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𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
“Is it over…?”
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Alma mutters as if in disbelief.
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It was no wonder she felt this way, given the unexpectedly swift conclusion.
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Just as Luke’s magic circle dome shone brilliantly, Behemoth vanished.
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“Yes, Behemoth is gone now.”
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“Defeated… is that what happened?”
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“Hardly.”
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Luke waves his hand, laughing weakly.
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“Defeating a divine beast like Behemoth is impossible. He returned to his original realm.”
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When Luke’s root magic touched Behemoth, he felt the sensation of a realm’s door opening.
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Perhaps it was the opening of the realm’s door that allowed Luke to touch the root magic.
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In any case, Behemoth flew to the connected realm at that moment.
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No, like Iris and the other demons, it is said that the divine beast came from his realm.
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So, it might be better to say he returned.
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“Anyway, Behemoth is no longer in this world. I guarantee that. But it was close. We would have been defeated if we were any later.”
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Actually, Luke was at his limit.
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Touching the root magic for less than a second drained Luke’s magical power to its limit.
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Probably, if he had been delayed by even 0.5 seconds, Behemoth would have broken through Luke’s magic.
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Alma sighs with relief.
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“That’s good… oh, I need to let everyone know!”
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Alma leans out of the main tower and waves her hand.
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Cheers resound from below in response.
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“…Now we can finally go back… Oops.”
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Luke tries to stand up but falls on his buttocks.
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“Alma, could you help me? I can’t seem to stand on my own.”
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“Of course! Don’t push yourself too hard!”
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Alma extends her hand to Luke.
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Luke pulls Alma’s hand and embraces her.
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“L, Luke?!”
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“Alma, I was saved by you. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here now. Not just me. If things had continued, I probably would have sacrificed everyone else to defeat Behemoth. Including you. I couldn’t live with that. You saved me.”
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“Luke… that’s not true.”
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Alma embraces Luke in return.
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“Alma, I don’t ever want to lose you again. I’m clear on that now. The reason I’ve lived up to this point and am here, it’s all because I want to be with you.”
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Luke looks into Alma’s eyes.
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Their reflections are in each other’s pupils.
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“Alma, I love you.”
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Alma gasps.
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Her eyes begin to fill with tears.
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“Luke… I love you too.”
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“Alma…”
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“Luke…”
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Their faces slowly come closer.
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Alma quietly closes her eyes.
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“Luke! Alma! Are you alright?”
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“Luke-san! You did it! Isn’t that magic amazing?!”
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It was precisely then that Sir Wilfred and Tyrone rushed up.
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Their faces separated abruptly, as if pushed apart.
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“…What are you doing?”
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“It seems they are safe after all. And they still have plenty of energy, it seems.”
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“No, it’s not like that! This is… uh…”
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Alma’s face turns bright red at her father’s words, which sounded exasperated.
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Sir Wilfred sighs.
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“Well, never mind, everyone is waiting, so come down quickly. I’ll go ahead.”
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As Sir Wilfred turns on his heel to leave, he glances back at Luke with a sly grin.
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“Take care of Alma, Luke.”
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“Of course!”
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Once Tyrone and Sir Wilfred had left, the two faced each other again.
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“Well, shall we go too?”
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Alma reaches out her arm to Luke.
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“Yes, but…”
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Luke, taking her arm, wraps his hand around Alma’s waist.
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“Maybe we have time for a kiss?”
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◆
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As they descend, they are greeted by the cheers of the soldiers.
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“Luke-san! You did it!”
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“As expected of Luke-san!”
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“We won! We defeated Behemoth!”
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“Luke!”
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“Luke!”
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“”””Luke! Luke! Luke!””””
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The soldiers’ cheers gradually turned into chants of praise for Luke.
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“Congratulations, Luke. Thanks to you, not only us but the entire country is saved. I don’t know how to thank you enough…”
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Tears glistened in Flora’s eyes.
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“No, this is everyone’s victory. Without everyone, I couldn’t have been here.”
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Flora wipes the corner of her eyes and smiles warmly.
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“You are truly humble. But your contribution is an undeniable fact. As the royal family, we promise to express our gratitude on behalf of the country.”
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“I, I can’t accept it!”
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At that moment, a voice was heard from behind.
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Standing there was Gale.
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Barely able to stand, covered in wounds, too weak to even look Luke in the eye, but still trying to put on a brave front.
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“I, I don’t recognize it… I’ll never accept it.”
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Staggering towards Luke.
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“Prince Gale…”
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Flora sighs.
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Yet Gale’s words did not stop.
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They couldn’t be stopped.
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To stop speaking would mean admitting it in his mind and heart.
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Gale screams as if spitting blood.
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“Why, why only you… why you! I am… I am the strongest in this country! Yet why are you there! That’s my place! Why you… why, why not me!!!”
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A dry sound echoed across the battlefield.
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It was the sound of Flora slapping Gale’s cheek.
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“Enough is enough, Gale Arrogas!”
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Flora shouted at a stunned Gale.
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“Are you still the First Prince of this country? Can’t you even offer words of comfort to those who fought desperately?”
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“Flora… I… just…”
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Gale muttered faintly.
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“Why are you like this! Always boasting about how strong and great you are! What good is it to be proud of yourself!”
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Flora’s rebuke didn’t stop.
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“Look around! Is there anyone else here who only thinks of themselves? Everyone fought to protect their comrades and families! Yet you act like a child, always throwing tantrums and fits of anger… Is that how a royal should behave! Is that the kind of king you aspire to be!”
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“I… I…”
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Flora sighed deeply.
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“Gale, I’ll say what no one else will. You are not fit to be a king. I don’t want you to be king in your current state.”
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Those words were the final blow.
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Gale distorted his face and fell to his knees.
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Tears began to overflow from his eyes.
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“Uh… uhh… uoooh.”
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He fell to his elbows, covering his face and sobbing.
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The man known for his arrogance, conceit, and haughtiness was crying openly without any regard for others’ eyes.
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Flora, who had been watching him with a somber expression, eventually looked up and surveyed the surroundings.
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“As a member of the royal family, Flora Nightingale declares in place of Prince Gale. The large-scale subjugation is over. We have won!”
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Cheers echoed across the battlefield.
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“Mr. Luke, successful subjugation of Behemoth,”
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Holst noted on the parchment.