kscans

Chapter 64 - The Wet Doll and the Marionette

The downpour hammered the earth.

In the muddy ground, where blood and dirt mixed and the heavy rain clouded even their vision, the clash between Mamoru and Hero Ares had begun.

Even the sound of their swords crossing was drowned out by the thunder. Amidst it all, Tiris watched from a distance. But her eyes were fearful, wavering as if torn by something.

"...Mamoru... don't lose..."

Ares, wearing a mad smile, was enjoying himself.

"What's this... I thought you could do better... This is our fated showdown? Don't make me laugh..."

Mamoru desperately endured. He piled on defense after defense, trying to find an opening, but there were no gaps in Ares's movements.

"You're soft... Your resolve is too damn soft!!"

One, two heavy sword strikes. And then a heavy kick pierced his stomach. Mamoru's face plunged into the mud, and he couldn't move.

Watching this, the doll princess, Mel Aria, suddenly appeared beside Tiris.

"...Say, that Mamoru is the Dark Elf's 'beloved,' isn't he?"

From her fingertips, puppet strings extended, trying to entangle Tiris.

"What... stop it!!"

Tiris struggled. But the strings slowly seeped into her consciousness.

"You don't smile, do you. You can't smile because you're not broken. Once your heart breaks, you can smile..."

Ares received Mel Aria's words with amusement.

"Haha, that's right! Well then... little miss rare character, why don't you try finishing Mamoru off?"

A sword of light was presented before Tiris.

Tiris's hand trembled minutely.

Mamoru desperately shouted.

"Stop it... Tiris... You wouldn't... do something like that...!"

A tear fell from her eye.

"...Mamoru... I... I..."

With trembling steps, one by one, she drew closer.

Her expression was filled with agony.

And behind her, Koni-chan and Amy, while desperately fighting the dolls, shouted to Tiris.

"Tiris, wake up!"

"You're not that kind of person!!"

The next moment.

Pachin.

A single string snapped with a sound. Something ran through Tiris's heart.

The Dark Elf Tiris, having become a marionette, stood before Mamoru in the downpour. She raised the sword of light high.

"Stop, Tiris! Shake off Aria's puppet strings!"

In the heavy rain, thunder roared.

As Mamoru screamed desperately, Tiris swung the sword of light down at him.