[Original Novel] Sword of the Heavenly Wind, Episode 176

Chapter 10: The Window in the Sky, and Toward Each Morning
— Episode 176: The Choice You Made —

Ciaran pushed forward through the scorching heat and light, holding up the Shield of Aoi.
The sky had become a battlefield for the beings of magic.

"Hanakonjo, please, take me to those Four Heavenly Kings."

Thanks to the Shield of Aoi, the protective magic of everyone, and Hanakonjo's piloting, Ciaran was pushing through the energy of the clashing magical beings.

So fast...!

Silgar and the Four Heavenly King Seiran continued to fly like the wind. They were dodging or intercepting attacks from the followers on the ground.

"Ciaran. I think we'll be okay because of everyone's protective magic, but—you'd better try your hardest not to get shaken off."

Hanakonjo spoke to Ciaran's back.

"Hanakonjo, can you catch up to Silgar and the others?"

Ciaran asked while keeping his eyes on Silgar and Seiran, who were racing across the sky in every direction, splitting thick snow clouds and then gliding over the snowy plains the next moment.
Hanakonjo gave a little 'ahem' to clear her throat.

"Leave it to me. I'm going to show off the master craftsmanship of this Hanakonjo to the fullest."

Master... craftsmanship—.

Whoosh.

What on earth is this?!

Ciaran shouted in his mind involuntarily.
It was craftsmanship beyond his imagination.

"Oh my. The son of the Four Heavenly Kings."

Seiran's upside-down face was right before his eyes. Seiran was in the middle of a rapid descent toward the ground.
Ciaran was also descending rapidly while upside down. Strangely, Ciaran's feet remained attached to the birch trunk. It was as if they were connected by invisible strings or something. It must have been the effect of everyone's protective magic.

Strike!

Ciaran's golden right eye glowed.
While enduring the strong wind, he swung the Sword of the Heavenly Wind in a horizontal line.

"My, what high spirits you have."

While continuing to fall, Seiran flapped his four wings with a loud noise, as if to send wind toward Ciaran, and put some distance between them.

Ugh.

The wind pressure from Seiran's wings pushed Ciaran and Hanakonjo back, along with the birch trunk. With a smile on his face, Seiran began to ascend.

I shall burn you and the young master behind you together. Both that log and the two of you should burn quite well, I imagine.

Seiran unleashed a shockwave.

Don't call me 'young master'! Call me Lord Hanakonjo!

Dodging Seiran's flame-like shockwave, Hanakonjo used his masterful skill to lift Ciaran's body along with the birch trunk. Seiran's shockwave vanished into the blizzard.

Lord Hanakonjo? No one has ever called you that. Should I start calling you that from now on as well?

Ciaran! Don't get hung up on weird things!

Looking over his shoulder, Hanakonjo was blushing and puffing out his cheeks. He caught up to Seiran.

Strike!

The Sword of the Heavenly Wind continued to trace a trajectory of light. Seiran kept a faint smile on his face as he continued to dodge the sword's path.

I will not be careless as I was before. I cannot afford to be defeated again. More importantly—have you noticed?

Noticed what, Ciaran wondered.

That the attacks from the followers on the ground are no longer reaching us.

Now that he mentioned it, that was true. He had stopped noticing the hot-wind-like attacks as much.

You seem to have many friends. And among the Four Heavenly Kings, at that.

What are you trying to say!

Seiran chuckled.

Lord Silgar is fighting hard to ensure the attacks from the two on the ground do not reach us. In other words, it is a consideration to ensure that you, who are in close combat with me, are not put in danger.

He was startled.

"Furthermore, for some reason, Lord Silgar seems to be keeping an eye on the humans as well. He is a very busy man."

What is this man trying to say? Ciaran searched for the meaning behind the smirk of Seiran, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the demon realm.

"As for me, I only have to deal with you and the young master behind you. I hope you don't take offense, but I'm having an easy time of it."

Malice. Malice like that of a human. Is he trying to shake me, or is he just having fun?

Narrow, sharp eyes stared fixedly at Ciaran.

"Is there truly any significance to you joining this battle, or is there not?"

I wanted to protect everyone.
I wanted to help Silgar.
The coldness of the snow hitting his skin pierced Ciaran's chest like sharp arrows of ice.

I am a burden.

It's not just that, Ciaran thought.

I am putting Hanakonjo, who follows me, and everyone else who is trying to protect me, in danger.

Ciaran's heart beat coldly. He wondered if his decision had been a grave mistake.

"Hindsight doesn't matter right now."

A voice pulled Ciaran back from his wavering thoughts.
He reminded himself that the coldness of the snow was just a natural phenomenon.
Before he knew it, Silgar was standing behind Seiran, arms crossed.

"Silgar!"

Seiran, caught between Silgar and Ciaran, let out an exasperated sigh.

"See? Since your son is at such close range, you can't use your shockwaves, even though it's a perfect chance to strike me down, can you, Lord Silgar?"

"Ciaran, don't let it bother you. This guy is just like me, only he's a man who talks too much."

He admits he talks too much himself?

For a moment, time stood still. But it was only for a brief instant. The attacks from the servants on the ground came rushing in.
Seiran jumped far to the right, while Ciaran, Hanakonjo, and Silgar jumped far to the left together.
Silgar shattered the black, cannonball-like attacks that were chasing them with shockwaves. While struggling to keep his balance in the blast, Ciaran called out to Silgar.

"Silgar. I'm sorry. He's right."

"Why are you apologizing? It was a choice you made. Is there any need to apologize to anyone?"

"...I am weak."

"What are you basing that on? Your own ideals?"

"No."

"If you're speaking from the perspective of ideals, then I have nothing to say."

Silgar looked at Kieran squarely once more and continued.

"That man's arm. I heard you were the one who cut it off. If you're weak, does that mean he's weak too?"

That's right—I am—

Silgar was simply smiling. Memories of countless battles flooded Kieran's mind.

I am—!

"Silgar."

Strength began to surge through Kieran's eyes and body.

"I have a request."

A hot wind. This must be a shockwave from Seiran. Kieran and the others put some distance between themselves and Silgar.

"What is it? A request? That's rare. You used to always tell me not to do anything unnecessary."

Silgar was flying alongside Kieran and the others. Seiran could not hear the conversation between Kieran and Silgar.

"Could you lend me the sword of flame one more time?"

Silgar chuckled, then gave Kieran a forceful pat on the back. Then, in an instant, he flew high into the sky.

Thank you. Silgar...!

In Kieran's back, deep within his body, the sword of flame was there, just as it had been before.

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