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Chapter 133

**Side: Lilith**

――There was an original magic spell that my father taught me when I was a child.

「Lilith, this is a magic spell that you must never use. Can you promise me that you will never use it?」

「…Why are you teaching it to me if I must never use it?」

My father looked troubled as he patted my head.

「Lilith, you might not understand now. But there may come a time when you have to break even an absolute promise.」

My father then looked up at the sky.

「There might come a time when you need to protect your children, your husband… your precious family. When you grow up, it will be up to you to decide whether to break this promise.」

Now, I understand why my father forbade it.

It is a primordial magic. An original spell that my father, a magic researcher of the Earth Dragon tribe, created. It is neither dragon magic nor human magic.

At the time, even someone with little aptitude for magic like me could handle it. It is a primitive magic.

In other words, it converts life force into magic power, making it immensely powerful――

――a self-destruct spell.

「Lute’s aura has changed?」

Just as Cordelia Allston said, the amount of pitch-black aura emanating from him increased. His eyes had completely lost their sanity, and then――

「Kyaaaah!」

Cordelia Allston’s scream.

Until now, his attacks had only grazed our skin, but now he had moved to the next stage.

If he continues to lose his sanity like this, he will eventually kill us.

No, even before that, Cordelia and I will soon be incapacitated due to severe blood loss.

Lute’s slashes at Cordelia Allston continue relentlessly. The amount of blood spraying is far greater than before.

Then, something definitive happened.

Cordelia Allston’s right-hand fingers flew off.

Although they can be restored with healing magic, Lute’s attacks had clearly evolved to cause bodily dismemberment. We no longer had any time to spare.

――…Hey, Dad? Did you ever have to use that spell?

――Haha, I don’t know. But to protect Lilith… to protect my family… I would…

My father’s troubled face back then.

I understand his feelings well now.

――In fact, right now, I must be making a very troubled face.

――Lute only sees me as a long-range artillery unit, ignoring all my other capabilities.

This is because, in close combat, I am not a significant force in this kind of battle, and that is correct.

Even if I get close, there is nothing I can do. Except for one thing.

That is precisely why I can launch a surprise attack.

We are both battered, but Lute is also gravely injured. If I can land a decisive blow here, it could turn the tide.

I moved behind Lute, who was fighting Cordelia Allston, and gently embraced him from behind.

「…I don’t mind if everything burns out here.」

Lute, completely unprepared for me, turned around in surprise.

――…Hey, Dad?

――…Am I making a mistake?

Deep in my heart, deep within my soul.

I felt as if my father, watching over me as the guardian spirit of the Divine Dragon, had that troubled expression again.

――I don’t know, Lilith. But you know?

――…What, Dad?

――If it’s something you want to protect even at the cost of everything, I won’t oppose it.

And then, that day, at that moment, in the distant memories of long ago, my father’s smile crossed my mind.

――Because Dad also said he would use this magic to protect you, Lilith.

「…This might be the end. I’m ready for that… So please, accept my feelings and resolve. Please… please come back… Lute.」

With that, I pressed my lips against Lute’s.

I managed to kiss Lute. There’s nothing left to regret.

I will convert my MP and my life into magic power. So, please, let my feelings reach Lute.

「Cordelia Allston! It’s frustrating, but… I leave the rest to you! If I die, you can do whatever you want—date, live together… get married, anything! But… before that, you must bring Lute back to his senses!」

I channeled my magic power and life into the embrace, targeting the junction where my hands touched, slightly above Lute’s nape.

「…Dragon Body, One Flash (Last Shining)!」

Then my consciousness darkened, swallowed by the void.