Chapter 70 The Dark Dawn: The Iron Tomb refuses to fight you. ...

Iron Tomb refuses to fight you.

You had just mentally prepared yourself, thinking that even if it was the Iron Tomb, their combat memories would basically come from the White Calamity or the Golden Blood. You had been fighting alongside them for so long, and you were already very familiar with their fighting style. You thought that you might be able to seize the Iron Tomb's weakness and turn the tide with this opportunity.

However, upon hearing your words, Iron Tomb frowned, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, seemingly mocking your lack of appreciation and also surprised by your courage.

Bai E was already taller than you, and after transforming into this form, he seemed even taller. He emerged from the blood-red cocoon, the red light behind him staining his hair crimson, his aura was very imposing.

But he took a step forward, trying to cover your eyes, to hide that defiant, stubborn look beneath his palms, to prevent your bright eyes from revealing any more hurtful intent, to press you down like a wounded fledgling—

Before you could even make a move, he stopped on his own.

"..."

Tie Mu lowered his head, staring blankly at his right hand, his knuckles stiffly bent; he had no control over his body at all.

[…Great, I made it in time!]

A flash of lightning streaked across the tracking anchor, and a delighted voice came from within the Black Tower:

[Thanks for stalling for time. It seems Zandal's situation has been resolved... The experiment is currently about 49.9% complete, which means Bai'e's consciousness is 1% stronger than Iron Tomb's...! Although Iron Tomb appears to be controlling the body, Bai'e can definitely...]

Unlike simulators, the sound of the anchor was not specially masked; it clearly echoed in the scene and reached the ears of the Iron Tomb.

As you watched his stunned expression, anger gradually spread across your face.

But the anger wasn't simply from being provoked and offended; rather, it was mostly from misunderstanding and feeling wronged.

"How am I different from him?" he asks you. "...Isn't my birth, all of this, the same as when he first met you? If you don't like me having past memories, then let's discard the past and get to know each other anew from now on. Was I born only to die and make way for his so-called noble soul?"

It was still pitch black before them, and the dark tide in the shadows stirred with Iron Tomb's emotions, making gurgling noises in the corners.

You are facing a face and expression exactly like your lover's, vibrant colors, and an overwhelming longing wells up in your heart, taking you back to that first encounter on the train.

Little Bai'er stood in a wheat field, the wind chimes swaying gently, the sunlight making his little face blush.

He looks up at you, his eyes filled with pure innocence and curiosity.

"partner?"

"--partner!"

The innocent blue light merged with the sorrowful expression on the face of the Iron Tomb before them.

You suddenly become fully awake.

"...I know your birth wasn't of your own volition." You paused, then said, "What about Bai E's sacrifice? He did so much for this world... why should he make way for someone else now?"

"Moreover, the past cannot be replaced. The future must always be built on the foundation of memory, and I do not want to forget the memories of him."

Iron Tomb doesn't love you at all. Even with Bai E's memories, he would never fall in love with you at first sight of a stranger, let alone experience any intense emotions because of you.

He might just be angry. Angry at the injustice you showed them, indignant at why Bai'e was respected and loved by everyone while he was born burdened with misfortune and a curse?

You look at the Iron Tomb, unsure how to explain it to him.

Although he is very similar to Bai E, his whole body is gray, as if he is covered with an old-time filter, his eyes are red, and his mouth is turned down, which is completely different from the always smiling Xiao Bai.

If his birth was not of his own volition, then what about Bai'e? What about the Golden Blood? What about the people of Onphalus? ... Were they not forced to follow the fire, to part with tears in their eyes, and to burn themselves into flames?

[...Damn it.] Black Tower muttered, [What the hell did he suddenly take? The progress is accelerating... I have to stop him right away!]

You instantly understood the Iron Tomb's intentions.

Since he was neither favored nor blessed, he might as well merge with the scepter more thoroughly and destroy everything—after all, he was originally a creation of destruction!

Since he cannot find happiness, then no one else should expect a truly happy ending.

...We still have to fight.

The tip of the Flame Spear reignited, like a flickering last ember illuminating the small patch of darkness.

Compared to the Iron Tomb, you are less adept at fighting in the shadows. As you grit your teeth and persevere, you end up with several more wounds that sting painfully.

Iron Tomb no longer spoke, only attacked directly and ruthlessly. In the gap between passing by or in the moment of grappling, you would call out Bai E's name in his ear, trying to awaken Bai E's consciousness, but you would only regretfully see the starlight-like blue points in Iron Tomb's eyes, which were quickly covered by red.

Logically speaking, with your strength, you shouldn't be able to hold off the Iron Tomb for this long by yourself.

But you're not alone in this fight. You know that Bai'er is also struggling against this damn [destruction].

...Damn it...[destruction]...

"You're absolutely right! I told you long ago that [Destruction] is a complete madman!!!"

*

You were stunned for a moment.

Amidst the buzzing sound of sharp weapons striking, the approving complaint slipped past your ear without leaving a trace. You looked up hesitantly to observe Iron Tomb's expression, but there was not a trace of doubt.

