Chapter 56: The Wrath of Two Kings

From the sky, the “Sword King” Toma Swordria and the “Giant Spear” Laila Kate descended, each pointing their weapons toward the “Spear King.” They had no real grasp of the situation, but Toma relied on instinct—his sense for those who stood at the pinnacle of strength. Laila, on the other hand, understood at a glance after seeing Julia Deuce’s condition.

"…She’s been completely taken over."

"One look is enough to tell. She was directing a lot of hostility at me earlier. Now there’s no reaction at all—clearly something’s wrong."

Their eyes held no trace of interest. It was as if they were looking at nothing more than another obstacle in their path. Despite being poisoned and only barely suppressing it through precise magical control, despite more than half her senses being dulled, the “Spear King” continued to dominate through sheer combat experience and instinct. Even now, cold sweat ran down her cheek.

"Hikari is strong. Shion is strong. The fact that the two of them together only managed to inflict that level of damage already says how bad this is."

"Looking at that puddle behind her, she even tanked Laila Kate’s ‘Water Spear.’ Anyone less than exceptional would’ve been blown away. And Shion’s poison should’ve worked too… but this… honestly, she’s a monster."

Still, they steadied their breathing and resolved themselves. There was no choice but to fight. Confirming that the “Spear King,” as if recalling something, remained motionless, Toma shifted his gaze to Laila Kate, who lay collapsed behind them.

"Hey… uh, Laila Kate, right? Run. We’ll handle this."

"I was annoyed I couldn’t go all out after finally having a real fight… but if there’s a chance to take down that disgusting ‘Spear King,’ then I can still go all out."

"I won’t… allow it…!!"

As if forgetting they had been fighting moments before, the two calmly attempted to form a temporary alliance against the monster before them—but Laila Kate forced herself up, using her spear as a cane, and rejected it.

"You’re the type who finds going all-out annoying, and you—someone Julia hates so much—you think I’d accept you two teaming up while I’m down…!!"

"You shouldn’t push yourself. From what I can see, you’ve barely got any magic left. Magic is born from life force, and if you push it all the way to zero, you can barely even stay conscious."

"Like I care—!!"

The shout came from the depths of her heart, and Toma felt something stir in him—something familiar. It reminded him of his own voice, long ago, when he had shouted for Alicia during the “King’s War.” A faint smile tugged at his lips.

"She’s my friend!!! She got dragged into all this ‘Spear King candidate’ nonsense because of her idiot sister, and the only one who spoke to me at a time like that was her!!! Whether she meant to use me or not, I’ll never abandon her until the very end—!!"

"I suppose I should reflect a little on how badly my sister’s gotten twisted."

"Yeah, you might want to think a bit more about your surroundings. The entire area around your fight is basically devoid of trees. Still… well. Sorry, Laila Kate. She’s someone important to you. It’s painful not being able to do anything for someone like that."

Laila Kate, still leaning on her spear, nearly collapsed again—but someone caught her from behind.

Warmth flowed into her body through that supporting hand. Strength slowly returned. When she turned, she saw Alicia, the Holy Maiden of the Swordria Kingdom, activating light magic—“Healer”—to restore her.

"So I’ll hold her off until you get back. Return to fighting condition quickly and help us—help Julia Deuce. Alicia, sorry about this."

"Don’t need to tell me."

"I’ll use all my magic to heal everyone. But if I do that, I won’t be able to treat any injured afterward."

"Yeah. I’ll come back without a scratch. I don’t want you worrying any more than you already are!!"

"I’m already worried beyond belief!!!!"

As they exchanged light banter, Toma’s aura shifted. Until now, he had still been trying to avoid unnecessary battle. That hesitation was gone. Now there was only one thought left in his mind: how to send the “ghost” before him to the afterlife.

He understood the desire to protect someone. He had always carried it himself, still fighting for it now. So he could not dismiss the feelings of those who fought for the same reason.

Thus, Toma finally declared the “Spear King” his enemy—and raised his Holy Sword.

"That sword is…!!"

