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Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapteer 278: Extra 18 – Kihano – For the Young Possibilities (2)

Chapteer 278: Extra 18 – Kihano – For the Young Possibilities (2)

Clang!‌​ Clang!

A sound echoed through‍ the dark interior‍​‌ of the mill.​

It​⁠‍ started from the⁠‍‍ top and spread​ downward.

Even‌‌⁠ the spirits, who‌‍​ lay weakened, lifted‌‍⁠ their heads at⁠ the sudden noise.​‍‌

Crackle!⁠​‌

The​ sword slashed with‌‍ such force that‌ it even crackled‍ with flames.

However,‌ Samonte’s glass tubes⁠ didn’t show a single scratch. Kihano⁠‌⁠ realized it.

“…It’s‍⁠ magic.”

The​‌ tubes trapping the‍ little spirits were⁠​⁠ transparent, but they⁠‌⁠ were filled with‌⁠ the mystery Samonte⁠‍ had embedded in⁠‍‍ them.

That‍​​ power deceived the‌ world and deflected‌​ the tip of‌ his sword.

“Andrew,‍⁠ is there no‍ way to break‌‌​ this?”

“…Not⁠⁠ right now. Maybe​⁠‍ if you give‍⁠‌ me some time.”​​‌

“Time‌⁠ is the last‌‌‌ thing we have.”‌​

Andrew‍‍‌ had been a great wizard, but​‌‌ that was when‍​​ he had a human form.

Asking​ him for a solution now was⁠ useless.

“Damn‍ it.”

Kihano⁠⁠⁠ swallowed, his throat‌ burning with urgency.‍

He‌ felt cornered.

But‍‌ while his hands⁠ remained still, his⁠​ eyes continued to⁠‍⁠ move sharply.

“Couldn’t​ they have enchanted‍​‌ all these things‌‍ with magic?”

Above​⁠ the little snake,​⁠ who was staring‌⁠ wide-eyed, there were⁠‌ numerous mechanical devices.‍​​

He‍‌ didn’t know what‌‌ they were for,‌⁠‍ but surely one‍​ of them was‍ keeping the spirits‌ trapped.

“…I⁠‍⁠ remember seeing a diagram somewhere.”

Recalling‌‌ the diagram he⁠‌ had seen, Kihano‍​ licked his lips.​​

As‌‍⁠ complicated as the‌‌ machinery was, disassembling⁠ it was the⁠​​ opposite of assembling‌​‌ it.

Or‌‌‌ at least he⁠⁠​ might find a weak point.

Rumble!‌

“Urgh!”‍​⁠

Kihano​‌ had come up‌ with a plan,​‍‍ but it was​​⁠ too late.

“What​‌‍ is this?”

The‌ ground suddenly shook⁠‌‍ as if an​ earthquake was happening.‍⁠⁠ Kihano quickly crouched‌‌ down.

But‌​ the tremor didn’t⁠ stop.

“An​⁠ earthquake?”

“No!‌‌‍ This isn’t an​ earthquake!”

Clank,‍ clank!

A deafening noise came‌​ from below. Kihano⁠ looked down and​‌‍ saw it.

“…!”‌​​

The‌‍‌ gears of the‍ mill began to​‍⁠ move.

Dozens,‍‍ hundreds, thousands of⁠‍⁠ gears turned like‍⁠‌ a spreading wave,‌ locking into each‍‌ other and roaring⁠ in unison.

Kihano‌‌ felt the hairs⁠‌ on the back‍⁠​ of his neck​⁠ stand on end.‍‌​

Uwaaaa!‍

Stop‍⁠‌ it already!

“…!”‍⁠

At​⁠​ the same time,​⁠‌ he heard the‌‍​ screams of the‍‌ spirits behind him.‍​⁠

Trapped‌⁠ in the glass‍⁠​ capsules, they glowed​ like burning candles⁠‌ and screamed in‍⁠ pain.

“This‍⁠ isn’t a mill!”⁠​​

Rumble!‍‍

With‍ a roar like‍‍​ thunder, Samonte’s mill⁠ was rising.

It‍‍‌ was the mill‌‍ a fallen mage​ had built to‍‌⁠ fulfill the wish⁠‌‌ of a perfect‌​ dragon.

“This‍ is a golem!”⁠⁠

It⁠‍ was finally showing⁠‌ its true form—a‍​ masterpiece of magic​‌ and engineering.

Perhaps⁠​ the largest golem‍‌‍ in the world‌ was rising, devouring​​ the cries of‌ the little spirits.​‍

Roooaaar!​⁠‍

***​⁠

Rumble!‍‍​

A deafening sound rumbled‍ through the peaceful​‌‍ hills of Consuegra.​

That⁠ noise came from‍ the mill, which⁠‌ was slowly standing‌‌‌ up.

