Before reaching this place, Uchiha Sasuke had arrived at Nyra's location first. His battle against the assassin was intense and suffocating, every movement filled with killing intent. Unfortunately, a single, tiny opening proved fatal. He let his guard down for an instant and was struck by a paralysis poison that attacked his nerves directly. His body briefly lost all response. If he had been late by even a few more seconds, that woman would have certainly died at the assassin's hands.
After eliminating one opponent, he immediately moved toward the nearest point. There, Vaelor was also in dire condition due to accumulated exhaustion. His enemy exploited superior speed and attacks that came at unpredictable moments, forcing the man to defend continuously as his focus was slowly worn away.
However, unlike what happened with Nyra, Sasuke did not immediately step in to save Vaelor when he stood at the edge of danger. He chose to offer only minimal assistance, just enough to create an opening so Vaelor could finish matters with his own opponent.
****
"Forget it. Do whatever you want."
Elisvaria watched the man as he drew closer. Unconsciously, her memories were dragged back to the early days, long before she inherited her father's throne. Four years before her mother's death.
Why is this memory surfacing now.
At the time, she was only ten years old. She sat in the castle's flower garden with her mother. Light laughter and simple teasing brought a bright smile to her face, innocent and unburdened.
"Mother, when I grow up, Vara wants to be like you, beautiful and elegant. I also want to help Father."
"Vara, Mother only wants you to grow up well. Do not forget to eat regularly, get enough rest, and play. To Mother, your health is far more important."
"But Mother, Vara wants to become a daughter Father and Mother can be proud of. Beautiful, smart, and strong."
The woman smiled. Her smile was gentle, warm, and soothing.
"Even now, Mother's daughter is already smart, beautiful, and strong. You only need to promise Mother one thing."
"What promise, Mother?"
The woman let out a soft breath, her fingers stroking her daughter's hair with affection.
"Promise Mother that you will not despair or give up in the future, no matter what happens. If there is a problem that feels too heavy, tell your father and mother. Do not carry everything alone."
"I promise, Mother."
Crack.
The memory slowly collapsed and was replaced by another scene. She was fourteen then, the day after her mother's death.
She lay in her private chamber. The room was pitch black, not a trace of light within. The silence pressed down on her, as if the walls themselves were stifling her breath.
A knock sounded on the door, followed by a man's voice from outside.
"Vara, it's Father. Open the door."
"I want to be alone, Father."
There was no response after that. Silence reclaimed the dark room.
Hic… hic…
"Mother… I miss you."
"Mother promised she wouldn't leave me. Then why did you go, Mother. I miss you so much."
"Vara promised to grow into a beautiful, smart, and strong daughter. But Mother is gone. Then what about my promise, Mother."
Hic…
"Father doesn't care about me anymore. Since Mother fell ill, Father became cold and distant from Vara. I never told Mother because I was afraid she would worry and get angry at Father."
"But now Mother has left me. There's no one who loves Vara anymore."
"Mother…"
The girl clutched the blanket and curled up. Her sobs repeated again and again, echoing faintly within the dark chamber.
Crack.
The memory shifted once more, several years later. The day her father decided to step down from the throne.
Inside the duke's study, a sturdy wooden desk was covered with stacks of documents, books, maps, and various essential tools. Shelves lined the sides of the room, neatly arranged and filled with old archives and records. A large window stood directly behind the duke, who sat in a wooden chair with an imposing, unique design.
The duke looked at his daughter. Their eye color was the same, yet the duke's golden blond hair stood in stark contrast to his daughter's silver-white hair.
"In two months, you will inherit my position. Prepare yourself soon."
"Father, that's too fast. I'm not ready. The council factions and the nobles will surely exploit this opening. I don't want to trouble you, let alone become a successor who brings division to the northern territories."
"There is no need to worry. Father has planned this for a long time."
The duke stood and walked toward the window, turning his back to his daughter.
"You are my only child. Father is worried he won't be able to protect you much longer. The capital is in turmoil over the struggle for the throne. They want Father to intervene and choose a side, but that is impossible. Our family has always maintained neutrality while governing the northern lands."
The duke turned back to face her.
"Your mother's death is connected to them. It was a threat directed at Father. I'm sorry I'm only telling you this now, and I'm sorry I failed to protect your mother."
"M… Mother…"
Tears fell down Elisvaria's cheeks. The truth struck her without mercy. Anger was clear on her face, mixed with a powerful urge for revenge.
The duke caught that expression. He stepped forward and embraced his daughter.
"With your position as ruler of the north, you can protect yourself. You have the strength and the time to choose your own path. Father will not forbid you if you seek revenge, but prioritize your safety and your health."
"Father promised your mother to protect you. But Father no longer has the right to decide the future you choose. Father failed to protect your mother, and Father knows this burden is far too heavy for you. I'm sorry."
Hic…
Sobs filled the silent study. She poured everything out, her anger, her resentment, and the longing she had suppressed all this time.
She was furious over what happened to her mother, frustrated that the truth had been hidden for so long, and aching for someone who would never return.
"Father… why didn't you tell me everything from the beginning. Why."
Crack.
The memory shattered again, fractures spreading like a spiderweb, before her thoughts leaped even further back, to a time before her mother's death.
