First Celestial Art Acquired!

'Who would say last words like that?'

'May chaos rule once more? Who would want chaos when you can live happily in a world like this?'

'Tsk, tsk. They are villains for a reason, alright?'

Still, the words resonated in him.

If it was Kael Ryuu in the position of this black mess, he would've just gone out without a word or a curse, just like in his last life.

There was no reason for him to curse anyone, as he knew everybody was trying their best to live in a godforsaken world.

'Such a waste of energy when you can just let go and sleep forever.'

'Tsk, tsk.'

Then a moment later, the black smoke escaping from the black mess suddenly changed direction and entered Kayden's body.

'Ah, here it comes.'

'My very first celestial art.'

'Limitless Grace.'

He didn't feel anything at first, but after the whole smoke was absorbed into his body, he started to feel something inside.

More specifically, in his solar plexus.

It was rejuvenating, and he could feel something like a ball of light there.

'That must be the power.'

He closed his eyes and concentrated on the ball of light. Suddenly, the light split into streaks and rushed into his head, then his limbs.

Then information started to enter his brain. More like... understanding.

He could feel it inside his bones.

He could feel it inside his heart.

'No, not now. I need to get out of here first.'

He was already feeling dizzy. The earlier injury from the fall was still affecting his body, and he needed to heal quickly.

He then laid the sword near Marcus.

'Just gonna drop this here and... done.'

He was about to walk away when he suddenly stopped, looked at the sky, and sighed like he was thinking about something.

'Tsk, tsk.'

Stooping down, he gently swiped his hand over the prince's face, closing his lifeless eyes.

'Even though you were a prick and all, you deserve a proper rest.'

'May you rest in peace.'

Kayden then looked at the Ancient being and clicked his tongue.

'And you may not...'

He walked towards the rocky structure, lamenting to himself.

'Ah, shit. I need to climb this thing...'

With much effort and time, he finally managed to climb over, but it took a toll on him as he was on the verge of collapsing.

At the bottom, he could see the mare galloping towards him.

A smile formed on his lips at the scene, but his vision was blurry.

'At least, she knows...'

He didn't complete his sentence and collapsed on the ground.

'Tsk, tsk.'

'What a day...'

And darkness enveloped him.

...

Step~ Step~

Someone slowly emerged from behind a large tree.

He was shivering, with a look of complete bewilderment and astonishment on his face. His eyes quivered with regret.

It was none other than Eldric.

He had felt a huge amount of mana, aura, and some other type of energy coming from this place.

Without thinking, he ran towards the area on foot.

By the time he arrived, there was only smoke and silence in the area.

He climbed the stone structure, and when he looked at the smoke, he was crushed by the sheer sight of blood and gore littered around the place.

Despite quitting, he was still a knight who had once protected the innocent. The sight of the dead brought tears to his eyes.

Then he saw it: a man, a lone figure standing amidst the carnage, raising a sword above what appeared to be a monster.

It was, of course, young master Kayden, the man who had been deemed trash and useless.

Kayden, the broken.

He was scratched and bruised all over, blood dripping from his mouth and hands. 

Eldric's heart pounded in his chest at the scene.

The young master resembled a hero who had failed to protect the helpless, standing poised with a sword to finish off the beast.

Eldric's eyes shook at the scene. The man who was said to be broken was the last one remaining.

He couldn't understand. His mind was wild with thoughts.

But one thing was clear: the determination in the young master's eyes.

Seeing his pitiful state, Eldric was sure the man had been through a lot and was still standing after a long standoff with the monster. 

Not to mention, the sword he was holding was the Radiance, the same sword passed down to the best warriors of the Sunblade lineage.

Honoring his dead companion, that was what Eldric thought about the scene.

If Kayden could hear Eldric's thoughts, he would have sneered and furrowed his brows, as if to say, "What the hell are you talking about, man?"

'Such gracefulness.'

'I should've listened to the young master.'

Eldric began to blame himself for not heeding the young master's request for help. If he had, this might not have happened. 

After the young master killed the monster, Eldric saw him lay the sword meticulously near the prince, treating it with the respect and grace it deserved.

The scene where the young master closed the prince's eyes was so emotional, like someone saying a final goodbye to a lifelong best friend.

It was such a poignant moment that it brought tears to Eldric's eyes.

The young master then limped back to the stone structure. Eldric didn't understand his purpose, nor did he care at that moment. 

After struggling painstakingly to climb the stone structure, the man collapsed on the ground. 

"Forgive this fool, young master. I didn't know..."

Tears streamed down Eldric's face as he gazed at the dying man.

Seeing the blood and injuries, Eldric couldn't help but think the man was on the brink of death. 

Moreover, the death and carnage surrounding them intensified his sadness.

"Neighh~~"

The mare, which Eldric had thought was just a pony, neighed and gently nudged his body with its small head.

Seeing this, Eldric felt even sadder.

"Ev-even a wild animal is sad about your death, young master... Such a noble life."

He misunderstood the mare's actions, believing it was mourning the fallen hero.

In his mind, he imagined the mare as a wild animal that had come to say goodbye to the noble soul who had defeated the monster and sought justice for the heroes and innocent villagers.

The mare scrunched her horse face and looked at the crying man as if to say, "What on hell is this guy going on about?"

In truth, the mare was highly uncomfortable with the saddle. She had never had anything tied to her back in her entire life.

So, she pranced around and rolled on the ground until she finally managed to free herself from the torture of the saddle.

Once liberated, she neighed and watched her foolish rider descend from the rock structure.

Before she could reach him, he was on the ground, and another man suddenly appeared, in tears.

"Neigh~~~"

Realizing the newcomer was a bit of a fool, she neighed again and opted to lick the unconscious man.

Lick~ lick~

"Hlsfff--"

"Oh?!"

Eldric's eyes widened as he watched the mare licking the young master's face, and the young master scrunching his face as if disgusted.

It was because the young master was disgusted. Unconscious or not, whether he was Kael Ryuu or not, the body still belonged to Kayden Ashbourne—it was an instinctive reaction.

"He's alive! Oh my god! I need to save him!"

With that, Eldric lifted the half-dead man and placed him on the gentle pony, who seemed insistent on carrying the body on its back.