༺ Academy Conquest (2) ༻
The Bushi had a sorrowful past.
His younger brother had sacrificed himself for the Bushi, his entire family was wiped out, and his beloved had died in agony.
As he continued living, the memories that he thought would never fade away had gradually become a part of his past.
And even now, the Bushi had hoped that those memories would remain only in the past, just to be remembered.
The village of Setima was inhabited by the Setima tribe, who valued kindness and pacifism.
They were helpful to outsiders, detested causing harm to others, and absolutely rejected murder; they were a kind-hearted tribe without a way to defend themselves.
The Bushi had naturally assimilated into their kindness due to being with them for a long time.
Unfortunately, even in such a village, a crisis struck.
The Griffin Kingdom, which was seeking to expand its territory, invaded Setima. They labeled the goddess worshiped by the Setima tribe as a heretic and aimed to completely subjugate the tribe.
In the face of this threat, the people of Setima made a decision—to seek refuge in the only large cave in the village, which was nestled in the middle of a thick forest. This cave only had one entrance, blocked with heaps of stones.
The Bushi crossed his arms and waited at the cave’s opening, feeling the breeze on his face.
“Grandma! I want to eat candy!”
When the Bushi heard the voice of a child, he opened his eyes.
“You have to wait.”
He pretended to be intimidating as he spoke to the child who was clinging to their grandmother, begging for candy. However, the child giggled and smiled.
“Hehe! Mister, you’re pretending to be scary, but I’m not scared at all!”
“Huh.”
The Bushi scratched the back of his head, wearing a baffled expression. The grandma looked at him and bowed deeply, expressing her gratitude.
“You’ve been through so much trouble because of us. Thank you.”
“No, this is something I should do.”
The Bushi smiled and ushered the grandma and her grandchild inside.
“Grandma! Are there really no candies anymore? You used to give me one every day!”
“Oh, you rascal. Wait a moment. Let me find one for you.”
Grandma and her grandchild entered the cave, rummaging through their belongings in search of the promised treat.
As the Bushi’s gaze followed their path, the other residents of Setima began arriving.
“Brother, I’m really sorry.”
“Please take care of us.”
A drinking buddy and his wife bowed their heads, apologizing and thanking the Bushi’s protection.
“Hey, kids, gather here. Don’t let go of your friends’ hands. Come here! I said come here!”
He soon heard the frustrated voice of the person in charge of Setima’s orphanage. He appeared to be rough, but in fact, was kind-hearted.
“Why are you running like this? Do it like this!”
“No, my leg still hurts!”
The children jumped around the cave, laughing and having fun.
“Please take care of us.”
Even Setima’s priest bowed deeply as he passed by.
The Bushi stood with his arms crossed and greeted everyone. If they could hold on for just a little longer, support would come from their allied tribes.
He only had to block this entrance until that moment.
“Uncle!”
“Hmm?”
A girl approached him while smiling brightly. She was the daughter of the priest, and the Bushi had often played with her.
“Why are you here? You should be with your father.”
“Look at this! I made it myself!”
The girl held out a weird-looking doll. Although it wasn’t made perfectly, it was filled with sincerity.
“What did you make? An old man?”
“Yes!”
He thought he got it right, but the girl suddenly pouted her lips and exclaimed.
“It’s an angel! An angel who’ll protect us all!”
“Oh, right! It’s an angel!”
“Yes! After we go back, the angel will make us all laugh and be happy!”
The girl giggled confidently and shouted with excitement. The Bushi gently stroked her head, his tension eased a little thanks to her.
Then the girl proudly raised the doll and explained.
“Look at this. I cut my hair and attached it, so it feels like it’s really alive!”
The Bushi laughed when he saw the black hair attached to the doll, mistaking it for a beard.
“Yes, the angel will surely protect us because of your sincerity.”
“Right?! Right! Hehehe! Don’t worry, Uncle! The angel will solve everything for us!”
After saying that, the girl went inside the cave. the Bushi smiled as he watched her retreating figure.
“Yes, the angel will protect us.”
The ground suddenly trembled, indicating the approaching cavalry soldiers from the Griffin Kingdom.
“They’ve arrived.”
Taking a slow, deep breath, the Bushi placed his hand on the sword hanging at his waist.
Even though a long and arduous battle awaited him, he was prepared to fight until the end.
* * *
“Huff! Huff!“
Covered in blood, the Bushi’s body felt heavy. He couldn’t open his eyes properly, and when he tried to wipe his face with his hands, it only smeared more blood on his face.
In front of a bloody puddle illuminated by the reddened crescent moon, the Bushi knelt, gasping for breath.
The enemy retreated.
They would probably return tomorrow, but for today, he had accomplished his task.
Although taking even a single step was difficult due to his grievous injuries, the Bushi forced his heavy lips into a smile.
“I endured.”
Tomorrow, support would come from their allied tribal villages. They could launch a counterattack.
It was regrettable that he, who should be in the vanguard, was exhausted. But the Bushi had confidence that they would succeed if he used his remaining energy efficiently.
He subtly turned his gaze behind him.
Behind the dark passage, not a single of the villagers’ voices could be heard. However, since none of the kingdom’s soldiers had gotten through him, they were probably safe.
“I’m hungry.”
He wanted to fill his empty stomach, but his legs refused to move.
He waited, hoping someone would bring food to him.
He waited and waited, but no one came.
The sun rose.
The kingdom’s soldiers pushed forward just like yesterday.
And once again, the Bushi repelled them.
A truly astonishing feat.
Despite losing a hand in the middle of the battle and feeling intense hunger, he gritted his teeth and managed to persevere, emerging victorious once more.
“I’m so hungry.”
More than the pain and wounds on his body, the painful feeling of starvation that followed the fierce battle was a bigger problem. Without proper replenishment, he no longer had the strength to even hold his sword.
