Episode 128. The Last War
Count Flans treated the burned corpse with the utmost respect. He even considered allowing her to meet him end with poison, preserving his body.
Seeing Laxus's pale face and pale lips, he felt pity.
Leline was pale and trembling.
"Where did we come from?"
He covered Laxus's poisoned body with a white cloth.
"Ha, but... Father..."
Leline stammered.
"Go up quickly."
Leline glanced at Laxus.
She had been his wife for a while. She had once wanted to be his Empress.
Laxus was Leline's dream, a beacon that would guide her to the highest places.
Seeing him lying there helplessly filled her with fear.
Her hands and feet felt cold.
Count Flans blocked Leline's path.
“I told you to go up!”
He grabbed Leline by the shoulder and shooed her out of the room.
Leline looked back, her eyes brimming with tears.
“Go.”
Count Flans motioned to Leline.
Count Flans felt the same hollowness.
Laxus was the embodiment of terror.
People feared Laxus.
It was like watching a thousand-year-old fortress, once thought indestructible, crumble.
Count Flans swallowed the bitterness and rubbed his face with his palm.
“Ha. Why have you become so weak?”
This wouldn’t have happened if Laxus hadn’t fallen, if his throne had been eternal.
No, if Laxus had only had the will to reclaim the throne when he escaped afterward, none of this would have happened.
Count Flans made every excuse he could to assuage his guilt.
In front of Laxus’s cooling corpse.
“...Don’t blame me. In fact, no one knows the physiology of power as well as you. The weak are devoured by the strong.”
Count Flans let out a long sigh.
He hesitantly kissed the back of Laxus’s hand.
“Goodbye.”
It was his final greeting to the departing one.
Count Flans turned and nodded.
Those carrying oil cans and lanterns entered.
Soon, a fiery flame erupted.
This was the grave Count Flans had prepared for Laxus.
“Huh...”
Gasping, Kien set the man he was carrying on his back down on the ground.
The man’s face, rolling in the grass, was pale and bloodless.
It was hard to believe he was alive.
Luna crouched down and poked the man’s cheek.
“Are you sure he’s really alive?”
The woman standing next to Kien took off her hood.
Her face, revealed beneath her disheveled hair, was caked in soot.
But her sharp gaze was untainted.
Her gaze, glaring at the man rolling on the floor, was vivid.
Helena pursed her lips.
“I changed the poison myself. And I made sure it was delivered and that he drank it. There’s absolutely no way it could have been wrong.”
Luna nodded.
Kien took a potion from his pocket and poured it into the man’s mouth.
It was an antidote.
Blood slowly returned to his pale face.
Laxus’s lips trembled.
Laxus, who had been declared dead, suddenly stood up.
He coughed violently and vomited blood, shuddering.
After a long moment of staining the grass with blood, Laxus raised his head.
His clouded purple eyes gradually came into focus.
Laxus frowned.
“Where is this place?”
“Where?”
Kien pointed to Count Flans’s castle.
The castle, soaked in silence, was eerie.
The air was thick with the scent of ash.
"...Was there a fire? How did you get me out?"
The memory wasn't clear.
Laxus steadied his trembling legs and stood up.
"The method doesn't matter."
"Then change the question."
Laxus glared at Kien.
"Why did you save me?"
"Because the Emperor doesn't want the deposed Emperor dead yet,"
Kien replied indifferently.
Laxus mulled over the word "Emperor." The one currently ruling Hientri is Renisha...
"Does Renisha want me?"
Laxus asked in an agitated voice.
Mustering all his strength, Laxus grabbed Kien.
"Is that so? Renisha has finally learned my worth! So, me..."
Kien stared at Laxus with a look that looked like a worm.
How on earth could that be interpreted that way?
Count Flans moved quickly.
And their movements were closely watched even in the imperial palace.
Count Flans gathered his forces, led by Leline, who hadn't even sailed yet.
Those who had been aboard the sinking ship called Laxus emerged from the shadows, gathered around Count Flans, and raised their swords.
Just as Renisha had said, the fruit had ripened.
The imperial palace was quiet at dawn, but within it lay a sharp sword.
Kassius leaves tomorrow to harvest the fruit. This will be the final war under Renisha's reign.
This will be the end of the remnants of Laxus.
Kassius was leaning on the balcony with his arms folded when
Renisha's voice came from behind him.
"Kassius."
Renisha walked over and hugged Kassius.
Kassius kissed her forehead.
