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Chapter 75 Part 6 – The ending of Rona’s awakening of love. And the people remember the sorrowful night and weep.

「Ronny …… Teddy …… The two of you moved everyone’s hearts. That’s amazing. …… I …… I …… I’m so proud of the two of you ……!!」

Tears trickled down Rona’s cheeks as her voice was choked with emotions.

「…… Rona, your younger brothers have regained their pride and honor. All that’s left is for you to regain your smile. I’m sure your younger brothers wish for that as well. Let’s end this nightmare.」

Wendell moved to Rona’s side and gently draped his coat over her bare shoulders as her clothes had been ripped open. He held her shoulders protectively and asked her to hide behind him.

「Matthew, it’s time for you to pay for your sins. As long as you are alive, Rona’s younger brothers will not be able to die in peace. For the peace of their souls and for Rona’s future happiness, I will defeat you here.」

Wendell held his sword in one hand and thrusted it toward Matthew.

「…… Tch, damn it ……!!」

Matthew was surrounded from all directions
He could not afford to think about taking Rona as a hostage.
At this rate, he would be beaten to death. The crowd was now targeting Matthew alone and was slowly closing the circle of encirclement. And on top of that –

「Young lord!! I’m heading there right now!!」

「You damn『Viper』!! I’ll turn you into rust on this sickle ……!!」

「The main culprit still remains. I’ll let you bastard experience Teddy’s suffering.」

The three old warriors were running toward him with a terrifying look on their faces.

「Tch, damn you annoying old geezers!!」

Staying here any longer would have resulted in death for Matthew.

「…… I have no other choice. I never thought I would be cornered this much.」

However, Matthew still had one last trick left.

The flames enveloping the abandoned warehouses suddenly exploded. The brittle abandoned building couldn’t withstand the expansion of the heat and blast from the inside and it started to collapse with a crackling sound. It was like a waterfall of fire.

「From here on out, it will be a top-secret story. I don’t want a bunch of unnecessary people getting in my way.」

Fire sparks rained down from above and the people that had been rushing toward Matthew ran for cover.

「Young lord!!」

「Kuh!! Damn you!!」

The three old warriors were also obstructed by a sea of flames. Whirlwinds of hot air were generated here and there, making it impossible for even the old warriors to break through.

Only Wendell, Rona, and Matthew were left on the other side of the flames.

Matthew sneered eerily as a shadow figure reflected in his bowler hat flickered.

「I’ve obtained an experimental body that’s far more valuable than the fortune that we would’ve obtained through the witch hunt. Hey boy. I’m sure that with your body as the vessel, you will be able to have a personality far more powerful than that of the 27th John. It’s an accomplishment that more than makes up for the blunder. I’m sure the big shots of the Holy Church will be pleased.」

Tension ran through Wendell and Rona.
A mysterious atmosphere that could not fit into any of the categories of the Inquisition was rising from Matthew’s entire body.

「Ohh, did you notice my hidden power? But there is no way for you to escape now.」

Matthew spread his arms open and approached them slowly.

「You see. The Holy Church is trying to restore the lost faith. In order to do that, they are planning to resurrect the saints and saintesses of the past. As puppets that suit their own convenience. That is the John Doe project. What an ironic name, isn’t it? That’s where John got his name from. My hidden identity is that I’m their vanguard. Now then, from here on out, I’ll do my best to fight against you with the secret arts of Wiskum, the people of the forest.」

With a rustling noise, vines crawled out of Matthew’s cuffs.

「Rona …… get behind me. I’ll definitely protect you.」

But Wendell was drenched in cold sweat.

He realized that the current Matthew was like a completely different person compared to how he was just a few moments ago.

Wendell’s crimson eyes can vaguely see the optimal solution in battle. But now the future predictions are painted in darkness. It meant that there is no chance of him winning the battle.

「It’s a shame you have such good instincts. Do you want to protect that girl to such an extent? Very well. If so, I will take that girl along with you. I wonder what will happen if we instill in both of you a personality that hates each other? Kukuku, that would be interesting.」

It was truly the devil’s smile.

Rona decided that if needed, she would jump out and become Wendell’s shield.

Wendell had gone to such lengths for her, a stranger that he just met recently. He taught her how it feels to be in love. That was enough for her. It was worth being born into this world. If it’s for Wendell’s sake, she wouldn’t regret sacrificing her life.

「Now then, let’s start. If you resist too much, I will destroy your heart right here and now and take you away. It would be better for you if you just give up.」

Matthew stepped forward, while Wendell concentrated to put everything he had into a split-second counter and Rona nearly jumped out to defend him.

Right at that moment.

「Uoooohhhhhhh!! Young masterrrrr!! Use this!!」

The atmosphere filled with despair was broken by the shout of the white-bearded Brian and the terrible roar of the wind. Brian had thrown the battle ax that John dropped. It came hurtling through the sea of flames, slicing through the air in a swirl, and flew in a straight line toward Wendell.

「Rona!! Get down!!」

The force was murderous.
But the reason Rona followed Wendell’s words wasn’t because she was afraid of the ax.

「…… It’s okay. Trust me.」

It’s because he said so.

「…… How idiotic. It seems that the three warriors have grown old. That is not a weapon that can be handled by a child’s slender arms. On the contrary, he won’t be able to receive it properly and will get seriously injured.」

But then Matthew’s expression froze as he scoffed.

The battle ax flew over Rona’s head and cut off several strands of her hair. But when the battle ax came in contact with Wendell’s outstretched hand, it completely stopped. The scene was unnatural. It was as if all the speed had been absorbed. It was impossible for such a heavy object to not have a terrible momentum. Matthew is well aware of the white-bearded Brian’s monstrous strength. Considering that Brian had thrown that ax with all his strength, it would not be strange if Wendell is split in half due to it.

‘It’s impossible for that momentum to just disappear into thin air!! No, wait, if it hasn’t disappeared, then ……!!’

Matthew saw Wendell’s body twisted unnaturally. A shiver ran down his spine. Wendell had not been in such a position until just before he caught the ax.

‘…… The specialty of the Lingard family is to utilize the power of the horse he rides ……!! I think it is said that the power is first stored in their body and then amplified and released ……!! Then, what is the aim of the white-bearded old man ……!! This is bad ……!! Avoid it!! No!! It’s too late!! Try to guard against it!!’

With lightning-fast thinking speed, Matthew sensed the danger, switched his sword to backhand grip, held it against his upper left arm, and raised his arm.

The speed of Wendell’s subsequent actions could not be followed even by Matthew’s eyes. A sword flash that could only be described as an explosion erupted and severed Matthew’s left arm along with the sword he gripped in his hand. Just as Matthew had seen through, Wendell took in all the power of the battle ax that was thrown at him and released it all at once like a spring bursting. Utilizing the white-bearded Brian’s full power, the amplified sword speed cut through the vines, sliced through Matthew’s chain mail overcoat, and rushed toward his throat.

「Yeah!!」

「As expected of the young lord!!」

Convinced of Wendell’s victory, the three old warriors clenched their fists.