Chapteer 279: Extra 19 – Kihano – For Another Encounter (End)
YoL8I6bA tower stood proudly, as if trying to pierce the sky.1mbdA9
Kxrk7And towards that tower, a bolt of lightning descended with fury.k2pQL
4rpXg1E“Huaaaaah!”kUUD
jj7N7o5Crack-boom!SIL683
2ShU0UgWith a deafening roar, the top of the windmill began to explode.rvq
RwzvESeen from a distance, it looked like a rain of fireworks scattering into countless fragments.GWtWc
5yqDAGThe villagers, upon seeing the countless luminous particles coloring the hill, began to cover their mouths in astonishment.KBFkXk
mdUCg“…One device remains.”I8QbU6
T32TPHowever, the lightning that had started in the sky had not yet lost its brilliance.dqEja
bMAKihano’s left eye, wide open, still glowed with a white light.9SQhlGY
nCykFe0The knight Kihano, who had drawn his sword for the young spirits still suffering, descended down the golem’s shoulder with the lightning he had borrowed from the sky.ign
xdV6kRoooooar!6ecE27r
TxKqIThe lightning, which had started from the head, traveled down the shoulder and reached the blades.soQmyZ
0HkSStaSamonte, realizing where that current was headed, quickly manipulated his controller, but Kihano’s sharp perception had already anticipated the golem’s movements.6E1JMX
NZ5—Kihano! Strike again!qxZ1Gj0
xZmzTJxAndrew issued another warning upon seeing the golem’s fist descending from above.SlbGz
KAiDHPvHowever, upon what happened next, even he could only watch with his mouth agape.wdM
5mK“…What is that?”Ler
q8MThe golem’s arm was rising towards the sky.vP2fCT
zXDkAs if someone were pulling it with tremendous force.Zdntt
HUZEYEveryone present raised their heads to witness such an absurd scene.AOmRrp
xRbf“Grrr!”dVOEsM
8p3sXBeneath the golem’s arm, which was slowly lifting, Kihano remained clinging to his sword, gritting his teeth.b7Fu
58X32Crack-crack-boom!KI3
WMVIA sensation as if an entire mountain were being shifted.AOSSyRp
QBGKihano’s sword, clashing against the golem’s fist, sparked and emitted a metallic screech, but his wrist did not stop moving, twisting the golem’s strength.U9jmE1
iCX“Huaaaaah!”NP1IPE
4DBA defensive dueling technique, deflecting the opponent’s strike with a circular motion.Pog
opxn07vA technique difficult to execute even in combat between humans was now being performed against Samonte’s windmill.MKVcf
Ui0“Kihano… Frausen. So, in the end…”iaMsx
IZt2TKihano’s body, burning with white light, looked like a star.k7s
hiL7tSarnus, understanding the meaning of this sight, began to tremble visibly, as if struck by a storm.q6Z7FW
TJxDN2“Just a little… more…”ohrvql
52aCrack! Crackle!elh
XkwHA sound of breaking so loud it was heard even from the hill.CTKOrg
Dngc9SThe sound came from the golem’s shoulder joint, which had exceeded its limit.35S1
WomiVUnable to withstand its own force, the golem’s arm twisted grotesquely, and the windmill let out a cry of agony.LBwEuG
cyndtzuRooooar!ZyAyP0M
BrYUQBeyond the arm of the golem, which Kihano had repelled, something became visible.FV2v
EY1F7The windmill blades, still squeezing the young spirits.KP20l
KHEU3N“Now I see it.”eK0B4
Pl6Vn3MA picture he had once imagined, wondering if he could ever make it real.oaF
82xHowever, what he saw now matched that picture exactly.DmUd5
07WiHQ“….”FjdN
al6SHuA beam of light emanated from Kihano as he discovered that final moment.GArACu3
01H6reMIt was a light similar to that of a star borrowed from the sky by a child.Nxr8
LyZpwWith that light reflected in his left eye, Kihano aimed at the axis of the blades.kMbq
UBTmD“Huaaaaaah!”AQrA9
vyJ4GFor the children who cried because no one had stepped forward.NHhqZ
