Chapter 200 - Chapter 7
After running through the city streets, Ritz finally made it to a narrow alleyway, where he collapsed, panting heavily. At first, he had carried Anna, who was paralyzed by shock, but once she calmed down, they both ran as fast as they could. With her upbringing in the mountains, Anna was much faster. They had zigzagged through countless alleys and streets, turning the city into a labyrinth, and now he had no idea where they were.
The only thing he knew for sure was that to reach the center of the city, where the temple was, they would have to pass through a gate beyond the human residential area. It seemed that in this country, there was a clear separation between humans and other races, perhaps to avoid conflicts.
Whether this was a good thing or a bad thing, Ritz couldn't say, being a foreigner.
"How did they find us?"
After catching his breath, Ritz muttered the question. Anna, who had been sitting on the ground and catching her breath, looked up and nodded.
"I don't know. This time, it's definitely not my fault."
Ritz found Anna's earnest defense amusing and patted her head gently.
"I know, I know."
"Hey, you're treating me like a piece of fruit or something!"
"Do you feel like fruit? I thought I was being more gentle than that."
"That's awful, even worse than fruit!"
Ritz couldn't help but smile at the pouting, adorable Anna. Her cheeks puffed out in a way that made him want to laugh.
"If you weren't so hungry, you'd be better off."
"...R-Really?"
Anna's embarrassed blush was endearing. Ritz had learned a few things during their journey from Tashkur to Suien. One was that Anna couldn't read between the lines, so he had to be as honest as possible to avoid misunderstandings. He no longer expected her to understand complex hints or difficult words.
Another lesson was that he shouldn't dismiss all of Anna's behavior. He had tried to avoid getting his hopes up about her affection, reminding himself that her candid emotions were those of a child. But now, he considered her feelings more seriously and didn't dismiss them as easily.
Feeling freer to express his own emotions, Ritz found that Anna seemed to have a growing fondness for him, though it might take time. This made it easier to be relaxed and even more affectionate with her.
It would be even happier if they weren't being chased.
"Yeah, I'm pretty hungry too."
Anna's matter-of-fact response, free of the previous embarrassment, made Ritz chuckle. True to form, Anna was more concerned about food than anything else.
Just then, a burning sensation spread across his face, and he groaned. Touching his face, he realized it was quite hot. Without a mirror, he couldn't see the extent of the damage, but it must be bad.
"What's wrong with my face?"
Anna's expression turned serious as she knelt and examined him closely.
"It looks like a burn."
"Is it that bad?"
"Not too bad, I don't think."
"Are you sure? It's not patchy or anything?"
Ritz wasn't particularly vain, but a patchy face would be pretty disturbing. It would make blending in with the crowd impossible. Despite his serious tone, Anna laughed.
"For a moment, I imagined you looking like a pug."
"Hey, that's not funny."
Anna, still giggling, made a playful suggestion.
"Sorry. There doesn't seem to be anyone around. Want me to heal it?"
"Please."
"If it's patchy afterward, don't blame me."
"What?!"
"Well, if the red parts don't fade evenly, it could look patchy."
"That would be a problem, but it's better than this face, right?"
"Yeah, that's true."
"Besides, you're being pretty harsh, honestly."
Despite her words, the burning sensation was unbearable.
"I'll heal it quickly."
Anna sat in front of him and extended her hands, which felt cool and clear, unlike their usual warmth. Her serious expression as she focused on him made Ritz smile. Suddenly, she pouted.
"Can you close your eyes, please?"
"Huh? Why?"
"Because I can't do anything with your eyes open. It's just... hard, you know?"
Ritz couldn't help but smile at Anna's embarrassed expression. She didn't realize how cute she looked when she was flustered.
"Why are you laughing?"
"No reason, really."
Anna's cheeks puffed out even more as Ritz smiled and closed his eyes. Immediately, her hands covered his eyes, and the heat started to dissipate. As Anna had said, his eyelids were swollen, something he hadn't noticed because of the overall pain.
Enjoying the sensation of Anna's hands, Ritz felt her giggle.
"What?"
"This is the third time I've healed your face burns."
"That's true..."
The first time was when Franz burned him in Reuf's village to pretend he was a spirit user. The second time was when he was burned while helping Franz and Constanze in the fire country of Roshozu.
"Come to think of it, every time except this one, it was Franz's fault, right?"
"Yeah, you're right."
Ritz sighed as Anna laughed.
"Hey, that's not funny."
Opening his eyes, Ritz found Anna's face inches away, smiling. The sudden closeness left him speechless, and Anna's eyes widened in surprise.
Being so close, it was impossible not to remember the single kiss they shared at the cliff in Suien. Anna seemed just as affected, unable to look away.
As Ritz leaned in slightly, Anna's eyes glistened, and her lips parted. If he kissed her now, what would happen? Would she be angry, or would she accept it?
