My youth story cannot be a knight war

He suddenly remembered an example that Baruba had mentioned in the light screen just now.

——"Hundreds of years ago, in order to seek the gods' blessings and obtain a good harvest, people would always carefully select the best tributes for sacrifice...isn't that right?"

...The essence of "Kikiru" is a sacrificial ceremony similar to the ancient people's prayer for rain, and humans are the sacrifices. The Gurongis kill people in order to sacrifice humans and gain greater power.

In all ancient sacrificial ceremonies, regardless of the region or country, there was generally only one human being that could be used for sacrifice.

"The object of the sacrifice is..."

His lips moved unconsciously as Hikigaya murmured in disbelief:

"...God?"

The "gods" that exist in countless human civilizations, countless stories, and myths and legends——

Could it really exist?

34. Dark Prophecy (6K)

"You—are you treating us humans like livestock, to be toyed with as tribute?!"

Kousaka Kyousuke's roar burned with rage like magma, so intense that it felt as if the ears of anyone who heard it were instantly scorched.

The answer Baruba gave was far worse than he had originally expected.

Although he was also angry about Gurongi's killings without knowing the truth, he had seen many similar scenes in his years as a police officer. After all, even humans would kill each other for various reasons, let alone different races.

So, although he hated Gurongi at that time, that was all, and he didn't have any other emotions.

But at this moment, knowing the truth, Kousaka Kyosuke felt as if his sanity was a piece of solid rock that was gradually cracking. A violent and fiery murderous intent shot out from the cracks in his sanity like red light. This answer was simply unbearable for him.

This is no longer simply a matter of slaughter. The actions of these Gurongi are a complete trampling of the humans who died tragically at their hands, a disdain for the dignity of the human race. They never truly consider humans as living beings, not even as living beings, but rather as tools or even toys to be taken and manipulated.

[No wonder they never feel the slightest bit of guilt or remorse for killing people. Would you feel guilty if you accidentally broke a bunch of toys?]

This is Gurongi's true view of humans. Kousaka Kyosuke is also a human, and a police officer whose mission is to protect the citizens. He simply cannot accept that any creature would treat human life with such disregard.

[“…Although it’s a little different, you can understand it this way.”]

Baruba, facing his wrath, showed no sign of abnormality. His expression remained calm, and even his tone seemed nonchalant. This further irritated Kousaka Kyosuke.

His finger on the crossbow trigger was almost about to pull it, intending to fire the fatal arrow directly at Baruba—the force exerted on his index finger caused the trigger to curve downward, almost hitting the bottom.

[But Kousaka Kyosuke's finger finally stopped before he could fully pull the trigger. He used his strong rationality to restrain the surging anger and murderous intent in his heart.]

A faint gleam, like blood, mingled with his turquoise eyes. Kousaka Kyousuke spoke again. Contrary to the fury within him, his voice was like ice in his mouth, and every word seemed enveloped in a chilling white air.

"——What is your purpose in summoning the 'Ultimate Darkness'? What is its true form!?"

This was his last question, and it was a question he had to know, and the answer to it was more important than any other question.

Although he knew the truth about Kikiru, it was not important at all. At most, it would only make Kousaka Kyousuke understand that the policy towards Gurongi needed to be changed from 'total annihilation' to 'kill without mercy'. Other than that, it did not change any facts.

"The Ultimate Darkness" is the core and key to everything. Everything the Gurongi do is for it, and the holding of "Kikiru" is also for it. But now that everything seems to be clear, only the Ultimate Darkness is still shrouded in fog.

This 'ultimate darkness' is like a curse. It never truly appeared, but now it seems to be everywhere, like a whirlpool that draws everything in. No one caught in it has a good ending. From the ancient times to the present, countless corpses have formed this huge altar. Endless blood has branded the altar with a huge and glaring bloody totem, and the murderous intent is as dense and ferocious as gnashing canine teeth.

From the ancient times to the present day, this altar has existed quietly and unknown in the darkness of history. The "Ultimate Darkness" sits high above, awaiting its mad believers to offer sacrifices sufficient to summon it. This process even spans the entirety of human history.

[But everything must come to an end. Kousaka Kyosuke doesn't understand why the ancient Kuuga, who had the ability to annihilate the entire Gurongi race, chose only to seal them. However, this curse that has been left from the ancient times must be completely put to an end in their generation!]

The mystery surrounding the "Ultimate Darkness" must be unravelled. Only by understanding its true nature and what it is can this relentless slaughter be stopped. While each generation has its own mission to fulfill, Kousaka Kyousuke absolutely refuses to leave this damned mess to future generations to resolve, as it was in the ancient past. Enough blood has already been shed.

[The sin and darkness that the ancient Lindos failed to bury will be completely destroyed by them, and this ever-spreading disaster will be stopped.]

