Chapter 14 - The Girl Wants to Be M*rdered

〈 Chapter 14 〉 Falling. * * * ** "....I don't want to fight....!!" "Stop whining." With one trembling hand, I lifted the sword. Standing there, my entire body shook uncontrollably, supported only by one leg. Even remaining upright was a strain. Evading or moving was simply out of the question at this point. Despite my pitiful condition, Anna’s gaze upon me was the most serious it had ever been. Truly, the eyes of someone staring down their opponent. "ㅡHere I come." "....!!!" As we sized each other up, Anna let out a brief shout of determination. Seizing the moment when I blinked, she advanced with unmatched speed, thrusting her sword towards me. The tip of her blade aimed straight at my heart. ㅡClang! "Yahhh—Ahhh!!?" The clash of our swords rang out loudly as I managed to deflect her attack at the last moment by targeting the path of her thrust rather than Anna herself. But the backlash from moving so quickly sent a jolt of pain through my already mangled left arm, which radiated in a tingling sensation across my entire body. This hesitation felt brief but costly. ".....!" Anna seized the opportunity, spinning around to fiercely kick at my body. Using the flat of my sword as a makeshift shield, I barely managed to block it. Truly relentless... "What’s wrong!? Where's your brilliant prodigious little sister now!?" "....Kha...Ah..." Though knocked back and down again, using my sword as a cane, I stumbled to my feet once more. I had to rise quickly. Anna was already swinging her sword at me. Formidable indeed. ㅡClang, clang! The relentless attacks continued without mercy—from above, the side, sometimes both directions. Her strikes carried deadly force. The only option available to me, who couldn't move quickly or wield power with both hands, was to deflect and parry as best I could. Several rounds of exchanges ensued. Anna attacked with no regard for defense. I focused solely on defense, paying no mind to launching an attack. So far, all I had managed to do was narrowly avoid or block her strikes, never initiating one of my own. But that was intentional—I never intended to harm her during this fight. "You're......!!!" "Ah...Haa...Haaa...Haa..." Perhaps realizing my intentions, Anna’s gaze towards me grew icy and chilling. The grip on her sword tightened ominously, as though insulted by my lack of aggression. It's not that. This, all of it, is out of respect for you. "Aris.....Aris.....!! You've always, treated me likeㅡ!!" "Hehe... Finally, haa, you called my name...?" "....!!" Even in this situation, the little sister who cherished and loved her older sister dearly didn't want to point a sword at her. And I, too, had no intention of harming even a single hair on her head. Victory, battle, war. These rely on the premise that the participants stand on the same game board. If one wins, the other loses. If one side triumphs, the other side meets defeat. Commonly, life is referred to as a zero-sum game. Benefits can only be gained at another participant’s expense. But this isn't like that. "ㅡAaaaah!!!" "...Hehe..." Anna charged at me with a scream. Sparks flew between us as our swords clashed. Anna began to press her advantage, pushing me down. One hand against two. Unable to match her strength, my knees started to buckle. With me kneeling in submission, Anna glared down at me fiercely. What we're doing is different from a desperate, bloodstained struggle. Her victory condition is to defeat me. My victory condition is to break the cursed earrings she's wearing, restoring her to her original state temporarily. Of course, if I didn't manage to remove it, the kings would likely take it off after reading the note in the book, but consider it a service. It’s a gesture of respect for the sister who wanted to confront the darkness within her to the end. At the end of this endless clashing of swords, we will part with what we both desire. That's why this isn't a fight but a performance we are conducting together. A tragedy that concludes with a happy ending. "....Hehe." That's how I've always done it. Lived that way, and died that way. This was my way of life. ㅡAnd I’ve never lost, not even once. I wedged my sword into a small notch on Anna’s sword. Time and again, I targeted the same spot, deflected, parried, creating this tiny opening. And I didn’t let it pass. "...!!?" "Anna, sisterㅡ" I twisted the blade. Crack, like ice breaking off in chunks, a fracture ran through the sword. The crack spread, and with a pleasing sound, Anna's sword shattered, breaking into two. Split in half! ㅡClang! ".....You.." "ㅡPlease!!" Dropping the now useless sword onto the ground, I rushed into her arms. I urged my battered body forward, forcing it to move one last time. To reach that place. Towards Anna, who stood there bowed, silent, clutching the broken sword. Step by step, I closed the distance. When I was