At Cain’s answer, Bianca felt more heat rise to her head.
Was he truly saying something like that as an answer?
“I know that! Your answer sounds logical at first glance, but in reality, it is nothing more than a contradiction. The day you left the Marquis of Castana, you told me this: you can’t accept me for the sake of the people who depend on you.”
“…..”
“Then what about that woman? Wasn’t she the one who ruined all the people you were supposed to rule in the distant future? So why didn’t you push her away as well? Answer me!”
At Bianca’s words, Cain smiled bitterly. Bianca was right. His actions now were hypocritical—an incoherent mess. Her bitter criticism was inevitable.
However, it was also unavoidable. If he hadn’t stepped in, Aria would have died at Bianca’s hands. He couldn’t accept that. He hated the thought of Bianca killing Aria and Aria dying by someone’s hand. If he had stood by idly, he would have regretted it. He simply didn’t want to regret it.
He had also already accepted Aria. She was the Witch of Winter in the future, but now she was a maid and mage of the Duchy of Estel. She was part of the territories he had to take responsibility for and protect. So—
“I’m sorry, Bianca. It’s just a mess with no logic or anything. But I just wanted to stop you.”
“…Cain, you…”
“And if she ever becomes the Witch of Winter, I’ll take responsibility. Even if it costs me my life, I’ll put my sword through her heart myself. However—”
Saying he would never let that day be today, he raised his sword toward Bianca once more.
Bianca looked at Cain and closed her eyes. Truly, he was an impudent man who was unreasonably stubborn. He had no shame. How could this man casually prioritize other women in front of her!
“Fine. If that’s how it is, I’ll take it seriously from now on.”
If he wanted to test her, she would prioritize her resolve over her love.
In an instant, suffocating mana leaked from Bianca.
At that overwhelming magical power, Cain unknowingly gulped. This was the real beginning.
“The Land of White Nights.”
As Bianca gently stepped on the ground, hundreds of meters in all directions turned to ice in the blink of an eye. The friction of the ground diminished drastically, leaving Cain momentarily off balance.
“The Thorns of Frost.”
Kwa-kwa-kwang!
Spikes made of ice began to rise from all sides, forming a dense ice forest around Cain. Each thorn was sharp enough to pierce a human torso. It was a perfect setup to bind his feet and keep him from running amok!
“…Huh?”
Her expectations were wrong. Cain was running casually, as if the ice’s frictionless surface were nothing. He used the Flowing Star technique to maintain balance and fluidity.
He slashed the ice thorns blocking his way and leaped forward, reaching Bianca’s position in an instant. The ice everywhere seemed to accelerate his movement.
“Hah!”
Of course, Bianca wouldn’t let him close in so easily. Although her mana was depleted from the earlier battle with Aria, she didn’t need complex magic fields to stop him.
“Winter’s Crystal.”
Gooo-woong!
A massive, semi-circular ice barrier, over a meter thick, formed between Bianca and Cain.
Cain swung his sword with all his might, but the barrier’s thickness proved too much for even him to break through.
“It’s too much. Can you at least use an aura to shatter this barrier?” Bianca taunted, snapping her fingers.
At that moment, the ice thorns surrounding Cain suddenly transitioned into steam, and—
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwang!
A massive steam explosion erupted.
Taken by surprise, Cain was swept away, unable to even scream.
Bianca was serious. Still, she knew he wouldn’t die.
Ariel Thiers, the healer who could treat nearly any injury, would ensure that.
“…I’m not one to back down. Even if my opponent is you.”
As the steam dissipated, Bianca’s vision cleared.
However—
“…!”
Cain was nowhere to be found!
“I’m here, Bianca.”
From beside her, a familiar voice reached her ears. Startled, Bianca’s heart seemed ready to leap out of her chest. She hadn’t missed his presence for even a second—so how?
It was the Flowing Star technique again. Cain had refracted light and sound, temporarily erasing his presence from the world.
For a moment, Bianca’s face was filled with bewilderment. How had he managed to close in without her noticing?
Still, she reassured herself. Cain lacked the means to attack her within the thick ice barrier. As long as she remained inside, her victory was assured.
But then, blue energy began to emanate from Cain’s sword like a haze. The moment Bianca saw it, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “Aura?”
Truuunggg—
Cain steadied his sword, and the blue energy, resembling a clear sky, began to surge. It coalesced into a blade, pulsating with terrifying momentum.
“Swift Slash.”
As Cain uttered the words, countless streaks of energy etched the air. The slashes were too swift for the naked eye to follow.
Ku-goo-goo!
In a moment, the thick ice barrier shattered into countless shards.
“…Cain, no way, you…”
Bianca stared at the blue energy flowing from Cain’s sword, completely ignoring the collapse of her last defense.
Cain simply shrugged, “Did you really think I’d face you without any preparation?”
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