40Um1wA starlight thrown for them illuminated the hill of Consuegra as it rushed toward the golem’s chest.mvk4JH1
Qrv2hUACrash!h7KlB
dpJCwTWith the sound of something shattering, Samonte’s windmill began to harden like a stone statue.p4dEFR6
9uFxLOvWith its left arm still extended towards the sky.Pqs2
ARrYMOsFrom that immobile arm, lights of many colors began to flow.VdZm9P
eqo1iI9“I did it.”a8aHKil
ySrKihano smiled with satisfaction as he gazed at that light.3ZB
nCkGgA star that had fulfilled its duty and was now falling, while many others began to rise towards the sky.6a1Lb5
ZDdGAt the point where they intersected, there was a glow never seen before.8YX7N
ycC2ZT9***CWS6P
HeZ“…Is that an aurora?”FgH
WITEfFrom the top of a hill covered in rubble, Kihano smiled weakly.hGzcK
nYDAlthough his body lay exhausted, he could afford to smile thanks to the rippling waves of light shining above his head.eT7GIL
6xFbxHC“With a view like this, it wasn’t a bad gamble.”zGa6
jz97VThe young spirits, freed from human hands, fluttered happily, painting the sky with their own colors.XVMbyNU
ArKIt was a scene that looked like an immense silk mantle covering the heavens. Upon witnessing this sky, visible only because he had decided not to look away, Kihano slightly raised his hand and waved softly.rlL2J
jPiddKY“Goodbye.”sqr
w9KA fire-breathing lizard, a shining butterfly, a tiny squid the size of a fingernail, and a small white snake that stared at him with its tiny eyes.IQ8qfx
sEGIniCAlthough many of these small beings still hovered around him, Kihano, already exhausted, could no longer understand their words.29muLPX
h7DH“Yes, I know. See you later.”O7N
EqdkSo he could only bid farewell with a promise for another time.a5AE
PLo6rNHe didn’t know when it would be, but if fate allowed it, they would meet again.jhZOad
LNTahsAs if understanding his words, the young spirits surrendered one by one to the aurora dancing in the sky.t5omABe
w735Q“…It’s beautiful to see it this way.”sMENnE
IeYSmiling as he watched them depart, Kihano admired the sky he could now see because he had not turned away.eTlFdL9
fKGolAt last, the sky he gazed upon was filled with stars, twinkling endlessly towards him.T5fr
tYSUU9q***pSojQ
L3VxAt some point in the summer, in a small nameless village.HNaaz
vWSAcArNot far from Consuegra, the local tavern buzzed with lively chatter due to the circulating rumors.HdUsG
yyep“They say he brought down a giant golem.”oZezkIu
eP3BoJ“A golem controlled by an evil mage! And it wasn’t a dragon, but a human knight!”xxYlNst
JH0“What was his name again? I think it was Kihano of La Mancha.”vfPNzL
UVwKihano of La Mancha.0jOMfGJ
3YoF6XThe knight who defended the village of Consuegra from the wicked golem.y25FP
O5yxjxThe rumors, recounting that grand and spectacular scene, continued to spread from town to town, from city to city, further glorifying Kihano’s name.qdhMNjH
0kb28“Ah, you’ve done something huge this time.”DvpGNv
4cXcYgHHowever, Kihano himself, the protagonist of the rumor, couldn’t even swallow the bread stuffed in his cheeks. With a comical expression, he tilted his head.XmjVNw
KKGg“What did I tell you before you left?”VYa
OxwfoG“….”Afsp7wq
1hhlyMh“I told you to lay low. To avoid drawing as much attention as possible.”AIZeu
7BYIt was a village he had reached after leaving Consuegra.eLBdO82
fZjlThere, Kihano was enjoying warm bread after a long time.UN90X9
FmhBut because of Perez, who sat across from him, he couldn’t swallow it and only moved his eyes from side to side.DI6K
dP2wkk“And you’re telling me you destroyed a golem? And not just any golem, but one funded by Dragulia!”pcag