[Faced with Kousaka Kyosuke's questioning, Baruba calmly gave a seemingly plausible answer.]

[“Linduo will become like us.”]

[“…I’ll say it again, we are different from you.”]

His mind seemed to be burning in a raging fire as Kousaka Kyosuke spoke word for word, his eyes devoid of any emotion, like the deepest bottom of a frozen lake in winter.

He no longer wanted to waste time talking to Baruba. She had already made her position clear: she wouldn't tell him the truth about the "Ultimate Darkness." So, any further conversation would be meaningless.

[Since there's nothing more to say, there's only one thing they can do, despite their different perspectives.]

[On the battlefield, prisoners must be treated with respect, but against the enemy, only the sword must be drawn.]

"But it can be the same."

Just as Kousaka Kyosuke was about to pull the trigger, Baruba stared into Kousaka Kyosuke's eyes, and the corners of his cold mouth curved into an arc, like a white poppy blooming on an ice field.

"Just like you now, isn't it?"

【“——”】

[His heart felt like it was being struck by an arrow transformed from these words. Kousaka Kyousuke's fingers stopped, along with all the muscles in his body.]

He stared intently at Baruba's half-smiley face, his brain working at an unprecedented speed, replaying everything she had said until he stopped at her last sentence.

【"you--"】

A voice so hoarse it was unfamiliar even to him rang out from his throat. Kousaka Kyousuke stared at Baruba intently and spoke in disbelief.

The crossbow's firing port trembled slightly. Kousaka Kyousuke's arm, which had never trembled even when seriously injured and on the verge of death, now shook uncontrollably, just like the turbulent waves swirling within him.

"You mean... could it be that your true purpose in summoning the 'Ultimate Darkness' is—!?"

"Okay, that's enough talk."

The smile on his face instantly vanished. Baruba turned his head expressionlessly and glanced in a certain direction of the factory, his gaze seemingly penetrating a wall to see the situation on another battlefield.

"That side is almost over, so I should leave now."

Ignoring the shocked Kousaka Kyosuke, Baruba turned and walked behind her, her white skirt rising in a graceful arc like a lotus flower.

[“Don’t use this created armor anymore if you want to live longer.”]

[At the same time, a huge roar sounded outside the factory, bringing Kousaka Kyosuke back to his senses.]

【"--stop!!!"】

After regaining consciousness, Kousaka Kyosuke looked at Baruba as she turned and left, and without hesitation, he aimed his crossbow at her heart and pulled the trigger.

[Now he no longer had any thoughts of capturing the other party and interrogating him. Kousaka Kyosuke was very clear that no matter what the cost, he would not let Baruba leave here alive. Otherwise, no one would be able to bear the consequences!]

[This time, even if it means risking my life, I will keep Baruba here!]

The turquoise wind element swirled and converged, transforming into a transparent arrow that shot out. In less than a second, it crossed the thirty-meter distance between the two and struck Baruba in the back.

The next moment, red blood spurted out from Baruba's chest. From the side, it looked like a large red rose blooming on the pure white ground, a breathtaking beauty.

[Patter. 】

The string of white pearls dangling from Baruba's neck was knocked away by the gushing blood, shattering against the wall. Each pearl fell like scattered raindrops onto the mottled ground, their crisp sound like the white keys of a piano, a beautiful yet dangerous melody.

Baruba's body swayed a few times, and she took a few unsteady steps forward. The blood flowing from her chest stained her dress and even the ground beneath her feet.

[“…Rindo, you’ve really changed completely.”]

A crimson totem representing the wind appeared on Baruba's white back. She lowered her head, her white-gloved fingers caressing the bleeding wound on her chest. Her bangs obscured the upper half of her face.

【“——!”】

[Amid Baruba's calm voice and Kousaka Kyosuke's vigilance, the totem on her back gradually disappeared, and her originally pure white skin reappeared.]

Baruba stood up and turned to face Kousaka Kyousuke. His cold, handsome face was expressionless. His delicate features looked like a mask carved from ice, each curve radiating coldness.

"Linduo is no longer the same Linduo it once was. Even KUUGA is the same, and of course, the same goes for us."

"You can't kill me with this kind of attack."

[“Tsk!”]

The fact that the attack had no effect was within Kousaka Kyosuke's expectations. Although the police had no record of Baruba attacking him, given her exceptional status among the Gurongi, Kousaka Kyosuke knew she was definitely not as weak as her human form appeared. The possibility of killing her with a mere probing attack was extremely small.

Without hesitation, he stretched out his left hand and pulled out the crystal card from the card holder again, swiping it towards the brush slot on his belt.

