Rogue Villain-Chapter 302: Flag

Karandiel didn’t seem very interested in talking things over, and her face was tense with wrinkles that didn’t suit its flawlessness. She looked very angry, and her raised weapon made it seem like she wanted to kill Ackster.

However, Ackster could tell that there wasn’t a hint of murderous intent in her actions. She just wanted to vent the frustration she felt regarding Ackster, the powerlessness she felt when he supposedly died in the ant nest, and how he had survived but not contacted her.

Ackster, the immortal cockroach that he was, was the perfect target, at least to some degree.

He let Karandiel slash him with her sword. She was a little surprised to see Ackster not even try to defend himself, but she gritted her teeth and resolved to push through. She was going to show him the pain he deserved for playing with and fooling her like that!

Karandiel’s sword managed to cut through Ackster’s shirt and skin. But then, it got stuck in his rock-solid muscles. His Diamond Body was pretty durable.

Karandiel’s eyes widened in surprise again before a mixture of relief flashed through them, quickly getting replaced by frustration as the sword dissipated in her hands. She made a new sword of brilliant golden light and stabbed Ackster right in his stomach.

Just like before, it didn’t get far after entering. But Karandiel didn’t stop and just spammed swords into Ackster’s body, turning him into a hedgehog.

"...you...!"

Gradually, she started talking, too.

"Rude, despicable man!"

Karandiel cried out as she stabbed again.

"Why?!"

"If you were going to die, you should have stayed dead!"

"If you were alive, why didn’t you come back!"

"You promised! I waited for you!"

As she continued attacking Ackster, her weapons grew dull, her shouts were more affected by the tears welling up in her eyes, and her voice changed. She wasn’t angry. She was sad.

Ackster hesitated. He wasn’t sure what to do. He had no idea how to comfort people, much less when he was the one responsible for their tears. But he needed to do it if he wanted Karandiel’s help.

Even when she held back and only used a fraction of her strength, Karandiel had still managed to injure Ackster’s body. That wasn’t something a lot of people could do. But more than that, she could leave her attacks and weapons of light inside him and stop his healing.

With his Ichor, Ackster could forcefully push out the weapons currently inside him. But if Karandiel went all out and they were locked in a battle of life and death, it wouldn’t be that easy to spare his Ichor. Well, he was still confident he would win. But the fact that she could impede healing like that was a valuable skill. And it would come to use in the final battle.

Eventually, Ackster decided to try a simple but effective solution.

"I’m sorry."

Ackster dispelled the swords of light on the front of his body as he stepped in and wrapped Karandiel in a hug. She needed comforting, and Ackster’s arms were sturdy, warm, and reliable.

Karandiel snuggled into his embrace, tears running down her cheeks like lonesome raindrops.

"Bastard."

Wilma had to agree with Karandiel’s insult, but she stayed silent and made herself unnoticeable. She didn’t know why, but she didn’t like what was going on, and seeing Ackster with such a gentle expression as he comforted Karandiel made something inside her throb. He had upended their relationship, which she thought was a close one, for his own selfish reasons.

Instead of apologizing properly, he just asked her to wait for an explanation for several years. Ackster was a goddamn bastard, all right.

Karandiel wiped her tears on Ackster’s shirt before looking up at his face with red eyes. Ackster met her emotional gaze without knowing what to say.

"You look even more like a no-good man now."

Ackster smiled and hugged Karandiel a little tighter.

"You don’t like it?"

Karandiel looked away with a humph.

"You will tell me everything about why you didn’t return and what you’ve been doing. But first, tell me your name."

’Seems like I left a deeper impression than I thought.’

Karandiel had responded to Ackster’s tightened hug by squeezing her own arms around him harder. Saving her, fighting with her, and saving her again before sacrificing himself for her had apparently made him unforgettable in Karandiel’s eyes and heart.

’Good.’

If this was what she truly felt and wasn’t just a play, which Ackster doubted, he wouldn’t have any trouble spilling the beans to her and having her help him fight in four years. But there was a lingering doubt in his mind.

"I would if I could."

Ackster turned and looked at Wilma for a moment before deciding to trust her.

"I’ve recently learned that I might not have a name at all."

The redness of Karandiel’s eyes and cheeks faded as she looked at Ackster, still in his embrace, with confusion.

"What do you mean? Doesn’t everyone have a name?"

Ackster shrugged.

"The real name of my previous body, the one I’ve had ever since coming to this world, was Ackster Phileam. I’m not he, and this body is more a reflection of my soul. But I don’t have my own name."

Karandiel’s eyes grew sorrowful, and she leaned her head against Ackster’s neck, hugging him even tighter. Not having a name was tragic. Karandiel could tell that Ackster wasn’t quite aware of it himself, but not knowing who he was or his own identity upset him.

Although he was a bastard who had caused her a great deal of emotional distress and sadness, Karandiel knew he was worthy of a name. He was worthy of a name much grander than the sound someone with a bad case of the flu might make while coughing up phlegm in the middle of a sneeze. It was a sad name that didn’t suit Ackster’s greatness.

Ackster was a little surprised at Karandiel comforting him now, but he took it in stride. It wasn’t often he got to hug such a beautiful and bountiful woman, though Mara would probably squeal in happiness if he asked her, and she was plenty beautiful on her own.

"How about that meal you wanted? Now that you’ve regained a lot of your strength, it seems like a congratulatory feast is in order."

Ackster finally stopped embracing Karandiel and held her at arm’s length as he looked into her eyes. It was the last flag they raised after encountering the ants.