"Rudeus, what do you mean we are going to die? What did you figure out?"
Ghislaine's eyes widened as she looked at him. She looked genuinely worried. She didn't know why he was acting like this. Rudeus had suddenly spiraled into a full-blown panic attack, she had never seen him act like this that meant it wasn't something small. probably something really terrible.
Rudeus stood up so fast Ghislaine had to step back. He shook his head sharply, his breathing uneven. His eyes darted around the room in frantic sweeps before he snatched a random piece of paper and a pencil off a nearby desk. Without explanation, he bent over it and began scribbling at a speed Ghislaine had never seen from him. His hand flew across the paper, letters forming in a messy but urgent scrawl.
Ghislaine stared, confusion filling her expression. She had no idea what had gotten into him.
"Rudeus, what are you doing? Are you okay?" she demanded. She stepped forward and grabbed him firmly by the shoulders, stopping his frantic writing.
Rudeus barely spared her a glance, his hand trembling.
"How fast could you travel from here to Ariel's palace?" he asked in a strangely calm tone, which only made her more uneasy.
She blinked, confused by the sudden question. But she still answered honestly. If she ran at full speed, it was not too far. Maybe three minutes.
"About three minutes or so," she replied.
He nodded with a stiff, his movement seeming mechanical.
"You see this letter? I want you to take it and deliver it to Ariel. Then leave with Sylphie and Eris. Forget about me."
He placed the note in her hand. Ghislaine stared at it, stunned, none of this made any sense to her.
"Rudeus, you are not making sense at all. Tell me everything!" she shouted, her voice rising in frantic desperation.
But Rudeus only shook his head exasperatedly he was scared.
"It is too long and too complicated to explain. Just know this, the Water God knows about our plan. She is coming to kill us."
The words hit Ghislaine and everything went quiet. Ghislaine froze. Even someone like her, confident and strong, knew she was not anywhere close to the Water God's level. She finally understood why Rudeus looked like he was suffocating.
"I will not just leave you. Why don't you come with us?" she asked, confused and frustrated. She could carry all of them if she needed to.
But Rudeus shook his head.
"Ghislaine, you do not get it." He rubbed his temples. "She wants me. She has known about our plan this entire time and still never killed us. She even trained me. If we all ran, she would catch up sooner or later. But if I stay behind, I can make sure you all survive."
Ghislaine clenched her jaw. She had no argument for that. She hated that she had no argument for that.
"What about Eris and Sylphie?!" she snapped.
Rudeus turned away, unable to meet her eyes. He knew what his death would do to them. Sylphie would break. Eris would rage. They would resent him. But if this meant they lived, he would accept that hatred. Maybe he could find a way to survive. Maybe he could bargain. If she wanted him alive he could find a way.
"You have to leave me," he whispered. "I'll.. I'll figure something out. I always do."
This only angered Ghislaine further.
"No. I will not abandon you knowing you will die. You are my responsibility, and I will save you even if I die doing it." She crossed her arms, absolutely refusing to back down.
Rudeus sighed heavily. This was not the time for stubborn pride. Their lives were on the line.
"Your job is to protect Eris. How can you face Philip and Hilda if she dies because you stayed here?" he said quietly.
Ghislaine flinched. She was Eris's sworn bodyguard. Protecting Eris came above all else.
"Besides," Rudeus added, "I am the one who got us into this mess. It is my job to fix it. Do not think about Paul or my mother. They will understand."
He gently closed her fingers around the paper and nudged her toward the door.
"Go. Grab them and run. She will be here soon."
As if on cue, a massive explosion ripped through the manor, shaking the entire building. Dust fell from the ceiling. The floor trembled.
"What the hell was that?!" Ghislaine gasped.
It came from the direction Sylphie and Eris were fighting. That could only mean something bad.
She bolted toward the hallway. Before she vanished from sight, she looked back at Rudeus one last time. A mix of fear, anger, and helplessness flickered in her eyes, then she disappeared around the corner.
Rudeus exhaled shakily.
"I have to prepare."
He looked at the fire sword he crafted, then at his own hands. He could channel magic through the blade like a wand, amplifying his fire spells. But this… this was the fight of his life. A duel against one of the strongest people alive.
