A Betrayed Master Will Not Return

54 – Too Late Apologies (9)

-“Cough….”

Lafla began to emit black smoke mingled with magic.

I had some expectations, but in the end, just like in the first phase, the guy who showed no difference from the original work collapsed and vomited blood on the ground.

Although he knows the pattern, he falls a bit short as the final boss in various ways.

However,

Watching over that,

I still did not release my grip on the sword and instead raised my guard even higher.

“Now it begins. Now that the exploration phase is over, it’s time to start rampaging.”

The collapsing figure and the black smoke.

A sight that announces the start of the second phase, just like in the original work.

From now on, the guy will not simply swing his sickle, but will call his subordinates and wield various spells. Knowing this, I prepared myself for his upcoming attacks.

– “How dare…how dare a human like you…”

With a voice filled with hatred, La Plas slowly raised his body.

As I watched his figure, I automatically smiled at this situation, which was now becoming both dangerous and interesting.

“Yeah, come at me! Let’s decorate the finale just like a last battle!”

Although I had defeated him countless times before, reality and the game were fundamentally different.

Even though I had only finished the first phase, the feeling I had right now gave me a refreshing sense of accomplishment greater than when I succeeded in capturing him for the first time.

Surely, if I completely annihilate him, that ecstasy would be truly beyond belief.

Furthermore, thinking about the “reward” I would receive after defeating La Plas, I immediately started to feel the desire to slice through the opponent that had just entered the second phase.

However…

“Grrr!!!! No….no way…!”

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, La Plas started to let out desperate screams.

The body of the one who was just about to stand up from his seat crumbled like a sandcastle, collapsing instantly.

“This…this can’t be…I…I still…I didn’t have enough…no…it can’t end like this…this La Plas…to a mere human once again….!!!!”

The final boss, disappearing in front of my eyes while uttering a hateful voice.

As I watched him in this state, I couldn’t help but feel genuine confusion from a different perspective.

“No…wait a minute, is this right? Is this really the end? He’s the final boss, right? The first phase was just a copy from Part 1, and he’s now being sold separately for the second phase? Is it really ending like this?”

I even had doubts that all of this could be just the grand fake of that guy.

However,

As my expectations were shattered, the figure of la Plas disappeared completely and said:

(Note: Please keep in mind that translation is not an exact science and can vary based on personal interpretation. This translation may not capture the exact atmosphere and word choice of the original excerpt.)

The figure of Labyrinthus, neatly vanishing and leaving only charred debris.

Nevertheless, I stared at the place where he disappeared with a wary gaze, thinking that it wouldn’t end like this…

No matter how long I waited, he didn’t resurrect, and even his characteristic chilly presence disappeared cleanly.

“…hahahaha… This is ridiculous… Did those damn creators take drugs? No way they would really end Part 2 like this, right? There’s practically no new boss or monster, and they make it a boss rematch, selling the second phase somewhere else and finishing it with just the first phase? Seriously, are they joking?”

Considering the nature of the original work, there might be a special route that I haven’t discovered yet, and there was a possibility that a different monster would appear depending on the condition.

However, even with that in mind, the fact that the last boss ended with just Part 1 Phase 1 was mind-boggling to me.

“Ah… No… Could it be that there’s another final boss besides Labyrinthus…? Something like that? Well, that’s possible. Otherwise, this situation doesn’t make sense.”

With that in mind, I diligently examined the remnants of the creature left on the floor while trying to hold onto a glimmer of hope(?).

Whether it’s the final boss of Fate or something else, it’s a golden rule to collect items after defeating a boss.

Although in Part 1, there was no boss fight followed immediately by an ending, now that it’s not a game but reality, I approached the place where the creature’s remains were with the thought that there might be something to pick up.

That’s when something shiny started appearing in my eyes.

Carefully, I picked up the shiny object located in the center of the black stain.

“This is…”

A necklace adorned with a sparkling gem.

I couldn’t exactly tell what it was, but at a glance, it seemed very valuable, and as I carefully examined it, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of excitement and curiosity.

Although I didn’t know what it was, it was a beautiful piece of jewelry that didn’t give off any suspicious magical aura.

Thinking that Ellie would surely like it as a gift, I carefully put it into my pocket.

“I may not know what it is, but it seems quite expensive-looking. Although I’m disappointed by the boss, this should serve as a decent side income.”

Thinking that way, I left the basement and headed towards the upper floor where the others were waiting.

