From behind, Mr. Alden, his sword now glowing a brilliant sky blue, mirrored Ronan's strike. "Sky Splitter!" he called out, his blade infused with water mana.
The two slashes converged—fire and water intertwined in a devastating explosion of energy. The force sent the hooded man crashing to the ground, his body riddled with wounds, blood pooling beneath him. He gasped, struggling to lift himself.
Ronan's expression remained deathly cold as he stepped forward, a fireball forming in his palm. The defeated man scrambled backwards, desperation twisting his features. "W-Wait! What do you want? I can give you anything—money, fame, women! Just name it!"
Ronan's jaw clenched, his anger flaring. This filth thinks he can bribe his way out of this? Without hesitation, he hurled the fireball. The man shrieked as flames licked at his body, his cries echoing through the forest.
"Ronan! Don't kill him!" Mr. Alden's voice cut through the chaos. "We need him alive for information."
Ronan exhaled sharply, barely restraining himself. He crouched beside the writhing man, gripping his collar. "Talk."
The man gritted his teeth, his face twisted in pain, but he remained silent.
Ronan's fingers curled into a fist. Instantly, the man's core ignited, flames consuming him from within. His body convulsed, his screams filled with agony.
"Ronan, that's enough!" Mr. Alden grabbed Ronan's wrist, his grip firm but pleading. "There are other ways—"
The man suddenly gasped, his eyes wide with terror. "I'll talk! I'll—"
A sickening crack echoed through the night.
A black curse seal flared to life on the man's skin, its eerie glow pulsing violently. His body stiffened, his mouth opening in a silent scream before—
Boom!
His entire form exploded into a spray of blood and dark energy, leaving nothing but scorched earth where he once lay.
Silence hung in the air.
Ronan, still breathing heavily, slowly turned, his eyes narrowing.
The flying ship soared through the sky, cutting through the cold night air as Mr. Alden steered it forward with urgency. The rescued boys and girls sat huddled together, their faces pale and exhausted. Among them, one girl lay still, her breathing shallow, her body trembling from the toll of losing her magical core. Ronan knelt beside her, his hands glowing with the crimson hue of his Blazing Restoration spell, pouring every ounce of his strength into healing her.
The others had stabilised, but she remained on the edge of life and death. The loss of blood, the sheer emptiness left behind by the stolen core, was too much. Even as Ronan pushed his magic further, he felt the strain pulling at him. The mana reserves he had absorbed from the crystal earlier had nearly depleted. Yet, he refused to stop.
After what felt like an eternity, the girl's eyelids fluttered open. Her lips parted slightly, and in the faintest whisper, she uttered, "Water…"
Orin, who had been watching over them, instantly reacted, gently lifting her head and pressing a water flask to her lips. She sipped weakly, her hands barely able to hold onto the flask. The relief in her dim eyes was fleeting, but it was enough.
Mr. Alden, watching from the helm, accelerated the ship even more. Ronan gritted his teeth, focusing on his spell, yet he could feel himself slipping, his magic unravelling from overuse.
Mr. Alden met Ronan's desperate gaze and let out a slow breath. His grip tightened around the wheel before shaking his head slightly. "This is… a lost cause." His voice was calm, almost regretful, as if bracing Ronan for the inevitable.
But Ronan refused to accept it. He clenched his fists, frustration and helplessness clawing at his chest.
The girl, kneeling on the floor, suddenly bowed her head deeply. "Thank you… everyone," she whispered. The other rescued children echoed her gratitude, their voices trembling with emotion.
Then, with effort, she lifted her gaze toward Ronan. "I… I'm sorry. My brother… he must have caused you so much pain. Please… can you forgive him?"
Something inside Ronan cracked. His breath hitched, his mind spiralling into darkness. He staggered to his feet, his vision swimming, and without a word, he turned away, walking toward the other side of the ship.
Orin watched him go, concern flickering in his eyes. Before he could move, Mr. Alden placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Go," he said. "Talk to him."
As Orin hesitated, Mr. Alden turned back to the girl. "There is no need for you to apologise," he said gently. "We are the ones who have failed."
A tear slipped from the girl's eye, yet she smiled a bittersweet, fragile thing. "At least… he's free now," she murmured. Her voice held no bitterness, only acceptance. "I want to apologise to the villagers too… I just hope I can hold on long enough."
On the other side of the ship, Ronan stood in silence, his hands clenched into fists as he stared into the dark horizon. The night stretched endlessly before him, mirroring the emptiness he felt inside. He hated this feeling, the weight of regret, the suffocating pain of helplessness.
Orin approached cautiously, standing beside him without a word. He wanted to say something, anything, but the right words never came. Instead, he simply stood there, offering silent companionship.
Minutes passed before Mr. Alden joined them. "She wants to apologise to the villagers," he said softly.
Ronan exhaled shakily and wiped his tears away. Without hesitation, he turned back, returning to her side. If he couldn't save her, at least he could ease one regret from her heart.
The girl lay on the wooden floor of the ship, her breathing even weaker now. As Ronan knelt beside her once more, he resumed healing, knowing it wouldn't be enough to save her, but hoping it would give her time.
Mr. Alden pushed the ship faster, though deep down, he knew it wouldn't be fast enough.
The girl murmured something, her voice barely above the wind. Ronan leaned in, thinking she needed more water.
But then, he heard her words: "Don't worry, brother… I'm coming to you."
His chest tightened. A single tear fell from his eyes, landing softly on her cheek. Slowly, she opened her eyes again, her gaze locking onto his. Despite the exhaustion, she managed a faint smile.
"Thank you… for trying to save me," she whispered.
Ronan lowered his head, his lips trembling, unable to find the words.
"Don't cry," she murmured, voice gentle yet firm. "I am happier now than I was in life. Soon… I will be free. No more pain, no more fear. No more bullying or cruelty."
Ronan swallowed hard. "But… your brother. We—"
She cut him off with a slow shake of her head. "Do you feel guilty?" she asked, her eyes searching his. "There's no need. There was no other way to save him. At least… he's no longer a puppet."