Since giving birth, Renisha had been careful with her behavior.
This child would live in a different era from Renisha and Kassius.
They wanted to give this child only light and happiness. They didn't want them to know anything about the dark clouds hanging over Renisha and Kassius' past.
For that very reason, Renisha resolved to dance with a sharp sword.
Eliminate anyone who poses even the slightest threat.
Before Renisha and Kassius's child is born!
Laxus's tragic end was also approaching.
Renisha spoke, her forehead pressed against Kassius's chest.
“...Come back within a week. The child needs a father.”
“I’ll do my best,”
Kassius replied in a calm voice.
Renisha was still small and delicate.
It was hard to believe that she was raising a child in her small body.
“In the meantime, you need to eat well and stay well. You need to sleep. Listen to the doctor... Why are you laughing?”
Kassius chuckled.
Renisha smiled without answering, listening to Kassius.
“I’m not a child, Kassius. And I’m already eating and sleeping well. Do you know how much I’ve gained in just a week?”
Kassius touched Renisha’s wrist with a serious expression.
Renisha’s claim was wrong.
Shouldn’t this wrist be at least strong enough not to break?
Renisha, who had momentarily laid aside her imperial authority, looked unsettlingly delicate.
Kassius shook his head.
“There’s still a long way to go. Didn’t the doctor warn you? Renisha’s health is crucial for the baby’s growth.”
Renisha sighed.
“Anyway, nagging.”
Renisha nodded with a sullen expression.
“I’ll eat and sleep well like a child. I’ll work less, too.”
Renisha raised both hands in surrender.
Kassius smiled with satisfaction.
Renisha gave Kassius a bundle of happiness he hadn’t expected.
Kassius often thought back to the day he first met Renisha.
The eyes they’d met through the crack in the banquet hall door.
The burning flame that never died, even while held captive by Laxus, was clearly in those eyes.
He was captivated by fate, and that’s how he came here.
He's never regretted it for a moment.
Kassius, overcome with emotion, hugged Renisha tightly, then let go.
Kassius whispered into Renisha’s neck.
"This is the last time. I will never leave your side."
Renisha nodded.
She ran her hand through Kassius's hair.
"Come back as soon as possible. I'll be waiting for you in good health."
Renisha smiled languidly.
Count Flans gripped the railing with a tense expression.
Those who followed him—no, those who were like remnants of a bygone glory—were gathered here.
“...Can we win?”
“Is winning important? We have a just cause, and the current Emperor is nothing but a traitor. And... is this the only path you have?”
The man who had asked Count Flans shook his head. Those here felt like they were standing on the edge of a cliff. They were left behind as byproducts of Emperor Laxus, being cornered by Renisha.
They would no longer enjoy their former glory.
A deep sense of defeat and regret followed, but nothing changed.
Laxus had fallen, and all they could do was accept their fate.
Their palms were sweaty.
“Do we have a chance of winning?”
Count Flans thought of Leline’s face.
His daughter, now pregnant, was withering away from severe morning sickness.
Hadn’t she been pushed around by Count Flans’s greed?
“...The next Emperor should be the Emperor’s legitimate heir.”
Count Flans changed the subject.
"Shouldn't we stop dishonoring the dead Emperor Laxus? At least we should have a face to show when we stand before him."
Defeat spread across the faces of those gathered.
Dawn broke. A dark mass of men could be seen swarming along the distant horizon.
Count Flans swallowed coldly.
His legs trembled with fear.
The sound of horses' hooves felt like they were trampling him.
The new Emperor's army was approaching to slaughter them.
He had barely gathered enough men to fill the castle, but they seemed vastly outnumbered.
Count Flans swallowed.
"...We must do our best! They are traitors! Judge their crimes for daring to hunt the Emperor!!"
Count Flans expelled the air that had filled his stomach.
The knights, filled with tension, drew their swords.
"Have the bowmen stand in front and light their arrows! I will show them what it means to taste hot!!"
Following Count Flans's command, the knights lit their arrows.
Those bearing the seal of Emperor Renisha as a banner drew closer.
The Emperor's executioner, with red hair and golden eyes, appeared.
A crimson sun rose.
The man was burning red.
'... Duke Kassius...!'
He radiated an aura that no one could match.
Count Flans gulped.
It was unclear who started it first.
Perhaps a clumsy knight lost control of his nerves and let go of his bowstring.
The final battle began with a single flaming arrow stuck in the ground.
The shadow of a red snake loomed over Count Flans's family, threateningly.
