Moss Town
Morning had arrived.
But the spies… hadn't returned.
Norm paced back and forth.
"What's going on? It's already morning. They should be back by now."
Rio crossed his arms.
"…Do you think they're dead?"
"Shut up," Reas snapped.
"Stop assuming the worst."
Rio frowned.
"But the fact that they're not here means they failed, right?"
Reas went silent.
Damn it…
I should've known this would happen.
I underestimated the demons…
Harals defeating the Sword Demon… it gave me false confidence.
This is my responsibility.
Around them, the entire alliance had fallen into panic.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Our first mission… failed?"
"We're going to die…"
Reas raised his voice.
"Enough!"
Silence.
"If they don't return by midnight…"
"We attack the city tomorrow morning."
A wave of fear spread through the crowd.
"If anyone disagrees…"
"They are free to leave."
No one spoke.
But many lowered their heads.
They all knew the truth—
An all-out attack on the Sword Demon's city…
Was suicide.
Inside the Castle
The duel had begun.
Steel clashed against steel.
Harals and Housen moved faster than the eye could follow.
Each strike echoed through the hall.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Everyone watching stood frozen.
They knew it.
They were witnessing the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
Harals narrowed his eyes.
Damn…
He's not holding back this time.
Housen gritted his teeth.
How is he enduring my blows?
Chunini observed carefully.
"…Interesting."
"Father focuses on overwhelming power and speed."
"But that human…"
"…he fights with precision."
"He blocks… dodges… and counters."
Friea clenched her fists.
"…No… Harals…"
Doma watched in awe.
"…He's even better than they said."
The duel intensified.
Blow after blow—
Neither side gave in.
But soon…
Both began to slow.
Their breathing grew heavy.
Their movements slightly delayed.
They stepped back.
Silence filled the hall.
Then—
They both charged.
One final strike.
Their swords collided with a thunderous impact.
BOOOOM!
Friea's eyes filled with tears.
"…Harals…?"
The dust settled.
And then—
Gasps echoed through the hall.
Housen stood frozen.
His sword…
Had fallen from his hand.
"I…"
Housen stared at his empty hand.
"…lost?"
"How…?"
"How did he draw out that much power at the end?"
Harals lowered his blade.
Chunini sighed.
"I'm disappointed in you, Father."
Housen closed his eyes.
"…I know."
"I am disappointed in myself as well."
Asua stepped forward, furious.
"Enough."
Her eyes burned with rage.
"As per the condition…"
"I can kill you."
Housen turned slightly.
"No, Asua. I wish to duel him again."
"Shut up!"
She snapped.
"Those were the terms, weren't they?"
Harals spoke calmly.
"…Before that."
He glanced back.
"You will let them go."
He smiled faintly.
"Sorry, guys."
"…Sorry, Friea."
"It looks like this is as far as I go with you."
Friea broke down.
"No… no!"
"You can't leave us!"
"What about your dream?!"
"You said you wanted to defeat the Demon King!"
Chunini laughed.
"Hahaha!"
"This guy?"
"Defeat the Demon King?"
"He doesn't even have mana!"
Harals froze.
…Why?
Why do I feel like I don't want to leave them?
Tears slowly fell from his eyes.
"…Why am I crying…?"
Before anything else could happen—
Asua grabbed him.
"I'm not letting this drag on."
She launched into the sky.
"NOOOO!" Friea screamed.
"STOP!"
Silence fell over the hall.
Housen looked away.
"…I regret killing such a skilled swordsman."
"But a promise is a promise."
He turned to the prisoners.
"You three may leave."
Lisa's eyes widened.
He's… letting us go?
Doma grabbed Friea.
"Let's go!"
"We can't change anything now!"
Friea resisted—
But she was too broken.
Tears streamed endlessly as they ran.
Outside the castle…
A little while later,
While returning back,
Friea looked up.
In the sky—
Asua was returning.
Covered in blood.
To be continued…