The⁠‌⁠ villagers, who had‍​ been watching the‌ event in honor‍ of the noble‍‍​ dragon, screamed in‍ horror at the‌⁠‍ sight.

“My‌ God, what is‍‌​ that?”

“The…‌‌⁠ the mill is‌⁠ rising!”

It‌​ was such a terrifying sight that⁠‌‌ they even forgot​‍ about the dragon’s​⁠​ presence.

Samonte’s​ mill, with its⁠⁠⁠ rusted structure and‍ sharp spear-like head​⁠ aimed at the‌‍ sky, was slowly‌‌‌ standing up.

The⁠⁠‍ sight was so‌⁠ grotesque and monstrous​‌⁠ that the villagers‍‌ could only hold‌ their breath.

“What​‌⁠ do you think,⁠‍​ Lord Sarnus?”

While⁠ everyone was silent,⁠‌‌ the only one‌ who couldn’t hide⁠⁠‌ his excitement was⁠‍​ the mage Samonte,‍‍‌ who raised his​ arms in triumph.⁠

He⁠​ had been rejected‌ by his fallen‍ lineage and expelled⁠ from his order⁠ of wizards.

But⁠ now, no one‍‌​ there could dare⁠⁠ to despise him,​‌ because the roar‌ of the golem​ above was Samonte’s​‌ triumphant cry.

“Look!‍⁠ Look at that⁠⁠ imposing figure!”

Roar!‍‌‌

Finally,⁠​‌ the giant that​​‍ had stood up​​ roared in fury,​ as if announcing‌​ its arrival to‌ the world.

Samonte​ laughed like a madman, his face​ a mask of​⁠​ lunacy.

But​​‌ the dragon’s blue​​ eyes only showed​​⁠ a cold smile.‍

“Excellent,‍⁠⁠ Samonte.”

The‍ mill, disguised until‍‌ that moment, was​‍ actually a giant⁠⁠​ golem born of​‍ the mage’s madness.⁠

Even​‌​ Sarnus, always composed,‍ allowed a smile⁠‌‌ to slip as‌‍⁠ he admired the‌​⁠ monstrous creation.

“…My‌⁠‍ God.”

It⁠⁠ was large enough​​ to destroy the⁠​⁠ hill.

The​​​ villagers, frozen in‌‍‍ awe, began to⁠ awaken from their‌​‍ trance when they⁠⁠​ saw the golem​​⁠ moving closer.

Thud!​ Thud!

“Huh?”​​

Thud!‍‌‌ Thud! Thud!

“Huh,‍⁠⁠ huh?”

Each‌ step of the⁠ golem was a crashing boom that‌‌ brought it closer⁠ and closer.

But⁠​ as it advanced⁠‌ toward Consuegra, fear⁠⁠‌ replaced any reverence​‌‌ the villagers felt.⁠

“Where⁠‍​ is it going?”⁠⁠

“It’s​‌‍ heading toward the‍​⁠ village!”

Because​​​ the golem was​ heading for the​‍ village, an unstoppable​‌‍ mass of machinery​ and magic.

Even‍‌‍ Samonte, the golem’s​ creator, was stunned.⁠​‌

“Th-this‌‌ can’t be!”

He‍ frantically turned the‌‍‌ control levers, but‌​‌ the golem wouldn’t‍‍‍ respond.

It‌ kept moving forward,‍​ its massive steps‍ closing in on​ the gathered humans.‌

Panic‌‍⁠ drained the color‌ from Samonte’s face.‍‌​

“Lord‌ Sarnus.”

“What’s⁠⁠ happening?”

“Th-this…”‌

Roar!​

The​‌‍ golem picked up‍‍ speed, venting steam​ as it advanced‌​ like an enraged​‌‍ beast.

Now​ Sarnus also understood​‌​ the gravity of‌‌ the situation.

“I’ll⁠⁠⁠ kill them all!”⁠

Accompanying​​‌ the golem’s roar,‌‍⁠ a childlike voice‍​ screamed.

No⁠ one else could‌‍ hear it, but⁠⁠ it was the‍‍‍ spirits trapped in‍‌ the mill who​​⁠ cried out in‍‍ rage.

“Now​ you’ll suffer like‌ we did!”

A young world that⁠⁠ was wounded because​ no one stepped‍ forward.

Now,‍‌‍ those worlds were​ crying out to⁠ the humans, pouring‌ out their fury​‌ with no place‍⁠‍ left to go.​

***‌

“Aghh!”‌​‍

Clang!‌⁠ Clang!

Kihano⁠ struggled against the​ scorching heat emanating‌⁠ from behind him.​​‍

The​⁠ hot air made‌‍‍ him squeeze his‍​​ eyes shut tightly;‌‍‍ it was as‌​‌ if all that‌⁠‍ heat was coming​‌ from the trapped‍⁠ spirits.