If she wanted, she could kill him before he got close. But she wanted him alive. She wanted him as her successor. Maybe he could use that.
He inhaled deeply. Then exhaled.
She is here now. Waiting.
He gripped his blade. It felt heavier than ever. Everything he had done, every choice, every mistake… it had all led to this moment.
He stepped into the hallway. Each step echoed. He found himself noticing things he had never bothered to look at before: paintings he had ignored, sculptures shaped with care and artistry, the details of the manor's architecture.
They say when a human is close to death, the world becomes clearer. Brighter. More meaningful. For Rudeus, this felt painfully true.
He remembered every memory he had built here, every person he had met, every moment of laughter and frustration. Despite everything, he smiled...
This world no, this life was worth living. If he survived, he would cherish every single moment. He would live life to the fullest.
"I wonder how many humans have said those exact words before," he muttered with a small laugh.
Time felt strange. Slower and faster at the same time. His throat tightened. His palms sweated. But he kept walking.
When he finally reached the demolished entrance, he saw her.
Reida stood there, calm and composed, looking down at a battered girl.
"You know," Reida said without looking at him, "people are really easy to manipulate."
Rudeus scanned the area. Everything was wrecked. The ground was scorched. The girl on the floor was trembling in pain.
"Funny you say that," Rudeus replied, "since you're one of them."
Reida nodded.
"You're right. But the difference between me and Isolte is that I know I am a tool. I know my role."
She crouched beside Isolte and gently brushed the girl's hair. Isolte's pretty face was bloodied, her breaths short and sharp.
"Everyone is like a lock," Reida continued. "If you find the right combination of words, you can open them. And with a few fake tears and a few sad stories, Isolte's lock opened. And she had no idea how to close it again."
Rudeus scoffed. Disgust flashed in his eyes.
"To bring innocent people into this for your own selfish goals… You don't owe anything to a man who can barely remember your name!" Rudeus snapped.
Reida sighed dramatically.
"Young people like you do not understand how the world works. That is why you need people like me to guide you. Look at little Isolte here. I guided her her whole life. The first time I let her think for herself, she nearly kills herself."
Rudeus felt heat burn through him. He knew Isolte. Not well, but enough. She would never be like this without Reida's manipulation.
"How can you not take responsibility? Is your age making you senile?" he growled. His fists tightened. "Isolte would never be this angry or broken if not for you!"
Reida stood and dusted off her cloak.
"Well, let us stop talking. Heal her. Come with me. I will not kill you or your friends."
Rudeus narrowed his eyes.
He had no chance in a sword fight. The moment she drew her blade, he would die.
"I'll heal her," he said slowly, "but I'm sorry. I can't join you. I have important things to do."
Reida snickered.
"I knew you'd say that. Heal her before I beat you unconscious."
She stepped back. Rudeus raised his hand and cast gravity magic, lifting Isolte toward him. Reida blinked in surprise.
"To think a brat could silently cast magic like this…" she muttered. She was honestly impressed. She knew about this type of magic bu to think he could do it so effortlessly. She only remebered one of the kalmans had a sword that could do magic like this
"I can stabilize her," he said. "Not heal her fully. You'll need a real medic later."
Reida's expression hardened. Rudeus reached his hand over her.
"Try anything funny and I will cut off your arm."
Rudeus rolled his eyes. He wouldn't take advantage of a girl in this state. He had morals. He had lines he did not cross.
"Hm. You like little Isolte, don't you?" Reida said. "Stay with me and I can guarantee marriage. She has some interest in you."
He ignored her. Focused on healing. When he was done, he stood slowly.
"Well," he said quietly, "I guess it's about that time."
He gripped his sword. Reida mirrored him. They took their stances.
Rudeus pumped mana into the blade, igniting its faint fiery aura.
"Another one of your little tricks," Reida chuckled. "Keep surprising me and I might die before we even start."
Rudeus didn't laugh. His eyes sharpened. His breathing steadied.
"I have one chance…" he whispered.
A/N: The biggest showdown in this series yet and the season finale is happening expect another chapter soon I'm Alr writing it rn!!! Thanks for 10 power stones 20 for another 2 chapters