A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 98

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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98.
The Forest held its breath in absolute silence.
The air itself seemed stretched taut, so much so that even the whisper of wind brushing across fallen leaves came through with crystalline clarity.
Leonard tightened his grip on the reins.
The traces of the stag were unmistakable.
Broken branches, crushed grass, footprints still damp with moisture.
‘…Close.’
He slowly lifted his gaze.
And then he saw him.
Between the trees ahead, a dark blue cloak emerged, embroidered with the despicable Blue Heart insignia.
It was Demian.
Leonard’s vision narrowed in an instant. The world contracted to a single point, and only Demian remained in sharp focus.
There was only one thought that came to mind whenever he saw him.
…I want to kill him.
Over the years, I had torn countless men apart, slit their throats, severed their limbs.
But the man I wanted most to kill was within reach, yet I could not.
I was always too busy suppressing the rage that erupted like an active volcano. My goal was not to kill Demian, but to become Emperor.
“Your expression is quite something.”
“!!”
“You look like you’d tear me to shreds.”
The icy voice pulled me back to reality. I had clenched my fists so hard that blood was trickling from my palms.
“Since I broke your leg bone before, which part would you like me to break this time?”
“….”
“But it would be wise not to fight me. First, we need to catch the stag.”
At Demian’s words, my hand instinctively tightened around the sword hilt.
Now was not the moment. Leonard drew in a slow, deep breath.
“….”
I swallowed my rage and turned my gaze away.
Just as I was about to pass Demian, the brush ahead rustled with a crack, and both our eyes snapped toward it simultaneously.
Something burst from the Forest.
Long antlers. A sturdy body. Startled eyes.
The stag stood between us as if by fate.
A suffocating silence fell.
Demian spoke first.
“…How amusing.”
His voice was cold and low, utterly devoid of emotion.
Leonard answered without taking his eyes off the stag.
“Move.”
“Why? Do you have proof that you saw it first?”
As Demian’s lips curved up ever so slightly, Leonard’s eyes darkened.
The male deer pawed anxiously at the ground, preparing to flee.
Tense silence stretched between the two riders as Demian’s horse wheeled around, signaling the chase’s beginning.
The deer bolted with nimble grace while both men spurred their mounts forward.
Unfortunately for Demian, Leonard’s horsemanship far surpassed his own.
The desperation born from years of riding across desolate lands proved useful in unexpected ways.
Leonard’s horse vaulted over a massive boulder, and he let out a bitter laugh.
The air grew frigid, and frost began creeping across the vegetation.
‘So he’s resorting to magic.’
If Demian decided to kill the horse, it would take mere seconds.
A dead horse meant capturing the deer alive would become nearly impossible.
Leonard reined in his mount and glanced back.
As Demian’s horse skidded to a halt before him, Leonard leaped down from his saddle.
“It would serve us both better to settle this on foot and continue the chase. If the deer dies, neither of us wins.”
“Agreed.”
Demian dismounted as well.
Leonard drew his worn blade from its sheath, and flames bloomed slowly along the edge—like a bud unfurling.
Petals bursting into bloom.
Leonard’s expression twisted for a moment.
The flames burned with a cruel crimson beauty, yet they flickered with quiet grace.
How like James, who always sacrificed himself to protect those under his command.
‘This is why I avoid magic when possible.’
But Demian was a master of ice magic. I couldn’t be certain I could defeat him without wielding flame magic myself.
Moreover, he was cunning enough to weave dark magic into his arsenal.
Dark magic that could extinguish flame regeneration. That’s how James died.
“…”
“What’s wrong?”
In that moment, his voice fell like a dagger, cold and piercing.
“Does the magic your master once wielded bring back such terrible memories?”
“…”
“How pathetic—a remnant unable to escape the past.”
Demian’s worn blade was now encased in razor-sharp ice.
One swing would cleave through everything around him with surgical precision.
“…”
Leonard remained silent, yet the tendons in his sword hand were already straining visibly.
Demian clicked his tongue briefly.
“Leonard, do you know what your problem is?”
“…”
“You’re far too weak.”
“…”
“Like a dog that cannot survive without a master. And to think you chose a fool like James of all people.”
Leonard remained silent, but Demian continued speaking.
“But for a mongrel, you’re far too strong. Sharp mind too. Good at wearing masks.”
Demian’s finger pointed precisely at Leonard’s heart.
“In reality, you’re even more helpless than a child.”
Demian approached Leonard slowly, and Leonard circled, matching his movements step for step.
Both their swords rose into the air. The atmosphere stretched taut as if it might shatter at any moment.
In the suffocating tension of murderous intent, Demian continued speaking.
“In that sense, James is a cunning man too. He knew you were weak and exploited that.”
“….”
“Leonard, I pity you.”
Leonard’s grip tightened on his sword.
“Living as a demon for about eight years. As a hybrid for about two years. And as a substitute for about six years?”
“….”
“Have you ever truly lived as yourself?”
“….”
“James—that bastard is actually quite cruel. This succession war is his punishment! Just admit it and stop—”
Demian could say no more.
A violent explosion erupted, and the entire surroundings became a sea of flames.
He quickly cast ice magic to extinguish the fire, then immediately prepared his next defense.
But Leonard was faster. Before Demian could even swing his sword, a blade wreathed in flames pierced straight through his guard.
He desperately cast a defensive spell at the sound of wind being torn, but as ice shattered, he was forced several steps backward.
He rolled and rose quickly, but no further attack came.
When Demian repositioned his sword, Leonard spoke.
“Yes, Demian. I am a fool who cannot escape my past. I won’t deny it.”
“….”
“But can you say the same to me?”
Demian’s eyes narrowed.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re also trapped by a woman named Aria.”
For a moment, Demian nearly dropped his sword, and Leonard seized that opening.
He lunged forward, aiming for Demian’s throat. But as if anticipated, protective magic already shielded his neck.
With a sharp clang, Leonard was pushed backward.
Demian rubbed his throat and drew a deep breath. His eyes trembled faintly.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying….”
He clenched his jaw tightly. The faint grinding of teeth could be heard.
“Demian, the reason you criticize me so harshly is because you see yourself when you look at me.”
“…No!”
“Then why do you keep her corpse?”
Leonard took another step forward.
“Demian, I’ve come to know everything.”
“….”
“If you’re obsessed with James, then you’re obsessed with her. If I’m a dog that can’t live without a master, then you’re a flower. A flower that can’t survive without the affection of water.”
With each word Leonard spoke, Demian’s breathing grew increasingly ragged.
The air around them began to freeze with a chilling coldness, yet Leonard did not stop.
“Strong possessiveness and obsession could be called love, I suppose. Though I doubt she would agree.”
“Shut your mouth…!”
Demian’s hand, now gripping his sword, trembled ever so slightly.
“No matter how much you curse and condemn James to me, I have no intention of blaming him. There is only one person I blame.”
“….”
“You.”
While Demian’s face drained of all color, Leonard remained steadfast, his composure harder than ever. His crimson gaze fixed upon Demian as he raised his sword.
“Before James changed my life, you changed it first. No—you have been present in every moment of my existence.”
His eyes burned like molten lava, blazing with an intense crimson fire.
“You have been there in every single moment of mine.”
“….”
“So shut up and draw your blade.”
Demian tightened his grip on his sword. A sharp, icy killing intent once again flickered in his eyes.
Seconds later, both men launched themselves from the ground simultaneously. Their blades clashed in mid-air, and the sound of the heavens splitting echoed across the sky.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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