Inside a luxurious and beautiful bedroom, the walls dominated by shades of blue, a mother and child laughed together atop a soft bed, the world feeling simple and warm.
"Vara."
"Yes, Mother."
"I love you, my daughter."
The child smiled and replied with heartfelt warmth.
"Vara loves you too, Mo—"
Crack.
Clang! The sharp collision of swords dragged her back to reality. The consciousness submerged in memories was shattered by the sound of clashing metal.
****
"Who are you?"
Elisvaria heard the question. She sensed someone's presence at her side and slowly turned her head.
Buk! A powerful kick slammed into the man's chest. The figure beside her had already moved first, unleashing a heavy blow that sent the enemy's body flying far ahead.
She stared sharply at the one who had just acted.
Who is he.
Why is he helping me.
Her lips trembled. The words finally left her mouth, restrained yet clear.
"Who are you? I don't know you, but you helped me. Thank you."
The man turned his head. His right eye was blood red, a distinct pattern clearly visible within it. Elisvaria was momentarily startled.
That eye color is similar to mine, but his has circular patterns and three black tomoe arranged symmetrically around the red.
"I'm just passing through."
The answer was short. The man ignored the woman behind him and turned his gaze back to the man he had just kicked, then briefly glanced at the mage still hovering in the air.
"Once again, thank you."
"Move farther back. I hate troublesome people."
"You…"
Elisvaria felt irritated. Her expression of gratitude was dismissed just like that. In her entire life, this was the first time she had received such treatment. As the highest-ranking noble of the northern territories, words of thanks from a Duke were rare and highly valued.
Forget it. He's right. I'll only get in his way.
She retreated slowly, her steps unsteady.
From the air, Luke looked down. He had not sensed the man's approach at all. That figure had appeared beside the woman out of nowhere, almost like a ghost. The speed at which he moved from her side to his companion defied all reason.
Teleportation? But there's no trace of magic.
It was as if he simply shifted positions. One blink, and he was somewhere else.
A high-level movement technique?
Luke's gaze shifted to his companion and mission leader. Doubt began to grow. Eliminating Duke Velmora now felt far more difficult than their initial calculations, but he still needed to hear the leader's decision.
"What now?"
"Retreat."
Short. As expected.
Pain.
His chest throbbed intensely from the earlier kick. He could feel cracks in his breastbone and ribs.
This man is strong. I can't sense any aura from him at all. Continuing this fight is pointless.
"Damn it."
The curse slipped out quietly. A mission that was nearly complete had failed because of an unexpected variable outside their plan. The reinforcements that should have arrived were senior knights of Duke Velmora, not an unknown man with no record whatsoever.
Luke caught the frustration in his leader's state. He descended slowly from the air, his mind filled with vigilance against a sudden attack. A fire spell was ready to be unleashed at any moment.
Seeing that, Uchiha Sasuke did not remain idle. He wanted to test the limits of mages and fighters in this magical world. For Sasuke, who had grown up in a modern life, a ninja was the ultimate combatant.
Knights, mages, archers, even divine power. A ninja could do all of it. Naruto and himself were living proof. They were not bound to a single path, never monotonous in battle.
He raised his hand, pointing toward the mage.
Banshō Ten'in.
In midair, Luke's body suddenly went rigid. He froze before reaching his companion.
"What! I can't control my body."
"Hey, don't joke around."
Before he could react any further, his body was forcibly pulled toward the black-haired man. His eyes widened. He felt his body completely fall under another's control.
No trace of magic. No mana. No aura.
Damn it.
Without hesitation, he released the spell he had already prepared.
Seven-Star Spell
Ignis Astrum Ruina
A unique magic circle pattern appeared before him. In a fraction of a second, a massive, scorching fireball several meters in diameter shot toward Sasuke, even as his body continued to be dragged forward.
"So that's it."
Sasuke murmured briefly and canceled his jutsu. He could have let it continue, but he had a different plan.
His fingers formed a one-handed seal.
Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu.
A massive fireball of comparable size surged forward.
PSSSSSTTT!
The snow along its path evaporated instantly. The sound was sharp, like red-hot iron plunged into icy water.
The two fireballs collided.
Boom!
A tremendous explosion erupted at the point of impact. Snow within a radius of dozens of meters vanished instantly. The air seemed to tear apart as shockwaves spread in every direction.
A cloud of hot steam followed, obscuring all vision.
Danger. I need to get into the air.
But—
Whoosh!
A brief rush of wind sounded.
"Hah.."
Luke was startled and stepped back. The man was already standing right in front of him.
A heavy blow landed beneath his chin.
DUG!
A dull, heavy sound echoed. His head snapped back as his body lifted against gravity.
"Agrkhh…"
I need a defensive spell.
But a silhouette appeared directly above him, shattering that intention.
Sasuke's foot came down.
BUK!
A crushing impact slammed into his chest. Luke's body crashed into the ground where the snow had already evaporated. A heavy thud followed, blood spraying from his lips.
Wsshh!
The air split.
A black rod shot down from above, piercing straight into the flow of mana within his body.
"Argkhhh!"
A piercing scream echoed through the snowy forest. Everything happened so fast that the hot mist had yet to dissipate.
The swordsman only heard the scream from afar. He did not know what had happened beyond the steam, but he was certain of one thing.
That scream belonged to his companion.