Anakula, who had claimed to know nothing, was indeed an enemy after all.
The trees rustled. He was an enemy after all. Somewhere in his mind, he wished it were a joke.
“You lied when you said you didn’t know.”
Anakula took out a card. It was different from the one he had seen before. The kanji “剥” was written at the top. The picture showed a crumbling tower. Another tower, he had no good memories of them.
“I’m sorry, but I can only say that it’s best to stay put and endure.”
“Wait!”
Anakula grinned defiantly and vanished into the darkness. Cold sweat broke out. He had set something up. In the previous battle, something close to the meaning of the card had happened. However, he didn’t understand the meaning of the card itself. Moreover, this time it was a different type.
“We’ll chase him immediately. Karubene, go check on everyone.”
“Ah, I knew it would turn out like this. Be careful, Melon Soda-chan.”
Karubene returned to the barracks where everyone was sleeping. He ran towards the town with Veronica. The deserted streets were only illuminated by twinkling lights like stars.
“Where did he go?”
He shouldn’t have gone too far yet. Looking up at the castle that stood majestically in the center of town, white roses were still shining as they had during the day. Their white light concealed not only the stars but even the moon.
“Let’s split up and search. Everyone else will be here soon.”
“Yeah, I’ll go this way. You stay here and keep watch. The enemy’s objective is likely that magic stone.”
As he nodded, Veronica ran off. If Anakula was here, then Arrowa must be too. Should he inform Lord Nephilim about this anomaly?
The castle gate was closed and quiet. He could sneak in through a gap, but it was better to wait for his companions to arrive. Then, he heard many footsteps from a distance.
Everyone was rushing to his side, with Philiana at the front.
“Hey, it’s here! Veronica went that way.”
Just as he started to say that, an immense explosion sounded overhead. The air vibrated and the entire castle seemed to shake. The impact made his body freeze and he fell to his knees.
“Wh-what?!”
Looking back, black smoke was rising from the upper floors of the castle. He had been beaten to it! But how did they reach there? There should have been Dragonkin escorts here.
“It’s an enemy attack! Let’s go!”
Philiana’s feet stopped due to the high-pitched sound that continued to echo. The glass, stretched out like an observation deck, shattered and rained down. And then, white objects, along with small fragments, were flung into the air.
What was that… Could it be Lord Nephilim?! A small body danced in the night sky. The pure white feathers adorning it vaguely appeared against the pitch-black night sky. Surrounded by sparkling glass, the figure flying radially was reminiscent of a bridal bouquet toss.
But the color was a stark contrast to such a blessing. The blood-soaked bouquet of white flowers flew over our stunned heads. He felt he had to go and save them, but it was too late from here. Thrown from high up, the distance covered was considerable. If this continued, they would crash onto the roof of a house.
Just then, a black shadow flew in and caught the falling small body. Veronica had saved them. He looked back at the gaping hole in the upper floors of the castle.
A man slowly emerged from the darkness where the lights had gone out. Black shoes stepped on the broken glass window frame.
His eyes naturally widened and his hands trembled. His lips quivered involuntarily. A turbulent emotion, like a muddy stream, swirled in his chest. Was it admiration, anger, fear, or perhaps joy?
Sharp ears and a pale face, characteristic of a Dark Elf. Despite the distance, his eyesight suddenly seemed to improve, allowing him to see clearly. Slightly sunken cheeks, hair half-combed back. Deep red eyes that reminded him of a vampire.
There was no need to ask who he was. He knew at a glance.
“Auroaahhh!!”
He screamed, expelling all the air from his lungs. The turbulent emotions flowed through his bloodstream, coursing through his entire body. His heart felt like it was on fire, beating so strongly that his body trembled.
“Come down, you bastard!! I’ll kill you right here!”
He gasped for breath, feeling dizzy. Auroa glanced at him and disappeared back into the darkness without a second thought.
“Arisugawa, are you okay? Calm down a little.”
Sharin gently rubbed his shoulder. He had finally found the man he had been chasing for so long, Auroa Victor. That was his name, wasn’t it? He probably thought of him as nothing more than a bug.
“Haha, hahahaha,hehe.”
“W-what’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Sharin peered at him with a worried expression. Just you wait, I’m not running away anymore. There are no more escape routes. I’ll relentlessly flutter my wings and pursue you until you beg for mercy.
