CHAPTER 497: IF STORY - THE INITIAL DRAFT (5)

0% - Crackle... Crackle...!

As the masked man’s sword aura clashed with Aishi’s frozen blades, a massive shockwave rippled outward.

“My god...”

“This is insane...”

Both the imperial and kingdom soldiers alike gawked in stunned silence, their eyes fixated on the battle unfolding before them.

“W-who the hell is that guy...?”

“Did the Empire still have someone like that...?”

For the Cloud Kingdom’s army, who had been on the brink of victory, the sudden appearance of this masked warrior was nothing short of a disaster.

“Even the princess seems to be struggling a little...”

“Shh, quiet.”

Just moments ago, she had been cutting through the heart of the empire like an unstoppable force, the undefeated Ice Witch.

Yet now, that terrifying figure was locked in combat with the mysterious warrior, her face visibly tense for the first time in decades.

- CRACK!

“Ugh.”

Both warriors retreated momentarily to catch their breath, only to immediately close the distance again, their next attacks sending up clouds of dust and a sharp gasp of pain.

“You are quite formidable.”

When the dust finally settled, their figures became visible once more.

- Crrrreeeak...!

Their lethal blows, each aimed for the other’s heart, had been intercepted, and now, it was a battle of endurance—a test of who would break first in this deadlock of blades.

“But why do you wield such power for the Empire?”

Though her hand trembled from exertion, Aishi’s expression remained utterly composed as she asked the question.

“You don’t seem to be just a hired sword. Is it loyalty? A sense of belonging?”

“...”

“Nameless warrior, the blade you wield is pointed in the wrong direction.”

As she continued speaking, the masked man’s arms began to tremble.

“If you were to defect to our kingdom, we would grant you the highest of honors. Wealth, status, anything you desire.”

“...”

“...Even if what you desire is me, I promise to grant it.”

Sensing a slight shift in his stance, Aishi softened her voice, speaking with delicate persuasion.

“In return, you will walk this path alongside us.”

At the same time, she subtly lessened the pressure on her ice sword.

“Instead of wasting your talents as a mere last line of defense for that decaying empire, come where your abilities will be truly recognized.”

- CRACKLE!

“Join me in changing the world, masked warrior.”

With those words, Aishi completely released her blade’s force, allowing the masked warrior’s sword to reach just beneath her throat.

“...”

Yet, the blade did not pierce her skin.

“...So, have I piqued your interest?”

Aishi gently ran a finger along the sword just inches from her neck, smiling softly.

“If we are to walk this path together, wouldn’t it be time for me to hear your voice?”

Her gaze fixed upon the mask covering his face.

But just then—

“I’m afraid negotiations have failed.”

With a firm shake of his head, the masked man rejected her offer outright.

“...Why?”

“The reason is quite simple.”

At Aishi’s irritated question, he answered in an even, emotionless tone.

“I already have someone to whom I have devoted my body and soul.”

“...Hah.”

Hearing those words, Aishi let out an exasperated sigh before glancing at the figure in his arms.

“So that’s why you’ve been fighting with such a hindrance in your arms?”

Nestled against his chest was the unconscious Serena, shivering from her wounds and frostbite.

“If I let go, she’d be an easy target. That’s not an option.”

“Hmm.”

“But that’s irrelevant to this discussion—“

“How boring.”

Before he could finish, Aishi coldly cut him off.

“Is that really your only reason?”

“Well... there is one more.”

And then—

“...!”

Aishi, who had been watching him with a frosty gaze, suddenly widened her eyes in realization.

“As you can see... I don’t have much time left.”

“...”

Dark crimson blood dripped from the masked warrior’s lips.

“You are greater than I expected.”

Finally understanding why his arm had been trembling this entire time, Aishi murmured in genuine respect.

“Whoever receives your loyalty must be truly enviable.”

- BOOOOM!

“...Kh!”

With a thunderous impact, the masked man was suddenly blasted backward.

“That is precisely why... you must die here.”

“...A half-demon.”

“It’s a shame, but you are my enemy.”

As if revealing her true nature, Aishi quietly raised her hand.

Behind the masked man, a series of deadly ice formations emerged, preparing to strike.

“My god...”

“...It’s over.”

The sky filled with colossal ice lances, large enough to wipe out all remaining imperial forces.

“I originally prepared this spell to rain down upon the imperial capital once the war was over.”

“...”

“But I suppose I can grant you the honor of experiencing it first.”

Even her own allies were left speechless by the overwhelming power behind this attack.

Looking down at the masked man, Aishi remained expressionless.

“I trust you won’t call this cowardice. This is war, after all.”

“...”

The masked man simply stared back at her.

“...Excuse me.”

At that moment, Serena whispered softly from within his arms.

“Put me down.”

“Why?”

The masked man’s voice remained calm, but his grip around her did not loosen.

“I think I can interfere with that spell.”

“...Interfere?”

“I’ve been analyzing the magic circle this whole time.”

With a faint smile, Serena’s voice trembled slightly as she explained.

“I finally managed to understand its structure. So, put me down.”

“And if I do?”

“I’ll change the spell’s coordinates.”

“...To where?”