EM8m“Haaa. I did it because it was necessary….”UqBwM
KQMLoGN“And on top of that, you handed the key to the cell to the imprisoned elf?”fxi5
8S8Gulp.UAjk
14aIn the silent table, someone swallowed nervously.Y4JzC
sDAIt wasn’t Kihano, who still had his mouth full of bread, but the young Yan, sitting beside him. Unlike Kihano, who was pretending to be clueless, Yan trembled like a leaf, unable to hide his anxiety.jylMSg
F10“It’s strange. I’m sure I handed it over discreetly.”7n03
34ya“….”aWstE
1YrKtDSeeing that Kihano didn’t even attempt to make an excuse, Perez’s face began to harden.7v8Ogb
Zkrf42kBringing down an out-of-control golem could be justified, so it was a matter that could be resolved.rr3trr
P5UHowever, releasing an elf who was under Sarnus’s custody was a far more complicated issue, even for someone of the Frausen lineage.X6nkf
v7p3“…Don’t go near the capital for a while.”7zm9
XuCrMAQClink.SXF6
6weWith those words, Perez placed a rather heavy pouch on the table.PBwPc95
PjwJThe weight of those gold coins seemed to tell him to leave as soon as possible and stay far away for a long time.o40
tQ7X4“Leave as soon as you can. Word is already spreading that Dragulia is taking action.”yThjTU
tZ4O6IThe order to leave sounded cold, but the words he added afterward revealed sincere concern for his brother.OLS
R0XZOKihano, who had now humiliated Dragulia twice—a family that pursued perfection—was beginning to shine brightly with potential.Mvdkt7
FnlrThe old reputation of *”Frausen’s parasite”* was no longer enough to protect him.LBzO
HmcO“I suppose we couldn’t hide it forever.”R1mDq7
sV9JuWfYoung birds must leave the nest at some point, whether by choice or by external circumstances.GvwWt
MI2eAZLooking at his brother, who had taken so long to spread his wings, Perez stood up from his seat.LG39
Shi7z“…Brother.”vFzmnb7
lglXIf he left now, they didn’t know when they would see each other again. However, Perez showed no hesitation as he exited the tavern.jLdpe1
ZInQIt was a determined and firm farewell, as if he were showing Kihano what he also needed to do.HQbncQP
d1tBut for Kihano, who still wasn’t used to goodbyes, all he could do was murmur “brother” as he watched Perez’s back moving away.KuHVU
uRGVnX***yA0gTz
jilGtQLAfter winter came spring. And now, summer was full of green leaves.qkVV7V
zk9The knight, the boy, and a frog walked amidst that season and stopped for a moment when they reached a crossroads.RpWrqrT
wOrwk“Which way do we go now?”PA0Ip
1ISlkThe road split into four directions: east, west, south, and north.ftOxyf
HrqWithout a clear destination, Kihano couldn’t help but look thoughtful.0KU4cl
IMmC3u1Luckily, he knew not to head north, where the capital lay, so at least that option was ruled out.aWydM5
TagHS4“How about heading east? I know a wizard there, and we might get information about my body.”cedgLy
Ul2KU“I’d prefer we head south. Lord Perez said we should be careful about dragons.”t2TYi
ZVZdHl“….”OeTP
jS0WsuQShould he go east for Andrew, or should he follow Perez’s advice and head south?MLpXp
rskLtyBoth suggestions had valid reasons, which made choosing difficult.Jp2EGEY
7DazOBut suddenly, Kihano turned his head upon hearing the trill of a bird coming from a completely different direction.kcp
2aRX“What’s that?”IqO
qwBfHRVFlying above his head, a bird seemed to demand that he make a decision quickly.8IY2L8
lJdqSiIt was a messenger hawk, but unlike the usual ones, it had the powerful wings of a falcon, a species only seen in the far west.mVjneab
psW“…A drawing?”cebWjS
XvxUfTThe hawk descended lightly onto his outstretched arm.xCl