finally within reach, summoning the last of my strength, I embraced her. Thunk. At that moment, our victory was sealed. Thud. Anna’s soft embrace felt warm as ever. Though I wanted to hold her forever, my hand reached for her earrings. Once they were removed, she would return to her normal self. The strong sister I knew would soon come to her senses. I worried about what would happen after I died, but seeing how well Anna had grown, it seemed like needless worry. Any further words would just be nagging. All the blame will be borne by our poor Duke. He reaps what he sows, doesn't he? Thud. I felt the cold touch of the pearl. At the same time, I saw the black energy emerging from it, trying to wrap around my arm. Trying to consume me? Not a chance, you foolish thing. Inducing anxiety, amplifying emotions, light hallucinations, or auditory distortions? Seems it's aiming for something akin to the suspension bridge effect. Instead of wasting time on such nonsense, why not just go out on a date to watch a horror movie? Honestly, like a child's prank, I'm hardly going to be swayed by such low-level magic. Thud. In the distance, I saw someone emerging, cutting through the forest. Ah, it's Remi. For a moment, I was confused because her body was covered in foliage. Judging by her appearance, she must have rushed over. Regardless, it's impressive she found her way here. It must have been difficult making it here. Thud. Now, shall I try to take it off? Not much time left. I might even lose the strength to remove the earring. I considered just yanking it off but couldn't bear the thought of leaving a mark on Anna's bright future. Instead, I opted to gently detach it. Because my sister is precious. Alright, then. Let's count to three and remove it. And... three! ".........Ah..?" Is it cheating to count straight to three? Heh, I never said anything about that. For an adult, it may be shameful, but when a child like me insists, it's somewhat charming. Haha, I've never seen such a dumbfounded face before! Anna, did you even know you could make an expression like that? Were you really that surprised? Silly. "Ah....Ahh.....Ah!!!!" "......." .....There, congratulations everyone. Remi, you made it on time. Honestly, I was doubtful you'd arrive, but you did, proving my faith in you. In the future, instead of just lazing around, it would be good to train a bit. Perhaps if you'd made full use of what you learned, you wouldn't have arrived after I died. While playing is fun, try focusing on your studies as well. Had Remi been that kind of sister, I might have had to devise a different plan. Anna, congratulations too. You finally won. You took my life. Feel free to boast about it. You exceeded my expectations, didn't you? I really want to commend you for facing the insecurity that lay dormant within. Although the outcome remains unchanged, that courage deserves praise. She might become an even greater monarch than any I'd imagined. No, she will be. I stepped back slowly. I had a lot I wanted to say to them, but now it seems unnecessary. Also, impossible. Cough, a gush of blood spilled from my mouth, about a paper cup's worth. Instinctively, my head tilted down, allowing me to assess my condition effortlessly. Judging by the mess of stab wounds, the front of my clothes was dyed entirely red. Four, or perhaps five stabs? As a finishing touch, a half-broken sword lodged in my abdomen. I'm still somewhat conscious now, but there's no doubt I'll die. At the current level of medical science, it's an incurable wound. While there have been cases in modern times where someone survived throwing themselves on a grenade to save their comrades, survived by the marvels of contemporary medical technology. Even if the kingdom's best healers rushed over now, the most they could do might be to alleviate my pain. Far away, I saw Remi running toward me, screaming. Desperate to reach me faster. Sorry, I can't hear you. Anna simply stared at me, her face blank with shock, her wide eyes telling of the impact. I've truly been loved. I wished I could express my gratitude. Thank them for making me so happy. Every day had been endlessly filled with joy. There were things I wanted to tell Anna too. That the "kindness" I spoke of was something only she possessed. I forgot to mention to Remi where I hid the snacks. Though, knowing her, she’d probably find and eat them herself, but still, who knows? But the words wouldn't come out. My lips wouldn’t move. "......" I could only smile brightly. Hands reaching out. Echoes of a scream. Remi's face, once running towards me, gradually faded into the distance. The sound of a roaring wind and rushing water reached my ears. Ah, I'm falling, aren't I? Well, it's a fitting end for someone like me. Splash. With a forceful impact, consciousness slipped away. ** Episode 1. The Girl of Death. End. Amnesia (self-proclaimed) Tree. Begins. * * *