.

    The ceremony wasing to an end.

    I sat alone in a secluded corner of the field, staring nkly into space.

    I wondered if Lucy, who hade with me, was looking for me.

    But a heavy fatigue weighed down on me, and I couldn''t muster the energy to get up.

    "..."

    The heavy rain had stopped at some point.

    But my heart was still in turmoil.

    I rummaged through my pocket, trying to calm my pounding heart.

    And then, I pulled out a cigarette made of Deathweed and put it in my mouth.

    -Click, click...

    The lonely sound of a lighter was followed by a spark.

    As I was fiddling with the light green stick that was turning scarlet, a blue window suddenly popped up in front of me.

    -Ding!

    [Are you alright?]

    I managed a weak smile at the unexpected question from the status window.

    "What''s up? You haven''t shown up in a while."

    -Ding!

    [I thought you might need some time alone.]

    "Time alone, my foot... I''m perfectly fine."

    -Ding!

    [Be honest with your emotions.]

    [Avoidance only makes the heart sicker.]

    "You know... sometimes I feel like you nag more than Rachel..."

    I muttered as I exhaled the smoke, having a conversation with the status window after a long time.

    As I was half-listening to its pouring advice…

    I suddenly heard amotion in the distance.

    "What''s going on...?"

    As I tilted my head in curiosity…

    I saw figures d in crimson robes approaching.

    Strangers with stern faces, each with a sword at their waist, their robes billowing like cloaks as they walked.

    There seemed to be about ten of them.

    They marched across the funeral site with disciplined steps.

    And those unstoppable feet were headed…

    "What the... Are theying towards me...?"

    Their gazes were fixed on me.

    Their faces were all so grim that I couldn''t help but feel a chill down my spine.

    My fingertips trembled involuntarily.

    The figures in robes were already close by.

    As I swallowed nervously, the man at the front spoke.

    "Are you Young Master Lishite?"

    His sharp voice was so piercing that I felt like my ears were about to be sliced off.

    His eyes were filled with overwhelming charisma.

    I felt a lump in my throat as I answered.

    "...That is correct, but who might you be?"

    I quickly scanned them, trying to maintain myposure.

    A sense of familiarity washed over me.

    Those distinctive long crimson robes, and the blue emblem emzoned on their backs…

    I definitely remembered seeing them in the illustrations of the original story...

    "My name is Gillius Crayden."

    My eyes widened at the name that rang in my ears.

    Gillius.

    If he was who I thought he was…

    "I am the leader of the ''Swords of the Stars'' knight order."

    "..."

    I struggled to regain myposure.

    The Swords of the Stars, a group known as the strongest alongside the Imperial Knights.

    Geniuses of the sword who had asionally appeared in the original story, ying the role of deus ex machina.

    And these people, said to be the strongest of humanity, were standing right before me.

    While that was surprising enough…

    There was something else that left me bbergasted.

    Gillius Crayden.

    This man''sst name was the same as Master''s.

    Master was said to have lost all his blood rtives in the war ten years ago…

    While I was lost in confusion…

    The man continued speaking.

    "I heard that thanks to you, Lucas'' body was recovered intact."

    "...?"

    "I don''t know how to repay this debt."

    With that, the man pulled back the hood of his robe.

    And then, he bowed his head towards me in a deeply respectful manner.

    "As arade who once fought alongside Lucas on the battlefield, I offer you my deepest gratitude for your dedication."

    "...Excuse me?"

    I was left speechless as I witnessed the strongest of humanity bowing his head before me.

    And towards me, of all people.

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