But​​‍ what truly tormented‌​​ him wasn’t that‍​‌ heat…

“This‌⁠ is way too​ high!”

“Try​ to stay quiet,‍ for a bit!”⁠​

There⁠​‍ was Kihano, hanging⁠ precariously from the⁠​ tip of the‌ windmill blade, which‍‍ was finally starting​⁠⁠ to turn.

It⁠⁠​ had always been⁠⁠​ a tall structure,⁠ but now that⁠‍‍ it was moving,​​​ it seemed even​⁠ higher.

He⁠⁠ had managed to​ escape the heat,⁠‍‌ but now he​​‌ was trapped on​​ the gigantic, rusted⁠‍‌ blades of the⁠‌ windmill.

“I⁠​⁠ should have turned​⁠ into a sparrow​⁠ instead of a frog!”

“That⁠​​ really would’ve been‌​​ adorable!”

Andrew‍⁠‍ kicked his legs‍ in fear, but​‌ Kihano was no​​ less terrified.

“…Don’t​ you think my‍ head just brushed‌ against a cloud?”⁠

Being‌‍ so high up,‌⁠‍ he felt the‌‍ cold air and‍‍⁠ laughed nervously.

“It’s⁠⁠​ time to get⁠‌‌ down!”

“Aaaahhh!”⁠‌‌

What‌⁠ goes up must​⁠‍ come down.

When‍ the blade reached‌ its lowest point,‍​ Kihano clenched his‍ teeth and prepared‌​‌ himself.

“Not‍ even when I was born did‌‌​ I feel this!”‍⁠

The‍ ridiculous sensation of‍​​ floating made the​​ area below his​⁠⁠ navel tingle as‍‌⁠ if it were‌ going to burst,‍‌ but this was⁠‍ not a moment⁠ when he could‍⁠ simply squeeze his‍⁠​ eyes shut like⁠⁠ he had before.‍

Thud!‍‍⁠ Thud! Thud!

The⁠⁠ golem’s footsteps grew‌​‌ closer and closer,​‍⁠ signaling that the⁠‌ ground was near.​​‍

Kihano,‌ who had already⁠⁠⁠ failed three times⁠ at landing and‌ was feeling the​​ dizzying slide, didn’t‍​​ want to taste⁠ the clouds with⁠ his tongue any‍⁠ longer.

“Hold‌⁠‍ on tight!”

Kihano’s⁠‌ eyes glowed, concentrating​⁠ on the precise‍⁠⁠ moment.

When‍ the windmill blade‌‌‍ passed near the⁠‍ golem’s knee, he​ leaped.

“…!”⁠

At⁠​ the moment the‍ rotating blade came​​⁠ close to the⁠​ golem’s knees, Kihano,‌​ aiming for that‍​ instant, jumped like‌ a flying squirrel.​‍⁠

There‍ was a frog’s‍ scream along with‌ him, but Kihano’s​ body was already‌ flying toward the​‌ next landing point.​

“Waaah!”‌​

You‍ couldn’t jump from‍⁠‍ a moving golem‍⁠⁠ unless you had‍ the courage to​‌ do it.

The⁠ difficulty level was‌ equivalent to stepping‌‌ on the debris​ of a collapsing‍​ building.

“Aren’t⁠ we on the⁠ ground yet?”

“You’ll‍⁠‌ see for yourself!”‍

“I‌ have my eyes‌ closed!”

However,⁠​‌ Kihano descended with‍‍ precision, landing on​‍‍ each point he​​​ had planned.

Even‌ Yan, who was​‍‍ following him on​‌‍ his donkey, watched‌ with his mouth⁠​⁠ agape.

“Last⁠⁠⁠ jump!”

Perfectly‍ understanding the golem’s⁠ movements, Kihano executed⁠​ his final maneuver.‍​

Kihano,​ who had flown​​‍ by following the​ motion, was now​‌‌ attempting the final‍‌ leap toward the‌‍ meadow.

“Aaaah!”⁠‍‍

“Ribbit!”‌

Although​​‍ the landing wasn’t‌‍⁠ perfect, at least⁠‍ he was back​​ on solid ground.​‍‌

“Sir⁠‍⁠ Kihano! Are you⁠‍ all right?”

“….”⁠

Kihano’s​⁠‌ expression was so‍ twisted that it​‌⁠ was hard to⁠ ask him what‍ had happened. His‌‍ brown hair was‍ mercilessly tousled by‍‌‍ the strong wind,⁠⁠‌ which did not‌ help his appearance.‍

However,​‍ confirming that his‍​​ feet had finally⁠ touched the ground,‌‍‍ Kihano tried to⁠​​ steady his trembling‌​ legs and pointed⁠ at Yan.

