—And so, the final day of my summer vacation came to an end.
It’s going to continue for a little longer, you know?
Unfortunately, my summer vacation didn't actually end with that handshake with Victor. My final daily routine involved an audience with the Tsundere King.
...Well, I call it a routine, but I usually skipped it on the days I was too exhausted.
I looked through the book I’d borrowed from the library, the Bloodline Inscription of the Pure Conqueror—
The scenery of my dormitory room shifted, replaced by the familiar, magnificent sight of the Throne Room.
Seated upon the throne at the far end was the Red King, Verdict, looking as regal as ever.
His crimson eyes narrowed as they glared at me.
"How many more times do you intend to defile this Sanctuary, lowlife? I can’t stand having it constantly soaked in your blood."
The topic of the mess was actually something that bothered me a bit.
Every time I came here, I ended up killed, which meant I splattered my internal fluids all over the floor. Yet, every time I returned, the place was pristine.
I found myself wondering if this Tsundere King was diligently scrubbing the floors in preparation for my next visit. Did he have "moe" elements on top of being a tsundere?
"Are you the one doing the cleaning, Verdict?"
"As if I would deign to do such a thing. This world is reconstructed every time a lowlife sets foot in it. That is all."
A beautiful red sword materialized in Verdict's right hand.
"You have already mastered the fundamentals of my magic—there should be no more business for you here. Why do you continue to show your face? I might decide on a whim to block your Return by Death at any moment."
The reason was simple.
"To get stronger—"
The sharpness of Verdict’s slashes was something extraordinary. He was more overwhelming and more refined than anyone I had ever faced.
The stronger the training partner, the more experience I could gain. Furthermore, this was a place where I could test my limits by throwing my life away without hesitation. The fact that I had been able to hold my own against Milia and Klaus wasn't just due to the power of 'Frenzy'; it was because of the time I’d spent here.
"Also, I won’t be satisfied until I land at least one blow on you, considering you’ve killed me more times than I can count."
"Hahahaha! It is a headache to deal with one who harbors desires so far beyond his station. I have told you time and again: know your place, lowlife!"
Well, we’ll see about that.
—I was actually feeling pretty confident today.
Following my usual ritual, I bit into my left hand to create a laceration.
Using the wound, I forged a sword just like Verdict’s. I had grown quite accustomed to the process of blood-smithing by now. It was likely on par with a weapon forged by a master blacksmith.
...Though it looked incredibly plain compared to Verdict’s sword, which looked like a flashy, over-the-top design from a gacha game where a famous artist had been given a blank check.
"Here I come, Verdict!"
I activated 'Frenzy' and closed the gap in an instant.
My slashes met Verdict’s in a violent exchange.
I was being pushed back—it was painfully obvious.
From my perspective, or anyone else's, I was at a total disadvantage. It made sense that he laughed at my "desire beyond my station" as a mere whim, despite having carved me into pieces a thousand times before.
Even with the considerable skill I had accumulated, the gap in our power remained vast.
However, the strength I’d built up through the number of times I was cut down—beaten—and the sheer amount of pain I’d endured was no lie. My technique and intuition were parrying Verdict’s blade at the razor's edge, showing me the narrowest path to survival in a losing battle.
That thin line—
Verdict severed it without mercy.
"Guhahahaha! Naive, so naive! You think you can wound a King with such meager skill? Your ability hasn't even begun to catch up to your hero's spirit!"
Exploiting a momentary gap in my defense, Verdict unleashed a strike.
...Ah, as expected. It was only for a split second. Even Milia wouldn't have been able to react to that. To be able to drive home a blow that intense—he really was a King of a different magic rank.
A complete evasion was impossible, but if I twisted my body just right, I could survive with a non-fatal injury.
—However, that would ultimately be the same as a loss.
He was an overwhelming opponent who could drive me into a corner even when I was at my best. There was no way I could put up a decent fight while carrying a wound.
If I was going to find a path to victory, it had to be this very moment.
Not a move to survive by escaping with minimal damage, but something else entirely!
As Verdict’s blade closed in—
I lunged directly toward it.
"—!?"
Faced with a move that was literally suicidal, a look of genuine confusion crossed Verdict's face.
His Red Blade pierced my chest. My blood sprayed violently, as if a balloon had been popped.
