Chapter 115: Competition Finished, GG

Vritra’s strike had consumed everything in its path.

Buildings were devoured and the earth was gouged away. Though the destruction had finally halted at the rear wall, the scene left behind was nothing short of disastrous. Fallen meteorites had bored craters into the floor, leaving the area without a trace of its original form. Once again, I found myself confronted by the sheer scale of her power.

"—The competition is over! The magic stone has been completely destroyed, so Reima-kun and the rest of you, please stop your rampage!"

The announcement echoed throughout the dungeon.

The moderator seemed to be trying to do her job, but her voice lacked its usual cheer. She was clearly put off by the carnage. Looking up at the moderator’s booth, I could see her face twitching in a grimace.

Everything, including the rubble, had been swallowed whole, leaving no debris behind. I wasn't worried about Shakra, but I did have my doubts about whether Ouma-san’s body was still intact.

"Hey, Shakra. I know you’re fine. Just come out."

"Heh... You know me well. I wouldn't be much of a warrior if a little thing like that killed me!"

A blonde, red-eyed man emerged. To say he looked "battered" would have been a massive understatement. I’d expected him to survive, but seeing him endure our absolute maximum firepower with such nonchalance was just absurd.

"Seriously... you never change, do you?"

"They say not even death can cure an idiot, don't they?"

"Don't call yourself an idiot."

"Kuhahaha! No matter how you look at it, I'm a battle-junkie. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a struggle that satisfying."

My old comrade laughed, slapping me on the back repeatedly.

The face was different, which felt slightly jarring, but the rhythm of our banter was nostalgic. It makes my heart feel a little lighter, I realized.

As Shakra and I stood amidst the ruins of the dungeon, Senka-san and her group approached, finally released from the protection of the barrier.

"Um... Ouma?"

"Hmph. The healer girl. What, swap? Hey, Ouma, I'm not finished... Tsk, fine."

"...Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Don't sweat it, Senka," Ouma said, his original personality returning to the surface. He looked at me with a tired expression. "More importantly, we lost. Do you have any demands?"

The victory condition for this match had been the destruction of the magic stone. Since it had been directly in Vritra’s line of fire, it was currently sitting in her stomach. According to the announcement, however, that counted as "destruction."

"As long as I could protect Reima-kun, I’m satisfied," Senka-san replied. "Was there something you wanted us to take from you?"

"Understood. Then, as an apology for the mess, I'll pay the reparations. Also, Illegal is officially disbanding."

"—Wait, what? Disbanding? Why?"

"I was never cut out to be a Guild Master anyway. I’ve caused too much trouble this time; I need to take responsibility. But, uh... could you do me a favor? I can't exactly just leave my current guild members out in the cold."

The conversation proceeded with surprising speed. Since we were speaking away from the cameras, the viewers wouldn't hear this, but the information was a total bombshell.

"You look... refreshed, I guess?" I asked.

"Yeah. I learned a lot today. There are things I finally understand now. That’s why... I’m sorry, [Valhalla]. No, that’s not it. Reima, sorry for the trouble."

He looked me straight in the eye and apologized again.

When we first met, I thought he was just some crude, violent thug. But after getting involved with him, I realized he wasn't that at all—he was someone who understood Shakra. He was serious, and more than anything, he was strong.

"One more thing. I’ve got a few guys with potential. Could you take Ryuga into your ranks?"

"Ryuga? You mean that Ryuga? Is that really okay?"

"I’ll personally guarantee him. That kid is going to be something special."

"If you say so... but I’m going to have so much paperwork to organize. You’d better help me, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. I know."

Ouma scratched his cheek with his right hand as he talked with Senka-san. I didn't know the exact nature of their relationship, but they were clearly close.

As I watched them, I finally let myself collapse onto the ground. Vritra, in her dragon form, gently nuzzled my head to comfort me. Then, Merli—who had to be exhausted herself—suddenly lunged at me.

"Whoa, Merli!?"

"I’m drained! Give me some life force! And let me have a feel... I need your blood, too!"

"Stop it. I have zero mana left. Seriously, get off."

I complained, but I didn't have the strength to actually fight her off. I just lay there as she hugged me and bit into my neck to drain what little I had left. Ayane, who had been watching the scene in silence, suddenly snapped and landed a blow on Merli.

"Ow! Hey, childhood friend-chan?! That was a surprise attack! Even I can't dodge those!"

"You dodged it just fine. What are you even talking about?"

"Because I'm me!"

Ayane’s expression was a complicated mix of exasperation and genuine anger. I was used to Master Merli’s antics, but the members of Valsia were visibly horrified. I made a mental note to tell her to exercise some self-restraint.

"Well then, comrade. Ready for round two?"

"No. I’m tired. And stop swapping so casually, you idiot."

"I suppose you're right. I'm on the verge of death myself. Actually, if we keep this up, the lad Ouma is going to drop dead."

"—Wait, what?! I don't know who’s talking, but you could have mentioned that sooner! Honestly, Ouma, you total idiot! You always take things too far!"

There was nothing around me but corpses.

A mountain of enemies, all slain by my hand. I remembered destroying everything until not a single shape remained recognizable, but my vision was fading so fast I couldn't be certain.

Haa... kuhaha... So this is the end.

It had been twenty-five years since I was born with the [Scripture]. I had served Aldia as a Shogun, living my entire life on the battlefield. It was a life of constant slaughter, but I had loved the thrill of it. It was a fulfilling existence. Yet, as I lay here, I found myself thinking that the last three years were the most enjoyable of all.

It’s all because I met that idiot. That extraordinarily good-natured fool.

My former self would never have understood these feelings. That boy I summoned from another world... he risked his life for a world that wasn't his, saving people over and over again. Every time he did, he grew stronger, until he finally stood at my side.

In the beginning, he was just a civilian who didn't know the first thing about war. But day by day, he evolved. Now, he has become the greatest threat to the Demon King. Even now, he is moving forward to finish the fight.

I have no regrets about dying. I was always the one who took from others. A man like me has no right to cling to life; I can only accept what is coming. Besides, I managed to clear out this many monsters before passing the torch.

...But I won't be able to see him again, will I?

There was only one lingering regret. The thought of never seeing that idiot Reima again was... unpleasant. He always looked at me—at Shakra—not as some avatar of Indra, but as myself.

He’ll likely never realize how much that saved me.

I never thanked him, and I have no intention of starting now. It was just a shame that I wouldn't be able to see how his story ended.

May your path be a brilliant one. I'll be praying for you... my comrade.

If I'm going to die anyway, I might as well indulge in one selfish wish.

Please... let the world become a place where that kind-hearted idiot and his friends can finally laugh.