16Hjd4In the messaging tube, which was thicker than usual for a bird of its size, there wasn’t an ordinary letter, but an anonymous illustration.sU9v5Da
CuN5“What’s this, Lord Kihano?”1doFqdQ
2pI“I don’t know.”31C0Mw0
YtgFmtxKihano scratched his head as the hawk adjusted its wings.ie3
fU4“But this style feels familiar.”UGoCR
txNA252After observing the drawing for a while, Kihano felt it was both strange and familiar at the same time.GfByrbw
tfIub1Every meticulous brushstroke seemed like the work of a true master.oPqbXSG
U9ktDEIt was as if the landscape he was seeing had been captured alive on paper. This illustration reminded him clearly of one he had seen before.Fx4T1h
AgUAi“Consuegra…”Mpe2y
ZqIs0ZThe same scene he had seen from a dark prison, but which now seemed illuminated in his mind.C4V2qGc
Np7tORemembering the silver-haired elf who had made that drawing, Kihano finally realized who the author was.Jubl
YdrFG“Andrew.”vc42
eN5p0L“Yes?”ujVy
mQtTq5“In which direction is the city of the elves?”yB3hqaH
5CTQfHz“You mean Alfheim? It’s to the west.”iyu3E
4zoaeA messenger hawk had arrived when he had nowhere left to go.mHFh
dtll1xAs he gazed at the drawing, which had come as a sign in a moment of uncertainty, Kihano turned his head to the west.ZMFiBq
CdNoCd“Then let’s head west.”IVaf
QGAro“To the west? Why suddenly to the west?”IS0
J2nJV27Neither east nor south, which they had been discussing until now.OREV56l
W11Andrew and Yan looked at him confused, but Kihano had already made his decision and began walking.64BB2m
B6D0r“That’s good. Anyway, my sword is broken, and I wanted to get a new one.”ZmcYG4
I2qThe fight with the golem had been intense, and Kihano’s sword was now chipped and worn.Af6DN
rFwKVdIt could be considered an honorable scar, but for a knight, his sword was an essential companion.bhOLmy
s2ED“They say dwarves are excellent blacksmiths. I’ve always wanted to have a sword made by them.”Xv4L
m84bBeyond the elven forest of Alfheim lay Myrkheim, the home of the dwarves.LqO8LDg
dRblAnd it was said that every sword forged there was a true masterpiece.hHZ
kwDMCU“By the way, Lord Kihano.”4j68YV
bAZt5ma“Hmm?”jyU9xFI
QN0d78“This drawing is very strange. Look here.”wNB
JPncWhile walking west, Yan studied the drawing closely and showed it to Kihano with bright eyes.HRP
idIhLE“At first, I thought it was a night sky, but it’s not.”Ig5NYq
pYDXOxRLooking carefully, there were other hidden landscapes in the drawing.o2x1D
2LtQc2y“If you look here, doesn’t it look like a city?”uYTeX6q
KM3x“Oh, you’re right.”0tAd
DT3e4“It’s small, but it looks like a maze of alleys surrounding this star.”pHvWn
rKTWhat looked like a night sky was actually a drawing of a dark city.82vd
Ef7uy6In one corner, there was a small golden star emitting a faint glow. Kihano couldn’t help but feel drawn to it.KvSd
7OsG“…It’s an interesting drawing. The star isn’t drawn in the sky, but on the ground.”78z
KF4Although not in the night sky, that small star seemed to declare itself a star nonetheless.OGDSx
GZdThough small, it was the golden star that shone the brightest.fgN2Q
iD2DQW0Kihano, feeling pity for it, unconsciously traced it with his finger.zVDPLQ
4oV0Iy7“What could this be?”1gHkbY
UZnEKihano didn’t know, but what he was seeing was a scene he would encounter in a distant future.Hjxu
sbjfOMaThough the time wasn’t right yet, Kihano began walking slowly toward that uncertain destination.9CE
UzkgToward that star which, though not in the lofty night sky, knew how to shine on its own.8Zvp
QfKLEXRFor that reason, every step he took was a step toward an encounter.ljsx
U1KVjEpilogue of Kihano (End).Mh1
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