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Chapter 46 Part 2 – Meeting Again

Arnold turned to Matzo to shake off his hesitation.
The sorrow and pain that burned his heart was too deep to obediently listen to Matzo’s words.
But even so, Arnold had not lost his pride as a warrior.

「…… Alright then. If you can splendidly stop all the arrows, I’ll listen to what you have to say. But if you’re just trying to agitate me, then I’ll definitely make you regret it. I’ll be serious and go all out for these six arrows, it won’t be easy to stop them.」

The smoke became even denser and the two could no longer see each other’s figure.

「…… Stop talking already. There’s no need for words. If you are a warrior, then speak with your skills.」

Matzo stomped on the stone floor with a thud.
That signaled the start of the battle.
Matzo roared in his mind as he energized himself with the intense pain that shot through his brain.

‘…… Mary, please!! …… Please help this unworthy person muster the last of my strength!! …… So that this time …… I can protect the person I love!! Otherwise, I will not even have the courage to face and apologize to you in the afterlife!!’

「…… Uuuoooohhhhhh!!」

Arnold roared and shot his arrows.
Their thoughts intersected, and the arrows ran as a flash.
The six arrows flying through the air almost simultaneously were as fierce as a flock of large birds of prey attacking together. When Arnold went all-out, his six arrows could shatter stone and pierce through steel. It broke through shields as it pushed forward. Once he sets his eyes on the target, he slaughters his opponent with frightening accuracy. No one has ever survived six consecutive arrows.

An unpleasant sensation crawled up his spine and Matzo realized that he was trapped by the scythe of the Grim Reaper.
It was a sensation he had felt only when he was in absolute mortal danger.
The last two times he had experienced it, he had either escaped or had the help of his friends in the nick of time.
But this time, Matzo had no intention of escaping.

‘…… My legs could no longer move properly. I can’t even lift my arms. But I have this body that my parents left me!! Come on, get up!! You defeated soldier!! This is a man’s last stand!!’

Matzo encouraged himself and stood up dauntingly.
An arrow pierced through the smoke and pierced Matzo mercilessly.
The shock ran through his body as if his bones were going to fall apart.
He barely managed not to fall down.
Unlike ordinary arrows, Arnold’s arrow had the power to blow a person away with just a touch.
Blood erupted from Matzo’s mouth when he was directly hit by the arrow.
He even suffered a concussion and the blow almost made him lose consciousness.

The memories from his whole life flashed through his mind

A childhood of hating the whole world.
Then there was a warm hand that rescued Matzo from that place at the risk of her life.
The young woman that brought him up never blamed Matzo, even though she was seriously injured and nearly died protecting him. She just smiled and patted his head. Knowing that she loved him selflessly, he clung to the woman and wept, repenting of his previous wrongdoing. He resolved to use the rest of his life to do as much good for the world as he could.
He was able to put aside the grudges he held against his father and mother due to misunderstandings and to be honestly grateful to them.
The days of training, the laughter of everyone in the Imperial Guards, and the nostalgic shouts of the three stern old warriors blew past his ears. The Crimson Duke and Ethelreed laughed.

Everyone is already gone.
Yet the memories do not fade.
They still live in my heart.

「…… As the last survivor, I can’t possibly show this unsightly state ……」

Matzo held his ground and laughed.
The second and third arrows pierced his body till the bones.
He was momentarily disoriented. Even the pain was gone.
As his consciousness dissipated into darkness, there was a ray of light.

Mary’s smile in the past kept Matzo connected to her.
She loved to help Matzo groom himself.
When she saw him off, she gently kissed him on the back, wishing for his safety.
Mary didn’t realize that Matzo already discovered this cute little charm of hers. She didn’t know how much it cheered him up.
How much he cherished the lovely Mary.
The happy sensation was brought back to his back.
Right now, on the other side of my back, I have something she entrusted to me to protect.
I must not fall down ……!!

Matzo roared with excitement.
The intense pain returned to his entire body and he smiled.
As long as there is sensation, the body can endure it through willpower.
The fourth and fifth arrows fatally damaged his internal organs and flesh.
His body was about to collapse against his will.
He lost his sense of balance and became unsure of top and bottom.
The cheerful voice of young Scarlet frolicking around can be heard in the distance.

「…… Matzo, come on, faster, faster!!」

As a little girl, Scarlet loved to be carried on Matzo’s shoulders.
She was a fearless tomboy who took great delight in rushing Matzo to quicken his pace.
Suddenly, a snake emerged from the treetops above her head and she let out a girlish shriek.

「…… Young lady, you are too naughty! As you can see, even though the forest is in the grounds of the mansion, there are still dangers ……」

Scarlet responded with a sullen look on her face as Matzo chuckled, brushing the snake away with one hand.

「…… Don’t treat me like a child. I know that already. But now I have Matzo to protect me. That’s why I’m not worried. Matzo is the strongest person in the world.」

Matzo’s heart was moved by Scarlet’s innocent smile, she trusts in him without any calculation.
Scarlet truly believes that Matzo is the strongest person in the world.

「…… Ah, but my father is also the strongest. What should I do ……」

Matzo smiled as he saw Scarlet feeling adorably distressed after remembering her beloved father.

「…… This is an extraordinary honor. Then, would it be okay to consider whoever is protecting the young lady at that time as the strongest person in the world? I will not let you down. I will protect young lady Scarlet without fail.」

The young Scarlet smiled shyly at Matzo, who deliberately swore in a grandiose tone.

「…… Yeah!! Please take care of me!! Father and Matzo are the strongest!!」

She rubbed her cheeks together happily, her voice filled with joy.

…… That memory gave Matzo the last of his strength.

‘…… I will not break that childhood promise …… I will fulfill my oath now ……!!’

Mazzo almost fell down, but he continued to hold his ground. He squeezed out a courageous smile.

‘Crimson Duke …… I’m sorry, but at this moment, I will call myself the strongest warrior in the world!!’

The flame of willpower burned in Matzo’s eyes.
The feelings of his heart exceeded the limits of his body.
The sixth arrow pierced through Matzo’s body.
Matzo accepted it without the slightest movement.

…… After firing six arrows all at once, Arnold let out a deep breath.

Firing six arrows in a row with all his strength also placed a lot of burden on Arnold.
His whole body was drenched in sweat and fatigue was eating away at him.
Even so, he was able to aim the next arrow without letting his guard down, because he knew firsthand how terrifying Matzo’s iron ball was.
The simple destructive power of the iron ball was greater than that of Bradd.
It can defeat a knight in full armor along with the horse with a single blow.
Even Arnold’s arrows could not destroy the chain attached to the iron ball.

There was a reaction.
But Matzo has the ability to repel arrows with his chains.
One or two shots might have hit him, but the robust Matzo would not stop with just that.
The accelerated iron ball had incredible range and power, capable of turning the tables with a single shot.
Arnold swallowed hard and waited to see what Matzo would do.

A gust of wind whirled through the room once again and the smoke was blown away.
The view cleared up, exposing Matzo’s figure.
Arnold’s eyes widened.

Matzo was standing with a fearless smile.
But his body was like a bed of spears.
All six arrows had pierced him miserably.

「…… What are you doing ……!! You, what the hell is going on ……!!」

Arnold’s cry was close to a scream.

「…… It’s a wonderful technique …… You win …… the battle …… But I’ve caught every single arrow …… I’ll have you …… keep your promise ……」

Blood gushed from Matzo’s mouth as he commended Arnold.