“Cough...” Li Yue coughed up a mouthful of blood. Her eyes were glazed, her hair was a mess, and the wounds on her body began to bleed again as her self healing slowed significantly.
The silver blade at her waist had completely melted. She felt as if all her strength was deserting her.
If her heart and blood sword hadn't been heavily damaged, this artifact wouldn't have been able to affect her at all.
“Go tell Him that my path is the correct one!” Reinhardt pulled the trigger. Everything in the world seemed to slow down. Li Yue could clearly see the burning gunpowder, the bullet flying out, and the world breaking into fragments. Within each fragment, she saw bizarre worlds and the smiling face of her lover.
At the bottom of the abyss, a pool of pitch black stagnant water twitched.
A gunblade flew in at extreme speed, severing the barrel of the flintlock. The pages of the Sacred Book blocked Li Yue, and the bullet struck them, causing the book to erupt in blue flames.
A figure stepped between the two of them. It was Lane. He slapped the flintlock out of Reinhardt's hand. Lane was covered in wounds, his clothes a patchwork of white and red.
“Lane!” Reinhardt coughed up blood. His severed arm flew toward him. At the site of the wound, Lane wrapped it in a page from his book. As the faint blue light dissipated, the bleeding stopped, though the left hand remained lifeless.
“Enough. Let it end here.” Lane kicked the flintlock away from Reinhardt’s hand.
“Why!” Reinhardt’s face was contorted. His glasses and pocket watch were shattered, leaving him looking utterly pathetic. “I was just about to prove to you that I could succeed!”
“Is that so?” Lane handed the gunblade to Reinhardt, pressing the edge against his own throat. “Then try it. See if your magic can bring life back to the world.”
Reinhardt’s hand trembled. He gripped the hilt, leaving a thin trail of blood on Lane’s neck, before finally letting his arm drop powerlessly.
Clang. The sound of the blade hitting the ground was the sound of something deep within Reinhardt shattering after his self denial.
“I think... technology is technology, and magic is magic,” Li Yue coughed up blood and stood up tremblingly. “If one day you can create something that doesn't rely on magic, then you will have succeeded.”
“How is that possible...” Reinhardt laughed self deprecatingly.
“I’ve seen it...” Li Yue leaned on one of Lane’s hands. “In another world, one without Them.”
Her body continued to shake. Her injuries began to heal slowly. She coughed violently several times and knelt back on the ground.
“Thank you...” Reinhardt’s eyes cleared once more. “But after this, I’m afraid I’ll have to go to the Mages' Association and apply for some time in prison to atone for a bit of my sins...”
“That’s nice. Unlike me, whose path will always lead to the abyss.” Li Yue lay down. “A monster like me... maybe I should just... let it end here.”
A light rain began to fall. Li Yue’s body was riddled with holes, her heart was shattered, and the blood crystal on her chest was covered in cracks. Her healing speed could no longer keep up.
Suddenly, she felt a hard object fall onto her. She looked over with difficulty to see a crimson blood crystal.
“Consider this part of my collection.” Lane hoisted Reinhardt onto his back. “You can't die here. Don't you still have to save the people of the entire city?”
“Right...” Li Yue struggled to get up. She popped the blood crystal into her mouth. A soft cracking sound followed, and she licked her lips.
“By the way, you aren't a monster.” Lane carried Reinhardt and began to walk slowly downward.
“I’ll mark the location of the Death Abyss on a map and give it to you tomorrow,” Reinhardt’s voice drifted back, sounding less mechanical and more filled with warmth and emotion.
“Is that so...” Li Yue leaned back and coughed up more blood. The wounds on her body began to slowly mend, and her consciousness gradually grew hazy.
On the other side...
“Brother, thank you for your hard work these past few years...” Reinhardt said softly. He felt waves of warmth rippling through his heart. The redemption he had been seeking seemed to be found in this moment.
“It was alright. Other than almost drowning in the sea, everything was fine.” Lane walked slowly. Although he was covered in wounds, his steps seemed light.
“The battle just now... I’m surprised the Energy Tower wasn't affected much. I thought it would be destroyed,” Reinhardt said quietly.
“If this place were destroyed, many people would die before the cold wave even arrives.” Lane watched as the awakened workers gathered around the Energy Tower, watching the ruined factory from a distance.
“So her Blood Moon isolated this place as well.” Reinhardt smiled. “What a kind young lady. I thought everyone on that path was a madman.”
“I hope her future path is peaceful and smooth.” Lane sighed, and the two figures disappeared into the rain.
In front of a magnificent building, a bloodied Li Yue knocked on the door. A servant opened the door to welcome her while several others ran deep into the building to find Helen.
In an instant, Helen was standing before Li Yue.
“It’s settled,” Li Yue said flatly.
“That was an earth shattering battle... Is he dead?” Helen supported Li Yue. The white coat on her arm was immediately stained with blood.
“No, but he promised to tell me the location...” Li Yue leaned against Helen. Helen simply picked her up, just as she had held many displaced children years ago.
“It’s a long story...” Li Yue tried to speak, but her consciousness was fading. One blood crystal was the limit to get her home. Now, she would have to rely on rest and recovery to heal her wounds.
Helen handed Li Yue over to a nearby attendant.
“Take her to the bedroom. I’ll go to the storage room for potions.” Helen took off her gloves and began directing the other servants.
...
In a quiet courtyard belonging to the Ein family, Aestherin watched the pouring rain outside with a nervous expression. In this kind of weather, where on earth had Lane gone?
This was Aestherin’s private residence. She didn't employ any permanent servants, only calling for domestic helpers on her days off to clean the rooms. This young lady had, after all, been somewhat influenced by the Outer Ring.
It was now the early hours of the morning, several hours after Aestherin had discovered Lane was out. The horizon held a faint hint of dawn. Melina had also woken up early, as she had always been a light sleeper.
Leftover food from the previous night remained on the table, covered by mesh food covers. Lane hadn't thrown them away, seemingly planning to heat them up and eat them later.
Knock, knock, knock. Melina put down her violin and scurried to the front door. Aestherin followed, looking a bit huffy.
A man covered in blood appeared before her. She jumped in fright, and the cup in her hand fell to the floor, though fortunately, it didn't break.
“You—you—you—!” Aestherin cried out, hurrying to find a chair and a first aid kit.
“This is nice,” Reinhardt said softly. He stepped onto the floor, his body swaying. He looked at the furnishings in the room and gave a light smile.
“What did you go and do!” Aestherin brought a chair over. When she saw Reinhardt’s face, she nearly jumped out of her skin. The cup in her hand fell again, only to be caught steadily by Lane.
“Rei—Rei—Rei—Rei—!”
“I’m here~” Melina leaned in. “Wow, Lord Reinhardt, hello there.”
“Is this girl your daughter?” Reinhardt was stunned. Memories from years ago seemed to resurface.
“I suppose you could say she’s adopted.” Lane stood there, wiping the rain from his body.
“You must be my brother’s wife.” Reinhardt smiled. “Forgive my rudeness.”
“Eh?” Aestherin froze in place.
“I’ll explain to you later. It’s a long story. Go heat up the food first. No one’s injuries are too serious,” Lane said, patting Aestherin on the back.
Gradually, the rain turned into a light drizzle, slowly tapering off until the very last drop fell upon the world.
Rate on N.U.