Count Flans treated the burned corpse with the utmost respect. He even considered allowing her to meet him end with poison, preserving his body.
Seeing Laxus's pale face and pale lips, he felt pity.
Leline was pale and trembling.
"Where did we come from?"
He covered Laxus's poisoned body with a white cloth.
"Ha, but... Father..."
Leline stammered.
"Go up quickly."
Leline glanced at Laxus.
She had been his wife for a while. She had once wanted to be his Empress.
Laxus was Leline's dream, a beacon that would guide her to the highest places.
Seeing him lying there helplessly filled her with fear.
Her hands and feet felt cold.
Count Flans blocked Leline's path.
“I told you to go up!”
He grabbed Leline by the shoulder and shooed her out of the room.
Leline looked back, her eyes brimming with tears.
“Go.”
Count Flans motioned to Leline.
Count Flans felt the same hollowness.
Laxus was the embodiment of terror.
People feared Laxus.
It was like watching a thousand-year-old fortress, once thought indestructible, crumble.
Count Flans swallowed the bitterness and rubbed his face with his palm.
“Ha. Why have you become so weak?”
This wouldn’t have happened if Laxus hadn’t fallen, if his throne had been eternal.
No, if Laxus had only had the will to reclaim the throne when he escaped afterward, none of this would have happened.
Count Flans made every excuse he could to assuage his guilt.
In front of Laxus’s cooling corpse.
“...Don’t blame me. In fact, no one knows the physiology of power as well as you. The weak are devoured by the strong.”
Count Flans let out a long sigh.
He hesitantly kissed the back of Laxus’s hand.
“Goodbye.”
It was his final greeting to the departing one.
Count Flans turned and nodded.
Those carrying oil cans and lanterns entered.
Soon, a fiery flame erupted.
This was the grave Count Flans had prepared for Laxus.
***
“Huh...”
Gasping, Kien set the man he was carrying on his back down on the ground.
The man’s face, rolling in the grass, was pale and bloodless.
It was hard to believe he was alive.
Luna crouched down and poked the man’s cheek.
“Are you sure he’s really alive?”
The woman standing next to Kien took off her hood.
Her face, revealed beneath her disheveled hair, was caked in soot.
But her sharp gaze was untainted.
Her gaze, glaring at the man rolling on the floor, was vivid.
Helena pursed her lips.
“I changed the poison myself. And I made sure it was delivered and that he drank it. There’s absolutely no way it could have been wrong.”
Luna nodded.
Kien took a potion from his pocket and poured it into the man’s mouth.
It was an antidote.
Blood slowly returned to his pale face.
Laxus’s lips trembled.
Laxus, who had been declared dead, suddenly stood up.
He coughed violently and vomited blood, shuddering.
After a long moment of staining the grass with blood, Laxus raised his head.
His clouded purple eyes gradually came into focus.
Laxus frowned.
“Where is this place?”
“Where?”
Kien pointed to Count Flans’s castle.
The castle, soaked in silence, was eerie.
The air was thick with the scent of ash.
"...Was there a fire? How did you get me out?"
The memory wasn't clear.
Laxus steadied his trembling legs and stood up.
"The method doesn't matter."
"Then change the question."
Laxus glared at Kien.
"Why did you save me?"
"Because the Emperor doesn't want the deposed Emperor dead yet,"
Kien replied indifferently.
Laxus mulled over the word "Emperor." The one currently ruling Hientri is Renisha...
"Does Renisha want me?"
Laxus asked in an agitated voice.
Mustering all his strength, Laxus grabbed Kien.
"Is that so? Renisha has finally learned my worth! So, me..."
Kien stared at Laxus with a look that looked like a worm.
How on earth could that be interpreted that way?
***
Count Flans moved quickly.
And their movements were closely watched even in the imperial palace.
Count Flans gathered his forces, led by Leline, who hadn't even sailed yet.
Those who had been aboard the sinking ship called Laxus emerged from the shadows, gathered around Count Flans, and raised their swords.
Just as Renisha had said, the fruit had ripened.
The imperial palace was quiet at dawn, but within it lay a sharp sword.
Kassius leaves tomorrow to harvest the fruit. This will be the final war under Renisha's reign.
This will be the end of the remnants of Laxus.
Kassius was leaning on the balcony with his arms folded when
Renisha's voice came from behind him.
"Kassius."
Renisha walked over and hugged Kassius.
Kassius kissed her forehead.
Since giving birth, Renisha had been careful with her behavior.