Now that Laplace has disappeared, the demons he summoned are also likely to have disappeared.

Aside from the slight feeling of ridiculousness, the people of the Kingdom of Franz felt joy in the fact that they had escaped the danger of the demons.

*

“This…this is…”

“Ah!”

The demons disappearing right before their eyes.

As they watched the creatures that had been greatly outnumbered since the arrival of the reinforcements completely vanish, a deep smile of joy began to appear on Nico’s lips.

“Finally, it’s over! You finally defeated the demons…Laplace, Commander Geldard!”

Laplace, the devil known as the root of all evil that had plagued the Kingdom of Franz for the past few years.

The fact that this wicked being, which had caused the blood and tears of countless people, had finally disappeared, brought not only Gabriel, but everyone present, immediate delight.

“Did they really do it? Did our leader defeat Laplace?”

“That’s right! Look, all those demons have completely disappeared!”

Leo shouted in a spirited voice.

At that moment, Gabriel, who had been observing the situation, hurriedly began to run towards somewhere.

“Huh?”

“Where are you going, Gabriel?”

“Where else, of course, to our leader. It’s true that Laplace has fallen, but we still can’t guarantee that our leader is unharmed!”

“!”

There was no doubt about Geldard’s abilities.

However, this time their opponent was the worst and strongest being known as the demon Laplace.

Gabriel thought it would not be an easy task to battle with such a guy, even if it was Geralt.

There was a high chance of sustaining significant injuries, and perhaps they didn’t know they were slowly dying while waiting for their help.

Caught in more than just the joy of victory, Gabriel immediately headed towards the underground where the battle had just taken place.

In addition to her desperate appearance, other devil hunters also hurriedly followed her towards the underground.

“Please… please be safe… now that everything is over. I can’t lose you like this…”

With a pounding and racing heart,

And a rough breath that seemed to be getting heavier and heavier.

In the midst of this, Gabriel fervently wished for that person’s safety in her heart, and hurried her steps towards the entrance to the underground, which finally appeared before her eyes.

At that moment.

“Oh.”

“Huh?”

The sight of a person walking out of the underground.

When she saw him approaching with black blood stained all over his body,

Gabriel unknowingly rushed towards him even faster.

And…

-Boom

“!…”

Gabriel embraced Geralt without a moment of hesitation.

In her actions that reminded Geralt of a reunion with a long-awaited lover, he showed a slightly surprised expression, but soon he smiled lightly and patted her back.

“I’m relieved… Really. I’m really relieved that you’re safe.”

“I told you, there’s no need to worry.”

Gabriel cautiously lifted his head to look at Gellered, whose words were filled with tenderness.

In that moment, there was a rare, profound joyous smile on her face, where tears were also welling up.

“Is everyone okay?”

“Well…we’re all fine, really.”

“I’m…I’m fine too. Just a few scratches, nothing major…”

“I’m also unharmed thanks to my sisters protecting me!”

“No issues here.”

They responded to Gellered’s question with bright voices.

As they confirmed their safety and Laflace’s demise once again.

Gellered, still holding Gabriel in his arms, spoke with a voice filled with joy.

“Good. Then let’s all go back. Elly is surely waiting for news from us.”

*

News of the attack by demons in Versha.

The news of this incident, which occurred unexpectedly, started spreading through Parell in an instant.

It was shocking enough that the demons attacked the palace, of all places,

But what surprised them even more was the fact that the infamous demon, Laflace, was killed in the process.

“Is that rumor true?”

“Oh yes, it seems that the central Devil Hunters came forward this time and took down Laflace.”

A symbol of terror, an odious existence that caused countless deaths and grudges.

The fact that the guy had died captured not only Pare but also the people of the entire Franz Kingdom in a deep joy.

And at this moment.

As he frowned at the cheers of the people outside the window, the person…

Duke Ocleane was sitting in his chair, trying to calm his uncomfortable feelings, feeling like he was chewing on sh*t.

“Damn bastards… Even though they’re just weak fragments, I never thought Laplace would actually take care of them..”

While resenting the deeds of the central Devil Hunters who had resolved this matter, the Duke eagerly awaited the “guest” who had come here today with even more anxiousness.

At that moment…

“The Duke has arrived.”

“Oh oh! Finally!”

In an instant, Duke Ocleane stood up from his seat with a smile he tried his best to create.

Then, he spoke in a cheerful voice towards the man standing before him.

“Welcome, General Raphaël! I’ve been waiting!

“Just make it quick.”