I Became the Butler of the Seventh Princess, Who’s Regressing Into a Child - Episode 53

Episode 53

I reapplied [Acceleration], infusing my entire body with strength. But my body was already falling apart. Gushinus, too, should have been reaching his limit. And yet—

In the next instant, Gushinus’ eyes gleamed with an eerie glow. The cursed blade he wielded began to radiate an even more sinister aura.

“…I’ll finish you off with this!”

“…What!?”

A torrent of abnormal magic burst from Gushinus’ body, the sheer force clearly anything but normal.

It was as if he was consuming his own life force.

“You… that power—”

“Ha… this will be my final strike! I’ll wipe out you, this mansion, and everyone in it!”

Gushinus wore a crazed smile, concentrating all his magic into his cursed blade. It was a power that seemed to be pouring out his very life essence. He intended to end his own life with this final blow.

…What a selfish man.

“If you do this, you’ll die, too.”

“I couldn’t care less! My life means nothing to me anymore!”

A dark shockwave erupted from the cursed blade. It was directed at me and the mansion where Lady Luciana was.

…Gushinus had unleashed an attack, sacrificing his own life.

It had more power than any [Celestial Severing Blade] I’d seen before.

If I dodged it, Lady Luciana and everyone else would be caught in the blast.

Then I had no choice—I had to neutralize it!

I immediately activated [Celestial Severing Blade].

But—

“It’s not enough…!”

My power was insufficient to stop this strike. I quickly boosted my stats. But even then, I lacked the strength to halt Gushinus’ attack.

…With my body screaming in agony, I activated more skills to reinforce my stats.

But still, it wasn’t enough—I was getting overpowered!

“Hahaha! Die! Just die!”

Gushinus laughed wildly as the power of his [Celestial Severing Blade] surged further.

…Was he really ready to die for this?

If I was to stop that blow, I’d have to sacrifice my own life as well.

“Guh—raaah!”

To increase the power linked to [Celestial Severing Blade], I elevated [Strength Enhancement] to its maximum, stacking it fivefold.

Even as sickening sounds echoed from within my body, I channeled all my magic into repelling his skill.

…But I was still being overpowered.

Would I once again fail to protect anyone?

…No, I wouldn’t bear such regret again.

Even if it meant my death, I would protect them this time.

The moment I resolved myself—

“…I’m sorry, Rondo.”

A voice echoed out. Looking over, I saw Klaus-san standing. He was using his sword as a support as he approached.

“Klaus-san…!”

As I looked up, Klaus-san stepped forward and gathered his magic in a single instant. He slid his sword back into its sheath—and then, Klaus-san drew his blade with a mighty swing.

In perfect unison with my own [Celestial Severing Blade], Klaus-san’s [Celestial Severing Blade] layered on top.

The overwhelming force of Klaus-san’s skill, released from his blade, resonated with mine and collided with Gushinus’ dark shockwave.

“…What?!”

The shock reverberated through every fiber of my being as our combined powers and Gushinus’ life-ending strike clashed fiercely.

In that instant, a massive explosion rang out. It distorted space itself, as a mist of magic began to form.

……Our skills had canceled each other out.

With labored breaths, Klaus-san and I turned our gaze to Gushinus.

“…Guh… argh…”

……That strike had been the last of his strength.

Gushinus collapsed, seemingly unable to move any further. His breathing grew fainter and fainter.

The light from his cursed blade, once so powerful, dimmed.

Klaus-san looked down at Gushinus with a hint of sorrow and muttered softly.

“…Forgive me. I’m to blame for what you’ve become.”

Regret weighed heavily in his voice.

I didn’t know the Gushinus that had once been.

…I couldn’t grasp the depth of Klaus-san’s thoughts or the weight of his words.

“…Klaus-san,” 

I murmured, unable to do anything but watch his sorrowful figure.

Klaus-san knelt beside Gushinus, who had fallen, as if to witness his final moments. I wanted to stay with them until the end, but my body had reached its limit.

All strength drained from me, and I collapsed to my knees.

…..It seemed that I’d pushed my body too far with my reckless use of skills. I could barely move anymore.

At that moment—

“…Rondo!”

…Lady Luciana? I thought I heard her voice. So I forced my eyes open, even though they’d begun to close.

This time, our roles were reversed; Lady Luciana was the one holding me up.

Her face was etched with worry… and I felt a pang of regret for being the cause of that expression.

“Rondo, are you alright!? Are you safe!?”

“…Lady Luciana. I’m… glad I protected you.”

“Yes, yes! I’m fine, but you—!”

Gradually, my consciousness began to fade.

Lady Luciana’s distressed voice seemed to grow distant, as though it was coming from far away.

…Even so, I couldn’t open my eyes again. So instead, I slowly let them close.