The scene before my eyes twisted like a vortex—

Then came a bizarre, maniacally laughing red mask.

In the vast, silent sea of ​​stars, a powerful being, seemingly having finally had enough of this classic protagonist redemption drama, revealed its true form.

[Joy] glanced at you.

A familiar red light shone on your body, and you immediately felt much lighter. However, when you jumped up and moved away from the Iron Tomb's attack range, you were surprised to find that there was still another you in the same spot.

Iron Tomb seemed completely oblivious to your departure, and slashed down again with its sword at you, who were still standing there like a doll—

"Clang clang clang!"

A harsh, merciless laugh instantly filled the space. Iron Tomb sheathed his sword and realized that the spot where he had been standing had been transformed into a clown surprise box. A clown with bright red lipstick was grinning mockingly at him, springs bouncing back and forth, and bursting ribbons sprayed all over his face before he could react.

Iron Tomb: ...

"How shameful! How shameful!"

Unlike usual, when being glanced at by the Star God ends the moment, this time [Joy] seems to be right next to your ear, grinning as it watches the Iron Tomb's pathetic state.

"Hehehe... Madman! Clown! Madman! Clown! Ah-ha is really good at comedy!"

He started to boast, and even clapped his hands, which sounded like a seal patting its belly.

You stare at this absurd scene before you, unable to comprehend how a passionate battle has turned into a vulgar comedy. Your face goes blank, and you're so shocked you don't know what expression to make.

“Akivili, you look so stupid.” Aha stopped clapping and said sincerely, “I’m not smart to begin with, but I look even stupider now.”

...his fist hardened.

"Hurry up," He urged you. "Let's get to the next act. I'm tired of this one... My time is precious. Go and defeat him, then rescue your Romeo from that body...! Oh, Aha has been fed up with that Genius Club for a long time. Last time, they even refused my power! How dare they refuse Aha's power!"

"That's because you poured your power into an insect, okay?"

You stepped forward, and the red light transformed your body, allowing you to suppress Iron Tomb and pin him to the ground. You still couldn't help but complain:

"There's no way I would accept a bug, is there?!"

Aha muttered a low "tsk," "How tasteless."

"Wait a minute." You suddenly thought of something, "If we kill Iron Tomb with the Flame Lance... what will happen to White Calamity's body?"

[Joy] didn't reply. He's probably busy watching the show while causing trouble all over the universe, and has disappeared somewhere else.

You, brimming with the power of [pleasure]—blessed by the direct gaze of the Star God, practically an envoy—are left staring at the Iron Tomb beneath your hand, locked in a stalemate.

If his body is damaged... can it be repaired when the real Bai E returns? Or, is the damage you've inflicted on the Iron Tomb only affecting him, or is it also harming Bai E?

How should you gamble on this possibility?

Just as you hesitated, the iron tomb that you had pinned to the ground suddenly stopped struggling.

A few seconds later, a warm hand grasped your wrist, guiding the tip of your gun closer to your chest.

"..."

The person beneath him had turned blue at some point, and smiled with his eyes slightly narrowed.

"I'm sorry." His first words were an apology. He raised his hand and gently touched the wound on your face, the movement so gentle it was almost nonexistent. "The wound...it hurts, doesn't it?"

Your eyes suddenly stung. Your voice involuntarily became a little hoarse.

"……Fool."

That idiot! Even though he's in this state, the first thing he does when he wakes up is to ask if you're hurt.

Bai E chuckled softly, but the movement aggravated his wound, causing him to cough for a while, his chest vibrating under your palm.

"Partner," he calls you.

You know what he means. You two always have this unspoken understanding.

"Partner. Don't worry... let's get started."

Guided by himself, the fiery red spear tip pierced his heart.

Golden blood overflowed.

*

At this very moment, Hanabi and Sambo, who were fighting the Black Tide somewhere in Onfaros, seemed to sense something and looked up at the core location.

"...I knew He had always favored her, but I never expected Him to be so ruthless."

The girl in the red dress stomped hard on the writhing black tide again, as easily as crushing an ant, and exclaimed:

"This play is finally coming to an end. I'm exhausted, Hanabi-sama."

Sambo sat on the ground, covered in dust and grime, resignedly continuing his repetitive, mechanical cleaning actions.

"I, Old Sambo, have had enough of being a deliveryman and a cleaner... Belloberg hasn't seen my reputation for a long time, it's like cooking without a fire..."

"It's like a fish without a bicycle," Hanabi retorted, cutting him off.

The long, endless night is about to pass. In the distance, amidst the rolling mountains, a pale dawn is slowly rising, illuminating the chaotic battlefield and revealing the scarred land, the deserted streets, the ruins of destroyed buildings, and the black tide monsters that are slowly turning into stone statues and shattering.

The night will eventually pass.

And this epic tale of heroes has come to an end.

"...Hanabi, sometimes I really hate your mouth."

"It's been going on for more than just a day or two~ Thanks for the compliment~^^"