My vision was blurring, each breath was heavier than the last and the air entered with a wet whistle, and as I exhaled, a metallic taste filled my mouth.
I brought a hand to my chest. My fingers trembled as they touched the wound: a wet hollow where flesh had once been, torn clothing, and warm blood slipping between my knuckles.
The puddle beneath my feet grew without hurry, dyeing the earth dark red.
I clenched my jaw.
"Damn it..."
I didn't need anyone to tell me that i was dying, I tried to gather mana to close the wound, but my body no longer obeyed me.
Then I heard a calm voice.
"Surrender, Varka. There is no way you can win this battle."
I raised my gaze with effort.
There he was, Reinhard. The man who had managed to bring me to this point and the worst part wasn't his sword it was his expression.
He wasn't tired or wounded. He didn't even seem to have used a fraction of his true power.
That enraged me more than any wound.
I leaned on my sword to keep from falling while I spat blood before speaking.
"Surrender?"
I raised my head and looked him directly in the eyes.
"Did you understand why I did all this? It was for you and your mother." I struck my sword against the ground "I conquered the world for us! To create a world where our family doesn't suffer anymore!"
My voice echoed across the battlefield. But Reinhard did not become enraged, in his eyes there was only pity
Reinhard let out a sigh.
"Mother never want this..."
"Don't listen to him, Reinhard."
A feminine voice cut through the air.
A woman with reddish hair stepped forward until she stood behind him, her sharp eyes pierced me like two blades. She extended a hand, and within seconds a sphere of fire began to form above her palm.
"Villains don't need to be heard."
She smiled with contempt.
"They only need to be defeated."
Another woman stepped forward, she wore the robes of a priestess and held her hands clasped in front of her chest.
"Those who bring evil deserve only death."
She closed her eyes.
"Please, God... grant eternal rest to the man before us."
"Eternal rest?"
I almost laughed, who the hell did they think they were to decide my fate?
But then I heard footsteps and when i raised my gaze.
One after another, women began to appear around Reinhard.
Knights, mages, priestesses, warriors and assassins.
More than forty. All of them belonged to Reinhard's group and each one possessed enough power to face me in combat.
I clenched my fists.
"How? How the hell had he gathered such an army?"
"I had ruled for decades, conquered countries, defeated entire armies and had forced the great magical clans to kneel before me."
"And even so... he had appeared out of nowhere with an army of monsters."
I lowered my gaze.
"You know they deserved... the pain and suffering."
Reinhard heard me. He closed his eyes as if he didn't want to remember.
"I... I prefer to forgive... and not take any more innocent lives."
He slowly unsheathed his sword.
The sound of metal cut through the silence. Reinhard began walking toward me, each step was calm then he stood before me and raised his sword.
"Do you have any last words?"
I stayed silent.
Last words? I had never thought about them. Death had always been something that happened to others. To my enemies, to my subjects, and to those who were too weak to survive.
But now... I was the one about to die.
I lowered my head. My body was destroyed and my sword could barely hold me up. I had no army or allies.
Then I remembered, rven if I was forced to start from zero, I could use that skill that had brought me to the top.
I smiled.
"Last words...?"
I slowly raised my head. My smile grew wider.
"Yeah... I think I have a few."
I gathered the little strength left in my legs. Reinhard frowned.
"What are you...?"
I gave a great leap and extended my hand toward him with the last strength I had left.
"[Reflection of the Divine]!"
His eyes flew open. For the first time, Reinhard seemed surprised. But it was too late, a light appeared around my hand.
"What?!"
Reinhard reacted instantly before my hand could touch him. His sword moved at a speed my eyes could barely follow.
Slash!
I felt unbearable pain, my hand flew off while blood burst from my arm as I fell to my knees.
"AAARGH!"
The pain was so intense that my vision went completely white. My body trembled, the blood kept pouring out, and while I writhed on the ground, Reinhard simply shook his head.
"I thought..."
His voice sounded disappointed.
"I thought you would die with pride."
He raised his sword. The tip aligned with my neck.
"But it seems I overestimated you."
I closed my eyes as I heard his sword begin to move.
"Re-Rest in peace..."
There was a small pause.
"Grandfather."
I smiled.
Because right in front of me, a screen appeared.
[Skill acquired.]
[SSS-Gacha Summons]
My eyes opened.
"So..."
A weak laugh escaped my throat.
"This was the reason..."
I looked at the more than forty women behind Reinhard. All those monstrous beings that had appeared out of nowhere.
"...why so many powerful women appeared at his side."
My smile grew wider and the sword descended.
My vision went dark, my body fell to the ground, and the man who had once stood at the top of the world... died.