138. two winters (2)

The emotion I felt when he first appeared on the field was relief. I was relieved to think that Leon Bening’s machinations had gone undone, relieved not to have to sit on a throne forcibly made of bloodstained swords. And a little bit, I thought it was fortunate that that person reached the finals safely.

“I will win.”

That resolution, and the gaze that returned to him, were willing. I felt like I could fight without regret. It seemed that he would be able to face his turn willingly to return to the next one after losing his karma. So, Theodora nodded and answered.

“Then, it’s better to be prepared.”

I shouldn’t have seen that smile back then. Theodora looked at Maxim again in Arsene Vern’s bitter smile as he looked at her. You can’t even think about it now. For now, I couldn’t bring the doubts I had to that person to the surface.

“any amount.”

The referee announces the start of the match, and Arsene lunges at him and strikes his sword. that series of actions. The process of taking his feet off the ground, starting to draw the sword path, and throwing the sword at himself was much simpler and smoother than expected. Theodora raised her sword to block the attack, slightly frowning.

It was half a beat slow to respond. half a beat. Maxim, holding the sword in Theodora’s head, spoke. When they competed in swordsmanship without generating an aura, seven out of ten duels ended with Maxim narrowly winning.

‘Wouldn’t one beat or half beat decide the outcome of the sword?’

‘If it’s a competition between swordsmen of a similar level, that would be the case.’

Stay focused.

Theodora concentrated her concentration on dispersing in the momentary memory. Arsene and Theodora kept each other within their own distance. Arsene is the attacker, Theodora is the defender. Theodora did not try to overturn the flow of the offensive by force, but decided to block Arsene’s attack.

The dark-haired knight’s mouth drew an arc. That ferocious yet confident smile. Theodora thought of Maxim again, and in the meantime, Arsene’s sword drew a line in the air again. Theodora accelerated her body beat accordingly. The moment you can’t keep up with the flow, the beat of that sword, the direction of this competition will tilt.

Baek Ah’s white sword body followed Heilang’s black sword body like a shadow. Theodora was barely able to hit Arsene’s sword with her own sword. It didn’t seem like he was using a lot of mana, but Arsene’s sword came much faster and heavier.

Kang-!

It was a beautiful trajectory. Even that was a trajectory that Theodora had faced somewhere. Theodora swung her sword even harder to shake off the memory that was burrowing into her head again.

bang-! bang-!

I tried to read the habit. Theodora watched Arsene’s movements. Breathing, I tried to catch the subtle habit mixed with swinging the sword.

bang-! bang-!

However, every time the blades collided as she swung her sword like that, what Theodora was able to read was a habit of someone she knew all too well. Could it be that the memories that come to mind cloud even your judgment? However, Arsene was too openly revealing her swordsmanship.

The footwork is different. The breathing and the swordsmanship used are also subtly different. But that habit was one that only Theodora knew. Where your eyes go with each swing, how you hold your sword after using a skill, and how you lead the competition. Theodora’s head continued to sink deeper and deeper into confusion.

no. that person is not stupid

Theodora repeated that while brandishing her sword. However, Arsene reads Theodora’s thoughts and, as if trying to deny him, strikes the sword at Theodora again with the same sword intent as Maxim’s.

have to shake it off

Theodora gritted her teeth. I was being driven mentally. By the time she realized the truth about Maxim’s wounds in the East, Theodora was already being pushed to her limits. However, she struggled to ignore the wall she had hit. In addition to the guilt of not knowing the weight of the wound Maxim had to carry, Theodora deliberately tried to move forward carrying the burden of her heart.

I thought that if I defeated the Behemoth, I would be able to face Maxim again. Even if he wasn’t going to accept her back, he knew he would be able to slowly unravel the tangled threads of his past by confessing his sins.

– But, I couldn’t.

Maxim did not return from the battle. Theodora’s time, which stayed on the day she graduated from the academy and thought to move forward little by little, came to a halt in the no-man’s-land and the battle of Murat.

Kang!

Heilang’s blade spread bright red flames into the air. From the spreading flames, and from Arsene’s sharp eyes looking beyond them, Theodora recalled Maxim.

Kang!

Trying to find Maxim was no different from an empty cry. As if Maxim had been completely erased from the world, no news came from Theodora. His poor Knights fell into the hands of Leon Benning and became a hostage to Theodora. Like an animal in a swamp, Theodora sank the more she struggled.

Is this, that punishment, Maxim?

