Chapter 78: Belial, The Cursed Sword. (4)
The sword had been left dumbfounded at Lloyd’s affirmation.
It didn’t expect that response, however, it wasn’t the first time it heard it.
Belial had already seen how "honorable warriors" decided to surrender upon seeing they couldn’t win the battle.
It was a way to die honorably, though ironically for Belial, it was more honorable to die fighting to the end.
"Ha! Rejoice then Bastard! Because I’ll fulfill your wish and give you a quick death," the demonic sword announced with an arrogant voice.
A large amount of demonic energy began to gather around the sword, forming inside it red and golden flames which began to wave around it.
It was extremely dense demonic energy, which had adopted the form of flames.
Alice positioned herself to shoot out, but Lloyd said other words.
"After all, you have every right to kill me Alice," Lloyd then said, with a voice that resonated throughout the entire place.
Belial was surprised hearing that. A surprise he could project with all the expressiveness an eye can have.
What was he playing at?
Well, the truth is Lloyd had no intention of dying.
He didn’t feel like it nor was it in his plans.
A very clear option was to fight.
Face in combat an Alice buffed by a powerful and ancient demonic sword.
True, it didn’t seem too encouraging. Alice was the most powerful heroine in history, or at least was destined to be.
She had inherited the most powerful authority: Aperion.
A power which allowed her to evolve during battle.
Moreover she carried a demonic sword, which surely had been absorbing demonic power for quite some time.
Yes, he knew how demonic or cursed weapons worked, and knew many of them fed on negative emotions to produce demonic energy.
Knowing what was happening at Conrad’s fort Lloyd was sure that sword must have energy for a while.
Though of course, Lloyd also didn’t believe he would lose against Alice.
She was still a child, she had no experience and her power wasn’t fully developed.
Lloyd didn’t deny facing Alice in that state would be difficult but at the same time he was confident he could win.
But winning meant Alice would probably die.
He was aware of what that sword had told him, most likely that weapon was absorbing Alice’s vitality, and would do so until she died.
So he couldn’t let the battle drag on, since he didn’t want to lose Alice.
"What the hell are you saying now? She doesn’t hear you okay? I don’t know what you’re playing at or trying but it won’t work," the demonic sword affirmed with rage. "You better not try weird things, or your death will end up being painful."
But Lloyd completely ignored him.
Yes, perhaps that sword could easily parasitize minds and control hosts without limit or possibility of expelling its control.
But, Lloyd was sure that wouldn’t work against Alice.
The boy knew that in normal circumstances, most likely the sword wouldn’t have been able to take control of Alice.
Belial had only achieved it because Alice’s mind and heart were shattered.
And even so he had to wait for Alice to be broken enough inside to let him voluntarily enter her psyche.
It was true, Alice’s mind was her weakness. She was very emotionally and mentally unstable, and that weakness could be exploited.
A spell or magical art that normally couldn’t pierce her mind protected by Aperion could work if she let herself be controlled.
Lloyd knew it.
However, that also meant Alice could regain control if she wanted to.
Proof of that was when Lloyd spoke, Alice reacted.
It was a subtle reaction, almost imperceptible. But Lloyd could perceive it, he always could.
"I was inconsiderate with you, I caused you to do something horrible and then blamed you for it," Lloyd continued talking. "However I already realized! I wasn’t angry with you, but with myself! But you ended up paying for it... that’s why, and for much more, you have the right to kill me."
Lloyd then said.
He had to do it.
He had to be sincere and reconcile with Alice, only that way would he manage to get Alice back to normal.
Only that way would he get Alice to escape the demonic sword’s control.
It was the only way Lloyd had thought of to achieve a happy ending to that situation.
An ending where no one had to die for his mistakes.
"Damn idiot! I already told you those cheesy things won’t work! I’m tired now, die!" the sword then shouted, while Alice shot toward him at full speed.
But Lloyd didn’t fear, for the first time he had decided to do something unusual for him.
Trust someone.
"I leave my life in your hands!" Lloyd finally exclaimed, while closing his eyes, waiting for the impact.
Even if he died in the process, he would free Alice.
He decided to give his life to Alice, to be able to save hers.
"Huh? What the hell? Why have you stopped?" Belial then exclaimed, with a confused and surprised voice.
It was the first time someone was able to regain control after being parasitized by him.
The first.
Lloyd opened his eyes, right in front of him was the tip of the demonic sword.
If only Alice had taken a bit longer to regain control, it was very likely he would have been left one-eyed, at minimum.
"I see you decided to forgive me," Lloyd then said with a warm smile.
His plan had worked.
[- 160 V.P]
That notification disconcerted Lloyd, but he decided not to give it importance, he wasn’t going to let the system ruin the moment for him.
The boy was genuinely happy for having freed Alice.
The girl, with a quick movement, threw the sword backward, as if it were an old piece of junk.
"What the hell? Wuaaaaa!" Belial screamed, while flying through the air, and ending up stuck in the floor.
Apparently Alice had made a decision.
Then, something Lloyd didn’t expect happened.
"Lloyd... Like Alice?" the girl then asked, it was the first time Lloyd heard her speak.
Alice’s voice sounded hoarse and dry, something expected in a person who hadn’t spoken for many years.
It wasn’t pleasant to the ears, but for Lloyd, it had its charm.
The boy smiled hearing Alice’s words, and nodded.
"Yes, I like you very much Alice," the boy responded with a calm smile.
Hearing that, Alice’s lips curved slightly, drawing a subtle smile.
"Alice.... Happy," the girl then said, while her little eyes closed, and she fell without strength into Lloyd’s arms, like a puppet whose strings are cut.
Apparently that altercation had exhausted her quite a bit. Though Lloyd wasn’t going to blame her for that.
"I’m also glad we reconciled," the boy then said, while a strange sensation of happiness grew in his chest.
