Chapter 62: Tiana Dies

Tiana Dies

The story goes back to when the hero and his party were exploring the treasure hall dungeon in the royal capital.

The dungeon has no master, and at its deepest part there is only an empty throne.

However, along the way, there was a "strong man'' guarding the dungeon.

Guardian Old Knight

He is a huge man, only in name, an old knight.

Clad in sturdy, excellent armor with high magical resistance, the guardian of the treasure hall possesses refined fighting techniques.

Asha's attack magic did not leave a scratch on the armor.

That armor does not easily break even under the onslaught of Alto, Erina, and Satya.

What's more, after Alto and his friends' attack, a counterattack using skillful swordsmanship awaits.

But what is most remarkable is the old knight's regenerative powers.

Even if you take the trouble to inflict damage on the armor or through gaps, the wound will instantly heal due to the constant and terrifying healing effect.

Therefore, Alto and the others cannot land a decisive blow on him.

This was one of the reasons why they had retreated from the dungeon so many times.

In order to defeat such enemies, Alto ended up mastering the "Fatal Slash."

In fact, it was during training after conquering the dungeon that it was completed.

However, even in its unfinished state, "it" was effective enough to defeat the guardian old knight.

"Fatal Slash" forces the user to expend a huge amount of power.

In exchange, the power residing in the holy sword is amplified, and the sword is enveloped in an aura of evil destruction.

That's how you unleash your true power.

It was a power created in ancient times by humans and demons to defeat evil gods and their followers.

It is a way to resist "special opponents" who are difficult to penetrate with magic or physical attacks.

The hero Alto grew through the "experience points" he gained from numerous battles, and was allowed to unleash his skills with the Holy Sword.

The effectiveness of "Fatal Slash" increases depending on the hero's training level.

Stage 1: Grants a "debuff" to the person hit by the slash, reducing the amount of recovery. (Hero Alto barely managed to defeat the guardian old knight with this effect.)

Stage 2: Grants the opponent an additional "debuff" that nullifies continuous recovery.

Stage 3: Grants the opponent an "irreversible debuff" that nullifies recovery for a certain period of time.

Enemies hit by a slash will have all recovery blocked for a certain period of time.

In that state, he could even kill a god.

Evil gods and those associated with them are no exception.

Asha, Erina, and Satya were killed due to Tiana's betrayal.

The only ones standing there were the hero and the evil god's minions.

"Alto-san, let's play a game."

Tiana speaks to Alto with an innocent smile.

"..."

"It's too early to call those three lumps of flesh lying there dead. They're still breathing, though."

Tiana said, pointing to where the three wan lay.

"Huh?! Wh, what did you say?!"

"One of them should have been killed when her heart was crushed, but for some reason she's not dead yet, perhaps because her body is too strong. So, let's make a bet."

"A bet?"　

"Underneath that mass of flesh, a resurrection formation has been laid out. The condition for it to be activated is for me to cease movement."

"Are you telling me to kill you?"

"Exactly. Otherwise, they'll soon turn into real lumps of meat, you know? Well, I don't really mind."

"Tiana, don't say that! Hurry! Heal them!"

Tiana ignored Alto's pleas and continued speaking.

"Oh, and if I were to defeat Alto-san, I would like to offer not only that lump of flesh (temporarily) over there, but also the people of each place as sacrifices to my god."

"A sacrifice?"

"Yes, I will attack in order to offer sacrifices. The royal capital, the demon capital, the city of Icasa, and the border fortress. Also, should I add Alto's hometown? I don't want to completely wipe out everything, so I will leave a certain percentage behind. Oh, and I hope Alto's parents are in good health."

"...Don't mess....."　

"?"

"Don't mess with meeeeee!!!"　

Enraged, Alto attacked Tiana with his sword.

Tiana was instantly closed in on the attacker and received a cross slash from the holy sword head-on.　

"Oh... uh... oh... oh my?"

Fresh blood spurted from the cut, staining the pure white cassock crimson red.

"I... I... I... will die...?"

"Huh?! Ah... Ti, Tiana!! No, what did I....."　

Alto was dismayed to see Tiana covered in blood.

Even though he did it himself.

But　

"I won't die!!"

Tiana immediately grabbed two maces in each hand and suddenly launched herself at Alto.

Alto reflexively blocked the blow with his holy sword.

The sound of metal clashing rang out, and Alto was sent flying by the impact.　

"Ufufu, what an amazing blow. If it wasn't me, they would have died instantly♪"　

"Ugh...ugh...ugh...how?"

Alto quickly took a defensive stance, but was still damaged by the impact.

