A dull longsword and a heartbroken villager

Dove is now only worried about Redip's condition. How did he get like this? Is Redip sick?

“He’s just sick,” Redup said softly, stroking Dove’s blue hair.

But as he spoke, he quietly took a half step back.

"..." Dove followed closely the next moment, not letting Redip leave him.

He's sick, but how can Redip be cured?

Dove just wants Redip to get better.

“It’s an incurable disease.” Redip shook his head helplessly.

“This disease will turn me into a monster, and when I become a monster, I will hurt you.” Redup’s attitude was firm this time, and he pushed Dove away forcefully.

His tone was very serious, and I had to harden my heart.

He was content to have seen the girl one last time.

He was genuinely grateful to Bray.

"No way, there's definitely a way to cure it." The girl's thoughts were really naive and beautiful.

The reality is cruel; there is no chance that Redip could be saved.

Because this is not an illness, but an inevitable fate... You reap what you sow, it's that simple.

"Alright, Dove."

"Don't cry, you'll feel better after a while."

"You are very strong. You can live on even without me by your side." Redip's words sounded like those of someone on their deathbed.

Dove felt increasingly uneasy as she listened, but just as she was about to speak, a gentle force transported her to Bray's side.

"No!" Doffin lunged forward, trying to get back to Redip's side.

It was an invisible wave that safely delivered the girl to someone who could protect her.

But for Doffin, Mr. Bray was a good man, but she wanted Redip.

"..." Seeing Doffin struggling, Redip's gentle expression vanished.

This is the last time; I will never have the chance to see Dove again.

No one would sincerely praise him anymore, this useless person, for being so amazing. "..." Doffin wanted to rush to Redipple, but she was stopped.

Bray stretched out a hand and stood in front of the girl.

“Don’t go over there,” Bray said.

“Yes, don’t come any closer.” Redip looked at Doffin expressionlessly.

He strongly agreed with Bray's action.

If Dove comes back, Redip might do something that threatens her life.

However, seeing that he didn't show any fear, Dove felt somewhat relieved.

He originally thought the girl would be scared when she saw his cracked appearance, but that wasn't the case at all.

Because she cared so much about Redip, the girl didn't even notice the changes in him at first.

The important thing is Redip as a person, not anything else.

However, Dove knew he couldn't break through Bray's defense, so he chose to remain silent.

“Mr. Bray, what do you want to do?” Dove asked softly.

She sensed the subtle tension between Bray and Redip and had a bad feeling.

“I’ve kept my promise,” Bray said, without any particular tone, as if describing something perfectly ordinary.

“I promised Redip that I would help him complete a task a few years ago,” Breton paused, explaining to Doffin.

"It's that simple."

“A commission?” Dove had no idea that there was a commission between Redip and Bray.

Bray didn't answer Doffin, but simply took a few steps forward, closing the distance between himself and Redip.

"You're not going to make it," Bray said bluntly, without any mercy or even a word of comfort.

“It’s been like this since the beginning of the year, and I’ve reached my limit.” Redip’s tone was unusually calm, as if he wasn’t the one who was about to collapse.

“I see.” Bray glanced at the blue markings on Redip’s body. Was this a symbol of Redip’s breakdown?

It's strange, but it's also beautiful.

However, this mysterious beauty is not going to bring anything good.

The collapse of an Aragami can manifest in various ways. It may merge with the armor the wearer is wearing, it may turn into a deformed monster, or it may develop cracks in its body, like Redip.

“…” Bray turned his head and glanced at Dove.

"You promised me that you wouldn't do anything reckless no matter what you saw."

“I remember.” Dove lowered her head, her sense of foreboding growing stronger.

Stand behind me.

"This way, the battle will definitely not affect you."

If Dove simply stepped back a little, she wouldn't be affected by the fighting.

Because both Redip and Bray will be careful not to hurt Dove.

Of course, if Redip completely breaks down halfway through, Bray's burden will become much heavier.

"But you can leave if you want, I won't stop you."

"Battle?" Dove keenly caught the word.

"Why do you want to fight Reddeep, Mr. Bray?"

"Because this is an agreement between us."

“Someone has to kill him before he turns into a monster,” Bray said calmly, stating the cruel agreement.

Do you want to watch someone important to you turn into a monster?

"Let him live as a monster, and then hurt others?"

Dove's mind went blank, as if struck by lightning, and he didn't come to his senses for a long time.

"How could this be..." Dove's pupils suddenly contracted as he looked at Redip in front of him.

Redip was calm, without any fear or surprise.

Bray wasn't lying; it was an agreement between him and Redip.

"If I die, can you take over Dove?" Redip asked Bray after a moment's hesitation.

“I don’t want to do such troublesome things,” Bray refused outright without even thinking about it.

Bray would never do something so troublesome; he already has enough weird things at home.

Moreover, from the moment he decided to draw his sword against Redipple, he was already mentally prepared to be hated by Dove.

It doesn't matter if she hates me, since I'm a "Demon Hunter".

This kind of annoying request can only be left to him.

Bray lacked the confidence to take care of a child who hated him.

"..." Redip did not expect Bray's refusal.

He originally intended to entrust his son to someone else, but it seems that plan has fallen through.

“No one can take your place,” Bray said, slowly drawing the longsword from his waist.

“You must understand, from the moment you disappeared, this child lost a ray of light,” Bray continued, a cold glint flashing in the seabed.

"..." Redip hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Bray was right, but Redip was still worried about the girl living a miserable life alone.

"I can only promise you that I will help you as much as I can."

"But I can't take your place."

“It can never be replaced,” Bray said in a deep voice.

"Even if I raise her, it will be no different from her not existing."

“As long as you can help her, that’s enough,” Redip sighed deeply.

“Yes…that’s enough.” With Bray’s small assurance, Redip seemed to feel a weight lifted from his heart.

Dove hadn't said a word since the beginning; he had just been staring at Redip.

The girl realized one thing: Redip had made up his mind.

She didn't understand why it was Redip who got the "incurable disease," or why Redip had to become a monster.

She had finally found her family, and now they were going to disappear right before her eyes.

She even has to witness all of this.

In fact, Dove could choose to leave at any time, and Bray wouldn't stop her from leaving.

Because Bray also knew that what was about to happen would be cruel for Dove.

However, Dove never considered leaving.

If this is Redip's decision... then she has to accept it.

The girl stood on the ground, no tears streaming from her eyes, silently watching Redip.

She wanted to keep looking at Redip until she could no longer see him.

"Look at her eyes."

Redup then carefully read the girl's perspective.

"Do you understand?" Bray shook his head helplessly.

"She is much stronger than you think."

"..."

“Do you know what she was doing when I found her?” Bray asked.

"How did she...how was she when I wasn't around?"

"It's tough, but I'm working hard all by myself."

"It's heartbreaking."

“But she will continue to live this kind of life.” Bray’s words were icy.

Dove could never be happy without Redup.

"You have to accept it, because there's nothing you can do right now."

“I understand,” Redup said softly as he met Doffin’s gaze.

All the prelude should be over; it's time to get down to business.

“How do we begin?” Redip asked Bray.

The two were talking the whole time, with no hint of fighting. It was hard to imagine how a life-or-death battle could suddenly begin.

“It’s simple,” Bray said expressionlessly, then bent down.

Just fight, it's that simple.

---

P.S.: Working overtime, only one update per day, =A=

The sword slashed out.

However, it was blocked by a thousand waves.

Bray, who had been having a normal conversation, launched an attack on Redip without hesitation.

For Bray, that was enough; continuing the conversation would be pointless.