"I'll Catch Up Later, So Go On Ahead!" I Said, and Stayed Behind in the Dungeon for Five Years. When I Returned to the Royal Capital, for Some Reason, I Had Become a Great Criminal, So I Decided to Retire. But Outstanding People Keep Gathering Around Me Though... - Episode 18: At the End of the White Night

Episode 18: At the End of the White Night

“Arlia──Activate.”

Behind me, the white and black swords manifest. I grip the black sword in my right hand and raise it high.

“A unique magic… huh? Kukuku. Not bad. This is getting more interesting than I imagined.”

Zephyr loosely drops the strength from his arms, lowers his posture, and raises his jet-black twin swords.

Since it’s an Artifact, that magical tool must have a special magic formula engraved into it. And I don’t know that formula—on top of that, it’s been five years since I last fought a human opponent.

Sure, I had life-or-death battles with S-rank and higher monsters in the Abyss Sanctum. But after all, fighting humans is different from fighting monsters. I may have a gap in experience—but first, I must understand his magic formula.

“Come on, show me that your magic isn’t just a bluff!!”

Zephyr strengthens his body and charges at me. Fast, as expected… probably thanks to that jet-black magic power surrounding him. I now understand that the Eclipse enhance the user’s physical capabilities.

I follow Zephyr’s approach with my eyes. I parry his flurry of attacks with twin swords. As I thought──the physical enhancement granted by the Eclipse is extraordinary. I’m being pushed into full defense.

“Ha ha ha! All you can do is defend!? Hey……!!”

Zephyr realizes he’s gaining the upper hand and accelerates further. His jet-black blade grazes my cheek.

Fresh bl00d. As the bl00d sprays from my cheek, unbelievably, it gets absorbed into the Eclipse. I see now. The true ability──lies there.

“Kukuh… Hahaha! No one can defeat me and my Eclipse!!”

Now that he has me cornered, Zephyr goes for my legs next. He likely intends to cut my legs to stop me from moving, then slowly torture me to death──but I’ve already read through such a cowardly tactic.

I shift half my body and dodge the attack. I then swing my black sword down from above──Zephyr reacts to it, but.

“Gahh……!!”

Even that, I anticipated. I slam a kick into Zephyr’s exposed side. It sends him flying backward.

He manages to land and cushion the fall, so the damage isn’t too big.

“You bastard……”

Zephyr now realizes that I had deliberately remained on defense throughout the exchange. He seems to have lost the composure he had earlier.

We both have yet──to show our true strength.

“Zephyr. You’re strong. But that strength isn’t your own. It comes from that Artifact. You haven’t changed at all in five years.”

“Don’t you dare talk down to me! Fine then. I’ll make you regret forcing me to go all out!”

In that instant, the jet-black magic power that had been overflowing from him turns crimson. Fine. Then I, too, shall release my power.

“Black Sword Ater=White Sword Alba──Unleash.”

In my right hand, the Black Sword Ater. In my left hand, the White Sword Alba. Holding the black and white swords in both hands, I face Zephyr.

In a flash, Zephyr closes the distance with more than double his previous speed. I catch his attack with the White Sword Alba.

“Haha! You took my attack! The Eclipse absorbs and converts any substance it touches. Your magic──I’ll devour it!! The moment you took the hit, you lost!!”

He seems convinced of his victory──but I run the magic formula of the White Sword Alba.

“First Anchor: Structural Analysis.

Second Anchor: Magic Formula Recognition.

Third Anchor: Interference Field Synchronization──

Phase Neutralization.”

The White Sword Alba begins to glow as if wrapped in moonlight. And I completely neutralize the Eclipse’s magic formula. White particles scatter in the air.

“──Huh?”

Zephyr stands stunned. But I further invoke the next magic formula.

“First Anchor: Structural Severance.

Second Anchor: Interference Erosion.

Third Anchor: Collapse Induction──

Phase Collision.”

The Black Sword Ater wraps itself in darkness as if cloaked in night. Rather than targeting Zephyr, I slash down at the Eclipse.

“Guh! Gaaaah……!!!”

Zephyr blocks the attack. But the weight is too much, and he’s sent flying again. Yet, with this exchange, the outcome is already decided.

From here, it is impossible for Zephyr to win against me.

“My body enhancement… it’s weakening… what…!?”

“You understand now.”

