"You bastard! To think that you would backstab us!" the confident swordsman standing beside the blonde-haired one exclaimed, his voice brimming with sternness and disappointment.
"I knew from the beginning that a mercenary shouldn't have been brought along with us in the first place," he added, his frustration evident.
The blonde-haired swordsman, who was still in shock at the dead body of the woman lying on the ground and continuously filling the ground with warmth and the air with the scent of blood, clenched his own swords with all of his strength as he couldn't believe the emotions he was feeling.
"W-why…why, WHY!??? Tetsuko!!"
"....."
The blonde swordsman glared with hatred at his comrade, to whom he used to have entrusted his back.
But no matter how many times he asked, he never received any answer, which is why he couldn't contain his emotions but shake in anger at the calm yet cold way his comrade was staring at him. He was focused on the sole question to the point where he wasn't able to notice the sudden change in his comrade's red eye colors.
"....So you have no interest in responding."
The blonde swordsman's eyes were obscured by the shadow of his own hair, accepting the harsh reality that the woman he had wished to protect was no longer with him. With a heavy heart, he acknowledged that the only path left for him now was one of revenge. To ensure that the woman's soul could rest in peace.
"Any last words before we kill you? Even if you are a cocky mercenary and not officially part of our party, I'm kind enough to allow you to express yourself,"
The other swordsman gave a soft glare while keeping a safe distance from the killer of his comrade.
"....."
"..."
"..."
But despite the merciful way the swordsmen were going to end this, the one who killed the woman never gave his response. His silence served as sufficient evidence for both of them to take action and deliver a just ending for his wicked deeds.
"Say something, you motherfucker!!"
The blonde swordsman's hoarse voice echoed as he prepared himself to attack him.
"Didn't you also love Brixilla?! So why….."
He had reached a breaking point, where nothing else mattered to him. And the fact that the mercenary didn't give any excuse was enough to make him clench his fists and teeth in rage.
"WHY!!! ANSWER ME, TETSUKOOOOOOOOO!!!"
All of his emotions burst out from holding them the whole time. He charged at Tetsuko, the mercenary who betrayed them, with eyes filled with grief and hatred.
However—
"You fool."
—right before the blonde swordsman was able to reach the mercenary, he saw an afterimage right by his side, unaware of what happened in that next moment, his arms and torso falling apart from being cut several times. The only thing he could actually hear at that split moment was the cold voice of his comrade, who was already walking past his remains.
"U-ugh…. I-impossible…."
Understanding the unprecedented speed displayed by the mercenary, the last remaining swordsman, who had been brimming with confidence until now, took two steps back to create a safe distance from the menacing figure.
"Little girl, let's team up."
The brown-haired swordsman proposed to the girl who was gazing down the hallway.
"Forget what we were about to do some moments ago. If you want to survive, then let's help one ano—"
His words, however, were abruptly cut off, as in the next moment, a swift and sharp blade pierced through his neck before he could even comprehend that everything had come to an end the moment he stepped foot into this dungeon.
There were no words from him. The only thing he saw in the next few seconds was the vision of the composed mercenary, who was now advancing toward the white-haired girl with eerie calmness.
Before he could even question the inexplicable turn of events surrounding him, his consciousness began to fade. The sight of his beheaded head, no longer connected to its body, was the last thing he experienced before everything went dark.
After easily killing his own party members, the brown haired mercenary fixated his red eyes on Aya. But to his surprise, Aya didn't flinch, nor did she put her guard up at the guy who massacred a whole party.
"I'm sorry for not listening to you. I know you told me to wait until you came back, but…"
Aya looked down, agreeing with the fact that she didn't listen to any advice or order given to her. Even if she wasn't at fault, she felt like she should've apologized.
"It's okay. I know you didn't mean any harm when you didn't listen to my advice."
The mercenary with red eyes reassured the white-haired girl, raising his brows in a kind and understanding manner as he noticed her apologetic expression.
"It was my fault as well for taking so long to come back. I understand that you must have felt lonely in that hidden corner. So, please don't be too harsh on yourself."
Aya's eyes widened in response to the understanding conveyed through the person's words. She offered a bittersweet smile, her gaze shifting downward, carrying a tinge of pain.