“Taking my full-powered strike head-on, and yet you’re still conscious and standing—that’s impressive! Snow Hill, I acknowledge your strength… Give you another two or three hundred years, and you might actually defeat me. But right now, it’s too early for you. I’ll give you one last chance.”
As emphasized before, Gallo was a bona fide battle maniac. Unlike the radicals among the werewolves, he had no intention of wiping out the Hill Family. Moreover, he held a special respect for the strong.
And so, the next moment, he said slowly, “Ice Princess, I’ll give you ten seconds. Go down, and I won’t kill you!”
Gallo was a man of his word. As he counted down, he continued to close in on Snow Hill. The fight was decided; he had even deactivated his Thunder Emperor Armor.
“Ten…”
“Nine…”
“Eight…”
While Gallo counted down, the members of the Rose Knight Order—who had been cheering wildly moments ago—fell completely silent. They had finally confronted reality, a despairing reality. They could do nothing but watch wide-eyed as Gallo drew nearer to Snow Hill.
Only Mondo clung stubbornly to his conviction. He kept shouting—Swing your sword, Snow Hill! Defeat the enemy with the swordsmanship you’re so proud of!
Mullen Piyexi, however, let out a long sigh. He already knew how this would end. That person wouldn’t run; she would be killed.
Just as Mullen Piyexi had foreseen, Snow Hill made no move whatsoever against the enemy’s countdown. In truth, she was now simply bracing her sword blade against the ground to hold herself up. If she released it, she would collapse.
Yet she did not. Her ice-blue eyes held not a hint of fear—serene and elegant.
“Three…”
“Two…”
“One…”
With the countdown finished, Gallo closed his eyes slightly, a nostalgic smile touching his lips. He seemed utterly unsurprised by her response; he had anticipated this woman’s choice from the beginning.
He gave Snow Hill one final glance and murmured with feeling, “I have to say… you really do resemble Inu…”
The words had barely left his mouth when Gallo raised his arm—now transformed into a razor-sharp claw—and thrust it straight toward Snow Hill’s neck.
In that instant, everyone seemed able to foresee what would happen next. The captains of the Rose Knight Order squeezed their eyes shut, unable to watch.
Snow Hill showed no fear, meeting the approaching death with a perfectly ordinary gaze. Only at the corner of her eye was there a faint trace of melancholy. She murmured to herself, “If only I’d called your name back then.”
But then—
Just as Gallo’s claw was about to reach Snow Hill, in that critical moment, a short blue figure erupted from the dirt and rubble below. A perfectly aimed uppercut slammed directly into Wolf King Gallo’s chin. Gallo shot backward like a kite with a snapped string, soaring away in a parabolic arc.
“Take this!!!”
That was right! The one who had burst from the ground was none other than Sang.
He had no clue what had happened. Moments ago, he had been unconscious underground, lost in what felt like some kind of illusion.
Suddenly, a thunderbolt crashed down from the sky. It not only shocked him awake but also collapsed part of the cave. When the youth came to, he found himself amid a pile of ruins. Peering through cracks in the stones, he spotted the badly wounded Snow Hill—and Gallo steadily approaching her.
Without a second thought, the instant he saw the lightning aura fade from his opponent (Gallo, believing victory assured, had shed the Thunder Emperor Armor), Sang seized the opening and unleashed his uppercut.
Everyone else was dumbfounded. What in the world was this black-masked figure? First emerging from underground, then sending Wolf King Gallo flying with a single punch.
Even Mondo and Mullen Piyexi were stunned. The distance was a bit far, so they couldn’t identify the newcomer at first. Looking closer, they saw the figure wore the same style of knight’s uniform as Snow Hill—especially the eye-catching rose crest on the back.
No question about it—this was an ally!
Mondo was the first to recognize Sang. Not long before, he had wondered if this youth, who wielded the same swordsmanship as Snow Hill, could pull off a miracle. He had abandoned the thought the moment the little flying dragon was blasted from the sky by lightning, but somehow, in this instant, that peculiar hope reignited within him.
“Could it be… this strange youth really can create a miracle!?”
Snow Hill also made out the arrival. A flicker of surprise crossed her usually emotionless face, her eyes seeming to ask, “You—why are you here?”
Even someone as aloof as Snow Hill couldn’t help but be startled by Sang drilling up from the ground. What kind of grand entrance was that?
“Great, you’re okay…” Ever since they parted ways at the barrier last time, Sang had been deeply worried about Snow Hill, fearing she had run into danger and wouldn’t make it back. Seeing her now, seemingly fine… well, not exactly fine.
The youth gave Snow Hill a quick once-over. Not noticing at first, but one look was enough—his face turned beet red.
Battle-damaged Snow Hill was too captivating: tragic beauty laced with elegance. Her knight’s uniform hung in tatters, baring swaths of skin—especially those 5-foot-11 legs and the upper swell of her bandaged bosom. It was utterly mesmerizing.
After a long moment, with his face flushed and mind in a panic, the youth blurted out, “Why don’t you dress like this at home?”
“Um…?” Even the impassive Snow Hill was left speechless by him.
She was used to the boy’s outrageous comments by now, but seriously—didn’t he see how dire the situation was? Why was he talking nonsense!?
“Uh… I can talk now…” Snow Hill had only just noticed that most of the paralysis had lifted. Her movements were still stiff, but at least she could speak and shift.
“Human, why are you here!?” The next second, Snow Hill snapped out of her brief daze and sized up the situation. This boy had already gone too far last time by joining her rescue of the main force. She never imagined he would venture all the way to the Extreme North Mountain Range this time… when the whole affair had nothing to do with him.
Why put himself in such danger? It was utterly baffling.
Sang ignored her question entirely, replying off-topic, “Snow, I was just down below checking out the Ancient Titan when—bam—a thunderbolt hit out of nowhere… Snow, you won’t believe this, but I’ve been zapped by lightning twice today. My ears are still ringing; I can barely hear you. Speak up a bit, would you…?”
It was true! Earlier, atop the little flying dragon’s back, the youth had taken a hit; just now underground, lightning wasn’t all—he’d been crushed by rocks too.
Misery incarnate!!!
Snow Hill’s expression had been grave and tense, but for some inexplicable reason, hearing this youth’s gripes made her relax. Her face stayed blank, but inside, she couldn’t help chuckling wryly.
“Huh… heh…”
It lasted only an instant, but the youth caught the faintest upward curve at the corner of Snow Hill’s mouth. His heart skipped, deeply moved.
This person… seemed to have smiled…
Like an iron tree blooming, in vibrant, resplendent colors.
