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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