Kays Translations

Chapter 144: Embraced by Vermillion

"Die, Melty!"

Without exchanging sword strikes beforehand, Vritra abruptly activated an illusion without hesitation, directing the tip of his blade at Melty. Ancient symbols engraved on the sword glowed and shimmered as streaks of light ran across the distinct wood grain patterns typical of a Damascus sword.

Intense magic power pounded into her brain, distorting Melty's field of vision. Columns of fire twisted like serpents, her father's form slanted or lying down, and the cheers of the crowd sounded incredibly distant.

Nausea overwhelmed her. She felt like curling up and vomiting right then and there.

Melty understood why the duel was held at night. By creating a fantastical space called the "Duel Grounds," illuminated by the intensely towering columns of fire, the aim was to enhance the effects of illusions.

Soldiers were masters of trickery, essentially deceitful. That was fine. If so, they should just admit to their deception. It was utterly repulsive how her father, despite employing underhanded means behind the scenes, hypocritically boasted about the honor of a warrior, making it impossible for her not to find such aspects of him unbearably ugly.

The upside-down legs drew nearer slowly. It was the triumphant stride of certain victory, a victory parade.

This is ridiculous. Melty's anger and fighting spirit had reached their limits. She refused to let things end with her being underestimated.

Vritra raised the executioner's sword.

"Uoooooooooh!"

A roar, shaking the very air, erupted from Melty's mouth. Responding to her determination, the blade of her partner, the "Silver Thread Princess," radiated light, and her distorted vision swiftly returned to normal.

The columns of fire rose straight up, her father stood firm on the ground. The nausea subsided a bit.

The sword swung down, aiming to reap her life. But Melty parried it with her own blade and countered with a sideways sweep.

Vritra stepped back, confusion evident on his face.

Why? He was struck with an expression of astonishment.

Was it due to the sheer recklessness of her wild sword swing that just happened to block his downward strike? Vritra approached cautiously, inching closer, but when he met Melty's fierce gaze and felt her glare, his shoulder twitched in surprise, and he created even more distance between them.

This wasn't by chance; Melty had dispelled the illusion. But why? He didn't understand.

Fear spread through Vritra's chest. He gazed at his daughter with eyes that were almost like seeing something unfamiliar.

"Now, we can finally have a fair and square battle on equal terms," 

Melty said, taking a step forward, causing Vritra to retreat by the same distance. He was clearly pulling back

Why was he so scared? Couldn't he just fight normally without resorting to these tactics?

 Disappointment and disdain colored Melty's gaze as she looked at Vritra. He had already reached a point where he couldn't even fight without having a safe zone provided for him.

"Don't come, don't come!" 

Vritra swung his sword recklessly, not to attack but to keep her away. Hoping that this was a trap to make her drop her guard, Melty advanced, and Vritra retreated once more.

Vritra saw only Melty; his thoughts were limited to evading her. He attempted to cast the illusion on his sword a few times, but it was already ineffective. It seemed that its use required intense concentration.

He retreated, behind him was a large bonfire. Vritra's back knocked over the assembled bonfire, and a burning wood bonfire fell over his head. His clothes and hair burst into flames.

"Someone put out the fire! Water, water!"

Vritra released his sword and writhed, still on fire. Even his subordinates, who had just been his loyal followers, were immobilized by the shocking sight. It would be a ludicrous story later, but despite having set such a massive bonfire, they hadn't prepared any water for extinguishing it.

Still ablaze, Vritra tried to cross the fence and attack the crowd. Well, perhaps he was merely seeking help. However, entering the crowd while still aflame would turn into a disaster.

Of course, those near the fence tried to escape, but those behind them blocked their way. There were simply too many spectators.

Melty leaped and flashed her "Silver Thread Princess." Vritra's head fell, and a geyser of fresh blood spouted from the severed neck. The water he had sought in his final moments was now right there.

...What an endlessly unpleasant person, having me strike him from behind like this.

Her father's body lay on its back, still burning. Illuminated by the flames, Melty's expression was full of bitterness.

Should she have simply obeyed and remained quiet, even if it meant avoiding this kind of ending?

No, she couldn't accept that.

It might not be the desired outcome, but the fact that it was a chosen outcome remained undeniable.

"Father, I will carry the burden of your death with me throughout my life."

After voicing words of determination and redemption, Melty raised her head and commanded the bewildered soldiers around her.

"What are you doing? Put out the fire quickly!"

Her scolding words pierced through the air, and the soldiers who had been Vritra's subordinates until moments ago, now repelled, began to move to extinguish the fire and recover the body.

There were no cheers applauding the new chief. In this situation, congratulatory words were inappropriate, and the crowd fell silent.

Melty slowly surveyed her surroundings, then spoke loudly as if her voice had been hoarse.

"Starting today, I, Melty, shall become the leader of the Saligari village! You must all be tired. The festival ends here! Detailed discussions about our future plans will happen from tomorrow onwards. That's all!"

Having made her declaration, Melty picked up Vritra's Damascus sword and walked towards her own home.

The crowd parted, creating a path. The people murmured "Chief" and "Melty-sama" under their breaths, but they didn't approach her directly.

"Hey, good job."

Gwen and the others were waiting in front of her house.

Seeing them, Melty finally realized that the battle was over. She relaxed her tense cheeks just a little.

"Thanks to all of you, I was able to win. Let's save the details for tomorrow. Today, I'm just tired."

She handed the Damascus sword she had been holding in her right hand to Lutz, almost pressing it into his hands, and quickly entered her house, locking the door behind her.

"You're treating your helpers a bit carelessly, aren't you?"

Ricardo complained dissatisfiedly, but Gwen shook his head and denied it.

"Let her rest. Her life is about to undergo significant changes. She won't have time to rest alone from now..."

Guen's expression turned lonely as he spoke, reminiscing about his own experiences.

"She won't have time to cry alone anymore."

Leaving those words behind, Guen headed to his lodging. Ricardo and the others exchanged glances and then followed Gwen's back in the still-warm night.

"It seems tonight's main character isn't us," 

Claudia murmured, and Ricardo found himself oddly agreeing with her by saying it can’t be helped, even though he couldn't quite understand why.

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