“Take‍‌‍ a potion out‍⁠​ of your backpack.​‍ It’s the one​⁠​ glowing green.”

“This​‍⁠ one?”

“Yes,⁠ that one.”

The​ glass bottle Yan‍‍ pulled out glowed‍ with an ominous​ green light. However,‍‌ Kihano didn’t hesitate‍ to open it⁠‌ and pour the‌ contents into his​‍ mouth.

“Ugh!⁠ Cough, cough!”

The​ thick, concentrated taste⁠ of pine needles‌​‍ tortured his tongue.‌ The smell was‍‌‌ so strong that‌ even Andrew, who​‍‍ was lying face​‌⁠ down as if‍​ dead, opened his⁠ eyes.

“…Where​‍⁠ is it going⁠‍‌ now?”

Kihano,‍⁠‍ who had regained​‌ his senses thanks​ to the potion,​​‌ saw the golem‍​‌ heading toward Consuegra.‌

The‌‌ cries of the‍ spirits trapped inside‍ the golem, running⁠‌‍ as if ready‍‍‍ to destroy the⁠​ village, still echoed.‌

“It​​‍ looks like the​ giant is furious⁠​⁠ about something. Also,⁠ its eyes look‌ red.”

“They’re‌‌ probably not eyes,⁠​​ but windows.”

Understanding​‍ what was happening⁠ from the cries‌‌​ of the spirits,​​​ Kihano quickly called‍⁠ to Andrew.

“Wake‍ up already!”

“Ugh…​⁠ Where am I?”‌

“Quick,‌ come to your⁠​‌ senses and get‍ ready as I told you!”

Kihano‍ shook Andrew hard⁠‌‍ to wake him‌​​ up. Then, he‍ adjusted his sword⁠⁠ and began looking‌‌ down the slope‌ leading to the​ village.

The‍⁠ hills of Consuegra⁠‍⁠ were marked with⁠‍ enormous footprints. Before,‍​ the place had⁠ been full of​​​ green grass, but‍‌‌ where the golem‍‌ had passed, only⁠⁠ dark earth remained.⁠‌‌

“…Sir‍‌ Kihano? Don’t tell‌‌ me you’re going‍​ to face the‍ golem again.”

Yan’s​⁠‍ eyes widened in‌ disbelief at the​‌‍ sight of Kihano⁠‌ preparing his gear.‌​​ However, Kihano’s gaze‍⁠​ was firm and​ determined, as if‌​ he had already⁠ made up his‌‍‍ mind.

“But‌⁠​ someone has to⁠ do something.”

“What?”⁠

Yan​‍ couldn’t hear the⁠ spirits’ cries, but‍ Kihano’s ears were⁠‌ still filled with‌ those laments. The​ child who had​⁠​ been hiding inside​‍⁠ Kihano began to⁠‍‍ awaken with that‍‌⁠ sound.

The‌ world of the‌⁠​ spirits, connected through⁠ his wounds, was‍​‍ no different from‍ his own world⁠‍ now.

“Someone​​ has to step⁠ up for them.”⁠⁠

Remembering‍‍ the time when‌‌⁠ no one had,‍‌‍ Kihano decided that​‌⁠ this time, he​​⁠ would.

“Take‍ this.”

“Kihano?​⁠​ Sir Kihano!”

Kihano‌⁠​ handed Yan a bundle of white‍‌‍ papers and ran‌ toward the massive​‌ golem-windmill. Yan’s anxious​⁠​ voice was left⁠ behind, but Kihano⁠ was already charging‍‌ toward the village.⁠

“…What‌‍ is this?”

Now​‌‍ alone on the⁠ hill, Yan looked​‌‌ at the papers​⁠ Kihano had given‍ him. They were‌‌ the blueprints showing‌ how Samonte’s windmill‍‍​ was constructed, filled​​ with various diagrams.‍​‍ Yan focused on‌‍ a note written⁠ in red letters‌ at the bottom.‍

“Emergency‍‌ braking device?”

Samonte’s‍ golem continued advancing​‍ toward the village.‍‌⁠ Kihano ran down⁠‍​ the hill to‌⁠⁠ stop it.

His‌ sword was small,⁠‍⁠ and the enemy‌​‌ gigantic, but what‌‌ now shone in‌ Kihano’s left eye‍‌ was the world⁠​ he had forgotten.⁠⁠​

The​‍‌ child crying within​⁠‌ him slowly raised​‌ his head, guided​⁠‌ by the starlight‌‌ filtering through his⁠⁠ connected world.

Biography​‍ of Kihano.

***‌⁠

Thud!‌​​ Thud! Thud!

Each⁠⁠ footstep made the‍‌ earth tremble, as‍⁠‌ if the very​​‍ ground was about‍ to crack. The‌ vibrations could be⁠​ felt even from​ a distance, but​⁠ as the golem‍​⁠ approached, fear reflected⁠​⁠ on the faces‍ of the villagers.‌⁠⁠

“It’s⁠⁠​ headed for the​⁠ village!”