Though time was running out, the masked man’s voice remained unusually persistent.

“To me, of course. There’s no time to set a different target. I’ll redirect everything onto myself.”

“Hm.”

“Please... I beg you, Hero?”

Even as she sensed something was off, Serena forced herself to keep smiling.

“I don’t know who you are, nor how I can ever repay you for this...”

“...Cast the spell now.”

“...What?”

“If I put you down and you get targeted before the spell is complete, it will fail.”

“...Ah.”

The masked man’s voice was chillingly cold.

“Am I wrong?”

“...No.”

Serena, momentarily stunned, then lowered her head and let out a bitter chuckle.

“Now that the Empire has found its hero, I suppose it’s only fitting for a mere tool like me to meet my end.”

“There’s no time. Do it.”

“...To be honest, I already cast the spell.”

A single tear slipped from her forced smile.

“Please... take care of the Empire...”

“...That expression again.”

“Huh?”

But—

“That face... I told you not to make it.”

“E-excuse me?”

Upon hearing her words, the masked man tightened his grip around her.

“W-what are you doing...?”

“Don’t move.”

“...Mmph!?”

Serena, eyes wide in shock, found herself completely enveloped in his arms.

“Y-you... don’t tell me—“

“...Hold on tight.”

“Stop!! That’s suicide!!!”

The ice lances that had filled the sky now all pointed at a single target.

“Let me go!! Right now!!”

Despite her struggle, Serena could do nothing as the masked man held her firmly in place.

“...What are you planning?”

For the first time, Aishi’s expression wavered as she stared at him.

“Stop this!! The Empire needs someone like you!!!”

As both Aishi’s shocked voice and Serena’s frantic screams rang through the battlefield—

- KRRRRRRAAAAAASH!!!

The ice spears rained down in unison, swallowing everything in sight.

“...I can’t wait to see how the next Chapter unfolds.”

“NOOOOOOOOO!!!”

.

.

.

.

.

“C-Cough.”

“...It’s over, Aishi.”

A span of time, long if counted moment by moment, yet fleeting in the grand scheme, passed in an instant.

“You... endured that all alone...?”

“...Cough.”

“What in the world... are you?”

Kneeling on the ground, utterly battered, with a sword lodged in her shoulder, Aishi looked up at the man standing before her.

“Who are you truly...”

“...Just call me Hero.”

“...Ha.”

Though Aishi was gravely wounded, the masked man was in far worse condition.

His entire body was covered in deep frost, remnants of powerful magic, and jagged ice shards had pierced into his back, freezing him from the inside.

“...Why, of all places, did you choose the Empire?”

“...”

“Kill me.”

Still dazed by the sheer impossibility of the situation, Aishi closed her eyes and whispered.

- Shing...!

“...”

The masked man gazed down at her in silence, then raised his sword.

“Father... I’m sorry...”

- CRUNCH!

Despite maintaining a composed expression, fear flickered in the young girl’s eyes as she collapsed forward under Frey’s strike.

“...You.”

“She’s only unconscious.”

As the Cloud Kingdom’s forces watched their princess fall, one by one, they dropped their weapons and knelt in surrender.

Observing this scene quietly, Serena finally descended to the ground and addressed the masked man.

“My advice—don’t kill her. She has her reasons...”

“What... exactly are you?”

“...What?”

Serena, who had approached Frey from behind, stared at him in shock.

“Who... what kind of being are you...?”

“...”

His back—

Was torn open so deeply that bone and organs were visible.

“Why would you go this far... for us?”

Seeing such a sight, Serena’s legs gave out beneath her.

Trembling, she reached out toward him, her voice quivering.

“There’s not much I can tell you.”

The masked man took a step back, pulling his tattered cloak around his mangled back.

“But what I can say for certain is this—“

Turning away, he began to walk forward, his voice unwavering.

“...No matter what happens, whenever you need me, I will appear.”

“Ah...”

“Until the True Sun rises over the Empire.”

As he spoke his final words, his cloak fluttered, and in the next instant—

He vanished into the air.

“...Truly...”

Serena, still frozen in place, stared blankly at the spot where he disappeared.

“Truly... he appeared...”

Her voice trembled as she spoke.

“Serena, ma’am...!”

“Are you alright?!”

Her body was still frozen stiff, but she paid it no mind.

“I never wanted to believe in foolish legends...”

“Quick, call the medics—!”

“But regardless of Frey’s family... he really exists.”

Tears streamed freely down her cheeks as years of sorrow finally overflowed.

“...The Hero.”

She could only murmur to herself.

“The true hero I was meant to aid... has appeared.”

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Meanwhile, elsewhere.

“...The Hero’s Armament. The Mask of Deception.”

Watching everything unfold with a dazed expression, Clana muttered in a hushed voice.

“And just now... Aishi’s appearance... That was definitely a half-demon’s form.”

The cold gears of truth began to align—

“To subdue someone like her in that state... in an instant...?”

Everything clicked into place at this moment.

“...And the Stone of Domination, which was stolen from the Imperial Vault.”

As her thoughts reached their conclusion, Clana’s face turned deathly pale.

“...Was it really Frey all along?”