Chapter 189 – Salevela Conflict 10

The fortress that was wrapped in loud fury became silent. What was left were only the moans of the mourners. There was a grave that punched in by wooden stakes. They were helmets that belong to the soldiers who died under fire on top of the stakes. Comrades in arms mourned their friends at the site of their arms. But they were only a few of them standing on their graves. It was not over.

There was one enemy that still stood freely. He was the enemy that led them to die for this place. It was their choice to die here. But the leader of the assault was still standing.

In the courtyard where the family of the island was executed, stood Sigrid of Alva and his son, Don of Alva. The two stood opposite against each other with their swords in each hand. It was a familiar look that many have seen less since the age of knights, started to fade. The rapiers they had the same sigil and guard, it was produced by the Alva smiths.

“Father,” Don chanted. “You are hereby presented to the NEW leader of Alva. Do you have any regrets?”

“Regrets?” Sigrid of Alva snorted. “I am Sigrid of Alva, Knight of The Freelands, Slayer of Hogres and Dragons, killer of Eternal Lord of the Night! Do you think that you could kill me so easily?”

Don smiled. “Indeed, you possess many titles, father. You are a well-known Knight that once trampled the monsters of the Freelands. Who wouldn’t know of the Alva Knights? Who wouldn’t want to hear the story of the Hero Sigrid and her partner, Anastasia? You and Mother have always been the glory of our family! But without her, you are nothing but a husk of yourself, a warmongering husk that needs to be eliminated!”

Sigrid of Alva smiled. He was quite glad to hear that the respect that his son had for him never went away. He was feeling warm inside his heart. He looked up at the sky. He recalled the days that he and his wife Anastasia roamed the lands slaying mythical monsters that have now retreated out of human eyes. They’ve killed for years and by the end of their journey, the Freelands was born.

To Sigrid, they could have all of his titles if it means that he’d be able to meet his wife again. It was his fault that Anastasia died. She died not because of a scheme. She did not die because of any political motives. She died because of coincidence. She died because he met an old enemy who had nothing to lose. She did not die under the glory of killing some mythical being. She died tragically as a human. For all her abilities and her skills, she died as a weak human being.

Sigrid of Alva almost went mad. But the promise he made for her, didn’t make him lost his way. He has started to forget. But still, he could remember his way of life and the things he thought of as glorious.

“I see,” Sigrid of Alva took a pose.

Don of Alva didn’t say anything and lashed out his sword.

Sigrid of Alva parried his strike. “Pathetic, do you want to be killed, my son?”

Don retracted his sword back and adjusted his center of gravity and went for Sigrid’s legs.

Sigrid jumped to avoid his legs. He landed swiftly and deflected the incoming stab from Don. Sigrid leap back took a defending stance.

“Fight back, father!”

Don shouted with anger. His heart should have been gouged. He should have been stabbed if Sigrid didn’t leap back. It was insulting because he was trying to kill him!

Sigrid didn’t say anything. The time for speaking was done, this was his last dance. He was surrounded by all of his peers that wanted him dead. He was given this chance of dying with honor. His wife didn’t have such honor. So he was now dancing while parrying the sword of his son. He looked at his son with warm eyes.

“You’ve grown strong.”

He commented on his mind. He watched his son with a parent-like expression. This made Don infuriated that he rushed in front of Sigrid and tried to grab his sword.

Sigrid made a promise to his wife.

And seeing that his sword will soon strike his son’s hand.

He pivoted his sword to the right.

Don took the change and stabbed him right in the chest. The guard of Don’s sword met Sigrid’s chest.

Sigrid vomited a mouthful of blood. He didn’t kneel. He looked at Don with a stern gaze.

“You’ve grown strong, indeed. You and Dolce have become magnificent. I’ve no regrets.”

Sigrid was old. He didn’t have his vitality anymore. He took a long look at Dolce before returning his gaze back to his son who was making a chaotic expression. He was confused and baffled. He did it all of this out of wanting to kill him. His father should be angry at him. He should curse him until his last dying breath.

“What is this? CURSE ME YOU OLD FOOL!”

“Hah!” Sigrid laughed loudly. “My son, I’ve made a promise to not hurt any of my children. I made a promise to your dearest mother. If I didn’t make a promise to her then you fools would have long died. You two may hate me. But know this!” he shouted. “I adore my eldest and youngest. I am a man who did it all! Know that I’ve died in this duel! I choose to die here!” he looked at Don. “The Empire will be soon here. And I doubt that it would be easy.”

He grinned defiantly. The cold expression of Sigrid of Alva vanished. The expression that once long-lost appeared. He didn’t wear his great coat. He didn’t have any armor on. He only had his sword. He died standing, laughing at the heavens.

Sigrid of Alva died as he was.

Don of Alva pulled his sword back with an ugly expression on his face.

Dolce looked at her brother with unease. The words of his father shook Dolce. She expected angry words yet she was disappointed.

She was about to speak to her brother.

When suddenly, the whole world flashes brightly, in the direction of the continent, there was a blinding pillar of light.