The Extra Saved the Terminally Ill Princess and Ran Away - Chapter 51

Chapter 51: The Second First Kiss

***

-You might lose the power, the talent, I gave you.

That was Finn's warning, in response to my desperate, regret-filled cry, lamenting my own weakness.

That I might no longer be able to protect Lili using his strength.

He had probably warned me because, as the Sword Saint, he knew the way to overcome this limitation, a way I couldn't see.

The way to infuse a sword with a singular purpose.

But back then, blinded by my fear of Lili's death, a fear that outweighed even my own,

I had ignored his warning, declaring my resolve.

'Anything.'

Even if it meant losing my power, my connection to Lili, even my life, a flickering candle in the wind, extinguished by the exhaustion of Finn's power.

As long as there was even the slightest chance of Lili achieving a happy ending, my life was a small price to pay.

That's what I had believed.

But…

As Finn's soul departed, as his talent for swordsmanship faded, I felt my own magical power surging, stronger than ever before.

The darkness, the deep, shadowy black, which had been hidden by Finn's radiant light, was now clear.

I no longer needed Finn's talent.

His brilliance had masked my own growth, my own senses, honed by his experience.

And most importantly,

The moment I was chosen by Lunar Eclipse, the fusion of White Night and Black Night, I understood.

Why White Night followed me, and why Solaris rejected me.

Because I wasn't Finn.

While I inhabited his body, my soul was different, its nature opposed to his.

I didn't understand the intricacies of soul affinities, but the contrasting nature of our chosen swords was undeniable proof.

Finn, the loyal knight, wielded Solaris, a radiant blade of pure righteousness.

I, a shadow born from the light, wielded Lunar Eclipse, an assassin's blade, its form as fluid and unpredictable as the moonlight.

Even the Mirage technique I had used against Bifrons was only possible with Lunar Eclipse, a sword attuned to the moon's phases.

Like the moon, waxing and waning, I could manipulate my reflection in my opponent's eyes, creating illusions.

I could erase my presence, my sound, regardless of day or night. And now, with Lunar Eclipse, I could even distort my visual presence.

Finn, the loyal knight, was chosen by Solaris.

What were the criteria for being chosen by Lunar Eclipse?

-Therefore, its criteria are simple. A swordsman with exceptional talent, but a tragic fate.-

What kind of talent? And whose talent?

Finn's?

Nonsense.

If it was Finn's talent, I would have been able to wield Solaris.

Lunar Eclipse, an assassin's blade, recognized my talent.

A talent that was useless in my previous life as a modern human.

A talent that awakened when I grasped a sword in this world, but remained hidden, suppressed by my circumstances.

A talent for killing.

I sighed in relief, realizing this.

I no longer needed Finn's talent. I could protect her with my own.

"…Finn?"

Lili, her eyes filled with concern, looked down at me in the makeshift waiting area.

Her gaze shifted between my right eye, still intact, and my left eye, now covered by an eyepatch.

I couldn't show her my empty eye socket, and,

I couldn't wear a bandage during the tournament. It would feel like taking advantage of an injured opponent.

So, I was given an eyepatch. Black, with gold magical emblems.

It was magically enhanced, somehow,

Transmitting a blurry, distorted image from my left side directly to my brain. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than nothing, so I didn't complain.

"Finn, are you alright…? Does your eye hurt… without a prosthetic…?"

She was consumed by guilt, her gaze fixed on my covered left eye. I took her hand and said,

"Of course not. I'm just… a little nervous, thinking about Your Highness's reaction to my appearance."

"You don't have to be nervous! I think you look great no matter what! Just… don't get hurt… even if you lose…"

Don't get hurt, even if you lose?

Even after witnessing my display of power, she was still worried about me.

Before I could reassure her, the familiar fanfare for the final match echoed through the waiting area.

I stood up and walked towards the arena, saying,

Words that sounded arrogant, yet humble, considering my newfound power.

"There's no one in our year who can even scratch me, Your Highness."

***

Thump, thump.

As I entered the arena and raised my head, the roar of the crowd died down, their gazes fixed on me.

Were they experiencing cognitive dissonance, having known me as Berry?

But the academy had announced my true identity beforehand, so I was puzzled.

Then, I heard the girls whispering, their voices filled with a mixture of admiration and curiosity.

"Wait… what's his name…? Berry? Or Finn?"

