Chapter 137: Second Young Lady, I'm Going to Feed!
"Second Young Lady, could you cooperate a bit and let me get killed by the Grand Architect?"
"How can you open with such thunderous words the moment you speak!"
Carlotta exclaimed loudly, even as the Heterogeneous Armament beside her accelerated its rate of fire, hoping someone over there could wait for Aeron a little longer—please, don't run away.
This was clearly not the time for such talk, yet this guy dared to say something like that to her. Carlotta was practically fuming.
She took a sudden step forward, reaching out to grab Aeron by the collar, but stopped just before her fingers could touch him, clenching her hand into a tight fist that hung limply at her sides.
"...What's the reason this time?"
"Just as you said before, using an extraordinary method to escape."
"Why?! Even though Rover and the others are here... together we could always—"
"But you can see it too, right? That Grand Architect isn't going all out."
Hearing Aeron's words, Carlotta fell silent, her gaze shifting to the center of the fierce battle.
"Threnodian's Resonator, you've succeeded even more than we imagined."
"—Shut up!"
A sharp sword aura slashed toward "Kharon," followed by crimson cracks flashing through space. The immense frequency that surged forth, combined with The World stepping forward, ultimately blocked it.
But Rover had already arrived behind him, sword in hand.
"I thought you'd ask me what my goal is... How does it feel when the one you're protecting desperately wants to die?"
"His affairs... are not for you to judge."
The Holy Sword pierced "Kharon's" body, frequencies flowing from the wound, yet his posture showed no sign of injury whatsoever.
This was the current state of the battlefield.
"Kharon" had been at a disadvantage from the start, but whether it was The World or himself, facing the fierce assaults of Rover and Fleurdelys, he maintained an utterly composed demeanor.
Carlotta turned to look at Aeron, gazing into his eyes that reflected her own image, trying to find a trace of jest, a hint of hesitation, or even a flicker of that instinctive human fear of annihilation.
She found none.
Only a chill spread through her entire body, freezing her limbs stiff, even her anger delayed by half a beat.
"Mr. Aeron..."
Even Roccia, who had been silently protected by Carlotta's side, now wore a worried expression. Pero beside her peeked out slightly, locking eyes with Aeron, poised and ready.
Seeing Roccia's expression, Aeron truly felt a pang of reluctance.
But remembering this was for her own good, his resolve hardened once more.
"Carlotta, listen to me—"
"No."
Just uttering those two words, Carlotta's voice trembled uncontrollably.
"At least let me finish—"
"I said no!"
Carlotta's voice suddenly sharpened, drowning out the hum of a nearby Heterogeneous Armament.
Her chest heaved violently, the calm facade she had barely maintained finally cracking. "I won't listen! I don't want reasons! And I definitely won't cooperate with you to..."
'...Die!'
That word burned her tongue; she couldn't bring herself to say it.
She had so much she wanted to say—reasons to stop him, threats to dissuade him, and many, many more—but all of it remained stuck in her throat, unable to be spoken.
"I don't want to watch you die."
In the end, everything was reduced to just that one sentence.
Aeron looked at her slightly reddened eyes and the expression that seemed on the verge of tears—no, she was already crying—and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.
He had originally considered Carlotta to be the only one present who might cooperate with him, but her reaction turned out to be far stronger than he had anticipated.
Aeron sighed. It seemed grand reasons wouldn't be enough to persuade her.
In the already limited time, this brief silence felt even more suffocating.
"Carlotta, you saw it too. Even without that golden phantom, the Grand Architect's strength isn't something to be easily matched."
"Today, with Rover, Fleurdelys, and all of you, we might be able to force him back."
"But what about the next time, or the time after that? If he gets serious, if he comes after me without holding back, or... if he forces my hand through one of you, what should I do then?"
"I don't like the feeling of this 'unknown' hanging over my head, especially when it's clearly aimed at me. And I hate even more that, because of me, this 'unknown' danger is brought to your side."
Though he still kept many things hidden, these were Aeron's truest thoughts.
After hearing his words, Carlotta clenched her hands even tighter.
This was just like him—wrapping the most insane things in the calmest, most considerate logic, making you feel like you were standing at the edge of a cliff yet unable to find the strength to argue against him pushing you over.
"But... I'm still so scared..."
Her voice grew softer, choked with sobs, and the vulnerability she had always hidden behind her calm and shrewd mask was now laid bare.
Carlotta was truly afraid—afraid of this person before her whom she couldn't figure out.
Not afraid that he would die, but afraid of not knowing where he would go from here.
"You promised before that you wouldn't do that again... and... everyone in Ragunna is waiting for you..."
This was Carlotta's last line of defense—using his own words, using the promises between them that weren't quite promises, trying to hold him back.
As for Carlotta's reaction, Aeron could only sigh inwardly.