【『Exceed charge』】

【Di-】

As the belt read, the "Wind" totem on the central black display screen glowed with intense light. Green energy flowed from the belt, using the green stripes across the body as a channel, toward the green pearls embedded in the armor of Kousaka Kyousuke's right hand, where he held the bow. It transformed into green light, which emanated from the pearls and continuously flowed into the pearl embedded in the center of the crossbow.

The excess energy even overflowed, transforming into a blue whirlwind that rose from Kousaka Kyousuke's feet, blowing Baruba's hair up. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at Kousaka Kyousuke standing in the center of the whirlwind.

The wound on his chest healed at a speed visible to the naked eye, Baruba said thoughtfully.

"Since even you have evolved to this point, it seems..."

"It won't be long before KUUGA is possessed by Daguba."

[Kousaka Kyosuke, who was preparing to attack, was stunned when he heard the name "KUUGA", and then his attention was drawn to the second name in her words.]

[Daguba? Could it be referring to——]

"You don't need to know that."

A calm voice came from my ears, so close that I could even feel the warm breeze that accompanied the words.

[But Kousaka Kyosuke felt as if his heart had frozen in an instant. An endless chill spread rapidly from his stopped heart to his entire body, and his body was as stiff as if he were in the freezing cold of Hokkaido.]

[——At some point, Baruba's figure disappeared from the front, but he didn't notice it at all even though he was standing right in front of him.]

An unprecedented wave of shock washed over Kousaka Kyousuke's trembling heart. Using the green crystal card to transform, he possessed perception comparable to Zaimokuza's green form, Kuuga, but he hadn't even noticed Baruba's movement just now!?

【“!!!”】

The ever-changing battlefield left no room for unnecessary thought. Kousaka Kyousuke, guided by the sense of crisis cultivated through long battles, quickly turned, his crossbow in hand slashing a perfect semicircle, aimed behind him, and immediately pulled the trigger!

[As he pulled the trigger, Baruba's words reached his ears again.]

[“—Anyway, you’re no longer Daguba’s target.”]

A cyan arrow shot up into the sky, blowing the factory roof off. The shattered debris was shattered in the violent whirlwind, scattering around the factory. It tore a path through the surrounding smoke and dust, and the sudden pouring of sunlight illuminated the scene inside the factory.

"elder brother!!!"

A scream of fear rang out in the infirmary. Kousaka Kirino covered her mouth tightly with both hands, tears streaming from the corners of her eyes, which were widened with fear.

At the Kosaka family, Kosaka Daisuke held his wife, who was also screaming in shock, tightly in one hand, and continued to watch the scene on the screen with a calm expression.

But as he gripped his knee, veins like snakes began to bulge out from the back of his right palm, and the nails of his five fingers were almost white from exerting so much force.

"... Kyousuke."

[Patter. 】

[The G1 Pegasus form's exclusive weapon, the Pegasus Extreme Flying Bow, fell to the ground. The fingers gripping the bow handle loosened, and the bow transformed into black mist and dissipated from the palm of his hand.]

Only his open palm remained in place, and the armor covering it disappeared as it twisted, returning him to his original appearance in a black suit.

[“…Gu.”]

Bright blood soaked the black soles of his feet. Kousaka Kyosuke stared intently at the hideous, devilish face before him. The mouth opened and closed, as if it wanted to say something.

【『end』】

The blood-soaked G1 belt around his waist made a mechanical sound, and then the armor covering his entire body gradually dissipated, revealing Kousaka Kyousuke's true appearance. His face was as pale as paper, and his pupils shrank to the size of needles, trembling violently.

He slowly lowered his head, his gaze shifting from the demonic face before him to his own chest. He saw a white arm piercing his chest from the middle, with five sharp, blood-stained fingers protruding from behind, as ferocious as a dagger.

His right shoulder was flat, and his original right arm was lying on the ground more than ten meters away, blood gushing out from the wound like a fountain.

[He had no idea what was happening and was completely robbed of his fighting power in an instant.]

【Puff.】

Baruba pulled his arm out, and a huge amount of blood gushed out from the hole that pierced Kousaka Kyousuke's chest, like a broken faucet.

【"puff……"】

Kousaka Kyosuke felt all his strength rapidly drain away along with the blood flowing from his chest. He stumbled back a few steps, blood mixed with organ fragments spurting out of his mouth.

He used his last bit of strength to prop himself up and looked up at Baruba, who had returned to his original form. He then fell powerlessly to his knees on the ground stained red by his own blood. His upper body swayed a few times before he fell forward.

Blood began to spread from beneath Kousaka Kyosuke's fallen body, quickly forming a pool centered around him, completely soaking him in it.

This bloody scene also shocked the people outside the light curtain, not only because of the difference in strength between the two, but also because of the miserable condition of "Kousaka Kyosuke" at this time.

"Mr. Kosaka!"