Unconsciously, Ritz touched Anna's cheek and stroked it gently. She blinked, and the next moment, her face turned bright red. Coming to her senses, she jumped back as if pushed away.
"Sorry, I just..."
"N-No, it's okay."
Anna crashed into the opposite wall and frantically waved her hands. Her panic was so endearing that Ritz couldn't help but laugh.
"Don't freak out. I won't do anything. I promised, remember?"
"I-I'm not freaking out!"
"Then come here."
"Okay."
Anna, her face still red, cautiously approached. Ritz pulled her into his arms and kissed her cheek.
"Thanks to you, I'm saved."
Smiling, Ritz felt Anna look up at him with a pout, her face still red.
"You're so unfair, Ritz."
"What do you mean?"
"Because you're an adult, you can just do things like this smoothly."
"Well, I have lived for over a hundred and fifty years."
But in truth, he was always incredibly nervous around Anna, a fact he couldn't admit even if his mouth were torn apart.
"When I grow up, I'll be just as smooth and cool."
"I look forward to it."
"You don't believe me!"
"I do, I really do."
"You're teasing me again!"
Ritz held the struggling Anna tightly. If they could live like this, he would be content, feeling the happiness of their situation deeply. It would be like heaven if they weren't being chased.
"Anna."
Calling her name gently, Ritz saw Anna look up, still thinking he was teasing her. He smiled softly at her.
"Thank you."
Anna's face turned even redder as she stammered a response.
"It's just my duty to heal injured people."
"I know. Thank you anyway."
"Okay..."
Despite her embarrassment, Anna's bright smile filled Ritz with warmth. But that feeling was shattered in the next moment.
"So, are you done with your goodbyes?"
A voice interrupted, and Ritz tightened his grip on Anna, turning to see a figure walking calmly down the alley.
The familiar, quiet, and cold voice...
"Kuchiba..."
Anna, in his arms, tensed and glared at Kuchiba.
"What are you doing here?"
Kuchiba shrugged as if the question was ridiculous.
"In my country, that's a foolish question. I'm here to do what I must."
Kuchiba took a step closer, and Anna's grip on Ritz's arm tightened painfully. The mix of tension and anger was palpable.
"What do you mean by 'goodbyes'?"
Kuchiba stopped and bowed respectfully.
"Exactly what it means, Princess. I have come to escort you."
"Escort me?!"
Ritz's voice rose in alarm, and he couldn't find the words to continue. Anna, still in his arms, whispered in shock.
"...What are you talking about...?"
Anna's grip tightened even more, a mix of confusion and anger evident.
"Let us go to our god together. Our god is waiting for you."
"Why should I go to your god? It has nothing to do with me!"
Anna's voice trembled as she shouted, and Kuchiba smiled calmly.
"Our god is the Omniscient God who protects all the higher races on this continent. Aren't you his daughter?"
Ritz felt Anna stiffen in his arms. He was at a loss for words, staring at Kuchiba in disbelief. The idea that Anna, thought to be the child of some mixed race in an orphanage, was the daughter of a god worshipped by the Clan of Darkness was absurd. If she were a god's daughter, why wasn't she with the god? Why was she in an orphanage?
"I'm from an orphanage. I can't be your god's daughter!"
Anna's denial was almost a scream, echoing in the narrow alley. Kuchiba's calm, matter-of-fact response was a stark contrast.
"Your existence was unknown until recently. I only learned about it after you began your journey to our god."
"That's ridiculous!"
"It's not. I don't understand the mind of our god, but he must have had a deeper purpose. That's not for me to question. Only our god knows his intentions. I am merely following his orders."
Kuchiba smiled, a cold, cruel smile, and extended his hand.
"Come, Princess. If you want answers, you must ask our god yourself."
Kuchiba's smile was more mocking than kind.
"I have been ordered to bring you back to our god. You must return to the land of our god."
"No!"
"Princess, don't be so stubborn."
Kuchiba folded his arms slowly, as if dealing with a difficult child, but with a hidden amusement. Ritz glanced around, wondering if there was a trap. Anna, still in his arms, stood up unsteadily. Ritz grabbed her arm, and she looked at him with a tearful smile before turning back to Kuchiba.
"I'll reach you with my friends. Your god has no right to stop us!"
Anna's small frame shook as she shouted, but Kuchiba's smile only grew colder and more mocking.
"That's impossible."
"It's not!"
"No, it is. Your friends alone cannot reach us."
Ritz stood behind Anna, gently hugging her to calm her. She shook her head, still emotional. Kuchiba looked at Ritz with a condescending smile.
"After all, your protector is a failure, an old soldier, and an inexperienced spirit user. It's a miracle you've come this far."
"Why do you say that?"
"Why else? What other way is there to evaluate them?"
"You!"
Ritz shouted in anger, but Anna held him back. Perhaps she believed she was the only one who could stand up to Kuchiba. Kuchiba did seem to be speaking honestly, though with a mocking tone, only to Anna.
