49. The Belated Judgment (XVIII) (I'm Back-Starting with a Big Chapter to Whet Your Appetite)

The Belated Judgment (XVIII) (I'm Back—Starting with a Big Chapter to Whet Your Appetite)

As time passed, Lion El'Jonson became increasingly aware that the dimension they had once so firmly called "reality" was gradually receding into the distance.

And the process was irreversible. No matter how many times he and Luther emerged from the cave at dawn to slaughter monstrous beasts, it would not change in the slightest.

"You came, and so it began placing heavy bets. Time and space no longer matter, Lion. The only thing that matters is this—we will swing our swords with all our strength here."

During a lull in the slaughter, the ever-aging Luther had once made this declaration. The Lion remembered that moment clearly. He had never seen the old knight's gaze so calm, as though he had made up his mind about something.

And he had said it with a smile.

The Lion agreed with him, but not entirely.

Swing their swords with all their strength?

From the moment he first took up a sword until now, he had never held back when wielding his blade. Whenever the Lion Sword left its sheath, someone—or something—was bound to bleed. He was not an executioner, nor had he ever made killing the creed of his life, but this was how he had been raised, personally nurtured and taught by Luther of Caliban.

Back then, the stern, black-haired middle-aged man had earnestly told him on the training grounds within the fortress-monastery, "Drawing your blade means you have chosen force over gentler means. If you are truly driven to this point, if you have made up your mind, then do not hold back—either do nothing, or see it through to the bitter end, Lion."

Either do nothing, or see it through to the bitter end. How interesting.