Chapter 59 - The Hero’s Despair
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[Valtara Fortress – Battlefield]
Silence.
A thick, suffocating silence consumed the battlefield.
Rael's Sacred Griffin lay motionless, its golden feathers stained crimson. Its once-proud eyes dimmed—lifeless.
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The symbol of the Hero's power... was gone.
Crushed. Impaled. Killed.
Rael's breath came in ragged gasps. His entire body shook violently.
"No... no, no, no..."
His knees collapsed beneath him. His fingers dug into the dirt, trembling.
"T-This isn't happening... I-It can't be...!!"
His beast. His partner. His soul-bound companion—
Dead.
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Leonhardt sighed, rolling his shoulders.
"That's it?"
His voice was disinterested—as if he had just stepped on an insect.
He placed a hand on Ironhorn's massive horn, still dripping with the Griffin's blood.
"Pathetic."
Evelyn took a step forward, her hands clenched. "L-Leonhardt, please... d-don't humiliate him like this—"
SMACK!
Celestia slapped her face.
"Silence, little heroine."
Evelyn stumbled, eyes wide in shock. "Y-You...!!"
Celestia grinned, her crimson eyes glowing sadistically.
"Your 'hero' is already broken." She grabbed Evelyn's chin, forcing her to look at Rael's trembling form. "Look at him. He's nothing but a miserable, pathetic failure."
Leonhardt yawned.
"I expected more."
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Rael's fingernails dug into his palms, blood dripping onto the battlefield.
He gritted his teeth. "I... I still have my sword..."
His fingers reached for his blade—
CRUNCH.
Leonhardt's boot slammed onto his wrist.
"AAAHHH—!!"
A sickening snap echoed as Rael's bones cracked.
Leonhardt gazed down at him, his golden eyes burning with disgust.
"Did you really think..." He pressed his foot harder. "...that you still had a chance?"
Rael screamed in agony.
Celestia giggled. "Fufu~ How adorable. He still thought he could fight."
Leonhardt sighed. "Pitiful."
Rael's mind shattered.
His Griffin was gone.
His strength was meaningless.
His pride was crushed.
His lover... was wavering.
"No... no... no..." His voice was nothing but a broken whisper.
Tears streamed down his face. His vision blurred.
Evelyn's lips trembled. "R-Rael..."
Rael's eyes were hollow—completely lifeless.
"...I... lost."
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Leonhardt finally lifted his boot.
He turned toward his army.
"It's over."
A deafening roar erupted from the Valtara soldiers.
"ALL HAIL LORD LEONHARDT!!"
"THE HERO IS FINISHED!!"
"VALTARA REIGNS SUPREME!!"
Celestia purred, pressing herself against Leonhardt.
"Mmmhh~ My darling, your power is so irresistible~"
Leonhardt smirked.
He gazed down at Rael's broken form—a former hero, reduced to nothing.
And then—he turned to Evelyn.
"You belong to me now."
Evelyn froze.
Her heart pounded in terror... and something else.
Something she didn't want to acknowledge.
Desire.