God, it hurt—
The agony was so intense I felt my consciousness flickering.
But, hahaha! Everything is a learning experience! Thanks to being killed by the Tsundere King over and over, I could keep my will intact for a few seconds even through instant-death-level pain.
"Uooooooooooooo!"
Ignoring the blade through my chest, I endured the agony and thrust my sword with everything I had.
My target: the Tsundere King’s handsome face.
It was a one-time trick play that only worked in a space where I didn't stay dead. By sacrificing my own life to create an opening, I would land at least one blow on him!
"…You lowlife!"
For the first time, I thought I heard a hint of panic in Verdict's voice—
Verdict's crimson hair scattered in the air.
Unfortunately, the strike I’d staked my life on was evaded at the last possible second. Verdict’s reactions were just too fast.
It was far from a fatal wound.
My blade had only managed to shear off a few strands of his hair and leave a tiny scratch, barely skin-deep, on his right cheek.
"Ha, hahaha…!"
A mere scratch that was nothing to be proud of?
No, far from it. This was a monumental achievement! Because until this moment, my blade had never even come close to him. This was a wound I had finally inflicted by tempering my skill through a thousand deaths and adding my very life to the edge!
My blade had finally reached the strongest King!
A staggering intoxication of triumph spread through my dying body.
"I did it... I landed a hit on you, Verdict!"
Don't be proud of a mere scratch like this, lowlife—
I expected him to snap back with something like that.
"You—"
But his voice was deep, as if it were echoing from the bowels of the earth. In an instant, my heart felt like it was seized by a hand of ice.
My elation froze over immediately.
Verdict pulled his sword out of my chest.
"To wound the flesh of this King... Your insolence knows no bounds!"
With a roar of pure fury, Verdict moved. He did something—something happened to me. That was all I could process.
A sensation like my right cheek had exploded shot through me.
I realized what had happened only after being sent flying and rolling across the carpet. Most likely, Verdict had punched me with everything he had. I had absolutely no sensation left from my cheek to my jaw.
"…Phew."
Exhaling deeply, Verdict brushed back his crimson hair.
"Be grateful for my magnanimity. I shall forgive your disrespect with that single strike."
...Magnanimity? You just delivered a haymaker to a guy who was already on the verge of death...
Everything hurt so much I felt like I was actually going to die.
I cursed my own toughness for not letting me lose consciousness.
"Lowlife, today is the last day I shall entertain you. I forbid you from entering this place henceforth."
"…W-What… do you mean…?"
"Exactly what I said. Even if you read my book, you will not reach this domain again. That is all. Rest assured, I shall permit you to use my magic."
Finally, my body reached its limit.
My vision darkened rapidly, and the strength drained from my limbs.
"…Was that scratch… that frustrating…?"
"No. This is in consideration of your ability."
My dying finger twitched. My cold body felt a final surge of heat.
—The Tsundere King had actually recognized my strength?
"I shall overlook your insolence this one time. You are no longer an opponent I can afford to go easy on. If we fight again, I will kill you in earnest and make 'your death' permanent. That is the only kind of battle left for us."
I felt a profound sense of fulfillment.
To make this overwhelming man say that much—it was the highest form of praise.
"Lowlife, you managed to land your one blow. It is a fitting time to end this, is it not?"
"…Considering how many times you’ve cut me down, I’d say we’re nowhere near even—"
Dragging my shattered body, I squeezed out the last of my willpower to look Verdict in the eye.
"But it’s a fact that I got stronger because of you. Thanks, Verdict."
Those were my final words.
At that moment, the last spark of my life burned out, and my consciousness snapped back to the real world.
After Albert vanished—
Verdict spoke to the silence of the Throne Room.
"…Against my better judgment, my heart danced to see one grow so strong. He is an interesting creature. I wonder what domain he will eventually reach. Perhaps he might even ascend to the same rank as us."
He sat back down upon his throne and looked at the pool of blood Albert had left behind.
"Spread my covenant and make the world tremble. The outcome will surely be most amusing. I wonder what scenery you will see at the end of your path, and how you will feel... Kuku, I truly look forward to it. Struggle, lowlife. Amuse your King to your heart's content."
In the Throne Room, the loud, mocking laughter of the Crimson King echoed.
——————— Afterword ———————
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