Is it just a punishment given to me for not getting to know you more because I was caught up in a sense of betrayal about you?

The fact that Maxim came to mind when he saw a knight with the same habits and eyes as Maxim, gave Theodora a heavy sense of guilt. That person isn’t Maxim, and I don’t even know where the Maxim I should be looking for is doing, so why am I looking at Maxim from that knight?

“no.”

bang-!

Theodora tried to push Arsene away. In order to deny the fact that he resembled Maxim, and to whip himself for constantly overlapping Maxim, I had to push him away. Enough exploring now. The reason why I continued to keep swords facing each other without manifesting an aura was because of the lingering lingering feelings.

clings to The more Theodora denied it, the more that person’s sword resembled Maxim’s. As if claiming to be Maxim, the sword began to take on an increasingly blatant appearance.

You’re right, but you’re the only one who handles the sword like this.

My head felt like it was about to burst. Theodora decided to end this stalemate by force, and raised her mana. A platinum fog rises from the root of the blade.

Even back then, were you so desperate?

In front of Theodora’s eyes, the dance floor on a rainy day was drawn. He recalled Maxim, who was looking up at him with a desperate expression.

Yes, that person is not Maxim. I’m just superimposing illusions. Theodora accelerated and felt mana surge. With the momentum to sublimate all the confused emotions and memories swirling in her head into an aura, Theodora triggered Mana.

“-no.”

bang-!

Emotional agitation does not calm down. It was like being fanned by a blowing north wind. Just as the north wind does not suddenly change to the south wind, so agitation is inevitable. Theodora struggled to deny him. I didn’t want to be shaken. To get closer to you, I didn’t want to see you as someone similar to you.

Mana boils. The rapidly accelerated mana along the bloodstream is transmitted from the heart, through the arms, to the fingertips, and wraps around the sword as it is swung. Today, the aura appeared in a swaying shape as if representing her heart. Arsene looked at her face and made an unknown expression. It was like sadness, and it was like longing. Theodora couldn’t even imagine what kind of face she was creating.

“-Don’t shake.”

Theodora said to herself and to Arsene. A deep aura surrounds himself and Heilang, satisfying Theodora with omnipotence. The Aura Blade, which had the momentum to destroy Sanha, tore through the winter and headed for Arsene.

“Kuh-!”

For the first time, the tide turned. The sword strike that fell like lightning left scars on the arena. Arsene was spinning around in the air, trying to shake off the shock. Theodora did not let Arsene take the offensive again.

Again, from the habit of relieving shock to the distorted expression blocking the aura blade.

Theodora bit her lip and thrust out her sword. Arsene gritted her teeth and blocked Theodora’s attack. The aura blade wielded by the most talented knight in the kingdom was literally a natural disaster. The crowd started to stir. Theodora’s every move created a sharp wind and put pressure on Arsene.

“… Is that the Auror I know? I guess it’s a little different?”

“Isn’t the stadium going to collapse at this rate?”

“But you’re blocking it all over again. Doesn’t that knight even know how to use an aura?”

Contrary to its appearance, the platinum fog moved with extremely violent power. The floor of the arena trembles like an earthquake. Theodora’s sword danced again in the center of the storm, and Arsene was blocking all the winds.

it’s not

Theodora looked at Arsene Bern through the fog. Perhaps it was because she couldn’t use her aura, or if she thought it was not the time to use it yet, Arsene’s sword, White Ah, was silently accepting Theodora’s aura. The reason why they still don’t pull out the aura is because that person doesn’t know how to use it, or is it because they can’t use it?

You are not Maxim.

Theodora said to herself. There was no way there would be an answer from Arsene. Well then, I just need to defeat you and erase the doubts from my heart.

The heart constantly pumps up mana. The power to defy the world was launched targeting only Arsene Bern. The crowd held their breath. Perhaps the finals were about to end sooner than expected, and at that moment the world seemed to hold its breath.

Theodora’s vision snapped. The knight’s eyes were watching what was going on. The face of Arsene Bern, captured by Theodora, never showed any embarrassment. Arsene Bern’s mouth fell open. Theodora read the words that her lips were twitching.

Bud tree.

keying-!

A metallic sound resounded as if tearing iron. The crowd frowned and covered their ears. Theodora’s aura, which dominated the arena, seemed to have scattered and disappeared into the air. Theodora looked blankly at Arsene Bern, who had dissipated her aura. As Arsene shook her head in disgust, a bittersweet smile hung on her lips.

