Scenario:The Art of Mercy - Chapter 5: Elegy for the Valorous - Episode 4
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The Art of Mercy - Chapter 5: Elegy for the Valorous - Episode 4
The battle resumes the next day, and Zawra cuts through the Zilantos soldiers to where Erik is. Once again, the prince attempts to use one of his men as a shield, but Zawra foresees this and dispatches Erik in one swift movement. However, Erik's body begins to emit a deadly magic, and the area is hit with a blinding explosion.
The morning after, Erdeni and Zilantos meet once again on the battlefield.
Luhua: ...
Luhua is among the Zilantos troops facing them, just as Altair predicted.
Though wounded from his previous engagement, Erik also stands at the front line.
Erik: The pain's gone now...
Erik: What exactly did you do, Vitali? Are you sure this is going to be okay?
Vitali: Your Highness, as I explained before the procedure...
Vitali: I did not heal your wounds. I simply applied a slightly... different kind of magic of my own invention to your wounds and your body—
Erik: Hmph... Well, whatever, as long as I can move.
Erik: I can't believe they even dared to put a scratch on me... I'll make sure they pay for their crimes... with their lives.
Vitali: My, my. Not even going to listen to the rest of my explanation, are we?
Vitali: (I suppose that works in my favor...)
Luhua: Prince Erik, are you certain you want to participate in this battle with your wounds still fresh?
Luhua: It would be best if you stayed in Zaha until you've received proper treatment—
Erik: Shut up, will you! They hurt me! I'm royalty!
Erik: I'm going to teach those Erdeni slugs that standing up against me is a huge mistake...
Erik: So what's it gonna be? If you try and stop me, Luhua, that'll be the same as rebelling against me.
Luhua: ...
Luhua: Very well. Do as you wish, Your Highness.
Luhua: Then if you will return to your own unit. Our front lines will soon be engaging the Erdeni troops.
Meanwhile, the Erdeni army stays vigilant, watching the enemy in the distance closely.
Shura: Luhua, Prince Erik, Vitali, and Renfa are all confirmed present.
Shura: We were right in our assumption that Zilantos will be focusing all of their forces on this battle.
Zawra: I'm surprised Prince Erik is already coming out onto the battlefield...
Zawra: I expected him to stay with the main unit, not stand at the front lines...
Altair: According to the accounts of Polaris's soldiers, Prince Erik should have suffered a serious injury.
Altair: To have healed under normal methods of treatment would be inconceivable...
Altair: Just as I thought... This must be Vitali's doing.
As Altair ponders this, Zawra's calm gaze sweeps over the enemy troops.
Zawra: In any case, what we have to do remains unchanged. We must stay vigilant on the battlefield and be ready for anything.
Zawra: This time, I will defeat Prince Erik. For Erdeni...
Zawra: And for our dear friend.
Soon, the deafening cry of soldiers echoes across the moors, signaling the start of battle.
Taking the thunderous roar as a sign, Zawra tears toward the Zilantos army, determined to put an end to the prince once and for all.
Zawra: Haaaaah!
Zawra plows through the multitude of incoming Zilantos soldiers, striking them down one by one as he makes his way toward Erik.
Zawra: Prince Erik of Zilantos! Today, you shall perish by my hand!
Erik: Shut up! I'm the one who's going to win!
Zawra and Erik's blades clash over and over again in a test of strength and swordsmanship.
Unable to get close, the Zilantos soldiers can only hold their breath as they stand back to watch the furious exchange of blows.
Erik: (Damn it, he's so strong... At this rate, he's eventually going to win!)
Erik: No... I won't allow it! I'm the one who's strong! Not you!
Zawra: Indeed, you are strong... But a blade that lacks conviction will never be able to cut me down!
Erik: Wha!
Zawra wrenches his blade sharply upward, knocking back Erik's sword and upsetting his balance.
Erik: (No... No, no, no! Lose? Me?)
Erik: (No way! As if I'd let that happen!)
Erik: I'll never lose... Never!
Erik kicks at the ground in frustration. He reaches out to grab one of his soldiers to use as a shield, just as he did in his fight against Polaris.
Erik: Eek!
Having predicted Erik's next move, Zawra makes another slash, grazing the prince's outstretched fingers.
Zawra: It was plain to see that this is what you would resort to in your desperation. That is who you are.
Zawra: It ends here.
Erik: Blegh...
Outsmarted, Erik is frozen in disbelief as Zawra's blade slices his stomach open.
Erik: But... why? I'm... I'm strong... I'm supposed to be... special...
Dazed, Erik sputters his last words as he sinks to his knees and collapses into a pool of his own blood. Zawra stands watching in silence.
Life slowly fades from the prince's eyes until it is completely gone.
Zawra: Your death has been avenged, Polaris.
After a moment of silence, Zawra turns his back on Erik's body to face the surrounding soldiers.
Zawra: Listen to my words, soldiers of Zilantos. Your leader is dead. If you resist any further—
Just then, Zawra senses an ominous presence from behind and spins around.
Rising from Erik's body, now but a vacant shell, are the threatening traces of a deathly magic.
Zawra: No...
The moment Zawra grasps what is happening, a deafening explosion fills his ears, followed by a white light that swallows up the entire battlefield.