“Heh heh heh... Just as I planned. Thanks to Isaac and the rest, no one’s in any position to come after me. Now, all I have to do is wait for my ride.”
Neid stood just outside the city’s North Gate, muttering to himself as the distant roar of a city in panic reached his ears. The riots triggered by his Demonic Sword users had plunged the streets into total chaos.
Even though Hugo and his friends knew he was the mastermind, they were pinned down by their own morality. They couldn't bring themselves to abandon the people suffering right in front of them.
What utter fools. To risk everything for worthless strangers... it was nothing short of idiotic.
In the end, victory belongs to those who fight for themselves—those who ignore the idea of mutual aid and trample others underfoot. Cooperation and friendship? Nothing but the delusions of naive softies.
From now on, he would thoroughly exploit such people, preying on them to rise in the world. Eventually, he would become a being who ruled everything.
Just as Neid was lost in these thoughts, a sudden, violent gust of wind slammed into him. He snapped his head up.
“Oh... Is that my ride?!”
A massive monstrous bird—a Garuda—spread its wings as it descended toward him. Neid broke into a delighted grin.
If he boarded that, he would be taken to the organization that would bring him true glory. He was already reveling in the future he imagined... when a black shadow vaulted over his head.
“Hee-hee-nn!!”
“Wh-at?!”
The black shape charged straight into the descending Garuda, delivering a thunderous body blow.
As the monstrous bird spiraled out of control, Hugo leaped from the back of the Black Horse—its hooves wreathed in spectral flames—and landed directly in front of Neid.
“Yo, Neid. Sorry I caught up right before you took flight. I’ve come to get in your way again.”
“Hugo Clay?! You—how are you here?! Did you actually abandon the people in the city?!”
“Not a chance. I’ve got reliable friends who took over dealing with the mess you made. That’s how I was able to hunt you down and get here.”
Neid gritted his teeth, his face contorting with rage.
To think that such an interference would happen when he was only one step away from freedom... His frustration grew as he watched the Garuda and the Black Horse clash in the sky above.
(This is bad. If he keeps stalling me, even the Security Force will catch up. If that happens, I’m finished. I have to kill him now...!)
His brilliant future was right there. He wouldn't let a piece of trash like this ruin it.
Neid pulled a hammer from his coat at the same moment Hugo clenched his fist. Using the power of that blood-stained hammer—the source of so much misery—Neid warped into the form of the Cyclops and charged. Hugo dashed forward to meet him, his voice ringing out.
“Transform!!”
Flash of Crimson and Fresh Blood Red.
Though both were shades of red, the two lights were so diametrically opposed they seemed to belong to different worlds. They collided in a blinding flash, trading blows that sent both hurtling backward.
“Gugh...! You... always, always getting in my way! Even though a world where Magic Knights are no longer necessary is almost here...!”
“The world you want is one paved with tears and pain! I don't care what your reasons are—I'll never accept an ‘ideal’ built on making people cry for your own happiness!”
“So what?! Give up already! A world where Demonic Swords are rampant and Magic Knights are unnecessary is just around the corner! No one can stop it... or me!”
“Sorry, but a Hero is famous for not knowing when to quit. You're the one who should give up on me giving up. Besides, you say no one can stop you... but I’m right here, aren't I?”
Hugo pointed a finger straight at the Cyclops.
He gave a thumbs-up with his right hand, then turned it back toward himself. Grinning fearlessly beneath his mask, Hugo issued his final declaration.
“There’s only one person who can stop you... and that’s me!”