I slowly step forward, holding both the Black Sword Ater and White Sword Alba, toward the stunned Zephyr.

“The White Sword Alba analyzes and neutralizes. It completely nullified the magic formula of your Artifact. The Black Sword Ater erodes and collapses. Your precious Eclipse will now slowly fall apart.”

“N-no way…!! I’ve never heard of such magic! This is ridiculous……! No—wait. This magic signature…… ‘unchanged from five years ago’……? Don’t tell me… you’re… that Haruto!!?”

“Yeah. I came back from the depths of hell.”

“D-damn youuuuu! I thought it was finally *my* era once you disappeared! Damn it aaaaahhhhhhh!!”

Even so, Zephyr has no choice but to cling to the Eclipse. But from here on, the battle becomes one-sided.

I steadily corner the weakening Zephyr. Finally, he drops to the ground with a *thud*. I thrust the Black Sword Ater to his throat.

“It’s over.”

“Kuku……ahh! Fine! I admit it—you’re stronger! But damn it…… this isn’t the only way to settle a fight, right!?”

Zephyr uses his remaining strength to release magic. He charges—not at me, but at Lisel. So that’s why he left her alone—she was his insurance. I can read the mind of a scumbag like him with ease.

“──Yeah. I knew exactly what you’d do once cornered.”

I launch the floating Black Sword Ater at Zephyr. Without hesitation, it pierces through his limbs, pinning him in place.

“GUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!”

He screams in agony. Bl00d’s spraying everywhere. The deadly blade never reached Lisel.

Zephyr collapses there, bl00d pooling around him. I step toward his now lifeless body.

I feel nothing. No emotions rise. Just as I butchered monsters in the Abyss Sanctum, I am coldly eliminating a threat.

“D-damn……! Huff…… huff…… ugh!”

Just as I go to finish him off, Zephyr clutches his chest in pain. Crimson magic power erupts from the Eclipse. But it doesn’t wrap around Zephyr──it’s as if the Artifact is *devouring* him.

“GUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!! Wh-what the hell is this…!! N-no…! I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die!! Haruto──help me!!”

Zephyr reaches out with desperate eyes. But I coldly sever that hand with the Black Sword Ater.

“Zephyr. Farewell──”

“UWAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!”

Those were Zephyr’s final words.

I immediately slash the Eclipse—which had absorbed Zephyr—with the Black Sword Ater. Its collapse agent flows in. And it disintegrates completely. Only jet-black particles flutter through the air like snow.

“……It’s over.”

I cancel Arlia. I then head toward Lisel.

“Lisel. Are you okay?”

“Y-yes……”

Lisel takes my hand and stands. She seems dazed, unable to process what happened.

“Th-that man is…?”

“──I killed him.”

“…I see.”

Yes. I killed Zephyr with clear murderous intent. He may have self-destructed at the end, but I delivered the final blow. I couldn’t allow someone who had fully fallen into madness to live.

I have no regrets. But even so… I probably can’t stay with Lisel anymore.

I showed this much power. I killed someone right in front of her. And──above all, I lied. I pretended to be the *former adventurer Haru* to work at the bakery.

“Haru-san… um. Just who are you really…?”

“Lisel. Let’s go home. I’ll tell you everything. I’ll tell you… who I really am──”

—

Lisel and I return to the shop. Not a word is spoken on the walk back. I just quietly hold her small hand and walk with her.

When we open the shop’s door, the boss calls out in a panic.

“Lisel……! You’re safe!”

“Yes……! Dad!”

The two embrace tightly. I’m glad I saved them. Watching the two, I truly feel that way… but now, I must speak with Lisel and the boss.

“Lisel. Boss. I have something to tell you both.”

We move to the living room. It’s usually a place filled with light chatter and shared meals. But now, it’s filled with silence. A heavy tension hangs in the air. They seem to realize I’m about to say something important.

“Haru. What is it?”

“First… I’m sorry. For everything up to now.”

I lower my head deeply, nearly slamming it into the table, to show my sincere apology.

“What are you talking about?”

“I pretended to be *the former adventurer Haru* to work here. I was lying to both of you.”

The boss furrows his brow. Lisel mutters, “Eh…?”

I’ve already made up my mind. And now──I finally reveal my true identity.

“My real name is──Haruto. 〈Hero Haruto〉. That’s… who I really am.”