Chapter 49 - The Hero’s Utter Despair – Witnessing Her Betrayal
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[Battlefield – Outskirts of Valtara Fortress]
The Hero Army had arrived.
Thousands of soldiers lined the horizon, their armor glinting under the sun. At the front—Rael Ascarion, the Hero of Light, stood with burning rage in his heart.
"I'M HERE, LEONHARDT!!" Rael roared. "COME OUT AND FACE ME!!"
His Sacred Griffin, a majestic creature of divine light, screeched beside him.
But deep within Rael's heart—he was barely holding himself together.
(Evelyn... I'm coming for you...) Rael clenched his fists. (I'll save you... I'll kill him...)
Behind him, the Hero Party stood nervously.
"Rael... are you sure about this?" one of his comrades asked. "Leonhardt is powerful. Attacking him recklessly—"
"SHUT UP!!" Rael snapped, his eyes bloodshot. "HE TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME!! I'LL KILL HIM!!"
His rage was blinding him.
His love for Evelyn—was driving him mad.
And from the fortress walls—
Leonhardt watched with amusement.
"Hahaha... so the dog still came." Leonhardt chuckled.
Celestia giggled darkly beside him. "Ohoho~ How pitiful~"
Leonhardt smirked. "Shall we entertain him, my Queen?"
Celestia licked her lips. "Yes~ Break him. Destroy him. And when he collapses... make sure his beloved Evelyn watches."
Leonhardt's eyes darkened. "Naturally."
And with that—
Leonhardt descended.
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Rael's eyes burned with hatred as Leonhardt stepped forward.
"LEONHARDT!!" Rael roared. "WHERE IS EVELYN?!"
Leonhardt smiled coldly. "Safe... in my chamber."
"...!!"
Rael's blood boiled. "I'LL KILL YOU!!"
Leonhardt chuckled. "Try."
Rael lunged forward, his Sacred Griffin charging alongside him.
"DIEEEE!!"
But in one swift movement—
Leonhardt summoned his beast.
"Come forth, Ironhorn."
ROOOOAAARRRR!!
A gigantic, indomitable Rhino materialized, its armor-like hide glistening.
It was far larger, stronger, and more terrifying than any beast Rael had seen.
And with a single charge—
BOOOOOM!!
Rael and his Sacred Griffin were sent flying.
"AAAGGGHHH!!"
Rael hit the ground hard, coughing blood.
"...W-What the hell...?!" he gasped.
Leonhardt sneered. "Did you think your Sacred Griffin could match my Mythical-Class Beast?"
"...!!"
Rael's heart dropped.
Ironhorn—the Indomitable Rhino—stood like an unbreakable fortress.
And then—
Leonhardt summoned his second beast.
"Rise, Abyssal Serpent."
SSSSSHHHHHHHH!!
A monstrous black serpent emerged, its dark scales emitting pure malice.
Rael's eyes widened in horror. "T-Two beasts...?!"
Leonhardt smiled coldly. "Did you forget? In the Valtara family, taming multiple Mythical-Class Beasts is the norm."
Rael's mind cracked.
"...No... t-this can't..."
And then—
Leonhardt attacked.
"Crush him."
Ironhorn charged like a juggernaut.
Rael barely dodged.
The Abyssal Serpent lashed out with its tail.
CRACK!!
"AGHHHHH!!" Rael's ribs shattered.
Leonhardt walked toward him casually. "You're pathetic."
"...Y-You... b-bastard..."
Leonhardt chuckled darkly. "And to think... your beloved Evelyn is already melting in my embrace."
"...!!"
Rael's pupils shrank. "Y-You're lying..."
Leonhardt grinned. "Am I?"
And then—
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He reached into his coat and pulled out something.
A small, torn piece of white fabric.
It was... Evelyn's undergarment.
Rael's mind snapped.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"
Leonhardt laughed darkly. "Ahahaha!! That's right!! She's mine now!! She kissed me!! She clung to me!! She moaned my name!!"
"...S-Shut up... SHUT UUUUUP!!"
Leonhardt leaned down, whispering into Rael's ear.
"She. Is. No longer. Yours."
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!"
Rael's mind completely broke.
His Sacred Griffin collapsed from despair.
And then—
Leonhardt dealt the final blow.
SLASH!!
Rael's arm was severed.
"AAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!"
Blood poured like a fountain.
Leonhardt smirked. "Pitiful."
"...E-Evelyn..." Rael sobbed. "P-Please... don't... leave me..."
Leonhardt chuckled darkly.
"Oh... she already has."
And with that—
Leonhardt ordered his soldiers.
"Bring him to the fortress."
"...!!"
Rael's heart froze. "W-What are you—"
Leonhardt's grin turned sadistic.
"I'll make him watch."