The “Spear King” recognized Toma’s blade—the Holy Sword—and her expression twisted. The emotionless mask from before vanished, replaced by Julia Deuce’s face filled with raw hatred.

"Where did you get that sword? No, don’t answer. A thief’s words are meaningless. You don’t understand its value—no, there is no one who understands it but me. Not even the secluded ‘Dragon King.’ Only I know the greatness of the ‘Sword King.’ Only I know his bravery. Only I know his achievements. And yet why do you hold that sword as if it belongs to you? Ridiculous. Absurd. Impossible. There is no successor. No one can inherit his legacy. I will not accept it. I, who fought beside him, will not accept it. Why does that cursed sword recognize you as its master? Explain it. Did you find some light greater than his? No—NO, NO, NO!! That cannot be!! If so, why did he not take me with him?! I devoted everything… I loved him so much… I only wanted him to say ‘be happy’ and disappear… but my happiness was being with him!!! So I will wait. I will wait for him to be reborn again, and I will not miss his soul next time—"

"Too long. Too loud."

Toma silenced the spiraling “Spear King” with a single line. His voice was colder than anything present had ever heard, cutting cleanly through her obsession.

"So basically you got rejected by the previous Sword King and clung to this era like a rotting corpse. Old people talk too much, but it’s fine if there’s substance. You’ve just got bitterness about being left behind—nothing more. No content, no value, not even entertainment. And you still don’t get how pathetic you sound, do you? That’s why you’re still clinging to this world. Conclusion: you’re in the way. So hurry up and go join the previous Sword King. I’ll kick you there myself—now get away from Julia and disappear."

"Toma-kun? Are you… maybe… angry?"

Alicia cautiously asked, staring at his expression—something she had never seen before. The veins at his temple pulsed as he spoke with unnerving calm, and she immediately regretted the question.

"Honestly… I like people who go all-in for their dreams. It’s admirable, having something that important. I didn’t dislike Julia Deuce. I don’t dislike Laila Kate either. I even respect them."

Dreams mattered. Toma had once dreamed of running a tavern with Hikari, living ordinary days together. No matter how small it seemed, he could not hate those who sincerely pursued what they believed in.

But the “Spear King” before him was different.

"Dead people don’t come back. Even if reincarnation exists, it’s still a different person. Some may retain memories from past lives, but they are not the same existence. So what are you doing? Trying to chase the reincarnation of the first Sword King? That’s absurd. Laughable. You’re a parasite feeding on other people’s dreams, wearing the name ‘Spear King’ while hijacking countless bodies. Know your place. Get lost already. You’re nothing but harm itself, and you don’t even realize it."

He cut down her obsession. He denied her existence. He offered nothing but rejection.

The “Spear King,” possessing Julia Deuce’s body, burned with hatred—toward his denial, toward those who lived in the present, toward the words that erased her entire existence. And she decided she would crush them.

"Die."

"You first."

In an instant, the “Spear King” closed the distance with an incomprehensible burst of speed, appearing directly before them and swinging her twin spears.

Toma, anticipating it by instinct, deflected both with the Holy Sword. A rapid exchange followed—each strike clearly lethal. Even while taking minor wounds, he did not hesitate to continue parrying.

He shifted his footing, creating distance from Laila Kate and Alicia while enduring the strain on his body. The “Spear King” mirrored him, retreating just enough to maintain pressure.

"Don’t ignore me."

"Rude…!!"

Another overhead strike from the “Giant Spear” forced Toma back. He leapt from the dust cloud and charged, slamming his Holy Sword down with brute force.

"Tch…!!"

She blocked it with both spears—but that was exactly what he wanted.

"Now!!"

"Got it."

Using the spears as leverage, Toma vaulted upward. From where he had stood, the “Giant Spear” came crashing down. Her weapons were occupied, and she had no footing left to retreat.

There was no way out.

The “Spear King” calculated instantly—survival, magic reinforcement, counterattack options.

None worked.

She understood it. This poisoned body could not endure it.

So she made her choice.

She would use magic.