"Cedric is handsome, but… there's something about this guy… he's not exactly kind-looking, and that's what makes him attractive…?"

"I know…! And that eyepatch…!"

'Oh, right. Finn was supposed to be really handsome.'

I had forgotten, having lived as Berry for so long.

Of course, the original Finn had a kind and gentle aura, unlike me. So, their perception of me as a "bad boy" was entirely due to my influence.

'So… if I wasn't as handsome as Finn originally was… then I'm just… an asshole?'

Despite the compliments, I felt a surge of annoyance. I frowned and—

Grit.

"…Hands off."

—heard the sound of grinding teeth behind me.

Lili was jealous.

The thought was both amusing and baffling.

While about half of the girls were admiring my appearance, the boys couldn't take their eyes off Lili.

I was wondering how to deal with this unexpected development when Ian and Selina appeared, drawing the attention away from me and Lili.

They, too, were quite striking in appearance.

Ian tilted his head, looking at me curiously, while Selina's eyes darted around nervously.

I couldn't understand Selina's reaction, but Ian's was easy to decipher.

"Berry… where's your sword?"

His gaze fell on my empty hands.

"You'll see."

My confident answer made him smile.

"You're right. Who am I to worry?"

He drew his sword and assumed a fighting stance, his clear eyes meeting mine. I raised my hand towards the sky, towards the sun hanging high above, and said,

"Ian, I'm not going to use any cheap tricks this time. I won't target Selina while you're distracted."

I clenched my hand, extending my index finger.

"And I won't attack you from behind."

Lili wanted to see me fight seriously, to witness my true strength.

"I only have one target: your sword, Ian Cedric."

I had vowed to live by her sword, and if she wanted to see me fight like this, I would obey.

That was my resolve, my purpose.

I would become her moon, her shadow.

If Finn was her shield, I would be her sword.

As the signal for the final match rang out, I whispered,

"Lunar Eclipse, Total Solar Eclipse."

A dark shadow, like a veil of smoke, suddenly appeared, eclipsing the sun, plunging the arena into darkness.

And Lunar Eclipse, shimmering with moonlight, materialized in my hand, a mirage in the sudden darkness.

I wouldn't use any cheap tricks, any surprise attacks.

Not after Lili's request.

Ian, seemingly snapping out of his daze, his eyes focusing, charged towards me.

My target was his sword.

Clang!

The sound of clashing steel echoed through the darkened arena, followed by a faint whistling sound.

And then, a thud.

Something heavy, embedding itself in the ground.

The shadow eclipsing the sun receded, revealing us to the audience.

Ian's sword, broken in two.

Ian himself, frozen in place, beads of sweat trickling down his face.

And me, my sword, Lunar Eclipse, pointed at his throat.

"…I yield."

A single exchange.

A fleeting moment.

He surrendered, his voice breaking the silence, and the arena erupted in cheers.

A thunderous roar, far louder than before. I turned to Lili.

"How was the view from the best seat in the house, Your Highness?"

She didn't answer, her mouth agape, her eyes wide with shock. I walked towards her.

I had to reassure her, to dispel her fear of being abandoned.

"This attendant only wishes for your happiness, Your Highness."

I wanted to see her like this, healthy and happy, basking in the cheers of the crowd. Always.

I had thought this, watching her struggle in this hellish world, burning the last embers of her life force for a fleeting moment of happiness.

I only wanted her happy ending. And for that, I would face any hardship, any obstacle, in her stead.

"You are… the most precious person in my life."

I took another step towards her.

"So please, don't cry. Don't be sad. Just smile."

I knelt before her, my gaze fixed on hers.

"My everything… exists solely for you, Your Highness."

If you don't value yourself, I will value you even more.

I will make you understand, undeniably, how precious you are to me.

I will give you my everything, so please, just give me your love in return.

I looked at her, my heart in my eyes, and she began to cry, despite my plea.

"Sob… hic… Finn…"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"I… I…"

She couldn't define our relationship.

I was her former attendant, and she was my Princess.

So, I had intended to leave our relationship undefined, a blank slate.

For now, our mutual love was enough.

"…I love you."

But…

She felt differently.

She was the one to define our relationship.

She pulled my face towards hers, her tear-filled lips meeting mine, a kiss that sealed our fate.

She filled the blank slate with the vibrant colors of love.

And so, our second first kiss, a kiss she didn't remember,

Was a bittersweet taste of tears, warm and salty.

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