Re: Freedom: Regaining Freedom In Another World

Chapter 20: Part 20: Preparations For Victory



FYI

Scene/ POV

: Speech

- Thoughts

[Flashback]

"Quoting"

(Author Note)

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Trials Temple

I woke up in the Temple.

Koji- I died again.

I gritted my teeth a little and then I comforted Emilia.

My arm shook a little.

Koji- It's been a while since I died so many times.

Koji took a deep breath controlling himself.

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House

Ram: She seems to be doing better thanks to you Ayanotaka.

Koji: As long as she's recovering it's fine. 

I met with Emilia.

Koji: Lady Emilia. I'm sorry for asking you this but... I need you to pass the trial.

Emilia: Kiyotaka-Kun?

I bowed my head.

Koji: Please just do this for me and I promise everything will work out. I'll make sure everything works out. Regardless of how long it takes me.

Emilia seemed confused but sighed.

Emilia: So... you're saying... that... you're depending on me for this?

Koji: I know it will be painful for you and you'll struggle but...

Emilia held my hands.

Emilia: You've done so much for me. if it wasn't for you I would have died so many times. You can leave this to me.

I smiled as Emilia looked at me a bit shocked blushing as she smiled.

Koji: I'll leave it to you then My lady.

I bowed to her and left.

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Roswal's Resting Area

I met with Roswal.

Roswal: Oh Kiyotaka-Kunnnn.

Koji: That's enough Roswal. I came here for a serious discussion.

Roswal smirked.

Roswal: Oh and what is that?

Koji: I want to make a bet with you.

Roswal: A bet?

Koji: You know don't you that I have some ability that allows me to reach the ideal future.

Roswal: Of course.

Koji: Then tell me. What situation do you want?

Roswal: I want you to return to the person you were before you arrived. That is the person that will allow Emilia to become King the fastest.

Koji: Fine then. Go ahead and attack the mansion but I won't go back to the person I was. I'll confront you and fix everything. I've regained my freedom. Including my freedom to choose what kind of person I am. I won't allow you to take that from me.

Roswal: Ohhh?

Koji: Roswal if I succeed then you will cease these attempts and devote yourself entirely to Lady Emilia.

Roswal: But why do you want to change so badly? You were so perfect before.

Koji: Being perfect isn't all it's made out to be. It's a dead end with no room for growth or improvement. It is the death of a person's drive.

Roswal: But why do you care so much?

Koji: My name translates to serene and pure. That's the life my mother wished for me and that's the I've I want to live. For he woman who died for me loving me unto her last moments.

Roswal laughed.

Roswal: Very well I'll accept the bet.

I left.

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Outside The House

I rode Patrache towards the barrier when Garfiel intercepted me.

Koji: Good timing.

Garfiel: Huh? Never mind that actually. Where the hell do you think you're going?

I got off the ground dragon. walking over to him.

Koji: I'm going back to the mansion. I have a business to attend to.

Garfiel: You're probably gonna do something evil aren't ya with that witch's stench hanging off you.

Koji: Whatever stench is on me is not of my own accord. This was a good way to understand you and what pisses you off.

Garfie: You bastard. Are you testing me?

Koji: You need to let me go.

Garfiel: Can you be sure you won't do anything bad to us?

Koji: I won't betray my Emilia. I have my reasons for that. As for the Sanctuary, I have no ill intentions towards them.

I walked towards Garfiel.

Koji: I don't really know anything about this place but I'm going to save you all. Because that's...

I sighed.

Koji: Because that's what I want to do right now.

Garfiel: Who the hell do you think you are? You have no idea what it's like to live like this! To suffer like this! You don't know this hell!

I ruffled his hair as he made an annoyed expression.

Koji: Whatever you say Garfiel. It doesn't change what I'm going to do. So are you going to come with me? Or am I going to leave on my own?

Garfiel: You know I can't leave!

Koji: Why don't you try?

Garfiel: I won't!

Koji: Then I'll force you out.

Garfiel: Just try it.

Koji: Very well. 

I materialized a metal bat in each of my hands. The one on my left was shorter than the one on my right.