“There‍‌ are children in‌​⁠ the village!”

Consuegra,‍ a quiet place‌‌​ on a remote‍ corner of the⁠‍‍ Barony of Turrek,​ had never faced​ a crisis like​‌ this.

The​‍ people, finally aware⁠ of the danger,‌⁠‌ ran toward the‍‌‍ village. However, their‍‌​ movements were far‍ too slow compared⁠⁠ to the strides⁠ of the golem.⁠

“Lord‌‍ Sarnus! Help us!”‍

“Stop​ the golem! That‌‌ giant is heading​‌‌ straight for the⁠‌⁠ village!”

The‍ only being they⁠‍‍ could trust was​ a dragon born‌⁠⁠ of perfection. Without‌⁠ hesitation, the villagers‍ fell to their‌⁠ knees and desperately‍‌​ pleaded with Sarnus.‌⁠​ Yet the cold⁠ blue eyes of‌‍ the dragon didn’t‍​‌ turn toward the​‌ people begging him.‌​

“Is​​⁠ it impossible to‍​ control it?”

“Uh?‍⁠ No, technically not…”‍‌​

“Be‍ honest.”

Samonte​ tried to stammer‍⁠‌ an excuse, but​ for some reason,‌​ he couldn’t open⁠ his mouth easily⁠⁠ in front of‍​ Sarnus. The world‍​ of Sarnus grew⁠⁠ larger the longer​‌​ you looked at​ him. As a rightful ruler, his‍‌⁠ gaze emitted a force impossible to⁠ defy.

“…I’m‌‍​ sorry.”

The‍ last chance vanished‍ in a powerless‌‌ failure. Samonte, consumed⁠ by despair, bowed‍ his head. However,​⁠‌ a subtle smile‍​ appeared on Sarnus’s⁠​‍ face.

“This‍‍⁠ is even better.”‌

“What?”​⁠⁠

The‌​​ gigantic golem advanced⁠ toward Consuegra. The​‍⁠ destruction was no‍⁠ accident; it was​​ the purpose of‌ Sarnus’s experiment. What‍‌ mattered wasn’t controlling‌​‌ the golem but‍​‍ how much it‌‍​ could crush.

“Wasn’t⁠⁠ this golem created‌⁠⁠ to face the⁠⁠ southern beast tribes?‌‌​ Testing it here‌‌ wouldn’t be so‌‌ bad.”

“….”‍‌‌

The⁠⁠ golem, born for‍⁠⁠ destruction, had absorbed​​ the cries of‌‍​ the young spirits.⁠ Sarnus did not⁠ hear the villagers’‍​​ laments or the‌‍ spirits’ screams. He​ only saw the​​ target in front⁠‍ of him.

“Hmm?”‍‍‍

But‌​ there was one​​⁠ person who could‍​‍ reach into Sarnus’s​​‍ world.

“Hold‍⁠ on just a little longer!”

A man whose potential‌​‍ was so brilliant​ that even dragons‌‌⁠ feared it. Kihano‍ ran downhill, charging​​‌ straight toward the‍ golem.

“I’ll‍⁠ stop it immediately!”​‌

“Kihano…⁠​ Frausen.”

A man who hadn’t⁠‌‌ been there when⁠‌​ he was needed.‌‌⁠ Kihano Frausen. But‍‌ as he ran‌⁠⁠ toward where he​‍​ should be, he⁠ shone like that‌​ boy of the​‌‍ past.

***‍‍

Thud!​‍​ Thud! Thud!

The‍‌⁠ vibrations traveling through⁠‍ the air seemed​‍⁠ to shake his‌⁠ insides.

But⁠ Kihano, sliding down‌⁠ the hill, didn’t‍ have a second​‍ to hesitate.

‘If⁠ it keeps going,​ it’ll reach the‍ village!’

He‍⁠ didn’t need to⁠ hear the spirits’​ screams to know.‍‌

Samonte’s​⁠ mill was heading‌‌‌ straight for the⁠​​ village.

He​ didn’t even need​ to imagine what‍‌‍ would happen if​‍‌ the enraged golem​‍ reached the village.⁠‍​

“I⁠⁠​ can’t let that​​‍ happen!”

Kihano​‌‌ drew his sword⁠‍ and ran toward‌‌ the golem’s feet.‍

The‌ distance was so​‌ dangerous that it‌‌ seemed he could‍‌⁠ be crushed at⁠⁠ any moment, but‌ his shining eyes‍​‌ calmly focused on​‌​ the golem’s descending‍ feet.