There were many things Ritz wanted to say to Kuchiba, but with Anna holding him back, he had to remain silent.
"I'm with my friends. We will reach you, and you can tell your god to wait."
Anna's voice was controlled, and Kuchiba's mocking smile grew wider.
"You have a lot of faith in your friends, Princess."
"Of course I do!"
"That's why you must return. The more you resist, the more you need to come back."
"Why? You said to wait at the holy site! Why are you suddenly taking me?"
"The situation has changed."
"What situation?"
"At first, we were forbidden from harming those who possess the Eye of the Spirit King. That is no longer the case."
Kuchiba looked up, his dark brown eyes, similar to Ritz's, gleaming with a cold, triumphant light. He smiled down at Ritz.
"I can finally eliminate the annoying failure who shares my blood."
Ritz frowned, feeling a deep-seated dislike from Kuchiba. Was he hated, or even despised? Kuchiba's usual unreadable, cruel smile appeared.
"What do you mean?"
Anna's voice was shaky, but she seemed to understand the gravity of the situation. Fear compelled her to ask.
"The failure and the other two have been given permission to be eliminated."
"Eliminated...?"
"Yes. They are no longer needed. They won't even be able to enter the city. If they do, they will be hunted by our clan. Even if we don't kill them, the wolves will. There is no way to save them. That's why our god has ordered me to bring you back to protect you."
Kuchiba stopped a few steps away.
"You must not be harmed. You are the daughter of our god."
With that, Kuchiba pulled out a flute from his robes and blew it loudly. The sound spread through the city like a wind.
Ritz held the trembling Anna and glared at Kuchiba.
"I won't let you take Anna."
"Oh? What will you do, failure?"
"We will reach you, and you won't command us."
"...I see..."
Kuchiba narrowed his eyes.
"That's impossible."
As he spoke, a massive darkness formed in Kuchiba's hand.
"Let's see how long you last this time, failure."
Ritz recognized the darkness from Suien. Was it the same swarm of snakes? Just as he thought this, Anna pushed him away, shouting.
"It won't go your way!"
As Ritz stumbled, Anna raised her hands and shouted.
"Blow away the malice! Water Vortex!"
A massive sphere of water formed from her hands, spinning violently and spraying water as it shot toward Kuchiba. But Kuchiba, still holding the darkness, effortlessly leaped into the air and landed on the roof.
"Impressive, Princess. Your power has grown since last time."
"Come down!"
Anna shouted and launched another water sphere. It destroyed the roof where Kuchiba had been standing, sending water spraying into the air.
"Did it hit?"
Ritz shook his head.
"No, he jumped away."
Ritz gritted his teeth. If Kuchiba stayed on the rooftops, there was no way to reach him. Climbing up would take too long, and Kuchiba could easily move from roof to roof.
If only he could catch him when he landed...
But Kuchiba's movements, using both the Wind Spirit and his natural agility, were unpredictable.
"Damn it! What do we do...?"
Just then, Ritz sensed a presence behind him. Turning, he saw several Giants and Goblins approaching. More were likely coming from the other end of the alley.
"Damn it!"
Kuchiba's flute had summoned them.
Ritz, usually quick to notice such things, had been distracted by Kuchiba's taunts. Confronting Kuchiba had been a terrible mistake. He should have carried Anna and run as soon as he saw Kuchiba.
"You shouldn't be distracted."
Before Ritz could react, darkness enveloped his vision. He couldn't see or move, and he fell to his knees.
"Kuchiba!"
The darkness was suffocating, and he could barely keep his wits about him. He knew he was vulnerable to the Darkness Spirit, especially since he carried both light and darkness in his heart.
"Anna, get up, please! Don't die!"
Anna's desperate cries echoed in his ears. Kuchiba's mocking voice overlapped with hers.
"There's no point, Princess. This man lacks the will to live."
Anna's voice cut through the darkness.
"No, that's not true! Ritz will keep his promise to me! He won't leave me behind!"
Ritz felt a glimmer of hope. He couldn't die here. He had to live, for Anna.
The darkness seemed to recede slightly. Ritz's mind cleared, and he remembered a time when he had woken himself up from near death by pain. He needed to do the same now.
Feeling around in his inner pocket, he found a knife. He couldn't see, but he could feel the handle. He pulled it out and slashed his cheek.
"Ah!"
The sharp pain brought him back to consciousness. The world came into focus, and he saw the Giants and Goblins closing in. They were almost upon him.
He was in a dire situation, but it wasn't too late.
"Damn it... Kuchiba..."
His mind was still a bit foggy, but he could fight. The pain in his cheek grew, and the blood trickled down his neck, grounding him in reality.
"After all Anna did to heal me..."
He drew his greatsword and stood, facing the approaching Giants.
"Sorry, Anna. I have to break our promise."
He whispered to himself.
"I can't die here!"
With his greatsword in both hands, Ritz charged into the crowd of Giants. Blood splattered as he cut through them, determined to survive and find Anna again.