“You put too much energy into it.”

“… Yeah?”

Theodora expressed a dazed question at the sound that came out of Arsene’s mouth. The polite way of speaking has changed. It was like talking to someone you’ve known for a long time.

“If you are going to fight without leaving any regrets, let go of the energy in your shoulders. You need to get rid of all the miscellaneous thoughts that are in your head right now.”

Arsene Vern smiled as he said that. Theodora’s head, which was drowning in confusion, fell into a perfect blank state with those words. What is that person saying to me now? Arsene Verne squirmed and straightened her stance.

“… What are you talking about?”

“For now, just think about crossing swords first. How can I defeat the person in front of me, how can I jump over that person with my swordsmanship?”

Baek Ah was still shining. Arsene Bern was still standing in front of him intact. Theodora once remembered what Maxim had told her while training with her. The scenery in my memory overlapped with the scenery in front of me.

“If you want to win, focus on the situation.”

Theodora’s eyes trembled. Arsene Bern’s voice lingered in my head, which had lost the time to think further. The mouth involuntarily created a voice.

“Why, you, say the same thing as him.”

“Because I know.”

expression is distorted At that time, white blades rushed in front of his eyes. Theodora raised her sword to block Arsene’s sword attack. Theodora’s sword loaded with an aura couldn’t pierce Arsene’s sword without an aura. Inside the eyes filled with dark clouds, there were black eyes.

“Don’t say the same thing with a different face from him.”

Theodora’s eyes widened. Arsene only smiled meaningfully at Theodora’s aggressive words.

“Then, won’t you be able to shut me up after defeating me first?”

“From the beginning, I thought so.”

Stem stem, the aura that flowed with the momentum to devour the world gathered. Platinum thread surrounds Heilang’s pitch-black blade.

“Yes, Theodora. You should have done that from the start.”

Arsene said that with a satisfied smile. Theodora swung her sword without bothering to answer.

Stand up, one step forward.

Theodora’s and Arsene’s swords were mixed. As if they were reading each other’s minds, the two knights drew the sword path in the same way. Black and white blades tangled in the winter air and sparked. As if the previous exchanges were a skirmish, a fierce battle began.

“-I guess I’ve been thinking about doing something now.”

Arsene said and laughed. Then, with a strange rhythm, he squeezed through the gap to destroy Theodora’s sword. Arsene’s sword was not the kind of sword that could be destroyed. The way to defeat that sword for yourself is to press it down with power and speed before it spreads properly.

bang-!

In the competition of knights, skill did not mean only skill. The part where I have the upper hand. Theodora naively did not decide the match with the high level of swordsmanship.

If they hit hard and came in, they pushed honestly. I didn’t bother to destroy it with a sword that couldn’t be read. The metallic sound, which resonated heavily, soon increased in frequency and covered all the sounds of winter with sparks that embroidered the air.

I hated to admit it, but I felt nostalgic.

It’s been a while since he wielded his sword to prove that his own sword was superior, threatening to defeat the knight in front of him. Theodora looked at Arsene’s expression through the flowing aura. It seemed that her face had subtly changed. Could it be a mirage created by Mana?

Tung-!

The two knights ended the stalemate by raising dust on the floor. Theodora asked Arsene, who was breathing hard. There was no anger. I tried not to question it, but it was still lingering in my head. At that time, white crumbs fell like ashes in front of Theodora’s eyes.

“It’s snowing.”

Arsene Verne raised her head and said. Arsene’s appearance was getting closer and closer to Maxim’s, as if his own eyes had gone wrong. It would have been better if it had been denied, but Theodora really wanted to hate that knight with only a smile on her face.

“Even then, it snowed like this.”

If only Arsene hadn’t said that.

“bad guy.”

When it comes to memories of snowy days for Theodora, only one day came to her mind. The day we said goodbye, the day we were separated again as you and me. You put a dagger in my chest too, and in your chest you put a knife that will carve a deeper wound than that. Arsene seemed to look up at the falling snow. Suddenly, the black hair turned dark brown, close to auburn.

“… That’s what I was looking for.”

Theodora’s voice trembled. Arsene lowered her head again and faced her opponent. I didn’t mean to, but the dark clouds in Theodora’s eyes looked like they were about to rain. Arsene saw that expression and smiled bitterly.

“If not, I really won’t stay still. If it’s true, I won’t stay quiet any longer.”

