  Drop—

  My sweat kept dripping towards the ground just like a waterfall.

  Perhaps…

  It will all depend on me—

  * * *

  However, I wonder why?

  It was the same just like at that time back in the Disposal Ruins.

  Even though I’m in quite a dangerous situation right now.

  [You.]

  Civit cheerfully asked.

  [Why are you smiling?]

  Ah, that’s right.

  Why is that it’s only at times like these—

  […………]

  —that I could smile?

  No, this should be enough.

  I returned a distorted smile towards Civit.

  [Hey, Civit Gartland—]

  Alright.

  His attack still haven’t arrived.

  I’ve properly transmitted it towards him.

  Whether I have any intention to attack or not.

  I’ve properly shown my intention of wanting to converse with him.