Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 44: Emperor's Dream, part 4
Nueva's body filled with bruises and traces of a prick that still seeps blood glide profusely after—for the umpteenth time the commander's feet hit his stomach. It hit the gap between the two mountains so hard that it created a wide crater as deep as a dozen meters. And this time, he didn't have enough mana to speed up his regeneration. Xavier has forced him to keep regenerating until his mana is exhausted.
“...It was the last one,” said Xavier who had set foot a few meters beside the emperor. “My time is up too.”
Nueva did not set his eyes on the owner of the voice, his eyes—which is no longer perfect open—look at the sky that no longer lowers snow. He could no longer wake up without feeling the pain that would make him fall back. As the commander said, it was the last one. He has lost by a landslide.
Winning and losing are commonplace, not something to mess around with, not something to regret. Everyone has experienced these two things alternately. No one always wins, and no one always loses. It's a normal thing.
However, in the case of Nueva this is different, it is not that simple. Defeat does not only mean defeat. The defeat of Nueva meant that all his efforts so far had ended in vain. The defeat of the emperor means that the reason for life is gone. Defeat he experienced is the same as dying – there is no longer a reason why his soul must continue to live.
“You have been in a condition where standing alone becomes an extraordinarily difficult thing. What do you feel now, Your Majesty?”
Moving her body made her whole body scream in pain, but this time Nueva decided to allow a look at the owner of the voice.
“Xavier..it looks like you.you're back.”.
“Oh, you're aware of it. But not surprisingly. Between myself now and the previous one is indeed very different, especially in strength.”
“So, yes...” Nueva returned a glance to the blue sky. “Tak surprisingly my efforts ended in failure. I was too satisfied with the information Edward gave me. I'm too late to know about Six Crests of Hope. And about Anomaly Magic..I don't know anything.”
Contrary to the words of whoever previously controlled Xavier, Nueva did not accept reality. He does not believe what he says. He did not respond because there was no response to be given. After witnessing the power of the commander, “try” is the only option.
“This is your victory, Xavier von Hernandez.” Nueva continued saying with eyes that began to close. “Although I still believe that my desires are right, perhaps mortal beings do not want them. Ah.really so. There is no meaning in success if there is no struggle in it. A world without suffering will not be able to give birth to impressive individuals.”
“You talk as if I'm going to kill you. You still haven't forgotten about it, have you, about what I said before the fight?”
“Of course not. But, even if you can take [Eternal Zero] without killing me, in the end I will still die. I no longer have a reason to stay in this world. The world would be better off without someone like me.”
“You won't get my sympathy even with that kind of compassion. I've decided what to do with you; nothing will change my mind.”
Nueva let her lips curl slightly, but then disappeared quickly. “I didn't try to do it. And enough bases, do what you need to do. There's a war you still have to deal with.”
Nueva tightened her eyes, wanting the darkness to embrace her in the eternal void.
“Without you telling me to do it.” The commander approached. “You will live without strength and power. Heh, you might make me a milkmaid until you can't stand.”
“Hahahaha!”
Laughter was painful, her bones were sore, but Nueva could not help but laugh.
“What's funny?” asked the commander—Nueva could feel him crouching beside her.
“Nothing. Nothing is funny. Forward. Do what you have to do. Don't waste any more time.”
Nueva has been living in worse circumstances than the punishment Xavier would give her. No punishment could be more painful than the worst episode of his life. How could he not laugh? Xavier does not memi—hmmm….
Nueva spontaneously opened her eyes, and the familiar face of the man was what greeted the emperor's gaze.
“E-Edward..how can...?” Nueva was really surprised. “I froze you here all the organs you have. How did you survive?”
“That's not a good word to say to the person who just saved you, Your Majesty. You agree with me, right, Commander Xavier?”
“...Penumbra Edward. I didn't know you could teleport. Are you monitoring our fight? How did you survive [Eternal Zero]?”
“Come on stand, Your Highness.” Edward ignored Xavier's question and reached out to the emperor. “We didn't expect Commander Xavier to be that strong, but fortunately he didn't have enough mana to go back to being as strong as he was. This is our chance.”
“Edward Penumbra!” xavier shouted with a black fire sword appearing on his right hand, his feet ready to dart at that very second. “You think I'll let you send—”
“Be quiet, Xavier.”
Edward spoke flat, very flat, but the gripping air emanating from his body said another. Even Nueva herself was surprised. This man..was he really Mammon? The aura is much darker. Mammon's aura was nothing compared to Edward's present one. Xavier who was about to attack just to be silent on the spot, let alone Nueva who Edward had been crouching beside him.
“Come, Your Majesty. What are you waiting for, welcome my hand.”
Nueva felt a bad feeling. He had never been in front of the creature. However, if anyone could emit a dark aura that even made the snowflakes blacken, it was unmistakable that he was just that creature. If Luciel could insert his soul into Xavier's body, it would be impossible for the creature to do so.
I don't have a choice. I'll pretend to welcome his hand and then freeze it in person.
“You came at the right time, Mammon.” Nueva said, carrying the right hand, grabbing the helping hand. “I don't know what will happen if you come ter—!”
Edward's hand did not receive the Emperor's hand. Just as both of their hands were about to touch, in a flash Edward's hand was already moving piercing right in the middle of Nueva's chest. Therefore his mouth was immediately silenced, before then spewing blood.
Xavier certainly did not stay silent. However, before the commander could get close, a black energy spear appeared just like that in an impossible amount to count in an instant. Xavier was given no room to approach. That black energy spear destroyed everything, including Xavier's black flames as well.
“Ka-You...Lu—!”
Edward would not allow Nueva to finish her sentence. The hand of him that had previously pierced the emperor's chest had now gripped tightly against his neck. Nueva can't let go even if it's just a word.
“It looks like you've noticed it. Thas right. I hid my soul in Mammon's body. That's why my body is immobile in hell. And one more thing, do you know who really needed to be a victim?”
“...!” Nueva's mouth was unable to let go of her voice, but her widened eyes were enough to convey what her mouth was about to throw out.
“As Mammon said, you're pretty smart. Right enough. The offering I really need is you in your dragonoid form. All Mammon's words about you being told to patch up my magic are lies. And also, obtaining [Eternal Zero] was only a side goal. My real destination—”
Nueva's body stiffened instantly. Black liquid shot out from the hole in his chest and began to envelop the emperor's body.
“—is to be a four-dimensional being, or a transcendental being, or an anomaly. It's up to you to call which one. And you.you are just the pawn I need to take me to that higher dimension, Nueva Vermillion.”
...»»» End of Chapter 44 «««...