What is Right

"Fatal, thirty-one. Critical, one."

"Urgh…how…"

The remains of Cadell are now littered with the armoured remains of many knights. Between thick gashes and small holes in their bodies, their lives came to an end after barely a minute of fighting.

General Ponce is the last to draw breath, but the gash in his stomach has earned him an express ticket to eternal darkness.

"So this…is a Blessed…Knight…"

"I must say, you made my life quite easy by ordering your men into straight lines."

The barrel of my revolver glows red and is once again filled to full capacity. With only one enemy remaining, I aim my gun with the intent to pull the trigger.

Before I can, a loud explosion can be heard above. A flash of green tears through the Stone Titan's makeshift neck, sending the massive head to the ground.

"This is quite troublesome…"

The massive boulder has begun its journey downhill. Given its size, it very well may barrel its way to the mountain's base, taking out both us and the fleeing villagers. Granted, Peo and I can easily move out of its path in time.

Fortunately, such motions are not necessary. Bermar is midair when he sees the boulder's expected path. I can't see his expression from here, but rapid movements betray his distress.

"GRAAAAH!"

The Blessed Knight disappears for a moment before appearing directly in front of the barreling stone. His blade makes contact and he is soon pushed down the entirety of the mountain. Little by little, his scream grows louder and his form grows clearer.

"GRAAAAAH!"

We witness strength that does not belong to a human. That mortal body should have been crushed by the force, yet it remains intact. That boulder should have torn straight through us, yet he manages to stop it only tens of metres away from where we stand.

The massive object slides to a halt with the groaning form of Bermar holding it back. Blood runs down his face, either from this grand labour or the battle he just surrendered. At the top of the mountain range, I see the massive figure of the Stone Titan slowly sink back into the stone.

"Mission failed…"

Those are the first words that come to mind as clouds slowly move in to paint the world a darker shade. The sun is blocked by the time Bermar limps towards us.

"Sir Clement! Are you…well…?"

He stops and takes a proper look at the landscape he risked his life to protect. In this dead village, there is nobody present to witness his feat and show gratitude.

"Milord! This man must be stopped—-"

BANG

A beam of red light silences the general, but it is too late. Even if I had shot Ponce dead before the hero arrived, my existence amongst this carnage doesn't create a happy scene.

"P-Ponce…the villlage…"

The shock hasn't worn off, and it remains within his damp eyes as he stares directly at me.

"What…have you done?"

"Your men attempted to arrest me, so I killed them. The village was killed by your fighting."

"You—HOW COULD YOU!"

Dirt shakes beneath us as the tip of his sword slams into the ground. Peo pulls me to the side just before a spike of pure stone can strike through my arm from below.

"You allow the village to die!? Look at the fallen!"

He motions over to the bodies lying around without armour. While many of these people were once alive, pools of blood beneath them show how long they lasted before perishing.

"What do you suggest? I stop an avalanche?"

"YES! We are heroes! Saving lives is our duty, no matter the cost!"

"And end up dead myself? I find that to be a pointless trade."

Small hands grip onto my waist once more and I allow them to steer me. Sudden rumbling is followed by two spikes aiming for my chest. They soon collapse back into the soil.

"Have you no morals!? Your body can take five, ten, one hundred boulders! You are to take them for the people! It is the right thing to do!"

"Even if it were possible, I would not."

He seems taken aback at my firm denial. His heart is racing like that of a rabbit whilst mine is calm.

"Your ideals are a fantasy, a self-sacrifice that only serves to feed your ego. Don't pretend that your desire to save isn't something you selfishly decided. It may bring you satisfaction, but don't force that duty upon me."

"YOU!"

I'm pulled backwards as even more spikes erupt from beneath my feet. Once I'm steady, I prepare my weapon and watch Bermar's body shine a bright green light.

"You fail to understand decency! You fail to understand what is right! You allow my people to die from your ignorance and selfishness!"

He raises his bejeweled sword and aims at my neck from a few paces away.

"In the name of Norwin itself, you die here Blessed Knight of Melior!"

"Your type really are the hardest to deal with…"

I take a deep breath and aim my weapon at the enemy in front of me. Bermar may be a legendary hero blessed by the goddess herself, but he is still human. If stones can make him bleed, then my bullet is more than enough to put an immediate end to this farce.

BANG

A red pillar travels directly between the young knight's eyes. At least, it should have.

The bullet definitely struck his form, but there is no blood. That armoured body seems to become fluid for a brief moment before dissipating into a puff of smoke. I can still feel Bermar's presence, but I don't realise immediately that it is now behind me.

"This is the end!"

A blade of steel descends upon my skull, attempting a blow that any human would find fatal. I know that his attack is coming from his announcement. The whistle in the wind is clear, but I don't move.

"What!"

He thought his little trick to be fullproof. If I were alone, he would have been correct. However, I have a reliable ally watching my back at all times.

"C."

"Looks like my six is covered."

I lift my weapon just above Peo's head and fire at the startled knight. He disappears once again, this time off the side at a distance. Peo, with both shields in hand, stands beside me as we face down the strongest knight in all of Norwin.

"I think I can handle his stone magic. Just focus on keeping us alive."

The cylinder rotates and my next bullet is prepared.

"This fight won't be easy."