Chapter 75
Ash drifted endlessly beneath the dark crimson sky.
Far away—
the sanctuary kept collapsing in waves of sound and light.
BOOOOOOM—
Yet on a broken cliff of black stone—
John sat alone.
Still.
One arm resting loosely over his knee.
The other hanging beside him, unmoving.
The wind pushed through his hair, carrying ash across his face.
He didn't blink.
He didn't speak.
Below him—
the battlefield screamed in chaos.
But John didn't look down.
For a long time—
he only stared at the sky.
Empty.
Then—
his fingers slowly tightened against the stone.
Crack.
A faint fracture spread beneath his hand.
His gaze shifted slightly.
And the sky changed.
---
Water.
Soft rippling sound.
Green hills under warm light.
A fishing rod too big for a child's hands.
Little John struggled with it, trembling.
Little John: "…I got it!"
The rod jerked violently.
He almost fell backward into the river.
His father caught him by the collar just in time.
Father: "You're trying to catch fish or drown yourself?"
Little John puffed his cheeks.
Little John: "…I caught it first!"
His father laughed once.
A tired laugh.
But real.
Wind moved through the grass.
Peaceful.
Then—
footsteps.
The sound didn't fit.
A woman stopped behind them, holding a basket close to her chest.
Her hands were tight.
Her eyes sharper than before.
Mother: "…We need to go."
The father looked at her.
Father: "…Now?"
She nodded once.
Mother: "…They're burning the villages."
The wind stopped feeling warm.
Little John looked between them.
Little John: "…Burning?"
His mother knelt fast.
Grabbed his shoulders.
Mother: "…Listen."
Her hands were shaking.
But her voice stayed steady.
Mother: "…Stay with me. No matter what."
The father didn't argue.
He stood.
"Now."
---
Darkness.
A hidden space under a house.
Cold air.
Too still.
Above—
boots.
Metal.
Voices tearing through wood.
Little John covered his mouth.
Trying not to breathe too loud.
His mother held him tight.
Heartbeat fast against his ear.
Above them—
a door slammed open.
THUD.
Shouting.
Running.
Searching.
Then—
silence.
Minutes passed.
No sound.
Father slowly exhaled.
Father: "…It's clear."
Mother grabbed his arm.
Mother: "…Wait."
Father shook his head.
Father: "…If they come back—"
Mother: "…Please."
A pause.
Then he smiled faintly.
Father: "…I'll check."
He climbed up.
Creak.
The hatch opened.
Light spilled in.
Empty village.
Smoke drifting.
No movement.
Father stepped out.
Looked around once.
Father: "…It's—"
THUD.
The sound came from behind him.
Not even a scream.
Just impact.
His body fell forward into dirt.
Still.
Below—
Little John froze.
Mother didn't.
She moved instantly.
Mother: "—NO!"
She pushed upward.
John followed, shaking.
Outside—
a soldier stood over the body.
Slowly lowering his weapon.
Not rushing.
Not angry.
Just looking.
Then—
his eyes shifted.
To her.
Soldier: "…There you are."
Mother stepped back.
Mother: "…Don't come closer."
John's fingers clutched her clothes.
The soldier tilted his head.
Soldier: "…I looked for you."
Step.
Mother stepped back again.
Mother: "…Stop."
He didn't.
Soldier: "…The kingdom is finished anyway."
Another step.
Soldier: "…Nothing matters anymore."
Wind carried ash between them.
John shook behind her.
Mother's voice broke slightly.
Mother: "…Please."
The soldier raised his hand.
Paused.
Then—
moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
Everything broke at once.
A scream.
A fall.
Blood on dirt.
John couldn't process it—
only noise, impact, movement.
Then—
his arm was grabbed.
Hard.
Mother's voice behind him, breaking.
Mother: "…RUN—!"
Too late.
He was dragged.
Dirt scraped under his feet.
Toward the river.
Water noise grew louder.
John screamed.
Mother was still behind him.
Crawling.
Reaching.
Alive.
Barely.
Mother: "…Please…"
Her hand stretched forward through the dirt.
Mother: "…He can't—"
Her voice cracked.
Mother: "…He can't swim…"
The soldier stopped at the riverbank.
Wind blew hard.
Water rushed below.
John kicked, screamed, fought.
Useless.
Mother dragged herself closer.
One last reach.
Mother: "…Don't take him…"
Silence.
The soldier looked at her.
Then at the child.
Then—
his grip tightened.
And he threw him.
---
Cold.
Dark.
Noise swallowed instantly.
Water closed above his head.
No air.
No sound.
Only pressure.
Dragging him down.
His small hand reached upward—
fading.
Above—
a shape at the riverbank.
A hand reaching.
Slowly disappearing.
Then—
nothing.
---
The memory shattered.
Ash drifted again.
The sky returned.
John sat still on the black stone.
Silent.
His fingers slowly loosened.
Then—
he spoke.
John: "…Sorry."
A pause.
His hand pressed into the stone.
Crack spread deeper.
John: "…I couldn't save you."
Wind passed through him.
But he didn't move again.
---
Far below—
the battlefield roared.
Clashes.
Explosions.
Light breaking through ruins.
At the center—
the Princess stepped forward.
Alone.
One step.
Then another.
The Lord watched her without moving.
Sword of War rested in his hand.
Purple flame twisting around it like breath.
Princess stopped.
Close.
Not far.
Silence swallowed the battlefield for a moment.
Lord: "…You came yourself."
Princess didn't look away.
Princess: "…Let them go."
A pause.
Then—
Princess: "…I'll go with you."
Behind her—
the fighting faltered.
Guinevere froze.
Vendetta's light flickered.
Chris tightened his grip.
But the Princess didn't turn.
Princess: "…Just stop this."
The Lord tilted his head.
Step forward.
Slow.
Calm.
Lord: "…And why would I do that?"
Princess: "…Because I'll cooperate."
Another step.
Closer.
Princess: "…I'll do whatever you want."
The Lord stopped.
Looked at her.
Quiet.
Princess: "…But everyone else leaves."
Silence.
Only collapsing stone answered.
Princess: "…No more killing."
Her voice shook—but didn't break.
Princess: "…Promise me."
The Lord lowered the Sword of War slightly.
The flame around it flickered.
Lord: "…A promise?"
A short breath of laughter.
Not amusement.
Not cruelty.
Just tired.
Lord: "…There's nothing left to promise for."
He looked past her.
At the world falling apart.
Lord: "…Everything is already ending."
A pause.
Then—
his voice dropped.
Lord: "…And what I'm going to do next…"
The flame around the sword surged.
Lord: "…Will finish it completely."
...CHAPTER 75 ENDS...