That’s why…
Approaching one of the scattered corpses, the Bushi lifted the arm of an enemy soldier and put it in his mouth.
His jagged teeth chewed on the flesh forcefully. Blood filled his mouth like juice, but unfortunately, unlike juice, it was accompanied by the thick stench of iron.
He knew how evil the act of consuming human flesh was.
And even the goddess of Setima might have turned away after seeing him.
But to protect the villagers, he had to become a demon.
Chomp. Chomp.
For the countless residents of Setima who trusted him and were praying inside.
Chomp. Chomp.
For those who helped him regain his humanity after he broke down, having experienced the tragedy of losing everything dear to him.
Chomp. Chomp.
The Bushi forcibly filled his stomach with chunks of meat to replenish his strength.
That was how he endured that day. And another day.
He was still unable to hear the voices of the villagers inside the cave, and there were no signs of their allied tribes who promised to send reinforcements.
Even with all this, the Bushi didn’t show any signs of despair.
Unfortunately, his end still came. A blade pierced his back, coming out of his chest.
Thunk!
The Bushi let out a hollow breath. He looked at the soldier’s sword through his chest, however, thick blood spurted out his throat and splattered like vomit; he could no longer feel anything other than the taste of blood in his mouth.
“Kuahak!”
How could someone come out from inside the cave when not a single person passed him?
The man who stabbed the Bushi from behind, saw the confusion in his face. He laughed and answered.
“Most of the people inside died on the first day. Did you not know we could move underground using magic?”
“……!”
“The tribes you were expecting to come for support? They’re all dead. You should’ve seen how they foolishly charged in and got themselves killed.”
The man, whose face couldn’t be seen, chuckled and smiled.
“Anyways, thank you. Because of you, the rival family’s forces have greatly reduced, and I will be able to make use of it.”
Thud.
The Bushi’s knees, which had never bent even in the face of any hardship, finally gave in.
“I’ve beheaded the enemy commander! I, the eldest son of the Zeronia family! Ger—!”
He could barely see anything and the sounds around him had become faint.
The Bushi realized that this was the end of his life.
Like everyone else, the Bushi had imagined his own death.
He thought he would die a satisfying end.
He thought he would rejoice in escaping the tragedy called his life.
He thought he would feel indifferent to how he lived.
But now, his end was like a smudged inkblot, chaotic and meaningless.
‘Damn it.’
To feel so powerless.
To have foolishly delivered his death for nothing.
To have failed to protect the villagers.
It was infuriating.
‘If there is such a thing as God…’
The Bushi resented the Goddess of Setima.
‘You should have protected them.’
…
…………
…………………
“So, this is your past.”
Wham!
The Bushi regained his senses and swung his sword fiercely. He pushed away the necromancer whose hand was on the Bushi’s chest.
He failed to protect them.
However, whether it was a gift from God or a demon’s prank, he was given one more chance.
So, this time…
[Kuaahh!]
He would protect them.
* * *
“What did you do?!”
Findenai, who cleared the way, asked me in surprise.
Due to the joint efforts of Findenai and Gideon, I saw an opening, making it possible for me to absorb mana near the Bushi’s heart and see a fragment of his memories.
“I woke him up.”
Since I couldn’t go into detail, I briefly provided an explanation. Then, I turned to the Bushi.
“You must have regained your sanity now.”
The Bushi, who had been swinging his sword with fury, momentarily lowered his head as if catching his breath. He then looked in my direction.
[Why did you wake me up?]
Until just now, the Bushi had been controlled by madness and obsession. Now, he had finally opened his eyes.
“Because I need you.”
Findenai and Gideon stepped aside, and the Bushi and I stood facing each other in a straight line.
However, things hadn’t changed yet; it didn’t mean that he became friendly just because we could have a conversation.
[Ridiculous! You dogs of the kingdom. Tonight, I will soothe the children’s spirits by taking your necks.]
“You know that is impossible.”
I denied his declaration.
“No matter how cruelly you torture us, it is impossible to soothe their grudges.”
[What do you know?!]
“I know.”
Flick!
I surrounded my right hand with blue flames, just like I had done for Emily.
It was the flame necromancers would use to confront souls.
“Because, while you were lost…”
[….]
“I comforted them.”
In an instant, not only the Bushi, but the others’ gazes focused on me.
However, I continued to talk to him.
“O Bushi, tell me.”
Taking a step forward, I approached him.
The Bushi’s fiery eyes flickered, revealing restlessness and unease.
“From whom are you protecting them?”
[I…]
“O Bushi, tell me.”
As I took a step forward, the Bushi retreated backward, as if fleeing.
“What did Setima’s residents truly desire?”
[…]
“What did the people of Setima do in the face of the kingdom’s army? What did they do when they were faced with spears and swords, and charging cavalry?”
[…]
“What were the wishes of the girl who smiled and proudly showed you a doll?”
The Bushi’s sword, which was held high, had now gracefully descended in an arc and gently touched the ground.
“Who should bear the responsibility of representing them? And yet, is now acting as he pleases?”
Malevolent spirits gathered in this crumbling academy, using thunderous screams to fulfill their own desires in the pretense of releasing Setima’s grudges.
“O Bushi.”
I slowly extended my hand to the Bushi, who was standing there blankly.
Blue flames began to spread throughout his entire body.
“O Bushi, who became a shield without letting go of his sword. For the sake of others, for the sake of the village of strangers who helped you.”
[Ah…]
“You have the right to see the end of this story.”
The Bushi’s form, which was gradually melting into the flames, had distorted.
And soon, he transformed into a worn-out black sword with an abyss-like dark hue. I grasped his hand.
“Let us give our farewells to these unfortunate souls together.”