Thud!‍‌

“One!”‌

Thud!‍‌

“Two!”‌

There⁠‌​ was a time‍‌ when he believed‌ he could achieve​‍ any goal, no⁠ matter how impossible‌‍ it seemed.

In⁠ those days, he‌​⁠ feared no opponent.​‌

Thud!‌‍‌

“…Three!”‌

But​ now, reality had⁠‍ caught up to‍‌​ him. He was⁠⁠ just Kihano, a pathetic version of​⁠ his childhood self‍‍ who had dreamed‍‌‌ of being great.⁠

To​ redeem himself, Kihano‌⁠ leaped toward the​‌ golem’s foot.

Crash!⁠‌

“Ugh!”⁠

The⁠ dust that splashed⁠⁠ his face was‌‍ rough, and the‌‍‌ violently blowing wind⁠ was cutting.

Conditions‍‍ impossible to endure‌ for an ordinary⁠‌ person.

But​ Kihano didn’t let​⁠ go, climbing up‍‍ with the golem’s​‍ foot.

The‌ eyes of the‍‍ child watching from‍⁠‍ his inner world‌⁠ drew closer and‌​ closer to the‍ sky.

“Emergency‍ brake!”

Samonte’s‍ emergency brake had⁠‌ three parts.

The⁠ first on the‍⁠ left knee.

The‍ second at the‌‍ center of the‌​ waist.

And​‍‍ the third at⁠ the axle of‍‍ the still-furiously spinning‍‌ blades.

“First,​⁠‍ the knee!”

When​ the golem’s foot‌‍⁠ reached its highest​‌ point, Kihano climbed​‍ up quickly.

It⁠‍ was just a fleeting moment when‌‍ the foot briefly​​‌ paused before taking​​‍ the next step.​⁠

But‌ that brief instant‌ was all he​‌‍ needed to move‌‌ freely.

“Grrr!”‌

He⁠‌‍ regretted his past⁠​ self.

He’d⁠⁠‌ had time, but​‌ he froze.

But‌ now, the time‌​‌ left to him‍ offered a last‌‌ chance he didn’t‌​​ intend to waste.‍‌

“Haaaa!”⁠⁠‌

Kihano​ jumped from the⁠ left foot of​ the golem, which⁠⁠‌ was quickly descending.​⁠

A risky jump, with‌‌ no support.

It⁠ seemed insane, but​‍‌ his decision was⁠​‌ correct. In front⁠‌⁠ of him, the‍‍‍ golem’s knee descended.​‌⁠

Crash!‌‌​

“Ugh!”⁠‍​

Metal‍⁠ fragments grazed his​⁠​ cheek.

But‍‍ Kihano smiled despite​ the blood running​⁠ down his face.‌​‍

He⁠ had found what‍‌ he was looking​​ for.

“…I⁠‍ found it.”

A small, barely visible‍ red mark.

Clinging⁠ to the golem’s‍⁠ knee, he saw⁠‌⁠ the emergency brake​⁠ marked in red.‍‌⁠

“Why‍‍ don’t we stop⁠⁠⁠ and have a little chat?”

His‌‌‍ sword gleamed with‌‍‌ a light so‌‍ intense that even​‌‌ Sarnus, from afar,​‌‌ could see it.​‌

“Haa!”⁠​

Crash!⁠‍⁠

A small gear hidden⁠⁠ in the dark‌‌‌ interior.

The‌ piece that controlled‌‍ the knee’s movement‌​‌ shattered into pieces⁠ with Kihano’s sword.‍​‌

Roar!‍

***‌‌

Rumble!‍⁠

A corner of the​‍⁠ hill collapsed due​‍‍ to the sudden​ lurch of the‌‍ golem.

The​ heavy structure couldn’t‌‍⁠ support its own​​‌ weight, leaving heaps‌​ of dark earth‍ in its wake.‍​⁠

The​‌‍ villagers, watching from​‍​ a nearby hill,‌⁠ covered their mouths‌ in astonishment.

Some​‌‍ noticed a bright‍ light on the​‍ golem.

“What’s‌‌‌ that?”

Even‍‍ through the dust,​⁠ an unusual light‍‌‍ shone.

That‍‍‍ light climbed quickly⁠ from the golem’s‍‌ knee to its​‌ waist.

-Now‌​ stop!

“…It’s…‌‍ it’s a person.”⁠⁠⁠

“How⁠⁠⁠ can there be‌​‍ a person there?”‌⁠

Roar!‌​‍

The‍ golem, whose left⁠ leg wouldn’t move‍⁠ at all, was‍​‌ caught by the‌ ankle and roared‍ loudly.

But‍⁠ everyone’s eyes fixed‍⁠​ on Kihano, who​ kept striking with‌​‌ his sword.

“…It’s‌ Kihano! Sir Kihano!”⁠

“Kihano‌‍ of Frausen! He’s‍‍ the guest from‍ our inn!”