Theodora raised her sword again. Arsene, no, Maxim also raised the sword. No answer was needed. The two knights will communicate with swords, not words, as always.

bang-!

The falling snow was sucked up by the black wind generated by Heilang and Baekah. As the swirling aura blade drew a line from top to bottom, Maxim’s sword counterattacked, knocking him off by a piece of paper. Against the backdrop of falling snow, the two swords intertwined. Theodora’s sword was asking harsh questions, and Maxim’s sword was answering the question.

The competition between the two was bizarre. It was clear that they were going back and forth with sword strikes to defeat each other, but they interfered and entangled each other precisely as if they were arranging and striking each other. It was a scene far removed from a duel between two rivals who risked their pride, or a battle between warriors risking their lives on the battlefield.

“Hey, doesn’t that look like it’s dancing?”

“… It is beautiful.”

Sparks bloomed between the falling snowflakes. The tail of the white sword and the platinum line of the black sword met, creating more sparks. The knights were dancing under the lights. It was like partners who knew each other very well. Their sword dance continued, enchanting everyone.

Theodora’s sword did not become dull. The straight essence didn’t even change. Maxim was happy with that fact.

you are my salvation

Maxim’s sword aimed at Theodora’s gap and stabbed her. Theodora’s sword used him against him and tried to shake Baek-ah out of Maxim’s hands.

You will be my guide and will always remain my light.

bang-!

The black hair was now regaining its original color. His face, which was unfamiliar and sharp, gradually changed to a face that was mild but possessed strong power.

“I couldn’t tell you properly back then.”

Words and answers that could not be heard at the training ground on a rainy day. Maxim swung his sword. In order to cut off the terribly tangled thread, and to connect to the next one to move forward again.

I will beat you today

“Opening flowers.”

The tip of Baek Ah’s knife began to draw a flower.

Theodora looked at the flowers blooming in the pouring snow. A person who can’t even use an aura, where the hell did he pick up such a swordsmanship? If you draw out all the remaining mana and face it, will you be able to break through that sword?

I’ve always been a sinner to you I didn’t know

Theodora aimed Heilang forward. Heilang, who was still wrapped in an aura, was ringing his sword with full fighting spirit.

Can we continue again? Can I really ask you so shamelessly?

Theodora held Heilang with both hands. As far as I can unfold, I came up with the strongest swordsmanship. Because our conversations always went like this. Bringing out the best in each other. Theodora extended her sword to the flower garden drawn by Maxim’s sword.

“Old moon.”

Like the moon being swallowed up by a shadow, Heilang moved forward secretly. Baek A is coming. The old moon moves forward to swallow the light dwelling in the flower garden, and finally reaches its end.

oh

Theodora felt as if she were floating in the air and flying. He stretched out his hand toward the snowy sky. My mind, which had been filled with confusion, seemed to have been sorted out miraculously. I thought it would just fly away and land on the ground, but Theodora’s body did not fall to the floor and was supported.

“I waited a long time.”

In front of my eyes, there was Maxim. Theodora raised her hand and touched his face, wondering if she was seeing an illusion. I could feel that warm cheek with the cold hardened fingertips. Heilang was stuck on the floor of the arena, falling a little bit next to him.

you lost

Theodora thought so and brushed Maxim’s cheek.

“No, I didn’t wait at all.”

Maxim let out the bitter laugh he always heard. Theodora noticed that Maxim was standing with her back supported and hugged. Of course, I didn’t feel like getting up right away. Theodora leaned on Maxim’s arm and stared blankly at his face. Light brown hair, shiny golden eyes. Except for the fact that he looked a little tired, the Maxime Appart he remembered was there.

The arena is ready to welcome this year’s winner. The audience seats were boiling like a furnace that had already been heated up, and thunderous cheers erupted.

“victor-! Arsene Bern of the 2nd Guards!!!”

Theodora, feeling a bit nauseous at the declaration of the winner, spat out in a pouty voice.

“Do you know you’re a real bad guy?”

“I know, I know.”

“Do you know that being so shameless is even more annoying?”

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it.”

Theodora sighed and stroked Maxim’s cheek again.

“Hey, there are so many things I want to tell you.”

“You can do everything.”

“In addition to talking about the past, I want to talk about the future as well.”

“I beat you for that.”

The appearance of being helpless against Maxim was no longer there. Theodora smiled delightedly at the fact.

“Fool.”

The smiles of the two met. After two winters, the two were reunited like this.