Seeing Carlotta like this, he decided not to try persuading her further. It would only add to her sorrow.
Besides, Roccia beside her was also showing a disapproving expression.
Looking at them like this, even the little conscience Aeron had left ached.
If only he had a different ability, at least not this damned System, perhaps he could have found a better solution.
Unfortunately, this was the best way Aeron, as an ordinary person, could think of.
And thankfully, there was someone present who could cooperate with him.
"Carlotta."
"...?"
Hearing Aeron's call, the dazed Carlotta looked up in confusion.
"I like you."
"...?"
Those four words completely short-circuited Carlotta's brain.
The sudden confession, the emotional whiplash, and such an incongruous situation—
Even Roccia beside her was stunned into silence.
And this was precisely the reaction Aeron wanted.
"Pero!" (Translation: Hallelujah Great Whirlwind!)
[Focused Fire Target, Activate]
Pero, who had been idly watching the drama unfold just moments before, suddenly sprang into action, unleashing a whirlwind toward Aeron with such force that it instantly sent him soaring high above the battlefield.
"Wait, you—"
Carlotta's voice was drowned out by the howling winds at high altitude.
From this vantage point, Aeron could now take in the entire battlefield at a glance.
There, crimson frequencies clashed and dissipated against Fleurdelys's sword energy, while the golden Stand The World parried the Rover's torrential slashes at an astonishing speed...
Wait, trading blows with The World using a sword—is that even possible?
Aeron's worldview was once again shattered.
But thanks to her, his little maneuver had gone unnoticed.
As humans, everyone has limited attention, no matter who they are.
Especially in a high-intensity battle like this, where the combatants are evenly matched.
Even if the Grand Architect appeared calm and composed, most of his attention was now focused on the Rover.
...And that was exactly why Aeron liked her.
As long as she was around, he could do whatever he wanted.
At that moment, the Holy Sword in the Rover's hands erupted with a dazzling golden light, while the longsword in Fleurdelys's grip gathered a torrent of energy capable of tearing the heavens and earth apart.
Perfect timing, just as planned.
Arsène materialized behind Aeron, providing a foothold in mid-air. Aeron pushed off with all his strength, launching himself forward.
"Senior—?!"
Phoebe, who had been concentrating on maintaining her domain, couldn't help but gasp at the sight of Aeron in the air.
Amidst Phoebe's exclamation, Aeron executed a "Super Hero's Landing" right into the heart of the battlefield.
...Even though his knees shattered painfully on impact, it didn't matter.
[Focused Fire Target, Activate]
"What—?!"
In an instant, whether it was the Rover's golden light or the sword energy Fleurdelys had gathered, their full-force attacks were redirected toward Aeron.
The World!
Then, time stopped.
Everything froze. The sword light unleashed by the Rover, the surging sword energy from Fleurdelys, the scattered fragments of energy, even the dust particles floating in the air—all were suspended in an absolutely still tableau.
"Kharon" stood amidst the frozen battlefield, The World faithfully by his side, his gaze fixed on Aeron.
Strengthening oneself through death—exactly as the report described.
This time, he would die under their sword light, only to grow stronger and turn the tide of battle.
An ability that not only made him unkillable but also allowed him to grow stronger with each fight—even he had to admit it was terrifying.
"Unfortunately, any action that requires a process is meaningless before The World."
With the activation of his will, The World appeared beside Aeron, ready to pull him out of the area where death was certainly unavoidable.
The movement was precise, swift, and "gentle." The Grand Architect controlled the force, ensuring this grab was enough to subdue Aeron without causing serious harm. After all, capturing him alive was the goal.
Of course, all of this was part of Aeron's plan.
Even if his body couldn't move, his consciousness remained active.
What he needed to do next was to repeat the same trick.
[Focus Fire Target, Activate]
"...?"
Seeing The World's movement suddenly stop, its outstretched hand paused right in front of Aeron, motionless.
And "Kharon" couldn't even drive it an inch.
Then, The World's outstretched hand clenched into a fist, its eyes glowing red as it pulled back forcefully, gripping tightly before—
There was no sound, but one could already imagine the noise of flesh, bones, and internal organs being crushed.
"...So there's such an ability."
However, there was no time left for him to ponder over it now.
[Death Method: Death Within Time Stop]
[Evaluation: S, New Death Brings New Solutions, Put Them All on the Market!]
[Status Refresh in Progress]
"Now that we can communicate fairly, let's settle this matter, Mr. Grand Architect."
Aeron walked over from the side as if nothing had happened, with phantom images following behind him with each step.
[Reward Obtained: Sandevistan—Burn Your Nerves, Overdraw Your Body, Unaffected by External Influences, an Unparalleled Perception of Time, but Remember Not to Overindulge~]
Then, Arsène slowly emerged from behind Aeron, though its form appeared even more ethereal than before.
"This time, it ends for good."