"Alto-san...even though I look like this, inside I'm actually a part of an evil god. My regenerative abilities are different from those of the monsters around here. Remember when Satya attacked me? Besides, I'm a saint of the church, you see? In no time at all, my wounds and clothes...and now, as you can see."　

Tiana's bleeding stopped, and her cassock, which had been brutally cut and stained with fresh blood, was restored to its original state.

"Ahahaha! Come on, come on! If you don't hurry, everyone will die ♡ Comrades, family, friends, this person, that person, everyone! Everyone!!"　

"Why! Why! Shit! Shit! Shiiitttt!"

Tiana holds two maces in each hand.

In response, the hero Alto readied his holy sword.

The deadly battle between the two began.　

However, they fought dozens of times.

But Alto is unable to land a decisive blow.

If he inflict damage on Tiana, she will instantly heal.

On the other hand, Alto will not receive a fatal blow, but the impact damage from the mace will definitely accumulate.

Fortunately, the holy sword's blade did not chip.

However, Alto ability to use healing meaning is not that great to be used in this battle.

There was no cooperation or assistance from teammates, which was common at parties.

What's cruel is that Tiana, who was the one who contributed the most to supporting him, is now the enemy.

It was obvious that Alto was in a dire situation.

But then, a revelation strikes.

["Use a Fatal Slash"] 

"Sigh... That's enough, I'm bored. I'm not a warrior either. Yes, the duel to the death is over. That's it! Yes, let's do that! I won't kill Alto-san, I will just chop off your limbs! And you can just stand by and watch as everything is dealt with."

Alto didn't listen to Tiana's nonsense.

"Okay, I get it. This is fine."　

Alto straightened his posture and readied his weapon.

The holy sword is imbued with an evil-destroying aura.

Seeing his determined expression, Tiana readied her maces.

"Now, let's make this our final blow. After I crush your skull, I will amputate your limbs and reanimate only your head."

"..."

"Oh, so words are useless? Then... just scatter your brains and die!!"

Alto and Tiana.

A powerful blow clashes.　

・

・

・　

"Ugh... Ah... As I thought... I couldn't..."　

The double blow missed Alto's head, and the two maces missed, flying to the ground.

From Alto's perspective, it was clearly intentional.

In contrast, the holy sword pierced Tiana's torso.

She hung her head helplessly.

Blood drips from the wound and the holy sword.

Fresh blood seeps into her cassock.

She is also vomiting a lot of blood.

There is no sign of the threatening recovery that was there just a moment ago.

Alto pierced Tiana with a "Fatal Slash."

"Why...Tiana!...Why! Why did you hold back? You could have killed me..."　

"Hehe... I couldn't do it... After such a long journey, I got attached to you... cough... I'm no longer worthy to be a servant of the evil god. Alto-san, I betrayed you all, but... I wanted to travel with you guys just a little longer."

Alto embraces the bloody body.

"Don't die! Tiana! Live! Please! Come on, you'll heal like you always do, right? Use your healing magic! Use it! So... don't leave me--, no, don't leave us behind!"

After receiving such a fatal strike, Tiana relaxed, her expression filled with a sense of accomplishment.

Her body turns into particles of light and slowly disappears from her feet.

"It's useless... what you use is... Fatal Slash... ahem... it has an irreversible effect ... healing magic can do nothing."

"Nothing... you didn't have to go that far!!... Why!!"

"Of course, this body is a temporary life created for me... This was the only way to thwart the evil god's plans... But please, don't be sad..."　

"No! Don't die! Tiana! I love you!"

For the first time in his life, Alto spoke words of love.

His wish was to become a life partner with Tiana.

That hope was shattered.

"Hehe... what a coincidence... I love you too... It's a shame we couldn't walk together... But in my place... you are alive..."　

Tiana's body turns to light and dissipates from the ends of her limbs.　

"Stop...Tiana...Don't die! Don't go!"

"Ahh... my beloved... thank you... for teaching me... about love..."　

"Tiana? Tiana?...Ah...ah...ah... ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!"　

Tiana turned into particles of light and vanished completely from his arms.

All that remained on Alto's arm was the holy sword that had pierced her, and her damaged clothing and equipment.

The clothes still retained a trace of Tiana's warmth.

At the same time as Tiana disappeared, the resurrection formation began to shine brightly.

The magic circle was activated.

She hadn't just casually dumped the three of them in one place.

She skillfully threw them so that they were on top of the revival formation.

Asha, Erina, and Satya, who were in critical condition, were almost completely cured as a result.

When the three finally regained consciousness, the first thing they saw was Alto, sobbing and embracing Tiana's belongings.

They could only stand there in shock as they watched the scene.