Koji: I'm not going to be able to be gentle you know.

Garfiel: You bastard! What does it matter to you?

Koji: Because I'm going to save you.

Garfile looked at me in confusion but it turned into rage.

Garfiel: What the hell do you think you know about me!?

Garfiel attempted to transform but I smacked him in the head as he howled in pain and anger.

Garfiel: What the hell?

Koji: You think I'd wait for you to become stronger? What kind of fool do you take me for?

I rushed in swinging my weapons at him. He blocked most of them but several attacks made it through hitting him as he was forced towards the barrier.

Garfiel: You damn bastard.

Koji: I'll drag you out if I have to. Let's go.

Garfiel: Fuck you. I don't want to leave. This place is my home.

Koji: This place is a prison.

Garfiel: You bastard.

Koji: It's one you are willing to stay in to punish yourself for something that isn't even your fault.

Garfiel grits his teeth.

Koji: It seems someone has been long overdue for them being smacked back into their senses.

Garfiel: You ain't my father asshole.

Koji: By the end of this you'll wish I was.

Garfiel: You ass.

I started pelting Garfiel with attacks as he threw a punch which I blocked with my left bat and then I swung my right bat as he jumped back.

Garfiel: You...

Koji: You're almost to the barrier. Why don't you stop this and just do as I tell you?

Garfiel: Why the hell would I do that?

Koji: Trust me. No matter how bad things get I'll always fix it. That's a promise.

Garfiel: Trust you? Garfiel gritted his teeth.

Koji: From the beginning, I've seen the torment and pain in your eyes. There are no secrets you can hide from me.

Garfiel: Is that so?

Garfiel transformed and swung his arm at me. I moved to the side using my swords to push off his arm dodging the attack. The attack left a crater with rock flying on into he air.

Garfiel- He dodged?

Koji: I think you're misunderstanding the situation.

Garfiel: What?

Koji: You're stronger than me no doubt and I'm actually on the weaker side in terms of physical strength as a trainee Knight but even despite all of that I'm not the one in trouble here.

Garfiel: what?

Koji: You underestimate me too much.

I thrust my bat at his gut hitting him dead on as he flinched in pain.

Koji- Seems like I'll have to score an attack to the head to take him down. Even if I went all out he could still manage to kill me.

Garfiel: Why the fuck are you doing this!?

Koji- I remember... the moments when I could have helped my classmates. I could have taken the brunt of the punishments. I could have helped them. I'm sure I would have survived but I didn't because I thought it was pointless to endure pain for someone else who had no worth in my eyes. I was truly Slothful.

Suddenly I was in the position where the rock had been right above Garfiel's head.

Koji- This is the Sloth Authority? It's different from Petelgeuse's but it is a slothful technique.

I struck Garfiel directly on the top of the head as he de-transformed falling to his knees reeling from the pain.

Koji: As a trainee Knight I have no right to say this but...

I grabbed Garfiel by the collar and threw him out of the barrier.

Koji: ... I release you of this punishment.

Garfiel landed outside the barrier and looked around.

Garfiel: How am I still?

Koji: Lady Emilia has already dealt with the barrier.

Garfiel: You...

I walked to stand beside where he was.

Koji: I don't know what you did to think you deserve this but I don't care. What I care about is the you who can stand by my side. Can you do that Garfiel?

Garfiel stood up.

Garfiel: Why do you even... ugh.

Koji: Just come with me. I made sure not to hurt you too badly. You should be able to fight.

Garfiel: Yeah I can.

I got on Patrache and extended my hand to him.

Koji: Let's go.

Garfiel hesitated but took my hand as I pulled him up as he sat behind me.

Garfiel: Yeah.

I petted the side of Patrache's head.

Koji: Sorry girl. I need you to rush today. I pulled Patrache's reins as we rushed towards the mansion.

I briefed Garfiel on how Roswal had hired people to attack the mansion as he gritted his teeth and gripped his hand in anger.

Garfiel: That bastard.

We arrived at the mansion.

Koji: Ready Garfiel.

Garfiel: As I'll ever be.

Koji: Then let's go in.

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To Be Continued

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