This child would live in a different era from Renisha and Kassius.
They wanted to give this child only light and happiness. They didn't want them to know anything about the dark clouds hanging over Renisha and Kassius' past.
For that very reason, Renisha resolved to dance with a sharp sword.
Eliminate anyone who poses even the slightest threat.
Before Renisha and Kassius's child is born!
Laxus's tragic end was also approaching.
Renisha spoke, her forehead pressed against Kassius's chest.
“...Come back within a week. The child needs a father.”
“I’ll do my best,”
Kassius replied in a calm voice.
Renisha was still small and delicate.
It was hard to believe that she was raising a child in her small body.
“In the meantime, you need to eat well and stay well. You need to sleep. Listen to the doctor... Why are you laughing?”
Kassius chuckled.
Renisha smiled without answering, listening to Kassius.
“I’m not a child, Kassius. And I’m already eating and sleeping well. Do you know how much I’ve gained in just a week?”
Kassius touched Renisha’s wrist with a serious expression.
Renisha’s claim was wrong.
Shouldn’t this wrist be at least strong enough not to break?
Renisha, who had momentarily laid aside her imperial authority, looked unsettlingly delicate.
Kassius shook his head.
“There’s still a long way to go. Didn’t the doctor warn you? Renisha’s health is crucial for the baby’s growth.”
Renisha sighed.
“Anyway, nagging.”
Renisha nodded with a sullen expression.
“I’ll eat and sleep well like a child. I’ll work less, too.”
Renisha raised both hands in surrender.
Kassius smiled with satisfaction.
Renisha gave Kassius a bundle of happiness he hadn’t expected.
Kassius often thought back to the day he first met Renisha.
The eyes they’d met through the crack in the banquet hall door.
The burning flame that never died, even while held captive by Laxus, was clearly in those eyes.
He was captivated by fate, and that’s how he came here.
He's never regretted it for a moment.
Kassius, overcome with emotion, hugged Renisha tightly, then let go.
Kassius whispered into Renisha’s neck.
"This is the last time. I will never leave your side."
Renisha nodded.
She ran her hand through Kassius's hair.
"Come back as soon as possible. I'll be waiting for you in good health."
Renisha smiled languidly.
***
Count Flans gripped the railing with a tense expression.
Those who followed him—no, those who were like remnants of a bygone glory—were gathered here.
“...Can we win?”
“Is winning important? We have a just cause, and the current Emperor is nothing but a traitor. And... is this the only path you have?”
The man who had asked Count Flans shook his head. Those here felt like they were standing on the edge of a cliff. They were left behind as byproducts of Emperor Laxus, being cornered by Renisha.
They would no longer enjoy their former glory.
A deep sense of defeat and regret followed, but nothing changed.
Laxus had fallen, and all they could do was accept their fate.
Their palms were sweaty.
“Do we have a chance of winning?”
Count Flans thought of Leline’s face.
His daughter, now pregnant, was withering away from severe morning sickness.
Hadn’t she been pushed around by Count Flans’s greed?
“...The next Emperor should be the Emperor’s legitimate heir.”
Count Flans changed the subject.
"Shouldn't we stop dishonoring the dead Emperor Laxus? At least we should have a face to show when we stand before him."
Defeat spread across the faces of those gathered.
Dawn broke. A dark mass of men could be seen swarming along the distant horizon.
Count Flans swallowed coldly.
His legs trembled with fear.
The sound of horses' hooves felt like they were trampling him.
The new Emperor's army was approaching to slaughter them.
He had barely gathered enough men to fill the castle, but they seemed vastly outnumbered.
Count Flans swallowed.
"...We must do our best! They are traitors! Judge their crimes for daring to hunt the Emperor!!"
Count Flans expelled the air that had filled his stomach.
The knights, filled with tension, drew their swords.
"Have the bowmen stand in front and light their arrows! I will show them what it means to taste hot!!"
Following Count Flans's command, the knights lit their arrows.
Those bearing the seal of Emperor Renisha as a banner drew closer.
The Emperor's executioner, with red hair and golden eyes, appeared.
A crimson sun rose.
The man was burning red.
'... Duke Kassius...!'
He radiated an aura that no one could match.
Count Flans gulped.
It was unclear who started it first.
Perhaps a clumsy knight lost control of his nerves and let go of his bowstring.
The final battle began with a single flaming arrow stuck in the ground.
The shadow of a red snake loomed over Count Flans's family, threateningly.
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