"That was a failure."
I muttered the words to myself as soon as my Return by Death triggered.
Attacking Holy Knight Kanaria while leaving Hero Eligion to his own devices had been a clear tactical error. To Eligion, Kanaria was a trusted companion, while I was nothing more than a suspicious stranger he had only just met.
If the two of them were forced to fight, it was blindingly obvious whose side the Hero would take.
To avoid repeating the same mistake, I needed to lead Hero Eligion to where Demon King Zoga was waiting. I had to follow the procedure carefully: wait until the Hero and the Demon King were locked in combat, and only then strike at Kanaria.
Dealing with Eligion’s movements was simple enough.
The real problem was whether or not I actually had the strength to defeat Kanaria. Having traded blows with her once, I knew for a fact that she was stronger than me. My Rank was Platinum, while hers was Diamond—one step higher. That gap was tangible.
Still, it was far too early to give up.
After all, I had <Save & Reset>. I could repeat this as many times as it took until I finally stood over her corpse.
Trial Count: 2. My second attempt at challenging Holy Knight Kanaria.
First, I guided Hero Eligion to the chamber where Demon King Zoga resided.
"I’ve come to settle this," Eligion declared, a look of genuine joy on his face as he finally confronted his fated enemy.
I watched just long enough to ensure their battle had begun, then turned and sprinted back the way we came. Now, I could face Kanaria without the Hero’s interference.
"You... what is the meaning of this?!" Kanaria demanded as I closed the distance.
I didn't waste breath on an explanation; I simply lunged at her.
"I know you're the traitor!" I roared as our blades clashed.
After a desperate exchange, Kanaria eventually found an opening and cut me down.
Another defeat. But I hadn't expected to succeed on the first try. My real battle was only just beginning.
Trial Count: 3. Died from a crushed heart after Kanaria pierced my chest.
Trial Count: 4. Died from severe brain trauma after a downward vertical strike split my skull.
Trial Count: 5. Died from a punctured throat after she knocked the sword from my hands.
Trial Count: 6. Died by decapitation after she hamstrung my legs to keep me from fleeing.
Trial Count: 7. Died from a thrust to the heart before I could even draw my sword.
Trial Count: 8. Died from a blade to the eye followed by a horizontal slash through the ribs.
Trial Count: 9. Died from blood loss after a deep wound to my flank, despite putting up a decent fight.
Trial Count: 10. Death.
Death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death, death...
Trial Count: Approximately 120.
Once again, I stood ready to face the Holy Knight.
By now, I had lost track of exactly how many times I had died. I must have been killed by her hand well over a hundred times.
But with every repetition, the gap between us narrowed. I was getting closer. A few more loops and I was certain I would break her.
I saw Kanaria walking toward me from the opposite end of the corridor. She hadn't noticed me yet.
There was only one thing to do. I’d start with a surprise attack instead of a greeting.
"Wha—?!"
She gasped, her eyes widening in shock as I suddenly appeared in her path.
I didn't give her a second to recover. I swung the <Sword of Raging Flames> with everything I had.
I aimed for her knees.
Dropping into a low crouch, I swept my blade in a wide, horizontal arc. Just as I’d planned, she lost her balance.
But I couldn't afford to be careless. I knew exactly what she would do next—she’d try to recover with a vertical counter. I knew because I’d fought her hundreds of times.
I took a large step to the side and transitioned into a vertical spinning slash.
I knew exactly where the gaps in her armor were, specifically the one near her shoulder. I knew exactly how to twist my body to slip the blade through that narrow opening.
"Agh!"
She let out a strangled groan as she was forced backward.
This was it! The biggest opening I’d ever managed to create. I couldn't let it go to waste.
"<Acceleration>!"
The Skill took hold, and for a fleeting instant, my perception slowed as my body surged with unnatural speed.
Using that momentum, I brought the blade down through her right arm.
With a sickening, wet crunch, her arm—still clutching her sword—was severed from her shoulder and fell to the floor.
I did it!
My heart surged with a silent cheer. A swordsman without a sword arm was as good as dead. My victory was finally guaranteed.
"YOU BASTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRD!!"
Kanaria screamed with a raw, throat-tearing fury. Her face was contorted, veins bulging at her temples in a mask of pure, unadulterated rage.
"Serves you right," I sneered, allowing a triumphant smile to cross my face.
She could scream and rage all she wanted, but there was no coming back from this.
"Do it, Puppeteer."
At least, that's what I thought. Usually, there wouldn't have been a way back.
"...What?"
From the stump of her missing right arm, a mass of writhing, black shadows erupted.
The shadow swelled and expanded in an instant, twisting itself into the shape of a colossal, gaping maw.
"You may eat him," Kanaria commanded, her voice suddenly, terrifyingly calm.
In the next heartbeat, the Puppeteer lunged, and I was swallowed whole.