Destruction⁠​ continued approaching the‌ village, but the​‌‌ guards didn’t move,​ and Sarnus’s eyes‍​ remained cold.

People‌‌ who were in‍⁠ the right place‌​ but didn’t do‍‌ what they should.⁠⁠​

Yet,‌⁠ even in that​‍ moment of despair,⁠ there remained a knight willing to⁠​ do what was‍ necessary for them.‌‍

“Sir‍‍‌ Kihano is destroying‍‌​ the golem!”

“Oh‌⁠ heavens!”

An‍ enemy far too‌​ big for a mere human.

Stopping​‍ the golem was⁠‌‌ an impossible dream,‌ but in front‌ of the villagers,‌⁠ a man was‌ making it reality.‌

“…This​⁠ is the second‍‌⁠ one!”

Sweat​⁠ ran down his⁠ chin and dripped‍‌ onto the red​‍‍ mark.

He⁠‌ was exhausted, and⁠ his sword trembled.⁠

But‌ his eyes remained‍ fixed on his‌‌‌ goal.

Crash!​‍‍

Roar!​

The‌ second brake, at​ the waist, broke.‍‍

The‌⁠ lower half of‍ the golem froze⁠ completely.

-Sir⁠​‍ Kihano is destroying‍ the mill!

-Kihano‍‌ of Frausen!

-The​‍ pride of the⁠ town of La​‌ Mancha stands before‌ us!

“….”⁠‍‌

The‌⁠ cries of joy‍ resounded around him.‌⁠

It‍⁠⁠ was the respect‍ and admiration deserved‍‌​ by a knight‍⁠ who protected a world that couldn’t​ defend itself.

But⁠​⁠ behind those cheers,‍‌ the eyes of⁠ a dragon remained‌​ cold.

“It’s​ done, Lord Sarnus!”⁠‌

The⁠ villagers were thanking‍​‍ the knight instead​‍ of the dragon.​

Sarnus’s⁠ heart burned with‌ rage, but Samonte‌‍ didn’t notice.

“I​ don’t know what‌ happened, but Kihano⁠‍​ disabled the brake…!​‌⁠ The legs are‍‌‌ useless, but the‍‌‍ arms still work!”​​

“Can⁠‍⁠ it still move?”‌

The​‍ world of Kihano,‌‌​ seen through Sarnus’s​⁠ closed left eye,‌​‍ was like a wounded flower.

But‍‌⁠ even a wounded‌ flower can reach​​ the stars if⁠ it keeps dreaming.‍

“In‌​‍ that case, let’s‍‌ test it now.”‍​

Sarnus‍​ smiled as he⁠⁠ made a slicing‍‍​ gesture.

At‌​⁠ the same time,‍ Sarnus’s fingers traced‌‍⁠ a line across‍​ the back of‍‍ his neck.

“How⁠​‍ about it? If‌⁠ I can, I promise to offer​​‌ you my full‍‍‌ support in the‌ future.”

“….”​‍

But​​‌ only perfect dragons‍‍‌ can reach the⁠‌⁠ sky above.

Sarnus‌​ whispered softly as⁠​ he watched how​​​ the trampled possibilities​ regained their color.‌

“Kill​ him.”

***‌

“Hahh!⁠​ Hahh!”

Kihano⁠⁠⁠ was climbing the‌ mill, dragging his⁠ already exhausted body.⁠⁠​

Even​‌ though the golem‍‌ was now still⁠ and only emitted‍ wails toward the‍⁠‍ village, Kihano still⁠​ had a task‍ to complete.

“It​ hurts! It hurts‍ so much!”

“Please,‌ someone get us‍‍‌ out of here!”⁠‍

“…Hold⁠‍‍ on a little‌⁠​ longer.”

The‍‌‌ cries kept coming​‍​ from the top​⁠​ of the mill.‌​

Though​‍ the people behind​‌⁠ him were celebrating,⁠⁠ they couldn’t hear‌‍ the wails of⁠‌ the young spirits.⁠⁠

Only‌ Kihano could perceive‌ those cries as‍‌ he climbed toward​​ the final emergency​‍ brake.

“Kihano!”⁠

“…!!”​

Suddenly,⁠‌ a sound rumbled‍​ like thunder in​ his mind. It​​‍ was a warning​ from the mage⁠​⁠ connected through their‍ bond.

“Look​‍ up!”

Perhaps‌‍ because he was​ so exhausted, he​‌⁠ hadn’t noticed the​ lethal presence in​‌‌ time.

A sharp threat bared​​‍ its fangs above‍​ his head.

“What‌‌⁠ the hell is​ that now?!”

