NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: Conclusion (Eresdia Side)
To me, Eresdia von Donnart, Zero was — well, the weirdest guy I’ve ever met.
I couldn’t even understand how someone like him ended up in the knight’s order. He was terrified of dying, hated fighting, despised pain, and couldn’t stand anything troublesome.
And yet, he was the most diligent when it came to training. He never missed a single night of practice with me. Even learning magic, he would forcibly use uncontrollable spells repeatedly until he gained control, completely disregarding his own body. It was like crossing a crumbling cliff with no safety rope. That’s not something a guy scared of death should be doing.
But if it were just that, I wouldn’t have gotten so involved with him to this point. I wouldn’t have lost my mind in rage and let my vision turn red when he fell, pierced through the heart.
If you ask why, it’s because he never hesitated around me.
Despite being a noble, the only knight apprentice in our new recruit class, and having a look that made both men and women turn their heads, he treated me like I was just anyone.
Most people would show some sort of admiration, respect, fear, or even jealousy. Some, burdened by past trauma, might even carry fear or hatred.
But he had none of that.
In fact, the first time I spoke to him, all I saw in his eyes was… annoyance. As if talking to me was a bother. Can you believe that?
He didn’t show any respect in his attitude or tone, always making flippant remarks. He even called me a “masochist,” saying I must be a weirdo who enjoys being hit and insulted (She learned that term from Zero himself), and teased me endlessly.
He was clearly different, a type of person I have never met before.
Of course, he irritated me — a lot, actually. But strangely, I didn’t dislike talking to him or being around him. In fact, for someone like me, who had never spoken casually to anyone outside my family, it was refreshing. When we exchanged insults, the tension and the constant pressure of being watched and admired would melt away.
It was ridiculously fun, and I couldn’t help but smile.
Despite him being annoying, weird, and frustrating, he was the first person I could truly be myself around. The first person I could let my guard down with.
But now, he’s gone.
“Z-Zero…”
He’s dead.
Because I wasn’t cautious enough, he was caught off guard and killed. Because I was too weak, I couldn’t even react to save him. And because I’m still weak, I can’t avenge him — all I can do is slump against this cave wall, barely hanging on.
I’m so frustrated. Furious. Hatred and rage filled within me, all directed at my helplessness.
But no matter how much I burn with anger, my body has reached its limit.
My vision is blurry. Blood is filling my mouth, and it’s nauseating. The ringing in my ears is so loud I can’t hear anything around me. My strength is draining away, like a balloon with a hole in it.
No matter how much I try to move, my body won’t listen.
And I can’t feel where I was kicked in the gut. Judging from the impact, my organs are probably ruptured, and my bones crushed. I’ll heal eventually, but I won’t be able to fight anytime soon.
“Z…Zero…”
I grasp out, choking on the metallic taste of blood, my voice barely a whisper. A confession, or maybe a desperate hope.
And then, through my hazy vision, I see a figure approaching.
Could it be enemy reinforcements? Are they here to finish us off?
As I try to piece things together, despite the ringing in my ears drowning out all sound, I hear a voice.
“Guess again, dumbass. Too bad for you — you’ll be sticking around a little longer. — [Extreme Reinforcement:Grenzen Vi Att Verstärken].”
The voice I’ve been aching to hear.
I thought it was a hallucination, a figment of my imagination. But my instincts told me — it was real.
Suddenly, the agonised cry of a man and the sound of something being destroyed reached my ears. A shadow looms over my now-clearer vision.
And that shadow — Zero — waves at me in the most casual, out-of-place manner, wrapped in a chaotic mix of silver and crimson aura.
“Yo, Eresdia-Sama! Are you alive over there?”
Realising his intention, I force my voice out, even though I can barely breathe.
“H-how…?”
“Hm? Well… I’ve got better regeneration than most people.”
“Th-that’s… a lie…!” I cough violently, blood splattering.
“Whoa, whoa, if it’s that bad, you really shouldn’t be talking.”
Zero frowns with concern, but the one who should be worried is me.
“You… you’re using… s-strategic-class magic…”
“Oh, you noticed? Pretty cool, huh? It’s nowhere near as good as the instructor’s, but for my first time, not too bad, right?”
It was incredible. But completely out of control. The aura was sparking like crazy, clear evidence of that.
By now, his body was likely breaking down from the strain. The pain must be unbearable.
So why…?
“Why… go that far…?”
“Well, yeah, I don’t want to die. But also… there’s this.”
Zero scratches his cheek, looking a little embarrassed.
“Guys just wanna look cool in front of a cute woman. Especially if she’s someone important to them.”
Wha—!?
Before I can respond, he turns serious again and steps away.
“Alright, I’ve confirmed you’re still breathing. Time to finish this.”
“You think you can beat me?! You’re nothing compared to—!”
The man’s eerie demeanour shifts. His hood falls back, revealing ghostly pale skin and dark rings around his furious, bloodshot eyes. He glares at Zero, but wisely stays back, sensing his strength.
Zero, however, doesn’t lose his laid-back attitude, despite the seriousness of his expression.
“Eh? What was that? Can’t hear you with that weak voice of yours. Guess I’ll just get a little closer.”
“Wha—?!”
Before anyone can blink, Zero is right in front of the man, as if he just teleported.
“Dammit—!!”
The man swings his weapon, aiming for Zero’s neck and heart with deadly precision.
But—
“What?! I-It can’t be…!!”
—CLANG!!
The sound of metal echoes, and his attack is deflected the instant it touches Zero’s body. The force of the rebound sends the man stumbling back.
“Well then, goodbye.”
Zero’s palm slams into the man’s chest with a speed, sharpness, and power that makes the blow I took seem like a love tap.
—BOOOM!!
The ground shakes from the impact, throwing me off balance. I use the last bit of my strength to steady myself and glance at the two of them.
A gaping hole. As if there had been nothing there to begin with, a 30-centimetre hole is carved clean through the man’s chest.
“Ah… ahh…”
The man stares in disbelief at his chest before his eyes roll back, and he crumples to the ground, lifeless. A pool of blood spreads beneath him.
Zero, still wrapped in his silver-crimson aura, gazes down at him.
“Heh, that’s payback for almost killing me. Don’t worry, no need to hold back.”
He flashes a tired grin and walks over to me. With an exaggerated grunt, he hoists me onto his back.
“Hey, are you still with me? We’ve got some hostages to rescue, so hang tight for a bit longer. And forgive me if the ride’s a little rough, I’m practically falling apart here.”
His carefree tone makes me smile, despite everything.
“…Zero.”
“Hm?”
“…Thank you.”
“Yeah, you should thank me. You’re alive because of—”
“I know. You were… amazing. Really.”
And thank you… for being alive.
I hug his neck, pressing my face against his broad back.
To hide my burning cheeks.