114 THE FOURTH NAME (1/2)

CHAPTER 114: THE FOURTH NAME

SERENA MAIZONO

2 DAYS AGO

”X-Xen…”

It was already too late. Xenon has killed Michael Eldritch with his own bare hands. His objective that has been kept in his heart for the past three years has finally been fulfilled. As he dropped the severed head of the emperor who once ruled the world to the snowy ground, Xenon looked up in the sky with a satisfied smile. His Eye of Deus and Curse of Necross continues to glow as he felt the droplets of the blood of Eldritch crawled on his skin.

”Ah…” Xenon made a relieved sigh. ”It has finally finished. He's dead now. My whole life… is over now.”

”X-Xen!-” I was about to rush to my knight but Alphonse blocked my path with his arm. I looked at him who is focusing his gaze on the avenger as if he's being threatened by his appearance.

”Serena, don't.” Z looked at me in the eyes as she shook her head. ”That man… It's not Sir Xenon Wingate.”

”B-But-!!!”

”Everybody, don't lower your arms!” The Pentagram Knight Jerick Fachias commanded to the soldiers that are surrounding Xenon. He's the one in charge commandeering this platoon to ensure Eldritch's capture. Now that Eldritch is dead, his objective shifted to a more peculiar one. ”Don't let your guard down!”

”Wait, that's Xenon!” I cried out loud. ”There's no threat anymore!”

”Shush, mademoiselle.” Danielle entered the scene and she sassily walked beside me. ”Stay silent for a moment.”

I can't believe this! Why are they pointing guns at my knight? Why are Alphonse, Z, and Danielle looking at their friend like a wild animal that has been unleashed? I don't understand why they are being threatened by Xenon!

Suddenly, I heard Xenon's whisper from afar. The silence of the morning atmosphere here in the ruined Vanilla City made it possible to distinguish every word Xenon was muttering.

”Cheng Du is dead… Marisse Trystgade is dead… Michael Eldritch is dead…”

Xenon laughed like a madman. He covered his face as he shrugged repeatedly. With his unholy eyes, he scanned the surroundings until our eyes met. That's the only time I realized why all my allies are wary of Xenon's existence.

”Serena Maizono… still alive…”

My body froze in fear. My heart was shattered the moment I heard my name on his list to kill. Why was I included on those people Xenon hates the most? Wait, I remember. I should have realized that Xenon felt that wrath the moment I accepted Eldritch's offer for marriage. I should clear the things out.

”X-Xen!” I held my aching chest. ”That engagement with Eldritch, it's just a sham! I'm sorry if I made you feel bad! I'm sorry if I betrayed you! I never intended to make you feel that way, and I never wanted to marry Eldritch in the first place! I did it so that the world will be saved from his tyranny! You understand why I did those, right? Right? So please… please come back to me…”

”Traitoooooor!!!” Xenon roared out loud, making a shockwave that shoved the thin snow away from the epicenter of the voice. ”Cheng. Trystgade. Eldritch. Maizono. They must die!”

”...Xen…” I fell down on my knees, not knowing what to say, not knowing what to do. My soul is broken and my mind is blank. My eyes gave out tears that flowed endlessly on my cheeks. Did he… did he really hate me that much?

”Everyone, switch your rifles to stun bullets!” Jerick commanded the soldiers. ”Our mission is to capture Xenon Wingate alive! He's our only lead to the last Psychic Amplifier!”

”Roger!” All the soldiers affirmed as they pressed a button on their rifles, switching it to non-lethal mode.

”Serenaaaaa!!!” Xenon cried out loud as he rushed recklessly forward, trying to get me. In response to that, Alphonse, Z, and Danielle went in front of me for my aid.

”Fire!” Jerick Fachias commanded, and thirty soldiers followed. Rubber bullets with electric properties surged towards the raging Xenon from every direction. None of the bullets missed their mark and is certain to hit the avenger.

”Something like this will not be able to stop me!” Xenon roared out loud. The shockwave of his voice nullified all the incoming bullets.

”We have to pacify him somewhat!” Danielle said. ”Prevent him from reaching Serena!”

”Leave that to me!” Z volunteered as she activated her Partial Dragon Form, spawning rainbow-crystal wings on her back. She used her wings to flap out elemental glitters that rushed towards the raging avenger. ”Rainbow Elemental Shower!”

”Forge!” Xenon created a wide tower shield to block the incoming elemental dust as he continues to rush forward. His shield started to dissolve on the magical shower, and some already made it past his skin, but he's not bothered about the pain. All he's thinking is revenge against me.