The⁠‍ golem’s right arm,‍‌ as tall as​⁠ a mountain, was​ descending upon him.‍⁠‌

It⁠ looked like a meteor falling from​⁠‍ the sky. But⁠⁠‍ Kihano noticed too​‌ late; there was⁠ no way to​​ escape.

“Jump!”‍

Suddenly,‌⁠ a strange sensation⁠ coursed through his​‌‌ legs.

It​⁠ was the mage’s‌ power transmitted through⁠‌‌ their connection.

“Jump​ like a frog!”⁠‍‍

“…!”‌

The​ contact with Andrew​​‌ had expanded Kihano’s‌ world. Thus, his‌‍‍ body adopted the‍​ agility of Andrew’s⁠‍ legs.

Crash!⁠

A devastating blow struck,⁠ with no concern​‍ for whether his‍ body would shatter.‍ As debris flew‌​​ everywhere, Samonte raised⁠‌‍ his hand to​⁠‌ control the golem,‍​ but a silhouette⁠ emerged even higher.‌‌

“I⁠⁠ told you to‍ be a sparrow,‌⁠ not a frog!”‌

Hop!⁠​

The​‌ jumping power of‌​⁠ a frog can⁠ reach up to​​⁠ twenty times its‍​⁠ size.

Therefore,⁠ Kihano soared into‌ the sky, so​ high that he⁠ could look over‍‌​ the mill.

“…And⁠⁠ how am I going to get‌‌‌ down now?!”

For‌​‍ a moment, Kihano​​ ascended to the⁠ highest point in​​‍ the world.

Seeing‌‌​ the sky he‌ had dreamed of​​‍ as a child,‍⁠ the small boy​​‌ inside him smiled​​ brightly.

***‍‌‌

“Good‍ positioning!”

Seeing‍⁠⁠ Kihano in the⁠‍ air, Andrew began‍​ to chant a spell quickly.

“Good‍ positioning? At this​​ rate, Kihano is​⁠‌ going to die!”​⁠‍

From‌‍‌ within the old‌‍​ brass basin, Andrew‍‍ closed his eyes.‍ Yan called to⁠​​ him desperately, but⁠ Andrew’s magical gesture‌ had already transcended‍​ the skies.

“…Clouds​ of Mambrino, I summon you now.”‌‍‌

The‌ Clouds of Mambrino,⁠‍​ more powerful than‍ any other force‍ Andrew could invoke.‌​‍

It‌​‍ was an impossible⁠ spell without the‍​⁠ enchanted golden helmet,​ but with its‍​ aid, he could‍‌ achieve it for⁠ a brief moment.‌

“The​‍ nobility of ideals‍ deserves a blue⁠ sky.”

Rumble!​

Blue​​⁠ clouds gathered above‍‍⁠ the sky where​‍⁠ Kihano was ascending.‌⁠

“Impossible‌‌⁠ dreams deserve white‍ lightning.”

Crack!‍‌

White​​ lightning began to‍⁠ form. The sudden⁠ storm painted the​ hills of Consuegra​‌‌ white.

“Let⁠‍ the colors I summon deceive the⁠‍⁠ world!”

Even⁠ though his current⁠​​ form was that‌ of a humble​⁠ frog.

Nevertheless,‍ the name he‍⁠ was given when‍​ he was human‌ was the Great⁠ Mage of Mambrino.⁠​ Andrew, the summoner‍‍‌ of lightning.

“Ahhhh!”‍‌‍

A heavy rain began​ to fall over‌​ the hill where​⁠ the spirits wept.‌​‌

Amid‌ the flashes of‌​ white lightning, Kihano​⁠​ descended with a celestial light.

“This⁠‌⁠ is the final⁠⁠​ blow!”

A white bolt fell‍​ for the young‌ spirits who had‍ called to him.​

The‍⁠‌ white lightning that‌​⁠ the boy had‌ embraced descended with‌‍‌ Kihano, burning his⁠​‍ left eye and​‍ striking the Samonte‌ mill.

Boom!​​

A flower was blooming.​‌‌

His​⁠ faith in himself⁠ had carried him‌⁠‌ to the stars.‍

The​ hill of Consuegra⁠‍ shone with a brilliance so intense​‍​ that even the​​ dragon could not​ ignore it, and⁠ the blades of‍⁠​ the mill shattered.‍‍‌

***​‌

To‌ dream the impossible.‍

To⁠ defeat invincible enemies,‌⁠

to⁠ endure unbearable pain,‌‍⁠

to‍ die for noble​‍⁠ ideals.

To​ right wrongs,

to​‌‍ love with purity‌‌ and kindness.

To⁠‌‍ fall in love⁠‌ with impossible dreams,‍⁠

and​ thus, with faith,‌ reach for the⁠ stars.

That​​​ is the mission‌‍ and duty of⁠​ a true knight.⁠​⁠

From⁠ the novel Don⁠⁠​ Quixote.

 

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